Shattered Sanity

(Meanwhile, Outside the Imperial Academy Gates, Jack Sullivan’s POV)

The first thing Jack Sullivan noticed upon arriving at the Imperial Academy was the unusually small number of guards stationed around its entrance, as there appeared to be only a handful of men guarding what was supposed to be one of the most prestigious institutions in the Valdrak Empire.

”Oi, you there! What’s going on here? Since when did all the guards start taking lunch breaks together?”

Jack demanded, as he stepped down from his carriage and approached the lone guard who had hurried forward to receive him.

”Chief Inquisitor! Sir, it’s because of the Dawnriver Legion. Duke Drew Dawnriver arrived earlier with several squadrons of his elite flying cavalry, and most of our guards have been ordered to assemble within the central grounds.”

The guard explained, as he hurriedly straightened his posture upon recognizing the Imperial insignia displayed upon Jack’s coat.

”Dawnriver? That old bastard actually dared to bring his personal legion into central territory? What is he trying to start a rebellion?”

Jack muttered, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected development before walking back into his carriage and gesturing for the driver to move on.

”Well, I’ll be damned. Looks like I’ve walked into quite the bloody mess.”

He remarked, as he casually rode into the Academy grounds, seemingly unconcerned by the possibility that an armed confrontation might already be unfolding somewhere within the institution.

Of course, such behavior was hardly surprising for someone like Jack Sullivan, a man whose reputation throughout the Valdrak Empire had earned him the rather unpleasant nickname of ’The Rabid Dog’.

Born to an ordinary commoner family within the Imperial Capital, Jack had begun his career as a low-ranking investigative clerk before gradually climbing through the ranks of the Imperial Inquisition, eventually becoming its Chief Inquisitor despite possessing neither noble ancestry nor influential family connections.

Over the course of his career, he had personally uncovered numerous corruption scandals involving Imperial officials, successfully prosecuted several influential noble households, and even brought down two provincial governors whose families had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor for generations.

However, what truly distinguished Jack from the other Imperial investigators was his complete disregard for noble etiquette, as he possessed an exceptionally foul mouth and seemed to take an almost perverse pleasure in insulting the aristocrats he was assigned to investigate. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

There were even stories of how he had once called a Count a thieving bastard during an official hearing, before having the man’s entire household arrested when the investigation uncovered evidence of underpayment of annual tribute.

Naturally, such conduct had earned him countless enemies throughout the noble circles, with several influential families repeatedly petitioning the Emperor to have him dismissed from his position.

Yet despite their efforts, Jack had remained completely untouchable, largely because his record of successful investigations was so extraordinary that even the Emperor considered his services indispensable.

And while the nobility often referred to him contemptuously as the Emperor’s Dog, the common people had affectionately embraced the nickname of The Rabid Dog, believing that once Jack Sullivan sank his teeth into a corrupt nobleman, there was little hope of escaping his investigation.

”My oh my, the Duke really seems to have lost it this time.”

Jack muttered as he continued walking towards the central grounds, accompanied by two members of his investigative entourage, as together they passed through the assembled Dawnriver Legion.

”Excuse me, coming through, scoot over....”

Jack mumbled, as rather than appearing intimidated by the presence of so many armed men, he tried to make a light mockery of them, knowing full well that they can’t attack him in turn.

Naturally, several Dawnriver soldiers gave him an ugly look as he passed by, however, they all held their tongues after noticing the distinctive Imperial Inquisition insignia upon his coat.

”Bloody hell, Sylvia, do you think the Duke will try to forcefully take his son back?.”

Jack asked his assistant in a gleeful voice, before shaking his head with an amused expression as he strolled straight into the administrative building.

—------

Once Inside, Jack quickly located the detention room where Riven Dawnriver was being held, although before he could approach the entrance, he found his path obstructed by Principal Boseman and Vice Principal Chadwick, who appeared to have been waiting outside for quite some time.

”Chief Inquisitor Sullivan? So they’ve assigned you to this case?”

Chadwick asked, as he immediately recognized the notorious investigator approaching them.

”Aye, looks like the Emperor decided this mess needed someone who actually knows what he’s doing.”

Jack replied, giving Chadwick a curt nod before turning his attention towards the Principal, whose troubled expression suggested that the situation was considerably more complicated than he had anticipated.

”Now then, Principal, I’m going to have to insist that you isolate my suspect immediately.

Standard Imperial investigation procedure, you see.

A murder suspect isn’t supposed to be sitting around having private conversations with his family, especially when that family happens to be powerful enough to interfere with the investigation.

So, if you’d kindly open that door and let me have a word with the boy, we can get this bloody business moving.”

Sullivan demanded, as he gestured casually towards the detention room, seemingly expecting Boseman to comply without further argument.

However, rather than immediately moving to open the door, Boseman hesitated, his expression growing increasingly uncomfortable as he glanced towards the entrance behind him.

”Chief Inquisitor, I’m afraid the situation is somewhat delicate. Duke Drew Dawnriver himself is currently inside that room with his son, and he has made it very clear that he does not wish to be disturbed. Given that the lives of my staff members are at line, I must remind you to keep a delicate hand..”

Boseman explained, as he attempted to convey the seriousness of the situation without openly admitting that the Academy had effectively been intimidated into accommodating the Duke’s demands.

For a moment, Jack simply stared at the Principal, as though struggling to believe that the man responsible for overseeing the Imperial Academy was genuinely asking him to reconsider approaching a suspect because of his father’s objections.

Then, much to Boseman’s surprise, the Chief Inquisitor threw his head back and burst into laughter, drawing the attention of several nearby guards who had been stationed along the corridor.

”HAH! Well, I’ll be damned. So that’s what all those fancy soldiers outside are about? The old bastard’s thrown a tantrum, and now everyone’s too bloody frightened to knock on his door?”

Jack remarked, as he shook his head in amusement before taking another step towards the entrance.

”Listen here, Principal. I don’t give a rat’s arse if the boy’s sitting in there with Duke Dawnriver, or the bloody devil.

I’ve got clearance straight from His Majesty to investigate these murders however I see fit, and that means nobody gets to interfere with my questioning.”

Sullivan declared, as the amusement gradually faded from his expression, leaving behind the unmistakable authority of a man who had spent decades dragging powerful individuals before Imperial investigators.

”So do us both a favor and open that damned door. If His Grace has a problem with me interrupting his little family reunion, you can let me worry about the consequences.”

Jack concluded, as he fixed Boseman with an expectant stare, making it abundantly clear that he had no intention of waiting for the Duke’s permission.