85 Revenge is a Dish Best Served with Mind-Boggling Rods and Pheromones Part 1 (1/2)

Konrad's reply didn't sit well with the inquisitress.

”It seems that you still aren't aware of the gravity of the situation. It's alright, I don't need much time to take you down a peg. Girls untie him.”

The immobile saw holding girls didn't understand why Konrad was trying to provoke the one holding his fate within her hand. Was he that eager to meet his ancestors.

Naturally, they felt no pity for him, and as instructed by the inquisitress, set the saw aside to remove Konrad's biddings, first his hands, then his feet. Being previously tied upside down, Konrad dropped onto the ground with his skull first crashing on concrete before the rest of his body followed.

”Cuff his hands beneath his back and bring me the pear of anguish.”

”Yes, inquisitress.”

One of the two priestesses placed the new biddings while the other stepped toward a shelf and picked up a pear-shaped iron tool composed of four leaves capable of expanding upon pulling the screw at the bottom of the instrument.

The priestess presented the instrument to the inquisitress who eyed it with unconcealed glee.

”Do you know why I'm not having them bind your feet?”

She asked while taking hold of the ”pear” and heating its leaves with magical power.

Konrad, whose eyes remained glued on the pear of anguish, didn't have the mind to reply.

”Because I want you to feel like you can escape, I want to see your struggling legs thrashing to escape my grasp. I want to give you a small opportunity to challenge your fate as you squeal under my pear. Then I shall suppress all your futile attempts and rip you asunder. Hahaha!”

The inquisitress burst into laughter while pulling on the screw, causing it to expand, then pushing the screw back in to end the demonstration. Having read about the pear of anguish on earth, Konrad wasn't that surprised by the instrument and knew very well what its purpose was.

What surprised him was that so many earth torture devices were appearing within the Holy Flame Church's dungeons. Were the universe's nutcases all connected by a collective consciousness?

The lack of reaction within Konrad's eyes prompted a wave of frustration within the inquisitress who didn't understand why he stayed so calm. Although not many were exposed to it, the pear's purpose was clear.

Upon seeing it, anyone would know it was meant to go in an orifice. The thought alone usually caused most to shiver. However, Konrad remained unfazed. Even the essence devouring bugs that should have brought him intense pain and horror didn't seem to affect him much.

She was about to have him bent over on a table and aligned for the pear of anguish when his voice finally echoed.

”Tell me, what is it that you really want?”

Konrad's eyes stared directly into hers, and alongside his voice created a compulsion that unbeknown to her, brought out her deepest desires.

”I want to oppress all the outstanding men of this world, make them grovel at my feet and beg for salvation to fulfill my need for power and domination while soothing my hatred of the unjust status quo.”

The words felt natural, however, as soon as she was done saying them, the inquisitress' eyes widened in disbelief.

The priestesses by her side also felt confused, feeling that some of those words should have never escaped her lips. However, they could relate. After all, although outwardly the church didn't discriminate, it was at its core a patriarchal society with the highest positions usually reserved for men.

The reason why the inquisition fell into the hands of women is that it was considered a dirty job unfit for the church's true elite. One would never see a paragon or flame spirit serving as an inquisitor. To thrive as an inquisitress, there were only two paths: To become cold and unfeeling or to relish in sadism.

However, at least the church granted them opportunities. Outside, it was much worse. In the Holy Continent, even with outstanding cultivation talent, women were often barred from positions of power. The titles they held were directly related to their husbands', and their rights to inherit lands came after every single male heir regardless of seniority.

Ultimately, their cultivation only served as ornaments to heighten the husband's prestige. There were few exceptions.