The term “inquisition” appears in literature with a remarkable duality—it is both a stark reminder of the brutal, dogmatic tribunals of history and a potent metaphor for any unyielding, critical scrutiny. In early historical and religious narratives, such as those found in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, the word evokes the terror of systematic persecution and the unchecked power of judicial institutions, as in its depiction of the feared Spanish Inquisition [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. At the same time, writers have employed “inquisition” to suggest a broader metaphorical concept—the rigorous pursuit of truth or the imposition of relentless inquiry in everyday contexts—as seen in Montaigne’s philosophical reflection on inquisition as “progress” in knowledge [6] and Kipling’s allusion to the consequences of a probing, authoritative inspection [7]. This layered usage is further evident in later literary treatments, where the term often carries ironic or symbolic overtones, serving as a shorthand for both the historical terror of inquisitorial practices and the modern sense of invasive scrutiny [8], [9].