Chương 37: Chapter 36: Heresy! Heresy! Heresy!

Heresy! Heresy!

Austig sipped from his cup of morning tea as he kept glancing at the bountiful meal on their table. It was a large slice of lamb, drizzled with honey and cooked to this perfect golden brown color. The aroma was sweet and enticing, like it was just calling out for him. But even as his stomach rumbled, he felt no desire to eat.

"Dear, how do you think Marley is doing?" Erika wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, her plate already half eaten.

"Fine, probably. He's staying at the Church. Nothing bad can happen to him there."

"When do you think he'll return?" Austig gritted his teeth.

"When this whole thing is over... if we're still here, anyway."

"You're still worried about the exorcist? I told you, Orlan will protect us. We don't have to be afraid."

"We should have gotten rid of it. That exorcist, there was something off about them. I don't think they were real exorcists."

"Then what are you worrying about? Orlan has always protected my family for generations. He won't stop now. And I won't stop worshiping him. Those clergymen can say what they want for all I care."

"Goddess..." Austig planted his palm against his forehead.

"We have to get rid of it. For Marley's sake. What happens if we're caught? What's our boy going to do? Did you think about that?"

"We won't get caught. Trust Orlan." Austig slammed his fist into the table and sprang up.

"You!" A splintering and crashing noise echoed from the living room. Austig's eyes widened.

"What the hell was that?!" Erika stood up, hiding behind Austig. Soon enough, several Inquisitors stormed into the dining room, brandishing their rifles and revolvers.

"No!" Erika paled in horror. A silver-masked Inquisitor approached them, pointing a silver revolver at Austig's dome.

"William Austig, and Erika Austig. You are under arrest for engaging in heathen worship."

"There must be some kind of mistake! We're followers of the Lady!" Erika yelled. Austig loosened his fists, closed his eyes, and sighed. It's over...

"Hands behind your back, turn around, and get on your knees. We already know what you've done. Be glad I don't execute you right here and right now." The silver-masked Inquisitor snarled.

"Honey, do as he says." Austig placed his arms on his back and turned around.

"But we didn't—""Get down, heathen!" The silver-masked Inquisitor struck Erika in the head with the barrel of his revolver, knocking her unconscious. Erika crumpled to the ground with a stifled whimper. Goddess... I knew this was going to happen. Marley... Marley, I'm sorry. Austig felt the iron cuffs tighten around his wrists. He watched as the silver-masked Inquisitor cuffed his wife on the ground.

The other Inquisitors headed down the hallway, into Austig's personal office as if they already knew where the statue was. There was a loud cracking noise, as if they were breaking down the bookshelf, and after a few seconds a voice called out.

"We found it, Captain! It's just as they said!"

"What's going to happen to us?" Austig muttered.

"You will be judged by the council. As per your rights as a noble. Do as we say, or we might take matters into our own hands. Your sins are quite clear, heathen." The silver-masked Inquisitor said.

"We won't resist..." Austig murmured.

"Take them away!" The silver-masked Inquisitor barked. The two of them were hauled out of their manor and stuffed into the back of the Inquisitor carriage like petty thieves. It was dark and cramped, with no windows or lights whatsoever. His fool of a wife lay on the bench, barely breathing. Goddess help my son... he hasn't done anything wrong. Arno held his head and beheld the newspaper on his desk for the umpteenth time. It was written there, bold and instigating: "Nobles suspected of heresy!

Von Austig manor raided by the Inquisition!" They couldn't even wait a single day? It's all over everywhere now—every outlet, journal, nearly every person in the city knows about it by now. Damn those journalists. They have to know this isn't helping. They're just feeding the fires of suspicion. But this kind of thing sells. Goddess help us. We already have enough hysteria to deal with. First the Gaudins, then the Baruchs... Is this all the doing of that entity? This isn't something we can cover up.

Maybe if it's only Jack or Evelyn, then we can hide it from them for now. But this? Even if we tried, those masked hounds will come knocking for that boy. The office door swung open, and Father Orlando walked in. A silver-masked Inquisitor followed behind him. Speak of the devil. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. The Inquisitor bowed.

"Good morning, Father." His voice had a slight rasp.

"Good morning. Let us not waste our time. I know why you're here. You're here for Marley." Arno straightened his back. The Inquisitor raised his head, his piercing green eyes shining behind his mask.

"Indeed. Upon the orders of the Vice-Master Herkell, I am to take him into questioning to determine his relation and connection to the heathen activities of the Austig family. I trust the Clergy is willing to cooperate?" Orlando frowned slightly but kept silent.

"Of course. It is only just to quell heresy. However, we cannot simply hand Marley over. Marley is protected by the Church and, by extension, the God of Death. We have our conditions."

"Speak, Father," the Inquisitor said. Arno raised one finger.

"The questioning must happen in the Cathedral. I will not allow Marley to be taken anywhere else." He raised another finger.

"Two, Orlando and I must be present during the interrogation." Then another.

"And lastly, should Marley be proven innocent, the Inquisition will kindly leave Marley to the Clergy. Are these terms acceptable?" The Inquisitor paused, his eyes never blinking.

"These are... acceptable terms."

"We will not impede the duty of the Inquisition. However, it would be wise to remember where you stand in this holy chamber," Arno said.

"I understand fully, Father," the Inquisitor said.

"Good. Brother Orlando, take Marley. We will await you in the first interrogation chamber," Arno said.

"It will be done." Orlando departed from the room. Arno stood up and straightened his robe.

"Come with me, Inquisitor." He walked out of the office and down the hallway opposite Orlando. The Inquisitor trailed behind him. Even with Arno's advanced senses, the Inquisitor's footsteps and breathing were nearly silent. The silver mask indicates superiority. Both in bloodline and in rank. Only a few of the Eight could match the strength and tenacity of a silver-masked Inquisitor. They are empowered by runes and blessings, and more closely resemble a fledgling seventh. And there are hundreds of them.

Arno led the Inquisitor down to the basement and into the first interrogation chamber. It was a cramped metal room with one dim light. A table with three chairs sat in the center, with two of the seats facing the single chair.

"You can sit there," Arno said, pointing at the lone chair on the other side.

"Father Arno. That would be..."

"I am aware. But consider Marley's awakened state. It would do no good if he feels cornered."

"Very well." The Inquisitor walked over and sat down. His back was perfectly straight, and he waited, staring at the iron door with those seemingly unblinking green eyes. Arno remained standing. He is in the Church's domain. I will not let this Inquisitor harm Marley. He has his job, but so do I. The child does not automatically suffer the sins of their parents. I would suppose the Von Austigs have already confessed. And I wouldn't be surprised if they declared their son innocent.

This visit is to determine if what they say matches. There was a knock on the door, and it opened. Orlando strode inside, followed by the young and noble Marley. Marley looked about with furrowed brows.

"What is all this, Father?"

"Come, sit down, child. The Inquisitor will explain things to you." Arno pulled back one of the chairs and gestured. Marley gulped and sat down. Arno did the same, while Father Orlando stood by the chamber door.

"Marley von Austig. Are you a faithful follower of the Lady Anastasia?" the Inquisitor said. Marley frowned.

"What? Of course I am."

"Have you worshiped any other deity aside from the Gods of the Orthodox Alliance?" the Inquisitor said.

"You mean... pagan gods? I would never." Marley shook his head.

"I am an Austig, bound by death and death alone. I have not prayed to any god but the Lady."

"Truly?" The Inquisitor leaned forward.

"Then are you aware of the pagan effigy hidden in your family manor?" Marley's eyes widened in shock.

"Pardon me? This must be some sort of mistake. We're Austig. We're Argent. You're accusing us of heresy."

"There is no mistake. We have already recovered the effigy of the pagan god Orlan in your father's office. Your parents have already confessed to their sins, and all that remains is you."

"Impossible. That can't be..." Marley looked up at Arno, desperation growing in his eyes. Arno simply nodded.

"It is true, child." Marley's shoulders fell, and he inhaled deeply.

"Goddess... this can't be—" Then his gaze shot back to the Inquisitor.

"My parents? Where are they then?"

"They were taken into the Inquisition for questioning and confinement. They are to be judged by the Council of Nobles for their sins," the Inquisitor said.

"I... I don't believe it. They taught me the word of God since I was born. I was baptized, I was blessed, they had a priest become my tutor for the Lady's sake." Marley clenched the edge of the table, yet still maintained the slightest air of nobility.

"Yet it remains the truth. Your mother's family has connections to the pagans of Southendell. Your father has consorted with heresy. Were you truly not aware of any heretical activities within the Austig Manor?"

"No, no!" Marley stood up from his seat and barked.

"There has never been any heresy in our manor! Never! They were faithful worshipers of the Lady! Everyone knew it!" The Inquisitor looked up, his piercing green eyes still unblinking.

"Were you complicit in any heresy that your family has been involved in?"

"I told you already! There wasn't anything! I never saw anything! Heard anything! There must be something wrong!" Marley yelled, spit spattering from his mouth.

"Do you confess—""That is enough." Arno placed his palm on the table. Marley reeled in a deep breath and glanced at Arno, then back at the Inquisitor. Then, without another word, he sat down.

"Heretics lie, Father. Being a child does not mean someone is incapable of cunning and manipulation. In fact, they tend to be the most dangerous ones, for they are often overlooked. How can you be sure that this one is innocent?" Marley opened his mouth to speak.

"I—""Because I have said it," Arno said. The Inquisitor's eyes widened behind his mask.

"I am a Man of Death. I am anointed with her blood. I am the Head Priest of St. Helen Cathedral. To doubt my word is to doubt the sanctity and integrity of the Lady herself." The Inquisitor gazed deep into Arno's eyes as if trying to perceive the priest's soul. Then he averted his gaze and blinked.

"Very well. If you have deemed it so, then my duty here is finished." He sprang to his feet.

"Thank you for your generosity. I must report to the Vice-Master." A smile crept upon Arno's lips.

"Brother Orlando, will you lead the good Inquisitor out of the Cathedral?"

"Come." Orlando opened the door and ushered the Inquisitor out. Both of them departed, shutting the door behind them. After a few seconds of silence, Marley spoke, his voice much softer than before.

"Is it all really true, Father? What he said?"

"It is all true. There can be no mistaking it; your parents are worshipers of a pagan god." Arno slowly shook his head.

"A most irredeemable sin."

"Then... what is to happen to them? To Father? Mother?"

"They will be stripped of their titles, property, and wealth. That much is certain." A sentence that amounts to death for a noble. Even if they are not sentenced to death, I have no doubts they will still perish in the aftermath.

"Can't you do anything, Father?" Arno shook his head.

"Such things are beyond my jurisdiction. The Court of Nobles will decide the fate of your family."

"Then what about me? What will happen to me then?"

"You are under my protection. You will remain here for the time being. I will make the necessary arrangements for your future, but you must not expect much, Marley."

"I see..." Marley inhaled and exhaled.

"You are strong, child. You are valiant and noble, more so than many true-blooded nobles. Do not fear. The Lady has plans for all of us."