Apparently, there are three powers controlling Maharlika Island. The one on the surface is the Maple Kingdom, and the other two are the Moonlight Sect and the Diabolic Sect.
Maple Kingdom controls everything on the surface, but this kind of position is only superficial. It's like a puppet show.
The one really in control of this island is the two sects, playing behind the scenes and manipulating the strings to their liking. Now, I finally understand why this island seems so shady.
What's more, the bad news is, the Diabolic Sect controls half the power in the underground society of this island. Furthermore, the Diabolic Sect consists of the Diabolic race and the followers of Sitan. Isn't this exactly what was prophesied in the oracle?
That the Diabolic Race and Sitan's followers brought destruction and chaos in this world. So this is how they did it.
Despite looking calm and stoic on the surface; anxiety and nothing but anxiousness is going on in my head. I feel that this island is on the brink of collapse. If the Diabolic Sect succeeds in causing destruction into the island, then that means that Sitan is really one step ahead of us. Who knows? Before we even knew it, perhaps the world had already ended without anyone knowing why.
Because the effin government let it happen. The people in this world made it happen, damn it.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, my face remains expressionless, but my heart is filled with apprehension as I stare at the file of papers laid out on top of the small table in front of me.
"So…you let the Diabolic Race rule behind the scenes in exchange for profit and gold…" I mumbled slowly and dangerously, reading the summary report of the activities going on in this island.
Amana swallowed nervously, sitting beside me on the sofa. "Boss, like I said, I…I had no choice, alright? The…the funds left is not enough to support the whole island; I…I had to resort to something else, otherwise…otherwise, everything will be…will be…"
"Enough," I interrupted in a faint low voice. "Stay quiet. I don't want to hear another word from your mouth, Amana."
Amana nodded hurriedly, closing her mouth, staring at me with fear.
I ignored this incompetent governor as I stood up. I went in front of the window, staring outside, observing the lazy guards wandering leisurely under the bright weather.
These bunch of morons are hopeless. No wonder why no one cares about other people's opinions. It's not just about the lack of discipline anymore. The root cause of the problem is the people themselves.
I took the wooden pipe that Capriana gifted to me, which I named Piper. Filling the bowl of the pipe with a loose pinch of lavender herbs; I light Piper up with a match, puffing a dozen before releasing a mouthful of smoke in the air. The soft smokey floral scent of the lavender herb made me feel relaxed, easing my tense nerves.
Fortunately, this island is not totally ruined yet. There is still a chance to repair the damage. Additionally, there is another power behind the scenes, fighting back against the Diabolic Sect.
The one fighting the Diabolic Sect is the Moonlight Sect. Which is controlled by, mostly, humans. So it's not totally irreversible either to turn the situation around.
Turning around, my eyes subconsciously went to the papers messily laid on the small table. Two names stood out the most for me; Joan and Agatha, the two leaders of the Moonlight Sect.
At that, I glanced at Amana. "Where is Joan and Saint Agatha?"
As soon as I said that, the door in the room opened, and two figures entered inside.
Speak of the devil.
"You brat, didn't even say hello to us when you came back, eh?" Joan stated as soon as she entered inside, striding to me with a pipe resting in her mouth.
As soon as Joan reached me, she stopped just in front of me, staring down at my stoic unchanging face. Joan narrowed her eyes, puffing smoke through her nose.
"Been a short while, Joan," I greeted blankly. "You guys just came in time. I was just about to look for the two of you."
Joan pulled me to her chest, hugging me as she patted my head. "Poor kid, you look like you've gone through shite, eh?"
I stood there with a deadpan face as I let Joan embrace me. "..."
Pushing Joan away, I turned to the person behind Joan and nodded at Saint Agatha as a greeting to a fellow person, who developed a blank face.
"It's nice seeing you again, child," Saint Agatha said with her expressionless face, also hugging me.
"Yeah, same here," I mumbled.
"Oh by the way," Joan said, taking out a letter from inside her black robe. "There is a fluttering letter for you; I found it last night, flying inside my room, where you recuperated last time."
I took the letter from Joan, reading briefly the short sentence on the envelope. It says: 'To Nasrin Uruja, From Kendra Salamanca.'
"Who is Kendra by the way? Your girlfriend?" Joan probed curiously with a slight teasing smirk on her face. "Lover, eh?"
"You wanna know something?" I asked as I hid the letter inside the Shadow Circlet, taking a mental note in my mind, 'I'll read it later.'
Joan nodded with a curious gaze, and Saint Agatha was also staring at me as if waiting for me to answer.
"Here I tell you what," I said, beckoning for Joan to come closer.
Joan leaned her head to me, and I whispered to her ears. "It's none of your business."
Joan: "..."
I tapped Joan's shoulder lightly as I went back to the sofa, sitting comfortably.
After reuniting with the two, I made Amana guard outside, so I could talk to the two more privately. After all, the things I will discuss with these two are confidential, relating to world catastrophe.
The three of us sat on the sofa. Joan and Saint Agatha sit opposite me on the couch. Their eyes staring down at the report papers on the small table between us.
"Looks like someone's been studying, eh?" Joan commented, smirking knowingly. "Anything you want to ask, kid?"
"A lot…but before that there is something I need to know first," I replied, crossing my legs together.
Joan nodded understandably. "Go ahead, what is it?"
"Do you guys know Bakunawa?" I questioned calmly.
Both Joan and Saint Agatha nodded their heads in response. "Yes."
"I see…" I mumbled. "Then why didn't you help her from Amana?"
Joan narrowed her eyes. "It's not easy, kid."
Puffing up a smoke from Piper, I exhaled as I asked, "...and why is that?"
"Because we signed a treaty," Saint Agatha answered. "We can't interfere with the things happening on the surface of this island. We can only work in the dark."
"Mm," I hum. "I see, no wonder."
"Anything else you want to know?" Joan inquired.
"Hmm…Bakunawa doesn't seem to know the two of you," I stated inquiringly.
"And what are you trying to say?" Joan asked.
"Well, Bakunawa has introduced me to a lot of individuals who worship Goddess Mayari," I explained. "Yet, Bakunawa doesn't know the two of you, why?"
"That's because not everyone knows each other in the House of Sect of the Goddess Mayari. We were all trying to be covert with our operation, so it is understandable that not everyone is acquainted. Even though I said that, the truth is, we actually have been secretly in contact with the other members under Goddess Mayari," Saint Agatha answered.
"Oh, then do you know where the others are?" I probed.
Saint Agatha nodded. "Currently, we made the Majapahit Empire as the base and main headquarters for the Moonlight Sect. Though we haven't been there yet, because we are trying to settle the fight with the Diabolic Sect here on this island."
"I understand," I replied.
"Do you believe us now?" Joan inquired.
I nodded. "A little."
Looking at my right hand, I turn my head at the two in front of me. "By the way, why didn't no one tell me that this right hand is Pula's white horn?"
"Oh that…" Joan trailed, staring at Saint Agatha for help.
Sighing, Saint Agatha answered with her usual blank face. "We weren't sure at first, whether to tell you or not, so…"
"So you lied to me?" I interjected calmly.
Saint Agatha shook her head. "Not exactly. We really thought that the halfling is Alexandra's companion. After all, monster bones can also be reattached to other people. As long as the bone accepts you as the new owner."
"I see," I replied, nodding understandably with a blank face. "So who made the decision to attach Pula's horn as my right hand?"
Joan narrowed her eyes. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing particular," I mumbled. "So who is it?"
Saint Agatha and Joan both remain silent. Tension increases in the room with the silent awkwardness in the air.
Taking Piper out of my mouth, I puff out a lot of smoke. "Forget it, I think I know who it was just based on the reactions of both of you."
"How do you know? What if you aren't sure and blame the wrong one?" Joan questioned, staring at me intensely.
I shook my head. "No, I'm quite sure. It's Professor AC, right?" I said, tilting my head to the side.
They didn't respond as their faces became stiff. And silence means yes. Standing up, I walk to the door, opening it. "It was a nice chat, Saints."
"Where are you going? We haven't discussed the important matters yet," Joan said with a slight tremble in her voice.
If my ears aren't keen enough, I wouldn't notice that Joan seems uneasy.
I briefly glanced at the two on the sofa, and they both stared at me with concern. Despite their face only showing slight emotions, it still failed to hide the apprehension in their eyes under my sharp eyes. Especially Joan who seems really worried.
As for whom?
Well, I think I know who.
Ignoring Joan, I turn to Amana, standing guard at the entrance of the door with a confused face. "Let's go, we have a person to catch."
"Wait, kid…" Joan called.
I didn't turn back again, but I heard footsteps behind me, then I felt someone grabbing my shoulders.
"Hey kid, what are you planning to do?" Joan questioned, putting pressure on my right shoulder. "Don't you think that there are much more important things here?"
In spite of the pain inflicted on me, I remained deadpan with no emotions as I stared at Joan. "Keep your hand off me," I said dangerously as I slowly transformed my right hand into a sword.
Joan squinted her eyes, smirking provocatively.
"Joan," Saint Agatha called from the inside, who remains expressionless, sitting on the couch. "Let the child go."
Joan knitted her brows, and with a sigh, her palm squeezing my shoulder retracted to her side. "I'm warning you kid, don't go too far."
I stared at Joan blankly. "Relaxed, I meant no harm, Joan."
Joan's dark green eyes stared at me a little doubtful. "Alright then…but you need to go back soon. We really need to discuss important things here, kid."
"I'll come back again for the two of you, don't worry," I said, walking out.
"Tch." Joan clicked her tongue. "Still a brat, eh?"
I ignored the voice behind me as I left the office, finding Alexandra's whereabouts.