Chapter 911

Turning

Chapter 911

Gloe and Lusan, witnessing the 'Mouth of Truth' open for the first time, both inhaled sharply in unison.

"What is your name?"

Yuder asked with an impassive face, to which Aton mumbled something in an unintelligible southern language.

"Say it again in the imperial language."

"The Wolf Rock Moonshade's... Udaquan Aton Jin."

So, he is Udaquan of Wolf Rock Moonshade. Yuder recalled the words of southern diplomats he had briefly encountered in a previous life.

The Southerners, having a tribal coalition system, often introduced themselves with a tribe, family name, or a word related to their occupation in front of their names, especially in formal situations, as their naming conventions were not consistent.

'So, this name, Udaquan Aton Jin of Wolf Rock Moonshade, is used for formal introductions,' Yuder concluded.

Yuder remembered this and turned his gaze towards Gloe and Lusan, who were barely able to breathe properly.

"It seems you can speak comfortably now. He appears to be completely caught in Gloe's ability."

"Her ability, you say? When exactly? Weren't we just... playing a card game?"

Lusan, utterly bewildered, alternated his gaze between Gloe and the cards. From his perspective, he had merely followed instructions to converse with Aton and play a few rounds of cards, so the abrupt conclusion was understandably disconcerting. Gloe, extremely tense and pale, clasped her hands tightly and let out a long, trembling breath.

"Priest, the truth is, I was secretly using my ability during the game."

"Really?"

"Yes. I wasn't sure if I would succeed, but... it seems I did, thanks to the help of the Commander's Assistant."

"He helped... you?"

Lusan's eyes flickered rapidly with surprise. Yuder, leaving the confused Lusan aside, calmly praised Gloe.

"It must have been difficult since it was your first real attempt, but you did well. How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure... I'm still too shaky...."

Gloe was overwhelmed with excitement, realizing that her first attempt at using her ability this way had succeeded. It was natural for her to be unable to gauge her strength in such an agitated state.

'It's normal not to faint immediately after using such a significant and unfamiliar power. She's probably still conscious due to the excitement.'

Yuder then advised her to take about ten deep breaths. After seeing some color return to her pale face, he asked again.

"How long do you think Aton will remain unconscious? Or can you not estimate that either?"

Gloe, looking at Aton, furrowed her brows and concentrated.

"I'm not certain, but it shouldn't be too long... perhaps about the duration of a card game...."

"Understood. Then you should step outside for a moment, try to calm down and rest. If you feel like you might faint, make sure to tell the Priest."

"Faint?"

Both Lusan and Gloe gasped in shock. Yuder calmly informed them of the possibility of exhaustion after using great or unfamiliar powers, then opened a small window at the top of the closed door.

Kishiar, who had been leaning against the door outside, smiled as their eyes met through the window.

"It seems you were successful."

"Yes. Our permitted time is not long. Please, come in."

To maintain the secrecy of the interrogation content, Lusan and Gloe agreed to step outside for a while, allowing Kishiar to enter. Kishiar, not forgetting to show appreciation, patted the backs of those passing by him, acknowledging their hard work.

"Well done. It was a challenging task, but thanks to your willing courage, we may resolve an issue that remained a puzzle."

"No... Not at all!"

Gloe was profoundly flustered by the person, who previously had only hoped to be regarded as a large flower vase or an ignorable plant, now resembling a true Commander, extending a graceful greeting. Lusan, feeling he had not been of much help, waved his hands dismissively with a shy expression.

"I hardly said anything useful in aiding the interrogation. You flatter me."

"Not at all. Priest Lusan, you have done more today than anyone could have."

"Me...?"

"Indeed, your talent in the card game was exceptional. Without the Priest's abilities, we might not have achieved such favorable results."

"Is that... so? Ha ha."

Lusan, still not quite understanding the significance of his actions, left with a face full of perplexity, disappearing beyond the door.

"Don't inflate the Priest's expectations too much. He might take it seriously."

"And you, Assistant, even kindly recommended to other members to learn the card game?"

"How can my mere words weigh the same as the Commander's praise?"

"What difference does it make? Coming from the most skilled member of the Cavalry. To me, that's far more valuable."

Yuder realized it was impossible to win this verbal spar. He then gestured towards Aton, who was still hanging his head low.

"We should proceed with the interrogation now. We don't have much time left."

"Indeed."

Kishiar, wiping his light smile away, sat down beside Yuder. The gentle atmosphere around him suddenly turned into a cold silence.

"Now, Aton. You are a spy, acting here under the orders of the Wolf's Eye tribe. Am I wrong?"

"How dare you... such impudence. I am Udaquan, a descendent of the Wolf's Eye tribe. I was chosen, so the word 'orders' is not appropriate."

Yuder felt a subtle irritation. Aton, cursed to speak only the truth, was still upholding his pride in his response. Unlike brainwashing, the curse allowed him to answer truthfully while revealing his essence, leaving Yuder no choice but to clench and unclench his fist, containing his frustration.

'I should have taught him some manners before cursing him.'

"So, being of the Wolf's Eye tribe and a Udaquan, you took responsibility for this matter. Since the tribe and the Black Moon Faith had united, they required someone who belonged to both. Is that what you mean?"

Aton responded after a brief silence.

"Yes."

"Why did the tribe and the faith, long unallied, decide to unite? When did this alliance first occur?"

"It started 17 years ago when the current chieftain ascended and declared to reclaim our glory. He sought out the First Udaquan, attempting an alliance and sent me among others as a symbol of trust. However, the formal alliance... happened 2 years ago."

"Two years ago, coincidentally around the same time as the fall of the Red Stone."

"..."

"What does 'reclaiming our glory' mean?"

"It refers to the era when the God we worship was widely revered. When we were the masters north of the desert... returning to that time."

"So, the goal is to wage war to eliminate the Orr Empire?"

"...That is merely a step in the process. The empire is not the only entity north of the desert."

It was an astonishing revelation. A chill akin to goosebumps ran down Yuder's spine as he listened. However, Kishiar's expression remained unaltered as he continued his questioning with a calm voice.

"Then it can be inferred that your reach extends beyond the empire to other states north of the desert. But was there a need to disrupt the ‘balance of the land’ in such a perilous manner to reclaim your supposed glory?"

This time, Aton remained silent for a longer period. Eventually, he slowly opened his mouth to respond.

"...I was not permitted to know the full truth of the matter. However, when the mission to disrupt the balance was handed down, the First Udaquan had said something."

"What was that?"

"That the appearance of chosen ones like me signifies that our God has finally responded to our prayers, bestowing His will upon us... that we are merely altering the course of the world momentarily to bring divine punishment upon the usurpers, and that we should not doubt."

"...What?"

Unable to wait for Kishiar's next question, Yuder, unable to contain himself any longer, stepped forward and sharply interjected.

"So, you believe that the falling of the Red Stone and the emergence of the Awakener is the will of your God?"