Chapter 269
"What a load of nonsense!"
Logan's voice unintentionally raised in volume. A land forsaken by the divine. Where could such a dreadful term originate? Just the mere mention of it was enough to make the citizens quiver with fear.
"Ah... it's only a suspicion, Your Majesty. And it's not even the general belief of the temple, but rather the personal view of His Holiness the Pope. That's why the inquiry," Pamiel explained, sweating profusely, but Logan's anger didn't show any signs of calming.
"So now, you're suggesting that because many children born in McLaine lack divine abilities, the Pope... that man implies it's a land forsaken by god?"
Logan challenged Pamiel's statement directly, who couldn't even think to correct Logan's slip of the tongue as he hastily waved his hands.
"It's just a doubt he has raised! If the results of the investigation are positive, he will retract his opinion, surely. Heh heh."
"And if they're not?"
"Well, how could they not be? To label it as a land forsaken by god, that term would suit the southern mountains or the Demon Forest. How could it be applied to a nation where people live in peace?"
It could.
Watching the Archpriest force a smile, Logan's sense of unease grew even more.
'The records only show madness.'
According to the documents Logan had perused on his way to the temple, the current inquisitors were not much different from the corrupt priest Vallama, targeting innocent civilians or true heretics without discrimination.
Tales like that of a farmer who cursed the god of water and agriculture, Aion, after a failed harvest and was burned at the stake were all too common.
'Maybe that corrupt priest simply killed those he deemed heretics according to his standards.'
Logan clenched his teeth thinking about how the church doctrine would react to such an idea.
Normal logic wouldn't condemn a soldier who dealt with a sudden stomachache in the forest while on watch. At most, it would warrant a warning.
But the inquisitors classified such actions as desertion and issued execution orders. They concocted nonexistent crimes and exaggerated real ones to the extreme.
Thus, passively waiting for a positive outcome felt more likely to lead to the worst-case scenario.
"Is there a way to convince the inquisitors? I mean, legally and without opposing god's will," Logan inquired. Pamiel began to understand Logan's intention.
"Heh. Well, I'm not sure. Those in the central temple have little room for flexibility, unlike priests like me. What a shame..."
As Pamiel glanced nervously at Logan, the latter delved deeper into the matter.
"So are there any specific precautions when dealing with the inquisitors? Any other approaches?"
"It's unfortunate, Majesty, but I have no authority to interfere with the inquisition..."
"Archbishop. If we keep revisiting the same well-known stories, there's no incentive for me to make a donation now, is there?"
Sensing Pamiel trying to withdraw, Logan promptly took a firmer stance. Pamiel sighed softly before continuing.
"The inquisitors undergo rigorous mental training. Any flexibility is seen as a sin to them."
"In that case, bribes could indeed...
However, Cardinal Eseal, who leads them, is an exception. He's a priest with flexibility, like myself."
"Oh?"
"But he's on our side when it comes to gifts, right?"
"Are you suggesting the cardinal has a certain... flexibility?"
The insinuation being that he might accept gifts?
"That's what I'm saying. Before I arrived in the McLaine Diocese, we were close friends for about a decade."
"A comrade as corrupt as you are."
Feeling somewhat reassured by the information, Logan let out a sigh of relief.
"Hmm. Then you must be well aware of what the cardinal prefers?"
"Ah... ha ha. That is..."
As Logan scrutinized Pamiel with a furrowed brow, Pamiel, hesitant at first, finally divulged.
"I must insist that my words don't leak. Considering my friend's position in the church..."
"Of course," Logan assured him.
Despite the affirmation, Pamiel continued, his face still moist with cold sweat.
"Cardinal Eseal has a fondness for money, but... he has a stronger liking for... female followers."
"Pardon?"
Logan's gaze hardened slightly.
"Even that... um. Younger female disciples. Girls in their early to mid-teens..."
Pamiel's words contorted Logan's face completely.
"The cardinal?"
Even if the church had become corrupt, a cardinal with the rank of archbishop and even the right to vote in the papal election, would have a preference for women? Even young girls?
Had he heard correctly?
Embarrassed by the absurdity, Logan looked at Pamiel, who hastily waved his hands.
"Your Majesty, please, you must never mention I told you this?!"
Pamiel's worried demeanor lent credibility to his words.
"Damn it..."
Although inappropriate for a king to say in front of an archbishop, Pamiel dared not argue.
After the meeting with the archbishop, as Logan departed, his expression was very grim.
Victor, too, had disheartening news to share.
"As Your Majesty requested, we inquired within the temple about Bishop Ilia and confirmed some facts."
"Go on."
"Indeed, Bishop Ilia has been sent back to the central temple, but the public announcement seems somewhat sugarcoated. It seems she was essentially treated as a prisoner."
At that, Logan's steps involuntarily halted.
"Huh..."
Looking up at an utterly cloudless blue sky only heightened the sense of filth in his mind.
"The temple... truly goes to extremes."
His voice was soft yet laden with deep anger.
Though he had never considered that Bishop Ilia was summoned for noble reasons – the words 'heresy' and 'inquisition' had already been mentioned – the notion of being treated as a criminal right from her diocese?
To think that the only priest Logan respected further constricted his already tight chest.
Contrary to his usual demeanor, Victor made an unexpected proposition.
"... Isn't there a way to rescue her?"
Surprised by Victor's words, Logan looked at him quizzically.
"She was greatly loved by the orphans in the slums. Even local thugs held Bishop Ilia in high regard."
"Did you hear some rumors?"
"I've seen her a few times when I volunteered during my off-duty hours. She was truly a compassionate person."
Huh?
Volunteer work?
The contrast to his previous image of a noble-slaughtering individual left Logan surprised.
'This man...'
But in the current situation, acknowledging Victor's change only brought slight comfort. Logan hardened his expression and shook his head.
"Regrettable as it is, that's something I can't do. We would be branded as heretics even before the inquisition commences."
"Wouldn't it be better to save her if we’re going to be condemned anyway?"
"What?"
"If what Ria said is true, there hasn't been a single instance where the inquisition deemed someone innocent after investigation. That's my suggestion to you."
Victor's statement made Logan's expression even more severe.
"Inevitably to be condemned as heretics...?"
"If I'm overstepping, forgive me."
"No, it's not that. You're correct. The chances are high... Ah..."
It was a plausible deduction, and Logan realized that he was subconsciously grasping at any possibility of a favorable outcome.
'Such a fool...'
If the temple truly had that intention from the beginning, then no amount of preparation would matter.
'A bribe would only lead to more trouble.'
He had nearly made a grave error.
"You did well to speak up, Victor."
As he brushed his goosebump-covered arm, Logan organized his thoughts. It was wiser to prepare for the worst rather than hope for the best.
"Summon Damian. And notify the Knights as well. Starting now...
"
As Logan continued speaking, Victor's expression grew increasingly serious.
One month later, a group of around 300 individuals entered the city of Grandia.
While the number wasn't a significant portion of Grandia's population, their distinct attire caught the attention of all onlookers.
"Are they priests?"
"They seem to be wearing cassocks, but why are they black?"
"And what's on their heads instead of miters?"
The crowd instinctively stepped back at the sight of the black cassocks, stoic faces, and steel helmets worn by the newcomers.
Sharp-eyed observers noticed silver armor beneath the loose black cassocks, and those with knowledge identified it as the garb of the past era's inquisitors, who preached justice while instilling fear.
"Could it be..."
"No way, right?"
The group swiftly made their way to the palace surrounded by an escort from the royal knights, and those who guessed at their purpose hurriedly went home, pale-faced.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."
The elderly man, his face etched with wrinkles, smiled warmly as he bowed to Logan.
"The honor is mine to meet you, cardinal. However, given the circumstances, I can't say I'm entirely pleased."
"Ha ha. What could Your Majesty possibly need to fret about? All things will simply progress according to the will of the Nine Divinities."
Cardinal Eseal Fabrun seemed to embody a priest with his gentle visage and polished demeanor. However, knowing what Pamiel and Damian had uncovered, Logan couldn't face the man with a genuine smile.
"I genuinely hope everything unfolds naturally. Where would you like to commence the investigation?"
"Our first stop would be the Laftan region, I presume? There were troubling reports of a plague outbreak that violated the temple's taboos."
Eseal spoke calmly, his smile barely faltering, as Logan's expression turned severe.
"Those efforts were part of developing a cure for the plague. The bishop who accompanied them had given consent."
"Ahh, you mean Sister Ilia. Sadly, she would be summoned to the central temple by now. Haven't you heard the news?"
'You devious…' Eseal smiled as he delivered this information.
Despite feeling unjustly treated, Logan debated with a distorted expression.
"Despite potential disagreements within the clergy, don't you think it's unfair on our part? It's not our fault the temple shifted its stance."
"Of course. Which is why ideally, I'd like to present a favorable report to His Holiness. Ah, but here's the issue... I have my position to consider, heh heh. Perhaps if Your Majesty showed some... generosity, it might change the narrative."
With a blatantly self-serving move, the old man tapped his round, calloused fingertips on the table, a tactic not even common street thugs would resort to. Logan maintained a smile and nodded in response. Victor, who had been standing by, then placed a large bag barely the size of a human head on the table in front of the cardinal.
"Thump. Clank."
"Oh? What might this be, Your Majesty?"
As Eseal grinned slyly, Logan returned the smile.
"A modest sum to start with for your investigative ventures. We will provide a substantial amount upon your departure. Oh, and if it's inconvenient, feel free to provide your personal account for the transfer."
"Oh, well, thank you... But..."
The cunning Eseal's eyes sparkled as he grasped the bag.
"Your Majesty, offering a bribe to a priest under heresy investigation is seen as partial admission of guilt. You weren't aware of this, I presume. Brother Rob, you've noted that down, right?"
As the subordinate priest nodded alongside Eseal's crafty smirk, Logan also nodded, smiling.
"Now? Hmm. Of course, I'm aware. I wouldn't have expected you to think so poorly of me."
"What?"
Eseal contorted his face in confusion, and Logan continued.
"Considering the depleted state of the royal treasury, we couldn't provide gold, so I've had it arranged in copper for you. Altogether, it's not even worth 10 gold. A proper bribe starts at 100 gold, doesn't it?"
Eseal aggressively opened the bag, causing decades-old copper coins, now scarce, to spill out. His face tinged with the reddish-brown hue of the currency. After biting his lip in frustration, he put on a forced smile and bowed his head.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I'm a bit hasty by nature..."
"No, it's quite alright. After all..."
The two exchanged forced smiles, both fully aware that their true intentions were partially revealed. Especially Logan, who realized the worst-case scenario, and his expression inevitably hardened.