The Demon Hunting Method of the Regressed Inquisitor

Growth (1)

“I was wrong!”

After the situation had calmed down a bit, the first thing I did with Lilia was to apologize.

No matter how young she was, her actions were excessive. The only consolation was that she hadn’t killed anyone.

What Lilia did was generally unforgivable.

However, I roughly explained Lilia’s circumstances. Of course, I hid the fact that she was the daughter of Eremus, the ‘Corruptor.’

What I conveyed was her story, well adapted to fit a human perspective. Fortunately, Kurud also agreed without objection.

“Since that’s the case, let it go if it’s not a big deal. Anyone with complaints, don’t ruin the mood now…”

Kurud gave me a look. I nodded at his gaze and stepped forward.

“Yes, if anyone has complaints, please come to me quietly later. I will compensate you.”

These were the words of the priest of the Pantheon and the master of the Hunter’s Guild.

There may be complaints, but no one will openly express their anger here.

“…Now that I see, you’re quite young.”

“How painful could it be to be hit by a kid? Honestly, it didn’t hurt much. I was just playing along all this time.”

It was a moment that highlighted the hunters’ understanding. Of course, these guys were saying it because they had some pride.

They didn’t want to admit they got hit by a kid.

“Were you hurt?”

“No, do you think it hurt? Ah, seriously. This guy is joking, right?”

“Right? It didn’t hurt, did it?”

“Of course! It didn’t hurt at all!”

“Yeah…”

“Yeah…”

Wow, they’re so mature.

The hunters of Rubia are full of such mature people.

In that sense, I glanced at Kurud, who was staggering while holding his forehead.

“Oh dear, it seems you’ve had some daytime drinks. Brother. Of course, I understand it’s a joyful day. How happy must it be for a city waiting for the sun to have a glimpse of it. Yes, I understand everything.”

Kurud seemed to want to say something in response to my blatant flattery, but soon nodded maturely like the other hunters.

“Wait, let’s talk.”

“Sure. I’ll visit you later.”

I roughly understand the situation.

The master of the merchant guild, Anne, was the traitor. So, they had no choice but to kill her.

They haven’t decided what to do next.

This is a story entangled with interests that can’t be told to Lilia.

“Um… Did I do something wrong again… No, did I do something wrong?”

“No, you’re doing well.”

Lilia realized her mistake belatedly. She could understand it after pouring out her emotions.

That’s why she was so intimidated.

Kids are so simple. They are endlessly honest with their emotions.

“This is an adult problem.”

The merchants probably wouldn’t accept Lilia’s apology.

Because it’s a financial issue that can’t be brushed off like the hunters.

But because of that, the most definite conclusion is possible. If the financial loss is compensated, most people would forgive Lilia more easily than the hunters.

However, this time it’s a bit complicated.

The master of the merchant guild has died.

What to do with his property, who will be his successor, whether a professional investigator will come out to investigate Anne’s crime.

And whether complicated politics will intervene in it.

This cannot be confirmed until we open it. Yes, what Lilia has already done doesn’t matter. From now on, a dirty fight among adults over interests will begin.

“You just need to admit your mistake and bow your head.”

Whatever it is, it’s not something to talk about in front of a child.

*     *      *

When we returned to the inn where we were staying with Lilia, we were greeted by the innkeeper, whose face had turned pale.

Fortunately, there were no further words as the incident was properly settled and Lilia’s apology was added.

It seems that it was not a place that suffered direct damage in the first place. It seems that they were just afraid of meeting someone they had only heard of in rumors.

The inn is fine.

But I wonder how the companions will be. It’s time to check that.

“Uh, um… Yes, nice to meet you. Lilia… Miss? Sir?”

“Just call me Lilia.”

“Why is Mr. Lost deciding that, not the person involved?”

Linea was visibly burdened. After all, isn’t Lilia the one who easily defeated all the hunters, including me and even Titan?

It’s no wonder she’s flustered and naturally becomes polite.

“Lilia is fine… yes.”

“Uh, Mr. Lost. Something feels off.”

It’s an awkward sight.

Well, Lilia’s attitude is somewhat unusually timid.

The one who used to rampage so wildly has become so timid and shy.

It’s because it’s the first time she’s been scolded by someone.

There was no one who could actually discipline her, so it’s understandable.

Just having me, who can subdue her, nearby makes her so intimidated.

“Ah, no! How badly did you beat the child to make her so depressed?!”

“Why are you angry at me?”

She broke my limbs, didn’t she? Even the person who is angry at me was seriously injured on the back.

But maybe because the child started to look like a child, I must have been blinded by love.

Suddenly, I can’t believe how unfair this is.

“Where’s Claire?”

For a moment, I watched the awkward self-introductions of the two.

I asked about the whereabouts of Claire, the only colleague not present.

Titan? That b*stard is devouring his food as if to make up for the few days of absence.

He doesn’t even glance this way, truly a consistent fellow.

“Is he sleeping?”

Claire might be in poor health as usual.

Moreover, I was just granted the position of apostle by the heavenly gods, so the impact must be significant.

For Claire, who still can’t handle her divine power, it must be a tough environment.

Now, Rubia has become a place that can be called a sanctuary, so the impact won’t be small.

Of course, this phenomenon won’t last long, so it’s not a big problem.

The sky over Rubia, which had been revealed, soon regained its original dull color.

“…Ah, there’s something I want to say about that.”

Linea said, her ears drooping. It’s cute, but it’s a sign that this isn’t a pleasant matter.

The goal was achieved, and the damage was minimized, but it seems problems have arisen in unseen places.

“Shall we go up and talk?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Lilia, you…”

It’s not a good idea to take Lilia along without knowing what Linea wants to talk about.

But leaving her behind isn’t an option either, as she has too many enemies.

The hunters accepted the apology, but the issue with the merchants is still unresolved.

“Kid, have you eaten?”

“Huh? Ah, no. Yes? No.”

“Sit down. And eat.”

Fortunately, Titan acted perceptively in this matter.

Looking at it this way, he’s not thoughtless but rather quick-witted… Sometimes, I really don’t understand.

Is this a cultural difference?

Or is that guy just strange?

“Can you drink alcohol?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Kids shouldn’t be drinking alcohol! Reflect on your actions!”

“Oh… okay…”

Lilia trembled and shrank back at the sight of Titan slamming the table in anger. If they actually fought, Lilia would win, but his terrifying appearance left her with no choice.

“That’s why I don’t drink either.”

Saying that, Titan gulped down some orange juice.

That crazy guy, seriously…

What does he want me to do?

Of course, it’s the right value to have.

Despite his appearance, Titan is still a genuine 15-year-old kid.

And the one Titan is lecturing, who only looks like a kid, is estimated to be at least several thousand years old.

Well, despite the actual age, there’s no mental growth, so his mental age matches his appearance.

“…Let’s go upstairs.”

I decided to lead Linnea away because if I kept watching, I might end up interfering.

Well, even if we leave, it’s just one floor up. We’re only stopping by the room to check on Claire.

“…”

Standing in front of Claire’s door, I glanced at Linnea. She just nodded silently.

“Claire, can we come in?”

After a light knock with the question.

From inside, there was a rustling sound, followed by Claire’s voice.

“Yes, come in.”

With permission granted, I immediately opened the door and went in.

Claire was sitting on the bed, covered with a blanket.

It didn’t seem like she was just physically unwell.

“What happened?”

“I thought I should be helpful… I tried my best within my limits…”

“Did you make a mistake?”

“No, no.”

Claire shook her head.

It seems like he didn’t cause an accident while trying to help.

“Just like Mr. Lost said, I acted that way.”

“What I said?”

“The trigger… I pulled the trigger.”

“I see.”

Don’t pull the trigger until you’re sure. That’s what I taught Claire.

She’s a smart kid, so she must have sniped from a place where she wouldn’t be detected.

As I said before, she must have been endlessly patient until she was sure.

Standing in the rain, taking a high position advantageous for sniping.

She worked hard and pulled the trigger.

Claire said she didn’t fail. That means she succeeded in the sniping.

In other words.

“You killed someone.”

She must have been sure.

But that certainty didn’t mean she was sure she was killing someone.

The opponent must have been a formidable enemy, and if things went as expected, it was an attack aimed at Anne, whom Kurud was dealing with.

An opponent who was pushing the master to the limit. If Kurud wasn’t being pushed back, there would have been no reason for Claire to snipe in the first place.

Claire’s judgment to deal with such a strong enemy was probably to draw attention.

She might not have even thought about injuring, let alone defeating.

But absurdly, Claire’s bullet hit Anne.

A sniping meant to draw attention ended up inflicting a fatal wound on the opponent.

The situation was different from the monsters she had faced so far.

“So, this is what it feels like…”

The sensation of having killed someone.

Even though it was an indirect act carried out by pulling the trigger beyond the scope.

Claire felt responsible.

“Mr. Lost, did you feel this way when you killed my brother?”

“…”

Linnea, who was standing behind, covered her mouth in shock.

She knew there was some issue between me and Claire. But she never thought it would be brought up like this.

In reality, the words Claire just uttered were statements that tore apart both her heart and mine.

It was an act of digging into wounds.

But… yes.

“That’s right.”

I didn’t get angry. I didn’t scold her for her recklessness.

It was a sign that she was struggling that much.

So I decided to understand.

“It was this painful, wasn’t it? How… how did you endure it?”

“Well… I don’t know. It’s not something that can be summed up in a few words.”

There must have been various factors.

I remember that the situation wasn’t good enough to ponder such things.

After all, my first target for murder was a heinous criminal.

“I’ll skip the pretense. There’s no way you wouldn’t know that.”

Claire is a smart child.

She knows that what she did wasn’t just killing someone, but saving countless civilians.

By killing one person, she saved many. Moreover, that one person was an undeniable villain.

So there’s no reason to be tormented. That’s an objective fact.

But even knowing that, it’s human to be tormented.

“So just be tormented. Be tormented and ponder.”

It’s better than being indifferent.

That’s all I can say.

There’s no way a few words can provide an answer to a person’s life.

Of course, those few words might help ease the worry.

But I hope Claire thinks it through and makes her own decision.

This time, I hope she establishes her own perspective without being swayed by others.

Isn’t she a child who has been confined for too long?

Isn’t she a child who has constantly yielded without having her own perspective?

I hope she fully accepts the weight of her actions and comes to her own answer.

“If you’re hungry, come down to eat. I’ll let the owner know. Even if you’re worried, you should eat. After all, we’re doing this to live.”

With those words, I led Linea out of Claire’s room.

Believing that she would surely understand the meaning of what I said.

*     *      *

As I came back down to the first-floor dining room to continue the meal.

As if to confirm my expectations, it wasn’t long before Claire came down. Judging by her appearance, it didn’t seem like she had found an answer to her worries, but…

“If there’s any left, please give me some too.”

At least she didn’t seem to have any intention of just sitting idly by.