A Priest's Life as a Villain

Chapter 012

A quiet road appeared. Everywhere was ablaze with autumn leaves. The crunchy sound of stepping on fallen leaves was pleasant. Ran, for the first time in a while, took off his mask and enjoyed a moment of leisure.

'Why is dealing with women still so difficult?'

It had been quite some time since he arrived on the mainland. If he simply set his mind to it, nothing was truly difficult.

Dealing with the opposite sex in private was the exception.

'The world is wide, and there is so much to learn.'

Ran decided to take a brief rest. He found a suitable tree stump and sat down.

After scanning his surroundings, he carefully took out a book from the inside pocket of his coat. Before turning the first page, he looked around once more.

'Introduction to the Theory of Romance.'

This was the work of Count Stendhal, known for having loved thousands of women throughout his life regardless of their social status. So much so that his nickname, 'Lover of Astana', given by the public, was more famous than his real name.

"? Just as there are all sorts of people, love takes on many different forms."

Ran quietly read the opening line aloud.

Not only 'Introduction to the Theory of Romance' but also all romance-related books were banned from being brought into Quersa.

As a strange thrill settled over him and he turned the page, he heard a presence nearby. Ran quickly closed the book.

'It's not a wild beast.'

The weight of the rustling leaves was different. Ran stood still, focusing his attention. His sharpened hearing followed the flow of the air.

"? Hup!"

It was behind a huge tree five steps ahead. A child peeked out, showing only half his face, and made eye contact with Ran.

The boy was crouched down, terrified. Ran let out a shallow sigh and looked around. The child was alone. This wasn't a place anyone would come for a walk.

"What are you doing here, all by yourself?"

"A-what about you, mister?"

Ran was glad he hadn't been wearing his mask.

There was still quite a distance to Rel. Running into someone in an isolated place was disconcerting for both parties.

"I'm on my way to Rel."

"Rel!? Oh, you can't!"

Ran pouted his lips, crouched down, and met the boy's gaze.

"What's your name?"

"? Daren."

"All right, Daren. Why shouldn't I go to Rel?"

"Mister, are you a demon by any chance?"

"I'm not, but... I'm curious about your reason."

Daren glanced nervously in the direction of Rel. It seemed as if someone might be pursuing him. Ran also looked that way and waited for the boy to speak.

"An inquisitor has come to Rel."

Noble families who managed their territory for generations would receive a castle named after the land from the Emperor.

Rel, like Lucerne or Brinhill, was not ruled by a provisional lord but was the hereditary domain of the Rel family. They had also made significant contributions during the civil war.

For such an established noble house, it was customary for inquisitors to avoid meddling in their lands.

"My great-grandmother is apparently a demon. Just in case, my father told me to stay with my cousins in Brinhill."

Ran patted Daren's head.

Since this was an unplanned journey, he didn't have information on Rel's situation. Something unusual was definitely afoot.

'Viola Rel.'

He hoped she wasn't involved, but usually, Ran's premonitions were rarely wrong.

* * *

As soon as Ran arrived in Rel, he headed straight for the lord's manor. The stately exterior radiated the dignity of a noble house with a long history.

His audience was granted without delay. Even nobles felt uneasy about the Special Unit.

Upon meeting the lord in the reception room, Ran was taken aback.

He hadn't known that the Lord of Rel was a woman around his age.

"I am Inquisitor Ran of the 3rd Division of the Special Unit."

Ran introduced himself to Lord Camus Rel.

Wearing a mask during a first meeting with a noble was impolite. The fact that he was showing his bare face made Ran even more anxious. He tried to maintain a composed expression while grinding his teeth slightly.

"Another inquisitor? Ugh, you've got to be kidding me."

"My lord, they call this one the Mad Dog, Mad Dog. His infamy is widespread around Gerinhild."

Butler Toby whispered into Camus's ear, loud enough for Ran to hear. He still had a youthful, almost boyish face.

Both of them regarded Ran with looks of distaste.

Camus spoke first.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I mean no offense. I have come simply to meet the former High Priestess, Viola Rel, who is currently staying here."

Ran spoke honestly. As it wasn't official business, there was no need to keep it confidential. It wasn't unusual for Special Unit members to check up on persons of interest related to the unit.

Camus, resting her chin on her hand, grew severe.

"Just who sent two inquisitors here for the very same reason? Should I file a formal complaint with the Commander of the Special Unit?"

"There's a misunderstanding. I didn't come here under orders. I am here on a personal matter."

Ran didn't know who the inquisitor here before him was, nor what purpose they had.

Inquisitors each had their main area of operation. It wasn't strictly stipulated, but they generally only moved within their designated regions at the upper command's orders. It was also standard practice for inquisitors to avoid overlapping or interfering with each other; command ensured such clashes didn't occur. Inquisitors were extraordinary individuals. Whatever the motive, two or more gathering in one place was a dangerous situation.

Suddenly, butler Toby interjected.

"A personal matter? That sounds even more suspicious."

There was nothing to gain by antagonizing them. Ran tried to keep his voice as gentle as possible.

"I, too, am merely a follower of the Holy Church, serving our Lord as best I can. Although she has left the faith, it remains a fact that former High Priestess Viola is an individual deeply versed in our doctrine. I only wished to pay my respects and seek some guidance, nothing more."

Despite his lengthy explanation, Camus's eyes remained suspicious.

She had become lord at a young age. She had lost all her immediate family in the civil war. The succession had been abrupt. But she did not act like a naive child. From a young age, she had studied the art of rule alongside her older brothers.

She knew what it meant not to be swayed by emotion—that it was one of a ruler's virtues.

Camus held her chin high.

"The inquisitor who arrived before you said the purpose was confidential. The problem is, he's looking for my aunt too."

The only family left in the Rel house were Camus and her aunt, Viola.

Camus had no intention of casting out her aunt, who had returned home after a life of suffering, hoping for one final rest. A ruler must know how to protect her own.

"I'm afraid I cannot grant your request, inquisitor."

"I see."

Ran withdrew without making a scene.

Camus and Toby kept their eyes fixed on Ran's back until he had completely disappeared from view.

"Whew."

Camus exhaled deeply and slumped back on the sofa, strength leaving her body. Toby immediately began to fan her.

"My lady! You were amazing! Truly outstanding!"

"Really? I didn't seem nervous or anything?"

"Nooope! Not at all. Didn't you see the Mad Dog's face earlier?"

"I don't know. I made sure to only look at the tip of his nose."

As her tension gradually melted away, her thoughts became clearer. Camus pondered over the situation. Not just one, but two inquisitors had come. Just knowing they were in her domain was enough to make her uneasy.

"I knew the Special Unit was monitoring Aunt. But why would an inquisitor come here personally to find her?"

"Who knows. Didn't the bishop himself announce Lady Viola's acquittal?"

Camus was a young lord. Her foothold in the imperial court and politics was weak. If the Church pressed too hard, she didn't have the means to resist to the end.

"Toby, we'll have to keep an eye on those two. The Mad Dog and... what was the other again?"

"The Executioner. Executioner Walter."

"Right. I want you to follow them."

"Eeek. Me? M-My lady? I don't want to die. They say inquisitors kill people without anyone knowing."

"You're such a coward. No matter how wild the Special Unit is, would they dare lay hands on a noble? This is a family affair. There's no one else but you, Toby."

"Oh, come on...."

Toby looked as if he were about to die. Camus patted his shoulder and hurried off somewhere.

She needed to meet her aunt.

* * *

Walter was the last to be commissioned among the current 3rd Division inquisitors. He belonged to the 1st Legion and had only recently left the front line. His job was the execution of soldiers who broke military law or prisoners of war. Sometimes, he personally hunted down deserters.

Executioner Walter.

He liked his nickname.

"Captain. Are you finally going to release your pent-up grudge?"

"A grudge, you say... Yes, a grudge. A man's grudge."

Five men followed Walter. Each was a retired soldier with his own story. Each had his own reason for his ties with Walter and his own purpose for following him.

'Does divine revelation really exist?'

Walter gave a hollow laugh. He leaned his chin on one hand and traced the rim of his cup with the other. His fingertip circled around and returned to where it started.

"It's been so long since I've been back to my hometown."

"The damn war turned the whole world upside down. Imagine, a little slip of a girl as the lord now."

Walter only rolled his eyes.

"Watch what you say, Edwick. If you insult my hometown again, I'll cut off your ears."

"Sorry, Captain."

Edwick hunched his shoulders. The man next to him took a swig from his glass, wiped his mouth, and spoke.

"Captain, if the lord keeps resisting, this won't be easy."

"I will take Viola out, even if it means leveling the manor."

Walter's eyes flashed fiercely. Hearing that, Edwick grinned slyly, body trembling.

"W-We've got a war! War! Kill them all! Hack them up! H-Hehehe!"

"Hah, he's starting up again. Malik, go put Edwick to bed."

"Yes, Captain."

Big Malik took Edwick by the side and dragged him out of the tavern. Edwick kept mumbling to himself, drooling all the while. Only when the bell above the tavern door rang twice did the place fall quiet again.

Walter quietly downed some beer.

His body was overheated and would not cool down easily. He barely managed to suppress his excitement.

Twenty years old. The age when her life should have been at its most beautiful. The memories they created together back then were burned vividly in his mind. The happiest and most painful memories.

'No matter how hard I try, I can't erase them.'

There was only one way to break free. The fleeting pleasure he gained from killing blurred those memories.

That was how he had lived as an executioner, always believing the day would come when he would finally be free of those memories.

'She'd have never imagined we'd meet again like this, Viola.'

Jingle.

The tavern door opened. No one was expected. Walter had already paid the owner a fat purse of gold, asking for privacy while he was there. Malik wouldn't have returned so soon.

He turned his head over his shoulder.

Step, step.

A man was approaching. Even from a distance, it was clear he was tall. The midday sun made his silhouette almost radiant.

"A beaked mask?"

Someone in the group murmured. All eyes turned to the newcomer. These were men toughened by countless battlefields; they recognized a killer's presence. Almost instinctively, a few hands went to their weapons.

The man stood for a moment, then confidently strode up and sat down across from Walter. Caught off guard, Walter's subordinates moved aside to make room.

Walter simply stared at him in silence. A moment of stillness elapsed.

"I feel like we have a lot to talk about."

With that, Ran removed his mask.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
What's the bad blood between Walter and Viola?
I feel like Ran will wipe the floor with Walter. Or maybe they will join hands to fight against Viola?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】