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Chapter 347: The Inquisitor
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“Why are you in my residence?” this was the first phrase the man spoke to Siva and Siva is already having that slight inkling of trashing his face.
“And what made you think this is your residence, Lord Malory?” the one who retorted was Scarlet with a fuming pout that made her all the more attractive. It was clear she wasn’t used to cases of provocation such as this moment.
“Hm? Isn’t that Little Red Riding Hood? And how is it that a High Magistrate of your level is wearing that housekeeper outfit?” Lord Malory spoke with disdain as he looked at Siva, “And you. Who are you?”
Siva only remained silent.
“Are you deaf? Lord Malory is asking you a direct question. Who the hell are you and what are you doing in Lord Malory’s residence in the Capital?”
Siva’s impression of this “Vassal of Lord Malory” is not good in the first place but when he spoke, he clearly caught sight of him glancing lewdly at Scion which made his face twitch.
He called, “Destroy him.”
“Yes sir.”
BOOM!!
“No one….”
CRAAAAASSSSHHH…!!
“NO. ONE……………..”
BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM~~~!!
CRAAAAAAASSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Usually, air-combos are only seen on 2D video games and their charm was more evident if there are colors included when the combo takes place.
Also, there should be a hit-rate indicator but this one instance was a special case where there are no light-effects whenever there was a hit and no hit counter whenever it happens.
From the moment Siva’s command was given, to the moment a ‘ninja’ appeared in front of that ‘Vassal of Lord Malory’, to the moment the first punch was given, and then to the moment the white limousine was split into two and their parts thrown off upside down the courtyard, only two seconds had passed.
The poor guy’s body hit the limousine and then split it into two and from there, the sounds of his trashing resounded until five seconds later, the sounds stopped… but Siva’s voice didn’t.
“No one… is allowed to look at my woman with a pair of eyes layered with disrespect. Do we have an understanding, Lord Malory?”
Siva’s voice was hissing with fury yet still calm.
That ‘Vassal’ was one thing but Lord Malory also had the same pair of eyes as his vassal and it was only because the latter trashed talked that he was the first to receive Siva’s outburst.
Malory glanced back and saw his white limo 50m away from them, split in two, and upside down like two dead ducklings.
He snapped to look back at Siva with a burning fury, “How dare—” but before he could even say the full sentence, he stopped to see two hulking figures looking down and standing on either side of him.
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH~~!!!
Swords, guns, staff, weapons were unsheathed and pulled out from inventories as the stupefied and utterly surprised ‘escorts’ from The North, all poised to attack Siva and his company.
“How dare you lay your hand on Lord Malory!” the leader of the escorts shouted.
Siva remained unperturbed and took slow steps towards the fat man. He was a High Elder of the Enchantment Temple, two full ranks higher than Scarlet who was seething in anger at the back, so she can’t make her own move given her position in the entire echelon.
But Siva was different. He was a special case.
“How dare I?” Siva glanced over the man and with but a pointed finger, the ‘ninja’ [Mage] appeared behind that man as he was brought up… and the same trashing event occurred.
What a sight it was to see someone grabbed on his legs and was flung around like a ragged piece of cloth for drying?
Sweating Lord Malory pulled out a wand and cast a spell but midway through his effort; a gentle hand was placed on his left shoulder.
He looked over and saw the facelessness of the [Smasher] and trembled at what he felt.
Nothing.
There was nothing in this ‘person’; only coldness and indifference who didn’t think of Malory’s life as something important, as one of the High Elders of the Enchantment Temple.
Malory could feel that whether he lived or not is not a matter. To this man, if he continues to cast his spell, he will definitely die. Miserably.
He lowered his wand and fearfully glanced over at Siva’s direction, “W-Who are you?”
“Who am I? Now, isn’t your brain not working the right way it should be, Malory? You came here in a grand gesture, full or arrogance and swag, then you claim this guest house as your residence, and then offend me and my wife with your lustful eyes… tell me, before I answer your question, let me ask you first. Who died and made you king? Who decided that you can always… ALWAYS… flaunt your status as a high ranking member of the Enchantment Temple and throw it around, hitting just anybody, and still expect that you will not be harmed in turn. Tell me, if you were in my shoes, should I be so forgiving and not punish you with your idiocy? No, if you were me, should I still answer that question? Should you be asking me questions, instead?”
When Siva finished talking, he was already right in front of Malory and his faceless mask booming its shadows on the fat man’s face.
Malory swallowed and just as he was about to say his reply, two thuds sounded behind him and two unconscious bodies fell down face up with blank expressions.
He rolled his eyes and a third faceless mask guy with a long red scarf was there behind him.
Although there was no hole for eyes, he could still feel that the person’s eyes were locked on him and this is what made him frightened.
If it wasn’t for the city’s protection, these two men would have died already.
To dare ‘kill’ two of his men without regards to him, Lord Malory, it only means that this man’s status was greater or at least on par with the Grand Elder Mage, Pistareen.
For him and for his ‘influence’, he may not give a face to Pistareen, but with his life on the line, he wouldn’t dare to not give face to someone who had the strength to kill him.
Slowly… ever… so slowly… Malory bent his body in the northern gesture of respect to a superior, and uttered with a trembling voice: “I-I apologize, Sir Knight... I… I was out of line… I-I-I didn’t know that you were staying in here, so I…”
“You didn’t know I was staying in here?” Siva’s tone is filled with mockery, “With your attitude that even dared to form your own faction within the noble walls of the Enchantment Temple, it is very clear that you didn’t even show any respect to the Grand Elder Mage, let alone to the entire purpose and mission of the existence of The Temple. Are you still aware of your mission as part of this noble organization? Or have your stupid brain been corrupted so much that you think that if the Grand Elder Mage is gone, you can do whatever you like and establish your own faction in the rank of the World Nobles?”
Malory was sweating profusely. He was indeed here to establish and strengthen his relations to the nobles of The Kingdom.
No. In fact, he was here to meet Draco. A very high ranking noble in The Kingdom.
He was hoping that when the time comes that the Grand Elder Mage is to retire he could pressure everybody else who’s been eyes the seat as well to let him be the sole and only inheritor to the chair and seat of the Grand Elder Mage with Blue Draco’s support.
Especially now that the King Test is due, he had to hurry up and curry favor.
And yet, on the very day that he arrived, he was faced with this man who didn’t only put his status and position in his eyes, but also looked at him in derision as he berated him.
If this was in any other place, especially in his own territory, just the first word alone and this knight is already on his way to the gallows.
But now, he was rendered powerless in just a few seconds after he had made his presence known.
Let alone him, not one of his escorts even dared to raise their heads in fear that they will be the next example to line up next to those two ‘blank’ corpses.
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“What? Because the King Test is starting that you thought it’s the right time to show your sincerity to the nobles that might win this year? Is that it?”
Earlier, Malory’s sweat was just beading. But now, it was flowing on his back like a river.
“S-Sir Knight, you must be mistaken. I came here to see if the Grand Elder Mage is doing fine. We were good friends throughout these years and as I heard that he planned to support a candidate in this year’s King Test, I also came here to give my utmost loyalty to the cause he had envisioned for the future of The Temple.”
Siva chuckled and Malory bowed his head. He wasn’t kneeling respectfully anymore but was like a servant in front of a jury, in a trial for a sin that he had committed.
“It’s true, My Lord... I came here to see the Grand Elder Mage and support his King Candidate.”
Malory was groveling two paces away on Siva’s feet and he was so scared that his entire body is trembling. He wasn’t even aware that he just started to call him ‘My Lord’ like a real servant.
“Scarlet.”
Being called, Scarlet took a step and respectfully bowed like a real servant, “Sir.”
Siva sighed to himself seeing this. No matter how much he wanted her to stop this subservient play that does not justify her status and rank, she still insisted it.
To her, this isn’t personal but is her ‘contribution’ to the bigger picture of the Enchantment Temple.
She really believed that his existence as a Magic Knight is going to bring the betterment of the big picture of the Temple that nurtured and took care of a homeless orphan like her.
“Coordinate with the Grand Mans—Temple, and check if this pig had informed someone of today’s visit and had scheduled for him to stay here.”
“Yes sir.”
Upon the word, Malory began to sweat even more and he pulled out all his courage to raise his head to look just who this person is to be able to order Scarlet around like a real servant.
“M-My Lord… I… I told you this is a surprise visit so there is no need to check out anyth—.”
“Are you aware of the Chain of Command, pig?”
“E-Excuse me?”
“I said, are you aware of the Chain of Command?”
Forget about being called pig, Malory didn’t even register the reason behind why Siva was putting this question upon him.
“I… I… I am not, My Lord.”
“You are not?!!” Siva shouted incredulously. “Oh, how am I not surprised? First you formed your own faction; second, you flaunt your rank around as if you’re a king; third, you did not coordinate your visit here in the Headquarters; fourth, you’re not even aware of the Chain of Command? How are you even worthy your rank and status in the entire Enchantment Temple? Have you forgotten who the one with a higher rank than you is? Tell me, who is it?”
Malory bowed again, “It is the Grand Elder Mage, My Lord.”
“It is the Grand Elder Mage.” Siva parroted. “If so, then why is it that I have a feeling that despite you two having a ‘good relationship’ with each other, he will not be aware of today’s visit? Is such… an act a ‘good friend’ should be doing?”
If there was a hole behind him, Malory would’ve jumped in it and hid himself. His pride and ego is unable to bare this humiliating situation.
Malory couldn’t even open his mouth to answer.
“Answer me!” Siva shouted commandingly.
“N-No… sir… No it is not!”
Siva began walking around Malory like a lawyer to a convicted suspect, every word he says were enunciated very clearly and with vindication that the poor Lord Malory of the Alexandria Temple Council thought he was really in a trial.
“It. Is. Not. In~deed. So, tell me, Ma~lo~ry… must I wait for the news that Scarlet will be bringing to us, or are you going to croak like the pig—er….. frog you are?”
One could even hear chuckles behind Siva but he didn’t have to turn around to know that it was Scion and the rest of Scarlet’s retinue who had just let out that chortle.
This made Malory even more scared as he began to realize something.
He tried to raise his head but as soon as he did, he saw the faceless Siva’s shadow 2 inches away from his own face. He could only imagine that the face underneath this faceless mask, no, helmet, is a face that belonged to a monster. And that very monster itself was smiling at him behind the mask.
“Are you going to admit your sins and accept your lighter punishment, or I will punish you later with a possibility of ‘treason’ as the excuse?”
T-Treason?! How—
He wanted to ask this question but then again, he realized that since no one actually know he was here, Siva could just kill him here and when there are people who asked where he is, he could only deny it.
After all, no one knew he was here. This was his own personal matter and yes, it was an under the table transaction with the nobles of The Kingdom and thus, there was no need for it to be an official business as a High Elder in the Capital.
But who would have thought that his plans would meet a backlash today? As much as he wanted to regret things, that syndrome has no medicine.
Treason is punishable by death. Treason… yes, there is a 50 Megaton of evidence back on his car to back this case. Supposedly, those were bribery tickets he had painstakingly hoarded back in The North to be used solely for this occasion.
Between living and dying, he’d choose the former even if it means suffering humiliation and defeat.
At least… he was alive and could always exact his revenge against this person later.
“M-My Lord… please…”
Siva ignored him and glanced at the far distance.
“Oh, I think that should be Scarlet right there.”
Malory’s heart thumped as he clenched his fists and trembled really visibly. If only he could, he’d wish he could have a heart attack right now to get an excuse for himself to collapse.
But alas, despite his fat body, he was a Mage with a very healthy body and a very high affinity to Mana so that’s why he and everyone on his rank rarely got sick.
Siva continued. “Based on her speed, she should arrive here within the next minute. So then, is it going to be treason or…” at this moment, Siva let out his hidden agenda.
How could he not know that there’s a certain item in the car that he needed?
His [Auricle Scan] is always active as long as he is online and is using the BMA. So, he immediately knew that there was something in that car’s trunk that he surely needed. After all, this wouldn’t be his first time to accept a bribe.
Siva had heard of Pistareen’s story and adding his own impression of this ‘Malory of the Alexandrian Temple Council’ from his ‘vassal’ back in their first encounter in Billion’s office, he knew that there’s a big chance that this Malory is one of the people who wanted to pressure Pistareen from quitting his post and relinquishing it to someone else.
With the rumours of Volt being Pistareen’s ace in this game for the throne, it was not a wonder that there will be factions who will be making their move this season.
But… who would’ve thought that the first to make their move and test his authority as Magic Knight, as further explained by Pistareen last night, is this very ‘Malory’ himself that Siva had no good impression of?
This isn’t luck or anything… because there was a player involved in this transaction. This is fate.
“Malory…” Siva’s voice became icy. “Do you have an idea of who I am?”
Malory raised his head and replied, “No… sir.”
“For decades, we have operated under the radar because the missions that the Grand Elder Mage had ordered us were not only so sensitive and so highly dangerous; those were also missions that included very dangerous elements that will make you quiver in fear.”
Siva hissed, “Dungeons are rare but they exists, Malory, and in them, Demons, Dragons, and so many kinds of horrifying existence nests… and I lost countless men with no one to mourn for them except us… all in order to safeguard the powers and the secrets that keeps this organization still ticking and breathing. Do you understand?”
He gave Malory a few breaths’ time to digest his words and after a while, he bent down to him and grabbed his head through his hair, exposing his neck.
“And here you are, playing king… do you know how much I want to slice and dice you right at this moment, pig? I have a pet… a half-dragon kin… a Lapis Lazuli on its early years to draconification. Do you know what the best source of nutrition for monsters like that is?”
Malory began to tremble as he tried to get away from Siva as much as possible. But for some odd reason, he found that the guy’s casual strength is not something he could defy even with his Mana.
“M-My Lord… please…. I beg you…”
“I will give you a single chance: are you going to croak, or I will make you croak? My patience is limited. Decide. One.”
“Please, My Lord… I don’t want to…”
“Two.”
“I beg you, please…”
“Three. Time’s—”
“I give. I GIVE!!! Please, take whatever you want, just please don’t kill me!”
Siva smiled under his mask and produced a piece of paper, courtesy of Cortana’s arrangements.
“Sign.”
Malory didn’t dare waste time as he signed the NDAs and the contract pertaining to him being his, Siva’s, legal underling. Everything that he is going to be in the future and everything that he is going to do, are all in accordance to paying a debt to Siva… as well as his ‘servitude’ as punishment for his (unspoken) ‘crimes’ and offense to Siva and his wife.
While the clauses looked like they were all very ‘justified’ and pertained to Malory having sinned to Siva and his wife, they were all still under the authority and jurisdiction of Pistareen and that he, named a [Magic Knight], is nothing more than the Body of Justice with its sole purpose to protect and conserve the interest of The Temple.
The [Magic Knight] is not allowed to meddle in the businesses outside the interest of The Temple, and that his power are only absolute and is legal inside the Enchantment Temple grounds… or any place that its elements (members) are standing in.
In short, the [Magic Knight Corps] is there only to preserve and protect the interest of the organization as a whole and that only the Grand Elder Mage is the one who are allowed to order them around for official missions… no one else.
Under their law, their words and swords are as effective as the Grand Elder Mage’s, and that if it is in that jurisdiction, its members are allowed to enact justice in accordance to their law.
“This… you…” Malory couldn’t believe his eyes as he stared at the paper’s contents and then to Siva, “Magic… Knight…”
“Surprised? You should be. Because from today forth, all criminals inside The Temple; those who have broken the laws set from the ancient times until now; those who had formed their factions and promoted self-interests while using, parading, and flaunting The Temple’s resources, will surely be severely punished. Starting from you.”
When Siva spoke to here, the faceless puppets began to retrieve and confiscate all the resources that were stacked in the trunks and inside the cars of Malory’s entourage.
They emptied them all and stacked it outside the two story house.
“One question: what are you intending to use them for? If you lie, you immediately die. If you are honest, your sentence will be lighter.”
Malory didn’t dare to dally.
“It was payment, sir… payment! Ah, no… it was a ticket… I was planning to use them to make some important person owe me!”
“Who?”
“Blue Draco! He contacted me last night… said he had need of these resources as soon as possible here in the capital.”
Siva chuckled but he was able to control himself to the end with extreme effort. He really wanted to laugh hard right now.
—so that’s why this guy have something I need.
In front of him, he was looking at 50 Megatons of Liquid-ready Cryogenic Elements stored in a very sturdy metallic container. There were five of them in containers of 10 Megatons each. And because of magic alone are they not displaying the weight of their existence.
“Contact Draco this morning. Tell him that you’ve been caught by the Inquisition and that you have not told them anything yet or were you planning to.”
“Inquisition? Wh-why should I…”
SLAP!!
Before he could finish asking, Siva’s hand already met his face. “Do you want me to repeat myself?”
Siva’s hand was not only quick but it was also very heavy as the slap not only made Malory stagger, he also felt his vision swirling continuously.
“Do it now as if you’re in a check point.”
“Y-Yes sir.”
At that moment, Scarlet arrived, and whispered at Siva with a blushing complexion. Siva gave her a nod and then faced Malory with an icy voice:
“You are lucky, Malory. If you have signed your punishment pact a little late, I would really have punished you in the name of treason. Being fed to my pet would have been an easy escape and a very light punishment for you.”
Malory shivered as his secret, everything he had, has been discovered.
Even his chance for revenge in the future had been thoroughly erased. Now that his ambitions have been thwarted, his only chance to live is to serve his sentence and be a normal High Elder for The Temple as much as he can.
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His first official display as Magic Knight…
…is a big success.
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Next Chapter: Draco’s predicament.
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