Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

“What nonsense is this!?” Logan’s voice involuntarily rose in volume. A land abandoned by god. Where could such a terrible phrase come from? Just the rumor alone was enough to make the citizens tremble with dread.

“Ah… it is merely a suspicion, Your Majesty. And it is not even the consensus of the temple, but rather the personal opinion of His Holiness the Pope. Hence the investigation,” Pamiel explained, sweating profusely, but Logan’s anger showed no sign of subsiding.

“So now, you’re saying that because many children born in Macline lack divine power, the Pope… that man suggests it’s a land abandoned by god?” Logan confronted Pamiel’s claim head-on, who couldn’t even think to correct Logan’s slip of the tongue as he hastily waved his hands.

“It’s just a doubt he has raised! If the investigation results are favorable, he will withdraw his opinion, surely. Heh heh.”

“And what if they are not favorable?”

“Well, how could it be? To call it a land abandoned by god, that term would fit the southern mountains or the Demon Forest. How could it apply to a country where people live in peace?”

It could.

Watching the Archpriocese force a smile, Logan’s feeling of trepidation grew even more.

‘The records show nothing but lunacy.’

According to the documents Logan had reviewed on his way to the temple, the current inquisitors were not much different from the corrupt priest Vallama, targeting innocent civilians or genuine heretics without distinction.

Stories like that of a farmer who cursed the god of water and agriculture, Aion, after a failed harvest and was burned at the stake were all too common.

‘Maybe that corrupt priest just killed those he considered heretics according to his standards.’

Logan gritted his teeth thinking about how the church doctrine would react to such a notion.

Normal logic would not condemn a soldier who dealt with a sudden stomachache in the forest while on watch. At most, it would warrant a warning.

But the inquisitors defined such actions as desertion and issued execution orders. They fabricated non-existent crimes and inflated real ones to the extreme.

Thus, passively waiting for a good result felt more likely to lead to the worst-case scenario.

“Is there a way to persuade the inquisitors? I mean, legally and without opposing god’s will,” Logan asked. Pamiel started to realize Logan’s intent.

“Heh. Well, I’m not sure. Those in the central temple have little flexibility, unlike priests like me. What a shame…”

As Pamiel glanced furtively at Logan, the latter pressed further on the matter.

“So are there any particular precautions when dealing with the inquisitors? Any other methods?”

“It’s unfortunate, Majesty, but I have no authority to intervene with the inquisition…”

“Archbishop. If we keep going over the same well-known stories, there’s no reason for me to make a donation now, is there?”

Sensing Pamiel trying to back out, Logan promptly took a more forceful stance. Pamiel sighed softly before continuing.

“The inquisitors receive intensive mental training. To them, any flexibility is considered a sin.”

“In that case, bribes are indeed…

However, Cardinal Eseal, who commands them, is not. He’s a priest with flexibility, like myself.”

“Oh?”

“But he’s on our side when it comes to gifts, isn’t he?”

“Are you saying the cardinal has a certain… flexibility?”

The implication being that he might accept gifts?

“That’s what I’m saying. Before I came to the Macline Diocese, we were close friends for about ten years.”

“A comrade as corrupt as you are.”

Feeling somewhat reassured by the news, Logan let out a sigh of relief.

“Hmm. Then you must be well aware of what the cardinal likes?”

“Ah… ha ha. That is…”

As Logan scrutinized Pamiel with a furrowed brow, Pamiel, hesitant at first, finally spoke.

“I must ask that my words do not leak. Given my friend’s position in the church…”

“Of course,” Logan assured him.

Despite the affirmation, Pamiel continued, his face still moist with cold sweat.

“Cardinal Eseal is fond of money, but… he has a greater liking for… female disciples.”

“Excuse me?”

Logan’s eyes hardened slightly.

“That too… um. Younger female disciples. Girls in their early to mid-teens…”

Pamiel’s words twisted Logan’s face completely. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

“The cardinal?”

Even if the church had become corrupt, a cardinal with the rank of archbishop and even the right to vote in the papal election, would have a preference for women? Even young girls?

Had he heard correctly?

Embarrassed by the absurdity, Logan looked at Pamiel, who hastily waved his hands.

“Your Majesty, please, you must never say I told you this?!”

Pamiel’s concerned demeanor added credibility to his words.

“Damn it…”

Although unsuitable for a king to say in front of an archbishop, Pamiel could not dare to argue.

After the meeting with the archbishop, as Logan left, his expression was very grim.

Viktor, too, had gloomy news to share.

“As Your Majesty ordered, we inquired within the temple regarding Bishop Ilia and confirmed some facts.”

“Speak.”

“Indeed, Bishop Ilia has been sent back to the central temple, but the public announcement seems somewhat sugarcoated. It appears she was essentially treated as a prisoner.”

At that, Logan’s steps involuntarily halted.

“Huh…”

Looking up at an utterly cloudless blue sky did nothing but increase the sense of filth in his mind.

“The temple… really goes to all lengths.”

His voice was soft yet dripping with deep anger.

Although he had never entertained the thought that Bishop Ilia was summoned for good reasons – the words ‘heresy’ and ‘inquisition’ had already been mentioned – the idea of being treated as a criminal right from her diocese?

To think of the only priest that Logan respected further stifled his already tight chest.

Against his usual demeanor, Viktor made an unexpected suggestion.

“…Isn’t there a way to save her?”

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