Chapter 24

In the icy judgment hall, two cardinals stood silently facing each other.

It was not raining outside, but the atmosphere between them was far from harmonious.

"You don't need to look at me like that—I haven't done anything wrong."

Cardinal Rust Nail stepped slowly out of the shadows, the rivets piercing his body clinking softly with each step, emitting an eerie rhythm.

"The sealed artifact stirred; the Grand Archbishop personally took charge and ordered us to find the misled monks—this is something both of us know well."

"He is an outsider, and his suspicion is the greatest. I didn't arrest him outright—merely probing him covertly was already me holding back out of respect for you."

Though Herbert had little awareness of it, his identity was in fact quite special in the eyes of the monastery's high ranks.

Second son of the Duke of Silver Wing.

The monastery's history had seen nobles become monks before, but they were mostly desperate, fallen nobles or minor nobles forcibly sent here for reformation after breaking the precepts.

Herbert was the only noble in nearly two centuries to voluntarily apply to join the Mist Monastery.

And he was a powerful heir of a kingdom's ruling noble family!

As for whether he truly committed the crime of "desecrating the Princess," everyone knew the truth—no one treated him as a real criminal.

Not to mention his later Oath of Purity, which powerfully proved this point.

He was innocent.

But regardless of whether Herbert was pure, he remained a unique presence, impossible to treat equally with others.

Was he truly framed?

Or did he harbor other intentions?

The Frost Crystal Kingdom had long sought to extend its hand into the Mist Monastery; attempting to install a bishop with royal backing was nothing new.

The monastery's high ranks understood the royal family's scheming but did not intervene, tacitly permitting their small maneuvers.

Monks transcend the mundane, dedicating their remaining lives to order, fighting for justice.

Yet they were not entirely isolated from the world; lacking complete self-sufficiency, they still required outside support.

Though the monastery held reverence for the gods and accepted their blessings, it was not their servant.

The Mist Monastery was not a divine church; it did not specially worship any one deity, nor did it wage war for the gods—only for justice and order in the world.

Even divine churches needed donations from believers to sustain themselves; how much more so a monastery without worshippers?

The monastery accepted noble donations, and at times dispatched knight-monks to help them resolve minor issues.

Of course, only those not involving principle.

Such as exterminating bandits ravaging territories, hunting monsters threatening villagers, or guarding the human-monster borderlands.

The monastery did not wish the kingdom's hand to stretch too far—maintaining the status quo was enough.

That was why, after becoming a Holy Knight, Herbert was directly sent to the Alien Prison as warden.

The position seemed prestigious, responsible for guarding important alien prisoners, but he had little contact with other monks and could not cultivate bonds.

A promotion in name, demotion in reality—appearing glorious but holding no real power, effectively suppressing certain developments.

Yet when the monastery's high ranks made this decision, none imagined this post perfectly suited Herbert's desires.

All alien young ladies—he was thrilled beyond measure.

"But he is no longer an outsider."

Cardinal Thorn sighed softly, his voice low: "From the moment he swore his oath before the gods and received their blessing, he became one of us."

After Thorn finished speaking, Rust Nail stared at him silently with dead-fish eyes for a long while before slowly saying:

"... You clearly agreed with my approach before—don't make it sound like I'm deliberately targeting him."

"Hmph! I don't care about that."

Cardinal Thorn's expression didn't change; he waved a large hand, shaking his gleaming bald head, and said in a low voice: "Now that you've probed him, what further questions do you have?"

Rust Nail did not answer, merely squinting at his shameless colleague.

After a long silence, he let out a weary sigh and said:

"His spirit is extraordinarily resilient—he was barely affected by my probing. Aside from the Purity Blessing, he must possess a magical artifact that protects his soul, at least legendary grade."

Huh?

Cardinal Thorn's expression shifted slightly; he frowned and asked: "So everything he said just now was a lie?"

Was it all an act?

Had he been deceived?

That shouldn't be possible!

After serving as Inquisitor for so many years, how could he fail to distinguish truth from falsehood?

"No, you weren't deceived—everything he said was the truth buried deep within his heart."

"And that was only a part—much more remains untriggered."

Recalling the resentment and fury he had sensed, Rust Nail sighed with a touch of emotion:

"As a wronged youth, he desperately needs a battle to prove himself, to uphold his spirit through the honor of victory..."

He paused, then shook his head: "Even his subconscious wishes for a glorious death—to cleanse his injustice."

At these words, both cardinals fell silent.

Sacrifice.

Dying to prove one's innocence.

All feared death—even Holy Knights did not all possess the will to sacrifice.

Without needing further explanation, they could feel the pressure weighing on Herbert's spirit.

Regarding the events of that time, though outwardly he showed no sign, he had never forgotten a single day—he had buried it deep within his heart.

"Have you uncovered who is persecuting him?"

"I found out, but I won't tell you—it's not something we should meddle in."

"…Hmph, I understand." Thorns Bishop sneered, scoffing, "Looks like he's a big shot within the kingdom."

Rust Nail Bishop shook his head, ceasing further explanation, and said instead: "Now, we can confirm Herbert is truly innocent—not a man deceived. He can be trusted."

"As the Grand Bishop said, he is indeed an excellent prospect. I will recruit him during the next Knights' Corps expansion."

"Indeed, he is an excellent… hmm?"

Thorns Bishop froze, then erupted in fury, pointing at his unprincipled colleague: "You want to steal him!? Absolutely not! Don't forget—he's mine, from my Tribunal!"

You damn old bastard, what are you doing!!?

"Hmph."

Rust Nail Bishop sneered, ignoring Thorns Bishop's rage entirely, and turned away without looking back.

As he walked, he murmured softly:

"You're the one who mustn't forget."

"Herbert is a Holy Knight."

"You, a Penitent Monk, can't teach him… Hmph!"

(End of Chapter)