Chapter 22

The Demon Hunting Method Of The Regressed Inquisitor 22

Festival of the Dead (3)

-Once upon a time, there was a girl who was loved by all the gods in the old pantheon. She was truly a master of both martial and literary arts. A perfect appearance. The only and most precious treasure in this world, with a beautiful heart to match that appearance.

The suddenly started telling an old story.

-It would be hard to deceive you. Yes, that’s right. It’s me. So beautiful and so pitiful. Truly an angel-like girl!

“Isn’t it a bit too old to call yourself a girl?”

-I’m eternally 18 years old.

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Did she hit her head when she died?

Or are all dead people like that?

If not, did she go insane after living too long?

If she were human, she would have a sense of shame, but since she’s dead, she doesn’t.

-Oh? By now, shouldn’t you be asking something? Whether I’m really an angel, or if I was a saint in life.

“...Such self-praise makes all that trivial.”

– Well, compared to my appearance, everything else is trivial, isn’t it? But since it’s an important matter, let’s address it. As you might have guessed from my appearance, I was a saint and an angel.

I don’t usually say things like this, but there’s no one crazier than her.

– It was a time of war. When countless demons were stirring for war against the gods. So many people died.

“Demons...?”

– Ah, would it be easier for you if I called them Melis?

“Weren’t demons supposed to refer to the first demonic race?”

– That’s not the important part. I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I?

“No...”

Melis. So there wasn’t just one being like Belial?

Why didn’t I know that?

If she’s speaking to this extent, it must have been a war that spanned the entire continent.

How could such a massive event not have been recorded in history books?

Even if it wasn’t recorded in history books, it should have remained in the form of myths or legends.

– That girl... You’re not listening, are you? The story won’t continue if you leave this question unanswered.

“That’s right.”

– How shameless. Well, let me explain briefly. Lord Lost. It’s because of what you do.

“That is...”

The role of the Inquisitor is to exterminate demons and demonic beings, but also to deal with worshippers of evil gods considered heretics.

No, to be precise, this is closer to the original purpose.

Facing demons and demonic beings is not just the job of the Inquisitors; the battle priests of the Holy Order and the paladins of the Holy Knights can do the same.

So, erasing the traces of evil gods is the unique task of the Inquisitors.

Then, who is the mastermind behind such tasks? Does an evil god simply mean a god harmful to humans?

But considering Hecate specifically mentioned it was because of my work...

“The Inquisitors erased that history entirely?”

– That’s right. You erased it. Over many years, you erased the very name of the race that was called demons. In fact, even at that time, they were more often called demons than gods.

Erasing the names of the evil gods considered heretics.

Knowing the name means someone could worship them.

It’s part of that process.

But even the Inquisitors who did that work were made unaware.

Thus, the existence of evil gods was downgraded to demons. Although it was an organization I belonged to, it was incredibly thorough.

If Melis is not just an apostle of the evil god, but the evil god itself. Does that mean Belial, whom I must defeat, is also a god? Is it possible for a human to defeat such a being?

– Don’t think too highly of gods. They are just beings who can do many things.

It’s blasphemy.

But if I don’t acknowledge it, I can’t move forward.

In fact, many of those evil gods have hidden their existence, so it’s not impossible.

“Then...”

– Stop! That’s enough about that topic! It’s my turn to introduce myself now! If you interrupt any further, you’ll face me as a trial.

Hecate protests, slamming her palm on the table rudely.

“...Understood.”

I never thought I’d be threatened for such a petty reason. But given the scale, I have no choice but to keep my mouth shut.

– Many people died with regrets. They longed for their families, hated their enemies, and met a very miserable end.

“......”

– Of course, the gods didn’t abandon those lambs. They guided them to heaven.

“......Were you the one in charge of that task?”

– You’re quick-witted. But you interrupted me, so that’s a point deduction.

I must not grow old like that.

– But. But you see. It’s a very sad thing.

“Going to heaven, you mean? Is it not a good place?”

– No, it’s the fact that they have to leave for another world with regrets.

“......”

– So I stayed here. I defied the will of the gods.

Trial:

I could understand why she was called a trial. It’s not just because she raises corpses by wandering around.

– They are people who wanted to live a little longer. People who wanted to see their family’s faces one last time. People who wanted to take revenge on those who made them that way.

Click.

Hecate put down her teacup.

Her eyes, which were entirely white, turned completely black, leaving no whites. The sight was eerie, as if filled with bloody tears.

– I am a shepherd who leads those who have regrets.

Lost mercifully created an excuse for her to leave.

Of course, Linea didn’t notice such consideration. She had kicked away the path back that had been prepared for her.

Lost sighed and said,

“...Do you want to look around the village?”

“Shall we? I’m looking forward to it. What could be in Necropolis?”

“Really anxious.”

“Sorry?”

“No, I said I’m looking forward to it.”

Lost felt a pang of bitterness at Linea’s clumsy appearance, unable to even remember her own excuse.

It seemed that keeping secrets was quite a difficult task.

Should he assist her with it, or just leave her be?

It was a moment when an unplanned dilemma arose for Lost.

* * *

“My body feels light...”

Claire Ryan had been freed from the sensation of being weighed down ever since her encounter with .

How long had it been since her body felt this light? The journey had been a burden on her already frail body.

Except for the times when she was being trained by Lost, she had spent most of her time lying down. How much of a burden she must have been.

Even if she thought of revenge, she must not forget that she was a burden. She must never forget not only her grudges but also her gratitude.

Claire recalled the fight between Lost and Mez.

‘That is certain.......’

It was a desperate fight.

Was it the strength to take care of oneself?

It was enough to understand why it was said that way.

That’s the kind of life they had lived.

But carrying the burden of oneself as well, it was clear that the person named Rost was not just a bad person.

It wasn’t that he wanted to kill Burke. He had to kill him.

That fact was known in the head and could be understood through the human image of Rost.

“But.”

I know. How could I not know?

Claire is not a fool. She survived from the group that persecuted her even with her frail body.

It is not right for her to resent Rost. Burke was a traitor to humanity, and Rost is the one who has to kill such traitors of humanity.

Those who are not upright, who cannot lift their heads even on the day of martyrdom, wishing to be nailed upside down on the cross.

The inquisitors bearing the reverse cross.

Those who do the things that no one wants to do, but someone has to do.

One should not spit out hatred and resentment towards such people instead of understanding.

But. But still.

“Brother is my family.”

The only family left for Burke is her. Burke didn’t even have anyone he could call a friend.

There is only her.

“If even I do not grieve for brother’s death, if I do not resent the one who killed him.......”

Claire clenched the hem of her skirt. She knew it in her head, but it was something she couldn’t help emotionally.

“Who in this world can stand up for brother.”

There is only her.

So she grieves. So she resents.

She may not act on revenge.

The opponent was right. At least on the surface, it seemed so.

But Claire must doubt the opponent’s denial. That is the only thing she can do for Burke.

Her brother, who sacrificed so much to protect her. The only thing she can do for such a brother is to constantly doubt and mourn.

“Even so, if it’s here.......”

Claire clenched and unclenched her fists.

In the past, even exerting strength in her body was a struggle. But ever since entering Necropolis, isn’t her body surprisingly light?

“Maybe it can solve the problem.”

Claire hates Rost. She knows he’s not a bad person, but how could she like someone who killed her family?

But it’s shameless.

Rost had secured a carriage larger than necessary for her frail self, and even prepared a separate space where she could lie down, covering it with plenty of soft blankets.

All of this was for her, who was nothing but frail.

How shameless it is to hate someone like that. So at the very least, she must get healthy.

“......”

Claire recalled the angel who had warmly welcomed them.

The trial, Necropolis. The ruler of that city of death.

Maybe she would know. The reason why she feels fine now, and how she can continue to feel better.

“I have to meet her.”

Claire got up from her bed and quietly left the room.

The place where Hecate was located wasn’t particularly blocked off.

In this city of the undead, who would dare to plot against her?

So she knocked on the door where Hecate was, and when she received permission to enter, she carefully opened the door.

– “Hey.”

Thud!

A greenish lump of meat mixed with red was thrown out the door.

– “I won! I can take it. This settles the hierarchy perfectly!”

“......”

Claire glanced at the lump of meat that was Titan, who had lost consciousness, and quietly turned her head.

Thanks to that, she could guess that things wouldn’t be easy.