43 – Devotion with the Sword (End)
“Recently, there has been a strange report among the inquisitors. Stories have spread among the people that heretical religions are spreading. It cleverly blends local faiths and the faith in the twin-headed eagle, and the inquisitors call it the ‘Black Phoenix Faith.’”
Of course, he added hesitantly.
“My name might be old-fashioned, but there’s no other way. It’s not a sudden appearance of a new faith; it’s a rather ancient one with a long history. It originated from the indigenous beliefs before the empire…”
In truth, it’s embarrassing to even call it a faith. The teachings differ from region to region, and even when taught by the same person, yesterday and today are different.
But the teaching that ‘the black phoenix will rise from the tombs of the marginalized and forsaken. Under the black wings, they will endure the pain we have suffered’ remains the same. It may sound like a common rumor when you hear only this much. But the birthplace of the black phoenix faith is in the northeastern wasteland.”
It is the breeding ground of the Demon King. Cain knew that.
“Haspel had doubts as the heretical religion became more concrete and developed a system. The doctrine took shape, the system took shape, and the teachings became similar in different regions. This means that someone is rapidly eroding the heretical religion.
Just as I was about to say that something needs to be done, Aurius, the abbot, was attacked. Then, the pure William was attacked. Throughout the empire, only the Demon King has the power to exercise widespread influence. And there are shadows. Monsters… There is no doubt.
The Demon King has returned.”
No one spoke. Only the noise from outside filled the room. As if telling them not to laugh, as if telling them to stop the nonsense. But Heinrich asserted.
“Whether the mission of the seven heroes failed, or… whatever the problem was, we’ll put that aside for now, but this much is certain. Even if Judge Malachia himself investigates me, I will speak.
The Demon King has returned.
But, a claim must have evidence. While His Holiness the Pope is trying to burn with light, there must be something clearer than light. Unfortunately, I don’t have that. But I believe that you two will find it.”
Heinrich’s eyes were clear. It was the same as when he confronted criminals. Truth and justice. Belief in righteousness. The purest weapon and the strongest steel. Cain revealed his inner thoughts.
“I believe so too. I will definitely find the truth. However, time is running out. The Knights of the Inquisition will continue to attack the remaining heroes, and the Church is trying to crush what little information we have. No matter how hard the empire tries, it will be too late without the cooperation of the Church.”
“I hope this is not going off-topic,” Heinrich interrupted. “At least, outwardly, I have lived longer than any of you and have been an investigator for longer. Do you need advice from an old crow?”
“I would gladly listen.”
“Even though it seems like everything in the world is repeating, there are surely one or two peculiar points.
The Demon King has not fully revived yet, but it has grown in the hearts of ordinary people during times of chaos, spreading darkness.
But there is clearly one different point. Something that has never happened before. Something new this time.”
The answer is clear. The Knights of the Inquisition. It has never happened before. There has never been a presence that wielded the Inquisition as a weapon.
“The most peculiar existence and the key to resolution. Wielding a sword, practicing the shadow’s magic… even the Papal Office has no information related to him. However, among the seven warriors, there are quite a few who wield swords.
So, how about meeting Lady Ariane, the ‘Humble Inquisitor,’ residing in Emmao, the closest place from here? She might have something to say about the knights of the sword. Of course.”
Heinrich glanced around for a moment. Lowering his voice as if passing by.
“Of course, if a conversation is possible.”
“What’s the matter?”
“It may become a prejudice, but…” Heinrich tilted his head.
“Excessive humility sometimes leads to self-harm and arrogance. Humility is about emptying oneself, not filling with emptiness… I apologize, but I’ll put it this way. When you arrive, you never know how things may have changed.”
“Understood.”
“I wish I could be of more help…” Heinrich looked at Maria.
“I, and what the Inquisition can offer, there is only one thing. But it will undoubtedly be helpful. And, knowledgeable about ‘magic.'”
“Huh.” Maria tilted her head. A hint of a smile touched her lips. Seeing that, Heinrich merely chuckled like the setting sun.
Having finished speaking, he turned his head towards the window. There, it wasn’t a stern Inquisitor or a father sending his daughter on a strange journey. It wasn’t someone grieving the death of family and comrade.
Cain thought he was like an ancient tree. Alternating between harsh storms and warm sunlight, bearing the marks of time but growing splendidly, standing firm even when crushed and twisted. What emerged under the sunlight were wrinkles and weariness, while shadows cast the vitality of youthful days.
Even when the dearest branch broke, if it held firm, if it endured the twists and turns without falling, the tree that survived, that lived on despite everything, was sacred in its existence alone.
“For a moment, could you bow your heads?”
Lily bowed her head first. Cain followed a little later, and Maria reluctantly bowed. Reverend Heinrich spread his palm over the heads of the three and recited a prayer.
“May happiness be added to happiness. May earth be added to earth. Instead of facing adversity, may there be no need to face adversity. Rather than falling into worry, grant wisdom and grace to avoid the need to worry wisely.”
The blessing concluded. The three lifted their heads.
“I’ll be leaving soon.”
Cain opened the suitcase and handed over the heirloom. Heinrich gently stroked the burnt manual with Haspel’s writing on it. He also received Haspel’s insignia, but in return, he tore off his own insignia from his clothes and handed it over.
“Take it. It will surely be helpful. I want to commemorate him by attaching his insignia.”
Cain firmly held his hand. Lily embraced Heinrich lightly, and Maria nodded without much sincerity.
The three of them walked down the stairs. But Maria did not go out of the entrance.
“I’m a beggar.”
Lily gasped in surprise. The words that came out of the nun’s mouth were so rough that it was hard to believe. Cain put his hand on his waist.
“Well, I do have money to buy food and a carriage.”
“Stop it. Just stop. Didn’t we have a heated argument in the morning? Why bother with formalities? We’ve seen each other at our worst. Your husband, he was fiery, right? He hit people on the forehead with a club out of nowhere.”
“…Nice to meet you. Honorable person…And I haven’t been married yet. Not yet.”
“You must be young.” Maria tilted her head.
“Sorry. My equipment is a mess because of the morning chaos. Let’s meet in two hours. At the Sword of Reverence Park. I’ll be next to the big tombstone near the entrance, so come on your own.”
The nun disappeared into the crowd. Lily raised her eyebrows.
“How rude. I don’t like it. But that aside.”
Lily pinched Cain’s hand so hard that it hurt.
“What on earth were you doing with a nun in the morning?”
Cain had to explain for a long time. He didn’t know why he had to explain, but it seemed better than being torn apart by the two women.
* * * * *
Cain seriously considered writing a letter to Bernice. The branch manager of Magdeburg provided a large refurbished postal carriage. It was larger and more comfortable than the previous one, and could accommodate up to four people.
“If you’re going to Emmaoro, you can ride this. It’s not exactly a border area, but it’s close to the border, so cargo and mail transport are active.”
“Thank you very much.”
Lily turned her head to watch Magdeburg grow distant. Maria sharpened her nails with a dagger. Even though it was a bumpy dirt road, she seemed very skilled at handling it.
There was no sign of the nun’s habit; instead, she wore ordinary clothes that regular people would wear. A long, loose-fitting garment that concealed her figure. But surely, a dagger or a stiletto could be seen at any moment between the sleeves.
“You said your name is Maria, the inquisitor. I am…”
“Just call me Maria.”
“…I am Lily. And this is Cain.”
“Ah.”
“Did we do something wrong?”
Maria glanced briefly at Lily. Lily’s face was stiff and unyielding. As if she had no choice, Maria let out a deep sigh.
“Fine. A pretty and busty lady with a brain as big as her head and a flabby rear end. Listen carefully.
You know, I’ve been traveling around barns for two weeks. In a territory that smells like rotten eggs. Fortunately, the air is so flammable that I couldn’t even light a candle when I sneaked into someone else’s house at night through the open window.
I had to search through the disgusting offices of the ushers, the castle, and the priests’ underwear for documents. f*ck… I didn’t even do laundry…
And guess what? I was the one who secretly conducted the investigation and took the testimony of the Marquis’s wife. But no matter what I said, it only caused her pain.
So I finally returned to Magdeburg, and not even two days later, my uncle tells me to secretly sneak into his room. He says there’s something important, but I don’t know what it is. So I cursed and cursed, opened the door, and went in, only to have some ignorant punk hiding behind the desk and smashing my forehead with a club.
And now you want to go on a trip together? Miss. Do you want to hear pretty and kind words from me?”
At the mention of “uncle,” Lily’s eyes trembled. She barely composed herself.
“Everyone has things they can’t talk about.”
“So just shut up. If there are things you can’t talk about, then don’t talk about them. Or do you want to suck your husband’s lips dry?”
“You’re being rude!”
“I apologize.”
Cain apologized. Maria looked at Cain with empty eyes.
“I’m sorry. Really, I’ll apologize again. If once is not enough, I’ll do it two or three more times.”
“Damn it…” Maria bit her lip. “I’m sorry. Miss. Well, what could be wrong with you? It’s because I’m a crazy b*tch.”
The dagger, which Cain was sharpening his nails with, disappeared into his sleeve. And it didn’t come out again. Lily blinked.
“Isn’t it amazing? Shall I show you a magic trick?”
Maria opened her empty palm. There was nothing on the back of her hand either. She even rolled up her sleeve. But when she clenched her fist and twisted her wrist, the blade of the dagger popped out through the gaps between her fingers.
“There was nothing.”
“Heh. Look at this Miss. By the way, you said you were an imperial agent. Do you know how to use a knife?”
Cain turned his head towards the window. It was to hold back his laughter. Lily replied politely.
“I don’t know. My hands are numb.”
“Oh, really? Well, listen to me. I’ll tell you like a younger brother, you know, a knife is…”
The driver, a member of the security bureau, said, speeding up. The road to Magdeburg was straight. It was a good road to accelerate. When there was a chance to reduce time, it should be reduced as much as possible.
Maria seemed quite sorry, so she told a story mixed with nonsense related to the knife. Lily played along and gradually got absorbed in the story. Cain recalled the countless swords stuck in the park. The swords that purified themselves by spewing holy fire.
With just the fact that they defeated the demon king, is their life simply defined?
Is it okay for the remaining flaws in life to be washed away by the blade?
It was an unknown thing. As drowsiness poured in, Cain opened the bag on his side. He took out Bishop William’s shabby diary. It was encrypted. Hasspell’s documents seemed to be part of the effort to decipher that code. He saw a word underlined.
“Bismarck encryption method.”
It was like climbing a mountain after a mountain. Bismarck encryption method is almost impossible to decipher without knowing the key letters. Of course, just knowing what encryption was used was a great achievement for Hasspell.
Cain carefully read the documents. There was no context. It seemed like he just wrote down whatever came to mind.
“Letter – at the back of Volume 3.”
The shabby diary consisted of three thick volumes. It was nauseating even to unfold, but Cain opened the bulky diary. After the middle of the third volume, it was all letters. They were written in different handwriting, and it was impossible to identify whose handwriting it was.
‘If it’s the humble lady, she might recognize it.’
Cain nodded off to sleep. Above Magdeburg, sparkling like jewels, the sunlight flickered like a sharp blade.