The Inquisitors tasked by the Church to root out dark mages were relentless. Their reputation for extracting desired answers was nearly mythical.

Gerhen didn’t know the exact methods these inquisitors used, but one thing was clear in this moment: the High Pontiff had no intention of pressing the wandering mage for answers.

"Is it true?"
"It is not true."
"Then it is not true."

That was no interrogation. Even an indulgent parent scolding their misbehaving child would’ve been stricter.

What is this special treatment?

Gerhen was flustered. The inquisitors he knew erased the concept of compromise the moment …