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

As Simon disappeared, the temple sank back into silence.

The corpse lying on the cold marble floor was growing chilly.

As the silence deepened, a figure emerged from the shadowy corner.

It was an elderly woman wearing glasses with a wrinkled face.

She pushed up her glasses as she took in the carnage spread across the temple.

“Indeed, how interesting.”

An expression that combined both kindness and coldness.

Her voice was low and calm, but a sharp dagger lurked within it.

She was Zenobia.

The orphanage’s director and the Eighth Elder of Black Raven’s Council of Elders.

When she heard news that the Holy Kingdom would dispatch an Inquisitor to the territory, she quietly contacted the Third Elder.

Though she, as the Eighth Elder, could handle it directly, the fundamental cause needed to be solved.

Otherwise, the Holy Kingdom would clearly continue sending Inquisitors like now.

Such troublesome matters were unwelcome.

The Third Elder was known as Cardinal Raphael in the Holy Kingdom.

With his powerful influence, he could control the Inquisitors however he wished.

At that time, she thought the matter would end smoothly.

But an unexpected variable appeared.

“To think it was a dark mage…”

A cold smile played on the Eighth Elder’s lips.

Not only had a dark mage infiltrated as a Duchy investigator, but they had also taken another person’s life.

If she hadn’t been here, she would have missed such a rare sight.

“As expected of the Leader.”

The Eighth Elder thought of the Leader.

It was no coincidence that she was here.

It was the Leader’s order.

More precisely, it was due to the Supreme Council’s instructions, which were essentially the same as the Leader’s will.

In the end, she could say it was all thanks to the Leader’s foresight that she was able to detect the dark mage.

The instruction was to watch Inquisitor Lorenzo.

According to her promise to the Third Elder, she had originally planned to kill the Inquisitor after the investigation ended.

But the Leader’s orders took priority.

This was Black Raven’s absolute rule.

For relatively simple missions like surveillance, she could usually deploy Lucy or the children, but the Eighth Elder’s senses had detected an alien energy.

It was dark magic.

“The energy is truly refined.”

Even the Inquisitor right beside couldn’t notice it. No one but an Elder like herself would have seen at this level.

“I’d like to know what tricks they used.”

The Eighth Elder became interested.

It had been a while since she’d seen a dark mage, and she wanted to know how they contained their energy.

Above all, giving her orders when there was a Phantom in Hartwell territory essentially meant that she would handle it as she saw fit.

“I was wanting to show the children a dark mage anyway…”

Zenobia was both an Elder of the Council and director of the orphanage.

She had a strong desire to give much experience to the children who would someday lead Black Raven.

“This worked out well.”

* * *

“Is that true, Inquisitor?”

Count Benedict Hartwell stood up abruptly, striking his desk.

Relief was etched on his face.

“Yes, Count. Further investigation seems unnecessary. I will announce the results upon my return.”

The Inquisitor notified that the investigation was complete.

The Count slumped back in his chair, wiping his forehead.

A sigh of relief escaped naturally.

Moreover, the issue with his wife that the Count had worried about didn’t arise.

It would have been troublesome if the Inquisitor had dug into it, but they were lucky.

‘I was right to speak with His Grace the Grand Duke!’

Not knowing the truth, Count Benedict believed things had worked out well thanks to the investigators sent by the Grand Duke.

In any case, both family and territory escaped without any damage.

Once the end of the investigation was announced with the Inquisitor’s authority, the Count’s problem would be completely resolved.

But such thoughts were brief, as a question soon arose, making the Count frown.

‘But why hasn’t there been any report?’

The investigation ending meant they had either caught the culprit or found decisive evidence.

If so, the territory’s knights should have reported first normally.

The Count carefully asked.

“But has the culprit been identified? Or at least a suspect…”

This was an incident that occurred in the territory he managed.

He needed to know how such an incident happened to respond at the Count’s level.

However, Lorenzo shook his head with a subtle expression.

“That’s difficult to specify. However, judging from some circumstantial evidence, there’s a high possibility it was the work of a dark mage. The exact details will be out soon.”

Actually, the lack of evidence was the evidence, but the Count had no way of knowing that.

“A dark mage? You mean there’s a dark mage in our territory?”

Cold sweat beaded on the Count’s forehead again.

If it really was the work of a dark mage, it would be serious.

Since they never knew when they might act again, it was another headache for the Count.

“The dark mage appears to have already left the territory. You needn’t worry too much.”

“Ah, if that’s true, thank heavens.”

The Count stroked his chest at the Inquisitor’s words.

Having been notified that the investigation was complete, Lorenzo rose from his seat.

“I’ll take my leave now. I pray the Count remains ever peaceful in the Most High’s grace.”

“Thank you, Inquisitor. May the Most High’s protection be with you. Have a safe journey.”

Lorenzo bowed his head in greeting before walking out.

It was the moment the case was concluded.

* * *

Lorenzo left Hartwell territory behind and set out again.

Though the mountain range toward the Holy Kingdom was treacherous, his steps climbing it were light.

Rather, he moved his feet with a smile, showing no signs of fatigue.

‘Now I just need to report.’

This investigation was a mission including Cardinal Raphael’s intentions.

By completing this, he was confident he could further solidify his position.

That wasn’t all.

As promised by Cardinal Raphael, Lorenzo would become a High Inquisitor in the next personnel appointment.

‘Wonder where I’ll be assigned.’

There were many options.

He could become a special investigator directly under the Holy Kingdom or be appointed as a regional administrator.

Either way, he would have more powerful authority than now, so he couldn’t hide his excitement at the bright future forming in his mind.

But then, suddenly, darkness writhed ahead, and black smoke soared into the sky.

Lorenzo instinctively went on guard, placing his hand on his sword.

“Who goes there!”

As the smoke cleared, the figures were revealed.

All wore black robes with covered faces.

“So it was filthy dark mages.”

As an Inquisitor, he couldn’t miss such blatantly emanating energy.

“Do you know who you dare oppose! I am Lorenzo, honorable Inquisitor of the Holy Kingdom!”

Though he shouted confidently, his inner thoughts were completely different.

‘To meet dark mages in a place like this…!’

The appearance of dark mages was not in his calculations.

His conversation with Cardinal Raphael had become reality.

‘What should I do?’

All Lorenzo had was one sharp sword.

Having been dispatched simply for investigation, his armament was minimal.

Meanwhile, the strength of the opposing dark mages was unconfirmed.

Given they didn’t waver even when he revealed he was an Inquisitor, they weren’t opponents to be taken lightly.

Rather, they could act so boldly because they were confident in their abilities.

‘Phew.’

Lorenzo sighed while scanning the opponents.

Rushing in recklessly would risk getting caught instead.

He planned to gauge the enemy’s strength while buying time first.

In the tense situation, one of the opponents stepped forward.

“Why are you trembling so unlike an Inquisitor?”

A familiar voice reached Lorenzo’s ears.

There was no need to wonder who it was.

Hadn’t he heard it several times in Hartwell territory?

“Investigator…”

As Lorenzo muttered, the dark mage revealed their face by removing their mask.

“…Simon.”

It was one of the investigators dispatched to the Count’s family from the Duchy.

Simon smiled coldly.

“You recognize me? Inquisitor.”

“Are you mocking me!”

Lorenzo quickly drew his sword while lowering his stance.

‘Was this the energy I felt then!’

He felt alien energy when he first met Investigator Simon.

Since the person themselves was cold anyway, he hadn’t paid much attention, but to think they were a dark mage.

‘If I had noticed earlier…’

He bit his lip, blaming himself for not noticing sooner.

Dealing with them as quickly as possible was the priority.

“So it was you who killed Priest Kiel!”

Lorenzo shouted with conviction.

However, Simon wore an unreadable expression.

“Oh? I wonder?”

As she asked playfully, the dark mages surrounding them burst into laughter.

“You bastards…!”

His mind raced quickly.

Looking at the current situation, it seemed certain these ones before him had killed the temple’s priest.

‘Could Count Hartwell be involved too?’

No.

Count Hartwell seemed completely unaware.

The two investigators were figures dispatched from the Duchy to the Count’s family in the first place.

‘Then is this the Grand Duke’s doing!’

It was too early to conclude that.

The two investigators’ names were Simon and Hugo.

Simon revealed herself so he knew, but none of the dark mages before him looked like Hugo.

‘Is it unrelated to the Duchy?’

However, it wasn’t time to think leisurely.

“Where are you looking, Inquisitor!”

Simon shouted while swinging her hand.

With those words, the dark mages moved in unison.

Whooosh-!

A shower of black arrows generated from Simon’s fingertips poured forth.

Lorenzo instinctively swung his sword to deflect the arrows.

CLANG!

Sparks flew from the sword due to friction, scattering in all directions.

“Urgh!”

Though Lorenzo barely blocked the arrows with his sword, the problem was just beginning.

Not missing the moment of distraction, one dark mage placed their palm on the ground.

Woong-

The earth shook as dozens of black hands shot up and began wrapping around his body.

“This…!”

There was far too little time to respond to such a sudden situation.

As Lorenzo struggled to escape, Simon mercilessly fired arrows.

“ARGH!”

Arrows pierced his shoulder and thigh as bright red blood poured out.

Even as his consciousness grew dim from the pain, Lorenzo gritted his teeth and thrust his sword.

The blade grazed Simon’s face.

Fresh blood trickled down her cheek.

“You bastard…!”

Simon kicked Lorenzo’s chest with a rage-filled scream.

Unlike her appearance, the tremendous impact sent Lorenzo’s body flying back.

The moment he was pushed back, Simon continuously struck his body.

BOOM-!

His body hit a tree with a miserable sound.

Though he barely managed to stand while staggering, he could hardly breathe properly now.

Through his fading consciousness, the dark mages approached slowly.

“Even the dignified Inquisitor is worthless before us.”

Defeat and despair enveloped Lorenzo at Simon’s declaration.

Still, as if to deliver a final strike, he stained his blade with blood.

An Inquisitor’s blood is holy.

A sword stained with holy blood held great power just by itself.

At last, light enveloped the sword.

Lorenzo swung his sword, firing holy power toward the dark mages.

FWOOSH-!

At the same time, the dark mages generated magic and fired at Lorenzo.

BOOM-!

The moment holy light and dark magic collided, an intense flash and thunderous sound erupted.

The tremendous explosive aftermath pushed his body back. Blood flowed from his entire body.

Though he faced them with his exhausted body, Lorenzo finally reached his limit.

Strength drained from his limbs, and his vision blurred.

As consciousness slowly faded away, his body collapsed to the ground.

That was the Inquisitor’s end.

“Now, let’s take his corpse to Hartwell territory.”

The moment an Inquisitor’s corpse was discovered in Hartwell territory, the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t be able to ignore it.

At Simon’s order, one dark mage tried to lift the corpse.

But an uninvited guest appeared.

“My, my. What are the chances?.”

Simon turned her head at the suddenly appearing presence.

There stood an elderly person wearing glasses looking at her.

“Three dark mages, what a lucky day indeed.”

The elder – no, the Eighth Elder removed her glasses.