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Novus 24, 3023, Day of Fratur, 9:48 a.m.
Fifth or Main Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint.
Pen stepped inside a guest office and his gaze immediately landed on 2 people: Freed and Blanch.
The two immediately got up and saluted as Pen made his way to Blanch's desk.
"Brother Inquisitor," they both said.
When Pen finally reached Blanch's desk, he turned to Freed.
"Brother Inquisitor, I would like to have a word with Brother Inquisitor Blanch in private."
Freed glanced at Blanch for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes, Brother Inquisitor," he said and then headed for the door.
"Please close the door as well," Pen said.
"Yes, Brother Inquisitor."
Ku-chud.
When Freed finally left, Pen focused his gaze on Blanch.
"You disobeyed several of my orders."
Blanch nodded.
"I can explain, Brother --"
"Do you think I don't know what you did?" Pen's voice was very calm, but Blanch could hear and feel the cold and angry tone underneath it.
Blanch opened a drawer, took out a large envelope and placed it on top of the desk.
"I understand that I placed Brother Inquisitor Freed's life in danger. However, I can assure you that it was for a greater purpose."
Seeing that Pen didn't show any reaction, Blanch returned to his seat and then gestured at the large envelope.
"Last week, High Sister Grana from the Luxen Chapter Temple visited my office at the headquarters and gave me this compilation regarding the monster attack incident that happened at Siera Village back in Julus.
"When the incident first happened, there were 3 groups that conducted their own separate investigation: the Branch Chapter Temple in Siera Village, the Count's family and the Knights Chapter Office in Siera Village, and the Adventurer's Guild in Siera Village.
"According to the Adventurer's Guild investigation, Count Conn and his family, Lord Sonny and his family were associated with a Demon Necromancer named Brooker, who was responsible for the attack.
"Meanwhile, according to the Count's family and the Knights Chapter Office's investigation, Lord Sonny and his family were the only ones associated with Brooker.
"And then according to the Branch Chapter Temple, their final investigation concluded that only Lord Sonny and his family were associated with the Brooker. However, in the initial investigation, there was strong evidence that suggested that Count Conn and his family, Lord Sonny and his family, and a couple of Priest and non-Priest families were also associated with Brooker or at least played a hand in the incident.
"Nevertheless, due to the severity of the incident, a second investigation was conducted. This time, it was the Holy Crusade led by Brother Inquisitor Lease, who is currently Brother Inquisitor Freed, the Investigative Unit from the Main Luxen Chapter Temple, the Special Investigative Force from the Twin Kingdom, and the Adventurer Guild from Luxen City.
"Now, here is where things start to get interesting:
"The conclusion of the investigation done by the Holy Kingdom's Holy Crusade and the Twin Kingdom's Special Investigative Force coincide with the investigation done by the Count's family and the Knights Chapter Office, and the final investigation of the Branch Chapter Temple in Siera Village.
"Meanwhile, the conclusion of the investigation done by the Investigative Unit from the Main Luxen Chapter Temple and the Adventurer's Guild in Luxen City coincide with the investigation done by the Adventurer's Guild in Siera Village and the initial investigation of the Branch Chapter Temple in Siera Village.
"In the end, both the Holy Kingdom and the Twin Kingdom concluded that only Lord Sonny and his family were the accomplices of the Demon Necromancer named Brooker.
"I tried looking at our records in the Inquisitory Division on how this was able to pass. And from what I found, the angle where Count Conn and his family could be accomplices was severely downplayed, and there was no mention of the angle where the Priest families in Siera Village could have been possible accomplices.
"The documents that High Sister Grana gave me also mentioned about the relation and connections of the people from the Holy Crusade Squad and the Twin Kingdom's Special Investigative Force to Siera Village.
"In the case of Brother Inquisitor Freed or Lease, one of his daughters, Sister Heidi, is married to Brother Tadhg from the Zeno family. The Zeno family is from the Luxen Chapter Temple and they're mainly from Prism Town, but they have several businesses within the Count Faction's domain. But most importantly, the Zeno family, along with Brother Tadhg and Sister Heidi, has recently invested a huge amount of coins in a large-scale development plan for an amusement district in Siera Village, which is primarily led by Count Conn and his family.
"The other people who participated in the investigation also had similar connections -- blood, marriage or business partners.
"Now, people could argue that this might just be a coincidence.
"However, if you look further, Count Conn and his family have been planning for decades to transform one of their human settlements into an amusement settlement for the rich and powerful that could rival the amusement districts in the Azatea Kingdom.
"For years, they've been trying to relocate the Commoners and poor people from Prism Town to Siera Village through bribery and other means.
"So looking at it from that perspective, you could say that Count Conn and his family have switched from trying to make Prism Town an amusement settlement to trying to make Siera Village an amusement settlement.
"The case has so many details. But once you know where to look, you start to see the huge cover-up.
"And as for why I used Brother Inquisitor Freed, putting his life in danger by leading him to Sister Inquisitor Monad, if he were to succeed in arresting her, we could use this to limit the sentence he will receive.
"I don't know the exact reason why Brother Inquisitor Freed decided to help in covering up what happened in Siera Village. But in the years I've known him -- we've known him for years and you know him longer -- he has saved my life multiple times and I've also seen him save the lives of others multiple times. I like to believe that he's a good person and he's just being blackmailed or something, because he never once struck me as someone who could be bought with coins or treasures.
"As I've mentioned earlier, High Sister Grana was the one who gave me these documents. And considering the people involved in this case, I don't think she compiled all of this just for fun.
"I suggest that we move against Sister Inquisitor Monad and Brother Inquisitor Freed ourselves before the other groups do. This way, when the Inquisitory Division's reputation takes a hit, it wouldn't be that huge, our Division will still have most of its political influence during and after the Light Saint elections."
Blanch clasped his hands together and leaned forward.
"Brother, you and I both know that that Sister Inquisitor Monad is guilty of something. I understand that you want to use her because she has 4 Magic Art Affinities, her Physical and Magic Force are high for her age, she's intelligent enough to be an Inquisitor, and she isn't related to any of the powerful families. But you have to see the truth, brother -- people die wherever she goes. I beg you to open your eyes and see the truth."
Pen let out a sigh, grabbed one of the vacant chairs in front of Blanch's desk, and then sat down. He stared at the floor for a moment before returning his gaze to Blanch.
"When was the last time you spoke to Lord Konrad?"
Blanch's brows knitted together behind his full-mask.
"Do you know what happened to the Halb'hund and Halb'mensch family?" Pen added.
"What did she do to them?"
"Lord Konrad is dead, she slaughtered the members of the Halb'hund and the Halb'mensch family and destroyed their castle, she paraded the heads of Duke Johann and Knight Major Dirk as trophies, and she plans to participate in the upcoming Light Saint elections."
Blanch's jaw dropped.
"What…?"
***
12:23 p.m.
Residential Building, Inquisitory Division Headquarters, Holy City.
Vivian was inside her room and lying on the bed wearing nothing but a loose shirt and underwear. Her long purple hair with red highlights was spread out on the pillow she was leaning her head against on and she had her legs folded together as she was reading a 40-page document.
She flipped a page.
Hmm…
So these are the powers of all of the Aristocratic Noble families and the Golden Families…
There's also the Royal Families…
But Pen said that the details of the Lore Magic of the Royal Families are incomplete because they're quite protective about it and would 'silence' anyone who tries to investigate and reveal it…
She shook her head.
Whatever…
Even I would probably do the same…
Anyhow…
So only the Twin Kingdom, the Marbleam Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom have REAL Royal Families…
The rest are just Aristocratic Noble families married to the Royal Families of the Twin Kingdom…
There's also the Grahm Empire…
However, their Lore Magic is based on the Dragons who existed before the Age of Magic…
There are said to be no Dragons anymore…
Only branches…
Dragostei -- a being who looks like a Dragon but in humanoid form and they can also transform into a Dragon, which are the Royalty of the Grahm Empire…
And low-intelligent beings like Draghorns and etc…
As for the 'Royalty' and 'Aristocratic Nobles' of the demon-kins, Pen said he would send the documents later…
Pen's face flashed inside Vivian's head.
Is it really necessary that I just hide here…?
I mean…
Sure…
I get it that I caused too much of a splash with what I did to that family of dogs…
But who can hurt me at this point…?
The details of the Lore Magic of the Marbleam Kingdom's Royal Family, and some of the Aristocratic Noble families flashed inside her head.
Well…
Some can definitely still hurt me despite all of my powers…
But once you understand the magic trick behind their Lore Magic, they're more of a nuisance rather than an actual opponent…
Take for example the Marbleam Kingdom's Royal Family…
They supposedly can bounce any attack skill or spell back to the opponent…
There's no mention of how many times they can do it…
But it can't be unlimited…
There has to be a limit on how many times they can do it…
If there wasn't any limit, then they would've conquered not just the Northern Continent, but the entire continent…
And another thing about Royalty, they all have at least 2 Lore Magic -- 1 from their Royal lineage and the other from their Aristocratic Noble lineage…
The face of Alcedes flashed inside Vivian's head.
That Alcedes…
So he has the Marbleam Kingdom's Royal Family Lore Magic and Duke Freca's Lore Magic, huh…
Reflect all magic skills and spells from his Royal lineage…
And can see 1-5 seconds in the future, based on the number of his Magic Art Affinities from the Duke's lineage…
Vivian closed her eyes.
If I were to battle him at my current strength…
How will I defeat him…?
Assuming that his reflection ability isn't unlimited, my own choice is to hit him with several death blows…
And even if my own attacks kill me, I can always resurrect myself with [Greater Origin Transformation]…
She opened her eyes.
I just have to make sure I have mana though…
Well…
That is assuming that his reflection ability isn't unlimited…
She shook her head.
But it really has to be…
There's no way it's unlimited…
If it was, what kind of broken cheat-like ability is that…?!
How is that even allowed to exist in this world…?!
She placed the 40-page document down.
How long am I supposed to be stuck here…?
Pen said that I should stay low for a while while he prepares things…
And our main goal is this…:
In public, we would align ourselves with the Light Faction…
But in private, he would secretly gather allies to form their own Faction under my name…
And once I reach Gold Cloak, preferably before the next Light Saint and Cardinals are elected, that's when I would announce my candidacy and also reveal our own Faction…
A thought popped inside her head.
Well…
Today is the 24th…
My period is coming once again…
Probably on the 29th…
She clicked her tongue.
At least give me a Lore Magic where I don't have to deal with menstruation…!
Or a Lore Magic where I can fly without killing myself…!
She turned her head and focused on the plate of chocolates on top of the bedside table.
They say that chocolates can help alleviate the pain of menstruation...
But I must say...
These chocolates...
They're bad...
The ones I've eaten in Gru'n Town were way, way better...
***
10:42 p.m.
Somewhere in the pitch-black depths of the ocean.
A skeletal arm emerged from a bed of sand and it continued to slowly climb up until it revealed a being made out of bones with glowing red eyes on its eye sockets, draped in an old and torn high-quality dark cloak covered in sea shells and other tiny marine creatures.
To be specific, it was a Verin that unlocked the Necromancer's [Undead Ascension] Class Magic Spell, causing its skin and flesh to be non-existent.
Under the pitch-black surroundings, the Necromancer raised its head and focused on where its companion was waiting through the master-servant relationship of Chaos.
[Mana Dual Claws].
Wuuurp, wuuurp, wuuurp…
Two massive demonic hands that were proportionate to a 6-meter-tall being appeared over the hands of the Necromancer, and then it began swimming up.
***
A small and simple boat without sails, only paddles, was drifting in the middle of an endless ocean under a dark night sky. And in the boat, there was only a single being -- a male Monkeigh who looked like he was in his early 50s and with demonic eyes.
Splash.
He grabbed a lifebuoy tied to the boat and then tossed it into the ocean.
A few minutes later, something grabbed the sea ball and began pulling itself to the boat via the rope.
It was the Necromancer.
When the Necromancer finally climbed over the boat, the Monkeigh was already kneeling on one knee with its head down.
"Welcome back to the world of the living, Master Lorval. I am Jugo and I was welcomed to your Bond by Master Brooker 56 years ago. Master Brooker is currently on an island nearby, preparing the materials you need and some GIFTS for you to enjoy from your long slumber," he said in the Demon language.
As a Necromancer who has unlocked the [Undead Ascension] Class Magic Spell, Lorval no longer needed air and food for sustenance, making him a walking dark miracle that shouldn't exist in the world of the living. However, thanks to his [Chaos Mastery], he could still enjoy some of the pleasures that only the living can enjoy in his Demon form.
"Sail the boat," Lorval said as he sat down on a corner.
The Monkeigh lowered his head even lower.
"Yes, Master," he said and then got up.
[Easifat Ramlia].
A gust of sand started to appear around the small boat, it attached itself to the outer shell of the boat, and then started pushing the boat towards the island were Brooker was.
"What year is it?" Lorval said.
"Novus 24, 3023, Master."
"196 years..." Lorval whispered to himself. "And the Prophecy of Ha'sof?"
"The identity of the Champion of Tohu'Vevohu is still unknown. But the Champion of O'lam has already been identified -- Ronaldo G. Castlerock, 35 years of age, and he used to be the Supreme Captain of the Luxen Kingdom but is now a General in the Housan Empire."
"That tiny backwater kingdom has grown to such lengths?"
"It is still a tiny and weak Subsidiary Kingdom under the Twin Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom, and also still the youngest, Master."
"You mentioned that the Champion of O'lam is with the Housan Empire?"
"Yes, Master. And the Housan Empire continues to hold its neutral stance under the Demon Necromancer Emperor K'azare."
"How do we know this Ronaldo is the Champion of O'lam?"
"He has received the blessing of Nechsh Ha'olam or the Zon-Great Zon-World Zon-Serpent, the Etz A'tik, and the Nish'mot Ati'kot, he has defeated the human Champions during his time as a Supreme Commander, and he has defeated or recognized by the demon-kin Champions from the Verin Kingdom, the Mumba clan, the Larker Kingdom, the Waruk Kingdom, and the Monkeigh Clan.
"And at the moment, he's currently trying to defeat the Champion of the Sprigaer Clan and received the blessing of the Shmi'im atikim to be recognized by the Sprigaer Clan."
"This Ronaldo is still human and he has Chaos?" Lorval asked.
"There are rumors that he joined the Bond of Emperor K'azare. But based on our informants, he is still completely human."
"You mentioned that this Ronaldo is only 35 years old. What of the Champion of Tohu'Vevohu? Surely, you didn't awaken me to just loiter around, did you?"
"About a week ago, a demon reaching close to 40 meters appeared in the Great Plains of Stanza near Mount Vald'mir and killed several Knights and Priests.
"The demon's identity is still unknown and is dubbed as the Zon-Giant Zon-Demon zon-of Zon-Stanza.
"Anyone who tried to claim the identity was hunted down and slain by the human forces, or was hunted down by the demon-kin forces and proven to be a liar."
"How do we know this 'demon' hasn't yet been slain by the human forces?" Lorval asked.
"Before the incident at Mount Vald'mir, around the month of Octus or a month ago, a human settlement called the Second Stanza Western Barracks was completely destroyed by a giant demon, leaving no survivors.
"And then last week, at the incident at Mount Vald'mir, one of the humans killed was a member of one of the Golden Families, and the rest were from powerful Priest and Knight families.
"With so many powerful and important individuals killed, there is no way that the families of the victims would just brush it off or cover it up."
Lorval stopped asking.
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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