Chapter 43: Ch. 42 – Acceptance?

POV: Darius

Therese has finished interrogating all the 'witnesses', I have no idea what for. I have already admitted to my doing, this is just a waste of time.

Now it is my turn to get interrogated.

She places the truth gem on the table and then sits down.

"Okay, commander", Therese sounds even more pissed than usual, "let me summarize what I've learned about your little stunt. You have assaulted one of our captains because you suspect she's working for a 'Vampire Progenitor' of all things. ...and said assault almost killed her, by the way. Are you out of your mind!? Who would believe such a fairy tale? There is no proof, that progenitors ever existed and any story that mentions them ends with them getting wiped out!"
"He admitted to being one!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Darius! He just lied to you to intimidate you. There is no way such a weak vampire could be a lord or even a progenitor."

She is defending the monster, so he HAS taken control of this fortress already...

"Weak? What is wrong with you! I've tried to [appraise] him and only got question marks back! That proves beyond a doubt that he is strong enough to be what he claims to be!"
"What? Darius, have you really lost it? Both Chloe and I have [appraised] Jared without issue, he hasn't even reached level 5 yet."
"But I've clearly seen-"
"No, Darius, you're just overworked and clearly need rest."
"I need rest? You need to come to your senses, Therese! He has got to have you under his control or something. The Therese I know would NEVER take the side of a vampire!"

She just stares at me completely baffled.

"No, I... I'm not taking his side. All I'm saying is that he isn't nearly strong enough to warrant using our last banishment crystal."
"Then explain to me why I couldn't see his stats! No one in this fortress is even close to as strong as I am! So how could you see his stats but I couldn't? That doesn't add up!"

We both stare speechless at the truth gem. It never ceased to shine green the whole time.

"That indeed doesn't make sense. If both of us say the truth, what is going on then?"

I don't understand what is happening anymore.

"Listen, Therese. I, I don't know how to put it. But everyone was acting suspiciously, I thought I had no other choice. I'm not proud about what I did, but I saw no alternatives."

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"...maybe we have. *sigh* What is done is done now. He won't come back, so we'll never be able to confirm the truth. Maybe that is for the better..."
I get a bad feeling while she says this.
"Here's what we'll do, Darius. You go back to the hospital until the doctor releases you properly. Take that time to clear your thoughts and think about how you'll apologize to Chloe. She has been through a lot, so please don't treat this lightly, she... isn't in a good place mentally."
"Right, I understand-"
"Then when you're out again, we three will sit together and talk everything through. As for the witnesses, I've already ordered them to keep silent about the whole situation. Though, that won't stop rumors from spreading. Well, you know the drill."
"Yeah, thanks, Therese."
"As for your duties once you've recovered-"

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