Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit

"And that concludes my report, your Highness. These Irregulars have been getting bolder and bolder, and while their attempt to assassinate Viscountess Stagra Garnet failed, I believe we need to prioritize their elimination, before they're able to do some real damage."

"Hm, I see...thank you for your report, Commander. Tch...that damned Dietre Opal, this is all his fault," Growled the King with an irritated click of his tongue.

A week had passed since The Irregulars made their move in Ruby Village and Garnet City, it was the 10th of February, 1917, about two months since Raven underwent the Homunculus Ritual.

After Priest Opal was killed, the effects of his Ancient Magic Artifact, the Charm Ring, significantly weakened on the Inquisitors he'd used it on. While most of the Inquisitors who had been under the effects of the ring had been killed by Raven, a few survived; those who had taken Ravella away while Raven was undergoing the Homunculus Ritual.

The brainwashing effects of the ring began to gradually wear off following the Priest's death, and while some of the surviving Inquisitors were still under those effects, a few had managed to snap out of it and regain their will, according to a report that they'd submitted to the Knight Order.

The report stated that those who had broken free of the brainwashing experienced a moment of disorientation after the Priest died, which resulted in Ravella escaping, her current whereabouts unknown.

The report concluded with a statement that the affected Inquisitors were undergoing procedures to undo and nullify the lingering effects of the brainwashing.

"I would like to request your permission to allow us to form a special unit to hunt down The Irregulars, your Highness, they are a threat we cannot afford to take lightly," Remarked the Knight Commander.

The Commander of the Knight Order, as well as the second Princess of the Kingdom of Persona, Jules Diamond. She was in her late-twenties, with medium length, straight pinkish blonde hair that framed her face, dark purple eyes, a fair complexion with a small scar across the left side of her forehead, and she was on the taller side with a strong build.

"No...your main priority is to locate the missing girl, Ravella or whatever her name is, and execute her," Responded the King, a tense look on his face.

The current ruler of the Kingdom of Persona, King Aress Diamond. He was in his 50s, with long golden blonde hair, light blue eyes, a fair complexion, with a short, thick beard and nearly trimmed mustache on his face. He was fairly tall, with an average build.

"If what the Inquisitors reported was correct, then she possesses the greatest Magic Power recorded in centuries, even greater than mine. It would be a waste to-...," Began the Commander.

"I don't care. A mere, lowborn Commoner possessing such immense Magic Power is unacceptable, I want her found and executed immediately, that's an order!" Snapped the King, before thinking to himself, "Tch, that girl undoubtedly has my blood running through her veins. It's a good thing those Inquisitors didn't mention that part in their report, I did command the church to never publicly acknowledged the existence of any of my bastards...damn it, they're all supposed to be executed, how the hell did these twins avoid being noticed for so long?

Hm...wait, I believe the reports said that they're around sixteen years old. That maid, the one who fled the castle around sixteen years ago...ah, I see now, they must be her children. Damn it, I should've had her hunted down as soon as she disappeared, if only I'd realized that she ran away because I'd impregnated her."

"I believe that would be I'll-advised, father-...I mean, your Highness. She could be an invaluable asset to us, we-..."

"Enough, my decision is final. You need to stop treating Commoners as equals to the Nobility...you've forced the Knight Squads to allow Commoners into their ranks, I am still strongly opposed to that," Frowned the King disdainfully.

"I simply don't care about a person's blood. Regardless of whether they're Commoners or Nobles, if they're talented and capable, that's all that matters to me. It's the best way to ensure that our nation is as well-protected as possible, I believe that is my responsibility as the Commander of the Knight Order," She stated firmly in response, before adding, "On that note, I would once again like to suggest that we abolish the law that Commoners with Irregular Magic must be executed. They possess Magic Power comparable to that of us Royals, we cannot throw away such immense potential."

She didn't really care about the prejudice against the Commoners, at least not from a moral standpoint...she simply saw it as an obstacle that kept her from making the Knight Order as strong as it could otherwise be.

"I believe I already made my stance clear on that...Commoners with such Magic Power are unnatural, their existence surely defies the will of our Goddess Persona. I will not discuss this matter any further...now, then, you have your orders, your first priority is to find and execute the girl, and then, hunt down The Irregulars and the Homunculus," Commanded the King.

"I-...very well, then. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave now, your Highness," She replied with a grimace, bowing before turning around and heading out of the throne room, while thinking to herself in frustration, "Stupid old man...why doesn't he get it? Who knows how many talented individuals we've overlooked or even executed because of his policies? Those Irregulars, based on the reports, it's evident that they're all quite powerful...what a waste, I would dearly have loved to have them in the Order, but instead, we've made enemies of them. And the twins, the Homunculus and the missing girl...there's little doubt that they must be father's bastards, that's the only reason I can think of as to why he's so desperate to have them killed..."

Let's go back in time a bit, about twenty-four hours after the Homunculus Ritual took place, in a place called Malachite Town...

After the Inquisitors under Priest Opal's control brought Ravella to the church in Malachite Town, the town's church leader, Bishop Morn Malachite, correctly surmised that this was a distraction.

He was well aware of Priest Opal's ambitions, since he harbored similar ambitions himself and saw the priest as a threat, and therefore realized that, ordinarily, Priest Opal would never toss away such a valuable specimen.

He determined that the only explanation was that Ravella had been sent here to distract him, and that there was likely something going on in Ruby Village that the priest didn't want discovered.

He then sent several of the Inquisitors under his command to Ruby Village, only for them to return and inform him that the church had been completely burned down, with only a single Inquisitor in the village surviving.

Amidst the burnt wreckage, they had come across an item that was undamaged...the Charm Ring.

Bishop Malachite had a keen interest in Ancient Magic Artifacts, and immediately recognized the ring as such. He then commanded the Inquisitors to lock Ravella up and keep her sedated, while he took the ring in order to figure out how to operate it.

He tested it out on a couple of the nuns in his church, getting the hang of it within a few hours, and decided to make use of it.

With the brainwashing Priest Opal had cast on the Inquisitors waning following his death, Bishop Malachite used to ring to rewire their loyalty to him, as well as using the ring's effects on the Inquisitors under his command.

"Here, put this around her neck," Remarked the Bishop, handing a collar to one of the brainwashed Inquisitors.

"Yes, Father, as you command," Nodded the Inquisitor, before placing the collar around Ravella's neck.

It was a black collar with a metal ring over the front of the neck, the ring had a gleaming blue jewel in the middle of it, which glowed as the Inquisitor fastened the collar around Ravella's neck.

"Good...we don't need to sedate her anymore, she cannot defy us with that collar on," He replied, a glint in his eyes.

"What is that collar? It looks different to a normal Enslavement Collar, I've never seen anything like it."

"It's called a Devotion Collar, an Ancient Magic Artifact...it's basically a stronger version of an Enslavement Collar," Explained the Bishop.

"Why use it on her? Are we not going to turn her into the Knight Order for execution?"

"Yes, is that not the standard procedure for Royal bastards?"

"I believe we need to put the interests of the nation at the fore...she possesses immense Magic Power, we can use that for the good of the nation. Therefore, I would like to put her under my command as an Inquisitor and have her work for the benefit of Persona. I shall take full responsibility if this is ever discovered, but I am more than willing to put myself at risk for the benefit of our great Kingdom of Persona," Stated the Priest, before thinking to himself, "Not bad, I think that sounded adequately noble and righteous. She'll make for a fine pawn once she's properly trained up...I've had enough of this, playing the nice guy while being stuck in this middling position for all these years. If I make good use of her, I might be able to rise to the position of a Cardinal...I don't want to be the Pope, that's too much work and responsibility. What a stroke of fortune this is, not only this girl, but getting my hands on the Charm Ring on top of that...Opal, you fool, you possessed such a useful item and wasted it. I shall make much better use of it than you ever did."

"I see...you have my full support, Father Malachite. I will do everything in my power to assist you in this selfless endeavor," Stated one of the Inquisitors, bowing down before him.

"As will I."

"You can count on us, Father."

"Ah, what righteous souls you are, I feel so blessed. Now, then, compile a report to submit to the Knight Order...it's clear that Priest Opal used some kind of brainwashing device on the Inquisitors in Ruby Village, make sure to report that. After all, it would not be fair to punish them when they were not in control of their actions, yes?"

"W-we're honored by your kindness and generosity, Father," Spoke up one of the Inquisitors who had been under Priest Opal's command, tears dripping down from under his mask.

"Oh, I simply strive to do the right thing, my child, I do not need gratitude or appreciation, my role is nothing more than that of a humble servant of the Goddess Persona, I'm just trying to fulfill that role to the best of my ability. Ahem, now, getting back to the report...mention that this girl managed to escape, maybe say something like you experienced a sense of disorientation after Priest Opal's untimely death. It hurts my heart to have to deceive our allies like this, but it is for the good of the nation...I hope you all understand that," Stated the Bishop, putting on a look of consternation on his face.

"Of course, Father, we shall follow your lead."

"We shall spare no effort in carrying out your cause."

"I'm truly grateful, thank you all," Smiled Bishop Malachite, before staring down at the Charm Ring and thinking to himself, "My, this ring is even more effective that I'd thought...from what I can tell, when I run my Mana through it, it generates waves of energy that makes everyone within its range develop a sense of admiration and trust towards me. And the more they're exposed to it, the stronger my hold over them becomes. Still, I should be careful with how I use it, I can't let myself get carried away like Opal did. Yes, I'll make sure than I don't repeat the same mistakes that he made..."