Chapter 88 – Valuable Enhancement Material (Arien Illustration Rough)
Memories not so long ago come to mind vividly.
That horn was clearly a trace left by the head of Eclipse, who was conducting a large-scale summoning ceremony underground during the County of Fersen Incident.
It was suffocating due to the amount of magi that filled the spacious underground cavity, and even though it had a very tricky ability to move in space.
‘If his martial arts had been a little better, he would have been quite dangerous.’
Actually, the fighting power itself is not that threatening, so I remember defeating it without difficulty.
According to the explanation of Master, who visited me separately after completing the mission, the seeds of catastrophe did not germinate before due to timely digging in the gap right before the ceremony…
Honestly, rather than that, it seemed more difficult to investigate the incidents happening around the county and penetrate the enemy’s leadership.
It was also hard work to imitate a savage who was not even in the middle of the day.
Looking back now, I think I was lucky in many ways at the time.
It was because I was accompanied by a bishop-level clergyman of the Celestial Church who was sensitive to magic, and I was able to penetrate the enemy camp directly by sinking the ground without going through a complicated underground maze.
Of course, from the point of view of the rebels, it would have been the same as having ashes sprinkled on baked white bread, but that is not my business.
— Hump
Thinking so, I sipped the cup of tea that His Majesty the Cardinal had personally served me.
The flavor is very good, but the taste is second to none, and it has a faint divine power… No way?
“Your Excellency, the tea tastes great. I didn’t expect you to be so well versed in the tea ceremony.”
“Heh heh. Is that so? Thank you so much for appreciating this old man’s hobby. I tried brewing southern hibiscus tea leaves with holy water.”
“Really? This, I’ve been able to enjoy the luxury that overflows.”
“Of course it’s a secret from the priests outside. You’ll probably hear a lot of nagging. Heh heh heh…”
Oh my God, when we visit the headquarters of the Heavenly Church, we drink tea with holy water. At the Cardinal level, would such minor deviations be allowed?
Cardinal Malleus was an old man with a tough-looking appearance and an easy-going, joke-loving personality that was not befitting his fearsome position as the head of the Inquisitors.
Of course, this is only the second time we’ve met, and since he’s a presbyter high-ranking priest, it’s highly likely that what he’s showing right now isn’t everything…
Sitting face to face like this, I feel a strange intimacy with that old man.
‘He must have had a hard time in his childhood.’
It’s just drinking tea with a slight red tint, but for some reason, a bloody atmosphere is created as if drinking the blood of heretics.
If the impression that has softened to some extent due to aging is that much, how tired he would have lived because of his appearance when he was young.
“Your face looks much better than last time.”
“You are like that too. Hasn’t the sharp momentum that was like a wounded beast softened a lot? It looks like you’ve found peace in your heart.”
As someone who knows better than anyone else that his rugged appearance greatly interferes with his daily life, I felt as if I could feel the joys and sorrows of life that Cardinal Malleus must have been experiencing.
On top of that, there’s nothing more to say since his job is a Heretic Inquisitor.
So, I had a sad conversation with Cardinal Malleus, who felt like his paternal grandfather, whom he had never seen before, and at the right time got down to business.
“Your Excellency, Cardinal. I definitely remember that horn as the item I entrusted to Bishop Roberto last time. May I ask why you are here, and why you summoned me as a fisherman?”
“Aha. That’s because I have something to discuss with you.”
Then, in an instant, a gun hovered in the blurry eyes of the old man who was laughing.
It’s something to discuss. What is that?
Those horns definitely belonged to me, and although I would be reluctant to have them, they were of little use.
That’s why, right before he returned from his mission, I remember giving it to Bishop Roberto, who is in charge of the support forces of the Celestial Church.
No matter how you look at it, it was clear that the item was related to the devil, so it was judged that the church would handle it well.
But now you’re calling me again for a problem with that horn. It’s a bit odd.
“Looking at your expression, it’s understandable. I’m sure you’re worried that you haven’t caused additional problems. However, the movements of the heretics are still quiet, so you don’t have to worry about it right now.”
“That’s very fortunate. But then, what am I supposed to do?”
“Hmm. The purification work on the magi has been completed, and the analysis of which type of demon the enemy’s chief is is over, so shouldn’t we make sure we own it?”
“Yes? Ownership?”
No, what do you mean it’s not gold or jewels, but it’s a question of ownership?
They would have thought so if they had just sent an official letter stating that they had something to use in moderation.
Did a high-ranking aristocrat with a bizarre hobby of collecting demon body parts appear and rapidly increase their value? It was unknown.
Looking at Cardinal Malleus with a little puzzled look, the old man took another sip of his tea and continued his explanation in a calm tone.
“A part of the body of a high-ranking demon holds enormous power. The horns of the demon you defeated contain the remnants of power related to space movement from the Astaroth family.”
“Is that so? Knowledge about demons is on the weak side, so such words are a bit unfamiliar. To say that a part of the body has power. That’s no different from monsters, right?”
This was a story of the kind I had never heard of before.
Although they had been rolling in the northern battlefield for a long time, it was a battlefield where humans used all means to kill and kill each other, so there was no room for the devil to intervene.
It’s only been less than a year since I learned the news that the North Koreans were collaborating with the demons. It was around then that I learned about the Eclipses.
For this reason, the story of Cardinal Malleus was very interesting to me, who was ignorant of the knowledge of the existence of the devil.
“Hehe. In a way, monsters and demons are all creatures that originated from demons, so they may have something in common. Well, this is an academic area, so let’s get over it… The important thing is that the horns have great value.”
“According to what I’ve understood from the conversation so far, it’s roughly equivalent to a valuable trophy, such as the dragon’s heart or the essence of the high spirits.”
“You got it right. If the demonic contamination is serious or the root of the authority is twisted, it would just be a target for incineration, but those horns are quite useful.”
Aww. After listening to the explanation, it suddenly looks like a precious treasure.
Also, at this point, I can roughly guess why Cardinal Malleus, whose eyes are shining at me, called me here.
I don’t know exactly how precious it is, but I didn’t know the value of it, so it wouldn’t have been a problem if they just swallowed it up by themselves.
‘Is it because they are faithful priests? You’re pretty honest. No… Is it for a slightly different reason?’
The reason why he went so far as to invite me personally to tell me the value in detail is probably because the Celestial Church prioritized friendship with me more than the value of that horn.
I don’t know if it was a decision made from a higher level, or if it was the discretion of Cardinal Malleus himself, but either way it’s not bad at all for me.
Because it is an illusion to have connections in the religious world.
I have a teacher in the military, and I have a connection with His Majesty the Emperor through Alicia, so my position in the empire is already quite solid.
If I can make friends with the Celestial Church here, my range of motion will be more free.
For some reason, I feel that this brings me closer to the peaceful and happy life after the war that I have been dreaming of.
“First of all, the ownership of the horn belongs to you. If you transfer the ownership to this church, we promise you a corresponding reward. What should we do?”
“Umm. If the Celestial Church needs it. Of course, we should hand it over. But what exactly are the rewards?”
“Heh heh. Personally, I just recommend that you own it.”
“…Yes?”
However, the flow of conversation goes in a different direction than I expected.
Somehow, the church made a lot of hints that they wanted to possess that horn. Now come see me and just go.
Cardinal Malleus laughed hysterically as if nothing was wrong and made a remark that was not light.
“The Crusaders covet that very much, but I hate to see Cardinal Goldenbaum, that unlucky old lady, having a good time.”
“Wait, Your Excellency, Cardinal Malleus. Is it okay for you to be so candid about the church’s inner circumstances in front of outsiders?”
“What about it? Everyone already knows that the old man and I don’t get along very well.”
It seems that I have learned information that I do not need to know. The conflict between the Temple Division and the Heretic Inquisition?
As priests are also human beings, is there some kind of political conflict within the Tenshinkyo?
I listened to Cardinal Malleus’ words with a confused look on his face.
“By the way, unlike me, he’s a very salty person. I’m guessing that if you go to him with a horn, there’s a good chance you’ll be rewarded openly. Well, I’ll leave the judgment up to you.”
“…”
Cardinal Malleus. He was also not an ordinary person.
He didn’t create this place just to get closer to me, but he’s trying to keep his competitors in check as well.
The decision to take on my part is, of course, to follow the advice of Cardinal Malleus, with whom I am at least a little familiar, rather than to quarrel with Cardinal Goldenbaum, a man I am not familiar with.
Judging by the outcome of this event, he has reaped an enormous benefit by being condescending to me with those horns that do not belong to him.
A political skill that reached the realm of mere admiration.
He is a very tired person if you are hostile. Besides, since he seems to have a goodwill with me, it would be right to be moderately friendly like he is now.
Also, in case you don’t know. If he is a person with such presbytery, he will be able to take the position of the next pope.
“Take a look. The door of the Heretic Inquisition is always wide open to you. Come visit us for tea again next time.”
“Yes, then…”
I left the cathedral with the devil’s horns wrapped in a well-wrapped wooden box.
How do I do this?
For now, let’s take it to Old Man Eitri’s forge. Since it is a precious material, a Dwarf who has lived for hundreds of years must know its use.
“Captain! Are you back!”
“Yes, I’ve been.”
— Jjook!
Haha…”
It was time for work when I returned to the base, so I enjoyed a short kiss with Agnes, who welcomed me on a short business trip.
