Chapter Five

  Part Nine

  Line walked through the underground maze of Candour Monastery, she had something to talk about with one of the captives here. So when she unlocked and walked through the door, she came to find Kidd where she last saw him. Kidd was completely unharmed, even the finger that she saw Hyde remove from him was attached. The monk healers here were certainly the best.

  “Inspector. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Just answer my questions”

  He gave a toothy grin “Inspector, have you not tried this before?”

  “I have. But this time you’ll answer”

  “Will I?”

  Line ignored him this time. If she continued to answer him then she would never be able to ask him her questions “Kidd, what’s this?” she showed off a vial of clear, translucent liquid.

  His smile dropped and his eyes widened “where did you get that?”

  “The where is not important, nor is the how and why. Answer my question and I can get you actual food to eat. I know you’ve been asking for it”

  Kidd glared at her, but remained silent.

  “fine” she turned to leave the white stone room.

  “Wait!” Kidd called after her “wait. I’ll tell you what it is, just get me food”

  She turned “well?”

  “... it’s, it’s made from Miracle Powder-“

  “Miracle Powder?”

  “The green powder you stole from me”

  That’s not right. It can’t be. How can this green powder she was so familiar with have a different name here. Does that mean that Vax’dian is after the source of Miracle Powder? If that’s so, then he would he would never find that source. Because Miracle Powder doesn’t exist. This is probably why this has been going on for so long, and how the creator of this powder was still under the radar.

  “... Inspector? Are you going to finish listening to my story, or...?

  “I’ll have someone bring you some food” she muttered before leaving the room.

  *

  She had to talk to Vax’dian, but she didn’t know where he spent his time and it wasn’t like she could just walk through the place doors requesting his presence. But with that slowly becoming her only option, she began to head east through the city. Candour Monastery stood in the west, while the palace stood in the east. From each majestic looking building you would have a clear view of the one opposite. So when she stood at the bottom of the palace stairs, she could just see the peaking spires of Candour Monastery that would usually be hidden behind the mountain. She had never been to this side of the city before.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  She took each step slowly, until the domineering palace walls filled her vision. This palace had a similar architecture as Candour Monastery, these buildings were built around the same time so the shared the same materials. But even so, the palace still felt grander.

  Before she took the last step, the front gates opened. Stepping through was the first Prince, Cassius. Line knew straight away who this was, Prince Cassius was a much more prominent figure than that of Vax’dian. Prince Cassius wore deep purples and gold, and unlike Vax’dian he had light ashen blonde hair. His personal guard was female, and had similar looks to Prince Cassius.

  As Prince Cassius came closer, Line gave him a respectable bow and moved aside to let him pass. But of course he didn’t.

  “What’s a monk doing at my front door?”

  The way he said that irked Line, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Instead she smiled “I apologise, but I’m here to request an audience with second prince”

  He raised an eyebrow “what would a monk have to say to my half-brother?”

  “we’ve been working on a case together, and I just wanted to consult with him on something”

  “oh, right. You’re that Inspector he vouched for. What was it... Inspector something”

  “Inspector Line, spelt line but the e is silent” she gave another bow.

  “I don’t care” he said that with the air someone who truly needed to learn some manners.

  Alrighty then. Now that she had met him face-to-face, she can now say with full confidence that she did not like this man “please, excuse me” she gave a third bow and tried to leave the conversation.

  His guard took a step forward and blocked Line’s path. Prince Cassius spoke up again “what case?”

  Line was surprised he would ask that, but if he asked that then it would mean he was just curious or he was invested. Either option didn’t sound too good to her “I’m sorry, but that’s confidential. Purely between Prince Vax’dian and me”

  “I see” a pause “Shara, search her”

  The guard Shara, took a step towards Line. While Line took a step backwards. She still had ‘Miracle Powder’ and that vial in her pockets, it would bad if Prince Cassius found it “I’m sorry Prince Cassius, but I don’t have time for this. I need to meet with Prince Vax’dian now”

  “I’m sure my half-brother can wait a little. This won’t take long”

  “what won’t take long?”

  They all turned to see Vax’dian and Hyde walking up the stairs behind them. Line inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Vax’dian, perfect timing. I was just about to conduct a search on this monk here”

  “my good Inspector? You will not” Vax’dian responded.

  Great. Neither of them would actually use her name.

  Prince Cassius gave a small laugh “of course, of course. I was just having a little fun is all”

  “Of course” Vax’dian said sarcastically.

  Prince Cassius observed Vax’dian for a while before saying “Shara, let’s go”

  Vax’dian watched them leave down the steps before turning to Line “are you alright?”

  Line’s head tilted “I’m fine”

  “How’s your hand?”

  She showed him her bandaged hand “it’s still stiff, and the healers said I can’t use it for a while. But other than that, I’m fine”

  Satisfied with her answer, Vax’dian then asked “why are you here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you”

  “To me? About what?”

  Line pulled out the ‘Miracle Powder’ “do you know this as Miracle Powder?”

  “I do”

  She knew it “then what’s this?” she then showed the vial.

  “do you not know?”

  “No”

  “it’s Miracle Elixir. It empowers the consumer. Makes them stronger, faster. The feeling of pain would also subside. Recently there have been intel from my intelligence that this has begun to circulate among the people that definitely should not have this”

  “Interesting”

  “Miracle Elixir does not last long in the system, but there is still high demand for it. I though dismantling The Sect would stop it from spreading”

  “but you also want to stop the source?”

  “I do”

  Line gave a nod “thank you for clearing that up for me. I have a better understanding what to do now”

  “And that is”

  She smiled “destroy The Sect”