The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 73

Inquisitors are broadly divided into two types: those who physically capture heretics and those who subdue them through mental manipulation using holy arts.

Torquemada, who demonstrated his power by subduing a heretic woman in front of her husband, was clearly the latter. Moreover, his abilities are among the top class, including within the Holy Knights.

It was not surprising that Torquemada was startled when the heretic he thought he controlled turned the blade on him.

Torquemada gritted his teeth as he was threatened by twin sisters, Es and Sada, with knives, who had pledged their loyalty before being captured. They were students at a prestigious girls’ school but had lived hidden like lilies after their heretic skills manifested.

Before their imminent capture, I had gone to the farm where they had been hiding, persuading them that I would save them from the Inquisition if they cooperated. Although they did not trust me initially, revealing that I was a former Holy Knight at the right moment gained their interest.

Furthermore, by showing not Don Michino’s but Leon’s face and continuing the polite dialogue, they eventually knelt down with tears in their eyes.

“We have been living in anxiety every day since our heretic skills manifested. We pledge our loyalty to Don Michino, aka Leon Stein, and offer our bodies and souls.”

Then, the twin girls kissed my hand.

Torquemada, momentarily taken aback, soon smiled again.

“It is surprising that my dear Es and Sada are connected to you, but this is Giant Stone Castle. Should any combat occur, the Holy Knights will arrive immediately. Even with the backing of the LeBlanc family, heresy committed here will not go unpunished.”

Torquemada told the surrounding inquisitors, “There’s no need to bother with me. Beat these lowlifes down and capture them. The one who performs best will be granted the first night with these twins.”

With that command, maces were swung simultaneously at Kano and me. I quickly dodged them while holding Kano, causing the maces to swing wide and smash into the ground.

After setting Kano behind me, I faced the inquisitors barehanded. As we had been checked for weapons by the Holy Knights upon entering Giant Stone Castle, I had not brought any armaments.

The inquisitors, like the Holy Knights, were highly skilled in combat, wielding sharp spiked maces. It was foolish to fight them unarmed.

However, as a former Holy Knight and now enhanced with the power of twenty heretics, I was not an easy opponent. I quickly subdued and knocked out several inquisitors using capture techniques.

But there was one exceptionally skilled inquisitor. He swung a giant mace like a whip, leaving no openings. Just as I pondered the difficulty of fighting him unarmed, the twins shouted.

“Don, use this!”

Es and Sada pulled another knife from their waistbands and threw it to me. Catching the two knives, I increased my speed. I parried the mace with one knife and slashed with the other.

My skill “Shockwave” caused the inquisitor to be blown back. Although he tried to stand, a second slash knocked him to the ground.

I had not dealt a fatal blow, but he would not be getting up any time soon.

With five inquisitors down, Torquemada’s smile had vanished. “To easily subdue skilled inquisitors… Don Michino, who are you really?”

Ignoring his question, I said, “It’s not your turn to ask questions. I believe Lily is alive. Tell me, where is she and what is she doing?”

“I do not understand your meaning. Surely you know that Lily was sentenced to death six months ago.”

“In the District of Poverty where your mansion is, several heretics who were supposed to be dead are still alive. Given that you’ve been selling heretics for profit, it’s logical to assume Lily was sold too. Where is she? Answer me.”

Torquemada glared silently.

I picked up a capture cord from one of the fallen inquisitors and restrained him.

“You have one condition to stay alive. Lily must be alive, and you must willingly tell us her whereabouts. That’s all.”

“Even if Lily Ludwig is alive, what do you intend to do? Surely you don’t plan to bring her into your Dark Guild? That would be futile. It’s better if you stop.”

“My goal is to rescue her from her current predicament and reunite her with her parents.”

Torquemada shook his head. “Despite being a don of the Dark Guild, you understand nothing about heretics.” After a pause, he added, “She is no longer the Lily she once was. What would reuniting with her parents accomplish?”

Just then, Kano spoke up. “Don, several Holy Knights, including the esteemed Knightess Lilith, are headed this way!”

Undoubtedly, the commotion had alerted Lilith and the Holy Knights.

Torquemada smirked. “Even if you take me away, the presence of fallen inquisitors in this room will surely raise suspicions among the Holy Knights. We are in the midst of a noble gathering hosted by the royal family. The security is tight, and your escape from Giant Stone Castle is impossible.”

“The Holy Knights will be most interested in this man,” I said as I tore a piece from the robe worn by a particularly large man on the ground, revealing the skill name “Death’s War Club” embroidered on the left shoulder. Although he wore a monk’s robe, this man was one of Torquemada’s heretics.

Torquemada’s eyes widened again. “You knew he was a heretic…?”

“Don’t be so surprised. Your holy arts may prevent detection of heretics, but I can see them. Anyway, Lilith will surely question why a heretic wore a monk’s robe. This information will soon be shared with Cecil, and it’s just the beginning of our plan.”

“Kano, use your skill to hide everyone’s presence. Es, Sada, you understand the plan, right?”

The twin girls nodded in unison. “Don, we’re fully prepared. We’ll follow you wherever you go.”

I hoisted the bound Torquemada over my shoulder. “Everyone, stay alert. Many of Torquemada’s subordinates are in Giant Stone Castle. We don’t know what might happen tonight.”