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• Adventurer The orc warrior 261
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Octus 30, 3023 A.M., day of Monar, 6:13 a.m.
Vivian, who was wearing her Inquisitor uniform and carrying a backpack on her back, was walking down a muddy and foggy road.
Fuck this mud…
She focused her gaze forward. About a mile away was the Eastern Gate of She'kel Village.
No other travelers…?
2 blueies Guards above the wall…
1 blueie Guard by the gate…
As she got closer, she activated a spell.
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak!
Her eyes returned to their human form.
When she got closer to the gate, she noticed that there were actually 3 Guards by the gate: 1 was guarding outside the gate, 1 was behind the gate, and 1 had just emerged from a corner.
Vivian ignored them as she entered the gate as if it were no big deal.
The 3 Guards looked at each other, not sure what to do. And when Vivian was already a couple of feet away from the gate and into the village, one Guard, a man in his late 20s with brown hair, braced himself and then rushed over to Vivian.
"Excuse me, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!" he said and then reached Vivian's right side. And when Vivian stopped to turn to him, he saluted. "Honored Priestess Inquisitor, may we ask for your name?"
"This is the She'kel Village, correct?"
The Guard was surprised that Vivian had a foreign accent, specifically that from the Luxen Kingdom.
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor."
"She'kel Village is part of the Holy Kingdom, correct?"
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor."
"The Temple of Priests owns the Holy Kingdom, correct?"
The Guard started to have a bad feeling.
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor, but --"
[Mana Whip].
A 2-inch thin rod made out of blue mana appeared on Vivian's left hand; it was the same rod that she bought back at Luxen City when she was still a full-on Adventurer.
Whaaack!
And then whipped the Guard across his right cheek, causing him to coil in pain and palm his right cheek as he took two steps backwards.
"ARE YOU TALKING BACK TO ME, GUARD?"
The Guards nearby saw everything that happened, but they didn't know what to do.
"STAND IN ATTENTION AND ANSWER ME."
The Guard pulled his right hand away from his right cheek, and there was a bit of blood. He could also feel the burning sting on his right cheek.
"You Guards stationed in the city seem too compliant. This is already the second time I've had to correct the behavior of Guards like you here in the Holy Kingdom."
The Guard swallowed, faced Vivian, and then lowered his head.
"I'm very sorry, Honored Priestess Inquisitor! I didn't mean to talk back!" he shouted so that in case things got out of hand, there would be multiple people who would be present and witness everything.
"I'll ask you again. Is this She'kel Village?"
The Guard raised his head and faced Vivian.
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!"
"Is She'kel Village part of the Holy Kingdom?"
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!"
"Do the Temple of Priests own the Holy Kingdom?"
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!"
Vivian went over to him.
"So the members of the Temple of Priests are your leaders, correct?"
"Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!"
Whaaack!
She whipped his right cheek again, causing the Guard to coil into pain once more, but he didn't palm his wound or take a couple of steps away this time, and he quickly stood in attention.
"I'm in front of you, so why are you shouting at me? Are you stupid or are you dumb?"
The Guard swallowed, and the expression on his face twitched a bit when he felt the burning stings of his 2 wounds on his right cheek. And before he could answer, Vivian cut him off.
"That was a rhetorical question. Meaning, you don't have to answer it, you imbecile."
The Guard became silent.
"So now that we established that this is She'kel Village, She'kel Village is part of the Holy Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom is owned by the Temple of Priests, and the members of the Temple of Priests are your leaders or masters, tell me, how is it possible that I've been here for 1 week and you still have no idea who I am? Surely, you've heard about the tragic incident that befell on the Ancilla family, right? Or perhaps you also have no idea about that?"
The Guard's eyes bounced behind Vivian's mask and all over the area. He wasn't sure if this was also a 'rhetorical question'.
"Answer me."
"I… I've heard about what happened to the Honored Priest Ancilla family…"
"Did you hear about the Crusaders that arrived?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Do you know their names?"
The Guard swallowed.
"N-No…"
"Do you know what they look like or at least which Holy Crusade Division they're from?"
The Guard's brain went into overdrive as he tried to recall his memory.
Tap, tap.
Vivian tapped her Mana Whip on his right shoulder.
"You'd better get this right."
Although it was cold, beads of sweat started to appear on the Guard's forehead, and then he tried to open his mouth, but no words came out.
Tap, tap.
"I'm waiting for an answer."
"I… I…"
"3."
"I…"
"2."
"Infantry Division and Inquisitory Division."
Tak!
She struck his head with her Mana Whip.
"Wrong. It's 2 from the Inquisitory Division, 2 from the Infantry Division, and 1 from the Air Division," she said and then shook her head. "These are the Guards assigned in the Holy Kingdom? My, my… How disappointing."
The Guard lowered his head.
"I'm very sorry, Honored Priestess Inquisitor!"
"And you don't even know my name, do you?"
The Guard kept his head down and didn't say anything.
"But then again, can I really blame you? Even the Priests and Priestesses here are no different from the Aristocratic Nobles. They've lost their way in being proper Priests and Priestesses. So naturally, the subordinates and their people would be no different."
Chud!
She grabbed his hair and pulled his head up.
"Listen here, you lowlife insect. If I catch you again talking back to a Priest or Priestess, I will literally skin you, your family and your friends alive, and then throw you all to prison," she said and then shoved him away.
She deactivated her [Mana Tail] and resumed walking.
"If you or anyone has some grievances about what I just did and wants to file a complaint, go to the Branch Chapter Temple Office Building, you incompetent lowlife insects. I'll personally deal with you there."
She rolled her eyes behind her full-mask.
"Ugh…!
"Why did I touch his hair? Now my gloves are dirty and I have to buy another pair!
"Disgusting!"
***
7:58 a.m.
Interrogation Meeting Room, Temple of Priests building, She'kel Village.
Wind, Vivian, Ronan and Pablo were doing last-minute preparations.
Pablo and Vivian were already seated in their seats, while Wind was with Ronan near the entrance door.
"The schedule for the morning recipients are: Brother Patrobus from the Holy Chapter Temple, Brother Aslak from the Verglas Chapter Temple, Brother Ebenezer from the Holy Chapter Temple, Sister Harriet from the Twin Chapter Temple, and Sister Mehetabel from the Holy Chapter Temple," Ronan read a list from a piece of paper on his hand and then returned his gaze to Wind.
Wind nodded.
"That is correct."
"I'll go get Brother Patrobus now," Ronan said and nodded before turning away and exiting the room.
Wind headed towards the lounging area where Vivian and Pablo were seated.
His eyes turned to slits a bit as he studied Vivian's hair.
So I really wasn't imagining things…
Vivian's bangs were still the same, but the rest of her hair had grown a few inches compared to the last time he saw her.
No wonder Brother Inquisitor Pen asked me to properly guide her…
But who is she…?
Which family is she from…?
I don't recall anyone from the Luxen Chapter Temple, specifically from the Has'tam family, Mano de Luz family and the Votum family who has her features…
The High-Tier Noble Priest families…?
But the Amabilis family mainly has red hair, Bellus family has blue hair and Valeria family has black hair…
Not to mention that the Votum and the Valeria family have dark skin…
The Mid-Tier Noble Priest families…?
But there is no one there who has purple hair…
And her hair doesn't seem colored…
Her purple hair with red highlights has been consistent to be considered fake…
A wig...?
The only family I know who has purple or violet hair is the Count Faction in the Iron Kingdom…
And the complexion of her skin matches someone from the Iron Kingdom…
A brother or sister married someone from the Iron Kingdom's Count Faction…?
Even if that's the case, from what I know, the Aristocratic Nobles in the Iron Kingdom are very protective of their bloodline…
And considering how fast her hair is growing, that would mean her Physical Force is at least someone who has already mastered 6 Physical Art Masteries at her age, so I doubt if they'll even let someone like her walk around freely…
They would definitely want to claim her and keep her safe within their family…
But she is here…
Why…?
What is Brother Inquisitor Pen and the Count Faction of the Iron Kingdom planning…?
Are they planning to have her apply for the upcoming Light Saint elections because she has 5 Magic Art Affinities…?
That's a possibility…
She's around the same age as me…
If she wasn't one of those secret Temple of Priests members that has 5 Magic Art Affinities, I would've known or heard about her already…
But since I don't know her or even have heard about her, then it's a possibility…
He shook his head mentally.
If that was their plan, she would've been assigned in the Infantry Division and take on Field Missions that would let her learn [Resurrection]…
Perhaps she's already a Gold Cloak and is posing as a White Cloak…?
But her attitude and demeanor don't make sense…
She definitely has that arrogance and presence of someone powerful…
However, she lacks the poise of someone from a Golden Family, a High-Tier Noble Priest family, or an Aristocratic Noble family…
This is confusing…
Too many contradictions…
I can't make a proper or solid assessment of her identity…
Wind finally reached his seat, which was beside Vivian on a three-person sofa to his left, while Pablo was seated at a one-person sofa to his right, and then sat down.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Ka-cha!
The door opened, and it was Ronan, accompanied by a White Cloak Priest in his mid-20s with blue hair.
Ronan gestured his hand over to the vacant three-person sofa at the bottom.
"Please take a seat over there."
The Priest saluted at Ronan.
"Yes, Brother High Lieutenant!" he said and then headed over to the lounging area.
When he reached the lounging area, he saluted once again.
"Brother Inquisitor! Sister Inquisitor! Lord Councilor!" he said and then finally sat down.
"Thank you for answering our summons and coming here. 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.
"I am Brother Patrobus from the Holy Chapter Temple. I'm currently in training. But next year, on the month of Janus, I will be signing up for the Holy Crusade's Infantry Division once again."
Wind nodded.
"Thank you for your service, brother."
Patrobus nodded as well.
"Thank you for your service as well, brother," he said and then turned to Vivian. "You too, sister."
Vivian didn't say anything and simply gave a nod.
"Are you aware of why you were summoned here?" Wind asked.
"I believe it's about Brother Jeremiah."
"Do you remember your first Holy Crusade with him?"
"My first Holy Crusade?"
"Yes. You and Brother Jeremiah went through the same Basic Training, the same Training Course, and you were his Squad Leader, correct?"
Patrobus blinked a few times as he tried to recall his memory, and then nodded.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Do you still remember your first Holy Crusade?"
"More or less."
Wind looked at his notes.
"According to the records, during your first Holy Crusade, you had to report Brother Jeremiah to the Guidance Counselor's Office at the Southern Front Infantry Barracks," he said and then returned his gaze to Patrobus. "May I ask the reason why?"
A sad and hard expression appeared on Patrobus' face.
"From what I remember, they were a trio of bestfriends: Brother Jeremiah, Brother Micaiah and Brother Alian.
"Brother Alian wasn't part of my Squad, only Brother Jeremiah and Brother Micaiah, but we were all part of the same batch and we were all assigned at the Southern Front Infantry Barracks.
"Brother Alian passed away during a Field Mission: he was killed by a Demon Necromancer that he and his Squad were hunting at Sab'bia Desert. Although I can't exactly remember anymore, I believe it was his 3rd Field Mission.
"When we heard about it, all of us were in disbelief.
"You have to understand, although we knew that we were in the Holy Crusade, specifically in the Infantry Division, to kill demons, demon-kins, the members of the Cult of Infinity and heretics, you also have to understand that we were 17-19 years old and it was our first time being in the Holy Crusade, or in a place or situation like that. But after learning about the death of Brother Alian, that's when we finally understood where we were, our reality: We either kill the enemies of the Temple of Priests or they kill us; there was nothing in between.
"In Brother Jeremiah's case, I believe he was the one who took it the worst. He became unstable, quick to anger, always training and barely resting, and many more.
"The tipping point came when Brother Jeremiah ignored a direct order during a Field Mission to kill a group of Demon Necromancers. I think it was during our 5th Field Mission? Although he was able to kill a few Demon Necromancers, he nearly cost the lives of our allies. That's when I knew I had to report him to the Guidance Counselor's Office before it became too late."
"What happened after you reported him to the Guidance Counselor?" Wind asked.
Patrobus tried to recall his memory.
"I'm not sure, but he was ordered to visit the Guidance Counselor's Office every day for at least a week. After that, at the final month of our Holy Crusade contract, we had our last or 6th Field Mission and no issues happened, it went well.
"I'm sorry, it's been 7 years. That's all I can remember."
"Are you and Brother Jeremiah friends?" Wind asked.
"Of course."
"What I meant is bestfriends. Do you share secrets with each other, spend time together outside the Holy Crusade?"
"Oh, that one. My family is originally from Fetter Village and when I'm not training, I sometimes stay at the Holy City. I guess we would spar or grab a drink together whenever Brother Jeremiah and I would bump into each other at the Holy City?"
"If I were to ask you to describe Brother Jeremiah as a person, how would you describe him?"
Patrobus stared at the floor for a moment.
"Brother Jeremiah is a good and loyal person. However, he can be a bit intense with his emotions," he said and then nodded. "Yes, that's the best description I can give about him."
***
8:47 a.m.
Ka-cha!
The door opened, and it was Ronan, accompanied by a White Cloak Priest in his mid-30s with black hair.
Ronan gestured his hand over to the vacant three-person sofa at the bottom.
"Please take a seat over there."
The Priest nodded and then headed over to the lounging area.
When he reached the lounging area, he nodded once again, and then finally sat down.
"Thank you for answering our summons and coming here. 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.
"I am Brother Aslak of the Verglas Chapter Temple and I'm assigned at the Branch Chapter Temple in Vaettir Village."
"Do you know why you were summoned here?"
Aslak nodded.
"It concerns the True Death murder case that Brother Jeremiah is involved in."
"Back in 3016, you were part of the Infantry Division, correct?"
Aslak nodded.
"Yes."
"Do you remember where you were assigned?"
Aslak tried to recall his memory.
"If I'm not mistaken, I believe it was at the Southern Front Infantry Barracks."
"At that time, you were a Lieutenant, correct?"
"I believe so."
"And you were the Platoon Leader of Brother Patrobus's Squad, and Brother Jeremiah was part of his Squad, correct?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Brother, I would like to confirm: Do you actually remember or are you not sure?"
Aslak nodded.
"I remember. Forgive me, it's just been a while."
Wind nodded.
"I understand. I just want to make sure so that there is no confusion."
"Fair enough."
Wind looked at his notes for a moment.
"According to our records, on 3016, it was Brother Jeremiah's first Holy Crusade, and after his 5th Field Mission, he was ordered to go to the Guidance Counselor's Office after he ignored orders during the Field Mission that nearly cost the lives of his allies. And also according to the records, you were part of the Field Mission.
"Do you have any recollection of this?"
Aslak tried to recall his memory.
"From what I can remember, our main objective at that time was to eradicate a group of Demon Necromancers hiding in an underground cave at Sab'bia Desert.
"There was a High Lieutenant: Brother Walter from the Twin Chapter Temple.
"There was me: a Lieutenant from the Verglas Chapter Temple.
"There was another Lieutenant: Brother Isaac from the Luxen Chapter Temple.
"And 5 Squads that were under us from different Chapter Temples -- 3 Squads were from my Platoon and 2 were from Brother Isaac's Platoon.
"Oh, there was also Sister Samiyah from the Air Division."
He nodded.
"Yes, I remember that Brother Walter requested for additional aerial support. I believe Sister Samiyah was also a Lieutenant at that time, and she was from the Heisen Chapter Temple. She also had other companions -- they were 6 -- but she was their representative.
"During the operation, Brother Walter, Brother Isaac and I were supposed to rush into the main entrance of the underground cave of the Demon Necromancers, the 5 squads were to guard the other secret entrances and exits, and the air units were to guard the skies and provide support.
"From what I remember on the report, Brother Jeremiah and his squad encountered a Demon Necromancer who tried to escape through one of the secret entrances. After they defeated the Demon Necromancer, Brother Jeremiah rushed inside which wasn't part of the plan. His Squad Leader tried to stop him but he ignored the order and continued rushing in. And when the rest of his Squad also entered in order to help him, they encountered a group of Demon Necromancers and some of his squad-mates died, but none of them suffered from True Death.
"That's what I think happened."
Wind nodded.
"I see. If I were to ask you to describe Brother Jeremiah as a person, how would you describe him?"
"Describe him as a person?"
"He's a fine and hardworking young man. And just like most young men in the Infantry Division, they can be hot-blooded but would eventually calm down with age."
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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