Hello Minna, time for the next chapter, chapter 5 to be exact. Sorry for the late update, I was on and still am on a temporary hiatus. School is a pain. So much stress. But I'm writing as much as I can on the side. I will definitely continue to try and update as much as I can.
I would like to thank all of my reviewers who reviewed last chapter: ChiChita, s2Teennovelist, DreamDancer99. and Bakurafangurl91. You are all wonderful. I love you all. This chapter is for you guys. I hope you guys enjoy.
Whispers in the Dark
Chapter 5
Interrogation
Saralegui sat at Wolfram's bedside, he watched as the blonde slept in his unconscious state, his chest rose and fell with each breath he took. The yellow-eyed teen placed a pale hand on Wolfram's forehead, the blonde's bangs lifted up and laid themselves against Sara's pale flesh. Saralegui sighed.
"Just what were you trying to do accomplish, von Bielefeld?"
"I'll kill you...I'll kill you."
Saralegui clenched his fists, his free hand into the long skirt of his royal attire. Was Wolfram really going to kill him? He looked as if the moment he stepped into view, he wanted to snap his neck. And when he saw the Mazoku running towards him, he froze. He was shocked to the point that his limbs were useless. If not for Sir Weller stepping and stopping the blonde, he may just have been killed.
Just what happened here, in Blood Pledge Castle, before his arrival? Everyone was so tense when he had made his presence known, especially the young von Bielefeld. Did it have something to with King Yuri?
"Just what happened here?" Sara asked himself.
He heard the bed sheets crinkle, and a soft moan reach his eardrums. Saralegui looked back at the blonde as he was opening his eyes. Emerald eyes blinked before looking over at him. Saralegui removed his hand from the blonde's forehead. The blonde sat up from the bed and placed a hand on his head.
"What happened?" He mumbled to himself.
"You snapped and tried to attack his Majesty Saralegui." Conrart answered as he walked inside.
Wolfram blinked. "W-Why would I do that?" He placed a pale hand on his forehead and tried to think. "The last thing I remember was picking flowers for the lunch setting." He looked around. "Where's Yuri?"
Conrart looked away from his little-big brother. He didn't know how he would react to the news. Saralegui didn't know himself what was going on, so he was also curious as to where the Maou was. "Conrart, answer me. Where is Yuri?"
"The young master was taken, kidnapped by the messenger from early this morning."
Wolfram and the others looked over as Yosak stood at the door, a frown on his face. He stepped away from the door and walked inside.
"What do you mean he was taken? Why didn't you do anything to protect him?" Wolfram shouted.
"If I recall correctly, you were the one trying everything to protect him. Conrart was the one who made it there first . He told me that you were too busy hugging a flower to anything else." Yosak countered.
Wolfram growled and clenched his fists into the sheets. "Yes, I remember now, but I did do everything I could. I wanted to go after them, but there was no way of knowing where he would end up by the time I could even start chasing after him." Wolfram moved over to the edge of the bed. "I could have gotten him, I could have taken him down with my flames, but I didn't want to risk burning Yuri."
"Before we continue playing the "Blame Game" If you don't mind, may we ask you a few questions, King Saralegui? Since it was your messenger that caused this mess, we are hoping that you have some answers to this." Conrart interrupted.
Saralegui looked over at Conrart, a look over confusion on his face. "I have no idea what you are talking about? My staff is loyal to me and Shin Makoku and always will be as long as the alliance is in check. I would never allow any of trusted workers to come and see the Maou if I knew they had ill intentions towards him in any way. That is the truth. I know nothing more."
"We are not saying that you deliberately planned this, we are just asking if you know anything about this?"Conrart explained. He pressed on. "Does your messenger have any ill intentions towards you?"
Saralegui stayed silent. He took a deep breath. "No, none that I know of."
"I see." Yosak said. Yosak looked over at Conrart. "He's clean."
Saralegui, as well as Wolfram, looked over at Yosak. "What do you mean?" Saralegui asked.
"Yeah, just what is going on Conrart?" Wolfram shouted.
Conrart looked over at his highness of Small Cimaron. "We managed to capture one of the men involved and bring him into interrogation. It didn't take much to make him crack. We just did what his highness Yuri would have wanted and he told us all we needed to know. Like where your real messenger is!"
"So you mean?"
"Yes," Conrart looked over at the large window panes. He sighed. "Someone in disguised as Small Cimaron's messenger, was able to get into the palace and discover the whereabouts of his majesty so he could time his attack just right. I hate to say it but it was a foolish mistake on my part."
"So, if he is not a staff from Small Cimaron, then who was he?" Wolfram asked.
"I'm afraid that he didn't know himself, just that he threatened to kill them if they did not do as ordered."
Saralegui placed a hand on his forehead and sighed. "I apologize that this has lead to such a horrible event. It's partially my fault. If only I had come to tell King Yuri myself, none of this would have happened."
"Do not fret your majesty, we will get young master back. We just need some time and a plan." Yosak said.
"For now, we're trying to get more information out of the man, it doesn't matter how small the information, anything is acceptable at this point." Conrart added.
Wolfram stood up from the bed and stretched. "Well then let's keep interrogating. We have to find Yuri."
"We will handle to the interrogations Wolfram, why don't you keep his highness Saralegui company. It would be awful if his highness came all the way here from Small Cimaron for nothing but bad news. Why not try and calm your nerves with some tea with Greta."
"This is no time for tea Conrart, we should start searching the area. Yuri needs to be found soon." Wolfram complained.
"He's right you know." Saralegui interrupted. "I agree with Sir Weller. We must take this situation at a suitable pace. King Yuri wants to be found and saved but he is also the Maou. He can take care of himself if necessary. He is strong, I know this much, I have witnessed his power on multiple occasions, he is strong willed. We will find him."
Wolfram just stayed silent. He knew that Saralegui was right but he had a right to be worried. Yuri doesn't even have Morgif with him. What if he's taken to the human countries, if he uses his power, he could end up using too much of it and either collapse or die. Wolfram didn't want that to happen.
"Fine, but we must find him soon, Yuri can't die alone." Wolfram mumbled. He grabbed his blue jacket from off the chair and put it on and started walking off to the door. He stopped and looked back at Saralegui. "Are you coming, your majesty."
Saralegui stood up from the bed and bowed to Conrart and Yosak. "I hope you find what you're looking for. I promise I will help in any way I can."
Conrart placed a hand over his heart and bowed to Saralegui. "Thank you for offering."
Saralegui stood tall and smiled. He then made his way out of the room with Wolfram. Conrart walked over to Yosak who had gotten off of the wall.
"Shall we get interrogating, captain?"
Conrart looked over at Yosak and smiled to himself. "Let's go."
Wolfram, alongside Saralegui, sat in the dining hall, tea freshly made and a few treats set out as well. Greta sat beside Wolfram, a frown on her face. Saralegui knew that this was a rough time for the girl, she missed her father. He wanted to help, but didn't know what to do. He's never interacted much with children.
"Wolfram, we'll definitely bring Yuri back, right?"
Saralegui looked over at Greta as she looked up at her father. Wolfram smiled down at her, a sad, weak smile. Saralegui felt his heart break for Greta. She really did love her parents.
"We'll definitely bring him home. You can count on that." Wolfram replied.
Saralegui clenched his fingers around his tea cup. "Lady Greta," Saralegui spoke up. Greta looked over at him as he stood up from his chair. Saralegui had a smile on his face as he looked down at the steamy liquid. "I promise we'll find Yuri. We will do everything we can and get vengeance for him as well. You can guarantee it."
Greta grabbed hold of Saralegui's skirt and tugged against it softly to get his attention. Saralegui looked down at her, a look of surprise on his delicate pale features.
"Sara, please don't worry so much. I want to find Yuri just as much as you do, but stressing over it won't help. You have to trust in your teammates. I believe that's something Yuri would say." Greta said.
Sara kneeled down to Greta's level, a smile gracing his lips as he looked into her eyes. Greta stared into his as well, a look unreadable to Saralegui.
"Greta," He grasped her shoulders gently."Forgive me if I am unreasonable to you, I'm not very good around children. But I believe you're right. Your words, they speak to me just as if Yuri himself were speaking them. I appreciate your kindness Lady Greta, I promise you that we will find King Yuri and bring him back safely. You have my word on that."
Greta threw her arms around the Small Cimaron king, she held him close and tightened her grip as tight as her small arms possibly could.
"Sara, I know you'll do everything you can. But don't push yourself too hard."
"I promise princess, you can count on me." Saralegui looked over at Wolfram. "You can also count on Wolfram since nothing will stop him, of course."
Wolfram huffed and looked away. "You got that right. Nothing will stop me from finding Yuri, that wimp isn't going to be gone for too long."
Saralegui smiled to himself at Wolfram's childish behavior before looking back at Greta. "So for now Greta, just be patient. You don't have to wear that frown on your face. Just smile knowing that everyone around you will be doing their very best." Saralegui ruffled her hair. "We may even need your help as well."
Greta smiled brightly. "Really, you mean that?"
"Of course, Yuri has told me that you're an adventurous little girl. So, you're childhood curiosity as well as your observation skill, it may just help us."
Greta clenched her fists in excitement out in front of her before jumping up and down in joy. "Amazing, i'm glad i'll be able to help."
Saralegui stood up and grabbed hold of his tea. Taking a sip of the somewhat cooled down liquid, he pulled it away from his lips and smiled.
"All we can do now is wait and strategize." He looked over at Wolfram. "And Wolfram, i'm going to need your help most."
Wolfram just stared into the eyes of Saralegui, Sara knew that Wolfram still had trouble trusting him, but he knew deep down that he will push that aside to find his a sigh, Wolfram lowered his arms to his sides.
"I hate to admit it, but I will be needing your help as well Saralegui. Your power may just be useful to us in this fight to find the Maou."
Saralegui held a hand out, as an offering of acceptance to the deal. "I look forward to looking working with you, Wolfram von Bielefeld."
Wolfram accepted Saralegui's hand, they shook each others hand in understanding. "As do I."
Greta just watched them interact with each other, a smile on her face as she stole a cookie from off the table. With a soft giggle, she took a bite of her cookie and walked off to the window. She stared off into the courtyard, she walked as the bone tribesmen sat on the tops of the castle walls. She stared, the cookie hanging from her mouth, almost forgotten about. She saw one of them turn towards her. She blinked before looking back at Saralegui and Wolfram, they were just staring at each other. Greta looked back out the window at the tribesman, he had removed himself from the rooftop and had made his way over to the window in front of her. She removed the cookie from her mouth and wiped her mouth with her thumb.
"I need you to start a look out for Yuri, can you do that for me?" Greta said quietly throughout the window.
The tribesman just nodded, his boney neck cracking as he did before flying off into the sky above, a few others following him.
"Greta, we're leaving for the interrogation, are you coming?"
Greta looked over at her father and Saralegui. She nodded, a smile on his face, before running off to be by her father's side. She smiled and grabbed Wolfram's hand.
"Let's go, they must have learned something else by now."
"I hope you're right."
Almost two hours have passed since they continued the interrogation. So far, not much else has been found out about the man who kidnapped the Maou. Conrad was becoming even more worried about not having enough information to work with. Whereas Yosak was trying to figure out how to piece together what they already know to come up with some kind of hypothesis of what happened. So far, he has come up with no logical answer.
"Captian, this is getting us nowhere. We need to do something, and soon."
Conrad took a deep breath. "I know that, but we can't just jump out and do something random. We just something, anything big enough to take a lead on."
"I know that, but this guy obviously has no more information to share, or he's holding himself back. There's nothing else we can do." Yosak complained.
"I don't know about that. There has to be something else we can do."
"I hope we're not intruding on anything, Sir Weller, Sir Yosak."
The two soldiers looked over at the double doors as Wolfram-along with Saralegui and Greta- stood before them. Saralegui stood upfront, an unreadable look on his face. Saralegui looked over at the man behind the table, he watched as the messenger wearing his country's uniform and coat of arms shook in fear before him.
Saralegui walked over to him, the messenger stood up and saluted. He could see the fear in his eyes. Saralegui stood across from him, the table separating them.
"Sit down." Saralegui spoke. The messenger quickly sat down and sat up straight, sweat pouring down his neck. Saralegui sat down across from him. "Now, I want you to answer me. What happened on your way here to Shin Makoku? I want every detail! Don't leave anything out." Saralegui removed his glasses and looked down at them. "If I feel you're leaving anything out, I won't hesitate to use my power on you."
"Eh, please don't do that. I already told them everything I know and saw. Please don't use your power on me your highness."
Saralegui stayed silent before placing his spectacles back over his eyes, they shone for a moment before he looked back at him.
"Very well, then tell me, what did you tell them? Tell me everything." Saralegui said.
He took a deep breath before starting. "As I told Sir Weller and Sir Yosak, we left for Shin Makoku on your orders. Everything seemed to be moving smoothly, we were on schedule, then just as we were leaving the border of Small Cimaron, something caught the Captain's attention. He thought something was out in the forest. He had us stay back and we obliged as we followed orders."
"However, when he came back, he was brought back by a man wearing his uniform. We were unable to his face entirely because of the scarf over his face. He basically demanded that we go through with the delivery or else he would kill us. We knew he was seriously as I felt intimidated by his calm stance. The vice captain took charge and agreed to take him along with us, he was only doing what was necessary to keep us all , we continued on until we reached the castle of Blood Pledge. I did notice that he had this look on his face, or his eyes for that matter, he looked determined. I didn't really know what to think of it. So, when we were invited inside by Sir Weller, we were guided to the throne room where he delivered the message. We were then escorted out of the palace and sent off back to Small Cimaron, however, he made sure that we stayed in the area. He said he had "business" to take care of. He told us that we needed to follow his lead, that if we didn't, we would be killed. None of us wanted to do as he said, but we had no choice."
"So, we did as we were told. We snuck past the guards by knocking them unconscious and flying over the wall, grabbing his majesty and were told to take off. Of course, Sir Weller caught me just in time and here we are."
Saralegui took a few moments to take all of that in. He understood what he was talking about. If your life is at stake, you will most likely do anything to stay alive. However, what would really be helpful, is a description.
"Did you get a good look at his face? Any part of it at all?" Saralegui asked.
"All we could see was his eyes. They were full of determination as I said before. Color wise, they were black or brown, I was not close enough to tell clearly. But they definitely were dark."
"Did you sense any Maryoku radiating off of him?"
"No, I didn't."
Saralegui took a deep breath and sat back. "Then that can conclude that we know he's human."
"Someone from the human countries? How could a measly human be able to kidnap the demon king?" Wolfram interjected.
"Please save all complaints for the end Wolfram." Conrad said.
Wolfram stayed silent. He took a deep breath to calm himself.
Saralegui continued on asking questions. "So we know its a human with a dark color. They doesn't help much but its a start. If we can figure out something specific about him, we will be able to figure out who it is."
"We're basically still at square one." Wolfram voiced.
"Wolfram?!" Conrad pushed.
"Let him speak Sir. Weller, he has that right to voice his opinion." Saralegui said.
"What do you plan to do your highness? Do you plan to try and bring the Maou back to Blood Pledge castle?" The messenger asked.
Saralegui looked over at him, his arms crossed over his chest, he smiled. "As long as the alliance is in order, I will do whatever it takes to bring Yuri back to home to where he belongs."
Saralegui blinked, he suddenly felt a wave of jealousy go through him. He looked back behind him, saw the young Bielefeld clenching his fingers around his arms and he was practically radiating it. Saralegui shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. He always found something fascinating about him, one of the reasons must have been his uncanny ability to get easily jealous. It was such a cute trait on him.
"I see, I hope you accomplish that goal, your highness."
Saralegui stood up from the chair and stretched his arms over his head. "I've heard enough for now. I say we go off, back to Small Cimaron and check around there. My people may have seen him around the area when it occurred."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going. Yuri needs us to save him." Wolfram shouted.
Saralegui chuckled before turning to face the blonde. "That's the spirit. Let's get ready to depart. Yuri is waiting for us."
His body felt like it was burning, his body being held tight enough to not be able to breath. He gasped for air as he looked down at the concrete floors, his black eyes just staring down with no sign of life in them at all. He felt the hot liquid of blood rolling down his arms from the burning and digging off the ropes around his body.
'Why is this happening? Where am I exactly? Who has me?'
Yuri grinded his teeth together as he tried to not think of the pain he was in. His body was burning, his wounds continued to bleed, he could barely breath.
Yuri looked around the room he was in, it was a large space, almost no light at all except for a few candles hanging on the walls. The space was pretty empty, a few open areas that you could walk through and it would to areas quite unknown to Yuri. He was by himself in a large open room. He felt a chill run down his spine. He was worried, not fearful, but worried.
He looked down at the collar around his neck, it was a thin circular metal collar clasped around his neck, small red gems littered the collar as well. He wanted nothing more than to remove the collar since it was weakening him, but he could do nothing about it since his arms were tied down to his sides.
"Ah man, this sucks. I have to get out of here." Yuri mumbled to himself.
"I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere, Maou."
Yuri looked around, he knew he heard the voice, but where was it coming from. He clenched his fists, he growled.
"Who's there? Show yourself." Yuri shouted.
A moment of silence passed. Yuri continued to look around. "Now now Maou, no need to be so harsh. You're my prisoner, I am the one who should be giving the orders."
A spark of electricity was heard in Yuri's eardrums, its crack tried to warn him but could not soon enough as he was immediately feeling the electric currents running through his body. He screamed and shouted at the pain. He felt his body becoming lighter and his energy weakening. When the shock stopped, Yuri's head fell limp in front of him, he quickly gasped for air, trying to fill his lungs with oxygen but it was proving quite difficult.
"W-What was that-just now?" Yuri asked himself.
"Punishment! You disobey me or even think of escaping, you'll be shocked with more and more volts of electricity. But remember, you are only human, there is only so much electricity your small body can take."
Yuri brought his gaze up but still saw no one there. He was so confused. Who was doing this to him?
"Who are you?" Yuri asked again.
"You'll find out soon enough, but remember, disobey me and you get shocked."
Yuri felt his heart hammering out his chest, it could just be from adrenaline in his veins, or it could be from actual fear, but he knew that this was a tough situation to be in. He could die in here, alone, and no one would ever know. He had to figure out how to escape.
Then again, what were his friends back at Blood Pledge doing about this? Are they doing everything they can to find him? No doubt Wolfram and Gunter are, but what are they doing exactly? And what about Sara? Yuri had promised to come to his party at the end of the month. What will the blonde king of Small Cimaron do when he finds out that he was missing?
He has to survive this fight, either long enough to escape on his own, or long enough for the others to discover his location and find him. He will survive. He has to make it home.
He has a family waiting for him there.
And that's the end of chapter 5. How was it? Did you like it? Did you not? Did it seem like Wolfram and Saralegui were too buddy-buddy? It felt right to me. Anyways, the next chapter will be out soon. I hope to see all of my reviewers back next chapter. I love you all. So review minna. I'll try to update again soon.