CHAPTER 112: A BRIEF RESPITE

While waiting for the food that Dr. Marshal and Mr. Courier had prepared in the kitchen, the atmosphere at the dining table was quiet. Not because Shaan, Nalira, or Chelsie didn’t want to talk, but they simply felt too hungry. Ever since they arrived at the Twilight Sanctum, none of them had eaten anything.

"I’m just wondering how much longer I have to wait for the food to be ready," said Shaan, rubbing his stomach, which had started to growl. "Damn, I’m so hungry."

A few minutes later, Dr. Marshal and the courier finally stepped out of the kitchen, each of them carrying bowls filled with the food they had prepared.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," said Dr. Marshal, placing the bowls on the dining table. "Here you go. The food is ready."

When the food was served in front of Shaan, he was speechless. Honestly, he never expected Dr. Marshal to be able to cook, considering that Dr. Marshal had never mentioned this to them.

"Oh, wow..." Chelisie chewed Dr. Marshal’s food. "It tastes so delicious."

"...I agree," Nalira nodded.

"Dr. Marshal. I don’t know, you can cook so well," Shaan devoured the spaghetti heartily. "I’m really impressed with you."

Dr. Marshal scratched his head. "Hahaha, I also just learned it from a recipe book I bought, and besides, I’m not alone," said Dr. Marshal with a smile. "Courier 020 has also helped me with the cooking."

"It’s my duty to help you, Mr. Marshal."

"Uhm... Dr. Marshal, there’s something I want to ask you," said Chelsie while chewing her food. "I’m just curious, where does the electrical energy in this twilight sanctum come from?"

"Good question," Dr. Marshal smiled. "All the electrical energy generated in the Twilight Sanctum comes from a process called Mana-Electro Conversion, or MEC for short."

"Mana-Electro Conversion?" Chelsie furrowed her brow. "What is that? I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"Mana Electro Conversion, commonly known as Mana Crystal Conversion, is a method of utilizing mana from the dark realm as a source of electrical power," he explained. "In other words, manacite crystals that store mana are collected and inserted into a special device created by the labor faction. The machine then converts the magical vibrations (mana resonance) from the crystals into electrical energy that can be used in the twilight sanctum."

"Oh, I see," said Nalira, nodding her head. "So that’s why the Manacite crystals are so strictly protected here."

"That’s right. The Manacite crystal is like the energy center that powers the city of Twilight Sanctum. Without the Manacite crystal, the defense and security systems would be disrupted and would actually endanger the safety of all the Daemonists inside."

"Oh, okay. I understand now." Chelsie nodded quickly. "Thank you, Dr. Marshal."

"You’re welcome."

"Dr. Marshal, what about our daemons?" Shaan asked curiously. "I’m just wondering how they are. Are they all okay?"

"Ah, about that. Don’t worry, there’s nothing to be concerned about," said Dr. Marshal, patting Shaan on the shoulder. "All Daemons who enter the twilight sanctum will be taken directly to the room.... "Dr. Marshal scratched his head. "Eh, wait, wait. I completely forgot what the name of the room is—"

"The quarantine room, Sir."

"Ah, yes, that’s it." Dr. Marshal snapped his fingers enthusiastically. "That’s right. The quarantine room."

"The quarantine room?" Chelsie paused for a moment. "I’ve never heard of it before."

"The quarantine room serves as a special facility in Twilight Sanctum where the Daemons can rest. The Seven Faction Council agreed to create this rule to prevent any chaos from happening inside the Sanctum."

"Uhm... alright. I understand."

"Okay, so are there any other questions?" Dr. Marshal stood up and began collecting the plates one by one. "If not, I’ll go to the kitchen and start—"

"... There’s one more thing I want to ask," said Nalira, helping Dr. Marshal collect the empty bowls on the table. "It’s about the seven faction councils you mentioned earlier. Could you explain it to us in more detail?"

"Oh, well, explaining everything might take quite a while," Dr. Marshal replied. "I could tell you about it, but maybe I should—"

"Sir. Marshal, let me take all these dishes to the kitchen," said Mr Courier, standing up from his chair and immediately taking the plates from Dr. Marshal and Nalira. "You stay here and let me clean them up, if you don’t mind."

"Oh, no, no. I don’t mind at all," Dr. Marshal smiled contentedly. "Thank you again, courier 020. While the other couriers haven’t returned from their missions, you’ve been a great help to me here."

"I’m also very happy to help you, Sir," said Mr courier, carrying all the plates to the kitchen.

Shaan was very impressed with the way Mr. Marshal interacted with Mr. Courier. For some reason, the way Mr. Marshal spoke to and treated Mr. Courier made him feel as if Mr. Marshal treated Mr. Courier like a real human being. However, Mr. Courier was actually an artificial being, something that was created, not born, and people did not usually treat creations the same way they treated real humans.

’Dr. Marshal seems like a very nice person,’ Shaan thought to himself. ’That’s why Mr. Courier respects him so much.’

"Okay, so..." Dr. Marshal scratched his head again. "Wait, what are we talking about?"

"Uhm... the council of seven factions?"

"Oh, yes, that’s right," said Dr. Marshal, rubbing his forehead gently. "So, when the city of Twilight Sanctum was built, the leader of Twilight Sanctum formed a special faction consisting of seven factions," explained Dr Marshal. "The seven factions are:

Twilight Crimson, which handles internal affairs and diplomacy;

Twilight Conclave, which oversees the legal system;

Twilight Wardens, which leads the military and defense;

Twilight Merchanary, responsible for trade and economic management;

Twilight Artificier, a labor and production guild;

Twilight Codex, the scientific research and development faction;

and lastly, Twilight Ecclesia, which governs religious and spiritual matters."

’Wow, I didn’t know there were so many factions in Twilight Sanctum.’

"Each faction is led by a daemonist with abilities above the average daemonist. All leaders are selected based on specially designed tests."

Hearing those words made Shaan’s skin crawl. Incredible. Becoming a faction leader clearly wasn’t an easy task. The selection tests must’ve been far more difficult than anyone could imagine.

"Twilight Crimson is led by me," said Dr. Marshal.

"Twilight Merchanary is under Miss Jeshina Meridiana, Twilight Artificier is led by Sir Philip Thane Rockerson, Twilight Codex is led by Daisy Luminarie, and the Conclave, Wardens, and Ecclesia are led by—"

"Madam Yashina Justicia, Sir Kael, and Madam Catarina, if I remember correctly," Shaan interrupted.

"Yes, that’s right," Dr. Marshal smiled with satisfaction. "Your memory is quite impressive, Shaan."

"Oh wow, how did you even know all that?" Chelsie looked visibly surprised after hearing Shaan speak so confidently.

"Well, I remember them clearly because the three of them played major roles during... the trial. Especially Sir Kael."

"Ah, yes, Sir Kael," Dr. Marshal chuckled. "He really is... well, like that. But he’s actually a good man. He just carries a strong sense of duty and nationalism."

’A good man?’ Shaan shook his head silently. ’He feels more like a villain to me.’

"Dr. Marshal, what is the true purpose behind forming the Seven Factions?"

"They exist to maintain stability and protect the city from external threats—like the creatures of darkness, and of course, certain groups that try to disrupt order in Twilight Sanctum."

"...Rebel groups?" Nalira paused for a moment.

"Exactly. People call them the Resistance."