Ch.230Spoiler(2)

Kate is renowned in the Papal Kingdom of Sabre for various reasons.

She is a cleric blessed by Luminus while simultaneously serving as an Inquisitor who mercilessly punishes those who oppose Luminus’s will.

One could say she has strong faith, but conversely, she’s exactly the type of person perfectly suited to becoming a fanatic.

A Holy Knight who received divine blessing and possesses an enormous amount of holy power, rising to the position of Cardinal before even turning 20 and concurrently serving as Grand Inquisitor.

While ordinary priests typically have strong holy power but weak combat ability, and Holy Knights have strong combat ability but weak holy power, Kate satisfies both conditions.

She is truly chosen by God, a woman worthy of being called a “saint,” and the clergy within Sabre revere her.

Yes, “revere” rather than respect. They respect her while also fearing her.

Not only does she have exceptional potential, having become a Cardinal at such a young age, but she also possesses terrifying combat prowess.

In other words, if she were determined, she could build up her power and swallow Sabre’s authority in one gulp. With many followers behind her, this is entirely plausible.

Fortunately, she only focuses her attention on Luminus and lacks social skills, so she doesn’t even consider such things. She only follows Luminus’s will.

Conversely, this means that when she acts with “purpose,” no one can easily stop her. Even if that target were the Pope himself.

She would be the most dangerous person if she became a fanatic, but as long as Luminus’s “leash” remains firmly attached, she is a merciful and gentle cleric.

That is Kate Louise Angelica, a person who is no different from a time bomb, though in a different sense than demons.

“His words?”

And back to the present. The firmly secured leash seems to be gradually loosening.

Normally, she should become quiet at the mere mention of Luminus, but for some reason today, she is enraged.

Not only is she emanating a suffocating killing intent, but her beautiful green eyes are bloodshot.

The atmosphere in the room began to fill with a ferocious energy due to Kate’s anger, which no one had seen before.

“…”

Bark couldn’t say a word, paralyzed by the fear that one wrong move of his mouth would result in his body being torn to shreds.

Dangerous. It’s not simply dangerous—his instincts are sounding alarms, making his entire body tremble.

If he says one more word here, he’s as good as dead. The woman before him is in a different kind of insane state.

Fanaticism—a combination of madness and faith.

The most frightening aspect of such fanaticism is its “sincerity.” They believe and follow without a shred of doubt and try to carry out their will.

Not just Bark, but other Cardinals also sensed the danger and hurriedly began to dissuade her. Hera was the first.

“Cardinal Kate. I don’t know what you felt during your pilgrimage, but the feelings you harbor are very dangerous. You should quickly offer prayers to Luminus…”

“I agree with Cardinal Hera. Cardinal Kate is currently very dangerous.”

The Papal Kingdom of Sabre has a terrible history in the distant past of harboring fanaticism, massacring demons, and oppressing neighboring countries.

Learning from those atrocities, they now boast a firm authority, but nevertheless, fanatics continue to emerge steadily.

When anything becomes excessive, it begins to eat away at itself. The Papal Kingdom of Sabre thoroughly rejects fanatics in an effort to shed its past image.

For these reasons, the Cardinals can see that Kate has reached a dangerous state. If she falls into fanaticism, they may have no choice but to exile her.

“Sigh… I understand. I got a bit excited.”

Kate also calmed herself at their concerns. She seems to have become excited without realizing it.

The other Cardinals sighed in relief, especially Bark, who had borne the brunt of Kate’s anger, wiping away cold sweat.

It seemed to have been resolved amicably, but Kate’s fanaticism was far from over.

She looked around, smiled inexplicably, and opened her mouth with her characteristically gentle voice.

“Then, as you all advise, it wouldn’t be bad to offer prayers to Luminus.”

“What?”

At Kate’s words, the Cardinals all flinched and looked at her. Kate wore a merciful and bright smile.

If that smile feels somewhat terrifying, it must be purely an illusion. Such a beautiful smile couldn’t possibly feel frightening unless one had committed “sins.”

Except for one person—Cardinal Bark, who had just received Kate’s anger.

He could only stiffen his body as he realized that he was the target of that smile.

This place is clearly filled with bright light, but for some reason, he felt as if everything around him was being filled with darkness.

The pressure of feeling like only Kate and himself remained. Is this what trapped prey feels like in a snare?

He is being hunted. He’s gradually putting his head into the massive jaws of fanaticism.

“…inal.”

“…”

“Cardinal Bark?”

“Y-Yes?”

Bark, who had been crushed by terrible pressure and fear, quickly came to his senses upon hearing the voice in his ear.

Turning his head toward the voice, he saw Hera looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“Why aren’t you getting up? You should go pray.”

“P-Pray?”

“Yes. Since Cardinal Bark hasn’t been able to offer prayers recently due to work, it might not be bad to do so now.”

Hera suggested to Bark with a warm smile she hadn’t shown to Kate. As soon as Bark heard those words, he turned his head with a snap.

Where he turned, he saw Kate looking at him with a bright smile. That smile felt truly detestable.

But if he goes to pray now, he doesn’t know what that fanatic might do to him. So Bark awkwardly smiled and politely expressed his refusal.

“Ah… I’m sorry. Actually, I still have work to…”

“Surely you’re not saying that even five minutes is too precious, Cardinal Bark?”

Kate interrupted him as he was about to refuse. Her words shot like arrows and pierced Bark’s ears.

Looking at Kate, he saw that she was merely wearing a gentle smile.

“A cleric with the title of Cardinal who can’t even spare five minutes for Luminus—how disappointing.”

“…Cardinal Kate.”

“Or…”

Kate lowered her raised corners of her mouth and slowly tilted her chin up. It was a look of contempt, utterly disdainful.

Her gaze was by no means benevolent, even in jest, but rather filled with hostility.

“Could it be that you’re using your position as Cardinal as a veil while secretly supporting demon worshippers? Like in the Biography of Xenon.”

Bark couldn’t help but flinch at the chilling, thorny question. He was so frightened that he almost took a step back without realizing it.

Fortunately, he managed to prevent himself from stepping back by exercising patience, but he couldn’t help feeling a tightness in his chest.

“Cardinal Kate! If you continue like this, I’ll report to His Holiness! Even Cardinal Kate won’t be forgiven for this behavior!”

“…”

While Hera confronted Kate with a stern voice, Deimos was quietly observing with an inscrutable expression.

Having lived longer than others, perhaps he sensed something, as he didn’t readily intervene but observed the situation from a third-party perspective.

Kate slowly turned her head to face Hera after hearing her warning. Hera didn’t back down and confidently responded even when faced with those chilling green eyes.

Perhaps pleased by this, Kate raised her lowered corners of her mouth again, bowed her head, and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Cardinal Hera. I seem to have gone too far.”

“That’s fine. And I say this out of genuine concern, but Cardinal Kate should consistently offer prayers to Luminus for the time being. You’re in a truly dangerous state, as anyone can see.”

“Thank you for the advice. I should go to the chapel now.”

Even as Kate said this, she didn’t forget to give Bark a glance. Bark flinched once more at that gaze.

The conversation had flowed so naturally that he hadn’t noticed, but Kate was currently wearing white armor and had a mace hanging at her waist. In other words, she was fully armed.

She is currently acting not as a Cardinal but as the “Grand Inquisitor.” And the target of that “iron hammer” is…

“…Damn it!”

“W-What? Cardinal Bark! Where are you going?”

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Bark fled without looking back. Hera called out to him in a surprised voice from behind, but he ignored it all.

If he continues like this, he’ll inevitably head to the chapel. Then he’ll have no choice but to offer prayers to Luminus.

Luminus bestows holy power upon those with strong faith, and conversely, sends a splash of water or comparable divine punishment to the unrighteous.

And for him, it’s certain that it won’t just be a splash of water but a real lightning strike. That’s how serious the sin he committed is.

‘This can’t be happening. How did she find out? Could it really be divine revelation…’

The doubt he harbored in his heart didn’t last long.

CRASH!

“Argh!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Kate, who had somehow followed him, roughly grabbed Bark’s hair with one hand. Despite having fled for quite some time, Kate quickly caught up with her terrifying physical abilities.

Momentarily feeling the intense pain in his head, Bark urgently shouted as he realized Kate had caught him. It was a desperate struggle to survive.

“L-Let go! Cardinal Kate! D-Do you know what you’re doing?!”

“I know very well. I’m punishing a wicked person who dares to defy Luminus’s will and hides in the shadows.”

“Ugh…! Help! Is anyone there?!”

As a last resort, Bark called for the personnel residing in the papal office.

People were already gathering due to the commotion, but more began to gather at Bark’s cry.

“What’s happening…! Cardinal Kate?!”

“Cardinal Kate! What is this all about?!”

Kate looked around at the expressions of shock and surprise on people’s faces, then shifted her gaze back to Bark.

Bark was grimacing from the pain, feeling as if all his hair would be pulled out, and was grabbing her arm.

It seemed like he was trying to create witnesses to somehow escape, but this was actually satisfying for Kate.

It was an opportunity to reveal this man’s sins to the world. She dragged Bark along, ignoring the restraints of those around her.

“Aaagh! Aagh! L-Let go! I said let go!”

“W-What should we do?”

“Why is Cardinal Kate… to Cardinal Bark…”

“What’s happening here?”

The people in the papal office couldn’t even think of stopping Kate as she dragged Bark like a dog.

That’s because Kate was famous for her strong faith even within Sabre. Moreover, she had received divine blessing.

Some clerics had even declared that her will was Luminus’s will.

Eventually, as everyone followed anxiously behind, Kate and Bark finally arrived at the chapel.

Unlike the chapel in the temple, this was the chapel in the papal office, the headquarters.

A meticulously carved statue of Luminus by craftsmen was placed in the center, and above it hung an elaborate chandelier from the ceiling.

WHOOSH!

“Aagh!”

Kate threw Bark like a bundle beneath the statue of Luminus.

Her grip had been so strong that a handful of Bark’s hair remained in her hand.

After brushing off the hair, Kate commanded Bark, who was groaning and holding his head.

“Cardinal Bark. Offer your prayers now.”

“Ugh…!”

“If you truly have not a shred of shame, offer prayers to Luminus.”

Even as he held his head, Kate’s cold voice pierced his ears. Bark swallowed and slowly opened his eyes.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Kate looking down at him, and behind her, people were gathered, murmuring.

The end is approaching. With a terrible premonition piercing his chest, Bark shouted as if resigned to his fate.

“D-Do you think this will accomplish anything?! Cardinal Kate! Committing violence within the sacred papal office! What would Luminus think if He saw this?!”

“…What?”

Kate’s eye twitched as soon as Bark mentioned Luminus. Simultaneously, her hands tensed.

Unaware of Kate’s feelings, Bark dusted off his soiled clothes and slowly stood up. Then, with a brazen face, he shouted at Kate.

“Even though Cardinal Kate has received blessing from Luminus, this crosses the line! Pray? Prayer should never be forced upon someone. What Cardinal Kate is doing is no different from when our Papal Kingdom of Sabre was immersed in fanaticism in the distant past!”

“…”

Was this his last struggle? Bark used the situation where many people were watching to corner Kate.

Indeed, to someone unaware of the circumstances, Kate’s actions are excessively extreme. The position of fanatics within the Papal Kingdom of Sabre was so bad that there was nothing to say in their defense.

Bark was using this well. No matter how powerful Kate might be, if rumors spread, even her safety could be at risk.

“Even if I offer prayers and get splashed with water, that’s all Cardinal Kate can do. There’s a rule that blood shouldn’t be spilled within the sacred papal office. If you don’t want divine punishment, you should adhere to that.”

“…Divine punishment?”

As soon as the term “divine punishment” was mentioned, a ferocious aura began to emanate from Kate again. Her head tilted slightly to the side, and the light in her eyes gradually faded.

Watching this in real-time, Bark retreated step by step and then quickly passed by her. The intuition that he had pressed the wrong switch dominated his thoughts.

If this continued, his head would have been smashed by that mace. Having completed his political maneuver, all that remained was to escape from this place.

But perhaps even Luminus was disgusted by such brazen and nauseating behavior.

Just as Bark was walking through the central part where the chandelier was located.

SNAP-

Not a splash of water, nor a bolt from the blue.

CRASH!!

The firmly hanging chandelier fell, delivering “divine punishment.”

“Kyaaah!!”

“C-Cardinal Bark!!”

People showed various reactions as they saw Bark instantly killed under the chandelier.

However, Bark, completely crushed under the chandelier, only twitched his slightly protruding hand without even screaming, and died on the spot.

His body was completely crushed, and hot blood seeped out. Holy Knights rushed to remove the chandelier, but it was already far too late.

Meanwhile, Kate watched as “divine punishment” was carried out in real-time and slowly turned her back.

Where she turned, the statue of Luminus stood. Could Luminus have watched all of this? Otherwise, divine punishment wouldn’t have fallen.

With this, she slowly walked toward the statue and knelt down modestly. Despite the chaos behind her, Kate was utterly serene.

Finally, she neatly folded her hands and quietly murmured with a reverent heart.

“Doubt not…”