Chapter 450: The Scary Hero
All that Moosny could previously see was red. But, as soon as Moby's words were uttered, reality struck him.
He took a quick glance at himself and then back to the tables around him with an expression he did not assume to see. And with a long, deep breath through his nose, he spoke.
"You're right. My emotions have gotten the best of me. The truth will soon be revealed, so I have nothing to worry about."
"I see, thank you for your understanding." Moby nodded. "In hindsight, I don't blame you at all. Had I thought someone had slandered my parents, I may have even done the same. It's a natural reaction!" He smiled. "Well then, why don't we find the truth? Shall we?"
"Go right ahead…" Moosny waved, sitting on a nearby table behind the watch of the two guards that stopped him. "Like I said before, I have nothing to worry about, it's only you who's losing,"
Moby gave him a glimpse of acknowledgement before looking to the side. "General Ryker!" He called.
"Yes?"
"Can you please investigate planet Albaz, planet number, X122. Check the underground cell in sir Moosny's main office, accessed by a key card hidden in his desk's third drawer, concealed under the wood.
In the cellar itself, you will find machines that he's been trying to keep secret, along with several people, even children that he's used for experimentation… The Harem is found on planet Looloo, planet number Z468."
"That seems overly specific…" He was taken aback.
"Well, I'm not making this up. It's all written right here!" He lifted the book to let all see once more.
"Okay, I'll go personally check to help you settle this debate. Harold, you take over in my absence, I'm trusting you," High General Ryker looked over to a guard on his side, putting his hands on his shoulders before walking over to the nearby teleporter and leaving the room.
"Now we wait…" Moby closed his book and materialized a chair made of ice, sitting and patiently watching.
All waited in complete and utter silence. None dared walk out of their seats, and the most that was heard was mere whispers. The previously rowdy crowd grew even tenser, something they did not even know possible.
Whenever they peaked in Moby's direction, he was oddly confident. Even those in complete denial began to harbour doubts as reality set in…
They only just realized their clouded judgement. Had it been any other man, they felt their reaction was warranted, but this man was Moby Kane, the man known to do the impossible. And seeing how calm he looked, he was no doubt serious.
The reality that all of their past, and personal data may be exposed sent shivers down their spine. Even those like Moosny, who have never been contacted by the Mammon nor did anything wrong felt their stomachs collapse inside out under the pressure.
Several silent minutes had passed, and Moosny began to notice the crowd's unrest. He felt insulted, it was as though they had fallen for Moby's slanderous words towards his father.
"What's with all the sad faces? Do you really think my parent would do such a thing?" He broke the silence, a vein popping through his forehead.
Yet, all that his peers could do was give him a silent glance as none responded.
"I'm on your side Moosny… I also pray that your parents did nothing wrong…" Moby's voice broke out.
"Huh? You can't be serious!? What do you mean?"
"I mean, that I've yet to test to validity of this book myself. So, I pray that its contents are wrong… It would save me a lot of trouble."
"Are you trying to backtrack now!" He laughed. "See! He's nothing but a fraud! I told you all!" He gazed at the crowds proclaiming with open arms, yet many looked away from his gaze, and none shared his enthusiasm.
"You're misrepresenting my words Moosny. I never said I wasn't confident. All I said, was that in the very slight chance that this is false, I would be happy. But, considering this is the mammon's treasured book, I highly doubt it would contain false information."
Moosny opened his mouth ready to retort, but before he could utter a single breath, it was taken by a man's abrupt reappearance.
"General Ryker! It's nice to have you back! How did the investigation go…"
Ryker's visage looked ghastly, his skin shiny from the sweat secreting from his pours. It was completely unlike the man they all knew, which filled all with even more horror as they awaited the verdict, all but Moosny who kept his face of confidence.
"I've finished everything for now… Though… We're still in the midst of this investigation… But… … It's all true. From where to find the key, to the types of people found in that basement… I can't disclose the details… All I can say is that it was… Inhuman…"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT!?" Moosney slammed the table he sat in, shattering it in half.
"I'm sorry son, but your father is a despicable human being. And, although I doubt you had any involvement, you will be put under arrest for questioning,"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!! THIS HAS TO BE SOME MISTAKE!! MY FATHER WOULD NEVER—"
"I'm sorry son… but it's all true…" Ryker shook his head.
Upon hearing the General's words, the two guards immediately reacted.
"LET GO OF ME!! MY FATHER MUST HAVE BEEN FRAMED! HE'S THE BEST MAN ON EARTH!! HE WOULD NEVER—"
They continued dragging the rabid, resisting Moosny in cuffs before escorting him towards the teleporter as all watched the sad, pathetic breakdown of a man previously regarded so highly crumble to such a sorry state.
"Now, do you all believe me? Or, does anyone else want to volunteer?"
"..."
"Good!" He shook his head, acknowledging their bewildered, silent response. "I didn't want to have to do that again to my fellow students… It pains me,"
"K— Kane… What exactly do you plan to do with that book…" Luke, the man who initially spoke, gulped and asked.
"Your worries are warranted, I'm about to explain the reason why I even came here. Like I said before, I've come bearing presents!" He cheered. " I've gained access to accounts filled with all the points syphoned out from you every month. So, I pledge to return every last point to its original owner!"
Faces from the crowds brightened, only slightly. Nevertheless, it did not last for long, if anything, the terror building increased as Moby prepared his second present.
"And before I say the second one, I would like to reiterate, that this is the only known copy, and I've yet to read past the first page. So, knowing that, I would like to present to you, my second present."
Slowly, he stood up, lifting his right hand hovering with his palms open to the ceiling, forming a purple, flame-like aura, and with his right arm, he brought the book out and set it dangling above the flames as all stared in disbelief unable to even fathom their eyes.
"HE'S GONNA BURN THE BOOK!! DON'T YOU DARE LET HIM!!" Ryker roared, and guards from all around the room rushed him from all directions.
"Too late," Moby beamed at their effort before dunking the book in the heat of his demon energy as all watched its pages disintegrate into flickering flames dancing through the air.
It was a conclusion they could have never imagined in several lifetimes.
"HOW DARE YOU BURN THE BOOK BOY!? Are you colluding with criminals!?" A guard who had reached Moby snapped, trying to grab him by the collor before casually being side-stepped.
"No, not at all!" Moby felt almost insulted. "Most of that book's contents were not even criminal activity. It was family secrets and techniques that should never be leaked, especially to the military! As I stated before, I have my fellow student's best interests at heart.
I believe the Military would have done more evil than good with that information by leveraging power away from the big families and guilds."
"You think we'll believe that!?" The guard scoffed. "High General Ryker! I request permission to arrest him!"
"..." But his screams gained him no response.
"High General!? Are you there!? I request permission to arrest—"
"We can't do that…" Ryker shook his head.
"WHAT!? Why not? No man is above the law!"
"Correct." Ryker agreed. "But, if we arrest the man who won the tournament at the same time the news of the Supreme General's death spreads, there would be outrage. And, more importantly, under section 321 of our code, if he really did speak the truth, we have no grounds to press charges or even make his arrest public. All we can do for now is question him with a lie detector."
"I understand, and I will comply," Moby showed no resistance.
"Thank you Kane," Ryker nodded, jumping up and landing directly beside him in the middle of the empty dance ground.
The sight of Moby being escorted by Ryker instantly contrasted with that of Moosny's. It was in complete silence, all too calm. The mere fact that he had not even bothered to restrain him spoke volumes. Just like before, they did not utter a single word, but the thoughts brewing in their minds were far different and could never be compared.
Their all went on an emotional rollercoaster, and the ride had finally come to a stop. Their beating hearts that nearly exploded out of their chests began to settle along with an odd sensation of relief that most had not felt ever in their lives. And, although they did not communicate, most came away from this learning something new, sharing a single thought:
"That man is scary, but he's also my hero,"