Chapter 688
The Inquisition of the Church
Time within the Church always passes quickly—as fast as the last day of a holiday.
As afternoon gave way to dusk, a clear sky had already begun to fade.
After the banquet concluded, Eivass and his party proceeded to the Eighteenth Ring.
They had received news during their meal that the “rat” had been apprehended by the Pope’s Guard.
This was a Fifth Tier Extraordinary, a top-tier powerhouse that even national organizations would struggle to possess. Yet, the elves of the Church had captured him with surprising ease, less effort than catching a chicken. It was said the assassin hadn’t even resisted, surrendering immediately after the Pope’s Guard identified themselves and stated their purpose.
From the incident to the arrest of the assassin, less than two hours had passed. This was even without deploying the “Magic Mirror.”
Since the individual was discovered in the Eighteenth Ring, they were promptly detained there. Now, they awaited a personal interrogation by the Pure White Saintess and the “acting Pope.”
Although the Supreme Holy Crown had not yet been formally handed over, Eivass had been recognized as the Eternal Pope of this era since the conclusion of the election ceremony. He, of course, intended to witness such significant matters firsthand.
“Your Majesty the Pope also wishes to observe?” Cardinal Dominic asked with a smile, welcoming the group to the Eighteenth Ring.
“I am merely the acting Pope,” Eivass corrected gently. “Your true Pope is still Her Highness Grey.”
Cardinal Dominic was in charge of the Eighteenth Ring.
Among the ostentatiously dressed Cardinals of the Church, she could arguably be considered the most wild.
Her Cardinal Archbishop robes seemed less like clerical attire and more like a straitjacket for the mentally deranged. Triple shackles connected her knee-high boots. Her hands were bound behind her back with chains, and over a dozen metal locks of various sizes and styles dangled haphazardly from her person. These heavy bindings encased her entirely, lending her pure white robes an air of sacred prohibition.
However, in contrast to her attire, Cardinal Dominic was a Cardinal representing the most radical “Inquisition of the Church” faction.
“Whether I am acting Pope or not is irrelevant; what matters is that I am genuinely intrigued by you,” Cardinal Dominic said softly, her grey long hair covered by a veil. “Not only are you the first Human Pope, but in two thousand years, you are also the first male Pope… and the first Extraordinary Profession Pope in history.”
“Extraordinary Profession…” Eivass murmured.
He seemed surprised. “Are you a supporter of Professions?”
“I previously had a good relationship with Cardinal Loki and his Controlled Fire,” Cardinal Cardinal Dominic stated plainly. “I believe the Professional system is the future of the World.”
Eivass had learned of Cardinal Dominic’s views from Pure White on the way.
Broadly speaking, her philosophy was: “The best contribution we can make is an absolutely fair system of rewards and punishments.”
Through systems, habits are cultivated; through habits, behavior is transformed, thereby creating a relatively better and continuously improving environment. However, this is something that cannot be achieved by individuals themselves, as long-term power consolidation leads to corruption, while rapid power shifts result in indecisiveness.
Therefore, “elves” were tasked with systematic reform on their behalf.
Elves are unconcerned with the interests of short-lived races and cannot be bribed. They do not grow up in the local environment, thus avoiding complex interpersonal networks. Elves possess long lifespans and formidable strength, enabling them to steadfastly implement policies for centuries. Furthermore, the “Inquisition of the Church” in the rear provides a comprehensive system of reporting and supervision, preventing the “Elf Governors” on the front lines from engaging in excessive behavior.
“Inheritors are ‘the Power of Nobles’—although elves have no concept of ‘nobles,’ in reality, it is not something commoners can access. Only those with extensive connections can receive targeted training at a very young age to attune themselves to a particular inheritance.”
“But commoners cannot achieve this. Those who suffer and endure are even less likely to. It is already difficult for them to obtain an inheritance, and it is even harder to inherit power. In my experience, if inheritances are simply made available, new classes will form among humans—those who can inherit will be considered nobler than those who cannot. Thus, we inadvertently create new nobles.”
Cardinal Dominic walked with Eivass and his party deeper inside, lamenting.
Eivass had a question. “But don’t Extraordinary Professions also require talent?”
“Strictly speaking, they do not,” Cardinal Dominic shook her head. “Any dreaming race has its own Path Adaptability. Humans are a race with nine intermingled Paths. As a result… the adaptability separation is quite severe.”
“In most cases, people without talent are not entirely devoid of talent for becoming Extraordinary. Rather, their talent direction deviates from the power they can obtain. For example, those who yearn for art, or those with strong desires, might find a path in Iris Flower but not in Avalon. This is because Avalon lacks Extraordinary Profession training in the Path of Beauty and the Path of Love.”
“The Hrasal Empire of old flourished with talent precisely because it was an era without discrimination or prejudice towards any Path.”
“—But that is also why they were destroyed,” Lily suddenly interjected.
After a brief silence, Cardinal Dominic slowly nodded. “Yes. That is precisely why we must manage those who are Extraordinary.”
As the most resolute and radical faction within the Church, the Cardinals of the “Inquisition of the Church” have contracts with the Silver Crown Dragon.
From another perspective, the Inquisition of the Church itself is the Church’s military. With the exception of a few within the Mediator faction, Paladins almost entirely belong to the Inquisition of the Church.
According to the historical rules of the Church, the Church cannot directly interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. However, mere words may not be heeded by some, or rather, the local rulers will certainly interfere.
Therefore, the “Inquisition of the Church” devised a method to circumvent the rules: they dispatch Paladins to local areas to judge sinners and villains whom the populace desperately wishes to see destroyed, and to teach them the ability to protect themselves.
Through this method, they gain the support of the grassroots populace and find a legitimate reason to remain in the area. The locals, unable to physically expel these rigid-minded Paladins, dare not directly mobilize troops to encircle them.
As a result, the Inquisition of the Church is also the faction with the worst reputation externally—because their actions effectively constitute “interference.” This interference is controversial even within the Church, let alone among foreigners.
However, from another perspective, the Inquisition of the Church is also the faction with the best reputation within the Church—because apart from them, elves from any other faction rarely do more than address symptoms or simply reduce harm and impact during major events. Regardless of the suffering the current generation endures, it is an inevitable part of the nation’s fate.
Even the chivalrous Mediators only address injustices they encounter in their immediate vicinity. There are simply too many things beyond their “reach,” too complex. With their own power, they can never manage it all.
—Only the Inquisition of the Church travels vast distances.
Without seeking any profit, they eliminate evildoers for the people and then remain to protect them.
The weak merely need to cry out for help, and they will come. No matter who the enemy is, a just trial will be conducted—not for romance, but for righteousness.
This is the Inquisition of the Church, and the reason why Paladins are rarely seen within the Church.
Because Paladins are almost always out on assignments and do not sit in chairs to meet people.
(End of Chapter)
