The Porter Is Not Interested in the Hero Party

87 – good friends (13)

One day to bring the case records from the capital church records. A week to find cases matching the victims’ testimonies and collate them in the countryside. And again, the first trial that took place after a week.

Ashuria thought it was fortunate that the Demon King’s army didn’t make much of a move. If there had been even the slightest suspicious movement, I would have had to go to the front again, and then I would not have been able to see this trial.

“That day, the whole family went to the field together. It was because all we had to do was shake off the excess wheat and move it to the warehouse, so we decided to have lunch in an empty field the rest of the time. It was an exceptionally clear day, and my husband likes sandwiches, so I remember diligently packing his lunch.”

The woman who stood on the witness stand had demonic bodies implanted in her arms and legs. Her arms were twisted into bizarre shapes and her legs were much longer than the others, so she had to sit on the witness stand and speak.

Among those who came to the courthouse, there seemed to be those who came to see the witnesses’ bizarre appearance, and there were also those who looked at the victims and whispered. The woman continued, not paying attention to their appearance.

“When I was filling the cart with wheat, soldiers suddenly came. People wearing clothes with the church mark came in out of nowhere, grabbed my husband by the collar, and shouted: ‘Dirty demon worshiper. You and your family will be investigated from now on.’”

She gasped as she spoke. His eyes were red, and his heart was beating fast. The sound of panting breath was mixed with crying, so I couldn’t even speak properly. The old priest was staring into space with an indifferent face. It seemed to him that this time was worthless than the time of Mass.

“And the soldiers dragged us away. They broke my arms, beat me, and tried to dig up evidence of my demon worship. Just nodding your head can make everything easier. So please forgive your sins. He was trying to placate me by talking like that.”

Ashuria covered her face with trembling hands. Wearing a nun’s uniform, she caught people’s attention at a glance even in the audience. But the reason she couldn’t lift her head right now wasn’t because of people’s eyes.

“My husband said he did something wrong, so please sign the papers, and he begged me and the children to live.”

Where did you hear this story?

Ashuria must have heard a story similar to this somewhere. When he had not been serving as the Heretic Questioner for a while, this obviously happened. A scaffold loaded with oiled torches and firewood. The man was bound with a resigned face, and sentenced to be burned at the stake, scorching the floor.

Those who seemed to be family shed tears and grabbed the hem of Ashuria’s clothes, saying this.

Help me. please save me

I’ll do anything to save my husband. That person is not guilty. I don’t know anything.

Ashuria can’t move forward because they pull on her clothes.

That’s why I forced myself to shake off my hand and move forward.

Screams are heard from behind.

“They didn’t listen to my pleas.”

The woman’s resentful voice brought Ashuria back to reality.

His fingertips turned white and trembled. In the meantime, all the work she had been doing while drunk was weighing her down as her karma. How proud she was of being a heretic inquisitor, of believing that only violence was true guidance and love.

I had no doubt that the history of violence and slaughter with my fingertips would touch a corner of the temple.

“My husband was executed while leaving me and the children alone. Even when I said it was unfair, no one listened. Our house, the lord’s flag was up before anyone knew it, and rumors spread throughout the village that our family were evil bastards who worshiped the devil.”

The woman was a strong human being. Even when her arms and legs turned into demons, she suppressed her emotions even when she recited the horrors she experienced on the church podium where she killed her family. With tears streaming down her face and a trembling voice, the woman who finally finished her story nodded and said:

“That is all.”

Then, going down the stairs, she finally sat down, unable to hold back her tears, and began to cry bitterly.

cries for a long time Ashuria wanted to run out of the seat immediately, but she didn’t. The reason she is here is to face sin. As Lena said, it was to look straight at her sins, to properly reflect on and apologize for what she had done.

There were no more in the audience who looked at the woman’s appearance in a strange and comical way. There were only those who bowed their heads or shed tears in sympathy with the grief caused by one human being.

In the sad and gloomy atmosphere, the only ones whose expressions did not change were the old priest and the investigator. The investigator stood up and said.

“As a result of examining the records of the headquarters case and the accounting books of the territory at the time. At that time, it was learned that the local church had a considerable amount of debt. And this debt after the execution of the main case was executed. The local lord paid for it, and all the property of the farmer who was judged to be a devil follower was reverted to the property of the manor, and he is still receiving rent.”

The woman barely moved to the waiting room. There were still many converts waiting for testimony.

The investigator moved his gaze following the woman’s figure and continued to recite the contents of the investigation.

“In addition, it was confirmed that Ji-Min Yeong, who testified in the eyewitness account in this case, was hired as a tenant farm manager by a local lord and lived with generous compensation. Also, at the time of the trial, it was learned that the Heresy Inquisitor who arrived in the province was related to the lord. At the time, it was confirmed that the demon worshiping items submitted as conclusive evidence were not transferred to the capital church in accordance with the rules and destroyed on the spot, and no separate purification work was carried out even though the demon worshipers were in the territory.”

The number of people who pointed fingers or shook their heads increased as the investigator continued to speak. Some shed tears because the trust they had built up in the church collapsed, while others closed their eyes while sighing.

Ashuria looked at the old priest with her head erect in the midst of it. The priest was someone she knew. He was a priest who spent his old age teaching orphans in the capital while serving as the parish head of a local church.

said the investigator.

“Priests. You were the parish priest of this local church at the time. Do you admit that there were inadequacies and suspiciousness in the case?”

The old priest rolled his eyes. The priest, who scanned the inspector with eyes like fish in water, shook his head and said,

“I don’t remember.”

“Priests. You are obliged to answer honestly. On what grounds was the cleanup not carried out at the time? Also, why did you bring the heretic inquisitor, who is related to the lord, to this trial?”

“I don’t remember. I don’t know.”

In response to the old priest’s parrot-like reply, swear words came out from all sides. There were people who threw things, and there were people who wanted to get up right away and drag out the priest. Ashuria was looking at the courtroom with a strange expression that was neither angry nor disappointed.

If there were heroes or other party members here, they would have asked to hold hands. But Ashria was alone here. Because she asked to see the trial alone.

If someone hugged her, she would use that warmth as an excuse to break her heart.

I thought I would become a cowardly and cowardly person who wants sympathy and comfort in a space where severe whipping and reflection should continue.

“At the time, you worked as a heretic inquisitor. Is that correct?”

The trial continued.

“Yes. you’re right.”

The person who climbed up this time was a face that Ashuria knew. He was a local aristocrat, and as a heretic inquisitor, he was a person who devoted himself to society and the church. He had a face polished like a stone in a valley that had been through many years.

“Were you unaware that your relative had an advantage in this case?”

“I didn’t know.”

“Does it make sense that you didn’t know where your relatives were doing?”

“I didn’t know because I was busy.”

He, too, repeated the same sound. Every time Ashuria did that, she felt strange. It wasn’t anger or sadness.

It feels like seeing a friend who was playing with his toy suddenly start swearing that the toy is his.

It’s like seeing a friend you trust don’t hesitate to act indecently in front of money.

“Priests. So, why wasn’t the cleanup done here? What is the basis for your judgment? Why didn’t you even follow the basic manual?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Heretic Inquisitor. Have you ever privately hired criminals to silence victims after this incident?”

“I don’t remember.”

Help me. My husband is innocent.

You’re the only one who doesn’t know you’re a sinner. Accept the sinner’s word, and make atonement for the rest of your life.

It can’t be like this! There really is something wrong!

The church’s investigation is absolute and impartial.

“…sorry… … . do.”

Ashuria’s lips twitched. Tears welled up, and my shoulders shook. If it wasn’t for the encouragement of my colleagues, I would have collapsed here.

“Priests. One month before this incident happened. There are records of several meetings with the lord. What were you talking about?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Why did the lord pay the church’s debt? Why did you owe that debt?”

“I don’t remember.”

The justice he had believed and relied on was, in the end, an existence that became infinitely weak and filthy in front of the wealthy.

The bare face she had never looked at made her feel disgusted.

Disgust that rises even in sorrow and self-contempt.

Ashria wiped away her tears and stood up.

The priest who repeatedly said that he couldn’t remember was disgusting. The Heretic Inquisitor who nodded as if it were natural, and the high-ranking priests who made a pitiful expression as if the priest were innocent, everyone was disgusted.

And, not knowing their disgusting side, he hated himself for joining so far.

“however… … .”

As she rose from her seat, silence fell over the audience. The investigator, who had been fiercely pushing the priest, was also embarrassed and shut up.

“Sister Ashria. It’s on trial. Please have a seat.”

she didn’t listen One step forward. one step. I started to make my way between the chairs. Neither the priest nor the investigator understood her movements, and Ashria stepped into the sacred court.

“Now, wait… … !”

The investigator opened his mouth in amazement, and the old priest’s eyes widened.

Ashuria twisted her waist wide and threw out her fist.

The old priest opened his mouth wide without even reacting to the fist flying, and the fist pressed hard against the old priest’s face as if hitting a bag of sand. The priest’s body was thrown against the wall as his face was crushed as if meat batter was being beaten.

“Quaaa

“Ash, stop the trial! Stop the trial!”

With the commotion, the stained glass broke and collapsed. The priests who were hit by the sharp shrapnel screamed, and Ashuria cut off the necklace she was wearing around her neck.

The cross hung upside down and swayed.

Ashuria knelt once again to the converts who were watching the situation outside in the waiting room.

Then, with his head bowed, he began to offer a prayer of atonement.

dump.

A cross fell to the floor.