Chapter 64 – Encounter

She could not understand this situation.

She had moved closely to arrest him, and when she finally followed him after his tail was caught, he was meeting with a certain inquisitor.

Just when she thought she had finally caught Kaiser…

some inquisitor bastard barged in and spoiled the party, didn’t he?

“Inquisitor, we’ve met before, haven’t we? I remember your face. You were a cleric, weren’t you?”

Rashid glared at Kaiser without realizing it, and Kaiser grinned, begging his forgiveness.

The saying that it is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.

It was a moment when such a saying came to mind.

“Ah, it is that inquisitor from back then. You monitored me during Mariel’s case, didn’t you?”

Rashid began to focus on her as they faced each other.

She began to use her brain to take Kaiser away.

“Are you perhaps a deputy inquisitor?”

“No, I am a Chief Inquisitor who can lead the case proactively.”

“Already?”

“I heard you also entered as a Chief Inquisitor?”

His tone.

It was quite arrogant, and he did not yield in dealing with her.

Since they were not of the same affiliation anyway, it was a natural reaction, but

he was a person entirely different from the numerous people who treated her as a war hero.

She showed a slightly troubled look.

“I have been continuously investigating Kaiser. Do you know that there is suspicion of treason on him? If so, the jurisdiction would be ours, not yours, wouldn’t it?”

“Suspicion of treason…”

That was not a matter for the Holy Order to interfere with.

However, there was something else.

“I don’t know about that, but it seems there is suspicion of him being a player? That’s what I am interested in.”

“The player suspicion was also a tip-off that came into the Internal Inspectorate. How is it that you, who are in the Inquisition Bureau, know about it?”

“I also have informants. You can look at it that way.”

She tried to take him over on good terms, but this inquisitor did not seem to have any intention of giving him up easily, contrary to her expectations.

“Is it because of achievements?”

“Yes, it is because of achievements.”

“An inquisitor capturing a mere player wouldn’t be a great achievement, though?”

“That is none of your business.”

“With Kaiser… no, are you also a revolutionary party member of the Golden Age Party?”

Although heresy was questioned, political color itself was not particularly distinguished in the Holy Order.

Of course, it could not be said to be completely unrelated, but no one would take issue with that against Rashid right now.

“Whether I am a revolutionary party member or not, what does that matter? At any rate, I secured custody of Kaiser first, and I have no intention of handing him over to you, who arrived late. Why don’t you just go back.”

She remembered the friction she had with the Holy Order recently regarding the count’s case.

She also knew that a certain inquisitor had boldly slaughtered the count, and the Holy Order did not take issue with it, but rather commended him.

“The investigation on Kaiser is a matter specifically directed by the Imperial Family. Since it is entangled to this extent, it seems better for you to yield, doesn’t it? If you hand him over obediently, I will also express my gratitude in another way.”

Rashid let out a faint scoff.

“Hey, you seem to have already forgotten the count’s case. The Holy Order no longer watches the Imperial Family’s reaction. That goes for you guys as well.”

“Inquisitor…”

As the secret agents tried to step forward, she restrained them.

Since it could turn into a diplomatic issue if things went wrong, she stopped them first.

Instead, there was something she wanted to confirm.

“The suspicion of him being a player seems almost certain, and for the sake of achievements, you would naturally kill him, right?”

“That is something to be looked into gradually. I am telling you clearly that it is not for you guys to interfere with.”

She reflected on her friendship with Director Walter and looked forward to the future.

“Inquisitor… we shall meet again soon. I am truly curious if you will have that kind of attitude then as well.”

As if going back empty-handed.

Watching them turn back, there was someone harboring doubts.

It was Rina, another player who intended to watch Kaiser’s end.

“What is it? Why are they just leaving without catching Kaiser?”

The disguised Imperial Guard knights spoke as they examined the situation.

“It seems they had friction with a Holy Order inquisitor. If he is a player, the Holy Order side would probably also be interested.”

“An inquisitor?”

Rina examined the inquisitor who was with him for the first time.

“Why did he meet an inquisitor? If it is Kaiser, he should be an opponent to be avoided at all costs.”

“We don’t know that far. But seeing that the Inspector couldn’t use her power, it seems the inquisitor restrained her.”

“Tell them to just ignore him and arrest him. We have Her Highness Yennefer, don’t we? Or else, force them by Imperial command.”

Imperial command.

That was also a thing of the past.

“Due to the recent slaughter of the count, the Imperial Family’s influence over the Holy Order is not what it used to be. Even with an Imperial command, the inquisitors belong to an entirely different affiliation, so it might be meaningless.”

“Does that make sense?”

Then, she recognized someone.

She recognized another inquisitor approaching their side.

‘Dark Blood Ghost Executioner?’

Aria Sanctum.

She was the named inquisitor who captured Vane Sanctum when the Weiman Diocese revived.

‘That’s right, that woman was there.’

She thought of several things, then soon wore a smile.

If that inquisitor who met Kaiser was a fellow player,

it would be simple using her.

However, confirmation was needed first.

The step of confirming whether the male inquisitor who met Kaiser was a fellow player or not.

“Can I meet that inquisitor? I want to meet him once in the capacity of a special envoy.”

“If it is in the capacity of a special envoy, it will probably be possible. But do you really need to meet an inquisitor? Even the empire’s nobles find the Holy Order very difficult to deal with these days.”

“They wouldn’t treat a special envoy carelessly.”

She continued speaking.

“And soon, the authority of the Imperial Family will return to what it was before.”

It had to be.

Because in the future she knew, that was correct.

“The Holy Order is nothing but a trivial religious group. How dare they against the Imperial Family.”

In the place she was looking at,

there was Aria, who ran into Varasha.

The two of them seemed to know each other.

“Senior, it has been a long time.”

Unlike with Ryden, Aria approached her with a smile.

At the familiar face, Varasha also recognized her in an instant.

“Aria? I heard the story that you became an inquisitor.”

“Yes, currently I am working under that Inquisitor.”

“You were the deputy inquisitor?”

“Yes, senior.”

Meanwhile,

Rashid stared intently at Kaiser.

“I think I need an explanation?”

“I almost met with a game over. That was the reason why I asked to meet today. The investigation net was closing in, and I had no place left to hide. Rather than that…”

He grinned.

“’Let’s just get caught.’ That was my thought.”

“What happens if I release you here?”

“As you know… I will be hanged to death. Having the Imperial Family crush me before I can even grow leaves me with no answer.”

“The Imperial Family stepping forward is probably because of that woman. My feeling is telling me. That woman who was watching us earlier, she is probably a player. It’s just that her branch choice is different from ours.”

Rashid cast his gaze to the spot where she, who had already left, had been.

Surely, there was someone in that spot who had a feel similar to Kaiser.

“A player is targeting you. And she must have seen me too. Thanks to that, I’m about to be suspected as well.”

Kaiser laughed openly.

“Who would suspect you of being a player? If that person is crazy, she might say something.”

The corners of Kaiser’s mouth were still raised.

“I heard about the count’s slaughter. You led that, didn’t you? Even if you are a player, no one will be able to touch you. Who on earth would touch you, who are a Chief Inquisitor?”

“There is.”

“There is?”

“She is coming over there.”

Soon, Aria stood next to them.

“Chief Inquisitor. Isn’t this an official duty rather than a personal matter? Or was your taste of this sort?”

Kaiser glanced at her and naturally bowed his head.

Tacit agreement.

“I’m sure I told you to wait?”

“A commotion arose, so I had no choice but to come. I also met my senior on the way. I am talking about the Internal Inspector who visited you earlier, Chief Inquisitor.”

Her chilling gaze landed on Kaiser.

“I heard he is a person caught with suspicion of treason. Did you keep him alive because he is your lover?”

“Lover?”

“Or, did you become a party member?”

“Neither should be a problem, though?”

She also agreed.

“Yes, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, the senior I know won’t let it pass like this. She will try to take custody of that man by any means.”

Kaiser, looking at Rashid, gathered his two hands.

Meaning, save me.

“First, this man has been caught with player suspicions, so I will take custody of him. Since it is my personal matter, even if the player suspicion is certain, you do not get involved. If he is to be dealt with, I will do it myself.”

Even though he spoke in a rough manner, she understood it perfectly.

“I will take that as you saying you will protect him. Whatever the relationship, I tend to respect it as much as possible. I will wait in the car.”

Kaiser expressed his concern.

In her eyes glaring at him, there was clearly contempt.

“Isn’t this misunderstanding our relationship?”

“What does it matter? And who would misunderstand in that way? Think of your position. Rather than that sort of thing, she would normally suspect first whether I am a revolutionary party member or not.”

“That’s true.”

“How long are you going to stay under me?”

“It is difficult to resume activities immediately. First of all, the force is not secure enough to overthrow the Imperial Family.”

Kaiser wore a serious expression, unlike before.

“I also saw that woman you mentioned earlier briefly. I do not have superhuman senses like you, but my feeling told me. If it is a player, they must be killed no matter what.”

“Are you telling me to kill her? If she aligned, she would have aligned with the Imperial Family right now.”

“Otherwise, I am finished like this. And if I end like this, the Imperial Family will gain power. The Blood Empress will be born.”

The Blood Empress is as formidable a slaughterer as Kaiser.

“She is a woman who will do anything to revive the lost authority of the Imperial Family. The trigger will probably be that event, but once she awakens anyway, no one will be able to stop the Imperial Family.”

He did not forget to add these words either.

“It will probably be the same for you. So to capture the Blood Empress, you must eliminate that variable factor first no matter what. Since you are an inquisitor, it will be simple if you seize the excuse of them being a player to kill them.”

Although he did not particularly advocate revolution, he had to stop the Blood Empress.

Rashid narrowed his brows and fell into thought.

‘If she could be persuaded, she would surely be a help. But having already chosen a different branch, there’s no way she would align with this side. She must have had her own thoughts.’

“Since even the Imperial Guard is attached, there seems to be no way to meet her unless she comes to find me herself. More importantly,”

Rashid asked something else.

“That woman earlier. She is under me right now. I am contemplating right now.”

“Ah, are you talking about the Dark Blood Ghost Executioner who came briefly earlier?”

“You know about her.”

“Yes, I do. I know her as a true inquisitor who captures Vane and cleans up various trash including the Holy Order.”

“If she finds out the fact that I am a fellow player like you, how will she act?”

“Are you asking me?”

“I am asking for your opinion.”

“Well… let me first say that I don’t know much about her. But my feeling is saying this. She won’t spare you. She values principles and rules. I’ve met her a few times, and she was a truly textbook inquisitor.”

Kaiser spoke with certainty.

“Unless the Holy Order changes its stance on players, I think you won’t be an exception either. Of course, it’s not certain, just my feeling. It might not be so.”

It was a point he agreed with.

“It would be better to part ways. Since Vane has been captured, there is no reason to keep her under me and increase the risk.”

At that, Kaiser shook his head.

“Ah, you shouldn’t do that.”

He gave him a very famous saying.

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. It would be better to keep her nearby so you can notice any signs.”

Rashid chuckled.

“Like you?”

“Yes, like you.”