Chapter 208: Interrogation

Back at Base 27, Cole was taken away by Kane for a private “interview.”

As the first mid-level spellcaster captured by Base 27, Cole’s value needed careful and patient extraction.

Upon entering Base 27, Cole was shocked.

Seeing Parker, he sensed the immense magical aura and his mind raced with thoughts.

In recent years, Cole had traveled extensively, knowing that the Norn Kingdom was a remote kingdom in the elven plane.

Spellcasters were few, and powerful ones even rarer.

A magician like Severus was considered top-tier in the Norn Kingdom.

Through his travels, Cole gained deeper insight into the world.

The more he saw, the more humble he became, realizing his talents were not exceptional.

He never expected such powerful spellcasters in the desolate Lim Mountains.

Magicians and grand magicians were present—what were they doing here?

Cole pondered this question, unable to gather information due to the language barrier.

“What language is this?”

Confused, Cole had traveled widely but never heard this language.

He never considered Helag and his group might be from another plane.

He speculated they were distant spellcasters gathering for unknown purposes.

Cole couldn’t fathom their goals; conquering the Norn Kingdom seemed impossible.

With their strength, they could easily conquer a kingdom, yet they hid in the Lim Mountains, indicating other motives.

Cole’s experience hadn’t exposed him to planar warfare, so he didn’t consider it.

This made Base 27’s actions seem strange to Cole.

Why were such powerful individuals hiding in a mountain range?

The surroundings lacked high-value resources.

In Base 27, Cole saw female adventurers, realizing those who vanished in the mountains were either dead or captured.

Cole knew he wouldn’t be returning.

…

Back in his cabin, Helag was greeted by Asna, who helped him change clothes and made coffee.

Helag pondered issues; the patrol faced a liquefied wizard-level task.

Next time, the enemy might be stronger.

If a crystalline wizard, he could manage.

But against stronger second or third-level wizards, he might not return to report.

Surviving five months, the remaining seven seemed daunting.

Seated, Helag sipped Asna’s coffee, the aroma filling the cabin, the firelight adding warmth.

A wooden rack held clothes, Helag’s and Asna’s, including black and white stockings from his space ring.

Previously bought for Shatia, the leftovers suited Asna.

Asna shyly washed and hung them to dry, drying them by the fire when possible.

Unable to go outside, she couldn’t hang clothes out, especially intimate ones.

Wearing over-the-knee black stockings, Asna awaited Helag’s instructions.

“Sit here,” Helag patted the spot beside him.

Asna sat obediently.

Helag rested his head on her lap, feeling her soft skin.

He closed his eyes, contemplating future plans.

Asna remained still, her breath brushing Helag’s face.

“Still hurt?” Helag asked.

Asna blushed, “A little…”

Her voice grew faint.

Helag, eyes closed, said, “Rest well tonight.”

Though resting, his hands remained busy.

“Mm~”

***

Base 27, basement.

Beyond surface structures, Base 27 had seven underground levels.

Helag hadn’t ventured down, requiring permission.

In an interrogation room, Cole was bound to a cross, secured by anti-magic chains.

“I’ll ask questions, you answer. Silence is futile; using spells for inquiry may damage your mind. As a valuable mid-level spellcaster, I don’t want to ruin this research material.”

Parker spoke from a chair.

Cole, silent until now, asked, “Who are you?”

His curiosity persisted.

“We’re seekers of truth,” Parker smiled.

“Truth? Are you a church?” Cole assumed they were religious.

Parker shook his head, “No, we wizards don’t worship gods.”

“Wizards?” Cole heard the term for the first time.

“We’re similar to your spellcasters, with slight differences in power systems,” Parker explained.

“Why haven’t I heard of this?” Cole wondered.

Parker produced scissors, “You don’t need to know. There’s much you haven’t heard. Answer my questions; silence or lies will cost you a body part.”

Parker brandished the scissors, their cold gleam threatening.

Cole’s mind raced, unable to grasp their purpose.

Wizards?

Even Severus likely hadn’t heard the term.

Which faction did they belong to?

No time to ponder, Parker’s questions began.

…

Two weeks later, Oberstein border camp.

Tyron paced anxiously, asking, “Has Mr. Cole returned?”

The messenger lowered his head, “We’ve monitored the Lim Mountains, but there’s no activity or sign of anyone leaving. Could Mr. Cole have…”

—