"So...how are you planning to do this?" asked Queritch as Maximilian and him were fastly approaching the inquisition headquarters.

"You do realise there are still Inquisitors, guards and Paladins in there, right?" questioned the old inquisitor, starting to have doubts about all this.

"True, give me five minutes, then follow me, I should be done by then..."

"What?"

.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

In the upper salon, Lady Planter's flowers were positioned around the strange teleportation device Maximilian had installed, weapon in hand and ready to act if needed.

Between them and the platform, a circle of branches was on the ground, ready to be animated by Fleur by a simple thought.

"What do you think, Buttercup?" asked Poppy as she dubiously looked at the strange thing for the thousandth time.

"I don't know, Poppy. This thing doesn't seem dangerous as it is, but that man said it was a teleportation device, so..."

"But it can't be, right? No one can create that sort of thing, it's simply unheard of! What do you think you two?"

The question was asked to the twins, two elves young ladies with short blond hair and long ears, the two equipped with a mage staff. Without a word, they nodded at each other and pointed at the platform, a circle of magic appearing around them. It lasted a minute or two, then stopped, the two frowning.

"No good..." said the first one.

"...Can't pass the barrier." said the second one.

"What do you mean? You two are freaking mages level twenty-five! Can't you at least tell us something about that?" pleaded Poppy.

"Yes..."

"...Can tell a thing."

"So? What is it?"

"This...."

"...Teleportation point."

The two elves nodded, apparently thinking their indication was a great step further, Poppy sighed loudly as the dwarf lady laughed out loud.

"Those two never change!" laughed the small lady.

"You don't help me much, Lavender!" growled Poppy.

Lady Lavander was the perfect example that beauty doesn't care about the size. This dwarf lady had long brown hair, braided, going so low it was almost touching the ground and blue eyes, with a face that could have made noblewomen jealous. As a dwarf, she, of course, wasn't tall, one metre high at most, not thin but not fat either, she was strong looking but managed to be feminine nonetheless, the feminity well shown by her purple dress enhancing her well-proportioned chest, and a seductive waist hidden by a silver-coloured long skirt made of numerous belt wrapped together.

"It wasn't my intention. You heard the man, he will contact the Queen before anyone comes through there. All we have to do is wait here to be sure the ones coming won't do anything stupid." stated the pretty dwarf.

"And that's all you need?! Some stranger comes, cast a spell to make this appear and gives orders like he owns the place, then disappear to go Goddess knows where, and you are okay with that!? Honestly?" scolded the red dressed beauty.

The dwarf lady combed her hair back a bit with her free hand, the other making her axe turning a bit.

"You want me to be honest? Alright, this man excites me." declared the dwarf lady with a ferocious smile.

Lady Poppy gasped as she took a step back, her shocked face partially hidden behind her fan.

"Oh please! Don't play your goody-two-shoes with me! You were there, you were all there when that man literally mastered us. He was bound, I tried to split his head in two and he stopped me with one hand! One hand! Then you attacked, turning on yourself and we all know how fast you are when you begin to spin, but he stopped you like it was nothing...by the ancestors, we were nothing compared to him, he made us all fall at his feet by his will! His simple will was all it took for us all to fall unconscious...so yes, Poppy! You may hide behind your fan and play the offended all you want, but I sure as hell am not gonna lie to myself. I am a proud dwarf lady, and that human, I sure would like a taste of him!" declared Lady Lavander.

"How unsightly...to see one of us, one of the rarest flowers, longing for a man..." said Poppy, horrified.

"Oh but don't worry, this little heart of mine hasn't fallen in desperation yet, what I desire isn't his heart, but something located a bit lower." retorted the dwarf with an 'if you know what I mean' look on her face.

"STOP! Not another word, I don't think I can hear it..." desperately begged Poppy, looking away.

Lady Buttercup chuckled as she talked to Lady Borage.

"It's true that Poppy isn't thrilled of men..."

"True it is, our dear red flower is fonder of feminine beauty." confirmed Lady Borage with a nod.

"What? You two would side with her?" asked Poppy as she turned to face the drow and the birdkin.

Lady Buttercup shrugged.

"I have to admit he isn't bad looking, so...why not."

"And you know we birdkins are very receptive to little gifts..." stated Borage as she was playing a bit with the precious necklace around her neck.

"By the Goddess...and you two?" desperately asked Poppy as she turned to face the elves twins.

The two looked at each other.

"Not caring about sex..."

"...But care about magic..."

"...Man has strange magic..."

"...Impressive..."

"...Powerful..."

"...Interesting." concluded the two together.

Poppy sighed.

"I'm surrounded by flowering maidens...Rafflesia, what about you?"

This time, the human lady was addressing a tall orc, at least two metres high, with a muscular body without a tiny bit of excessive flesh, except maybe in the chest area, a bit more furnished than the rest. The strangest thing about her, except for her rust-coloured skin and black eyes, was the charming face she had on that body visibly made for fighting. Her mouth, a see-through white silk before it, was letting out her lower canine, giving her a more savage look, but the rest was just beautiful. Her hair were black, all attached in tiny braid going until her shoulders. Her dress consisted of a two-piece oriental dancer dress, covering little apart from her private parts and chest, coloured in white with golden and silver clasps attached to long pieces of see-through material, doing nothing to hide her body, but doing much to satisfy the ones looking. She was bare-feet, her ankles and wrists decorated with silver and golden bracelets. The rest of her body was decorated with tribal tattoos.

On her side was a big scimitar, the curved blade half as tall as her.

"What 'about me'?"

"What do you think about that man?"

"I'm an orc, sweety. You want to know how I feel? I want to fight this man, no magic, no little trick, just him and I, blade against blade, and see who would win. That's how we, strong orc women, choose a good one to lay with."

"So you're trying to tell me you've never..." tried Poppy.

"I'm a dancer, not a whore. Men know better than to approach me without resolve." proudly stated Rafflesia.

"Somehow, I figured her answer would be something like that..." said Buttercup to Borage who nodded.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

"You are still mad at me, aren't you?"

The queen was alone with her daughters in the room Lady Planter had given them. Kitsu had been excused so she could discuss important matters with her old friend. Thanks to Fleur's magic, they knew the royal family would be safe for now.

Arima was sleeping, her head resting on her mother's leg while the queen was sitting on the bed. She was talking to her oldest daughter who had her back turned to her, her arms crossed.

"Of course I am!" answered the princess, low enough to not wake her little sister up. "You chased me away! And when you finally show yourself, you have the nerve to criticise the way I do things? Please, enlight me on why I shouldn't be mad?"

"Katerina...you were playing cards with strangers while being lightly dressed..."

"All my body was covered, Mother."

"But someone could have recognised you." insisted the queen.

"Bah! I wonder how they could have, I have been living like a recluse bird in a cage all my life, I can count on a single hand the peoples really knowing me, and I don't think this is the place I risk seeing one of them."

"But you are a Princess, Katerina, peoples know your face! Even if they don't know you like I do, they can still recognise my daughter."

"And that's why I've been covering my face, why I had to cut those long hair of mine! What? Did you think it was only a phase? Some kind of little idea passing through this silly head? No, Mother, I did all this to be able to act, to be able to do something, anything...anything was better than being locked in another golden cage."

"Katerina..."

Slowly moving Arima's head on the bed, the queen stood up to come behind her oldest daughter.

"Never once have I wished for us two to be separated..."

"You chased me away..."

"We were listened to, Katerina, surrounded by spies of the Cardinal, I had no choices. This little act of mine, this fight between us, all this was nothing more than a way to mislead our enemies...I...I couldn't let you stay near me."

Katerina turned around, anger in her teary eyes.

"Why?! Did you have so many allies that I wasn't needed? Or was I just a bother?"

The queen put a hand on her daughter's cheek, using her thumb to wipe away her tear.

"You, your sister and brother are the most precious things I have. I wouldn't mind losing the throne, or give my life away if it meant you three would be fine. To protect you, I had to send you away, I had to make everyone believe we were fighting and that you had left the kingdom, only to hide you so near no one would suspect it."

"But...why me? What about Arima? What...what about Alberic?"

"It was too late for your brother already, the Inquisition was taking him away. All I managed to do was to make sure he would be locked in the castle and not at the Inquisition headquarters, where he would certainly have been tortured to confess anything. Arima..."

Alexandria looked at her younger daughter, peacefully sleeping on the comfortable bed.

"...is still so young...too young for all this. She tries to be strong, you know this as much as I do, but she is only a ten-year-old child. It was only when I was sure that she would be safe with her guardians that I managed to let her go...frankly, I thought she would be gone for much longer than that. Can you imagine my surprise when she came back? And with the coat of arms too."

Katerine stopped her mother.

"Wait...Arima managed to find the coat of arms? Really?"

"Indeed, even if I don't know where it is now, but she brought it back."

"But...how? I thought this thing was hidden in the deepest part of a dungeon, guarded by a dragon?"

"It was..."

Katerine was going to ask more, but seemed to remember what they were talking about earlier.

"You did it again..."

"What, Dear?"

"You made us change the subject without me realising it...you have always been so good at that, Mother...Do you want to know the truth? I am not mad that you sent me away. I am sad, sad that my own Mother would not trust me enough to be at her side in this moment of need. Am I not your blood? Your flesh? Am I not worthy of your trust?!" desperately asked Katerina as her hands came to her chest, gripping her heart.

She was stopped in her painful pleading by her mother holding her in her arms, the eyes of the queen as teary as her daughter's.

"No one in this world is more worthy of my trust than you are! I'm sorry, so sorry to have hurt you, Katerina. Even though I had to, I still regret to have done it. But I heard you, my Daughter, from now on we will be side by side to face what will happen...if you're still willing to help this silly mother of yours, that is."

Katerina laughed a bit as she sniffled.

"You already know nothing could make me happier than stand at your side."

"I love you, Katerina."

"Me too, Mother."

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Inside the inquisition headquarters, things were a lot calmer now that the majority of the Cardinal's forces were at the castle and on the street, actively looking for Queen Alexandria and her followers.

Guarding the main hall was a mere dozen guards, without any inquisitor or paladin.

"Sir...what are we doing here?" asked a guard.

"We guard the holy inquisition headquarters to be sure no heretics nor traitors will try to go in while the main force is away." explained the guard leader.

"But...what if the demon comes back?" worriedly asked the guard, seconded by his comrades.

"Don't be foolish, guards! Every Paladin and Inquisitor are searching the city, he must be hiding in fear somewhere, for all we know he could very well be already d..."

"WHAT'S UP, BITCHES?! REMEMBER ME?!" roared Maximilian as he let two gigantic columns of flames appeared in his hands.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Outside the inquisition headquarters, Queritch was counting every second with apprehension.

*Who knows a simple hood on his face could change his look so much...and what's with those eyes?*

He heard the man roared, followed by several screams of terror before a dozen guards fled from the headquarters, dropping their shields and weapon on the way to run faster.

*What the hell happened in there?*

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

"You did what?" asked the old inquisitor once again, not believing his ears.

"I scared them away, told you it wouldn't take long."

You do realise they are going to come back with reinforcements, right?"

"We will be gone already when this happens...and it's only IF they come back. Did you see them? Not exactly the finest guards there is..."

"True...okay, it's best we don't waste time, follow me."

They quickly moved forward in the empty hall of the building, not meeting anyone on the way. Finally reaching the cells, another one than where Lin-Lin was locked, they came across a guard, fat, ugly, lying against the door he was supposed to guard.

"You know the guy?" asked Maximilian.

"Yeah, as charming inside as he is outside. The kind that enjoys looking at interrogations, when he isn't gladly helping." explained the old inquisitor.

"Perfect." simply answered Maximilian.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Nilem, chained to the wall like the three or four dozen other peoples in the room, was having a hard time not crying.

For once in her life, for once! She had been lucky. She was healed, she could breathe freely! But then, almost as if her being happy was a crime against the sky, she had to be locked in this dark and damp cell, with other children whose crime had been to be helped by an enemy of the Cardinal, a man who had attacked the inquisition to save someone precious to him.

*I would have done the same for Milne...if I had the strength, if I could set myself free from those chains...*

"How are you doing, Sister?"

The Paladins and Inquisitors had been shorn from their equipment, be it armour or weapon, just like the guards. The adults, as well as the trainees, had all been locked with the Sisters and the priest, all accused of working with a demon, all beaten up for it. The Sisters and the priest, not used to rough treatment like they had to endure those last days, were even more in bad shape than the others, the chains around them feeling heavy on their feeble bodies.

The one the paladin was talking to managed to smile lightly.

"I'm still living, Paladin...praised be Carendar, we all still live...although I'm afraid it won't last for long..."

The paladin, the one leading the adults in the room shouted at the door, like he had done so many times already without any results over than the laugh of the one guarding the door, the man visibly enjoying the plead for help.

"FOR GOD'S SAKE! AT LEAST LET THE CHILDREN GO!!! THEY ARE INNOCENT, DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

A slight change occurred that time, making Nilem lifting her head a bit as the guard didn't answer.Was he bored? Was he gone? He couldn't be thinking about what the Paladin had asked, could he?

Then, the cell door opened, everyone turning their head to look at who was entering.

"Greetings everyone!" said Maximilian as he stepped in, his shining eyes under the hood recognisable by everyone.

"The demon" whispered one of the trainees.

"He's going to kill us all!" said another one.

Maximilian lifted a hand, making any murmur stop immediately.

"Let's be clear on one thing, I am not a demon."

Pulling down his hood, Maximilian revealed his face as his eyes retrieved their natural colour.

"You...are human?" asked the Paladin, clearly not believing what he was seeing.

"Yep, but a human who doesn't like when his close ones are taken away and tortured by the Cardinal's private army..."

"What are you doing here? Did you come to finish what you began?"

"In a certain way, yes. Bring him in." asked Maximilian to the one waiting outside.

In stepped the fat guard, threatened by the old inquisitor who kicked him, making the fat guard fall on the ground.

"Father?" asked the paladin, understanding lesser and lesser what was happening.

"Gramps?" asked a trainee near the paladin almost at the same time.

"Good to see you two are doing fine." said the old man with a satisfied smile looking a lot like a smirk on his used face.

"Like a lot of you certainly know, this man is the Inquisitor Queritch. He informed me about your situation and, after thinking about it with some friends of mine, we decided to do something about it. We don't have a lot of time, so please be silent and hear me out."

Maximilian explained the general idea of what was happening, seconded by the old Inquisitor who helped him, making sure none of the adults was interrupting him, the old man authority great enough to make them shut up.

"So, there you have it. The Cardinal is treating anyone not following his...how to say this...his 'special' idea of pure kingdom as heretics and traitors, he has chased away the rest of the royal family while he his basically holding the King hostage."

"And? What do you want of us? I'm sure you haven't come here just to tell us the news..." said the paladin.

"Indeed. If we don't stop the Cardinal know, the kingdom will soon fall into darkness, the very thing the Inquisition has sworn to fight against."

"But the Cardinal is the incarnation of Carendar's will, how could he be wrong?" asked a trainee, others around him nodding their agreement.

"If the Cardinal is so pure...what are you all doing here?"

A silence fell in the room.

"He clearly has enough power to know none of you has been cursed, so why are you all locked away like traitors? It's because you are a problem for him. If peoples were to know that the Cardinal ordered the capture and torture of beastkin, of innocent peoples only asking too much information, peoples would start to ask questions, and he doesn't want that. For him, you all are more useful here, alive but like hostages. He uses you all to turn people against his enemies. Now that I think about it, Nilem? Is Nilem here?"

Hearing the girl's name, several heads turned to look at her.

"I am here..." feebly answered the young girl, wondering what Maximilian could want of her.

"Once we're done here, if it's possible, I'll need you to go see Milne."

"Sis? Sis his alive?" asked the trainee, mentioning her sister's name giving her some energy back.

"Only by luck, but yes, she is. You can thank me for that, though, your dear Cardinal had cursed her."

Maximilian's words were received with obfuscated murmur of those not believing him.

"What? Not believing me? See for yourself..."

Maximilian made a water mirror appear, big enough for everyone to see it.

"By a spell, I can make this mirror reflect my memories." explained Maximilian. "Some of you know Inquisitor Milne, look at this and tell me if she looks anything like her usual self..."

Focussing a bit on the water mirror, Maximilian replayed his memory of his fight against Milne. By a bit of manipulation of his memory, he made the curse more visible, making sure no one couldn't notice the difference.

Once done, he made the mirror disappeared.

"Is...is she alright?" worriedly asked Nilem.

"She was unconscious when I left, but I'm sure seeing you will help her retrieve her senses. By using holy magic, we managed to purify her, but only because we acted quickly. What I want you all to understand is that Milne was only the first one, if nothing is done, the Cardinal will soon create more like her, and he will use your loved ones for that."

"Our families? Why?" asked an inquisitor.

"Because, who do you think the Cardinal will blame for your death when you'll be gone?" simply asked Maximilian in return.

"But...the Cardinal is..."

"The Cardinal is nothing more than a power-hungry bastard." interrupted Queritch, stepping next to Maximilian.

"This man is responsible for the death of the old Cardinal, he is the reason why today's Inquisition is looking more like an army of doom more than a protector of the people, you all here know the truth now and, believe us or not, you are a bother for his plans, and he doesn't like to be bothered, us white Inquisitors and Paladins know it more than well."

"White Inquisitor? There are no white Inquisitor anymore." stated a trainee.

"Oh yeah? And what's this, young fool?" asked Queritch as he pulled out his white shield, a symbol of his true identity.

Once again, a long silence fell on the room.

"So? What do you want from us?" finally asked the paladin.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Still no sign of it, your Holyness"

An inquisitor was currently reporting to the Cardinal, busy using his staff on weapons and armours of the inquisition.

"Then continue! It must be here, the Queen didn't have it on her when she fled."

"With all due respect, why do you need this coat of arms, your Holyness?" asked the inquisitor.

"Why?" repeated the Cardinal as he stopped what he was doing with the weapon.

From both sides of the inquisitor came black armoured Paladins, lifting the man off the ground by the arms, blocking his movement.

"That kind of word isn't needed in a true believer's mouth, Inquisitor..." said the Cardinal as he turned, pointing at the man with his staff.

A scream echoed in the castle as a dark light could be seen for a second.

The inquisitor fell on his knees, breathing slowly.

"Another thing to say, Inquisitor?"

"No...your Holyness, my eyes are now open."

"In that case, go and find me that coat of arms!"

The inquisitor bowed to the fat man.

"Your orders are absolute, your Holyness."

.........................................................................................................................................................................................

"You want us to fight the Inquisition? But we ARE the Inquisition!" stated the paladin, not really understanding what Maximilian was asking.

"No...what I want is for you to fight the Cardinal and his madness, the Inquisition will be rebuilt after everything is over."

"...Even if we accept, how can you be sure we won't betray you? You attacked us before after all."

"That is a good question. I could take the time to examine each one of you, question you one after the others to hear you justified yourself, but I do not have the time nor the patience to do so. So, here is what's going to happen..."

Maximilian snapped his fingers, making a small bright red seed appeared.

"I won't set everyone free like that, I'm not generous enough to do so. Those of you who wants to have those chains taken off will need to pass a test."

"A test? A test of what?" wondered the paladin out loud.

"A test of truth. If you chose to side with us, swallow this seed, then I will ask you a simple question: Are you going to fight with us against the Cardinal?"

"We could lie..." honestly admitted the paladin.

"You could, but I suggest you don't. If you were to lie at the first question I ask you, then...well, I guess an example is worthy a thousand words..."

Maximilian lifted the guard by the neck.

"Here is a man who, I was told, enjoy a lot seeing others suffering."

"LET ME GO YOU SON OF A B..."

As the fat man was vociferating, Maximilian force the seed in his mouth, making him swallow.

"What is that? What did you make me eat?!"

" A little something to help you be honest with us. Are you going to fight with us against the Cardinal?"

The fat man spat on the ground.

"Of course I am! And after we're done you'll all s...!!!"

The man stopped talking, out of breath. Suddenly, he started to cough, once, twice, some black smoke exiting his body by his mouth and nose.His skin dried in a few seconds before starting to crack and, exactly one minute after his lie, his body turned to dust.

"'This' is what awaits those trying to lie..." simply stated Maximilian.

"You...you killed him?!" said one of the sisters, obfuscated.

"Of course...like he would have gladly done with all of you here. Now let me be clear, I won't force any of you."

Maximilian made a wide gesture, making seeds appear before each one of them.

"You have five minutes, after that the seeds will consume themselves and will turn to dust. Those of you willing to pass the test, swallow one, the others, simply don't. Those who aren't willing to follow us, I assure you no harm will be done to you, we will simply go and leave you here."

"You would let us be? Just like that?" dubiously asked the paladin.

"Sure, why not? I'm not the Cardinal, why killing you when you clearly aren't a threat? Naturally, I cannot promise you the Cardinal will be as generous as me when he learns some of you have escaped."

"But he wouldn't..."

"Wouldn't do what? Lock children in a cell with barely enough to eat and drink? You do realise this man is trying to take over the kingdom, right? He has already killed, tortured and cursed several people, do you really think your case would be different?" stated Maximilian.

"..." a silence answered him, the people in the cell clearly having doubts about their leader.

"If..." Nilem voice broke the silence, everyone looking at her.

"If I pass your test...will I be able to see my sister again?"

Maximilian nodded with a kind smile.

"Once we're done here, I'll send you right where she is."

Nilem thought for a second, then swallowed the seed before her.

"Good choice." happily said Maximilian as her broke her chains with a single hand gesture.

Helped a bit by the old Inquisitor, Nilem came before Maximilian.

"Are you going to fight with us against the Cardinal?"

"...Yes!" answered Nilem in a single breath, closing her eyes as she waited for her upcoming death.

She opened her eyes wide when she felt a wave of energy coming from inside her, giving her back her strength, her vitality.Looking at her hands, not believing how good she felt, the young trainee was curious.

"What happened?"

Putting a hand on her shoulder, Maximilian smiled.

"We are allies now, it is only natural I look after my allies."

"You...you healed me? It's as if the beating from the guards and the hunger was gone."

"I healed you and gave you back some energy, you will have to eat something later, though."

Feeling the numerous surprised eyes looking at him, Maximilian addressed everyone in the room.

"I won't hurt the ones staying behind, but the ones who are willing to fight for the good side deserve help. This seed is like a fire. It can destroy you if you lie, or be like a warm shelter in the night for the one telling the truth."

"Are you s..."

"OH FOR GOD'S SAKE, SON, EAT THE DAMN THING AND JOIN US ALREADY!" scolded the old Inquisitor.

"But Father..."

" 'But Father...' MY ASS! I DIDN'T RAISE YOU TO BE A FREAKING FOLLOWER OF SOME TWISTED MINDED FAT FOOL, SO GROW SOME AND START ACTING LIKE A TRUE PALADIN SHOULD!"

The white inquisitor's scolding had done wonders for the paladin who swallowed the red seed right after, Maximilian breaking his chains immediately.

"Are you going to fight with us against the Cardinal?" asked Maximilian with a chuckled, finding the inquisitor scolding quite amusing.

"I will." answered the tall man, almost shy after being yelled at like a little kid.

Like it had done with Nilem, the seed healed the paladin who straightened himself, standing proud once again without his hurting body.

"You were right, Trainee, it really is healing me!"

Looking at Maximilian, the man nodded before showing himself to the others.

"THIS MAN ISN'T LYING! THE PAIN I HAVE BEEN FEELING BECAUSE OF THE CARDINAL'S MEN BEATING IS GONE! LOOK AT ME, I'M AS FINE AS I COULD BE!" gladly, and loudly, declared the man.

"And yet you let a little girl take the first step..." taunted his father, giving the man a slight slap on the back of his head.

After they saw a child and a paladin passing the test without any trouble, everyone swallowed the seed. In the end, of the thirty people locked in the cell, twenty-five were still alive.

*How come people are so sure they can lie after seeing others turn to dust...Well, five deaths are far less than I expected.*

"What do we do now?" asked the old inquisitor when everyone was done.

"First, we get back everyone's equipment, you will need it when the time comes."

The group advanced quickly because of the lack of guards.

"It won't be easy I'm afraid, the Inquisition armoury is protected by a double metallic door constantly locked, only a high Paladin on look-out duty would have the key." explained the paladin.

"I've got a master key..." calmly stated Maximilian as he showed his fist.

.........................................................................................................................................................................................

The two heavy doors fell down with a single hit.

"Told you, Master key..." stated Maximilian while everyone was looking dumbfound at him.

"No time to waste, grab what you can equip yourself with!" order Queritch.

Everyone stepped into the large room, filled with weapons and armours.

They first went for the armours, the paladins putting back on heavy armours, the few inquisitors their medium and light chainmail and leather armours. For the trainees, it was like Christmas. For them, who were only allowed some old training equipment, being able to put on new and well-made equipment was a blessing.

Once they were done with armour, they went for the weapons, taking what they were the most used to handle.

"Everyone is done?" asked Queritch.

"We are. Don't you think we should take more? You know for others?" proposed the Paladin.

"Good thinking, there are people who will want to join us once they will know the truth. Take what you can carry!" Ordered Queritch.

Using leather string, the trainee helped the more experienced men and women to put together spears, swords, arrows and bows. Then, some young ones took several shields, others took crossbows and others bolt.

Once done, Maximilian showed them the exit.

"Now go. Go retrieve your loved ones, show them you're alright, explain to them what was done to you. But be careful, try to hide for a bit. Once everything will be ready, we will contact you all to plan the next step in the counter-attack." ordered Maximilian as he gave some rings of free talkers to designated group leaders.

"Won't they find us?" worriedly asked a trainee.

"The young one is right, they still have our names in the registers in here." explained Queritch's son.

"I'm going to take care of that, be at ease, they won't know who to look for."

The paladin nodded and signalled the others to go.

"Queritch, Nilem, stay behind with me, please." asked Maximilian.

"Father? Why?"

"I need him to meet with her Majesty, don't worry for him, I wouldn't have done all that to hurt him afterwards." reassured Maximilian.

"Go, Son, I'll see you later." ordered the old man.

Once again, the paladin nodded before going away with his son, them as well as the others taking care not to be noticed by patrols.

"What are we doing now?" asked Queritch.

"Give me a minute..." said Maximilian as he focussed on the queen's ring for a few seconds.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"HA!" surprisingly shouted Alexandria, almost dropping the cup in her hands.

"Your Majesty? What's happening?" inquired Kitsu as she and the others saw the queen jumped in her seet.

"Sir Maximilian? Where are you?" said the queen as she looked around.

*I'm talking to you with the ring I gave you, Your Majesty.*

The queen looked at the said ring, interested.

"So it's this? How intriguing!"

"Mother? Who are you talking to?" inquired Katerina, her mother's action worrying her.

"Sir Maximilian is talking to me with this..." answered the queen as she showed everyone the ring on her finger.

"Of course he is." dubiously said the princess.

"Yes...understood, we will be happy to welcome them here." said the queen, but clearly not to her daughter.

The queen put away her cup and stood, going for the teleportation platform.

"Sir Maximilian told me he was sending some people who will help us."

Just as she finished explaining, the platform started to shine, two people appearing on it.

"Oh my..." said the queen as she recognised the equipment.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

*Sir Maximilian...those are members of the Inquisition...* *Indeed they are. The old one is a white Inquisitor, the young girl is Milne's sister, she will be of great help to win over her sister. Your Majesty, I have personally tested them, they will willingly fight with us against the Cardinal.* *If you say so, I am inclined to believe you. But I will nonetheless have to question them myself.* *I expected as much, they are willing to tell you everything they know. Now excuse me, I have still several things to take care of. If you need to talk to me, ask Kitsu to pour some mana in the ring while you think of me, it will automatically contact me.* Maximilian stopped the communication.

*Now I must make sure our new allies won't be killed before we need them...I've got an idea...*

Maximilian wasn't willing to destroy the building, the thing could be useful after everything was taken care of. But it didn't mean he couldn't take what he wanted first.

Inside the place, he scanned everywhere around him, making sure no one was there anymore.

*Wow, they totally abandoned the place...no one is here except me.*

He summoned Asterife and asked him to call as much member of his clan as he could to clean the place as quickly as possible.

"Calling everyone needed...we could take care of the place in fifteen minutes if we rush, but this will cost quite a bit, Friend." explained the imp.

"Don't worry about that, call them, I take care of the mana coins."

Maximilian stomped twice on the ground, creating ten big cauldrons. Using magic to create them, he literally filled the ten things with mana coins.

"There could be more than needed, but you take everything, I'm afraid I don't have time to count. Here, take the Havenbag and put everything interesting inside. Leave behind the documents and registers. Your clan can work safely, we are alone here, just...be quick."

"It will be done, don't worry." promised Asterife before he started to call his clan.

While the imps were taking care of that, Maximilian stepped on the side, focussing on something else.

*If I want everything to be cleaned fast, I need something to go and take care of that for me.* thought Maximilian as the imps were running around like an ants' army, literally emptying the different rooms from everything worthy of interest.

After a few second thinking, Maximilian smiled to himself before joining his hands. He breathed heavily inside his hands, making a warm light coming from inside.

Once done, he opened them to reveal a mouse. Entirely made of fire, the little animal looked at him, an intelligent look in her shiny eyes.

"You know what I want from you?"

The mouse nodded.

"Go then!" ordered Maximilian as the mouse jumped from his hands.

It landed on the ground and started to run straight for the building far end. Each time it was possible to take another road, the mouse was multiplying, another one creating itself from the first one's sparks. By an opened door, Maximilian saw one of the mice rapidly multiplying, each one voraciously eating away unusable documents.

*Exactly like I wanted. Those little gluttons will destroy every document that could lead to any of our new allies. I see they follow orders well, they don't touch the magic books and parchments and they don't bother the working imps, perfect.*.

He has had this idea thinking about a story he remembered from his old life, in which the hero summoned some kind of intelligent creature from cleaning tools to do his chores.

*But I'm not willing to make the same mistake. Once they are done, they will automatically disappear. It's not like they had any consciousness, to begin with.*

Like he promised, Asterife and his clan were done after fifteen minutes (okay, more like twenty but Maximilian wasn't going to point that).

The mice were gone once their duty was done, and the clan left soon after their coins were taken.

"Done, the Cardinal's men won't know who or where to search now...and I completely robbed them here, that's satisfying."

Just as he was going out, Maximilian felt a slight tickling in his head, signaling him someone was contacting him with a ring of the free talkers.

Jumping on a nearby roof, he activated it.

*Your Majesty? Is something wrong?*

*SIR MAXIMILIAN!?*

Like a radio with the sound too loud, Maximilian frowned a bit as the queen's voice echoed in his head.

*No need to think so loud, Your Majesty, speak in your head like you would if I was in front of you.* *You're right, sorry! Sir Maximilian, there is an urgent matter I need your help with!* *Okay...nothing new under the sun, then?*chuckled Maximilian.

*This is no laughing matters! Please listen to me!* *Sorry, sorry, I'm all ears.* *Let me tell you what we learned...*

.........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Not a step further!" ordered Lady Buttercup as Queritch and Nilem were threatened by them.

"That...is some strange uniforms for bodyguards..." remarked the old inquisitor.

"I SAID..."

"Do I look like I'm moving to you?!" barked the old man. "By the Gods, he could have told me I would have to deal with screaming diva, I would have put something in my ears first."

The dwarf chuckled slightly at the man's words. Seeing the queen, the two members of the inquisition put a knee on the ground.

"Your Majesty..."

Protected on both sides by Kitsu and Lady Planter, the queen stepped in front of the two, her authoritarian air back on before them.

"I've been told you were willing to fight on our side against the Cardinal. Is that true?"

"It is." simply answered the old man.

"Why?"

"Your friend, this Maximilian, he saved my son and grandson from the Cardinal's madness. I swore to him my sword would be yours if he did, and he did."

"How can we be sure you won't change your mind afterwards?" questioned the queen.

Without a word, the man put a hand under his coat, every flower taking a step further as he did, ready to kill.

Surprising them, he took out his white shield, presenting it to the queen.

"I am Queritch, White Inquisitor, protector of the weak and a believer of Carendar's warmness. I present you this shield, symbol of my vow. Without it I'm nothing, without it I'm naked. I present you this old man's soul bare and swear upon this shield that my mouth speaks the truth. If you cannot trust me, keep this shield and pierce my heart, for my honour forbid me to leave this place as long as my debt isn't paid."

The queen simply nodded as she gracefully put her hand on the shield, pushing it back to his owner.

"Keep your shield, Inquisitor, you will need it soon enough."

"Your words are a bless for the old fighter I am."

The queen came before the little Nilem next, the girl too shy or simply too impress to look up.

"And what do we have here? Are you even strong enough to raise a sword, young lady?"

"I...I am, Your Majesty."

"But why would you risk your life?"

"It's for my sister, your Majesty. The Cardinal has used me as a hostage for too long, forcing her to do as he willed, slowly changing her to act like he wanted to. I want to clean my sister's name...even if I have to die for it." concluded the little trainee, finally raising her head, showing the resolve in her eyes.

The queen looked straight in her eyes for a minute, before her hand came to caress the girl's cheek.

"Let's hope you won't need to die for it. Inquisitor Queritch, take a seat and wait here. This young one has something to take care of."

Nilem followed the queen, princess Katerina and their protectors, the flowers staying behind to guard the teleportation platform as well as the old Inquisitor, the old man was asked to give away his sword for the time being.

"What? You fear I could hurt one of you, girl?" mocked the old man.

"No, we're only afraid you would break your hips doing so..." answered Lady Lavander.

"You, I like you!" answered the old man as he gave her his blade without complains.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Sis? SIS!" joyfully exclaimed Nilem as she dashed to hold Milne in her arms.

The inquisitor, still attached to the stone table by Fleur's branches, growled as she opened her eyes.

"N...Nilem? Am...am I dead?" weakly asked the young woman as she recognised her sister's face.

"No, sis, I'm alive, and you are too! The Cardinal's men locked me in prison, but I was set free!"

"Nilem..."

Milne tried to hold her little sister, but was unable to move because of the branches.

"Please..." implored the young woman with tears in her eyes.

With a nod from the queen, Fleur let the branches loose just a bit, allowing her to move her arms around her loved one.

Holding her younger sister, Milne cried silently for a bit.

"I thought I had lost you...they told me you were murdered by him...They told me the Queen was responsible for everything and I...I was so blinded by the pain, I didn't know how to act...Oh, Nilem!" cried the young woman, her tears falling one her sister's hair.

"I'm alright, big sis. I...Milne, I'm healed..." said Nilem as she started to cry too.

"What? But...how? Whom?" asked Milne as she separated from her sister to look at her in the eyes.

"That man, Sir Maximilian. When he came to rescue his panda girl friend, she...she asked him to let me be and...he said that because I helped her, he wanted to do something in return, to pay a debt. He put his hand on me and...Sis, for the first time in my life, my chest isn't hurting me."

Milne put her forehead against her sister's, laughing a bit while her tears were still flowing.

"Thank you Goddes, thank you...Sir Maximilian? Where is he?" asked Milne as she just then remarked the said man wasn't in the room.

"He is currently searching for allies, the Cardinal will soon attack and we will need all the help we can get." explained the queen.

"I will fight for you!" exclaimed Milne, surprising the people in the room.

"You were quick to change camp..." dubiously stated Planter.

"I was obeying the Cardinal because he was the one ordering the priest around, and only them could help Nilem. Now that she is healed, how could I fight those who helped her? Let me fight with you, it will be my pleasure to kill this fat man myself!" energetically explained the young woman.

"We will see. Why don't you start by telling us what you know about the Cardinal's plan?" asked the queen, beginning the interrogation without delay.

Milne thought hard for a bit.

"Not much I'm afraid, my memory is blurry...My mind was settled on one single objective and nothing else mattered at that time..."

"What objective?"

Kill the demon disguised as the Queen and Princess and bring back their head." confessed Milne, a heavy silence falling in the room.

"Being honest enough to confess this is a proof of courage...or foolishness, depending on the person you're talking to..." said the queen.

"I won't lie to you, even if it must lead to you not liking me, your Highness."

"Not liking you? Let me remember you, you pointed a sword at my youngest daughter, you threatened her life...I am proud of my self-control for not having you beheaded the very second I could..." stated the queen, her eyes burning with silent anger.

"I did?...Yes, I did that...Even if my acts weren't my own at that time...your anger is justified, your Highness." said Milne with an apologising bow.

"It is better we do not talk about that now, isn't there anything you can tell us?" asked Katerina.

"Let me think about it...I...there is something I remember...the coat of arms...I think the Cardinal was looking for it." said Milne, remembering with a lot of efforts.

"The coat of arms, what would he want it?" wondered Kitsu, thinking out loud.

"I don't really know. He said that...as soon as he would have it, he would have won...something about everything he needed being soon his...I'm sorry, I cannot remember anything more, your Highness." apologised the inquisitor, visibly sorry.

Everyone expected the queen to say something, but her silence made everyone in the room curious.

"Your Majesty, is everything alright?" inquired Kitsu.

"This...no, it can't be, how could this man know about this..." said the queen, talking to herself.

"Your Majesty?"

"There is only one reason that could make this man willing to have Griffinia's coat of arms...he wishes to summon the great Griffin!"

"The great griffin...you mean the legendary creature said to be the guardian of Griffinia?" questioned Planter.

The queen nodded.

"Since the first King of Griffinia has been on the throne, the great Griffin has been considered as the protector of the kingdom, the symbol of the crown."

"But...I thought this was only a legend, some old tales of old magic." said Kitsu.

"That's only because the Great Griffin hasn't been summoned since ages. The great book of the kingdom story tells us the last time he was summoned was to repel a demon invasion, more than three centuries ago."

Silence came back in the room for a bit.

"And...the Cardinal wants to summon it? Why would he want to do that? And...why would he need the coat of arms?" asked Katerina.

"The great Griffin is a symbol of power, as if the Gods themselves were behind the one summoning. The coat of arms is needed for the ritual...but how could he use it...the ritual requires the coat of arms, but also the blood of two different members of the royal family....HO NO!"

The queen sudden exclamation surprised everyone.

"What's the matter, your Highness?" inquired Kitsu.

"He needs the coat of arms and the blood of TWO members of the royal family...I think he might hurt Alberic!"

"Brother?! But why would he hurt him?" worriedly asked Katerina.

"All he needs is his blood, as long as your Father is under his control, he won't need your Brother to be alive. And your brother would never let him take his blood willingly." explained the queen as she sat down, taking her face in her hands.

"So...what do we do now? We can't let the Prince be killed like that." stated Planter.

"But he is locked in the Castle highest tower, how could we reach him?" inquired Katerina.

"What about him, your Highness? Don't you think he could help?" proposed Kitsu.

"I don't know, Kitsu...help me out, we must contact him."

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"So...long story short, you want me to go save your son from his tower?" summarised Maximilian.

"Can you do it?" asked the Queen, full of hope.

"Normally I only save Damsel in distress from high towers, but I suppose I could make an exception this time. I'm on it, your Majesty." answered Maximilian before ending the communication.

He faced the castle, far away and far above his position, behind several high walls and with his path certainly guarded by numerous people.

*That would be a problem...if I was planning to walk. But in my case...*

Using wind magic, Maximilian jumped high in the air, then again, and again, and again, each time stepping on air like a stair. He reached so high he was even higher than the castle.

*Great view...now to reach it quickly...*

Having an idea, Maximilian extended his arms. Focussing for a second, he made to giant wings of wind appeared around his arms and, like he would have use palms to project himself in water, he used the two wings twice his size to dash through the air, far faster than he was going as he was hurrying for the inquisition headquarters before.

*That's a fast way to travel, but it takes away my arms as I use it, I should work on a way to be as quick and keeping my arms available. I guess it will do for now.* thought Maximilian as he quickly passed over the wall, far too high to be bothered by the guards.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Oh Carendar, please let your light guide me in this time of hardship. May you protect my loved ones from the dark hearts longing for my kingdom..."

Kneeling in front of a small handmade altar, a man was praying.

No more than twenty, his black hair looked a lot like his father's, as well as his large shoulder and strong frame.

Prince Alberic, the eldest child of Queen Alexandria and King Aremik, had always been a kind soul, a true believer of Carendar warmness, seeing the God's flame like a light in the night more than a burning fist like the recent inquisition showed it.

His kind soul, he had used it to be a good prince, doing his duty every day like he had to, helping to manage the kingdom, protecting his father and mother's land from the forces of darkness who would try to destroy it.

When he was accused of worshiping the dark Gods, his honour was insulted, and that was something he wasn't accepting. But more than that, his weakness, being unable to protect his family was eating him from the inside. With his armour and royal weapons taken away, his unshaved face and a clear need of a bath, his physical state was as good as his mental state, not great.

The Cardinal, this man the Prince had doubts about since the first day they had met, this rotten soul had managed to infiltrate the kingdom, even his father's mind, making the man the Prince admired the most an empty shell who couldn't see his son being taken away.

Locked in the tower, Alberic had since then seen no one, heard no news from the outside. All he had heard was the two guards before his door being replaced by two paladins, something he didn't understand at first, only to have a terrible realisation crossing his mind: if the inquisition was now in the castle, what could have happened to his family?

"Oh Carendar! You who look upon us with your sacred light, guide me! Give me a sign, a simple sign who will help me. How am I to face those tests you sent me? How am I to protect those who cannot defend themselves from up here? Please, answer me, you God of light."

"Why not try to get out of this tower?"

The voice came from near him, but the Prince knew perfectly well he was alone in his cell, lost at the top of the higher tower the castle had.

"C...Carendar?"

"Nope, Maximilian, but I don't resent you for the mistake."

"M...Maximilian? I'm afraid I don't know any God with that name. Are you a servant of the light?"

"A servent of the l...Wow, you've been in here for too long, your Majesty."

"What do you mean?"

"The window, genius, look at the window!"

Doing as the voice ordered him, the Prince looked at his only source of fresh air, a window with metallic bars, from behind which Maximilian was looking at the prince, an exasperate look on his face.

"Good evening, Prince Alberic."

The prince stepped back at first, surprised by the head behind the small window.

"Who? How...what are you doing here?"

"You know my name already, I'm here to get you out."

Dubiously looking at him, the Prince didn't move at first.

"Why? I know every friend of my family and you're not one of them...who sends you?"

"Your Mother. I'm a busy man and if you don't have anything worth packing in here, I suggest we don't lose a second." said Maximilian as he looked at the basic room without any luxuries in it.

"How could you get me out? This tower is enchanted, forbidding any magic, and I doubt you carry a smith on your back to take care of this..." said the prince as he nodded, showing the metallic bars on the window.

"Stand back, I'm coming in." simply said Maximilian as he prepared a kick.

*I'm talking to a madman...* thought the prince, right before the window and the wall around it crumbled.

Stepping into the room, Maximilian nodded to the prince.

"How about we go?"

The noise alerted the two paladins outside. They quickly opened the door, only to receive a spike of ice in the head each, the two falling down the stairs, already dead.

Not even talking about them, Maximilian showed the hole in the wall.

"After you..."

The prince took a look at the door then at the man who had just killed two paladins like it was nothing.

"But, their armour is supposed to..." giving up on an explanation for now, the prince got near the hole, looking at the emptiness outside.

"We can't go this way, we're sure to die..." worriedly stated the prince.

"No we're not." simply answered Maximilian as he slightly kicked the prince butt, pushing the royal heir out of the tower.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" was the only thing the prince could say in his situation.

"Easily impressed, this Prince..." calmly said Maximilian as he jumped after him, using wind magic to quickly catch up with the ex-prisoner.

"ARE YOU MAD!? WE ARE GOING TO DIE!" screamed the prince.

"No, we're not."

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Your Majesty, the portal is activating!" alerted lady Borage while the others were still guarding it.

"What? But Sir Maximilian didn't warn me!" answered the queen as she stood to go see who it could be.

As she arrived in the room, she stopped walking as she saw who it was.

Helped up by the flowers around him, the prince, looking a bit tired for some reason, managed to stand up.

"A...ALBERIC!?" exclaimed the queen as she quickly came to him, holding her son in her arms.

"Mother..." answered the prince as he returned the hug.

"Incredible, he managed to do it..." said Kitsu.

"He is capable, that's the least we can say." answered Planter.

As the two princesses were holding their brother in their arms too, the queen brushed away the tears of joy in her eyes.

"Mother...who was that man?" finally asked Alberic.

"Sir Maximilian?"

"Yes, Maximilian..." confirmed the prince, a bit of anger in his voice.

"Did...did something happened, Alberic?" inquired the queen.

"He...I almost died because of him!" exclaimed the prince.

"What? How? My son, you need to bath and eat something, not necessarily in that order. Explain this to me while you get back some strength." ordered the queen.

........................................................................................................................................................................................

*YOU PUSHED MY SON OUT OF THE TOWER?!*

Maximilian chuckled a bit, amused by the queen reaction.

*I did.*

*YOU...why?* asked the queen, remembering it was no use screaming using this way of communication.

*Your son was talking to walls when I arrived, I figured he needed something to wake himself up.* *And you think a drop from the highest tower was the best way?* *That was the quickest. What? Was he hurt when he arrived?* *No but...* *Did he soiled himself because he was too scared?* *Of course not! My son is brave!* *Then his integrity, be it physical or the pride, is intact. What were you mad about again?* asked Maximilian with another chuckle.

*I, well...God damn it you're tiring!* cursed the queen.

*'God damn it'? Very ladylike, your Highness.*

*OH, YOU!*

And the queen stopped the communication, certainly had she took off the ring for a bit.

Enjoying the fresh air of the sky, Maximilian laughed out loud as he turned on himself.

It was the first time he could enjoy a bit the feeling flying was giving him. The first time, he was more 'running' in the air, and just before, he was hurrying to save the prince. Now, going for the slave level, he was less in a hurry. Of course, he didn't have all the time in the world, but still, as he let himself fall from up high before using his arms/wings to go back higher, he was feeling a lot freer.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

"Your Holyness, please excuse this silly head of mine, but would it be possible to repeat this offer once again?"

Standing in front of the Cardinal was a man, tall and thin, sided by two larger men as tall as him.

The free were well-equipped, although their armours were made of different parts clearly coming from different sets of armours. The one talking was armed with daggers, a lot of them, attached to several belts around his waist, legs, arms and shoulders. The two behind were visibly heavier fighters, armed with two-handed hammer and axe.

The Cardinal, a satisfied smile on his face, nodded slowly.

"With pleasure. I offer you and your guild the best contract of your life. I want you to side with me for the time being, help me win against those threatening the purity of the kingdom. In exchange, you will be rewarded with as much gold as you can carry, directly taken from the traitor's chests, and slaves, as much as you desire, young or old, man or woman...boy or girl."

The talking one looked at the other two before looking back at the Cardinal.

"And...what would we have to do, exactly?"

The smile on the man's face got wider, knowing perfectly well he had already won them over.

"I want you to be the messengers of Carendar. Make it clear the ones helping the carriers of unholy blood won't be forgiven for their crimes anymore, make sure to pass this message to as much brave ones as you can, make the flames of Carendar go wider, more powerful. And while the pure people of Griffinia will make the unholy ones pay for their crimes, I want your men and you to go clean this filth nest we call slave level."

Once done with his order, the Cardinal hit the floor with his staff, making it shine for an instant.

The three men, a sparkle of dark light shining in their eyes, smiled at that.

"And what if we, fortuitously, happen to come across one of those unholy blood carrier disguises as, let's say...some inviting young thing? Would Carendar frown upon us if we...had fun?"

The cardinal chuckled warmly, a reaction very unsettling when done by this kind of man.

"As the messenger of Carendar, I hereby absolve you of any...little fun time you could be willing to have. As holy warriors, there are some things you can be excused from."

"Your Holyness is generous. We accept this contract, the guild of Humaster will work for you."

The guild of Humaster, a name who would have made a lot of good people spit on the floor, others tremble in fear. The members of the guild were ones promoting the human supremacy, and they were very...zealous in their work. The only difference between them and a band of criminals? The criminals had more honour.

On the paper, they were a guild of adventurers, accepting contracts, helping those in need, those kinds of things. What wasn't written on the doorstep of their headquarters was that they were only helping humans. A non-human going inside their lair wasn't sure to go out alive, but sure he wouldn't leave untouched.

Some could have asked how they could do their business without trouble. It was because they were bright enough to do so. They were helped by some nobles, although not officially. Be it by giving them an alibi for the time when a crime happened, some little donation here and there for a service generally meaning a non-human was going to suffer, or simply providing them with a non-human slave to play with, the show amusing the nobles concerned.

It wouldn't have been a good idea to see their non-fashionable way of equipping themselves as a weakness. They dressed like that because they had the habit of throwing away any piece of equipment once it was showing any sign of attrition. So, how come they were fully equipped nonetheless? Simple, they robbed from the stores, kill lone adventurers fool enough to cross their path in the dark of the night and took what they wanted from merchants on the road, always counting on an alibi from a noble or another.

This guild was composed of two hundred people, more or less, without counting their unofficial members among the nobles and some merchants working for them. And that day, the Cardinal had just obtained the support of one of the most dangerous band of bastards working in and around the capital.

Giving a signal to guards patiently waiting on the side, the Cardinal ordered them to bring some brand new equipment.

"Here is a first payment for your services..."

Taking one of the weapons from the guard, a dagger finely made, the guild chief nodded, satisfied.

"This is good stuff...what is this energy I feel inside it?"

"Only some enchantments meant to help you on your holy mission. Now go! Show me I was right to choose your guild as the symbol of this new age of purity!"

Taking the offered equipment with them, the three men went for the exit.

"With pleasure, Your Holiness!"

Out of the room, the three men quickly rejoined with twenty of their comrades waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.

Throwing the new equipment at them and looking at his men disputing themselves to get the best pieces, the guild leader raised his new energy filled weapon above his head and shout.

" LET'S GO HUNTING, GUYS!"

Voices filled with a joyful rage answered him.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Once done with the guild members, the Cardinal turned to face another man in the room who had been kneeling and looking down all the time while the conversation was going on.

"You have proven your loyalty to me and Carendar, showing you were zealous in your way of serving me. For this, I will give you new powers, new armour and new weapons, as well as a position in this new age of purity. You will be the first one to bear this title, a symbol of purity, of Carendar's new vision."

The man before him, without raising his head, answered.

"You are generous, Your Holyness."

With a gesture, the Cardinal called several Paladins, each one of them coming near the kneeling man with a piece of black scaled metallic armour.

"Rise." ordered the Cardinal.

The man did as told.

"I heard how those fools were calling you, taunting you...they dared to call you 'ratman'."

His face frowned as he heard the name.

"They did, your Holyness."

"No more will you have to face the insults of those inferior beings. Today, you become more than you were..."

The Cardinal hit the floor with his staff and ratman's clothes turned to dust.

Leave behind the weakness that was yours..."

Once again, the staff hit the ground, dark energy surrounded ratman as he raised a bit above the ground.

Opened your heart to this new power..."

"Yes..." accepted ratman in a pleasured sigh.

The dark energy materialised around him, like small nerves of black goo. As if it was a living thing, it spread to catch the pieces of armour presented around the changing man.

Give away your soul to this new power..."

"Yes..." accepted ratman once again, his voice deeper.

The staff hit the ground once again.

The armour came back to ratman, the heavy pieces of scaled black metal held together by the black goo.

Slowly, the goo spread a bit on the man's face, some of it going into his eyes and mouth.

Ratman closed his eyes, savouring the feeling of his body getting taller, bigger, stronger.

Finally, the goo solidified, taking the form of a black chainmail fused with the armour and the body of his wearer.

Ratman landed back on the ground and get on one knee.

"Ratman is no more..." declared the Cardinal as a paladin came from behind to put a black helmet on ratman's face, the black scaled piece of metal decorated with the symbol of Carendar shining red on the forehead, as red as the eyes shining behind the metal.

Two paladins brought a two-handed sword, black, deformed, pointy, filled with dark energy, it seemed to come right from the lands of nightmares. It was so big and heavy that two paladins were needed t carry it.

"Take your weapon." Ordered the Cardinal.

The black armoured man seized the weapon and easily took it from the paladins, planting it on the ground before him, still waiting with a knee on the ground.

"Now rise! Rise and become the champion of the Inquisition! Rise...Pilgrim."

Slowly standing up, the man was now taller than all the paladins around him by a good head, larger too.

With a voice coming from behind the helmet like it could have come from the depth of earth itself, he answered.

"I am Pilgrim. I will pave the way to purity with the bodies of heretics..."

The Cardinal saw his creation and smiled, satisfied.

"Soon you will, my child. Soon, you will."