Regressor of the Fallen Family
Chapter 269

“What nonsense is this!?” Logan’s voice involuntarily rose in volume. A land abandoned by god. Where could such a terrible phrase come from? Just the rumor alone was enough to make the citizens tremble with dread.

“Ah… it is merely a suspicion, Your Majesty. And it is not even the consensus of the temple, but rather the personal opinion of His Holiness the Pope. Hence the investigation,” Pamiel explained, sweating profusely, but Logan’s anger showed no sign of subsiding.

“So now, you’re saying that because many children born in Macline lack divine power, the Pope… that man suggests it’s a land abandoned by god?” Logan confronted Pamiel’s claim head-on, who couldn’t even think to correct Logan’s slip of the tongue as he hastily waved his hands.

“It’s just a doubt he has raised! If the investigation results are favorable, he will withdraw his opinion, surely. Heh heh.”

“And what if they are not favorable?”

“Well, how could it be? To call it a land abandoned by god, that term would fit the southern mountains or the Demon Forest. How could it apply to a country where people live in peace?”

It could.

Watching the Archpriocese force a smile, Logan’s feeling of trepidation grew even more.

‘The records show nothing but lunacy.’

According to the documents Logan had reviewed on his way to the temple, the current inquisitors were not much different from the corrupt priest Vallama, targeting innocent civilians or genuine heretics without distinction.

Stories like that of a farmer who cursed the god of water and agriculture, Aion, after a failed harvest and was burned at the stake were all too common.

‘Maybe that corrupt priest just killed those he considered heretics according to his standards.’

Logan gritted his teeth thinking about how the church doctrine would react to such a notion.

Normal logic would not condemn a soldier who dealt with a sudden stomachache in the forest while on watch. At most, it would warrant a warning.

But the inquisitors defined such actions as desertion and issued execution orders. They fabricated non-existent crimes and inflated real ones to the extreme.

Thus, passively waiting for a good result felt more likely to lead to the worst-case scenario.

“Is there a way to persuade the inquisitors? I mean, legally and without opposing god’s will,” Logan asked. Pamiel started to realize Logan’s intent.

“Heh. Well, I’m not sure. Those in the central temple have little flexibility, unlike priests like me. What a shame…”

As Pamiel glanced furtively at Logan, the latter pressed further on the matter.

“So are there any particular precautions when dealing with the inquisitors? Any other methods?”

“It’s unfortunate, Majesty, but I have no authority to intervene with the inquisition…”

“Archbishop. If we keep going over the same well-known stories, there’s no reason for me to make a donation now, is there?”

Sensing Pamiel trying to back out, Logan promptly took a more forceful stance. Pamiel sighed softly before continuing.

“The inquisitors receive intensive mental training. To them, any flexibility is considered a sin.”

“In that case, bribes are indeed…

However, Cardinal Eseal, who commands them, is not. He’s a priest with flexibility, like myself.”

“Oh?”

“But he’s on our side when it comes to gifts, isn’t he?”

“Are you saying the cardinal has a certain… flexibility?”

The implication being that he might accept gifts?

“That’s what I’m saying. Before I came to the Macline Diocese, we were close friends for about ten years.”

“A comrade as corrupt as you are.”

Feeling somewhat reassured by the news, Logan let out a sigh of relief.

“Hmm. Then you must be well aware of what the cardinal likes?”

“Ah… ha ha. That is…”

As Logan scrutinized Pamiel with a furrowed brow, Pamiel, hesitant at first, finally spoke.

“I must ask that my words do not leak. Given my friend’s position in the church…”

“Of course,” Logan assured him.

Despite the affirmation, Pamiel continued, his face still moist with cold sweat.

“Cardinal Eseal is fond of money, but… he has a greater liking for… female disciples.”

“Excuse me?”

Logan’s eyes hardened slightly.

“That too… um. Younger female disciples. Girls in their early to mid-teens…”

Pamiel’s words twisted Logan’s face completely.

“The cardinal?”

Even if the church had become corrupt, a cardinal with the rank of archbishop and even the right to vote in the papal election, would have a preference for women? Even young girls?

Had he heard correctly?

Embarrassed by the absurdity, Logan looked at Pamiel, who hastily waved his hands.

“Your Majesty, please, you must never say I told you this?!”

Pamiel’s concerned demeanor added credibility to his words.

“Damn it…”

Although unsuitable for a king to say in front of an archbishop, Pamiel could not dare to argue.

After the meeting with the archbishop, as Logan left, his expression was very grim.

Viktor, too, had gloomy news to share.

“As Your Majesty ordered, we inquired within the temple regarding Bishop Ilia and confirmed some facts.”

“Speak.”

“Indeed, Bishop Ilia has been sent back to the central temple, but the public announcement seems somewhat sugarcoated. It appears she was essentially treated as a prisoner.”

At that, Logan’s steps involuntarily halted.

“Huh…”

Looking up at an utterly cloudless blue sky did nothing but increase the sense of filth in his mind.

“The temple… really goes to all lengths.”

His voice was soft yet dripping with deep anger.

Although he had never entertained the thought that Bishop Ilia was summoned for good reasons – the words ‘heresy’ and ‘inquisition’ had already been mentioned – the idea of being treated as a criminal right from her diocese?

To think of the only priest that Logan respected further stifled his already tight chest.

Against his usual demeanor, Viktor made an unexpected suggestion.

“…Isn’t there a way to save her?”

Surprised by Viktor’s words, Logan looked at him quizzically.

“She was much beloved by the orphans in the slums. Even local hoodlums respected Bishop Ilia.”

“Did you hear some rumors?”

“I’ve seen her a few times when I volunteered during my off-duty hours. She was truly a warm-hearted person.”

Huh?

Volunteer work?

The contrast to his former noble-slaughtering image left Logan surprised.

‘This guy…’

But in the current situation, recognizing Viktor’s change was only a minor comfort. Logan hardened his expression and shook his head.

“Regrettable as it is, that’s something I can’t do. We would be branded as heretics just before the inquisition even begins.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to save her if we’re going to be condemned anyway?”

“What?”

“If what Lia said is true, there has not been a single case where the inquisition declared someone innocent after investigation. That’s what I suggest to you.”

Viktor’s statement turned Logan’s expression even sterner.

“Inevitably to be condemned as heretics…?”

“If I’m speaking out of turn, forgive me.”

“No, it’s not that. You’re right. The chances are high… Ah…”

It was a sufficiently plausible deduction, and Logan realized that he was subconsciously seeking any possibility of a favorable outcome.

‘Such a fool…’

If the temple really had that intention from the start, then no amount of preparation would mean anything.

‘A bribe would just be more trouble.’

He had nearly made a grave mistake.

“You did well to speak up, Viktor.”

As he brushed his goosebump-riddled arm, Logan reorganized his thoughts. It was best to prepare for the worst, rather than hope for the best.

“Call Damian. And inform the Knights as well. Starting now… “

As Logan continued speaking, Viktor’s expression grew increasingly severe.

A month later, a party of about 300 people entered the city of Grang.

While the number was not a significant percentage of Grang’s population, their unique attire captured the attention of all passersby.

“Are they priests?”

“They look like they are wearing cassocks, but why are they black?”

“And what’s that they’re wearing on their heads instead of miters?”

The crowd instinctively stepped back at the sight of the black cassocks, expressionless faces, and steel helmets worn by the newcomers.

Astute observers noticed silver armor under the loose black cassocks, and those with knowledge recognized it as the attire of the bygone era’s inquisitors, who preached justice while instilling fear.

“Could it be…”

“No way, right?”

The party quickly made their way to the palace surrounded by an escort from the royal knights, and the few who could guess at their purpose hurriedly returned home, pale-faced.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

The elderly man, his face covered in wrinkles, smiled warmly as he bowed to Logan.

“The honor is mine to meet you, Cardinal. Though, given the circumstances, I cannot say I am entirely pleased.”

“Ha ha. What could Your Majesty possibly need to worry about? All things will simply proceed according to the will of the Nine Divinities.”

Cardinal Eseal Fabrun appeared to be the epitome of a priest with his kind face and refined manner. However, knowing what Pamiel and Damian had discovered, Logan could not face the man with a genuine smile.

“I truly hope everything unfolds by the natural order. Where do you wish to begin the investigation?”

“Our first location would be the Laftan region, I believe? There were concerning reports of a plague outbreak that violated the temple’s taboos.”

Eseal spoke calmly, his smile hardly wavering, as Logan’s expression turned stern.

“Those efforts were part of creating a cure for the plague. The bishop who accompanied them had given permission.”

“Ahh, you mean Sister Ilia. Sadly, she would be summoned to the central temple about now. Haven’t you heard the news?”

‘You filthy…’ Eseal smiled as he delivered this news.

Despite feeling unjustly treated, Logan argued with a distorted expression.

“Despite possible disagreements within the clergy, don’t you think it’s unfair for us? It’s not our fault the temple changed its stance.”

“Of course. Which is why I would ideally like to provide a favorable report to His Holiness. Ah, but here’s the issue… I have my position to consider, heh heh. Perhaps if Your Majesty showed some… generosity, it might be a different story.”

With a blatantly self-serving gesture, the old man drummed his round, calloused fingertips on the table, a tactic not even common street thugs would resort to. Logan maintained a smile and nodded in response. Viktor, who had been standing by, then placed a large bag barely the size of a human head on the table in front of the cardinal.

“Thump. Clank.”

“Oh? What might this be, Your Majesty?”

As Eseal grinned slyly, Logan returned the smile.

“A modest sum to begin with for your investigative endeavors. We shall provide a substantial amount upon your departure. Oh, and if it’s inconvenient, feel free to provide your personal account for the transfer.”

“Oh, well, thank you… But…”

The wily Eseal’s eyes twinkled as he grasped the bag.

“Your Majesty, offering a bribe to a priest under heresy investigation is considered partial admission of guilt. You weren’t aware of this, I take it. Brother Rob, you’ve got that down, right?”

As the subordinate priest nodded alongside Eseal’s cunning smirk, Logan also nodded, smiling.

“Now? Hmm. Of course, I’m aware. I wouldn’t have expected you to think so lowly of me.”

“What?”

Eseal contorted his face in confusion, and Logan continued.

“Given the royal treasury’s current state, we were unable to provide gold, so I’ve had it prepared in copper for you. All together, it’s not even worth 10 gold. A proper bribe starts at 100 gold, does it not?”

Eseal aggressively opened the bag, causing decades-old copper coins, now difficult to come by, to spill out. His face filled with the reddish-brown hue of the currency. After biting his lip in frustration, he adopted a forced smile and bowed his head.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I’m a bit hasty by nature…”

“No, it’s quite alright. After all…”

The two exchanged forced smiles, both well aware that their true intentions were partially disclosed. Especially Logan, who realized the worst-case scenario, and his expression inevitably hardened.