Carradi, the capital of the Carpe Kingdom.

The Bishops from all the branches of the Church were gathered in the magnificent Valtherus Cathedral in the capital.

Bang!

"No, don't you know that those scoundrels are stirring up trouble in the North right now! But you're sending an inquisitor to the West in this situation, what the hell are you talking about!"

The one speaking was Alvato, a Bishop in the moderate camp.

His shiny bald head had heated up so much that it had turned red.

The reason was the radical Bishop Milliman on the other side.

"If you keep heating up like that, soon you’d be a head short."

A vein jumped on Alvato's forehead.

"It's just annoying to see that green onion hair of yours."

"Still, it's better to complain about something that's there compared to something that's not there. Heh heh."

"If you don't want me to pluck all that hair out today, you'll have to answer my questions, Bishop Milliman!"

Bang!

Milliman coughed at the sound of Alvato seriously hitting the table.

"If we don't protect the northern part of Carpe, it's obvious that the Church will collapse! Why should we focus on the desolate West?"

Bishop Milliman responded as if it was natural, wiping away his voluminous hair and long beard, which differed from Alvato.

"Wasn't the North originally like that as well? It's also the breeding season for demons, and it's a time when the White Forest is noisy. Besides, there's no evidence that heretics have appeared in the North, unlike the West."

Bishop Milliman and the other extremist Bishops beside him all nodded their heads and agreed.

"Hmmmm…"

Unfortunately, what he said was true.

The northernmost part of the Kingdom is a barren land, always full of snow and monsters.

No matter how crazy the Pilgrims of Valtherus are with their swords, there are few faithful ones who make pilgrimages there.

So it always took time to get reports on the exact situation, and the evidence the extremists were talking about was also unclear.

"But that's not the case in the West. There have been reports and signs of paganism already in the West."

Besides.

"The fact is that the fate of Arsando, who was sent to Torrett to investigate the rumours of a sacred object of Valtherus, became unclear. If you look at the Acushium, you can't see him anymore."

One of the relics of the Valtherus Church.

Acushium.

Bishop Alvato turned his gaze towards the Acushium lying in the middle of the great round table.

‘Acushium, the holy relic of light that embraces the miracle of the god Valtherus.'

At the center of the round table was a circular indentation filled with water.

Numerous colourful lights danced in the water, and the terrain of the Kingdom was marked with waves. Different colours of light according to the level of divine power indicated the location of the Pilgrims.

Bishop Milliman of the West.

He said while pointing his finger at the Torrett area.

"Of course, Arsando was a Pilgrim with level 5 holy power. But everyone here knows that his swordsmanship and holy power were quite high to be called just a level 5."

However.

"That Arsando is dead."

Arsando's light disappeared last night.

"It's not clear whether he went to the gods or became a Carcass."

"But, Bishop Milliman. There were two lights indicating Pilgrims in Torrett. If one of them disappeared, it’s also possible that there was a sword duel."

Sword duel.

Two Pilgrims fight with their swords, check each other's skills, and then decide the winner.

That said, in the end, both participants are blinded by the prospect of making an excellent sword, so it wouldn’t end with a nice cup of tea.

But despite Bishop Alvato's objection, Bishop Milliman once again pointed to a light in Torrett.

"This light is the light of Callius."

"Callius!?"

"You mean that bastard of the Jervain family?"

Milliman shook his head slowly.

"You've all heard the story."

Callius von Jervain.

Son of the Supreme Ruler of the North, Count Jervain.

The eldest son of the Jervain family which was renowned for its swordsmanship.

And –

"The bastard of the Jervain family."

"Yes. Pilgrim Callius was quite famous within the Order."

Callius von Jervain.

His father, Count Jervain, who was a famous northern swordsman, had wanted the Valtherus Church to take care of his eldest son.

The Church was initially delighted with the huge donation, but soon had no choice but to cry.

It was because Callius' naughty behaviour was beyond their imagination.

“Callius, that idiot bastard and scapegrace, was quite a troublemaker even within the Church.”

The moderate Bishop Alvato recalled five years ago.

‘The abandoned eldest son of Jervain.'

Despite being the eldest son of Jervain, who are called master swordsman, he had no talent for swords, and was full of the arrogance and pretentiousness typical of aristocrats.

He had no prowess, and he often ignored religious members from within the Church as well as commoners, flaunting the pride of the family at his back.

Wouldn't it be nice if that was all?

There was a large number of people who left the church because Callius constantly harassed and humiliated the religious in every way.

And as if even that wasn't enough, Callius gathered the sons of noble families within the Church and went around doing all the bad things that could be done within the Church.

When he became a Pilgrim and went on a pilgrimage, the whole Church celebrated with naked joy.

"He can’t still be alive…"

"Pardon?"

"Oh, nothing."

Alvato corrected the words that he had unwittingly spat out.

"But what about it. Why does Arsando's death and the existence of Callius lead to sending inquisitors?"

Bishop Milliman shook his head in response to Alvato's words.

"Bishop Alvato."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Bishop, do you think Callius can defeat Arsando with his sword?"

"That……."

Impossible.

Callius, who had no talent in swordsmanship, even if he died and resurrected, could not have defeated Arsando.

Arsando was a Pilgrim with a promising talent within the Church.

How could Callius win a fight against him?

He had a history of fighting against monks half his age.

His swordsmanship skills were comparable to that of a young monk.

So how could he beat Arsando?

"I think it's impossible."

It was absurd.

"However……."

"Of course, it could have been an accident. But, more than him beating the odds, I'm more convinced of the existence of heresy, as reported earlier."

"So what you truly mean is…"

Callius and the heathens.

There was an ominous suspicion that there was some connection between them.

"Do you remember Lutheon? The marquis' son who hung out with Callius."

"I remember."

Even if I don’t want to remember, as he was an idiot who was on par with Callius.

"Not long ago, the light of Lutheon disappeared."

"Something like that…"

"But, according to a recent report, Lutheon is alive. He had a spear in his hand instead of a sword."

"No way!!"

God of Swords, Valtherus.

God of Spears, Lactus.

"Lutheon has apostatized."

Kwadangtangtang!!

Alvato's chair, as he stood startled, fell with a dull noise.

Lutheon was enough of a fool to make a pair with Callius, but he had been a genius who’d fought for the highest level of swordsmanship.

That he is an apostate!

"He became a cultist of Lactus, the God of Spears."

He turned to a God who was no less than a beast and became a pagan! Sadness turned into anger in Alvato’s heart and sublimated.

"So what about Callius?"

"You mean it's very likely that Callius is also an apostate?"

"Yes. Besides, the West is a place where there are many traces of paganism. The last place where the apostate Luteon appeared is also in the West."

Bishop Milliman of the radicals was saying: "It can be believed that Callius made contact with the infidels and killed Arsando.

"Arsando had been on a mission to investigate the possibility of a relic that might be buried in Torrett. His death cannot be taken lightly."

Where there were traces of paganism, the one who should not die died.

So one couldn't help but doubt.

It was a natural process.

"I, Milliman, believe that it is highly probable that Callius is an apostate! I propose to send Steel Justice[1] Inquisitor Ryburn to Torrett!"

"Hmmmm…"

Round table.

Among the Bishops seated around the Acushium.

There was no one who could refute Milliman's comments.

‘Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn….'

Alvato shook his head.

It goes without saying his devotion was truly sincere, but the Heretic Inquisitor was famous for his severity.

Alvato considered the moment the Inquisitor would meet Callius.

Whether Callius was an apostate or not, Alvato thought the outcome would be the same.

At the same time.

Torrett's Lord’s castle.

"Great."

After shaking his head and taking one more shot of the wine, Callius exhaled a violent sigh and enjoyed the alcohol sticking to his throat.

"What are you staring at? I'm just drinking my Father's blood."

"……"

"Just say you're drinking wine," accused Leone, who was sitting on the other side of Callius.

Dozens of empty plates were piled up next to him, and a large oak barrel full of wine was also lying empty.

Leone looked at Callius with an amazed vision.

"Is there no dessert? Your mouth is so sharp."

Actually, the finances were tight.

Still, as a benefactor, I cleaned out my pockets and served… ….

"Dessert…"

Leone looked around and saw the servants desperately shaking their heads.

There was nothing more to give Callius, and it meant that if he made more food, he would end up on the streets.

"Isn't there? I was deceived by Leomary. She said that if you turn me into a Carcass and return it to my family, you'll be treated with grandeur…"

"My mother's name is Leonaire, Pilgrim."

"Oh, yes. I've been drinking and my tongue is already twisted."

Hmmm. Coughing, Callius got up from the table full of dishes.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't have any appetite, so I'm going to take a look around the nearby forest."

"Yeah? No appetite…?"

So, what happened to all the stuff you have eaten so far?

Leone had no idea what was going on inside Callius' stomach.

"Did you find the mine? I'd like to see it."

"Yeah? How could that be… It's a top secret, so even the mercenaries outside don't know about it."

Arsando Mirinae also discovered the cave that was the bandit’s den while he was exterminating them.

Leone soon realized that it was not a simple cave but a mine where certain ores could be found, and if Leone could develop that mine, Torrett had a chance to grow into a wealthy city of the West.

‘These are the settings I gave.'

I didn't know what happened after that.

The company revised the rejected contents, received feedback, and re-corrected hundreds of times.

I couldn't tell if the story was written by me or added by someone else.

It's been ten years, what more can I say?

The story I wrote was slightly revised and reflected, so there were many places where the really detailed parts were skipped.

‘I'll have to check it out.'

How is the part that has been skipped over?

"Leone."

"Yes, Pilgrim Callius."

"Callius is enough."

"Yes! Callius-sama."

"I have received a revelation from God."

"Di-, divine revelation!!"

Leone's eyes widened.

"It was a divine revelation to take care of Torrett. As a Son of God, I must see the condition of the mines located here."

"I knew it!"

"……Well?"

"Ever since you appeared at the right time to save me, I've always wondered if that's the case! Callius-sama was a messenger sent by the god Valtherus! A Saint of God!"

“Um… that’s it.”

It's convenient to be misunderstood, but those shining eyes were a bit burdensome.

"…Please guide me to the mine. There may be monsters there, so I'll take care of them."

"Ah! I see!"

At the words of Callius, who pretended to be benevolent, Leone believed like an idiot and led him to the mine.

After a while.

Seeing something in the mine, Callius' expression darkened.

"Why is this here…?"

In front of him, the Church's lost herbs.

A material of the Holy Water called the Tears of Valtherus, were blooming.

Editor's Notes:

[1] 예철의 is being translated as Steel Justice.