(Continued)

Ciero felt the urge to vomit up not blood, but blasphemous truths.

This level of pressure was the lightest and most basic of the Inquisition’s interrogation techniques. If they took it a step further, he knew he would not be able to endure.

“Enough!”

At that moment, Ciero’s instincts awoke.

A talent for deception, seduction, agitation, and manipulation, all grounded in survival absolutism.

“Who do you think you’re daring to slander right now? The Holy Grail Knight is a noble figure who single-handedly broke through the army of the undead, rescued the believers, and disappeared without seeking any reward! And instead of praising his noble character and achievements, you’re attempting to smear his name? Is the Church jealous of the Holy Grail Knight’s accomplishments?”

At Ciero’s sudden outburst, Saltna flinched. However, his eyes narrowed even more.

Regardless, Ciero turned his desperation into a passionate plea for the persecuted faithful, as if he were spitting out his very soul.

“Of course, defending Kran Fortress was due to the united faith of the believers of the Codex of Light. I simply gathered their light, and the Holy Grail Knight merely expressed their anger and faith through his sword! Is there any reason to argue about who deserves more credit?”

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding, Priest Ciero. We were merely trying to clarify our many doubts about Isaac…”

“A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding, you say? Then why ask such suspicious questions? And heretics? Elil’s followers are also brothers in faith under the Codex of Light! Are you undermining the beliefs of those who joined the Dawn Army to serve the Light?”

When Ciero looked ready to fire off more questions in return, Saltna glanced around. Due to Ciero’s loud voice, a crowd of Dawn Army members had gathered, wondering what was happening.

There were too many people for the Inquisitors to control, and they were, after all, on the verge of becoming fanatics themselves after Ciero’s earlier speech.

“What’s going on? What’s all this about?”

“These raven bastards. What are they trying to do to our priest now that the war is over!”

When Ciero heard those voices, he felt relieved. Of course, he had never intended to try to defeat the Inquisitors with words. He had simply hoped that his voice would draw people in. It seemed he had managed to buy some time.

Ravens flee when people gather.

The Inquisitors seemed to deem this public place unsuitable for an interrogation, deciding to back down.

“It seems I made some inappropriate remarks. I apologize, Priest.”

“It’s fine. But I hope there won’t be such unpleasant incidents again.”

“Of course. Next time, we should discuss things in a more suitable place and setting.”

Ciero realized that was a threat, but he didn’t have time to be angry.

The Inquisitors quickly turned away and left the procession of the Dawn Army. The soldiers who had arrived late hurried over to Ciero’s side.

“Priest Ciero, are you alright?”

“Who were those rude people…”

“No, no. It’s fine.”

Ciero caught his breath and thought about the encounter that had just taken place. In the end, he couldn’t discern the purpose of the meeting. There was no way the Inquisitors would make such contact and retreat so easily.

There must be some kind of scheme.

***

“Chief Saltna, are we leaving even though the interrogation isn’t complete?”

“It’s enough. We’ve gotten everything we could from that clown.”

Saltna Culvain, the head of the Inquisition, and the leader of the Inquisitors, answered nonchalantly. Ciero himself was insignificant, but given his notoriety, they had to approach him carefully. They had to be especially cautious regarding his newly acquired Holy body. He whispered the truths he had just uncovered to the raven perched on his arm.

“To His Holiness the Pope. As previously reported, Ciero is confirmed to be a Nephilim. Judging by the awakened state of the Holy body, his lineage likely comes from the World’s Forge or the Codex of Light. I will submit a separate report on the expected Archangel. If the execution order has not been rescinded, one Inquisitor should remain behind to carry it out. I will continue to pursue Isaac. End.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the raven flew up, becoming a black dot in the sky within moments. It would arrive at the Dawn Army’s main body faster than any other messenger or missive, reciting Saltna’s words to His Holiness.

As he watched the raven fly away, one of the Inquisitors spoke up.

“Should I stay behind to carry out the execution?”

“No, it’s fine. The execution order will likely be rescinded.”

“Rescinded?”

Saltna nodded.

“Ciero has been too incompetent and uncontrollable up to now. He was only useful in raising the atmosphere of the Dawn Army. We should have absorbed the Dawn Army into the main body before it completely collapsed, but interference from the Emperor and the Olkan Code ruined that.”

Saltna recalled the passionate demeanor of Priest Ciero during their earlier conversation.

“But it seems he has improved somewhat. Moreover, he has awakened the Holy bodyF. The Lighthouse Keeper holds even a single tool in high regard. This, too, is probably part of the grand scheme arranged by the Lighthouse Keeper. After being integrated into the main body of the Dawn Army, he will likely be used as a propaganda priest for the Holy See. It’s a fitting conclusion for that clown.”

Ciero and his soldiers joined the main body of the Dawn Army, along with the remnants of the scattered stragglers, barely a week later.

***

The sea breeze tousled Isaac’s hair as it swept past.

Gazing at the distant blue sea and the countless white sails and ships, Isaac found himself feeling a rare sense of tranquility. The city, surrounded by white stone walls and overlooking the blue bay, seemed vibrant, as if war and winter had passed it by.

This was Odryf.

A major city in the southern part of the Empire, it was home to the main branch of the Golden Idol Guild.