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Ka-cha!
The entrance door opened and two people stepped in: Freed and Konrad.
And just like Sven, the moment Konrad entered the Meeting Room assigned to the Holy Crusade Squad that was currently dealing with the investigation involving the illegal smuggling and reverse-engineering of a lost and forbidden Rune Art that could block Affinity Crystals, his attention immediately landed on Vivian.
For some odd reason, he had this inexplainable sense of disgust and hatred for her. However, it wasn't to the point that he wanted to strangle her to death or something. If he were to compare it to another similar feeling, it was like meeting someone with a punchable face.
Freed stepped forward and then saluted.
"Good day to all, I am Brother Inquisitor Freed. May the God of Light always watch over you all," he said and then gestured toward Konrad. "And this is Lord Konrad."
Before anyone could even realize it, Sven already knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.
"Iro-Great Iro-Elder…!"
Konrad paid him a quick glance without saying a word and then returned his attention to the rest.
"Who is the Commanding Officer here?" Freed asked.
Craft stepped forward and then saluted.
"I am the Overall Commanding Officer, Brother Inquisitor."
"Brother Inquisitor Craft, it seemed that I may have caught you and your group at a bad time."
Craft shook his head.
"Not quite. I've just dismissed everyone to prepare for the operation that we're all going to engage in at 1:00 p.m."
Freed pulled out a pocket watch from his pocket.
12:04 p.m.
After returning his pocket watch to his pocket, he returned his attention to Craft.
"I see. Do you mind if I have a word with one of your members?"
"Not at all."
Freed turned to Vivian.
"Sister Inquisitor Monad, I would like to have a word with you in private. May I borrow your time for a moment?"
Vivian's brows knitted together behind her full-mask.
Inquisitor Freed…?
The Inquisitor Freed…?
One of my teachers at the Training Course…?
She recalled her time there.
Well…
As far as I can remember, he has been a good person…
Nothing weird or anything…
Not only did I learn a lot from his class, but he also let me stay in my room without marking me absent when I had my period…
However…
I wonder why does he want to talk to me…?
Did Pen send him or something…?
"Sure."
***
Ka-cha!
Freed, Konrad and Vivian entered another Meeting Room that wasn't as big as the one assigned to the Holy Crusade's Squad.
"Let's all take a sit at the lounging area," Freed said.
As they all made their way to the lounging area, Vivian's brows knitted together.
What's this feeling…?
I don't feel safe…
I can literally feel the watchful gaze of the guy named Konrad…
And why is he with us…?
I thought this was going to be a private meeting between me and Freed…?
Something is off…
Am I going to get raped or something…?
When they finally reached the lounging area, Freed and Konrad each occupied the one-person sofas, while Vivian occupied one of the three-person sofas.
"You may be curious as to why Lord Konrad is here with us," Freed said. "He's an ally helping me with the case I'm currently handling."
Konrad nodded.
"Indeed I am."
Ironian accent…
So he's also from the Iron Kingdom, just like that Sven…
She raised an eyebrow.
But current case, huh…?
And what would be that case be…?
Are you going to tell me…?
If you're going to lie…
Well…
I've learned enough about the politics of this world at this point…
Let's see…
I hope you won't disappoint like the delusional Gold Cloaks I've last met…
"I see. So what is it exactly do you want to talk about, Brother?"
"Are you aware of the incident at Mount Vald'mir that happened a couple of nights ago?"
So it's that, huh…
"The one where the Fifth Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint issued a gag order not to talk about it?"
Freed nodded.
"Yes, that's the one. And I'm currently handling an investigation about what happened there."
"I see."
"Did you witness anything that night?"
Should I play with this guy a little bit…?
"I'm sorry, Brother. But are you aware where I'm assigned at?"
"The Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint."
"So you're aware that I'm under the Fifth Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, right?"
Freed took out a folded paper form his pocket, unfolded it, and then placed it on the coffee table, revealing a document.
"If it's about the gag order you're worried about, then here's my proof that I'm one of the people in charge of the case."
Vivian glanced at the document.
Well…
I guess it's true…
She returned her attention to Freed.
"That night, I went out to the Great Plains of Stanza to train by fighting monsters -- mostly Flappers.
"And while I was training, all of a sudden, I got blown away by this powerful wind.
"When I came to be, I saw a giant demon that was as tall as a mountain near Mount Vald'mir.
"And when the giant demon disappeared, I immediately rushed over back to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint."
"You didn't go to Mount Vald'mir?" Freed asked.
"No."
Freed nodded.
"Thank you, Sister Inquisitor. That will be all. You may return to your Squad."
Vivian got up on her seat and then saluted.
"Please excuse me," she said and then headed for the door.
Ka-cha!
Ku-chud.
She opened and closed the door, and then headed to her room.
Something is wrong…
I can feel it…
Something really went wrong there…
There's no doubt about it…
I need to power-up…
But not right now…
I can't show them any weird behavior…
But if they attack me here…
Well…
What is the average population of each Town or Village…?
150-20,000…?
And that's just the people…
And between the Towns and Villages, there's the forests, plains and etc for the monsters…
As long as I'm 40 meters tall and I activate my [Halo] amplified with [Greater Origin Enchant]…
I'll be able to cover all of those things in a matter of minutes…
The Main of my [Dual Claws Mastery] is Level 5…
The Body is Level 5…
The Main of my [Dual Whips Mastery] is also Level 5…
The Body is also Level 5…
And for my Magic Arts…
I still have my [Fire], [Ice], [Wind] and [Earth Mastery] that I barely leveled up…
Meanwhile, my [Dark Mastery], the Main is still Level 6 and the Body is Level 7…
The main issue lies with the Physical Arts…
I tried getting [Dual Fists], [Dual Fingers], [Dual Legs] and [Dual Tails Mastery] but nothing came out…
She shook her head mentally.
The [Dual Claws Mastery] and the [Dual Whips Mastery] would be enough for my STR, VIT and AGI to reach (+600)…
Meanwhile, for the Magic Arts, since I'm in a hurry…
It would be [Fire Mastery] which has x6.2…
Her lips curled up into a smile that wasn't exactly a smile.
Come…
Attack me…
I dare all of you…
I'm actually VERY CURIOUS to see as to how fast can I drive the entire human population here in the Northern Continent to the brink of extinction…
Wait…!
Perhaps I can also open and level up [Club Mastery] and [Dual Club Mastery]…
While I'm in my 40-meter-tall demon form, I can slice off my own leg starting right above the knee and use it like a club…
She let out a chuckle.
Looks like I can reach (+700) after all…
She licked her teeth.
You people started it…
Not me…
***
After Vivian finally left, Konrad couldn't help but notice that the disgusted and hateful feeling he had towards the Inquisitor named "Monad" also vanished. He tried to create a mental image of her inside his head, but he still felt nothing.
"Well?" Freed asked.
"Her heartbeat fluctuated 3 different times.
"The first time was when you asked her if she was aware of the incident at Mount Vald'mir.
"The second time was when you asked her if she went to Mount Vald'mir.
"And the third time was when she was leaving.
"As for her sweat, I smelled nothing. She never felt nervous enough to sweat."
Konrad's Lore Magic, [Menschenhund], can only be activated during night time. However, even when it wasn't fully activated, he still is blessed with a passive minimal animal or monster-like senses, specifically that of a Kraine, where his eyesight is clearer, his hearing is sharper, and his sense of smell is keener.
"Her heartbeat never raced?" Freed asked.
"Never. It just fluctuated a bit during those 3 moments that I mentioned."
"Lord Konrad, I mean no disrespect, but are you sure you caught her scent at Mount Vald'mir?"
Konrad raised an eyebrow.
"You think of me as an amateur?"
Freed shook his head.
"Of course not. I'm just asking for clarification."
Konrad could hear Freed's heartbeat getting a bit faster.
"You don't think she's your 'Giant Demon of Stanza'? Don't you remember what those Guards said at the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint? The giant demon had your Class' Class Magic spell [Halo]."
It was almost a minute before Freed finally replied.
"I don't know if she is or isn't the Giant Demon of Stanza. There's still not enough information to jump to conclusions.
"I will head back to the Fifth Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint to decide what to do next.
"Meanwhile, you, I want you to stay here and observe her from the shadows until I return. Make sure not to tell anyone about this."
"Is that even possible? This is the Iron Kingdom. The people here know who I am," Konrad said.
"I will inform Brother Inquisitor Craft that you will be part of his Squad, because the case that you and I are investigating is related to the case that they're currently handling.
"Let's say that we caught a Merchant from the La Spada Kingdom at the Fifth Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint who was trying to smuggle a lost and forbidden Rune Art. And then one of his main buyers is from Gru'n Town.
"That will be your alibi."
"And if she does something?" Konrad said.
"Keep her calm and relaxed. Protect her like she's your daughter if you must.
"You've seen the damage at Mount Vald'mir. If she is truly the Giant Demon of Stanza and she decides to go on a rampage in a place like this, only the God of Light can imagine how many lives will be lost."
***
1:21 p.m.
Holy Crusade's Squad Meeting Room, Temple of Priests building, Gru'n Town.
Craft, Mabel and Vivian were the only people in the room, and they sat at the long table. The rest were outside doing their roles.
Craft sat at the head of the table on the left side, Mabel sat on Craft's left side, and Vivian sat on Craft's right side.
No one said a word. And although they remained still, occasionally, they would do little things, such as fixing their clothes a bit, tidying the papers and documents with them, looking at the window, and etc.
Vivian pulled her black gloves a bit, making sure that they fit properly against her skin, specifically the spaces between her fingers, and then did an open and closed motion.
As she placed her hands down on the table, she discreetly looked at Craft.
Was it a setup…?
Was he already aware prior to coming here…?
Is that why he wants me here instead of outside…?
I mean…
If I'm here, at least they know where I am…
Meanwhile, if I'm outside, they wouldn't…
However, if their plan is to assassinate me, wouldn't it be better to have me outside…?
At least with me, the way I would do it, I would lure myself outside out of town…
That way, in case I transform into a Giant Demon, the civilians wouldn't be affected…
So why am I here…?
Is it really just to watch me…?
Keep me in check…?
Or are they buying time to make the necessary preparations…?
She turned her attention to Mabel.
What about this bitch…?
Is she also aware…?
She returned her attention to Craft.
"Brother, I have a question."
Craft turned to her.
"What is it, Sister?"
"Lord Sven and Lord Konrad are related, right?"
He nodded.
"Yes, they're both part of the Iron Kingdom's Duke family -- the Halb'hund family and the Halb'mensch family."
"They're Lore Magic gives them the power to transform into a humanoid Kraine-like monster and it also heightens their senses, right?"
"Even when they're in human form, their senses, like their smell, are already sharper, even sharper compared to someone from the Temple of Tamers who has [Beast Sense]. It's so sharp that they can hear someone's heartbeat from afar. And when they transform into a humanoid Kraine-like monster, all of those senses are increased tenfold."
"They're that powerful?"
Craft nodded once again.
"They truly are.
"As a matter of fact, back when the Iron Kingdom was still an independent kingdom, the Duke's family used to be the Royal family's main personal bodyguards who would hunt and kidnap or kill for them. And many have fallen prey to their hands -- Cardinals, Princes, Princesses, Supremes, Dukes, Marquises and Counts.
"And when the Iron Kingdom became a subsidiary kingdom of the Holy Kingdom and the Twin Kingdom, their initial plan was to wipe out the Duke's family because their Lore Magic was too dangerous. But in the end, they decided not to. However, just to make sure that no one can abuse that power, not even the Duke's family themselves, they placed a lot of restrictions. And if someone wanted to use their power, they must first receive the approval from the leaders of the Holy Kingdom and the Twin Kingdom."
"So does that mean that if you see or encounter someone from the Iron Kingdom's Duke family being part of a case, the case is guaranteed to be a high-profile one?" Vivian asked.
"Yes."
"I see," Vivian said and then her eyes turned to slits behind her mask.
This confirms it…
There really is no doubt…
I was indeed correct...
So this is the end, huh…?
The end of my Priestess identity…
She suddenly felt a slight pang in her heart and her knees also started to feel weak, causing her to let out a small, bitter smile.
I must admit…
I was expecting that I could play along with this identity a little longer…
She looked at her right hand under the table and formed a fist.
Like, if I get busted, it would be during a very dramatic and epic event or situation…
All of the people she had met ever since she arrived in this world flashed before her eyes.
Should I wait for them to attack…?
Or should I take the initiative, catch them off-guard…?
She opened her right fist.
Is there no other way I could turn this around…?
I truly and honestly just want to live in peace and enjoy all of the technological advancements in this world…
If I wiped out the Northern Continent, I wouldn't be surprised if this continent regressed back to the Stone Age and there would be nothing but blood, war and suffering…
An idea popped inside her head.
There's the demon-kins…
But would they accept me…?
Would I not face racism and end up wiping them off as well…?
And I'm not gonna lie, they all look so ugly…
And with those ugly looks, I can only imagine how backwards, shit-hole-like and alien they must live in…
She started chuckling, causing Craft and Mabel to turn to her.
"Is there something wrong, Sister?" Craft asked.
Vivian shook her head.
"Nothing is wrong, brother. I just finally realized the solution to all my problems."
"The solution to all your problems?"
Vivian nodded.
"Indeed. I just have to become the next Light Saint~!"
And I'm going to shape this world according to my tastes…!
Ka-cha!
Before Craft and Mabel could even react, a door opened.
It was Caleb.
"Brother, Sisters, I came to report what we've found."
***
Craft, Mabel and Vivian entered a wine and beer cellar of a restaurant, and they were greeted with a certain smell.
At a corner of the cellar, Jamaal was standing there alone and he saluted once Craft, Mabel and Vivian approached him.
"Brother Inquisitor!" he said and then gestured to one of the barrels.
Craft and the rest turned to barrel and saw a severed head on top of it.
"This is Ian, the butler of Lord Lukas, the one he was seen with at Burning Gem," Jamaal said.
Craft returned his attention to Jamaal.
"And the others?"
Jamaal turned to a secret entrance on the floor.
"It leads to a secret tunnel. Lord Sven went with High Brother Zacharias and Brother High Captain Sveinung."
Craft turned to Mabel.
"Are you familiar with this place?"
Mabel nodded.
"Yes, Brother.
"This wine and beer restaurant is owned by Lord Georg B. Keller. The Keller family is mainly from Gru'n Town, while the Berger family is mainly from Fel'sen Town. Both are Low-Tier Noble families.
"Lord Georg is one of the people we arrested for illegal smuggling and reverse-engineering of a lost and forbidden Rune Art that could block Affinity Crystals."
Sven, Zacharias and Sveinung came climbing out of the secret entrance, and everyone had their eyes on Sveinung, who was carrying a few severed body parts -- mainly arms and legs.
"Whoever is responsible for this, they're quite aware of my family's Lore Magic and they're taunting us," Sven said and then gestured towards the severed body parts. "Except for the head, all of the body parts are doused with Duft Powder, a powder that was specifically made to hide scents. Even the entire tunnel is sprinkled with Duft Powder."
Craft turned to the rest.
"Is anyone aware of where this tunnel leads to?"
No one answered.
"Before we continue exploring the tunnel, we should gather enough information first. Get me one of the employees here."
He returned his attention to Sven.
"Lord Sven, can you smell other scents from the head? Since it was placed there, they would at least have to touch it."
"Normally, that is the case, especially if it's still fresh. But I can't smell any. However, I'll try to smell it again tonight."
Craft turned to Mabel.
"Is there a family that manufactures Duft Powder here in Gru'n Town?"
"I have to check it first."
He focused on Mabel and Vivian.
"Sister Inquisitor Mabel, you focus on the families within the Marquis' domain that manufacture them. Sister Inquisitor Monad, you focus on the families, also within the Marquis' domain, that sell them."
Mabel nodded, while Vivian didn't make any reaction.
"Make sure to also ask if anyone has purchased a large amount of Duft Powder or the materials needed to create it within the last 5 years."
Mabel nodded once more.
"Yes, Brother Inquisitor."
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