This chapter is sponsored by The Bitch in the Fantasy World Patrons:
• [Crusader] The orc warrior 261
• [Mercenary] Tafadzwa Kungwengwe
• [Crusader] uxel
I would also like to thank the donators for December 2025:
• [Crusader] uxel - $5
P.S. Please consider helping me reach my dream of earning $50 a month before 2025 ends to spend on Kling AI and energy drinks. Thank you so much for all of your love and support, and I wish all of you an advanced Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)
********************
********************
Novus 26, 3023 A.M., Day of Satur, 9:38 a.m.
Main Office Building, Inquisitory Division Headquarters, Holy City.
Ka-cha!
Vivian, who had returned to wearing her usual attire in white instead of black, entered a Meeting Room. Sitting at the long table was a white-haired Gold Cloak Priest in his late 30s, wearing a full mask but with a red-colored sun symbol on his forehead.
The Priest got up from his seat and waited.
Vivian's eyes turned to slits behind her full-mask as she made her way to him.
"I am Brother Jehos from the Fur'ia family, the leading Golden Family of the Judgment Faction. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Sister Inquisitor Monad, and may the God of Light watch over you always," the Priest said when Vivian finally reached him.
"May the God of Light watch over you as well."
Jehos gestured with his hand to one of the vacant chairs.
"Shall we take a seat?"
Vivian didn't say anything and simply sat down.
When Jehos sat down, he removed his mask and placed it on the table.
"If you don't mind, I'm not used to wearing this thing and I'm having a hard time breathing. And plus, I came here to establish a friendship, so I would like you to see my face," he said with a warm smile.
Vivian glanced at the Visitor Mask for a moment and then returned her gaze to Jehos's face. However, she continued staying silent.
"So I guess it's true that you're not much of a talker," Jehos said with the same warm smile.
"What exactly do you want?"
"First off, the entire Judgment Faction, especially the Fur'ia family, is pleased with what you did to the Duke family in the Iron Kingdom. I can assure you that you have our support in case they try to move against you."
Vivian didn't show any reaction.
"If you don't mind me asking, Sister Inquisitor, how much do you know about the Judgment Faction?"
"Just enough. Why?"
"As you may already know, the Fur'ia family is the third-oldest Golden Family. But what makes our family and the other Golden Families that are part of the Judgment Faction is that we believe we are the true followers of the God of Light.
"The Light Faction is too much of a centrist.
"The Lance Faction is too focused on gathering wealth.
"And the Shield Faction, only the God of Light knows where their loyalty lies.
"But us, the Judgment Faction, we believe that the entire world should be under the teachings and blessings of the God of Light. And for people like us who have the Light Affinity and are Priests or Priestesses, it's our duty to make sure that happens.
"Don't you agree, Sister Inquisitor?" Jehos said with a warm smile.
"Sure," Vivian said with a nonchalant tone.
"Excellent!" Jehos said with sparkling eyes. "As expected of someone blessed by the God of Light."
Vivian's mouth half-opened behind her mask and she subconsciously leaned back a bit.
I've read that the Judgment Faction are the most militant out of all of the Factions among the Priest Factions…
I also read that they were also the ones who were among the 'Purists' during The Light Wars era that happened back in 1400 A.M. and almost split the Holy Kingdom in half…
The ones with the Light Affinity call themselves as 'Purists'…
And they call the ones without the Light Affinity as 'Lightless'…
Naturally, that civil war has already long ended and it only lasted during the 13th Light Saint's reign…
But to see a Priest openly racist against humans is just weird…
Hold on…!
Did this guy just say 'As expected of someone blessed by the God of Light'…?
How did he know…?
His family has access to the Inquisitory Division's records…?
But as far as I know, the Inquisitory Division is closest to the Light Faction…
However…
This is a Golden Family…
And the Judgment Faction is led by the third oldest Gol--…
"Sister Inquisitor," Jehos said, interrupting Vivian's thoughts.
Vivian didn't say anything as she returned her attention towards him.
"Before I move on to the second topic I want to say to you, there's something I must admit in order for our conversation to progress.
"I will admit, my family has done our investigations about you. You're Sister Vivian from the Luxen Chapter Temple, aren't you?"
Before Vivian could say anything, Jehos continued.
"You don't have to confirm or deny it.
"But regardless of whether you are her or not, I believe that you'd be better off joining our Faction instead of the Light Faction, which are centrists or fence-sitters."
Vivian crossed her legs and folded her arms across her chest.
"Since you mentioned about what happened to the Iron Kingdom's Duke and his family, then this means you and your family are quite aware of my strength.
"And yet despite all that, you and your family still have the gall to not only try to investigate, but also tell it to my face.
"You do realize that investigating an Inquisitor is against the law, right? Or perhaps you, your family and your entire Faction believe you're above the law?"
"Tell me, BROTHER, I want to know the answer."
Jehos nodded with a calm and confident smile.
"As I already mentioned earlier, we are pleased with what you did to the Iron Kingdom's Duke and his family, and you have our support in case they try to move against you.
"And the reason why we investigated you is because we're in search of people like you who share the God of Light's true vision for this world."
Vivian raised an eyebrow behind her mask.
"Share the God of Light's true vision for this world?"
Jehos nodded.
"We believe that you're like us who believe that the whole world should be under the teachings and blessings of the God of Light.
"In the upcoming Light Saint elections, once the Judgment Faction's representative becomes the Light Saint, we plan to launch a Holy Crusade to the entire Southern Continent and then rule the entire continent under the teachings and blessings of the God of Light.
"And then once the entire continent is conquered, the rest of the world is next."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are only 4 Factions within the Temple of Priests, correct? Even if your representative becomes the Light Saint, what are you going to do if the other 3 Factions refuse?" Vivian asked.
Jehos raised his chin a bit with a confident smile.
"Even if they refused, they can't."
"What makes you say that?"
"The filthy abominations in the Southern Continent has a prophecy called the 'Prophecy of Ha'sof'.
"According to them, a great catastrophe will supposedly happen in the 3rd millennium of the new age, where two champions will emerge:
"The 'Champion of O'lam' who will supposedly represent the humans.
"And the 'Champion of Tohu'Vevohu' who will represent Chaos.
"These two champions are destined to fight each other to the death.
"If the Champion of O'lam wins, then the world will continue as it is.
"Meanwhile, if the Champion of Tohu'Vevohu, then this world will be ruled by the filthy abominations."
"You used to the world 'supposedly'. Why is that?" Vivian asked.
"It's simple: Because we don't believe in it. The forces of the Holy Kingdom alone are enough to defend this world against any threats.
"However, we have enough information to confirm that the filthy abominations in the Southern Continent believe in it that they've been making moves to search for the two champions.
"And according to them, the former Supreme Captain of Luxen Kingdom and turned traitor, Ronaldo G. Castlerock, is the Champion of O'lam."
"What about the Champion of Tohu'Vevohu?" Vivian asked.
"Based on the information that we've gathered, the identity is still unknown."
"I see."
"So what do you say? Interested in joining the Judgment Faction? I can assure you that you will be well-compensated."
"Assuming what you said is true, what difference would that make? Even if I stay at the Light Faction and a catastrophe happens, wouldn't we still all be sent to the battlefield?"
Jehos nodded.
"That's true. But the compensation you will receive will be far greater."
He held out his hand.
"Please don't misunderstand me.
"I'm not accusing you of someone who could be bought with coins, like the Lance Faction.
"I'm also not asking you to just risk your life for nothing, like the Light Faction.
"In the Judgment Faction, we believe in fair compensation. The person who contributes the most should be rewarded the most.
"Here's the problem with the Light Faction, or the way I, my family and the rest of the families in the Judgment Faction see it:
"The Light Faction are centrists.
"The benefits of being a centrist is that regardless of whichever side wins or loses, the centrist will survive.
"Meanwhile, the disadvantage of being a centrist is that regardless of whichever side wins or loses, they could never ever hold true power or advantage; they will always be in the middle -- not too weak, but also not too powerful.
"So if you join the Judgment Faction, I can guarantee you that you will be well-compensated or at least compensated according to your contributions to the Faction."
Vivian let out a smirk behind her mask.
If I wasn't planning to be a Light Saint, I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit tempting…
But since I'm planning to the a Light Saint, it's pointless…
After all, everything would be mine…
And no one can say no…
Anyone who says no will be killed…
Or be used in some fashion that's befitting for a heretic...
"I see. Is that all you have to say to me?"
A surprised expression flashed on Jehos's face for a split second.
"Yes."
***
4:38 p.m.
Luxen City, Luxen Kingdom.
Three people wearing black raincoats with a Copper II pendant around their necks were trudging through a rainy street.
The first person was a girl in her mid-teens with long pink hair carrying a sword inside a scabbard on her left hip.
The second person was a boy in his mid-teens with yellow hair carrying a poleaxe that was snapped into two.
And the third person was a boy in his mid-teens with red hair carrying two sacks -- one on his left hip and another on his right hip. He also had a huge backpack on his back.
It was none other than Felize, Torr and Gaze.
When the three teens reached the main entrance of the Adventurer's Guild building, they stopped and looked at each other.
Gaze untied the two sacks on his hips.
"Felize, Torr, you guys submit this to the Quest Counter. Give me your weapons, I have them repaired by Old Man Reily."
"We can do it ourselves," Felize said.
"Or we can all go there together after submitting these Quest Items," Torr said and then focused on Gaze. "You broke your dagger, right?"
It was very uncommon for all of them to have their weapons destroyed together. However, today was different.
Thanks to all the help that Vivian gave them before she left for the Holy Crusade, they were able to focus more on training and take on more dangerous Quests.
Instead of just hunting around the forests surrounding Luxen City, they delved in deeper, specifically at the Luminous Forest where the Luminous Ruins was located, and a monster called 'Peon' can be found.
The Peon was a humanoid-type monster that had both male and female genders, its skin color is green, the highest height it can reach is 4ft, it has a quarter of human intelligence, and it also has access to Physical and Magic Arts like humans.
And if Vivian were to describe them, they looked like a cross-combination of a goblin and a dwarf -- it had the appearance of a goblin, but the thickness of a dwarf.
There were many Peons in the Luminous Ruins. But there were also some Peons that would choose to venture outside of the ruins and venture in the forest called Luminous Forest.
And in the case of Felize, Torr and Gaze, they would never go to the Luminous Ruins because that's for Gold Rank Adventurers. But for the Luminous Forest, although it was a hunting ground for Silver Rank Adventurers, thanks to all the help that Vivian gave them, they don't have any problem slaying 1-2 Peons at a time, so they don't have any problem hunting there and have been hunting there for quite some time now. However, due to the rain, the three teens struggled a bit and almost died -- the rains disrupts their eyes, the ground can be slippery, it's cold, sound is muffled when rain is pouring, most of the tracks get destroyed when rain is pouring, and Felize couldn't use her [Lightning Arrow] because she might electrocute herself and her companions.
This was why their weapons got destroyed and they also had to use more items than usual.
"You know Old Man Reily, he's the best and the quickest Blacksmith. But once 5:30 comes, he won't accept any customer, no matter who you are, and we would have to wait until tomorrow," Gaze said.
Felize and Torr gave their broken weapons to Gaze. Meanwhile, Gaze gave the sacks to them.
"How about your backpack? Do you have to carry that huge thing with you? We can watch it for you," Torr said.
Gaze shook his head.
"Thanks, but this thing is light as a feather. And plus, there are too many important things here that I might need."
Since Gaze doesn't have any True Magic Art Affinities, he spent a lot of time training his Physical Arts, making him the person with the highest Physical Force in their group. He also dedicated himself as the supporter of the group -- tracker, navigator, encyclopedia, cook, etc.
Torr nodded.
"Okay. So we'll all meet here once we're done?"
Gaze nodded.
"Yes."
***
Market District, Luxen City.
Gaze was walking down the rainy street when he finally saw Old Man Reily's shop.
The shop was an old, small and run-down Blacksmith Shop, and there was a group of customers, mostly Adventurers from Copper II to Gold I, waiting outside the shop under the pouring rain because they could no longer fit inside the shop.
A small and wry smile appeared on Gaze's lips.
Looks like the Old Man is going to be in a bad mood today…
Hopefully, I'll be able to reach the quota before he closes the shop…
When it came to Copper, Silver and non-Magic Mithril-Grade weapon and armor repairs, Reily was the best and the quickest. If it would take 3 hours for a Blacksmith to repair a weapon or armor, it would only take Reily 1 hour, and that's without sacrificing the quality.
Naturally, many tried to ask him what his secret was, but he never shared it, leading some people to speculate that he had a Lore Magic.
"What?! The repair is 6 golds each?!" a Gold I Rank Adventurer in his mid-20s shouted inside the shop and in front of a counter.
Behind the counter was a burly half-white and half-black man with red hair in his early 30s.
"If you don't want it, then go to another shop."
The Gold I Rank Adventurer's face twitched.
"How is it even fucking 6 golds each?! Last time it was only 4 golds each and the damages were way worse!"
When it came to repairs:
• Copper was a minimum of 1 silver coin
• Silver was a minimum of 3 silver coins
• Non-Magic Mithril a minumum of 3 gold coins
In the case of Reily's shop, since he had quite the talent in repairing Copper, Silver and non-Magic Mithril-Grade weapons and armors, his prices were:
• Copper was 2 silver coins
• Silver was 4 silver coins
• Non-Magic Mithril was 4 gold coins
At least this was what his prices used to be.
"There's been an increase in the metal cost, so these are the new prices. Take it or leave it," the half-white and half-black man said.
"I have never heard of this increase with metal cost! When did this happen?! Explain --"
All of a sudden, a tall, muscular, pot-bellied and bald white man in his late 70s with a long beard came in behind a door located behind the counter.
It was Old Man Reily.
Reily focused at the Gold I Rank Adventurer and then pointed at him.
"You, get out of my shop. You and your group are forever banned from my shop."
The Adventurer was about to say something, but he immediately stopped when he felt the thick murderous intent coming out of Reily.
Reily used to be part of the Luxen Knights Chapter in his youth. Back then, he used to be part of the Temple of Warriors. But once he reached the Knight Lieutenant at the age of 30, he retired at 35 years old and then switched over to the Temple of Blacksmiths.
As a Commoner with 2 True Magic Arts, the highest Knight Rank he could reach was Captain. However, it involves a lot of politics and he got sick and tired of dealing with it.
To be specific, when it came to the Knight Captain Rank, whether you're a Noble or a Commoner, you must have 2 True Magic Arts and you also need political allies within your respective Knights Chapter.
Meanwhile, for the Knight Major Rank, whether you're a Noble or a Commoner, you must have 3 True Magic Arts. As for the politics, it wasn't as bad once the person reaches a Physical and Magic Force beyond Spirit Steel and have his/her name listed on the DG International Laws list, because that's real firepower, not political or economic power.
And for the Supreme Ranks (Supreme Commander, Supreme Major, Supreme Captain, Supreme Lieutenant, Supreme Sergeant), that's for the people with at least 4 True Magic Arts and it was a different level of political headache because now you had to play with Royalty and Aristocratic Nobles.
The Gold I Rank Adventurer quickly grabbed his broken items and then left the shop.
Reily turned over to the rest of the customers inside the shop.
"The prices in my shop have been increased due to the increase in metal prices. And if any of you don't like my new prices, you can get the fuck out of my shop."
All of the customers looked at each other for a moment and then 1/3 of them left the shop.
Seeing the newly available space from the customers who left, the remaining customers pushed in further, including Gaze.
"Excuse me," Gaze said to a Silver II Adventurer in his early 20s in front of him.
The Adventurer turned to him and then noticed the Copper II pendant around Gaze's neck.
"Do you know why the metal prices increased?
The Adventurer shook his head.
"I've only heard rumors. They said that a group of Necromancers took over several mines near the Marbleam Kingdom in Mount Blackmir, Blackmetal or something, and that the Holy Kingdom is trying to forcefully buy several companies owned by a very powerful Aristocratic Noble family in the Iron Kingdom."
"Do you know when the prices will return to normal?"
The Adventurer shrugged.
"How the fuck should I know? Do I look like some fat, rich and stuck-up Merchant to you?"
"Sorry."
********************
********************
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
By the way, I've posted this chapter at WebNovel, Royal Road, Patreon and Ko-Fi. However, the main is P-a-t-r-e-o-n (Immortal_Shades) because I want to post pictures and videos there without any restrictions.
https://www.patreon.com/Immortal_Shades
Don't worry, the chapters there are completely free. And if you want to donate because I have no talent in getting a Writing Contract, feel free to consider any of these titles:
• [Adventurer] - $2
• [Mercenary] - $3
• [Knight] - $4
• [Crusader] - $5
• [Lore God]
I also have my Ko-Fi account:
https://ko-fi.com/vivianlightstorm
This is for the people who have trouble accessing Patreon. Also, please take note that I plan to start with Chapter 333 at Ko-Fi because there's just too many chapters, photos and videos. It would take me around a week to post all of them there, and I'd rather spend that time and energy writing new chapters.
Thank you once again and I will see you at the next chapter :)