Chapter 128: A Web of Power and a Personal Vendetta

Jeanne Decker’s eyes fell as she heard these words.

It was a painfully obvious truth: her selection as the standard-bearing Saintess, a public face for the Church, was, in essence, a political maneuver. It was a path meticulously paved for her by Duke Alençon, her mentor Count Dunois, and the Archbishops who supported her.

To some extent, they could be considered part of the same faction. Her exceptional performance at the Academy of the Sacred Hall had made her appear to them as someone with boundless potential, a candidate truly worth endorsing. Should Jeanne Decker eventually ascend to the Knights Templar or a high-ranking position within the Church, it would undoubtedly benefit them all.

Conversely, those who dared to openly oppose them would certainly not be insignificant figures.

‘This feeling of having my destiny completely controlled by others is truly dreadful,’ she thought.

Yet, compared to someone like Levi, who was unjustly condemned with no hope, Jeanne Decker knew she was still incredibly fortunate.

“Your trial will proceed according to canon law, not through a regular court, but presided over by the Inquisition,” Prince Kleiman continued, explaining the situation to Jeanne Decker. “Following procedure, you will undergo three hearings before a verdict is reached. These three trials will become a contest of power and influence between the factions that support you and those that oppose you.”

He added, “On this matter, I have both good news and bad news.”

“Please, speak plainly,” Jeanne Decker requested, her expression solemn. She recognized that this Vice-Inquisitor seemed genuinely inclined to help her, and the information he provided was intimately tied to her future.

“Let’s start with the good news,” Prince Kleiman began. “The overall stance of the Church is likely to minimize the incident. After all, if a newly appointed Saintess, their public face, were suddenly arrested for high treason, it would severely damage the Church’s image. Provided Duke Alençon can pave the way effectively, the best outcome would be for your transgressions to be downplayed, resulting in a simple internal disciplinary action within the Knights Templar.”

“And the bad news?”

“The Inquisition, which is responsible for presiding over the trial, holds a different view from other Church departments. They are more inclined to convict you.”

The Royal Prince spoke slowly. “If they seize upon a critical weakness, they could still find you guilty and sentence you to several years in the Iron Prison of Divine Wrath.”

In truth, the information he provided was incomplete; he had withheld even worse news. From ancient times, the Royal Family and the Church had vied for national power, each checking the other, their influence waxing and waning, ultimately forming a complex balance.

While most within the Church sought to downplay the incident, high-ranking military and political figures in the Royal Family were considering a conviction to damage the Church’s reputation. However, because the matter involved Duke Alençon, an imperial general, the Royal Family currently wished to avoid escalating tensions and had not yet made any overt moves.

But if the opposition seized the opportunity, and these influential figures joined in to exert pressure, the consequences could be far more severe than imagined.

‘Shouldn’t the presiding body of a trial be absolutely neutral?’ Jeanne Decker wondered, thoroughly perplexed.

“Well, the truth is, very few Inquisition cases are truly objective and neutral,” Prince Kleiman chuckled, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. “Most heresy trials are essentially presumed guilty before they even begin, though your case is indeed a bit different.”

He continued, “Normally, in power struggles involving military, political, and high-ranking Church figures, the Inquisition shouldn’t take such an obvious stance. However, this particular incident has created a personal vendetta within the Inquisition itself…”

“Because the Inquisitors here dislike me, the Saintess?” Jeanne Decker inquired.

“Indeed, many envy your youthful glory and dignified position. Being an Inquisitor isn’t a pleasant job, and not everyone here enjoys their role, but that’s not the primary reason.”

Prince Kleiman tapped the table with his finger for emphasis. “The main reason lies in the internal affairs of the investigative body.”

Jeanne Decker’s eyes widened. She had never expected *that* woman to be mentioned here.

“What I’m about to tell you involves some matters the Inquisition would rather keep secret, but given your involvement, I’ll share it. While investigating the ‘Killer incident,’ the Inquisition speculated that the Killer might have defected from an underground organization. That organization, in turn, would likely act to clean up their own mess and eliminate the Killer. Facts have since confirmed this speculation: the witch you encountered should be from that organization.” Prince Kleiman lowered his voice conspiratorially.

Jeanne Decker immediately recalled the Senior Inquisitor’s words from yesterday. At the time, the Inquisitor had mentioned that the Grand Inquisitor had led a team to ambush a member of that organization.

She had even worried for the witch’s safety then.

“What happened to the Inquisition’s forces yesterday?” Jeanne Decker asked earnestly.

“They encountered the main force of that organization, and ultimately suffered a crushing defeat and were forced to retreat. Four were wounded, and five died, including two elite Senior Inquisitors.” Prince Kleiman stated calmly. “Undoubtedly, this incident has created a blood feud between the Inquisition and that organization. Yet, you, by chance, saved a member of that very organization, and are now suspected of being entangled with them. I needn’t say more, need I?”

Jeanne Decker was startled. For the Inquisition to suffer such a heavy loss, the organization’s power was truly not to be underestimated.

Then, amidst her astonishment, she found herself breathing a sigh of relief.

Since that organization had won, the witch and Martha would most likely be safe.

In that moment, without even realizing it herself, she had prioritized the safety of the witch and Martha over the casualties of the Inquisition.

“Honestly, even I find it difficult to predict your outcome. I can only wish you a safe departure from this place.”

“Why do I feel your stance… is completely different from everyone else here?”

Given that the Inquisition was blaming her for their losses yesterday, this Vice-Inquisitor still had the audacity to openly support her and even reveal internal matters unsuitable for outsiders. It was truly baffling.

“Because my identity is, shall we say, a little special. This identity means I don’t need to be overly concerned.”

“My support for you is purely a personal act, but in reality, aside from providing you with some information, there’s little else I can do.”

“It’s more than enough. I am very grateful. Thank you, sir.”

“I’ll take you back to your cell. Remember, all you can do now is endure. Do not waver easily, and absolutely do not do anything that could prejudice your case during the trial.”

“I understand.”

“Finally, could you answer one question for me? Has the Inquisition deliberately held back from fully pursuing the Killer, hoping to lure out that organization?”

She still remembered the Inquisitor who came to the academy that day refusing her participation in the Killer’s capture.

Prince Kleiman remained silent for a long while before saying, “To ask such a question, you must already know the answer.”

Jeanne Decker silently clenched her fists upon hearing this.

“Sometimes, the more one gazes into the dark underbelly of this nation, the more one feels that this country… seems to be sick,” Prince Kleiman sighed. “I dedicated myself to this path specifically to find ways to make this country better, but now, I only feel more lost than ever.”