Level Up Inquisitor [EN]: Chapter 111

The Essence of Hunting (4)

Princess Seyia of the Royal Family.

Known as one of the most stunning beauties in Warlord, it was said that her true beauty could only be appreciated in person rather than through a screen. Indeed, she was as beautiful as the stories suggested.

A beauty with a very kind impression, yet possessing an enigmatic aura, she stood face to face with Aile, making clear eye contact.

Of course, Aile, having seen Ru’s appearance first after starting the game, wasn’t particularly moved.

However, what surprised him most was that someone of her stature would come in person with only one guard.

“What brings someone who should be in the capital to a place like this?”

“First, I apologize for this somewhat abrupt visit. However, there was a pressing reason why I had to come and see Aile-nim [term of respect] so urgently. Are you perhaps aware of the situation in our royal palace?”

“Of course.”

Aile was surprised that she knew his name and had come to find him, but he soon nodded.

On the surface, the royal palace seemed peaceful, but internally, things were hectic.

The king had fallen ill and been unconscious for a long time, leaving the throne vacant.

As the situation persisted, there was no chance of the king recovering, and now the process for succession to the throne was complexly underway.

“Surely, he can wake up again.”

“No. Father won’t last much longer. In his current state, he won’t even make it through this year.”

Seyia said with a cynical expression.

Seeing her reaction to her own father dying, she added, noticing Aile’s surprised expression.

“Contrary to my wishes, politics is reality.”

‘…No wonder the guild leaders put their weight behind the princess,’ Aile thought, seeing her composed demeanor.

Currently, the only royal descendants with succession rights were the first prince, Oren, and the second princess, Seyia.

However, it wasn’t a simple matter that could be resolved by naturally passing the throne to the eldest son, Prince Oren.

This was due to the royal family’s unique succession method in Warlord.

Succession rankings weren’t divided by gender or age; instead, legitimate succession was determined by the king’s will and the decision of the council.

This was always done under the pretense of putting forward the wisest king, and the custom was absolute.

However, in the current situation, the king was unable to express any opinion due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving only the decision of the Grand Council.

Basically, the Grand Council consisted mostly of influential kingdom officials and nobles.

However, there was a way for players to participate as well.

Representatives of guilds that owned strongholds or territories within the kingdom could attend the council with a small stake.

Of course, in most cases, it was just a very small stake and not significant.

However, the story was different for the six major guilds that swallowed and managed entire regions.

Since they effectively managed numerous territories throughout the kingdom, their influence on decisions was considerable, even as user factions.

And the side that all six guilds unanimously chose was Princess Seyia.

While Prince Oren was predominantly seen as authoritarian and stubborn, the guild leaders lent their support to her, as she was more realistic and easier to communicate with.

‘That had a big impact.’

The forces of the prince and princess were divided among the nobles, but the choice of the six major guilds caused the situation to tilt sharply in favor of the princess.

‘Could this World Quest be related to the succession issue……?’

Aile speculated as the story suddenly took this turn.

The royal family’s succession issue had been a hot topic for some time, and if it was indeed related, the matter would be much bigger than Aile had initially anticipated.

“There isn’t much time left until the Grand Council’s final decision. I may have a favorable position now, but Oren certainly won’t just sit back and watch.”

Seyia said, taking something out of her pocket.

What she held in her hand was the royal family’s seal with Prince Oren’s signature.

“That is……?”

It was the exact same item as the seal he had obtained in Dragon Tail Forest, and Aile also took out the seal from his inventory.

“I see you had it too. Recently, forbidden magic-wielding heretical mages have begun organized activities. And the trace found in various places is this. Of course, this alone won’t be any material evidence. Even if you collect hundreds of these seals, they can just claim it’s a forgery, or even argue that you’re spreading false rumors and scheming for succession. But it’s certain that Oren is behind them.”

‘So that’s it……. The reason why the Bloody Hands couldn’t act recklessly was this.’

A World Quest where the royal family’s power struggle was unfolding.

No matter how much influence they wielded, it wasn’t a game that a back-alley thief organization could easily join.

If they chose the wrong side, the entire organization could be dismantled.

The Order of Knights suddenly stepping forward must have been due to the protection of the prince who might inherit the throne, and this quest would probably be the largest of all the World Quests that had occurred in Warlord so far.

“Do you know what they’re plotting?”

“No. I’ve even captured some of their members, but in the end, I couldn’t find out.”

Seyia shook her head at Aile’s question.

The princess’s side still didn’t know for sure what Prince Oren was planning by involving the Order of Knights.

They had captured members of the Order of Knights, but whether it was because they had harbored resentment during the years of oppression, neither persuasion nor severe torture worked.

They were such ruthless individuals that they would never reveal information, no matter what happened.

“But those guys suddenly clashed with the Church of Light. I’ve also heard that Aile-nim is representing the Church of Light in tracking them down.”

“How did you…….”

“We have our ways of gathering information.”

Seyia replied simply.

He had asked unconsciously for a moment, but even Aile himself thought it was a foolish question.

As one of the only two direct royal family members in the kingdom, she would naturally have more information than anyone else.

And at the same time, he understood why the princess of the royal family had come to see him in person.

The Church of Light was a powerful group that even the royal family couldn’t easily dismiss, and Aile was representing them in this case.

It wasn’t strange that she would risk coming with only one guard at a time like this.

No, rather, she had to move even more actively at times like these.

“There are limits to moving people within the same royal palace, and we need as much power from outside the capital as possible. It means we need people who can move for me.”

“Do you absolutely want the throne?”

“I like ambitious people. I don’t trust people without greed. I can’t keep people by my side who I don’t know what they’re thinking. If you cooperate in securing the position, I can completely change the Church’s position in the kingdom, making it different from before.”

Seyia said with a subtle smile, and Aile fell into deep thought.

If he actively moved in this quest and contributed enough to put her on the throne, he could be recognized for his contribution and change the position of the Church of Light within the kingdom, making it different from the other six churches.

It was an incredibly sweet offer.

A church that received official support from the kingdom would be given distinct advantages, and the potential for expansion was self-evident.

The influence that the goddess Ru would directly gain would also be immense.

It was the same from Aile’s personal perspective.

Aside from the quest rewards he would receive from the princess, it was also an opportunity to build an overwhelming position and contribution within the church.

However, as Warlord always was, there were not only good aspects to the quest.

If the outcome of this quest ended with the prince’s victory, Aile would also be subject to purges.

No, beyond that, the entire Church of Light to which he belonged could suffer a major blow and collapse, unable to regain its former glory.

The rewards for success were enormous, but the risks were also clear.

‘What should I do…….’

Aile struggled before the huge choice in front of him.

He was dizzy at the thought of suddenly becoming the decision-maker in such a matter.

But a message appeared before Aile, who was hesitating.

[‘Ru, the Judge of Light,’ asks you what you are hesitating about.]

‘Right… what was I hesitating about?’

He may have hesitated more because it was a matter that involved not only himself but also the future of the church and Ru.

But now that her words had fallen.

Aile shook off his foolish hesitation.

* * *

Kkuaaaak!

The prisoner’s scream of pain echoed, and the blood-soaked flames flickered wildly.

The Inquisitorial Office of the Church, where judgment was always carried out.

“As rumored, it’s quite brutal.”

Dealt, whose mask had been removed, laughed gleefully.

Tied up with his limbs bound, he showed no signs of fear even in this extreme situation.

Instead, he spoke first to the Inquisitor who approached him with a stern expression.

“So, what are you going to do with me now?”

“I will ask you questions, and you will reveal everything you know.”

“Are you asking an old man like me, who has lived long enough, to beg for his life?”

“No, you will be begging for death.”

“Begging for death? Ha!”

Dealt wore a contemptuous smile.

Having lived for a long time, he had stepped deep into forbidden magic, and he had experienced this kind of interrogation more than once or twice.

Pulling out fingernails, whipping, and dragging him out when he lost consciousness.

It was just a game because they couldn’t grant him death, and it was just ridiculous to Dealt, who had gone through all sorts of hardships.

But before one corner of his mouth could even rise.

Pshwook!

A stream of red blood spurted out, and Dealt’s expression was covered with pain and shock.

The Inquisitor, who had drawn his sword in an instant, immediately cut more than half way through Dealt’s neck.

An act that should not be done if the purpose was torture.

Dealt’s consciousness slowly faded as death approached.

But at that moment.

“Keuheok……?”

Something that should not have happened occurred.

Dealt, whose neck had been cut, was still breathing and opened his eyes again.

As if the consciousness that was about to leave had been forcibly captured and returned, he soon realized that he had been healed with high-level divine magic.

Dealt’s body trembled at the sensation of being rescued from the brink of death just now, and the intense pain.

“Let the interrogation begin.”