Chapter 95

Chapter 95 “Infiltration”

Another handful of sun heretics who had infiltrated Pland by smuggling aboard a ship has been intercepted by the church today. For this reason, Vanna’s been busy interrogating the prisoners until late into the evening.

“Inquisitor Vanna,” the slightly emaciated regional bishop saluted the young inquisitor, “may the waves shelter your soul.”

“May the waves shelter your soul too,” Vanna replied to the bishop, then walked to the chair on the side with a somewhat tired step. “This is already the second batch of sun heretics thrown into prison, right?”

“Yes, we caught a dozen of them at the port three days ago already. They were promptly detected and stopped when they tried to kill a citizen. This new group is the second batch. They aroused the alarm of a meter reader during a dark ceremony in the apartment building,” the regional bishop nodded with a slightly worried look in his eyes. “To think so many cultists managed to infiltrate our city already... Fortunately, we found out early, otherwise their dark ritual would’ve caused devastating damage to the people.”

“Pland is a transportation hub on the Boundless Sea, and the calm of the past four years has paralyzed a lot of people’s awareness.” Vanna nodded in agreement, “But... It is not certain that we discovered their intents early or late. Those who came before the alarms went off might’ve already dug themselves deep inside a hole to avoid exposure.”

The regional bishop glanced at the inquisitor’s expression, hesitated for a moment, then asked, “I heard that many people have also been arrested in other areas?”

“Yes, in almost every city sector,” Vanna did not hide the truth. “Now in the underground cells of almost every church are captured heretics. From several to dozens.... But most of them are mere minions that had hardly any training. The priests have so far mostly been able to evade capture.”

Subconsciously brushing her hand against the scar, Vanna shook her head to dispel such emotions: “It’s okay, just a scar. You’re correct though, I did witness the riot personally so there’s no need to hold back.”

“I’ve learned that there was also a group of sun heretics among those who rioted back then. We are sure of this after arresting hundreds of saboteurs.” The regional bishop now sounded heavy in his voice, “But the infiltrated heretics don’t seem to know anything about the events eleven years ago.... If they are part of the same cult, wouldn’t they have at least some information on what happened? Don’t you think it’s weird?”

“Eleven years ago.... Either the branch in Pland acted without permission and didn’t communicate with the others, or the sun fragment’s appearance was a complete accident back then. Regardless of which, nothing good could come of it. There’s also the possibility that it’s the handiwork of a third force who remained in the shadows, and that the sun heretics are merely a pawn that got used.” Vanna conjectures using what little knowledge she knows, “And according to the records we have, those captured ‘saboteurs’ back then were all in a state of madness and delirium. I’m more inclined to believe they were under the influence of a powerful force that’s not their own.”

“...... Chasing twisted and dark things, only to be dominated by said dark forces before being tossed aside like firewood during the chaos....” The regional bishop sighed at how incredibly sad and foolish those pawns were, “What a miserable life.”

Vanna didn’t add anything to that, only standing quietly while staring out the window. From where she was, the lady could observe what was happening at the port from a distance. The blockade and cordoning have ended by now, and many of the piers were reopened during the day except for Pier 1. The reason was that it housed the latest steamship, the White Oak, which was constantly being monitored by the priests.

Vanna eventually retracted her gaze from the port after remembering something else: “I heard the notice for Anomaly 099 has been issued to the port area?”

“Yes, it just arrived this afternoon. Would you like to take a look?” The regional bishop said as he took out the folded documents from his possession, “For some reason, it came a little later than expected.”

“Show me,” Vanna reached out and took the document, “and it’s normal to be a little late considering what’s involved. Anomaly 099’s out-of-control state is very special after all. Considering the fact that it went missing during a direct confrontation with the Vanished, the bishops of the other city-states must weigh the wording and information carefully before releasing the document. Merely knowing about the matter might create a direct connection with that ghost ship if we’re not careful.”

When the lady mentioned the word “Vanished”, the oil lamp closest to Vanna suddenly flickered, followed by a subtle crackling sound of which shouldn’t be.