Chapter 18: Exit of the Phantom

Alder Windstrafe

Gasping for air, I regained consciousness in a disorienting void of complete darkness. My chest heaved, desperate for respite, as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Illuminating the dismal expanse was a solitary lantern suspended before me, casting a feeble glow that only partially revealed my confinement. To my dismay, I found myself ensnared in a cold, metallic chair, my limbs tightly bound. Despite my frantic attempts to break free, the restraints held me captive, rendering any escape futile. Overwhelmed by a pervasive fatigue, my weakened body yearned for the solace of slumber, threatening to surrender me once more to its relentless embrace.

A wave of recollection washed over me as I tried to piece together the events that led me to this bewildering predicament. It all began with the culmination of the tournament, a climactic moment that was abruptly followed by a searing jolt of electricity coursing through the vulnerable nape of my neck. Caught off guard and deprived of the opportunity to mount a defense or execute a hasty retreat, I found myself painfully reminded of my own naivety as a supposedly accomplished assassin. Stripped of my garments, I stood exposed and vulnerable in this unforgiving abyss.

The grim ambiance of this forbidding place left no room for doubt or hopeful illusions. It became painfully clear that I had stumbled into a scene of impending doom, where escape was but a fleeting dream, mercilessly crushed by the weight of the circumstances.

Within these sinister walls, the air thick with foreboding, the purpose of my presence became ominously apparent: an interrogation awaited, accompanied by the haunting specter of torture. The inexorable march toward an agonizing demise loomed ever closer, casting a chilling shadow over every fleeting thought and faltering breath.

"Black Phantom…That's what they call you."

The voice, emanating from an enigmatic source, remained shrouded in mystery due to its origin from an indistinguishable microphone.

"You are also known as Alder Windstrafe of the Chevalier Unit. You surely have too many assignments to do. You also know almost everything about the Arcadia and the government."

"I'm sure you're aware that I won't willingly provide you with any information," I remarked with a chilling grin. My lips stretched into a sinister smile, revealing bloodstained gums that throbbed with aching pain. Clearly, I had endured a brutal beating, leaving me in a battered state.

"Let's start from the beginning. Your loyalty…it belongs to whom?" The unknown voice asked.

I maintained my silence, refusing to respond, as my unsettling smile persisted. However, without warning, after a brief five-second pause, they activated a mechanism concealed within the chair. Electric currents surged through my veins with alarming speed, engulfing every nerve cell in a tormenting cascade of agony.

"Aaaaaaargh!"

"We already know who you serve. Duke Yuri Dragunov. Your foster father. He raised you to become a Dragon Knight. The Black Phantom's motives are from the legacy of Duke Dragunov." The interrogator said.

"Looks like you've done your assignments too."

Unrestrained laughter erupted from me, reminiscent of a deranged individual. The sight of blood gushing from my mouth held no significance as I allowed it to splatter indiscriminately, unconcerned with the mess it created.

"You joined the Chevalier Unit to gather information about the Duchess Marieflorine Corasell, Arcadia, and the government archives. You and your foster father wanted to kill the duchess so that the bill will never get approved by the congress. The Dragonoid Rights Bill that has been rejected and the murder of the duchess will immediately ignite a human-dragonoid war. Or more precise, a war between the empire and the joint forces of Arcadia and dragonoids. Then the Crimson Dragonfly, the secret weapon of Arcadia will once make its appearance. Duke Dragunov will capture the so called Crimson Dragonfly and will make it his own, and seize the throne."

An icy shiver shot up my spine, unleashing a chilling sensation that left me awestruck. The sudden revelation of this leaked information overwhelmed me completely. Questions raced through my mind, "Who is this individual? How could they possess such comprehensive knowledge?" The once-present smile vanished from my face as I clenched my teeth tightly, a mix of determination and frustration etched upon my expression.

"There is only one thing we don't know about, and you and your foster father are the only ones who know about it. What is the Crimson Dragonfly?"

As I contemplated maintaining my silence, an unexpected movement caught my attention—the lamp above me swayed momentarily, offering a fleeting glimpse of a figure standing before me. It was an unconscious woman with striking silver hair, confined uncomfortably to the same metallic chair. Metal chains tightly bound her arms, feet, and neck, while a blindfold obscured her vision and cuffs covered her ears. The distressing sight of numerous scrapes and wounds across her body revealed the unmistakable evidence of torture inflicted upon her.

"Emy!" I cried. "What did you do to her!?"

The interrogator's voice pierced the air, resonating with an intimidating tone. "What is the Crimson Dragonfly?!" they demanded, their words laced with urgency. A countdown began, as they issued a menacing ultimatum, threatening to subject my dragonoid companion to a potentially fatal five-thousand-volt shock if I failed to respond within five seconds.

"Emy! No, no, no, no! Don't do anything to her!" I shouted and cried at the same time. "I'll tell you everything about the Crimson Dragonfly!"

[INTERROGATION RECORDS REDACTED]

Without hesitation, I divulged everything to the interrogator. Each piece of information spilled from my lips, revealing the secrets I held about the enigmatic Crimson Dragonfly. From the mysterious Vanilla City to the elusive figures of Zac Schneider, Airelina Frembell, Arcadia, and Amphere Harrison, nothing remained concealed. The desperate desire to secure Emy's liberation from this torment eclipsed any reservations I may have had. If laying bare my knowledge of the Crimson Dragonfly was the sole price to pay for her freedom, I willingly paid it without a second thought.

Emy, the woman who holds my heart, has transformed my life in profound ways. She has bestowed upon me a sense of uniqueness and significance that I cherish deeply. Our bond, with its exceptional compatibility rating of 99%, stands as the most invaluable treasure in my existence. In the face of Emy's safety and well-being, I realized that certain details regarding the monstrous entity known as the Crimson Dragonfly were inconsequential and unworthy of safeguarding. The preservation of Emy's welfare outweighed any significance these fragments of information may have held.

No sooner had I concluded my statement, darkness descended as the lights abruptly went out. In the ensuing obscurity, two individuals emerged, their faces finally exposed. With a sense of relief, they began the process of unfastening the metallic shackles that bound us. As I glanced at Emy, still unconscious and vulnerable, I summoned every ounce of strength remaining in my weary arms and lifted her into a protective embrace.

"You are….the interrogators?"

Rudolf Azregon.

Kyle Leviticus.

"Good morning, Alder!" Kyle greeted with a sardonic smile. "I must say, it's quite a pleasant surprise to see you intact and unscathed!"

Don't make me laugh.

"Alder, it would be wise for you to rest once more. Allow me to take charge of transporting Emy to the hospital," Rudolf suggested, his grin appearing insincere, masking his true intentions.

Don't make me laugh!

"There's no way I'll permit you to hurt my Emy again!" I gritted. I clenched my hand, ready to retaliate from these monsters.

Having endured the extraction of information through torment and witnessing the suffering inflicted upon both Emy and myself, the realization dawned that they were privy to my true identity and the organization I served. The gravity of the situation left me feeling defenseless and weakened. However, allowing these individuals to walk away unscathed posed a significant threat, one that would inevitably sow chaos in its wake. Though presently unarmed and physically vulnerable, the decision to let them escape unchallenged seemed inconceivable.

"Oh, Rudolf. Seems like he wants to kill us. So scary." Kyle said with mockery.

"Here is your golden rapier." Rudolf revealed my sword on his waist and threw it to me, which I easily caught. "Bring Emy down and fight me. If you manage to kill me, you're free."

"I shall heal his wounds first." Kyle said. "Heal!"

With a gesture from Kyle, his palms aimed towards me, a shimmering cascade of magical dust enveloped my body. Miraculously, my wounds closed instantaneously, leaving no trace of injury. In that same instant, an incredible surge of strength coursed through my veins, empowering me beyond measure.

Indeed, the situation appeared quite ludicrous. Despite Rudolf being unarmed, they expected me to engage in combat while fully revitalized? It was a notion that elicited amusement. With determination, I gently set Emy down, ensuring her safety, before assuming a poised fencing stance. In stark contrast, Rudolf stood frozen and rigid on the other side, an enigmatic presence awaiting my decisive action.

"Hraaaaah!"

With an impassioned cry, I propelled myself forward, moving at a breakneck speed. Every muscle in my body tensed with purpose as my rapier emanated a radiant yellow glow. With precise intent, I aimed directly for my adversary's throat, seeking to deliver a decisive and incapacitating blow.

As Rudolf muttered the words "Chaos Claw" under his breath, an eerie transformation began to take place. His two fists became enveloped in an ominous darkness, gradually assuming the form of razor-sharp talons reminiscent of a fearsome griffon. It was an awe-inspiring display of ancient dark magic, a power that surpassed anything I had anticipated. The overwhelming force emanating from Rudolf left me astonished, as I came to realize the extent of his formidable abilities.

In a swift and unexpected maneuver, Rudolf's jab targeted my sword with remarkable speed. To my astonishment, my once radiant golden rapier began to dissolve, its particles devoured by the shadowy claws on his fist. Before I could react, his other fist surged forward, piercing through my defenses and impaling my heart with chilling precision. The searing pain radiated through my body, a cruel reminder of the fatal blow I had just received.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the attack, I crumpled to the ground, rendered immobile and unable to even blink. Each breath became an impossible task as the shadows of Rudolf's dark magic consumed my heart entirely. There was no blood, only a vast void left behind—a cavernous hole in my chest that served as a chilling testament to the devastation wrought upon me.

"E…Emy…"

With great effort, I strained to extend my trembling hand towards Emy, my beloved who remained unconscious nearby. Yet, to my despair, I found myself incapable of completing the gesture, my strength waning rapidly. As the realization dawned that this was the end of my journey, a single wish emerged in my heart—a fervent plea for Emy's liberation, for her freedom from the horrors we had endured together.

[Alder Windstrafe – K.I.A.]