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Ian read the title on the document once, twice, then a third time. The words didn’t change.

He continued reading.

The document instructed him to leave for the villages by tomorrow and join the team already dispatched there for preliminary investigation to uncover the culprit.

Stamped with the central seal of the Great Temple, the document concluded by assigning the entire matter to the Arbiter of Scorched Judgment, Eor Al Democia.

Turning the page, Ian found an additional note delegating the mission to him, Ian Berger, in place of Eor.

He put the document down.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, just something to think about.”

Ian glanced at Michael, who looked puzzled, then back at the document.

The Arbiter was a position of significant authority within the Great Temple. It was an honorable title granted only to those with high rank in the hierarchy of their respective temples. While it came with extensive privileges, it also involved dangerous missions.

The loss of lives was unfortunate, but this involved only two villages offered as sacrifices by Dark Mages. At most, it would account for 200 people.

‘And yet, an Arbiter is involved?’

This made no sense. At least, not according to Ian’s understanding.

The only exception would be if the danger level was beyond what a priest or holy knight could handle. In that case, the Great Temple’s reasoning for such a decision should have been detailed in the document, but there was no such explanation.

“Hmm.”

To the east of the El Carda Empire, centered around the major city of Lus, lies the Absolute Defense Line, consisting of dozens of fortresses.

Some of these fortresses were built to defend against the sea monsters that flooded in after the fall of the Xail Empire. Others were established as key bases during the reclamation of corrupted lands.

Every time a new defense line was formed, the empire forcibly relocated tens of thousands of people. Over time, villages sprang up near the relatively safe fortresses, with populations ranging from a few dozen to several hundred.

The land was so vast that even the number of villages couldn’t be accurately tracked. Empty, unoccupied land was still abundant.

This was why Ian couldn’t understand. Could those villages have held some crucial significance for the Great Temple?

Judging by their location, it didn’t seem so. They were situated near fortresses behind the Absolute Defense Line.

‘Maybe they’re just being cautious.’

The incidents in the city of Flaming and the fortress of Helrem might have heightened the sense of vigilance.

For now, the only option was to see the situation for himself. With such limited information, it was impossible to form a clear picture, let alone a solid theory.

“Michael.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Am I traveling alone for this?”

“That’s entirely up to you. You can go solo, take companions, or even seek your family’s assistance if needed. However, since an investigative team has already been dispatched to the location, the most the Scorched Judgment can provide is a guide to accompany you. Additional support isn’t feasible.”

Ian nodded. That much was expected.

In truth, he didn’t even need a guide. He already knew the location. He could use spatial travel to reach the nearest city and then take a train. It would take about a day’s travel on foot after that, but that wasn’t an issue. He’d walked three days and nights nonstop before, so this was nothing in comparison.

“So, should I take this as your acceptance of the mission?”

“Of course. I gave my word.”

Michael handed Ian an insignia.

“This is proof that you are acting on behalf of Arbiter Eor under the Scorched Judgment’s name. It’s for identification purposes only and does not grant any special authority or privileges. Please keep that in mind. When do you plan to depart?”

“The document says by tomorrow, but I’ll leave right after breakfast.”

Ian called out to stop Michael, who had been preparing to leave.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

“Is there something else you’d like to say?”

“Not quite. I just have a small favor to ask. Could you settle this payment for me? I didn’t think to bring any gold coins on hand.”

Michael glanced at the item Ian held out. It was a card issued only to the wealthiest clients of the bank, something he’d only ever heard about.

Seeing it in person left him momentarily speechless.

“This… this card?”

He instinctively took it and examined it. He recognized it immediately—the texture alone set it apart from anything else. It was an object he had assumed he’d never touch in his lifetime.

Still, there was no thrill in holding it, knowing it would be utterly useless to steal. With a slight hesitation, he handed it back to Ian.

“…Sir Ian. Black cards can only be used by the cardholder, can they not?”

“Ah.”

“If I were to try using it, I’d end up on a wanted list immediately. I trust that’s not what you’re hoping for.”

Unintentionally, Ian had just flaunted his possession of such an exclusive item. Though it wasn’t his intention, he doubted explaining would help. Feeling awkward, he accepted the card back as Michael gave a faint, amused smile.

“I’ll be waiting at the Scorched Judgment’s chapel in the Great Temple. Please stop by briefly before you leave.”

***

Clatter.

Ian stared out the window as the scenery that had been flying past gradually slowed, becoming more distinct.

The train came to a halt at the platform.

Baaang!

A loud horn sounded, followed by an announcement instructing passengers to disembark as the train had arrived at its destination.

Though the train was packed with people, no one stood to leave. It seemed they were all headed further along to the defense line.

“Well then.”

As Ian stepped off the train, the doors closed almost immediately behind him, and the train departed.

The platform was utterly deserted.

It had been less than four hours since Ian had agreed to take on Arbiter Eor’s mission, and here he was, already at the destination—a testament to how active the day had been.

Of course, it hadn’t been a pleasant experience. At the Scorched Judgment chapel, he’d had to part with a substantial amount of the gold he’d worked so hard to earn.

While the amount on the bill had been manageable, there was no telling how much more he’d need to spend as the mission progressed.

‘Come to think of it, the investigation team was supposed to meet me here.’

Ian scanned the platform but saw no one who looked like they were part of the team.

He stepped out onto the street, only to find that even the few passersby didn’t spare him a glance. Each seemed engrossed in their own affairs.

On top of that, it looked like there had been heavy rain the previous night. The streets were a muddy mess.

Just as he considered waiting a little longer, a man came running toward him from a distance, flustered and out of breath.

“Wa-wait a moment!”

The man, though unpolished in appearance, wore priestly robes, making it clear he was part of the investigation team.

It seemed he had stepped in a puddle during his rush—his pant legs were soaked, and sweat dripped from his face as he panted heavily.

Wiping his forehead and eyes hastily with a sleeve, he gasped for breath before asking, “A-are you, by chance, the one from Scorched Judgment?”

“…The investigation team?”

“Y-yes, yes, that’s correct! I… apologize for being late…” Huff!

As the priest, attempting to apologize, caught a proper look at Ian, he flinched in visible surprise.

“Go-Golden Insignia!”

The sight of the badge pinned to Ian’s collar made the priest freeze momentarily before hurriedly straightening himself to offer a formal bow. Yet, his expression remained puzzled.

“B-but, you came alone?”

“Is there an issue with that?”

“No, it’s just… I’ve heard that holy knights never travel alone.”

Holy knight?

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not a holy knight. I take it you didn’t receive any specific details.”

“Th-that’s correct. All I was told was that support would be sent at this hour.”

Ian retrieved the emblem Michael had given him and presented it.

“I’m Ian, here on behalf of Arbiter Eor to carry out the mission.”

“An A-Arbiter?”

The priest’s face turned pale as he alternated glances between Ian and the emblem, clearly struggling to process the revelation. Already tense, the priest now seemed utterly paralyzed, as though he had just encountered someone far beyond his station.

“I did request support, but I never expected the Arbiter… I-I mean, someone acting in their stead…”

“You don’t need to bow so much. I’m no Arbiter myself.”

“No, no, I couldn’t possibly. To hold that emblem means you are as good as an Arbiter. W-we shouldn’t linger here. Let’s go; I’ve prepared a carriage for you.”

The flustered priest quickly gestured for Ian to follow him. Observing the setup explained the delay.

Expecting a holy knight’s arrival, the priest had procured a reasonably elaborate carriage pulled by two horses.

Well, elaborate was perhaps an overstatement—it was more of a sturdy, utilitarian vehicle than anything fancy.

Still, in a village devoid of nobility, this carriage was likely the pinnacle of luxury. With a roof to shield its occupants from rain and sunlight, it was practical, if not elegant.

As Ian observed the carriage, the priest scratched his head in mild embarrassment.

“It may not look like much, but the ride itself won’t be uncomfortable.”

That much was true. Judging by the map, the journey on foot would take half a day. Not having to trudge through muddy paths was a welcome relief.

Once Ian settled inside, the priest took the reins himself. The sky was brilliantly clear after the rain, and the air was crisp.

The priest was quiet, evidently too nervous about Ian’s status as an Arbiter’s proxy to make conversation. Though he exchanged a few polite words, his terse responses made it difficult to hold a dialogue.

With nothing else to do, Ian conjured a small flame in his palm, controlling and manipulating it to pass the time. The priest, however, kept sneaking glances at Ian from the driver’s seat, his movements conspicuous despite his attempt at subtlety.

“If you have something to say, go ahead, Priest.”

“Arbiter, then… may I ask a question? Just one, if it’s not too presumptuous.”

“Go ahead. Feel free to ask two, if need be.”

“Is this case as dangerous as it seems?”

“Hard to say. The information I received lacked any meaningful details. Frankly, I’d like to ask you the same—what’s your impression?”

“…It did seem dangerous. Priest Deon thought so too. Oh, Priest Deon is my partner in this mission.”

Ian nodded silently, encouraging the priest to continue.

“When we visited the site with the soldiers after hearing a report from the merchant guild that regularly passes through the village, the scene was… shocking.”

“Were the victims brutally killed?”

“Yes. And worse, it wasn’t the work of beasts or monsters—it was done by humans. It looked like they hunted down the fleeing villagers one by one. You’ll understand better when you see it yourself. The rain might have erased some traces, but you can still see drag marks from where the bodies were pulled.”

“They just dragged the bodies?”

The priest let out a hollow laugh.

“If only. No, they didn’t stop at dragging them. The corpses were arranged in a circle, stacked on top of one another. The heads were severed and thrown into the middle of the formation.”

Ian frowned deeply—not at the gruesome imagery, but at the implication. The description brought a particular group to mind.

The priest, unable to see Ian’s expression from his seat, continued driving.

“The strangest part? The blood pooled within the circle, like a shallow basin. The soldiers said they felt a dense, sinister energy radiating from it, even without being sensitive to magic. Nobody dared touch the bodies.”

“They feared what might happen.”

“Yes, exactly. Priest Deon insisted we avoid rash actions and requested support from Scorched Judgment to purify the area with holy flames.”

It was the right decision.

A circle formed from entwined corpses.

Blood pooled like a reservoir within it.

Even from just these details, Ian could already guess who was behind the atrocity.

———-