A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 258

“Can we just rush in and finish this quickly…?”

“I clearly mentioned at the start. If it were just a simple war, maybe, but with politics involved, that’s out of the question. You should hold on for about a month.”

Nodding my head at the old Pope’s words, I let out a sigh.

I was supposed to enter at the end for the perfect resolution, but to be honest, I didn’t understand half of what was going on…

In the end, isn’t it all the same if I just bring the Emperor in? I had the same question, but since Iah said that this way was the right approach, I guess I have to trust her.

With those thoughts, I arrived at the interrogation room, and there sat the heretic we caught last time, tied to a chair.

Has it been about two weeks?

To still not show any signs of repentance, it made me think he had an unnecessary amount of tenacity.

‘War is going to break out… Even you wouldn’t want it to escalate like this…’

By the way, during the first interrogation, I’m pretty sure I mentioned that war was coming, right?

He was a sharp-witted guy, but it was truly a shame that he became a heretic.

Anyway, I hoped he would repent soon.

“Um… have you repented…?”

“O silver-haired witch… I don’t think it’s good to waste your strength on a pointless endeavor for this long…”

“Repent, please…”

CAW!

“Um… have you repented…?”

“Ha ha ha, as I said, a war must have broken out…! I can vividly see your flustered face as you stand there…!”

“Repent, please…”

CAW!

“Um… have you repented…?”

“W-Where am I…? I was definitely having a meal with my family… Where exactly is this…? If someone is there, please answer…! In the name of Geort, the Crown Prince of the Elkin Empire…!”

“Repent, please…”

CAW!

“Um… have you repented…?”

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry…. If you tell me what I did wrong, I will definitely comply…”

“Repent, please…”

CAW!

★

It’s been 27 days since the war between the Elkin Empire and our order started.

In just three more days, it would be a month.

The enemy has 30,000 troops.

We have about 3,000.

We were less than half of their numbers, but surprisingly, we were holding up well.

Well, that’s to be expected.

There were high-ranking paladins, a league above regular soldiers, stationed here.

Just watching Heldaim fight would certainly crush the morale of ordinary soldiers.

…But even that was starting to hit its limits.

No matter what, the disparity in numbers was too severe, and on top of that, we had to adhere to the no-kill policy.

Even if Rene was strong, could she really change the tide of this battle?

Honestly, my doubts didn’t fade away.

“Haah…”

“Are you getting tired?”

“It’s not that I’m starting to feel tired. I’ve been exhausted for quite a while now.”

As I sighed and answered, Heldaim patted my shoulder, laughing.

“Is this all you’ve got? In the past, a month was nothing. I could fight for three months straight without resting.”

I wanted to tell him not to lie, but seeing him fight during this month made me think it might not be a lie after all.

I had firmly confirmed that those stories of his past glory were all true.

“Well, anyway, this tedious fight will soon come to an end. The time I mentioned before has arrived.”

I didn’t need him to elaborate on what that time meant.

It meant that Rene, who left the Pope Palace, would soon arrive.

I really didn’t know if that would truly be the case, though…

Anyway, the dawn was slowly ending, and morning was beginning.

The morning of a new day.

The morning when the unfinished war would restart.

If only morning didn’t come, I could rest peacefully.

As those pointless thoughts ran through my mind.

“Selene Benedetta, the Inquisitor, has arrived!”

I heard that voice from the back.

Unconsciously, my gaze turned in that direction.

And there you were, walking toward me after almost ten years.

Your long white-silver hair flowed down to your hips, beautifully dancing in the cold morning wind.

Your jewel-like red eyes would make anyone dizzy just by looking.

You were as beautiful as you were as a child.

Although you were different from your younger self, you were still stunning.

“Is that inquisitor really the main character of this war?”

The lower-ranking paladins and mid-level knights didn’t seem overly moved by her arrival.

Some laughed at the idea that one person could change the tide of the battlefield, or were surprised by her looks, but no one expected Rene’s abilities.

Well, that’s understandable, even I had my doubts.

“Finally, it’s coming to an end.”

However, the high-ranking paladins exhaled sighs of relief upon seeing Rene.

As if it was already decided that the war would end with her presence.

“Please take care of things again, Rene.”

“Yes…”

Director Valdemar approached Rene, bowing his head as he asked, and Rene nodded in agreement with a small voice.

Then she looked up at the sky and said,

“Then I’ll be off right away…”

Suddenly, she started running forward.

It was an incredible speed, unbelievable for someone carrying that massive Warhammer that was nothing short of gigantic.

And at the same time, it was a signal to follow Rene.

Before we even had a moment to process the situation, everyone, including myself, began chasing after her, and before our eyes laid the Elkin Empire soldiers collapsing without resistance.

Despite having dozens of soldiers waiting, there was no one who could stop her…

“Look closely, Bel. This is why I told you your worries are unfounded.”

★

The Emperor of the Elkin Empire.

Laphan Elkin Leonhardt’s only objective in this war was to rescue the crown prince.

‘How dare those religious zealots…!’

Originally, he had considered mobilizing nearly all the Empire’s forces for this.

However, after hearing Duke Harald’s words that considering the order’s identity, it wasn’t possible to deploy too many troops, Laphan sent only 30,000, which was less than 10 percent of the Empire’s forces.

And as Duke Harald had said, the Iah order also mobilized only about 3,000 troops, which was about 10 percent of those 30,000.

At first, a standoff was maintained, but with the overwhelming difference in numbers, the order’s strength started deteriorating, and every soldier from the Empire felt victory was imminent.

Of course, that was also because the Iah order’s troops adhered to the no-kill policy.

But knowing that fact, Laphan only mobilized 30,000 troops as well.

Anyway, the Elkin Empire had already advanced beyond half of the Reitos Plains.

They were slowly hoping to finish the war with a victory, considering it a matter of course.

“The situation… it’s strange! We can’t stop the enemy’s advance…!”

Until suddenly, that shocking news arrived.

“Maintaining the front line is impossible! We must retreat immediately!”

One day.

“There are too many people, aren’t there…?”

Then two days.

“It feels like it’s been a while since we met… Ah, right… Your son has definitely repented, and should soon be sent back to the Empire…”

In just two days, the Elkin Empire was defeated by a single inquisitor.

“But you thought of us as ‘just religious zealots,’ didn’t you…? Since circumstances allow, I can let it slide, but if that was your true intention…”

“C-Can’t you let go! Do you even know who you’re talking to?!”

“Well, anyway, we need to end this war, so please follow us to the order…”

And as Rene dragged Laphan along, what he saw was.

“Father. I’m truly sorry. I committed an unforgivable sin and am now here for a time of penance…”

It was a son who felt changed in many ways.

★

Indeed, Rene single-handedly brought the war to an end, and I… no. We were merely left to clean up after her.

An achievement that needed no explanation, a literal grand undertaking.

And amidst that scene, countless priests and paladins, inquisitors shouted her name in cheer.

But amidst that cheer, Rene carried the Emperor of the Elkin Empire, with her head hanging low, without any reaction.

I could easily tell what that meant.

The wounds we inflicted when we were young still torment you.

No.

It has gotten worse.

“…Hmm? You’re thinking of going back? Since we haven’t seen each other in a while, wouldn’t it be nice to at least say hello?”

“I’m fine… There will be another opportunity.”

It felt disgusting.

It was disgusting to think that I wanted to have a conversation after this war ended, even just momentarily.

What right did I have to think that?

That’s how I immediately boarded the carriage heading to Lenok, and that was the last day I saw Rene.

★

Aren’t there too many people…?

‘I guess I have to endure this much.’

Maybe… I just want to go back and rest.