Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

In an instant, goosebumps appeared all over Abel's body.

'Let's not imagine such scary things.'

He wondered if that was really true. The Sordin Church also needed reformation, so they must have sent his capable cousin to give him a break while he was struggling through this painful trial. Thanks to that, Abel was enjoying a sense of liberation.

'Let's think positively.'

"By the way, what should we do with this guy?" Abel asked, glancing at Peltron.

Although he was weak, Peltron was still a half-demon. Destroying the lump of divine power within him was truly not an easy task. If he had to describe it, Abel would say it was like trying to destroy an absolute ring, something that could only be annihilated after enduring all kinds of hardships. Abel had no intention of going through such trouble.

"That doesn't mean I can just leave it alone."

Peltron interrupted, - "No, why? Just swear you won't take revenge or anything."

"How can I believe what you say?"

- "The Devil's Contract has tremendous power. Don't worry," Peltron assured him.

"Hmm," Abel murmured, squinting at Shuguri for confirmation, silently asking if this was true. Then, surprisingly, a positive response came.

- "There is nothing wrong with that," Shuguri affirmed.

"Something about the meaning is a bit ambiguous."

- "The problem is that the devil can abolish the contract on his own," Shuguri explained.

"No, is that okay?" Abel asked, skeptical.

- "Look. Humans are like that too. If you destroy the contract and keep the witnesses quiet, how can you prove it ever existed?"

"There is a high probability it will be something that never existed at all."

- "That's right. The Devil's Contract has power, but it can only be destroyed by a greater force," Shuguri agreed.

"Haha!" A hollow laugh escaped Abel involuntarily.

'Are they creating an escape hole with this kind of wordplay?' He glared at Peltron with blazing eyes. The guy seemed embarrassed, hurriedly offering excuses.

- "That's... that's it. That's what I'm talking about when I signed the contract alone."

"Okay. Keep talking."

- "You say it changes if a third party intervenes?"

"Is it some kind of guarantee?"

- "That's right! If the squirrel on your shoulder puts its power into it, the contract can't be destroyed."

"Why is that so?"

- "Isn't it because the contract becomes stronger than the power I possess?" Peltron stammered.

"Oh?" Abel was finally beginning to understand. 'If that's true, maybe signing a contract is worth considering.' He turned to Shuguri for a guarantee.

"Can you do it?" Abel asked.

- "I can do it a hundred times, a thousand times. My power is incomparably stronger than that guy's."

"Why is that so?"

- "That's because I've been gathering spiritual energy diligently, not using it on random things. Besides, I told you earlier—I'm your senior."

"Weren't you just saying that?" Abel questioned, raising an eyebrow.

- "Hey, when have you ever seen me talk nonsense?" Shuguri replied defensively.

To be honest, Abel had seen it countless times. But since he needed a guarantee now, he decided to hold back.

"Anyway, you can do it, right?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

- "Of course."

"Okay. Then let's sign the contract," Abel said, grabbing Peltron's head.

Honestly, Abel wasn't too interested in the finer details, trusting Shuguri to handle them. What mattered was the content.

"Alright, let's get started."

- "You'll let me go if I just sign the contract?" Peltron asked.

"Of course. But the conditions must be as follows."

- "What are they?"

"You will become my subordinate."

- "No, just don't take revenge."

"If I become your master, you won't be able to take revenge anyway. I heard that the master-servant relationship among demons is clear."

- "That..." Peltron trailed off, clearly understanding that Abel had hit the nail on the head.

Abel smirked slightly, nodding. "Shuguri, are you ready?"

- "Squirrellee!" Shuguri confirmed enthusiastically.

As the crazy pendulum swung once more, Peltron had no choice but to nod his head vigorously. The only way out of this situation was through a contract.

- "Oh, I'll do it! I'll do it!"

In the end, Abel took another half-demon under his command. First, it was Adam, then Shuguri, and now Peltron.

'You could call him a power collector,' he thought.

Discover stories with empire

But so what? It was nice to have no more annoying tasks and even some subordinates to command.

---

Restoring the Sordin Order was not as easy as it seemed. Abel hit Peltron on the head with a hammer.

"Oh my! This is really... It's all been taken care of!" he exclaimed.

Exactly! Even though Peltron had demonic power, he had no choice but to be thrown far away when struck. The power Abel possessed was overwhelmingly stronger.

- "Kueeek! There's no other way. What can I do with such strong resistance!" Peltron complained.

"Be quiet. You're being rude."

Now Peltron was entirely under Abel's control, though it meant Abel had to clean up his mess.

People often don't realize that the one who laughs the most is usually responsible.

"But isn't this too much?" Abel muttered, surveying the scene. The Sordin Order was devastated—from the archbishop to the senior priests, only two intermediate priests remained. The rest were just students who hadn't been ordained. Even a mountain monastery would likely have more priests than this; the church was on the verge of extinction.

'If we start training priests and resuming worship now, will Sordin respond?' Abel wondered.

If God had abandoned humanity, the sect would surely be finished. Abel didn't know what price he'd have to pay to gain new trust. In the worst case, no matter what he did, it might be useless.

Just in case, he spoke to a mid-level priest.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Duke. I am Priest Terence, the eyes and ears of Lord Sordin."

"Oh, yes. Hello?"

"Thank you very much. If you hadn't provided support, our church would have truly faced destruction."

"Don't worry. It was something I had to do."

"Because of that vile devil..."

"Haha! I took care of that guy, so don't worry," Abel chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.

In fact, the root cause of this situation was Peltron, who was now being toyed with by Shuguri.

- "Roll left! Roll right!"

- "No, senior. Do we really have to go this far?"

- "If you want to be rude, you have to be thorough. Quit whining!"

- "Oh my! It's my fate."

However, no one noticed that the white bat had taken control of the Sordin Order. They just thought it was a pet Abel carried around.

'There's no benefit in revealing the truth for nothing,' Abel thought, choosing not to tell Father Terence the real story.

What difference would it make if he knew? Just because Peltron was around didn't mean the shattered church would be restored.

"Actually, the reason I came here was for religious reform," Abel explained, recounting what happened with the Aramid Order in the capital.

Father Terence's face grew angrier.

"No, you mean you allowed such a person into the priesthood? Unbelievable! We would never accept such wickedness."

It didn't really matter if there were corrupt people. Peltron had ensured that no one could use divine power. Any priest tainted by demonic energy could no longer serve God, though they could still be a believer.

"In any case, the Sordin Order will receive government support. His Majesty the Emperor will not sit idly by."

"Ugh! I will certainly repay this favor."

"We don't ask for anything. Just continue to serve others and don't let divine power be used solely for business."

"I will make sure of that. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise."

"Yes?"

"In fact, there were corrupt priests in the Sordin Church. They operated so secretly they weren't exposed."

"Maybe this is a good opportunity for a fresh start."

"I will see it as a chance given by God."

So, Abel pledged his support to the Sordin Order. Now, he could leave this place to rebuild itself and move on. But then, Father Terence asked a hesitant question.

"Isn't it in that underground cave?"

"Yes?"

"Have you seen the glowing rod? It's a sacred object of our church, essential for reconstruction. Its whereabouts are currently unknown…"

Abel instinctively looked back at Peltron. The half-demon shrugged as if he didn't understand.

- "It wasn't there from the beginning?"

No, then where could it have gone?

Abel continued to stare at Peltron, waiting for a genuine answer, but the demon's expression remained one of feigned innocence. The priest, Father Terence, grew visibly anxious, his eyes reflecting the deep reverence he held for the missing artifact.

"It wasn't there from the beginning?" Peltron muttered, scratching his head as if trying to recall something important. His eyes darted about, avoiding Abel's gaze.

Abel's patience wore thin. "Is that truly the best you can come up with?" he demanded, irritation edging his voice. "If you're hiding something, now is the time to speak up."

Peltron's gaze dropped, and he sighed, perhaps realizing he had nowhere left to hide. "Fine, but don't blame me if it's not what you wanted to hear."