NOVPUBThe first time Gloena and Lusan witnessed the opening of the "truth's" mouth, they both inhaled sharply.
"What is your name?"
Yuder asked with an expressionless face, and Aton mumbled something in the Southern language that was barely understandable.
"Say it again in the Empire's language."
"The Wolfstone's Shade... Udaqwan Aton Jin."
The Wolfstone's Shade's Udaqwan, huh. Yuder recalled the words used by the Southern death gods he had briefly encountered in his previous life. The Southern people, being close to a tribal confederation, didn't have a consistent naming structure. In official settings, they would often attach words related to their tribe, family, or profession in front of their names for distinction.
‘So, I should understand that "The Wolfstone's Shade’s Udaqwan Aton Jin" is the name used for formal introductions.’
Yuder made a mental note of that, then turned his gaze to the two people who couldn't even catch their breath, staring at him.
"I think it's fine to speak freely now. He seems to be completely caught in Gloena’s ability."
"Ability? When did you use it? We were just playing cards, weren’t we?"
Lusan looked at Gloena and the cards in disbelief. From his perspective, he had just been following orders and played a few rounds of cards with Aton, so it must have been a shock when everything suddenly ended. Gloena, still pale from tension, barely managed to clasp her hands and let out a long, trembling sigh.
"Priest, actually, I secretly used my ability during the game."
"Really?"
"Yes. Honestly, I wasn't sure if it would succeed, but... thanks to Commander’s help, it really happened."
"He helped you... you say?"
Lusan's eyes blinked rapidly in confusion. Yuder, leaving the bewildered Lusan behind, calmly complimented Gloena.
"It must have been difficult since it was your first proper attempt, but you did well. How are you feeling?"
"I... I still don’t know for sure. I’m still shaking..."
Gloena was overwhelmed by the fact that her first attempt with her ability had actually succeeded. Given her heightened emotions, it was understandable that she was finding it hard to gauge her power.
‘It’s strange that she's still conscious after using such unfamiliar and great power. Normally, she would have fainted immediately. I guess the excitement is keeping her awake.’
Yuder instructed her to take ten deep breaths. After confirming her pale face had gained some color, he asked again.
"How long do you think Aton will remain unconscious like this? Still no way to estimate?"
Gloena, staring at Aton, furrowed her brow and concentrated.
"I can’t say for sure, but it shouldn’t be too long... maybe just about the time it took for one game..."
"Understood. Then, for now, please step outside, calm your mind, and rest. If you feel like you're going to faint, make sure to tell the priest."
"Faint?"
Both Lusan and Gloena looked at him in shock. Yuder calmly explained that after using great or unfamiliar power, it was common to feel drained to the point of fainting. Afterward, he opened a small window above the door that had been closed.
As soon as Kishiar, leaning against the door outside, caught Yuder’s gaze through the window, he smiled.
"It seems it was a success."
"Yes. We don’t have much time left. Please come in."
For confidentiality in the interrogation, Lusan and Gloena stepped out, and Kishiar entered. Kishiar, passing by those who had worked hard, patted their backs, offering words of gratitude.
"Good work. It must have been difficult, but thanks to the two of you, it looks like we can finally solve this tough problem."
"No... no! I just..."
Gloena, who had been casually dismissed as a mere decorative flower pot, was flustered when Kishiar, in true commander fashion, addressed her with graceful praise. Lusan, feeling like he had been of little help, shook his head with embarrassment.
"I barely said anything while helping with the interrogation. You flatter me."
"No, not at all. Priest Lusan was the one who made the biggest contribution today."
"Me?"
"You're really good at card games. Without the priest’s skill, I don’t think we would have gotten such a good result."
"Is... is that so? Haha."
Lusan, still unsure of what great thing he had done, left with a bewildered look on his face, disappearing beyond the door.
"Don’t give the priest too much praise. He might actually believe it’s true."
"And you recommended that other members of the unit learn to play card games from me, didn’t you?"
"How could my words compare to the weight of the Commander’s praise?"
"What’s the difference? The words of the unit’s top performer. That’s worth far more to me."
Once again, Yuder knew he couldn’t win with words. He gestured toward Aton, who was still hunched over with his head down.
"We should get started with the interrogation. Time’s running out."
"Right."
Kishiar wiped the smile from his face and sat by Yuder, straightening up. The gentle atmosphere that had surrounded him instantly turned to a cold, silent tension.
"Alright. Aton. You were sent here under the orders of the Wolfstone's Eye Tribe. Am I wrong?"
"...How dare you. Such a rude question. I am Udaqwan, a direct descendant of the Wolfstone's Eye Tribe. That’s why I was chosen, and so the term 'order' is not fitting."
Yuder’s irritation was subtly stirred by Aton’s prideful response, despite being under a curse that forced him to speak only the truth. This was not like brainwashing power; his true nature came out in his speech. Though it couldn’t be helped, Yuder clenched and released his fist a few times, holding back his rising anger.
‘Should have dealt with him properly first, teaching him some manners before putting the curse on him.’
"So, you're saying that as a member of the Wolfstone's Eye Tribe, you were chosen to be the Udaqwan and thus hold responsibility for this? Because they needed someone belonging to both the tribe and the Black Moon Sect after their union. Is that the reason?"
Aton fell silent for a moment before responding.
"Yes."
"Why did the tribe and the sect form an alliance after so long? When exactly was the union made?"
"...It started 17 years ago, when the current tribe leader took his {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} seat and declared his intention to restore the glory. He went to see the first Udaqwan, attempting to form an alliance for a long time and sent me, among other kin, as proof of trust. However, the formal union wasn’t made until... two years ago."
"Two years ago, huh. That’s conveniently around the time the Red Stone fell."
"...."
"What does 'restoring glory' mean?"
"It refers to the time when the power of the god we serve was widely worshiped. When we were the rulers north of the desert... returning to that time."
"Are you saying that your goal is war to destroy the Or Empire?"
"...That’s just a process. There are other nations north of the desert besides the Empire."
It was a shocking story. A cold shiver ran down Yuder’s spine as he listened. However, Kishiar’s expression remained unchanged as he continued his calm questioning.
"Then, does that mean your influence reaches not only the Empire but also other desert nations in the north? But, was it really necessary to 'shake the balance of the land' with such dangerous actions to restore glory?"
Aton remained silent for a bit longer before slowly speaking again.
"...I wasn’t permitted to know the truth of that. But when I was given the task to break the balance, the first Udaqwan spoke."
"What did he say?"
"That the appearance of others like me, chosen ones, meant that the god had finally answered our prayers and sent us the will. We are merely changing the flow of the world briefly to punish the usurpers deserving of divine retribution. Do not doubt it."
‘...What?’
Yuder couldn’t wait for Kishiar’s next question. Unable to hold back, he leaned forward and spoke sharply.
"So, you believe that the fall of the Red Stone and the emergence of Awakeners was the will of your god?" 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
