Chapter 32 - Hunters

“No one is here, Sir.” A mercenary reported to Koldon. “The place was abandoned days ago.”

“Keep searching for anything suspicious,” Koldon instructed. Not that he hoped to find anything. Nor did he wish to find anything. These men, rough as they were, had families and futures ahead of them.

Koldon didn’t want to snuff out their lives just for witnessing something they shouldn’t have. And no one should learn of what he had.

After Honored Artsly’s return and report, The Pillar of Eternity had moved as quickly as possible. They had sent out messengers and rallied political support, called in favours just to start their hunt before damn heretics could hide.

Of course, they suspected it would be in vain, but they had to try. Koldon shook his head. He studied the building complex that had once housed tens of heretics, perhaps even hundreds.

Not anymore. The mercenaries returned a few more times to make reports. From what they could tell, no more than six people living here just a bit more than a week ago.

Without a doubt, this was one of their more guarded bases. They combed these mountains for days until they found any traces of human presence. Even then, some of the men Koldon had brought with him had sacrificed their lives to deadly traps and formations.

It had been well hidden and defended. Despite it, it was plain and without anything valuable hidden here. Koldon’s intuition told him this couldn’t be it, but they couldn’t waste too much time on empty buildings.

Koldon sighed and ruffled his hair. His mind kept wandering, and that couldn’t be allowed. He wondered how more senior Inquisitors dealt with the constant intrusive thoughts. Maybe they didn’t have them?

No, that couldn’t be it. These seniors of his probably had the same issues. Koldon walked past the buildings where they had found traces of people heading into the forest. There were more such places, but after a closer look, this one had to be it.

Truthfully, Koldon regretted volunteering for this task. It had earned him a higher position in the Temple’s ladder but also a burden of responsibility. He would have to suffer for it for the rest of his life.

Perhaps for that reason, he had not earned God’s favour like Kaldiro had.

Now more than ever, Koldon looked at the old ‘Torch’ with respect. The ancient Inquisitor had guided them through hard times and once again had informed them of great danger.

But ‘Torch’ was not here. Kaldiro had been punished by Temple. Nothing too harsh, but it prevented him from searching for the heretics.

A grave mistake in Koldon’s mind. But such was politics. The kingdom of Tordgo did not wish for ‘Torch’s return after he had failed once and lost locals in the process.

“Lord Inquisitor.” A retainer greeted him. Otto was an inexperienced man, loyal to Temple if untalented. Someone they wouldn’t fear to lose. “After another round of searching, there is still nothing outside of norms.” He bowed.

“Burn it all down,” Koldon ordered.

His retainer bowed and left to give these instructions further to mercenaries. Koldon watched him walk away, wondering if anyone would survive if they found heretics.

They were replaceable. All of them. Without exceptions. All Koldon was expected to do was to slow Silinth down. And if possible - to make this enemy’s condition worse.

If he got lucky, perhaps Koldon could sacrifice his life for Silinth’s, but he did not think his chances were great. Someone who could face ‘Torch’ was not someone he could fight.

Even if Kaldiro had aged, he still was formidable, even if not the strongest among them anymore.

No, hunting down and slowing the heretics was Koldon’s primary task. If he succeeded, even dying for it would be worth it.

And afterwards…

They had more powerful men and women who had travelled to this forsaken corner of the world. Some were even more powerful than ‘Torch’.

Koldon was one of many. He wasn’t the strongest or most experienced. But he was loyal and firm in his belief.

Behind him, an insatiable fire started to tear down one of the last holdouts the heretics had. The brightness made his figure cast a long shadow towards the forest.

Koldon began to prey for and to Eternity. He was a pillar, and upon his shoulders would the world continue to exist. His being was reaching upwards and would support others in doing the same.

All to reach Eternity.

“Lord Inquisitor.” A rougher voice called for his attention. The leader of this mercenary group had trackers next to him. “My men say this is the correct direction. They traced the rest of the leads, but they all led to nowhere and looped around.”

“Good.” Koldon nodded. “We are heading out.” He noticed the reproachful look the leader sent him. “Do you have anything to add?”

“My men are tired. We cannot continue at this pace.”

Koldon clicked his tongue. It was frustrating but understandable. These men didn’t have the same drive as he and his retainer had.

They were paid handsomely, but it did only so much. Koldon calculated in his mind. It had been fifteen days since ‘Torch’ faced heretics.

It likely wouldn’t mean much if they spent a night resting. They still had a long path ahead of them. There was no telling where their targets were.

“Five hours.” Koldon finally decided. “Then we head out.”

“Thank you, Lord Inquisitor.” The leader bowed and gave signs for his people to rest.

Koldon spent the next ten minutes watching the inferno. It was a fascinating sight. The buildings slowly started to collapse. The roaring sound of the fire swallowing air drowned everything else.

In a way, it was sad. Koldon finally headed to where Otto was raising a tent. But he had to harden his heart.

This was just a start. Even after their task was done, there was more to do. The deal with the Kingdom had been unfavourable for them, at least on the surface.

Once Silinth and his students were gone, the Kingdom of Tordgo was poised to declare war against their longstanding enemy.

The Kingdom of Imeglenmo was just west of the Kingdom of Tordgo. Both Kingdoms were separated by sea, except for one place. There was an isthmus just a few kilometres wide connecting them both.

Most of this isthmus was controlled by the Kindom of Imeglenmo, and they had successfully led several conquests against Tordgo in the past. In the end, Imeglenmo had been forced to retreat with time, but their threat was real.

And the current king of Tordgo - Oispio Suold Tordgo the First, was eager to destroy his rival country.

A foolish endeavour as far as Koldon and his Temple were concerned. If the Kingdom of Imeglenmo really fell, then a much larger beast would claw against Oispio’s land.

Koldon did not know much about the Ohilpry Empire, but he knew they were more dangerous and ambitious - much like his own homeland. That Empire was even further to the west.

And precisely because of that, the Maltra Empire would wait for Oispio to weaken his kingdom and take his lands. To prepare for the future. For eternity.

Once the Kingdom of Trodgo lost most of its strength, it would be time for the Empire to remove this eyesore from the maps.

Koldon and his comrades would help the kingdom. They would guide them and let them commit. And then… Then, their agreement would be finished.

It was a pity the common folk would have to pay for the sins of their king. But that was the nature of the world. Koldon did not like it either, but he would partake. He would help his God claim its rightful place at the top.