The Shadow Organization Members Raised Through Pay-To-Win Are Too Strong

As Hartwell’s territory came into view, Lorenzo’s gaze changed.

This investigation was merely a formality.

Whatever results emerged, he just needed to cover up the case slightly according to the Cardinal’s orders.

Though it slightly bothered his conscience as an Inquisitor to turn his back on his true duties, he had no room for hesitation.

‘No matter how much I struggle, this is as far as I can go.’

He realized one thing during the long time he was performing his duties.

That someone like him, without decent connections or status, could only rise as far as being an Inquisitor.

Inquisitor was not a low position by any means.

In some ways, they could be considered the true sword of the Holy Kingdom.

Moreover, during investigations like this, their authority exceeded even that of nobles.

One word from Lorenzo could turn a noble’s territory into a wasteland.

However, Lorenzo had greater ambitions.

And this case was nothing less than a perfect opportunity to achieve those ambitions.

‘If I follow the Cardinal’s words well, it’s possible!’

The victim priest, the real culprit – none of it meant anything to him.

Conscience?

That could be kept for later.

‘I might even be able to aim for Bishop.’

Positions he couldn’t even dream of now seemed to shimmer before his eyes.

Inquisitor Lorenzo arrived at Hartwell territory, dreaming of a hopeful future.

Though he wanted to head straight to the temple where the incident occurred, proper procedures were necessary.

He made his way to the Count’s mansion.

“Greetings, Count. I am Inquisitor Lorenzo. I will be investigating this case.”

Lorenzo carefully observed the Count’s expression while greeting him politely.

“Inquisitor Lorenzo. I am Benedict Hartwell, who oversees this territory. Though I have nothing to say about this unfortunate incident in my territory, we will cooperate fully with the Inquisitor.”

Though the Count’s words and actions seemed to welcome Lorenzo, there was palpable tension.

Above all, the two figures behind him caught Lorenzo’s attention.

“Ah, these are investigators sent by His Grace the Grand Duke. They will assist with your duties briefly, Inquisitor.”

Lorenzo clicked his tongue internally at the Count’s words.

‘Tsk.’

Having others attached would create variables in Lorenzo’s plan.

But refusing the Count’s goodwill would also look strange.

Moreover, with the Duchy’s investigators attached, he needed to be careful in his conduct.

“Thank you for your consideration, Count.”

Lorenzo said this while requesting greetings from the investigators.

“Honored to meet you. I am Investigator Leon.”

“I’m Simon.”

Leon smiled while exchanging greetings with Lorenzo.

In contrast, when greeting Simon, there was a certain coldness permeating in her voice.

Lorenzo felt something odd momentarily but not enough to concern him.

‘Cold personality.’

Since investigating the priest’s death took priority, he didn’t pay additional attention.

“First, I’d like to see the contents of the Count’s investigation so far.”

He received the investigation contents from the Count.

Fortunately, Count Hartwell had investigated thoroughly.

Looking at the list of people who contacted the dead priest, including the Count’s wife, it seemed he had investigated without sacred ground.

‘Hmm?’

But he hadn’t spent little time performing duties as an Inquisitor.

One concerning point caught his eye.

‘Examined Young Lord Ethan’s body…’

The report stated that the Count’s wife had requested the priest for the Count’s illegitimate son.

Though it said request, it was actually a favor, but it was clearly written that way to save face for the Holy Kingdom.

‘But spending such a large sum for a child that’s not even hers?’

It bothered him that the Count’s wife had paid such a large sum just for an illegitimate child.

Of course, Lorenzo had seen many types of people.

Most would harm others for their own benefit, not hesitating even to make contracts with demons.

Among these were cases of killing siblings to become family head.

Usually, illegitimate children were nothing good for a family.

‘Moreover, while the Count’s wife is on the list, Young Lord Ethan isn’t.’

The Count wouldn’t have deliberately omitted him.

Perhaps such investigation resulted from an unconscious belief that Young Lord Ethan couldn’t have done it.

‘Interesting.’

Lorenzo smiled at the sight of the Count showing trust in a child with only half blue blood.

Though he originally planned to head straight to the temple, it might be good to meet this Ethan person.

After scanning the report for a while, he finally spoke.

“Well then, Count. First, I’d like to speak with Young Lord Ethan.”

“Hmm? That child should have no connection…”

Count Hartwell was flustered by the unexpected situation.

However, he couldn’t intervene in the Inquisitor’s actions.

The Count called the head butler to guide Lorenzo to Ethan’s room.

Lorenzo was able to meet Ethan following head butler Edgar’s guidance.

“I am Inquisitor Lorenzo, dispatched from the Holy Kingdom. Pleased to meet you, Young Lord.”

With a polite greeting, Lorenzo scanned Ethan’s room.

‘Cleaning in progress?’

Three servants were tidying the room.

All appeared around the same age as Young Lord Ethan.

‘Still an illegitimate child after all.’

Though the Count seemed to care, the difference showed in these small details.

Usually, at least one skilled servant would be included, but young servants were here in Ethan’s room.

‘Nothing much to gain here.’

Lorenzo’s interest in Ethan cooled immediately.

However, this misunderstanding arose because Lorenzo didn’t know this was Ethan’s intention.

Ethan only had Emilia and the twin siblings he brought clean his room, not letting others do it.

* * *

The Inquisitor visited suddenly.

“I am Inquisitor Lorenzo, dispatched from the Holy Kingdom. Pleased to meet you, Young Lord.”

I didn’t expect him to come to me first.

I, too, welcomed the Inquisitor with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Inquisitor. It would be my honor if I could help with your investigation.”

Inquisitor Lorenzo…

He wasn’t in my memories.

That meant either he was an insignificant figure or he became an Inquisitor after the game became reality.

Lorenzo briefly scanned the room before speaking.

“I’ll ask briefly. I heard you met Priest Kiel before he passed away. Did you notice anything unusual at the time?”

I shook my head.

“There was nothing unusual.”

Lorenzo nodded at my words and replied, “I see, as expected.”

I had nothing more to say here.

I truly knew nothing about the priest’s death.

‘Unless it was Emilia…’

I glanced slightly at Emilia, who was cleaning the room.

“…?”

No, Emilia. Why are you looking at the Inquisitor like that?

Emilia was staring impassively at Lorenzo.

Not just her, but Lena and Ray were also watching Lorenzo.

Still, the twin siblings were children who hadn’t been out of the orphanage long.

Though they’re called children, the age difference between them and me isn’t big, but seeing an Inquisitor for the first time must be fascinating.

But Emilia is different.

Her core is a Phantom.

Having survived a hell-like place, taking an Inquisitor’s head would be nothing to her.

So I was worried.

What if Emilia was targeting the Inquisitor?

‘Please don’t…’

An Inquisitor dying in Hartwell territory?

That would be truly unsalvageable.

It was the worst scenario for me, aiming for a peaceful life.

Lorenzo too seemed to feel the gazes from around and turned his head.

Here, I made the first move.

“Ah, I apologize. This must be everyone’s first time seeing an Inquisitor, so they’re curious.”

Fortunately, Lorenzo just nodded without saying anything and rose from his seat.

“Thank you for your answers. I’ll take my leave now.”

The gazes toward Lorenzo continued until he left.

*Clap*

I immediately clapped my hands and spoke.

“Children? You need to finish your work? And Emilia, you don’t need to go outside the mansion today, so please take care of Brother Bastel.”

It seemed right to keep Emilia tied down here.

Since Bastel kept being a reclusive loner, I planned to keep her in the mansion by asking her to manage him.

‘Still feels unsettling though…’

I suspected Emilia for Priest Kiel’s death.

But what if that wasn’t it?

What if Emilia truly did nothing, and there was a separate culprit?

‘Block variables as much as possible.’

I immediately left the room and called up the status window.

[Leader, please give your orders.]

“Watch the Holy Kingdom’s Inquisitor Lorenzo.”

[Confirmed Leader’s order.]

Ordering this would force Black Raven to watch Hartwell’s territory. Yet I ordered without hesitation.

‘Things have been strange until now.’

All the orders I gave ultimately converged in one place.

‘House Hartwell.’

If Black Raven wanted to, they could easily notice something happening in Hartwell territory.

Yet there had been no movement until now.

That meant one thing.

Someone was blocking information related to me from leaking.

And there was a high probability that Emilia, the Phantom guard, was playing that role.

* * *

Lorenzo left the Count’s mansion and investigated the temple where the incident occurred.

Though considerable time had passed and the priest’s body had been removed, the bloodstains on the floor remained vivid.

‘Hmm.’

According to the original plan, he would have called it a dark mage’s doing without needing such investigation.

But now Lorenzo had investigators from the Duchy attached behind him.

With two of them, he couldn’t show signs of cursory investigation.

So Lorenzo looked around the scene, pretending to work hard.

Scanning the scene showed no traces that could be called evidence.

Only then did Lorenzo marvel.

‘As expected of the Cardinal.’

If there hadn’t been separate instructions, Lorenzo might have been flustered.

There was no evidence, but saying he couldn’t find evidence wouldn’t maintain his dignity as an Inquisitor.

As Cardinal Raphael said, it was more convenient to blame it on a dark mage.

The lack of evidence could be evidence if a dark mage was truly involved.

Though contradictory, there were things in this world that couldn’t be explained.

Whatever happened after that, it was the Cardinal’s business, not something Lorenzo himself should consider.

“The investigation ends here.”

When Lorenzo ended the investigation, Simon, one of the Duchy’s investigators, spoke.

“What? But it’s still too early to end the investigation-”

“I am in charge. I will not tolerate such overstepping of authority.”

Even for investigators, the standing of the Duchy and Holy Kingdom was different.

They also needed to be careful with their words since the other party was an Inquisitor.

“I apologize, Inquisitor Lorenzo.”

As the situation concluded, Lorenzo hurried his steps toward the Count’s mansion.

“…”

Investigator Simon watched the Inquisitor’s back with a hardened expression.

Then Hugo patted Simon’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Inquisitors always talk like that, so don’t feel too discouraged.”

Hugo thought Simon was upset from being scolded by the Inquisitor.

But,

“Huh?”

Black smoke rose around Simon.

At the same time, the surrounding air grew heavy.

“Eek!”

Leon, who had lived long as an investigator, couldn’t mistake the energy emanating from her.

“D-dark mage…!”

However, Hugo’s words were cut off there.

Because Simon’s hand had pierced through Hugo’s torso.

Bright red blood sprayed in all directions around the temple.

“Kuhek…”

Hugo slumped down with a look of unbelievable despair.

Simon took her fellow investigator’s life without concern.

Then she licked the blood on her hand.

“…Tasteless.”

She left, leaving Hugo’s corpse behind.

Simon’s goal was simply to cause chaos anyway.

Coincidentally, someone had killed a priest in Hartwell territory.

“I wonder who killed the priest?”

Though she didn’t know who, they were a grateful existence to her.

Thanks to them, Count Hartwell was in a difficult situation.

And what if an Inquisitor died here, too?

“Aah…”

Just thinking about it was ecstatic.

Simon moaned while covering her face with both hands.

Shortly after, her shadow disappeared.