Chapter 76

Hmm, based on my surroundings, this place seems designed for torture or maybe interrogation using torture.

Well, if that's so, I can't just sit here.

I try to move around, but unfortunately, the chains constricting me are too much to handle. My hands are tied too, so I can't use magic.

It's unfortunate, but it seems as if I'm stuck. I have no other choice but to wait.

Whilst I wait, I ponder why anyone would teleport me here if they had a choice. If I had the ability to teleport anyone anywhere, I'd choose a less solitary place, somewhere where someone would immediately get noticed and captured, if not just teleport them to a jail.

Also, this teleportation ability sounds quite ridiculous. With such power, any conflict could be resolved ridiculously easily.

As I contemplate, I hear footsteps approaching, and as they get louder, I hear the door to this room open, unseen by me because of my orientation.

As I turn my head to look behind and see who entered, I hear a surprised male voice say, "That's odd, did his head move?"

Another answered, this time a woman, "Yes it did, the spell wore off."

"Isn't it a bit too early for that? It's only been half a day."

I hear the woman grunt and say, "It doesn't matter, I'll just cast it again."

And before I have a chance to state my opinion, I feel the weird sensation once again descend upon my senses.

Before long it fades away like last time, though unlike the previous time, I find myself in a more accommodating and less threatening room. This time it looks like the rough and rusty decor has switched to, well, nothing. The room is blank gray, not counting the table right in front of me, at which sit two people, one dressed in armor and another in blue wizard robes.

As the man in armor sees me move, he states, "You sit here because of your involvement in trespassing on noble grounds and possible manslaughter. We need you to answer truthfully. Your cooperation will be noted. State your full name and place of residence."

"What do you mean?! I have committed no such actions. Release me at once or face the repercussions of the Ustos family!"

"Quiet, scoundrel," the armored man states once again. "You are not of the Ustos blood. The one you took the place of lies deceased in a holy place. Now answer the question at once, or face punishment."

As the idiot in armor asks me a stupid question, I decide to answer back with a lie. Though as this is an interrogation, I don't doubt that the wizard sitting to his left is currently digging through my mind. Though I don't think he's able to pursue my memories, because if that were so, I doubt I would be in an interrogation room from the start. So the man may be reading my mind.

Though if the man were reading my mind, then why hasn't he spoken up about me planning to tell a lie? Or that may be what he wants me to think, though that line of logic could go on forever. I'll just tell a lie and see their reactions.

So I state, "I am Alec Badum, of common blood from the streets of these very slums."

After hearing my response, the armored fellow, whose name I have gotten tired of, so I will henceforth switch to Greg, looks over at the wizard.

The wizard states, "He is lying, though I cannot tell where. He is thinking in a foreign language."

Greg says, "I see. Punish him for his disobedience."

The wizard nods and looks back at me.

Suddenly, I feel a horrifically painful sensation arise out of every part of my body, from my legs up to my head. It feels as if every nerve has triggered inside my body. I simultaneously feel as if I am on fire, freezing, touching something, being stabbed, crushed, and so on.

It's ridiculously painful, much worse than my face being burned.

Tears start coming out of my eyes, snot from my nose and I sart screeming. It's ridiculous.

After what feels like hours, the feeling finally dissipates.

My dried-out eyes look around the room once more.

I find Greg sitting with a slightly smug expression, damned bastard, though the wizard looks largely disinterested.

Greg states, "Let's try that again. What is your name?"

This time I don't lie. I don't want to risk that damned pain once more. So I say with my dry throat, "My name is Mason Parker."

Greg looks at the wizard and the wizard nods. Then Greg looks back at me with a weird expression.

"That is an odd name… where are you from?"

What am I supposed to answer to that? Should I tell him I'm from the US, or should I say I'm from the slums? Technically, that is not wrong. No, that probably wouldn't work. If the man is in my head, I doubt half-truths can't be noticed.

So with much hesitation, I quickly say, "US."

Greg's look turns even more confused, but the wizard looks at me with widened eyes.

Before Greg has a chance to utter anything, the wizard gets up and looks at Greg. "Stay here. I have to go get someone."

Poor old confused Greg looks at the wizard in pure bewilderment but has no chance to ask anything as the wizard suddenly disappears out of nowhere.

Now only the two of us remain in the room, and with no one to confirm my answer, Greg sits and obediently waits.

With no one around looking into my head, I have a chance to reorganize myself.

The wizard did say that he couldn't recognize the language I spoke in, but I doubt that was the truth. I can't trust anything these people tell me.

Anyhow, for the first time, I start thinking about the ring in my digestive tract. I can probably vomit it out. I want to get it out as fast as possible. I don't want anything to happen.

Speaking of time, I don't think I was hit with a teleportation spell anymore. Considering the conversation the first time I awakened, it should have been some time spell, which I suppose would make sense to use while apprehending a possible threat.

Whilst I'm pondering, the wizard materializes again, followed by a person in black robes.

The moment Greg notices him, he immediately bows his head and says, "Greetings, great archmage Henbrick. What brings you here?"

It's the man in the black robes, the one with the orb and the disintegration spell.