Episode 28: The Proof of the Devil

 

"Huh...?"

 

What is this?

 

The gathered force was to detain us?

 

But why? ...I don't know. I can't think of any reason.

 

"This isn't a joke, is it?"

 

From the look in Guild Master Grave's eyes, it was clear he was serious.

 

"We, the royal capital guild and the knights, have obtained some unsettling information about the 'Black Mist Blade.' Powerful adventurers capable of defeating suddenly appearing area bosses. Adventurers who have left the clan in question. Although there is no conclusive evidence, we thoroughly investigate suspicious elements."

 

"......⁉︎"

 

The reason the coup d'état attempt by 'Sieg' against 'Black Mist Blade' failed was because the government discovered the plan and took thorough countermeasures.

 

I see...! In the original scenario, Raven and Lugas, who failed to assassinate Lisha in the city, were captured and confessed everything. This cleared Lisha of any suspicion.

 

However, my involvement has complicated the scenario.

 

In a delicate situation, a 'too strong' adventurer suddenly appeared and for some reason teamed up with Lisha, a former executive of 'Black Mist Blade'... No wonder we're being suspected.

 

Defeating the area boss drew too much attention... Is that it?

 

But we really have nothing to do with the coup d'état plan.

 

"It's a misunderstanding. We have no connection with 'Black Mist Blade'!"

 

"That's right! This is outrageous!"

 

We desperately tried to argue—

 

"Hmm, quite calm for being suddenly surrounded. Even more suspicious. Whether you're connected or not is for us to determine. —Detain them and take them underground."

 

Damn... My knowledge of the original story backfired. Even if I didn't know, I don't think the situation would have improved...

 

So, what to do?

 

We could force our way out and escape... but that would only make us look more suspicious.

 

...Oh well. There's no helping it.

 

We should just comply with Grave's demands for now.

 

Since we haven't done anything wrong, proving our innocence should be the quickest way.

 

"Ra... Rain..."

 

Milia looked at me anxiously.

 

"It's okay. They'll understand it's a misunderstanding soon."

 

"I hope so..."

 

And so, we were fitted with silver restraints—magical tools that inhibit the use of magic—and taken to the adventurer's guild's underground.

 

◇

 

The three of us were placed in separate cells.

 

The space was devoid of any light except for the bluish-white illumination from the magical tools. Although I had played 'Sieg' extensively, I had no idea the adventurer's guild had such an underground space.

 

The game and this world are not completely identical, but if they are, this space might have existed on the game map as well.

 

"Rain, it's time."

 

A guard called my name.

 

In this space, it's hard to tell the passage of time.

 

It seems Grave interrogates us one by one, and now it's my turn.

 

I was escorted by the guard to the interrogation room.

 

Inside the room, there were only two chairs facing each other across a table.

 

The guard left the room, leaving me and Grave alone.

 

"So, ready to confess?"

 

"Confess what? We have no connection with 'Black Mist Blade'."

 

"Hmm. Quite stubborn. Let's see how long you can hold out."

 

"It's the truth. I swear to God, I'm not lying."

 

"All liars say that."

 

It seems no matter what I say, he won't believe me. Grave is suspicious of me from the start, so saying I don't know anything is meaningless...

 

Still, there's no way to provide evidence proving our innocence.

 

"Whether you interrogated Milia or Lisha first, there should have been nothing suspicious. Because we really don't know anything."

 

"Indeed, there was nothing suspicious in Lisha's statements."

 

"Then—!"

 

"But that alone doesn't prove your innocence. Even if you are truly uninvolved, we must be overly cautious regarding the safety of the capital's citizens."

 

Sure, it's reassuring that they're this strict.

 

But for the innocent, it's nothing but a nuisance.

 

After that, Grave kept asking me about the 'Black Mist Blade' plan, and I kept saying I didn't know anything for hours.

 

"Well, let's call it a day."

 

"A day...?"

 

"We'll continue until your innocence is proven or one of you confesses. Understandable, right?"

 

How many days will this take?

 

It could be weeks... months... No, once the coup d'état by 'Black Mist Blade' is executed and the culprits are caught, our innocence will be proven.

 

But being detained until then is too much...

 

"You'll feel better if you confess, you know?"

 

"I told you, I don't know anything."

 

I was escorted back to my cell by the guard.

 

In that case, escaping by force might be an option.

 

I can break out of this cage anytime. Although these magical tools restrict magic, they only bind single attributes. I can forcibly break them.

 

Once the leader and executives of 'Black Mist Blade' are caught, our innocence will be proven. Escaping and returning after that might be a choice.

 

Well, anyway, it's time to sleep now.

 

If I do it, it will be tomorrow.

 

◇

 

After Rain was returned to his cell, Milia was called for interrogation.

 

Since both Lisha and Rain were interrogated for a long time, Milia spent many hours alone in the dark cell.

 

During this time alone, Milia had time to gather her thoughts.

 

And she came to a conclusion.

 

"So, ready to confess?"

 

Grave gave Milia a malicious smile.

 

Milia, unperturbed, smiled back and said,

 

"Yes. I'll confess."