“I want to join the Inquisition Office.”
At Fernandez’s words, the Pope couldn’t hide his worried expression. If it were up to him, he would immediately take Fernandez under the direct jurisdiction of the Papacy and guide him on the path of a proper priest. If he himself became the sponsor, it would be more than enough.
But the Stigma of Vaitas, at least being an apostle of the Divine Warrior Vaitas, holds the most significance when standing on the battlefield.
“How about the Order of the Cross Crusaders? Joining the Doctrine Defense Association directly would be safer and easier.”
“Since I have already devoted myself, how could I shy away from a thorny path?”
-Clatter.
At Fernandez’s words, the Pope, Marco, and even the burly middle-aged man drew crosses with reddened eyes. It was a perfect display of faith, as if torn straight from the Bible!
“Ah, the heretics and cults covet the relics of saints. Not only to insult the Church, but the relics of canonized saints can be forged into extremely threatening and powerful holy artifacts. Are you truly determined to become an Inquisition Officer?”
Even so, the Pope had no choice but to dissuade him. Inquisition Officers are those closest to death. They are the guardians of civilization, the vanguard of doctrine, and the sharpest dagger in the shadows.
When one Inquisition Officer completes their training and grows, ten Inquisition Officers become cold corpses on the battlefield. Their deaths always occur in dark alleyways, and no one ever acknowledges their sacrifices.
Fernandez closed his eyes and nodded.
“I have seen a revelation.”
“…There’s no helping it then.”
It must be God’s plan. He must be sending his apostle to the most arduous and difficult task. Paul nodded solemnly.
At that moment, the middle-aged man standing beside Paul looked at Fernandez and spoke.
“You have talent.”
“Why do you think so, Brother Zephis?”
“After reading Marco’s report, I became certain. Perhaps Brother Marco thought the same. It’s not easy to find a boy of this age with such composure and judgment in any faction of our office.”
Composure and boldness, cold rationality and logic. Skill and quick thinking. Marco’s letter was filled with all sorts of embellishments, but even stripping away the exaggerations, it was not something a sixteen-year-old boy could display.
“If you join the Inquisition Office, you will be given three paths.”
“Can I choose?”
“Of course.”
As Zephis nodded, Marco smiled and said.
“Whatever kind of priest you want to become, that’s your decision. But Sir Sernerd. The Church is not a cult or a heresy. We are the light that reveals truth through reason and rationality.”
Fernandez almost snorted at Marco’s words. In his previous life as Faijashi, he had been the favorite target of Inquisition Officers.
If they killed him, he would be canonized. If he killed them, he would be martyred.
But now, this fanatical group with overwhelming power and authority could be on his side.
Even if he became a different kind of priest, it seemed unlikely that he would achieve his goals more easily than by belonging to the Inquisition Office.
Fernandez’s goals were the eradication of heretics, cults, and demon worshippers who plagued the world, and the salvation of Vaitas’s four daughters to reclaim his son.
If he was going to become a priest and act with the backing of the Church, there was no place more suitable than the Inquisition Office.
“What are the paths I can choose?”
“Brother, you have the path of wisdom, the path of pursuit, and the path of demons.”
Marco rubbed his hands together and smiled.
“The path of wisdom. Based on knowledge of law, theology, mathematics, rhetoric, semiotics, sociology, and basic humanities, you will externally preside over religious trials and take on administrative duties. It’s always short on manpower, but relatively safe.”
-Religiosa Enmagika (Witch’s Monastery)
Administrative duties and judicial authority, a very powerful position. It meant managing personnel and financial operations. It was the closest to the secrets and intelligence of the Inquisition Office.
“The path of pursuit. This is the position most Inquisition Officers are assigned to. It’s a group with the authority to purify heretical faiths, wage holy wars, and investigate heresy cases. If a report of heresy is received, you are guaranteed full autonomy under internal judgment.”
-Religiosa Heretica (Heretical Monastery)
‘The guys I saw most often in my past life…’
They were annoying flies. Fernandez recalled them. Certainly, considering autonomy and achieving his goals without drawing attention, it was a decent choice. ‘Eradicate heretical sects and save the world from destruction.’ And ‘Search for your archangels.’
“The path of demons. I don’t recommend this one, Sir Sernerd. The greatest hardships will accompany you. The survival rate is extremely low, and most are horrifically killed, with their bodies unrecoverable. You will be tasked with chasing and exorcising demons, always deployed to communities on the brink of destruction.”
-Religiosa Diemonica (Demon’s Monastery)
Certainly, the summoning of demons into reality itself meant that heretical cults no longer cared about the eyes of the Temple of the Gods. Fernandez nodded. His deliberation wasn’t long.
In truth, the answer was already decided. By utilizing his memories from his past life, he could modestly build achievements and simultaneously achieve his desires. There was only one path.
“Well, Sir Sernerd. No, Brother. Which faction will you choose? If it were you, my personal opinion is that you have the qualities to become an excellent judge.”
Marco chuckled and smiled.
