The Survival of an Inferior

The nobles sit around a table furious and anxious. The death of Armin and the exposure of The Order destroyed their every plan, leaving no chance for a comeback. 

All thought of escaping but to where? The only option is to migrate to Kistan but they can't accept living as equals to the elves and dwarfs, both of whom are looked down upon by humans for as long as history was rooted. 

"D-Damn it...what do we do?"

One noble glance up. "Let's support the rebellion."

"What? But we supported The Order, if we betray them, they will kill us!" 

"The rebellion will kill us too!"

...

A female noble clenches her teeth. "Tsk..."

"I agree. Let's support the rebellion, they have more power than The Order and if we help them eliminate The Order, assassination will not be a worry." Another noble says. 

His remarks spark a connection with other nobles present. They nod at one another. They may suffer immensely and lose their status but living comes first. 

Suddenly, a servant walks to the door and knocks. "Pardon my interference, but I have something important to report."

"Come in."

The servant enters and says "There is still one more royalty prince alive, Prince Luxian William Veila, and he is currently with the rebellion."(Appearance: Chapter 46, Remnants(3))

The nobles exchange glances and instantly read each other's thoughts. 

One noble turns to the servant. "Send two messengers, one to the advancing army and another to the rebellion. Initiate peaceful negotiations and provide some gifts."

The servant bows. "Yes sir."

Going to a BOV building in a city west of Hira, a young man with black hair and eyes wearing a simple officer uniform. His appearance is simple and easy to miss as he relentlessly blends in with the crowd in the BOV. 

Utilising his little presence, the young man attempts to leave the headquarters until Melissa stops him at the entrance.

"Yes ma'am?" The young man asks, looking surprised and confused. 

Surrounding officers and captains drop their act and surround the young man. 

"General Alisca, you are suspected of treason and many other crimes, put your hands behind your head, do not resist arrest," Melissa says and points a gun at the young man.

The young man drops his facade and frowns. However, he did as instructed. 

As the officers shackle General Alisca in his disguise, Alisca says "Foolish...how foolish everyone is...you will soon learn the cost of offending the demons."

Melissa pays no attention to his farce and orders the subordinates to take the general away. 

Another group of officers approaches Melissa after. "Captain Melissa, we have identified the identities in Armin's confession. Three are disguised as normal citizens in various industries, one is a tailor, the next is a cook, and the last is a singer. Investigations lead us to believe they are part of the Demonic Cult. As for the last member of The Order, she is Nun Flow from the Church of Axis. But..."

Melissa raises her brow. "But?"

"Her followers and leaders of the church are prohibiting our officers from arresting her. Our investigation will be limited without the organisation's permission since religion is not within our jurisdiction."

Melissa clicks her tongue. "I expected intervention from the higher-ups but the believers too?"

...

"Try to gather as much information as possible and report back to me." She says. 

The officers bow. "By your orders."

The train of chaos unleashed did not stop there. Changing the destination to The Church of Axis at Oras, a confident nun chants gospel to her followers beneath chandeliers. 

A bishop interrupts the session and whispers something to the nun. 

"Matriarch Flow, Arsto was seen entering Oras."

Flow nods and ends the session, closing the book and placing it on the altar. 

"My apologies but today's enlightenment will be cut short. May the goddess bless you." Flow says. 

Her lifeless followers stand at the same time and orderly head out of the church. 

After they leave, I enter through the large doors onto a red carpet to the altar.

Nun Flow smiles at me and bows. "I've been waiting for you, Sir Arsto."

"..." I simply smile at her calmness. 

...

"Sir Arsto, what do I owe for this honour?" Flow says. 

"Nothing much. I'm just here to kill you." 

"Heretic!" The bishop exclaims. Flow calms him. 

---------------

Flow is attempting to use "Marionette"

---------------

There it is, the main reason for her status is this demonic skill, one that strips the victim's ownership of their body and mind. 

However, to do so, she needs to peek into the victim's soul and "connect the strings". 

Flow frowns after failure to penetrate my mental defence. 

"Go ahead," I say. 

Flow widens her eyes. "Pardon?"

"Peek into my mind." 

!

She takes a step back confused by my confidence. However, she takes the opportunity and jumps through the open door. 

Her mind immediately connects to my spiritual self. 

...

All she sees is darkness. Something is off. 

Suddenly, something sprouts out of the eternal void. 

!!!!!!!!

"ARGHH!!???" She screams and falls back, grasping her eyes. Blood flows down her nostrils. 

"Matriarch?!" The bishop helps Flow up as she trembles. 

"W-Who are you!" Flow points at me. "Why are there two sou-"

*BAM!* 

A sudden force of mana smacks her mouth, gagging her. 

"Shhh..." I hush with my finger on my lips. 

My smile triggers something within her memories and she attempts to escape. 

One slash cuts her legs and the bishop. Despite decapitation, Flow seems oblivious to pain and stops at nothing to claw her way further. 

*Tap Tap Tap* 

"No, stay away from me!" She furiously scratches the floor attempting to get further. 

I point my gun at her head and shoot her dead.

*BANG!*

...

"Phew...one more down. With this, it's the end of The Order." I say and head for the entrance.

Spinning the pistol around my finger and humming a happy tune, "You are welcome, Samuel," I say to myself.