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Chapter 185: Non-lethal Policy

Southern District of the Holy Light Order.

Innosine’s room was so white it felt sacred.

Ethan and Archbishop Innosine sat facing each other after entering the room.

“I had to be impolite because the Followers of the Moon are so cunning. They’ve sent countless spies to our order until now.”

Archbishop Innosine explained the situation with an embarrassed face.

“I was trying to verify on my own, but I didn’t expect to be caught before I could even start.”

Standing next to Archbishop Innosine was the bishop who had pretended to faint earlier on the terrace by the Archbishop’s action.

The bishop’s face was also red with embarrassment.

This act had never been caught by anyone until now. That was because Archbishop Innosine’s acting skills were quite excellent.

“The Followers of the Moon tend to show signs. Of course, trained Followers of the Moon are said to perfectly erase the fluctuations in their hearts, but there’s just one thing they can’t control as they wish.”

At Archbishop Innosine’s words, Ethan looked at him directly.

“It’s the eyes.”

“…Yes.”

Of course, they don’t show it openly, but no matter how well-trained one is, they inevitably show slight signs of agitation.

Innosine, with his exceptional senses and keen eye, never missed these reactions.

As a result, he had caught over ten spies with this act.

“There were cases like Mr. Ethan who made large donations, and many cases where they joined the order and started from the bottom.”

The Archbishop said this while observing Ethan.

In his opinion, Ethan’s insight was admirable.

It was amazing enough that he knew about the inability to control the wavering of the eyes, but he even figured out that Innosine used that gap.

‘It’s difficult for a young person to know this.’

Archbishop Innosine recalled Ethan’s information.

His identity was certain.

He was from a domain that, like many noble domains in the provinces, was once prosperous but had now become utterly ordinary.

In his youth, he was famous as a sword prodigy in the area, but later contracted a serious illness and was counting his days.

However, he managed to cure the disease, and after that, he displayed outstanding abilities as if trying to make up for all the years spent bedridden at once.

‘They say it was this person who rapidly developed the Whiskers domain.’

His excellent business acumen proven through the Lightweight workshop and Dyeing Workshop.

Not only that. He was hired as the top candidate at Ivecar Academy and became a teacher conducting two classes within a year.

‘It’s an unbelievable achievement.’

He was literally a self-made man.

From recovering from illness to blooming his talents again, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how arduous that process must have been.

Usually, such people are full of confidence.

Their shoulders are raised high, and that confidence is clearly evident in their gaze, tone, and even the smallest gestures.

But Ethan was completely different from such people.

That’s what stimulated the Archbishop even more.

The Archbishop’s instinct was whispering.

That there was something special about Ethan Whiskers before him.

But he couldn’t know exactly what it was.

“Still, it’s fortunate. It seems Mr. Ethan is not one of those wicked heretics.”

Holy power spread from Archbishop Innosine. That holy power quietly enveloped the room.

Shaaak-.

“Still, I need to make sure. Although Mr. Ethan’s identity is certain… they are truly wicked people, so please understand.”

The atmosphere in the room changed.

The holy power spread throughout the room enveloped everyone and made their minds hazy.

The bishop standing behind changed his gaze. He drew up holy power and glanced at Ethan.

“So, Mr. Ethan. Please tell only the truth now.”

The holy power that filled the room had already seeped into Ethan’s body.

At that moment, white holy power appeared in Ethan’s eyes.

Holy Rest.

One of the holy magic of the Holylight Order, its true nature was hypnotic magic through holy power.

However, unlike the dark magic with the same effect, Holy Rest naturally drew out the subject’s answer. Moreover, it was magic that didn’t put much strain on the opponent’s body and mind.

But as such, it was extremely difficult to learn and use.

Although it could be used smoothly with holy power at the level of an Archbishop, it was such a high-level magic that most people showed signs when using Holy Rest.

But Archbishop Innosine had extraordinary skill in this area, spreading holy power so carefully that the other party wouldn’t notice, using Holy Rest naturally.

The bishop thought that this time he would be able to clearly grasp Ethan’s identity, looking at Ethan under Holy Rest.

This Holy Rest was extremely difficult to resist.

That’s because one couldn’t even recognize that they were under a spell.

This is holy magic.

It was a power on a different level from not only ordinary magic but also the dark magic of wicked heretics.

“For what purpose did you make the donation, Mr. Ethan Whiskers?”

Archbishop Innosine asked the most crucial question.

However, Ethan did not answer.

Then he slowly closed his eyes. When Ethan opened his eyes again, the holy power that had dwelt in his gaze had disappeared.

“…!”

The bishop’s eyes behind widened. Could it be that he overcame this Holy Rest?

Similarly surprised, Archbishop Innosine also frowned.

The holy magic had entered perfectly.

Clearly, holy power had dwelt in Ethan’s eyes.

“Archbishop.”

Ethan’s voice was small but powerful.

“……”

“It’s natural for you to doubt me. I understand well that it’s good to be careful and then careful again.”

Ethan said.

“But you should do it with words. Politely, that is. This is not polite.”

At that moment, tremendous pressure burst out from Ethan.

The Archbishop’s shoulders flinched.

As Ethan slowly stood up from his seat, Archbishop Innosine stood up even faster.

“I have committed a discourtesy, Mr. Ethan.”

However, Ethan turned his body mercilessly. As Ethan was about to leave silently, Archbishop Innosine hurriedly grabbed him and bent his waist.

“Please forgive my rudeness.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Only then did Ethan stop.

‘Just up to here.’

Going further would crush Archbishop Innosine’s face.

This much is the maximum apology from his position.

‘Rather, thanks to coming out with such a humble attitude, the initiative of the conversation has come to this side.’

Ethan turned back to Archbishop Innosine.

“Because I understand the Archbishop’s intention, I’ll let it pass this once. Please be careful.”

Archbishop Innosine, who had deeply bowed his waist, swallowed his breath at Ethan’s words.

It seemed like he was speaking with a smile, but something sharp was stinging his skin like it was pricking it.

“By the way, what is the reason for seeking me out like this?”

“It’s to appoint Mr. Ethan as an honorary bishop of the Holylight Order. Mr. Ethan has already fulfilled the qualifications. Today, I came to confirm Mr. Ethan before the appointment.”

The bishop standing behind stepped back slightly. The atmosphere in the room was terribly stinging.

While stepping back and catching his breath, the bishop witnessed an unbelievable sight.

Archbishop Innosine’s back was wet with sweat.

“Then I suppose this concludes your confirmation.”

“Yes, the donation of 100 million gold and the achievements you’ve built up against the Followers of the Moon. On behalf of the Holylight Order, I express my gratitude once again.”

“Then am I officially receiving the honorary bishop title?”

“Yes, you will be appointed as an honorary bishop. Becoming an honorary bishop comes with many benefits. Of course, there are also duties and responsibilities that come with it.”

“That’s natural. One can’t just receive benefits.”

The duties and responsibilities are just about helping a bit in dealing with the Followers of the Moon.

‘It’s what I was going to do anyway.’

Even without the duties and responsibilities of the Holylight Order, he was planning to exterminate all of the Followers of the Moon.

‘Not only achievement completion but also a lot of fame will rise.’

That’s not all. It’s only a matter of time before the fact that the Twelve Apostles have died becomes known, even though it’s not known right now.

If it’s revealed that Ethan was the one who killed those Twelve Apostles, dangers beyond the expected range might come.

‘If I make the Holylight Order my ally, it will be much easier to deal with them.’

An order with a common enemy was a very reliable force to have as an ally.

“Then, before officially receiving the honorary bishop title, I’ll dispel your doubts once more.”

Archbishop’s eyes shone at Ethan’s words.

“I’ll help where manpower is most lacking in dealing with the Followers of the Moon.”

***

“Archbishop.”

“…Huh?”

After Ethan left, only Archbishop Innosine and the bishop remained in the room.

The bishop handed a towel to Archbishop Innosine. The Archbishop looked at the towel quizzically and only then noticed that his back was soaked with sweat.

“He certainly doesn’t seem to be one of the Followers of the Moon, but……”

“No need to think deeply. Just think of one thing.”

Archbishop Innosine said.

“He said he would become our ally, so we must never turn him into an enemy. No matter what happens.”

***

Dark night.

Ethan was moving with a holy knight.

“The first advance team has already entered, but contact was lost a while ago. I think there might even be an Apostle.”

It wasn’t a good situation.

Upon discovering a location where a hundred Followers of the Moon were gathered, the order deployed more than 30 holy knights.

The holy knights were individuals whose combat abilities were as excellent as the inquisitors.

Moreover, because they had a good compatibility against the Followers of the Moon, they judged that 30 or so could easily defeat over a hundred Followers of the Moon.

But they didn’t return.

“I’m sorry. Actually, it’s a really dangerous situation. Usually, we should gather more reinforcements before going…”

“Don’t worry. I’m departing because I judge that I’m sufficient.”

The knight’s name was Van Crow.

He was an official holy knight of the Holy Light Order, wearing light chain mail and a long coat.

“In case you don’t know, I’ll tell you, but our order basically follows a non-lethal policy.”

“What? Isn’t that difficult?”

“It can’t be helped. We can’t put violence first in doing good.”

‘Non-lethal policy?’

Ethan questioned inwardly.

He knew that the Holylight Order advocated a non-lethal policy, but that was just public information.

To deal with heretics led by the Followers of the Moon, they had essentially abandoned the non-lethal policy, judging that they needed to be as wicked as their opponents to match their wickedness.

Right away, even the Inquisition, which could be said to be at the forefront of heresy judgment within the order, never advocated a non-lethal policy.

As Ethan expressed his doubt, the holy knight ran towards the entrance of the cave where the Followers of the Moon were hiding.

One of the Followers of the Moon was guarding the cave entrance.

“Oh Goddess!”

Pureok-!

One of the Followers of the Moon died instantly from the holy knight’s mace.

“Didn’t you say it was a non-lethal policy?”

“Yes, that’s right. I just swung my mace. That guy just happened to put his head on the mace. This isn’t killing.”

“……”

Ethan looked at the holy knight Van Crow. Then he gave a thumbs up.

“Non-lethal indeed.”

“Yes, it’s non-lethal.”

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