Player-Hunting Inquisitors

Chapter 1

Long ago, the Goddess of Light and the God of Darkness ruled the world together.

The Goddess of Light bestowed order, and the God of Darkness granted freedom, and all creatures obeyed their words.

However, one day, the Goddess of Light began to make her creations reject the God of Darkness.

As a result, only daylight existed in the world, and the Goddess kept everyone under her watchful eyes.

Those who could no longer endure prayed to the God of Darkness, and he personally intervened in the world.

Unable to tolerate this, the Goddess waged war to drive him out, but instead, it was the Goddess who was expelled.

The God of Darkness showed mercy and left her divinity intact.

Because of this, day and night came into existence in the world.

The current way of life, where people work during the day and rest at night, was established.

**

The monument erected at the place where the Goddess fell, inscribed with the record of victory.

To protect this, the Cult of Darkness has never relocated its main sanctuary.

An old stone building came into view.

Moss was growing here and there on the outer walls, which bore the traces of time, and the wooden window frames were rotting in places.

'They claim to value freedom, but surely they could raise funds to renovate their cult building...'

The Papal Palace, where the leader of the Cult of Darkness resides, stood silently in its place.

"Kian Fable, the Pope is waiting for you."

"Understood. I will come right after finishing my prayer."

The Idol of the God of Darkness standing in front of the Papal Palace was firmly erected.

This idol, guarding the monument inscribed with the record of victory, seemed to symbolize the unwavering resolve of the Cult of Darkness.

I offered a brief prayer to the idol and, following the nun's guidance, headed to the Pope's office.

Knock knock--

"This is Kian Fable."

"Come in."

Upon opening the door and entering, what greeted me was a mountain of documents.

Amidst the pile of documents on the desk, I could see the Pope with her hair completely white.

In the past, she had fewer white hairs and fewer wrinkles on her face than now.

Perhaps not even a former Saintess can stop the passage of time. The Pope, whom I hadn't seen in a while, looked more tired than ever.

"Welcome, Kian. You've worked hard on your mission."

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

"I've always been buried in this pile of documents. Welcome, Kian. Don't just stand there; sit on the sofa so we can talk."

Sitting on the sofa placed in a corner of the office, I began reporting on the Player I interrogated yesterday.

It is the principle of the Inquisitor's duties to report directly to the Pope. Naturally, this means I frequently meet with the Pope.

"The quest given to the Player was to subjugate monsters. It is presumed that the Goddess intended to nurture him through this. From this, I anticipate that there are no longer any individuals with related quests."

"Then we can conclude that the scenario of the Demon-Human War has ended. As long as no more Players with related quests appear, that is."

A scenario. A goal the Goddess of Light tries to achieve through the Players' quests.

It is mostly about causing chaos.

It seems the Goddess is trying to highlight the flaws of freedom by inciting chaos.

Ultimately, she is arguing that the world should be governed by order, not freedom.

Preventing this is the duty of those of us who serve the God of Darkness, especially the Inquisitors.

Our cult has long worked to prevent the Demon-Human War.

"You've worked hard. Creating collaborators within the demons and using them to weed out the Players. If it weren't for you and your Teacher, it would've taken another ten years."

"It's nothing. It's simply what an Inquisitor should do."

"You're always so humble, as always. Now that the scenario is over, you can expect a suitable reward. Look forward to it."

The Player I interrogated yesterday was effectively the last Player performing a related quest.

Even then, he was just a novice who had only recently received the quest.

So, it's safe to say that the scenario targeted by the Goddess of Light has now ended.

I've gone through a lot. Traveling across the Demon Lord's territory, building connections, and immediately bringing suspicious demons to the judgment table.

Fortunately, unlike human society, a few demons going missing was simply overlooked. Otherwise, I'd still be busy cleaning up.

"Leaving a few Inquisitors at the Church within the Demon Lord's territory should suffice."

"Then half of these documents will disappear. That's good news."

However, contrary to her words, the Pope's expression remained stern.

Despite the cult having spent a long time preventing the scenario.

As if to confirm her ominous premonition, the Pope glanced at the remaining half of the documents and continued speaking.

"Regrettably, the Goddess hasn't given up on our cult. The background for the next scenario is the Academy."

As expected, the Goddess hasn't given up so easily.

Defeated by the God of Darkness, our Lord, she remains unable to accept it.

'What kind of Goddess of Light, Goddess of Order is she? Her actions are no better than a child's.'

That wretched Goddess seems to have prepared the next scenario as soon as she noticed the Demon-Human War scenario was about to be blocked.

"The Academy, huh. Which Academy are you referring to?"

"The Academy. The most prestigious one on the continent."

The first and greatest Academy. Out of respect for its name, it is simply called 'The Academy.'

It is the background for the next scenario.

"While our cult was focusing on the Demon Lord's territory, several Players began gathering at the Academy.

Here's the list of suspected Players among the new students."

At the Pope's gesture, several documents flew out from the mountain of papers.

"Read them later. Your task is to become a professor at the Academy."

"A professor? I'm still young and inexperienced. I'm not qualified to be a professor at that Academy."

True to its name, the professors at the Academy are extraordinary individuals.

Geniuses from the Magic Tower, those who have presented theories that shocked academia, or even long-living beings who have studied a single subject for hundreds of years gather at the Academy.

"There's no need to worry, Kian Fable. I'll appoint you as the Saint today. Even the Academy would be honored to have a Saint."

"A Saint... Me?"

"Don't play dumb, Kian Fable. Who else but you is qualified to be the Saint? The appointment ceremony is next week, so head to the Academy right after it. I've already sent word."

A Saint. A title given to qualified men and women among the apostles of the cult, paired with the Saintess.

My Teacher was the former Saint, and the current Pope was the former Saintess.

After those two stepped down, the positions of Saint and Saintess remained vacant for some time.

'The fact that they are appointing a Saint and Saintess shows how important this scenario is.'

Rather than joy at becoming a Saint, worry came first. The need for a Saint and Saintess implies that the cult must intervene in external affairs.

"Oh, by the way, I've chosen the apostles who will accompany you on your mission. Riel and Yuria will go with you to the Academy. They will enroll as students and carry out the mission with you."

Riel and Yuria. Even they are being dispatched to the Academy. Sending even one apostle means it's an important mission, but three?

Apostles refer to believers blessed by our God.

Their identities are shrouded in mystery. Only the Pope knows all of them.

"Does the mission require three apostles?"

"Actually, it's four. If we can contact Natasha, she'll be sent there as well."

Four apostles are a force capable of controlling an entire nation. This signifies the level of danger present at the Academy.

"The Academy, befitting its prestige, is a microcosm of the continent. What happens there spreads across the continent through the students' parents. Make sure the Players don't run rampant."

"Understood."

It's a frightening task, but what can I do? Stopping the Players is our duty.

"Good. Then prepare everything before the Saint appointment ceremony. You may leave now."

I left the office and headed to the room I was staying in. A simple room with just a wardrobe and a bed.

It's the room I always use when staying at the Papal Palace, but since I haven't stayed here recently, it feels unfamiliar.

During that time, I haven't properly prayed, unbefitting of a Saint candidate.

Taking this opportunity, I laid out a mat and offered a light prayer to the cross in the corner of the room.

The prayer was simple, reporting what had happened in the Demon Lord's territory and wishing for the future.

By the time I finished the evening prayer, it was already bedtime. Traveling from the Demon Lord's territory to the Papal Palace and immediately reporting made for an exhausting day.

As I lay on the bed, fatigue set in.

I didn't resist the drowsiness that overtook me.

A familiar scene came into view. The appearance of the village where I lived as a child. A sight I can no longer see.

'Yes, the walls were so old they looked like they'd collapse with a kick. The roof was covered in cobwebs.'

The old Papal Palace is heaven compared to my old house. But my true home was always there.

But that village no longer exists. Because the players burned it all down.

If it hadn't been for my teacher passing by the area, I would have shared the same fate as the villagers.

To prevent others from experiencing a tragedy like mine, I walked the path of the Inquisitor.

Before I knew it, the scenery changed. A group of unfamiliar adventurers visited the village and cut down the hunter uncle who was wary of them.

The people who were laughing just moments ago fell to the ground, leaving only puddles of blood in their place.

It's a nightmare I have every night. But I didn't want to wake up. Because if it's not in the dream, I can't see this village.

'Those players tried to pin the blame for burning my village on the demons. For such a trivial reason. For such, a trivial, reason.'

At the same time, I also want to wake up from the dream. Even if I look at the remnants of the past, I can't return to that time.

This dream only gives me wounds.

As long as I carry this duality in my heart, I can neither wake from the dream nor fully accept it.

All that happens is that the wounds in the dream keep increasing.

Bang-!

"Hey! Didn't I tell you to find me when I returned?"

Fortunately, it seems there is someone who can wake me from this dream.

"Uh, the door... broke. Ahem, no one saw that, right?"

...A bit rough, but still.