567 Signs of The Shift
“You there! Stop!” a Capital Knight by the gate said while pointing towards a man with light auburn hair who had just entered the city.
On this night, human traffic into the city was rather harsh along with the search and verification process, thus for most people it was aggravating to have to be called after waiting in the long queues.
It wasn’t different for Skullius who knew what the clamour and chaos was about.
‘No need to show off, you glorified bad luck,’ Skullius thought in annoyance.
There were hundreds of people entering the city from the massively wide entrance but somehow, Skullius was the only one being called at this moment in time.
He had finally passed the atrociously thorough process of checking back in the city but now…
‘Perhaps that item Sause used on me was keeping the atrocious luck at bay. I never faced anything like this since coming to Genhuis City,’ Skullius had another though which was accompanied by a deep sigh.
“Please stand over there, sir,” the Capital Knight who had called Skullius over said as he directed the Hybrid Luman to stand somewhere his interaction with him wouldn’t disrupt any of the operations taking place.
The event that occurred this afternoon was indeed shocking, many considering it bold on the part of the culprit. The death of a Grand Priest was not something to be taken lightly, especially when all the Purity owned items in his possession were also stolen.
This was what sparked this treacherous operation to clearly search everyone entering the city, the Purity having requested assistance from the Capital Service under the leadership of Paladin Champion Ruhrees.
As serious as it was, some were taking it to the next level.
The Knight who had called Skullius started conducting his own search.
“May I see any storage items you have on your person?” the Knight said with a suspicious look on his face that leaked through his helm.
Skullius sighed and showed his spatial storage ring.
Thankfully, he had moved everything important into the storage gem on the Elimparidis Stone Staff which wasn’t easy to spot as a storage item. Not for a swordsman at least.
The Capital Service was so short on Mages that they didn’t humour them participating in mundane activities like these. They were usually replaced by tools that could accomplish the same thing.
For this search occurring privately, Skullius was asked to show everything he had within the ring, which was his staff.
The Knight he was standing with looked at him with even more suspicion, which was baffling for Skullius.
‘What the hell is bothering you, sockethole? It’s just a staff,’ Skullius thought while secretly grinding his teeth.
The Knight stroked the staff, spinning it this way and that while checking for anything out of ordinary. No one but the Knight knew what he was searching for.
“Any problems here?” a Capital Order Knight walked over after noticing this separate search.
“I’m not sure captain. I just have this hunch,” the Knight conducting the search said while narrowing his eyes at Skullius who shook his head.
“I’m in a bit of a hurry. If you don’t have anything to pin on me, it would be in your best interest to release me,” Skullius said. He retrieved his belongings and slotted his hands into his pockets afterwards, his foot tapping on the ground rapidly to show urgency.
“You’re not going anywhere until I finish my investigation!” the Knight barked at him while releasing a bit of his Aura in an attempt to intimidate Skullius.
Unfortunately, the Luman wasn’t fazed at all.
He even scoffed at the attempt.
The Capital Order Knight by the side ignored the tension and instead inquired about this vague detail that was drawing this Knight to this… blind man.
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“No captain. I just… Can you call over Sir Gillewart to at least confirm?” the Knight said with determination.
“Haha. That’s bold. Are you that desperate for credit? You think the City Guardian would come down here for a mere hunch? His way of investigating is different from ours. Besides, there’s–“
“A hunch, you say? I’m willing to listen,” a voice carrying a heavy authority sounded from behind the Capital Order, a man with familiar and distinctive features appearing.
…!
He wore an amiable smile while giving a short greeting, his finger going towards his face to push up a monocle that sat in front of his eye. A dull glow could be seen behind it, emphasising who he was.
Every one of the Knights walking around this area seemed to stop and gaze at him with respect, some even giving short bows which the man waved off politely.
Skullius’ face hardened.
For a brief moment, he felt suffocated.
[Greater Mana Crafter] which he used for his Koten grew unresponsive when this man showed up.
For just a little while, his true presence had leaked, causing Skullius to nearly shoot away in shock.
‘Seriously?!’ Skullius grumbled inwardly.
There’s no doubt about it!
It was definitely his bad luck that had been kept at bay before!
There was no way something like this would be happening otherwise!
Even he knew who this man who had joined them was.
This was the man responsible for the second sun in the sky!
The City Guardian of Genhuis!
“The Purity is rather unhappy with how little there is to go off on regarding the incident this afternoon. Since this happened in daylight, I’ve become a target of… undesired comments. At this point, collecting suspects on hunches isn’t a bad idea,” this man, Gillewart said as his gaze turned to Skullius.
‘Fantastic!’ Skullius thought.
The Knight who ‘caught’ Skullius felt vindicated!
Right!
Perhaps he was right on the coin!
For this happen…
“Be at ease, young man. I am only collecting information to compare to a certain profile is all,” Gillewart said, a low hum that contributed to the tense atmosphere, sounding for effect.
A profile?
Skullius and the two Knights were surprised by this information.
Naturally, Gillewart wouldn’t divulge more just because the three openly showed curiosity and interest in this subject which he had hinted towards.
He did not need to tell anyone else that one of the seven Diviners of this City had passed on a profile to Ruhrees. One that was to be used not just for the city but for other cities as well!
This had many implications!
Skullius picked up on the subtle details in what Gillewart had just said and grew wary.
‘By profile, does it mean that the Purity has somehow found clues on Yuyui?! No. If that was the case I wouldn’t be a suspect. I’m male. This means, they have something more than just a clue!’ Skullius thought.
Sadly, this line of thought was interrupted by a massive presence that swept over his body with a rough scratch over his skin.
It was coming from Gillewart.
With a lazy eye, he seemed to perfunctorily scan Skullius for things the Luman wasn’t certain about.
What was this profile?
Depending on what it was, he might really be in trouble?!
“Gillewart? Even you are aiding in the detention of our mercenaries this night?”
…!
Skullius turned when he heard the familiar voice that spoke just now. It wouldn’t do him much good to look but the habit was still fresh.
Thank goodness!
Someone had appeared to deliver him!
It was Alaris!
The examination officer who had led his testing into the exclusive circle of the Guilds Association that day!
Gillewart turned his focus to Alaris and several of his companions walking behind him with brisk steps that gave testaments to how they were all on a singular mission.
“Alaris…” Gillewart said with a shallow smile. “The Capital Service reserves the right to act accordingly when crimes of this scale have occurred. Even your mercenaries have to adhere to the rules.”
“Of course they do,” Alaris said with a chuckle. He reached Skullius’ position and patted his shoulder while gazing fearlessly into Gillewart’s eye. “However, our exclusive mercenaries reserve the right to be interrogated under the watchful eye of the Association.”
That’s right!
The perks of being an exclusive mercenaries ran this deep, defying the common boundaries that would usually swallow up most mercenaries in needlessly wasted time and resources.
Gillewart’s expression didn’t change but the look he gave Skullius did. There was wonder and mystery hidden within it.
“I assume you were done with Festos here, right?” Alaris asked while directing Skullius away, his question uncaring for an answer.
Such boldness.
Gillewart responded with a mere nod. He was indeed defeated on the matter.
The Knight who had brought Skullius had subtle hints of fury burning in his eyes and reddening on his cheeks. His hunch perhaps… was wrong.
Alaris drew Skullius into the city after instructing the people he had brought to the gate, among whom was Lemorine the Tamer who waved to Skullius with a cheery visage, to handle ‘rescuing’ more of their mercenaries from the pressing search.
“It’s been a while, Festos,” Alaris said. “You barely set foot in the Association, denying us the chance to interact.”
“Yes well, with my participation in the Royale…”
“Ah, say no more. I understand. You should keep in touch though. You still have a lot of privileges that you don’t understand, much that I could explain in detail personally.”
Skullius smiled.
That would be great. He indeed was pressed for time with his part of the major act he and Replicus had arranged. Still, he intended to visit the Association soon for many things.
“I would be honoured,” Skullius said.
Silrat had shared a great deal about Alaris in one of their conversations. He wasn’t a simple man. This was better illustrated by how he had spoken to Gillewart without an ounce of fear despite the wide gap in their strength.
Naturally, even while Skullius hadn’t really explored much about powers beyond the Master Stage, he could tell that Gillewart… was an Incandescent Stage expert.
The air he gave off may have been subdued but…
Skullius could tell.
That wasn’t a man he could talk back to. That was why he hadn’t. That was why he had remained still and compliant.
Luckily, it had all paid off.
“Good. By the way, I have fed Silrat several pressing matters that you might want to attend to soon. Dogs are barking for you to be put to trial but the Association has held them off. Unfortunately, as you are only Rank 4 in the exclusive circle, that is all the Association can do for you,” Alaris said as he came to a halt.
Dogs?
What trouble was he in this time?
Skullius couldn’t imagine what he had done. It obviously wasn’t the matter with the Temple but something lesser, yet equally annoying.
Since Silrat had been fed the details, he would ask him later.
For now…
“Thank you for your help,” Skullius said as he also stopped and turned to Alaris. “There’s a subject I would like your… HELP… with as soon as possible. I understand it might be a very tall ask but after witnessing your skill that other day, I believe your instruction is just what I need.”
The Hybrid Luman felt a bit emotional inside after saying this.
The breezy calm that remained after he actually requested help from someone and the follow-up of Alaris nodding and saying that he would gladly help if it was within his power was exhilarating.
Skullius almost felt like he could shed a tear, but he wouldn’t.
This wasn’t something to savour for too long, otherwise he might grow complacent.
This was simply the beginning of wondrous changes.