Chapter 127: The Prince’s Intervention

At the end of the corridor, two Inquisitors appeared: one clad in white robes, the other in black.

Upon seeing the Chief Inquisitor, Jeanne Decker immediately realized the voice she had just heard belonged to the white-robed figure standing before them. The sound was unnervingly peculiar, not emanating from a throat, but reverberating directly within her mind.

This was the “Gospel Preaching” ability, a power inherent to the “Bishop” class from the Ninth Tier upwards. It allowed for direct telepathic communication, transmitting thoughts to a specified range of targets.

While a Ninth-Tier “Preacher” could typically only whisper to a single individual within a few meters, higher tiers granted an increased range and a greater number of targets.

Moreover, the “Gospel” spread by a “Bishop” had a certain hypnotic effect on those of lower tiers. Those “preached” to would feel an affinity for the “Gospel” and instinctively comply, though individuals with strong wills and similar tiers could resist.

The junior Inquisitor, who had been on the verge of acting in the interrogation room, froze upon hearing the “Gospel,” his hands releasing the torture implements.

Then, he abruptly rose and walked out of the interrogation room.

The White-robed Inquisitor strode forward. The Senior Inquisitor beside Jeanne Decker, upon seeing him, immediately bowed respectfully alongside the departing junior Inquisitor. “Deputy Director.”

This address clarified the Inquisitor’s identity for Jeanne Decker: the Deputy Director of the Inquisition.

The Inquisition had more than one Deputy Director, yet each held a position as one of the top three or four authorities within the organization, an unassailable superior for any ordinary Senior Inquisitor.

What Jeanne Decker did not know, however, was that this Deputy Director possessed another esteemed title.

He was Prince Kleiman, the Empire’s Second Prince.

Trailing silently behind him, acting as his attendant, was Eve, the Black-robed Inquisitor.

“What are you all doing? This looks rather interesting.”

“Care to count me in?” Prince Kleiman stood before the two Inquisitors, his hands clasped behind his back. His lighthearted tone seemed utterly out of place in the grim confines of the Divine Wrath Prison.

“Just a routine interrogation, sir,” the Senior Inquisitor replied stiffly.

Prince Kleiman’s identity within the Inquisition was kept secret by default, so Inquisitors would never address him as ‘Your Highness,’ instead using his official title.

Prince Kleiman glanced at the prisoner, nearly unconscious behind the iron bars, then at Jeanne Decker, who was locked beside them. He quickly grasped the situation.

“I see,” he nodded, then swiftly changed the subject. “However, your interrogation methods are rather inefficient. Allow me to take over. You may both go rest.”

“How could we possibly trouble you with such a task, sir?” the Senior Inquisitor stammered, filled with trepidation.

“Must I tell you how useless you are before you relent?” Prince Kleiman raised a hand and clapped the Inquisitor on the shoulder. “The girl inside is on the verge of a mental breakdown. She isn’t lying, so continuing this interrogation is pointless. We already have enough hidden agendas in the work we’re given here; let’s not complicate things further ourselves, alright?”

Cold sweat beaded on the Senior Inquisitor’s forehead. Prince Kleiman had instantly seen through his deliberate intent to provoke and torment Jeanne Decker.

With such words, the two Inquisitors dared not defy their superior further.

“Understood, we shall take our leave then.” The Senior Inquisitor bowed, then led his subordinate away, looking thoroughly deflated.

“Very well, then…” Prince Kleiman said, stepping into the interrogation room and approaching Leah.

‘Do not linger here too long. Remember your words. Given your identity, you cannot allow any clues to be seized.’

‘Please, no more, I beg you…’ Leah thought, believing she was about to endure new torture. She trembled, whimpering softly.

“Poor child, it’s over now.” Prince Kleiman personally unfastened Leah’s shackles and took her hand.

Utilizing the “Healing Blessing,” a Seventh-Tier “Cleric” ability of the “Bishop” class, Prince Kleiman healed the wounds on her hands.

The bloodstains under Leah’s fingernails rapidly faded, and the pain vanished.

Leah raised her face, looking at Prince Kleiman with confusion.

“Forget what happened here. Remembering it will only bring more suffering.”

Prince Kleiman placed his hand on Leah’s forehead.

Employing “Dream Weaver,” a Fifth-Tier “Inquisitor” ability of the “Bishop” class, Prince Kleiman spiritually interfered with Leah’s memories, pushing the torment she endured deep into her mind, much like a forgotten dream from the past. When Leah left the Inquisition, she would recall nothing of her ordeal there.

Leah’s eyes glazed over, and she promptly collapsed onto the table, falling into a deep sleep.

“Lend a hand, my dear,” he called out to Eve, who had been idly standing by the door. “Take this poor girl home.”

“Call me that again, and I swear I’ll make you regret it!” Eve retorted coldly, yet she still followed her superior’s command, going over to carry Leah on her back. “This little girl will surely still be monitored after she leaves.”

“There’s nothing we can do about that. We’ll do what we can,” Prince Kleiman instructed calmly.

Once Eve had departed with Leah, Prince Kleiman finally stepped out of the interrogation room and unfastened Jeanne Decker’s shackles. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Jeanne Decker of the North. Your reputation precedes you.”

“Hello…”

Jeanne Decker cautiously observed the man before her. This Deputy Director of the Inquisition conducted himself in a manner vastly different from the other Inquisitors she had encountered, yet she dared not assume it wasn’t an act.

“It seems you’ve suffered as well,” Prince Kleiman noted, discerning her wariness. He chuckled. “But rest assured, I am not like them. They dislike you, but I am quite the opposite. Long before you became a Saintess of the Church, I heard of your accomplishments in the North. I truly admire you!”

“Thank you,” Jeanne Decker responded, neither humble nor arrogant. She could not determine the sincerity of his words.

“I can see directly into people’s hearts, so I can perceive your suspicion. It’s quite alright; it’s only natural,” Prince Kleiman said, unfazed by Jeanne Decker’s attitude. “Let’s sit and talk. I have some things I believe you’d be interested to know.”

Having neither the authority nor the reason to refuse, Jeanne Decker complied, entering the interrogation room and taking the seat Leah had previously occupied.

Prince Kleiman, with an air of ease, sat opposite Jeanne Decker and immediately cut to the chase. “To be frank, Miss Jeanne Decker, you are both very fortunate and very unfortunate. The matters you’re involved in are far from trivial. However, Duke Alençon, Count Dunois, and other figures who have supported you are currently working to protect you. With their influence, it’s highly probable you’ll leave here unharmed. But this does not mean there will be no resistance.”

“Resistance?”

“This country has many powerful individuals who form factions for their own interests and engage in infighting. Those who support you also have their political adversaries, including your adoptive father, Duke Alençon. Many wish to undermine him due to his power in the border regions. Your current predicament provides them with an excellent point of attack. They intend to magnify your mistakes and ensure you are severely dealt with,” Prince Kleiman explained gravely. “Perhaps you haven’t realized it yet, but you have become the central figure in a political struggle.”

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