Chapter 40: Unexpected Encounter
Celine was shocked to see someone shot it. She heard it somewhere above her. She looked around and couldn't find any trace.
That only meant someone with a modern weapon was here, regardless could it be an ally?
Stella went to Celine, she was in disbelief. "I didn't expect you to do it and save my father."
Celine's face was blank. "Well... It wasn't me."
"It doesn't matter since Vilg Han will be released soon, the church has bear witness to the completion of the ordeal."
On the ordeal site, the church Agents released Vilg Han. The audience was in disbelief. It was the first time in a year someone has passed the ordeal.
"No way, he passed?"
"Then he isn't guilty?"
Nonetheless, Celine and Stella were glad. They were on stand-by as they waited for the Agents to fully uncuff Vilg Han and set him free. They would come to pick him up soon.
***
Inside Senator Hervil's stone house. They were having a chat around the table.
Melvin was holding an iron goblet. He took a sip on the tea and winced. "The tea is kinda bad."
"Pardon me, the leaf has already lost its taste. The import is kind of slow with horses and the threats of beasts roaming the lands of Rezgareth. Over time the leaves lost their quality."
"Does it ever rain in the wild valley?"
"No, but the rains in the land close to the first ring forest are frequent."
Melvin found it odd how the weather was different despite the wild valley were just outside the first ring forest. Does it have some natural causes? Or was it magical?
"Anyway, let's talk about something that matters more."
Melvin gave a nod. He smiled. "Alright, I'm listening, Senator Hervil, the leader of the Spear Fall Brigade, anti-church faction."
Senator Hervil smiled as well. "I see, you've seen through me. Then let's get to the chase." He slammed a paper on the table. The paper looked neat and formal. It seemed to be an invitation of some kind. "King Vulhelm invites you to an official meeting, it's about an incoming threat, the goblins of the deep."
"Goblins?" Melvin kind of expected goblins as well. Well, there were magic, demons, giant spiders so of course goblins.
"They live underground, feeding on small mammals and sometimes they eat certain types of fruits. Naturally, they wouldn't be a threat but there was a group of goblins that attacked a village."
Melvin narrowed his eyes. "A group huh? They won't be a threat to the kingdom right?"
"The church is the problem. I got some intel from a reliable source that the church planned to lure an army of goblins into the kingdom and use them to attack Mendovia."
Melvin nodded as he digested it. "The church again, huh? How can they pull that off?"
"They are gonna use a Controllion. An ancient magical weapon developed by the dwarves. It allows them to manipulate the lower-level species of beasts."
Melvin was amused to hear such a device exist. "Then I assume, the church has that weapon." He then looked at his eyes closer. "Tell me, where is the one with the beacon."
"You mean the Reveallion? It's somewhere in the church. They're pretty good at hiding it."
"What else do they have?"
Hervil stroked his chin. "Let's see... as far as I know they have, 3, as for the last one I think it's called a Shiellion. It can erect a magical barrier that can keep out hostile monsters. Though humans can easily pass through them."
Melvin gave a nod. "Alright, I think I got the gist of it, but wouldn't it be on your advantage if a goblin army is in your control? You plan to retake Mendovia someday right?"
"Using Controllion has lots of uncertainties. For one they don't work on humans, there's also no guarantee that they can work on goblins. Goblins has a culture and has a way of speaking. They have some intelligence. Though Controllion is guaranteed to work on monsters that only operate instinctually."
So this machine could only manipulate living creatures with low intelligence. Melvin was relieved to hear it since it might be hard to counter. "I see, so the bottom line is you are afraid it will backfire?"
"Yeah, since the church is located here, the Controllion would also be here. They would lure the goblins here from the ring forest. If the Controllion fails to manipulate them, the Capital will be attacked. Lemorio City will fall as well as the Kingdom of Rezgareth. But we have no idea where the device is found inside the city. I have my team to investigate it."
"That's indeed a problem. Does the King know of this?"
"Only the pope and a few nobilities know of this. I suspect my brother is colluding with them."
If the Kingdom were to fall, Melvin wouldn't be able to establish his plan. He planned to spread his culture at Rezgareth first and foremost. "What's your move?"
"It is to stop the church. We will know more once Vilg Han arrives. He has the intel. I just hoped he succeeded."
"I see." Melvin yawned. He stretched his arms up. "Mind if I take a walk? I asked my bodyguard to check something else."
"Are you sure about that? The nobles are keeping an eye on you."
Melvin had a colt on him if something were to occur. "I'll be fine. I just wanted to confirm something."
He then roved the streets with a cowl on his head. He didn't want to take a risk and expose himself. Though with a cowl he felt like a badass and mysterious character.
Melvin went closer to the church premises. He looked at the bridge of heaven and earth tower. "An unfinished tower that seems to be the tallest in this world. Something is indeed off if its purpose is only to reach the sky."
He assessed it closely. Though Melvin heard someone was approaching him.
***
Teisha walked across the streets with a sigh. "I got lured by a good smell of food and when I looked back the manor was gone." She was lost and couldn't find her way back. She was worried that Sting might be looking for her.
While her head was on the ground, she hit someone. She then fell on her bottom. "Ack."
It was a city guard. He had a frown seeing Teisha. "Be careful." He then was shocked when the hood fell off revealing her face.
Teisha was surprised. She quickly wore the hood back on.
"Vermin! Get out of this city!" The soldier was enraged. He called for backup
"Keh!" Teisha stood up and ran as fast as she could.
The city guards were now chasing her. "Come back here you animal!"
"What should I do? What should I do?" There was no choice but to run fast. With her beast-man capabilities, she was able to sprint faster and lose track of the guards.
Teisha passed by Minnie.
Minnie caught a glimpse of her being chased by the city guards, thus she got startled. "Isn't that..."
At some point, the guards stopped to catch their breath. "That damn Vermin, we lost her." He called out for the other guards. "Hey you tell the others to catch her immediately, I don't want the Lords to know that we are allowing some rats to scamper around the city."
"Yes sir!" They then scattered outward.
Teisha was hiding in the alleyway. When the coast was clear, she quickly ran to the streets. She then slammed on another person. "Ack!" Her hood fell again another time.
Melvin was surprised to see a girl with bear ears. His eyes widened. "It-it's a demi-human!"
"Please don't report me to the guards!"
Melvin read about this. Beast-men were known to be oppressed by humans for being physically better than them. "You know you are shunned by humans, so why are you here? Most of all in a city greatly populated by them."
"I have my reason." Teisha was also puzzled. "Huh? You're not scared of me?"
Melvin raised his eyebrow. "Should I?"
They then heard incoming footsteps. She hid behind Melvin. With her thin body, she was able to hide well.
Two guards passed by. After they were gone, Teisha sighed. "I think I'm safe for now."
Melvin scratched his head on what he's gonna do now with her. "You couldn't have come here alone right? Who were you with?"
"I'm with Lord Sting."
"Sting, huh? A noble?" When Melvin heard other footsteps approaching, he quickly grabbed Teisha and clamped her mouth. They then hid in the alleyway.
Another round of guards passed by, they were moving around the streets. "They're awfully persistent."
On the other side of the alley, Minnie appeared, she looked mad. "Kidnapper! Get away from her!"
Minnie was chanting her spell. "... Production, Formation, Transformation, Projection."
An ice cube formed in mid-air. It was then shot out at fast speed. It struck Melvin's cheek. He groaned and fell to the ground. "Ugh."
Teisha was surprised. "Huh? Eh?! Wait! Minnie!"
Minnie ran up to Teisha and grabbed her arm. "Come on!" She then ran away as fast as she could with her.
"Hey idiot, wait!" She pulled Minnie's arm so they could stop.
"Quit yapping and I'll lead you to where the Lord Reaper is. I can't let you get captured by these people"
"I think you have misunderstood something. He wasn't trying to capture me, he was trying to help me." Teisha stopped running.
Minnie was confused at first, she then chuckled. "Hehe, is that so?"
"Don't hehe me, let's return and apologize to him."
Minnie harrumphed. "Anyway who cares, he's probably just some commoner. Only low types of people care about the beast-man. In fact, he should be grateful to taste one of my attacks. Do you know how many adventurers and aspiring mages want to see me casting a spell?"
Teisha clicked her tongue. "I hate that side of you. You're as conceited as ever."
***
Melvin then stood up from the ground. Touching his cheek he felt some ache. "Ouch, ouch, that hurts a lot. Who was that girl, anyway?"
He then walked to the streets, planning to return to Hervil's home.
Somewhere, Sting was above a building. He was given an indication on who his target was. He was told that his target was a man with a cowl wearing a dark attire.
Sting looked through the scope to find his target. There, he was aiming at Melvin. As he peered through the cloak, he caught a glance of his face.
"Wait, isn't that?"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone