Chapter 155 (1/2)

Chapter 155: Torture? There’s No Need for That

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Link’s actions had given Clyde great confidence. Although Clyde’s career in the army hadn’t been quite so successful, he was still a proud and upright man and a member of the Morani noble family.

The first thing Clyde did with the 4000 gold coins from Link was to give each of the soldiers 10 gold coins. None of the soldiers had ever touched such a large amount of money. They were both happy and anxious because they were worried that they might misplace the gold coins. In the end, some of them even resorted to hiding the gold coins in the crotch of their pants to make sure that no one would ever steal them!

Now with all the soldiers satisfied, Clyde could then lead and control them with ease. They didn’t take long at all before order was completely restored in the castle. The traces of blood had all been washed away, and to prevent the spreading of plagues, the names of the fallen soldiers were recorded and then their bodies were cremated.

By midnight, even the damaged drawbridge was fully repaired. The gates of the castle were then closed. Had it not been for the fact that there were significantly fewer people in the castle now, no one would’ve noticed any signs that they had been attacked and that fierce battles had occurred there just hours ago.

But these were trivial matters, and naturally Link took no part in any of it. When everyone else was busy restoring order to the castle outside, Link was in the castle’s dungeon, and facing him right now was the Dark Elf Magician.

Link wanted the two Dark Elves to speak. In this situation, the most commonly used method was torture – but Link had no interest in using such a barbaric and not to mention bothersome method. No, there was no need for that. There was a much easier way, albeit a more cunning way, to make the Dark Elves spill out everything they knew.

The Magician had just been completely defeated, so he was now at his most vulnerable state when his mental strength and will were at their weakest. It wouldn’t stay that way for long, however, as Magicians’ minds were notoriously robust. Link knew that if the Magician was to be left alone through the night, his will and determination would’ve recovered by tomorrow morning. That was why he must interrogate him now.

In the dark, damp dungeon, Link sat on a chair while the Magician Parson sat against the wall ten feet away.

Link said nothing at first, he only stared into Parson’s eyes – those deep red eyes of a Dark Elf which had gone dull because of confinement. After more than ten seconds Parson finally couldn’t stand Link’s stare any longer, so he looked away.

“Is the Death Hand preparing to attack the East Cove Magic Academy?” asked Link suddenly. He used a very gentle tone and showed no trace of hostility, and it sounded just as if he was chatting with a friend. Link had even used the Elvish language to speak with the Dark Elf Magician with an accent that sounded quite authentic as well.

“It’s… uh… it’s nonsense!” Parson responded. He stopped himself and denied Link’s claims just in time, but then it was too late as his initial reaction had proven that what Link had suspected was true.

Link had now gotten what he wanted.

“Don’t think that I know nothing about your plot to attack the East Cove Magic Academy,” he said with a cold smile on his face. “You’ve even got a plan called Black Moon Conspiracy, and Felidia was involved in it, isn’t that correct?”

“You’re wrong! There’s no such thing!” Parson was in doubt now. His eyes darted around the cell uncertainly even while his lips were vehemently denying Link’s words.

In truth, Parson was only a retainer of the Norigan Familia, so he hadn’t much information about the Death Hand or their activities. At this point, though, much of the Pralync Kingdom’s secret information had been leaked to him indirectly. He didn’t pay that close an attention to all of them, but he’d gleaned more than enough from casual conversations with his comrades.

That was how he knew that the Death Hand was focusing their efforts on the East Cove Magic Academy, because that is where more than 70% of Norton Kingdom’s best Magicians came from. Once they destroyed the academy and eliminated their Magicians, the army of the Norton Kingdom would be considerably weakened by at least four times by the absence of the Magicians’ aid!

And this operation, called the Black Moon Conspiracy, had involved the Magician Felidia. According to rumors, the operation had been going on for quite a while and everything had gone smoothly, with only one last step left.

But how did this human Magician find out about this secret operation? He couldn’t come up with any ideas for the moment, in fact he was suspecting that there might be a mole or a spy within the highest officials of the kingdom’s government.

“You’ve come so far to avenge Alina’s death,” continued Link, “so I’m guessing you must’ve heard of the mysterious master Magician friend of mine, isn’t that right?”

“Of course I have,” answered Parson. He felt there was no longer any need to keep any secrets from the human Magician, as he might just kill him and have that mysterious Magician friend of his to obtain his memory from his soul anyway.

“Yes, she had the ability to use the Soul Searching spell,” said Link with a cunning smile, as if he could hear Parson’s thoughts. “It is such an evil spell, don’t you think? I don’t really like those kinds of dark magic spells, but she still is a friend of mine, after all. If I asked her to come and help me with the promise of some rewards, I’m sure she would gladly comply.”

“…”

Parson began to panic. He had just witnessed Link’s awesome power in the battle against him, so his mental strength was still fragile. Link only had to play a little trick on him and he would bend to Link’s will.

Parson kept gulping and said nothing for more than ten seconds.

“Promise me,” he said finally, “that after telling you what you want to know you’ll give me a quick and painless death.”

“No problem at all,” said Link. “How about a cup of Green Hylia Wine?”

“It’s a deal, then,” said Parson with a nod. “I must tell you, though, that I’m just the Norigan Familia’s retainer, not a member of the Death Hand. I may know some things they were up to, but don’t expect any details from me.”

“Is the Assassin the family’s retainer as well?” Link asked.

“Yes, he is,” answered Parson, not bothering to keep any more secrets. “The Warrior was one too.”

“Understood,” said Link as he patiently listened to Parson. “You may continue.”