“It’s unfamiliar… Your ears are burning red even for something like that.”
Dianel’s hand brushed against Siara’s ear, causing her body to flinch. She blinked her eyes as if she didn’t expect herself to be so surprised, then lowered her head and mumbled.
“Well, um, I mean…”
“Well, what?”
“You suddenly came on to me, so I was taken aback.”
With a teasing tone, Dianel raised an eyebrow and muttered.
“Is that so… Because you didn’t kiss me as a sign of affection.”
Snap. He whispered as he brushed his fingers through Siara’s hair.
“I feel disappointed.”
Although he said he felt disappointed, Dianel, with only one corner of his mouth slightly upturned, looked pleased. Siara glanced at him and let out a wry smile.
“Don’t try to set the mood.”
“That’s just how I am. Besides, I tend to go all out to get what I want… Thanks to you, I’ve become a little more docile.”
The breath that lightly brushed against her skin tickled. It was a tingling sensation. Siara clenched her fist tightly in response to the strange feeling. Then she muttered under her breath.
“So, did you catch the culprit?”
“Are we talking about work now? If it’s about that issue, I can prepare a place for you to directly interrogate if you want.”
“Interrogate?”
“Yes, the person is captured right here in the underground.”
Dianel chuckled. The smile he showed just now had a different quality from before.
Somehow, the surrounding darkness seemed to be chuckling along with him, making Siara widen her eyes. While looking at her, Dianel asked.
“So, how do you plan to handle it?”
“…Interrogation, huh?”
Her voice trembled with uncertainty. After all, Siara didn’t seem to have the aptitude for torturing and tormenting someone to extract information.
Just by looking at her petite and delicate figure, one could guess. It was a task that didn’t suit her.
Moreover, her already pale skin was now flushed. Dianel felt that she was the most delicate lady in the world. He wanted to protect her and didn’t want to expose her to anything harsh with his eyes or ears.
In contrast, the interrogation chamber was so filthy. By now, the filth of the prisoners would be flowing like a river on the floor.
Such a scene didn’t suit Siara at all. As Dianel was about to take a step, pretending to give up, Siara suddenly raised her head and spoke.
“I’ll give it a try. No, I have to.”
“It’s not going to be a pleasant sight.”
“Why does that matter? Have you forgotten? I was also a member of the subjugation force. I’ve even turned a demon’s organs upside down from their head.”
Was she just a simple member of the subjugation force? She was their savior. The expression in Dianel’s eyes softened as he recalled the past incident.
He had forgotten one thing while being captivated by her fragile appearance. The savior was never weak. On the contrary, they were someone who had seen the depths of the world. Only a few people had gone through such experiences.
Even if she had lost her memory, it didn’t mean that she would be shocked by interrogation and grovel in pain.
‘You said you would protect me.’
Who said that, who dared to say that they would protect her?
Dianel willingly admitted that he had foolish thoughts again. Then he obediently led Siara and headed to the underground prison.
Siara’s fleeting expression was not calm but determined. Yes, it was indeed a foolish thought.
* * *
The original purpose of the underground prison in the North Palace was not significant. It was all thanks to the notorious actions of Dianel.
Dianel would kill the guilty party on the spot, so he didn’t have a style of imprisoning people and dragging out the time for interrogation. He couldn’t understand the idea of keeping people locked up in the underground where he lived. It was obvious that it would be dirty and unpleasant throughout.
That’s why the underground prison was always empty. As a formality, a pair of knights would patrol once a week, and that was the entirety of the security measures.
However, the prison had been unusually chaotic lately. Knights guarded the entrance to the underground prison, the descending stairs, and the prison cells, where knights came and went.
In the previously quiet underground, the smell of blood, the stench of filth, and the moans permeated the air.
The prison, located in the deepest part of the castle, was filled with various instruments, whips, and blazing furnaces that flickered in every direction. In the center, a nearly naked man, bound and tied, was in such a disheveled state that it was hard to recognize his original color.
Even Siara, who had been composed all along, couldn’t help but hold her breath when she saw him. Observing the man, Dianel dryly murmured.
“It’s Leven.”
“Viscount Leven?”
“Yes, his crimes are the most despicable. But his mouth is heavy…”
As Dianel gestured, one of the knights guarding the front brought the documents that had been pushed onto Leven. Covered in splatters of blood and filth, Dianel calmly handed them over to Siara.
“Leven’s ability is ‘Manipulation.’ He possesses the power of ancient dwarves and is a natural-born manipulator of evidence.”
“Is there any evidence that the evidence has been manipulated?”
“Baron Adi, who worked with him, confessed. However, he also has charges against him and was involved in his son’s murder, so there is a possibility that he gave false testimony.”
Dianel observed Siara’s expression in silence and continued.
“…The most significant evidence is that the place where the healers were kidnapped and held was found in Viscount Leven’s possession. There is also evidence that the funds obtained from selling them flowed into the Viscount’s hands. The problem is that all other evidence has been manipulated, making it difficult to determine what is true.”
“…If the evidence has been manipulated, it means that some are falsely accused.”
“Yes, Astita is also involved. Before the recovery of ‘Astita’s Promise,’ copies were made and hidden. It seems that the evidence was manipulated hastily, and those with the ability are currently assessing the situation.”
“But still… Ah, well, I guess someone like the Viscount wouldn’t have an ordinary ability.”
Siara’s expression grew darker. It was because she recalled the fact that dwarves had magical resistance. Before Dianel could continue his explanation, she murmured.
“If it was such a problem, you should have told me earlier. I know a skilled person who could help.”
“…The Viscount has magical resistance.”
“If it’s an overwhelmingly skilled person…”
Even exceptional magical resistance seemed useless against one person, Hierian.
Dianel noticed who she was thinking of and let out a thin breath as if he couldn’t help it.
“He woke up.”
“Yes, he went to gather my family. He should be where they are.”
“If you request it, he will certainly help.”
“And Hierian has a natural talent for torture, doesn’t he?”
Siara’s gaze turned towards Viscount Leven. Even in his half-conscious state, he twisted his body as if he was hearing their conversation.
In preparation for future interrogation, he tried to counter their accusations with the only unharmed face he had left. Siara stared at him with a menacing look.
“Don’t say anything. Even if you tell me, I won’t hear it. Besides, I heard that Hierian’s hearing hasn’t been good lately, right? So, you need to explain everything in a loud, clear voice, step by step. That’s what you and he will do to find out the truth.”
Siara continued walking without hesitation. Unlike before, her steps were firm. Her eyes, which had been scanning her surroundings, now focused only on the path ahead. Dianel quickly caught up to her and asked.
“Are you angry?”
“…Yes.”
Siara murmured with a slightly melancholic expression.
“Of course. He’s harmed my family and tortured people like me who possess similar powers.”
“I didn’t mean to say that.”
“I know.”
She replied coldly and came to a stop. They were halfway up the stairs from the underground to the surface. Siara turned around and faced Dianel.
“This situation. It’s not something you’ve known for just a day or two. Just by looking at the documents, you’ve known about it since before.”
“Well, it’s because it’s a matter related to you.”
“Selling people, manipulating evidence… It’s a heinous act. But even so, did you try to cover up Leven’s crimes as well?”
“…The details of Leven’s crimes will be revealed step by step. Moreover, it seemed like your power was about to manifest—”
“The more I see the situation, the angrier I get.”
“…I apologize. I won’t do it again.”
“Of course, you shouldn’t do it again!”
Dianel’s eyes widened.
Siara was furious, more than ever before, and she couldn’t contain it. It felt like sparks were about to fly from her eyes, and an unbelievable explosion erupted from her slender chest.
Each syllable reprimanding him and expressing concern had a powerful impact.
Was that the reason? Dianel clenched his hand, feeling a thrilling sensation from his toes. His heart swelled with joy more than usual.
Ha, as he let out a breath, faint, exuberant laughter escaped from his lips. Both Siara and the knights guarding the entrance looked at him with bewildered eyes.
But he didn’t care. It felt too good to be conscious of those gazes, and he couldn’t stop the laughter from bursting out of him.
Siara, who was watching him, spoke.
“…I’m the one who’s mad at you.”
“Because I feel so good.”
“Is there something good happening?”
“You were worried and got angry, right?”
As Dianel climbed up the stairs and stood two steps below Siara, their gazes met in a straight line. Siara tightly pressed her lips as if she didn’t like Dianel’s behavior.
Dianel lightly brushed his hand against her rigid cheek, as if he were scolding her.
Surprised, her cheeks, which had been spread open, relaxed.
Dianel kissed her right there. The moment their lips lightly touched and separated, it felt as if the place had turned into hot coals.
With his own hands, Dianel whispered as he kissed,
“I will live properly from now on.”
“…You better.”
“So, if I don’t walk the right path, scold me like just now, and… if I do well, praise me as you did now.”
Dianel whispered playfully. It was a request, but it felt like he was tempting her. And that’s why Siara’s fiery cheek flared up again.
Pretending not to know anything, Dianel held her hand and led her, whispering.
“Now we have to bring that amazing magician with us.”
