Chapter 268: Sacred Body (1)
An adorable black dog mask.
Vikir was wearing a children’s mask being sold in the market.
It was a quick makeshift mode of the Night hound.
In front of Dolores stood Night hound.
With a face that seemed indifferent, as if unable to distinguish whether it was a dream or reality.
“N-Night Hound?”
Nods—
Vikir nodded in response to Dolores’ question.
Thump, thump, thump—
Dolores felt her heart pounding at the sudden encounter.
She acted as if she had the psychic ability to see into this person’s feelings.
Because the person she wanted to see, suddenly appeared before her.
If it wasn’t because of psychic abilities, then what was it?
‘…Perhaps fate?’
A common theme in popular classic romance novels.
But Dolores, mature beyond her years, had always thought of such things as cheesy.
However, when faced with a situation like this, it was impossible not to think about it.
A destined partner. Inevitable connection. Well, those heart-pounding things.
‘Oh, come to think of it, even back then…’
Dolores recalled the moment when she had a soul connection with Night Hound.
The cold, lonely, and arduous path of suffering. A pilgrim walking alone, carrying all burdens.
The memory of that night when she could understand his pain, suffering, and the numbing loneliness a little bit.
A soulmate who had faced extreme situations in his life. Even though she might not know anything about the exterior, there was an invisible bond between him and herself.
She thought so.
Back then…
“Wake up.”
The voice of Night Hound brought her back to reality in a rush.
Hastily looking ahead, the palm of the Night Hound was moving back and forth in front of her eyes.
“Oh, sorry. I was spaced out for a moment. I was a bit surprised…”
Dolores apologized with a face turning red.
Eventually, she looked at the face of Night Hound with a bewildered expression.
“Y-Your vibe has changed a bit. Also, the mask.”
“…”
Although Vikir didn’t respond, clever Dolores had already noticed. This meeting was not part of Night Hound’s plan.
So, he must’ve not had the time to get his real mask.
“We probably met by chance.”
“…”
“Do you live around here?”
“…”
Vikir remained silent, but Dolores interpreted it positively.
‘The fact that he casually encountered me while looking around in casual clothes on the weekend means he resides nearby. Moreover, judging by his knowledge of the Colosseo Academy’s interior geography…’
In the past, Dolores thought that Night Hound had information operatives within the school.
But given the current situation, she couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that he might be someone inside the school.
‘Wait a moment. Why did I call him “Vikir” just now?’
Dolores had casually mentioned the name ‘Vikir’ a moment ago.
What was the reason? Was it just because of the hand covering her mouth?
Perhaps it reminded her of a moment from the orphanage corridor when they almost faced off?
Dolores felt a familiar sensation from somewhere.
But she couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was.
Just a vague sense of missing something important.
Meanwhile,
“…”
Vikir quietly observed the retreating figure of the adjutant.
What faintly emanated from him was undoubtedly the scent of a devil.
‘Even after eliminating Dantalian, there’s still a demonic scent from the individuals of Quovadis.’
The scent was also confirmed when atoning for sins in the Old Testament Faction’s temple, permeating the entire area of the temple.
And the smell was strong from Humbert, whom he saw from a distance earlier.
‘There was no scent from the New Testament priests of Quovadis. Then, there must be a connection between the Old Testament and the sixth corpse.’
Especially Humbert, the leader of the Old Testament Faction, was a suspicious figure in many ways.
His carriage and mansion were adorned with various precious metals and artworks, and his expenses were staggering.
Despite the demise of the Indulgentia family, Humbert continued to flaunt his wealth, having received regular entertainment and tribute from Quilt and demonstrating his survival skills through deft political maneuvering.
‘But he wasn’t a demon.’
Despite seeming deeply entangled with demons, he wasn’t one.
No matter how carefully he examined it, the conclusion remained the same each time.
‘Then I should investigate his new source of funds.’
Even though the Indulgentia family had perished, Humbert still boasted considerable wealth.
If he could find out where he was getting the money, it might lead to uncovering the sixth corpse, who was close to the ninth corpse.
And Vikir found a clue in Dolores’ words.
“Because of the confrontation between the Old and New Testaments, there are heretics and cults rampant throughout the Empire. I’m trying to find a solution to that…”
Dolores revealed why she had come to investigate the Old Testament Faction’s temple.
And Vikir reacted to the words ‘heretics’ and ‘cults.’
‘The contrast between the Old and New Testaments. Those who benefit the most from it are undoubtedly them.’
In an instant, the recent target Vikir had assassinated came to his mind.
The name ‘Edward Vernon Junior.’ also known as ‘Saint Vernon.’
A Mid-Tier graduator. A high priest of the emerging pseudo-religion ‘Omumgyo’ gaining considerable prominence in the North.
In the era of destruction, he would betray the Human Allaince, joining forces with the demon army as a traitor.
Vikir had preemptively killed him to prevent future harm to Tudor and Bianca and, in the process, removed the aftermath.
And the relic found in the possession of the deceased false priest, the ‘Indulgence.’
[Indulgence]
‘Absolve all sins of this faithful follower.’
– This indulgence is issued and guaranteed by the Old Testament Faction; forgery may be punishable –
㊞
After some investigation, Vikir obtained quite meaningful results.
“Perhaps the new source of funds for the Old Testament Faction is likely related to heresy or cults.”
To gain an advantage in the competition with the New Testament Faction, the Old Testament Faction might be spreading ‘religious autonomy’ in the form of indulgences.
Maybe that’s why even Cardinal Martin Luther himself visited this place today.
Upon hearing Vikir’s words, Dolores covered her mouth in astonishment.
“Wow! I didn’t know that Cardinal Luther would be observing to that extent! I really was oblivious.”
“Now is not the time for self-blame.”
Heresy or cults had the potential to be just the tip of the iceberg.
At most, they were a ‘middle sieve’ that distributed and laundered funds.
… The ‘real’ power was behind them.
The Old Testament of the Quovadis Clan, the heretics and cults rampant throughout the Empire, and the financial link leading to the mysterious ‘black curtain.’
To purify Quovadis, the flow of this dirty money needed to be cut off.
“For now, let’s start by shaking up theses ‘middle sieves’.”
Dolores nodded in agreement with Vikir’s words.
What external force was trying to corrupt and manipulate Quovadis Clan? Using the worldly weapon of ‘money,’ quietly and without a sound.
“When heresy and cults clash, the ones who suffer the most are the struggling and impoverished people.”
Dolores spoke with a hint of resentment.
“I believe people don’t need to believe in Rune religion. If everyone can find inner peace by helping others in their own comfortable and familiar ways, they can be saved without resorting to religion. But they are not like that. They are…”
Vikir was well aware of the harm caused by heresy and cults. During the intensification of the conflict with demons, he had roamed among the poor and sick, witnessing these pests sucking the life out of them.
Money, food, body, blood, desires, pleasures, and more – the demands made by heresy and cults on their followers were mostly predictable.
“A guy I killed yesterday was a similar kind of trash.”
Dolores hesitated for a moment at Vikir’s words.
As expected, Night Hound was still fighting. Alone, lonely, and in pain.
“…Please let me help too.”
Dolores grabbed the hand of the Night Hound tightly.
It was strong and fervent, even more so now.
…Firm!
In Dolores’ eyes, demanding a resolution, there was an unmistakable light of admiration and affection that couldn’t be hidden.
“I can be of assistance.”
In response to her strong conviction, Vikir asked cautiously.
“The buff from the previous confrontation with Dantalian. Can you do it again?”
“Well, about that…”
Dolores quickly showed a discouraged look.
It seemed that the power back then was temporary, and she still couldn’t control it as she wished.
‘Well, if she could control it, she would have already been called the Steel Maiden.’
Vikir nodded his head.
The current Dolores was still just a young girl. She was far from becoming the great hero who would save humanity once awakened.
Excessive expectations should be avoided.
“Alright, understood. First, let’s deal with the heretics and cults connected to the Old Testament.”
“H-How? Are you planning to visit every corner of the Empire?”
Vikir shook his head at her words.
“There’s no time for that. We need a method to investigate thoroughly.”
There was a way to uproot all heretics and cults in the Empire at once.
Upon hearing this, Dolores’ eyes widened with curiosity.
A problem that even the young priests of the New Testament, despite countless debates, couldn’t solve.
And so, everyone had given up on the answer.
Night Hound, however, spoke with a firm and confident tone.
“Well, what is it?”
Dolores asked, her eyes gleaming.
Just like an excellent student, she had already prepared a pen and notebook in her hands, ready to take notes.
After a while, Vikir opened his mouth with a dry voice.
“I need your body.”
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