339 Aftermath
The process to clean up the city began as corpses couldn’t be left to remain overnight.
Even though the battle had been won, with the Terrors’ rampage having only lasted for roughly 30 minutes, the amount of damage done was extensive.
At least three thirds of the city was in complete shambles.
Wails could be heard everywhere as many cried over the dead that were being lined up and covered in cloth before being taken away as my of them could hardly be recognised from either being dismembered or disembowled.
Some of the people had been turned into squid-like octopi through the strange poison that was shot from the Terrors’ tentacles, leaving them completely unrecognisable as they would wiggle about on the dry ground grotesquely.
This was uncomfortable to watch, especially for the family members that could catch glimpses of items that made them recognise them through the remnants of clothing or jewellery they wore.
Mercenaries and Knights alike did their best to control the situation but the fact that Inhone City wasn’t the only place infested with casualties made the atmosphere after victory more sombre than what most would have appreciated.
Erkus ordered for some Knights to go and check the surrounding cities and towns for any sign of the Terrors and to search for survivors, the Purity Knights that remained helping in on the effort as well, Gin included.
As all these operations were taking place, a meeting was happening within the Guilds Association.
Terian, Tulnas, Silrat, Damilla and Erkus were sitting down with a certain individual once again, this setup starting to feel like a glorified court case.
The individual they were gathering for was naturally Festos.
However, this would be the last time.
Silrat wanted to make sure of it.
“So, you mean to tell us that you were in the Association building this whole time?” Damilla questioned with a raised brow.
Skullius who was in his Discount Human form promptly nodded.
“That’s right,” he responded.
Tulnas stroked his chin.
He remembered that before the battle, Skullius had suddenly disappeared and only when everyone entered the Guilds Association building afterwards while deliberating on the matter about the mercenaries’ deaths did they find the Discount Human sitting down calmly while reading a book.
‘Did he really just run away so he could sit through the entire incident?’ Tulnas thought.
Due to the fact that the Galemonger had ventured into the Association building, the Terrors had avoided attacking the structure from the beginning and later on, the battle between the city’s fighters and the Terrors had been thickest around here thus the building had remained more or less intact.
“I decided to avoid fighting with the others in case I accidentally triggered my curse. It’s the easiest way to get everyone killed after all…” Skullius added.
Erkus, Terian and Damilla were forced to think back to the day of Skullius’ first interrogation when he had talked about the curse.
Erkus now understood what the Diviner and the Association Branch Head had been fighting about as both had given their respective accounts.
Silrat, Damilla and Terian had seen the creature that Skullius had mentioned in real time and in the incident described, many had died just by trying to help the damn thing.
“You said that thing would ask you something and if you refused it would kill people. Going by that logic, it must have asked you to do something, right?” the Diviner asked.
“Yes,” Skullius said firmly, his silver eyes remaining calm as he stared at his interrogator.
“What was it?”
The Discount Human emitted a sigh before answering.
“It wanted me to kill the City Lord.”
…!
Everyone in the room was shocked at this revelation.
Skullius himself was chortling inside. This was naturally a big lie that he chained onto the bigger lie that the tall creature they were all frightened of was actually a separate entity.
This response was just to spook everyone.
Erkus was a bit bewildered.
“Kill me? Why?” he asked.
Everyone’s reaction was exactly what Skullius wanted, though for Silrat and Tulnas who knew more detail about Skullius’ curse, they realised that he was probably bluffing.
In that case, he would need support.
“I don’t know. We are not exactly friends who can ask each other our motives. After it requested me to do this, I thought it would be better to just settle down. I couldn’t fulfill its request anyway,” the Discount Human said.
The tension between the Capital Service folks increased.
Terian was more concerned with the power he had seen from the tall creature especially after it transformed.
If it could easily fight a Tier 8 like that, then it was a very big problem.
On top of this, he wondered why he had been spared and why this creature had helped Unbreakable kill the Galemonger.
It didn’t make sense at all. The truth was covered in a shadow of mystery.
At this point, Terian found it fitting to describe his own encounter with the creature.
“I do not want to appear to vouch for this creature, but during the fight with the Cluster beast, it saved my life. Additionally, I can say with confidence that it is the only reason we were able to achieve a quick victory. This does not discount the evil that it did, but I’m sure you can understand what I mean…”
Skullius’ eyes leaked a cunning glint. This is exactly what he had wanted. A seed that would muddy the waters.
Damilla couldn’t help but look at the old man with confusion. She had wanted to immediately Divine Skullius but hearing Terian’s account gave her more to think about.
Now it was his turn to say things that seemed to contradict their stance.
That creature had saved his life?
All this being’s actions seemed contradictory and erratic.
Did it even have a pattern of attack?
Was it really related to the Green Neolists?
Nothing was clear.
“I know we’re all adults here but dare I say that this incident was something that I forewarned. While searches for the Cluster were done, I did encourage you to strengthen the defences around the city, advice that you did not heed,” Tulnas said, clearly assigning blame as he leaned back against the chair comfortably.
Erkus couldn’t refute this point and neither could Damilla as she had outright doubted his words back when he mentioned this.
However, their side didn’t seem to want to give up.
The City Lord emitted a deep sigh heavily strained with all he had to deal with following the incident.
“This issue can’t be dealt with casually…”
“Indeed it cannot,” Silrat said, causing everyone to turn to him. “Allow me to give you some sliver of good news then. I’m happy to announce that in a few days, I will be stepping down as the Head of the Association Branch in Inhone City. A replacement will be coming in that time and Tulnas will be his second…”
…!
“What?!” Terian temporarily lost his cool while Damilla turned pale.
Erkus merely sighed exasperatedly as he clutched his forehead.
“Furthermore… a few other individuals along with me and Festos, will be leaving for Genhuis City for a Potential Aptitude Evaluation. That is after I settle my affairs, of course.”
Damilla couldn’t help but stare at the Discount Human, then at Silrat then back at the Discount Human again.
Such a thing….
So suddenly….
Terian finally reeled in his shock. When he thought about it, the last aspect wasn’t so bad. It was just that Tulnas becoming a vice head of the Association…
He could see a cheeky smile on the brat’s face.
Erkus seemed to also share his sentiment on the last reveal that Silrat had made.
“I suppose this might be the best way to continue forward.”
At least if this troublesome Mage left the City, he wouldn’t have to deal with him and this problem anymore.
“Let us keep this matter away from those Purity Knights. I am sure they would not let this go. The arrival of a Grand Priest investigating the matter of this curse isn’t good for the city and certainly not for you. On that aspect, I assume we can agree?” Erkus said as he massaged his temples.
“Absolutely,” Silrat said.
None of then wanted to deal with the Purity more than they needed to.
Knock, knock.
Someone requested entry into the private meeting at this moment, and Erkus gave his consent.
The door slid open to reveal an old man who waddled in with bandages all over his body.
“Good evening,” the man said with a subdued and weak voice.