"Hey, beauty, could you turn off your high beams? You're about to blind ."
Raising a hand to shield his eyes, Steven called out to the girl blocking their path.
He had no idea how the thing in her hand—which looked like a dieval oil lamp—was producing a beam as blinding as a high-powered flashlight.
But then again, considering that his torch was practically nuclear-powered, Steven decided not to comnt.
The light itself didn't harm him—it was just annoying.
The village chief beside him, however, was another story.
Bathed in the harsh glow, the old man looked uncomfortable—almost like a vampire being exposed to sunlight.
"The High Inquisitor was right. The people in this village are far too eager to welco the Inquisition… They must be hiding sothing."
The silver-haired girl standing in the middle of the road did not lower her lantern as Steven had asked.
Instead, she murmured to herself, as if confirming so suspicion.
Her outfit was a mix between a formal coat and a military-style uniform, emphasizing her rather petite fra.
Beneath her long white hair, a deep scar marred the left side of her otherwise delicate face—completely ruining any sense of beauty she might have had.
Had it just been her appearance, Steven might've written her off as just another strangely dressed kid.
But the unsheathed silver rapier in her hand, along with the massive pistol holstered at her waist, made it very clear—
This girl wasn't soone to be underestimated.
"What exactly are you planning? What kind of conspiracy is this?"
Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argunt as she stepped forward, lantern in hand.
Before Steven could remind her that shining a light in soone's face while talking to them was extrely rude—
The village chief beside him suddenly snapped.
"Damn you, Inquisition! You're here to take more people from our village again, aren't you?! You bastards! Murderers with no sense of justice!"
His enraged shout rang through the night.
And as if on cue, doors and windows burst open.
A swarm of villagers charged out, wielding anything they could find—hoes, shovels, pitchforks—
All of them rushing straight at the girl.
Thanks to the sudden crowd, the blinding light was finally blocked.
Steven's eyes could finally relax.
"Okay… so what exactly is happening right now?"
His curiosity far outweighed his brief discomfort.
It was one thing for the Inquisition to suddenly appear in this remote village, but why was the village chief organizing the villagers to fight on his behalf?
There was no way three gold nuggets had bought this level of loyalty.
"Co on! We have to go! The Inquisition won't spare Ægirs like you! If you want to live, follow !"
The old man's explanation was quick and urgent.
"That girl's equipnt isn't sothing an ordinary Inquisition Inquisitor would have. The villagers won't be able to hold her off for long!"
From the direction of the chaos, the villagers' agonized screams rang out.
There was definitely a sense of pressure building in the air.
But, to the old man's shock, Steven didn't move.
Not one step.
"But I'm not an Ægir."
His voice was light, casual—completely unbothered by the unfolding situation.
"So why should I be afraid?"
He tilted his head slightly, flashing an easy-going smile.
"They're an official organization, right? They have to follow so kind of rules."
He stretched lazily.
"And besides, if I run now, won't that just make look guilty?"
Steven carefully analyzed the situation, then made a decision that completely stunned the old man.
He walked toward the besieged girl and even waved at her in greeting.
"Hey there, you're with the Inquisition, right? Are you here to arrest the Ægirs?"
With a single sentence, he cut right to the heart of the matter.
"Hah? Ægirs?"
The girl, who had been fending off the villagers, furrowed her brows.
If she hadn't been worried about harming innocent civilians, she would've already broken through the encirclent.
Steven's question caught her off guard.
What kind of suspect walks right up to an Inquisitor and asks questions?
But because of this unexpected turn, she finally noticed Steven and the girl standing beside him—
Both of whom belonged to the very race that the Inquisition had repeatedly warned her to pay special attention to.
"If you have committed no cris, why would the Inquisition arrest you? As long as you have not violated any laws, being an Ægir ans nothing."
Despite her confusion over Steven's bizarre behavior, the girl still answered him righteously.
Steven nodded in satisfaction.
"See? She said they don't just arrest people for no reason."
Turning back, he seriously explained this to the utterly dumbfounded village chief.
Then, he grabbed Gladiia's hand—who had been silently observing everything with great curiosity, and showed no intention of running.
"You actually believe an Inquisition Inquisitor's lies?! The Inquisition takes people away and tortures them! Do you know that almost no one ever cos back alive?!"
The village chief shouted furiously.
He could not comprehend what was going through this young man's head.
Any normal person would have already run for their life, but this kid?
He looked like he was out on a leisurely stroll.
At this rate, everything was going to fall apart!
"Uh, I never said I believed her."
Steven scratched his head, looking a little sheepish.
"It's just… well."
"I don't believe you either."
His words were casual, but his eyes flickered with amusent.
"You act like we're old friends, but I only just t you today. I've never spoken to you before."
"So why should I not trust what she says, but sohow believe you and just run away?"
"You say the Inquisition is bad, but how do I know you're not the one trying to manipulate ?"
His expression was full of exaggerated confusion.
But behind it, there was a clear sense of mischief.
"How about this?"
"You two fight it out—whoever wins, I'll listen to them. Sounds fair, right?"
Steven cheerfully pulled Gladiia to the side, stepping away like a judge giving the stage to two opposing lawyers.
anwhile, the silver-haired girl had just finished dealing with the last of the villagers.
Without even looking at Steven, she raised her lantern and continued walking forward.
"I have recorded your slander against the Inquisition."
Her voice was calm—but there was an undeniable weight to her words.
Then, she raised her rapier and pointed it directly at the now frozen old man.
"Now then…"
"Elder, would you be so kind as to cooperate with our investigation?"
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