## Chapter 529 – A Useful Fellow

“Let’s skip the cliché about the devil tempting you. You had something you wanted, so you took the bait, didn’t you?”
“That… well…”
“Hehehe, should I break the other leg too?”
“No! The truth is!!”

The kidnapper sobbed and wailed, pouring out his story.

“The truth is, I wanted revenge! On that bastard who ruined me!!!”
“Revenge?”
“Yes…! Revenge!!!”

It was quite a tragic tale.

He claimed to have been a diligent worker. But one day, he tried to buy a house with his savings, only to be scammed and lose everything.

He tried desperately to track down the swindler and get his revenge, but as a simple laborer from out of town with no connections, he couldn’t do anything. Apparently, the swindler was a well-connected figure in the city, so it was no contest.

Having lost everything and failed to get revenge, he eventually grasped the wicked hand of the approaching demon.

“Hey, you son of a bitch. What does that have to do with the kids?”
“That demon! He said he would give me the power to get revenge!”
“If you sacrifice a child as a tribute?”

Well, that would be it.
He’d offer the power to get revenge in exchange for sacrificing a child.

“Yes… that’s right… He said he’d give me power if I sacrificed a child, no, a kid…”
“Hehehe, so you just kidnapped an orphan and offered them up? Knowing full well the demon would crunch them up and devour them?”
“…”

He fell silent at my question.

“You son of a bitch! Why aren’t you answering!!!! Do you want to see me go crazy!”
“Uwaaaaaaaack!!!! No! Yes! I offered them!”
“Why did you offer them?”
“A-at the time… I thought it didn’t matter if I borrowed the power of a demon for revenge!”

This is a truth I realized when I awakened the Chief Prosecutor Sword, that even if you’re a Black person who was tortured and exploited by imperialists in a sugarcane field, turning that anger on innocent people is a sin no different from imperialism.

A similar situation, I suppose.

“Then you should have just borrowed the demon’s power, why the kid?”
“…I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“Hey, I’m asking you, where do I have to cut to get an answer? It’s frustrating as hell, you bastard. I don’t need your apologies, just tell me why you did it.”
“I-I thought that if it was for revenge, the lives of children didn’t matter!!”

What a crazy bastard!

“It’s okay to kill those orphans?”
“…Yes. Th-that’s right.”
“Good. You’re trying to answer honestly. Very good.”

He borrowed the power of a demon to get revenge, but demons exist to destroy humans in the first place. There’s no way they’d grant revenge.

“But the demon wasn’t satisfied with just one sacrifice. I thought it would only be once. Just once…! But that demon kept demanding sacrifices!!!”
“Hmm.”

When he first sacrificed an orphan, he thought he’d gain the power to get revenge. But the demon only gave him a meager amount of power.

And then, flustered, he demanded more sacrifices.

Just colluding with a demon and killing an orphan was enough to warrant the death penalty. So, he couldn’t stop, and he kept paying the tribute under the pretext of revenge.

In other words, it was similar to a sunk cost.

Like a person addicted to gambling who can’t quit because they feel like they’ve already poured too much money into it.

Still, it seems he did get some kind of demonic power.

“Dedalt? Is all of this true?”
“…It is, human. But I didn’t lie. I give power when sacrifices are made. Of course, such power can’t be created with just one sacrifice. It’s that human’s fault for not properly reviewing the contract.”

Dedalt answered, baring his fangs.

“Huh? What’s with the fangs?”
“Wh-what…!”
“Looks like you’re pretty pissed off?”
“I-I’m not pissed off!”

When I asked, twirling my fist, he shouted in a fluster.

“Hehehe, is that so? But hey, your words are too long.”
“Too… long?”
“You just approached him with the intention of deceiving him, didn’t you? Or am I wrong?”
“Th-that’s…”
“Left leg. Right leg. Choose one.”
“That’s right! I approached him with the intention of deceiving him! I told the truth, so no more pain!!!”

I recorded all the questions and answers on the paper I brought. Well, it’s a common occurrence. Even without demons, these things happen frequently.

But, this is the harm of demons.

Ordinary people don’t go this far for revenge.

It’s only because a demon appeared, because that demon offered an easier way, that he fell for the temptation and committed mass murder. People tend to prefer the easy path.

In a world like this, if demons were to rise up, it would be easy for the world to be ruined. That’s why religious people desperately persecute and suppress them.

I don’t know for sure, but I had a feeling the Iconoclasm was something like this.

Anyway, this is perfect for the report. It’s a story that even the Saintess would like.

I can say the interrogation is complete.

“Dedalt. When you die, do you leave a corpse?”
“…I-if I receive some sacrifices, I will.”
“Is that so?”

Then I can kill him too.

Since the interrogation is over anyway, if only a corpse remains, there’s no reason to keep him alive.

“And what’s your name?”
“It’s Nix…”

The kidnapper’s name was Nix.
I asked him about his personal details in detail.

“Hehehe, Nix. Good. Very good. Where did you work?”
“A-at the eastern loading docks…”
“And the name of the guy who scammed you.”
“Melendo… a guy called Talkative Melendo! A notorious swindler that everyone in the eastern district knows!”
“Shut up, you bastard. What are you so proud of.”
“Keueung.”

Anyway, the identities of the demon and the kidnapper.
And I’ve completed recording everything from the motive to the arrest process.

Good. This is excellent.

“The true name of the Heavenly Demon Sword is the Life-Giving Sword.”

Getting up from my seat, I immediately drew the Heavenly Demon Sword stuck in the wall. The black blade reflected the blue flames that Hildegard had conjured.

“The Life-Giving Sword is a sword that saves people.”

The true way of Fusion Confucianism is non-killing and life-giving.

In the meaning of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, and in the meaning of benefiting humanity.
Eradicating suffering and widely benefiting the world.

“If I cut down and bury corrupt beings forever, and if innocent people can live because of that, what else is that if not a way to save people.”

The blade is sharp. Because it is sharp, it can cut out corrupt beings. Those who have cut out their conscience, they must not be forgiven.

“Therefore, Heavenly Demon Kim Kat asks. Dedalt, Nix. Have you atoned?”
“A-atonementㅡ”
“ㅡYou are not qualified to atone.”

ㅡSwoosh!

I lightly swung my sword and beheaded Nix. As his head fell helplessly, Dedalt tried to escape by turning his body into smoke.

“Y-you crazy! I have to get out of hereeeeeeeeee!!”
“Die.”

Of course, there’s no problem as long as I have sword energy.

ㅡSlash.

The blade rippling with blue sword energy cut through Dedalt’s body, which had turned into smoke. ㅡThud. All that remained in that spot was Dedalt’s corpse, split in two.

Now that I’ve completed the case hearing and recording, their value is gone.

Dedalt left a corpse, so there’s nothing to say, and Nix was a low-level worker without a citizen ID, so even if I directly took action, there’s no way anyone would complain.

Truly perfect handling of the situation.

I didn’t intend to let them live in the first place, but since they might have noticed Hildegard’s identity, I can’t leave any loose ends.

“Hey! Hilde!”
“Yes! Kat-nim! Are you finished!”
“Yeah! Go and call the City Guards! Make up some story about how the Bronze Celestial Angelic Order’s sub-priest dealt with a demon that infiltrated the city! Can you do that?”
“Of course! Just trust Hildegard!”

ㅡWhoosh!

Hildegard, who only showed her face, turned into smoke and disappeared.

Saintess Kadia said she sent an official letter to the city, so they’ll cooperate.

“Damn bastards.”

Even if the corpses of a demon and a criminal were added to the scene covered in blood, there would be no problem.

I looked around.

Small bone fragments covered in black blood were scattered around. I can’t believe the reality that he caused this mess to get his revenge. Judging by the looks of it, more than ten people were sacrificed.

ㅡI can almost hear the children’s screams.

I sat on the table and waited for Hildegard.

I came wearing armor today, so there will be no problem proving my identity.

Soon, I heard footsteps.

ㅡThud, thud.

The City Guards came down with hardened faces, pulling out their lanterns. As they stepped into the basement, they immediately screamed.

“E-ehiiieeeek!!! What is this!”
“The work of a demon! It’s definitely the work of a demon!!!”
“Human bones…! No! Children’s bones!!!”
“Uwaaaaaaaack!!!!!! I can’t believe it!!!!!”

As expected, they freaked out at the sight of the children’s bones.

“U, uwaeeeek!!”
“Hey! Get that friend over there! Don’t contaminate the scene!”

Some of them even vomited and shed tears.

Actually, it’s a truly horrific sight. I’ve gotten somewhat used to it, so it’s not much of a problem, but those reactions are natural.

No matter how strong your stomach is, seeing a scene like this is bound to cause mental damage.

“Greetings, City Guards.”
“A-are you the priest of the Bronze Celestial Angelic Order…?”

I got up from my seat and showed my armor, and at the same time, I took out my sub-priest ID from my chest and said.

“I am Kim Kat, a sub-priest of the Bronze Celestial Angelic Order. I was acting independently to investigate the demon that infiltrated the city under the orders of the Order’s Saintess. There, those are the corpses of the demon and its worshiper.”
“The demon’s corpse… Heoeok! It’s the demon’s corpse!!!!”
“I can’t believe it, aaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Call the captain!!!”

ㅡUwaeeeeeeek!!

It was truly a series of madness and horror. The City Guards who saw Dedalt’s corpse vomited again and shed tears.

“Where is the priest…?”

Then, a man who seemed to be the captain came down.

“I’m here.”
“Heoeok! This scene is…! Priest! What on earth is this!”

He also screamed reflexively and started gagging.

“Calm down. I’ve completed the extermination of the demon and its worshiper. Ah, let me ask again. Are you the person in charge?”
“The person in charge… do you mean?”
“A demon has infiltrated the city. And children have been massacred. I’m asking if you’re in a position to take charge of this case.”

To handle things smoothly, it’s better to talk to the person in charge. All the arrangements are already finished. I just have to convey the message.

“…”

The captain, hearing my words, frowned as he looked around the scene.

“Oh, God… I don’t think I can handle this on my own. Priest. I’m sorry to trouble you, but I’d like you to come to the office and testify.”
“Hehehe, of course I will.”
“You guys! Preserve the scene! From now on, it’s under special management! Call for support and control the personnel!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Let’s go, Priest!”

I immediately followed the captain and went up to the surface.

“Kat-nim. What should I do?”

Hildegard was waiting when I went up.

“Stay back for now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Aaaah! I made a promise! I can see you tomorrow…! Hehehe, yes! Then I’ll go back!”

As I sent Hildegard away like that, the captain, who had paused, said.

“No. Priest, please wait here. I’ll call the superior captain right away. It would be better to talk about this directly at the scene.”
“Well, that would be more convenient. Go ahead.”
“Yes!”

The captain got on the horse that was waiting and left. Since there was nothing else to do, I went back down to the basement and talked to the City Guard members.

“To think such a terrible thing would happen…! Priest! Thank you so much! To solve this alone!”
“That’s what I’m here to do.”
“Indeed…! I’ve heard that the members of the Bronze Celestial Angelic Order are very dedicated, but I didn’t know you’d be this excellent!”
“Hehehe, if you’re interested, come to the church.”

As I was killing time chatting like that, a man who seemed to be the superior captain came down.

He must have been a person in a fairly high position, as the members saluted loudly as soon as they saw him.

Even his clothes were fancy.

When I asked someone next to me, he said he was the second highest person in the city’s City Guard.

The second-in-command of the organization is perfect to talk to.

“A-are you the priest…?”

He asked me with a serious face.

“That’s right. I’m Kat, a sub-priest dispatched under the orders of the Saintess of the Bronze Celestial Angelic Order. Are you the superior captain?”
“Oh, yes. I am. Priest. But the Saintess’s orders… what on earth is this…”
“Please check the scene for a moment.”
“I understand.”

I showed the superior captain the scene.

First, I briefly explained the circumstances of exterminating the demon and its worshiper. He listened to my story, trembling all over.

“How could such a terrible! An outrage that even God cannot forgive!”
“Of course. Ah, and. There’s something I need to talk about secretly with the superior captain.”
“Secret… do you mean?”
“That’s right. It’s a business matter. I think it would be better for the two of us to go out first.”

As I whispered, he nodded.

I went up to the surface with the superior captain and rented a quiet inn room nearby. After entering the room with him, I took out the paper from my chest that I had organized the contents of the interrogation.

“What on earth are you thinking of talking about…”
“Take a look at this.”
“This is?”
“A document stating the fact that this sub-priest personally tracked, arrested, interrogated, and judged those guys.”

As I said that, the superior captain’s face momentarily showed a small smile, as if he understood what I meant. After staring at him for a moment, he quickly managed his expression and pretended to grab the paper and read it.

“Oh, oh…! Amazing! To think you had organized it so clearly! But to show this to me secretly in this place…?”
“Hehehe, is there another meaning?”

His eyes were gleaming with desire.

I’m thinking of proposing a kind of deal.

Whatever the case, if something like this happens, it usually takes some time for detailed verification and whatnot. Even if I’ve done the investigation, they have to do it on their end too.

But I’ve already finished that investigation.

I’ve even completed the case resolution.

“This task was officially given to me, the sub-priest, by the Order’s Saintess. Here, take a look at the Saintess’s order.”
“T-the Saintess’s order…”
“This sub-priest doesn’t have much time. Can you handle the matter as written in the document organized by this sub-priest? Of course, I don’t really care even if some of the credit goes to the superior captain in the middle.”

It was a solicitation to properly handle the matter in exchange for sharing the credit.

“A-alright!”

Hearing my words, he jumped up from his seat and bowed his head.

“I will handle this matter as the priest has recorded! It seems like it will be finished in about two days! Thank you, Priest!”
“Hehehe, I have to report to the Order, so I trust you’ll handle the case well.”
“Don’t worry! Since you’ve conceded the credit, I’ll give you as much convenience as possible! Please come to the office in two days! I’ll hand over the document at that place!”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Loyalty! Thank you to the priest for working hard for the city’s security!”

The administration of this world is far from the modern Earth’s.

The position of a sub-priest of a prestigious church.

And the authority of the Saintess’s order. On top of that, I used the legitimate procedure of the City Guard’s superior captain’s certification to quickly formalize what I had investigated. There must be something to give in order to receive. He will handle it well as much as I conceded the credit.

After all, it’s more profitable for the City Guards to just accept what I’ve done and build up their achievements.

A document certified by the city would be very good to attach to the report to give to the Saintess.

Even I think I handled the work damn well.

“Good.”

ㅡIf you have authority, you must use it.

Let’s make that today’s saying.

The position of sub-priest will continue to be of great help to me in the future.
Because there’s nothing better than the authority of the church to handle things smoothly.