Episode
9 .
Archbishop Tegain was not a figure who remained largely in Aiden’s memory.
Although he was one of the moderates and held a major position within the Holy See, this was because he did not interact directly with users.
In conclusion, he was a character who did not have a significant impact on the story. It wasn’t even a villain.
From the church’s point of view, it can be interpreted as a good soldier who is faithful to his duty.
That he is colluding with the Demonic Church?
Although the actions of the characters were slightly different from what was expected. However, the nature itself did not change. at least so far.
If the good man had been turned into a villain, it seemed that he would go beyond trouble and become dizzy.
‘please.’
For about a week, the culprit who rotted Aiden’s head was in front of his eyes.
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“Sir Aiden, I still have something to say…”
“sorry.”
I’m sorry to Yuriel, but the conversation had to be postponed until later.
Aiden got up from his seat and headed towards the chapel entrance.
The archbishop was crowded with many people. Aiden permeated the crowd and greeted him.
“Meet the Archbishop.”
Tegain was a fairly young man for his position. middle-aged. His short hair and bulging eyes gave him a strong impression.
“Who are you?”
A knight whispered something into Tegain’s ear. The Archbishop nodded as if he understood only then.
“Oh, you didn’t know the hero. apologize I am Tegain, Archbishop of the headquarters.”
He was a person who couldn’t get close to him like before. The Holy Family with the Papal Succession. Tegain was a privileged class that ruled the Seonghwang-guk.
“This is Paladin Iden. It is an honor to meet you.”
“What are you talking about? This is an honor. I have heard your story many times. You have a lot of credit for this case too, don’t you?”
“It is overrated. Everything was possible with the support of the church.”
Tegain let out a hearty laugh.
“hahahaha! no need to cheat The church did nothing for you. That’s why you and the Inquisitor fought hard. Very good.”
Aiden studied his expression carefully. If all of those images were acting, I thought that he was a really tough opponent.
“Yeah, by the way. Is there anything I can do to see you? Even if it’s not like that, let’s get to know each other and share a cup of tea with me. After the book closing ceremony. How would you like it?”
I also expected that Tegain would come up with a proposal like that first.
The premise was that Tegain was above Forel.
He would wonder if Forell had revealed his name. I’m sure he’ll try to open Iden on the excuse of having a cup of tea.
Iden also intended to talk to him for a while.
It was because he was an untouchable opponent right now, and it was a long way from moving secretly to secure evidence.
Aiden had too many things to do.
“All right. After the installation ceremony, I will go to the Archbishop’s office.”
“good. I would like to hear the story of heroism in person. Look forward to it.”
Aiden saluted the Archbishop with a chuckle and left the Great Chapel.
I felt Yuriel’s gaze behind my back, but I tried to ignore it.
*
Aiden did not attend the installation ceremony.
The installation of a saint was one of the most sacred ceremonies of the empire and the Holy Empire, and it was so time consuming as well.
High officials and feudal lords of the empire were still passing through the gates of Arheim, and the drawbridge was crowded with pilgrims and merchants.
festive mood. It was as if Seonghwangguk was a world far removed from this world.
It was quite different from the borders of the empire where Aiden wandered during his days as an apprentice knight. They were unspeakably cruel.
I have seen the residents live like cattle in a village that has been turned into a devil’s farm, and I have witnessed terrible horrors committed by a demon-enchanted lord.
Silk, the devil was not the only problem.
People starving to death due to a great famine, slash-and-burn people wandering away from their hometowns, and bandits who have become corrupted to survive.
The inside is so rotten and cracked, but insisting on an expedition.
Iden couldn’t help but agree with the statement that the true enemy is within.
The expedition discussions had to end quickly. Valuable manpower called Holy Knights were tied to the Holy Kingdom and were just playing.
‘sh*t.’
I couldn’t fit into the atmosphere here.
“Take it easy.”
During the installation ceremony, Aiden was concentrating on training in the garden of Xerath’s residence.
In front of Iden, a man was tied to a wooden pole, naked.
He was a follower of Forell.
A training scarecrow-like being brought by Xerath to help Aiden train in Blue Flames.
“Isn’t the intent to kill soaring? The author castrated the boys under Forel, and exploited the girls for s*x. Is that all, he said he enjoyed killing his parents in front of his children.”
The Scarecrow cried out for help. It was hard to hear because he was gagged.
Iden recalled the moment the blue flames transferred to Forel and the necromancer.
I thought I had to kill him. However, it was not a thought that originated from a terrible hatred or a grandiose cause of judging sinners.
It seemed that I was pointing the pin wrong.
“…Master, I don’t think my blue flames will ignite this way.”
Xerath nodded slowly.
“Blue flames burn when the god sympathizes with the believer’s confidence. In my case, it was judgment and salvation. Yours are hard to figure out.”
When Aiden thought about it, his own blue flames seemed to burn against the target who was trying to damage the planned ending.
If so, it meant that there was no way to practice. I just had to learn how to use it in practice.
A low-quality criminal chained in front of Iden’s eyes?
He definitely deserves to die. Apart from that, whether he lives or dies has no impact on Iden’s plans.
Aiden let out a low sigh.
Although he possessed the highest level of authority, which the worldview classifies as unique, it was very difficult to handle.
A fire that burns until the target dies. It would be a great help if I could fully understand it, but the future seemed a little distant.
Aiden looked up at the sky. The sun and moon coexisted. It was near the end of the installation ceremony.
Iden drew his sword and strode towards the scarecrow.
“Wait. He doesn’t deserve to be saved yet. I couldn’t help you, so I have to pay the full price for my sins in this life.”
After saying that, Xerath called Euron who was doing strength training in the back.
Euron came running, drenched in sweat.
“Yes, Inquisitor. Did you call?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for a seed to know how to do more?”
“This is a wise statement. But…”
Xerath pointed to the tied up scarecrow.
“I’ll tell you this and that, so grab it and follow me. There will definitely be times when you need it. Even if Aiden looks like that, he’s a young soldier like this.”
Euron and Xerath headed to the basement, and Aiden moved to the Archbishop’s office in the headquarters.
*
Aiden scanned the Order of Merit and Honor Badges neatly displayed in the corner of Tegain’s office.
These were honors he had earned when he was young, serving as an imperial officer.
“hahahaha, I’m a little embarrassed to show it to you, but they’re my only pride.”
“no. Those are valuable enough. I understand that you have greatly contributed to the eradication of barbarians.”
Until just a few days ago, Aiden had no idea of Tegain’s past or detailed settings.
I wasn’t even paying attention until the man’s name popped out of Forrell’s mouth.
This was the reason Aiden worked hard to study about him for a week.
As the information filled in, Iden was seized with suspicion.
Why is this person like this?
he had everything Lineage, status, power, honor. If such a human was motivated enough to trade with the Demonic Cult, there was no way it would end up with quite a bit of greed.
He was a person who could cause great harm to future developments.
This meeting was to measure Tegain.
Iden had no intention of bringing up the topic of Forel or the Demonic Cult.
The Archbishop sat in the seat of honor and handed over the teacup. His expression turned a little serious.
“I know why you came to see me.”
For a moment, Iden thought about what would happen if he killed the archbishop right now.
Tegain immediately continued.
“Forel is not a great man to withstand interrogation. My name would have come out, but they covered it up. Why? It must be that you think differently.”
Aiden looked straight into his face.
“Are you confessing?”
As soon as he finished speaking, something approached Aiden from behind.
It was an article hidden somewhere in the office.
Aiden tensed his nerves. The moment he heard the sound of a sword being drawn, he intended to break the neck of someone standing behind him and smash the archbishop’s head as well.
Tegain shouted.
“Durell! Did you forget the order not to step out!”
“······sorry. Because Sir Aiden’s mood is unusual.”
Aiden glared at the archbishop like a beast.
“I can kill you before he draws his sword.”
The Archbishop nodded as if he knew.
“I had no intention of provoking you. apologize But, I would like you to listen to me.”
Tegain nodded to the knight. The knight approached Iden.
“Forgive me for the rudeness. However, I have a duty to protect my lord. If you show hostility, I have no choice but to draw my sword.”
Aiden did his best to contain his excitement. If we kill the Archbishop here, a lot of things will get messy.
First, I had to listen to what he had to say.
“Tell me. I will not respect you until your charges are cleared.”
“I will accept it.”
Tegain clasped his hands and opened his mouth slowly.
“As you know, the Demonic Church is expanding rapidly. Not to mention the outskirts of the continent, which are out of our reach, and cause problems by invading our country.”
Iden was conscious of that too. It didn’t make sense for the demonic cult commanding the Dark Warriors to roam the Empire at this point.
“so?”
“We launched an investigation. We secretly set up an investigation team and pursued the Demonic Cult.”
“Strange. If it’s a case related to the Demonic Church, even if the church itself puts all their efforts into it, they secretly moved?”
“Why do you think we couldn’t exterminate them for two hundred years?”
“This is because the information power of the Demonic Cult reached the headquarters of the Empire and the Church. Besides, they are insubstantial.”
“That is my answer to your question.”
Tegain knew the reason why the church repeatedly failed in subjugation. A fight that never ends as long as the enemy remains strong inside. In other words, Tegain’s investigation team was a group that even the religious leaders did not know.
He couldn’t believe it all yet, but Aiden seemed to see a glimmer of hope.
Because Tegain’s actions were originally the role of the user.
“Then why did your name come out of Forel’s mouth?”
“From the list of apostates identified during the investigation, we selected those whose motives for apostasy were low and lacking in intelligence compared to their position.”
That was Forel.
“I slowly approached Forel and showed my willingness to trade with the Demonic Cult. just up to here. After that, you intervened and arrested Forell.”
He tried to infiltrate the Demonic Church himself and play the role of a ganja. Archbishop on his feet. For Aiden, the character Tegain felt a bit peculiar.
Of course, everything he said could have been a blatant lie. I’ll have to check it out
“Do you have any evidence to prove what you are saying?”
“A record of the journals of recent years. The investigation team that moved under me. A document that identifies the identities of the apostates. Finally, God is watching me.”
“All of these things can be manipulated.”
“If you don’t believe me, you can arrest me. However, there must be a reason why you covered up the incident. I guess you don’t want the expedition to fall apart? If I am arrested and investigated, the expedition cannot be stopped.”
Aiden felt relieved. It was because of the hope that among the high-ranking priests, there might be a competent human with a straight mind.
The congestion that I had been suffering from for the past few days was gradually going down.
“I will send all documented evidence to the sister-in-law of the Heretic Questioner. If what I say turns out to be the truth, can you do one favor of mine?”
If the Archbishop is cleared of charges, it was an order, not a request.
Tegain took out a map and placed it on the table. The place pointed by the tip of his index finger was a place Iden knew well.
Grandel Grand Tomb. It was a huge tomb where ancient warriors were buried.
“At first, I thought it was just a plan to enchant the souls sleeping there. Of course, that is also a problem.”
Tegan’s face darkened.
“It’s a bigger problem. It seems that the Demonic Cult intends to make offerings to all the countless spirits of the tombs. The children kidnapped and collected over the years will be offered as a bonus.”
Aiden’s expression also distorted.
“Can you guess what will be summoned?”