TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
===BREAK===
Over the next few days, Ignis could do nothing but wait for news. The overt investigation had mostly been taken over by the New Eridu Public Security, especially after Nicole and the others reported the skinning incident in the Companion Hollow. The case had since been classified as a major criminal investigation.
Phaethon and Rain kept trying to find clues from other angles, but there was no significant progress. Every transaction in Anton's bank account had been scrutinized—mostly normal gray-income flows, nothing particularly noteworthy.
They had clearly received a sum of money after Emile's abduction, but its whereabouts remained unknown.
All leads seemed to have evaporated. Qingyi had sent messages, trying to extract information from Emile's parents. His father, Fritz, remained obstinate, but his mother, Martha, had loosened her guard slightly; soon, she might be able to reveal something.
This was almost the only hope left.
Ignis sighed and refocused on the task at hand. The giant prepared his weapons for the inevitable battle—a handheld flamer.
His primary combat gear consisted of the Thunder Hammer and a self-made shield, leaving him severely lacking in ranged capability. He wanted to emulate the Catachan soldiers, fixing the shield to his arm while holding a ranged weapon in his left hand.
But none of his current weapons were suitable. The autocannon was too heavy for one-handed use, and the lever-action shotgun had been given to Cerakos—he hadn't had time to craft another.
Normally, Catachan soldiers would carry a grenade launcher, plasma, or shotgun as a secondary weapon, but all of these were difficult for Ignis to produce.
In theory, he could make a degraded version of a grenade weapon, but handing over the manufacturing process was problematic. First, he couldn't fully trust anyone in New Eridu. Second, most ranged weapons here were laser-based; the only propellant ammo available were rockets and missiles. While something similar to grenades was in production, retrofitting a proper production line would be extremely complicated.
The cost of grenades wasn't cheap either—high-strength explosives, suitable propellant, and compatible launchers all required custom manufacture.
Even Ignis doubted that anyone would be interested in such a weapon.
So, the only ranged weapons he could use were the two flamers removed from the power gauntlets. Their range was limited, but at least longer than the Thunder Hammer. With sufficient gas pressure in the tanks, they could spray flames for dozens of meters.
He modified them, adding triggers, making high-strength fuel and gas tanks, transforming them from armor-mounted systems into handheld flamers.
The trade-off was reduced combat duration due to the smaller tanks, but it was better than having no usable weapon at all.
With the last bolt tightened, the weapon was complete. The Salamander could already imagine using it to set the horrifying legion of Slaanesh aflame, incinerating the blasphemy-marked flesh.
The Emperor… how do I find it… I can't bear that wretched daemon still existing…
He whispered a prayer until his phone rang.
It was Markus with news: "Hey, got something you might be interested in. Saint Love Behavioral Correction School just bought weapons."
Although related to Fisher's disappearance, Ignis's mind was more focused on Emile.
"What, no longer interested in this?" the black-market arms dealer sounded disappointed. "They bought tons of heavy equipment in one go, even an autocannon system. Honestly, why would a school's security need this level of gear? These systems can't even be mounted on vehicles."
"I have other matters to worry about, friend," Ignis said, keeping his voice calm so the partner wouldn't sense his anxiety. "I appreciate the info, but please keep monitoring any human trafficking activity."
"I know about Emile Volt. The Lucenti family is asking around; the Janus Quarter branch has sent cooperation notices to other branches. Skinning isn't common, especially when it's done perfectly."
"If you learn anything about this boy, tell me immediately," Ignis said, hanging up to test his weapon in the yard.
"Actually… there might be something."
The black-market dealer's words instantly sharpened The Salamander's focus.
"What? What news?"
"One of my subordinates overheard them during a deal with Saint Love. Over the radio: 'Riot broke out, leader is Emile, important target, do not harm.' But are you sure this 'Emile' is the one you're looking for? The name's common."
"When did this happen?" Ignis asked urgently.
"Last night's transaction, just reported to me," Markus replied.
It was confirmed: Emile had been kidnapped by those connected to Slaanesh. But what about Saint Love? Was it affiliated with Slaanesh?
He recalled what he knew: the school had transported students into a Hollow while security had purchased far more arms than necessary, including fully automatic turrets.
The gear clearly served defensive purposes, and their comms mentioned a riot—likely to suppress it.
Wait—a riot? Who's rioting?
If the riot was inside the correctional school, it had to be the students sent in. What caused it then? The term "riot" implied severe conflict.
Ignis had a hypothesis to verify, quickly hanging up with Markus and dialing Von Lycaon.
"Lycaon, did any students leave the Hollow while being transferred to the new campus of Saint Love?"
Without waiting for greetings, he asked directly.
"According to our investigation, none of the students moved to better facilities have left. Even parental visits were refused for various reasons."
The Thiren voice sounded noisy, as if at a conference.
"Our investigation shows the students had no medical records, although the school claimed full medical equipment and staff. Drug acquisition was minimal, but surgical tools were frequently purchased."
"I'm attending a meeting with my master, will hang up now."
As the line disconnected, Ignis felt he had grasped something crucial.
Students were sent in en masse, but no information emerged, and no medical visits occurred. People get sick; even with internal facilities, why so few drugs?Surely, they wouldn't rely solely on surgery…
Wait—surgery doesn't have to be for treatment!
It could be for blood extraction… or organ removal!
A chill ran through Ignis.
Slaanesh's anesthetic factory had been destroyed, but supplies had recently resumed. Saint Love had been moving students into the Hollow's new campus—and none came out.
While underground human trafficking had grown, it required payment. These students were voluntarily sent.
Could this school be the main base of the Slaanesh legion I've been searching for?
A school, isolated, with adults holding absolute authority over those inside… what horrors could occur here?
Such a place would surely attract the Prince of Pleasure's attention: limitless power, controlled young bodies, unchecked authority, violence, fear… extreme indulgence would arise, creating humanity's most depraved excesses.
The timing even matched—the school's activity accelerated, even clashing with Vesmir and his team after the Vulkan Quarter narcotics plant was destroyed.
He felt everything connected.
After the destruction, the Slaanesh daemons needed a hidden processing site. Using the Hollow's "new campus" was convenient—it was hard to track, and easily explained.
The school could also provide fresh "material," even relatives sent them in willingly.
Those screenshots online! Vesmir had mentioned them. Ignis searched immediately.
Though only fragments remained, one piece of info matched. Saint Love recently disguised officers to remove children. New Eridu residents had no way to resist, especially teenagers. Their schooling had instilled obedience to authority.
These vile fiends were exploiting that fear.
This is standard Slaanesh methodology. They revel in manipulating emotions… these damned scoundrels.
Ignis felt his mind reel. The enemy had been close all along. Emile's kidnapping was premeditated, set in motion after the spell from the Slaanesh mutant.
The image of the wretched Slaanesh legion smirked in his mind—a half-male, half-female monstrosity, surely pleased with its schemes.
"Damn it!" he roared, trembling from the awful realization.
Markus mentioned the riot—led by Emile. The boy remained stubborn and brave, refusing to yield. The enemy forbade harming him, meaning Emile was of value to the Slaanesh legion.
Being valuable, he must remain alive—not used for that wretched anesthetic "Fantasy."
The Salamander knew daemons, especially Slaanesh, never showed mercy. They pursued extremes; living might signify something far worse…
Like being a sacrificial offering for a greater summoning.
The thought made Ignis catch his breath. If the Slaanesh legion had enough sacrifices, they would certainly use them.
Emile's life was spared for a reason—ashe had extraordinary value.
Art… creativity… Slaanesh worships the god of art. The legion was surely waiting to offer Emile to Slaanesh!
His vision darkened. The monster would use other sacrifices plus Emile's soul to please the Prince of Pleasure, opening a portal to the Immaterium in New Eridu.
Once the slaughter began, countless souls would fuel the portal.
New Eridu would face a full invasion from the Slaanesh legion.
The Salamander was nearly certain of this outcome. Every plot, every infiltration across society, was aimed at secretly completing the sacrifice.
Kidnapping Emile proved the plan was nearly complete. Otherwise, the daemon, cautious as it was, wouldn't provoke Ignis like this.
He might be the only person in New Eridu capable of stopping the invasion.
The daemon was declaring war, proudly showing its results to the Salamander.
He felt like he might collapse; the conclusion was unbearable.
"Boss! Boss!" Vesmir shouted outside, pounding the door. "Open up!"
Ignis went to the entrance, opening the door. The young man carried a girl over his shoulder. She was barefoot, one foot bleeding, barely conscious.
"She ran to my night market, asking specifically for you," Vesmir said, shifting her slightly. "Wake up—he's Ignis."
"Emile was right… it's you," the girl whispered weakly, lifting her head. "Wait… this…"
She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket; Ignis smelled blood.
He wanted to ask more, but the girl had already fallen unconscious.
===BREAK===
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