Ch.209Report on the Collapse of Patience (2)

A blank expression. An indifferent attitude. Everything seemed to be a bother to Prolo. His answers had grown progressively shorter until they were reduced to mere nods or shakes of his head.

An ordinary inquisitor would have either lost his temper at this point or struggled to contain it. Then Prolo would have lifted his chin with a sardonic smile. A deliberate provocation.

From that moment, the power would shift to Prolo. The interrogated would control and manipulate the emotions of the interrogator.

The disrespected inquisitor would act authoritatively to establish dominance, while Prolo would taunt and mock to further provoke anger. He could afford such behavior because he knew how valuable his information was.

The inquisitor would clearly know this but would lose rationality and become agitated. At that moment, the interrogation would effectively be over.

‘And to make matters worse, he’s a zealot.’

Even torture had little effect on such people. The more they were tortured, the more they believed they were being persecuted for speaking the truth.

Perhaps they had read too many books about persecuted saints in their childhood. Simple pain merely strengthened their defensive walls.

That’s why Verneith placed a rolled-up paper on the table. But he didn’t unfold it. Prolo glanced down once, then ignored the paper.

“So. A zealot. Why did you put Arius of Temperance on a pleasure boat and send him to the sea in front of the Pearl Dock?”

Prolo answered with silence.

“Our friends from the east sent all the details. And that day, the hero of heroes, the warrior among warriors, Arius, disappeared. Officially. Unofficially, they say he was defeated by the ‘Knight of the Scabbard,’ turned into a monster, and flew into the sky. Do you really have nothing to say about this?”

Prolo nodded. As if it wasn’t his business. Verneith scratched his chin.

“Then I suppose I can assume this. You move according to the Pope’s orders, and since you reserved this pleasure boat and invited Arius, His Holiness must have intended his miserable end.”

At the word ‘Pope,’ the dull-faced man raised his eyes sharply. Just for a moment.

“If that’s what you think, then so be it.”

“Are you really saying the Pope is killing off the heroes?”

“Go out and spread the word. Shout it in the streets. I’m truly curious who would listen to you.”

Prolo burst into laughter. Verneith waited until his laughter subsided.

“You don’t seem very inclined to talk. Am I right?”

“Seeing that you’re the oldest inquisitor who’s come so far, you must be high-ranking. So don’t you already know everything?”

“I see. Very well. You may leave now.”

Verneith was so calm that Prolo couldn’t respond properly. So the Director of the Imperial Security Bureau personally opened the door and pointed the way out.

“You are free to go.”

Verneith, holding the rolled paper, moved to leave first.

“What’s your angle?”

Prolo remained seated. Verneith tilted his head.

“No angle. I’m simply pleased to meet such a dedicated and faithful priest. If my subordinates were as loyal as you, I would have cherished them. His Holiness is truly fortunate. That is, if you really are a priest.”

“I am a priest.”

“The Papal Office says otherwise.”

Prolo’s lips twitched. Verneith calmly looked down at him, still seated.

“They say the organization called ‘zealots’ is a fabrication by conspiracy theorists, and there is no Father Prolo.

There is a Prolo in the Venelucia branch, but he’s an elderly man with a pleasant face, not you with your cold eyes. You are not a priest. Even if you were once, you’ve been replaced.”

Prolo’s patience was truly admirable. Or perhaps he had prepared for this moment from the beginning. That when discovered, the Papal Office would deny him. Like refusing to retrieve an arrow once shot.

“So we plan to assign you guards to escort you safely back to your hometown. There are assassins everywhere.”

“What?”

“We already know everything about your hometown. Your real name, age, birthplace, who lives next door, what your parents do. And we plan to ‘add’ one more thing.”

Verneith unfolded the paper. Prolo’s face twitched. It showed his portrait. At the top, bold letters read, “I denounce this man.” And at the bottom…

“Think what you will? That’s fine. ‘The mad priest who incited Leonardo of Charity to rebellion, the demon-possessed fraud Prolo.’ And I plan to fill in all the information about you in this blank space below.

The people of Venelucia are blinded by grief over losing family and friends, and those who suffered most are soldiers and mercenaries. And Venelucia has a fine tradition of employing pirates as soldiers.”

“Such a petty act!”

“Petty. Yes, petty.” Verneith rolled the word around in his mouth.

“It is rather petty. Hiding behind the scenes, manipulating innocent people, then denying everything and running away when things go wrong. But don’t worry. Your life will be safe. We’ll assign you guards.”

Prolo’s hands trembled. The implication was clear. He would be dragged back to his hometown and forced to watch as his parents, siblings, neighbors were torn apart and his village burned to the ground.

“But well, what can you do? You acted according to your beliefs, and now you must accept the consequences.”

“The people of my hometown are innocent!”

“So were the people of Venelucia.”

“Who are you!” Prolo snarled. “Who are you to do such things! Do you think even the Emperor can do this and get away with it?”

“Before worrying about His Imperial Majesty, you should be concerned about His Holiness, priest.” Verneith continued to smile slyly.

“If word spreads that the Pope has been corrupted by evil, that he incited Leonardo of Charity to cause chaos in Venelucia, and that a priest named Prolo acted as his agent… do you think the cardinals waiting for the Pope’s death like vultures would sit idle?

You seem to misunderstand something, Father. You’re not the only one who can be ‘replaced.’ The Pope can be too. The Church is a powerful organization, isn’t it? Even if the current Pope were to receive heaven’s call, it wouldn’t collapse.

A new Pope would emerge quickly, and he would conduct extensive investigations and purifications to cleanse the shame and distrust. And if word spreads about priests addicted to hallucinogenic herbs used by pagans in the north and west, they won’t have to worry about winter cold, will they? The fires of the stake will never go out.”

Verneith leaned against the wall. The door remained open. But Prolo showed no intention of rising from his chair.

“What do you want from me?”

“You still don’t get it. We don’t want anything from you anymore. Rather, we’re the ones giving you an opportunity. One chance to grab hold before falling into the abyss.

So, Prolo, answer me straight.”

Prolo stared at Verneith with bloodshot eyes. Verneith frowned. What was he still so confident about?

“The Knights of Mercy and the Holy Grail Knights are gathering in the Northeastern Wasteland. Outwardly, they’re moving in groups disguised as travelers, pilgrims, or merchant groups.

The scale is similar to the last great war. The Grand Marshal Allegieri of the Knights of Mercy is the commander-in-chief, a man who participated in the Fifth Crusade. He was known as a brave warrior until he was severely injured.

They all say one thing: the Demon King has revived for some reason, and His Holiness is secretly trying to stop them. I’m not sure if trying to stop them ‘secretly’ will work, but it’s a mistake to think the Empire will just sit and watch.

But this ‘summons’ happened simultaneously throughout the Empire. That’s impossible without lightning delivering the news. Moreover, they started moving right after you disappeared from Venelucia.

If my guess is correct, this is a kind of ‘protocol.’ If Plan A fails, move to Plan B, and if Plan B fails, move to Plan C. And you are also part of such a ‘protocol.’ Am I right?”

Prolo struggled with himself. But his decision came quickly. His life was already spilled. He had to scoop up what he could with bare hands and put it in a broken cup.

“…Yes.”

“A protocol for what?”

The priest looked at the Security Bureau Director with empty eyes.

“Peace.”

“What?”

“His Holiness truly desires peace in this world. You don’t know. You don’t know what sacrifices he had to make. What he dreamed of. What he tried to bring to this world. You cannot understand.”

Verneith sat back down. He crossed his arms and leaned forward with interest.

“Interesting. Was sending Arius of Temperance on that pleasure boat also for peace? When the Knight of the Scabbard first appeared.”

“Arius couldn’t control himself. None of those seven could. They were all unworthy of the noble names bestowed upon them. No, there was one exception.”

“Arianne of Humility?”

Surprisingly, Prolo shook his head.

“No. The Patient One, Günther.”

* * * * *

Back to the present.

The nameless village had no inn. Instead, the village hall had several rooms for guests. They were meant for late merchants staying overnight.

The rooms were clean and spacious. Few people visited. Thanks to this, Kain, Maria, and Lily could each have their own room.

Maria reflected on the day. They had departed from another village, talked about various things while riding horses, and arrived here.

The journey was nearing its end. Tomorrow they would reach Karioth. The hometown of Laios and Ismene, and where Günther of Patience stayed.

Maria pulled up her blanket. It was time to sleep.

Knock, knock.

Maria got up from bed and slightly opened the door. Lily stood outside, hugging a pillow tightly. Surprised, Maria quickly opened the door, and Lily bowed her head slightly as she stepped inside.

“Can I sleep with you, sister? If there aren’t enough blankets, I can get some from my room…”

“No, no. There are plenty of blankets here.” Maria took out another blanket from the closet. Lily sighed with relief.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Sleep with Kain.”

“I can’t.” Lily’s face turned bright red.

“We’d end up talking and playing all night again, and then fall asleep on horseback the next day. Just thinking about that time makes me shudder. I was lucky to hold onto the reins until the end, otherwise I could have been seriously injured. After that, we decided to sleep in separate rooms.”

“You take separate rooms but still visit each other with pillows.”

At this teasing question, Lily’s ears turned red.

“…Did you hear everything?”

“Village lodgings are all the same. Still, I’m surprised you two really just talked and slept.”

“…Because everything can be heard.”

Lily hung her head low. Maria playfully tickled her. The two women rolled around on the bed for a while, suppressing their laughter.

“What are we doing, acting like children?”

“But it was fun.”

“True. By the way, why can’t you sleep? Is it because tomorrow is the last day of our journey?”

Maria asked with feigned disappointment, but Lily hesitated.

“…Actually, that’s not it.”

“Then what?”

“It’s because of you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“…Have you been troubled by something lately?”

Maria was grateful for the darkness. At least she didn’t have to show her expression.