Chapter 27 – Ludrick Jaeger

Inquisitor Ludrick looked at the two who had introduced themselves competitively.

Both were individuals who lacked nothing to become inquisitors.

However, there was only one position given.

The other person had to drink the bitter cup of defeat.

“First, let me introduce myself. I am Ludrick Jaeger, the Chief Inquisitor.”

Ludrick examined the two of them one by one.

Aria Sanctum.

To dismiss her as a simple nepotism hire, the military merits she had established in the Imperial Army’s knighthood rather than the order were splendid.

Since the influence of the Sanctum family was mostly limited to the order, it was clear that the merits she established in the knighthood were achieved entirely by her own strength.

“First, I will ask one by one. Aria Sanctum. You have quite splendid merits built up in the Conquering Knighthood. From the Second-Class Medal of Military Merit to the Silver Rose Medal. With this much, you could have remained in the Conquering Knighthood, so is there a reason you specifically applied to be an inquisitor?”

The answer that followed was somewhat out of the formal framework.

“Would you laugh if I said the reason was a legal license to kill?”

“A legal license to kill?”

Even while saying those gruesome words, she did not change her facial expression at all.

“I heard that inquisitors can perform summary judgment without trial. From heretics, players, witches, to demons. Diverse hunting is possible. I was strongly attracted to that point.”

Was this woman speaking in earnest?

Rashid glanced at her sideways.

‘Looking at that insane answer, she is certainly someone from the Director of Palace Affairs’ family.’

Since it deviated greatly from the expected answer,

Ludrick could not help but let out an absurd laugh.

“Even so, the position of inquisitor is not one for killing just anyone.”

“You seem to have some misunderstanding. I did not say I would kill just anyone. I simply want to ‘legally’ kill targets that are clearly allowed to be killed.”

“If that is the case, would a battlefield with enemies not be better?”

“We are currently in a truce with the Allied Kingdoms. And cutting down colorless and odorless enemies is truly boring. I want more interesting prey.”

She was not a distant relative of the Director of Palace Affairs, but a direct blood relative.

Thus, Ludrick also had to spare his words.

‘It should not be a big problem as long as she keeps within bounds. Cruelty and ruthlessness are also necessary elements that an inquisitor must possess.’

“If you cause problems with indiscriminate slaughter, you will be disqualified.”

It was a minor warning, but on the contrary, she showed confidence.

“It was what my superiors always said, but I have never been pointed out even once. I always pursue perfection. Deviation is the element I despise most.”

Looking at the uniform ironed without a single wrinkle and her neat appearance,

it did not seem to be simple bluster.

“Ahem! Rashid Preston.”

“Yes.”

“You are from an Honorary Cleric background. As an Honorary Cleric, you would receive treatment equivalent to a knight, so is there a reason you specifically applied to be an inquisitor?”

Ludrick expressed his doubt.

“Although a cleric, an Honorary Cleric is a somewhat different category. You could have easily been satisfied with that position?”

Rashid’s answer was without hesitation.

“Even if it is called an Honorary Cleric, it is an honorary post, not a knight. Though I receive some treatment within the order, my dream is in a higher place.”

“The predecessor Honorary Cleric departed with a Holy Blood Funeral, but do you know that an inquisitor cannot do so? In the first place, an inquisitor, who has to pry around here and there, is a job with many enemies. It is not something like an honorary post. If you simply value honor, it would be better to remain as an Honorary Cleric.”

“I want power rather than honor. And I believe that if I have power, honor will naturally follow.”

Since it was not a particularly bothersome answer,

the questioning stopped around there.

“I hear one side received the recommendation of the Director of Palace Affairs, and the other side received the recommendation of the commander of the knighthood.”

Inquisitor Ludrick spoke with honest feelings.

“Since both of you are positioned at the extreme ends, unless I am to lean toward one side, it is right to make an objective evaluation from a neutral position as much as possible.”

Neither Rashid nor Aria answered.

Ludrick’s monologue continued.

“The director has left this matter entirely to me. The decision-making power is solely mine. Although she is no longer here, the previous Chief Inquisitor taught me just one thing: this position is not one where you look at others’ reactions.”

His index finger pointed at the two of them.

“I warn you in advance. I will judge based on the most objective standards possible. Do not even dream of visiting the Director of Palace Affairs or the commander of the knighthood to put pressure on me. The moment you do, you are out immediately.”

The two affirmed with silence, and Ludrick led the next step.

“Then, to get to know each other, let us go have a meal. I will buy lunch.”

They moved to a nearby restaurant.

Ludrick ordered the lunch menu and, to ease the tension, built a bridge between the two.

“Though you will be in a competitive relationship, since you might work together for the time being, how about exchanging a light greeting?”

Rashid stared steadily at the woman sitting in front of him.

His expression was unchanged, and the same was true for her facing him.

‘Looking at her again, I feel like I can catch a glimpse of the Director of Palace Affairs’ face. Is she a direct blood relative?’

Black hair neatly tied back.

There was not a speck of dust on her neatly pressed uniform, and even the silver buttons shone at a set angle.

Her gaze beyond the glasses resting on the bridge of her nose was cold and noble, and a neatness bordering on obsessive-compulsive disorder made even her breathing look orderly.

Surprisingly, she was the first to break the silence between the two.

“My brother said so. That an unpleasant fellow became the Honorary Cleric.”

Laughing softly, Rashid replied politely.

“Thanks to that, I almost failed to become the Honorary Cleric. Please deliver this to your brother: once I become an inquisitor, he will become quite busy.”

She smiled faintly.

It was a clear mock.

“I think I understand a little why my brother disliked you.”

Rashid did not reply, and she turned to Ludrick and asked.

“Inquisitor. I have one question. What happens to the person who fails to become an inquisitor?”

“There is one more position. The position of an attendant to assist us. That position is also vacant.”

“An attendant…”

“It is also a preparatory position to become an inquisitor. That position is not bad either, so if you are interested, you may remain in that position. The choice is yours.”

It seemed both of them disliked the idea of remaining in that position.

She spoke quite directly.

“That is a position I would hate to take even in death. I do not have the temperament to work amiably under someone I dislike.”

Rashid also stood his ground and countered.

“Although I have no particular hobby of harassing subordinates, I might develop such a hobby soon. Moreover, if it is His Excellency’s younger sister, I feel I should cherish her even more. To the point where she gasps for breath.”

Ahem, ahem!

Inquisitor Ludrick, thinking he had started the conversation in vain, began to clear his throat repeatedly.

Soon, the ordered dishes arrived, and thus the uncomfortable meal began.

* * *

Returning to the office after finishing the meal, Inquisitor Ludrick tossed a case file to them.

“I do not know if you are aware of my family, but my sole merit is indeed demon hunting. The Jaeger family has accepted the surrender of demons since ancient times.”

Jaeger.

As per his explanation, it was a family that had won fame for demon hunting.

“That is why the cases I mainly handle are related to demons. Being an inquisitor does not mean digging into the corruption of the members of the order all day or only chasing heretics. Demon hunting is something that even clerics or knights often find overwhelming.”

The hands of both touched the case file at the same time.

The moment their mana clashed and the file was almost torn,

it was Inquisitor Ludrick who slammed his palm down on the file.

“This! I will copy it for you.”

Inquisitor Ludrick, who barely preserved the case file, continued speaking.

“Recently, bizarre phenomena have been reported in the Weiman Direct Domain adjacent to the capital. The monks and priests of the diocese, as well as the residents of the direct domain, are unintentionally telling lies or driving wedges between one another, causing the confrontation between factions to reach its peak. In other words, all groups located within the direct domain have become enemies of each other.”

Inquisitor Ludrick moved in front of the copier located in the office.

“Confrontations between factions are not that big of a deal, but if this is the play of a demon, we cannot take it lightly. If the direct domain itself is in such disarray, it means the evil clutches have stretched out quite far, and in such cases, it usually signifies the appearance of a demon, or perhaps an archdemon. A descent. The anomalies among the people are the premonitory symptoms that appear before that demon descends.”

Inquisitor Ludrick handed the copied case files to each of the two.

“I will also cross over soon, but go ahead and take a look first. Depending on the gravity of the case, if this incident is by no means a small one.”

The words that followed were important to the two.

“I will give the position of Deputy Inquisitor to the one who helps more in resolving the case. Of course, if you fail to become the Deputy Inquisitor, there is also the position of an attendant, so think about it together.”

He did not forget to say this as well.

“Then, let us meet in two days at the cathedral located in the Weiman Diocese. Let the time be around noon. We can have lunch and listen to the stories you investigated.”

– Would you like to accept the class change quest ‘Demon’s Premonition’?

– Upon completion, you will be rewarded with ‘Mana +1’ and promoted to ‘Deputy Inquisitor’.

– You have accepted.

The two left his office almost at the same time.

Although both had their dignity and did not run inside the building,

outside the building, they were in earnest.

Rashid got onto his bike parked outside the building, started the engine, and immediately sped away.

‘Unless she flies or uses a portal, she will never be able to arrive faster than me.’

However, because it was daytime, the traffic conditions inside the capital were not very good.

On the road tightly blocked by traffic congestion,

Vrooooooom!

A roaring sports car approached next to Rashid, who was waiting for the signal.

Unfortunately, the owner of the sports car that emitted a roar as if to provoke him was her.

Beneath the sunglasses slightly lowered, the corners of her mocking lips were visible.

But on the contrary, it was Rashid who snorted.

‘To think she would dream of pushing through this hell in a car. Whether she is foolish or brave, I guarantee she won’t even be able to smell my exhaust.’

The signal changed, and both started at the same time, but

unlike her vehicle which was only flashy on the outside, Rashid’s bike began to weave fiercely between the cars and speed away formidably.

She, who could only lose sight of this, still had no dishevelment, but

her expression gradually distorted.

Vreeeeeeeng…

The pathway exiting the capital and heading into the Weiman Direct Domain.

Rashid, thinking he had completely shaken her off, paused for a moment and looked up at the gloomy sky.

The dark clouds hanging heavily over the road were unusual.

‘Come to think of it, that happened around this time.’

The descent of the archdemon.

And the permanent closure of a direct domain.

The direct domain, toyed with by the archdemon, was abandoned forever without being purified.

‘Archdemon Scarver.’

Whether it would turn out that way this time as well,

he had to wait and see.

Rashid left the corners of his lips, which were pulling upward, as they were.

‘At least I won’t lose to that woman.’

Should it be called confidence arising from the asymmetry of information?

However…

Vreeeeeeeeeng!

A loud roar was heard from behind.

The bursting engine sound of a magitech bike.

He did not need to see who the opponent was.

Whoever it was,

because they would ‘never’ allow anyone in front of them.

Rashid made his stopped bike speed away again, crossing over into the Weiman Direct Domain where dark clouds hung heavily.