Deathbringer swallowed his annoyance on the Temple roof.

It was because the fact that he had been slacking off at the Temple while the Inquisitor and the Berserker were out helping the Demon Knight made him rather uncomfortable.

If he had known that such a thing would happen, he would have followed them out too.

Deathbringer swallowed another lump of displeasure over his irreversible choice.

It really was annoying.

"Inquisitor Daniel, are you heading home?"

"Ah... yes."

However, what annoyed him the most was, of course, the one who caused it rather than himself.

Hearing the name he had memorized, Deathbringer stealthily stood up. Burn scars covering half a face, and mouse-gray hair.

It was the same guy from earlier.

"Your family must be thrilled. It's been a while since you've gone back, right?"

"... I'd like to hope so, but."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing. I'll see you tomorrow."

Naturally, he had no intention of doing him any harm. It was already over, and wasn't it an incident that—though he felt sorry saying this to the Demon Knight—could easily happen?

Did the Demon Knight get hurt? Or were there any innocent civilian casualties?

Neither of those happened. Therefore, Deathbringer couldn't bring himself to harm that Heresy Inquisitor. He really disliked the guy, but he didn't dare cross that line.

That would go against his own beliefs, and it would break the vow he made at Emmit's grave.

"... It's been a while since I wanted someone to make a move."

But still, he didn't want to just pretend not to notice and let it go either. It was a sort of spitefulness.

There had been plenty of people who threw fits refusing to acknowledge the Demon Knight before, but that guy was the first one to actually act on it.

"So I could smack him right in the back of the head."

Was that all? He wouldn't back down since he had made a promise with the softie, but trying to get an answer that never came was proving to be quite exhausting.

He wasn't thinking of giving up, but it meant he was under some stress. Enough that if a target to vent his anger on appeared, he wouldn't want to miss the chance.

So, he prayed.

He hoped that damn meathead would just give him an excuse to pick a fight. He didn't even want to inflict injury, but he just wanted an excuse to at least trip him up.

"Danny, you're here?"

"Daniel! It's been so long!"

"Haha... It's been a whil—"

"Hyung! A two-handed sword! They said a two-handed sword is better!"

"Ah, Schutz, it's been a whi—, huh? What two-handed sword...?"

"Ah, an adventurer let Schutz look at his sword today. But that adventurer's sword was longer than the one you use..."

"... An adventurer used a long sword?"

"Hyung! I'm telling you it's a two-handed sword!"

It was a somewhat unreasonable wish.

And it wasn't the kind of resentment you should pour onto someone who was only strict toward demons or their followers, yet affectionate toward his family.

"Yeah. It was much longer than yours... about this long?"

"That's... fascinating. Adventurers don't usually use swords like that because they're hard to wield."

"Is that so?"

"Hyung, it's a two-handed sword!"

"He must be a highly skilled adventurer."

"True, he did look extraordinary. His hair had two colors, and the clothes he wore..."

"Right, right. I only saw him for a moment... but it was so fascinat..."

"Aunt, Uncle, hold on a second. What did you say... about his hair color?"

"Huh? I said his hair had two colors."

"... Which colors?"

"Hmm. One side was black and the other was gray."

"... That damn demon!"

But as a result, it wasn't a futile effort.

Though even Deathbringer himself had no idea things would turn out like this.

"How dare he, how dare he!"

"... Danny?"

"How dare he mess with my family!"

Daniel's vision turned red with surging rage. The back of his head tingled sharply.

"Wait, Danny. What's wrong...!"

"Daniel?"

"Aunt and Uncle, stay here with Schutz! And until I return, never, absolutely never open the door for anyone! Especially not that half-and-half haired adventurer!"

Yes, it was hard to believe, but it had only been a few hours since he decided to believe it.

He had barely suppressed his anger and contempt because others told him that guy wasn't a demon, that the Proxy would never truly keep a demon as a companion, and that he should cast aside his prejudice and narrow-mindedness.

And yet he was stabbed in the back like this? And in a way that targeted his family?

Unacceptable.

Absolutely, entirely unacceptable.

As expected, demons could never be trusted.

Surrendering to his boiling rage, Daniel spun back around. Clank. The old armor he hadn't yet taken off rattled.

"Hyung, where are you going?"

"Daniel!"

"Hyung??"

Of course, his family was bewildered by his sudden actions. But it couldn't be helped. Right now, he couldn't even spare the time to explain the situation to them.

It wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with his family, it was that he wanted to execute that damn demon as quickly as possible.

CLANK CLANK.

But lamentably, his steps were blocked before he could get far.

"Where are you off to?"

"...?"

Because someone was blocking his path.

"Please step aside. I have somewhere to be."

He couldn't feel any demonic energy from the other person. At that, Daniel mumbled back reflexively.

Another reason was that the person had their back to the evening glow, leaving their attire hidden in the shadows and making Daniel mistake them for a civilian.

"That's what I'm asking. Where are you going?"

However, he soon realized. "Where are you off to?" That sentence was not merely filled with curiosity.

The same went for the attire hidden in the shadows. The dark green cape, looking as if woven from nettles, was perfectly optimized for hiding something.

So were the boots heavily laden with things while pretending otherwise, and the weapons on the forearms raised to pop the collar.

"... You."

This was no civilian.

Perhaps they weren't even a simple adventurer.

As soon as Daniel realized that, he widened his stance and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Though rare, ambushes like this weren't entirely non-existent, so there was no hesitation in his judgment.

"Reveal your identity. Who are you to ask me such a thing?"

Was it someone who bore a grudge against him? Or someone from the back alleys with an extreme hatred for the Temple? An assassin hired by the relatives of a vicious criminal he had executed? Or... the most obvious and common option, a demon follower?

"We saw each other earlier, but you can't even remember me?"

His deepening thoughts were cut short.

Seen him earlier. When? He had spent most of the afternoon in the confession room, so the only possibility was during the morning.

"At the Temple, I mean."

Temple. The moment that word was given, Daniel's brain frantically went to work. But where on earth at the Temple had he seen someone dressed in such dark clothing... Ah.

"... The Proxy's companion."

"That's some pathetic memory right there. Wonder if you can even handle tracking jobs."

"It is my fault for not recognizing you sooner. However, I believe I have the right to ask why the Proxy's companion is here, and why you are blocking my path."

The sarcastic tone was incredibly irritating, but Daniel held it in and showed proper courtesy.

After all, wouldn't the Proxy have a reason for keeping him by his side? Even if he looked suspicious, even if he seemed to express a strange hostility towards him.

If he was the Proxy's companion.

If he was someone the Proxy had chosen...

Was it all really right?

"If you cannot answer, you do not have to. Instead, please step aside. I have somewhere I need to be immediately."

That entity, whom the Proxy had declared was not a demon and whom the Bishop had defended, had sought out his family while he was in the confession room.

As if to mock him. Or as if to threaten him.

The result of their faith and trust was ultimately this kind of garbage.

But would this guy be any different? At a glance, he clearly belonged to the underworld, a companion of the Proxy who would have also traveled with that demon.

"That's why I'm asking where you're going."

"I told you to step aside."

"Are all Heresy Inquisitors like this? You just can't communicate with them."

"If you won't step aside and refuse to answer why."

"At least the softie had the attitude of trying to learn what she didn't know."

"I will force my way past."

It might be an irreverent thought. He might be misunderstanding his opponent.

However, Daniel chose to ignore all those possibilities. He couldn't lose his family again.

Everything that harbors demonic energy. And all those who defend them deserve to die.

"Are you persecuting a civilian right now?"

"I clearly warned you."

He walked forward with a resolute attitude. Of course, he only stayed tense just in case; he didn't draw his weapon in advance.

If the opponent didn't attack, he wouldn't attack either.

"The Knight Boss is not a demon."

But the moment he tried to pass the opponent, the opponent spouted that nonsense. Sparks flew in Daniel's eyes.

"What do you know!"

"Well. You wouldn't know, but the Boss does."

SWISH!

In the meantime, the opponent blocked his path with agile movements.

Did he read his mind to react only if attacked? There was no physical contact.

"Move. I have to go kill a demon!"

"I don't wanna. Unless you give up on going to the Knight Boss, I am absolutely never moving."

"I said move!"

"Blah blah blah blah."

This piece of trash...!

Daniel twisted his body to break through by force. He still didn't draw his weapon. He thought that showing an intention to attack first might be exactly what the opponent wanted.

"I can't let you go."

But every time he moved, the opponent moved to match him. Their reaction speed was so fast that it seemed impossible to shake them off with speed.

"Move!"

"I said I don't want to?"

"Move!"

"Ah, try hitting me then."

"You detestable scumbag...!"

Using force to open a path would just be giving the opponent a justification, and he was no match in speed.

Daniel grew even more heated.

"Ha. Do you guys unify your insults at the Temple too? You're calling me the exact same thing the softie did."

"This is your last chance, move! If you don't move, I'll classify you as a heretic as well!"

In the end, he pulled his final card. At the same time, the opponent's expression froze coldly.

"I'm a heretic?"

"If someone who shields a demon isn't a heretic, then what is!"

"Wow. Saying the right words the wrong way sure is a talent."

"This is your last chance. Cease your protection of that demon and step back."

"Same goes for building a wall in perfectly good ears, huh?"

One of the opponent's hands disappeared into their cape.

"Separately from that, how about you quit calling the Boss a demon?"

"Choosing punishment to the bitter end..."

"Because treating the Boss like a demon is more than enough coming from the Boss himself."

And then the cape fluttered slightly.

Here it comes. Daniel raised his arms, out of instinct or learned behavior. When that happened, it usually meant stones or daggers were flying his way.

FWOOSH!

But what flew at him wasn't a dagger.

["It's rare, but sometimes other things fly at you. Sand or... ash, and in extreme cases, toxic powder. So it's better to roll rather than just block your face."]

As his senior's advice flashed through his mind, a white powder assaulted his eyes and nose.

"Cough, cough!"

Even though he covered his face with his forearm, he couldn't stop coughing. He rolled to the side to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, rapidly blinking his eyelids.

The physiological tears moistened his eyeballs, and his vision returned. Thankfully, it wasn't poison.

"Eat shit."

Setting that aside, the opponent came into his cleared vision, flipping him the middle finger. Naturally, they were slowly backing away, knowing they were about to get hit.

Veins bulged on Daniel's neck.

"In the name of God, I will commence the execution!"

The chant shouted when initiating a heresy trial was brief. Only then did the opponent start fleeing.

Freed from the aftermath of the powder, Daniel also gave chase.

"Stop right there, you piece of trash!"

"Would you stop if you were me?"

If you threw that guy in water, only his mouth and tongue would float.

Trying his best to maintain his composure against those aggravating words, Daniel put power into his legs. Reinforcing his body with divine power, their speeds roughly matched.

TAP TAP TAP TAP.

CLANK CLANK CLANK.

Two sets of footsteps echoed side by side across the streets as night fell.

"Stop!"

"I said I don't want to?"

"You damn demon follower...!"

"Fuck. I'm not a demon follower, okay? You're really pissing me off."

"If you aren't, then what is this behavior of yours right now!"

Watching the person slip smoothly into an alley, Daniel similarly twisted his body. He drew his sword and held it up as if to cover himself.

FWOOSH!

"—! —!!"

As something black flashed past his vision, the powder spread once again. "Cough, cough." Judging by that distinctive smell of ash, this seemed to be ash powder too. He was relieved it wasn't poison, yet somehow it still pissed him off.

SWOOSH, THUD.

"When you don't even know... what kind of existence a demon is!"

"Ha, the number of demons I've seen probably outnumbers the ones you have."

Daniel swung through the air and twisted his body. The bastard who leaped off the wall to jump over him and land back on the street was spouting that kind of nonsense.

"If you know, if you know, then why are you doing this kind of thing!"

"Because I know. Don't you think I'm doing this because I know too damn well, you idiot?"

"...!"

"The Demon Knight is not a demon, absolutely not."

"You're thoroughly bewitched by a demon!"

"Ha, if I'm bewitched by a demon, then you must be thoroughly blinded by your beliefs."

However, the eyes saying those words were so incredibly firm that Daniel grew even angrier.

If that guy truly wasn't a demon follower, then that was merely the bond and trust towards a comrade.

It was a trust extended purely because he didn't know the true nature of demons, because he had been fooled by a demon's hypocrisy, without even knowing he would be betrayed!

"You don't know. The extent of what a demon can do!"

Indeed, all demons needed to die. Those demons that would betray even such an upright trust, all of them. All of them!

"To me, it looks like you're the one who doesn't know anything? Just how brightly a human can shine even when corrupted by a demon."

"That's all a lie! That light is entirely fake!"

"Ha. If it were all fake, there's no way I wouldn't know."

"You don't know demons!"

"And you don't know humans!"

They all need to die.

"What kind of person the Boss is, how he's enduring, and with what kind of heart he stands on this land!"

The demons who killed his parents, who killed all the seniors who had guided him.

"A person who despises demons so much that he treats even himself as evil to thrust his sword, who tries to eradicate demons without even caring for his own life, you don't know that man!"

They must die.

"The one who truly doesn't know is yo—!"

"My parents were killed by a young voice begging for help."

Does tranquility arrive instead when emotions hit their limit?

With clear, sharpened reason, Daniel distinctly opened his mouth.

"Help me. Please help me. They followed a young voice pleading like that and ended up dead."

The day he went on his first field training to become an official Heresy Inquisitor, the day he simultaneously lost his parents, was vividly painted in his mind.

"Have you ever even imagined it? That such a high-ranking demon could appear in a place that wasn't even the frontline, a place where bandit sightings were more common than demons?"

["A child? I hear a kid's voice from somewhere?"]

["But we're in the middle of a forest...?"]

["Listen closely. From over there..."]

["You're right...?"]

["Just in case... Danny, stay here. Carl, you stay with Danny too."]

["Yes, sir."]

"You... don't know demons. You don't know the lengths that real demons will go to, not those low-ranking demons like goblins, gnolls, or zombies."

["... Can't I come with you?"]

["No. We'll be right back, so..."]

["Hey, Danny. Disobeying orders already? You shouldn't act out just because they're family."]

["Right, right. There's a reason for all these judgments. Let's wait quietly, alright?"]

["... Okay."]

"Demons are cruel, wicked, and abhorrent."

["... An, an explosion?"]

["... That's the direction Mom and Dad went."]

["This is bad. Danny, hide nearby! I'm going to quickly check the situation!"]

["No! I want to go too! Let me go too!"]

["No! Stay hidden!"]

["... But!"]

["This is an order from an official Inquisitor to an apprentice! There are no buts!"]

"Beyond anything you can imagine, with absolutely no exceptions for any demon!"

["Aaaagh!"]

["Haaaaaagh!"]

["R, un... Run, Dan...!"]

"For demons, killing them is the only answer."

["Run, you say... Oh, there's one more?"]