Chapter 707 707 Enforced Truth
The pickpockets did their very best not to answer the question, despite the effect of the [Truth] spell compelling them to speak.
For a few tense seconds everything was silent as the interrogators patiently waited for results, and then finally one of the Fae cracked under the effects of the spell.
“The amulets. They let us evade negative effects.” He declared, and held up a charm that was worn around his neck.
The woman next to him punched him directly in the face, knocking him out cold and showing that the amulet’s effects were still working properly for her, but with so many powerful Fae and Demons around, that wouldn’t be the case for long.
The Wrathbringer stepped forward and ripped the amulets from the necks of each of the defendants, and instantly, a stream of blubbering apologies and pained cries filled the air.
“Interesting. The effect of the spell doesn’t end the moment the activity is detected, and the punishment will be applied if the defensive charm is broken before they leave the area.” The Fae inquisitor noted.
That was a bit of good news, so at least if their resistance faltered, there was a chance that the spell would overtake the effects of a defensive amulet, but if it wasn’t strong enough in the first place, it didn’t matter much.
“Can someone check that amulet for me? I would like to know where it came from, and how powerful it is that it managed to evade our defensive spells.” Wolfe requested.
The Wrathbringer examined the charms in his hand for a moment, and then tossed them to the Fae. “Here, this is Fae magic, you’ll know better than I will how it works.”
The Fae looked at it for a second, and then passed it to an Elf, who took it with a disdainful look.
“It is a defensive charm made for the Faerie Woods patrols, to protect them against mind control abilities and related charms. How it got from the guard to a bunch of pickpockets is another question.” She announced.
“Well, how did you get it from the patrols?” Cassie asked the group of defendants.
Now they were visibly sweating as they tried their best not to respond to the inquiry, and the spell tried to force them to speak.
“Speak. Tell me how you got the amulets.” Cassie repeated, increasing the pressure.
“We didn’t steal them, we are patrol guards for the Faerie Woods.” One of them finally blurted out.
“Oh? Who would have guessed that the noble guards of the woods would resort to common thievery.” The Elf replied, completely unsurprised.
Wolfe suspected that she already knew who they were before she asked her first question, but as long as the public was getting answers, he wouldn’t question how she went about it.
“So, fifteen guards from the Faerie Woods deserted their posts and came to Forest Grove to work as common thieves. Is there anything wrong about my statement?” Cassie asked.
Again they resisted for a few seconds before the enhanced spell forced them to speak again.
“We didn’t come straight to Forest Grove, we went to Faun first, but we were outed as deserters.” One of the pickpockets announced.
Immediately, all the Fae in the crowd were giving them sympathetic looks, and Wolfe wasn’t sure why. Was the city of Faun that bad?
“So, you all have warrants pending in Faun for dereliction of duty and desertion?” The Elf asked.
They all nodded, but didn’t speak out loud this time.
“Leader Noxus, I would like to ask that the group be transferred into my custody for transfer to Faun to stand trial as deserters. It is a much more serious crime than common thievery, and under Fae law, it takes precedence.” The Elf woman explained.
The group looked positively terrified, while the Wrathbringer looked like he was about to lose his temper.
“Except for the Demon, that is. He has already been granted the right to seek Mercy in the Wrath Kingdom of the Demons.” The Elf amended, and the enormous Demon immediately calmed down.
“We won’t keep them from justice. With your permission, we will impose a hundred-year banishment on them for their crimes, and release them into your custody.” Wolfe agreed.
The Fae present all made a clasped hands gesture, and bowed their heads as the Fae took out a stack of metal circlets from some unknown storage device, and began clasping collars around the necks of the prisoners.
“It is set, one hundred years of banishment from this world before the sentence ends. Prisoners, prepare to be transported home.” The Elf declared in a solemn voice.
The rest of the crowd maintained their position until they were gone, and then slowly began to return to their activities, while the Wrathbringer looked down at the terrified Demon in front of him, who was now wearing a very wet pair of pants.
“We should go too. I will be back soon, so don’t block the summoning platform.” The Wrathbringer declared, and then the pair of them were gone with a flare of magic from a scroll that the demon had been holding.
“That’s a useful spell too. I will have to watch it a few more times to make sure that I understand how it works.” Wolfe mumbled to himself.
“It’s not hard. It’s just a summoning array, like you use for Familiars, but with the Familiar parts removed and a location added. Plenty of Demons carry them, but they’re all made by the Magic Kingdom, so they’re a bit expensive.” A succubus standing next to Wolfe informed him, then leaned over and sniffed him.
“You smell like succubus. A lot like a certain succubus, in fact. Do you perhaps know someone named Rail, from the Investigation Department under Queen Elizabeth?” She asked.
“I do. She’s somewhere here in town right now, but if you want to find her, she will either find me at dinner or tonight in my room. How do you know her?”
He probably should have asked that first part before mentioning how to find her. Investigators had a habit of making enemies, and Rail was rather unconventional among Succubi.