Ch.184184. Heresy Inquisition (2)

In books considered sacred texts by multiple religious orders, there is a passage asserting the equality of all sentient beings.

This concept was directly imported from Abrahamic religions like Catholicism and Christianity, incorporating their distinctive notion of inherent human rights.

Of course, this equality of sentient beings might make sense if all humans were physically equal in reality. But in a fantasy world, equality was certainly the concept furthest from truth.

This was for almost the same reason as the floating internet theory from another world that democracy cannot function in fantasy settings.

To put it extremely, could a drug-addicted goblin with one year left to live truly be equal to a dragon who has lived thousands of years and accumulated countless knowledge and power?

Could an ordinary man possibly have the same political authority as a master swordsman who has reached such heights that he could slaughter tens of thousands of ordinary men who challenged him?

Of course not.

Even in reality, looking at the whole world, true democracies are overwhelmingly rare. It’s impossible for such a system to work in this ancient world infused with fantasy elements.

To put it bluntly, before and after reaching the intermediate level, one essentially becomes an entirely different being.

Take warriors who gain Aurora power as an example. From the intermediate level when they awaken their Aurora, warriors obtain power that “transcends humanity.”

Overwhelming resistance to magic, defensive capabilities so strong that only another Aurora user could scratch them, destructive power that cuts through metal like butter, and superior physical abilities.

Even a newly awakened Rank 6 warrior using only basic cold weapons could easily match several thousand elite troops in battle.

Even against modern weapons, they’re practically invincible against personal firearms. At minimum, anti-materiel rifles or anti-tank missiles would be needed to have any effect.

Of course, even intermediate-level warriors generally expect to deplete their Aurora significantly if they directly confront the firepower of an entire squad…

But still, the very fact that cold weapons can overwhelm firearms shows that the concept of equality cannot take root in this world.

Despite all these reasons, officially, everyone is equal within the religious order.

While there are hierarchies of position and respect for levels of attainment within the order, systems like slavery or noble titles that distinguish social status simply do not exist.

This was indeed influenced by Ma-Duke’s modern values, but the foul temperament of multiple gods had an even greater impact.

The doctrine stating that social distinctions are impossible within the multiple religious orders contains language with the following nuance, albeit in a more refined form:

The argument is essentially: before the gods, everyone is less than insects, so how dare you try to climb above others?

In short, the official position is that the social hierarchy within the order is classified as God-Dead/Servants-Humans(Believers), and any other classification is meaningless.

To put it more bluntly, flaunting one’s status is itself a challenge to the gods.

The all-powerful and great leader of all—no, rather the reigning god.

Humans (believers) who serve the god, worship them, and find spiritual stability.

And between these two, the servants like angels who connect them, and the dead—deceased believers who receive equal treatment to such servants.

While differential treatment based on position may exist, social differences cannot exist for any reason.

Just as early Christianity did, reflecting elements of universal faith, the multiple religious orders were like rain in a drought for the socially disadvantaged.

However… despite the existence of this crucial doctrine of “complete equality without social class,” most of the newly inducted believers find this doctrine awkward.

Those who were citizens find it difficult to accept that they are equal to former slaves, while most of noble birth have met their end by causing trouble and being appropriately “recycled.”

The former poor are purely happy about becoming equal, albeit somewhat bewildered, but the problem was that some occasionally interpreted equality as their own superiority.

‘…What am I supposed to do with these people?’

This is why Eric Bjornson, the Lord of Inquisition, couldn’t help but have a headache.

Strictly speaking, by the order’s standards, these people were heretics, but the divine oracle had decreed a grace period considering the special circumstances.

Eric Bjornson’s goal was to somehow straighten out their thinking during this period so they wouldn’t remain heretics.

The public commonly views Inquisitors as fanatical zealots obsessed with rooting out heresy, and in truth, this assessment isn’t far from reality.

An Inquisitor’s duty and life purpose is to interrogate and root out heretics, and their fanaticism is particularly notable even within the already fanatical multiple religious orders.

The order meticulously cultivated fanaticism through various modern psychological techniques and by fulfilling each person’s individual deficiencies.

They instilled a sense of belonging by comparing other evil gods’ orders with their own, and even employed scientific methods to push them further.

As a result, the believers of the multiple religious orders had long since become rational fanatics—a paradoxical combination.

And the Inquisitors, who possess even more fanatical faith than the regular members, surprisingly never conduct indiscriminate executions.

Of course, they have deeply rooted suspicion that could be called paranoid, and it’s considered virtuous to suspect and observe even fellow Inquisitors.

But still, they are Inquisitors, not heretic slaughterers.

Their goal is to identify heretics among the innocent to protect those innocent people, not to be madmen who massacre civilians just to catch heretics.

‘Still… we’re short-staffed!’

Therefore, they cannot tolerate people who could be properly educated in correct faith being sentenced as heretics due to lack of personnel.

…Though it is quite characteristic of Inquisitors that they execute without the slightest mercy those who fail to adopt the correct faith after the grace period ends.

Anyway, Eric Bjornson, the Lord of Inquisition, deep in thought, finally came to a conclusion.

‘It’s been a while… perhaps I should go see that person.’

He decided to meet an acquaintance who might be helpful in this situation.

※ ※ ※

And so, Eric walked from the Inquisition headquarters to the gate connected to the Sanctuary.

“Good to see you, Veterans.”

“L-Lord of Inquisition?! W-what brings you here, sir?”

To the Veterans of the Avenger Legion guarding the gate entrance, he spoke with what he considered a friendly smile(?).

“I have some business at the Sanctuary. Would you mind stepping aside?”

Although Eric said this knowing that all Inquisitors have unlimited authority to use the Sanctuary gate… from the recipients’ perspective, it was pure horror.

Even regular Inquisitors are symbols of fear among believers, let alone the supreme leader of those Inquisitors?

This misunderstanding arose because they didn’t know that the position of Lord of Inquisition was one nobody wanted, but what could he do about it?

“P-please, go right ahead…!”

“Thank you, you’re doing good work.”

After offering what was meant as encouragement to the Veteran who had barely mustered the courage to respond while trembling—though how it sounded to the recipient was another matter—

Eric passed through the relatively quiet Sanctuary gate and found himself in a magnificent facility.

The “Blood Sanctuary,” a decagonal structure with a domed ceiling that seemed to embody the very concept of holiness.

Each wall of the decagonal structure housed gates connecting to various locations, and the interior was so luxurious it was hard to believe it existed in the mortal realm.

Gems that could set up someone for life even with just one were casually embedded in the walls, which were unbelievably made entirely of silver and gold.

Additionally, the massive divine statue located in the center of this space further amplified the solemn atmosphere.

Within this Blood Sanctuary, which possessed both splendor and solemnity, several high-ranking officials with authority were busily moving about, delivering various items.

And among these people stood Eric’s “acquaintance” quietly.

A woman with skin and hair so pale they seemed drained of blood, contrasting with blood-red eyes and robes.

The name of this woman, whom Eric had come to seek help from directly, was Lisa Raeldottir, Apostle of the Bloodstained God and Saint of the multiple religious orders.

“…Lord of Inquisition? What brings you here?”

“I need your help.”

She was also Eric Bjornson’s younger sister—Eric, son of Bjorn.