Assassin Sword Family Ronan Chapter 268

Episode 268. The Imperial Lion

“This fu*king monopoly.”

Thud. The shirtless giant puts down his club. Then the giant’s subordinates gasp for breath and also put down their clubs.

The four men were all wide-eyed. Four pairs of eyes were focused on one side. There, there was a young man hanging in the air with his hands bound in chains.

The wounds all over his body were caused by a club filled with sharp pieces of iron.

Four men surrounded him and beat him hard with bats, but the young man held on steadfastly. In fact, the men became exhausted.

“You guys, you should just get out.”

A single word echoes from the ceiling of the torture chamber.

The ceiling was made of glass, but the outside could not be seen from inside. The young man raised his head slightly, looked up, and gave a faint smile.

The men picked up their clubs and left the torture chamber, grumbling. Two women wearing wizard robes followed them.

Members of the Royal Magic Group of Kainist. Both were healing types. They stood in front of and behind the man hanging in the air. They raised both arms and began to cast their respective magics.

“Coolook-”

As the coughing fit began, the two wizards flinched.

“You must be bored too.”

The young man’s soft voice. It’s already the third day. The healing magicians have been repeating the same actions while reducing their sleeping hours.

“… … .”

“One is taking away my wounds, and the other is prolonging my suffering as much as possible.”

The tortured youth met the eyes of the wizard standing in front of him. Instead of enduring the vicious criminal’s gaze, the wizard lowered his head.

The young man whispered.

“Still, your superiors are flexible.”

“…yes?”

“Yesterday, you were the one who was behind my back, making me suffer more. Today, you’ve switched roles. It’ll be less boring.”

“… … !”

The healing magic was momentarily disrupted as the wizard took a breath in surprise.

“Even twins have differences. Even if they pretend to be the same in order to confuse each other.”

The wizard met his sister’s eyes, standing across from him. As the young man had said, the two healing wizards were twins, and they switched roles every time they entered the torture chamber.

Was this really the person who had been tortured for the past three days? He looked too calm and collected for that.

If I kept listening to his story, I felt like I would eventually get caught up in his strange voice.

Phew.

According to the healing magic, the wounds from the club beating just a moment ago were completely removed from the young man’s body. However, according to the transformation technique of the healing magic, the pain would still remain in his body and gradually become more severe.

“… … .”

The younger wizard was preoccupied with the scars that covered the young man’s body. They were not from clubbing, but from long ago. They were so numerous that they almost looked like tattoos.

Then, finally, I came to my senses after hearing the captain of the guards’ stern voice. This time, too, the voice came from the ceiling.

“Now that it’s all over, the healing wizards can leave.”

“I’ll see you again in two hours.”

The young man saw them off leisurely. The healing magicians who were leaving the torture room at a brisk pace bowed their heads when they encountered the captain of the guards at the door.

Thud thud.

“Sir, I’m a little late for work today. I guess the meeting upstairs went on for a long time. I think your superior is starting to lose patience.”

“Shut up, Luke Roani.”

“I can tell by the voice. The captain of the guards who is looking down from above is sick of the passage of time. The imperial messenger is coming.”

The captain drew his sword.

Of course, this attempted murderer should not be killed. However, he could be beaten to death as long as no body parts were lost.

Wheeing.

The sword was covered in the unique aura of the Knights of the Kainst Kingdom. The color was a soft green. Another unique feature was that the aura protruded in an X shape from the connection between the sword blade and the handle.

The captain swung his sword.

But it didn’t touch the criminal’s body. The Auror just cut off a small portion of Luke Roane’s down-turned hair.

A few strands of hair fell slowly to the floor. The hair was dark blue.

“I want to kill you right now… but I have to hold back because the next turn is waiting.”

“What a pity. Are the court magicians already being deployed? Well, I guess this is all the royal guards can do. Time is running out.”

“Let’s see if your tongue is still intact tomorrow.”

“Of course it will be.”

The captain turned around, gritting his teeth. When the door to the torture chamber opened, this time the court magician leading the royal magic troop was standing there.

The court magician, who exchanged a brief glance with the captain of the guards, stood before the criminal with his luggage on his back. He was a grave old man wearing glasses. His beard was neatly trimmed, and his eyes were filled with energy. 

“Luke Roani. A heinous criminal who attempted to harm the royal family. I am the court wizard of the Kainst royal family who will be interrogating you starting today.”

Luke, or rather Rubin, nodded his head as he looked at the wizard. 

I knew that he was not someone who would rise to the ranks of a great wizard. He was someone who had risen up the ranks of the royal magic troupe, and he had a strong bureaucratic feel to him.

Still, since he was a court magician of a kingdom, his level would have been at least 5 stars, or maybe even 6 stars.

“I’ve been watching the interrogation for the past three days. It was amazing.”

“I think our conversation will go well since you started it with a compliment.”

“I was able to admire the unmanned body for the first time in a long time. It never got tired. It seemed like it could easily endure everything.”

“Shall I be honest? The last three days have been very easy, my lord. Electric shocks, underwater torture, then beatings. Then the burning of my flesh with aurors. After that, a bureaucrat with a very kind face sat me down at a table and tried to persuade me. After a while, the torture was repeated again.”

“I saw it too. I spent three full days in this torture chamber.”

“Of course, but the wizard and I are a bit different. The wizard may have taken a nap upstairs, but I never slept for even a minute.”

The court wizard circled around Rubin, sweeping his beard away.

“Well, I’ve already seen you use your words to distract people, so let’s get to the point. If you tell me who’s behind your group, I’ll be interrogated in a much more comfortable state than I am now. Hanging in chains must be so frustrating, right?”

“You know what I’m going to say. I have nothing to say about the background. Comrade Barton and I were just following our own beliefs.”

“Conviction. I heard the long speech you gave to the captain of the royal guard yesterday. You said you would create a world for the common people… But what we are interested in is not that absurd dream, but your azure aura.”

“Isn’t this the most common aura on the continent?”

“Yes, the light blue aura is common. However, just because the color is similar, that doesn’t mean each aura loses its uniqueness. It will end when the identity of the aura is revealed. Only then will we know if they really set out to destroy class society, or if there is another motive behind it.”

The court wizard raised his finger and snapped it. As soon as the order was given, the four wizards who had been waiting came in. This time, they were not healing magicians.

All four wizards were holding a large disk with tripod legs, a magical tool, and another interrogation tool that would soon be applied to Rubin.

Disks placed in four directions centered around Rubin.

“By the way, Barton in the other room is slowly opening his mouth. Whichever of the two gives more important information will be able to avoid the worst. How about taking that opportunity?”

Rubin made a thoughtful expression, then snickered.

“I see. If Barton says anything, believe it. He’s an honest guy.”

The court magician’s expression didn’t change much despite Rubin’s laughter. However, he couldn’t do that inside. It was hard to tolerate that calm and composed attitude.

In fact, Barton in the other torture chamber was consistently silent. Luke and Barton seemed to have decided on roles. One was consistently silent, while the other was busy provoking and mocking.

The problem was that both of them were extremely capable of enduring torture.

“… So you’re saying you’ll finally be able to hold out for a week? Well, that’s good.”

Fumbling around.

The court wizard opened the subspace pouch and took out a bottle from it. It was a bit thin for a liquid. It was definitely a potion, and it would react with the magical tools here.

“I guess I’ll have to drink it. It’s different when the person in charge changes from captain of the guard to court magician.”

The court wizard grabbed Rubin’s chin, but there was no need for him to do so in the first place. Instead of forcing him to drink, Rubin simply opened his mouth and gulped down the thin potion.

“Yes, I think differently from the captain of the guards. I think that you will be more kind if you endure not only physical pain but also mental pain.”

“The magic potion I just took made that possible?”

“Yes. It will be an eight-stage interrogation. I wonder how long you can last. By the way, it will increase by one stage every half day, so please keep that in mind.”

“One level every half day. By the time the people from the empire arrive, it will have reached the maximum level.”

“Of course I’m sure I won’t get to that stage. You’ll know when you experience it, but the pain gets worse with each stage. Hallucinations, paralysis, despair… things like that.”

Before long, the four disks were lit. The court magician waved the magicians away. He too walked toward the door, as if he was about to leave.

And then I looked back for a moment-

“Because you keep talking too much, you, not Barton, are the ones who are being tortured. I worked hard to come up with this, so there is only one. Learn a lesson from the pain. It would have been better to keep your mouth shut.”

The court magician opened the door and went out.

Light pouring from the disc began to fill the torture chamber, and the magic potion inside Rubin’s body began to react.

‘One step every half day. It’s nothing compared to ‘Black Leaf’.’

It was clear that no matter how strong the magic potion was, it wouldn’t have much of an effect. Even if Rubin didn’t want it, Rubin’s dark smoke was enveloping the magic potion inside his body.

The magic tools tried to increase the pain by pouring out light, but the darkness protecting Rubin was too strong for that.

* * *

“That’s ridiculous… … .”

After four days.

The face of the court magician changed drastically, as if each day was a season. The face that had once been confident of victory now resembled that of a defeated soldier.

Upstairs in the torture chamber.

There were five people in total who were looking at the specially made glass floor. The one sitting at the head of the table was, of course, the King of Kainst, and the captain and vice-captain of the guards stood on either side.

The court wizard stood sweating in the middle of the glass floor when someone gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Unfortunately, it’s almost midnight.”

“… … .”

“As you know, as the one-week deadline approaches, the two criminals, Luke Roane and Barton Colomb, will be subject to Imperial legal proceedings from this time forward. This action is pursuant to Imperial law, ‘Crimes Against the Crown – Unknown Crimes Against the Crown’.”

The man’s powerful voice rang out loud. The king placed his hand on his forehead and licked his lips.

The man did not bow his upper body even when facing the king, but no one pointed it out. It would be more accurate to say that he did not dare to do so.

He had naturally white hair, despite his middle age, and all his long hair was swept back behind his forehead. He blinked and waited for the king’s answer.

Finally, the king carefully opened his mouth.

“I am granted the title of Imperial Inspector by His Majesty the Emperor, and I am granted the authority to extradite criminals by the Imperial Attorney General-”

“Your Majesty, is it really necessary to waste your time every time you call me? Please call me Tramnik. That is my name.”

To cut off the king’s words. It was impossible, but the man remained calm. It was his rightful authority.

The man, Tramnik, looked straight at the king and smiled.

“… I understand, Tramnik. I would like to give you one more day, is that possible?”

It was just that one word. But Tramnick’s expression changed completely. His white eyebrows, which had been curled upward with a smile, were now distorted. He did not hide his displeasure.

“I guess Your Majesty really cares about the 6th prince who was involved in this accident?”

“… What is that.”

“As I told you a minute ago, the kingdom has one week to interrogate the criminal. If you wish to place your affection for the Sixth Prince above the laws of the empire, you may be greedy and interrogate the prisoner for one more day for eight days.”

The words, “Would you place your affection for the Sixth Prince above the laws of the Empire?” were more threatening than holding a blade to his throat. The king hastily waved his hand.

“No. I take back what I just said.”

The imperial messenger was like the emperor’s representative. Even the special position of ‘Imperial Inspector’ was given to him, so you could see how much the emperor was interested in this situation. At times like this, it was wise to be careful of even the smallest stain that could cause irritation.

“Thank you. I too am truly sorry that the ambitious interrogation of the Kingdom of Kainst has come to nothing.”

Tramnick turned around without asking the king for permission and went back to the center of the glass floor.

“I see that attempted murderer is truly a tyrant. It must not have been easy at first glance, but he endured every step of that torture device.”

“… … .”

“Look over there, that Luke guy is staring right at me. I wonder if he can still be so innocent after being sent to an Imperial prison.”

“Tramnik.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Go ahead.”

“Are they now being transferred to a prison directly managed by the Empire?”

“Yes, that will happen. Of course, the Kainst royal family will not know where that place is. There, they will find out who is behind those guys and why they tried to kill the royal family.”

Tramnick smiled again.

“We must find out whether it was due to the Kainst’s struggle for the throne, or whether it was the work of another kingdom. As soon as a decision is made, the fact will be reported to the kingdom in the name of the Imperial Justice Minister.”

“Wow, a fight for the throne? That can’t be happening.”

“Yes, I hope so too.”

Then Tramnick seemed to have decided not to spend any more time here. He turned around and bowed towards the king.

“Then, Your Majesty, I will now hand over those wicked men. Oh, there is one thing you must not forget when you hand them over.”

“… … ?”

“The two swords they used to kill me. Please don’t forget to hand them over to me. They will be very useful when I interrogate them.”