Ch.232Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

The Inquisition’s notoriety is extremely well-known among intelligence officers.

In a world with countless mainstream religions and their religious organizations’ intelligence networks, the Inquisition’s reputation stands truly unparalleled.

Dispatching inquisitors under various pretexts like heresy investigations or demon hunting is just the beginning. Sometimes they even demand custody of perfectly innocent foreign wizards, claiming to have received intelligence about black magic practitioners.

And that’s not all.

They exploit the sensitivity of religious persecution to gather intelligence through churches.

Going even further, there was an incident where an inquisitor disguised as a military chaplain was caught infiltrating a military facility.

Given these circumstances, experienced intelligence officers unanimously tend to be wary of the Inquisition.

Even diplomats don’t view them favorably, as they constantly interfere in matters while flaunting religious authority.

In any case, religious intelligence organizations represented by the Inquisition were infamous for their unimaginably atrocious behavior. They were often described as gathering the most arrogant individuals among already haughty religious figures.

Just like now.

“What’s going on here?”

I surveyed the inquisitors who had set up camp in front of the Abas diplomatic residence. Though they hadn’t yet revealed their identities, they hardly looked like ordinary priests.

Only the Inquisition would pull such stunts with diplomats—something even the Imperial Guard wouldn’t dare.

Sure enough, the man in a suit presumed to be an inquisitor standing at the front spoke up.

“Are you Military Attaché Frederik Nostrim?”

“Yes, I am.”

“You’ll need to come with us.”

A priest standing at a distance opened a car door wide. The suited man gestured politely, indicating where I should sit.

“Shall we?”

Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Wizard in History

The inquisitors who showed up at my residence in broad daylight were unexpected. Their sudden demand to get in the car was quite awkward.

A diplomat’s immunity from arrest and prosecution is guaranteed by international law, and neither law enforcement nor intelligence agencies can demand investigation or accompaniment from a diplomat.

Strictly speaking, they can make such demands, but diplomats almost never comply.

So initially, I intended to refuse the inquisitors’ request.

But after hearing who was looking for me and their identity, I found myself already getting into the car.

I felt bewildered seeing the inquisitors who suddenly appeared at my residence making unreasonable demands. To be honest, I was annoyed and flustered too.

But compared to the person who came to the Empire to meet me now, their demands were nothing but child’s play, I’m certain.

“Please enter.”

After driving through Petrograd, we arrived at the Church Order’s embassy to the Kiyen Empire.

The inquisitor who guided me through the staff entrance to the depths of the building opened a glass door.

I passed through the glass door and stepped outside the building.

“……”

The exterior was warm and pleasant. It was incomparably different from the outside world where snow piled up to the thighs.

A garden inside the Church Order’s embassy. Though small in scale, the garden surrounded by mysterious power—whether magical or divine—had its own charm.

In the center of that garden, at an outdoor table set with refreshments, sat an elderly man with a familiar appearance.

I strode across the garden toward the old man.

“It’s been a while.”

And greeted him with proper respect.

“Have you been well?”

“Ah, you’ve come.”

“It’s an honor to see you again, Director.”

The elderly man with a benevolent smile nodded.

“Have you been well, Major?”

The eldest member and head of the Inquisition,

And simultaneously, an intelligence officer of the Military Intelligence Agency,

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

It was Pedro.

*

Inside the garden of the Church Order’s embassy to the Kiyen Empire. A guest was waiting for me in this place maintained at a comfortable temperature by mysterious energy.

“I heard your journey here was quite tumultuous. I apologize for that.”

“Not at all, Director. I’m fine.”

Pedro, with his wrinkled eyes, picked up the teapot and filled a cup.

With a clear, pleasant sound, well-brewed black tea was prepared before him.

“I’m sorry to trouble you when you must be incredibly busy. Is black tea alright?”

I nodded, and Pedro offered me a cup of black tea. With a serene atmosphere, Pedro smiled with what seemed like relief.

“I’ve heard the news. You’re staying in the north?”

“Yes.”

“And you were there too.”

After uttering these ambiguous words that might or might not have been a question, Pedro smiled faintly. Though his question was as enigmatic as his smile, I knew what he was asking, so I didn’t beat around the bush.

“If you’re referring to the rift, then yes. I was there.”

“I thought so.”

I gently held the teacup and added:

“Not just me, everyone was there. I wasn’t alone.”

“Yes. The Hero, the Wizard, and the Saint. Everyone knows what happened at the rift and who did what.”

Stopping the monsters at the rift wasn’t my achievement alone.

As Pedro said, Camilla, Lucia, Francesca also fought there, along with the Holy Knight Order led by Ferretti, the Magic Corps commanded by Martinez, and the Imperial Army.

Although Lucia, who came with the main force of the Holy Knight Order, joined after the battle with the giant spider was over, if she had been even a little late, I might have died. Despite parting on bad terms due to an unfortunate incident, the Holy Knight Order and the Magic Corps fulfilled their roles sufficiently.

After I told him this, Pedro chuckled and muttered. It was a joke.

“The Empire might give you a medal soon, Major. Don’t you think?”

“No, that would be a bit…”

“Do you dislike medals, Major?”

“I wouldn’t mind one from Abas, but an Imperial medal is…”

I could accept a medal from Abas, but if the Empire were to give me one, I couldn’t easily accept it. The diplomatic relationship between the Kingdom of Abas and the Kiyen Empire is awkward, and if I, as a soldier, received a medal from the Empire, it would certainly cause gossip.

Actually, receiving a medal itself isn’t the problem. But what benefit would I gain from it?

Medals from the Abas government at least come with a tiny pension, but those from the Empire don’t even offer that. The Imperial government wouldn’t provide a pension to a foreigner like me.

Of course, the medal itself would be quite valuable as a collector’s item. If there were an eBay here, I could sell it to a collector for money. The problem is there’s no eBay here.

A decorative item that can’t be sold is just a piece of metal. There’s no use for it, and it’s awkward to throw away later. It might be more beneficial to refuse if they offer a medal.

“What about Abas then? They might give you a medal for protecting innocent lives from monsters.”

“I believe it’s not an appropriate time to discuss rewards, Director.”

The fact that the northern rift was attacked by monsters has been classified.

The Imperial Ministry of Defense controlled the information to prevent social chaos, and Abas, the Church Order, and the Magic Tower agreed. No one knows what repercussions might occur in foreign countries if it became known that a critical national facility was attacked by monsters. I understand that information control was quite manageable since it happened in an area under martial law.

So naturally, rewards became difficult too.

If I were to be recognized for my achievements, the reason would need to be disclosed, which would inevitably reveal what happened at the rift. In the worst case, the fact that Imperial combat wizards were killed might leak out.

It’s the same logic as the delayed rewards related to the department store terrorist attack.

I heard from Clavins that once the classified information is released, they’ll officially award medals, and for now, they’ll provide satisfactory compensation separately. Honestly, I still have no idea what they’re planning to give.

Well, since I’m a nobleman, perhaps the royal family or government will find me a good marriage prospect? I heard from a professor in a military college liberal arts course that there were such cases about 200 years ago.

“That’s a shame. How is the Saint doing?”

“She’s well. Despite having so much work that she should be exhausted, she never rests, which is actually concerning.”

“That’s just her nature, so it can’t be helped. Would she listen if told to restrain her service because it’s harming her health?”

“Haha… indeed.”

Pedro savored his tea and carefully set down his cup.

In front of his teacup were refreshments, and beside it were simple tableware and a small scripture. Judging by how worn and tattered it was, with visible fingerprints, it seemed like something he had carried around for a very long time.

Taking advantage of the brief pause in conversation, I looked around, and Pedro smiled lightly and broke the silence.

“Is the north treating you well?”

“It’s manageable.”

“That’s good. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer what I can.”

I pondered briefly when asked if I had any questions. Not because I didn’t know what to ask, but because I wasn’t sure what I shouldn’t ask.

As the head of the Inquisition, he would likely be aware of most information. The Inquisition is an intelligence agency skilled in gathering information. I might even learn about the current status of the investigation into the incidents in the north.

However, since this wasn’t the appropriate setting for such inquiries, I decided to satisfy a simple curiosity that had just occurred to me.

“Director, do you know anything about the Ranieri family?”

“The Ranieri family?”

Pedro set down his teacup and let out a thoughtful sound.

“What information are you looking for?”

“Previously, Administrative Officer Ranieri, my colleague appointed by the oracle, visited Fatalia. She made contact with a family servant there. I’d like to know what conversation they had.”

“Well, that’s not difficult, but why are you curious about that?”

Francesca came to the Magic Tower on the condition that she would have no contact with her family. That was her contract with the National Security Agency.

But a servant of the Ranieri family came to see her—how could I not be curious? I have to find out this way since Sophia won’t tell me.

I checked my surroundings to ensure no one was listening.

Noticing what I was doing, Pedro nodded slightly, and I leaned forward, speaking in a hushed voice:

“…She’s an asset I manage.”

“Ah, so that’s why.”

Pedro nodded with a pleased smile. It was a gesture suggesting he understood without further explanation.

The old man rested his chin on his hand thoughtfully, then looked at me and asked a question:

“Do you know what the family of a great wizard means in the magical community?”

“The family of a great wizard…? Do you mean the descendants of archmages?”

“Yes.”

The head of the Inquisition picked up his teacup again and continued:

“In the magical community, the descendants of the archmages who led the Magic Tower Independence War hold very important cultural significance. Like the Imperial royal family who hunt dragons and drink their blood to handle mysteries, the Church Order’s saints who receive the love of the heavenly god, or Moritan astrologers who read the stars to predict the future.”

“I know that.”

“For wizards, being a descendant of an archmage is like a symbol. Just as deeply religious people worship their god, or warriors revere martial arts, wizards respect the blue blood flowing through their veins.”

Her blood looked red when I saw Francesca before. It must be a figurative expression. Or perhaps it refers to magical characteristics inherited through bloodlines.

“The important thing is that this respect sometimes becomes distorted. Like fanatics.”

“Fanatics? What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Fanaticism. The archmages who founded the Magic Tower, the descendants of archmages who will bring prosperity to the Magic Tower again. They’re seen as a kind of savior. That’s why gathering information about descendants of archmages is very difficult. Fanatics tend to gather around their idols.”

It’s a somewhat puzzling statement, but ultimately it means he doesn’t know anything.

I sighed deeply. I’d forgotten how difficult this old man’s personality can be.

Seeing my reaction, Pedro laughed out loud.

“Haha. Don’t be too disappointed. But where did you get this information? Do you have an informant in the Magic Tower’s Legal Department?”

“In Fatalia.”

“The National Security Agency or the Integrated Intelligence Department, I presume.”

Pedro casually remarked. Since it was true, I didn’t deny it.

“Am I right?”

“It’s the National Security Agency.”

“Good company. I didn’t know you had informants in such places.”

“Not an informant. An acquaintance.”

Though my answer was brief, Pedro seemed to discern something from it. Well, I wasn’t trying to hide anything in the first place.

Humming as if he’d heard an interesting story, Pedro smiled quietly.

“An acquaintance… So you’re saying you’re that person’s informant.”

“……”

“Of course, the situation would be fluid. Sometimes you’re an informant for the National Security Agency employee, and sometimes that person is your informant. Isn’t that right?”

I nodded. Pedro pointed at me and laughed heartily.

“A good intelligence officer doesn’t just handle informants but sometimes becomes an informant for others. One can’t solve everything alone.”

“It’s not about being an informant; it’s about sharing information out of goodwill.”

“How is that different from being an informant?”

“…Think what you will.”

I sipped my tea and looked away.

Pedro continued laughing for a while, then eventually calmed down and straightened his posture, leaning forward.

At the table filled with the fragrant scent of black tea, Pedro, savoring the rich aroma, suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke first.

“Ah, I just remembered I forgot to relay a message to the Saint. If it’s alright with you, could you deliver it on my behalf?”

“Please go ahead.”

“Recently, while sorting through the late Cardinal Raul’s assets, it was determined that most of his possessions, including his mansion, will be inherited by Saint Lucia.”

“…Inheritance?”

“Yes. Inheritance.”

Cardinal Raul was Lucia’s guardian.

Though the exact duration is unknown due to insufficient records, Raul had acted as Lucia’s guardian for a considerable time. Veronica mentioned that he sent Lucia to the northern conflict zone as a healing priest, which suggests that Raul had been Lucia’s guardian for at least three years.

But now Raul is deceased. And according to both church law and legal statutes, when a guardian dies, part of their property is inherited by their ward.

And Lucia was registered as Raul’s ward until just before his death.

“The court has decided to bequeath Raul’s assets to Saint Lucia since there are no remaining relatives of Raul in the Church Order.”

“That’s good news. I’ll inform the Saint as soon as I return to the north. The Cardinal would be pleased.”

“Of course he would. Anyway, once your business in the Empire is concluded, stop by the Church Order.”

“Me? At the Church Order?”

“You should attend the Saint’s canonization ceremony. As a comrade who fought alongside her, you should congratulate her.”

“Ah….”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten about Lucia’s canonization ceremony. Everyone calls Lucia a saint, and the Church Order hasn’t made any particular statement, so I had forgotten.

Pedro encouraged me to attend Lucia’s canonization ceremony.

“The papal inauguration ceremony will be held along with Saint Lucia’s canonization. There will be much to see, so you can look forward to it. The canonization will take place after the inauguration, so you should plan to stay for a while.”

“The canonization comes after the inauguration?”

“The Pope is elected by human hands, but saints are bestowed by the Lord. How could a mere human receive a greater blessing than the Lord’s most beloved child? The canonization ceremony is planned to be more grand than the inauguration.”

I nodded, pondering Pedro’s words. The most beloved child of the Heavenly God is a saint…

I recalled the saints I knew from the Church Order.

Veronica: a gambling fraud, spy, document forger, murder instigator, habitual dereliction of duty, alcoholic, and freeloader.

Lucia: who can lift a fully loaded truck with her bare hands and threatens to beat you if you refuse medical treatment.

No matter how I look at it, they’re not normal.

“…Tsk.”

I’m not sure if they’re the most beloved children of the Heavenly God, but they’re certainly like Joan of Arc-level super soldiers. Or maybe more like Captain America?

Come to think of it, alcohol and tobacco are “drugs,” and lifting a truck with bare hands is “superhuman strength,” so combining those two, it’s definitely more Captain America than Joan of Arc.

After briefly drifting into these idle thoughts, I shook my head. Snapping back to attention, I asked Pedro:

“By the way, Director, what brings you to the Empire?”

“I’m here on official business for a short trip. Unofficially.”

This meant he was visiting as an envoy or unofficial special envoy.

Several possible reasons came to mind: the identity of the monsters that attacked the rift, uncovering the truth behind the murder of Imperial combat wizards and Magic Department investigators, cooperation with Imperial investigative agencies, or perhaps interference with the Magic Tower’s joint investigation proposal…

Though I’m not entirely sure, the fact that the head of the Inquisition came in person suggests that the Church Order is taking this matter very seriously. Veronica’s intelligence was correct.

I quietly nodded while sipping my tea.

At that moment, Pedro, who was drinking tea across from me, made a sound and then spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“I heard something before coming. They say you left the diplomatic residence with a woman. Who was she?”

“…Oh.”

“I heard she had distinctive purple hair.”

“……”

“Could it be someone I know?”

After briefly spacing out, I managed to answer.

“…It’s probably who you’re thinking of.”

“I thought so! I wondered why you were asking about Ranieri.”

Pedro started laughing as if he found it amusing.

He laughed so much that I felt embarrassed. After a hearty laugh, Pedro acted as if he had experienced an unexpected twist.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen an employee dating a foreigner. They say it used to happen a lot in the old days, but nowadays even diplomats rarely date foreigners at their posts. You’re quite an interesting person.”

“…The Administrative Officer and I are not in that kind of relationship.”

“I know. I was just saying.”

After wiping what might have been sweat or tears from the corner of his eye, Pedro pulled at the corners of his mouth and smiled quietly.

“Let me give you some advice out of concern. While I understand your feelings, don’t get too close.”

He was saying that if I want to work in intelligence for a long time, I shouldn’t casually date foreigners. It also meant I should be careful about my conduct.

Since this was such an obvious point for me, I was about to take it as a joke with a hidden meaning, but Pedro was quite serious.

He admonished me in a gentle voice, like a senior instructing a junior.

“There are many eyes watching you. More than you can imagine.”

“……”

“The Church’s Saint, a high-ranking official of the Magic Tower’s Secretariat, a noble visitor from another world. Each one is a remarkable figure who attracts attention. And they’re your colleagues. Coincidentally, everyone except you is female, aren’t they?”

Pedro said.

“So be careful.”

The head of the Inquisition said.

“Even a brief chat with a nobleman’s wife on a promenade can lead to scandal for a diplomat. And you’re in the Empire as a military attaché. This isn’t limited to the Saint and the others.”

“……”

“Be careful from now on. This is advice from an old man, not the head of the Inquisition.”

I had much to say. Many points to refute.

I’m well-versed in Military Intelligence Agency internal regulations.

I’ve heard plenty about what diplomats should avoid from my sister Adela, who works at the Foreign Ministry.

I’ve been an intelligence officer for over a decade—surely I can control my lower half.

There was much to say, but I simply nodded without any rebuttal.

“I’ll be careful.”

“Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Pedro smiled brightly.

“As if you would make advances on those people?”

It was a joke with a hidden meaning.

Probably.

*

Our conversation, peppered with pointed jokes, didn’t last more than 20 minutes. After enjoying a leisurely tea time in the picturesque garden, we moved to have a more serious discussion.

“This garden was created following instructions left by the previous Pope when he visited the Empire.”

Pedro looked around the garden and shared its history.

“After his passing, high-ranking Church officials and the Pope would discuss important matters here daily when visiting the Empire. The same applies when ambassadors negotiate with foreign ambassadors.”

Pedro, walking slowly, turned to look at me.

“Do you know why this garden was created?”

I answered without much thought. The Empire was my and my sister Adela’s workplace, and the secret history of the Church Order embassy’s garden was a well-known story.

“I heard it was because of wiretapping.”

“That’s right.”

The Imperial Guard is a prestigious intelligence agency with a hundred years of history.

A hundred years ago, the Guard wiretapped the Pope who was visiting the Empire.

Though the technology was primitive and they couldn’t eavesdrop on conversations or communications, they intercepted and forcibly opened letters addressed to the Pope.

As a result, many figures, including several religious personalities who sent secret letters to the Pope, were branded as thought criminals. Upon learning the details of the incident, the Pope was furious and demanded countermeasures.

The garden was created at that time.

Pedro, the head of the Inquisition, added an explanation:

“It’s an old garden, but sufficient to prevent wiretapping. Thanks to consistent reinforcement over a hundred years, it’s safe to say there’s no safer place in the embassy.”

Beyond just being safe, the scenery was spectacular. While it was brutally cold outside, it was as warm as spring here.

It’s a suitable place for discussing uncomfortable matters that are difficult to share with others.

The safest place where no intelligence agency, including the Imperial Guard, can wiretap. Walking through this secret garden where even the ears of the Inquisition cannot reach, we began our conversation in earnest.

I was the first to speak.

“The spider attack on the rift was clearly deliberate. It was a meticulously planned attack.”

“Have you discovered who’s behind it?”

“Not yet.”

The attack by the corpse spider swarm on the rift was deliberate and planned. It’s clear that someone is behind it.

But with insufficient intelligence, nothing can be confirmed yet.

Out of curiosity, I asked the head of the Inquisition:

“Has the Inquisition discovered anything?”

Pedro shook his head.

“We don’t know either.”

Shadows fell across his wrinkled face. Perhaps due to the shade, his wrinkles seemed even deeper.

With a troubled expression, Pedro continued:

“Even the Inquisition can’t know everything. What we don’t know, we don’t know. The Lord is omniscient, but humans, His creations, are ignorant. No matter how much we try to emulate God, we cannot know what we don’t know.”

“I find it difficult to engage in spiritual discussions as I lack knowledge of theology. Do you really know nothing?”

“Not entirely nothing.”

Lowering his voice, Pedro shared some useful information.

“Based on photographs of the corpse spiders found in the north, our investigation has determined that the spiders found here are not a species native to this continent.”

“Are you saying they’re an invasive species?”

“They’re a species that only inhabits the Moritan continent, according to scholars who’ve seen the photos.”

Pedro sighed, looking up at the open sky.

In stark contrast to the mild garden, the gloomy sky with dark clouds seemed to express his mood.

“If we had secured specimens, we could have gotten a more definitive answer, but…”

The Magic Department investigators transporting well-preserved corpse spider samples were all murdered. The military forces escorting them and the bodies of the Imperial combat wizards who were killed were all burned to ashes.

As an urgent measure, all remaining bodies at the scene were collected, and additional intact corpse spider samples were found by searching the mountains, but the quality was inferior to the samples initially secured.

“Since the condition of the samples is relatively good, I’m sure we’ll get positive results.”

“Let’s hope so. Yes, let’s hope.”

According to the Inquisition’s conjecture, the corpse spiders that attacked the rift are presumed to be an invasive species. They say it’s a corpse spider that only inhabits the Moritan continent.

The question that arises is:

“But why is a creature that only exists on the Moritan continent found on this continent? And in the northern Empire at that?”

The Moritan continent and this place are separated by sea.

From the northernmost part of the Moritan continent, one can take a ship to reach the Lushan Federal Kingdom at the southernmost part of this continent, and by taking a slightly longer route, one can reach the western coast of Abas or Fatalia.

The problem is the location of the Kiyen Empire. The Kiyen Empire is located in the northern part of this continent, and even its western coastal region takes a long voyage to reach, even starting from Fatalia. So why would they suddenly appear in the northern Empire, not even the western part? This is suspicious.

“The difference between corpse spiders native to this continent and those from the Moritan continent is subtle in appearance, making them difficult to distinguish. However, the corpse spiders previously inhabiting the north were large, while those from the Moritan continent are relatively even larger. Scholars became convinced after observing this subtle size difference.”

“Is that so? What about the giant spider?”

“We presume it also came from Moritan. Though it’s still under investigation, it’s hard to deny the connection. The question is how it was introduced into the Empire…”

Pedro trailed off and suddenly tilted his head.

“After inquiring among smugglers recently, we found that no operator has dealt with such spiders. Collectors of monsters also rarely handle spiders as they’re not popular.”

When unfamiliar monsters suddenly appear, there are usually two scenarios.

Either they escape during transport to a monster society or research facility, or collectors with incomprehensible hobbies bring them and release them.

It’s quite common for monsters to attack villages after being released by owners who became attached to them and couldn’t bear to kill them, only to have them lay eggs in secluded places.

“It’s neither of those.”

I denied both possibilities.

What research would they conduct in the north, and who would collect monsters there? They’d be better off using that money to build shelters and stockpile food.

So neither escape nor release is the cause.

“Then there’s only one possibility left.”

“……”

“Someone intentionally brought the monsters here, wouldn’t you say?”

It was a question that wasn’t really a question.

“You had already guessed, I see.”

“Somewhat, yes.”

A monster from the Moritan continent was found in the distant north. If it didn’t swim across the sea, the only explanation is that someone transported it.

At least we now know the origin of the spiders.

“Is there anything else?”

“About the murdered combat wizards. It’s certain they were killed by clergy.”

Pedro dropped this bombshell statement so calmly that for a moment I thought he meant they weren’t killed by clergy.

“What? No, that’s…”

“A report came in from an inquisitor at the scene. They sensed divinity from the bodies even before a healing priest could examine them.”

“Wait, so the autopsy…”

“Yes.”

The head of the Inquisition said.

“The autopsy wasn’t wrong. Nor was it fabricated.”

“Could the Church Order have killed them…?”

“No.”

Pedro, the head of the Inquisition, immediately denied the accusation. His tone was resolute and confident.

“Officially or unofficially, the Inquisition has nothing to do with this incident. It’s true that we’ve requested a fair investigation from the Empire and are sharing information, but I’ve been dispatched to the Empire as the head of the Inquisition to clarify the Church Order’s position.”

“……”

“If the bodies had been intact, we could have determined for certain whose divinity it was… but because the bodies were damaged, we’ve lost the means to identify the source of the divinity. This has put the Inquisition in a difficult position too. We’ve lost the ability to clearly determine whether the perpetrator is a heretic or a clergyman of the Church Order.”

Numerous questions swirled in my mind.

Who is responsible for the attack and murders? Are the perpetrators of the attack and the murders the same person? Are there accomplices and collaborators? Who benefits most from this situation, and what is the perpetrator’s ideal outcome? And who suffers the greatest loss?

Is the target the Empire, the Church Order, or the Magic Tower?

Or perhaps…

“…Director.”

Though thoughts echoed in my mind, I shook them all off.

Nothing is certain.

But,

If there’s something that needs to be done, I should do it.

“Who can kill combat wizards in close combat using divinity?”

“…Someone capable of killing combat wizards in close combat.”

Pedro briefly looked up at the sky.

The sky covered with dark clouds. As he quietly gazed at the swirling snowstorm, he suddenly pulled something from his inner pocket.

It was a document envelope.

“What’s this…?”

“A list of excommunicated or missing clergy. Individuals the Inquisition is inquiring about.”

Pedro handed me the list.

As I received the document, he looked at me intently and began to explain:

“In this world, there are only three types of people who kill using divinity without my orders as the head of the Inquisition. One is heretics with different faiths. Another is cultists who worship foreign gods. And the last…”

I murmured as if entranced:

“…Excommunicated clergy.”

“Yes. Clergy excommunicated from the Church Order.”

I looked down at the document envelope Pedro had handed me. Then I raised my head and met his gaze.

“Then why are the missing individuals included in the list?”

Pedro remained silent.

After this silence, he suddenly smiled a clear smile.

“God created humans in His image, but unlike the omnipotent God, humans are imperfect creations. Even clergy who believe in and follow God are no exception.”

“……”

“Even spies sometimes change their ideology after spending a long time abroad—why would clergy be any different? In the end, we’re all just people.”

The head of the Inquisition let out a faint sigh. Slowly, very slowly, as if catching his breath.

“Faith is like a candle flame, wavering in the face of harsh winds. And devotion is ultimately just faith directed toward God.”

“……”

“It might be an old man’s delusion, but I have a feeling that the name everyone is looking for might be in there.”

Pedro’s bony finger tapped the document envelope.

“Take a good look.”

“…If I find it.”

I stared at him.

“What do you want me to do if I find it?”

Upon receiving my question, Pedro shrugged.

As if to say, why ask such an obvious thing?

“Just put a bullet in their head. Isn’t that what you’re good at?”

“……”

“Well, I should be going now. Have a good day, Major.”

Don’t forget what I said earlier.