31 – Conclusion?
"What are you talking about?" Yolin asked, leaning on the wall. "She apprehended her on suspicion of attempted deicide. The perpetrator has confessed, thus her rights are irrelevant from the moment Natasha was poisoned. While there could be grounds for scrutiny due to the evident difference in power, you can't simply look away from the fact Sussanna tried to kill a Halve. She can't report Pokh'Orra."
"Does the fact she was threatened to do it influence anything?" I asked.
Sussanna closed her eyes and resigned herself to fate. I stood up and scowled at her. If she ended up going to prison, I hoped she'd rot in there.
"No, it doesn't," the Oni replied with a shake of her head. "She should have gone to the Watchers. If, let's say, she was killed after reporting it, that'd be a different story. We can't operate on hypothetical scenarios, though."
I nodded, that made sense to me.
"Sure," Alyssa interjected, standing up and turning to Yolin. "But the fact that Pokh'Orra acted without concrete evidence remains. People can't just act based on hearsay. We'd have people killing each other claiming they heard the other party say they'd kill a Halve all the time if that was the case."
"True," Yolin nodded with a serious face, which was quite pretty. "That's why suspects are to be kept alive for interrogation. Natasha, a Halve, has just conducted it and Sussanna confessed with six witnesses. You can't get more legal than that. No matter the court, they will see Pokh'Orra's actions as justified now that the truth came out. A few broken bones are 'fair game' for a crime like that."
Okay, this... is pretty complicated. Why are we talking about law? I want some hugs and kisses. Someone tried to kill me, you know? I grumbled in my mind. I'm not an unfeeling husk.
The rest were listening to the exchange, nodding every now and then. Pokora's eyes were wide open, apprehension evident in her expression.
"Yes, that's the case," Alyssa replied, crossing her arms under her chest. "But that applies only if the difference in level is less than ten percent. Any kind of violence against people under that limit is not justifiable, and is a crime regardless of intent and result.”
“You're right, Alyssa,” Yolin said with a smile. “But this is not just murder we're talking about. The law treats deicide differently, especially attempted deicide and those responsible. If what you say was the case in any circumstance, Halves wouldn't be able to keep people in check due to the massive difference in level.”
“Anyway,” Lapia interrupted, walking to me. “That's not for us to decide. We're Natasha's partners so our view is biased.”
The Wizard stood in front of me and wrapped her arms around me. I returned the hug and relaxed. Her dark blonde hair smelled fruity, and her warm body calmed my nerves.
“ Also, she used a child to commit a crime... that's life sentence in any country,” Bonte supplied, glaring at the Lupum. “Fucking coward.”
“Right,” Alyssa nodded. “I... didn't think of that.”
“That's what she gets,” Bromisnar added with disdain.
Sussanna started crying in silence, her body jerked a few times and tears flowed.
“Haa...” Yolin sighed. “Child abuse and attempted deicide. Pokh'Orra won't face any legal repercussions since a child is involved.”
“Seriously?” the Elf in question asked, perking up.
“Seriously,” Alyssa nodded. “Levels don't matter anymore once a child is involved. You could even claim you harmed her to protect a child. Anyone would stand behind that.”
Pokora sighed in relief and leaned her back on the wall.
“Well... that settles that, then,” Yolin looked at Sussanna. “You fucked up.”
Everyone nodded.
I kept quiet, letting the anger calm down while huggin Lapia. If not for the Lupum maybe knowing who was behind it all, I would have killed her without hesitation. Something that was admittedly worrying, but not out of the realm of reason in my humble opinion. I gave myself a pat on the back for not losing my cool. Pokora's matter was another story altogether.
A trio of footsteps approached the bathroom and two Watchers made their appearance, followed by Celeste.
Lapia let me go and held my hand, smiling at me. I smiled back and gave her a wink.
A tall-ish woman was on the front, her blue feline eyes and round ears taking the scene in front of her. She wore the recognizable Watcher uniform, with a badge on her chest that read 'Lakeview Watcher Peloton' in French above a pickax and ship. A thin, long sword was attached to her waist, and she wore plated gauntlets. Her fur, or hair, was pitch-black, which reminded me of Lady Dabrak.
[Egys Tigea, Lvl 251 Rodelero]
A man followed her, his eyes locked on the woman on the floor. He had tall ears and amber feline eyes. Wearing the same uniform and badge, he was a little shorter than his co-worker. He wore leather gloves and a pair of daggers were strapped to his forearms.
[Shishi Tigea, Lvl 208 Binder]
Celeste had an angry expression, and her eyes were impaling Sussanna.
[Celeste, Shishi Tigea lvl 121 Enchanter]
The warrior's eyes stopped on me and she gave me a respectful nod.
“You Excellency,” she curtsied. Her voice was mature, not at all out of place coming from a policewoman cat lady. “My name is Lorena Oriz, captain of Lakeview's Watcher Peloton.”
The names of people didn't really sound French, but I didn't dwell on it long.
I nodded back.
“Natasha Novak, a Chaser,” I introduced myself.
“Ranulf Trok,” the man said.
He sighed and approached Sussanna, flipped her on her stomach and tied her hands behind her back with a piece of rope. The Lupum didn't protest, and kept silently crying.
“We heard what happened from Celeste, and we'd like to get everybody's testimony,” Lorena announced as Ranulf helped Susanna stand up. “If that's not an inconvenience, naturally.”
I nodded, honestly annoyed our night out was fucked. I wanted to get a little wasted and fool around with my girlfriends, but reality is often disappointing.
After Sussanna was properly restrained with the rope, we followed Lorena through the Sharp Paw. I was a little embarrassed as we passed through the broken doors I felt in a hurry.
I leaned on Lapia and asked in a whisper.
“Hey, will I get fined for breaking the doors?”
“Natasha, you were poisoned,” she said and let out an exasperated sigh. “I don't think that matters at all.”
“Alright,” I replied, a little relieved. Then, I asked, “What's with the rope?”
“That's Numbing Rope,” she replied with a scowl, tightening her hand around mine.
I noticed the tavern had very few patrons left, and a few Watchers were talking with the Staff.
Once outside, Lorena guided us to the Watcher's office, which was a blue wooden house with Lumin Kingdom's crest in red. We entered and made our way to a large office, and Ranulf took Sussanna through a different door, probably to a cell.
The cat lady turned to us and gestured for us to take a seat. The eight of us sat down and she stood behind a large desk.
“Olivia is talking with a Cleric Watcher who's making sure she has no lasting trauma,” Lorena informed Celeste.
The mother nodded, biting her lips in frustration.
“Sussanna has been a family friend for nearly forty years...” she whispered, then a sob escaped her. “How could she?! She's like an aunt to Olivia...”
Yikes.
Then, Lorena looked at me.
“Your Excellency, may I hear what happened from Your Excellency's perspective?” she asked with a serious face.
“First, could you just call me Natasha?” I sighed. “Calling me like that will only make things complicated.”
“Fair enough,” she agreed with a short nod.
Thank fuck.
I retold what happened, from the waitress that served the alcohol, which wasn't Sussanna, to Olivia's words and what happened after that. Pokora followed with her side, having heard most of the conversation about poisoning me. Turns out, two waitresses were in cahoots to kill me. Sussanna and some Elena.
The mention of a group 'hunting' me didn't surprise Lorena at all, but she still wrote down the details. Bromisnar and Bonte recounted having seen a suspicious person in Mountroad, and the captain asked a metric ton of questions, which we answered.
After around an hour and a half, Lorena had compiled the information and was looking at me with a slightly complicated expression.
“Lady Natasha, the law dictates we grant you a 'Kill on Sight' permission for anyone going after your life,” she declared. “As a Halve, your judgment leaves us with a calm mind. If any of your companions are targeted as a result, Lumin Kingdom will readily assist you in any legal matter concerning this organization.”
That was quite the help.
“Does this happen often?” I asked.
“I'm ashamed to say it does,” she looked down at the stack of papers in front of her. “His Excellency Miraztor was targeted as well when he visited Lumin Kingdom. As a Cleric, he had very few options to fight back but with his bare fists. I believe this group thinks you'll act the same way. I hope you change their minds.”
“Wait...” I thought for a second. “Miraztor came here like a thousand years ago, right?”
“He did,” Lorena replied. “Why?”
“So you've let this group of people be for a thousand years?” I asked, a little shocked and a little angry. “You didn't raid them? Investigate? I don't know... go undercover or something?”
“We've tried,” she nodded. “But we haven't had any real lead. They have targeted only you two over the last thousand years.”
I sighed.
“Alright,” I shrugged. “Don't blame me if one day you have to follow a trail of bodies.”
“We won't,” she shook her head. “And thank you for understanding,” she said with a smile. Then, she turned to Pokora, ”As for Lady Pokh'Orra, you assisted in the capture of a criminal, so a reward is in order. Attempted deicide is not a common crime, as we already know. While your actions didn't keep it from happening, your aid is appreciated nonetheless. How does fifty silver coins sound?”
Pokora nodded in agreement. She had been mostly silent through everything, only speaking when Lorena addressed her.
“Sounds good,” she replied.
Lorena then produced a leather pouch and handed it over to Pokora, who accepted it with a word of gratitude.
“A court case will be held tomorrow morning, if you wish to attend,” the captain continued, looking at each of us. “It's not mandatory since the criminal herself confessed and the matter is considered as solved.”
“Good to know,” Yolin said with a nod. “Are we done here?”
Lorena nodded, and we all stood up.
“If you learn anything, please let me know,” I told her as I walked out of the office with everybody.
She simply nodded.
Celeste stayed behind, waiting for her daughter. We made it to the street, the many poles keeping night away. I thought back on the day's happening and a chuckle left me.
We had been enjoying a nice day at the lake, I had steamy hot sex with Alyssa, then we went for drinks and someone tried to kill me.
“What a day,” I said, letting out the millionth sigh.
“Are you okay?” Alyssa asked, holding my hand. Her eyes showed worry, and mostly relief.
I nodded, caressing her face with a hand.
“You sure?” Yolin stroked my cheek and gave me a soft kiss.
“Mostly angry, but nothing happened in the end,” I shrugged, licking my lips. “We're all alive, and that's what matters.”
Lapia nodded at my words, and gave me a big smile.
The atmosphere was nice. Nobody got hurt and the night could still continue if we bought alcohol and returned to the cabin. I was a little stressed.
Maybe a little group se-
“I don't mean to interrupt,” Pokora said, interrupting my thoughts. “Since the Sharp Paw closed for the night due to what happened, we could go to my place and have some proper drinks?”
I looked at her for a few seconds. While at first I wanted to maybe meet people from Earth, it wasn't what I initially expected. Choking aside, the indifference towards Earth didn't change. If anything, I was more interested in her classes and her life as an Elmari Elf, rather than who she was before.
“I'm Yolin Makav, by the way,” the Oni introduced herself.
“Lapia Pofeta,” the Elf followed.
“Alyssa Pruvik,” the Luzo said.
“Bromisnar Bahadh,” the tall Satyr said.
“Bonte Slirmy,” the short catboy gave her a nod.
“Are they your harem?” Pokora asked, her eyes full of surprise looking into mine.
I sighed and facepalmed.