Chapter 11
The Imperial Knights
It had been about two days after Tokiya and Berserker had departed from the town. That's when a highly decorated and fancy carriage arrived at the town. The two horses that drew it were clad in shining armor, and on the side of the carriage was the symbol of the Imperial Knights, a yellow sword stabbing through the middle loop of a three looped chain.
The standout appearance drew the attention of the people. It was obvious that the Imperial Knights were there due to the cultist incident, but it was shocking that they actually came all the way from the capital. Eventually the carriage stopped in front of the police station. As soon as it came to a halt, the two soldiers in the driver's seat jumped to the ground and opened the doors to the carriage.
Out stepped a young woman with the most majestic cream colored hair. Her black headband provided great contrast to her light hair. On her back was a decently sized sword, with a yellow star shaped guard. She wore an Oravell plate which was a chest plate that was only given to generals and captains, the two highest ranks in the Imperial Knights. It was also identical to the armor that Eien possessed.
Following right after her was a red haired man who appeared to be a bit younger than her. His red hair all swooped to the left and slightly covered the black blindfold. He also possessed an Oravell plate which he wore a cropped leather jacket over. The man laughed at seeing the state of the station.
"General, look at that! They really go to get that fixed. Do you think the cultist did this?"
The woman shook her head and sighed, used to this type of behavior from him but still disappointed. When she spoke, her tone was calm and composed.
"Well, we are talking about an existent in the Cult of the Black Sword, so I wouldn't be surprised."
As the man continued to giggle to himself, a figure creepily snuck up behind him.
"You shouldn't be laughing, Jayce. These people have gone through a lot recently."
The man, now revealed to be named Jayce, jerked around. Behind him was another young man with neat brown hair. Over his own Oravell plate was a long white doctor's coat. Jayce frowned.
"Don't act like you're such a goody two shoes, Aitzer."
The brown-haired man shrugged and responded in a polite tone.
"What could you possibly mean, dear friend. I'm a doctor. I save people. I'm basically a saint."
Jayce got in Aitzer's face.
"You little-"
"ENOUGH!"
The two men shrieked at the general's stern command. They huddled together like two schoolgirls and began whispering to each other. Jayce spoke first.
"Yikes. Captain is usually so calm, but that was something else."
Aitzer nodded rapidly.
"Quite a frightful sight."
The woman shook her head out of frustration. Before she could burst with rage and kill her two subordinates, a police officer from the station. He casually approached the group smoking a cigarette.
"Hello, I'm Captain Kyle. You must be the Imperial Knights we were expecting."
He extended his hand for a handshake with his laid-back behavior which the woman accepted. Her grasp was firm and professional.
"I'm Imperial Knight General Justina."
At the unveiling of the woman's identity, Kyle quickly straightened his posture and fixed his whole demeanor. His cigarette fell from his mouth and onto the ground.
"W-wow, it's an honor. I thought they'd be sending lieutenants or a captain at best, but to send down one of the four generals is shocking."
Kyle looked at the Aizter and Jayce behind her.
"That means you two must be the Aizter and Jayce, the Two Who Decide War."
Jayce beamed with pride.
"Haha, that's us. Although it does bug me that I'm so strongly associated with the psycho doctor."
Justina cleared her throat.
"Please take us to the cultist."
Kyle nodded.
"R-right."
Kyle led the group into the police station. As they walked, Aitzer approached Kyle with a friendly demeanor.
"Please excuse my partners. Justina can be very blunt sometimes, and Jayce is just plain rude. They mean well, so please be patient with them."
Just as Kyle was about to respond, Jayce forcefully yanked Aizter by his collar.
"You better not be spreading your bullshit propaganda like you did at the last place we went to. You made me look like a total villain!"
Aitzer barely struggled against Jayce's grip, and at this point Jayce was on the verge of assaulting Aitzer which certainly was not helping his case. Justina walked past their antics too preoccupied to entertain her subordinates. Her mind was too determined on one specific thing.
Walking through the long chamber in the basement, they made it to the cell room. After making their way to the back of the room, they stopped in front of a door. Kyle turned to them.
"Behind this door is where all of our most dangerous and unstable criminals are held. Being that we're a small town in the countryside, it's never really occupied. In fact, this is the first time it has been since I started working here."
Justina's gaze pieced the door. She was filled with silent focus and determination as well as another darker feeling. Aitzer noticed this and decided to do the talking for her.
"In addition to transferring the cultist to the capital, we were also tasked with apprehending the person he was after. I believe his name was Tokiya Hara. Would you able to arrange for him to be brought here too?"
"Unfortunately, he left for Ardston two days ago, so the answer would be no."
Aitzer nodded understandingly.
"I see. General, how would you like to proceed with his detainment."
Justina snapped out of her trance but did not take her eyes away from the door.
"Forget about it for now. We'll get him later. Right now, concern yourself with only the cultist."
Jayce interjected.
"The guy who defeated an existent of the Black Sword must be pretty strong. I want to meet him."
Kyle shook his head.
"You must mean Gremory. He's not allowed in this room. Whenever the cultist sees him, he becomes violent and uncooperative."
There was a brief tension filled silence mostly due to Justina's intense atmosphere. Kyle uncomfortably motioned towards the door.
"Shall we go in?"
Hardly needing the invitation, Justina opened the door and entered the room. Her captains entered after her, and they were followed by Kyle. The two Imperial Knight soldiers stayed outside, guarding the door.
The room was dirty and clearly suffered from a lack of maintenance. There was nothing but a hard bed, sink, and a small bucket for excretion. Jayce immediately put his hand over his nose, and Aitzer's face contorted.
Justina also contorted her face but not out of disgust. She was immediately filled with rage at the sight of the cultist who sat chained to the back wall. Her breathing quickened, her fingers twitched, and her mind clouded. Then, a hand was placed on her shoulder. It was Jayce's. Without words, Justina recollected herself. She turned to Kyle.
"I want to speak to him."
Aitzer whispered to Justina.
"Are you sure about this? We wouldn't want you to lose your temper. Besides, we're just meant to transfer him, not question him."
Justina closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I assure you my focus shall waver no more and questioning him can help with our personal investigation of the cult. Please trust me, Aitzer."
The two captains backed up, putting their trust into their general. Kyle walked over to Mors and removed the gag from his mouth. Mors immediately smiled and his wide eyes sparkled despite his situation.
"Ah, this is so exciting! I have guests that aren't those sinful police officers. Please, please, make yourselves at home."
Before responding, Justina took a deep breath.
"Mors Fortuna, existent in the Cult of the Black Sword, I am Imperial Knight General Justina. I am here to transfer you to the capital where you will put on trial for your crimes."
Still excited, Mors wriggled around in his chains.
"General Justina! I've actually heard of you. Boss is always going on about your unsuccessful investigations into the cult. But even outside of that, you're like a hero in this country. Fate must have blessed me with this meeting for my hard work."
Justina was a bit confused as to why Mors would be excited to see her there even after she stated her intentions. Jayce turned to Kyle.
"The report said that he's immortal due to a Divine Blessing. Is that really true?"
Kyle nodded.
"During our initial interaction with him, he regenerated twice after having his body decimated. Since then, we've tried many other ways to kill him, but here he is, still alive and kicking."
Jayce stared at Mors curiously.
"Mind if I try something?"
Kyle hesitantly answered, after all, he couldn't just say no, to an Imperial Knight captain who was with General Justina.
"S-sure."
Jayce walked up to Mors, standing about four feet away when he stopped. The cultist stopped his movement and looked up at the soldier. Mors smiled.
"You must be Jayce, Lord of Destruction."
Jayce smiled.
"Finally, a title for me and me alone."
Aitzer shook his head.
"However, it is quite the uncivilized one."
Mors continued.
"I've heard many things about you, for Fate really does know all. In fact, I know the source of the power that allows you to be so strong. You're the Child of the Phoenix, aren't you? Come on, take off the blind fold. Show me what remains of that dead-"
Mors burst into flames, his screams bouncing throughout the room. Kyle jumped back while Justina seemed unfazed. Jayce stared down at the burning body with displeasure in his eyes.
"Maybe this will teach you to keep your damn mouth shut."
Jayce spit on the fire. Aitzer looked away dramatically.
"How barbaric. Although I can't really expect less from Jayce."
After about twenty seconds of Mors' wretched screams, the flames faded, and Mors' scorched body laid hunched, still chained to the wall. However, after a few seconds, a yellow glow surrounded the cultist. His body was soon completely rejuvenated. Mors looked up at Jayce with furious eyes.
"How dare you! How dare you! How dare you! I take back everything I said about you! I realize Fate did not make you blind as a test of strength but as a punishment for your sinful ways!"
Jayce turned around to his comrades. His look of displeasure was now gone. Justina and Aitzer both seemed slightly shocked by Mors' power.
"I can't believe he just survived my flames. This has to be the work of a Divine Blessing, no doubt about it."
Justina nodded.
"I agree."
However, Mors was still outraged.
"Don't turn away from me! Hey, you! I'm still talking to you!"
Jayce walked back to his companions.
"There's no way he'll cooperate with us now. Maybe I should've saved that for the end."
Justina sucked her teeth.
"Idiot."
Aitzer stepped forward.
"General, if I may, I think I might be able to calm our subject-I mean prisoner."
"Go ahead, Aitzer."
With a friendly and seemingly innocent face, Aitzer approached the raging cultist. He crouched down in front of Mors and smiled.
"I'm sorry for the behavior of my companions, especially that savage, Jayce. I'm sure you'd much rather talk to me."
"No, no, no! You're probably just like them! Sinners! Heretics! All of you! You're the type of person to take no joy in kicking a puppy!"
"..."
There was a long silence in the room. Aitzer stared at Mors with a blank expression. He blinked a few times and then turned back to Justina and Jayce.
"Is he serious?"
Justina sighed and looked to the side while Jayce simply shrugged. Aitzer turned back to Mors.
"Fine, if you refuse to talk, I'll have to use more effective methods."
Aitzer took from out of his coat pocket a pair of glasses which he then put on.
"At this time, I would like to ask all of you to leave the room. My methods are rather intimate, and it would just be embarrassing to have you see them."
Aitzer said this in a shy and almost cutesy voice. Despite not having seen anything yet, Justina and Kyle felt uncomfortable. However, Jayce stamped his foot.
"Intimate? What about all of the late nights we spent together?"
Aitzer turned away in the most dramatic way possible.
"Sorry, Jayce. It's the only way."
"F-fine!"
Jayce angrily turned around. He grabbed Justina by the wrist and dragged her out the room. Kyle followed awkwardly. Once outside, Justina looked up at Jayce, her face almost completely red.
"W-were you guys serious about that?"
Jayce scoffed.
"No, of course not! He made a joke, so I just played along."
He reached out his hand and pat Justina on the head.
"You're so innocent, Justina."
Justina frowned and immediately grabbed Jayce's arm. Jayce shrieked and crumbled under her grip. Kyle watched the scene unfold. His perception of these three legendary knights was getting worse by the second.
Then, shocking everyone, screams suddenly burst from the room behind them. Tears could be heard buried deep within these cries. These terrifying noises lasted for a whole five minutes. Once the screams died down, the door slowly creaked open. Aitzer appeared in the doorway, putting his glasses back into his pocket.
Aitzer smiled.
"All done. He was a very good subject."
Justina nodded.
"I hope you asked important questions."
Aitzer clapped his hands together.
"Rest assured, General. You'll be delighted to hear what I discovered."
"Well then, share."
"First, I started with the objective of the attack. He did confirm that his sole purpose was to capture Tokiya dead or alive."
Justina crossed her arms.
"We know that, but what would the Cult of the Black Sword want with a farmer all the way out here?"
Aitzer continued.
"The cultist confirmed that the job wasn't the idea of the cult. It was a hit from outside the cult. Unfortunately, he's not aware of who ordered Tokiya to be killed."
Justina gasped as she angrily unfolded her arms.
"That's bullshit! He's an existent in the cult! That's the highest rank in the cult besides the leader. You know that, so don't sit here and tell me he doesn't know."
Aitzer put his hands in order to calm his enraged superior.
"Calm down, General. You must know by now that my methods are near perfect. You must accept what I've told you as the truth."
Justina sucked her teeth and whispered under her breath.
"Bullshit."
Jayce stepped forward making sure to put a reassuring hand on Justina's shoulder.
"What else did you learn?"
Aitzer nodded.
"Right, I was also able to confirm more information about the Second Phase."
Justina's attention was immediately grasped.
"T-the Second Phase? Tell now."
Aitzer chuckled.
"Calm down, General. According to the cultist, the Second Phase is much closer to completion than we thought. He estimated about two to three months."
Jayce gawked.
"Three months? That's like no time!"
Aitzer nodded.
"Indeed."
Kyle looked at the group with a look of ignorance.
"Um, I think I'm missing something. What is the Second Phase?"
Aitzer put his finger over his lips and winked at Kyle.
"Sorry, but that's confidential."
Justina marched towards the door with a determined look. She forcefully opened the door. She stared at Mors down as she approached him, and he did the same.
"Stay back, you fiend!"
Justina stood over the cultist with monstrous eyes.
"You will answer my questions."
Mors, remembering his experiences with Jayce and Aitzer, was scared of what their superior might do to him. He looked up, trying to hide his nervousness.
"N-no I will not."
Suddenly, a storm of dark energy burst from the ground beneath Mors. A hand wielding a dagger lunged out of the darkness, but Justina at what seemed like light speed grabbed the sword off her back and blocked the attack. Jayce, Aitzer, and Kyle ran into the room. Jayce ran up to Justina.
"General, are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
The darkness dispelled, and once the view cleared, Justina could see that Mors was no longer bound to the wall. Mors was standing on his own two feet. In front of him stood a hooded figure with his back turned to the group. On the back of the black jacket he wore was an eye with a sword going through it in red print. That was the symbol of the Cult of the Black Sword.
Justina's eyes widened.
"Another member?"
She gritted her teeth and charged at the figure. Her sword began to glow with a yellow energy and rang with the sound of power. Once within close range, she let out a powerful slash, letting out a giant explosion.
Smoke filled the room. Kyle vigorously coughed, and his vision became blurry from the light of the attack. The smoke slowly cleared, and once it had fully dispersed, all that could be seen was the decimated wall in front of Justina. Mors and the figure had vanished.
Justina stared at the wall. Her eyes were wide. She couldn't look away from the wall. She dropped her sword and fell to her knees. Justina stared at her hands.
"..."
Jayce and Aitzer ran up to their defeated captain. They crouched beside her expecting to have to comfort their General. However, they were shocked to see her laughing to herself. Aitzer looked concerned.
"G-General, are you ok?"
"You want to run away? Ha! That's ok. I'll find you. I'll find all of you! You can't run from justice!"
"G-General..."
Justina quickly stood up.
"Jayce. Aitzer."
The two promptly stood up and responded simultaneously.
"Yes, ma'am."
She turned towards the door and began walking expecting them to follow her, which they did.
"We're going to Ardston. We'll find this Tokiya guy and find out what his deal is. At the same time, we'll prevent the realization of the Second Phase. In addition, I want a detailed report of today's events. Understood?"
They both saluted, completely shocked by the scene that unfolded and the fact that their General completely ignored it. They followed Justina out of the room and to the exit of the basement.
Kyle stood in the doorway, staring at the wall. He wondered how he could possibly explain what happened to his boss.