Seongguk – Interrogation

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The prison in the Great Temple was structured very differently from ordinary prisons.

It wasn’t a place to hold common criminals, so it was a solitary cell completely cut off from the outside, without even a window.

The entire room was under Soundproofing magic, so you couldn’t even know the situation outside or in other rooms.

Moreover, the gruesome torture tools placed on the walls and desk would instill fear about the future.

Finally, the most important thing was… I was trapped in that terrifying place.

‘I never thought I’d be locked up in a place like this.’

I had entered the prison to interrogate captured Demons or spies, but I never imagined I would be imprisoned here myself.

It just keeps providing such novel experiences.

It was worth chasing after Jade so diligently.

-Drip. Drip. Drip.

Water droplets from the ceiling created a rhythm as they slowly fell.

I blankly stared at the scene.

“How boring…”

How long do I have to stay like this?

Something should be happening soon.

I had been arrested by the Holy Knights on the enormous charge of attempting to assassinate the Pope and was immediately locked up here.

Not only was I imprisoned, but I was also bound to a chair with Mana Suppression Shackles on my neck.

Right now, I couldn’t even twitch a finger.

The Pope’s method of dealing with me, a hindrance, was quite novel.

He used an Artifact to place a suggestion on me, almost like brainwashing, to make me attack the Pope.

Then, the Holy Knights who rushed into the Papal Chamber would witness it, making it impossible for me to deny.

No matter what I claimed now, it would only appear that I was trying to assassinate the Pope.

Of course, I only pretended to be affected by the suggestion. I was so nervous that the Pope would notice my acting.

Actually, I wanted to be genuinely affected by the suggestion.

But I needed to roughly understand the current situation. Enjoying it could come later.

And the Pope clearly mentioned that he had used the same Artifact on the Saintess.

‘No wonder he handed the Saintess over to us so confidently.’

The Pope had already placed various suggestions on the Saintess, turning her into a puppet.

Was this to seduce Jade?

I wonder what kind of suggestion she’s under. Asking the Pope wouldn’t get me an answer.

The Saintess, brainwashed and obeying the Pope.

If the devout Veronica was like that…

Honestly, I kind of want to see it.

It would be an incredibly lewd and arousing sight.

‘Hehe, is that too much?’

I must be crazy to even think like this.

If Veronica found out I was looking at her with such eyes, I wouldn’t be able to argue even if she cursed at me.

Anyway.

‘By now, Jade and Annie must know about this incident.’

I’m very curious about their reactions.

Are they doubting me? Or do they believe me?

It wouldn’t be easy to make Jade doubt me.

If possible, I hope the Pope has prepared a great method to make Jade suspect me.

“So, when is the Pope coming…”

There’s a limit to just thinking alone like this.

I’m tightly bound, unable to move my body, so my whole body, from my legs to my neck, is starting to ache.

Of course, I can’t drink water, so I’m thirsty and hungry…

‘Could it be that they’re not planning to do anything?’

Driving me crazy with boredom to break my spirit.

Just as I was starting to have strange thoughts due to boredom.

Clunk- Screech.

The iron door in front of me opened.

“Who…?”

“Hello. Were you resting well?”

Who is it?

At first, I thought it was the Pope, but the person who appeared was a man I had never seen before.

“Who are you?”

“Me? Who else could I be? The person who will properly take care of you.”

Actually, I remembered seeing the man’s attire before.

It was the uniform of an Inquisitor, who specializes in interrogating Demons and spies.

The arrival of an Inquisitor like this meant I could have some expectations, right?

-Whirl!

The Inquisitor twirled a dagger in his hand and slowly began to approach me.

“Your name is Lena, right? I’ve seen a lot of trash so far, but you’re the first one who infiltrated the Hero’s party and tried to assassinate His Holiness the Pope. It was a truly amazing operation. When I first heard the story, I couldn’t help but be impressed.”

As expected, the Inquisitor in front of me firmly believed that I had deliberately joined the Hero’s party and planned to assassinate the Pope.

First, I need to calmly assert my innocence.

“No. I’m innocent. The Pope is the one who orchestrated this to get his hands on the Hero. Everyone is being deceived.”

“Those who come here on charges of colluding with Demons all say the same thing. They’re innocent, it’s a conspiracy, and so on. But after doing this for years, my conclusion is simple. Just ignore the words spewed by trash.”

“Please! Please believe me. You have to stop the Pope!”

-Thud! Clatter!

I desperately struggled to express that I was innocent.

But the Inquisitor had a look of complete indifference.

“Really? But it’s funny that you, of all people, are claiming innocence. Several Holy Knights saw you trying to assassinate His Holiness the Pope. Are you still denying it in this situation?”

The Inquisitor, who had already come close, placed the blade of the dagger against my neck.

-Trickle.

“Ugh…”

I felt a slight stinging sensation and a bit of blood flowing down my neck.

“Why don’t you just admit it instead of making a fool of yourself? There’s no need to waste your energy. You tell me everything you know, and then you’ll be cleanly executed without any torture. How great is that?”

“E, execution? Why would I…”

“You tried to assassinate the Pope, did you really think they would spare your life?”

Execution, huh.

If I were falsely accused and executed in front of Jade and Annie, what expressions would they make?

They would probably scream, apologize, and cry as they looked at me. And in the end, they would vow revenge.

‘Haa…’

Just imagining that scene sends shivers down my spine.

While I was having happy fantasies, I heard the Inquisitor’s voice.

“What? Have you already decided to shut your mouth?”

Oops.

‘I was lost in my delusions again.’

It might get boring if I don’t react properly here. So, I need to pull myself together now.

I temporarily put aside my happy fantasies and started explaining again.

“It was the Pope who used an Artifact on me and manipulated me. With that power, he forced me to attack the Pope. Please believe me. Why would I try to assassinate the Pope…”

“Haa… I’m really going crazy. Where do these guys come up with such ridiculous scenarios? Why don’t you just say that His Holiness the Pope is actually a Demon?”

“T, that might be the case. Since he laid his hands on me, a member of the Hero’s party―”

-Bang!

The Inquisitor suddenly punched the wall hard with his fist.

“Shut up! How dare you insult His Holiness the Pope. What I’m curious about isn’t the nonsense you’re desperately trying to come up with. It’s why you did this and who ordered you to. Which Demon is it? Did a Legion Commander promise you a big reward for such an operation?”

“I absolutely did not collude with any Demons. I just came here following the Hero, Jade. I’m truly wronged. If you torture me based on a wrong judgment, Jade won’t leave the Holy Kingdom alone.”

“You’re even selling the Hero’s name? This won’t do.”

The Inquisitor shook his head and stepped away from me. Then, he turned and started walking towards the wall.

That direction was where the torture tools were prepared.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re planning to talk right now, so I’ll give you a little tune-up for now.”

“…What are you planning to do?”

“Why are you asking when you already know? You’ve been resting here and looking at the numerous tools here. You should experience them a bit.”

“W, wait a minute. Please listen to me just once. I’ll explain the Pope’s plan in more detail…”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s see if you’ll say the same thing later.”

The Inquisitor started fiddling with the torture tools one by one, choosing them.

There was a variety of tools, such as whips, pincers, knives, and saws.

Those things would now relentlessly destroy my body.

‘Is it finally starting?’

The thought of the intense stimulation I would experience after a long time made my body tremble with anticipation.

“Oh my. You’re trembling. Are you scared? Then just admit your crime and confess.”

The Inquisitor approached me with pincers in his hand.

It seemed he was planning to start with basic torture.

‘Trembling like this isn’t bad, but…’

There’s a different way to make it more interesting.

I took a deep breath, clenched my fists tightly, and glared at the Inquisitor with wide eyes.

“…Inquisitor-nim. What is your name?”

“My name? Why do you need to know that? It’s humiliating for me to even have my name spoken by trash like you.”

The Inquisitor had a dumbfounded expression at my sudden question.

Judging by his reaction, I roughly understood.

The Inquisitor probably had a great hatred for Demons due to some incident. That’s why he’s doing this job.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me. But can you promise me just one thing?”

“Promise?”

“No matter what torture you inflict on me from now on… I will definitely endure it. Can you believe me then?”

“Oh my? Why would I do that?”

“In this situation, no one will believe anything I say, no matter what I say. But please look into my eyes.”

I made direct eye contact with the Inquisitor.

“You know, Inquisitor-nim. You know what kind of eyes Demons and spies have. I’m really only telling the truth.”

“…Eyes can be easily faked. Do you think I’ll fall for such a trick?”

That’s what he’s saying, but

I noticed that the Inquisitor’s eyes were slightly trembling as he looked at me.

I had been telling the truth all along.

The Inquisitor, who had interrogated countless people, would definitely be able to feel it.

“I understand why you can’t trust me, Inquisitor-nim. The Pope meticulously planned this. So, I will endure any hardship you give me. Only then can I stop the Pope, save the Holy Kingdom, and prevent future disasters.”

I clearly told the Inquisitor that enduring torture was not for my own life but for the sake of the world.

At the same time, I made my lips tremble.

This would show that I had an unwavering will but also an unhidden fear.

“Ha! Do you think you’re some kind of Saintess? Don’t be mistaken. You’re just a heinous criminal. A spy who’s hiding information about the Demons you’re colluding with.”

“No. I’m innocent. And I believe. Even if I die during torture, if you see my will, you will eventually know the true truth. If not you, then my comrades or someone else will eventually realize the truth.”

“…”

As I continued to make eye contact and speak confidently, I could feel that the Inquisitor was slightly flustered.

My unexpected reaction of willingly sacrificing myself, a noble will, had clearly begun to shake his heart.

“…Fine. Let’s see how long you last. I look forward to the day your ugly mask is peeled off.”

-Thud.

The pincers the Inquisitor was holding touched my fingernail.