After getting the black grotesque ball from my master, I turned it into mudge as I spread it around my face. I changed my appearance into someone with an Orange hair, Gray Eyes and a lethargic face of someone the same age as me.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I was satisfied at this new look of mine, then I looked at my master.
"Right, Master...about the facility"
Now that we finally have a proper talk, I decided to confront my master about the facility where I fought against someone. I decided to tell him honestly about what I found in there and how I ended up in there. I told him about those mutants and how I felt about seeing them, about how much I pitied them because they were innocent humans who got experimented on. Hearing me say those words, my master just kept quiet.
He did not do his usual stunt of chuckling, he just sat there quietly and stared out at the window where he saw the streetlights outside.
"Those things are no longer human, killing them off was better than prolonging their suffering of their difference. It was mercy"
After a moment of silence, my master finally replied to my troubles and assured me with a smile that is different from his playful one. It felt heartwarming...it was a genuine smile of care.
Seeing that, I felt warm in my heart as my master chuckled and added more to his words.
"You might see more things like that....This World is really messed up than you think they are"
Hearing those words, my ears perked up as visible signs of confusion was plastered in my face. I wondered what he was talking about and was about to ask him when he answered me first.
"For the sake of 'Greater good' people will not hesitate to do inhuman sacrifices like what you just witnessed. They will perform experiments, throw in a suicide charge of innocent soldiers, maybe even slavery...just for the greater good. There are corrupt nobles in the system right now, even the officials in the Church also had Corrupt individuals. But they are never caught as they use The names of the Gods as a cover. Those who try to challenge their power, will be [ Damned ] and branded as Evils. The world and Gods are not as righteous as you think they are."
Listening to my Master give that lecture, I just sat there in the bed quietly, I did not talk...not even a whisper as I just swallowed my words and kept quiet.
Deep inside me, I already knew that there really are corrupt nobles out there, but that is normal. So I believed they can be changed, but hearing about the words of my master...I did not expect the Gods to be one of them. Of course, he could just be manipulating me, he could have just been feeding me this information because he hated the Gods and as I recalled his actions, it really was obvious that he hated them.
But deep in me, I could feel it. He was telling the truth. I did not commit any crimes yet the Gods branded me as evil, that alone was enough to prove my master's words. Fuck it, I will go with my own beliefs. Not my master's nor the God's. Just my own belief.
As I processed my master's words, I also discovered something about his wordings.
"[ Damned ]?"
I asked him, thinking about the title that he called me during our first meeting. 'Roanoke, The Hero of the Damned' what does he mean by that?
Probably sensing my curiousity on that question, my master smiled and laid down on his bed.
"They are those who challenge The Gods and they deemed a threat. I am also one of them HAHAHAHA, now go to sleep, you will set off early tomorrow"
After hearing those words, I was left flabbergasted once again. The ones who challenge the Gods? What does this guy mean? He is also one? What the fuck?
I was about to ask him for more question when the guy just started snoring in his sleep, yeah like hell this bastard master of mine will give me answers that easily. He is speaking vague words again.
——————
A week after the incident in the Slums, Montresor is on a council meeting with the other Church Popes of the continent and nobles from the Archanus empire. They are all currently here to talk about the recent incident and as well as about the man, Rauke Enidryll.
"Based on the reports we received, Rauke Enidryll is suspected to be Yao Li Sheng's disciple. They have been seen walking together and the latter also bought weapons for Rauke Enidryll."
"Yao Li Sheng also threatened Bishop Montresor to keep Rauke Enidryll alive"
As the representative Bishop Ferdinand, spoke, he glanced at Bishop Montresor who just kept quiet in the corner. Then proceeded to report more news to the Excellencies sitting on a luxurious throne like judges. The 5 Popes of each churches.
The first pope, an Elven man with green hair who served the Goddess of Life Ariandel, raised his hand to halt Ferdinand's recitation and then casted his gaze on Montresor who was keeping quiet.
"Anything to add, Bishop Montresor?"
The Elven pope asked the Bishop as Montresor stood up from his seat, did a bow as a greeting and then replied:
"The man said that if ever something happens to Rauke Enidryll, we will pay a great price"
After answering that question, the nobles inside the Council Hall soon filled the hall with murmurs.
"Silence!"
What silenced the sound of murmurs was the voice of the Human Pope. His voice resounded in the hall as he prompted for Ferdinand to continue.
"According to the reports we received last night, a charred remains of an individual suspected to be Rauke Enidryll was found in the secret facility where inhuman experiments were done"
"Any proof that it was Rauke Enidryll?"
The human pope asked Ferdinand which made The Old bishop to reply in haste.
"Yes, according to the people who guarded the place....a lone blonde lad fought them all and easily won against them despite some of them being Orange Ranks"
"If they are Orange ranks, then how can an unblessed like Rauke fight against then?"
Once again, the human pope asked Ferdinand in which Ferdinand just turned over a page on the paper that he was reading.
"According to the records, Yao Li Sheng is also unblessed, so the possibility of Rauke learning his ways is not ruled out."
Hearing those words, The popes kept quiet as the hall was filled with tension. Montresor too, who had been quiet shot a glance at a certain noble in the Hall. It was Count Roland Enidryll, who despite hearing the news just wore an indifferent expression.
'What a cold father....'
Montresor scoffed inwardly as he recalled Li Sheng asking for Phantom Skins. He actually was not fooled by the stunt that Li Sheng pulled, he already knew that the guy had staged a death for his own disciple after he heard the news of Rauke Enidryll's death and checked the corpse of the so called Rauke Enidryll. Thinking about the reason why the guy borrowed Phantom Skins and his obvious stunt of having Rauke walk around the Town, Montresor already had an idea as he found The Man quite devious.
But of course, he did not share that info to the higher ups, Li Sheng is his good friend...why would he sell him out? Rather, this helped him further destroy the corrupt nobles, like Count Baifel for example.
Speaking of the Baifel County, when they were investigating the death of the fake Rauke Enidryll, the authorities suspected that Count Baifel was the one who killed Rauke Enidryll because the lad found his dark secrets. Which explains the body being burnt beyond unrecognition and the burning down building.
But Montresor who knew the truth more than anyone, Dispelled the phantom skin enchantment on the fake Rauke and discovered that it was Count Baifel. Clearly guessing what his friend intended to do, he aided him with his plan.
He took charge of the Count's body as he cremated it, leaving no more traces of Li Sheng's grand plan. And so, in the span of three days....Rauke Enidryll had finally died.
"Your Excellencies, if I may be permitted to talk....."
Montresor raised his hand in the midst of the tensed and silent hall as his voice echoed to everyone who heard it.
"How about we put the blame onto the Baifel County and avoid clashing with Yao Li Sheng? Count Baifel is corrupt and performed inhuman experiments, so this is a punishment for himself and his family as I heard that they even keep slaves from Elven Races"
Hearing his words, everyone in the hall stared at him with wide eyes, as his words echoed throughout everyone and sparked some unknown emotion in them. It especially sparked to The Elven Pope and Nobilities.
'How easy, it just feels like I am using my blessing'
Montresor rejoiced inwardly as he thought about his sinister blessing.
[ Blessing of the Emotion
—The Goddess of Illusions, Euricienne also loves to play with the emotions of others with her illusions. By your words, you can influence the emotion of others ]
As the rage in the elven people were fueled, They then demanded the Archanus Imperial Family to decide.
Glancing at one of the Seat of Honor, Montresor felt the aura of the man with Blonde and golden hair who sat beside the Crowned Prince and the Empress, The Emperor of Archanus Kingdom and the uncle of Rauke Enidryll.
The reason why Rauke possessed the dignity of a king in him, was actually just not to exaggerate his immense talent before, it was actually because the blood of The Imperial family ran through his veins. Roland Enidryll had been the brother of Aguero Archanus. Roland just lost the battle for the throne and became a Count, the reason why he did not become a Duke instead was because the Valiere family patriarch became One of the Continent's strongest and mamaged to keep the title for his family. That is why Roland became a count instead.
As the eyes of everyone was glued to him, Aguero Archanus heaved out a sigh and then raised his hand to declare:
"I declare that Count Baifel will be stripped off his assets and be exiled!"