334. The Immortal and the Mortal (3)
“…Makto.”
Fabiano whispered softly as he closed the eyes of the deceased priest. The small chapel, located on the mountainside overlooking Lake Vicare, had been completely burned down, leaving no trace of its former shape.
The remaining embers crackled, scorching the surrounding bushes. He stomped out the lingering flames and bowed his head for a moment.
“Brother Agato.”
“Brothers Bardo and Cornelius will search the interior of the chapel for any other traces. Brother Davio will investigate whether any heretical rituals have taken place nearby… As for me, I will follow this trail.”
“Alone? It must be a trap, Brother.”
“That’s why I must go.”
Fabiano shook his head and stood up. Two Heretics and one Enmagika. Plus one Diemonica. Among them, only one could survive a demon’s trap.
When their location is unknown, the best way to meet them is to walk into their trap. Just as a spider lives at the end of its web, if they’ve set a trap, they or their minions will surely be there.
“Once the search is complete, follow this trail. Brother Davio, if you find any heretical rituals, request immediate support and initiate the introduction procedure in the three villages near Lake Vicare.”
“In the name of the Lord.”
“Makto.”
Fabiano nodded and followed the sticky trail of blood into the bushes. The area around the chapel had been completely burned down. If the priests had set the fire while still alive, it might have been different, but the fresh bloodstains scattered over the ashes were an obvious trap.
His teeth gritted. Whoever it was, it was unforgivable.
* * *
“Doesn’t this seem strange, Brother Cornelius?”
“Hmm…”
Cornelius was lost in thought as he gazed at the scattered traces of destruction on the ground. Unlike Diemonica, who specializes in striking deep into enemy territory, Heretics have a wide range of activities. They knew that similar incidents had been occurring frequently throughout the Kingdom of Phaeirn.
This was a small, secluded monastery where five or six priests lived quietly. And recently, there had been a couple more reports of such incidents.
“Isn’t someone deliberately attacking secluded monasteries?”
Fortified monasteries often accumulate valuable assets. Relics aside, well-educated monks often produce high-quality wine, fabrics, and special crops for sale.
It’s unlikely that secular bandits would attack a monastery. Unlike the lukewarm pursuit of bandits or thieves, the Church’s pursuers would be Inquisition Officers and Cathedral Knights. In that case, even the most skilled bandits would surely die.
Therefore, the attackers of the monastery were likely not secular figures. Heretics or cultists. That was usually the case. Moreover, there were no signs of looting in this monastery.
“How many monasteries are there in this area?”
“There are five more. Most monasteries cut off contact with the outside world, so it’s difficult to assess their current state…”
“And in the Kingdom of Phaeirn?”
“About fifty to sixty. We can confirm the exact number after returning to headquarters, but I recall it being roughly that number, Brother.”
“How many monastery destruction incidents have been reported recently?”
“Four times in the past half year.”
Not all heretics and cultists operate within cities. While cities have excellent infrastructure for hiding, they are also more visible to the Church. When heretics turn their attention outside the cities, monasteries are the easiest targets.
Relics and the souls of devout priests are the best offerings for demon worshippers. The food and ancient texts stored in monasteries would be an excellent harvest for wandering mages and cultists.
And given the nature of secluded monasteries, it’s difficult to observe from the outside what turmoil they might be experiencing internally. Four times in half a year. Considering the recent deterioration of public order due to the infighting within the Phaeirn royal family, isn’t that quite frequent?
“Continue the search. You, Brother, return to headquarters and inform the Monastery Head, requesting an urgent investigation order. I will continue the mission following Brother Agato.”
“Yes, Brother. What about Brother Davio…?”
“Withdraw with us.”
Cornelius shook his head firmly and stood up. The Inquisition Office operates in almost every region under the influence of the Vaitas Church. How many personnel can be concentrated in Phaeirn right now? It would be too much to deploy all reserve forces based solely on the suspicions of field personnel.
Expecting support from the secular royal family is difficult. At least in Phaeirn. With the friction between the first and second princes reaching its peak, Phaeirn has become a powder keg among the eastern secular kingdoms.
The long war has ended, but the conflict is endless. Both in front of and behind history. Cornelius sighed, gripping his sword hilt, and stepped out of the burning chapel.
* * *
The trail of blood had ended. Fabiano clenched his teeth and looked around. The trail ending meant this area was the heart of the trap. His senses spread wide, beginning to classify every small sound around him.
The rustling of insects, the sound of leaves scattering in the wind, the sound of wild animals creeping quietly. A flood of information swirled in his mind. But Fabiano’s steadfast spirit calmly searched and classified other information amidst the chaos.
He quietly closed his eyes, standing still like a rock, bowing his head. How much time had passed? Soon, a rustling sound was heard. Fabiano’s eyes flashed open, and he drew a dagger from his chest, pointing it in that direction.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Brother. Cornelius.”
“Ah, Brother.”
Fabiano sheathed the dagger and looked at Cornelius emerging from the bushes. He too was gripping his sword hilt tightly, wary of Fabiano.
“Brother Agato. Pray.”
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
“Seek good, do good, and pursue righteousness. Then your Heavenly Father will add righteousness to you.”
“Makto.”
The two confirmed each other with verses from the Bible. They nodded.
They nodded and approached each other without hesitation.
“How did the tracking go, Brother?”
“The trail ends here. I didn’t sense any presence of demons or heretics around.”
“We failed in the strike. This was due to our lack of information. I apologize, Brother.”
“Why do you speak like that? How could I blame a brother?”
“We should return to headquarters. Brother Bardo found something suspicious at the scene.”
“Let’s hear it on the way. What is it?”
Fabiano and Cornelius walked through the bushes toward the ruined cathedral. Cornelius broke through the dry bushes and spoke.
“There are suspicions of a collective attack on the recently sealed monasteries.”
“Within the Phaeirn Kingdom? Isn’t that a hasty assumption?”
“We need to check some monasteries to be sure… But I think we should conclude the tracking operation here.”
“Are you suggesting we leave the demonic heretics who caused this massacre and fled?”
“Other brothers are currently conducting a tracking operation in Fallon City. We should hand over this operation to them and review another operation at the monastery.”
How long had they walked? The two men, who had been quietly exchanging opinions, stopped. To be precise, Fabiano stopped. Cornelius tilted his head and looked at Fabiano.
“Brother?”
“Shh.”
Fabiano narrowed his eyes and looked straight ahead. A strange sound reached his ears. Small… faint.
A groan.
– Thud!
Fabiano roughly grabbed the sword hilt and ran forward.
There were no surviving monks in this cathedral, and the operation area had already been completely evacuated except for the Inquisition Officers. So that groan must have been from a brother!
* * *
When he reached the edge of the bushes, Fabiano took a moment to catch his breath and tensed his entire body. The sensation of hellish magic was palpable. It was impressive how it had been hidden until now. The Saintmetal Greatsword was glowing hot.
“Brother… Brother…”
The demon was nowhere to be seen. That made it even more threatening. The sun rising over the desolate monastery felt cold and pale, even though it was noon. Fabiano slowly looked around and approached a figure writhing on the ashes.
The figure, whose face was crushed by fire, was Davio, judging by his build and voice.
“What happened, Brother?”
“Brother Bardo… attacked… corrupted… be careful…”
“Brother Cornelius!!”
When Fabiano shouted roughly, Cornelius soon appeared, panting from the bushes. It had been difficult to keep up with Diemonica’s full-speed dash through the bushes. He took a deep breath, looked around, and frowned at Davio.
“I was careless.”
“I was careless. The bloodstains were not a trap but bait. Help Brother Davio return to headquarters. Hurry with the purification rites and treatment. Time is short!”
“What about you, Brother?”
“Brother Bardo has been corrupted. I will purify the brother and hunt down the demon lurking in this area. Go, quickly!”
“Yes, Brother!”
Cornelius quickly approached and carried Bardo on his back. He briefly bowed to Fabiano and hurriedly left. Fabiano drew his sword and headed inside the cathedral.
– Rustle.
The dry ashes crumbled under his feet. Fabiano quickly scanned the surroundings and raised his blade. Soon, a breathing sound was heard in the distance.
– Whizz—!
He threw a dagger straight toward the sound. With a dull thud as the dagger hit something, a groan was heard. Fabiano aimed his sword and quickly rushed forward.
“Bro…ther…”
“Bardo.”
With the dagger deeply embedded in his chest, Bardo lowered his head and spat out blood. His lower body was gone. His intestines spilled onto the ashes, and sticky blood flowed over them.
His entire body was marked with twisted demonic inscriptions mocking scripture. Faintly, the smell of sulfur emanated from his body. Fabiano brought the blade to his throat.
“Pray.”
“Go… but… my thoughts toward you… I know… peace, not disaster. I came to give you a future and hope, just believe. With all your faith…”
“…Damn it.”
“Did you… kill Davio…?”
“Brother Cornelius… to headquarters…”
“I was… foolish, Brother. When Davio began the ritual… it possessed Davio’s body. I… I…”
“Enough.”
“Lord… I… I…”
Bardo gasped and spat out blood. His life was nearly over. Fabiano closed his eyes, red with anger, and placed his hand on Bardo’s head.
“My negligence caused you to leave. I’m sorry, Bardo.”
“Brother, evil is sometimes cunning, but may my end be your foundation.”
“Rest in peace. I will fulfill your justice.”
“Stop…”
“Stop.”
Bardo’s head fell with a thud. Fabiano gripped the sword hilt and stepped out of the cathedral. The charred door creaked and collapsed. Dust rose, and under the pale sun, heat waves shimmered.
In the distance, a man stood. A trickle of blood ran down his charred face, forming a grotesque smile.
“Demon.”
[That… Cornelius…? The priest’s soul was sweet. Thanks for the gift.]
The demon let out a disgusting laugh and cackled. He twisted and contorted his body, approaching with an eerie gait.
[Now that you’re alone, I can feast without any hassle.]
“I am Diemonica, Agatoda.”
[Are you challenging me to a duel? Huh? You fool. This is a hunt! No, just a feast! Your name means nothing before me!]
“This is a verdict.”
– Whizz.
The Saintmetal Greatsword gleamed under the sunlight. Fabiano, with his bloodshot eyes, reached straight toward the demon’s forehead and spoke.
“The headquarters sentences the defendant to death. Pray, to any god, with any words. Sincerely.”
And immediately, Fabiano charged at the laughing demon like a thunderbolt.
* * *
Daryan, supporting the staggering Seiri, asked the man following him.
“By the way, why are you helping me? No matter how unfaithful you are, what I’m doing is nothing but blasphemy. Why help kill a priest?”
“The first prince is a follower of Vaitas, and the second prince is a follower of McLaren. And I belong to the second prince’s faction.”
“The Phaeirn Hunting School is quite political.”
“I’m the political one, Sir Daryan Schryke.”
Karl smirked and said.
“If the Vaitas Church is shaken by this, it will give His Highness the second prince a cause. Well, noble society is all like that.”
“That makes sense.”
Daryan nodded roughly and moved on. Behind him, Karl laughed bitterly. His eyes flashed red for a moment.
At that sight, the Sun Spear tied to Daryan’s back heated up under the sunlight and then quickly cooled down.
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