Chapter 31: The Inquisitor’s Dilemma

There are two kinds of people generally involved in radical incidents.

One is those who simply move their bodies as their emotions dictate, committing acts while harboring the grand delusion that what they’re doing is righteous and that failing to act would plunge the world into peril. They wholeheartedly and forcefully carry out extreme actions, regardless of any harm or issues caused in the process.

Solely driven by spontaneous emotions, they wield torches and clubs, dedicating all their efforts to eliminating the ‘great calamity’ before their eyes.

The other type keeps a step back from those at the forefront, loudly and radically acting out. These individuals quietly and covertly pursue their objectives behind the clamoring masses.

Rather than being swayed by emotion, they calculatingly exploit the situation for their own benefit through rational judgments.

While those who have lost reason cheer and swing their clubs about, this other group silently collects belongings and embezzles money to quietly profit for themselves.

Though they may appear meek and unassuming at first glance, in human terms, they are truly the more malicious ones compared to those acting on impulse.

Unlike the emotionally driven masses, they contemplate and calculate how to reap benefits more comfortably and easily. To this end, they begin exploiting circumstances, eventually reaching a point where they create situations themselves.

Whether their actions are righteous or such situations ever truly existed matters little to them. Their aim is not some convoluted pretense or grandiose mission, but simply to maximize gains from the process.

If it means greater profit, they have no qualms framing even the innocent as heinous criminals deserving of public outrage.

While purely pursuing gain, they also hold a principle that conceals their true intentions and absolves any guilt – the notion that ‘all this is for justice’, echoed by those around them.

And according to these standards, one individual currently exploiting the situation in this city to the fullest is the Inquisitor Lipton Aistin.

In his late twenties, with a cunning and ferocious appearance, Lipton has recently been consumed by deep contemplation.

“Tch… The profits are diminishing more than I expected. At first, I could earn a few talents per case, but now the expenses are outweighing the income.”

As the Inquisitor tasked with rooting out and punishing heretics in the city, Lipton had attained the respectable position at a young age, indicative of his capabilities. However, he was primarily interested in maximizing personal gains through his authority.

Born the youngest son of an impoverished noble family, Lipton harbored an excessive greed for wealth. To him, the Inquisitor’s role was an excellent tool for raking in money by identifying anyone, heretic or devout churchgoer, as a target for punishment.

The Church’s decree granting him authority to determine heretics meant anyone he designated could be classified as such and punished accordingly.

Simultaneously, he commanded subordinates to carry out these tasks – in other words, his underlings. Moreover, Lipton had co-opted numerous masses through his silver tongue and persuasive abilities, amassing considerable force and influence in Munhel.

Currently, Lipton was exploiting his authority to the fullest, accumulating wealth.

Targeting wealthy individuals in the city who showed even the slightest laxity towards the Church, Lipton would declare them heretics. He would then mobilize the mobs to raid their homes overnight while his men pillaged their shops, allowing him to amass considerable riches in this manner.

However, Lipton’s earnings had been declining in efficiency recently – not because the number of heretics had decreased, as he had indiscriminately labeled anyone wealthy enough as a heretic regardless of their actual faith.

The primary reason was that his mobs were becoming increasingly unruly over time.

Initially hesitant, the mobs eventually showed no restraint in killing those designated as heretics. They would set fire to raided shops and blatantly destroy valuable goods, engaging in excessive acts that undermined Lipton’s ‘business’.

‘But if I try to rein in these already inflamed mobs recklessly, they might lose their enthusiasm… And if I lose the passionate support of the masses, it’ll hinder my ability to continue these operations…’

Although the mobs’ zeal was excessive, arbitrarily dampening it could lead to a lack of cooperation in identifying heretics.

Thus, caught in this predicament of being unable to act either way, the perplexed Inquisitor Lipton found himself at a loss.

At that moment, a large mug of beer was placed before him.

“Your order, Inquisitor.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

As always, Polena presented the mug with a radiant smile. Lipton slowly lifted the mug, momentarily setting aside his concerns as he began to think, following someone’s advice, that he should simply enjoy the present situation.

Then…

“Might you be troubled by something, Inquisitor? You don’t seem well.”

“Hm? Ah… no, it’s nothing. Just some things on my mind… You needn’t concern yourself.”

Although his unresolved concerns still lingered, Lipton saw no need to share them with a mere tavern worker like her. He attempted to dismiss her question with a lighthearted tone.

However…

“Please don’t say that, Inquisitor Lipton. You are always working tirelessly, day and night, to uphold the Lord’s justice, are you not? If such a person as yourself has any troubles, I, Polena, would like to offer what little assistance I can.”

“Hmm…”

Touched by the earnest words from the beautiful woman, Lipton felt a momentary daze as he blushed slightly and cleared his throat.

“Well… I may have some troubles, but this is the work of a servant of the Lord. While I appreciate your heart, there’s likely nothing you can assist with.”

“A servant’s work, is it? Ah… Then perhaps those individuals could be of help.”

“Those… individuals?”

Polena spoke with a hint of delight, piquing Lipton’s curiosity. Noticing his interest, she continued in a bright tone.

“In fact, a clergyman from another region is currently staying on the second floor. I’ve heard he previously served as an Inquisitor like yourself and has amassed quite a fortune. Even if I may be of little help, perhaps those capable individuals could offer some assistance? Why don’t you meet with them?”

“Hoh… Is that so? An Inquisitor from another region…”

“Yes, I don’t know the details, but from what I’ve heard, they seem to be rather capable individuals who have earned a considerable sum. What do you say to meeting them?”

“…Is that so?… I see…”

From Lipton’s perspective, hearing about another wealthy Inquisitor naturally piqued his interest.

Thus, harboring keen curiosity, he decided to meet them as Polena suggested.