Chapter 301

Experience and knowledge—both are equally important, regardless of their weight.

Experience without knowledge is shallow, and knowledge without experience is empty.

Accretia, Bellato, Corite.

The three nations had different cultures. Their tendencies also varied.

However, upon actual experience, their foundations were no different. Though their colors differed, their frameworks remained the same.

The Parish Overseer of Border City and the psychotherapist Gaya were Force users and high-ranking figures of Corite.

‘Those who possess a metaphysical faith and belief, manifesting supernatural abilities that transcend physical phenomena through their own hands.’

If I were still a cadet, I would have regarded them as beings beyond my reach, barely even considering them of the same species.

Now, think, Luka. Were they truly transcendent beings when seen up close?

They were merely individuals with deeper self-discipline and sharper insight than the average person. They were neither transcendent nor incomprehensibly alien.

‘……They are the same as me.’

Instructor Gaya was a man who, torn between reality and ideals, had chosen to flee. He may have been noble, but he was by no means great. The burdens he cast aside were instead shouldered by his younger sibling.

Gaya’s younger brother, the Parish Overseer of Border City, was being crushed under the weight of that burden, his body rotting away under the pressure.

‘To protect the parish of Border City, he has not hesitated to use any means necessary.’

I had no way of knowing everything the Parish Overseer had done until now.

‘But if he had gone so far as to align himself with Kinuan, then he must have committed acts worse than any ordinary crime syndicate.’

If his actions ever became known to outsiders, people would brand him a corrupt clergyman. However, without his so-called vices, the parish of Border City would have collapsed long ago.

Perhaps there had been a better alternative for the Parish Overseer than joining hands with someone like Kinuan. But at the time, he must have believed that was his best option.

“…Kinuan is not the kind of person you should keep around. He only ever uses others. Everyone who has ever worked with him has been betrayed and ruined.”

I spoke heavily. The past flashed through my mind. Kinuan was a harbinger of chaos and a sign of impending destruction.

He had an uncanny ability to worm his way into the weak hearts of men. Then, as now, he was a master of psychological manipulation.

“There are times when one must drink from a poisoned chalice. Kinuan has been a good collaborator for years. Even the smallest support from him yielded great results, and his efficiency was exceptional.”

"When working with Kinuan, at first, it feels like having a master key. No matter what problem arises, calling Kinuan resolves it. He doesn’t even demand excessive compensation or unreasonable support. That’s why, over time, you must have grown dependent on him as well, Parish Overseer."

I spoke based on my past experiences.

The way the Parish Overseer looked at me was beginning to change. His gaze had softened—almost to the point of goodwill.

"Lukaus Custoria, you seem to know Kinuan very well. As expected of his tracker."

The Parish Overseer knew that I was a well-known figure in the Empire. He also knew that while I had been in Border City, I had worked under Jafa to track down Kinuan.

"Kinuan is always warm and accommodating when he wants something from someone. But the moment he no longer has any use for them, he sets everything ablaze and disappears without a trace. This time, Parish Overseer, you were caught in those flames. I wonder what Kinuan managed to gain this time. It could be the key to finding him."

The Parish Overseer stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"I will step away for a moment. I should speak with the other priests."

He lightly swung the chain connected to his bracelet. The chain detached from the bracelet on its own and wrapped around the collar on my neck.

Charrk!

The chain clung tightly, shimmering with the light of Force.

"Even in my absence, the restraint field will remain active for several hours."

With those words, the Parish Overseer exited the room.

I touched the back of my neck before turning to Gaya. He was staring into his tea with a somber expression before finally looking up.

"It seems I’ve shown you my disgrace, Luka. Just as my younger brother said, I am a coward."

"…You didn’t know how difficult things had become for the parish in Border City, did you? You must have cut ties completely. Given your nature, if you had known, you would have tried to help in any way you could."

It was my attempt at comfort.

"Not knowing isn’t an excuse. It’s my fault for never trying to find out. Whether it was unconscious avoidance or simple negligence, I have no excuse."

Gaya was not the type to be lenient with himself. He was weighed down by guilt.

I emptied my teacup and took a glance around. The Pioneering Temple was far more dangerous than I had anticipated.

‘And taking Gaya hostage would be meaningless. He already feels guilty toward the Parish Overseer. If he were taken hostage, he’d likely take his own life before it even came to that. From the Parish Overseer’s words and actions, it’s clear that he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice his own brother either.’

I felt a roughness in my throat.  

‘I didn’t expect the collar to react within the temple. If the device in the collar is a bomb… then my life is entirely in the hands of the Parish Overseer.’  

I hadn’t anticipated surrendering my life to him so easily.  

Even mastering Akies Victima wasn’t enough to predict what lay ahead in this world.  

‘That’s why the Parish Overseer feels so secure. He believes he holds my life in his hands. Right now, he’s in a meeting with his closest aides, discussing what to do with me.’  

I already had a strong intuition—if negotiations broke down, the Parish Overseer would kill me.  

He had already revealed his misdeeds and secrets to me. If I were to spread this information outside, it would be the end for him as well.  

‘My fate will be decided based on the outcome of that meeting.’  

I was already preparing alternative plans in my mind, considering even the worst-case scenario.  

However, this time, I had a feeling that things wouldn’t take the worst possible turn. A lesser evil, or perhaps even an acceptable outcome, seemed more likely.  

‘…The Parish Overseer will probably choose to work with me.’  

He had no other options. The artifact Kinuan had stolen from the auction house must have been just as crucial to him.  

Clunk.  

The door opened.  

The Parish Overseer, having finished his meeting, stood in the doorway, looking at us.  

"You may leave now, Brother. From here on, this is no place for an outsider."  

At the Parish Overseer’s cold words, Gaya rose silently. He gave me and the overseer a slight nod before walking out into the hallway.  

---  

The Parish Overseer entered the reception room with a new figure.  

It was a woman dressed in a pristine white priestly robe. Her face, expressionless like that of a full-body prosthetic noble, left a striking impression. She stood rigidly by the Parish Overseer’s side.  

‘…A combatant.’  

I glanced over the female priest before turning away. Even a brief observation made it clear—she was a warrior. At first glance, her robes looked loose and flowing, but the cuffs and pant legs were tightened for better mobility. The voluminous fabric provided plenty of space to conceal weapons.  

‘And overall, she has the air of a soldier or a fighter.’  

The line from her neck to her shoulders revealed trained muscles.  

"This is Quilia Aso," the Parish Overseer introduced. "She is my personal guard priest."  

Quilia gave me a brief nod of acknowledgment.  

It was obvious that she, too, was a Force user. I tried to determine what her Force catalyst might be, but nothing immediately stood out.  

"So, she is trusted enough to share many of your secrets?"  

"If I didn’t share information with her, she wouldn’t be able to protect me. Quilia has accompanied me every time I’ve met Kinuan."

The Parish Overseer paused briefly and signaled Quilia with a glance.  

Creak.  

Quilia moved along the walls of the room, checking outside and scanning beyond the windows.  

“It’s safe, Parish Overseer,” she reported in a dry, businesslike tone, devoid of any amusement.  

“Not everyone in the temple is on my side. There are also Overseers sent from the homeland. My enemies exist both inside and outside.”  

“I can imagine. The larger and older an organization is, the more intense its internal strife tends to be.”  

I was well aware of the nature of rulers and power struggles.  

Even from the scattered clues, I could see the situation the Parish Overseer was in with absolute clarity.  

“…My partnership with Kinuan began with the death of Paolo Kwan.”  

I glanced up at the Parish Overseer. He was no mere administrator of Border City’s parish—he knew a great deal.  

“Then you must be well aware of the connection between Jafa Trading Company and Kinuan.”  

“It’s impossible for me to ignore it when my own brother is indirectly involved. I’ve been observing Jafa Trading Company’s efforts to track Kinuan through you.”  

The Parish Overseer had not been passively watching Border City’s affairs in ignorance. He was fully aware of the deeper connections at play.  

‘Accretia, Bellato, Corite—none of the three nations are easy opponents.’  

While tracking Kinuan, I had never once caught the scent of Corite involvement. Part of that was due to my own lack of experience with them, but more than that, they had maintained their secrecy exceptionally well. They left behind ‘almost’ no traces.  

“Jafa’s husband, Paolo Kwan, wasn’t a proper scholar. However, he had a deep fascination with the Arcane Civilization. His obsession was peculiar, and with the capital to back it, he managed to gather some fairly in-depth research materials. There’s an old saying, ‘Even a blind cow may step on a rat’s tail.’ That described Paolo Kwan perfectly.”  

The Parish Overseer paused occasionally to observe my expression. He was, after all, confessing his crimes.  

“It’s fine. I’m not a clean person myself. If anything, I’ve done filthier things than most.”  

I said it naturally, reading the mood.  

“Among the materials and artifacts Paolo Kwan possessed, there were things that absolutely could not be allowed to leak outside. He himself didn’t fully grasp their value.”  

“At the time, Paolo Kwan was under Kinuan’s protection. Stealing those materials and artifacts wouldn’t have been easy.”

“There were several clashes. We thought we had left no traces, but Kinuan found us first.”  

What happened afterward was obvious. Kinuan betrayed Paolo Kwan and Jafa… and sided with the Parish Overseer.  

‘And he destroyed Paolo Kwan’s family in the process.’  

I closed my eyes, suppressing my emotions. One of the root causes of the tragedy that befell Jafa and Anguis Regina was right here.  

“Keeping Kinuan close despite knowing he was a traitor—that was your mistake.”  

The moment I spoke, I realized my own mistake. There was no need to accuse the Parish Overseer so aggressively. Sometimes, I was careless with my words. No, often—I was often careless.  

“That is a fair criticism. I was arrogant. I thought I could control Kinuan, that I could dispose of him if necessary. Kinuan did a great deal to maintain the Border City parish. At times, he even took care of matters I had not assigned to him, anticipating my needs.”  

That was precisely the role of Akies Domini. They carried out the Emperor’s will even without receiving direct orders.  

I felt a sigh creeping up my throat. Carefully, I spoke again.  

“…Did you, by any chance, consider Kinuan a friend?”  

I must have struck a nerve.  

“I can’t deny it. I thought we had built a friendship that transcended origin, religion, and ideology. I let my guard down around Kinuan.”  

Kinuan formed bonds only to shatter them. Looking at his past actions, one might question whether he even had a human heart—his cruelty and treachery were beyond measure.  

And yet, even I occasionally had my doubts.  

When meeting Kinuan in person… he didn’t seem like someone devoid of emotions. His words and actions always carried sincerity, and he treated others with genuine earnestness.  

‘A monster.’

The image of Kinuan in my mind drifted further from humanity once again.  

I opened my mouth and changed the subject.  

“So, what exactly did he take this time? I need that information if I’m to track him down.”  

The Parish Overseer hesitated for a moment before nodding.

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