The judge said he would arrive in three days. Before that, there was something I needed to take care of.

I requested a special transport equipment box from Matier housed with a holy barrier. Upon hearing this, Matier squinted his eyes slightly.

"...Are you saying you need transport equipment for moving magical items or hazardous materials? What are you planning to use it for? Is it for... developing another business?"

"What other business? I just need it for myself."

I have no idea when I'll be back here, so I can't leave the Demon Sword Surtr behind!

Besides, to achieve what I want, the Demon Sword Surtr is absolutely essential!

Matier closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. He lightly flicked an abacus he had brought out.

"It's possible to get it... but as you know, such items are expensive. They rarely come into cities like this. It could be procured from another city, but..."

Matier glanced at me briefly.

"I've already heard the talk. I heard you're going far away in a few days. To get proper materials from another city, it would take at least a few weeks. It seems you won't be here by the time the items arrive, Priest."

"Can it be faster?"

"The sooner you want it, the exponentially higher the price will be. If someone in this city has that kind of transport equipment... they're likely a collector or a specialist. The price to obtain something valuable from them is not going to be cheap, don't you think?"

I was quite impressed. The way he quickly assessed the situation was remarkable.

I only intended to leave him behind as a nominal head, but... this changes everything.

"Matier, have you ever thought about running your own trading company?"

"A trading company... you mean?"

Matier blinked, then looked away slightly.

"Well... wouldn't that require money? You need significant capital to establish a proper trading company. You'd also need connections with other merchants. I think it's more fitting for someone like me to just manage a gambling den here."

"So?"

"Excuse me?"

"Cut to the chase without giving me all those reasons. Do you want to do it or not?"

"...Dreams come with costs, don't they?"

"But dreams are something anyone can have. From what I see, you have talents too valuable to be wasted in the back alleys here. I think being a merchant suits you more than just being a simple thug."

Matier's eyes widened, and for some reason, his voice quivered slightly.

"...No one has ever said that to me before."

"So?"

"You're quite strange, Priest. At times, you seem more mature than your actual age, and even your jokes seem to carry a purpose."

Matier clicked the abacus sharply.

"I want to do it. Honestly, these days, I find it more interesting to handle money. Even though I'm not actually spending it, I feel more alive now than when I used to drink after a fistfight."

"Right? I feel the same way. I won't be satisfied living as a back-alley priest forever."

I poured some of the liquor from his desk into a glass, handed it to him, and clinked my bottle against his.

"Since we've got two people who want to succeed, shouldn't we play on a bigger stage?"

"...Who's on top, and who's below?"

"What do you think?"

Matier sighed. He stared at the glass and then smiled slightly.

"No matter how much I grow... I don't think I can ever surpass you, Priest. Maybe it was destined to be this way since I got beaten up at the tavern."

"It's Ra's will."

"...Before proceeding with the plan, I'd like to ask one question. What is it that you truly want, Priest?"

"Me?"

I briefly clinked my glass with the bottle. Here's to the first drink.

Hmm.

Sweet.

"World peace."

"..."

"Don't look at me with those cold eyes. Let's start by setting up the business plan. Oh, and by the way, make sure to get that transport equipment."

"Do we really have to?"

"Of course. It's basically our business capital."

"If it's about business capital... Could it be that we're moving into transportation?"

"What are you talking about? My body itself is the business capital! Investing in me is the fastest route to success!"

"......"

I turned the key in the quiet prayer room. Since I'm practically in charge now, Mierkant won't come in even if there's noise in the middle of the night. The same goes for Irene.

I leisurely passed through the secret entrance. There were times I worried about noise echoing through the night, but that's all in the past.

In this church, only those who would do anything I say are around! Which means this church is practically my world!

【Stop coming! Stop coming, you persistent bastard!】

As soon as it saw my face, the sphere that was floating around glinted sharply with light.

Reacting like an angry beast, I summoned my holy power.

"Come on. You should have said so earlier. Do you want to be covered in white liquid (holy power) again?"

Tears trickled down from the sphere.

【You devil of a brat... I won't bow down! So please stop! No matter how much you violate me, I will never hand my body over to you!】

"We'll see about that."

I opened the transport equipment with a click. It was a large bag resembling a carrier. The inside was empty, coated with several layers of magic.

This equipment is used for transporting extremely dangerous items. It's for things like a Magic Cristil that explode with even the slightest shock or cursed objects that contaminate you just by touching them.

When Matier handed this over to me, his cheeks were gaunt. I heard the price had multiplied several times due to the urgency of procuring it.

But what can you do?

It's a necessary expense!

I gave the transport equipment a light tap. Instantly, the square bag compressed to a size that would fit in my pocket and fell into my palm.

Magic is truly fascinating. Seeing it with my own eyes, I understand why wizards are held in such high regard.

If this isn't a miracle, what is? It's enough to make all the priests fade into obscurity!

I expanded the transport equipment back to its original size. Then, I opened the lid and glanced at the Demon Sword, Surtr.

【W-What are you trying to do...?】

"What does it look like I'm trying to do?"

【I-I don't know! I don't want to know! Whatever it is, stop it! Please! Just leave me alone!】

The Demon Sword, Surtr, trembled.

【I-I'll stay quietly locked up...okay? I said I'd be here... I won't ask you to release me... so… Please, stop...】

Sniffling even. Oh my, acting just like a human for a Demon Sword.

Well, I guess it makes sense to be upset. During training, I've poured holy energy onto its body hundreds of times. And every time, the Demon Sword, Surtr, let out a piercing scream.

I softly lifted my hand. Carefully caressed the divine barrier. Surtr flinched from beyond the white light.

【W-What are you doing?】

"It must've been tough, right?"

【T-The carrot and stick! I know this trick! Do you think I’ll fall for it?! Do I look like such a naive woman to be swayed by that pitying look?!】

"No?"

Well, it doesn't matter if she gets upset.

In fact, it's more fun when it's irritated! There's no joy in tormenting if it doesn't react at all!

"It'll be even harder, so brace yourself."

【W-What?! Ah?!】

"Now, here we go..."

【D-Don't come in! Ah… Aah... Don't... come... in!】

Like always, I broke through the divine barrier. Dark Red Magic crackled at my fingertips.

[Warning]

[Warning]

[Warning]

[The Stigmata rejects the invasion of 'Dark Magic.']

[Erosion is commencing.]

[Your body is becoming contaminated.]

Surtr struggled violently.

【Take it… Take it out! Please...】

"Why? Do you like it here?"

【N...No! I don't!】

"It's here, isn't it?"

【Ugh... haah!】

I swiftly turned my hand. My body already memorized the intrusion route into the divine barrier leading to the Demon Sword Surtr.

Moreover, this divine barrier felt as familiar as my own body. Using this power, I could easily dispel Surtr's contamination.

[The body is being rapidly purified.]

[Erosion stops.]

Whoever created this barrier did an excellent job.

Thanks to it, I can play around with the Demon Sword Surtr like this...

It’s thrilling.

Always refreshing.

A holy barrier is the best.

【Y...You... How could you... with this barrier!】

Surtr, desperately trying to push my hand away, screamed.

【No more... I can't take any moreeeeeeee!】

"It's time to finish this!"

【Haaaaaaa!!】

Crack!

Something splattered on my face. Surtr's body trembled violently. The black magic that had been seeping out lost its strength and collapsed limply.

Did magic spill on my face? What a grand farewell. Normally, I would stop here, but there’s something I must do now.

Today's task is not training, but dismantling the holy barrier.

【B-back… I can't go back..】

"Hehehe."

I busily moved my hands. I started by removing the fixed outer structure one by one, leaving only the core.

The goal was to compress it lightly enough for transportation, and then to reshape it as I pleased.

I focused intently. Even a slight mistake would distort the shape, forcing me to start all over again, so I could no longer approach it playfully.

Thus began a task that continued for who knows how many hours.

After much effort, I was finally able to enclose the essence of the Demon Sword Surtr within a newly formed, round-shaped holy barrier. The barrier retained the original capabilities.

This was possible thanks to one of my privileges, the 'Blessing of the Sun God.' As the holy barrier is recognized as a sacred artifact, it does not resist as long as it's not being destroyed.

I tossed the barrier containing Surtr into the air and caught it. Surtr expressed her pent-up anger.

【You... bastard... you're really... trash... ha... ha…】

"How does it feel to be treated like a dog?"

【Shut up!】

Yeah.

I don't have the strength for jokes either.

I placed it straight into the transportation device. After I've made it smaller, I put it in my pocket.

Now it's done. All I have to do is take the Demon Sword Surtr to the Cult Headquarters and use it to uncover the hidden holy relics...

I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath while staring at the ceiling.

I’ll devour everything! Cult Headquarters!

The Judgment Officer has arrived.

A carriage, a rare sight in this city, stopped in front of the Church. Someone sprang out from inside the carriage.

"Judgment Officer, you shouldn't jump out of the carriage."

"That's overprotective of you. Really now. Trying to control someone like me, a Bishop! Absurd! Come back when you've aged ten more years!"

"I am fifteen years older than you, Judgment Officer."

"Then come back with twenty more years on you!"

The sunlight shimmered. Yet even that seemed to lose its brightness for a moment.

A woman clad in uniform. Her playful movements sparkled brightly. And it wasn't just because her attire was extravagant.

Beneath her radiant platinum blonde hair, her appearance was mesmerizing, captivating anyone who glanced her way. There was more to it than just playfulness or innocence.

Beauty.

As beautiful as Irene, like a doll crafted to perfection.

Beverick, who was tied up, drooled without realizing it, then came to his senses in shock.

He began to tremble all over.

"Why, why of all people, is the notorious... the Heresy Inquisitor, Dimona?"

The Heresy Inquisitor, Dimona.

She walked with confidence. Her outstretched feet moved gracefully. Her red eyes were strikingly beautiful, as if ignited with flames.

But what I felt wasn't beauty, it was a chill of another kind.

The Heresy Inquisitor, Dimona.

I know her. In fact, it would be strange not to.

She's one of the main NPCs, isn't she?

"Hmmm."

Dimona, accompanied by her entourage, reached us and glanced at Beverick and me. Then she grinned, revealing her sharp canine teeth.

"Apprentice Priest Beverick. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Y-Yes, it has been... Inquisitor..."

Beverick trembled like a mouse in front of a cat. Dimona then turned to Mierkant and, in contrast to her previously playful demeanor, bowed respectfully.

"It's been a while, Priest Mierkant."

"Inquisitor Dimona. Have you been well?"

"Thanks to you, I have. You haven't changed at all, Priest. I'm a bit surprised that you're just the same."

"People don't change easily, do they?"

"That's true. People don't change easily. That's why once you take a dislike to someone, I suppose you continue to dislike them."

Dimona smiled sweetly as she glanced at Beverick.

"While we catch up, I'd like to see the 'evidence.' Could you show me the way?”

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