Chapter 266: Inquisitory Division (3)

This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:

• Adventurer GrimV

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Vivian was walking down a street with her eyes mostly focused on the ground.

What other mistakes have I done…?

How were they able to figure that out…?

Have I underestimated the people in this world too much…?

"Keep your friends closer, but keep your enemies closer…" she said under her breath.

If I continue being a Priestess, I'll have to do Holy Crusades and also continue being in the Inquisitory Division…

If I quit being a Priestess, not only will I lose a lot of social power but I will also be hounded by people left and right…

There's also the Class Magic spells…

I need [Halo] for unlimited mana…

The Bard has one as well…

I think it was [Hymn]…?

But I will have to learn it…

The Necromancer has [Dark Halo]…

But I would have a huge target on my back…

And I can no longer stay here in the Northern Continent…

Vivian stopped walking and closed her eyes.

This…

If only there was someone I could ask advice for…

Or if there was just the internet that I could look up things…

What should I do…?

What can I do…?

Her eyes suddenly opened and turned to slits.

"What the fuck are you whining about, you stupid bitch? We continue sticking with the plan as always -- train and train until you can slap anyone out of existence if they annoy you."

Yeah…

Let's stick with the script…

She resumed walking and then noticed two White Cloak Priests who looked like they were somewhere between their early and mid-20s wearing full-masks with a brown-colored sun on their forehead walking in the opposite direction.

Right…

It's the first week of the month…

It's the time for the new recruits…

Every first week of the month, the training for new recruits would start. 

Those who are participating in the Holy Crusade for the first time would have to undergo 2 weeks of Basic Training at the Training Camp in the Holy City. And after that, they would then have to spend another 3 weeks for the Training Course at the headquarters of the Division that they are applying for.

Meanwhile, those who have already participated in the Holy Crusade in the past and wanted to switch to another Division didn't have to go through Basic Training and would directly be sent to the headquarters of the Division that they are applying for. However, they would still need to pass all of the required tests or exams within 3 weeks or they would be marked as failed. And if they failed, they would be sent back to their former Division.

When the two new recruits got close to Vivian, they stopped and saluted.

"Good afternoon, Sister Sergeant Inquisitor!"

Vivian stopped and her eyes blinked a couple of times.

Huh…?

Sister Sergeant Inquisitor…?

It was then her gaze landed on her left chest.

Oh…

She quickly returned her attention to the two Priests.

"Brothers," she said and nodded.

Vooom!

When she was already a few meters away, she immediately removed the Officer Pin on her chest using her full speed.

Oh fuck…!

So embarrassing…!

Please kill me now…!

They must've thought that I'm such a try-hard idiot weakling…!

Walking around with a Sergeant rank…!

The lowest officer rank…!

And Inquisitors are supposed to be secretive…!

Please really kill me now…!

She let out a sigh.

Sister Chapter Master Monad…

I think I like the ring of that…

Sister Chapter Master…

Honored Priestess Chapter Master…

She shook her head.

I don't think I would ever be referr--…

Wait…!

I can be referred to that if I'm on the other Divisions…

They don't need to hide their identity after all…

***

Ka-cha!

A door opened and Blanch stepped inside. His gaze landed on the female assistant sitting behind her desk and wearing a full-mask without a sun symbol on the forehead.

"Nina, is Brother Pen at his office?"

The assistant got up from her seat and bowed.

"Yes, Honored Priest Inquisitor Blanch," she said and then moved to the side of her desk. "I'll inform him of your arrival."

"I'll do it myself," Blanch said and then headed for the private office door without waiting for a reply.

Knock, knock.

Ka-cha!

He knocked twice before opening the door and he saw Pen sitting behind his desk reviewing some documents.

"Brother, forgive me for the intrusion," he said as he made his way in front of Pen's desk.

"Brother Blanch."

"Brother, I've read the Field Mission Report that Sister Monad submitted. She murdered an Aristocratic Noble?"

"Yes, there was that incident."

"Brother, what's your assessment of her?"

"Please take a seat first, brother."

Blanch sat down at one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"My assessment of her is that more than half of what you said about her is true," Pen continued.

"More than half? So you agree that she's guilty?"

"There's not enough evidence."

"Brother, she killed an Aristocratic Noble. We can use this to pressure her through the DG International Laws and then use [Halo] on her to find out the truth."

"High Brother Zacharias and Brother Caleb also assaulted Aristocratic Nobles."

"But there's a difference between physical assault and murder."

"But they're not True Death."

"Wasn't the goal in sending her was for you to make an assessment about her?"

Pen nodded.

"That is true. Only an assessment."

"But isn't this also a chance? Why not take it? Although High Brother Zacharias and Brother Caleb will take a hit, it won't be that bad. And for the Marbleam Kingdom, it would just be politics as usual."

"And if it turns out she's innocent?"

"You said it yourself, more than half of the things I said about her are true."

Pen drummed his fingers on his desk for a moment.

"Brother, you're one of the best Inquisitors here in the Inquisitory Division and you have the track record to prove it so I highly respect your skills. However, in this case, I think you're getting too emotional."

"Emotional? Brother, I just want to know the truth. There's just something about her that puts me off. I can't pinpoint exactly what or why but it's there."

"You mean she reminds you of what happened at the Azatea Kingdom 12 years ago."

Blanch became silent for a moment before replying.

"What about you, brother?"

Pen leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk.

"The current Light Saint is retiring. If we go with your plan and it turns out that she is indeed guilty of the crimes you accused her of, then great, more power to us. However, if it turns out she isn't, considering someone of her talents, the Inquisitory Division will lose a lot of bargaining power in High Brother Joseph's faction. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't even be surprised if they decide to kick us out of their faction. And once the new Light Saint and set of Cardinals are elected, the Inquisitory Division will have less political power during their reign and it will take another 4-5 decades for the next election before we can reverse the damages.

"I'm very sorry, brother, but I won't risk all the progress that my predecessors and all of the Inquisitors have worked, bled and died for under the current political climate unless we have clear-cut evidence. If this was after the election, then I would've been on board with your idea."

A serious expression flashed across Blanch's face behind his full-mask.

"By clear-cut evidence, you mean catching her in the act of committing True Death? What if she kills another of our brothers and sisters?"

Pen leaned back on his chair.

"That won't happen. I plan to continue monitoring her by sending her on Field Missions with our allies."

Blanch's eyes became wide.

"What?"

"Brother, have you heard of the saying: Keep your friends closer, but keep your enemies closer?"

"I've never heard of such saying but we've used such tactics before."

"Then you understand."

"But brother, I've heard that she filed a restraining order to prevent anyone from bothering her during her Basic Training. Although you have His Holiness' blessing through Brother Cardinal Val to send her to Field Missions, what are the chances she won't do something similar to that?"

"That also won't be a problem."

"Why?"

"I've already told you so much about my plan so I can't tell you any more. If someone uses [Halo] on either of us or uses other tactics to extract information, they wouldn't be able to get that much."

***

5:01 p.m.

Temple of Priest building, Luxen City, Luxen Kingdom.

Joshua was walking down a hallway and carrying three folders on his hand. He turned to the windows and saw the thick rain covering the view of the streets along with the occasional roars of thunder from a distance.

"Good afternoon, Brother Joshua," a White Cloak Priestess in her late 20s passing him by said and smiled.

"Good afternoon, Sister Lesirei," he said and smiled. "Going home already?"

Lesirei stopped walking and turned to him so he also decided to stop.

"Once the rain slows down. I'll be at the cafeteria with the others in the meantime."

"Okay, save some snacks for me there," Joshua said and smiled.

"I will," she said and smiled back.

Lesirei turned around and resumed walking.

Joshua resumed walking as well and didn't stop until he finally stopped in front of a door.

Ka-cha!

He placed his hand on the doorknob and opened the door. Upon entering, he found himself inside a large office space. There were two desks, a private office and several extra seats on the side. His gaze landed on one of the desks where a White Cloak Priestess in her early 30s sitting behind it and there were stacks of papers in front of her.

"Almost done, Sister Nese?"

Nese slowly raised her head and looked like she was about to cry.

"Brother Joshua… help me… it's too much…"

Joshua straightened his back and held out his hand.

"May the God of Light continue to watch over you and give you strength," he said and then immediately headed for the private office room.

Nese stretched out her hand.

"No….!"

Joshua stopped and turned to her with a smile.

"Just kidding," he said and then held out the folders on his hand. "I just finished reviewing these documents from Brother Ezekiel. If High Sister doesn't give me any follow-up work, I'll help you."

Nese's pink and soft lips quivered as a single tear ran down her cheek.

"Brother Joshua, I love you…"

"Yes, yes, I know, and I love you too, sister. Where is Brother Matel?"

A dark expression suddenly flashed across Nese's face.

"He was sent out by High Sister around 3:00 p.m. and has yet to return. If I were to make a guess, he's deliberately taking his sweet time because he knows tons of paperwork and waiting for him here. Ugh!" she said and ruffled her hair. "I can just imagine him drinking hot tea and eating a cake in a fancy restaurant with a smile on his face while watching the rain pouring down out of the window and demanding for two tall, dark and handsome Marbleamean waiters to accompany him! I swear to the God of Light!"

Joshua let out a small chuckle.

"You know what? I think I can imagine Brother Matel doing that. But not this time."

Thud.

Nese laid her face down on her desk.

"Why did Sister Jasmine take a vacation…?"

"It's been a while since Sister Jasmine took a vacation so she definitely needs it for her health," Joshua said with a concerned tone.

"But why now…?"

"Anyhow, I've got to deliver these to High Sister," he said and waved the folders on his hand. "Don't fall asleep on the documents. You know how High Sister hates it if the paper is crumpled or wet." 

Nese weakly stretched out her hand.

"Brother, please don't go…"

Joshua reached the door of Grana's private office.

Chapter end