Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint (2)

2:02 p.m.

Vivian was sitting behind her desk inside her office and writing a letter.

The letter she was writing was to make an official request for her to leave the border checkpoint and go to the nearest village or town to purchase the things she needed. Although she can ask someone else to go in her stead, she had doubts if they could purchase everything she needs according to her taste, not to mention the number of things she wanted to buy.

She put down her pen and read the letter to check if there were any grammatical errors.

Hmm…

Looks good…

Now to have this signed by me, Lennon and Edgar…

Although Vivian was an Inquisitor and technically only second to Lennon and Edgar when it came to authority here in the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, she still needed their seals to make this request official. And of course, the same goes for both of them. If either of them wanted to make an official request, they too needed all three seals.

She got up and stepped outside her office with the letter in her hand.

Knock.

Knock.

Vivian knocked on a door.

"Come in," said Lennon.

Vivian stepped into the office and saw Lennon sitting behind his desk. He wasn't his White Cloak as usual and it was left hung at the side.

She saluted.

"Brother High Lieutenant!"

"At ease, Sister Inquisitor. What can I do for you?"

Vivian relaxed.

"I'm requesting to go to the nearest village or town tomorrow or as soon as possible because I want to purchase some items. I'm also going to need a carriage."

"A carriage?"

"Yes, because I plan to purchase many things."

"I see."

Vivian handed over the letter to Lennon.

Upon receiving it, he didn't even bother to read it. He immediately signed it and then stamped it with his seal as the commanding officer of the Priests squad before handing it back to her.

"Anything else, Sister Inquisitor?"

Vivian stared at him with a deadpan expression behind her Inquisitor Half-Mask.

What the fuck…?

Isn't this guy a little too carefree…?

She cleared her throat and received the letter.

"Nothing, Brother High Lieutenant. And thank you, Brother High Lieutenant."

"No problem. I'm always happy to help," he said and smiled.

"I will be leaving now to find Knight Captain Edgar."

She turned around and began heading for the door.

"Sister Inquisitor, please wait for a moment."

Vivian stopped and turned to him.

"Yes, Brother High Lieutenant?"

"I understand that you're an Inquisitor and one of your duties is to make sure that we're all operating efficiently and morally. However, may I suggest that you don't need to salute every time we meet? It's just us here at this border checkpoint after all. But of course, if there's an official visitor or we're in an official ceremony, then we should act and address each other accordingly."

Vivian's eyebrows knitted together behind her half-mask.

Is it a smart move…?

After all, they say that if you give someone an inch, they will ask for a mile…

However, he is my commanding officer and it seems the rest prefers that…

I think…

She recalled her interaction with Finley when she first arrived at this place.

He's older than me and has a rank so maybe he knows what he's doing…

However, if things go out of hand, I'm pinning the blame on him…

She let out a smile.

"Understood, Brother High Lieutenant."

"I'm glad you agree."

She turned away and resumed exiting.

Once she stepped outside of Lennon's office, she immediately headed to Edgar's.

There's no one here…? 

The door was left open but there was no one inside.

She turned around and saw that the main office hall where the rest of the personnel shared was also empty.

"Where's everyone?"

Tch!

She clicked her tongue.

I'm an Inquisitor and one of the highest-ranking personnel in this location, right…?

Then why in God's name don't I have my own secretary or assistant…?!

Fucking stupid people…!

She decided to step outside of the main office building and look for Edgar.

***

Vivian stepped out of the building and immediately swept her gaze around her surroundings.

There…!

She found Edgar standing near the North Gate talking to some civilians who were each riding an animal called Karfax, while the Guards were standing at the corner.

If Vivian were to describe what a Karfax looked like, it was similar to a horse but it was larger and taller. And instead of fur, it had scales.

As she made her way to Edgar, the Karfaxes began to become restless, causing her to hesitate in moving forward.

Fuck…!

I fucking hate this…!

And why the fuck is he there…?

Isn't that Knight named Arabella in charge of interviewing the travelers entering from the North Gate today…?

Her eyes shifted to the small booth at the corner of the gate and saw Arabella of the Knights Squad sitting behind a desk.

She's there alright…

The riders were able to somewhat calm their Karfaxes down But still had all of their attention on Vivian.

Tch!

Vivian resumed heading to the North Gate and then noticed something.

Are those Adventurers escorting a VIP…?

Edgar and the rest noticed Vivian approaching and they all turned to her.

He nodded at her when she got to him.

"Honored Inquisitor Monad."

Huh...?

He didn't salute...?

Or should I salute...?

Wait...

Who has the higher rank here...?

But I'm a Priestess and he's just a Knight...

I'm more important no matter what...

She recalled what Lennon said.

Fuck it...

She nodded back.

"Knight Captain Edgar."

"So you're the new Inquisitor? It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Lord Alejandro," the VIP said on top of his Karfax.

Alejandro looked like a typical rich-looking man in his early 20s with black hair and tanned skin. He was wearing an expensive-looking set of leather and metal armor with a black cape. He carried a sword and shield which were expensive-looking as well.

Vivian only paid him a glance before looking at the rest of his companions.

They were all in their 30s and were wearing cloaks. Some of them had a Gold II Rank Pendant around their neck, while others didn't, but they all looked like seasoned fighters. And underneath their cloaks, they too wore a set of leather and metal armor, and carried weapons, but it didn't look as fancy as what Alejandro had.

She returned her gaze to him.

A Noble, huh…

What is a Noble doing with Adventurers…?

And this little shit didn't even bother to get down his ride and greet me properly…

She then turned to Edgar who immediately answered.

"Priestess Inquisitor Monad, Lord Alejandro is one of the grandsons of Viscount Lozario from the Duke's Faction and is part of the main family. He's off to hunt at the Great Plains of Stanza for the upcoming Feugo Festival at Plano Town."

Vivian returned her glance to Alejandro.

So this little shit is an Aristocratic Noble…?

But what is he doing here…?

As far as I know, the identities of the talented offsprings of Aristocratic Nobles are kept a secret and will only be revealed in public once they reach a certain level of Physical and Magic Force…

This one looks like he's still in his early 20s…

So basically, he's nothing but a reject…?

A failed prodigy…?

She flashed a smile.

"I pray to the God of Light that you have a safe and bountiful hunt, Lord Alejandro."

"Thank you, Priestess Inquisitor," he said and flashed a fake smile after sensing Vivian's demeanor before turning to Edgar. "Will that be all, Knight Captain?"

"That will be all, Lord Alejandro. And I pray to the Elemental Gods that you have a safe and bountiful hunt," said Edgar.

Alejandro nodded and then whipped the reins of his Karfax before moving to the South Gate along with his entourage.

Vivian eyed Alejandro and the people accompanying him behind her half-mask.

Great Plains of Stanza, huh…

Outside the South Gate was the Great Plains of Stanza.

The Great Plains of Stanza was locked between two border wall checkpoints -- the Inner Stanza Border Checkpoints located in the north and the Outer Stanza Border Checkpoints located in the south.

According to history, the Great Plains of Stanza used to be a green and luscious plain where many living creatures used to inhabit, including humans. However, thanks to the many battles and wars waged there, it turned into a wasteland for monsters, demon-worshipers, bandits and etc. But despite that, many people still go there to hunt or try their luck in searching for lost treasures from the past.

As to why no one has bothered to clean and reclaim the Great Plains of Stanza, that's because it was a strategic location that divides the northern and southern continents. If any kingdom were to claim that area and build a city, town or village there, it would be a huge advantage for them.

So with that, no one was allowed to clean and claim that area.

And just to be sure that no one would be able to claim it, the Twin Kingdom, Holy Kingdom and Marbleam Kingdom joined forces to guard it.

Within the Inner Stanza Border Checkpoints, the First to Fourth is guarded by the Temple of Priests' Holy Crusade and the Chapter Knights under the banner of the Twin Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Sixth to Ninth is guarded by the Temple of Priests' Holy Crusade and the Knight Chapter under the banner of the Marbleam Kingdom. And as for the Fifth, it is guarded by all three, it's the largest out of all 9 border checkpoints and acts as the main headquarters for the Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint.

The Outer Stanza Border Checkpoints more or less had the same setup.

Vivian turned to Edgar.

"I keep hearing about this Feugo Festival. What is it?"

"It's an annual celebration held by Viscount Lozario and his family, the Plano Family at Plano Town. He and his family are blessed with Lore Magic related to the God of Fire. They say that their family members are guaranteed to be born with the True Fire Affinity, can train their Fire Magic Arts faster, and are protected by it. And according to legends, their patriarch ancestors could summon an immortal giant bird made out of fire. Because of that, they have an annual celebration called the Feugo Festival as thanks to the God of Fire and one of their events is holding a fighting tournament and the winner can ask for a prize."

"According to legends?"

"That's what their family claims. No one -- at least alive and I know of -- has seen their family summon an immortal giant bird made out of fire."

"And the prize for winning the tournament at the festival?"

"It depends. Most people who win that tournament would usually ask to join the Viscount's private army and will be given a high rank within the private army. Some would even ask to be part of the Viscount's family through marriage."

"I see. So that Noble from earlier, he has the Fire Affinity?"

"Yes."

"What other Affinities does he have and also Lore Magic he possesses?"

"Lore Magic, I have no idea. But given he is part of the main family, we can at least assume he has 3 Magic Arts."

"The Magic Arts of Aristocratic Nobles is common knowledge?"

Hearing Vivian's question, a confused expression flashed across Edgar's face. Although he wasn't part of the Temple of Priests, he at least knew a couple of things about the responsibilities of Inquisitors and the requirements to be one. One of them is that they must have a vast knowledge about basic things.

In this case, for Lozario's family, as a Viscount family, their leader needs to at least have 4 True Magic Arts and most of the family's Lore Magic spells.

And to be part of such a family, those who have 4 True Magic Arts will have to train in secret until they reach an appropriate Physical and Magic Force before they can reveal themselves to the public and will hold a high position within the main family.

Those who have 3 True Magic Arts won't have to train in secret and they will either be given a lower position within the main family or a high position within the minor families.

Those who have 2 True Magic Arts also won't have to train in secret but can only hold low a position within the minor families.

And for the ones who only have 1 True Magic Art, they won't be recognized by both the main and minor families.

Edgar wiped off the confused expression of his face.

"Yes."

"I see."

Truth be told, Vivian already knew most -- not all, but most -- of the things she asked thanks to the Training Course and the reports she read back at her office left by the previous Inquisitor. But thanks to her experience with Ramirez at the rogue settlement in the Mobius Mountains, she wanted to confirm things before taking everything she reads and hears as facts.

I'm still betting he only has 3 Magic Arts…

Even if he had 4 Magic Arts and wasn't going to be the next Viscount, he's too young to be that powerful…

And I doubt that his family would take such a risk…

So a reject indeed…

But despite that, he's still part of the main family…

She studied Edgar's face.

I'm quite surprised that this burly man knows that much about things…

He looks like a dumb and scary brutish barbarian…

His face makes me uncomfortable…

Is he from here…?

She tried to recall Alejandro's accent and compared it to Edgar's.

Nope…

Not a chance…

On top of that, this guy is too pale to be from around here…

But who knows, he could be…

After all, there are black and brown people in Luxen City and the Holy City…

So why not here in the Marbleam Kingdom…?

The face of Alejandro flashed inside her head.

But still…

To think that a 3-Magic-Art reject little boy like that has the nerve to act so disrespectful to me, a Priestess Inquisitor…

Or are Aristocratic Nobles that powerful…?

I really wish I could see a seasoned Aristocratic Noble fight so that I can size them up…

Not with me, of course...

Someone else…

The death of that useless rogue settler Ramirez is still somewhat fresh…

Got to stay low-profile for a couple of weeks…

Noticing that Vivian was looking at his face and not saying anything, Edgar found himself in an awkward position and immediately tried to seek out a way to remedy it.

"Priestess Inquisitor, it's rare to see you outside. Are you out for a walk?"

"Oh, about that, I've been looking for you because…" Vivian said and began explaining to him about the letter she was holding.