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Novus 22, 3023, Day of Westar, 6:32 a.m.
Temple of Priests Building, Gru'n Town, Iron Kingdom.
Vivian was inside her bedroom, sitting in front of an array of dishes laid out on a small, round table. Her hair was wet and wrapped with a towel, she had her Inquisitor half-mask on, and was wearing a white bathrobe.
Although there was a room in the Temple of Priests building where people could eat, she preferred to just eat inside her own room. At least in her own room, she doesn't have to worry about table manners -- not that she lacked them. Moreover, she could also avoid people wanting to have "small talk" with her.
Vivian picked up a long bread sliced in half and placed it on top of an empty plate.
She picked up a butter knife, dipped it into a bowl of cream cheese, and then spread it all over the bread.
Next, she picked up a small spoon, scooped a spoonful of raw minced sausage from a large bowl, and then spread it on top of bread-cream cheese. She continued spreading it all over the bread until it was all covered.
She grabbed a couple of fresh vegetables that were already sliced for sandwiches and then sprinkled them on top of the bread-cream cheese-raw minced sausage.
Chak, chak, chak…
She picked a knife and began cutting a block of hard cheese into small rectangles. And after cutting them, she sprinkled them on top of the bread-cream-cheese-raw minced sausage-vegetables.
"Finally…!"
She closed the bread and then raised it.
Chomp…
She took a bite.
Hmm…
Not bad…
But wow…
This is new for me…
Chomp…
I had no idea that the breads here in the Iron Kingdom are top class that you could literally eat them without any toppings…
At least based on the breads I've eaten…
Who knows what type of breads the poor people are eating...
To be specific, the only "breads" that Vivian ate were:
• Luxen City -- mainly from the Cafeteria.
• Holy City -- mainly from Basic Training.
• Plano Town -- mainly from the street stalls.
• Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint -- the bread there was homemade by the Guards assigned to cook for her Priest Squad.
Chomp…
Wait…!
Can pies also be considered bread…?
I mean, it's basically flour but with extra ingredients…
But if you remove the ingredients, it would be bread, right…?
Because back in my original world, there was that bread called "chapati bread"…
I really love eating that bread with meat stew…
When she finally finished eating her sandwich, she stared at the remaining dishes.
There were 5 plates, each with its own set of sausages: sliced, whole, hard, a black-colored one, and smooth. And there was a bowl of hard chocolates.
I'll eat the sausages first…
And then eat the hard chocolates with the fresh milk…
She picked up a fork and then started eating the sausages.
Chomp…
I'm not gonna lie…
The first time I saw these dishes for breakfast, they looked so depressing…
The only thing that caught my attention was the bowl of hard chocolates…
However, upon tasting it, it wasn't that bad…
Especially the bread -- that one was quite a surprise…
But it didn't look nutritious that I had to specifically order pre-cut vegetables…
I also had to remove the beer…
Like seriously, who drinks one liter of beer for breakfast…?!
Are you crazy…?!
Nevertheless, I can still more or less appreciate the efficiency…
"Ugh…!" she let out a groan.
Efficiency…
She and her group had been "investigating" non-stop since she arrived here last Novus 20, which was 2 days ago, and only decided to finally take a break last night.
After they interviewed Piet, Matz and Pia, they found out that Priest Inquisitor Song, Priest Captain Kian, Priest High Lieutenant Stale, and Lord Lukas have gone missing.
To be specific, this was what happened:
• Lukas and his butler arrived at Burning Gem at 3:45 p.m. via a private carriage drove by Lukas' personal coachman, he and his butler booked in a private room at the restaurant section alone while his coachman waited outside with a carriage, left in a message at the front desk that if someone would be looking for him, send them to his room, and then ordered some food and drinks that was enough for 5 people.
• Song, Kian and Stale arrived at Burning Gem at 3:55 p.m. via a public carriage. And when they informed the front desk that they were here to see Lukas, one of the employees escorted them at the private room where Lukas was at.
• At around 6:30 p.m., just when the thick autumn night fog would start to appear, Song, Kian, Stale, Lukas and the butler left Burning Gem, entered Lukas' private carriage, and then left Burning Gem.
• After that, no one knows. Song, Kian, Stale, Lukas, the butler, the coachman and the carriage simply disappeared without a trace.
Mabel, while being escorted by Korn, interviewed Lukas' family, the other Noble families related to the Kohler family, business partners, and the butler's family. No information about their whereabouts was found.
Vivian, while being escorted by Jamaal, interviewed the coachman's family, several coachmen, and Guards, Adventurers and volunteers who were on patrol that night. No information about their whereabouts was found.
The Branch Chapter Temple, the Knights Chapter Office and the Adventurer's Guild here in Gru'n Town have also started to do their own investigation. And just Mabel and Vivian, they too weren't able to find any information about their whereabouts.
That Mabel…
She mentioned that additional members from the Holy Crusade will be arriving today…
And based on her action in these past 2 days, especially yesterday, although she never mentioned it, I believe she plans to use [Halo] on the people she suspects…
I don't know if it's a smart idea or if she would even be permitted to do that…
But at this point, I don't see any other choice…
A Gold Cloak Inquisitor in his early 50s, a Gold Cloak Captain in his early 30s from the Infantry, and a White Cloak High Lieutenant in his late 20s from the Infantry disappeared…
Assuming that they truly have been killed or kidnapped…
That could only mean that the enemy or enemies are powerful and influential…
And the only possible suspects I could think of, at least from my own perspective, are the members of the Aristocratic Noble family, the Golden family, the High-Tier Noble families, and the High and Mid-Tier Noble Priest families located in this town…
They are the only group of people capable of committing such a crime…
Like who else could it be…?
And if it's not any of them, I'd be seriously and genuinely surprised that I'd even praise them for pulling off such a plan…
But then again, to be fair, it's not like I could give any shit about those people who disappeared…
The only reason I'm agreeing to this and tolerating my companions is because I get paid 5,000 Holy platinum coins and 1 Holy Crusade Point…
If either 1 wasn't present, the Branch Chap-- no, the Holy Kingdom itself could be thrown into chaos and I still won't lift a finger…
Like why…?
Why should I…?
Just because I'm strong…?
Just because I'm part of the Temple of Priests…?
Just because it's the right thing to do…?
She let out a chuckle.
"The right thing to do…"
First of all, if someone or some group is capable of throwing the entire Holy Kingdom into chaos, then that would only mean that that person or that group is VERY POWERFUL…
Ain't no way I'm going to risk my life without gathering enough information…
Also, they better pay me a lifetime reward where I won't have to worry about political power and coins anymore…
But what if it were like an end-of-the-world type of situation…?
Like there is no way out, everyone that's related to the Temple of Priests is going to do…?
A million scenarios ran inside her head.
"Yeah… I guess I'll have to care and do things for free by then…"
She recalled something.
[Giant Demon of Stanza]…
I got a new Lore Title, but it's semi-unlocked…
This is my first time getting something labeled as semi-unlocked…
I don't know if it would be any different from my other Lore Titles…
Or if it will give me additional skills/spells once it gets fully unlocked…
I just hope it won't be like my [Nemesis of Beasts]…
Her right eye twitched from a phantom pain when the memory of her right eye getting shot by a [Dark Arrow] while in her Primordial Beast form flashed inside her head.
Lord, God, God of Light, all of the Gods, please, no more curses…
Have I not suffered enough already…?
After all that training and sneaking, only to find out in the end that I can't fly on my own without killing myself…?
Please, no more...
***
10:21 a.m.
Holy Crusade Squad's Meeting Room, Temple of Priests building.
Vivian let out a secret yawn behind her Inquisitor full-mask as she sat at the long table and pretended to be busy reading the documents laid on top of the table.
God, why do I have to do this…?
Mabel and Jamaal were also at the table talking with each other from time to time, with Jamaal carrying most of the conversation.
Vivian tuned them out of her ears, especially Jamaal.
What is the point of me being here…?
What is the point of waiting here…?
She, Mabel and Jamaal have been here since 8:00 a.m.
Why can't we just wait inside our own rooms…?
And if a new information about Song, Kian and Stale comes in, they can just go to our room and tell us…
Or if the new members finally arrive, they can also just do the same…
A memory flashed inside Vivian's head.
It's like one of those pointless and worthless work meetings…
Develop a healthy workplace…?
Develop stronger friendship bonds…?
As if a lower-rank employee can even say anything…
All a lower-rank employee can do is listen and nod to what the higher-ups have already decided…
And if they do try to voice out some suggestions, it had better be for the benefit of the higher-ups without throwing your fellow workmates…
You either get fired by the higher-ups…
Or your fellow workmates are going to make your life a living hell…
Literally pointless and worthless…
You want to make your workers happy and more productive...?
Pay them more or give them more benefits...!
There's also those forced annual celebrations of the company's founder's day where grown-ass men and women are forced to participate in talent contests, sports contests and evening balls…!
Would the hottest chick or chicks in the company be at the very least sucking my dick if I attended those useless events...?
No...?
And it should be just me...
Or at least 1 hot chick per man...
Only God knows what kind of diseases I might get if it were some sort of orgy...
How about a promotion...?
No again...?
THEN WHO FUCKING CARES...?!!!
I RATHER FUCKING REST AND SLEEP...!!!
ALL OF YOU ARE FAT SLOBS ANYWAY, WHILE I'M 9-10% BODYFAT ALL YEAR ROUND...!!!
YOU THINK I SERIOUSLY ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH YOU UGLY FAT FUCKS…?!
LISTEN TO YOUR MINDLESS CORPORATE BS TALKS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T STAND THE SILENCE…?!
OR ENJOY BEING SEEN WALKING AROUND IN PUBLIC WITH YOU FATTIES…?!
FUCK YOU…!
I HOPE YOU ALL DIE A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH…!
Vivian secretly stared at Mabel.
I have to apologize to Wind…
Now I understand why most people prefer male bosses over female bosses…
Sure, Wind had some issues…
But at least we didn't have to wait like --…
Wait…!
We did have to wait…
There was that time when we were waiting for the recipients to answer the letters we sent to them…
She shook her head mentally.
No matter what…
Male bosses are better…
At least with male bosses, I, as a woman, can use my woman card…
But this…
There's nothing…
An image of Pen sitting behind his desk flashed inside her head.
Yeah…
On my next Field Mission, I'm telling Pen that I'm not accepting if the leader is a woman or if a woman has a higher position than me…
In fact, I'd prefer if I were the only woman at the Squad…
She returned her focus to Mabel.
This stupid, worthless bitch of a slave-driver…
I wonder what can I do to usurp this slave-driving bitch…?
And now that I think about it…
What if the new Inquisitor coming is also a woman…?
Should I just kill them both…?
I mean…
If the criminal or criminals can make a Gold Cloak Inquisitor in his early 50s, a Gold Cloak Captain in his early 30s from the Infantry, and a White Cloak High Lieutenant in his late 20s from the Infantry disappear, then why not these 2…?
Who's going to know…?
And plus, it's not like this will be the first Priestesses I'm going to kill…
Well…
I've already 'killed' a Priestess at Basic Training…
Technically, I've eaten her…
Oh shit…!
Right…
My blood is once again turning blue…
I need to eat a blueie…
But I want to eat a proper meal -- a whole group of blueies…
At least 4 people…
Well, 5, if I'm going to be honest…
I need to go out tonight…
She recalled the Guards, Adventurers and volunteers that patrol at night.
Just in case I won't be able to go out and eat enough people, I also eat a monster blueie at a restaurant…
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door, and Mabel, Vivian and Jamaal all turned to the door.
Ka-cha!
The door opened and 6 people entered.
The first one was a male Gold Cloak Inquisitor in his late 30s with orange hair.
The second one was a Crusader in his late 30s with gray hair.
The third one was a Crusader in his mid-30s with blue hair.
The fourth one was a Crusader in his late 20s with white hair.
The fifth one was a Gray Cloak in his late 50s with long white hair.
And the sixth one was a pale-skinned man in his late 20s with wild brown hair and beard. He wore an expensive looking black coat, an open white shirt that revealed his hairy chest, loose brown pants, and a pair of fingerless gloves and sandals.
He threw a quick glance at Vivian for a moment before returning his attention to the rest.
Mabel and Jamaal quickly stood up and then saluted.
Vivian, on the other hand, took a second before standing up, because she recognized two people.
The Gray Cloak in his late 50s with long white hair was Zacharias.
Meanwhile, the Crusader in his late 20s with white hair was Caleb.
And then Vivian finally saluted.
When the new group finally reached Mabel, Vivian and Jamaal, the Gold Cloak Inquisitor spoke first.
"May the God of Light always watch over all of you. I am Brother Inquisitor Craft. I will be taking over as the Overall Commanding Officer," he said with an Orionian accent and then turned to the Crusader in his late 30s with gray hair. "Meanwhile, Brother High Captain Sveinung will be the Overall Commanding Officer for the Attack Unit."
Seveinung stepped forward and then saluted.
"May the God of Light always watch over all of you, brother and sisters. I am Brother High Captain Sveinung of the Infantry Division."
The Crusader in his mid-30s with blue hair saluted.
"May the God of Light always watch over all of you. I am Brother Captain Eoin of the Air Division," he said with a Luxenian accent.
The Crusader in his late 20s with white hair, or Caleb, saluted.
"May the God of Light always watch over all of you. I am Brother High Lieutenant Caleb of the Infantry Division."
Craft turned to the pale-skinned man in his late 20s.
"Allow me to introduce Lord Sven of the Iron Kingdom's Duke Faction. He will be our tracker for this Field Mission."
Sven simply let out a smile, revealing his slight canine fangs.
Craft then turned to the Gray Cloak in his late 50s with white long hair, or Zacharias.
"And this is High Brother Zacharias from the Temple of Priests Palace. He will be serving as the main bodyguard of Lord Sven."
Sven's face twitched a bit, but he didn't say anything.
Zacharias smiled and nodded.
"May the God of Light always watch over all of you, Sister Inquisitor Mabel, Sister Inquisitor Monad, and Brother Lieutenant Jamaal."
Hearing Zacharias, Caleb's eyes secretly glanced at Vivian without showing any expression.
Although he had seen Vivian wearing her black fitting long-sleeved turtleneck short dress, he only saw her wearing it on the first day she arrived at Plano Town because she started wearing sleeveless dresses the next day due to the hot weather. In addition to that, he remembered her having short brown hair, not short purple hair with red highlights. This is why he wasn't able to recognize her immediately.
"Brother Inquisitor Song, Brother Captain Kian, Brother High Lieutenant Stale and the others could be needing our help this very moment, so let's discuss the details of the case immediately and find them as soon as possible," Craft said.
***
12:01 p.m.
Craft nodded.
"Now that we've covered all of the details, it's time to move to our first step."
He turned to Eoin.
"Brother Captain Eoin, you will guard the skies along with the Air Units from the Branch Chapter Temple and the Knights Chapter Office."
He turned to Sven.
"Lord Sven, you're going to immediately track down Brother Inquisitor Song, Brother Captain Kian, Brother High Lieutenant Stale, Lord Lukas, Ian the Butler, and Paskal the coachman once you're given their scents.
"Also, please make sure not to leave Town. And if you find yourself having to track in an underground passage, please wait for additional orders."
He turned to Zacharias, Sveinung, Caleb and Jamaal.
"High Brother Zacharias, Brother High Captain Sveinung, Brother High Lieutenant Caleb, and Brother Lieutenant Jamaal, the 4 of you will stick and protect Lord Sven wherever he goes. And if anyone dares to interfere with the operation, you're permitted to kill the person or persons on the spot immediately, but don't use True Death.
"Except for High Brother Zacharias, the rest of you would decide who among you should come back here to report to us in case there are any new developments."
He turned to Mabel and Vivian.
"Both of you will stay here with me."
Finally, he returned his gaze to everyone else.
"Are there any questions?"
No one said a word.
"If there are none, we will start the operation at 1:00 p.m.
"Be sure to make the necessary preparations. We will all meet here at 12:45 p.m. to make any last-minute changes if needed and then start at 1:00 p.m.
"Dismiss."
Knock, knock.
As everyone was about to get up from their seats, there was a knock on the door, causing everyone to turn their attention to it.
Ka-cha!
The door opened and two people entered: Freed and Konrad.
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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