Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

903. Verbal Warfare

The scorn of the Black Wings and the few red-haired Healers belonged to soldiers rather than a Healer. It did not make sense that Healers were able to display this level of animosity.

Suddenly, a hand was raised into the air.

It came from the virtuous side.

“Forgive me for asking… but assuming that the rules as the same as an ordinary Assembly, then are we able to ask for proof?”

It was a bold move to challenge the Amalgam’s claims, but he was right.

What proof was there that they were Healers? The black and red strands may have been their real colors. They did not display their Healing powers either, so it was difficult to believe the Amalgam at face value.

The Amalgam simply smiled back.

But that peaceful smile was far more terrifying than if she had frowned.

“Prince of the Logik Kingdom. Your prized Gift allows for the creation of lockpicks that automatically solve locks.”

“You are… well versed with my Kingdom. You’re correct. Our Gift excels in solving locks. There are no better lockpicks than ours.”

The man began to sweat under the limelight.

But he spoke proudly of his Kingdom, almost as if gloating about it to the Amalgam.

“I did not ask whether it excelled or if it is the best at what it can do. I merely stated what is known about you.”

“… Understood.”

“You have also proven that you cannot follow simple instructions.”

“Excuse me…?”

Suddenly, a Black Wing leaped down from the walls and approached him with their gun pointed at his group.

“You – You dare –!?”

Before he could finish talking, a howl caused him to shut his mouth.

“THE AMALGAM GAVE YOU ONE INSTRUCTION!” The Fang of the Head roared. “YOU ARE TO CHOOSE THE SIDE YOU BELONG TO AS TRUTHFULLY AS POSSIBLE!”

“A sinner I am not –!”

“You asked how I can prove to you that my Black Wings and my Sanguine Doves are Healers.”

“First, I wish to hear your reason for wanting a Healer.”

“The truth is all I want.”

The Amalgam demanded a confession. She had brought them here for this sole purpose, as well as to punish them accordingly. However –

If what she’s saying is true… and she only wants us to be honest… then will we be punished for that?

Mary realized that the Amalgam would go through them each on a one-by-one basis. Their admission of guilt may be their only saving grace. But still, Mary did not know why she’d be guilty.

I just want the blood of a healer. Is that so wrong for me to have? Healers can live forever… It is not like I’ll sell them off as a slave.

That train of thought came to an end when the prince of the lesser known Logik Kingdom stood up to answer.

“A personal Healer for the Royal Family. Your grace – I have no other ill intent!”

“Your intentions are different from your recorded actions.”

“Recorded actions?”

“There was three Blessed in your Kingdom for a short period of time.”

“Do you remember them?”

“O-Of course I do. They were…!”

The man froze suddenly. The words he was about to say were caught in his throat as he realized what the contents were.

“If you are unwilling to answer, then I shall answer for you.”

“Wait – Wait – WAIT –!”

The Black Wing hurled her bulky weapon in the air and cleaved off the arms of his trusted companions. The force of tens of tons pulverized bone into dust. The only reason they did not die was because Healing Bullets were fired at them to keep them alive.

Then, she pushed through and grabbed the collar of the prince.

“You – To an honorable guest –!?”

A fist-sized hole appeared in his chest.

“Gaagh!?”

Then, his bowels were cut open by bunt force trauma. Indeed, the Black Wing swiped the butt of her weapon across his belly, causing his entrails to spill.

“Don’t dirty this place with your disgusting blood. Grab your entrails and put them back where they belong!”

She commanded, placing a hand on his head as she casted just enough Healing Magic to keep him alive. A grin formed on her face as she watched the prince pitifully scrape his organs back into his body, only for her to heal him back.

This caused his abdomen to stretch as there were now two sets of organs inside of him. Then, with a horrific tear, his body tore open.

“P-Please –!”

“The one woman and two men. The woman was supposed to become one of your concubines, and the men were to serve the queen for nightly duties.”

“Stop… I’m begging you…”

His punishment did not end. The Black Wing thoroughly enjoyed her work. If it were up to her, she’d ask him to create a drawing of his sins out of his intestines. But alas, she did not want to dirty the same place where the Amalgam breathed.

Plus, this was directly below their home.

“Aha… Ahahah…” The Black Wing giggled maniacally. “I’m sure they said the same things to you. Like us, the Blessed tend to help Kingdoms out – even of their own expense! But when they needed help the most – you violated them!”

“Amal… gam… mercy… please…”

The Amalgam’s expression did not change from her pleasant smile.

“As I said – All bodies, people, organizations and items in relation to the Nexus are under my sole authority.”

“Three of my people were wronged by you.”

The Black Wing bundled the prince’s aides into a circle bundle of meat.

“If you lose contact with my shoulder, then you die. Trip over if you’re sorry.”

The prince struggled to keep a hand on her shoulder. She walked at a brisk pace, carrying little if the man was left behind. He had to drag meters worth of intestines behind him and caring not to trip over.

He was escorted to the sinner’s side of the Stage. The Black Wing stood beside him so he wouldn’t bleed out. Serum L – Lacrimal kept his aides in their compact, silently weeping forms.

“The Nexus has existed to serve. The Healers provide free of cost. The Blessed work alongside the Guilds and your written requests. The Moons selflessly sacrifice themselves to fight the Corrupted.”

“You didn’t have to help them.”

“You could have just left them alone.”

Soon, a similar treatment was given to another 13 Kingdoms who had wrongfully chosen to sit on the virtuous side. Their aides? Meatballs. The rulers? They were forced to watch helplessly, fearing repercussion.

Psychological torment was another way of punishing those who thought of themselves as untouchable, after all.

Pure, white-haired Healers approached few of the people on the sinner’s side with gentle smiles. They graced them like angels coming to rescue them.

“Hello! You shouldn’t be here. Your side is over there. Come, follow me. I’ll show you the way~”

Among these mere 5 Kingdoms was the Kingdom of Slimia. The Queen Slime didn’t know what the Healer was saying, but she put on a bright smile to match the Healer’s, much to their delight.

If it weren’t for the presence of the Nexus, then the Kingdoms would have fought tooth and nail over the custody of these innocent Healers – a fact that the Amalgam no doubt knew.

“Now that everyone is in their rightful seats, I can prove to you my right to call all Healers my children.”

The Amalgam brought her arm up into the air.

Then, with a single slash, removed her arm in its entirety. Blood did not spill. Instead, it moved like ribbons flowing in the breeze. They weaved together to form muscles. Her arm was repaired in the blink of an eye. Not only that, but even her apparel managed to restore itself.

“I hope that is enough proof. Otherwise, I am not opposed to personally demonstrating it on the bodies of those who doubt me.”

“That being said, I have a soft spot for all things related to the Nexus.”

“My people for example. As Rulers of Elysia, is not natural to be angered when another nation wrongs your people?”

“I now ask of you this one question.”

“Will you be able to blame the Blessed when they no longer extend their hands out to help the Kingdoms of Elysia when this is how they are treated?”

“My Moons may reconsider defeating a Corrupted in your territory if you are not careful.”

The Amalgam threatened them. They had taken the duties of the Moons for granted. To hear that they could be stripped of that was like having a fundamental right taken away.

But how could they argue back, when the Moons were Blessed themselves?

Only now did Mary realize what she had done wrong.

The Guild Receptionists…

She shuddered in terror.

How was she supposed to admit this to the Amalgam?

If she was honest, then perhaps…

… I… must not lie.

… she may be able to escape with her life and her mind intact.

“Let’s begin from the start. All 60 of the Kingdoms present have been called here to present their case as to why you require a Healer. You will also be questioned and punished appropriately for matters that involve the Nexus and its people.”@@novelbin@@

60?

Ah… Wait. There are 60 of us. What Kingdom is that? The Bel… Bellum Empire? Isn’t that the Empire involved with the recent war in Grandis? Ateliers even came to their aid… Could they be allies of the Nexus!? Like the Chlam Empire!? Since when!?

“Your intentions for wanting a Healer will also be punishable.”

The Nexus was supposed to be neutral. Did the violation of the Blessed cause them to act?

“If you believe that this is an act of war – then by all means, I will allow you to leave unharmed.”

It must have. Or, is it an excuse for the Amalgam to extend their reach?

“But our next meeting will be spoken in the language of violence.”

No matter what it is – There is nothing we can do about it.

It won’t be a war.

Entire civilizations will disappear like in the Dark Ages.

“My Healers will tend to the wounds and injuries of the virtuous.”

“Sinners. You will answer my questions truthfully.”

Now that Mary noticed it, the feathers on the Amalgam’s shoulders only rustled whenever someone was telling the truth.