-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: A Gamble That Cannot Fail
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I wish to join the Inquisition."
At Fernandez's words, the Pope could not erase the worry from his face. If it were up to him, he would take the boy straight into the Papal Court and set him on the path to becoming an elite priest. With the Pope himself as his patron, it would be more than sufficient.
But the stigmata of Beitasser—being at least an apostle of the War God Beitasser—was most meaningful on the battlefield.
"What about the Crusader Knights? Joining the Doctrine Guardians directly would be safer and smoother."
"I have already converted. How could I refuse the path of thorns?"
The Pope, Marco, and even the burly middle-aged priest all reddened their eyes and made the sign of the cross at Fernandez's words. It was faith straight out of the scriptures!
"My child, heretics and cults covet the relics of saints. Not just to mock the Church, but because the remains of canonized saints can be forged into immensely powerful holy artifacts. Are you truly set on becoming an Inquisitor?"
Even so, the Pope had no choice but to dissuade him. Inquisitors were those closest to death. Guardians of civilization, vanguards of doctrine, the most secretive and sharpest daggers.
For every Inquisitor who completed training and grew, ten more died cold on the battlefield. Their deaths were always in dark alleys, and no one acknowledged their sacrifices.
Fernandez closed his eyes and nodded.
"I have seen a revelation."
"…It cannot be helped, then."
It must be the will of the gods. Dispatching His apostle to the most arduous and difficult task. Paul nodded gravely.
At that moment, the middle-aged man standing beside Paul looked at Fernandez and spoke.
"You have talent."
"Why do you think so, Brother Zephys?"
"After reading Brother Marco's report, I was certain. Brother Marco likely thought the same. No faction in the headquarters could easily find a boy your age with such composure and judgment."
Composure and boldness, cold rationality and logic. Skill and quick thinking. Marco's letter was filled with florid praise, but even stripping away the exaggeration, it was beyond what a sixteen-year-old boy could show.
"If you join the Inquisition, three paths will be open to you."
"Can I choose?"
"Of course."
As Zephys nodded, Marco smiled and said,
"No matter what kind of priest you wish to become, it is your will. But Sir Cerned, the Church is neither a cult nor a heresy. We are the light that reveals truth through reason and rationality."
Fernandez nearly snorted at Marco's words without thinking. In his past life, as Feizashi, he had been the prime target of the Inquisitors.
Killing him would lead to their beatification, and dying by his hand would make them martyrs.
But now, that overwhelming force and authority—the fanatical group—could be on his side.
Even if he became another kind of priest, it seemed unlikely to be easier for achieving his goals than joining the Inquisition.
Fernandez's purpose was to eradicate those gnawing at the world, like heretics, cults, and devil worshippers, and to save Beitasser's four daughters to reclaim his son.
If he was to become a priest backed by the Church, no place was more suitable than the Inquisition.
"What are the paths I can choose?"
"For you, brother, there are the paths of Wisdom, Pursuit, and Demons."
Marco rubbed his hands with a smile.
"The path of Wisdom. Based on proficiency in law, theology, mathematics, rhetoric, semiotics, sociology, and basic humanities, you would preside over religious trials externally and handle administrative duties otherwise. We're always short on manpower, but it's relatively safe."
-Religiosa Enmagicka (Witch Hunters)
Administrative duties and judicial authority—tremendously powerful rights. It meant managing personnel and finances. The place closest to the Inquisition's secrets and intelligence.
"The path of Pursuit. The assignment most Inquisitors receive. A group with authority to purge heretical faiths, conduct holy wars, and investigate heresy cases. When a heresy report comes in, you gain full autonomy under internal judgment."
-Religiosa Heretica (Heretic Hunters)
'The ones I saw most in my past life…'
Annoying flies. Fernandez recalled them. Certainly, considering autonomy and avoiding attention while pursuing his goals, it was a decent choice. 'Exterminate heretical sects and save the world from ruin.' And 'search for the four archangels.'
"The path of Demons. The one I least recommend, Sir Cerned. It comes with the greatest hardships. Survival rates are extremely low, and most are killed so gruesomely their bodies can't even be recovered. You hunt and exorcise demons, always deployed to communities on the brink of destruction."
-Religiosa Demonica (Demon Hunters)
Indeed, summoning a demon to reality meant heretics and cults no longer cared about the eyes of the Holy Pantheon of Good Gods. Fernandez nodded. His deliberation was not long.
In truth, the answer was already decided. Reviving his past life's memories, building achievements moderately, and achieving his desires—there was only one path.
"Well, Sir Cerned—no, Brother. Which faction will you choose? In my personal opinion, you have the makings of an excellent judge."
Marco chuckled as he looked at Fernandez. Zephys glared at him with clear displeasure.
The three men's gazes gathered on Fernandez. His deliberation was not long.
"I will hunt demons."
"Think it over… De, Demonica?"
"Are you sure…?"
"Hmm…"
Fernandez looked at Paul IV and said,
"I will become Demonica."
"May I ask your reason?"
"Though I walk in the darkest places, I shall uphold the brightest light."
"What a faithful child!"
Paul IV laughed heartily as he regarded Fernandez. Soon, the smile faded from his face. With a stern expression, he looked down at Fernandez and spoke.
"My child. The path you choose brings no rewards or recognition."
-No, the demons' relics and power. I know exactly who they belong to at certain points.
"How could I follow the rewards of the world in serving the Church?"
Fernandez gazed at Feizashi, who had materialized, arms crossed and smirking. Feizashi chuckled as he looked at Paul IV.
-To think the Pope was such a fool.
'No, the stigmata itself is Beitasser's quality guarantee. Why would he doubt?'
Paul nodded.
"Brother Zephys, you were right. This child is one who must go to the Inquisition."
"…Yes, Your Holiness."
Paul looked at Fernandez and nodded readily. Walking the most dangerous path? That was precisely a saint's duty.
"No need for the advisory rite with the Beatification Council. This one will be beatified. Teach him well."
"I will do my utmost, Your Holiness."
Zephys bowed his head. Paul smiled and left the room. Marco and Zephys approached Fernandez.
"My child. Enmagicka holds immense authority in the Church. Heretica receives the Church's support and precise organization. But for Demonica, there is only one thing given."
At Zephys's words, Fernandez recalled his past life.
The days he survived as Wildcast, scraping by day to day.
The meticulous traps and schemes of Enmagicka Inquisitors, and their divine spells, were fearsome, of course.
Heretica Inquisitors' persistent pursuit and encirclement were equally threatening.
But the most horrific moments were…
The elite soldiers who received Beitasser's blessing directly yet did not have their souls crumble. The Demonica.
The means Demonica honed to confront demons was blending divine blessings into the flesh, producing immense power that truly made them demon hunters.
"The trial of Demonica is notoriously hard to pass. But you survived even when the Lord descended directly. Frankly, whether the Demonica trial holds meaning for you is questionable… Still, tradition matters. Can you stand?"
"Yes."
"Follow me. Brother Marco, I leave the initiation to you."
"It is an honor, Brother."
Fernandez followed Zephys through the halls of the Inquisition.
*
The initiation trial for Religiosa Heretica, the heretic hunters, is repentance, confession, and meditation. They ceaselessly doubt their own purity, imprinting the koan of 'doubt' into their souls. This takes about ten days to a month.
They then undergo countless trainings and tests, growing from trainee Inquisitor to probationary agent Inquisitor.
The initiation trial for Religiosa Enmagicka, the witch hunters, is exams and in-depth interviews. They prove their wisdom, knowledge, and faith to build the logic to condemn others as 'guilty.' This also takes about ten days to a month.
Thereafter, they refine their scholarship, observe trials, and gain experience to become probationary agent Inquisitors.
However, Religiosa Demonica, the demon hunters, have no initiation trial. Meaning there is no formalized 'trial' curriculum.
The Inquisition baptizes all volunteers for Demonica with the baptismal blessing.
In most cases, only one in ten volunteers survives the Demonica baptism. But those who endure become, strictly speaking, no longer 'human.' Their flesh restructures, and immense divinity flows through their veins.
Thereafter, they skip trainee or probationary processes. They need only self-discipline and real combat experience.
They are proven solely by fear, rumor, and results—these are the Inquisitors.
And their stronghold is Inquisition Keep, Dragonsting Fortress, St. Bartholomew Monastery, and many other unofficial names: the Inquisition.
In the deepest part of it, in the Demonica baptism sanctuary, Fernandez knelt with eyes closed under Zephys's supervision.
Zephys's firm hand rested on Fernandez's shoulder.
"We shall burn heretics. We shall burn demons. We shall burn witches. My child, what is your name?"
"Fernandez Cerned."
"Blessed Fernandez, child bearing the Lord's stigmata. My name is Zephys. From now on, regard me as your master and brother."
Zephys anointed Fernandez's forehead with holy oil and said,
"Holy Pantheon, grant your protection."
"Holy Pantheon, grant your protection."
Beside Zephys, Marco, holding a brass chalice with a solemn expression, echoed the words and handed the chalice to Fernandez.
"Finally, young brother. Most who drink from this chalice die or lose their minds, becoming vegetables. Are you not afraid?"
Fernandez took the chalice and smiled.
Beitasser's direct bestowal of stigmata and protection.
[Indomitable] and [Apostle] upheld his soul. Failure was impossible. The priests here thought the same. A gamble with no chance of failure, only success.
With this, the [Enhancement] granted in Demonica baptism. Thus, his body and soul would be complete.
-Of course, the price for all this is magic. No regrets, Fernandez? As a practitioner of sorcery?
'It's a shame, but in this life, I can't use black magic directly.'
"Macto superlaudo (Praise with all your heart)."
Without hesitation, Fernandez downed the holy water in the brass chalice in one gulp.