How a Reincarnated Warlock Lives – Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Plague (1)

“That is correct. I cannot tell you the details, but it is an extremely urgent situation……”

“I see.”

As I readily nodded as if I understood, a sense of relief appeared on the man’s face.

From the perspective of a man who appeared to be relatively low-ranking, it would have been a headache if an Inquisitor, an outsider belonging to the Inquisition rather than the Holy See, had been stubborn.

In the first place, mentioning the Archbishop itself was probably meant to indicate that this matter was beyond his authority.

If I had been stubborn, he, caught in the middle, would have been in a very difficult position. Therefore, his face was mixed with gratitude for me readily backing down.

Perhaps some of the Inquisitors he had dealt with so far had not been very cooperative in such matters.

“Thank you for your time.”

“It was an honor to meet you. May God’s grace be with you, Inquisitor-nim.”

As I bid farewell to the man with a smile, he made the sign of the cross and saw me off.

After saying goodbye, I turned and walked down the hallway, leaving behind the man who was once again buried in a pile of documents with a dark expression.

‘Archbishop.’

The face of Jerit, who had been dragged away by the large man, came to mind. Finally, the time has come to receive proper help from an Esquire.

🔹🔹🔹

It wasn’t as grand as the Holy See, but finding the Frinagen family mansion wasn’t too difficult. As seen from the reaction of the Holy Knight I encountered when I first arrived in the city, Jerit’s family seemed quite famous here in Delphaud.

Well, it’s not common to find a long-established priestly family when there’s no hereditary system like the nobility. It was only natural that the Frinagen family was respected.

The Frinagen family mansion, which I found after asking nearby merchants for directions, was smaller than I expected. Of course, that’s in comparison to the residences of typical high-ranking nobles. By ordinary standards, it was still a magnificent mansion.

It seemed that the man’s words weren’t lies when he said that Archbishop Frinagen, Jerit’s grandfather, was waiting for me. As soon as I mentioned my name at the entrance of the mansion, the guards standing at the main gate bowed respectfully and stepped aside.

“We’ve been waiting for you. Please come in.”

As I stepped inside, a neatly dressed person, presumably a house servant, politely guided me.

The butler, who led me to a room that appeared to be a drawing-room, bowed before leaving.

“I heard you were a great role model and help to the Young Master. Everyone in the family is grateful to Inquisitor-nim.”

“……You’re too kind.”

“Please wait a moment, and Archbishop-nim will be here soon.”

After greeting me, the man left the room and quietly closed the door.

I sat down on a chair embroidered with soft fabric bearing the symbols of the church, the sun and the griffin, and looked around.

A thin wisp of smoke rose from the warm tea and sweet-looking cookies that seemed to have been freshly prepared, and dry juniper wood burned in the fireplace, emitting a pleasant fragrance and warm heat.

It wasn’t as extravagant as the interior of the Holy See, where the temperature was magically maintained and all sorts of splendid ornaments filled the space, but the room had a heartfelt atmosphere.

The hospitality was impeccable. Somehow, I felt I was receiving better treatment here than at the Holy See, where I was summoned to be commended for my service.

Creak.

Before long, the door opened, and an elderly man entered.

With his graying hair and robust physique, the man, despite his age, possessed a strong aura and wore the purple vestments that symbolized an archbishop.

“It’s finally a pleasure to meet you, Inquisitor Luciel.”

The old man’s passionate blue eyes twinkled as he scrutinized me. The fiery, intense energy emanating from him……

He was indeed an archbishop of the Holy See.

“It’s an honor to meet you as well, Archbishop Frinagen-nim.”

In terms of position alone, an archbishop of the Holy See was equivalent to the Head of the Inquisition. I rose from my seat and greeted the old man with a respectful bow.

It was only natural to treat him with respect, considering both his age and his high position. Of course, if we included my age from my previous life, there would be a vast difference, but at least outwardly, Jerit and I appeared to be of similar age.

“Such devotion at such a young age. You must be blessed by God.”

“You’re too kind.”

It was rather unusual for the elderly man to use honorifics with me. As the man Jerit and I met at the city entrance had suggested, it seemed to be more than just courtesy shown to someone from a different diocese. It felt like a gesture of respect for the Inquisitors who risked their lives fighting on the front lines against heresy.

“I’m worried that Jerit might have been a burden.”

The conversation smoothly transitioned to Jerit. I shook my head at the Archbishop’s words.

“A burden? He was quite helpful.”

It was true to some extent. As the Archbishop had said, if Jerit had only been a nuisance, I would have sent him back long ago.

Of course, most of his help involved gathering firewood, skinning rabbits, and standing guard duty.

“You don’t have to sugarcoat it. I know that it would have been fortunate if that clueless boy didn’t hold you back, Inquisitor-nim.”

It seemed Jerit’s reputation within the family was that of a naive troublemaker. It was a surprisingly objective assessment for someone talking about their own bloodline.

A benevolent smile appeared on the old man’s face as he listened to my brief recounting of our experiences, words flowing from my mouth, which looked to be about the same age as Jerit.

The atmosphere was quite amicable. I took a brief pause in the conversation to subtly bring up my original purpose.

The matter that required the Archbishop’s permission, that is, joining the plague investigation team.

At my casual mention, a distinct wrinkle formed between the Archbishop’s brows.

“You want to join the investigation team heading to Ephesus?”

Archbishop Frinagen’s face clouded with worry as he seemed to recall the horrors described in the report. He looked at me for a moment with a somber expression before slowly nodding.

“If an Inquisitor recognized by Hesterica offers to help, there’s no reason to refuse. No, rather, we should be the ones asking for your assistance. I will inform the investigation team.”

A straightforward answer. I smiled slightly at the ease with which my request was granted.

Then the Archbishop continued.

“However, I have one condition. No, it’s better to call it a favor.”

“……?”

I looked at him with a somewhat puzzled expression. He didn’t seem like the type of person to ask for something. What could an archbishop of the Holy See, one of only three individuals holding such a noble position, possibly ask of me?

But it wasn’t something to dwell on.

This journey was meant to obtain the third legacy relatively easily. Whatever the favor was, there was no reason I couldn’t grant it. Judging from our brief conversation, he seemed to respect me quite a bit, and it was unlikely he would ask for anything unreasonable.

“Please, tell me anything.”

When I spoke lightly, he said with a serious look in his eyes,

“I know it’s a very dangerous place. But please take my foolish grandson with you again. It will be a great learning experience for him.”

“Hmm.”

I quickly calculated in my head. There wouldn’t be any major problems.

After all, hadn’t Jerit been somewhat helpful the last time I obtained the second legacy, Kamuron’s Bracelet?

Of course, his help wasn’t absolutely necessary, but there was no reason to refuse a simple request from someone who was showing me favor.

After considering, I nodded.

“I will do so.”

The Archbishop’s expression brightened at my ready agreement. He smiled brightly and placed his hand on the doorknob.

“Ah, before you depart, it would be appropriate to meet the person in charge first. I’m not sure where they are right now, but……”

“……?”

His words were somewhat perplexing. Even if he used honorifics with me as a sign of respect, how many people within the Holy See would an archbishop address with such deference?

It seemed the leader of the expedition held a considerable position. But judging from his slightly softened expression, it was as if he was talking about a child.

‘Ah.’

Suddenly, a certain individual came to mind. Sure enough, Archbishop Frinagen smiled gently and said,

“Rozalin will be leading this expedition.”

As expected.

I quietly stroked my arm at the Archbishop’s words.

🔹🔹🔹

Rozalin is a word derived from the name of a person who lived in the ancient Holy Behjant Empire. The name Rozalin, which was the name of a girl who lived long, long ago, has long been solidified as a single title, referring to the Saintess.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“It seems so.”

I looked down at the girl in front of me. Her modest attire and demure expression, as if conscious of the surrounding gazes, looked quite different from what I had seen in the Holy See garden.

Sophia Rozalin, the Saintess Sophia, narrowed her eyes as she looked at me.

“You’re not surprised, as expected. You already knew back then, didn’t you?”

“Not at all.”

A warm aura emanated from her, even though she didn’t seem to be making much of an effort. As expected of a Saintess born with God’s grace.

“Hmm……”

Her beautiful brow furrowed in thought at my nonchalant answer.

A being born with power that surpasses humans. But at the same time, she was just a girl who hadn’t even reached the age of twenty.

And in any case, she is the leader of the expedition to Ephesus. I extended my hand to her and said,

“Please take care of me.”

“Likewise. This is my first mission.”

She smiled and replied, then stared at my outstretched right arm. She looked as if she was examining something through my clothes, then said with a proud expression,

“You’re not in pain anymore, are you?”

“Thanks to you.”

She smiled brightly. I don’t know if the reason she was surprised when she first saw me was because she felt even a faint trace of the powerful soul energy of a Black Mage, but fortunately, she didn’t seem to have any further suspicions.

Hehe. She smiled brightly and shook my hand with an innocent face.

🔹🔹🔹

Ephesus was quite far from Delphaud. Of course, it was even further from Hesterica, where the Inquisition was located.

But even if the area where the plague had spread was closer to Hesterica, the Holy See would have taken charge of this matter in the end.

A plague that had spread throughout the entire city.

It was a task that required a large number of soldiers, such as dividing areas, treating and transporting the sick, rather than a small number of Inquisitors dealing with heretics.

“That’s the place.”

Jerit, who had followed me half willingly and half unwillingly, muttered as he looked at the whitish appearance of the city visible from afar.

The expedition, consisting of ordinary soldiers, Holy Knights, a large number of priests, several bishops, and plague doctors, was quite large.

A large number of personnel dispatched from the Holy See. This was evidence that ironically showed the seriousness of the plague that had spread throughout the city.

“……”

The soldier guarding the entrance of the city silently stepped aside. His pale and haggard appearance suggested that he was not in good health either.

“Oh my God.”

Jerit hurriedly made the sign of the cross at the sight of the city that was finally revealed. A faint light emanated from the Requiem Rod he was clutching tightly, which he had managed to get permission to bring out again.

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