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Novus 20, 3023, Day of Monar, 4:13 p.m.
Main Office Building, Inquisitory Division Headquarters.
Ka-cha!
A door opened and Vivian stepped inside a private office.
She made her way in front of Pen's desk and then saluted.
"Brother Inquisitor."
Pen nodded and then gestured his hand to the vacant chairs in front of the desk.
"Please have a seat, sister."
Vivian sat down and didn't say anything.
"I've called you here to discuss the issue you mentioned to me the other day.
"A restraining order has been filed against Lord Alejandro and Lord Ferdino, preventing them from bothering you.
"But just as you predicted, they volunteered to help in strengthening the security around Mount Vald'mir regarding the incident that happened on the night of Novus 17.
"Because of that, although they can't bother you, they can still set foot at the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint and also talk to you as long as they have a legal reason to, such as, it is related to what happened on Mount Vald'mir.
"If they violate that, they will immediately be arrested.
"In addition to that, their volunteer status would only last until the ongoing investigation at Mount Vald'mir ends. Once the investigation ends, they'll be back to being civilian Aristocratic Nobles and they would need a solid and legal reason to continue going to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint and talking to you. If they can't provide a solid and legal reason, they will be arrested for breaking the territorial treaty at the Great Plains of Stanza between the Holy Kingdom, the Twin Kingdom and the Marbleam Kingdom."
The Great Plains of Stanza was the only land area connecting the Northern Continent and the Southern Continent. Because of that, any kingdom that could set up a Kingdom, City, Town or Village there would have a huge advantage when it comes to trading and taxes. However, because of that very reason, no kingdom or family could set up a Kingdom, City, Town or Village there.
If the Holy Kingdom were to create a human settlement there, it would be blocked by the Twin Kingdom and the Marbleam Kingdom.
If the Twin Kingdom does the same, it would be blocked by the Holy Kingdom and the Marbleam Kingdom.
If the Marbleam Kingdom does the same, it would be blocked by the Holy Kingdom and the Twin Kingdom.
If the Holy Kingdom and the Twin Kingdom decide to create a shared settlement there, the Marbleam Kingdom would not only block it, but also ally itself with other Kingdoms that oppose it.
And if the Holy Kingdom, the Twin Kingdom and the Marbleam Kingdom decide to create a shared human settlement there, the Housan Empire and the rest of the demon-kin kingdoms would launch a full invasion on the Northern Continent.
In fact, there was a reason why there was no La Spada Chapter Temple, but there are Holy Crusade barracks around the La Spada Kingdom. It was due to a deal signed between the Kingdoms of the Northern Continent and the Kingdoms of the Southern Continent.
"How long will the investigation at Mount Vald'mir last?" Vivian asked.
"It depends on the progress of the investigators."
"A week? A month? A year? What's the average?"
Pen thought about it for a moment.
"I would say less than a month, assuming that everything goes smoothly."
Vivian let out a sigh.
As much as I hate this situation that I want to strangle this old bastard for being so useless…
Even I could understand that this is the most realistic outcome…
I mean, who am I…?
I'm just a single White Cloak Priestess with no super, grand and epic background that people would just throw their lives for me…
These people don't owe me anything…
And I don't owe them anything…
Even I, if I were in their shoes, wouldn't risk my neck for some stranger…
It always goes back to that, doesn't it…?
If you want something done, you've got to do it yourself…
But I would need at least 700 points to really make sure that no one can go against me…
"What's your decision, sister? Are you going back to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, or would you like to transfer to another area?"
Vivian's eyes turned to slits.
But this guy is a Chapter Master…
Did he really do everything in his pow--…
She shook her head mentally.
No…
Whether he has done everything he could or not is irrelevant…
Just like he's a tool to me, I'm also a tool to him…
And there's only so much you would do for a tool…
What I need to do now is to level up…
But I need to be low-key…
"If I were to stay here, am I allowed to leave the city?"
"You want to stay here temporarily, or do you want to be transferred here?"
"Let's say I want to stay here temporarily."
"You're allowed to leave the city. But when I need you for a Field Mission, you must be available."
"And if I were to be transferred here?"
"If you will be transferred here, you will have to take on a role here -- teacher, guard, etc. And it's only during your free time that you're allowed to leave the city."
"And I will still need to do Field Missions?"
Pen nodded.
"Yes."
What the fuck…?
"Speaking of Field Missions," Pen said as he opened a drawer, took out a document, and then placed it on top of the desk in front of Vivian. "I have a Field Mission for you."
Vivian didn't say anything as she stared at the document.
"I need you to head over to Gru'n Town at the Iron Kingdom and join Brother Inquisitor Song's Squad. They're currently investigating a case about a lost and forbidden Rune Art that could block Affinity Crystals, and it involves powerful families, including the ruling Aristocratic Noble family of that territorial domain.
"Only Brother Inquisitor Song is aware of your Physical and Magic Force. So I want you to act as a normal Inquisitor and you will only reveal your strength when the right time comes."
Vivian's brows knitted together.
"Hold on, I'm confused. You're having me run away from an Aristocratic Noble family from the Marbleam Kingdom, yet you're throwing me to fight an Aristocratic Noble family from the Iron Kingdom?"
"Lord Alejandro and Lord Ferdino have yet to commit any crime. Viscountess Ethel and her family, on the other hand, although there is no proof that they have committed a crime, according to Brother Inquisitor Song's reports, they could have played a hand with the case they're currently handling at Gru'n Town."
"Brother Inquisitor Song is the Commanding Officer?"
Pen nodded.
"Yes."
"Is he like Brother Inquisitor Wind?"
"What do you mean?"
"Last time, when you gave me the Field Mission for She'kel Village, you mentioned that I should learn from Wind.
"I will admit, I have learned many things from Wind. But I also learned that he's a pushover despite being part of the Golden Family. He was such a pushover that he had us wasting our time parading around begging and pleading to the people we're supposed to investigate or interview.
"I don't want to work with someone like Brother Inquisitor Wind. I want someone who's strong and decisive."
Pen nodded.
"Sister, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying I didn't find your performance at She'kel Village impressive.
"However…
"If my goal is just to have someone who's smart or knowledgeable about the law, then I would hire a Crusader from the Inquisitory Division.
"If my goal is just to have someone who only knows how to punch and destroy things, then I would get a Crusader from the Infantry Division.
"What I need, sister, is a Crusader who has the knowledge or expertise of a veteran Inquisitor, and the Physical and Magic Force of a veteran Crusader from the Infantry.
"That is the Crusader that I need you to become, and I know that you're capable of being."
***
4:47 p.m.
Stable Building #3, Air Division Office Compound, Holy City.
Juana had a soft brush that was the size of an adult's palm and attached to her hand via a strap. She was wearing a white shirt, brown pants, and a pair of black boots.
She crouched down and dipped the brush part inside a container that was filled with a flower-scented wax. And after dipping the brush, she got up and turned to her Draghorn mount.
"Come on now, Pipi, and hold still," she said in Marbleamean.
Pipi let out a soft huff and turned her neck away.
"I promise I won't hit your eyes. Come on."
Pipi let out another soft huff.
"If you don't let me wipe you with this wax, I'm not going to bring you on my next Holy Crusade."
Pipi let out a sad huff as she lowered her head.
Juana began softly brushing Pipi's head, polishing the scales.
"Good girl. After this, I'm going to give you a treat, okay?"
Pipi let out a happy huff as she moved her head up and down and flapped her wings.
"Stay still...! I might hit your eyes…!"
All of a sudden, Pipi stopped moving and then focused her gaze.
Juana stopped brushing and turned to where Pipi was looking.
It was a man, one of the employees working in the Air Division Office Compound.
When he finally reached Juana and Pipi, he lowered his head.
"Zon-My zon-apologies zon-for zon-interrupting zon-you, Zon-Honored Zon-Priestess Zon-High Zon-Sergeant," he said in Zonian and then raised his head. "Zon-An Zon-Honored Zon-Priestess Zon-Inquisitor zon-named Zon-Monad zon-has zon-arrived zon-and zon-wishes zon-to zon-speak zon-with zon-you. Zon-She zon-is zon-waiting zon-for zon-you zon-at zon-the Zon-Cafeteria."
Pipi flinched and let out a low and frightened growl.
Juana quickly placed her hand on Pipi's chest and gently rubbed it.
"It's okay, Pipi, she's not here… You don't have to be afraid…"
Once Pipi finally calmed down, Juana turned to the employee.
"Zon-I'll zon-be zon-heading zon-to zon-the Zon-Cafeteria zon-now."
***
Juana stepped inside the Cafeteria. Although she was still wearing the same clothes, she now had a White Cloak.
She swept her gaze around her surroundings.
The Cafeteria was located on the first floor and its space was quite spacious. There was a counter where all of the food was presented, like an all-you-can-eat buffet style, and there were 6 tables that could host 8 people and 8 tables that could host 4 people.
She continued sweeping her gaze around until she finally found Vivian, who had her Inquisitor Half-Mask on and was sitting alone on a 4-person table near a window while enjoying a glass of wine.
She went over to her and then saluted.
"Sister Inquisitor!"
Vivian nodded and then gestured with her head to the vacant seats.
"Take a seat."
Juana sat down.
"I just received some updates today and I'm here to give you a choice:
"You can go back to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint by yourself.
"You can participate in a Field Mission with me.
"Or you can drop me off at the location of the Field Mission I'm being sent to, and then you can return to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint.
"And oh, by the way, the Field Mission I'll be on, since we're 'besties', I'll be honest with you: There's a chance that we might be dealing with Aristocratic Nobles, so it can be dangerous. However, I promise you that I will protect you -- provided that you follow my orders and don't betray me."
Juana gave a slight bow.
"Thank you for offering this Field Mission to me and being honest with me, Sister Inquisitor, but I would like to reject the Field Mission and return to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint."
She raised her head.
"Please don't misunderstand me, it's not that I don't like spending time with you, it's just that... I feel guilty being here. I've left so much work and responsibilities there that I feel restless and I keep thinking how everyone is doing over there."
Vivian nodded.
"I understand."
Juana gave another slight bow.
"Thank you for understanding, Sister Inquisitor," she said and then raised her head. "When you do plan to leave for the Field Mission?"
"Meet me at Airport Terminal Building 7 at 6:00 p.m. or about an hour from now."
"Yes, Sister Inquisitor."
"By the way, you don't want to go shopping?"
A confused expression flashed across Juana's face.
"Shopping…?"
"This Field Mission came all of a sudden. I can leave tomorrow, but I prefer heading over there right now. I hate waiting.
"And since I'm asking you to fly me right away to Gru'n Town, the location of the Field Mission, I'll write you a letter where you can spend 24 hours free however you want after you drop me off at Gru'n Town -- go shopping, go visit your family, whatever, as long as you return at the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint after that 24-hour-free period."
A bright and warm smile appeared on Juana's face.
"Thank you, Sister Inquisitor!"
***
6:24 p.m.
Gru'n Town, Iron Kingdom.
A green-colored Draghorn carrying a Crusader and an Inquisitor on its back was descending from a dark and cloudy sky to a wet and foggy compound.
When the Draghorn finally landed at the compound, Vivian quickly climbed down and then untied her suitcase from the monster.
"Thank you, Sister High Sergeant, and may the God of Light always watch over you."
Juana saluted.
"May the God of Light always watch over you as well, Sister Inquisitor."
As Vivian turned and began walking away, Juana pulled the reins, causing Pipi to flap its wings and then fly away.
A pale-skinned White Cloak Priest in his mid-30s with black hair and a pale-skinned non-Priest employee in his late 20s were walking towards Vivian.
When they finally reached Vivian, she couldn't help but notice their gloved hands.
Gloves...?
Well...
It's kinda cold...
She saluted.
"I am Sister Inquisitor Monad and may the God of Light always watch over you, brother. I was sent here by the Inquisitory Division to assist Brother Inquisitor Song and his Squad concerning the case they're currently dealing with. Where are they?"
The Priest nodded with a smile. Meanwhile, the non-Priest employee lowered his head.
"Welcome to the Branch Chapter Temple of Gru'n Town and may the God of Light always watch over you as well, Sister Inquisitor Monad. I am Brother Nico. And as for Brother Inquisitor Song and his Squad, I believe they're at a Meeting Room assigned to them."
"I see. Take me to my quarters and then take me to them. Thank you."
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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