Chapter 2

“Who’s there? I don’t recognize your face in this village.”

“……”

“Ah, you’re the kid from the house with the yellow roof, right? The one who’s always sick and stays inside.”

002

Deprivation (Part 1)

“Oh, Ailim……”

Upon hearing Anne’s words, the commander of the Holy Army made the sign of the cross by bending his right wrist.

Despite her young age and unassuming appearance, she was a rising star among the Inquisition Judges, known for her terrifying martial prowess and decisive actions. Though she lacked experience, her abilities were said to rival those of veterans decades her senior.

Naturally, such a devout and noble soul would never speak falsehoods. The commander did not doubt her, and his shock was proportional to the depth of his faith.

“Sister, you say even you cannot touch it? How powerful is this evil?”

“Yes. Though it is shameful, I have not yet identified the source of the heresy…… But I have seen that the entire village has already been touched by the hand of the evil god.”

“Ailim is testing us once again……”

In the heavy atmosphere, they fell silent for a moment. The young commander had his face exposed, but the Inquisition Judge, despite the discomfort, kept her helmet on, as if unwilling to show her expression.

Unusually, when no response came from the other side, the commander was slightly flustered, but he soon continued firmly.

“However, to prove ourselves worthy of His grace, we must not shy away from the trials He sets before us.”

“Yes.”

There was a response to that.

“We will surely overcome this……”

Her words, usually sharp, now trailed off like a mist. Sensing something more, the commander hesitated before broaching a sensitive topic.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh?”

“That village… isn’t it your hometown?”

“……”

Those who stand before the glory of God must not hide their past. How can one praise the light while hiding in the shadows of shame?

Anne’s past was as well-known as her fame. It was known that she had lived a life unrelated to religion in her childhood, growing up in this small rural village.

Of course, no one held her past against her, but this situation was special. If things continued this way, she would have to burn her hometown with her own hands.

“That is precisely why I must be the one to carry it out.”

But Anne spoke firmly. Her momentarily shaken resolve quickly stood tall again. Truly, a model Inquisition Judge.

“Though it is too late to turn back…… If there are those who can still be saved, we must save them. And for those who cannot……”

Unconsciously, she had clenched her fist so tightly it nearly crushed itself. But her body, strengthened by the Holy Body, did not bleed even as her nails dug into her palm.

Yet, that faint pain was enough to awaken her reason.

“I must grant them peace with my own hands.”

“……I apologize for doubting your conviction, Judge Anne.”

“I understand.”

The commander made the sign of the cross once more before leaving, and Anne’s heavy gaze followed his back before shifting to the entire camp.

Ding. Ding. Ding. The clear sound of bells announced the march, sharpening the minds of the faithful. But the dark clouds swirling in Anne’s mind showed no sign of dissipating.

The army moved with the precision of a single living being. Knights armored their horses, soldiers prepared their weapons, all readying for the coming time of judgment.

As an Inquisition Judge, Anne would stand at their forefront. Wielding her mace, she would crush the darkness at the very front, and in her wake, not only heretics but also the bodies of faithful believers would pile up like mountains.

It was a fate she had already accepted, but today, the weight of her armor pressed heavily on her shoulders.

“Holy War!”

Beneath the dazzling armor and glorious helmet, her hidden flaw was the reason.

Today, for the first time in her life, Anne lied before God.

Returning to the village, her gloomy heart showed no sign of lifting for a while.

Come to think of it, it had been years since Anne last visited the village. Would it be alright to leave without greeting the others? Not that I could chase after her and stop her.

Sighing deeply, I couldn’t stay seated forever, so I eventually left the spot where I had met Anne and returned home.

“Next trip, I need to prepare……”

Even muttering to myself to push forward, I couldn’t muster any energy. But I couldn’t afford to wallow in despair forever, so I eventually forced my heavy body up.

I’m a merchant. Not a grand one, just a small-time peddler with a single cart, traveling alone.

I didn’t even need to hire mercenaries, as the village was close to the city and within the religious order’s territory. The profits were small, but so were the risks and burdens.

All I needed was the perseverance to keep traveling the same routes. If the timing had been slightly off, perhaps Anne and I would never have met.

Getting caught with my fiancée by my side.

Or not meeting at all, only hearing from the villagers that my fiancée had appeared.

Which would be worse? No, either way, it would be the worst.

Of course, the worst of all was me. Breaking promises under the guise of reality, abandoning my first love, and rationalizing it all.

“Sigh……”

Even a hopeless fool like me has to make a living, so my body moved on its own, gathering the necessary items for the next trip.

A bit of dried meat, clumsily made straw dolls, old books hard to find even in the city…… Mostly cheap trinkets rather than useful items. The kind of stuff only someone like me would handle.

I had dreamed of becoming a great merchant, but how could an illiterate like me manage that? After letting go of the brightest thing in my hands, giving up on other dreams became easier.

Yes, someone like me doesn’t suit Anne. A shabby house and worthless trinkets are no match for a grand mansion and dazzling jewels for someone like her.

The things I can’t give her. If I’ve given up, I shouldn’t expect anything.

To shake off the gloom, I pretended to immerse myself in work. While packing another bundle, my hand slipped, and a straw doll fell out.

“Huh?”

The seams weren’t neat, and the stuffing was leaking out. A defective product. Thinking it was just as well, I reached to pick it up when…

“……!”

An indescribable premonition made me drop the doll again.

The terror of death. Like the time I, as a child, took a shortcut through the woods and encountered a wolf. But why?

Engrossed in work or lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed it before, but now I could feel it. The dreadful resonance of something massive approaching, and the increasingly loud, disciplined chants.

“For Ailim!”

“For our Lord!”

Why is the Holy Army here?

Opening the window, I saw the rapidly approaching dust cloud and the glint of silver within. The banner on the high pole confirmed my suspicions.

The honorable warriors who always made me feel secure when they defeated bandits and monsters in the area. But seeing their familiar figures now filled me with a new, horrifying fear.

Perhaps it was instinct. They were no longer the kind, reliable protectors they once seemed. A deep-seated rejection surged from within.

My mind went blank. Not knowing what to do, I reflexively crouched under the windowsill, praying they wouldn’t see me.

But aren’t they the ones carrying out God’s will?

“Charge!”

The war cries had grown louder. Should I run? No. My cart-pulling horse was too slow to outrun the Holy Army’s knights.

Hide, I need to hide. But where? This small house had no proper hiding spots. Like a foolish bird burying its head, I pressed myself flat against the floor.

Lying down, I accidentally met the eyes of the doll rolling on the floor. Half-torn and battered, the doll’s smiling face seemed to say to me:

=You’ll end up like me soon.=

In the midst of extreme terror, I couldn’t even breathe properly. The sound of hooves was now right outside, and the weak village palisade was being shattered.

It couldn’t be her, but for some reason, a familiar shout pierced my ears.

“Judge all heretics-!”