Chapter 294: The Sin Within (1/2)
A palpable aura of fear filled the room as the clergy members backed away from Grace's display of power, before perhaps realizing that doing so might make them look guilty. As such, there were a few moments of awkward shuffling about before the chamber fell silent, a loose semi-circle formed around the former Pontifex.
Mike, for his part, took the opportunity to study the barrier on the door. It looked fairly sturdy, but he doubted it could hold him if he really wanted to get out. Besides, there was nothing preventing him from simply going through the wall, should he find himself needing to escape. It would be flashy, of course, but that wasn't much of a concern when he was intending on leaving in the very near future.
[Considering the average power level of the people gathered here, I'm guessing this is enough to keep them locked down. Based on that, it's probably safe to say that my cover is still intact. So, I guess there is no harm in observing things for a while longer.]
He sent a mental message to Selene to have her start bringing the captured inquisitors to a location near the cathedral. That way, he could still do the handoff in a reasonably timely manner, once this particular situation was resolved. Of course, she didn't like that idea.
After dismissing her complaints about having to transport five fully grown men, one of which was still full of resistance, through the city streets, he managed to talk her into it. She finally relented once he pointed out that she would have control over the other four, and could simply have them carry the fifth. It would simply become a matter of keeping him quiet as they did so. Based on her angry muttering as she severed the connection, it looked like she intended to shove the angry High Inquisitor into a barrel, or something to that effect.
[Well, I'm sure she'll figure it out.]
It was then that Grace finally broke her silence. She'd been observing the members of the group with a critical eye, as if she could determine which of them was guilty by sight alone. Of course, it could also simply be a means of intimidating the assembled church functionaries.
”Now that I've ensured there will be no interruptions, and no escapes, let's talk about betrayal. One of you, or perhaps several of you, have violated our laws and brought Anathema back into our order. I cannot allow clemency for such a heinous sin, but I swear that if you speak up now and reveal yourselves, your deaths will be as painless as we can make it for traitors.”
Not surprisingly, that guarantee didn't encourage anyone to step forward. After a few moments of the group glancing around at each other awkwardly, Grace spoke again. ”Very well, we shall do this the hard way.”
Pointing her cane at one of the priests nearby, an elderly cat beastman, she intoned a solemn chant. ”I beseech thee, oh holy one, grant me the blessings of your wisdom and allow me to see through any falsehood. [Aura of Truth]”
A glowing golden aura appeared around the priest, but otherwise, he appeared to be unharmed. Nevertheless, the spell inspired a sudden rash of commentary from the crowd.
”Here it is, her interrogation spell. Does she really think this will work? Inquisitors have means of defeating these kinds of things.” One of the priests near Mike whispered to his neighbor.
”I'm sure she has her reasons.”
”She's probably taking advantage of the situation to eliminate those who've opposed her in the past. Seems like something she'd do.”
”If that's the case, do you think it's wise to badmouth her right now?”
That shut him up quickly, and the ensuing quiet allowed Mike to hear the question Grace directed at the now glowing priest. ”Eniphas, do you have any dealings with the Anathema?”
The cat beastman drew himself up to his full height and announced, ”I do not.”
The golden aura flickered, but otherwise didn't change.
”Very good. Then, do know of anyone who might be a member of such a group? Anyone you might suspect?”
He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately shook his head. ”No, I cannot think of anyone.”
The aura flickered again.
”Alright, thank you Eniphas.” She replied with a bow before turning to the rest of the group. ”If you keep your answers short and truthful, this enterprise will pass quickly. Now, for the next.”
The scene repeated itself multiple times, with the old Hierophant asking slightly altered variations of the same questions to every member of the group. Almost universally, this resulted in a slight fluctuation in the aura, and Mike was beginning to suspect that this was a faulty method. However, that changed when the elven woman from before was being questioned.
”Liande, are you a member of the Anathema?”
”No.” Came the terse reply, accompanied by a minor flicker of the golden glow.