There was a question that had always troubled Kriorev.
That was… what would Herman's future ultimately become?
And now, he had seen part of the answer.
He had seen how the Fourth Legion captured Rose City… Well, from a military perspective, there was nothing particularly remarkable about this assault. In the eyes of this battle-hardened old general, the fighting had even been somewhat sluggish and less than ideal.
But that wasn't the point. The point was… he had seen a battlefield completely different from the one in his memories.
After taking Rose City, the Fourth Legion did not burn, kill, or loot. On the contrary, they immediately began dispatching soldiers to maintain order in the city and strictly prohibited any looting or forced seizure of property. To Kriorev and the others, this was something entirely new, because it had always been considered part of war. Soldiers needed to release and vent the fear of death and the pressure brought by battle. Within certain limits, such behavior had always been tacitly permitted.
But the Fourth Legion was clearly different. Their soldiers were strictly forbidden from engaging in such acts. They patrolled the city and maintained public order. At first, the residents of Rose City seemed uneasy about this, but when they realized the soldiers posed no threat to them, they gradually relaxed.
However, that was not the end of it.
Not long after occupying Rose City, the Fourth Legion established special courts and announced to the residents that the city had been liberated from the Council's control and restored under the Emperor's name. Those lackeys of the Council would be put on trial. Then the nobles and officials who had swaggered about Rose City under the Council's authority, oppressing the people, were imprisoned, arrested, publicly tried, and executed.
Their wealth was confiscated by the Fourth Legion. The grain and certain daily necessities were distributed to the poor. Houses and land were either returned to their original owners or temporarily requisitioned by the Fourth Legion for other uses.
After everything was concluded, the Fourth Legion also sent people to explain to the residents of Rose City why they were fighting. Of course, the core message was simple: Prime Minister Stisser and the Council had controlled the Emperor and seized the nation, which was why the country had fallen into its current state. What the Fourth Legion sought was to restore legitimacy, defeat the Council, and return power to the Emperor…
"Why do all this?"
Watching the man in the distance addressing the civilians, Rolex frowned. Duanmu Huai shrugged.
"It's simple. Because we want the support of the people. Soldiers are human too—they come from among these people. Only when they understand what they are fighting for will they have no doubts."
As he said this, Duanmu Huai glanced silently at Kriorev.
"And they won't end up like a certain old man who doesn't even know what he wants to do."
"Heh…"
Kriorev gave a bitter smile and said nothing. He understood what Duanmu Huai meant. Indeed, although he and Rolex felt this was a waste of time, on second thought, letting the city's people know what was happening and why, and gaining their understanding, would at least make governance easier.
It was just that in the past, as legion commanders, they only needed to focus on fighting wars. Internal governance and political matters were not something soldiers were meant to be involved in.
"Inquisitor."
At that moment, Kirti appeared before Duanmu Huai, her expression somewhat serious.
"What is it?"
"We've received reports from civilians that some officials have fled into the AL Church to hide. We intended to conduct a search, but the AL priest refused our request and even called upon the believers to defend the church… claiming that if we wanted to enter, we would have to step over their corpses."
As she spoke, Kirti made a helpless gesture.
"We have no way to forcibly enter the church at the moment…"
"Hmph."
Hearing Kirti's report, Duanmu Huai snorted coldly.
"Take me there."
Soon, Kirti led Duanmu Huai to the AL Church in Royce City Square. At the entrance stood dozens of civilian believers clustered around a fat, big-eared priest, confronting Kirti's personal guards and the Fourth Legion soldiers.
The fat priest was loudly spouting nonsense.
"You shall not enter this church! This is the sacred place of the great Goddess Alice! You barbaric and vulgar soldiers are not permitted to enter! Even if you have occupied this city, you will never defile the great sanctuary of Goddess Alice!"
Faced with the priest's frenzied ranting, the onlookers were speechless. Around them, a crowd of Rose City residents had gathered, watching the church with uneasy eyes.
"Well, this is interesting."
Seeing this, Rolex whistled and said quietly to Kriorev,
"I can't stand these religious nutjobs. Talking to them is enough to make you die of anger. I wonder how this Inquisitor plans to deal with them."
"…."
Kriorev said nothing, merely nodded slightly. He agreed with Rolex. The AL clergy were devout—or rather, stubborn. If this wasn't handled properly, the Fourth Legion's reputation in Rose City would be damaged. He also wanted to see what Duanmu Huai would do.
"Hmph."
Looking at the ranting AL priest, Duanmu Huai snorted and strode forward. The moment the priest saw him, his face turned pale.
"H-Heretic! Leave at once! This is not a place for someone like you!"
"The AL Church worships Goddess Alice, correct?"
"That's right!"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, the priest's face lit up with fanatic excitement.
"The great Goddess Alice guides and saves humanity! She created this world and lovingly protects mankind! She is a great and holy deity!"
"Oh?"
Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow.
"If that's the case, then let me ask you—when the people of this city were oppressed, bullied, and abused by the Council's lackeys, where was your Goddess Alice? Shouldn't she have stepped forward to save them?"
"Th-That…"
The priest was momentarily speechless.
Duanmu Huai gave him no time to think or organize his response. He continued to glare at him coldly.
"Or are you just making excuses? Have you failed to fulfill your duty as an AL priest? Otherwise, why did the people of this city suffer while Goddess Alice knew nothing? Or were you colluding with those damned Council lackeys, covering things up and deceiving the public?!"
"Th-That… No… absolutely not! I am a devout believer…!"
The fat priest was sweating profusely. He hadn't expected this man to be so ruthless, slapping such a massive accusation onto him right away. In fact, some of the believers beside him were already looking at him with suspicion.
"In that case, let us conduct a search. If those people aren't inside, I will believe that you are still a devout priest of Goddess Alice."
"…."
"Tsk tsk."
Seeing the priest's face shifting between pale and green, Rolex shook his head and looked at Kriorev.
"Are religious types all born with the talent to twist black into white?"
"Heh…"
No wonder Rolex thought that. If Duanmu Huai had denied the existence of Goddess Alice, then as a so-called heretic Inquisitor, he would surely have provoked the believers' anger.
But Duanmu Huai did no such thing. Instead, he turned the tables and directly accused the AL priest of disloyalty—not being a devout follower of Goddess Alice. Just like that, the focus shifted. For the other AL believers, the issue was no longer Goddess Alice, but this fat priest who did nothing but eat and enjoy himself.
What Rolex didn't know was that this was the Inquisition's specialty.
Four-Armed God-Emperor?
Second Empire?
The Supreme Path of Greater Good?
You are not loyal. Drag him out and execute him!
Who dared claim greater professionalism than the Inquisition when it came to judging heresy?
"N-No, this, but…"
Faced with Duanmu Huai's furious rebuke, the fat priest's face was deathly pale, sweat pouring down, unable to speak properly. Duanmu Huai ignored him and strode toward the entrance.
The believers were no longer as resolute as before. Seeing Duanmu Huai approach, they stepped aside. The priest collapsed onto the ground, staring in terror at the towering figure looming over him.
Duanmu Huai didn't even spare him a glance. He pushed open the doors and made a gesture.
"Search it."
At Duanmu Huai's command, Fourth Legion soldiers rushed into the church. Before long, accompanied by pig-like screams, several nobles were dragged out by the soldiers.
Seeing this, the priest's face turned ashen.
"Take them away."
Duanmu Huai glanced coldly at the wailing nobles and gave the order casually, then looked at the priest slumped on the ground.
"And this false believer who uses the Goddess's name as a shield—take him for interrogation as well. Then hold a public trial."
"———————!"
Hearing this, the fat priest was both furious and terrified. In the end, his eyes rolled back… and he fainted on the spot.
"…."
Watching the priest being taken away, Lucian's expression grew complicated.
Why had Herman become like this?
Just then, her gaze suddenly met Kriorev's, who happened to be looking in her direction. Startled, she quickly lowered her head and turned away, leaving with the other soldiers.
"Hmm?"
"What is it, General Kriorev?"
"No, nothing…"
Kriorev withdrew his gaze from the back of the girl in civilian clothes, a puzzled expression on his face, then shook his head.
"I thought I saw someone I knew."
"Here?"
"Perhaps she only looked similar. Maybe I was mistaken."
(End of Chapter)