38 Chapter 38- Interrogation (2/2)
”What must we do, then?”
Dubs smiled. ”To begin, I will interrogate one of you. If I determine that you all will not prove useful- or that you may become a liability, then I will most likely rid myself of the burden of keeping you alive... hehehe”
The guards shivered, and Dubs pointed to the one in front. ”You there. Come with me. Alt, keep an eye on the others.
”I am missing a leg! How am I supposed to go with you!?”, the man screamed.
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”So noisy...”, Dubs exclaimed. Waving his hand, a shadow form engulfed the area where the mans leg should have been. ”Use this prosthetic leg for now. We will deal with the other issues later.”
The man stood up and looked at his leg. He couldn't see the prosthetic, but he could feel it there, as if it was pulsating with life. ”What is this!?”, he shouted.
”Stop asking questions. Follow me.' Dubs ordered, annoyed.
The man obediently followed.
Dubs took the man over to the mine entrance and the two sat on some stools that the guards had been using to relax while ordering the dwarves to do the busy work.
”Lets start simple. What is your name and position?”, Dubs asked.
The guard began to fearfully speak. ”My name is Arctus Windfulm. I am a soldier in the 3rd squadron of the empire's magical knight army. I served under Captain William Debraust, who has now been killed.”
Dubs nodded. ”And what is the purpose of the 3rd squadron?”
Arctus continued. ”The 3rd squadron is in control of the mining operations. The landowners give us the authority to use slaves to perform these tasks, however if the tasks aren't completed then the squad faces disbandment. If a squadron is disbanded, the empire has made it explicit that knights who cannot prove their worth will be executed as a potential threat.”
Dubs nodded. ”I see. Now, let me explain something to you, Arctus. Do you believe it is fair to use those who are weaker than you for your own advantage?”
Arctus nodded his head from side to side. ”No, I do not. However, I do not have the power to go against the captain, and even if I did, I could not hope to face the knights of the first platoon. Even if I managed to escape, I would be banished to the surface, which is more dangerous than any punishment the empire could put on me...”
”And what if you had the power to overthrow the corrupt system that is in place, for a new system that doesn't abuse the weak?”, Dubs inquired.
”Of course, that would be wonderful, but it is certainly unrealistic. I have seen your strength, and admit that it is great, but you cannot possibly hope to go up against the entire empire on your own! It would be foolhardy!”, Arctus warned.
”Do not worry about these things. The empire does not currently realize that I even exist, and much less that I am a threat. In due time, I will use the power of science and magic to build up an army to take on the empire. In the meantime, I will keep a low profile- however part of keeping a low profile includes silencing anyone who knows of my existence. Do you understand?”
Arctus nodded quickly. ”I understand.”
”If you all agree to become a part of my empire, I will guarantee your protection, and I will only allow you to harm those who are trash- those who are willing to use their power against the weak. Our empire will be one where the strong protects the weak.”, Dubs lectured, excited.
Arctus gave everything some deep thought. ”I... I have always been too weak to disobey my superiors... I have always thought that what we were doing was wrong, but somewhere along the line I convinced myself that it was a necessary evil... I wish to assist you! I will convince the others as well, I am sure they all have the same sentiments as I do!”
Dubs grinned. ”Well then, Arctus, I leave it to you.”