Chapter 41: The Gathering
As Melvin was on his way, someone blocked his path. Looking straight, Melvin's eyes widened. Black jacket, a face mask with a skull on it, also a modern sniper rifle was hanging on his back.
It was someone from the Vesna.
Sting was nervous as he stood. He then saluted. "Good morning Chief of Staff of VMF, President Melvin."
Melvin was amused. He saluted back. He didn't expect any soldier to be here. "State your name."
"Master Sergeant Sting Vazin, 1st sniper division of the VMF."
"Alright, you're coming with us."
"Sir yes sir."
Melvin chuckled. "Now that we're done with the formalities, no need to get stiff. Follow me."
Sting stayed on one spot. "Yeah but I think I just committed a crime." He then bowed to him. "Please forgive me. I was told by some nobles to assassinate you. I wouldn't have done it if I knew it was you."
Melvin was bewildered but he wasn't bothered. He didn't expect a nobleman would send his soldier. "It's fine. Who is this nobleman that you speak of?"
Sting tried hard to remember him. "I never asked for his name, so I don't know." He then noticed the bruise on Melvin's cheek. "Anyway, what happened to your face?"
"This? Well uh..."
From behind, Melvin heard some girls were speaking.
"Huh? Why should I apologize?" Minnie spoke with a bratty voice.
Minnie then sighed and called out to Melvin. "Alright. Hey you peasant. I think I may have misunderstood but don't get the wrong idea I won't apologize. For I am an adventurer from one of the best teams. I just wanted to clear the misunderstanding got it?"
Melvin arched his eyebrow. "Huh, what is it now?"
Sting saw the girls. "Minnie, Teisha where were you two?"
Teisha was glad. "Lord Sting."
Minnie ran towards Sting. "Lord Reaper, I'm glad that you are here. I was running some errands from our guild."
"Is that so."
Minnie then gazed at Melvin. "Hey, I don't like how you stand on the same level as the Grim Reaper. Do you know who he is? He took out the Patch Bandits and the Great Volgius."
Melvin could now understand the Sillian language from staying here for too long. He only found her to be annoying.
Sting gently hand-chopped her head.
"Eek."
"Just to let you know this person is our ruler. He is greatly respected in our country. President Clyde." Sting was slightly aggressive.
Minnie's face turned blank. She could not digest what he said. "Eh? Could you repeat that Lord Reaper?"
"I told you. He is the equivalent of a King from where I came from."
Minnie's soul just left her body. Her eyes were lifeless and blank after the realization.
In a split second, she quickly went to Melvin and began feeling concerned. "Does your cheeks hurt? Should I sell my pet's soul so you can forgive me? I can give you my possessions and money? So please don't execute me."
Melvin scratched his head. "It was just a misunderstanding, right? Then don't get too worked up on it."
Minnie was still concerned. She was still worried that she might get sent to the guillotine for hitting a ruler on the face. She knew the magnitude of her actions since a King should not be touched. She then cried and dropped her knees on the ground. "I don't know what to do."
Even Sting was confused. "President Melvin, forgive these two. They are my associates from travel."
Melvin grinned. "You got good comrades even though you are a foreigner from this land."
Minnie was even surprised why this ruler didn't act like a ruler. There was no royal pride coming from him. The ruler she knows would step over the citizens like they were rags. As for him he only had a charismatic aura. She couldn't explain it but with him, she felt comfortable.
Teisha then kneeled in front of Melvin. "Hello my Lord, my name is Teisha, thank you for saving me from earlier."
Melvin was in a daze. "Teisha huh? I feel like I heard that name before. Well, why don't you tag along?"
In all of a sudden, a horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of them. Seeing the coachman, it was Rederick. "Yo Mr. President, here's your newly ordered transportation."
"Good job Red, I know I can count on you."
The door opened, Celine, Stella, Shira, and Vilg Han were inside. It was now the time to move.
Inside, they could barely fit. "Hey Red didn't I tell you to buy a bigger one."
"Well, this is the only thing currently available."
Melvin now saw the commander. They were staring at each other. "Commander Vilg Han I presume?"
"Lord Melvin, I'm grateful for you to save me." Vilg Han gave a nod.
"We will now proceed to the rendezvous."
They then went away.
Inside Senator Hervil's stone house, they gathered in the living room. Sting was leaning on the wall.
Vilg Han, Melvin, and Senator Hervil were circled the table, while everyone else just sat on the corner.
"Senator, this is bad. The church is done with its first phase. They've already kidnapped the queen goblin."
Hervil was shocked yet he was silent. He gritted his teeth. "This is bad, then all they needed to do was to execute the second phase."
"Second phase?" Melvin asked.
Hervil nodded. "Yeah, they are gonna collect the fuel to power the Controllion."
"Fuel, huh?" Fossil fuel or coal, he didn't realize that this level of technology was advanced to utilize such. "How will they do that?"
"They are gonna collect our life force."
Hervil explained that every living thing have a life force. Though for some reason it was easier to collect life force from the Sillian race. These life forces were used to power the ancient dwarven machines.
"This collector that you speak of, what could it be?"
"The twin gods necklace. Since tomorrow will be the start of the twin god birth celebration, everyone will wear it."
In other words, when someone wears the church's necklace their life force would get extracted directly into the machine.
Hervil added. "We will experience exhaustion after our life force gets extracted. The church calls this renewal fatigue, but that doesn't change the fact that the citizens of Lemorio are used to further their goals."
Melvin raised his hand which caused Hervil to stop speaking. "Alright, I think I get the gist of it, but I can't see how I can play my role on this."
"President Melvin right? You're a ruler? Please call your country and save this Kingdom. The Spear Fall brigade and the people of Rezgareth are counting on you."
Melvin smiled. "Then let's have a deal."
Hervil nodded. Melvin then shook hands with him.
Commander Vilg Han left the capita with the Spear Fall brigade to stop the distribution of the collectors. In the next few days, the twin gods necklace would be widely distributed throughout the Kingdom. Their goal was to intercept the suppliers and distributors.
The twin gods festival happens in a week, at that time they should keep an eye on the churches' movement.
Whilst, Melvin and Hervil would take care of the situation on the Capital on their own.
***
At the same time, an unknown force was making its move.
Inside the castle, King Vulhelm sat firmly on his throne. He had a sullen look. He reminisced the times where he was with his children. Regret and anguish ached his chest.
King Vulhelm would often act mighty and tough in front of his subordinates be they nobility, vassal, or soldier, but in reality, he was a coward. The responsibility of his parents was difficult for him to carry which was why he ran away.
Hearing Melvin, Vulhelm thought he may still have a chance to retake Mendovia, even if Melvin was a hack, he would still believe in him.
Vulhelm didn't even want to rule this country, he just wanted a peaceful life, living with a beast-man wife and child. Too bad the church was uptight with the marriage of different races. A commoner getting caught would get executed by the church.
As for the nobility, they would be forcefully divorced and only the beast-man gets executed. The purity of human blood was important for the church. It was a tradition that was cherished even a long time ago.
"Adelia, I'll see you soon."
In front of the King, a shadow was looming. It was Pope Meldario the 2nd holding a golden scepter. "Your highness, I have come to bring you some news." His tone was serious.
Vulhelm frowned a bit. "Father, I never sent you any invitations for today. What's going on?"
Meldario cackled. "Actually..."
The royal double doors slammed open. Then a beast-woman appeared, she got pushed and fell on the floor. She was chained and held by the Agents of the church.
"Dear!" Said the beast-woman to him.
Vulhelm's eyes widened. He didn't want to act surprised but he knew her, she was his wife Ramiya, the mother of Princess Adelia. But if Vulhelm acted like he knew her, he would be in trouble.
Vulhem tried to suppress his feelings. "Who is that woman? Get her out of my sight?"
The pope stepped forward. "Your highness, you know that violating the laws of the church is a sin that cannot be overlooked. Worse, you also colluded with a devil. You now have committed 2 grave sins! It's time for judgment. No one is above God, not even the King himself!"
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