(Karn Stoneguard, Dauntless Vanguard - PoV)
"...would be obvious, I would think, they can never be trusted. Never forget the damage they caused in the Rune Wars, the damage they continue to cause to this very day. No, no the only good mage is a dead mage." Dr. Brightroar continues.
"I see," I reply.
I am interviewing the head doctor of the Academy, and he is every bit the zealot I expected. How many promising students died because of this man and his cronies? How many good, innocent children did this fucking monster murder?
Too damn many. I have looked at the records and I cannot even count them all...
"Tell me about Miss Crownguard. According to the records you gave her a dose that was far beyond any normal metric. What made her stand out in particular?" It is hard to stay casual, given the importance of this question. This stupid, idiotic, malicious action that led to the events now tearing the nation apart.
"Crownguard," he all but spits the name out. "That is what made her stand out. Her damned bastard of a father. Pieter Crownguard killed my father six years ago in an honor duel the bastard certainly didn't deserve to win...Having his witch of a daughter delivered into my hands was a sign from the Angel herself, a chance to redress the balance, to deliver Justice."
"...By murdering a young girl," I clarify.
"By removing a stain from the world!" he rants. "Just look at what she went on to do! She should have died! No, my regret, my only regret, is that we didn't strap the witch down and pour the whole jug down her throat while we had the chance!"
"Of course, of course," I shuffle my papers. "I must say, I am somewhat surprised by how candid you have been with me. Many of your compatriots have been quite reluctant to speak."
He scoffs. "Please, none of the judges will convict me. The world is better off without the stain of magic upon it, and the reach of the Mageseekers is long."
"Ah, you seem to be under a misapprehension." I smile for the first time in this conversation. "These cases will not be going to any judge. Prince Jarvan has decreed he will be presiding over them personally."
...
"Dr. Brightroar? Are you still with us? Nothing else to say?"
...
"I see. Well, thank you for confirming we need to look into the judiciary as well. Guards? It seems we are done here. Please, return him to his cell."
(Jarvan IV - PoV)
Looking over the latest batch of reports, there is no question. It is time.
"Karn."
"Sir?"
"Go to the Vanguard barracks, make sure they are ready. I am going to confront Gerald. If the Mageseekers prove...uncooperative..." I trail off.
"I understand sir. We will be ready," he promises.
Dismissing him with a nod, I withhold a sigh as he takes his leave.
By the Angel, I hope I am not sparking a civil war within Demacia. Not while the Noxian army is pushing towards the city.
But I have no other choice. The evidence is irrefutable. The Mageseekers have gone too far, abused their power too extensively.
"Cithria, inform father. Shyvana, with me. I will delay no longer."
Marching through the streets, I fear have delayed too long already. The people of Demacia have never been the most outgoing sorts but now, now they hide in their homes. Our citizens should not fear to walk the streets of their city. Gerald has much to answer for...as do I.
"Hold!" the Mageseeker guard outside their facility bars our entrance. He bars the Prince.
"Do you truly claim to not recognize me? Who you bar entrance to? I come to speak to Gerald. Now."
"We are under stringent orders to check for illusions and imposters. And the...thing is not allowed." he gestures to Shyvana.
My hand lashes out and grasps him by the throat, lifting him into the air.
"I have had a very, very long few days, and am absolutely done with Mageseeker bullshit right now. You will go inside and tell Gerald to come out and speak to me, immediately. He has until I lose my patience before I and my very close companion level your building and kill every last one of you. Do I make myself clear?"
The choking man manages to nod his head amid his gasps, so I drop him.
"Do not keep me waiting. As you might have guessed, my patience is not at its best right now," I warn him.
I turn away, to see Shyvana looking on in approval. She always did prefer the direct method.
It is only a short time later that Gerald exits, Xin following behind.
"Jarvan! What is the meaning of these threats!?" He demands.
"Gerald. What is the meaning of murdering thousands of our people?" I ask of him.
That very much catches Xin's attention, putting him on guard.
"I...what?" Gerald on the other hand is thrown completely off track.
"The Nullification Process. The one that you know causes insanity and mental degradation, and yet use anyway. Only to then execute the mages once they suddenly go berserk, or lose control of their powers."
"This...what? This is not the time for this! We have a rogue mage to deal with! One that murdered my wife!"
"This is exactly the time to deal with it! Garen is leading a Noxian army against the country because you have been murdering our people because of the Mageseekers' insane prejudice! Prejudice that even now has you forcing our citizens to hide in their homes while you lead an insane witchhunt for a mage that doesn't exist!"
"I WILL NOT-"
"PRINCE! PRINCE JARVAN! GRAVE NEWS! SIR!"
The staredown between Gerald and I is temporarily interrupted by Cithria's desperate shouting as she runs up to us.
"Cithria, what is it? We are rather in the middle of-"
"Sir, the King! Your father! He, he is dead! It is believed he has been assassinated!"
"WHAT!?" "What?!"
"Sir, the palace is in an uproar. I...what are your orders?"
I look towards Gerald.
"This isn't over Gerald...but it can wait, for now."
"Agreed," he growls out.
"To the palace then, Cithria. Gerald?"
"Right behind you. I will bring some of my investigators. Unless you are convinced magic can't be involved again?" he asks contemptuously.
I don't answer his taunt and stride away.
Father...dead?