Chapter 40

The Demon Hunting Method Of The Regressed Inquisitor 40

Original Sin (2)

When I opened my eyes, I felt an indescribable discomfort and pain.

Twisting my neck, which didn’t move well, to look down at my body, what is this?

My arms and legs were in casts. I could move if I wanted to, but it would take considerable courage.

It would be impossible unless I broke all these plaster pieces.

“Ugh...”

I finally woke up, but there’s nothing I can do. All I can do is kill time staring at the ceiling.

As I was blankly staring at the dull brown ceiling, someone finally entered the room.

“It’s been a while, Claire.”

“......”

“Can you call someone?”

“......”

“Hey, say something.”

“......”

Claire stared at me intently, then quietly sat down in a chair in the corner and started reading a book.

Is she not going to call anyone? Or should I be grateful that she doesn’t kill me while I’m defenseless?

“Ahem! It’s a bit stuffy. Can you open the window?”

“Sigh...”

Claire, who had been quietly reading her book, finally stood up.

For a moment, I felt a slight chill as she silently approached me.

I felt relieved as I watched her walk straight to the window.

But then...

Clack!

The window opened.

Swoosh──

Rain started coming in.

Claire adjusted the sliding window while quietly staring at me.

With the window open, Claire crossed her arms and watched me.

“Ah, right. It’s my fault. Sorry, but could you close the window?”

Are you complaining now?

I knew you didn’t like me, but this is too much.

“Linnea got hurt.”

“I know.”

“Because of you.”

“Why is it my fault? It’s because of that brat who showed up at an unexpected time.”

Bang!

The window closes again.

Then, grabbing a nearby towel, you dry my wet hair and lay it down.

Giving the disease and the cure, well done.

“I didn’t even run away.”

Drip.

This time, you pour water. Until a moment ago, it seemed like you were venting your anger.

Just as I thought that, Claire herself gulps down the water.

“Phew. You didn’t give it your all, did you?”

“......”

“What kind of nuisance is this? Are you crazy to die?”

“You have pretty good eyes.”

“From a distance, you can see it clearly. You didn’t use your sword, and you didn’t use your gun. If you weren’t going to give it your all, shouldn’t you have at least run away?”

“I have nothing to say.”

“But you’re still talking.”

“......”

The kid wasn’t this bad before... What on earth made this kid such a sharp-tongued person?

Who on earth had such a bad influence on the kid?

It couldn’t be Linnea, she’s too kind, and Titan is too stupid for that.

“Anyway, stay quiet until your wound heals. And in the meantime, finish organizing your thoughts.”

“My thoughts are already organized.”

“In your dreams?”

“Yeah. No, wait, something’s off with your tone. Anyway, I’ve reached a conclusion.”

After answering, I saw Claire’s mocking face. It was a sarcastic question, but I answered seriously.

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“Let’s become a punching bag.”

“Oh dear, I didn’t know you hurt your head too. You should ask your sister to take a look when she comes back.”

“Well, that was a joke. But I think we need to talk first, no matter what.”

“Will she listen?”

“So what I said earlier was both a joke and not a joke.”

“......”

Contempt.

In a way, it’s impressive.

Because the moment when hatred towards me was surpassed by the emotion of contempt.

“Do you hate me?”

“Should I like you?”

“For killing your brother?”

“......Don’t speak so carelessly. How, how can you say that in front of me...!”

Claire reacts violently.

In fact, until now, we both tried not to talk about Burke.

Because we knew that topic would only cause wounds.

It was the best effort she could show to Burke.

“But now I don’t know. I thought I would know if I followed you, but now I know even less.”

“Can you forgive me?”

“I guess I should. Someday, I should. But right now, I can’t. I still hate you, and I still can’t accept my brother’s death.”

“You and I have a long way to go.”

We should have done this sooner.

We should have talked about the feelings we had for each other.

Whether it was Claire or me, we are only now standing at the starting line.

From now on, Claire will try to turn her hatred into forgiveness. I have to be a good person so that her decision doesn’t waver.

“So don’t die. I haven’t decided what conclusion I’ll come to yet. Whether I kill you or forgive you, it won’t mean anything if you’re not alive.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Don’t ever think of doing something stupid like this again. If you don’t want to make my resolve futile.”

“The conclusion is similar.”

“What?”

“No, just saying.”

-Have you ever thought about this? If the enemy you prepared for revenge with all your might just stupidly offers their neck, wouldn’t you be unbearably angry?

As expected, the closest aide to the saint.

Or did the saint perfectly understand Claire?

I don’t know which one.

Maybe even that conversation was just a flashy pretense I had in my dream.

“Then I should be someone easy for you to decide on.”

“I hope you become the worst b*stard in the world. Then I’ll gladly stab your neck.”

“Then I should aim to be a saint. It’s a disgrace to die to someone who can’t even hold a dagger properly.”

I laughed as I faced Claire. It was a sneer at each other.

But within that sneer, there was certainly a bit of affection.

“Then here’s the main point. The guy who made me like this this time, who is he?”

“Does it matter since I’m not the one fighting anyway?”

“Well, in some ways, he resembles you and at the same time, he resembles Burke.”

A guy who holds a grudge against me.

He became a demon unwillingly. He was forced to make a decision by the inquisitor.

It’s truly amazing. One person holds all those emotions.

“What do you think you should do?”

To someone who has similar wounds as you. How should you approach them?

* * *

“...Did you need a guard?”

The hunter who followed to guard Linea was panting.

Linea has grace. Not just personally, but the entire hunter guild is indebted to her.

Not only did the expensive doctor treat them for free, but she also ran around making efforts.

Even though she was in a state of severe injury herself. There were no life-threatening injuries, but there were those who might not be able to work as hunters anymore.

Linea saved many people.

That’s why when she said she was going out of the city to gather herbs, he followed with a happy heart.

Those herbs were also for taking care of the injured, weren’t they?

But...

“Huff... Huff...”

Linea’s stamina far exceeded what the hunter had expected.

He had heard that the physical abilities of beastmen were excellent.

But Linea’s movements were lighter than he had anticipated.

She was running lightly through the mountains, and just following her was enough to make him breathless.

“I should have noticed when she was running around treating the kids.”

His mouth tasted bitter.

He had never hunted this hard. If he had known, he would have left it to a stronger hunter.

He had detailed knowledge of the state outside the city and thought there were no particular threats, so he followed... but...

“Oh dear.”

The hunter gritted his teeth and followed Linea, thinking he had to repay the grace.

Of course, contrary to his determination, his body was honest. Soon, the hunter who lost sight of Linea began to search around anxiously.

It didn’t seem like anything would happen. There was no problem since the person herself was also being careful about safety.

There was no information that the damn kid who caused trouble in the city had left the city.

In some sense, the outside of the city could be safer than the inside.

Therefore, the only thing driving him was responsibility and face.

Swish!

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Whoa! You scared me!”

The hunter, who was panting and searching the surroundings, was startled and stepped back at the sight of Linea who suddenly appeared in front of him.

If it had been a beast instead of Linea that appeared now, he would have been dead.

“Ahem! Have you gathered everything, sir?”

“Not everything... but I think I found something more important.”

“Pardon?”

Linea held out the herbs she had gathered in front of the hunter’s eyes.

The hunter recognized the herbs.

They were common herbs used for bruises, effective enough to be worth collecting a few roots when found along the way.

‘Why did she pick these?’

Of course, the important point here was that they were common.

These could be easily obtained without having to come out to gather them.

If she had wanted, the hunter’s guild would have given them to her for free.

Did she notice the hunter’s doubt? Linea quietly added.

“These are poisonous herbs.”

“...Pardon?”