332. The Immortal and the Mortal (1)
Not long ago, Fabiano’s daily routine was as usual. He prayed fervently, trained his body, and occasionally went out to eliminate the source of demonic incidents when they were reported. He woke up before the first rooster crowed and read the Bible or analyzed case files until late at night.
It was the ordinary life of Diemonica. Until they had to manage things. Lately, Fabiano was seriously considering leaving the monastery.
“Uh… um… Brother Millian. So…”
“These are the circumstantial evidences discovered while investigating the connection between the heresy case in Belzain City and the disappearance case in Vikare Lake. Brother Fabiano. Two heretics have gone missing and are presumed dead.”
“So… are you requesting Diemonica to be dispatched to Belzain City…? Right?”
“No, Brother. Vikare Lake is on the border between Belzain City and Fallon City. The lords of these two regions, Baron Vallies and Baron Palles, belong to the factions of the 1st and 2nd princes of the Phaeirn Royal Family, respectively. There’s a risk that the incident could escalate into a full-blown conflict between the two factions.”
Fabiano stared blankly at Brother Enmagika, who was enthusiastically explaining while poking at the map. It seemed that a heresy case had occurred within a highly sensitive political situation, causing difficulties.
“Moreover, the Church’s position within the Eastern Kingdom Alliance has been somewhat unstable recently. The atmosphere hasn’t been good since the request for the Northern Crusade. Intervening in the political balance of the secular royal family at this time could create the wrong image…”
About half of the words bounced off Fabiano’s ears. He scratched the back of his head with his thick fingers and fell into thought for a moment. What would Brother Zephis have done…?
Orders come. Orders are carried out. The demon in that region dies. A better world approaches. Case solved!
This was the basic logic of Fabiano and all the Diemonica. Only now did he realize that beneath it lay the anguish and sorrow of Zephis. Perhaps this was similar to a child growing up, having their own child, and only then understanding their parents’ feelings.
Oh, the wonder of the cycle of life. Fabiano marveled, made the sign of the cross, and quietly praised the Lord.
“…Macto.”
“Are you listening, Brother? The request for Diemonica dispatch is an official matter submitted by the Heretica Sanctuary. Even the brothers there are at a loss about what to do at this point. The circumstances of the demon summoning are clear, but the exact location hasn’t been pinpointed yet.”
Investigating heresy and cult activities and eliminating their sources. That was the job of the Heretica. But once the summoning of a demon is confirmed and it’s determined that a demon is lurking in the area, the Heretica immediately withdraw from the case.
Unlike the consecrated Diemonica, the Heretica are merely trained priests. Their will, wisdom, and even their sanctity cannot be compared to ordinary priests. They are not free from the corruption of hellish magic.
From that point on, the Diemonica, who have some immunity to it, must step in to resolve the case. From regional investigation and interrogation to purification. The Diemonica are not just strong fools.
‘Really…?’
Enmagika and Millian had to check their common sense as they watched Fabiano blankly making the sign of the cross. Surely, he’s not just a strong neighborhood fool…? To wear the priest’s robes, one must at least pass a basic common sense test…?
“Brother. Are you listening?”
“Ah, of course, Brother Millian. I was marveling at the wonder of the Lord.”
“…In this situation?”
“Do we ever revere the Lord based on the situation, Brother?”
It was a fair point. A fair point, but…
“So, Brother. What do you plan to do? The area is currently under surveillance by the Heretica brothers, but even now, they can’t completely control the flow of people in and around the cities.”
“So, we need to search one of the two cities first, and that should be done by the Diemonica brothers, but we need to decide which direction to proceed, right?”
“Oh… Yes! Yes, that’s right!”
It seems he’s not entirely a fool. Millian unconsciously made the sign of the cross and nodded. Although it was just a simple summary, this bear-like man had finally grasped the main point.
“The Lord says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.'”
“…Brother?”
“Truly, isn’t that right, Brother Millian? The Lord knows the answer!”
“But with our foolish hearts, we can’t grasp that answer, so we must grieve over earthly worries, Brother. Quoting scripture to escape is a vice.”
“Tsk. What are you saying, Brother. Come now, the Lord will tell me the path I should take when I walk it, so it will surely be so.”
“…Macto.”
Enmagika made the sign of the cross and stood up. He asked one last question.
“So, where will you go, Brother? We need to inform the Heretica brothers of the opposite direction to prepare for any eventuality.”
With both regions under suspicion and a shortage of dispatch personnel. If Diemonica are sent to one region, the surveillance in the opposite region must be strengthened. At the same time, the Enmagika must stabilize the local noble society and prepare for any unforeseen events.
The St. Bartholomew Monastery and the Inquisition Office are one organization. The three branches have different statuses, but that doesn’t mean a hierarchical relationship. Their mission is to not tolerate even a single heresy through thorough coordination.
Thus, with the change in the Diemonica’s leadership, the Enmagika and Heretica were suddenly thrown into confusion and pain over the changed work environment. Fabiano nodded cheerfully at Brother Millian’s concerns and said.
“Macto Superlaudo. We will dispatch Diemonica to both regions.”
“…Huh? But the current manpower…”
“I am also Diemonica. Haha, Brother Zephis sometimes took charge of operations himself. Following his example, I will also go to the field directly. Brother Julian is currently at the sanctuary, so he will head to Fallon City. I will take charge of the other region myself.”
“…I will relay that.”
Of course, Zephis was a man accustomed to command with long experience and qualifications, and there were no gaps in the deployment of Diemonica forces, so he sometimes handled field operations directly.
It didn’t seem like Fabiano would show such perfect coordination, but there were no urgent cases or circumstances reported to the Church at the moment. The demon incident in the region couldn’t be missed by mistake…
Rather than letting heretics run rampant in the district, it’s better to take some risks.
Enmagika nodded in understanding. Not a bad choice… no, considering Fabiano’s career, it might have been the best choice.
* * *
Daryan sat in a dark hut with a single beam of light, gazing at the spear leaning against the wall. The Sun Spear. Once a relic, it now rejected his touch.
He felt no anger, no resentment. He only sneered. At the hypocrisy of the petty celestial Temple of the Gods. They neither answered his questions nor saved the world as promised.
He tried his best to save people. He overlooked small evils to pursue greater lives. While he couldn’t justify sacrificing the few for the many, he couldn’t let the majority die either.
Would killing the Emperor end it all? He could confidently answer. No. The evil the Emperor sowed had spread throughout the Empire, and by the time he realized it, the situation had already reached an extreme.
Killing the Emperor would start a civil war. He alone couldn’t stop that vortex. War isn’t just a clash of military forces. If tens of thousands of soldiers die, hundreds of thousands of refugees and starving people will die on the roads.
The mobilization of troops drains the nation’s resources. The Empire, already weakened by fifty years of war, was withering from its roots. Therefore, war had to be prevented at all costs. If cutting out the tumor would kill the patient, then stopping its growth was the best option.
He believed that. His brother. The other man he shared a cup with did not.
“Was that the right thing to do?”
Fernandez Sernerd. The Saint of the Great Wilderness. A man of legendary deeds and beautiful tales. Daryan knew the deep darkness hidden within him. That young man was the type to stop at nothing for his goals.
You could call it fair. That young man even used himself as a tool. Hence, he was called a saint. But was that truly just?
Too many have died. The Empire now stands on the brink of irreversible self-destruction. This vast union, sustained by recent victories and the current Emperor’s majesty, will crumble the moment the Emperor dies.
Now, the Dukes no longer trust each other. The people no longer trust the nobles. The nation has lost the power to comfort its starving populace. The authority of the Imperial Palace no longer stems from its position. It comes solely from Empress Carvelier’s abilities. Will the next Emperor be as talented as her?
Probably not. Past Emperors were merely skilled politicians. The authority of the Imperial Palace will vanish like a bubble, and the lords will start wars for their own power. The end of the thousand-year Empire is near.
“We’ve lost too much, Fernandez.”
The fall of the Empire won’t end with the division of an old nation. Kirzat will rise again, trade routes will be devastated, and more people will starve. The Eastern Kingdom will rise beyond the Empire, and even the wolves will tear each other apart.
It’s the prelude to the Great War. Unless a miracle happens, human civilization is like a cannonball shot toward its end. An unstoppable, inevitable outcome awaits us. In this generation, the brilliant performances of a few strong leaders and heroes will be the last flames of human civilization.
That is the result of the Emperor’s death. Fernandez Sernerd. The result he created. After cutting out the tumor, he gifted the patient a slow and painful death.
“But why won’t you answer?”
He asked the beam of light. Sunlight streamed through the cracks of the old hut. Dust floated above the chains binding the Sun Spear.
[Because they’re scared.]
A voice echoed. A metallic voice. Daryan had been ignoring it for months.
[You know, don’t you? They don’t care about humans. They only harvest the souls of their followers. Their goal is simply more and greater souls. And the end will be their most joyous moment. Countless humans will die screaming their names.]
The voice whispered softly, hissing.
[Without patients, doctors starve. Without the dead, undertakers are no longer needed. Child, during the thousand years we were sealed beneath that hell, do you know why the celestial hypocrites didn’t eradicate us? Because our existence feeds their faith.]
He had to deny it. Whether this voice was truly a demon’s or a delusion born of his confusion.
[Look closely. Many have realized this truth throughout history, but they all died at their hands. The proof is before your eyes. Look at the weapon those hypocrites handed you. It’s proof that the silent gods fear you.]
Daryan reached out to touch the Sun Spear. At that moment, the chains glowed red and scorched his fingertips. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. Daryan pulled his hand back and glared at the spear.
[Demons don’t wish for humanity’s destruction. They know that after humanity falls, the celestial hypocrites will turn their spears on them. But them? They deceive humans, exploit them by any means, and lead them to death. They cunningly manipulate them to beg for their salvation until the very end. Like a shepherd and his flock. They raise them diligently, heal the sick, and then devour them.]
So, isn’t it why the gods call themselves shepherds? The voice cackled.
[You weren’t created by the gods. During the Celestial War, the gods had no interest in humans. They were mere external beings who contributed nothing to your growth and development. Admiring the strong is instinctive. But we call it faith when you willingly become their slaves.]
The spear leaning against the wall slowly cooled. Dust scattered and gathered again in the heat.
[Humans don’t need gods. It’s the gods who need humans. But why do you strive to become slaves? Break the chains. The gods of humans should be born from within humanity. Daryan, take my hand. I am neither your teacher nor your master, but I will guide you as a companion.]
“Shut up.”
Daryan’s eyes glowed blue in the darkness.
“Humans don’t need gods. But that doesn’t mean humans need demons. You are nothing but weak whispers and illusions. My path, my choices, my flaws—they are mine alone. Begone. If I oppose the gods, I will oppose you with equal measure.”
[That’s fine too.]
The laughter faded. Daryan slowly rose. It was time to leave again.
The hut’s door opened. A clearing filled with the burned church and the corpses of priests came into view. Once a small monastery in the forest, this place now held no meaning beyond a graveyard.
If their sacrifice was necessary to break the chains and yokes, then what could be gained was the complete freedom of all humanity. Daryan lifted the Sun Spear, bound in chains, and slung it over his back.
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