We then got in the baron's office, the doors opening, giving me a view of my captor.
His gaze pierced through the air, black hair swept as a raptors feather, white skin and a deep, concealed hatred emanating from within.
At the same time, he gave off a cold feeling, almost like a viper, waiting to sink its poisonous teeth into my veins. The two flanking me bowed, waiting for their next order.
"Leave us." He said, his voice carrying a deep, commanding tone, yet cold enough to drop the temperature in the room. Both warriors walked away, leaving me alone.
Before the doors closed, I could feel the woman's piercing gaze on me, however.
Neither of us spoke, both measuring the other, until my patience begun to run thin.
I was captured here, I want answers. I deserve them. Yet, I knew not to lose my cool against him. He wanted something from me, but I may want something from him as well. "Why am I here?"
"A better question would be: 'What is this place?'," He said, with all the grace of a teacher, talking with a student. I hold back a growl, too tired for these kinds of games.
Seeing as I didn't take the bait, he scowled, yet kept his composure.
"This is the basement of our glorious sect. Currently, you are in Synclair kingdom, in an old, important town named Cadensis. Here, the laws concerning religion are specially flexible, allowing even cults for the abyssal gods and titans. Something you'll hardly have in other settlements. As for why… do tell me, have you ever heard of the Ink titan, Fallabrek?"
Wait, what?
"Who?" I asked, confused. Fallabrek… when he spoke the name, the atmosphere became heavier, almost as if something was forcibly ripping the air out of my lungs.
"I imagined you wouldn't… The cult of titans is heavily frowned upon, after all. A titan is a primal god, one of the oldest types in the sunrealm, they were defeated by the high lord and cast in the shadows of our world, where they would wait for the final day. Fallabrek is the one this church prays for. He's the lord of art and all forms of craft, and it is said he painted the world as a marriage gift for Eä, the forest titan."
This… this is getting ridiculous.
"Wait… Time out! What do you mean by all this? Who is Eä? And what does this have to do with me?" I spoke, feeling my incredulity grow as he kept speaking of things that went against everything I was taught about this world.
At the start, there was darkness, and, then, the Sun god created the world, using itself as a pin to keep the universe in motion.
The high lord, Sun god, or whatever you want to call him. He is the one god we were all said that existed. I'm not particularly religious, but, if what he's saying is true…
Then it changes everything.
And, much more importantly, gives me another avenue to go back to my world.
"The sun god left our realm after millennia, how come these titans didn't take over in his absence?" When I asked that, he smiled, almost like he's going to tell me an inside joke.
"Who said they didn't?" Rising up, he stalked towards me, his steps closing in as his smirk became crooked. "They are still in our shadows, however, look at what is happening! 300 years ago, we would scoff at the existence of demons, yet, here we are, fighting. Do you really think the demons are here by accident?"
No… Now that he said it, I can see how such creatures would come from a world of shadows. The portal that brought them looked almost as if it was made of them. But still, why? Is it for vengeance? Or are they trying to lift the seal? To make their rule complete?
Why would they start a war with humanity if they were already winning?
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, my eyes gazing deeply into his.
"Now, that's a good question." He turned back, going towards the small coffee pot and serving himself. "The answer is, I want you to work for me. You are talented, and it would be a shame to see such potential wasted."
Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes. "Are you threatening me?"
"Let's just say that I didn't tell you all this expecting you would walk away. If you choose to comply, we'll give you a lot. The sect is powerful enough to even grant you your own kingdom. But, if refuse, you'll die."
I scowled. I didn't want to call attention upon myself exactly because of that reason. While I don't doubt I could kill him, it doesn't mean I can escape. His death would bring the other two, Herr Doctor and this entire base attention on me, and, if they're as powerful as they say, I won't be able to move without worrying about my safety.
Not to mention the obedience card… If they found a way to modify it, all it would take is for him to snap his fingers and I would be incapacitated and, thus, dead.
They really got me…
"We'll honor our end of the bargain. Whatever your desire may be, if it's within our grasp, we'll give you. But you'll have to work for that." His smile was infuriating… How I wish I could put a bullet between his eyes and be done with it.
But it was not to be.
This people might be my ticket out of here, so while being cornered like this annoyed me, it would be better if I just shook his hand and closed the deal.
However…
"Where does the battalion under Lady Lenna fall in your god's design?" I asked, reminding myself of why I'm here. Of my foolish brother, of my greedy brother, of that Jesse guy, of Lenna and the person she shares a face with.
My late wife wouldn't forgive me if I sacrificed these bonds, regardless of what I would gain. So, trying to keep her memory intact, I asked this question, fearing the answer.
"I guess it's natural for you to worry about them… They are a close semblance of family, I suppose. It'll depend on the Archbishop, but, so long as Lady's Lenna and her soldiers keep themselves out of our affairs, we won't pursue them."
"I see…"
I sighed.
No other option.
"So, do tell me, homunculus. Will you shake this hand?"