Chapter 190: Investigation
"Our authority is absolute," she stated flatly. "It comes from the highest echelons of the Light. We are here to investigate a divine disturbance of the highest order."
Her gaze flickered for a moment. It moved past Riku and settled on the group from the Dark Empire.
"And to contain any potential threats from the northern wastes."
Lord Falco bristled at the insult. "Threats? We are nobles of the Northern Empire! We are on a diplomatic mission!"
The paladin leader’s lips curled into a faint, condescending smile. "Your ’diplomacy’ seems to involve magical fog and armed standoffs. Forgive us if we do not take you at your word."
She turned her attention back to Riku. "You will all remain within the valley. Any attempt to breach the quarantine will be met with lethal force. We will begin our investigation at dawn."
With that, she turned her back on them. She and her paladins formed a silent, unmoving perimeter around the village. They were golden statues. They were beautiful. And they were a cage.
Riku stared at the unmoving line of paladins. "A divine disturbance? Is that your reason for imprisoning an entire village?"
The leader paused. She did not turn around. "The disturbance originated from this valley. That is reason enough."
"What kind of disturbance?" Riku gestured towards Lord Falco’s retinue. "Do you mean them?"