Chương 20: Inquisition

As I step out of the automobile, I notice that the atmosphere is different in this part of the city. While I wouldn't call the main streets the slums, they sure feel like it compared to this place. Gentle floral scents fill the airs, masking the scents of the city that I have grown used to. Heck, I think the air is being moved around by magic to create a subtle breeze. Which would make sense, as the building before us can only be described as rich.

The building is made of a white stone that reminds me of marble, but with a more magical quality to it. It could be wonderful for building kilns with, presuming those are even needed anymore. Calder starts walking towards the main entrance as if he owns the place. Oh wait, he likely does. It is hard to remember that the short dwarf fella is also mega rich. His simple outfit doesn't give it away at first glance. But I bet if I had the skill to inspect his gear, it would be of quite high quality.

Realizing that I look like an idiot as I gawk at the building, I quickly catch up with Calder.

"So, what's the deal with these inquisitor folks? They the scary sort or the nice and friendly sort?"

"Depends on which side of the law you find yourself on. If you are a good respectable citizen, they are usually indifferent. I doubt anyone would call them nice, but they aren't mean either. Now if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law… well don't." Calder explains. I have noticed that he seems to like explaining things. I don't know if that's just him, or because I am a hero, or what. But I can't really complain about the easy information. We enter the building, which is some sort of courthouse I think.

Inside a bunch of people in very fancy attire wander about. Many of them carry boxes in their hand, which are called briefcases, quite convenient devices they seem to be. Many people stare at Calder's appearance, as well the weird cloaked guy trailing behind him that happens to be me. No one stops us though, probably sensing that we are on business of the utmost importance. We enter a small room containing a long table as well as several chairs. On one side of the table, four people in ornate golden robes sit.

Hats with the emblem of the inquisitor rest on their heads. They are all wearing golden masks, obscuring every piece of their identity.

"Welcome, Spirit Hero." Says one of them that seems to be the leader.

"Please, have a seat. We just have some questions to ask, fear not, it is completely painless." I take a seat, while Calder goes to stand back by the door. Shifting around nervously in my seat, I debate whether I should like, ask what to do. It isn't like this is my first time being questioned, but definitely the first in such a high-profile case. In the end, the lead inquisitor ends up speaking again.

"You do not have to do much at all. Just remain calm, let the magic do its work and answer our questions honestly. Do note that any attempts at interference, whether successful or not, are considered high treason, and often lead to quick execution." Gotta love when interrogators open up with a nice threat of execution. Always gets the blood flowing, and makes one ready to answer questions honestly.

"Sure thing." I say, which seems to be a satisfactory answer. Right away, the five of them start to chant in unison. Some of the words sound familiar to me, but I still can't decipher what they are saying other than it is a spell. A long one too, as it isn't until several minutes later that they finish the invocation.

"<Truthseeker>" Magic fills the area, and everything seems to get a lot heavier. My brain kind of tickles a bit, and I can tell magic is affecting it. Though it is very much surface level, as they have said. How it works, I've got not a single clue. Once it all settles, the head inquisitor pulls out a small cube and sets it on the table. He presses the side down, and it starts to glow, with text appearing above it in a description of the scene.

The detail of it is scary, somehow it even has a point about spiritual energy that must be from Luma.

"Please state your full name, including any titles, exactly as it appears on your stat sheet." The inquisitor asks. Simple enough, I guess.

"Orn Spiritus, Hero of Spirit." The tickling sensation intensifies for a second, before subsiding again. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Truth." The head inquisitor declares. I might be crazy, but I think I hear a bit of shock in their voice. Maybe they didn't expect me to actually be a hero. Behind me, Calder smiles.

"Let it be known that the accuser is in fact, the Hero of Spirit. With identity certified, we shall now begin the trial of Lord Cathartic. The first charge is false-imprisionment of a divine representative with intent for personal gain. If proven true, will carry a penalty of death." I would say skipping right to a death penalty seems harsh. But then I remember it is Lord Cathartic that would be dying. Somehow, all my care about such a punishment goes right out the lovely crafted windows.

"Now, the first question. Orn Spiritus, on the seventh day of the sixth month, did Lord Cathartic invite you into his manor at the Great City of Loder? Thus breaking the covenant of heroes?" Oh I remember Calder talking a bit about that covenant. Apparently it is something all beings in this world are bound to. To sum one part of it up, it basically prevents anyone from harboring any claim or influence over the heroes without having received permission or due cause.

Naturally, if a hero commits a crime, such a protection does not apply. But it is also allowed for heroes to swear themselves to another, so long as it is purely of their own will. Which is the part which Lord Cathartic broke quite severely. First, he invited me without giving me proper knowledge of the dealings that would happen, which is a given, as I was brand new to this world. Then he tried to threaten me into his service. Which is obviously not good unto itself. Or so Calder explained to me.

It is all a bunch of legal junk that I probably should figure out, but really don't want to. The law has never been something I was very good at. Oh, this is also the first time someone has told me what day it is. I am guessing this world uses the same thirteen months with twenty eight days each. Which would make today the sixteenth day of the sixth month, I think. I realize I have been silent for too long and quickly answer.

"Yes." I only need to say one word, as the spell senses the intent of my answer or whatever. If there is even a single shred of doubt or lie in my mind, it will find it. Though of course, I am telling the truth. The magic tickles again.

"Truth." The head inquisitor declares again. This time, one of the other inquisitors actually gasps. Ignoring it, the questioning continues.

"With that, evidence is already sufficient to levy heavy fines. Do you wish to continue prosecution, Hero?" I don't know why they even ask. Guess it is just due diligence or whatever.

"I do."

"Then, second question. Upon meeting Lord Cathartic, did he offer you a service contract?"

"Yes." The tickling returns.

"Truth. Third question, did Lord Cathartic imply that you would be forced into the contract upon disagreement?" Remembering back to his offer of roughly, 'serve me willingly, or be my slave', I answer.

"Yes." The tickle is far more intense this time, perhaps probing deeper. But despite that, the head inquisitor's answer is the same.

"Truth." This time, there are several gasps. I am unable to see their faces because of the masks, but I can imagine their expressions.

"Evidence is now sufficient to sentence Lord Cathartic to death. Do you wish to continue, Hero?"

"I do."

"Then we will increase the charge to that of forceful subduing of a divine representative. If proven guilty, the punishment would be soul obliteration." They say, and let the information sink in. A tenseness fills the air, something tells me things just got a whole lot more significant. I don't know what soul obliteration is, but it doesn't sound very pleasant. Which is good, because that bastard deserves it. I can't imagine all of the horrible things he has done, not counting anything to do with me.

The Inquisitor continues, "Fourth, and final, question." The head inquisitor pauses, as if letting the gravity of it sink in.

"Upon your refusal, did Lord Cathartic then proceed to physically restrain you from leaving? Even going so far as to throw you in an enchanted prison cell?"

"Yes." At this point, the tickling becomes a bit painful. But not overly so. It takes a lot longer to fade, and once it does, it takes several seconds for the High Inquisitor to respond.

"Truth." There are no gasps, instead the tense silence in the room intensifies. Perhaps I underestimated the severity of the Lord's actions. I thought it was just a normal bastardy thing to do. But the atmosphere makes it seem far more significant.

"Ahem," The High Inquisitor says after a while.

"The hero's testimony has been heard and recorded. Lord Cathartic will have two weeks to provide evidence of interference, misleading or other proof against the evidence. If sufficient proof against the truths ascertained today is not provided, Lord Cathartic shall be sentenced to complete soul obliteration." With that, the spell ends and the inquisitor reaches forward to turn off the weird cube that has been recording the conversation. Then, in perfect order, they stand up and exit the room.

Calder lets out a big sigh.

"Whew, glad that's over. So Orn, you wanna go to that party or nah?" I flinch.

"If it's allowed, I'd much rather do anything else. I think I've had enough formal stuff for a year at least."

"Ha, me too. Come on, I've got someone else to introduce you to. Don't worry, as fellow metalheads, I am sure you two will get along just fine." Calder says, and then leads me back into the city. Am I really a metalhead? I ponder as we travel.