Chapter 280: Inquisitory Division
This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:
• Adventurer GrimV
********************
********************
10:47 a.m.
Great…!
Just great…!
Only one Field Mission a month…?
It hasn’t even been a month…!
Vivian was walking on the grounds of the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint while wearing her Inquisitor Full-Mask and carrying while wearing her I a suitcase on her hand.
A couple of meters away was a Crusader from the Air Division standing beside a black-colored Draghorn who was staring at her with murderous intent. They were both here to take her to the Inquisitory Division’s headquarters under the orders of Pen.
Well…
At least I’ll personally be able to ask Pen my question about the abnormal growth of my hair and nails…
Also…
I could eat real food and go shopp--…
Wait…!
She suddenly stopped.
What if this is an issue related to me being a Greater Demon Human…?
What can I say…?
What can I do…?
Sure, my stats are now at least 450+…
But I’m still far from defeating a Light Saint, a King, a Cardinal, a Duke, a Marquis and a Count…
And that’s just from the stats alone…
The [Lore Magic] is another issue…
Is it possible to tell him that I’m asking for a friend…?
She shook her head mentally.
Not only is he a Chapter Master, but he’s THE Chapter Master of the Inquisitory Division…
But then again…
Based on what I know…
The Chaos and the Lesser Chaos Affinity Crystals don’t affect me…
Greater Chaos can’t be placed on an Affinity Crystal because it’s too powerful…
Greater Chaos Demons are very rare so not many know about them…
However, that is assuming that that piece of information is true…
Can I risk it…?
At this point, just coloring my hair is a complete hassle…
Every morning, 1 hour before she takes a bath, she would spend 10 minutes preparing the hair color formula, spend 10 minutes applying the formula on her hair, spend 30 minutes letting the formula dry on her hair, and then spend 10 minutes cleaning up.
And that was just for coloring her hair.
Shaving her body hair and trimming her nails were another daily tasks that she needed to do on top of her normal morning routine.
I’ll make my decision once I’m there…
She resumed walking.
When she reached about 10 meters away from the Draghorn, the monster raised its head and spread its wings and chest as if to show dominance and warn her that it would attack her if she continued to get any closer.
Vivian let out a sigh underneath her Inquisitor Half-Mask.
This Draghorn…
It’s black…
So it must have the [Dark Mastery]…
[Dark Arrow].
The moment she stepped within 10 meters, the Draghorn immediately activated a spell.
“Roro, what are you doing…?” the Crusader asked.
Woooh!
The spell shot straight to Vivian. But when it finally reached her, it disintegrated as if it struck an impenetrable wall.
RAWR!
The monster let out a murderous roar before rushing over to Vivian.
“RORO, STOP!!!” the Crusader said as he ran and tried to grab the reins.
[Poison Golem].
Vivian let out another sigh as she stopped and activated a spell.
A 3-meter-tall Golem made out of green-colored mana appeared between her and the Draghorn.
Chu-psssh!
The Poison Golem caught the Draghorn’s face and green smoke exploded, causing the monster to immediately go limp. But before the monster could even fall to the ground completely, the golem pulled it over and raised it above its head.
BAM!
And then power-slammed it to the ground.
Vivian checked her gloves.
No damages on the fingertips of my gloves due to my nails…
How much were these gloves again…?
1 gold…?
Ba-psssh!
Cha-psssh!
BAM!
Although the Draghorn was 5 meters tall while the Poison Golem was only 3 meters tall, when it came to stats, the monster was completely and utterly helpless.
Ba-psssh!
Cha-psssh!
Ba-psssh!
Cha-psssh!
BAM!
Vivian returned her gaze back to the Draghorn and Poison Golem, and then sent out a mental command.
The Poison Golem immediately stopped and stood straight. The Draghorn, on the other hand, was completely beaten into a bloody pulp and on the verge of dying.
As for the Crusader, he could only stand in shock with his mouth wide open behind his helmet.
Vivian casually approached him.
“What is the meaning of this, Brother Lieutenant?”
The Crusader slowly turned his head towards her.
“What…?”
Chud.
She grabbed the collar of his armor and pulled him close to her.
“This is what the Air Division has sent to pick me up for an important Field Mission? A Crusader with a pet that randomly attacks people?”
He was about to answer but Vivian cut him off.
“I don’t care whatever reasons you have. If this happens again, I will turn your useless pet into dust right in front of your eyes and then arrest you for being so incompetent and purposely delaying a Field Mission. Do you understand me, Crusader?”
“I…”
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”
“Y-Yes… Sister Inquisitor…”
She released him.
“Now heal your violent and useless pet. And I pray to the God of Light that you didn’t forget what I just said.”
***
3:01 p.m.
Holy City, Holy Kingdom.
A black-colored Draghorn was up in the sky covered with dark clouds and on its back were a male Crusader and a female Inquisitor.
The Inquisitor activated [Halo] and a golden ring appeared on her back as the monster began to descend.
When the monster finally landed on the ground, which was a wide and plain open field with buildings in the distance surrounding it, the Inquisitor deactivated her spell and climbed down. She then untied her suitcase, turned to the Crusader, and saluted.
“Thank you, Brother Lieutenant. May the God of Light watch over you.”
The Crusader saluted back.
“I-It’s a pleasure, Sister Inquisitor Monad…! And may the God of Light watch over you as well…!”
Vivian turned away and headed to one of the buildings. It was the same building that she went through when she left and arrived in the Holy City in the past.
Hmm…
I believe it’s called Airport Building Terminal 7…?
Although it had the words "Airport Building" on its name, it wasn't anything like the ones in her original world. If she were to describe it, it looked more like a train station from the earlier years when trains were still relatively a new man-made invention. There were rows of chairs, a booth and office rooms.
Vivian looked at the skies.
Right…
It’s Autumn…
I keep forgetting that…
Back at the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, it sometimes rains. However, once it’s not raining and the sun was up, although stepping outside was hot, it was still more or less manageable. But here, she could literally feel the cold breeze even though it wasn’t raining, just cloudy.
Well…
To be fair…
The only time I notice it’s autumn season is because of the Halloween decorations…
Vivian has no idea if global warming was real or not. However, back in her original world, the seasons can be intense and the weather can be unpredictable.
Back when I was still in elementary…
There were still flag ceremonies in the morning being conducted outside and under the blazing sun…
Yet the sun was still tolerable…
But once I stepped in college…
That tradition had been completely phased out due to the severe heat…
I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen students get nosebleeds or faint during flag ceremonies in high school due to the intense heat…
During elementary and high school, Vivian attended a prestigious and private religious school. But for college, she attended a non-religious prestigious private school.
A small smile appeared on Vivian’s lips behind her full-mask.
Right…
I remember my mother crying to my father because she wanted me to also attend my college at that school…
However, my father said the school I ended up going to for college was more prestigious…
And my father was always the final decision-maker…
But I’m not gonna lie…
It was a nice experience and also a wake-up call…
The people I met there, I was surprised how godless they were…
The open debauchery was shocking…
And some of their ways, their manners…
The ones from the ghetto but managed to enter the school because of a scholarship or some crazy loans that their poor parents had to do…
Very ‘cultural’…
But then again, many of the people I’ve known from my so-called religious school were hypocrites…
Two-faced hypocrites…
I could literally count on my fingers who were actually good and religious people -- from the faculty staff and the students…
And I wasn’t one of them…
But hey, at least I learned a valuable lesson there…
The power of the Morality Card...
Thank you, father...
Thank you, mother…
That school was worth it…
Vivian finally reached the entrance of the building and stepped inside.
Hmm…
Empty as usual…
Well…
To be fair…
Airport Building Terminal 7 is only for the members of the Temple of Priests who are currently active in the Holy Crusade…
She went over to the booth where two people, a man and a woman, were sitting inside it.
They both bowed.
“Good afternoon and welcome to Airport Building Terminal 7, Honored Priestess Inquisitor. How may we help you?” the man said.
Vivian's gaze landed on the woman.
This woman…
It’s the same person from last time…
“I was ordered to come to the Holy City by the Inquisitory Division for a Field Mission. My name is Sister Inquisitor Monad.”
They both nodded.
“We understand, Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad,” the man said and then got up from his seat. “I will send word to the Inquisitory Division of your arrival, Honored Priestess Inquisitor Monad. Please excuse me,” he said and then bowed before exiting the booth.
“Is the cafeteria open?” Vivian asked.
“Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” the woman said.
“Tell them that I will be waiting there.”
“Yes, Honored Priestess Inquisitor.”
***
3:33 p.m.
At a cafeteria.
Vivian occupied two tables which were filled with at least 10 different dishes along with a bottle of wine, a pot of tea and a pitcher of water. She already consumed 8 plates and had her sights on a whole cake.
She also changed her full-mask to a half-mask.
She picked up a fork and then sliced a piece.
Hmm…
Not bad…
She placed down the fork and picked up the cup.
Sip.
Hmm…
Food from the city and food from the Border Checkpoint have their own charm…
Here, the ingredients are richer and have more variety…
There, it has that homemade charm but lacks richness and variety…
She put down her cup and sliced another piece with her fork.
However…
I can still remember that the meals here are subpar compared to the ones at the Inquisitory Division…
But at least the food here is free…
She sliced off another piece.
After my meeting with Pen…
I’m going to eat at that pie restaurant…
Yeah…
The pies were great there…
She recalled the time when she was still doing her Training Course.
Especially the ones with mushrooms…
No doubt about it…
She sliced off another piece.
Hmm…
I guess airport food will always be airport food no matter which world you are in…
But isn’t that amazing…?
Two different worlds…
Yet still the same…
Is there something about airports, seaports and places similar to that that just attracts subpar food…?
She sliced off another piece.
Is it the speed…?
The arriving and parting…?
She put down her fork and signaled to one of the staff with her fingers.
A male staff went over to her and then bowed.
“How may I be of service, Honored Priestess Inquisitor?”
“I want another bottle of your best wine. White.”
The staff bowed.
“As you wish, Honored Priestess Inquisitor,” he said and then left.
As Vivian resumed eating, a White Cloak Priest in his mid-20s wearing an Inquisitor Full-Mask entered the cafeteria and then went over to Vivian.
He saluted.
“Sister Inquisitor Monad, it’s a pleasure to meet you again.”
Vivian’s brows knitted behind her half-mask as she stared at the Inquisitor in front of her.
Meet you again…?
“It’s me, Brother Inquisitor Wind.”
“Oh…” Vivian said and then saluted without getting up. “It’s nice to see you again, brother.”
Wind nodded.
“I came here to pick you up, sister.”
“I see.”
Wait…
Now I remember…
He was the Priest who escorted me to the headquarters last time…
And last time, he said that there were no available people so he volunteered to come pick me…
So there are no available people again…?
Or perhaps he’s just an errand boy…?
She recalled her conversation with Pen.
I’ll be damned if I stay here and a blueie like him makes me his errand girl…
“Brother, please take a seat for a moment. I have to finish all of these meals.”
Wind glanced at the meals at the tables. There were at least 10 dishes but 8 were already empty.
“Of course,” he said and then took a seat.
A male staff carrying a bottle of white wine approached them.
***
Main Office Building, Inquisitory Division Headquarters.
Knock, knock.
Ka-cha!
Vivian knocked on the door before entering.
As she stepped inside, she immediately headed in front of Pen’s desk and then saluted.
“Brother Inquisitor Pen! I came here as you requested!”
Pen nodded.
“At ease, Sister Inquisitor,” he said and gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Please take a seat.”
Vivian sat down in one of the chairs.
“As you may already know, I requested you to come for a Field Mission. But before that, I would like to ask, how are you? Would you like a drink or something to eat from your trip?”
Both Pen and Vivian were wearing an Inquisitor Full-Mask.
Before coming here, Vivian went to her sleeping quarters which was located in a building where only Inquisitors and special guests were allowed to stay. There, she switched from her half-mask to her full-mask.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“I see. How’s work at the Stanza Border Checkpoint?”
“It’s fine.”
“Nothing interesting happened?”
Vivian’s eyes turned to slits behind her eyes.
What is he trying to probe…?
Is it the thing that happened to the Second Stanza Western Barracks…?
Or is it the Aristocratic Nobles and their group…?
Or maybe both…?
“As far as I’m concerned, nothing special or interesting has happened at my station. Everything is running according to its exact purposes. But I have a question.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I thought our agreement was that you would only send me 1 Field Mission per month?”
“I believe I told you that as much as possible, I would try to only send you on a Field Mission once a month.”
Vivian was silent.
“Was this a bad timing, sister? Was there an issue you had to deal with at your station after all?”
Vivian continued to remain silent.
“Sister, do you remember what I told you the last time we spoke?”
“Yes.”
“I was informed about what happened between your group and with Lord Luka and Lord Oier’s group.
“You murdering Lord Luka and arresting Lord Oier was the correct approach. But you ordering the Noble getting beaten and killing their bodyguard Mercenaries was too much.”
Vivian chuckled.
“That’s surprising.”
Pen brows knitted behind his mask.
“What’s surprising?”
Vivian straightened her back and raised her chin a little bit.
“Anyone who dares to spit on the authority of the Temple of Priests and harm my companions, especially if they’re a Brother or Sister, must be severely punished.
“In fact, the way I see it, I was being so kind to that Noble and the Mercenaries. Their punishment should’ve been True Death.
“I mean, when has the Temple of Priests become so weak that worthless outsiders like them now have the guts to not only spit on the authority of the Temple of Priests, but also lay a hand on my Brothers and Sisters?
“Have our brothers and sisters not bled and sacrificed enough to protect humanity against demons, demon-kins, the Cult of Infinity and heretics? Is the life of a Priest or Priestess that worthless?
“That, brother, is what surprises me, especially you who is a Chapter Master.”
Pen leaned back on his chair.
“A fine and passionate speech, sister. As a matter of fact, I can’t count how many times I’ve heard such speeches. But let me ask you this: If all of our brothers and sisters decide to take that approach, what are you going to do if the other organizations do the same?”
Vivian became silent once again.
“I don’t think I need to explain to you how that will end. You should try reading about history if you have some spare time, sister. Their stories are rich with so many lessons and wisdom.”
Vivian turned away and continued not to say anything.
“Look, sister, I’m not chastising you or anything. The truth is, I’m proud of you because you were only doing your duty to protect the Temple of Priests and your comrades. However, at the same time, knowing how smart, hard-working, gifted and intelligent you are, I also believe you can do better.
“So this experience, sister, I pray to the God of Light that you will use it as an important life lesson in defending the entire human race from demons, demon-kins, the Cult of Infinity and heretics.”
Vivian suppressed the urge to let out a snort as she returned her gaze to him.
“I understand. Noted.”
Pen opened a drawer from his desk, took out 2 folders, and then placed them on top of the desk near Vivian.
“The one on your left is about the Golden Families and the one on your right is about the Field Mission you will be handling.
“You have until the night of Satur to study those files. And by the morning of Sunar, you are to head over to She’kle Village with Brother Inquisitor Wind to handle the case.
“The main suspect is a Brother named Jeremiah P. Hortus.
“The main victim is a Sister named Bithiah S. Ancilla.
“Another main suspect, victim or witness is a Brother named Emmanuel P. Nummi.
“These are the 3 main people of the case and they’re all from She’kel Village of the Holy Chapter Temple.
“The Post-Investigation has already begun at She’kel Village and there is a possibility that more people -- suspects, victims or witnesses -- will be added or removed from the case.
“You and Brother Inquisitor Wind will go to She’Kel Village and conduct your own investigations regarding the case before the Pre-Hearing Review which will begin by the end of the month. Your reports will be presented as the Holy Crusade’s point-of-view.
“Inquisitor Wind will be your Commanding Officer and the overall Commanding Officer of your group. The Crusaders from the Infantry Division that you two will be working with will also arrive at She’kel Village on the morning of the day of Sunar.”
Vivian didn’t move and simply glanced at the folders.
“Sister, this Field Mission involves an important case that’s linked with the Golden Families -- these are the families who produce Light Saints, Cardinals and Headmasters. I’ve also instructed Brother Inquisitor Wind to teach you how to handle such cases, so be sure to learn from him as much as you can.
“Also, sister, please let me remind you that Brother Inquisitor Wind is from one of the Golden Families.
“That incident you had with Brother Caleb, you were lucky that it was Brother Caleb. And his family, although they can be like Brother Zacharias, hot-headed, overall, they’re laid-back.
“However, the same can’t be said for the other families. Each family has their own quirks.”
Vivian nodded.
“Noted, brother.”
“You are dismissed. And if you have any other questions, you’re free to ask Brother Inquisitor Wind.”
“I’m not allowed to ask you?”
“You have questions?”
“Not right now, but maybe in the future.”
“I will be leaving on the morning of the day of Satur and I might not be back until next week. As a matter of fact, I just arrived this morning and was expecting you to arrive tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“Although I doubt that Brother Inquisitor Wind wouldn’t be able to answer any of your questions, you can also visit Brother Inquisitor Blanch. He’s always willing to help.”
Vivian suppressed the urge to scoff.
Blanch…?
That pervert stalker…?
He’s still here…?
“Am I allowed to leave the headquarters?”
I can’t eat any blueie here without attracting any attention…
Unless they also serve live animal blueies here in restaurants...
I also don’t want to be near this guy…
Who knows what extra headache situation he’s going to throw me in this time, like the one with that fat pig pervert Feridno and the other skinny pervert…
Pen nodded.
“As long as you study and prepare for the case and then depart with Brother Inquisitor Wind to She’kel Village on the morning of the day of Sunar, I don’t see any issue.”
Vivian got up from her seat, grabbed the two folders, and then saluted.
********************
********************
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
By the way, I’ve posted this chapter at WebNovel, Royal Road and Patreon. However, the main is P-a-t-r-e-o-n (Immortal_Shades) because I want to post pictures and videos there without any restrictions.
https://www.patreon.com/Immortal_Shades
Don’t worry, the chapters there are free. And if you want to donate because I have no talent in being a writer, feel free to consider any of these titles:
• Adventurer - $2
• Guard - $3
• Merchant - $4
• Mercenary - $5
• Knight - $6
• Priest/Priestess - $7
• Necromancer - $8
• Aristocratic Noble - $9
• High Priest/Priestess - $10
Thank you once again and I will see you at the next chapter.
Chapter end
Report
