This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:
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• Adventurer The orc warrior 261
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7:30 p.m.
Nummi Family Estate Mansion, She'kel Village, Holy Kingdom.
Wind, Vivian and Pablo were inside a private study room that had a small lounging area by a fireplace, two bookshelves plastered against a wall, a working desk that was next to the tall windows of the room, and several priceless art pieces, such as paintings, vases, crystal figurines, etc. decorated all over the room. They sat near the fireplace and then positioned 4 single-person sofas there that were facing together.
Wind sat on the top beside the fireplace, Vivian sat on the bottom right, Pablo sat on the bottom left, and the top left was for the interviewee which was also beside the fireplace.
There were supposed to be 5 chairs -- 2 on the left side and 3 on the right side. But since Wind and his squad came to the Nummi family's estate, the family decided that there wouldn't be any Defense Councilors involved as a sign of good faith, and so the 5th chair was removed.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Ka-cha!
The door opened and it was Ronan who was accompanied by a strikingly handsome White Cloak Priest with blonde hair. Although he was already in his mid-40s, he could still pass off as someone in his mid-30s.
Ronan gestured his hand over to the vacant single-person sofa located at the top left near the fireplace.
"Please take a seat over there."
The Priest nodded and went over to the vacant seat. When he reached the seat, he nodded at Wind, Vivian and Pablo before sitting down.
"Thank you for answering our summons, brother. I am Brother Inquisitor Wind, this is Sister Inquisitor Monad and this is Lord Councilor Pablo. May we ask you to introduce yourself?" Wind said.
"I am Brother Kadmiel N. Nummi and I'm part of the Internal Unit here in She'kel Village.
"My father is Brother Adlai and my mother is Sister Hadashah.
"I am married to Sister Leah.
"We both have 2 children -- Berea who's 29, Emmanuel 28, and Raphael 26."
Wind nodded.
"Let's talk about Brother Emmanuel. How would you describe him?"
"He's a good and capable son," Kadmiel replied.
"What is your opinion about Brother Emmanuel's romantic relationships?"
A serious but understanding expression flashed across Kadmiel's face.
"I understand where this is headed, I truly do. However, my son is objectively an attractive man -- he has the looks, the background, he has True Light, True Ice, True Dark and False Lightning, he's close to entering Spirit Steel, and once he becomes a Gold Cloak, he will be Red Cloak. With this, it's only natural that women like him and my son also naturally likes them."
"So you accept your son's behavior?"
Kadmiel leaned back on his seat as he stared at the fireplace for a moment before returning his gaze to Wind.
"Have you ever been to the Oriental Continent or deep in the Southern Continent? It's really interesting.
"Just like how I simply had to learn to accept that demons, demon-kins and the Cult of Infinity are naturally evil, I also simply had to accept that my son being attracted to females and the females being attracted to him is only natural.
"Basically, nature is nature."
"Are you familiar with Sister Bithiah?" Wind asked.
"Yes, she's the daughter of Brother Elijah and Sister Imlah. In fact, Sister Imlah, my wife and I served in the Exploratory Division, while Brother Elijah, on the other hand, he served in the Infantry Division. This is all back when we were still young."
"What's your opinion of her?"
"Of who?"
"Sister Bithiah."
"The same; Nature is nature."
"I'm asking about what do you think of her as a person."
Kadmiel said and then thought about it for a moment.
"I believe she's just like any normal woman of her age."
"What do you mean by 'normal'?"
"She's young, but not that young. Experienced, but not enough experience to understand everything.
"And if we look at it from a female Crusader's point of view, she's at that age where she's looking for a serious relationship to get married soon, but at the same time she also still want to enjoy her freedom, she's wondering if she'll reach Gold Cloak or not before she gets married, if she has enough Holy Crusade points to get the job or position she wants once she retires, if she'll ever find the 'right man' for her, and if she also has enough time to bore beautiful, healthy and talented children.
"Those kinds of things that women tend to worry about -- at least that's what my daughter tells my wife."
"Tells your wife? You're not close with your own daughter?" Wind said.
A small smile appeared on Kadmiel's lips before quickly vanishing.
"Once you get married and have a daughter, there will be things that only a mother and a daughter could share together, just like there will be things that only a father and a son could share together."
"You have 2 sons, correct?"
Kadmiel nodded.
"Yes, Brother Emmanuel and Brother Raphael."
"Do you consider yourself a good father?"
"As good a father as I can be."
"Even to your own daughter?"
"Even to my own daughter."
"Who's your favourite?"
A small smile returned to Kadmiel's face once again. But this time, it remained.
"That's such an insidious question, Brother Inquisitor. But no matter, as a sign of good faith, I will play along.
"With my eldest, Berea, she has quite the strong will. Although she still listens to me, just like any woman, she prefers to listen to her mother because they're both women.
"My second child, Emmanuel, he easily wins the hearts of people, but doesn't know how to say no.
"My third child, Raphael, he's easily misunderstood because of how distant he can be. However, once he considers you as a friend, an ally, he will fight for you no matter what.
"As you can see, each of my children comes with their own strengths but also comes with their own problems."
"You didn't answer the question," Wind said.
"Since Berea is my only daughter, she will always be my little baby, my little princess. But for Emmanuel and Raphael, at the moment, my favourite son is Raphael because of this tragic incident that Emmanuel is involved in and how it's not only affecting my family, Brother Elijah's family and Brother Javan's family, but the entire families of the Branch Chapter Temple here in She'kel Village."
"What about Brother Jeremiah?"
Kadmiel raised an eyebrow.
"Are you asking me what's my opinion of him as a person? Just the same as my sons. The only difference between them is that my sons just have a bit more."
"What do you mean by 'more'?"
"More prestige, more talent.
"Brother Inquisitor."
He turned to Vivian.
"Sister Inquisitor."
Next, he turned to Pablo.
"And Lord Councilor."
And then returned his gaze to Wind.
"I pray that I don't come off to any of you as someone who seems like I'm making light of everything or not caring about what's happening. Trust me, I care, I truly do. And if I had the power to undo all of this, I would do it, I would even give up my life for it, because it has affected and destroyed so many lives. But alas, I don't and can only do what I can.
"However, as a veteran of the Exploratory Division, the most important lesson I've learned during my time there, one time I was at the Oriental Kingdom and I met this Mystical Master and he told me this: 'There are no eternal friends and eternal enemies, there are only eternal benefits.'
"Once you start to look at things from that perspective, you're able to see things clearly and make decisions more efficiently because you're no longer influenced by emotions."
"I have one question," Wind said.
Kadmiel didn't say anything but the expression on his face said 'Go on'.
"Since you're saying that 'There are no eternal friends and eternal enemies, there are only eternal benefits,' and that if you look at things from that perspective, it allows you to see things clearly and make decisions more efficiently because you're no longer influenced by emotions, tell me, do you think your son should be punished?"
"When you say 'should be punished', what exactly is the punishment?"
"Like what the Orion Kingdom wants."
Kadmiel thought about it for a moment.
"As a father to my son, no. As the parents of Sister Bithiah, I will admit, I can imagine myself saying yes. But as a Priest in this Branch Chapter Temple here, I don't know.
"Before you ask me another question, please allow me to explain:
"At this moment, because of what has happened, yes, the greatest victims here are Sister Bithiah and her family, there's no doubt about that. However, everyone here is connected in one way or another, either through blood, through marriage, or through friendship.
"Will everything be okay or at least go back to normal if my son gets punished?
"Or will it make no difference whatsoever even if my son gets punished?
"The God of Light knows that I want to protect this Branch Chapter Temple, but He also knows that I also want to protect my family, especially my wife and children.
"So at this moment, as a Priest of this Branch Chapter Temple and also a citizen of She'kel Village, I cannot give a proper answer because things are still quite blurry."
Kadmiel then swept his gaze to everyone.
"I believe even you 3, if you were in my position, would also be trapped and torn in the same predicament that I am currently suffering in right now."
Wind turned to Pablo.
"Lord Councilor."
Pablo turned to him.
"Yes?"
"I wish to ask Brother Kadmiel a question that may be inappropriate but I believe it's important. However, if you think it's inappropriate and will forbid me to, I will respect your wishes."
"What is the nature of the question?"
"It's about the breeding practices of the families from the higher echelons of society."
Pablo turned to Kadmiel.
"Priest Kadmiel, I will allow Priest Inquisitor Wind to ask his question, but there will be a limit. However, if you don't want to engage with the question, then I will respect your wishes."
Kadmiel nodded.
"I believe I already know what the question is, so I don't mind," he said and then turned to Wind. "Go on, Brother Inquisitor. Ask your question."
"The Nummi family is a High-Tier Noble Priest Family, while the Pygro family is a Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family, correct?"
Kadmiel nodded.
"Yes, that is correct."
"To be considered a High-Tier Noble Priest Family, the members should have 4 Magic Art Affinities, correct?"
"Yes."
"And to be considered a Mid-Tier Noble Priest Family, the members should have 3-4 Magic Art Affinities, correct?"
"Yes."
"Did you and your wife engage with the 'Selective Breeding' practice when your children were born?"
Kadmiel stared at his hands for a moment before returning his gaze to Wind.
"We originally had 4 children. Raphael is actually our 4th child. Unfortunately, the 3rd child, didn't meet the requirements…"
Wind nodded.
"I see. Thank you for sharing," he said and then turned to Pablo. "That's all I wanted to ask, Lord Councilor."
***
8:20 p.m.
Ka-cha!
A door opened and it was Ronan who was accompanied by a strikingly beautiful White Cloak Priestess with gray hair. Just like Kadmiel earlier, although she was already in her mid-40s, she could still pass off as someone in her mid-30s, probably even early 30s.
Ronan gestured his hand over to the vacant single-person sofa located at the top left near the fireplace.
"Please take a seat over there."
The Priestess went over to the vacant seat and then sat down.
"Thank you for answering our summons, sister. I am Brother Inquisitor Wind, this is Sister Inquisitor Monad and this is Lord Councilor Pablo. May we ask you to introduce yourself?" Wind said.
"I am Sister Leah, the mother of Brother Emmanuel," she said with a monotone voice.
Despite being cured with [Greater Heal] and [Cure], and wearing makeup, Wind, Vivian and Pablo could tell that the Priestess in front of them looked like she hadn't slept for days, probably even weeks, because her eyes seemed a bit dull.
Wind nodded.
"I see. Let's talk about Brother Emmanuel. Can you describe him to us?"
"He's my son and I love him, and I would do anything to protect him."
"I --"
"My son is innocent," Leah continued. "Do you know how many people who tried to kidnap my son or had unfavorable desires over my son since he was a little boy? That… that girl… she was a social-climber and loved to play with men. But my son, he was too kind and told her hewanted nothing to do with her, but she kept on insisting, kept pestering him like the other parasites that came before. That is the truth."
"I see," Wind said and then checked his notes for a moment before returning his attention to Leah. "Can I ask what your relationship is with Brother Jeremiah?"
"That boy… that dull cry-baby boy…. I told my sister to raise him right but she just won't listen… Now look what happened…? How is this my fault…? Yes, I'm his aunt, I understand that, but it's not my main responsibility to raise my sister's children," Leah said and then placed her hand on her chest. "I have children on my own -- 3 children. Do you know how hard it is to balance work and being a mother, a good mother? So how is this my fault…? Why is my family blaming me…? I did nothing…! It's all that social-climber and that dull cry-baby boy's fault…!"
Wind looked at Pablo, who had a concerned look on his face while looking at Leah, and then he turned to Wind.
"And dare they try to hurt my son…?! They want war…?! Then so be it…! I'll wage war with them and the Orion Kingdom…!" Leah said with wide and crazy eyes.
Wind held out his hand.
"Sister Leah, please calm down."
"They want my son…?! They'll have to kill me before they can take my son…!"
Wind turned to Vivian.
"Sister, please go out and ask for help."
Vivian placed her pen and notes down, got up, and then headed for the door.
"I swear to the God of Light that they would have to kill me with True Death before I even let them…!" Leah said and then turned to Vivian. "Where are you going…?!"
Vivian ignored her as she continued heading for the door.
Vooo-chud!
Leah suddenly turned into a blur using her full Physical Force of Spirit Steel and then grabbed Vivian's right arm from behind, around her bicep and triceps.
"I ASKED WHER--" she said and then stopped after realizing she couldn't pull Vivian to face her.
Vivian slowly turned to her.
"Unhand me."
Leah let go of Vivian's arm.
"I ASKED YOU WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
Vivian took one step forward.
"I'm going to let this pass because I understand you're in pain right now. But the next time you touch me, I'm going to rip out one of your arms as payment."
Before Leah could react, Wind and Pablo jumped in the middle.
Wind faced Leah, while Pablo faced Vivian.
"Sister, please calm down."
"Priestess Inquisitor Monad, please understand Priestess Leah…! I beg you…!"
Ka-cha!
The entrance door suddenly opened and it was Ronan, along with Dinah and Theodore.
"Sister Leah, what did I tell you?!" Dinah roared as she made her way to Leah.
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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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