After that failed attempt, we move to the castle dungeons where Rey and his boys are currently being held...Will he have what they need? or will this be his last chapter? find out now
Chapter 58
Interrogation...
Feoh, Castle Dungeons...
In the rank and foul-smelling dungeons, once used to hold those undeserving before the takeover of the monster forces...Was now being used to garrison prisoners of war, be they black dogs, savage monsters or corrupt holy knights... And the treatment the prisoners had gotten was surprisingly...Humane... They had gotten meals and baths like they would outside, but it was how they were getting those... After all, Humane doesn't mean nice... A message that was hammered well into the dungeons...
However, we arrive at the interrogation room, where a certain holy knight sleeps tied to a chair...
"Okay Rela, give him a splash..." he heard Traysek's voice utter.
A huge amount of water slapped him really hard as it was a little hot.
"Hoooaaaah!" He screamed, waking up and steaming from the water, hair a mess, "Ah! hah! What?! Who?!" his vision clearing, spotting the culprit and a familiar smirking face, "YOU!" he growled, struggling in the chains.
"Ah~ good~ you're awake~ I had gotten soooo worried there~" Traysek cooed, grinning at him like a cat, "Hello Reynold~ Surprised to see me~? I would be too in your place,"
"Fuck you!" Rey spat, struggling in the chains more, "Arrgh! what the hell is this? And..." looking around, "Where...are we...?"
"In the dungeons of Feoh," Traysek answered without missing a beat, "Dragged you here and bounded you to chair you're sitting in...Gotta say, out of all the stupid shit you could've done...This here takes the cake!" he laughed.
"Oooooh...I can't stand you...!" The young knight growled, "Whenever I find a way out of here, you're done!"
The Redguard hummed at that, "IF, let me correct you there..."IF" you get out of here, And... those chances are getting slimmer by the minute...That said, I'd be very careful what all you say...You don't know who's all in here and how it'll be held against you..."
"I don't give a damn! From you?! I already know what you are, pirate! your words hold no authority over me!" Rey shot back with.
"What about MY words." Celestine walked forward, staring at him as she was staring at a disgusting bug.
At that point, he felt himself pale for two reasons...One, she was there and two, it was the look she was giving him, finding himself in a stutter.
"I- I- I- Uh..." Trying to find the words and he couldn't...
Traysek grinned darkly, "Nah, Rey...Keep that same energy...Don't switch up now," with a chuckle.
The young commander gulped, "W-why is she here?"
"Oh...I think we all know why..." The Redguard said, pulling a chair up to him and taking a seat, "The question is, how honest you're gonna be... And Trust me, We'll know if you're lying for certain, and if you do..." leaning into his face, eyes aglow with a sadistic smile, "I'm not above torturing you...Be it physically or mentally...Understand...?"
"Y-you wouldn't...!" Rey gasped, getting an wider grin from the other man, which answered that for him, turning his head to Celestine, "You're really gonna let him torture me...?"
"I can help with that." a Dark Elf in some black armor that looked familiar, but she's giving a whole new level of fear.
"Answer me this..." Celestine's tone was too dark as Swain took some steps and walked in front of her, "Why did the army attack the city while I was here..."
Rey felt himself sweat at that one, "I...Well...From my perspective...I had assumed...You went home...To Ken...As for why they attacked...They had wanted to reclaim the city..."
Traysek pursed his lips together, "Really...? That's all, huh? You sure...?" with an eyebrow.
"Y-yeah! I'm sure that all there is!" The young knight defended with, "Yet I get the feeling, you don't believe..."
"You'd be right to assume because we don't believe you..." The Redguard answered coldly, the smile vanished "We know there's more and that you're holding out...And since you are..." clapping his hands, "Boys! the tools!"
The rest of the crew showed themselves pushing trays full of torture tools, Inigo snickering as he made his way over to them last with his...
His eyes went wide at how sharp and gnarly looking they appeared, visibly gulping...
"Thank you guys~" Traysek said in a sweet tone, grabbing a pair of pliers, "Now, We're gonna try this again...and if you lie THIS time...? You're losing a tooth..." tapping his cheek with them, "Get me...?"
He hurriedly nodded in a cold sweat, starting to get his situation...
"Good..." The Redguard said, narrowing his eyes, "Now...I believe the question was: "Why the alliance attacked while knowing she was here"? I don't care what your perspective is... WE don't care what your perspective is...get to the point..."
Rey gritted his teeth, as a sweatdrop fell from his cheek, "I told you...I was just invited to the attack, the officers put it together, it wasn't just me who got involved..."
"Okay, I see, you wanna be a liar..." Traysek murmured flipping the pliers around in his hand, turning to Swain, "Permission to take a tooth...?"
"It doesn't matter to me, as long as we get an answer." Swain coldly replied, "We did tried to talk didn't we."
"W-what? No! please!" He pleaded, as the pliers found themselves in his mouth in blinding speed after...
"The best way to make a man talk..." Traysek began with, ripping the back molar tooth out with said speed, "Is to take away his ability to talk!"
"Arrrrrrgh!" Rey screamed, feeling the stinging pain of his back bottom molar removed, "Why?!" with blood in his mouth, as the Redguard set the bloodied tooth in a tray.
"I don't think that it's painful enough..." Swain hummed at it, "Back in Noxus, when I used to torture the prisoners, they started crying the moment they see me, and say everything, their deepest secrets included."
Traysek raised an eyebrow, "Oh~? You've got an idea in mind...? Do tell me more~"
"No, NO! Don't give him anymore ideas, please!" The young commander cried.
"First, you'd need better equipment." Swain answered, conjuring a demonic knife, "I suggested hellish or demonic instruments to begin with..." he then walked to the fearful commander before slashing an eye away, "And make sure to impose yourself."
"Aaaauggghh!" Rey screamed at the loss of his eye with blood gushing out, "My eye! arrrgh!"
Traysek whistled at that, "Okay, I'm peeping your game there, Swain, And I may just have the thing..." with a smile.
"What more do you want from me? I don't know why they attacked with her still here!" the young commander cried before his face was grabbed and pulled towards the cold, glaring Redguard.
"Because we know there's more to it than that..." Traysek said with slit eyes, "And if we have to say how we know...Not only am I taking the other eye with that very dagger he used, but then after that, dear Reynold..." reaching into his haven bag, "I'm going to take your fucking hands with this...!" holding the mace of Molag bal, "And believe me, you're not gonna like that too much..." getting a whimper in response, "But...at the same time, maybe it's the order the question was asked in... if that's the case, then we need to go further back in questioning because I do remember what Raymond said before we got started..."
"R-raymond?" Rey uttered in shock.
"Yeah, Raymond, and don't worry, you'll get a chance to speak with him soon..." The Redguard said, narrowing his eyes "Now, what were you doing before this attack was even conceived...?"
The young commander gulped, "I...I was trying to make connections to get our fort into a better condition...Than...how it was given to us..."
Traysek sighed, in slight relief sitting back down in the chair, "Okay, we're getting somewhere, good... So you were just out and about trying to gain funding and partners...Alright, there's nothing wrong with that, I was doing the same thing for mine much earlier...Were you successful...?
"Yeah, for some...But not...others...It was a hit or miss on those deals..."
The Redguard slowly nodded, "Interestingly enough, that aligns with what Raymond told us, he mentioned you coming over for a visit, unexpected at that, and then gave you a bit of advice on the matter and sent you on your way...Lucky you, but the question is...who you all may have come in contact with...For the partners that agreed, who are they...?"
Reynold hesitated for a moment, "Albert Calvinis, who I got my armor and weapon from..."
"The abusive heir to that family...? That's who you made a deal with?" Traysek frowned harshly, taking a deep breath, "Alright, you did mention he was a friend of yours...Just didn't think you'd lay in bed with him, but that's fine...We all gotta start somewhere, here's hoping that's not permanent..."
"It's not...We just need him as an initial push...Once we have enough we'll-" Rey tried to finish, but...
"You'll drop him, gotcha..." The Redguard nodded, "Okay, despite how I feel about him, I can why you'd do it...Who else? cause you mentioned more..."
Once again, he hesitated except this time, Traysek slammed the mace on the table to get his attention...
"My threat still stands, just because I changed the question, doesn't mean, I changed that...Speak up..." Traysek coldly hissed, "Who...is the other guy...?"
"A man, no...A retired lord, by the Name of Lorel Nutilus!" He finally admitted.
The Redguard frowned at that, "Lorel Nutilus...Now that's a name, I know nothing about," turning to Lord Swain, "Do you know who that is...?"
"I do remember meeting him in the past." Swain replied, "A man of false piety..." he sighed before continuing, "He's a butcher who killed a lot of people for not following the church." causing Celestine to gasp with shock.
"D-Did he really...?" she barely worded the question.
Rey blinked twice, "Hold up...I didn't know that about him, My second didn't mention that..."
"Wow...You sure picked an interesting person to be in bed with...Never mind what I thought of that Albert guy, this Lorel person sounds way worse..." Traysek commented, "That said, is he in politics, lord Swain...? if so...where on the echelon would he be?"
"He's someone with no real power on paper," Swain replied, "But his connections make him a dangerous man... especially since his reputation is one of a war hero."
"Just like Grave's is...And knowing him and his connections..." Traysek thought on, turning back around to Reynold, "Oh wow...You've made yourself a friend alright...and as I think about it... We might be getting close...Okay, now, next question...and this will determine if you're innocent or guilty...Think long and hard about this one..."
Rey slowly nodded, "I'm ready..."
"How did this meeting between you, and this..."Lorel" go... What did you guys talk about...?" The Redguard asked calmly.
The young commander sighed deeply, "I...I told him about Missions I've been on and how each one went for me... and how I...uh-"
"Failed them...?" Traysek finished off with, getting a sullen nod from him, "Well, at least you admitted it to him, that's a step, not a large one, but it is a step..." he nodded, "I don't suppose that's all there is, was there more...?"
"I also mentioned the battle of Feoh the first time around...And how you were tossing me and my men around," Rey continued with.
"You made that choice to fight me, if had moved like I asked, it wouldn't have happened..." The Redguard said in a growl, "I'm not going to take responsibility over a stupid decision that you made, come off it...!"
"I'm not expecting you to!" the young knight defended with.
"I had to make sure with you ," Traysek narrowed his eyes, "What else...?"
"I also mentioned the questioning that you and General Greil gave me, before I had to meet for the mission report...and that also went..."
"Mmhm..." The dragonborn hummed, "That's really all...? Nice story, but I don't get how they would get the notion from that alone...?"
"I'm getting there...!" Rey said, tiredly, "He also...Asked what Celestine was doing for a counterattack...And I told him that she was already here and that no such plan was in fruition...I also told him how she..."Reacted" to the mission report and what happened afterwards..."
Traysek clapped his hands together, staring intently into his eyes, "Uh-huh...And then what else...?"
He gulped, "And...And then I mentioned...her state of mind and that she was allowing you to, uh-" trying to find the words...
"-Calm her down, via touch...?" Traysek finished In a cold tone, but the hardened glare said other things, slow nod in return, "By. the. fucking. nine, I knew that's where this was leading to...You really were in your feelings about that one...especially when you didn't get your way about it, right?"
"I...didn't go there about it, I just mentioned it happened, not that I was bitter about it!" The young knight defended with.
"Really now?!" The Redguard asked, "It didn't seem like that back there! You threw a major fit about the method I used, but what you didn't realize was that if I had taken my hand off in the midst of your bitching, you'd been splattered all over the walls! they'd still be cleaning you off now!" with visible tickmarks on his cheeks, fangs exposed.
"S-splattered...?" Rey said, going pale, looking over at Celestine...
"It couldn't be... could it..." Celestine went into thoughts.
"I doubt that went that well..." Swain sighed, "By the looks of it, the church has decided to brand Celestine as corrupted and are, without a doubt, searching for the next Goddess Reborn..."
"I'm getting that, but even so, over someone calming another person down...? That wouldn't be enough to brand her that, if that the only thing...They'd understand she's just having a bad day...I think something more...Crucial...more personal was said there..." narrowing his eyes at Rey, "I want to hear, what that crucial thing is..."
Rey sweatdropped, "I uh...might've said, that she might've fancied you since she let you get that...close..."
Traysek glared at him, harshly, slowly nodding, "And there layeth the meat of the problem...By dagon's ballsack..." turning to Swain, "And is this "Lorel" connected to anyone big? anyone in the churches...?"
"He's friends with more than everyone big in the church." Swain stated, "From what I know, he has enough power to change the law if he wishes."
"Even bypassing you?" Celestine widened her eyes.
"Unfortunately," Swain nodded, "It takes me some time before repairing those problems."
"So in other words, this guy can cause a problem..." Traysek sighed deeply, "I'm starting to get how that happened," turning to Rey, "One more thing...How'd he react to that...?"
Rey took a breath, "He said..." he started with...
Flashback...
The old noble took a deep breath, "I see... our goddess has been corrupted... Celestine is no longer the Goddess Reborn... the church must be aware of this fact." a sad tone as some tears began to fall, "This loss should be paid. We must search for a new Goddess Reborn to protect."
Rey and Marquel shared glances before the former returned his gaze to the tearing-up old man, the former slowly nodding...
End of flashback...
Traysek looked shocked when he finished explaining, "And...You didn't take that as a sign then...?"
"At the time, I didn't think much about it, I just figured he was...overreacting, and I said, she "Might" not that she did..." The young commander added in, "I never meant for that to happen-"
"Save it..." The Redguard cut off, "So let me get this straight...You were unhappy with the reward you received, so much so, you went looking for partners to help you fund in fixing it, and amidst you doing that, you went crying and complaining about how you were treated to your new partners and one of them, has just enough power to be a threat...and then you told the same man, I was calming her down with a hand on her shoulder...is that correct...?"
"Well, when you put it that way..." Rey started with.
"What do you mean...? There's no other way to put that," Traysek said, narrowing his eyes "and even though you didn't... intend to do it, as you say, from an overzealous standpoint, it's the idea that I was even able to get that close that he's taking offense to...You adding that bit in...? Only made it worse...And if he's the type that likes to talk, that would explain why they had no qualms attacking here...Even with her being present..."
Rey was taken aback by this revelation, wondering if that had been the cause to why this had happened, "So...in other words I indirectly-"
"Branded your goddess, corrupt...Great. Job. Sir..." The Redguard sarcastically clapped, "And the worst part...? This wouldn't be the first time you've done this... you also did the same to Alicia's old mentor, Esteban...And you did it to me when you reported to Claudia and Alicia what you saw out there and got those two worried... If what they did to him was any indication...Then you had to know this was coming, if you didn't...Then you're either the luckiest person alive or the stupidest...and personally, it's leaning to the latter..."
Rey gave him a tired scowl, "I don't think I like being called "Stupid" by you..."
"And I don't care!" Traysek retorted, "This habit of running your mouth like the Craiglorn falls, is stupid! Especially when you already got someone killed with it the first time, so I really don't give a damn what you think right now...unbelievable..." shaking his head, turning to Celestine and Swain, "Well, I think we got our answer..."
"Fortunately for us, Ken has been signed as a city under the rule of Celestine... they did try to change it to one under the rule of the Goddess Reborn, but I opposed it." Swain sighed, "This means that we must head back to Ken to make sure that they don't gain more power over you."
"Right." Celestine nodded as they both teleported away.
Traysek sighed in relief, "Thank the gods for that...Hope they get it back under control..."
"S-so you got everything you wanted right...? Are you going to let us go...?" Rey asked, shakingly.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Rey..." The Redguard answered with, "You are a prisoner of war and if you really want out, that's something you have to talk to the Lord Defender of this city about, which luckily for you...He's been in here, the entire time..."
"W-what?!" The young commander uttered in shock.
The Dragonborn sighed, "Niall! Princess! You guys can show yourselves now, we got the info we needed and I'm sure you both heard everything..."
"I thought that you could have gotten better, not worse." Niall shook his head as the room lightened up.
"I... I believe that Rey is still a good person." Prim stuttered as she was fighting tears.
Rey was flabbergasted that she was in there that long, "P-Prim...I..."
"That's not all," Traysek informed, "Look over there..." nodding his head towards a familiar blonde, who was scowling hard...
"Pathetic disgusting execrable abhorrent abysmal loathsome foul rotten bug." Alicia was standing, arms crossed, and tears in her eyes, "So it was your fault!"
His face paled over at the sight of her angry expression, glancing back at the Redguard "Wait...! You had Alicia in here...why would mention that?!"
"Because It was time she knew the truth about it...And knowing that you had a hand in that and lied about it, makes me sick to my stomach, Rey..." Traysek sighed, standing up, "So with that, I think it's best I take off, I still have to talk to your man Marquel who's getting the dunk tank treatment right now, from Klein and Sylla, so I need to check with them...Until then, have fun getting yourself out of this one..." making his way out of the room with Rela and the crew following behind...
"W-wait, at least take the tools!" He called out, as the door shut...
"You're expecting him to escape using those tools, right?" Rela asked once they were out.
Traysek tilted his head sideways with a raised eyebrow "That would imply I care for him that much... it Couldn't be any further from the truth, I simply left that to chance, 50/50, they use them...or they may not use them...depends how deep that relationship between Alicia and her mentor was..."
"I doubt that they would enjoy torturing someone," Rela replied.
The Redguard's eyes shadowed over at that, "Enjoyment's...got little to do with it..." a small sullen smile now visible, "Admiration...And love...Can make even the most well-mannered do the unthinkable..." in an oddly cold tone, pulling out a blunt and sparking it, taking a deep pull, exhaling, "Especially, when the person you had it all for... is wrongly accused and killed... and there's nothing you can do about it...No matter how you plead, no matter how you beg...not matter what bargain you have..." he finished, going into a long pause, "It's about what's due and the justice that comes with it... you're probably right though, they most likely won't and the worst he'll get is exiled... But otherwise... that's something...I'm all TOO familiar with..." thinking back something, spacing out...
"I think that it has more to do with vengeance rather than justice." Rela stated, "Sometimes, letting one go is the worst thing for him as he'd feel... incomplete."
"Perhaps..." Traysek slowly nodded, coming out of his spacing, "Either way... Alicia needed the closure... It was time... that had gone for too long and IS one of the reasons she was the way she was..." glancing up from his shadowed expression, "I have no doubts in my mind that Niall isn't going to let her indulge in that...But even if they don't torture him and I have a feeling they won't...Leaving those tools ensures a fear that they just...might... and that'll be enough to keep him in line..."
"I doubt that'll be enough to keep him in line." Rela stated, "He will get bolder if someone knows the kind of words to use, and what actions to give him enough motivation. After all, he's desperate at this point, and will be ready to do anything to prove you wrong, to prove all of us wrong."
The Redguard sighed, "Of course, he is... We've all seen his ambition while he was out...Do you expect him to give it up so easily...?" with an eyebrow raised, smiling, "So while I don't believe that'll be a permanent solution for him, myself... I can say at this current time...It'll be enough for them..." arriving at Marquel's door.
"I'm hungry now..." Rela stated as her stomach began to growl.
Traysek rolled his eyes playfully, "I heard you the first time... and I'll pick up a couple boxes after this from the city, okay...?" with a chuckle, knocking on the door, "Oi! it's Traysek! open up!"
The door opened, Klein being the one to do it, while Sylla could be seen holding a string, to something going into a large tank, "Hey guys, how'd it go?" as the group walked in.
"He managed to squeal like I thought he would, that said," Turning to Sylla, "Go ahead and lift him up, I'm sure he's been in there long enough..."
Sylla sighed before doing what she was told to do.
Once he was lifted up, he coughed in spasm, shaking in his binds...
"Well well~ Glad to see you're still kicking, how was your bath...?" Traysek asked, folding his arms.
"Shut your mouth you disgusting heretic!" the knight snapped.
Traysek laughed at that, "Adorable~ But don't you think it's time for some new material, prisoner...? Cause this one keeps getting you dunked..." sitting in a chair in front of the dangling knight, "That said, we got everything we needed from your commander, I trust you can hear the screams, yes...?"
"You think that you can intimidate me? How funny." Marquel snorted, "Just ask your questions and kill me already, everyone knows that you love to kill Holy Knights that won't join your side like that traitor."
Klein's response was only to flip him off...
The Redguard smirked, "Kill you...?" And take away Rey's only Meatriding Femboy...? I'm not that cruel, come on now!" he chuckled, "I was actually here to tell you that you're free to go back to your cell, we have what we need so your cooperation is no longer required..."
"I doubt that someone like you is THAT generous." Marquel smirked, "Everyone knows what kind of scumbag you are, how you're ready to corrupt anyone who gets near you."
"Ohhh~ so you think you've got me all figured out, huh? That's Cute, really!" The Redguard smirked back, "But I wouldn't spit in the face of that generosity... You may if you wish, but should you..." pulled out the mace of molag bal, once more "You, I, and this lovely mace here could get...very acquainted..." with widened eyes, "Most...Intimately~" pressing it on his face as the dark energy crackled from it, "So, What's it gonna be...?"
Marquel began to laugh, "Do your worst, once you get to see an Inquisitor interrogate someone, you'd hardly get scared by something like that."
"Oh yeah? And how would you know that...?" Traysek frowned, "You're telling me you were present for it once...?"
"I brought a traitor to one of the Inquisitor who make him confess all of his heretical crimes in an instant." Marquel pointed, smiling.
"Really now...?" The Redguard laughed, "Heh, well, I guess even a bottom feeder like you would need a way to raise to their station somehow...I mean, Hell, Rey, despite his family name being besmirched actually had proof he was a noble and had some renown...But you...?" raising an eyebrow "No one knows you...No big family name that you're tied to...So I can understand you sucking off an official just to make your name out there...That's not surprising to me..."
"Like you actually know shit." Marquel smirked, "The Fevius family is well respected. As for you, you're only known as a savage murderer."
Traysek snorted, "Oh please... If they were soooo important, they'd be more known than they are...If you're gonna lie, at least be damned good at it!"
"It's you who's an ignorant savage," Marquel had a smug, "My family is well known in both the east and the seven kingdoms as those who deal with various exotic deals with the Emperor of the eastern lands, It was even out ancestors who brought the black powder that we use in the seven kingdoms. Not only that, but we have some exclusive contracts with the Emperor Leng Shen, one that you'll never get. Besides, if it wasn't for my family's influence, that girls wouldn't have been engaged to me."
The rest of the crew went wide-eyed, Recorder already had her device out, taking this all in, mouthing the words to him...
"One more push..."
The Redguard gave a subtle nod, seemingly going into thought, "Now this is interesting... When I hear the words, "Exotic goods and deals" I'm thinking of something...more out there...Sure, gunpowder's nice...But I've seen how the alliance's guns fire... not impressed in the slightest...So if your guns here are weak like that...What makes your goods worth the emperor's attention...? Can't be that good if it's coming from a lout like you..."
"The Emperor has his own taste in goods, and we figured it." Marquel stated, "And it's a secret that runs in the family for so many generations that no one figured it."
The entire room went silent, the rest of the crew slowly nodding to each other, along with Klein who was smirking...
Traysek chuckled, "Oh~ How...interesting...very interesting..." standing up with a smirk, "I do believe that concludes our time here..." cutting an eye at Recorder, "You get all that...?"
"Enough for Swain and the shields to have a field day with, DB," Record smiled, putting the device away.
Marquel smirked at that, 'They think that they can damage us, but they don't know that our family is under the protection of the Obsidian Table.'
Klein thought on something, "Fervius...Fervius...Oh...you're from one of those protected families, aren't you...? Now it makes sense..."
"What does...?" The Redguard asked.
"Let's just say, our little knight here is connected to a rather...shadowy organization...One I should've told you all about because they are out there...A group as powerful as the birds of prey... Ain't that right...?" giving him a knowing smile, "It's just...on the very tip of my tongue..."
"Hmph, someone like you should have recognized it from the very beginning." Marquel stated, rolling his eyes, "After all, you did some jobs for them, didn't you."
Klein hummed, "For a short time, I wouldn't have made it to church knight without that recommendation, so yeah, I know who your people are..." narrowing his eyes at him, going over to the ropes "So I'm going to anchor you as he asked, enjoy your stay in the cells, table-boy" tying the rope against the chair.
Traysek shook his head, "You... are the who he stabbed a good woman for...Amazing...Rey sure knows how to pick 'em... let's bounce...Nothing more to say..." heading out of the room with everyone following him out...
"The east..." Rela began to think, "I feel like I forgot something concerning that place, something important."
"Hmm, isn't the city of Rad in those lands...?" Lucien asked, curious, "Along with Thorn...?"
The Redguard nodded, "Yeah they are...and from what I know, Thorn is further east..." going into thought, "But what about it Rela...? You remember something...?"
"I'm trying..." Rela went into deep thought, "The most that I remembered was that nearly all the lands in the east are under the control of an emperor who stole powers from a god... but more than that, nothing..."
"Since we're going to end up there at some point, one way or another...we'll figure out the meaning behind that, unless your master has an answer there...For now..." Traysek started with, hearing her stomach growl again, "I'll pick up some food from the city, before stopping at Greil's office..."
Recorder nodded, "Okay, we'll wait in the lobby then until you get back, don't take too long though..."
"I'll go with you so I can show you that pizza place is..." Erik smiled, "You're gonna need a guide to it..."
"Alright..." The Redguard grinned, "What about you, Sylla...? To be honest I wanted to show you the city while we were there~ You've never been and I think you'd like it,"
The Tarnished went into deep thought before saying, "Sure, why not? Besides, I'm really interested in seeing it after hearing so much about it."
"Then it's a date~" Traysek joked, smiling, turning around to Klein, "What about you big guy? you coming too...?"
Klein was in his thoughts, coming out, "As good as that sounds boss, I actually have a few things I need to do...Don't worry, it'll be quick...But it is something I need to check...It's that important..."
The Redguard and the crew frowned at that, the former raising an eyebrow, "Alright then...Good luck in your endeavor...Whatever it may be..." Opening a portal.
"Need any backup?" Inigo asked the former knight, getting a head shake.
"No, it's best I go alone, if I bring any of you...It'll attract unwanted attention, and without a duelist...that's not something we need right now..." Klein responded with, heading out of the dungeon, I'll be back for pizza, see you all soon...!" waving as he left.
"Feels like he's going to get himself in some deep trouble," Sylla stated, watching him go.
Lucien waved her down, "Not to worry, I can keep an eye on him with one of the drones I built, it looks like a normal bird too, so he wouldn't know...until needed anyway..."
Traysek nodded, "It's best to, who knows what he's about to get into...let's go," ushering Erik in first.
"I'll wait here for your return," Rela said as she teleported away.
"I'll see you soon, Rela, don't go too hungry," The Redguard laughed, entering the portal last and closing up behind him.
Elsewhere...
In the forest around Feoh, the old officer stood in front of Officer Frowl.
"Lord Abery, are you sure this is worth the risk?" Frowl asked, "We are talking about taking a big blame after all, it may not pay to act rashly."
"With such gravity of the failure, I can hold it on my shoulders." the old officer replied.
"Is that so?" Frowl sighed, somewhat disappointed, "Well, if you insist." he then continued, "I've been an officer for quite a time now, and you showed me a lot in the field of battle, as has Otto in my younger years, and everyone else. Under your commandment, we did manage to get a lot of victories in the past. As I understand, you're loyal to the Goddess and did feel shame over what happened to her. Skill, blood, fame... all that a soldier could dream of, that's why you accepted the proposal that I brought myself with Grave."
Abery stayed silent before saying, "Indeed, was it not for Grave's recommendation, you wouldn't have gotten your promotion. The two of you would have never joined forces, and wouldn't be so bold as to accept to sign the permission for this crusade... at least not without something to save himself..." he sighed before continuing, "You allowed Grave to take the credit for being the one who saw how bad things were with the Goddess Reborn and gain more fame with the fanatics. Even now, you remain an important consultant, working with a lot of powerful nobles. I believe that it's you, who's responsible for everything."
"You flatter me," Frowl laughed a little, "From the outside, I saw much that can be done with the army, and it's a great honor to befriend you all."
"So you say, Frowl... but is this really the truth?" the old officer crossed his arms.
"My good sir, what do you mean?" Frowl asked.
"I tried to resist thinking it was all connected because I didn't want to speculate, and I didn't want to believe things could turn out this way." Abery narrowed his eyes, "But what did we gain in the end? Huge losses, demoralized troops... as well as the scorn of other territories. And recently, as you know, that new lord that established themselves in the Luvenlis territories raised an army to march against us. I've kept the truth to get to the other, but still, I suspect you understand better than I do... none of the people who tried to get support from outside succeeded. Now, our mutual friend is seeking to gain favors with the emperor of the east, this is our last hope. But that doesn't faze you, does it, Frowl? Nothing does... otherwise, why would you be standing here with a smile on your face?"
Frowl chuckled as he stepped forward, "I'm surprised that you finally chose to be so sincere. I'm sure you've been harboring those suspicions for quite some time."
Abery scowled as he walked to Frowl's face, "Lord Wynston may have noticed that there's one common denominator among all these events, namely you, Frowl. But he's more cautious than I. He does things by the book."
"After all, that boy is quite famous with the people," Frowl stated, "The one given a lot of hidden privileges because his daddy paid high people for him."
Abery seemed taken aback as he said, "You seem well informed of the situation for a small knight from the population. Are you sure you're not a little overqualified?"
"Why, Lord Abery, are you suggesting I find a job as a diplomate?" Frowl joked, "Sadly, I'm so attached to my craft."
"Enough, Frowl!" Abery snapped, "I'm here because our enemy has taken a city from us, and someone needs to take responsibility for that new weapon of yours! I'm in charge here, and I will take the responsibility and head back to Ken, probably to be executed for failing despite the superior numbers... but what about you? What are you still doing here?"
"Judging from the look in your eyes, you don't seem to trust me," Frowl stated.
"Drop the act!" Abery yelled before turning and stepping away from him, "We're past that now. Whoever you are, it looks like your plan to destroy the army has worked. I just want to know what you're still doing here. What's left? Don't you have all your answers by now?"
Frowl walked forward and said, "Honestly, I'm just waiting for the right moment." he stabbed Abery in the back, "A moment like this, where you finish talking and I stop you from giving the orders to the troops."
Abery gritted his teeth, turning his head, "You, you..." before falling.
"Heh, you're a little smarter than I originally gave you credit for." Frowl stated, looking down on the old officer, "I thought I'd disguised myself exceptionally well, at least, for the first few days. But to my surprise, you had people look into my background right from the start. It's a loooong journey from Ken to Thorn, but that didn't stop them. Eventually, they managed to confirm that Frowl was an alias and that I was not from the Seven Kingdoms at all. And yet, despite all of that, you fail to realize my true identity, and what I seek in this war." suddenly, his voice changed, "Did you really think you would be able to see through my plan?"
"If you kill me, there's no one who'll take responsibility for what happened today... so you're really going to destroy this army?" Abery asked.
"Oooh but you're quite wrong." 'Frowl' replied, walking a few steps away from Abery, "There is one other person. Some might not see him as competent but you told his father this, 'He's destined for greatness.'"
"Whoever you're working for won't get away with this! They'll be found out!" Abery snapped before coughing blood, "But... this makes no sense, what are you trying to accomplish by all this? Why go to all this trouble?"
"It's no trouble at all~" 'Frowl' replied, "Patience is a virtue which I have in abundance. This is all part of a carefully controlled experiment. If you want to know, I'm happy to divulge my identity, to you, and to our little rat spying on us, I'm known as the Doctor."
"The Doctor?" Abery seemed confused by this, "Who... what do you want?"
"Just to create a minor inconvenience for the Seven Kingdoms." the Doctor answered.
"That's it?! THAT'S why you gave us all those plans and weapons?!" Abery angrily asked.
The Doctor laughed before saying, "Look at how even the good people are filled with venom when facing their own demise. My weapons work as I said they would, it's your only chance to win this war. But... I did not make this with you in mind, although, I would benefit a lot by taking your swordsmanship skills to add them to the experiment."
Feeling his last breath coming, Abery looked up, "I... don't care what you do to me... just get the men away from Ur..."
"What a beautiful way to see the world." the Doctor joked again, "Therefore, as a respect to you, I'll change how I see the world. Think of me as a monster or a demon if you wish, at least, this way, your death is not a consequence of your own folly turning you into an easy target. You simply lost to something more powerful than you could ever hope to defeat." he then walked forward and knelt down, "Let's see, Lord Abery if your swordsmanship skill could actually benefit our design and plans." he then checked him, "Lord Abery? Already dead~ what a pity~" he sighed as a static changed his appearance to an adult man with red eyes, wavy blue hair, and pale skin. He has longer hair and wears a pointed, beak-shaped black mask that covers his eyes but otherwise leaves the rest of his face exposed. He wears a long white coat over a blue dress shirt and cravat, with a raven-like accessory draped around his shoulders. Several glowing, light blue accessories can be found around his person, such as on the raven's eyes, his chest, and on the dangling cord draped off his left shoulder, including black gloves with blue palms and black loose-baggy pants.
"I'm done here and all the gears are in action. The rest is up to them." he then disappeared in statics.
However...somewhere in a nearby bush, Klein remained hidden, having seen it all...
'I knew it...! The guy WAS a fake...! But that would explain what I felt about him...I'll have to report this in...Lord Swain's going to want to know THIS detail..."
Meanwhile...Elsewhere...
On the main road coming from Ansur, a strange hooded figure was traveling down the roads... Donning rusted and damaged holy armor and a rusted broken sword that hung from his hip... The only thing that could be seen from under the hood, was a mess of blonde hair and a beard...
'So...the battle of Feoh has already happened...looks like we lost eh...? I wonder...I wonder how you've been...? Little brother...'
To be continued...
Hello everyone, sorry for the wait, but I finally got this chapter out... Well, that was an interesting end to this chapter, one can take a few guesses on who that is...Don't worry, I'll cover the rusted knight on who HE is, after the battle of Ur arc is wrapped up, (Gotta strike while the iron's still hot)
To OniTenshi500: Thing is, as stupid as he is...Due to the rules of war, he didn't exactly break any laws worthy enough to charge him as an actual criminal...Now when he does...? His ass is grass. but until then, he's just a nuisance to them...There will be a time when even the war won't be an excuse for his later actions, and at that point, then they can slap those extra charges and he'll do quite the time behind bars...If they don't execute him...
That's all for now folks, Stay safe, times are getting dangerous, (especially after the presidential election for those in the states) And to any who may wonder for some reason, I didn't vote, nor am I upset at the results of said vote... To be honest, it felt like a real-life episode of south park, between a giant douche and a turd sandwich, and I was just not going to take part there... so for those who voted and got their candidate to win... Congrats :) to those whose candidate didn't win, but voted anyway...There will be a next time... But that's all I'm willing to divulge in politics... Until next time everyone, take care :)