Dawn painted the castle walls blood-red when the Church's black carriages arrived. Lucian watched from his tower window as twelve figures in white robes trimmed with gold descended, their faces hidden behind featureless masks. The System pulsed a warning above each one:
[High Inquisitor Valtor - Threat Level: Extreme]
[Ability: Truthseeker - Can detect lies]
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Garrick entered, his armor polished to a mirror shine. "My lord, the Inquisition demands your presence in the throne room."
Lucian straightened his coat. "Tell them I'll be along shortly." As Garrick turned to leave, Lucian noticed something new floating above his knight's head - a golden shield icon with the words [Shield of Faith: Active]. The loyalty investment was paying off.
The throne room buzzed with tension when Lucian arrived. Princess Seraphina sat stiffly on the dais, her knuckles white on the armrests. The inquisitors formed a semicircle before her, their masked faces turning in unison as Lucian entered.
"Ah, the upstart noble." High Inquisitor Valtor's voice rasped like dry parchment. "We've heard disturbing rumors about you."
The System flashed:
[Warning: Truthseeker active]
[Recommended Action: Partial truths]
Lucian bowed slightly. "I'm honored the Church takes interest in a humble lord like myself."
A murmur ran through the courtiers. One inquisitor stepped forward, removing his mask to reveal scarred features. "We're not here for pleasantries. Three nights past, a sacred relic was stolen from our temple. Where were you?"
Lucian's mind raced. He'd been meeting secretly with Seraphina that night. Admitting that would endanger them both. The System calculated responses:
Deny everything (87% chance of detection)
Admit partial truth (42% chance)
Counter-accuse (Recommended)
"I was investigating something more troubling," Lucian said smoothly. "The theft of Duke Eldrin's jewels - which I later found in the possession of Baron Kael."
The scarred inquisitor blinked. This wasn't the answer he expected.
Valtor stepped closer. "You evade the question. The stolen relic allows communication with the Demon King's forces. Its theft suggests... collaboration."
A gasp rose from the court. Lucian felt Seraphina's gaze burning into him.
[Seraphina - Loyalty: -10% → 5%]
[Status: Waiting to see your move]
Then came the System's most surprising alert yet:
[Detected: Secondary System User - Princess Seraphina]
[Her Ability: Fate Reader - Can see possible futures]
Before Lucian could process this, the doors burst open. A young scout stumbled in, covered in mud. "Your Highness! The western villages - they're under attack by demonic beasts!"
Chaos erupted. Valtor raised his hands. "This proves our claims! The relic's theft has weakened our defenses!"
But Seraphina stood, her voice cutting through the noise. "Or someone wants us to think that." Her eyes met Lucian's. "Lord Darkthorne, you claim knowledge of these matters. What say you?"
The System presented a new quest:
[Uncover the Real Thief]
[Reward: Church Secrets / Seraphina's Trust]
Lucian made his choice. "With your permission, Your Highness, I'll investigate both attacks. If the Church is innocent, they'll have nothing to fear from the truth."
Valtor's mask hid his expression, but his clenched fists spoke volumes. As the crowd dispersed, a servant slipped Lucian a note in familiar elegant handwriting:
"Midnight. The old chapel. Come alone." - S
That night, Lucian found Seraphina amidst the crumbling stones of the abandoned chapel. Moonlight through the broken stained glass painted her in fractured colors.
"You felt it too," she said without preamble. "Our Systems recognized each other." She turned, her eyes glowing faintly silver. "I've seen sixteen possible futures today. In twelve of them, you die by Inquisition flames."
Lucian swallowed. "And the other four?"
She stepped closer. "In those, we uncover a truth that shakes the kingdom. The Demon King isn't our enemy, Lucian. The Church is."
[New Alliance Formed]
[Seraphina's Loyalty: 5% → 35%]
[Shared Quest Begun: Expose the Church's Deception]
As they parted, Lucian noticed the raven with blue eyes watching from the rafters. But now he understood - it wasn't spying on him. It was spying for him.