Chapter 105: The Inquisition’s Orders

The Sanctum Academy, Conference Room.

Count Dunois was present, alongside an Inquisitor wearing an iron mask.

Jeanne Decker stood before the desk, a bewildered expression on her face.

“Does this mean I’m to remain within the academy for now?” she asked.

Out of a sense of duty, she had immediately reported her experiences from the previous day upon returning to the academy.

She had recounted the strange incident of a witch, who seemed to know the Killer’s background, aiding her midway through. She also reported her subsequent attempt to capture the witch for clues, only to be counterattacked and evaded.

Naturally, she omitted the more unspeakable details that had followed. Not only were those matters unrelated to the Killer, but even if they were, she would have found them impossible to voice.

“This is the best course of action,” the Inquisitor’s voice resonated with a metallic hum.

“No matter how you look at it, we do not wish for you to be running around the streets any longer.”

The iron mask she wore had been specially crafted to alter the wearer’s vocal timbre, preventing listeners from identifying their identity through speech.

“This is also to ensure your safety,” the Inquisitor added, her tone measured.

“You are currently a figurehead for the Church’s propaganda. If that Killer were to torture you to death or commit some unspeakable act against you, the Church’s reputation would be utterly ruined.”

“Since it has been confirmed that you are being targeted, we naturally cannot allow you to expose yourself as freely as before.”

Count Dunois cleared his throat, subtly reminding the Inquisitor to choose her words more carefully.

“So, this means I’ll be protected by the Inquisition from now on?” Jeanne Decker inquired.

“The Inquisition is hardly a bodyguard service, my Saintess. Rest assured, no one will be constantly shadowing you. According to our assessment, you will be largely safe as long as you remain within the academy.”

“This academy houses hundreds of bishops, mages, and knights, while that Killer is but a single individual,” the Inquisitor stated calmly.

“I actually have an idea,” Jeanne Decker proposed. “Since that Killer is targeting me, I believe I could be used as bait—”

“I apologize, but we will not take that risk,” the Inquisitor interrupted before Jeanne Decker could finish. “This is not solely about you, and I hope you understand the gravity of the situation.”

“Why? Let him come for me instead of continuing to murder defenseless young women! Four victims have emerged in just over a month, yet the Inquisition hasn’t apprehended the culprit. Are you not worried in the slightest?” Jeanne Decker’s face was etched with confusion.

“I admire your bravery, Jeanne. However, the orders I received from my superiors are for you to cease making public appearances. They undoubtedly considered your proposed solution, and since this is the order given, it means your proposal cannot be approved. Give it up.” The Inquisitor’s tone was somewhat languid.

Jeanne Decker’s eyes fell in disappointment. She had harbored the desire to bring the Killer to justice ever since she heard about her junior, Anne Rogers, being brutally murdered. After yesterday’s events, this conviction had only grown stronger.

Yet, according to the Inquisition, she was to be completely excluded from this incident.

Moreover, the Church seemed to regard her, the targeted Saintess, as nothing more than a burden.

“The Church has its own considerations. Follow the arrangements, Jeanne. Every soldier has their place,” Count Dunois said, sensing the Saintess’s despondency.

“We trust in your discretion. The Inquisition won’t go so far as to assign someone to constantly watch you, but the academy will make its own arrangements. Of course, the academy will publicly announce that you are participating in a Church study program, and you must maintain that narrative.”

“It’s best not to disclose the attack you suffered unless absolutely necessary, primarily to avoid causing panic,” the Inquisitor instructed, looking at Jeanne Decker.

Jeanne Decker remained silent for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.

“I have conveyed all necessary information. The rest is now the academy’s responsibility,” the Inquisitor declared, rising and walking towards the door.

Just as she reached the threshold, she suddenly turned back as if remembering something.

“Oh, and Saintess, regarding the witch you reported this morning, there were no omissions, were there?”

Jeanne Decker froze at the question, then shook her head. “Nothing else comes to mind for now.”

She vaguely sensed that during her report, the Church seemed more interested in the witch who had intervened than in the Killer. They had repeatedly questioned her about many details concerning the witch, and now they were asking for confirmation again.

This struck Jeanne Decker as odd. Surely, the demonic Killer, responsible for multiple murders, posed a far greater threat and deserved more attention than a witch whose background remained unclear.

The Inquisitor nodded and left the academy’s conference room. She walked out of the academy gates and boarded a black carriage belonging to the Inquisition.

“Welcome back, my dear Eve,” a man waiting inside the carriage greeted her, also wearing an iron mask, his voice laced with amusement.

“Damn it all, having to wear this cursed mask just to go to my own workplace!” The Inquisitor tore off her mask and flung it to the ground. “Can’t those idiots in charge just dispatch the Ripper sooner? This dragging on is utterly maddening!”

Eve’s official position was an aide to the Second Prince and a lecturer in the Mage specialty at the Sanctum Academy. In reality, as a subordinate of the Prince, she also secretly served as an Inquisitor within the Inquisition.

“The superiors’ true target isn’t the Killer at all, but the forces hidden behind him,” Prince Kleiman said softly. “The witch mentioned by the Saintess has already confirmed our suspicions. That faction is preventing the Killer from committing murders. If we were to eliminate the Killer immediately, this lead might be severed.”

“Therefore, they don’t want the Killer caught too soon. Rather, allowing the Killer to continue his crimes can even increase public aversion to heretics, serving as good propaganda.”

“Wonderful! So you’ll just let the Ripper keep killing? That’s disgusting, and so are you for having no objection whatsoever!” Eve glared at Kleiman, loudly scoffing. “Such a heart of stone! Is this still the compassionate, charitable, jovial prince I once knew? What a transformation!”

“Yes, I never imagined I’d become like this,” Prince Kleiman replied, a self-deprecating smile hidden beneath his mask. “People always end up becoming what they despise.”

“Hey, I’m serious! Does the Inquisition already have a lead on that Killer’s whereabouts?” Eve asked, staring intently into Kleiman’s eyes. “At most, we could take matters into our own hands and eliminate that scum ourselves! After all, no one would dare hold you, the Emperor’s son, accountable, right? If he can’t get to the Saintess, won’t he just commit even more frenzied crimes than before?”

“If you’re thinking about reducing the number of victims…” Kleiman sighed softly. “It’s already too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“The constabulary received a report—just last night, a wealthy merchant family of six on Wisteria Road was completely wiped out by that Killer,” Kleiman stated grimly.