Beatrice submitted. To be precise, she agreed only to converse.

【...A filthy traitor like you...】

"Let's skip the traitor talk and just have a conversation."

【Alright. You're curious, aren't you? Why I was in the Demon of the Snow.】

"No?"

【...What?】

"I'm interested in the current Saint Beatrice."

The earrings trembled slightly.

【Could it be that you... feel lust for a weapon?】

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll do what I did earlier all over again."

【Then speak clearly. What do you mean by that?】

"It's simple. What I want is the 'holy spells' that Beatrice possesses."

Beatrice is considered the strongest among the Saints of Fire in history.

She really was a crazy woman obsessed with fire, but her strength was genuine.

I spoke confidently.

"Teach me!”

【Whaaaaaaaat?】

A spirit leaped out from the earring with a pop. It felt like a cute SD cartoon character coming to life.

A ghost like a doll gently landed on the desk, with fiery red hair befitting a Saint of Fire and elegant lines.

She wore clothes that exuded noble elegance, although her expression was quite haughty. It was as if she was looking down on someone beneath her.

Yet somehow...

"Pretty, aren’t you?"

【Do you think I'd feel good receiving a compliment from a traitor like you!】

Despite that, her chin seemed to raise ever so slightly.

I looked down at the mini Beatrice. She growled and stubbornly clung to me, poking my skin with a tiny spear she had seemingly conjured from nowhere.

But a spirit is still a spirit.

Since the spirit had no physical form, it didn't hurt at all.

【Ugh! If I had my body, a creature like you would've been burned to ashes by now...】

"Stop thinking about setting things on fire and just listen to what I have to say."

【Do you think I'd teach holy spells to a traitor like you?】

She spoke confidently and with arrogance.

【I am Beatrice! I was once Ra's greatest apostle! Just seeing you makes me want to throw you into a fiery pit!】

"You actually want to see something burn, don't you?"

【E-everything is for Ra's sake...】

"You seem to have quite the personal indulgence."

Beatrice stubbornly protested. But what can she do? She couldn't influence me at all.

【Why are you, who are favored by Ra from the start... Involved with snakes?】

"We're entwined as much as you are."

【You traitor! The worst! The lowest! Human scum! Degenerate! Pervert! Trash! Garbage!】

"You're crossing the line."

I gathered divine power in my hand and lightly tapped Beatrice.

Roll, roll.

The tiny Beatrice rolled across the desk and jumped up, her eyes trembling as if she couldn't believe what had just happened.

【H-how did you manage to touch me?!】

"I used divine power."

【I can't touch you, so why can you touch me!】

"Well, if you don't like it, try glowing on your own."

【Glowing on my own?】

"It means you're just a simple tool that can't even harness divine power by itself. Got it?"

Beatrice collapsed to the floor, hitting it as she cried loudly.

【This is so humiliating, being treated like this by a distant junior! I want to die! I will die!】

"But you're already dead."

【It's just a manner of speaking! Aaaaaah!!! This is so frustrating!!!】

I leaned my face close to Beatrice. She jumped back in surprise.

【N-no kissing!】

"I never intended to."

【No vulgar things! I absolutely won't allow it! You traitor! You filthy pervert! Go die!】

"I told you, I won't."

I caught Beatrice with my hand. As she struggled, Beatrice ground her teeth.

【Let go! I said, let go!】

"Stop whining and let's have a conversation, Saint Beatrice."

【Do you think I'd surrender just because you're stronger?!】

"...You're just rambling now. Let's first clarify where you stand.""

I casually gestured towards myself.

"Who am I? The one who killed the Demon of the Snow, which even Beatrice couldn't defeat, and the one who rescued you from that hellish gastric acid. Isn't that right?"

【......】

"Even if you call me a traitor, you know, don't you? That I can wield Ra's holy power as well. I just demonstrated it. Surely, there's more to it than just being a simple traitor, right?"

【I-I don't know!】

"Oh, really?"

I tickled Beatrice's side.

【Ahahaha! S-stop it! You beast! Scum!】

"Stop insulting me and face reality. I am practically your savior. Surely the saint of saints, known as the strongest Agent of Ra among Ra's Apostles, can distinguish between a debt and a favor, right?"

【O-of course, I understand that much!】

"If you've received a favor, you should return it, right?”

【W-Well, that's true, but...】

"The fastest way to repay a favor is by teaching me your holy spells. Become my mentor. Okay? Understood?"

【B-But, to a traitor, I can't give anything!】

"You keep calling me a traitor, but Saint, you saw me use Ra's holy spells. Didn't you?"

【E-Even so!】

"Being able to use Ra's holy spells means that even Ra trusts me. So... are you saying you, Ra's agent, can't trust me, whom Ra believes in?"

I grinned at Beatrice.

"Do you think you're greater than Ra?"

【N-No...?】

"Do you think you're more omnipotent? Smarter than Ra?"

【T-That could never be! That's blasphemy!】

"Then, should you trust me, whom Ra trusts, or not? Say it with your own mouth."

【...Trust...?】

"Right? Since it's certain I'm Ra's disciple, there's just one thing left for you to do. What is it?"

Beatrice's eyes spun in confusion.

【"Um... um... repay the favor?"】

"Correct. And you should also acknowledge me as your master, right?"

【Is that so? Should I?】

"Of course. I helped you out of there, and now I'm here to carry forward your legacy, right?"

【Y-Yes.】

"Then, since I'm your successor who inherits everything from you, who should inherit the weapon you use?"

【You?】

"And what about the spirit dwelling within it?"

【Of course, it's your possession...】

Hah- Beatrice's eyes refocused suddenly.

【Are you asking to be scolded?! What do you mean it's your possession! The only thing I'm doing is teaching you holy spells! You owning Brunach and me is a completely different matter!】

"Oh, too bad. Then at least teach me the holy spells."

【Yes! I will do that! But don't even dream about anything else!】

"As expected from the experienced Saint of Fire. It's my defeat."

【Hmph. Do you think someone like you could defeat me?】

Beatrice crossed her arms triumphantly. Then, after a moment, she blinked belatedly.

【...Why do I feel like I was tricked?】

"Tricked? Not at all. I'm the one who ended up losing.""

【Hmph! It's only natural for a traitor! This is my victory!】

Sigh.

That's why she charged at Vaigines alone. Foolish girl.

Anyway, I've gained what I needed. Brunach can be tamed slowly to become my weapon, so it doesn't matter. The most important thing was getting Saint Beatrice's holy spells, and I'm just a step away from securing that.

Good!

Very good!

Spending a month and a half was worth it!

"Mwahaha."

【Hehehe.】

We both laughed.

The door opened. I had already changed into the clothes the servant had prepared.

The person who opened the door was not Inquisitor Dimona. It was Inquisitor Radatok.The man I hadn't seen in a long time bowed respectfully.

"It's been a while, Brother."

"It's been a while for you too, Radatok."

He is a respectable elder. Moreover, being a steadfast and loyal person, there is no reason not to be courteous to him.

The two of us stepped out and walked slowly towards the Holy Tribunal. Radatok explained the general procedure.

"Inquisitor Dimona will be sitting at the highest position as both Inquisitor and Holy Judge. You won't be able to speak to her directly or ask for her support."

"What about the accusations?"

"I have all the documents with me."

Radatok casually showed the documents.

"As the Accuser's representative, I plan to handle most of the trial."

"That's reassuring. Then, who will represent the other side?"

"A defender will appear. Bishop Brody, who is the father of Apprentice Priest Beverick, will be defending. A fierce battle of arguments is expected. The outcome will likely be in our favor, but it will definitely turn into a filthy mud fight."

"Why?"

"Even if the charges are clear, they won't go down quietly. They'll probably bring all sorts of witnesses to cause a commotion. Bishop Brody is that kind of person, someone who could fabricate evidence out of thin air."

Radatok stood in front of the massive door and looked back at me.

"Are you nervous?"

"Why would someone who's done nothing wrong be nervous?"

"...As expected, Brother, you are different from ordinary people."

Radatok smiled slightly.

"Let's go, Brother."

"Let's take them all down."

The door opened.

The enormous door swung silently backward. Countless seats and jurors were present. In front of them, only two chairs were isolated.

There sat the Foreguest. Beverick, the Apprentice Priest. He was already seated. Bishop Brody, who was standing beside him, turned to look at me.

"......"

No words were exchanged, but the glare was hostile. I tilted my chin as if asking, ‘What do you want?’

Crack.

A vein throbbed on Bishop Brody's forehead. He took a deep breath. The surroundings were noisy. Is that the High Seat over there? I looked upwards. The only clearly lit area was where Beverick and I were to sit.

Everything else was shrouded in darkness. Although I could vaguely make out the silhouettes of many people moving about, it was impossible to tell who was who.

"...Internal... whistleblowing...""

"Jahad..."

"Devil of the Eyes..."

"How..."

Whispers passed by. I looked further up. The Highest Seat among the High Seats. There were three chairs placed there.

However, two of them were empty, except for one. The person seated on the far left was someone I recognized, Dimona, the Inquisitor. I waved subtly. Dimona, meeting my gaze, turned her head away primly.

A click of her pen was the only response. It seemed she intended to maintain a completely formal demeanor.

"Hey there."

A voice came from above. I looked up. Fabian was hanging casually from the balcony, waving his hand.

"Win this, Jahad."

"...Of course."

"Mr. Fabian, I thought I made it clear that you shouldn't speak to the accuser before the Holy Trial..."

"Got it. Enough with the nagging. Anyway, see you later."

He winked and vanished into the darkness. Inquisitor Dimona struck the Gavel.

"Quiet! Everyone, please be silent! The Holy Trial will begin shortly! Please remain calm!"

The loud audience hushed. I moved, taking my seat, and looked up at her.

Next to me, Bishop Brody whispered.

“Today is the end of your long tongue!”

“Shut it.”

“You bastard!”

“Private conversations during the trial are prohibited, Bishop Brody. Please step back.”

Under Radatok's gaze, Brody ground his teeth and retreated. As the atmosphere calmed, Dimona spoke up.

“Before we begin the Holy Trial, I must inform you that His Holiness the Pope, who was originally supposed to attend, is not present. The highest authority of this trial is me, the Inquisitor, Dimona.”

The door behind her opened. Dimona, in a low voice, announced:

“Cardinal Arfina is entering. Everyone, please stand and show your respect.”

In the absence of the Pope, she was the head of the Church, and effectively the highest authority.

Cardinal Arfina.

I rose to see her, one of the key figures, as everyone stood quiet amidst the silence, placing their hands over their hearts.

Footsteps echoed, and I opened my eyes wide.

Brilliant white hair. Half of her face was wrapped in a veil. Yet, it couldn't conceal her beauty.

Her delicate figure seemed as if it might shatter even under moonlight. A complexion more beautiful than any pure snow. Long eyelashes and red eyes looking down on me coldly.

A beauty that could not only captivate but also kill. If she were an ordinary woman, half the world would probably risk bleeding just to win her over.

"...My God."

The beauty rating in the Game said TOP, but... isn't this too much?

Why has an angel descended to the Cult Headquarters?

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