Phisovia was still lying on her bed, and I continued to hold her hand. This incident made me realize that I have a great responsibility to my subordinates and maybe those who worship me as well.
Can I protect and lead them properly? In my original world, I was just an ordinary college student with no purpose in life. And now, I'm building something beyond my own comprehension.
However, if I ran, I might be unable to forgive myself for the rest of my life. That would probably be more torturous than continuing this.
And I will never see them again.
I looked at the cave wall with a sharp gaze. So be it. I will continue to do all of this.
Due to the overflowing emotions, I subconsciously tightened my grip on Phisovia's hand. She reacted with a flinch, making me rise from my seat.
"Phisovia?"
However, the red-haired succubus didn't respond anymore. She returned to her previous state, like a sleeping princess.
Apparently, it won't be that easy. She wouldn't suddenly wake up with just a little stimulation.
"Can you hear me, my love?" I whispered to her, holding back my tears. "Don't worry. I will heal you and avenge the person who made you like this."
I rubbed the succubus' smooth face with the back of my finger. Then, I kissed her forehead.
And the call icon in my game UI is twinkling.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"How are things over there, Xenora?" I answered the call.
"He's about to speak, my lord." The woman answered.
"Good." I keep my breath under control. "I'm going there now."
I rushed out of the room, signaling the succubus outside to enter. I don't want Phisovia to be left alone.
With a brisk pace, I stepped into that cave passage, then stopped in front of the cell.
Tears filled the prisoner's face. He was holding the iron bars while looking at Michelle.
That woman was lying on the ground, sobbing with ragged breaths, covered in blood, and some parts of her bones had been crushed.
"How could you let your little sister suffer for four hours?" I lifted my chin slightly, giving that man a cold stare. "Xenora already said that we gave Michelle a special potion, right? She will neither faint nor die despite constant torture."
"Please, no more…" Seth sobbed. "I will say what I know."
"Then, first question." I hissed, bringing my face closer to the captive. "Where is the antidote of the poison that paralyzed my succubus general?"
Seth gulped. "Sorry, but I don't know about that..."
Before that man could finish his words, I approached Michelle. The woman looked at me in terror and cried even louder. "Please! I've had enough!"
"I really don't know where the poison is made, let alone the antidote!!!" Seth became hysterical.
"Then, who orders you?" I crouched next to Michelle, triggering the woman to crawl, but Xenora stood before her.
"The king ordered us through the Shadow's higher-ups!" Seth knelt down and sobbed. "My partner and I were just doing a reconnaissance mission, didn't mean to hurt your people."
"Unfortunately, that comrade of yours died from falling from a height." I grabbed Michelle's hair and lifted her head. "Otherwise, I can ask him to confirm."
"Please, stop this…. Michelle is innocent… She knows nothing…."
"Okay, I'll change the question. What's the purpose of the king sending you?"
Seth shook his head. "I don't know that too. We never know the purpose of our assignments. We just need to get them done."
"I was thinking about what to do if you really don't know anything." I dropped Michelle's head to the ground. "Maybe I'll cook your little sister, but I'll keep her alive while we chop her up little by little."
Michelle flinched and crept up to escape. However, Xenora stepped on her crushed foot, triggering her scream to fill the cave again.
"I will give you the location where the Shadow organization is!!!" Seth shouted again. "I won't lie to you!!!"
I looked at Seth again, signaling Xenora to let Michelle go. "Well, at least we'll have something."
The prisoner lowered his head, took a deep breath, and then spoke. "The base, as well as the training ground, is at the foot of Mount Theatian. It's in the north, about two weeks by horse."
The place is quite far. I still need about five days, even by flying.
"I'll check it out later. If you lie, the others will suffer the same fate as Michelle, maybe worse." I looked at the tortured woman who was still lying on the ground. "Kyla, Hayden, Martin, Alina, Zachary, Jamie…"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEvery time I said those names, Seth's mouth grew wider. Those people were his friends at the orphanage back then.
No, they're not his friends but family. They lived under the same roof at that time.
I have no plans to stop. "... Rowan, Luke, Tia, Phoebe..."
"Stop!!!" Seth cut me off. "Forgive me! I will tell the truth!!!"
"You still have the heart to lie even though Michelle is almost dead." I hissed, punching the bars of the cell. "Choose your words carefully. I already have the names of the children in that orphanage. Ah, I might also visit that place later to greet the children who live there right now."
"How could that be…. Why are you so cruel?"
"Answer me!!!" I'm starting to lose my temper.
"The location of Shadow's base is indeed at the foot of a mountain, but it's in the northeast." Seth clenched his fists. "It's a week from here by horse. The mountain's name is Sannetine."
"Then, regarding the location where the poison was made, or who made it…."
"I really didn't know that!" Seth snapped, looking so desperate. Then, he continued his speech in a slower tone. "Like I said before. We, the shadow members, are just carrying out orders. We don't need to know too much."
I also felt he was telling the truth. There's no more information to extract from him.
"Please. Let Michelle go." Seth sobbed again. "This is enough. Don't you feel bad torturing her like that?
"Not really." My lips form a little smile. "That's because we didn't actually do that."
I snapped my fingers at Michell. The woman's expression turned blank. She then stood up, and the wounds on her body disappeared fast.