1 Manus Dextra

"—set in Ella Fide, the overarching nation overthrown by the Thirteenth Union; it is uniquely divided into two sides of the conflict: Einore, the pedigreed, noble people that serve the Thirteenth Union—not a country, but people; Layas, an independent third-world country detached from the evolutionary extreme," Professor Einstev said.

He scanned the church seats with foreboding eyes. A stern expression crossed his ashen face. His dark grey eyes shut as he weaved through the mass of tables; his eyes flashed upon a gritty small table with Danielle scrawled loosely on the top. There was a subtle pause before he let a deep, audible sigh escape him. It was unbecoming of a teacher to express his displeasure when he taught. Then again, this had irked him and left him feeling frustrated over the last few days. He leaned over the sleep-deprived student.

"The church is no sleeping space," he whispered.

Einstev quietly snapped a device to the youth's neck; a dull velvet collar adorned with a dark blue character. He breathed in the stale air and brought attention to his watch. Five o'clock.

"Class is over, let's get up and going. Remember that the exam will be tomorrow and King Bazgold will be attending," he announced. "and before heading off, Parus, come to the faculty!"

The students began to gather their belongings as Einstev clambered out the box. He straightened the creases of his coat and spotted the brazen youth Parus.

"Why's he coming this way now?" he blurted out.

Parus kept a distance from the teacher. And once everyone had left but the two, Einstev motioned to the seats at the forefront of the church.

"Over here, there will be no one within hearing range," Einstev said as he scowled at Parus. "Have you no ears? I told you to come to the faculty."

Parus immediately frowned. "Poor dwarf, you do not order me; got that?" Venomous bile coursed through his words.

Einstev felt his palms sweat and nodded hesitantly but he let himself sink in the seat. They both stared at the altar until Parus broke the silence.

"Does Danielle trouble?" he asked.

"Yes. He'll have to be sent back to the border. And you have no say in the matter."

"I am the affluent Parus of Einore. He'd be permanently stationed in the border once I take the throne, all of them will."

"Poor Dani. His ill mother would die if he isn't able to pursue the course," Einstev lamented. "But well, he was a pain to everyone; in a way, we'd be exterminating a pest."

"You are shallow, Einstev. But if not for that, I would never have enlisted you in my faction."

"Majesty I do not recommend that attitude."

"Lucresia likes it. Speaking of which, have you anything else to say?"

"…another one was murdered," Einstev muttered and shoved his hands into his coat pockets; he felt cold. The stagnant air overwhelmed him. Parus never replied.

"—Who do you suppose did it?"

The dialogue was interrupted. Einstev addressed the voice.

"Awake now, Dani?"

Dani glared at Einstev from behind the seats.

"I recorded everything; fuck you both!"

"Ah, fiend! A curse before God? Sinner, I must punish you. Tie him to the ceiling, Parus!" Standing up, Einstev walked towards Dani; yes, Dani was a bit taller but it did not stop the dwarf from intimidating him.

"Did I not make it clear? I do not take orders well; you do it instead," Parus answered. He too had stood up as if ready to leave.

Einstev gave Parus a look that begged him not. He eventually ran off to a lonesome chest below the altar. Dani shivered as he was facing Parus off. The latter held up his arm and said:

"Danielle, what is your wish?"

"What? Why should I tell you?"

"I am secretly a God, so I hope you confess," he responded with a light, forced chuckle. "or else I'd send you to pandemonium. You are familiar with Sebastian?"

A thud resounded in the church.

"I'm back!"

"Einstev, hand me the chains."

"Here."

Parus struck Dani with the metal chain. And of course, Dani yelled in pain.

"Be quiet, someone might hear!"

Dani Dubar died.