Ch.219Report on the Collapse of Patience (12)

The outskirts of the fortress were filled with heat.

Soldiers training while sweating, blacksmiths dripping with perspiration at the open-air forge. Despite the cold weather, workers at the lumber mill wore only thin clothes, yet steam rose vigorously from their bodies.

Elsewhere, worship was in full swing.

On the altar, an elderly priest sang hymns without accompaniment. Priests moved between the knights who stood in neat rows. They placed fingers flickering with sacred fire on the foreheads of each member.

There was no heat. Only light. But the light flowing from forehead down cheeks to chin was enough to remind them that God was with them, that they were blessed.

The heat intoxicated people.

Not the tedious tasks of protecting pilgrims from bandits or mindlessly transporting supplies, but preparing for a true battle—a glorious battle to save the world—elevated their spirits.

Among them were those who had set foot in the wasteland ten years ago. They had held out until the very end before fear overcame them and they withdrew.

In an ordinary war, they would have been branded deserters, defectors, cowards. But the 5th Crusade fought not against a conventional enemy, but against the Demon King.

It wasn’t a common war where people crossed swords with other people, but an irrational battle where people fought against fragments of people.

Beyond physical injuries, more people suffered broken spirits from which they never recovered. Those who made the decision to retreat were actually the brave ones, with exceptional mental fortitude and clear judgment.

Now they were passing their knowledge to juniors ten years their junior about what to expect and how to face it.

The younger knights, who initially looked down on these veterans, soon began listening earnestly to their seniors’ valuable experiences, steeling their resolve, and discussing strategies.

Everyone was doing their part. They all believed without doubt that they would become new heroes. With their minds already walking among the clouds, why would they spare a glance at passersby?

That’s why Kain’s group passed without hindrance. No one asked which unit they belonged to or where their main force was. Everyone was blinded by the glory they hoped to claim.

Of course, the knights gathered here had arrived in similar attire to Kain’s group, which didn’t raise suspicion. Why would foreigners visit the Blue Fortress, essentially a border territory?

Thus, Kain’s group only encountered resistance after passing through two outer gates.

The inner fortress guards were rather indifferent to what happened outside, but they had enough sense to stop Kain’s group and ask about their purpose and affiliation.

“The Patience Günther has invited us.”

“We haven’t received any such information.”

Just as they were considering whether to cause a scene like they had in Emmaus—

“Let them through.”

A magnificent voice resonated as if from deep within a cave. Turning around, they saw a bear-like man. Gray and white mixed hair with an unkempt beard. Though slightly hunched, he stood a head taller than others with shoulders twice as broad, resembling a bear standing on two legs.

The guards opened the gate without further question. Kain bowed his head in gratitude, but the man rather rudely looked at each of the three in turn. Finally, he fixed his gaze on Maria.

“That’s right. Short-haired woman with red feet. Black-haired man with brown eyes. Long blonde-haired woman with blue eyes. Inquisitor Maria from the Magdeburg Inquisition headquarters, correct?”

“Who are you?”

Maria seemed somewhat intimidated. Though she was still on horseback and the man stood on the ground, their eye levels were almost the same. When the man smiled, he looked like a smiling boulder.

“I am Alegieri of the Order of Knights who Plead for Mercy to the Prophet of Life and Death under the Shadow of the Two-headed Eagle’s Wings.”

After pondering the long, unfamiliar title, Kain dismounted when he saw Maria getting off her horse. Lily also seemed to snap to attention.

This bear-like man was Grand Marshal Alegieri of the Mercy Knights, who had led his forces up from the Papal States in the southern kingdom.

“I am Maria.”

Maria answered simply. Kain and Lily didn’t add anything. Alegieri opened his palm as if to say “let’s go.” The group proceeded into the inner fortress.

“I thought I would see you in the City of Lombardt, but I’m truly surprised to meet you in such a cold land.”

“As am I.”

“I’ve heard much about you. They say you’re an Inquisitor who will lead the new era.”

The man’s teeth were enormous too. Kain thought they looked just like wolf fangs.

“Who says so?” Maria seemed considerably uncomfortable.

“The judges of Magdeburg told me.”

“I think our order is excessively wary of pride. Why not just deliver praise directly? They give me nothing but criticism to my face.”

When the bear-like man burst into laughter, the nearby guards jumped to attention in surprise. Everything about this man was large. His build. His voice. His laughter and actions.

“Well. In our time, that was considered virtuous. Admonishment to the face. Praise behind the back. If those two were reversed, it would truly be a disaster. Don’t you agree?”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Kain thought there was weight behind those words.

The elders—those who seemed a bit older than adults, who could be called the old generation—always spoke in such cleverly indirect ways.

Whether it was because they had fought after speaking directly in their youth, or because the winds of time had whittled them into cunning old foxes, was impossible to know.

Openly praising Maria surely meant there would be admonishment behind her back.

“The people behind you are mercenaries, correct?”

“That’s right.”

The Grand Marshal of the Mercy Knights didn’t ask further. Kain and Lily nodded. They finally reached the administration building.

Alegieri personally cleared the way ahead. He already knew where they needed to go. He also knew that Günther had invited them and that the matter had already been discussed with Alegieri.

This meant that Günther probably knew most of what they had been doing.

“I’ll tie your horses at the stable beside the building. You shouldn’t have trouble finding them.”

“Thank you.”

“May the feather of grace and wisdom descend upon your shoulders.”

Soldiers guided them to the second floor. Cold emanated from the old stone walls, but the heat of passing people suppressed it.

Finally, the three stood before Günther’s office. It wasn’t much different from other rooms. Neither larger nor smaller. Inside was just a modest desk and chair, with no decorations on the walls.

Kain recalled Grand Executor Astrid’s office. At least there had been some needlework there. Here, there was nothing. It was a space purely for official business. Or perhaps the space of a person with no private domain at all.

“You’ve waited long.”

Günther, dressed in an ordinary brown monk’s habit, greeted them respectfully.

* * * * *

Günther’s monk’s habit was also nothing special. Apart from being thick with padding inside, it had no notable features, and even that was standard issue for priests and nuns in the north, so it was neither luxurious nor extravagant.

“Please sit. Would you like some tea? Even hot water is precious in the north.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Maria answered politely. Günther placed a kettle on the stove himself without calling anyone. It must have been fairly warm already as it quickly began to boil with a hiss. It was honeysuckle tea, with a balanced mix of sweetness and bitterness.

“I must confess something—I unintentionally committed a rudeness. I was looking out the window when I saw you coming with Grand Marshal Alegieri. As you’ve seen, his figure is easily recognizable anywhere.”

“Indeed. By the way, it seems you didn’t really expect us to come? Judging by the fact that the inner fortress guards weren’t informed.”

At Maria’s mischievous question, Günther slightly raised his hand.

“Well, I couldn’t give ambiguous orders. I may know your faces, but the outer guards don’t.

Orders must always be short, concise, and clear. If these three conditions aren’t met, accidents surely happen.

From that perspective… the orders from Magdeburg Inquisition headquarters were short and concise, but not clear. Ah, of course. This is just my simple opinion. I mean I would have given orders differently.”

“Then what orders would you have given?” It was a nerve-grating question, but Maria remained quite calm. She had prepared for this from the moment they decided to come here.

“I would have issued a summons as well.”

“But headquarters didn’t.”

“That’s right. The Inquisition values guidance by law and reason more than any other order in our faith. It’s where the wisest and most rational people gather.

But the Inquisition—please don’t take this the wrong way, I apologize for my poor way with words—the Inquisition is, in a way, closer to handling aftermath.

What I mean is, the Inquisition isn’t an institution that stands before everyone saying ‘this is how it should be done, or that is the way to go.’ That’s not the role of a court. It only judges what is right or wrong according to established standards, not establishing the standards themselves.

Only the Holy Pope and the cardinals can set those standards.”

Kain was familiar with this explanation. Anyone with even a slight interest in how the world works—not just Imperial Security Bureau agents but even well-read villagers—could say the same.

And Kain knew that anyone who brings up such obvious matters always has their own agenda. Günther looked at Maria, Kain, and Lily in turn.

“I know you’ve come a long way. Not just Inquisitor Maria, but also you two unnamed individuals. And I suspect you’re not mere mercenaries.

There couldn’t be mercenaries capable of the feats you’ve accomplished. Of course, the world is vast and my knowledge limited, so there may be forces I’m unaware of. It’s shameful to admit, but many nobles in the Empire employ outstanding assassins and spies for their nefarious gains.

But you are cut from a different cloth than those shabby individuals.”

“How do you know?” To Kain’s question, Günther answered as if it were obvious.

“Your eyes are clear and noble, and your posture impeccably upright. That’s the bearing of people with self-respect.

You are people dedicated to something greater, though probably not the church. Anything beyond this would be uncomfortable for both you and me, so I won’t ask further.

That’s not what I wanted to discuss anyway.”

“So, why did you invite us?” At Kain’s question, Günther took a deep breath.

“To get straight to the point, I believe you’ve done enough. I know that your coming this far proves you’re no ordinary people. I don’t want to employ the worst possible strategy by confronting you.

So please, listen to what I have to say and relay my answer to those who assigned you this mission. This is my request, my plea. Please, go back.”

“Well. Why should we do that?”

Günther nodded as if he had expected this response.

“After hearing my story, you’ll understand.”