Free Web NovelChapter 35: Ch 35: The Day It Changes
Raidan logged back into Olympus when the sun had just risen high in the sky.
He felt a little tired, so he took a short nap on his bed.
After two hours, he woke up, feeling much better.
His belly was full, so he did not need breakfast like the other devotees in the Shrine.
So, he decided to look for Nia to gain some knowledge on increasing his Mana reserves.
The morning was quiet. The sunlight was warm and comforting against the polished wooden floor.
Within minutes, he was walking down the hallway to Nia’s room.
But suddenly, something caught his eye.
His footsteps froze instinctively, and his heart started beating uncontrollably.
He looked to see a crowd of faceless followers gathering around in a tight circle, murmuring in chaotic voices.
Raidan walked over and tried to see what the reason was.
After some effort, he managed to peek his head into the tight circle.
But upon seeing the cause of the commotion, his heart made a loud "Ba-dump!"
Everything seemed to come to a standstill at that moment. The world narrowed between him and a wooden coffin lying at the center.
Sleeping peacefully within its velvety embrace was Nia.
Yes. Nia. She was currently a breathless figure, with her mask removed.
Her beautiful cat-like face had lost all its vitality.
She was dead. There was no doubt about it.
Immediately after realizing that, Raidan felt the air become suffocating.
How did she die?
Just how?
It was just yesterday she was giving him a warning about the mysterious killer, and now she was dead.
Her mask had been stolen as well.
Around him, the followers began to whisper in hushed tone.
"Where did they find her?" a trembling man behind crow mask asked from the back of the crowd.
"In the Eastern courtyard, right near the willow trees. The priests discovered her body just before dawn. There was no sign of a struggle. It was a single, clean strike to the heart."
Raidan clenched his fists. ’A single strike?
Nia was not weak. For someone to kill her without causing a scene meant the killer was incredibly skilled, or perhaps someone she implicitly trusted.’
"It must be that Heretic. The one they call the Shadow Walker. He has been targeting the Faceless Shrine for a while now. First Brother Zion, then Sister Mara, and now Nia."
"But how did he get past the holy wards? I thought only high-ranking priests and those with the Faceless God’s direct blessing can walk the inner grounds at night without triggering the magical alarms!"
"Hmm, are you saying it is an inside job?"
"No, I am just saying no one is safe anymore! They stripped her mask as well! That is the ultimate desecration for a Faceless." freēwebnovel.com
Before the gossip could escalate further, the heavy thud of armored boots reverberated down the hallway.
The crowd instantly parted, bowing their heads in deep reverence as three towering Shrine Inquisitors marched through.
Their golden masks shone under the morning sun, but their expressions were absolutely thunderous.
Standing heroically, The lead inquisitor declared:
"Silence! This cowardly act is a direct insult to the Faceless God. Another of our devoted follower has been struck down in our own sacred sanctuary. The sanctity of this Shrine has been violated, and the heavens demand blood."
"Adding to that, high Priestess Melinda is beyond outraged. She has declared a state of absolute lockdown. From this moment, no one can enter or leave the Shrine as they like. We will tear this holy place apart stone by stone if we must. We will find this murderer, and they will burn in our eternal hellfire!"
Feeling a growing emptiness, Raidan left dejectedly.
Why does this always happen to me?
Why?
Why does everyone always keep drifting away from me?
My parents disappeared, my friends kept distancing themselves from me, and even my wife, whom I cherished with my life, left.
Was I really that incompetent?
Or was I cursed to stay alone for my whole life?
Just what kind of sin did I commit?
The Universe denied to provide him any answer.
On the contrary, he was taken into custody by some strong acolytes.
"Come with us, Apollo. You are suspected of a crime."
Raidan had no choice but to follow, hoping he would be able to clear up the misunderstanding.
But the reality turned out entirely different.
Priestess Melinda did not even listen to his explanation.
She simply assumed he was one of the perpetrators based on the fact that he was the one with whom she had been close recently.
She did not even try to listen. It was as if she was trying to find a scapegoat.
And who could be a better target than a newly joined follower?
And now, he was inside a dark interrogation cellar, completely chained from head to toe.
He could have tried to run, but he knew this would be pointless, as the figures around him were all high-level powerhouses.
Trying to flee would only result in immediate execution on the spot.
"So this is the perpetrator?" a cold faced inquisitor asked while looking at Raidan’s demonic mask.
"Yes, Sir William. He looks exactly a killer to me," replied the assisting Acolyte.
The Cold Face Inquisitor looked at the thin razer balde in his hand, eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
"Well, let’s begin the interrogation process shall we? I would love to skin this traitor alive."
Raidan’s heart sank to the rock bottom.
Sir William did not ask any questions.
He just pressed the thin razor blade against Raidan’s exposed arm and dragged it downward.
Slice!
"Arghh!" Raidan groaned as the searing pain exploded in his mind.
"Confess your sins, Heretic! Why did you murder Sister Nia?"
Raidan replied with painful roar,
"I did not kill her! We were just friends! She was the only one who helped me!"
William clicked his tongue, "Lies."
He twisted the blade, digging it deeper into the fresh wound.
Squelch!
A visceral sound echoed.
Raidan wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. But he bit his lip so hard it bled.
He couldn’t be that pathetic to give William the pleasure of watching him suffer.
He refused to give them the false confession they desperately wanted.
By then, seeing Raidan so firm, Sir William got annoyed.
"I am going to ask you again.
How did you bypass the guards, and who helped you kill her?"
Raidan coughed a mouthful of blood and said,
"I already told you the truth. We were just friends. We were friends!"
"Tch, you’re still so stubborn."
Next, he pressed the searing hot iron directly against Raidan’s chest.
Sizzle!
Raidan’s flesh burned, filling the confined space with a foul scent.
The acolyte there hold his nose in disgust.
For Raidan, the pain was astronomical. It felt as if liquid fire was being injected directly into his veins.
Raidan groaned until his vocals gave away.
On the other hand, William started roaring like a maniac.
"Confess! Confess to your crimes, Apollo!"
