This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:
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• Mercenary Tafadzwa Kungwengwe
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Ka-cha!
A door opened and Vivian stepped forward.
She found herself in a Meeting Room, the small type that was enough to house less than 10 people instead of the larger one. In the middle of the room was the lounging and there were 2 people sitting.
The first was Michelle.
The second one was a man with white hair and in his early 70s.
Vivian's eyes turned to slits behind her Inquisitor full-mask.
That must be Hamath…
Ku-chud.
Once she heard the door close behind her, she made her way to the lounging area. And when she finally reached there, she turned to Michelle and gave a nod.
Michelle nodded back with a smile.
Vivian took a seat and then faced Hamath.
Seeing that neither Hamath nor Vivian said a word, Michelle cleared her throat.
"Brother Hamath, this is Sister Inquisitor Monad."
Hamath nodded with a smile to Vivian.
"And Sister Inquisitor Monad, this is Brother Hamath from the Has'tam family and is currently retired," Michelle said and then turned to Hamath. "About 2-3 years now at this point?"
"7 years," Hamath said.
A surprised expression flashed across Michelle's face.
"It's been that long? I couldn't tell. You still look so young, Brother Hamath," she said and smiled.
Hamath gave Michelle a very warm smile.
"You are very kind, Sister Michelle. Thank you very much."
Vivian's brows knitted together.
What's going on…?
Did I play the wrong cards…?
Why are they not fighting…?
Or is this just the warm up...?
Michelle turned to Vivian.
"Sister Inquisitor Monad, Brother Hamath and I are here as you requested."
Vivian folded her arms and crossed her legs as she leaned back in her seat.
"Forgive me, Sister Michelle, but as far as I know, I wasn't the one who came here to She'kel Village and requested for a meeting even though I'm VERY BUSY dealing with a True Death Murder Case concerning a Sister from a Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family, and 2 Brothers from a Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family and a High-Tier Noble Priest Family."
Hamath flashed a warm smile at Vivian.
"So what I heard was true. You really are hard-working and strong-willed, Sister Inquisitor Monad."
"Sure," Vivian said in a half-enthusiastic tone.
"Is that your real hair? What a very interesting combination."
"You asked to see me just to compliment me?"
"My family was informed about what happened this morning. And although I understand that you and your Squad are only doing your job, I would like to ask you to please refrain from using excessive measures."
"Or else?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you and your family going to do if I refrain from using 'excessive measures'?"
"You're from the Inquisitory Division, so I understand that you're smarter than most people. I would like you to consider the part where you might cause a huge war between the families here in She'kel Village.
"Let me ask you this, Sister Inquisitor, supposing the Ancilla family, the Hortus family and the Nummi family start a war with each other, how are you going to stop them?
"Murder all of them?"
Vivian checked her gloved hand.
"That's one of the ways. But I don't think there is any need, because I've already requested reinforcements to contain everyone in this Village."
Hamath raised an eyebrow.
"Contain everyone in this Village?"
Vivian continued checking her gloved hand.
"You mentioned that you and your family were informed about what happened this morning. I'm assuming that you were talking about what happened at the Nummi family's Estate Mansion. But I wonder, are you also aware of everything else, specifically what led to it?"
"If you don't mind, please educate me."
Vivian stopped checking her gloved hand and looked at Hamath.
"Educate you? The Holy Crusade is conducting an investigation and you think you and your family can just come here and ask questions?"
"My family is mainly in charge of governing Du'reth Town and She'kel Village. So in a way, yes."
"Even though you're own family members tried to prevent me and my Squad from conducting an investigation?"
"Who from my family members tried to prevent you and your Squad from conducting an investigation?"
Vivian got up from her seat.
"Sister Michelle, please excuse me, but I don't see any point in continuing this meeting anymore. I will go back to my room to continue reviewing all of the evidence my Squad and I gathered concerning the True Death Murder Case of Sister Bithiah."
As Vivian was already walking away, Hamath called her.
"Sister Inquisitor, wait."
However, Vivian ignored him and continued heading for the door.
[Holy Lance].
Woooh!
A 10-foot-long glowing golden lance appeared behind Hamath and then flew in front of Vivian, blocking her way.
Vivian's brows knitted together behind her mask as she summoned all of her strength to suppress her rage and murderous intent. She slowly turned to Hamath.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Hamath slowly got up from his chair and then turned to her.
"I'm an old man. No matter how much [Greater Heal] I use on myself, simply moving causes my joints to ache, so please understand why I used such a spell.
"I didn't mean to disrespect you or anything earlier. Yes, the others have told me their side of the story, but I also want to hear your side of the story."
Vivian placed her right hand on her hip.
"It's simple.
"Someone has tampered with the Arrival and Departure Records in order to protect Brother Emmanuel of the Nummi family, one of the main suspects of the True Death Murder Case of Sister Bithiah. And for someone to be able to do that, they must have a very high and powerful position in this Branch Chapter Temple or Village. So as far as I'm concerned, everyone here in this Village is a suspect, a potential heretic. And that includes you and your family, BROTHER.
"So, are you going to let me pass so that I can go back to solving the case or not?"
Woooh!
The glowing golden lance flew back to Hamath's side and then disappeared.
"I understand, Sister Inquisitor. But before you go, I would like to ask you once again: If possible, please refrain from using excessive measures. I truly wish to avoid a war between the Ancilla family, Hortus family and Nummi family to break out in this Village as much as possible. If a war ever breaks out, yes, us Priests and Priestesses would be fine, but the normal citizens here, the homes and businesses they've built, might not be. Please consider that."
Vivian turned away and resumed heading for the door.
Ka-cha, ku-chud.
Once Vivian finally left the room, Hamath continued staring at the door and only the God of Light and the rest of the Elemental Gods knew what was going on inside his head.
As for Michelle, she too remained silent. But while her eyes were studying Hamath, she was also thinking about other things.
"Luxen Chapter Temple and the Iron Kingdom's Count Faction. A very unexpected union," Hamath said to himself.
***
Vivian gritted her teeth and balled her hands into fists as she was walking through a corridor.
HAS'TAM FAMILY…!
YOU DARE THREATEN AND DISRESPECT ME WITH A LORE MAGIC SPELL…!?
ONE DAY…!
I WILL COME BACK HERE TO MAKE YOU ALL SUFFER…!
I SWEAR TO THE GOD OF LIGHT…!
An image of Michelle flashed inside her head.
AND THAT BITCH…!
THAT FUCKING OLD, UGLY, USELESS CROSS-EYED BITCH…!
WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT…?!
WHAT HAPPENED TO HER FUCKING FEMINIST IDEOLOGIES…?!
WHY WAS SHE SO RESPECTFUL AND FRIENDLY WITH HIM…?!
SO SHE'S A FEMINIST ONLY WHEN SHE'S WITH NORMAL STRENGTH PEOPLE, BUT IS A COMPLETE LAPDOG BITCH TOWARDS POWERFUL PEOPLE…?!
IS THAT IT…?!
HYYYPPPOOOCCCRRRIIITTTEEE…!!!
EVERYONE HERE IS A SPINELESS COWARD…!!!
I COULDN'T EVEN THROW ANY FEMINIST TALKING POINTS DURING THE MEETING…!!!
"Useless…!" she hissed under her breath. "Really fucking useless…!"
She relaxed her jaw and hands, and then let out a sigh.
"I guess no matter what world, it's true…
"If you want something done, you have to do it yourself…
"ALWAYS YOURSELF…"
***
6:48 p.m.
Vivian was in her room and laying on her bed with the same attire, save for her cloak and boots. The entire room dimmed with the windows of the curtain closed, and was only illuminated by the lamp on her bedside.
I want to train…
But I have to save my mana just in case…
"And where the fuck are the reinforcements?"
This world…
This place…
These people…
They move so slow…
Very lazy people…
Like seriously, She'kel Village is just right below the Holy City…
Literally the first human settlement down south of the Holy City…
How in the God's name is it so hard to send reinforcements, especially when you consider there are superhumans and there are supermonsters that could fly…?
Like how…?
This world's logic doesn't make any sense at all…
I mean, I could understand if they were late, like 4-5 hours because they have to send out messages to the other Division, like the Infantry Division, gather the necessary troops, coordinate with each other, and then send them flying here…
But I sent out my letter around 11:00 a.m. this morning…
So how…?
What the fuck is going on…?
Truly…
If you want to have something done, you really have to do it yourself…
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Vooom!
Ka-cha!
Vivian turned into a blur as she put on her house slippers and then opened the door.
Zola was caught in a surprise when the door opened before she could even say a word, and then she quickly saluted.
"Sister Inquisitor Monad! The reinforcements have finally arrived and they're ordering everyone to go to our assigned Meeting Room!"
Vivian's brows knitted together behind her mask.
They're ORDERING…?
In the letter she sent this morning to Pen, she specifically requested for Crusaders from the Infantry Division. She also specifically wrote that she wanted Crusaders who are powerful, brave and excellent in following orders.
***
Ka-cha!
A door opened, and then Vivian and Zola entered.
The Meeting Room was packed.
Wind was at the long table and he was sitting with 2 Gold Cloak Inquisitors, a Priest and Priestess, and 2 Crusaders.
Janis was in the lounging area with 3 Crusaders.
Ronan was standing Guard at the door with 2 other Crusaders.
Zola, on the other hand, went to the round table near the kitchen area to join 3 other Crusaders.
To be specific, there were a total of 17 Crusaders in the room -- 5 from Wind's Squad and 12 from the new Squad.
Vivian made her way to the long table and then saluted.
"I am Sister Inquisitor Monad, and may the God of Light always watch over you, Brothers and Sisters."
The male Gold Cloak Inquisitor nodded and then gestured with his hand.
"And may the God of Light always watch over you as well, Sister Inquisitor. Please take a seat."
Vivian pulled a chair and sat down, and it was beside Wind.
"Since everyone is finally here, let us formally introduce ourselves," the male Gold Cloak Inquisitor said. "I am Brother Inquisitor Jail."
Jail was a bald and dark-skinned man in his early 40s, and he had a Heisen accent.
"I am Sister Inquisitor Moon," the female Gold Cloak Inquisitor said with a Holinian accent.
Moon was a blonde-haired woman in her early 30s.
"I am Brother Captain Izan of Infantry Division," one of the Crusaders in the table said with a Marbleamean accent.
Izan was a man in his mid-30s with black hair and tanned skin.
"I am Brother Captain Lennart of the Air Division," the other Crusader at the table said with an Ironian accent.
Lennart was a man in his mid-30s with green hair and pale skin.
"I am Brother Inquisitor Wind, the Squad Leader of the initial Squad sent here to conduct an investigation for the Pre-Hearing Review regarding the True Death Murder Case of Sister Bithiah of the Ancilla family," Wind said.
Everyone except Wind looked at Vivian.
"I would like to thank the God of Light that you're all here, Brothers and Sisters. However, I have a question," Vivian said and then focused on Jail and Moon. "Brother Inquisitor, Sister Inquisitor, may I ask why are you both here? I remember only asking Brother Inquisitor Pen to send me powerful, brave and loyal Brothers and Sisters from the Infantry Division and the Air Division to assist me in uncovering the heretic or heretics that have tampered with the Arrival and Departure Records here in She'kel Village in order to protect Brother Emmanuel of the Nummi family, one of the main suspects of this case."
She deliberately dropped Brother Inquisitor's Pen name and also added the Air Division.
Jail took out a sealed envelope under his cloak and then placed it on the table.
"This is a letter addressed to you from Brother Inquisitor Pen. You are to return to the Inquisitory Division's Headquarters immediately."
Vivian's gaze landed on the envelope, but she didn't touch it, and then returned her gaze to Jail.
"For what reason?"
"That was the only order given us."
Vivian looked at Wind for a moment and then returned her attention once again to Jail.
"Am I the only one who received a letter?"
"Yes," Jail said.
"What about the case?"
"Brother Inquisitor Wind and the rest of his remaining Squad members will remain here to assist with the case. However, he would step down as the Commanding Officer of his Squad and relinquish his position to Sister Inquisitor Moon. And I, I will be the Overall Commanding Officer."
"So Brother Inquisitor Wind won't be punished?"
"I've already heard what happened. You've murdered people from the Nummi Family and Brother Inquisitor Wind attacked you. Both of you are at fault."
"I'm also at fault? I am the only person in our Squad who refuses to cower from all the Brothers and Sisters here who have been trying to prevent us from doing our jobs."
"Sister Inquisitor Monad, are you calling the Brothers and the Sisters of my Division cowards?" Izan interjected.
Vivian turned to him and then shot him a murderous glare.
"Silence and know your place, stupid insect!"
Everyone inside the room was caught off-guard, including Izan himself. But before Izan could react, Jail beat him to it.
"Sister Inquisitor Monad," he said with a cold and strict tone. "You are talking to a --"
Bam!
Vivian slammed her palms on the desk as she rose to her feet.
"Watch how you talk to me, weakling! Your ranks are nothing but worthless pieces of paper in front of me! I can easily turn all of you to dust with the snap of my fingers!"
[Halo].
When Vivian heard someone moving, a golden ring appeared on her back, causing the light in everyone's eyes to dim.
"Get down on the floor like a bug, weaklings!"
Everyone obediently laid down on the floor on their stomach. And when they finally snapped out of the trance and realized what they had just done, some of them felt a cold shiver run down their spine, while the others immediately mentally prepared for battle.
"Please wait, Sister Inquisitor…!" a female voice said.
It was Moon. Her hand was raised up, but her gaze was still down as she got up on her knees.
"We're not here to fight you, Sister Inquisitor…! We're simply relaying to you the orders that Brother Inquisitor Pen gave us…!"
Vivian deactivated her [Halo].
"Get up, weaklings."
As everyone got up, all of their gazes were locked on Vivian and all of them wore different emotions in their eyes -- anger, horror, shock, admiration.
Vivian focused on Moon.
"Speak up, GOLD CLOAK," she spoke the last 2 words with a mocking and disgusted tone.
Moon placed her hand on her chest and then lowered her head a bit.
"Please excuse the actions of our Brothers and Sisters from earlier, Sister Inquisitor Monad," she said and then raised her head. "Although they are not aware of your identity and background, just like you, we are all veterans who have fought, bled and sacrificed for the Holy Crusade in the name of the God of Light, and were only acting according to the rules and regulations of the Holy Crusade."
Vivian didn't say anything.
"As I've already mentioned earlier, we are not here to fight you. We are simply relaying to you the orders that Brother Inquisitor Pen gave us."
"When is Brother Inquisitor Pen expecting me?"
"He is expecting you to return to the Inquisitory Division's Headquarters as soon as possible."
Vivian looked at Jail and Izan.
"Pathetic weakling insects who deluded themselves into thinking their cloak and rank are actually worth something."
She let out a snort.
"Let me share with you a little secret: In the eyes of TRULY and ACTUAL powerful people like me, you are no different from little children parading and playing around with sticks and stones."
She turned around and then walked away.
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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