《A Pinch of Sacrilege》Chapter 8
Advertisement
Following what Livia had said, the four met outside the staff cafeteria at midday. Medurio had not spent his time productively. For hours he sat in his room, going over the translated text again and again while he theorized what the concoction would do. The others were thankfully tamer than they had been in the morning. Siegfried and Artur were strangely acting friendly again while Scrulo was too busy studying a textbook for anything else.
Artur sat himself down next to Scrulo, “Any idea when the pretty lady will come?” He asked.
Disregarding the man’s bothersome comments, Medurio looked toward the cafeteria’s entrance. It was a pair of thick wooden doors, each with a pattern of four large squares. “She said midday,” he answered. “That covers quite some time.”
Artur turned so that he could lay his body down over half of the bench, to Scrulo’s discontent. “Wake me up when she gets here.”
Medurio looked at Siegfried, who stood about in an uninteresting way. “Best we find somewhere to wait as well. Training has left me exhausted.”
“I should have followed Scrulo’s example and brought a book, tired of waiting all day.”
“What are you carrying in your bag then?”
“Just the text, carrying a book as big as the one Scrulo has would strain my shoulders.”
“Huh, what’s the next ingredient anyway? We have a few more left ri-” Siegfried suddenly went silent as his eyes stared behind Medurio in shock.
Medurio’s skin crawled, but he turned around anyway. He too froze in place. Fear overflowed his body and poured out onto his whitening face.
Artur languidly rose from his rest, “what are you two gawking at?” He asked jokingly. “Is she comin-” He and Scrulo both went silent.
Walking directly towards them. Not near or around. Was a man in gray robes with black ends. An inquisitor. Medurio would not move, he could not. If he did it would only make him seem guiltier. So he stood there, heart racing, hands shaking, sweat rolling down his face. He stood there waiting for death to come to him.
The inquisitor made no particular effort to approach, as if mocking the fact that Medurio was out of options. The man walked slowly, head looking up towards the passing clouds. A natural smile on his face.
Advertisement
Medurio felt he had lost a few years of his life by the time the man reached them. His smile unnerved him. How could he be smiling in this situation? “Good to see you again,” the man said cheerily, causing the four to jump.
Medurio’s mind started to turn, unraveling the message which the man was trying to convey. Did he know someone here? Was one of his companions secretly an inquisitor? Then, he realized that the man was looking directly at Siegfried. “Hello Nadosta.” Siegfried said with a chuckle that was brought on by nervousness. “Good to see you again as well. Are you working right now?”
They simultaneously hoped that the answer would be no. “You’re quite the perceptive one!” It seemed they would remain tense forever. “Let me introduce myself to your friends before I go further.” He turned to face them and Medurio felt his soul begin to leave him. “I am an inquisitor of the Holy Order. Recently I received word that there was heresy about the academy. I’m here to make sure it does not affect you students.
“Heresy about?” Siegfried asked hoarsely. “Is there really?” If there were one time when Medurio would want Siegfried to shut up, it would be now.
The inquisitor hummed disappointedly, “I was given word that restricted texts were being stolen.”
Medurio was having trouble breathing now. It was obvious he knew, why else would he appear before them? But why had he not acted? They were unarmed and much less competent at fighting then he was, with the exception of the already exhausted Siegfried. So perhaps this meant that he didn’t know. Or maybe he did and was drawing a confession? Either way, this was Medurio’s last chance at action. He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry sir.” He spoke confidently. “But I have not heard of anything of the sort occurring.”
The inquisitor slowly nodded his head and looked at the others. “Have any of you heard or seen anything that could prove helpful?” They all shook their heads. The inquisitor sighed, “Alright, thank you anyways. If you hear anything, report it to the head of the administrative office. That’s where I’ll be.” He waved them goodbye and turned around, heading towards the left side of the building where the office was.
Advertisement
The four of them watched the man go and spoke not a word until he was out of sight. They began to exhale and flittered like leaves in the wind. No longer able to bear the pressure of his shaking legs, Medurio sat where he stood.
As if on queue, Livia appeared. She had a frown on her face and looked curiously between the four exhausted men. “Ah, my lady,” Artur said with a slight bow, appearing unfazed. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, I am Artur.”
To Artur’s misfortune, Livia disregarded him and headed straight for Medurio. He was still sitting on the ground and obviously unnerved. “Who was that?” She asked with worry.
“Inquisitor.” Medurio answered breathlessly.
Livia’s head quickly darted around, “But, why would he be interested in you four?”
“He was conducting an investigation. Wanted to ask questions.”
“You’re shaking. What happened?” Medurio did not answer and Livia’s frown grew deeper.
Siegfried approached, wiping sweat from his brow. “No need to concern yourself my lady, we ran on our way here and he overexerted himself.”
“That’s right,” Scrulo added. “He seemed quite insistent on competing with our friend Sieg here.”
“If that was the case,” she said harshly. “Then how come he was not sitting when the inquisitor confronted him? Should have started resting as soon as he stopped running?”
The two liar’s silently thought of ways to retort the insight. “My lady,” Artur said softly. “It would have simply tainted his honor to show weakness to a man of such standing.”
Livia harrumphed and glared at them. “You three are equally awful liars.”
“But my lad-” Siegfried muttered before being interrupted.
“I’ve heard quite enough.” Livia said forcefully. She crouched down next to Medurio, “I may not know him too well but I do just enough to know that honor is his most lacking quality.” She looked at him for a moment, expecting a retort. Medurio was too busy staring at the floor.
“I do this for my own safety,” Livia continued. “If giving this sugar to you could lead to my harm in any way, tell me for goodness sake.” The four men were silent for a moment, as Livia looked to each of them for an answer.
“It won’t.” Medurio told her.
“And why is that?” She asked defensively.
“Didn’t you say that you saw it? The Inquisitor walked away, therefore we are not in danger.”
Livia shook her head, “What are you really up to Medurio?”
“Nothing of concern.”
“I am quite concerned though.”
Livia stared at him as he gently stirred his finger around the stone path. “I am doing a thing which would do more harm to myself than to others,” He admitted solemnly. “I do it out of my volition, because my mind would regret it if I were to stop.”
The other three men were horrified at his potentially incriminating response. Livia’s frown did not change and Medurio continued to stare at the ground. Reaching into her pocket, Livia grabbed a tiny pouch of sugar and laid it beside him. “I have a favor to ask in return.” She said, believing that she saw some regret in him. “Let me help you.”
Medurio grunted in approval. He did not know why, either he was too tired or wanted to be left alone. He did not care anymore, larger problems had made little worries feel even smaller.
Livia expected a different outcome, “Could I explain myself first?”
Again, Medurio grunted approvingly.
She cleared her throat. “The God of Justice once told our ancestors that those who realize their faults are not far from salvation. I don’t know what your problem is but I wish to help you. I was hoping that you, Medurio, can realize what you were doing wrong and that I could help you realize that. Perhaps I can even stop you from putting yourself in another dangerous situation if it comes to it.”
Medurio grunted, Livia could only hope that he was listening. Slowly, she nodded her head and stood up.
“My lady.” Siegfried piped up raspily. “I know you want to help this man, but trust me, he is far from saving. If it had come to it… He would have stolen that sugar without a second thought.”
Livia glared angrily at him, but Siegfried’s smirk did not leave his face. Finally, his rival had been shown what his foolish acts bore.
Advertisement
Daughter of Yser
Toria Yser was born to be a monarch, regal and noble blood flowed through her veins, but an act of treachery snatched her from the line of succession. Determined to regain her position and enact revenge on those who opposed her, Toria follows her dark and mysterious aunt to discover the advantages of being on the side of "evil." [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 114Otaku Girl
Imagine a world where you can live the life of your favorite fictional characters. Where you can become a real comic book superhero, anime protagonist, video game badass, and other great characters of fiction. Where you can gain actual superpowers, live in a fantastical world filled with villains and adventures, and have fun battling it out with other fellow geeks. In the virtual reality world known as the Escapist Dream, all of this can be possible for a price – once you get in, you can never get out. A Japanese otaku and an American geek would become trapped inside, and forced to fight for survival against computer viruses and other crazed players that had taken over the virtual reality world. Would their new-found powers and teamwork be enough? For what they didn't know, behind this malfunctioning virtual reality world, hides an even darker evil. One who is all-powerful, sadistic, and possibly eldritch...
8 176God Amoung - A ZCorp Story
In the Almost Dystopian world of 2050, where capitalism takes over North America, Extradimensional and extraterrestrial invasions are almost a regular occurrence. Lived a newly-wed Khalif Hendrawan. He is married to Sinnon Hendrawan, a beautiful and faithful woman. However, his peaceful newly-wed life is going to an abrupt end, as when he invites his friends to come over to his house to celebrate his wedding, a multi-trillion dollar company bombs his expensive house! Turns out, his friends are top-ranking executives in an organization called the ZCorp organization, that works to protect Humanity from threats across the world and the solar system. so, with his house and his future destroyed, he decides to join the ZCorp organization as an agent to help his friends in protecting Humanity, and taking revenge on the company that bombed his house. note: this is pretty much my first story, this story is inspired by a 3 part gacha life video our friend made years ago. It has many of our inside jokes and broken humor. name's are altered of course. This story also serves the purpose of exercising my writing skills, for The Exiles Returns. Anyways, enjoy!
8 76Eternia Rising : Lost
Having reached his one hundredth birthday, Darian Brown, wheelchair bound and in great pain, emigrates to New Eden, A digital world where youth and health is restored, a place of luxury and leisure. Darian expects to go to a new Eath, where he can relax and enjoy his retirement with a life of ease. But something goes wrong, and Darian’s transference is hijacked by a rogue artificial intelligences attempt to escape its imprisonment and he ends up abandoned, alone in the cursed lands of a virtual reality world called Eternia, a game world created for the entertainment of the residents of New Eden. Now he is stuck there, lost and must find a way to get to New Eden, and is totally clueless about how to play games, having never played one. Oh, and he is also tasked with finding a way to destroy the rogue AI for good, or it will escape and destroy the real world
8 94Road to Calamity
Life is not easy for a child in the Districts of Rhea where the worthless, a class of people considered to be beneath even slaves, try to live their life. Between the petty crimes and the mass beatings administrated by the cult of Order to keep the masses subdued, surviving is all one can do and nobody has time or money to spare for a starving girl. So when Nina is thrown out of the brothel in which her mother works by its displeased owner, she quickly comes to understand that simple truth: she's alone and no one will help her. And so, as hunger and necessity come knocking, she takes her first step on her road to Calamity. Cover image does not belong to me and I have no clue who made it, here is the source where I found it. One of these days I'll commision a more appropriate one but it's quite fine for now.
8 105Stress Relief (Grizz x Nom Nom)
As soon as Nom Nom returns from vacation he is bombarded with his fans left waiting. With the risks of his stress getting out of hand he no choice but to stay with Grizz off the grid in the forrest. While there he comes to realize things not only about himself but about others who he might come to care about.
8 59