Chapter 10 : Steps To Break The Rebellion (Part 2)

The next day, after the whole ordeal with the nobles was settled, I had a new job—interrogating the old man.

Honestly, I wasn't thrilled about it. But Lynda had made it clear I didn't have a choice. Apparently, this was my punishment for the joke I pulled on Emilia last night. Turns out, she didn't find it funny. She was the kind of woman—the kind you'd compare to a yandere girlfriend—the type who gets... possessive when her man talks about other women in front of her.

Which made me wonder—does she actually like me? The way she acts around me, the subtle differences in her behavior—it all pointed in that direction. I wasn't dumb enough to miss the signs. And honestly? That was kind of messed up.

But I'd think about that later. Right now, I had an interrogation to handle. While I technically didn't need anything from the old man, I still had to cross-check some details. My knowledge was good, but there were always gaps—and I needed to fill them.

"So, it's you they've sent to torture me?" the old man scoffed.

His wrists and ankles were bound with heavy chains, the metal biting deep into his skin, fresh blood trailing down where they dug in.

"Still got some fire in you, old man. Even in this condition?" I mused.

"Enough with the talk," he spat. "Tell me—what's it gonna be? Boiling hot water and peeling my skin off? Pulling my teeth and nails? Throwing spices in my eyes? Or just good old-fashioned stabbing and a few lashes from a barbed whip..."

He paused, looking me over.

"Though, I notice you didn't bring anything to do any of those things." His eyes narrowed. "Or are you planning to use that strange weapon? The one that roars like thunder and puts metal inside my body?"

His breath hitched as he glared at me.

"That was quite painful... It fucking hurt so much!"

"So, at least it's confirmed—you can feel pain," I mused, tilting my head. "I was beginning to wonder if you were even human, considering how casually you were listing off the tortures done in this kingdom."

The old man let out a bitter chuckle. "This kingdom… By your tone, you're not from here, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm from America—a land beyond this continent."

His eyes narrowed. "A Farlander… What's a Farlander like you doing in Fadnivas, helping that evil bitch?"

I sighed. "Aren't you a little too foul-mouthed? Such vulgarity… You're setting a bad example for the children, you know." I leaned back, making myself comfortable on the cold stone floor. "If you even get out alive, that is."

"Heh," he scoffed. "Don't act like you fuckheads care about children. If you did, you wouldn't have let so many innocent kids be abused and have their innocence stolen by your so-called nobles."

"To be honest, I really don't care," I said, rolling my shoulders. "Children are pretty exploitable—that's why nobles do it. It's messed up, sure, but that's life. Cruel and unfair. And besides, it's their parents' fault for bringing them into this world… No, scratch that. It's their fault for even thinking about having kids in this hellhole of a country."

I cracked my neck, watching the old man's expression shift between shock and disgust.

"Tell me, why are you helping that evil bitch? What has she offered you?"

I smirked. "What did she offer me? Well… she's allowing me to live. For now, at least. Until I deal with you bastards for her."

His brows furrowed. "What?"

"If she's just going to kill you once she's dealt with the rebellion, then why are you helping her?" he asked, baffled. "You're only bringing yourself closer to death."

"That's true. It's the only choice I have," I admitted. "Besides, all the captains and generals have treated me well—even Lynda, the one you call evil… No, I won't say that. I don't usually curse—it's a sign of losing control."

I leaned in slightly. "The only ones who've tried to kill me for no reason—the only ones who've attacked me despite my innocence—were the rebels. And I believe they'll try again soon."

"Don't lie!" the old man snapped. "We don't kill innocent people! You must have done something truly evil!"

I laughed. A sharp, bitter sound.

"Please," I said, shaking my head. "Don't act like your hands are clean. Tell me—how many soldiers have you and your people killed so far?"

The old man said nothing.

"Let me answer that for you. Over five thousand," I continued. "And let me tell you—most of them were innocent. They weren't nobles. They didn't abuse children or defile women. They were just men who joined the army to feed their families."

I met his gaze, unflinching.

"Do you have any idea how many widows you've created? How many sons you've stolen from elderly parents—their only source of survival? How many children lost their fathers because of you? How many single mothers were left with nothing, forced into debt, some even selling themselves just to keep their children fed?"

I leaned back, letting my words sink in.

The old man had nothing to say.

"You're all no better than Lynda. No—you're even worse," I said, standing up and dusting off my clothes. "At least she knows exactly who she is. She doesn't hide behind a facade, blinded by the false righteousness of so-called justice."

I looked down at the old man, my voice steady. "The moment someone picks up a weapon and chooses to kill another human being—for justice, for revenge, for any reason other than self-defense—they become nothing more than a murderer."

Just like I did… when I killed that noble.

"Enough of this, just torture me and get done with it, I won't utter a word. Nor will my son and dIaughter-in-law." He said in a defeated tone.

"There is no need of that, they did without any torture, I just had asked and purse a little and they did it."

It was a lie, but a necessary one—to break his will.

And I was more than ready to play the game.

"Impossible!" he barked. "They would rather endure torture and die than jeopardize our plans!"

"At first, they were," I admitted, leaning in slightly. "But then I reminded them of the life they could have—a good life together if they cooperated. Not just for themselves, but for their soon-to-be child."

His eyes widened in shock. "Wha... What?! Ina is pregnant?!"

I nodded solemnly. "She is. And I know she didn't tell you. She told me she was keeping it a secret because if you knew you were going to be a grandfather, you would have forbidden both her and your son from joining you. If they had listened, the burden of everything would have fallen on your shoulders alone... and they didn't want that."

The old man's expression faltered, his eyes growing distant. "I see..." he murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Well, looks like it worked. I silently thanked my brain for remembering the details from the old man's bio—every little piece of information that made this manipulation possible.

Though, I had to admit, it was a pretty scummy tactic—playing with an old man's emotions like this. But in the end, nobody gets what they want without getting their hands a little dirty.

"If you're not here to torture me, then why are you here?" he finally asked, his voice weary.

"I just wanted to cross-verify some information," I said casually. "Though, what they told us already lines up with what we know. We just needed to see how well it matched with what the chief of trade for the rebels knew… But it seems you won't tell us anything." I sighed dramatically. "That's sad—very sad. And because of that, I can't let you go free, which your son and daughter-in-law had asked for in exchange for their information. Not to mention..." I paused for effect. "They're going to be killed soon by one of the rebel leaders."

His body tensed. "What?"

"Most likely Emaris," I continued. "He was the one who gave up your location to us."

"Emaris?..." The old man fell silent. Then, after a long pause, he spoke again—his voice edged with suspicion. "How do you know that name? There's no way my son and daughter-in-law would have known it… They were never high enough in rank to be aware of him."

"I told you—it was Emaris who told us where to find you. Do you really think we got you by chance?"

And then, just as I expected—tears welled up in his eyes. "How... How could they do this to me?!"

"Well, what did you expect?" I asked with a shrug. "From what I gathered, your son and daughter-in-law were planning to convince you to leave and run away with them at some point. Emaris must have realized that if you ever left—especially because of your grandchild—you might reveal everything to Lynda."

"How... How dare he?!" His hands clenched into fists, his face contorted in rage.

"Well, whatever it may be, you're stuck here now," I said, turning to leave. But just as I reached the cell door—

"Wait!" the old man called out, desperation dripping from his voice. "Let me talk to the queen! I have something that might help you with the rebels!"

There it is.

"But in exchange," he continued, his voice shaking with fury, "you must promise me—you will get me his head."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you have very valuable information?"

"I have!" he insisted.

Jackpot.