Chapter 42: Master and Disciple

Saintson Sabano, currently the youngest Inquisitor in the Church.

Whether by name, appearance, or figure, Saintson would almost always be mistaken for a genuine male.

But once she opened her mouth, her clear, bright voice would immediately reveal her true gender, contradicting her outward looks.

As the youngest Inquisitor, Saintson bore great expectations.

Even the cardinals of the Central Papacy believed that she was very likely to lead the Holy Inquisition Hall in the future.

The current expectation among many bishops was that she would make merits soon after becoming an Inquisitor, become a member of the Judgment Tribunal within five years, and within ten years rise to the rank of Cardinal Archbishop, overseeing all matters related to the Holy Inquisition Hall.

This prediction was bold indeed—if it came true, she would be the first Cardinal Archbishop under forty years old since the Church established its complete organizational structure.

Today, Saintson had been summoned mainly on her teacher’s orders, to come to the Holy Inquisition Hall to receive her appointment as Assistant Adjudicator of the Judgment Tribunal.

Though it was a nominal position, it granted access to much internal information of the Hall and insight into the true purposes behind many of its orders.

Holding this position essentially meant that as long as she earned some merits in the future and made no mistakes, she would smoothly enter the Tribunal.

“Young one, standing here dazed, are you intending to pray to the saint’s grace?”

A somewhat worn yet loud voice came from behind her.

Saintson turned her head and saw her teacher smiling cheerfully at her.

Denoya Bass, her teacher and godfather, was now in his seventies but still walked briskly and remained strong and sturdy. If not for his graying hair, one might have guessed he was only in his forties or fifties.

“Just lost in thought,” Saintson bowed to her teacher and spoke softly, “After all, it’s quite absurd for the saint, praised devoutly by so many faithful, to have become a demon. Anyone would find it ridiculous.”

“Don’t say such things outside. Although your voice was low just now and no one likely heard,” Denoya warned sternly, “and though the saint has now fallen, never forget the indelible contributions he made for us. You may detest his fall, but do not forget his former holiness.”

“Yes.”

She always listened carefully to her teacher’s teachings, though whether she accepted them was another matter.

“After this return, I suppose you will be leaving again soon. I imagine you’ve grown accustomed to this by now.”

“Yes, Teacher. After being officially appointed Assistant Adjudicator by the Holy Inquisition Hall today, I expect to receive my first task at the same time. I probably won’t stay here long, so I won’t have much time to chat with you.”

“That’s fine. The work entrusted to us by the Lord is more important than idle chatter. Besides, the situation is deteriorating—the demon invasion on the front lines, the mutual hindrance among the countries in the rear… we never have enough manpower or time. Also, you were mistaken about one thing just now.”

“What?”

“You were called here not merely to be appointed as Assistant Adjudicator of the Judgment Tribunal—that appointment is real, but there’s no time for the Tribunal to hold a ceremony for you. Your appointment and related benefits will be processed soon. The real reason you were summoned is to deliver a direct order from His Holiness the Pope.”

Hearing her teacher’s serious tone about the real reason for her summons, Saintson straightened up immediately.

“Please issue the command.”

“According to the Pope’s will and the cardinals’, your next task is to go to Saint Anso City, infiltrate the city covertly, and gain the trust of its inhabitants. As far as we know, despite being occupied by demons, a large number of human residents still live there, and they maintain some contact with the outside world. We have arranged a false identity for you; you must prepare to depart immediately.”

“What is the specific mission objective?”

“Get close to the Demon Lord Via and monitor her movements closely. Also, pay special attention to the former Saintess Cecilia’s whereabouts and any changes in her identity. Beyond these two tasks, you have no other responsibilities. Further orders will be given once you complete these.”

There was a hint of worry in her teacher’s words.

That phrase “you have no other responsibilities” was most likely added by him—perhaps a concession he personally fought for on her behalf.

Infiltrating an area occupied by demons was like standing next to a ticking bomb.

Even more so under the Demon Lord’s watchful eyes.

“This order comes personally from His Holiness the Pope. He hopes you will complete the mission successfully. If you do well, he will have more confidence placing your name on the list of cardinals. Now that the Saintess has been abolished, the Church needs young individuals with enough charisma and execution ability to fill the void left by her.”

Denoya explained patiently.

It was clear he was worried his student might resent the dangerous nature of this assignment.

In theory, a young and promising Church member like Saintson shouldn’t be sent on such a perilous mission.

Denoya himself was reluctant about the Pope issuing this order but ultimately had to accept it.

The only concession he managed to gain was that she wouldn’t be burdened with additional tasks beyond this.

“Teacher, there’s no need to comfort me. Actually, I already have my own idea why those old men above arranged this job for me. It probably has to do with the saint standing right before me, doesn’t it?”

Saintson said calmly.

Her teacher’s words were just a grand illusion.

Even without this dangerous undercover mission, it was only a matter of time before she, having already accumulated achievements since becoming an Inquisitor, officially joined the Tribunal.

There were many ways to earn merits. The Pope wouldn’t be so foolish as to throw a promising young talent into such peril.

Or rather, even if they were that desperate to assign her this task, they shouldn’t have neglected to ask her opinion—what if she had no intention of becoming a cardinal in the future?

Then such a merit earned at the cost of her life would be meaningless to her.

That big promise was merely a consolation her teacher had to paint.

The real reason, which both she and her teacher clearly understood, was—

Because her teacher had once been the only student and godson of Saint Via.

When young, her teacher had been an orphan abandoned on the battlefield, saved by Saint Via.

And she was her teacher’s goddaughter.

The so-called “nurturing talent” and “using merit for promotion” were, frankly, just methods to eliminate rivals.