Chapter 166: CH 169

Chapter 169 – Prison

“Thank you for coming, Hakumen-dono.” (Dragia)

“I am looking forward to a favorable business meeting with you.” (Hakumen)

“We likewise echo that sentiment. At the moment, we are overwhelmingly lacking in information, but your capabilities seem to offer hope in that regard. I will show you in, so please follow me.” (Dragia)

Dragia and his soldiers began to walk, leading the way forward, and Hakumen followed. Their welcome seemed peaceful enough, but…

“Master, there are many soldiers deployed in the vicinity of Hakumen,” Sol said telepathically, conveying the information she could grasp from the sky.

The gates of the palace were already tightly shut and were being heavily guarded on both the outside and inside. They had placed many soldiers on the outer wall so Hakumen couldn’t see them, most likely so they could shoot him down with bows and other weapons if he tried to escape into the sky.

“What business negotiations? They’re totally gunning to capture us, aren’t they?” (Bouchi)

There was no other way to explain why their security was this strict.

For some reason, they were bringing Hakumen down the stairs leading to the basement level. But right as they reached the end of the stairway, Hakumen was pushed down from behind.

So they’re making their move already, huh? Well, they didn’t trust him, so they wouldn’t just let him get away.

The place seemed to be a dark, damp underground prison.

“King Dragia! What is the meaning of this?!” (Hakumen)

Seeing Hakumen’s enraged expression, Dragia simply looked down on him from above.

“There are some questions I must ask you. Put him in a cell and restrain him.” (Dragia)

Receiving Dragia’s command, the soldiers held Hakumen down and restrained him, then dragged him into one of the prison cells.

On the other side of the monitor, I couldn’t help being startled at the sight.

In the excessively spacious cell, there were a variety of tools, many of which were obviously meant for torture. But what was even more surprising was the figure crucified on the wall.

“Is that… Ze’ev?” (Bouchi)

His upper body was bare, and his entire body was limp and covered in horrible wounds.

“Why is he in such a state?” (Shiki)

Even Shiki was questioning the situation. I had no idea either. I thought that he was close to Dragia… As far as what Rajie had told me, Dragia had put a lot of trust in Ze’ev.

Then what in the world is going on here…?

Hakumen, like Ze’ev, was stripped of his clothes and crucified. Fortunately, they seemed to not have noticed the switch on the back of the [Copy Doll].

“King Dragia! I hope you have a good explanation for this!” (Hakumen)

“Such an attitude this late in the game. As expected of a foolishly brave soul who would venture into enemy territory alone… and have the audacity to kidnap His Highness Nike.” (Dragia)

“…! What are you talking about?” (Hakumen)

“Now, speak. Where is Nike?” (Dragia)

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Who is Nike?” (Hakumen)

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“Stop feigning ignorance. The other day, the son of the previous emperor, His Highness Nike, was kidnapped by invaders. And I know it was you who assisted them in this matter.” (Dragia)

“Really? This is my first time hearing of such a thing. Do you have any proof?” (Hakumen)

“So you refuse to admit it no matter what then? …Grievea.” (Dragia)

“Yes, my lord.” (Grievea)

A figure appeared behind Dragia, looking like a weird pervert with belt straps all over their body. The bizarre appearance was topped off by an iron mask that fully covered this person’s entire face. However, there was no doubt that this person was a garbel, with the long, slender tail protruding from their tailbone.

“Use any methods at your disposal to make him speak, you hear me?” (Dragia)

“Leave it to me~, kihihihihi!” (Grievea)

Dragia took the soldiers with him and left the scene, giving Ze’ev a slightly gloomy glance on his way out. I suppose he hadn’t wanted to restrain Ze’ev in this manner either.

“Now then, now then… A new preeey has arrived, yeees?” (Grievea)

“GAAAHH!!” (Ze’ev)

Naturally, the intense pain immediately woke Ze’ev.

“Are you fiiiiinally awake, hmmmm?” (Grievea)

“Damn… you…” (Ze’ev)

“Oh-hooooh. How scaaaary. But…” (Grievea)

He took out another knife and stabbed it into Ze’ev’s left thigh this time.

“UGYAAAAH!!” (Ze’ev)

“Kihahahahah! What a great sound! Truly magnificent! Aaah… This is why I can’t stop doing this job.” (Grievea)

“Come on, Ze’ev-saaaan. It’s time for you to spit it out. Where is His Highness Nikeeee? You know where he is, riiiight? I know you worked with this person and committed some mischieeeef.” (Grievea)

I see. It seems that Ze’ev was suspected of working with us. But why?

“Could it be that he was suspected because he came to the imperial capital at the same time as Hakumen?” (Shiki)

“No, no, Shiki. That doesn’t make any sense. That was the first time he met me as Hakumen, you know?” (Bouchi)

“But since they considered Hakumen as the culprit, wouldn’t they be suspicious of anyone they thought had even the slightest connection to him?” (Shiki)

“No way…” (Bouchi)

I couldn’t fathom that the king of a country would easily jump to such a hasty conclusion, but…

It was true that Ze’ev had given his support when Hakumen explained the situation about Earth. But that was the result of Ze’ev’s own understanding and view of the situation. But to Dragia, it must have looked like it was prearranged, perhaps…?

Certainly, looking at the situation from that point of view, it might force one to assume that Hakumen and Ze’ev were connected in some way, but that was only circumstantial evidence.

Despite everything, how could he attack his once trusted subordinate in such a brutal manner?

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