The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 124: Interrogation

In a cold and dimly lit room, Drius watched as Luke, the young man who had upturned their entire understanding of strength and power in a single day, set about questioning the unconscious doctor.

The massive knight was sitting at a distance, an aura of stoicism emanating from him. Yet, beneath that unfazed exterior, a storm of thoughts and emotions was brewing.

He scrutinized Luke's every action, his analytical gaze flickering over the young man's movements.

Luke had been the one to identify the poison in the Duke's body, had saved the Duke using the rare Holy Elixirs, and was now extracting information from the doctor who had orchestrated it all.

The extent of his abilities was beginning to look boundless, making Drius both awed and slightly apprehensive.

Despite his gratitude towards Luke for saving the Duke, Drius couldn't suppress a sliver of unease.

It was the same feeling he'd get standing on the edge of a cliff, or in front of an untested weapon. He understood Luke was a force to be reckoned with, one that could be just as destructive as it could be beneficial.

Looking at Luke, Drius saw a young man with an air of nonchalance, completely unfazed by the scene unfolding in front of him.

Yet, his eyes were focused, and his movements were purposeful, showing his sheer dedication to the task at hand. The light from a flickering candle cast strange shadows on his face, making his usually cheerful features look stern and intimidating.

'Just who is this lad?' Drius mused, his brow furrowing.

He watched as Luke asked the doctor question after question, prodding and pushing for answers, and couldn't help but admire his determination. He had known many knights in his life, but none quite like Luke.

In the end, Drius found himself hoping fervently that Luke would continue to be an ally of the Lyma Family.

As the saying went, it was better to have a dragon on your side than standing against you.

And right now, to Drius, Luke seemed like nothing less than a dragon, both mesmerizing and terrifying in his might.

************

[00 Months: 13 Days: 00 Hours]

As the first light of dawn seeped into the room, the chill of the night seemed to retreat, and I found myself blinking, forcing back the sleep that threatened to overtake me.

Beside me, Drius was a constant presence, his quiet steadfastness having become strangely comforting in the long hours of the night.

My mind was buzzing, thoughts whirling and spiraling like a wind-whipped sea. I had been questioning the doctor all night, using various questions through <Truthful Glare> to sort out the truth and facts of all that happened thus far.

The information I gained was more than just enlightening - it was the key to breaking the power of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance, the group that Eugene belonged to whose goal was to take over the Lyma Region.

'Turns out they've been planning this for a while too...'

Read latest chapters at M V L

Eugene... The younger brother of the Duke was inextricably entwined in this mess. His actions, his ambition, it was all laid bare before me now.

He was a part of the Alliance, a puppet they used, thinking he was a puppeteer himself.

Either way, he was a threat that needed to be dealt with.

Capturing Eugene would be the first step.

The information about the Alliance's base of operations in the Lyma territory was also critical. Knowing where they operated from meant we could take the fight to them.

It was a dangerous gambit, but I knew it was the right move.

Judging from what I just learned, it was better not to let the Alliance keep their foothold in the Lyma Region.

'We need to wipe them out entirely.'

The expedition to the Wild Lands would most likely be canceled now that the Duke was well. I personally didn't think of it as a loss, all things considered.

'The Dungeon that the High Priestess told them about probably doesn't even exist. It makes the Theocracy suspicious.'

The Duke wasn't under a curse. The Priestess should have known this if she had Divine Revelation. Considering how Holy Elixirs could be made by the Eastern Theocracy, it was quite clear that they didn't want to heal the Duke.

'But why...? The Southern Kingdom and Eastern Theocracy are allies, aren't they?'

All the Expeditions and tragedies would have easily been avoided if the Theocracy cooperated.

'Could it be... did they want things to become this way?' My eyes bulged as I considered the possibility.

If that was the case, then the Eastern Theocracy was a guilty party in this narrative. In the worst case I could think of, they had some sort of connection with the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance.

'If that's the case, that'll be bad...'

In any case, with the expedition to the Wild Lands now rendered obsolete, I could already see a new mission being held.

'Raiding the base of the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance.'

I couldn't tell how the Lyma Household would choose to go about this, but they were probably going to keep most of it a secret, considering how there could be enemy spies among the ranks of Adventurers they hired.

'Even among the guards here...'

Information would have to be controlled to the utmost degree, and the forces they would gather for the raid were most likely not going to know who they were getting involved with.

'But I know. Which means the Duke will grant me special treatment in this mission...'

I had also questioned Drius, so a majority of the Lyma Family's workings had been made known to me.

I could already see the dominos falling into place.

'With this... I pretty much know how it ends.'

"Haaa..."As I sat there, exhaustion pulling at me, a part of me knew that this was only the beginning.

'First, we need to capture Eugene, and then we'll go after the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance.'

The only problem with this was the possibility that the shadow I failed to kill already reported to Eugene, which would somewhat raise his guard.

'In the worst-case scenario, he could have already escaped. If that's the case, then we should assume the Nine-Headed Dragon Alliance will be aware that we're onto them.'

That meant we needed to act as fast as possible.

"This just keeps getting complicated, doesn't it?"

The real battle was just starting, and I had to be ready for whatever came next. With this resolve firm in my mind, I finally allowed myself to lean back in my chair, closing my eyes briefly.

I needed to rest, even if only for a moment, before stepping into the storm that was coming.

'I hope this time... I can Level Up considerably.'

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!