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2:32 p.m.
Vivian was in her bedroom and lying on her bed. She was wearing the same exact clothes, except for her cloak and boots. Normally, she would continue working on the True Death Murder Case of Bithiah, especially considering the recent details that just unfolded. However, because of those very same details, not just her, but her entire Squad could also not work.
Earlier, before dismissing everyone, she told them that they would continue once the reinforcements arrived. In her mind, although she and the remaining members of her group, Michelle and her group, and Nathan and his family could try to continue solving the case, it would require a lot of effort while bearing little rewards. And that's not even counting the additional or new problems that would come up and they would have to deal with.
Did I mess up everything…?
She shook her head mentally.
No…
Regardless of what happened, the Pre-Hearing Review would still be postponed because of the new information that was discovered…
And based on the actions of that spineless coward of a man, he would only have us parading around begging for the suspects and the witnesses to let them interview them…
And by then, in the end of those parading around and begging, we still would have to call for reinforcements because that's when the spineless coward would realize that the entire staff of the Branch Chapter Temple in She'kel Village is compromised or untrustworthy…
She nodded mentally.
Yes…
Blunt and bloody, but I actually saved us by cutting all of the necessary B.S. that we would go through if left in the hands of that Wind…
This was a reasonable mutiny…
Wait, is this called mutiny…?
Usurp…?
She tried to think deeper.
Insubordination…?
Reasonable or valid insubordination…?
Pen's image flashed inside her head.
He told me to learn from Wind, follow his lead…
Well…
I certainly learned from Wind…
But follow his lead…?
What, follow his lead to unnecessary dead-ends, crap and beggings…?
Is this really what the Inquisitory Division is…?
I mean…
Just looking at it from a third person's perspective, I would say we're a complete joke…
And now that I think about it…
Is there even any point in being in the Inquisitory Division…?
I mean…
If this is the extent of Pen's power, then what is the point of being in an Inquisitor…?
I'm not blind…
I'm fully aware that the only reason why I could take or do the moves I do is because of my Physical and Magic Force…
So for the normal Inquisitors…?
She tried to imagine herself being a "normal" Inquisitor.
Yeah...
All bark and no bite…
I mean…
I will be honest…
If I were in the Nummi family's position and I had my same exact power, and there was some bunch of lower lifeform insects barking orders at me, Hell would have to freeze over first before I would even entertain them, let alone comply with any order they give…
She shook her head mentally.
No…
If I were to be brutally honest…
I'd probably kill them right away away even trying to bother me…
And I would do it by summoning a Golem and then have that Golem rip and tear them to pieces…
"Yeah, that's definitely something I would do… No doubt about that…"
God…
Does this mean I'm a hypocrite…?
But am I really…?
I mean…
If you're on top, you get certain privileges, right…?
And would that make a person a hypocrite for exercising those privileges…?
That would be like a person calling a rich person 'wasteful' for spending 1,000 gold coins in one meal…
But is it wasteful if that rich person can afford it…?
Technically, he is...
But also technically, he can afford it...
Of course, there's always going to be some person who's going to say that that rich person should've only spend 10-50 gold coins on a meal and then donate the rest of the 950 gold coins to the poor…
But why would he…?
He owns those 950 gold coins…
He or she has every right to decide how he or she would spend those gold coins…
Because if he can't, then what would be the point of any person working to earn coins or own anything…?
And if people don't have any drive or desire to work hard because there is no reward, then everything would collapse…
Which would then lead to anarchy…
Vivian chuckled.
"I didn't expect things to fall into Capitalism versus Communism…"
Like I'd be damned if I have to work at job, like an oil digger, while another person works as a waiter, but we get the same salary…
She thought about Priest families in She'kel Village.
Well…
The Nummi family definitely has privileges and they deserve those privileges…
However…
I just happened to be more powerful than them…
"So there is no point in me being an Inquisitor?"
I mean, if it's just about power, then I should just be part of the Infantry Division…
But if I were part of the Infantry Division, I would just be sent to war zones -- at least for the most part…
Air Division are just glorified delivery boys…
Sea Division, well, I have my [Nemesis of Beasts], so that's out of the question…
Exploratory Division, well, putting aside that I have no interest in going to some barbaric lands to do camping for days or weeks, based on the stories I've heard from these people from interviewing them, I'd probably end up killing everyone in the Exploratory Division Headquarters in the first week or month…
Like hell I'm gonna let some sissy pretty boy bully me…
I'll bash his face until his own parents can't even recognize his face…
I'll also destroy his manhood physically and psychologically…
"Hold on. What if it's a gay man?"
I mean, technically, his 'manhood' is already destroyed…
So how does one destroy them…?
Destroy their dignity…?
But their manhood is already destroyed, so what dignity is there left to be destroyed…?
Holy shit, this is hard…
I mean, in the first place, I'm not gay so I never thought about such a thing...
In fact, it would be super weird if I pondered about such things in the past…
Like why…?
What kind of sick sadistic degenerate freak are you…?
She shook her head.
"Whatever…"
And for the girls, it's easy, so many things to choose from…
But pure violence is the easiest path…
And since I'm now a girl, oh, it's equal punches left and right….
I'll literally rip and tear them to shreds with my bare hands over and over again just to really imprint the true nature of violence on their psyche…
So that in the future, once they open their mouths, they would think hard and twice about what they would say…
"Yeah, I'll definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, end up torturing and killing everyone in the Exploratory Division at the first week or month…"
This also applies to lesbians…
Well, technically, all women are lesbians to some extent…
The only difference is that some women have more lesbian tendencies, while others have less..
But either way, they're all the same…
Or all methods work on them…
Anyways…
So Infantry Division and Inquisitory Division only, huh…
Infantry Division, brave but stupid…
Inquisitory Division, cowards but smart…
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Vivian sat up in her bed.
"Sister Inquisitor Monad? It's me, Sister Lieutenant Zola."
Vooom!
Ka-cha!
Vivian turned into a blur as she put on her boots and then opened the door.
Zola saluted.
"S-Sister Inquisitor, sorry for bothering you, but a representative from the Has'tam has arrived and wants to see you and Brother Inquisitor Wind at High Sister Kathleen's office."
"So it will just be me, Brother Inquisitor Wind, High Sister Kathleen and that representative?"
"I think so…"
Vivian turned around and went to her bed.
"Come inside my room and close the door. I want to talk to you."
Zola's eyes darted in all directions for a moment before slowly entering and closing the door.
Vivian was already sitting on her bed when she gestured her hand to the chair in front of her mirror desk.
"Have a seat here."
Zola went over to the chair with a slightly hunched back.
Vivian rolled her eyes.
"Stop being afraid of me. I won't hurt you or anything."
Zola quickly straightened her back when she sat down.
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor."
"Look, sister, I know we started on the wrong foot last week. But let's forget about it, shall we? After all, we're both women. In fact, we're the only women in our Squad, so we should be the best of friends. Besties, you know?"
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor."
"Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"
A confused expression flashed across Zola's face.
"Ordered me to do this…?"
"Yes, who ordered you to come to me."
"Brother Demius came to my room and informed me."
Vivian nodded.
"I see," she said and then focused on Zola. "Sister, you do realize what's going on, right?"
"Um… I'm not sure what you're talking about, Sister Inquisitor."
"You're aware that Brother Jeremiah confronted Brother Emmanuel on the night of Septus 20 in front of Malia's Restaurant, a few days before Brother Jeremiah murdered Sister Bithiah, correct?"
"Yes."
"You're aware that Brother Emmanuel was with Sister Karoline when Brother Jeremiah confronted him, right?"
"Yes."
"And you're aware that Brother Emmanuel lied about not meeting Brother Jeremiah that night, and someone or a group of people tampered with the Arrival and Departure Records concerning Sister Karoline, right?"
"Yes."
"And you're aware that for someone or a group of people capable of tampering with the Arrival and Departure Records, they must have a high position, right?"
"Yes."
"So, Sister, considering all that, you do realize that everyone here in the Branch Chapter Temple are suspects, potential heretics, right?"
"Yes…?"
"And given that they're all suspects, and potential heretics, the last thing you or anyone in our Squad should be doing, sister, is taking any advice, let alone orders, from them. Do you understand me?"
Zola blinked a few times.
"But Sister Inquisitor, the order came from High Sister Kathleen and a representative from the Has'tam family."
"EVERYONE in this Branch Chapter Temple is a suspect and potential heretic, get that through your skull."
Zola nodded.
"Yes, sister, I'm sorry…"
Vivian let out a sigh.
"Look, sister.
"I understand that you're afraid of High ister Kathleen because she's a High Sister and all, and she's also part of the Has'tam and Dis'cus family, and you're also afraid of the representative from the Has'tam family. But don't worry, I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to us. And if they try to harm us, I swear to the God of Light I would wipe out their entire families -- just murder them, of course, not True Death.
"But if they're going to commit True Death. Well, let's see who's going to run out of family members first.
"Anyways, my point here, sister, considering the current situation we're in, these people, who are literally suspects, have absolutely no right ordering us around. If they try to order you, drop my name. Tell them to come to me and ask me if they can order you around. Got it?"
Zola nodded.
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor. But what about Brother Inquisitor Wind? What if he…?"
"Ignore him. He's a man, so it's only natural he doesn't know and care about women. You just answer to me. In fact, once the reinforcement arrives, I will have him arrested for being a spineless coward who cowers to these suspects and heretics, and also attacking me."
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor…"
"So what I want you to do now is this: Find a non-Priest staff member of this building and tell him to tell this to Brother Demius: 'If the representative of the Has'tam Family wants to talk Sister Inquisitor Monad, she would only speak with the representative if Sister Michelle is present, and that it should only be her, Sister Michelle and the representative, no one else. And if they can't do, they can all go kick rocks'."
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor."
"And remember, sister, after that, always keep in mind that everyone here, aside from High Brother Nathan, are suspects and heretics, so they have no right to order you around. And if they want to order you around, tell them to come to me and ask if they can order you around. Got it?"
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor."
Vivian suddenly started emitting a thick and murderous aura.
"And lastly, sister, the most important part, if anyone tries to harass you or anything, you come to me right away, use whatever means necessary to come to me. I swear to the God of Light that this entire Village would be bathing in blood before I'd let a suspect or a heretic touch you, even if it's just a single strand of your hair."
***
3:42 p.m.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Vivian, who was sitting in front of her desk and brushing her hair, stopped.
However, no one spoke.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock again.
"Who is it?!" she growled.
"I-It's me, Brother Demius, Sister Inquisitor Monad," a male voice said behind the door.
"Fucking idiot…" she cursed under her breath.
Vooom!
She turned into a blur and then appeared in front of her door.
Ka-cha!
She opened the door and it was Demius.
"What is it?" she said with a slightly irritated tone.
Demius gave a slight bow.
"Forgive me for disturbing you, Sister Inquisitor, but the thing you requested has been prepared."
Vivian folded her hands.
"Oh really? Tell me about the details. And this better correct."
"Brother Hamath and Sister Michelle are waiting for you in a Meeting Room."
"Just them?"
Demius nodded.
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor, just the two of them."
"And who is this Brother Hamath?"
"He's a retired Brother from the Has'tam family."
Retired…?
So at least 65 years old…
"How many Magic Art Affinities does he have?"
"I believe it's 4."
So 400 points…
430 if I include [Blessing]…
490 if I count his Lore Magic…
520 if I include [Blessing] and count his Lore Magic…
550 if I include [Blessing], his Lore Magic and power-up potions…
550-650 if I include [Blessing], his Lore Magic, power-up potions and Lore Item…
My STR is 11 (+475)…
So 486 points…
If I use a Physical Art, like [Power Fist] or [Explosive Fist], I could generate a Physical Force of 486 + 30 = 516 points…
And if I combine [Power Fist] or [Explosive Fist] with [Greater Origin Enchant], it would 486 + 120 = 606 points…
He dies in both scenarios…
"You said that he has 4 Magic Art Affinities, what are they?"
Demius' jaw dropped.
As a native of the She'kel Village, he, of course, was familiar with the Magic Art Affinities of the Priests and Priestesses here, especially the famous ones. However, it was also considered taboo to talk about someone else's Magic Art Affinities, especially after considering the current situation. But on the other hand, considering Vivian's strength and attitude, the last thing he wanted was to earn the ire of someone like her.
"I… I…"
"What's wrong with you?"
Demius closed his mouth and then made a decision.
"Forgive me, Sister Inquisitor, there was something caught in my teeth. As far as I know, Brother Hamath's Magic Art Affinities are Light, Earth, Wind and Soul."
"And they're all True?"
Demius nodded.
"Yes."
Light is healing…
Earth, based on the Elemental Weapons I bought back at Luxen City, Earth spells specialize in penetrating power…
Wind's special effect is special effect mini-cuts…
And as for Soul, well, too bad, I'm fucking immune…
My INT is 8 (+455) or 463…
I may not be able to kill him with [Enchant Lightning]…
But I can still stun him…
And if I use [Enchant Lightning] with [Greater Origin Enchant]…
My Lightning spells would be 463 + 90 = 553 points
Or 463 + 120 = 583 points…
To be specific, there was actually a "plothole" when it comes to attack-type spells.
For example, if a person's Magic Force was 100 points, when he conjures a [Fire Arrow], [Fire Lance] and etc. spell, the Magic Force of the spell would be 100 points. However, once it's buffed with [Lesser Chaos Enchant], [Chaos Enchant] or [Greater Chaos Enchant], it would automatically get 1 extra Grade, which would then be used to multiply with the corresponding Chaos Enchant-type spell.
So if it's [Lesser Chaos Enchant], it would be 100 + (1 Grade x 2) = 160 points.
[Chaos Enchant] would be 100 + (1 Grade x 3) = 190 points.
And [Greater Chaos Enchant] would be 100 + (1 Grade x 4) = 220 points.
Definitely dead…
However, that is assuming this guy is speaking the truth…
"Brother Hamath is from the Has'tam family, right? Tell me about their family's Lore Magic."
***
Main Office Building, Inquisitory Division Headquarters, Holy Kingdom.
Pen was at his office and sitting behind his desk, while holding two letters. On his right hand was a letter written by Wind and addressed to the Holy Crusade. Meanwhile, on his left was a letter written by Vivian and addressed to Pen.
Just as I expected…
Everything went according to plan…
He placed the two letters down.
I pray to the God of Light that both of you would learn from this experience…
But unfortunately…
His gaze focused on Wind's letter.
Forgive me, Brother Inquisitor Wind, but I have to continue with the little exercise to see the other possible outcomes…
He grabbed a thin rope underneath his desk and tugged it twice.
Ka-cha!
A few seconds later, his secretary entered his office.
"Yes, Honored Priest Inquisitor?"
"Nina, please inform Brother Inquisitor Jail and Sister Inquisitor Moon to come to my office."
"Yes, Honored Priest Inquisitor."
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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