The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 70

After accepting the assignment to kill Inquisitor Torquemada, I outwardly kept busy by searching for a cat and spending time with Sani (Kano’s younger sister) at the guild’s reception desk, and also enjoyed some relaxing moments in the Loser’s District, which I hadn’t done in a while.

Upon delivering raw materials received from the LeBlanc family to the craftsmen, the commerce in the Loser’s District flourished, and just strolling through the town became genuinely enjoyable.

The armoury displayed impressive weapons, and just passing by the storefront was thrilling. The care of our family’s equipment was entrusted to this shop, which appeared to be thriving in sales, as it was frequented by officially recognised guild adventurers as customers.

Among the craftsmen, the only one struggling was Fatty Pitt, who brewed beer. Although capable, he had been producing a crude beer known as Pitt’s Brew for a long time, which resulted in unstable flavors in his ale. Still, at his core, he was diligent, so I wasn’t overly concerned.

Returning to the Dark Guild headquarters, on the first floor’s great hall, Kirke was lecturing Nina, the “Vessel of the Demon Lord,” on magic.

According to Kirke and the Demon Lord Manina, Nina could not only lend her body to the Demon Lord but also possessed a talent for magic. Indeed, Nina’s growth, under specialized education, was remarkable, and an increasingly ominous appraisal hovered above her head.

Nina Nightsky

Race: Human

Heretic Skill: Vessel of the Demon Lord

Sub Skills: Black Magic Lv3, Magical Beast Creation Lv1

Hidden Skills: Demon Realm Release, Necromancy

Loyalty: 100

As always, her abilities were undoubtedly a death sentence if subjected to a heretic inquisition, but Nina’s powers would undoubtedly be needed in many aspects of running the Dark Guild going forward.

When Nina noticed my presence, she rushed over.

“Welcome back, Don!”

“Did you manage to study a lot of magic today?”

With an innocent smile, Nina nodded in response. When she first arrived in town, the manifestation of her heretic skill had terrified her, making her expressionless. Now, her ability to smile naturally was a sign of change.

In the evening, as family members returned after completing their tasks, they gathered, and I distributed their rewards. Subsequently, our routine included a communal visit to the bathhouse before dinner—a tranquil routine for the Michino Family, with no recent attacks from Capone.

Of course, my life wasn’t just about relaxing. That night, I visited Pornai.

I was gradually understanding Torquemada’s modus operandi—from Lily’s letters to the memories of a woman humiliated in front of her husband. Considering the information on past heretic inquisitions collected by Lilith, it seemed Torquemada listed young female heretics and used this information for something akin to a heretic hunt.

These women were not only used for Torquemada’s pleasure but also provided to nobles and clergy. That’s why dignitaries from the royal capital frequented Torquemada’s residence.

I had Sofia investigate how Torquemada listed these women.

However, Sofia didn’t seem very enthusiastic about this matter.

“Don, you have gained the trust of the LeBlanc family and expanded the family beyond my imagination; I respect that. However, it might be better to steer clear of Torquemada, the Heretic Inquisitor of the Holy See.”

In Sofia’s main room at La Bohème, she spoke candidly as we were alone.

“I cooperate because the family’s expansion brings me benefits. If I decide it’s disadvantageous, I might easily betray you.”

“That’s your prerogative, Sofia.”

Sofia playfully pinched my cheek. “You know I couldn’t betray you.”

Indeed, I knew Sofia wasn’t the type to betray easily.

When Sofia joined the family, her loyalty was about thirty, but now it was eighty. Next to ancient numbers, there were words allowing for sexual relations, marriage, and enslavement by royal decree.

Sofia Gracier was a high-class courtesan whom even major figures of the royal capital could not meet. Her loyalty to us was incredible, and her increased devotion was undeniable.

Sofia placed a document on the table. “A pimp who frequents Pornai had been dealing with Torquemada.”

From that man, she had contacted several people who were selling information about heretics to Torquemada. The document on the desk was a list of heretics planned for capture.

“Indeed, heretics are often said to be physically attractive, making them very valuable.”

As I looked through the list, I recalled a woman who had been embraced by Torquemada in front of her husband.

Torquemada faced no resistance from that woman. On the contrary, she quickly became compliant, and in the end, she voraciously sought Torquemada’s body in front of her husband, who could only tremble and endure.

The scene was too unnatural, no matter how charismatic Torquemada might have been. It was clear her mind had been manipulated by some holy technique.

Undoubtedly, if a powerful heretic skill had been activated at that moment, it would have been disastrous for Torquemada, who had considered no possibility of resistance and was thus entirely vulnerable.

As I pondered, Sofia asked while sitting on my lap.

“So, has this list been of help to you, Don?”

“Yes, it’s more than sufficient. Thank you, Sofia.”

With this information, my next steps were clear. Before these beautiful women preferred by Torquemada could be captured, they must swear loyalty to me. And with my royal command, I could create a situation where this fiend could be killed, and that was all that mattered.