Chapter 517: Pirates (1/2)

Chapter 517 Pirates

The slaves had moved up into the house. The same was true for someone else.

Ilea appeared in the dining room and casually joined them.

Hector talked in the native tongue while gesturing wildly. He animated a scene with flowing water in front of him, depicting a large ship with several sets of broad sails, an enormous whale appearing below.

A few of the people gasped.

“It took us two days to finally kill the damn beast but it was worth it… best damn meat I’ve ever eaten,” he said in Standard after finishing his story, nodding to himself as if he was reliving the memory.

Ilea just continued eating, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment. She checked her notifications quickly, now that she was out of the temple finally.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 159 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 160 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 9’

She focused back on the pirate who was now looking at her.

“And look who’s decided to finally show up,” Hector said with a wide grin. “I’ll have you know that you’re the first to make me wait in at least five years.”

Ilea smiled at him. “That explains why you behave like a spoiled child.”

He just waved her off. “Find anything? I doubt you got far with your lack of tact. At least you took the time to clear this house so we don’t have to meet in a damp cellar.”

She ignored the fact that he was always damp.

“I found the ritual site and destroyed it,” Ilea said.

His expression changed, the man turning serious immediately. He waited for a moment before he nodded. “Good. You’re not joking. Well that solves one issue we had.”

“What other issues were there exactly?” Ilea asked.

“Oh, so many! Two hours can be very productive, you know?” Hector said.

“Can they wait for a few minutes?” she asked, summoning a few documents and books from both Benedict’s study and the ritual hall. “Nadir, can you read to me what’s in there?” she asked the man.

He grinned and grabbed the books. “Sure I can.”

“You know I can read it too,” Hector said.

“Oh I know,” Ilea said and smiled at him, continuing her meal.

Nadir confirmed that Benedict hadn’t lied about anything. There were detailed orders about the ritual preparations in one of the books and in several letters. Everything fit neatly with what the Acolyte and his allies had told her.

She almost felt bad. Had he betrayed her, she could’ve killed him, a man risking death for his beliefs and dying with the thought of doing what had to be done. Now he was just a man who lost every trust in the institution he had been part of, his whole life turned upside down in the span of half an hour.

She breathed out and smiled, glad she had given him a chance.

Ilea wondered what they would do. The evidence was staggering and it didn’t seem like this realm of life was enough to die or kill for, if not even a priest was willing to allow human sacrifices to reach it.

She explained what had happened after Nadir had read a few key passages and documents, enough to support Benedict’s claims and allegiances.

Hector laughed at a few parts and finally raised both arms with his hands behind his head.

“Wow… you really let them live?” he said finally.

“She made the right choice… I know Benedict. He would never agree to something like this,” Nadir said and tapped one of the books.

“Oh, because fanatics can’t act nice for a few hours to get their enemy to trust them?” he asked.

“I doubt these letters were forged just for a convoluted plan to deceive me. He spoke the truth and now we have allies within this city. Allies with direct connections to a ton of members of the Order,” she said.

Hector rolled his eyes. “You have allies. I don’t want to have a part in all that. I’m sure you can live with this whole city dying because you didn’t do what was necessary.”

“I will,” Ilea said and glared at him.

“Velamyr will be happy to hear this ritual was disrupted but waaay more importantly. There are a ton of vaults here and they’re heavily enchanted. I’m afraid I need your help.”

“You didn’t look for the ritual site at all, did you?” she asked.

Hector grinned. “I thought your enthusiasm would surely make up for the both of us. And hey, I was right.”

He ate a few prawns off his plate before he pointed at her. “I like that disapproving look, almost like you care for the people of this city.”

Ilea didn’t engage with his childish banter, not in the mood for such shenanigans.

“The bait is ineffective. The scene must have really shaken you up. Well,” he said and stood up, dusting off his damp leather duster. “I’ve got something that cheers up every girl I know.”

Gods, if you are there, smite this man and end his miserable existence.

“Gold!” he said. “Now come on, let them squabble amongst themselves. Quite brilliantly done by the way, now we don’t really have to look for anything else here. Let’s just get their treasure and fuck off to the next city.”

His opinions change by the second, she thought and rolled her eyes.

“I won’t be leaving quite as quickly. Nadir, I need some more translations. With these you can help Hector. It’s a list with corresponding evidence about both nobles and members of the Order in this city Benedict gave me,” she said.

“Forged evidence to get rid of political enemies, smart man,” Hector said and nonetheless joined her.

If he just fooled me to sacrifice the city anyway, why would he give me forged documents?

She just shook her head and showed them everything.

Ilea checked the temple a few times in the next hour, making sure no new runes would be made, and that nobody ran off.

So far everything seemed fine. The talks were still heated but they had moved into the side room where tables, paper, and writing utensils were present. Plus beds, for those who were likely still exhausted from fearing for their lives or being tortured by the very Order they had called their own.

Hector joined her after they were done going through most of the evidence. His work had been swift and competent. As already shown, the man was certainly annoying but his practical experience and knowledge showed in his actions.

Ilea learned more than she really wanted to know about the practices of some of the officials of Yinnahall. More importantly, she learned a great deal about those who tried to help and bring reform. Many presently incarnated in one or the other dungeon of the city. If anything, Baralia had the documentation thing down. Just sadly in a language she couldn’t read.

Perhaps her high Intelligence would allow her to get the hang of it quickly but she had little interest. Resistances were easier to get and to level.

“You’ve returned?” Benedict asked as he finished the line on a document.

Ilea nodded, all eyes on her.

Barrett didn’t seem the same either, his body language and eyes hinting at a mixture of shame and anger.

“An ally?” Benedict asked, glancing at the pirate walking through the large hall.

“No. Someone whose power can be used and whose goals might intertwine with mine on occasion,” she said. “Perhaps how you view me.”

“Lilith… I know what you must think of our Order… our people. I just implore you to-” Benedict started when Ilea interrupted him.

“Don’t. Maybe we can talk about it in the future but right now we have more pressing issues. I wont be staying here in Yinnahall for long. Your Order is preparing rituals in other cities, perhaps even more of them here. We have to find and prevent them,” she said.

Benedict nodded.

“I checked the documents, Ben,” Ilea said. “It seems like you’ve been telling the truth at least. Thank you.”

He nodded. “You gave us a chance to redeem ourselves.”

“What about the ones still in the cages?” Ilea asked.

“They were deemed untrustworth-” he said when Hector sent out a spell.

Ilea turned to see the people in the cages fall into pieces.

Ben blinked before he stood up. “Those lives were not yours to take!”

“Careful old man,” Hector said as he walked a few steps closer.

“You just killed prisoners of war,” Ilea said, grinding her teeth as she glared at him, her ash spreading out.

“Members of the Order,” he said and shrugged, ignoring her magic. “You’re really gonna throw a tantrum over that?”