It had been a week since Bishop Arcen and Eleora arrived.
Hamel left the Solmer domain.
Of course, it would take time before the domain returned to normal.
But that was a problem time would solve.
─Clatter-clatter
Another trade caravan laden with goods headed the opposite way from Hamel.
‘They’re probably heading to Solmer.’
It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight.
Where Hamel had left, various groups were steadily converging on Solmer.
Newly dispatched clergy from the temple.
Imperial soldiers sent for security and investigation.
Merchants flocking in to sell goods.
Relief supplies arriving from other eastern domains.
People of all kinds were gathering in Solmer for different reasons.
Solmer was chaotic now, but precisely because of that it was an enticing place.
‘What happens next is not my concern.’
The tug-of-war between the temple and the imperial army.
Merchants looking to profiteer.
Hamel had no intention of getting involved.
No—actually, it was more accurate to say there was no need for him to get involved.
‘Because the bishop is still here.’
Whether merchants or imperial officers, no one in Solmer would dare oppose Bishop Arcen’s orders now.
At present in the empire’s east, Lettria, the order’s prestige pierced the heavens.
In truth, it was thanks to Hamel’s achievements.
Twice slaying super-class demons.
An Exorcist priest who, after the Magic Tower incident, had safely saved a domain that had almost been destroyed.
The people of the east praised a new Saint and the greatness of the gods.
No caravan or imperial force would ignore the words of Bishop Arcen, diocesan of Lettria.
At that moment, merchants from a caravan that had passed Hamel’s party glanced over and exchanged looks. Then, thinking their voices low, murmurs spread.
“Is that the priest from the rumors?”
“No way. There are so many priests around here right now.”
“No, look closely. As the rumors said, there’s a woman and a knight in the party, isn’t there?”
“Oh, come to think of it…?”
Daniel snorted at their chatter, amusement in his voice.
“Well I’ll be. Thanks to you, Hamel, we’re getting famous too.”
Lena shook her head calmly.
“They didn’t mention Ono when they said ‘us.’”
“Well. Maybe he’s just not doing much, that’s why.”
Ono bristled and snapped at Daniel’s answer.
“What kind of nonsense is that…!”
Daniel and Lena ignored him and kept talking.
“Is he so ordinary he doesn’t stand out?”
“Well, that could be. Ono is a plain priest after all.”
“Ono, why not show a bit more personality?”
“…Fine. This exorcist life isn’t a joke.”
Ono grumbled and turned away, walking ahead alone while muttering.
“Personality… personality, huh.”
Seeing that, Lena and Daniel exchanged a look and smiled, as if they’d finally found something to tease.
Apophis and the captain of the guard, who followed, also burst into laughter.
“He might even change his hairstyle soon, who knows.”
“That would be fortunate enough, I think.”
“……”
Hamel watched them with a strange feeling.
Lena was much younger than him, so that made sense, but even demons and those who had once been evil gods looked at Ono with fondness.
‘He’s being treated like the complete youngest.’
It seemed Ono himself hadn’t noticed.
Hamel shook his head and tightened his reins.
The size of the party had grown slightly.
Of course Daniel, Lena, and Ono.
Apophis and the innkeepers, the Davids, and their daughter.
And the captain of the guard as well.
Just by looking, the number was considerably larger than before.
That excluded the captain’s subordinates, who weren’t shown in the picture.
There were simply too many to count at a glance.
How demons had come to join the party in such numbers, he didn’t know, but the fortunate thing was they could hide that they were demons.
The ring Lunacornus had gifted truly concealed the presence of magi.
Even Eleora, who had top-tier detection abilities, hadn’t noticed, so in practice they wouldn’t be discovered.
But it wasn’t a situation to be completely relieved about.
It was because of the conversation he had with Bishop Arcen before leaving Solmer.
‘Hamel, be careful of the Inquisition.’
‘…Isn’t it over?’
‘Yes. According to Eleora, the Inquisition has broken away from the order’s influence. It’s rapidly growing its influence independently within the royal court.’
‘So the royal court is involved too?’
‘That is unknown. …One thing is certain: by attempting to sever ties with the order, the likelihood of them becoming hostile to the order has increased.’
‘……’
‘Perhaps you, Hamel, might be their first target.’
‘Why me…’
‘Because currently the hottest topic in the order is you, Hamel.’
Bishop Arcen’s argument was plausible.
Hamel was almost a symbol of the order now.
A strong and righteous hero.
He had even punished and condemned the Inquisition’s rampage.
From the Inquisition’s standpoint, which was trying to rise as an independent force, he was inevitably an obstacle.
But Hamel’s thinking was different.
‘The Inquisition aren’t fools either.’
If they attacked Hamel now, it would be tantamount to admitting that the rampage of the Purification Order’s members had been the Inquisition’s intent.
If they were sane, wouldn’t they surely deny knowing anything?
‘Yes. They would.’
They wouldn’t be a group foolish enough to openly turn hostile at this point.
Hamel believed that.
Bishop Arcen’s fears were likely baseless.
Who was he, after all?
Just an Exorcist priest, not even a diocesan.
Come to think of it, there was nothing to worry about at the moment.
Hamel exhaled deeply and relaxed.
“What did you say?”
“W-well… someone from the Inquisition has arrived.”
A crack appeared in Hamel’s expression as he entered the domain.
The words of the person who had run from the mansion before Hamel even reached the village were shocking.
Upon arriving in Haidern, Hamel hurried his horse.
Of course, except for Apophis and the captain of the guard.
“You two stay here with Lord David.”
“Very well. Don’t worry, go quickly.”
“Yes.”
Hamel left them in the village and headed for the mansion.
The atmosphere at the mansion was somewhat unsettled.
They greeted Hamel and his party, but there was something different from when they had returned from the north previously.
“Welcome, my lord.”
Antonio the priest, Arandel, and Dain and the mansion’s servants all received Hamel with taut expressions.
“…Yes.”
Hamel nodded and looked behind them.
There stood a man Hamel had never seen before.
When Hamel met his eyes, the man smiled broadly and greeted him.
“How do you do, my lord?”
“…And you are?”
To Hamel’s question, he politely introduced himself.
“I am Leo Benedictus, commander of the Purification Corps.”
“…!”
Commander of the Purification Corps.
Hamel’s eyes widened at the unexpected visitor.
Why had he come to see him?
Was it to deny any ties with the Purification Corps members who had carried out the massacre in Solmer?
Or perhaps, absurdly, to avenge the dead members?
Hamel stared at him.
Leo Benedictus bowed deeply and apologized.
“It’s all my fault.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Thank you for stopping my subordinates’ rampage.”
‘Is he the kind who denies any connection?’
Hamel studied the apologetic man.
He was an odd figure. It was hard to guess his age—middle-aged in bearing, yet his face somehow looked youthful.
At least his apology felt sincere.
He continued without raising his head.
“While my members walked the wrong path, I did nothing. If I had been a bit better…”
Swallowing his regret, he raised his head and looked at Hamel.
To him, Hamel said bluntly.
“If they were the Purification Order’s inquisitors, they all deserved to die.”
Hamel’s provocative words made his companions flinch, but he didn’t bat an eye.
“They may have been wiped out by unknown monsters, but even if they hadn’t, they would have been judged and executed at the Inner Temple. Whatever you regret, it’s too late.”
Hamel’s cold statement chilled the room. Some, including Antonio, went ashen.
Then, at that moment, Leo Benedictus bowed deeply and clasped his hands.
“Of course. It is all due to my shortcomings.”
With unwavering, straightforward eyes on Hamel, he added.
“You have done the work I should have done, brother. That unknown monster may have been a messenger sent by the gods.”
“……”
Sincerity filled Leo Benedictus’s voice; his somewhat excessive words eased the mood.
What on earth was genuine?
Hamel stared at his face, trying to peer into the man’s mind.
After a brief silence, Hamel asked.
“What brings you here?”
He wouldn’t have come merely to apologize. If he represented the Inquisition, there had to be some business—hostility toward Hamel, or a denial of ties with the Purification Corps.
As Hamel guessed, Leo Benedictus nodded.
“I have a request.”
“……”
Hamel looked at Leo for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. Come with me.”
He didn’t particularly want to let him into the mansion, but continuing to talk outside would be more suspicious.
Hamel felt a mix of emotions as he stepped into the mansion.
They moved to the reception room.
All of his retainers, including Hamel, were present.
Daniel, Ono, Lena, of course, as well as Antonio and Arandel who managed the domain, and Den and Benjamin.
Under their gaze, Leo Benedictus began to speak.
“There are truly many excellent people in this domain.”
“You’re flattering us.”
“No, truly… I can’t believe these are the retainers of such a small domain.”
He admired Hamel’s retainers one by one.
He might have known something to admire; certainly they weren’t people you’d expect in an ordinary domain.
None of them were ordinary.
But Hamel didn’t find Leo Benedictus’s praise entirely pleasant.
He hadn’t yet heard the purpose of the man’s visit.
Hamel openly showed his discomfort and steered the conversation.
“So what is this request?”
“Ah, my apologies. That was rude of me.”
Leo Benedictus turned his gaze to Hamel.
“My request is related to the recent incident.”
“The recent incident…”
“Yes, the matter of my members’ rampage.”
So there was reason behind his visit.
Hamel focused on the man’s words.
Leo Benedictus then began slowly.
“Everything began in the West.”
“The West?”
“Yes. The empire’s West.”
Leo Benedictus frowned and spoke bluntly.
“A place called Sicaris.”
