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• Adventurer GrimV
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8:39 p.m.
Nummi Family Estate Mansion, She'kel Village.
Wind, Vivian and Pablo were still at the study room given to them by the Nummi family to conduct their investigation interview for Kadmiel, Leah and Emmanuel.
As for Leah, right after Dinah, Ronan and Theodore entered, Wind immediately deemed the interview over and she was sent back to her room. Although no one said it, most people who were smart enough knew that the confession of Kadmiel and Leah would have little to do with the case and was only there for formality, not to mention they already had a proper interview with Kadmiel. The most important interview here was the one with Emmanuel, whose life was currently hanging in the balance,in the balance, whether he would fall as a witness or as an accessory to the True Death murder of Bithiah.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Ka-cha!
The door opened and it was Ronan, who was accompanied by a White Cloak Priest in his late 20s with blonde hair.
"Oh my God…" Vivian accidentally blurted out, causing everyone to turn to her.
Noticing that everyone stopped and was looking at her, she immediately thought of an excuse.
"I made a mistake on my notes," she said as she looked down at her notes and then started writing.
Everyone resumed what they were doing.
The man that Ronan came in with was none other than Emmanuel. He was the spitting image of his father, but was taller, with slightly longer hair, and with a bit of softer features due to age or he received from his mother, or both.
I'm not gay but even I could realize when a man has a look that's on the pinnacle of human beauty…
This is so crazy…
No wonder he had all those women crazy for him…!
I didn't know people like this existed…!
She shook her head mentally.
I always knew people like these exist, especially with women...
But for men…?
When you encounter them, it's like seeing a completely different human species…
Back in Vivian's original world, thanks to the internet, she could see all of the good-looking people in the world. However, encountering them in real life was a completely different story because they were so rare and they could only be found in certain places, usually high-end and private areas.
A lot of people like to say they've seen, they've met, they've dated or they're dating an 8, 9 or 10…
Some people, especially women, would even believe that they themselves are actually a 10…
Like they GENIUNELY believe in their heart of hearts that they're a 10 because it's all about 'confidence' or 'self-love'…
Yeah, sure, as if that makes any logical and practical sense…
But when you encounter an actual 8 or 9 in real life -- 10 doesn't exist because that's literally perfection -- you're just left in complete disbelief…
And if it's a man, you're just so confused…
When Emmanuel finally reached his chair and sat down, Vivian stopped writing and slowly raised her head.
This guy is in the Exploratory Division, right…?
I can just imagine how this guy could easily dominate any diplomatic meeting…
"Thank you for answering our summons, brother. I am Brother Inquisitor Wind, this is Sister Inquisitor Monad and this is Lord Councilor Pablo. May we ask you to introduce yourself?" Wind said.
Now I'm wondering what his siblings look like…
As far as I know…
He has an older sister and younger brother…
Berea and Raphael, was it…?
Emmanuel nodded with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I am Brother Emmanuel of the Nummi family. My father is Brother Kadmiel, my mother is Sister Leah, both of whom are assigned in the Branch Chapter Temple of this village. I have an older sister, Sister Berea, and a younger brother, Brother Raphael, they're both in the Exploratory Division," he said and then let an awkward smile. "I also have some nephews, nieces and cousins that I completely adore, and also some pets, but I'm not sure if I should mention them here."
Heh~…
He can make that face…?
Hmm…
I also wonder…
How human is this guy…?
Every time I get to meet an attractive person…
Once I get to know them or their 'mortal' side is revealed to me, they always seem to be very, very disappointing…
All air and weaknesses, but a beautiful face…
So disappointingly human…
Wind nodded.
"That's fine. Let's just focus on the case."
Emmanuel nodded as well.
"Of course, Brother Inquisitor."
"How do you know Sister Bithiah?"
"She's a neighbor, a fellow Chapter Sister, and a colleague of mine in the Exploratory Division."
"You're not in a relationship together?"
A regretful look appeared on Emmanuel's face as he gently massaged his forehead for a moment.
"Forgive me for being crude for a moment, and this is in no way, shape or form of bragging, but my family and I had to file several restraining orders on people against me for harassment since I was very young. I even have a restraining order at the Exploratory Division where I'm not allowed to be in the same room and alone with a female.
"Of course, this doesn't mean I'm rude to anyone, especially to females. But I try my best to be kind and helpful to person I meet, regardless of their background or social standing in life.
"And when it came to Sister Bithiah, I thought she was different.
"Although we're both from the same village, our families interacted with each other, I'm always being watched by my family, especially by my mother, in case another person tries to harass me, and she's about 4 years younger than me, Sister Bithiah and I were just acquaintances.
"So when I first noticed her at the La Spada Air and Exploratory Division Headquarters, and started to hear the rumors about her, I felt bad, so I tried to console her and introduced her to some of my colleagues to show her that not everyone at the headquarters thinks poorly of her."
"Was Sister Bithiah being bullied at the La Spada Air and Exploratory Division Headquarters?" Wind asked.
A pained look flashed on Emmanuel's face.
"It's not that she was getting bullied, it's that she was getting isolated."
"How?"
"In the Exploratory Division, although not a majority, most of the members are Sisters. On top of that, a majority of the Brothers and Sisters there are... how should I say this? Forgive me, but I can't think of a less offensive term -- are attractive or they came from powerful and influential families. So with those combinations, the Exploratory Division is filled with so much, vanity, politics and scandals that's enough to write a thousand books and novels."
"What were the rumors about her?"
"The usual: 'She's not that beautiful', 'She doesn't have enough talent', 'She doesn't have enough prestige', 'She lacks manners', 'Her clothes doesn't match', etc."
"You mentioned that you thought she was different. What did you mean by that?"
"The Exploratory Division can be a very dark and miserable place if you're at the bottom of the social ladder. But if you're at the top, it's one of the most beautiful places or positions that a person can be, which can lead to, most people, if they're not careful, get drunk of its power and it destroys them. Unfortunately for Sister Bithiah, she got drunk with the power."
"So were you in a relationship with Sister Bithiah?"
"Casual lovers."
"So you've slept with her?"
"Yes..."
"Were you aware that she was in a relationship?"
"She was in several."
"Who are they?"
"Apart from Brother Jeremiah, I don't know the others. I mean, it's not that I don't know, it's just I don't care.
"In the Exploratory Division, as I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of attractive people there or people from powerful and influential families. Moreover, there's so much vanity, , politics and scandals. Because of that, the concept of being loyal is just an afterthought.
"I don't know which family you're from. But given that the 3 of us here are part of the Temple of Priests and Lord Councilor Pablo is a Councilor, we're all part of the high echelons of society and the idea of true freedom is completely foreign to us. The moment we are born, our parents already have a map for us -- what Temple we should be part of, what profession we should have, who we should marry, how many children we should have, how much talents our children must possess, etc. And as long as we don't stray from that path, we're free to do anything we want.
"Right now, at this very moment, if someone were to ask us:
"'Are we really ourselves, or are we simply who our parents or family want us to be?'
"What do you think our answers would be?
"In fact, as heretical as this may sound, as powerful and influential as the Temple of Priests has become, many of its members are now struggling to become a Gold Cloak."
Wind lowered his gaze a bit.
"I will forget you said that, Brother Emmanuel. But I can't say the others would give you the same courtesy."
Emmanuel placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head.
"My sincerest apologies, Brother Inquisitor, Sister Inquisitor and Lord Councilor. It's simply been a while since I've last stepped out of this mansion and talked to anyone other than my family or people who want my head that I forgot to control my emotions."
Pablo simply nodded.
Vivian, on the other hand, stared in silence.
"You are forgiven," Wind said. "Let's talk about Brother Jeremiah. Were you aware of what he was going to do?"
Emmanuel raised his head and focused on Wind.
"This isn't the first time a man's daughter, sister, mother, lover, fiancée or wife has taken an interest in me. And if the man couldn't do anything to me or to my family, he would pour his wrath on the woman. But no, I wasn't aware Brother Jeremiah would go that far."
"But isn't Brother Jeremiah your first cousin?"
"Yes, our mothers are siblings."
"Then isn't what you've been telling us hyprocritical?"
"In what way?"
"Based on everything you've told us so far, you've been trying to paint the picture as if everyone just has this uncontrollable desire for you and you can't do anything about it other than filing restraining orders against them -- at least with some of them. However, if that were the case, since there are so many people desiring you, why did you choose your own cousin's lover? Couldn't you choose anyone else out of the many people who have this uncontrollable desire for you?"
Emmanuel nodded.
"I know, I'm not denying that what I did was wrong. However, you have to understand, I've never experienced anything like this before."
"So what was your typical experience before?"
"The man finds out, he tries to fight. When he couldn't, he would target my family. And when he couldn't target my family, he would just leave me and my family alone.
"On the other scenario, the man finds out, he doesn't care."
"So you enjoy destroying relationships?" Wind asked.
The serious expression appeared on Emmanuel's face.
"Brother Inquisitor, Sister Inquisitor and Lord Councilor, with all due respect, all of you here are smart and capable people who deals with people from all walks of life. You all know that the Exploratory Division isn't the only place where being unfaithful or sleeping with multiple partners is a common practice. So if you're going to persecute me or accuse me of a crime, at least do it honestly or based on reality, not from some idealistic moral high-ground."
"When was the last time you've seen Brother Jeremiah?"
Emmanuel tried to recall his memory.
"I believe it was during the first week of Janus this year during our Pilgrimage to the Holy City to sign up for the Holy Crusade."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"Nothing threatening, just normal interaction."
"Was he aware of your relationship with Sister Bithiah?"
"At that time, I think he wasn't."
"How long have you been in this 'casual relationship' with Sister Bithiah?"
"Almost 2 years."
"When did it start?"
"I believe it was in the month of Aurgus 3021. I can't remember the date, though. We were off the Holy Crusade for about 2 months and decided to meet at the Holy City."
"Has Brother Jeremiah sent any threatening messages to you?"
Emmanuel shook his head.
"No. At least not that I'm aware of."
"What was your end goal with Sister Bithiah?"
"My end goal?"
"Did you plan to just sleep with her, or perhaps marry her one day?"
Emmanuel looked at the floor for a moment before returning his gaze to Wind.
"I know what I'm about to say is only going to ruin my image in your eyes."
An awkward smile appeared on Emmanuel's lips.
"Well, I guess, it's already ruined so I'm simply just further ruining it."
He then wore a serious expression.
"But still, as a man, as a Priest, and for my family, I want to answer this truthfully regardless of how it may affect me or anyone."
He swallowed.
"In all honesty, I didn't have any end goal or any plan at all. All I was thinking at that time, before her very unfortunate and tragic passing, was to simply enjoy each moment I had with her. That is the honest truth, I swear to the God of Light."
"Did you love her?" Wind asked.
"I loved her enough…"
"One last question."
Emmanuel simply nodded.
"You have a fiancée, correct?"
"Yes, Sister Keira. But ever since this tragic incident broke out, I'm not sure what its current state is at the moment."
"Do you love her?"
"Sister Keira is a beautiful, smart, kind and hardworking person. Any man would be lucky to be her partner. Unfortunately, our engagement is simply an arrangement made by our parents. So as for my honest and true feelings for her, I simply love her enough."
"Have you ever loved someone?"
Emmanuel stared at the fireplace and it was almost a minute before he returned his gaze to Wind and the rest.
"This might sound crazy and people might even call me a hypocrite, but I'm actually not sure what love is. Don't get me wrong, I can understand the love between a parent and a child, between friends, between casual lovers. But love between lovers, like real lovers, no politics involved, no arrangements, just pure love? That I have no idea.
"No, forgive me, I mispoke. It's not that I have no idea, I believe the proper explanation is that I've never experienced it.
"But there was this Sister from the Infantry Division that I met during a Field Mission 3 years ago and she was a few years older than me. I don't know if you know her, but she's quite famous among the Infantry Division and Air Division. It was Sister Maja from the Kri'ger family, one of the Golden Families, from the Verglas Chapter Temple. I believe she was a Captain at that time but she was already a Gold Cloak.
"I don't know why, but she was the only woman who made me feel something different. Maybe because she treated me like I was just another man trying to woo her? Maybe because she's quite enchantingly beautiful? I heard the men calling her 'Snow Princess' behind her back. Maybe because she's has more talent and prestige than me? Or maybe because she's already married to a Brother that I could never measure up to? I heard she's married to a Brother from the Holy Chapter who has 5 Magic Art Affinities and is planning to be participate in the upcoming Light Saint elections but his name and family background are unknown. Or maybe it's all of the above?"
"But whatever, last I heard about her, she's now a Gray Cloak at Verglas City."
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