Fredo Village 

Septus 20, 3023 A.M., day of Westar, 11:01 a.m.

Two days passed and light rain fell from the sky.

The Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint's convoy was making its way in front of one of the gates of Fredo Village. The whole village was surrounded by a two-story wall with Knights and Guards patrolling.

The convoy stopped in front of the gate and Trevin, who was riding a Karfax, went over to talk to one of the Guards stationed at the gate. Once the Guard confirmed the convoy's papers, it resumed moving and entered the gate.

Vivian stared at the window.

It's a bit different…

Although the village's infrastructure had a medieval aesthetics, it looked like it was built for hot weather. There were many balconies and open-air taverns or shop where people could sit and chat if the weather was sunny.

Her brows knitted together.

Just like in Luxen City, most of the signs were shop signs featuring images rather than words. However, the words were written in the Marbleamean language.

Well…

I should've expected that…

I just hope that I the people here can speak Zonian…

She continued looking around through the window. Due to the light rain, there weren't that many people outside walking around. And the ones who were walking around were covered in cloaks so she couldn't properly assess their clothes. However, she could at least study their infrastructure.

This is a village, right…?

I didn't expect this village to be this large…

This looks more like a town than a village…

In her defense, the only town she visited was Brew Town and she thought that all towns were the same size as that.

A difference in economy…?

Or perhaps it's because the Holy Kingdom doesn't practice monarchy…?

Back in the Holy Kingdom and the Orion Kingdom, there was no "conventional" monarchy. The highest authority closest to a King or Emperor was the Light Saint. Below Light Saint were the Cardinals. And below the Cardinals were the Red and Gray Cloaks and some of the officers from the Holy Crusade.

Solely focusing on the the Red and Gray Cloaks, they have a hierarchy among them. The ones assigned in the city or Main Chapter Temples have the highest authority. Next to them are the ones assigned to town Branch Chapter Temples. And the lowest are the ones assigned in village Branch Chapter Temples.

And another "difference" that only the Holy Kingdom and Orion Kingdom practice compared to the other kingdoms is that Red and Gray Cloaks are elected through votes every 10 years. The reason why it's labeled as "difference" is because although Red and Gray Cloaks are elected through votes every 10 years along with some prerequisites, most of the candidates are from powerful Priest and Aristocratic Noble families who have intermarried one another in order to keep the talents, specifically the Magic Arts and Lore Magic, of their families. So to put it simply, it's still pretty much driven by nepotism despite the absence of the standard monarchy structure because everyone is related to one another, making it rare for a Priest or Priestess from an average Noble and commoner background to rise through the ranks and be promoted to a Red and Gray Cloak.

Now, when it comes to the Marbleam Kingdom, given that it's an independent kingdom, not a subsidiary kingdom, the Royal Family and Aristocratic Noble families have the highest political power here. The Temple of Priests, because of their [Greater Heal] and [Resurrection] Class Magic spells, was simply among the most influential organizations in the kingdom below the Royal Family and the Aristocratic Noble families.

Vivian continued staring through the window.

It looks rich enough I guess…

At least by medieval standards…

I just hope this village has the items I could buy…

I don't think I can stand another day traveling without taking a bath and using a proper toilet…

It's just so uncomfortable…

The convoy continued moving until it finally reached its destination which was in front of the headquarters of the Branch Chapter Temple building. There were two White Cloak Priests with tanned skin holding umbrellas and another extra on their hands waiting at the main entrance. One was in his mid-30s, while the other was in his late 20s.

The Branch Chapter Temple building in Fredo Village wasn't as grand as the ones Vivian saw back at Luxen City, especially in the Holy City. It also wasn't separated into two locations: the Temple of Priests building and the Temple of Priests compound. Instead, it was like the one she saw at Brew Town in Holy Kingdom where it was a single compound but larger.

The two Priests waiting at the main entrance approached the carriage with their umbrellas.

The door's carriage opened and Finley stepped out.

The Priest in his mid-30s shared his umbrella.

"Welcome to Fredo Village's Branch Chapter Temple, brother. May the God of Light watch over you," he said in Zonian and smiled.

Finley smiled and saluted.

"Thank you for welcoming us, brothers. May the God of Light watch over you as well," he said and then turned around to offer his hand.

Vivian reached out for his hand and then climbed down.

The eyes of the two Priests widened when they saw her.

Before Vivian's convoy arrived at one of the village's gates, they were already informed that a convoy carrying the banner of the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint was heading their way. However, they weren't informed that an Inquisitor was one of the guests.

The Priest in his mid-30s gave the extra umbrella in his hand to Finley and offered his own umbrella to Vivian.

"Please accept this umbrella, brother. Allow me to escort the Sister Inquisitor," he said and then turned to Vivian who held out her hand.

"It's fine, brother. It's only rain. Thank you for welcoming us in your Temple, brothers, and may the God of Light watch over all of you," she said and then made her way to the main entrance.

As for the Trevin and the Guards, only Trevin got down from his Karfax and flipped over the visor of his helmet to reveal his face. Unlike Vivian and Finley who were wearing their standard White Cloak, Trevin was wearing a full set of armor.

The other priest who was in his late 20s offered the extra umbrella on his hand.

"Knight Trevin, it's nice to see you again. Please accept this umbrella."

Trevin saluted.

"Likewise, Priest Isidro. Thank you for the offer, but I'm fine. Can you show us where the rest of our men can take shelter?"

"I'll lead them myself to the stables. You can join my brother and the Sister Inquisitor."

"You have my thanks," Trevin said and then quickly joined Vivian, Finley and the other Priest who already stepped inside the main entrance.

Once they were within the halls of the Temple of Priest building, Vivian introduced herself properly this time.

"I am Sister Inquisitor Monad," she said and then turned to Finley and Trevin who removed his helmet before returning her gaze to the Priest. "And these two are Brother Sergeant Finley and Knight Trevin. We're from the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sister Monad and Brother Finley. And it's also a pleasure to meet you again, Knight Trevin. I am Brother Frederico and I hope all of you had a safe and wonderful journey coming here despite the rain."

Frederico wasn't part of the Holy Crusade so he didn't have to address Vivian and Finley by their officer rank.

"Thank you, brother," said Vivian and Finley.

"It's nice to see you again, Priest Frederico," said Trevin.

"Please allow me to show you to your quarters while we continue our chat."

They all began walking.

Vivian swept her gaze around the main hall.

I've never been inside the Temple of Priest building at Brew Town…

But I'm assuming it looks like this… 

Although there were similarities to the Temple of Priests building at Luxen City, it was smaller.

Less people too…

Unlike the one at Luxen City, no customers or civilians were waiting in line in front of the counters.

There was only one information desk and four counters but only two Priests were waiting behind them and were White Cloaks.

"After you've freshened up inside your quarters, I'll have someone fetch you to meet the High Brother Basilio," said Frederico.

Before departing from the border checkpoint, Vivian already knew who were the Red and Gray Cloaks assigned in this Branch Chapter Temple.

The Red Cloaks were Basilio and Carlos. Meanwhile, the Gray Cloak was Hugo.

She was also aware that she had to meet with one of the Red Cloaks as part of protocol.

"I see. But just so you know, brother, we're only here to purchase some items. And if I can't find the items we need tomorrow, we're going to Estana Town the next day after that."

"I understand, sister. I'll inform the High Brothers about that."

"Sister Inquisitor," Finley said and gave her a meaningful look.

Vivian immediately understood what he was trying to say.

I almost forgot about that…

"One more thing, brother, we also encountered something strange about the monsters during our trip on the way here."

"Something strange?"

"Brother Sergeant Finley will share more details about it once we meet the High Brother Basilio."

"Of course."

They finally reached their quarters which were basically the guest rooms.

"Your belongings will be sent to your room soon. Someone will come to fetch you after an hour. Is there anything you want in the meantime?"

"Two bottles of wine, a cake and 2 large steaks," said Vivian. "And once I'm done with my meeting with the High Brother, I want a large feast inside my room. Something enough for 6 people."

Everyone was caught in surprise by Vivian's answer that they couldn't help but stare at her.

To be fair, Vivian hasn't showered for 2 days and has only eaten 5 normal meals in the last 2 days because she didn't want to do Lady Business No. 2 in the middle of the trip.

Frederico cleared his throat.

"Of course, Sister," he said and then turned to the others. "And how about you two?"

"I'm good, brother," said Finley.

"Same here," said Trevin.

"Okay, I'll be on my way. Please have a nice rest."

Frederico turned around and then left.

***

Inside an office within the Temple of Priests building.

A tan-skinned man with green and white hair and a white beard in his early 50s wearing a Red Cloak and an overall black clothing was sitting behind a desk reviewing some documents.

Knock.

Knock.

There was a knock on the door which was quickly followed by the sound of footsteps.

"Coming in," a woman with tanned skin and yellow hair in her late 30s wearing a White Cloak said in Marbleamean as she entered the office with a folder on her hand.

The man raised his head and stared at the woman without saying anything.

"Different document, same case," the woman said and placed the folder on top of the desk.

"Same person?"

"Most likely."

The man placed the documents on his hands on top of his table.

"I must say, she's quite persistent. Shouldn't we be concerned?" the woman added.

"No one would take her seriously even if they have the guts to use [Halo] on her because she has no proof and there's also upcoming her arranged engagement."

Knock.

Knock.

There was another knock on the door and they both turned to see who it was.

"I'm very sorry for interrupting, High Brother Basilio and Sister Milagros." 

"Oh, Brother Frederico, what brings you here?" Milagros asked.

Frederico ignored her and focused solely on Basilio.

"High Brother, an Inquisitor has arrived."

Milagros' lips curled up into a smile.

"So she really has done it. This is going to be interesting."

"I want everyone to stick with the Baron and local Knights Chapter's report," said Basilio. "Someone attacked a rogue settlement and only a Lesser Demon worshiper's corpse was found. As for the rest rogue settlers there, they were either eaten, killed or have fled to somewhere else during or after the battle. And since they're rogue settlers, there's no way for us to know who they are."

"High Brother, there's something else I want to tell you," Frederico said.

"What is it?"

"The Inquisitor is from the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint. She said that she only came here to do some shopping. And if she can't find the things here that she needs to purchase, she would go to Estana Town. However, she also mentioned that she and her group encountered something strange about the monsters on their way here. She didn't specifically say what it was but she plans to tell you once she's done freshening up."

Milagros raised an eyebrow and turned to Basilio.

"She didn't say anything about the demon who attacked a rogue settlement at the Mobius Mountains?" he asked.

Frederico shook his head.

"I didn't ask her or mention anything about it. However, she appears to be young, around her 20s."

"A young female Inquisitor? What's her name and appearance?"

"She calls herself Monad, brown hair that touches right above her shoulders and is around 5'4."

Basilio turned to Milagros.

She shrugged.

"Doesn't ring a bell."

Basilio leaned back in his seat.

"Regardless, remember to stick with the report and don't let your guard down. Young Inquisitors may lack the experience and are easily manipulated but they can be quite passionate because they're young."

"Yes, High Brother," Milagros and Basilio said.