Chapter 229: Annoying Probing…

The whole factory was in motion. Workers rushed back and forth, loading the finished G-32 units into the trucks. It wasn’t even the full army yet, but it was still enough to fill three trucks with units and two more with their weapons.

I took a seat at the front, in a vehicle Benedict had prepared for me—a “car,” though it looked more like a bunch of different machines smashed together than anything coherent.

Metal, pipes, gears, runes—if you could imagine it in a VIP transport, Benedict had crammed it in there somewhere.

“Safe trip, my lord.”

Benedict tapped on the backseat window where I sat, then moved around to the driver’s seat and signaled that everything was ready.

It was finally time for things to move forward.

For the first few minutes of the ride, nothing really happened. Even when we passed through the shadier parts of the inner district, no one tried anything.

Soon enough, we crossed into the outer district. Even with Julius’s old rebels still not fully rooted out, they didn’t dare touch this convoy.

Everyone here knew the name Fvien Mechanical.

And as much as it annoyed me to admit it, that name was more feared than the titles Evelina and I carried.

Benedict had really made a name for himself…

We turned a corner, almost at the mansion, when I finally saw the first sign of trouble on this little escort mission.

An inquisitor, standing dead center in the road.

“What the hell is wrong with him?”

I tapped Benedict on the shoulder and had him bring the convoy to a stop. The trucks behind us halted as I stepped out of the car.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“I wish to inspect the convoy,” he said flatly.

His white robes, golden mask, and that completely neutral tone made it impossible to read him.

“Did you really have to stand in the middle of the road for that?”

“Elion’s commands must be obeyed efficiently. I deemed it necessary. Do I need to remind you of my order’s immunity to the law?”

[Photographic Memory]

Right. God’s chosen mercenaries or whatever they liked to call themselves. Of course they had special privileges, the kind that could rival some nobles.

I still had no idea what they were looking for, but it definitely wasn’t a bunch of robotic units.

Letting them inspect wouldn’t be too risky.

And I’d rather not fight them.

Mostly out of self-preservation…

They were still dangerous.

“Then go ahead. I’m on a tight schedule,” I said.

“Elion’s wisdom guides you. Thank you for not making this harder than it has to be.”

“Yeah, yeah… just get on with it.”

The inquisitor nodded and formed a spear out of thin air, then walked past me and the car, heading straight for the nearest truck.

He didn’t even wait for the workers to open it.

He just—

CRACK!

Broke the lock and forced the doors open with raw strength…

“I’ll pay for the lock. I’m also on a tight schedule, you see,” the inquisitor said.

I watched from behind as he climbed into the truck and began tapping each robot with the tip of his spear, like he was waiting for something to react.

“This one seems clear,” he said at last.

He jumped down and moved on to the next truck.

“What are you searching for, exactly?”

“An aberration. An existence that has sinned against the gods themselves.”

Harsh. That’s one way to put it…

“In short, you’re looking for a monster?”

“Perhaps…”

Perhaps? Why is this bastard being so damn secretive?

“Whatever you’re looking for, I’m not stuffing it into a truck for you. But if you really want to search for something, I’d check the abandoned mining company.”

I didn’t want to stand around while he inspected every truck one by one. Better to feed him a half-truth and get this over with.

Besides, I had no connection to the mining company in the first place. If I led him there and he saw the mess, it should be enough to satisfy him.

There was no way he could trace what happened there back to me anyway.

“The abandoned mining company?” he repeated.

“Yeah. Weird place. If there’s something you’re looking for, best bet it’s there.”

I was lying through my teeth. After what Julius and I had done, there’s no way he’d find anything useful there.

The inquisitor just stared at me after my answer. He was impossible to read—stupidly hard to read.

He stood as still as a statue, and whatever craftsmanship went into that mask, it made sure even the eyeholes were nothing but pitch black.

For a group of powerful warriors, they’d make damn good spies. Or assassins.

“Very well…”

He finally answered, reluctant, a hint of suspicion slipping into his voice.

A mistake, honestly. I was surprised to hear it. I guess the mask and robe weren’t just for show—they were clearly meant to hide any weaknesses the inquisitors had when it came to diplomacy.

But even then, they couldn’t hide his tone.

“May Elion bless you on a safe journey. You’ve been a great help.”

The inquisitor clasped his hands together, then raised one finger to the sky as he dipped into a strange bow. Must’ve been their way of worshipping Elion.

Not that I cared in the slightest.

***

After that brief interruption, I finally made it back to the mansion — and it looked like I wasn’t the only one having trouble with the inquisitors.

Right by the front gates stood Evelina, facing a group of five inquisitors, all armed and on edge.

If I had to guess, they were combing through the entire city for the aberration they were so desperate to find.

And at this point, it was pretty obvious what they were looking for.

The False Hydra.

Now that I think about it, Evelina hadn’t really reacted much after she read my mind. I guess she’s so used to me that even enslaving a creature like that barely registers as surprising anymore.

“Escort the rest of the trucks to the back entrance. I’ll get off here,” I told the driver as I stepped out of the car and headed toward where Evelina was talking with the inquisitors.

[Light Displacement]

“Not a step closer.”

One of the inquisitors cut me off before I could say anything.

“It’s okay, he’s with me,” Evelina said for me. From the sound of her voice, she was already completely done with whatever the lead inquisitor had been asking her.

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