Ch.43Devotion Offered by the Sword (Complete)

“Recently, strange reports have been coming in from the Inquisitors. They speak of a heretical religion spreading among the people. It’s a clever mixture of local folk beliefs and the Two-headed Eagle faith, which the Inquisitors call ‘the Black Phoenix Faith.'”

He added with a grimace:

“The name is a bit old-fashioned, but there’s nothing to be done about it. It’s not a newly emerged faith but one with quite a long history. Since its origins lie in folk beliefs from before the Empire…

In truth, it’s almost embarrassing to call it a faith. The teachings differ from region to region, and even with the same teacher, yesterday’s lessons differ from today’s.

However, one teaching remains consistent: ‘From the graves of the alienated and abandoned, the black phoenix will rise. Under its black wings, they shall suffer the same pain we endured.’ Just hearing this much, it sounds like a common baseless rumor. But the source of the Black Phoenix Faith is the Northeastern Wasteland.”

The birthplace of the Demon King. Kain knew that much.

“Haspel became suspicious as this heretical religion gradually became more specific and structured. Doctrines emerged, systems formed, and teachings across regions began to grow similar. This means someone is rapidly infiltrating the heretical religion.

Around the time discussions about taking action surfaced, Abbot Arius was attacked. Then the Knight of Chastity, William, was targeted. Across the entire Empire, only the Demon King has the power to exert such widespread influence. Add to that the Shadow, the monsters… there’s no room for doubt.

The Demon King has returned.”

No one spoke. Only noise from outside filled the room. As if to say, don’t be ridiculous, stop talking nonsense. But Heinrich asserted:

“Whether the mission of the Seven Heroes failed, or if there was some other problem, that much is certain. Even if Judge Malachia were to interrogate me personally, I would say it:

The Demon King has returned.

But claims need evidence. While His Holiness the Pope seeks to burn light with light, something even clearer than light is needed. Unfortunately, I don’t have that. But I firmly believe you two will find it.”

Heinrich’s eyes were clear. They were like when he cornered a criminal. Truth and justice. Faith in righteousness. The purest weapon and the most steadfast steel. Kain revealed his thoughts:

“I believe so too. I will certainly find the truth. But time is short. The Knight of the Scabbard will continue to attack the remaining heroes, yet the Order, far from providing information, is trying to destroy what little we have. No matter how hard the Empire tries, without the Order’s cooperation, we’ll be too late.”

“I hope this doesn’t sound presumptuous,” Heinrich paused slightly. “At least, outwardly, I’ve lived longer than you and have been an investigator longer. Would you like advice from an old crow?”

“I’d be glad to hear it.”

“Though everything in the world seems to repeat, there are always one or two peculiarities.

The Demon King hasn’t fully revived yet, but what’s the same is that in times of chaos, he has taken root and grown in the hearts of ordinary people.

But there is one clear difference. Something that didn’t exist before. Something new this time.”

The answer was clear. The Knight of the Scabbard. It hadn’t existed before. A being that used a scabbard as a weapon had never appeared anywhere.

“The most bizarre existence and the key to the solution. Using a scabbard and the Shadow’s sorcery… even the Papal Office has no information about it. But among the Seven Heroes, there were quite a few who used swords.

So why not meet Lady Arianne, ‘the Sword of Humility,’ who resides in Emmaus, the closest place from here? She might be able to tell you something about the Knight of the Scabbard. Of course.”

Heinrich briefly looked around. He lowered his voice as if in passing.

“Of course, that’s if she’s in a state where conversation is possible.”

“Has something happened?”

“I hesitate to give you preconceptions,” Heinrich shook his head.

“Sometimes excessive humility leads to self-flagellation and arrogance. Humility means emptying oneself, not filling oneself with emptiness… I’m sorry, but I’ll leave it at that. Because by the time you arrive, who knows how she might have changed.”

“I understand.”

“I wish I could offer more help…” Heinrich looked at Maria.

“It seems the only help I and the Inquisition can offer is just one thing. But it will certainly be helpful. She’s a child who always did her part wherever she went, and she’s also… well-versed in ‘sorcery.'”

‘Ha.’ Maria shook her head. A sneer brushed her lips. Heinrich saw this but merely smiled like the setting sun.

Having said all he needed to say, he turned his head toward the window. There stood neither the cold Inquisitor nor the father sending his daughter with a deep history on a strange journey. Nor was he someone mourning the death of a family member and colleague.

Kain thought he was just like an old tree. Alternately weathered by harsh storms and good sunshine, crumpled and twisted as time had carved it, yet growing steadfastly—a magnificent tree.

What was revealed under the sunlight was wrinkles and fatigue; what was shadowed was the vigor of younger days.

When straight, beautiful trees fall to merciless axes, such a tree survives for a long, long time, sitting on its trunk to tell beautiful and sad old stories to children.

Even if its most cherished branch breaks. If it endures steadfastly. A tree that is twisted and bent but not fallen, a tree that has survived, is sacred by its very existence.

“Would you bow your heads for a moment?”

Lily was the first to bow her head. Kain was a little later, and Maria bowed reluctantly. Father Heinrich spread his palms over the three heads and recited a prayer.

“May happiness be added to happiness. May land be added to land. Rather than fighting adversity, may you have no adversity to face. Rather than falling into worry, I pray that you be granted wisdom and grace so that you need not experience worry through wisdom and prudence.”

The blessing ended. The three raised their heads.

“I’ll be leaving shortly.”

Kain opened his bag and handed over the belongings. Heinrich caressed the burned manual with Haspel’s writing on it. He also received Haspel’s emblem but in return tore off his own emblem and handed it over.

“Take it. It will surely help. In exchange, I wish to wear his as a memorial.”

Kain firmly grasped his hand. Lily lightly embraced Heinrich and sent greetings to Maria. Maria nodded her head halfheartedly.

The three walked down the stairs. But Maria didn’t go out beyond the entrance.

“I’m a fucking beggar.”

Lily gasped in surprise. The words were too rough to believe they came from a nun’s mouth. Kain put his hands on his waist.

“Well. I have enough money for food and a carriage.”

“Cut the crap. Just… it was intense at dawn, wasn’t it? Why be so polite? After we’ve seen each other at our worst. Was your husband intense? Suddenly clubbing someone’s forehead.”

“…Nice to meet you, honored guest… and I’m not married yet. Not yet.”

“Of course not.” Maria shook her head.

“Sorry, but my equipment is in terrible shape after that dawn commotion. Let’s meet in two hours. At the Veneration of the Sword park. I’ll be by the large tombstone near the entrance, so come find me.”

The nun disappeared into the crowd. Lily tilted her head.

“How rude. I don’t like her. By the way.”

Lily pinched the back of Kain’s hand painfully.

“What exactly were you doing with a nun at dawn?”

Kain had to explain for quite some time. He didn’t know why he needed to explain, but it seemed better than being torn apart alive by two women.

* * * * *

Kain seriously considered whether he should write a letter to Verneith. The Magdeburg branch officer provided a large modified mail carriage. It was larger and more comfortable than the previous one, able to accommodate up to four people.

“You’re going to Emmaus, right? Then you can take this. Although it’s not directly on the border, it’s close enough that cargo and mail transport is active there.”

“Thank you very much.”

Lily turned her head to look at Magdeburg receding in the distance. Maria was trimming her nails with a dagger. She looked remarkably skilled despite the up-and-down motion of the carriage on the paved road.

Her nun’s habit was nowhere to be seen, perhaps stuffed into her bag. Instead, she wore ordinary civilian clothes—a long, loose dress that concealed her figure. But clearly, daggers or awls could spring from between her sleeves at any moment.

“You said you’re Inquisitor Maria, right? I’m…”

“Just call me Maria.”

“…I’m Lily. And this is Kain.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you perhaps eat something bad?”

Maria glanced at Lily with a glare. Lily’s face was stiff. As if she couldn’t help it, Maria let out a deep sigh.

“Fine. Pretty girl with breasts as big as her head, a plump ass, and long legs—you hateful miss. Listen carefully.

For two weeks, I’ve been moving from farmhouse barn to farmhouse barn. In a shitty domain that smells like rotten eggs and dog crap. Thankfully, the air burns so well that I couldn’t even light a candle when sneaking through someone’s window at night.

I don’t even want to talk about having to search through those disgusting Usher brothers’ office, castle, temple, and even priests’ underwear drawers for documents. Fuck… they didn’t even do laundry…

Is that all? I was the one who secretly interrogated and took testimony from that countess. It would just hurt my mouth to tell you what that poor woman went through.

So I finally made it back to Magdeburg, and before two days had passed, they told me to sneak into my uncle’s room? There’s something important there, but they don’t know what. So cursing under my breath, I picked the lock and went in, and some ignorant bastard hiding behind the desk smacked my forehead with a club.

And now they’re pushing me to travel with you? Miss. Do you want to hear nice and kind words from me?”

At the word “uncle,” Lily’s eyes wavered. She barely cleared her throat.

“Everyone has circumstances they can’t talk about.”

“So shut up and stay quiet. If it’s something you can’t talk about, then don’t talk about it, right? Go suck your husband’s lips or something!”

“That’s too harsh!”

“I’m sorry.”

Kain apologized. Maria looked at Kain with empty eyes.

“I’m sorry. Really. I’ll apologize again. If once isn’t enough, I’ll do it two or three more times.”

“Fuck…” Maria bit her lip. “I’m sorry, miss. What fault could you have? I’m the crazy one here.”

The dagger she had been using to trim her nails disappeared into her sleeve. And it didn’t come out again. Lily blinked.

“Amazing, isn’t it? Want to see a magic trick?”

Maria held out her empty palm. The back of her hand was also empty. She even rolled up her sleeves. But when she made a fist and turned her wrist, a dagger blade sprang out from between her fingers.

“There was nothing there.”

“Heh. Look at this miss. You said you’re an Imperial agent, right? Do you know how to use a knife?”

Kain turned his head toward the window. It was to hold back laughter. Lily answered politely.

“Not really. My hands are clumsy.”

“Oh, really? Then listen to me. I’m telling you this because you’re like a little sister, but you know, a knife is…”

The security bureau coachman urged the horses on, increasing speed. Magdeburg’s roads were straight—good for acceleration. When time could be saved, it should be saved as much as possible.

Maria, apparently feeling quite sorry, told exaggerated stories about knives. Lily responded encouragingly and gradually warmed up to the conversation. Kain recalled the countless swords planted in the park. Swords that purified themselves by emitting sacred fire.

Was their life simply defined by the single fact that they had defeated the Demon King?

Was it okay for the blemishes of the rest of their lives to be washed away by the blade?

It was impossible to know. As drowsiness overcame him, Kain opened the bag at his side. He took out Bishop William’s obscene diary. It was encrypted. Haspel’s documents seemed to be part of an effort to decode that cipher. Among them, he saw an underlined word.

‘Vigenère cipher method.’

It was one challenge after another. The Vigenère cipher method is nearly impossible to solve without knowing the key letters. Of course, just figuring out which cipher was used was already a tremendous achievement on Haspel’s part.

Kain read the documents carefully. There was no context. It seemed written as thoughts occurred.

‘Correspondence – back of volume 3.’

The obscene diary was a three-volume set. Though it was disgusting to open it, Kain picked up the thick diary. The latter half of volume 3, the final volume, consisted entirely of letters. They were written in different handwriting. However, he couldn’t tell whose handwriting it was.

‘Perhaps the Lady of Humility might recognize it.’

Kain dozed off. Over Magdeburg, sparkling like a jewel, the sunlight flashed like a blade.