Ch-35 “The Interrogation of a ‘Child’”

Scene shifts to nightfall. The camp was wrapped in silence, with most of the soldiers deep in their sleep after the exhausting day.

Except for two.

Arthur quietly opened the door to Kazuki's room and stepped inside. The boy was wide awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed, as if he had expected this visit.

Arthur closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall, arms crossed."How did you reach Body Refining Tier 3?"

Kazuki blinked innocently. "What do you mean, brother?"

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't play dumb. You know very well what I mean. Do you really think we can't sense your shift in energy?"

Kazuki tilted his head, maintaining a childlike expression."Huh? I still don't understand…"

Arthur took a slow step forward, his tone now firmer. "Don't act childish with me. I know you're not a normal eight-year-old."

Still trying to maintain his facade, Kazuki replied, "I seriously have no idea what you're talking about, brother."

Arthur sighed, clearly unconvinced."Fine. Then tell me — where did you go this morning?"

"Just for a morning walk," Kazuki answered with a light shrug. "Though I got lost, so I had a hard time finding my way back to the camp."

Arthur raised an eyebrow."Oh, really? Isn't there a massive wooden watchtower built specifically so people don't get lost? You can see it from miles away."

Kazuki faked a sheepish laugh. "Well… I forgot it existed."

"Forgot it existed?" Arthur echoed, skeptical. "Even if you forgot, it's huge. You should've seen it the moment you looked around."

Kazuki quickly added, "I didn't look up while walking."

Arthur's voice dropped into disbelief. "You didn't look up even once?"

"Nope."

"Not even when walking across open ground? You didn't notice anything?"

Kazuki gave a deadpan response. "I was looking down. I didn't want my shoes to get dirty. What if I stepped on something… gross?"

Arthur stared at him in silence for a moment, utterly done."How did you even walk all the way from wherever you were back to camp without bumping into a tree, a rock, or a soldier — all while staring at your feet?"

Kazuki gave a proud, innocent smile. "Skill."

Arthur facepalmed so hard it echoed slightly in the small room.

"I swear, you're sometimes impossible to negotiate with..." he muttered, rubbing his forehead.