Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

904. The First Inquisition

The silence of the Stage was deafening. By now, the Assembly should be bustling with Kingdoms hurling insults from across the Stage.

Exalted were all too familiar with the unruly conduct of the Kingdoms, particularly when they brought vassals, missionaries and a sizable army to accompany them. But here, not a single person uttered a word unless they were being spoken to.

Their breaths were carefully timed to not make a sound. They had to live as though they were playing dead in the face of who was the Head of the Nexus – the Amalgam. Her unchanging, pleasant smile paired with her judgmental gaze made it impossible to read her.

In fact, that smile gave off the impression that she reveled in their torment. But if they thought about how she was seen from the other side of the Stage, then she’d appear as a righteous goddess.

An angel to the few, and a devil to the others. But in truth, she was neither.

What mattered to her was that her people were wronged, and like any Ruler worthy of carrying the burden of their Kingdom, she exercised her right to defend their honor.

The Stage was split between 51 Sinners and 9 Virtuous Kingdoms.

“WE WILL BEGIN THE ASSEMBLY! IF YOUR KINGDOM IS CALLED THEN MAY YOUR REPRESENTATIVE STAND!”

The golden-striped Fang of the Head commanded. Her exalted appearance wasn’t stained by her impure bloodline as a Demi-Human. It was common for half-blooded races to be looked down upon, even in Emvita.

It was certainly far from the systemic dehumanization of Demi-Humans in Grandis, but still not far off depending on the Kingdom.

Vampires with high Blood Purity like Mary exclusively feasted on pure-blooded humans. To her, a Demi-Human’s blood tasted like drinking the juice of unwashed, muddy fruits. Lower Generation vampires had to learn how to love the flavor.

Goblins and less intelligent humanoid monsters including Trolls, had a stronger distaste for Demi-Humans for their ‘wet fur’ taste.

But if anything, her golden-tipped ears and tail only enriched her appearance. Mary could spend hours trying to find a flaw in the triplets and would not come remotely close to finding one.

They were perfect. The fact that they represented the Head’s authority was a statement in itself.

The Amalgam adores Demi-Humans. Not just humans. I thought she’d like humans more. Bathory was said to be unable to bear the stench of Half Breeds and the kin of impure blood. Is the Progenitor immune to the revulsion?

Mary’s heart raced

The severity of their wrongs varied greatly, and the reports were called out by the Beholder standing beside the Amalgam.

It’s beginning. Straight to the point as well. No formal

“The Solace Empire.” The Beholder called, and at once, a man decorated in bright purple robes stood from his seat. “Your wrongs are plentiful. But they do not concern the Nexus nor myself as they have not occurred within my territory. I am only speaking to you since you are the closest to a place I hold dearest to my heart.”

Her territory? This Beholder has territory in Emvita? What Atelier…?

“M-May I ask which territory you speak of?”

The Beholder’s eyes flashed from a solid green to a cosmic blend of emerald-green and purple. She wore a sinister grin that was not intended to intimidate him but was rather the face she made whenever she was deep in thought.

“My 10th Branch. I was recently informed of an incident there. Do tell me what you know. Afterwards, we may proceed with the Amalgam’s inquisition.”

The man’s face went pale. Audble gasps filled the room as they realized just who this Beholder was.

“Galia. Beholder Galia of Justica Arms.” Yanarin whispered with disbelief.

“She’s the one who owns the 10th Branch? The one that controls the entirety of the Forests of Justitia?” Mary uttered.

“Indeed. She’s… the manufacturer of the Justica Arms.”

Mary was not the only one who trembled at the name. More than a dozen Kingdoms had been on the receiving end of what a mere squadron carrying those white sticks could do to an entire army.

The Red Guards, for example, were three times as strong as the ordinary soldiers of a neighboring nation. Where they lacked in formation, they made up in overwhelming numbers and strength.

But we lost against a squad of 13 Public Defenders. 9,000 of my Red Guards couldn’t break through.

Beholder Galia’s eyes shone with an evil glint. It was as though she knew exactly what Mary and the rest who had faced Justica Arms on the battlefield were thinking.

We had them surrounded on a hill. Archers, magical artillery – we had it all to flush them out when they chose to defend those outskirt villages. But the bullets that rained their way… I will never forget it. Till this day the bodies of my soldiers are serving as fertilizers for the expansion of that forest.

Mary saw an opportunity to gather the young from the villages that were, by all accounts, beyond the jurisdiction of Justica Arms. And yet, by their incomprehensible sense of justice, they defended what rightfully belonged to the conqueror.

* * *

Beholder Galia then spoke.

“I only want one answer. Do you know who conducted the attack on my 10th Branch?”

“People in the red bodysuits!” The Emperor of the Solace Empire confessed. “Honest! It’s all I know! We may be the closest Empire to your honored 10th Branch! But we can only see from so far beyond the Forests of Justitia!”

“Very well. I already had an idea of who our perpetrators are. It does not appear that you’re in collaboration with them.” Galia held out a golden scale.

This scale could determine if one spoke the truth or not and was called the Scale of Justitia. It was how Justica Arms members were able to deliver justice as quickly and accurately as possible.

“Never! If anything – We’ve been threatened by them! Believe me!”

“I believe you.” Galia smiled.

The adrenaline left the Emperor’s body. Sweat dripped from his forehead as she slumped forward, just barely able to keep himself standing. Relief filled him. It was over.

Finally, he could sit down.

“You’re not done yet.” The Beholder smirked. “While I have no issue with you – Do not forget the purpose of your summons. The Amalgam has yet to question you.”

Dread instantly replaced relief. The voice of the Amalgam shattered the air like the crack of thunder.

“Why is it that you require a Healer?”

“As a method to consolidate power! We… I had intentions to use a Healer to build relations with Justica Arms! And… You would already know – and I apologize! I sought after that Healer too! The one under Justica Arm’s protection as a way to gain their favor!”

Mary knew right away who he was talking about. There was rumor of a Healer travelling around Emivta. Healers were already rare enough. And with the breakdown of the 10th Branch, people openly hunted for the Healer.

But Mary did not. Her intuition told her that it was a hoax. If it were true, then someone would have already found. It was impossible for a Healer to get far on their own. Their inability to lie was enough to have them found within a day.

“My Healers are not meant to be used as tools to be bargained with.”

“You have no right to ask for a Healer.”

“You’re correct… your grace.” The Emperor lowered his head further until it was touching the marble table. It was not the time for him to argue how humiliating it was to bow before another.

His life was on the line.

“My Empire does not deserve them. I will live quietly. I will keep my head down for as long as I live.”

“I can’t punish you for what you haven’t done.”

“Your most merciful –!”

“But I can punish you on behalf of your people.”

“What…?”

“Twenty Blessed were taken in by your Kingdom.”

“Are you aware of what happened to them?”

 @@novelbin@@

“I…!”

* * *

The Solace Empire acted as a temporary safe haven for the Blessed. In exchange for a roof over their head they were relegated into working as mercenaries for the Solace Empire. Unlike most Kingdoms, the Guild members were not replaced, but the type of work they had to perform varied from questionable to exploitive.

The people of the Solace Empire treated them as such. During the aftermath of the devastation that took place in the 10th Branch two months ago, the Blessed were purposefully used as living bait to fend off a Corrupted.

It was unnecessary. But the inhabitants believed that they would be rewarded greatly if they could bring back either the carcass of the Corrupted to their Emperor or enslave it.

As a result, only 8 of the 20 Blessed returned.