Chapter 284: She'kel Village (2)
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7:01 p.m.
Wind, Vivian, Ronan, Zola and Janis were walking on a hallway while being led by one of the non-Priest staff of the Branch Chapter Temple.
The male staff was at the front, Wind and Vivian were in the middle, and Ronan, Zola and Janis were at the rear.
Wind and the rest all changed to an evening attire underneath their White Cloaks, and Wind and Vivian wore their Inquisitor Half-Masks.
When they finally reached their destination, the entrance to a wide and luxurious dining hall, the male staff stopped and then turned to them.
“Honored Priest Inquisitor Wind and Honored Priest and Priestess Crusaders, it was a great pleasure to be in your company. Honored High Priest Reuel, Honored High Priest Marcus, and the rest of the Honored Priests and Priestesses are inside. The staff inside will guide you to your seats,” he said before lowering his head and gesturing to the entrance. “May you have a wonderful evening.”
As Wind and the rest of his companions stepped into the dining hall, 5 staff members wearing butler-like attire lowered their heads.
“Good evening, Honored Priest Inquisitor Wind and Honored Priest and Priestess Crusaders.”
The oldest butler stepped forward and lowered his head once again.
“Honored Priest Inquisitor Wind, please allow us to escort you and your honored company to your seats.”
After Wind nodded, the head butler led Wind and his companions to their seats. Meanwhile, the other 4 butlers followed behind.
In the middle of the dining hall was a large and long table enough to accommodate 50 people.
The Headmaster of the Internal Unit, High Priest Reuel, was seated at the top edge of the table and the rest of the members would be seated on his right side. Meanwhile, the Headmaster of the External Unit, High Priest Marcus, was seated at the bottom edge of the table and the rest of the members would be seated on his right.
Tonight, there were 10 special guests -- Wind’s squad from the Holy Crusade and the squad from the Orion Chapter Temple.
Wind’s squad was assigned on the left side of the table or with the Internal Unit. Meanwhile, the squad from the Orion Chapter Temple was on the right side of the table or with the External Unit.
Vivian glanced at the people near their seats.
That’s Reuel Has’tam…?
Reuel was a fat white-haired Red Cloak and in his mid-50s, and he was sitting at the top edge of the table.
And that must be Kathleen Has’tam…
She’s originally from the Dis’cus Golden Family, also part of the Lance Faction, before taking on the Has’tam last name after her marriage to Reuel…
Kathleen was a white-haired Red Cloak and in her late 50s, and was sitting in the first seat on Reuel’s right side.
And that must be Nathan Gala…
Nathan was a Gray Cloak with long red hair and in his mid-50s, and he was seated next to Kathleen.
Wind and his companion finally reached their seats.
Wind was seated next to Nathan, Vivian next to Wind, Ronan next to Vivian, Zola next to Ronan, Janis next to Zola, and Janis next to a vacant seat.
Although the seat next to Janis was vacant, there was a White Cloak Priest sitting next to it.
As far as I know, the Internal Unit has 18 members and the External Unit has 15 each…
But judging from the people present here…
Either some of them are late or some of them are under house arrest just like Brother Jeremiah, Sister Bithiah, and Brother Emmanuel’s parents…
Wait…!
She glanced at the White Cloak Priest sitting next to the empty seat that was next to Janis.
If I’m not mistaken…
That must be Seth Has’tam…
The son of High Brother Reuel and High Sister Kathleen…
The husband of Sister Dinah of the Nummi family…
Oh, wait…!
No, Sister Dinah is the sister of Brother Kadmiel…
And Brother Kadmiel is the father of Brother Emmanuel…
Dammit…!
These people have intermarried with each other so much that it’s hard to keep track who’s the father, the mother, the uncle, the aunt, the son, the daughter…!
In She’kel Village, there were technically 10 “big” Priest families that maintained the “peace” and “order” of the Village:
• Has’tam family - Golden Family - 5 Magic Art Affinities
• Nummi - High-Tier Noble Priest Family - 4 Magic Art Affinities
• Gala - High-Tier Noble Priest Family - 4 Magic Art Affinities
• Hortus - Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family - 3/4 Magic Art Affinities
• Ancilla - Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family - 3/4 Magic Art Affinities
• Pyrgo - Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family - 3/4 Magic Art Affinities
• Sosius - Low-Tier Noble Priest Family - 2/3 Magic Art Affinities
• Capiton - Low-Tier Noble Priest Family - 2/3 Magic Art Affinities
• Herma - Low-Tier Noble Priest Family - 2/3 Magic Art Affinities
• Sanga - Low-Tier Noble Priest Family - 2/3 Magic Art Affinities
And whether those x number of Magic Art Affinities are True or False Magic Art Affinities, that was another story.
Furthermore, although this list of Priest families that possessed this amount of Magic Art Affinities may seem very impressive, the truth is, this type of lineup could only be found in the Holy Kingdom, the main source of the Temple of Priests. Outside of the Holy Kingdom, the numbers were lower.
The butlers escorting Wind and his squad each pulled a chair for them.
When Wind and his squad finally sat down, the butlers escorting them offered a slight bow and then went to a corner where other butlers were standing.
Vivian glanced at the people on the opposite side of the table.
There are also vacant seats on the Orion Chapter Temple squad’s side and the External Unit’s side…
But fewer…
She turned to the edge of the bottom side of the table.
That’s Marcus…
The main representative from the Holy Kingdom…
Marcus was a Red Cloak with brown hair and in his late 30s.
And that must be Isla…
The main representative from the Orion Kingdom…
Isla was a bespectacled half-white and half-black woman with long green hair and in her mid-30s. She wasn’t a Red, Gray or Gold Cloak. However, she was the “2nd Red Cloak” or second-in-command of the External Unit.
In the External Unit, there would be 5 Priests from the Holy Chapter Temple, 5 Priests from the Orion Chapter Temple, and 5 Priests from other Main Chapter Temples. And within those Priests or Priestesses, they would assign their own 2 Red Cloaks and 1 Gray Cloak. Unfortunately, Gold Cloaks were rare, so not all External Units get to have enough Gold Cloaks to fill in all roles properly. And because of that, some compromises must be made.
The Gray Cloak of the External Unit isn’t here…
Late…?
Or a no-show as well…?
Vivian turned to the members of the squad sent by the Orion Chapter Temple to deal with the case.
As far as I know…
Or at least what I've read on the documents that Pen gave me…
There are 5 members -- 3 Priestesses and 2 Knights…
Her gaze landed on the Priestess sitting next to the vacant seat of the External Unit’s Gray Cloak.
That’s Michelle…
Michelle was a bespectacled Gold Cloak with black hair styled in a pixie haircut and in her early 40s.
That’s Celina…
Celine was a fat White Cloak with blue hair, also styled in a pixie haircut, but she was in her mid-30s.
And that one is Aiyesha…
Aiyesha was a chubby dark-skinned White Cloak with pink short dreads and in her mid-30s.
And those two women…
They must be the Knights…
Paula and Samara…
Both of them supposedly have the Knight Captain rank…
Paula was in her late 30s with an orange hairdo that Vivian couldn’t explain properly. If she were to describe it, she would say: It looked like some sort of high-rise, Mohawk, pompadour punk-rock hairstyle.
Meanwhile, Samara was a bald half-white and half-black woman in her mid-30s.
Vivian let out a sigh.
So many names…
It’s hard to keep up that I’m getting a headache just thinking about it…
Tracking the names and their relationships between the Priests from the Internal Unit alone is already a nightmare…
So this is what it looks like when nepotism is left unchecked…
Vivian returned her gaze to Michelle.
Speaking of nepotism…
I remember written on the documents Pen gave me that Michelle spent 5 Holy Crusade Contracts in the Inquisitory Division and 9 Holy Crusade Contracts in the Sea Division…
The rest of her companions, Celine and Aiyesha, were in the Sea Division throughout their Holy Crusade career…
She glanced at the members of the Internal Unit.
Reuel and Kathleen were from the Exploratory Division…
Meanwhile, Nathan was from the Infantry Division…
Most of the families in She’kel Village or the families from the Lance Faction join the Exploratory and Infantry Division…
She turned to Marcus.
As for the External Unit…
They’re mixed…
And as far as I can remember…
Marcus from the Holy Chapter Temple and Isla from the Orion Chapter Temple were part of the Air Division…
Meanwhile, Theodore from the Heisen Chapter Temple was part of the Infantry Division…
Reuel picked up a fork.
Ting, ting.
And then tapped it against a wine glass.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please.”
Everyone turned to him.
He picked up his glass and then stood up.
“First off, I would like to thank the people in charge of preparing this bountiful feast.
“Secondly, I would like to thank everyone here for gracing us with their presence, especially the presence of High Sister Michelle and her companions from the Orion Kingdom, and Brother Inquisitor Wind and his squad from the Holy Crusade.
“And lastly, I would like to pray to the God of Light and all the Light Saints, especially, the first Priest, the first Light Saint, and the founder of the Temple of Priests and the Holy Kingdom, His Holiness Ne’ua, that we would bless us all with the wisdom, clarity and also healing regarding the tragic incident that has befell upon this Branch Chapter Temple.
“May the God of Light watch over all of us! Let us feast!” he said and raised his glass.
“May the God of Light watch over all of us!” all the Priests and Priestesses said and raised their glasses.
As for the two Knights, they simply raised their glasses.
Reuel returned to his seat and everyone began eating.
“Brother Inquisitor Wind,” Reuel said.
“Brother Wind would suffice, High Brother Reuel,” Wind said and smiled.
“As you wish, Brother Wind,” Reuel said as he nodded and smiled. “I’m well aware that it’s too early to ask this question at this stage, but how is your investigation going?”
“It’s going smoothly, High Brother.”
“That’s very reassuring to hear. I hope that this very unfortunate tragic incident will be resolved as soon as possible, and the peace and unity within all our of brothers and sisters here will return.”
“I certainly hope so, High Brother.”
“If you need any help, feel free to come to my office or my dear wife’s office. We’ll provide any assistance that you need to the best of our abilities,” he said and then turned to Kathleen. “Am I right, dear?”
Kathleen nodded and then turned to Wind.
“Of course. Please do not hesitate, Brother Wind. You don’t mind me calling you Brother Wind as well, right?” she said and smiled.
Wind shook his head.
“Not at all, High Sister,” he said and then offered a slight bow. “Thank you, High Brother and High Sister. I promise to keep that in mind.”
“High Brother, High Sister, may I remind you that it’s considered heresy to interfere with the Holy Crusade’s investigation, especially if it involves the Inquisitory Division,” Nathan said and then turned to Wind. “Isn’t that correct, Brother Inquisitor Wind?”
“According to the rules and laws of the Holy Crusade, technically, you are correct, High Brother Nicholas. However, just like everyone here is a veteran who has bled and sacrificed in the Holy Crusade, we all know that things are never simple or black and white during Field Missions. But overall, yes, you are correct," Wind said.
“High Brother, what is so wrong about High Brother Reuel and I wanting to help Brother Wind and his squad to the best of our abilities? Is there some other reason you’re not telling us?” Kathleen said.
Nathan shook his head.
“I have no other reason at all. I’m simply stating a fact.”
Reuel placed his right hand on top of Kathleen’s left hand.
“My dear, I believe what High Brother Nathan is trying to say is that he’s afraid that Brother Wind and his companions might assume we are trying to hasten the investigation because it involves Brother Emmanuel. After all, our son, Brother Seth, is married to Sister Dinah, and Sister Dinah is the sister of Sister Brother Kadmiel.”
A shocked and pained expression flashed across Kathleen’s face and she turned to Nathan.
“You’re still going on with that…? You all know that I treat everyone here as part of my family. Brother Jeremiah, Sister Bithiah and Brother Emmanuel, I even attended their Coming of Age Ceremonies…!”
On the 15th birthday of a person, their parents would throw a Coming of Age Ceremony for them. This was to celebrate the day that they enter adulthood and be able to take a Class.
Kathleen turned to Wind.
“Brother Wind, do you suspect us of such treachery…?”
“My squad and I just arrived today. Whether I suspect or don’t suspect you both of such a thing, it’s too early to make such conclusions. Also, as the Commanding Officer of the squad in charge of investigating the very unfortunate tragic incident that befell Sister Bithiah, we are prohibited from sharing any information until the Pre-Hearing Review.”
Kathleen turned to Vivian.
“You are Sister Inquisitor Monad, correct?”
Vivian nodded.
“Yes, High Sister.”
“You’re a Sister, a woman just like me. Do you think I, a fellow woman, am trying to interfere or influence the investigation?”
This…
So Wind was correct…
After having lunch with Janis, they returned to the Meeting Room assigned to them at 1:00 p.m. They resumed working from 1:00-5:00 p.m. After that, they had from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to prepare for dinner.
In Vivian’s case, she asked for some clothes, including evening gowns for dinner, beauty products, etc -- all of which were free. She also shaved her armpits and took a bath.
But during 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wind paid her a visit to warn her about the political games being played in Branch Chapter Temples, especially with the ones located within the Holy Kingdom and the Orion Kingdom.
Since the Holy Kingdom was the main kingdom of the Temple of Priests and the Orion Kingdom was a kingdom created by the Temple of Priests and the only subsidiary kingdom that was under the Holy Kingdom, the Priests and Priestesses in these kingdoms were “bolder” in interacting with the Holy Crusade.
Like what Wind told me…
Don’t fall for their tricks…
“As an Inquisitor, my sole purpose is to conduct a fair and honest investigation regardless of my gender or feelings. So yes, I share the same opinions of Brother Inquisitor Wind.”
“High Brothers and High Sister, you seemed to have a very interesting conversation there,” Marcus said from the bottom edge of the table.
Everyone at the table turned to him.
“Ah yes, High Brother. We were just discussing about offering our assistance to Brother Wind and his squad to the best of our abilities. It’s unfortunate that you’re too far. Perhaps tomorrow evening Brother Wind and his squad may sit closer to you and then you can offer your assistance as well?” Reuel said.
“Whether Brother Inquisitor Wind and his squad would choose to sit closer to us tomorrow evening or not is of no importance to me. After all, I’m also busy here entertaining our Sisters and their companions from the Orion Kingdom. However, I must say, you people are from HERE, so I guess it would be beneficial for Brother Inquisitor Wind and his squad to seek your assistance?”
Kathleen turned to Nathan.
“See, High Brother? Even High Brother Marcus agrees,” she said and smiled.
A playful smile appeared on Nathan’s face.
“Indeed. However, I wonder what Sister Michelle and her group has to say,” he said and then to Michelle and her group. “What do you think, sister? You people are the ‘experts’ when it comes to the laws involving women and perhaps even children. So I’m curious what you and your companions have to say.”
Michelle pushed up her glasses.
“I’ve already told everyone here right from the start. All of the people who are responsible for Sister Bithiah’s death will be held responsible, no matter who they are, and I swear to the God of Light and the 17th Light Saint, Her Holiness Mar’kle, we will achieve that.”
“Even if they’re also women?” Nathan said with the same playful smile.
Ting, ting.
Reuel tapped a fork against his glass.
“Everyone, please, let’s all be civil. We have new guests and I made that prayer-toast not long ago,” he said and then turned to one of the Priests from the Internal Unit. “Brother Demius. I remember you had that one wonderful story about the time you discovered a cave rich with Rainbow Steel at the Oriental Continent? May we have the honor to hear that story once again?”
Demius gave a slight bow.
“Of course, High Brother,” he said and then turned to the rest. “If everyone in this table would allow me to.”
Marcus raised his glass.
“Please tell us about it, Brother Marcus.”
Demius offered a slight bow again.
“Okay, without any further ado…” he said and then began telling the story.
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8:17 p.m.
Thud!
Vivian fell on her bed.
She already removed her half-mask and White Cloak, but was she still wearing her evening gown.
Those are Priests…?!
You got to be kidding me…!
She recalled her talk with Pen right after she received her Sergeant Rank pin.
I believe he mentioned that the Priests and Priestesses from old and powerful families have become no different from Royal and Aristocratic Noble families…
Was this it…?
Is this it…?
And I have to do this every night until I leave this Village…?
I couldn’t count how many times I contemplated stabbing my ears with my fork and knife or just throwing something at them…!
And the food...
They’re not even blueie food…!
They’re human food...!
I might as well just eat sand…!
Ever since Vivian learned the [Greater Origin Transformation] spell, whenever she eats a living being, especially if it has a Magic Art or two, if she were to describe it, it was like eating your favourite food for the first time, satisfying not only your stomach but also your soul -- the ones with a Magic Art or two also prevents her blood from turning blue. On the other hand, if she were to eat human food or just normal food in general, the taste was still there, but it was like eating all the fruits and vegetables in the world but you’re craving for meat.
“Ugh…
“The dinner took a huge toll on me…
“I don’t want to wash my body and do my nightly routine…”
This would be her third time taking a bath today. The first time was at the Inquisitory Division Headquarters, and the second time was during their break 5:00-7:00 p.m. before dinner.
“I just want to sleep…”
Vivian and her squad were on a very tight schedule:
• Octus 22-24 - Copy and record the reports of the External Unit and the Orion Kingdom squad
• Octus 25 - Submit a list of the people to be interviewed
• Octus 26-28 - Conduct an interview with the people to be interviewed
• Octus 29 - Do a follow-up interview with the people interviewed if needed
• Octus 30 - Novus 3 - Compile and submit final report and Memory Crystal to the Local Adjudicator -- Vivian and Wind’s final report and Memory Crystal are separate
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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