Fanaticism and Superstition (3)

The lord’s audience chamber. A cold atmosphere hung. 

“My Lord! These children are the ones who committed blasphemous heretical acts!” “Eeeek!” 

A young priest’s fierce shout. About fifteen young girls were dragged into the audience chamber, terrified. Armed knights surrounded them with sharp gazes. 

Following them, the girls’ parents entered with anxiety-filled faces, watching from a distance. 

Amid this, the priest berated the girls. 

“Why did you burn dolls in the forest!?” “We, we just heard burning dolls could grant wishes…” “You wench! Shameless lies! You were surely worshipping demons!” 

What the girls had done was merely childish mischief. But the timing couldn’t have been worse. Moreover, witnesses had seen the girls’ strange behavior, making it impossible to quietly dismiss. 

Then, a white-haired elderly priest stepped forward. With a gentle smile, he placated the young priest. 

“Don’t berate them so harshly. They seem like pure souls untainted by worldliness, why would they speak falsehoods?” 

One girl’s father, sensing opportunity, stepped forward. He knelt before the elderly priest and pleaded. 

“Bishop Marcus’s words are absolutely correct! I swear to heaven my daughter Jane would never lie! Surely someone…! Some wicked person must have tempted these innocent children into committing sacrilege!” 

The white-haired priest, Bishop Marcus, briefly examined him. A familiar face. 

Marcus remembered he was a wealthy merchant who donated substantial offerings to the church. 

For the Solar Church, devout believers generally fell into two categories. Those with genuine deep faith. Or. Those who donated generously to the church. 

This man clearly belonged to the latter. He was a very devout believer who knew how to show sincerity to the church. 

A faint smile appeared on Bishop Marcus’s lips. A brilliant idea crossed his mind. 

“Hmm. That makes sense. How could a child with such a devout believer as father think to commit sacrilege on her own? Surely someone influenced them.” 

Bishop Marcus approached the oldest-looking girl. 

The bishop placed his bony hand on the girl’s shoulder and, with a benevolent smile, met her eyes. But his eyes shone coldly. 

“Child, what’s your name?” “J-Jane, sir.” “Yes. Jane. I’ll ask directly. What evil person tempted you all?” 

Jane’s eyes wavered anxiously. She vaguely sensed the bishop’s intentions. 

“W-well…” 

As she hesitated, the young priest beside the bishop berated her again. 

“You wench! Answer the bishop’s question immediately! Remember, if you speak falsely or hide truth, you’ll all be declared heretics and hanged!” 

Terror-filled screams erupted from the girls. 

“H-hanging!?” 

Death’s terror weighed upon young souls. 

Soon after, Jane’s father desperately called to his daughter. 

“Jane! Think carefully! Perhaps Austin or Sara, those two!?” 

Austin and Sara. Names of two merchants her father strongly disliked as business competitors. Jane immediately understood her father’s intention. 

In that moment, survival and conscience violently clashed in her mind. After lengthy hesitation. 

She ultimately chose truth. 

Of course, it was the truth they wanted. 

“I-I just remembered! Uncle Austin and Aunt Sara… it was them! They told us to burn dolls! No, they threatened us!” 

Jane swiftly turned her head, signaling other girls. You too, quickly! Under oppressive atmosphere and death’s fear, other girls also began sobbing and supporting the lie. 

“Y-yes! They secretly came to our homes at night!” “If we didn’t obey… they threatened to kill our parents too! sob” “Such utterly wicked people!” 

With the girls’ tearful false testimonies, numerous names emerged. 

Bishop Marcus looked at the young lord with satisfied smile. 

“My Lord, the truth seems clearly revealed. Please make a wise judgment.” 

The young lord’s body trembled slightly. Having inherited lordship early, he was politically immature. The city’s real power lay with Bishop Marcus. 

Finally, the young lord issued orders with trembling voice. Despite knowing something was wrong. 

“Arrest… everyone connected to this case.” 

That day. Seventeen innocent people in Haven were declared heretics and executed. 

Their property was distributed among the church and several others. 

“Insane! Executing so many people based on children’s testimonies!” “Who’s the real heretic here, tsk…” 

Some conscientious individuals raged and lamented but dared not raise their voices. 

And one week later. 

The heresy judgment storm intensified. More people were accused as heretics and lost their lives. The city was colored with fear. 

After two horrific execution ceremonies. 

The young lord, unable to endure further, courageously spoke to the bishop. 

“Bishop Marcus. Shouldn’t we stop here? Further sacrifices…” “My Lord! What are you saying? Evil heretics lurk in shadows targeting our city! If we cease hunting heretics now.” 

Shadow fell across Marcus’s face. 

“We will be the ones victimized.” “…” 

The lord couldn’t respond to the bishop’s threatening words. 

Voices opposing Marcus’s actions diminished daily. Everyone realized that the louder they spoke, the higher chance their names would come from girls’ lips. 

People stayed silent or supported heresy judgments by joining the madness. Haven was transforming into a city of insanity. 

And finally. 

On the third heresy execution day. 

“I truly committed no crime!!” “Please spare us!” 

Just as Bishop Marcus raised his staff to declare execution— 

“We shall execute—” “Wait.” 

A resolute voice from somewhere interrupted the bishop. 

All gazes in the square turned simultaneously toward the voice source. 

Loen threw off her robe and strode through crowds toward the square. Her sudden appearance and imposing presence naturally cleared a path. 

“What bastard dares touch my shoulder, huh.” 

A man blocking her way inhaled sharply and hastily stepped aside. 

Loen strode directly onto the execution platform. Then, infusing mana into her voice, she firmly interrupted the bishop about to declare execution. 

“Wait.” “…?” 

Sudden silence descended upon the square at her resonating voice. Cold water had been thrown on boiling madness. 

Bishop Marcus slowly lowered his raised staff, narrowing his eyes. His gaze turned to Loen. Why is the Inspection Corps here? 

“Imperial Inspection Corps Senior Investigator, Loen Franz.” 

Loen tapped the golden lion emblem at her chest, revealing her identity. A snake-like smile immediately appeared on the bishop’s face. 

“Ha ha. To think I’d meet the famous Inspector Loen here in Haven. I am Bishop Marcus of the Solar Church. It’s an honor to meet you.” 

Ignoring his greeting, Loen went straight to the point. 

“I heard this is a heretic execution. Is that correct?” “You heard correctly. This is a solemn occasion judging evil heretics devouring the Empire.” “But from what I see…” 

Loen’s gaze swept over those kneeling on the execution platform. 

“There seem to be innocent people mixed in.” “You appear to misunderstand.” 

Bishop Marcus turned to the crowd with exaggerated laugh and shouted. 

“Everyone, this inspector claims some here are innocent. What do you think?” 

At the bishop’s inflammatory cry, some shouted at Loen as if they’d been waiting. Loen watched this carefully. 

“They’re all filthy traitors who fell to demonic whispers!” “That’s right! Our respected bishop would never execute innocent people!” “Many have witnessed them contacting demons at night!” 

The square began boiling with chaos and madness again. 

Watching this absurd scene, Psyche rolled her eyes and whispered to Loen. 

“What kind of situation is this?” 

Seraphine and the knight commander silently prepared for contingencies. 

Jeers and condemnations poured like rain toward Loen’s party. Then someone clearly crossed the line. 

“Seeing them defend traitors.. perhaps they’re the same kind—” “Enough!” 

At that moment, Bishop Marcus thunderously intervened as if he’d been waiting. 

“What nonsense against noble inspectors working day and night for imperial safety? Everyone calm down. I’ll discuss calmly with them at the church.” 

The bishop instantly calmed the excited crowd with his charisma. Then, without asking Loen’s opinion, he naturally set the next destination as if leading the situation. 

You see this? Loen’s eyes narrowed. 

He extended his hand, politely indicating stairs descending from the platform, and smiled. 

“I apologize, Inspector. Western public sentiment is troubled lately, everyone got momentarily excited. Let’s continue our conversation at the church.” “Bishop Marcus! Making decisions without our consent—” “Very well.” 

Loen stopped Seraphine showing discomfort. To Seraphine’s puzzled look, Loen nodded. Let’s follow for now. 

Sending such signal, Loen followed him to the church. 

Inside the church’s reverent interior. 

Loen’s party and Bishop Marcus stood facing each other before the altar. 

Behind them, people who couldn’t contain curiosity filled the church. The bishop didn’t bother driving them away. 

Loen spoke first. Her gaze turned to execution targets trembling in the corner. 

“Bishop Marcus. What specific reason convinces you those girls are pure souls who know no falsehood?” 

The bishop nodded, aware of onlookers at the church entrance. 

“I swear by the sun, absolutely certain.” “We just heard that girl testify some have contracted with demons. You believe that’s true as well?” 

A cunning smile appeared on Bishop Marcus’s lips. As if he’d been waiting. 

“Of course. You said ‘based only on their testimony,’ but actually, we’ve secured clear evidence of some communicating with demons.” 

At the bishop’s finger movement, a young priest brought a large wooden box and placed it on the floor. 

Thump! 

As the priest unlocked and opened the box, ominous energy that turned stomachs flowed out. All manner of disgusting tools used for demon worship. 

Bishop Marcus walked to the box and raised high a sinister black book. 

“You see? This is a forbidden book written in hell’s language! It contains methods for contracting with demons!” 

“Goodness..” “My god…!” 

Surrounding priests and crowds retreated in shock at the book’s eerie energy. Even Seraphine and Psyche frowned with disgust. 

The bishop’s words didn’t seem entirely false. Those objects were real. 

What complete nonsense. Only Loen secretly sighed. 

“Everyone’s attention please.” 

Loen slowly walked to the church center. 

“With young girls’ testimony and physical evidence.” 

Finally stopping, Loen tilted her head, meeting eyes with the bishop wearing a relaxed smile. 

“Some among them must certainly have contracted with demons. Correct?” “Absolutely. It’s evident fact.” 

The bishop answered with certainty. 

As soon as his words ended, Loen produced something from within and raised it high. 

“Bishop. Do you know what this is? Special authority personally granted by His Imperial Majesty.” 

All eyes focused on the document fluttering in Loen’s hand. 

“Noting my ability to detect demon contractors, he bestowed this weighty authority.” 

Of course, complete falsehood. The authority wasn’t granted for that purpose. But her having such ability was truth. 

Bishop Marcus and priests widened their eyes. 

The sun the church worshipped was the Emperor. How could they not recognize the imperial seal of His Majesty they revered like a god! 

The feeling wasn’t good. 

Marcus asked, hiding his agitation. 

“So what exactly are you trying to say…?” 

Loen gestured toward the execution targets. Her eyes still fixed on Marcus. 

“Bring those who contracted with demons before me. In His Imperial Majesty’s name, I shall judge them personally.” 

Bishop Marcus, who had been biting his lips, reluctantly gestured. Priests roughly dragged three or four people and forced them to kneel before Loen. 

The church filled with suffocating tension. 

As everyone watched breathlessly, 

Loen murmured softly. 

“Mana Sword.” 

Gripping the sword with her right hand, Loen’s gaze swept over Bishop Marcus and Jane glaring at her. A cold smile hung on her lips. 

“If these people prove innocent.” 

Loen stretched her left hand forward. 

“Then you must be thoroughly prepared.” 

Immediately, Loen spoke a magic activation word filled with light attribute. 

“Flash.” 

Intense light enveloped the church interior. Everyone reflexively covered their eyes with both arms. 

“Eek!” “Huh.” 

Just then. 

“AAAAARGH!” 

A harsh scream like scraping metal resounded. 

The scream belonged to the young priest standing beside the bishop. Black smoke rose violently from his entire body. 

Meanwhile, those kneeling before Loen merely suffered briefly from intense light, showing no other reaction. 

The demonic connection wasn’t with them but rather the young priest. 

The moment truth was revealed. 

Somehow I thought so. With ice-cold expression, Loen immediately rushed forward. 

Slash—. 

Instantly, both the priest’s legs were severed. 

“AAAAARGH!” 

Seeing the young priest crawling, gushing blood like a fountain, Bishop Marcus retreated hurriedly with deathly pale face. 

“!!!” 

Marcus’s mouth trying to make excuses involuntarily shut tight. His pupils shook violently with dismay. 

The church instantly became chaos. Amid terrified crowds and girls screaming and retreating, 

Loen shouted to her companions. 

“Arrest all these bastards.”