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5:37 p.m.
Interrogation Meeting Room, Temple of Priests building, She'kel Village.
Wind, Vivian, Pablo, Ronan, Zola and Janis were all sitting at a long table.
Wind cleared his throat, causing everyone to stop whatever they were doing and focus on him.
"Tonight after dinner, the people scheduled to be interviewed would be Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel.
"As you may already know, Brother Kadmiel and Sister Leah are Brother Emmanuel's parents.
"And since they are his parents, I'm proposing that instead of having the 3 of them come here to be interviewed, we would go to their home where they're currently under house arrest and we will be accompanied with powerful and high-ranking people."
Originally, it was supposedly only Emmanuel who would be under house arrest. But given the tension between the 3 Noble Priest families living in the same Village, in order to avoid unnecessary fights, all 3 families were placed under house arrest.
"To this is to avoid unnecessary problems like what happened with Sister Imlah, Sister Bithiah's mother. Yesterday, when she was being escorted here to be interviewed, she slipped out of her carriage and then rushed to the Hortus family home.
"I would like to hear everyone's opinions before we finally make a decision. However, please take note that we have to make a decision before 6:00 p.m. so that we can make necessary changes."
Everyone was silent for a moment before someone finally spoke.
"Yes, Sister Lieutenant Zola?"
"Who are the powerful and high-ranking people that will be accompanying us?"
"Firstly, I'm going to ask High Brother Nathan of the Gala family to accompany us. Secondly, I will also ask Sister Isla from the External Unit and another person from the same unit. And lastly, I will ask 1 patriarch or matriarch, or 1 fully retired Brother or Sister from 2 different Priest families located here in She'kel Village outside of the Nummi, Gala, Hortus and Ancilla family."
Once a Priest or Priestess reaches 65 years old, they are allowed to "fully retire" from the Temple of Priests. And although they can still choose to continue to work for the Temple, like Samuel from the Luxen Main Chapter Temple, they aren't allowed to hold high-positions. This is to ensure that the new and younger Priests and Priestesses would get jobs once they retire from the Holy Crusade.
"Priest Inquisitor, if I may," Pablo said.
"Yes, Lord Councilor?" Wind said.
"What if a similar situation happens, like the one with Priestess Kiera and Defense Councilor Charlotte?"
Ronan, Zola and Janis' gazes bounced with Wind and Pablo. Although they were aware that Wind and Vivian interviewed Kiera and Charlotte with Pablo as the Lord Councilor, they don't know what specifically happened.
"I can assure you that it won't happen."
Pablo nodded.
"I see."
"Brother," Vivian said.
"Yes?" Wind said.
"I'm just wondering: What are we going to do if we head over there and they refuse to cooperate? I can understand if Brother Kadmiel and Sister Leah would refuse. But Brother Emmanuel? And the fact that we assembled a team and then went there only to be met with people who refuse to cooperate? I think we should just conduct the interview here."
Wind nodded.
"I understand where you're coming from. Putting aside Brother Kadmiel and Sister Leah because interviewing them is only a formality if we're all to be honest, in Brother Emmanuel's case, he can't refuse because he's the third most important person of the case aside from Brother Jeremiah and Sister Bithiah. Furthermore, if he chooses not to cooperate, it will only hurt his image or standing in the case. And the Orion Kingdom who wants him to be punished along with Brother Jeremiah, would only be very delighted."
Vivian nodded.
"I understand that is the situation. However, what about the part where he refuses? Okay, let's say there's a 99% chance that Brother Emmanuel would cooperate and there's a 1% chance he wouldn't.
"Now let's say that 1% happens. What are we going to do? Are we just going to go home? Or are we going to force him to cooperate? And if we force him to cooperate and he decides to get violent, what are we going to do?"
Wind knitted his brows behind his full-mask.
"I don't see any reason why he would fight back. But most importantly, if he does refuse to cooperate, we wouldn't force him because that would only ruin his image or standing in the case. As a matter of fact, if he really thinks about it, we're actually helping him by interviewing him."
Vivian shook her head.
"Whether we're helping him or not, that's not the main issue. The main issue is how the other parties would react to this.
"From the Ancilla family's and the Orion Kingdom's perspective, they might take it that we're bowing to the Nummi family. And once we interview Sister Imlah or do any Follow-Up interviews to the people from Sister Bithiah's side, they might not cooperate or at least demand something before cooperating.
"From the Nummi family, once we move on to the Follow-Up interview, I have no doubt they would expect special treatment or demand something before cooperating.
"From the Hortus family or anyone from Brother Jeremiah's side, I also have no doubt they would expect special treatment or demand something before cooperating during the Formal Interview and the Follow-up Interview.
"And that's just for the Ancilla family, the Nummi family, and the Hortus family along with the people related to them. The other people, they might also start to view us as pushovers and begin to slack in helping us with the investigation.
"I honestly believe that we should just interview them here. This way, even if they decided not to cooperate, although we would still take some damage, the damage won't be as great if we go to the Nummi family's home and then get rejected there."
"Sister, if you're so concerned about getting a proper interview with the Nummi family, especially with Brother Emmanuel, we could send a letter to the Temple of Priests Palace, have His Holiness sign it himself, and then present it to the Nummi family," Wind said.
"No, what I'm talking about is the image of the Inquisitory Division. I don't know if you and Lord Councilor Pablo noticed it but some of the people we interviewed and some of the Defense Councilors had no qualms about openly challenging our authority as representatives of the Inquisitory Division, the Holy Crusade and the Holy Kingdom itself," Vivian said and then turned to Pablo. "No offense, Lord Councilor, I could accept being disrespected by a powerful and talented Priest or Priestess. But an outsider? Even if they're powerful, talented, comes from a powerful family or whatever, I cannot."
Pablo let out an understanding smile.
"I can understand your perspective, Priestess Inquisitor. I, too, would feel offended if an outsider openly disrespects the organization I'm part of and representing."
Vivian returned her gaze to Wind.
"This is why I believe we should interview Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel here and nowhere else."
Wind looked at the rest.
"Does anyone agree with Sister Inquisitor Monad or have another suggestion?"
No one said a word.
"Since no one has anything to say, I'll continue.
"Since Sister Inquisitor Monad shared her thoughts in detail, I'm going to do the same as well to make it fair.
"The reasons why I believe we should interview Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel at their home are:
"No. 1 - I want to avoid unnecessary complications like what happened to Sister Imlah. We should thank the God of Light that a riot didn't break out. However, if another complication similar to that happens again, I wouldn't be surprised if a riot does finally break out.
"No. 2 - I highly doubt that Brother Emmanuel would choose not to cooperate because it would affect his image and standing on the case. In addition to that, he is a High Lieutenant from the Exploratory Division. So not only does he specializes in diplomacy, but he also understands the importance and value of cooperating with people.
"No. 3 - I believe in making the person or people I interview feel safe and comfortable. That way, they would be more careless in sharing information. And since Brother Emmanuel is the third most important person in this case and is an expert in diplomacy, I want him to feel very safe and comfortable as much as possible so that it would make it easier for us to uncover details from him.
"These are my reasons why I want to interview Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel at their home. That is all."
Pablo, Ronan, Zola and Janis turned to Vivian.
"I've already said my reasons.
"But I will add this: I don't think it's our responsibility to help those who doesn't want to be helped. They should come to us, not us come to them.
"Also, not to undermine Brother Inquisitor Wind's reasons, but what if he fails? Like he said, Brother Emmanuel is a High Lieutenant from the Exploratory Division so he is a master when it comes to diplomacy -- and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I won't do a proper interview if Brother Emmanuel decides to cooperate. What I'm saying is that I'm an Inquisitor, not someone from the Exploratory Division, my expertise lies elsewhere and I prefer to fight a battle where I have the upper hand to ensure my victory. So if we fail, all that effort would be for nothing and we would be left to deal with how the other parties would react by giving the Nummi family special treatment.
"And lastly, the most important of all, regardless if we fail or not, if we really interview Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel at their homes, I have no doubt that the other parties, especially the people from Sister Bithiah's and Brother Jeremiah's camp, would still start to demand special treatment as well.
"Anyhow, that's all I have to say, I believe I've already said too much. The rest of you decide."
Wind stared at Vivian for a moment before turning to everyone.
"Does anyone have anything else to say or add?"
Ronan raised his hand.
"I have a question."
"Yes, Brother High Lieutenant?"
"Let's say what Sister Inquisitor Monad said happens, how will we deal with it?"
"If what Sister Inquisitor Monad said happens, we have 2 choices:
"No. 1 - We can send a letter to the Temple of Priests Palace, have it signed by His Holiness himself, and then use it to force people to comply.
"And No. 2 - We simply leave them be. Like I said earlier, we're actually helping them by interviewing them. So if they want the case to go in the direction that they want, they would cooperate."
Ronan nodded.
"I see. Thank you, Brother Inquisitor."
Wind turned to the rest.
"Anyone else?"
Janis raised his hand.
"How would this case affect our records?'
"What do you mean exactly?"
"If some people refuse to cooperate which resulted in you and... Sister Inquisitor Monad to submit a less-detailed report at the Pre-Hearing Review, how will it affect the rest of us, specifically our Holy Crusade records?"
"As long as Sister Inquisitor Monad and I write and record nothing but the truth on our final reports and Memory Crystals, no matter what the outcome, you won't receive any penalties."
Janis nodded.
"Oh, okay, I get it now. Thank you, Brother Inquisitor Wind."
Wind nodded and then turned to the rest once again.
"Anyone else?"
No one said a word but their faces revealed that they were deep in their own thoughts.
After about a minute, Wind spoke once again.
"Let's vote now and there are only 2 ideas: Mine and Sister Inquisitor Monad's."
"Priest Inquisitor, if I may interrupt," Pablo said.
"Yes, Lord Councilor?"
"We're 6 here. What happens if it's a tie?"
"If it's a tie, let's go with Brother Inquisitor Wind's idea. He's the Overall Commanding Officer," Vivian said.
Everyone turned to Wind.
"I personally don't like that idea. But since we're short of time and if everyone agrees with that idea, then I'll accept it."
They nodded.
"I agree with the idea," Pablo said.
"I agree," Ronan said.
"I agree as well," Zola said.
"Me too," Janis said.
Wind nodded.
"Okay, that's settled. Who here is in favor of Sister Inquisitor Monad's idea? Raise your hand."
Ronan and Pablo raised their hand.
"And who here is in favor of my idea?"
Zola and Janis raised their hand.
***
6:51 p.m.
A convoy that consisted of 3 carriages with 4 Guards on Karfaxes at the front and another 4 Guards on Karfaxes at the rear was traveling down a cold and foggy street in a rich neighborhood.
Most of the homes located in this area belonged to the Has'tam and the Dis'cus family, and other Noble priest families.
The convoy started to slow down and then stopped when it reached a tall and large golden gate with a guard house on the side and surrounded by walls that were about two-stories high.
Two Guards from the guard house rushed out and then quickly opened the gate. And as soon the golden gate opened, the convoy resumed traveling.
The private estate they entered was almost the size of a soccer field -- if Vivian were to measure it based on her original world.
The front yard occupied about 40% of the land space, featuring a driveway filled with old and ancient trees, exquisite statues, and exotic plants and flowers on the side, and a fountain with a 10ft statue at the end of it.
The mansion itself was a three-story building that also occupied about 40% of the land space. Although it featured the same "modern medieval architecture" that can be seen in She'kel Village, there were still some traces of its "old medieval architecture".
As the convoy was circling the fountain with a 10ft statue in front the of main entrance of the mansion, there was 1 Priestess and 2 Priests waiting by the entrance along with 2 Guards standing by the door, 4 butlers standing behind the 3 Priests, and 4 maids standing behind the 4 butlers.
The convoy finally reached the main entrance of the mansion with 3 of the carriages' right side doors facing the mansion.
Ka-cha, ka-cha, ka-cha.
3 out of the 4 butlers went towards each of the carriages, opened the side door, and then offered an elegant bow.
"Welcome to the Nummi Family Estate, Honored Priests and Priestesses!" they said in unison.
The first person to step out of the first carriage was Janis, followed by Zola, then Theodore from the External Unit, Isla from the External Unit, and then lastly, Wind.
On the second carriage, the first one to step out was a White Cloak Priest in his late 30s named Tekoah, the second was a man in his mid-20s wearing a green-colored robe named Manuel, the third one was Vivian, the fourth one was Pablo, and then last one was an old man in his late 70s named Trophimus.
And on the third carriage, the first one to step out was Demius from the Internal Unit, the second was Ronan, the third one was Gala, and the last one was an old man in his early 70s named Darius.
Wind led the way to the main entrance where the 1 Priestess and 2 Priests were waiting.
The Priestess, a woman in her mid-40s with long blonde hair and adorned with a Gold Cloak, stepped forward and spread her arms with a smile.
"Welcome to the Nummi family estate, Brother Inquisitor Wind and company. I am Sister Dinah and may the God of Light watch over all of you."
A Priest in his mid-30s with black hair and tanned skin, and wearing a White Cloak, stepped forward.
"I am Brother Miguel. May the God of Light watch over you, Brother Inquisitor Wind and all of you," he said with a Marbleamean accent and smiled.
A Priest in his early 30s with orange hair and wearing a White Cloak as well, stepped forward.
"I am Brother Ruben and may the God of Light watch over you, Brother Inquisitor Wind and company," he said with an Orion accent and smiled.
There was a reason why some of the people, both from the Internal Unit and the External Unit, assigned to the She'kel Village Branch Chapter Temple were a no-show at the daily evening dinner. Some of them were assigned to stand guard in the Nummi family, the Hortus family and the Ancilla family to prevent them from starting a war with each other.
In the case of Dinah, although she was from the Nummi family and married to Seth from the Has'tam family, as a Gold Cloak, she had the "largest influence" within the Nummi family who's still active in the Temple of Priests, so she was put into charge here along with Miguel and Ruben.
Wind saluted.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Sister Dinah, Brother Miguel and Brother Ruben, and may the God of Light watch over you as well. Unfortunately, my squad and the rest of the people with us are on a tight schedule, so we would like to immediately conduct the interview on Brother Kadmiel, Sister Leah and Brother Emmanuel."
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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