Not a barbarian warrior.

Eugene had killed people before. More than a dozen times, no, even more than several dozen times. He had even crushed a person’s face with his bare fists.

However, he had never seen the horrific sight of a child’s face, let alone three, bursting right in front of his eyes. While Eugene’s body, which resembled that of a barbarian, was strong enough to endure any pain, his mind, which was once Kim Woo-jin, was far too weak.

He couldn’t bear it anymore. He was on the verge of collapsing now. What supported him from falling down was the priestess who hugged him tightly. She lightened the burden Eugene was carrying in his heart.

Eugene, who had shown an unsightly appearance to the priestess in the narrow prayer room, was able to gather himself after a long time had passed. He said to the priestess:

“I… I need to apologize to the children I couldn’t protect… Where are the children…?”

“It might still be difficult for you to move, are you sure you’re alright?”

When Eugene nodded, the priestess supported him and headed somewhere. The two people who went outside the building headed towards a certain property of the church. As they entered the fence, a sunny piece of land revealed itself. A leafy old tree stood at the edge, and in the center were small gravestones lined up in a row.

Following the priestess, Eugene saw a woman sitting in front of a gravestone, praying. A familiar face, it was Laura’s mother. Eugene’s steps, supported by the priestess, stopped for a moment. He took a deep breath.

The priestess had said that the tragedy in the sewer couldn’t be Eugene’s responsibility alone. However, that didn’t mean he had no responsibility at all. The scream of the woman who had lost her daughter was still clear in Eugene’s ears. She would surely resent Eugene. He moved his steps again, preparing himself mentally. The steps of one who hadn’t been forgiven were heavy.

The woman who had been praying with her eyes closed quietly slowly opened her eyes at the presence approaching from the side. As she turned her head, her eyes met Eugene’s. Eugene broke away from the priestess’s support and slowly bowed his head. This was all he could do. To the one who had bowed his head low, asking for forgiveness, she slowly opened her mouth and said:

“…Thank you.”

At her words, Eugene’s eyes opened wide. He raised his head and spoke to her in a trembling voice:

“…Don’t you resent me…”

She slowly shook her head. Her eyes were still cloudy, and her face was full of the sorrow of losing a child, but that was all. There was no hatred, anger, or resentment towards anyone.

“Then… are you forgiving me…”

She shook her head again and said:

“I heard that you fought against that demonic monster to retrieve my daughter… How could I… blame you for that… You have nothing to be forgiven for…”

“But… I couldn’t save her…”

“Instead, you gave our child peace before she could suffer more…”

She looked at the grave in front of her. There was an inscription on the wooden gravestone.

‘May the little souls rest in eternal peace, free from suffering.’

The three children who had become sacrifices to the evil worshipper couldn’t be properly buried with their bodies intact like others. Moreover, there was no proper way to separate Laura’s body, which had been swallowed by the demon worshipper, from the monster. So the method the church chose was cremation. What was buried under the gravestone was white, purified ashes.

“My lord… I have one request… Would you please pray for my daughter…?”

Eugene silently granted her request. With his unwell body, he stood in front of the gravestone where the children were buried, slowly knelt down, put his hands together, and closed his eyes.

When he was Kim Woo-jin, he didn’t believe in God. Even after being possessed by this body called Eugene, he only acknowledged the existence of God but didn’t sincerely worship. Rather, he cursed and resented Him for throwing him into this damned world. For the first time, such a person earnestly prayed to God. He prayed for Him to take care of these children. To grant them eternal rest and peace, free from suffering.

As warm sunlight settled, a gentle breeze swept past the gravestones. As if gently caressing with an affectionate hand.

After finishing his prayer for the children and heartfelt apology in front of the gravestone, Eugene went back into the church building, supported by the priestess. Even though he had only moved a little, his complexion didn’t look good. It was because he had overexerted his unwell body.

“It would be better not to move from the bed for a while. You’ve pushed yourself too hard, Brother…”

It was the moment the priestess supporting Eugene said this and opened the door to the room. A woman was sitting on the bed. Below her short-cut hair, her expressionless face resembled the priestess supporting Eugene very much. However, her face was somewhat shadowed, and her eyes were extremely cold.

Seeing her, the priestess spoke, seeming somewhat flustered:

“Sister Lucia…”

“Cecile, my sister. It’s been a while.”

The two sisters, reuniting after a long time, spoke to each other in calm tones. While Eugene kept his mouth shut perceptively, the conversation between the two sisters continued.

“How did you come here, sister… Could it be…”

“What you’re guessing is probably right. Is the name of that man you’re supporting perhaps Eugene?”

“…That’s right.”

The woman sitting on the bed stood up and approached the two. She put her hand on her chest and introduced herself to Eugene.

“Brother Eugene. I am Inquisitor Lucia. Could I have a conversation with you for a moment?”

Eugene immediately understood what kind of conversation she wanted to have. Probably about the demon worshipper. Just as he swallowed and was about to open his mouth, the priestess, Cecile, intervened.

“Sister, Brother’s condition is not good yet. I’d like the conversation to be held later.”

The condition she was referring to considered not only Eugene’s physical state but also his mental state. He was still in a state where his inner wounds hadn’t fully healed. Bringing up the tragedy that happened in the sewer again would be too painful for him right now.

However, Lucia’s attitude was firm. Having come after receiving contact from the church, she needed to urgently investigate this incident related to the demon worshipper as an inquisitor.

“…Cecile. I’m asking Brother Eugene right now. Brother?”

“I’m fine. I’ll gladly comply with the conversation.”

“Brother…”

While Cecile looked at Eugene with worried eyes, Eugene sat down, half-leaning on the bed. He spoke towards Lucia, the inquisitor:

“You seem to have something you’re curious about. What should I tell you?”

“Before that, excuse me for a moment.”

Lucia firmly grasped Eugene’s left arm, or more precisely, his wrist. Then, staring at his face, she answered:

“I need to know everything related to the demon worshipper. Please tell me in as much detail as possible, without omitting even the smallest thing. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.”

“…I understand. Then I’ll start explaining from when I received the request from Priestess Cecile.”

Eugene slowly began to unfold the events of that day. In an atmosphere that felt like an interrogation, he opened his mouth nervously.

Lucia carefully observed Eugene while listening to his recollection. She checked for changes in everything – the pulse felt from his wrist, the movement of his eyes, the shape of his lips, changes in his voice, trembling of his body, breathing, and so on.

Eugene’s story eventually led to the tragedy in the sewer. He recited that tragedy as calmly as possible, but he couldn’t hide the lump of emotions harbored inside.

Lucia realized that Eugene hadn’t told even a small lie, and that he was feeling extreme guilt deep in his heart. His story was now nearing its end.

“…After I lost consciousness like that, when I opened my eyes, I was on a bed in the church. It was after several days had passed. I…”

“…Stop. That’s enough. What I’ve heard so far is sufficient…”

Lucia removed her hand that had been holding his wrist. After stopping the story, she quietly looked at Eugene. In her eyes, compassion and sympathy for Eugene were now rippling. Lucia carefully opened her mouth:

“Brother Eugene… Do you regret your actions…?”

At her impassive question, Eugene’s eyes wavered for a moment. After a brief contemplation, he answered. There was a faint trembling remaining in his voice.

“I don’t regret trying to save the kidnapped children. However… However, the children I couldn’t save from that evil monster, that horrific death still remains vividly clear. The priestess comforted me saying that all of this couldn’t be my responsibility, but I still have sin remaining. I feel responsible for that…”

Lucia slowly spoke towards Eugene. She didn’t comfort him with warm words like her sister Cecile. She merely told him the doctrine she had learned.

“Brother… The reason you’re suffering is because you’re not turning away from your sin but facing it directly. The only advice I can give you is one… Keep repenting, and make amends. Then perhaps the burden in your heart might be lightened.”

“How should I atone…?”

“Do as you’ve been doing until now. Don’t turn away from the weak who ask for help, and pity them with a compassionate heart. And…”

She conveyed words of apology to Eugene, who had fought alone against the darkness, with sincerity.

“I’m sorry… It should have been the duty of the church clergy, the inquisitors of the monastery, and the lord of this city, the administrators, and the guards. Thank you for fighting alone against the darkness that everyone didn’t know about, and turned away from… I’m sorry…”

As Lucia bowed her head deeply, Eugene waved his hands in embarrassment. Nevertheless, he maintained his courtesy to the end.

After conveying her sincere gratitude and apology like that, Lucia took out a small bottle from her bosom and handed it to Eugene.

“What is this…?”

“It’s a potion that has been blessed. It will help with your body’s recovery.”

“Why are you giving this to me…”

“My sister didn’t pay you proper compensation, did she? I’m paying on behalf of my sister.”

“…Is it alright for me to receive such a precious thing?”

“I’m giving it to you because it’s alright to receive it. And one more thing. This is a gift I’m giving you as an inquisitor in return for defeating the worshipper.”

She took off the signet ring she was wearing and held it out. The seal had a sword entwined with thorns engraved on it.

“This is…?”

“Since you killed that monster alone, you might have caught the eye of those who follow darkness. It wouldn’t be strange if you get entangled with such evil ones again in the future. When you need help someday, come to the monastery with this ring. You can also send a letter sealed with this. We inquisitors will gladly come to your aid.”

“…Thank you.”

After finishing her explanation about the ring, Lucia took Eugene’s left hand. Eugene was visibly flustered, but she didn’t care at all.

She tried to put this ring on Eugene’s index finger. However, it couldn’t go past one knuckle and wouldn’t go in any further.

“Hmm… Your fingers are thicker than I thought. Then…”

She put the ring on the little finger, which was the thinnest. It didn’t go in well from the second knuckle, but she somehow managed to push it in with force.

Eugene was at a loss at Lucia’s serious attitude, and Cecile couldn’t bring herself to say that this was the place where wedding rings are worn. The atmosphere was that solemn.

While Cecile and Eugene, the two people, remained silent, she got up from her seat. Cecile, who had reunited with her sister after a long time, asked as if regretful:

“Sister, are you leaving already…?”

“No. Not yet. There’s something I need to do.”

Lucia shook her head. There was still something she had to do here.

Something was rising inside her eyes that had grown cold.

It was anger towards the church clergy who had turned away from the poor,

Towards the lord and his vassals and guards who had neglected their duties,

And towards herself who had come belatedly only after everything was over.