Chapter 147
Chapter 147: The four interrogation rooms
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[Name] Vincent Agius
[Growth potential] Unknown
[Blood type] Unknown
[Bloodline origin] Unknown
[Blood refined] Stage One
[Noble bloodline] No
.....
[Criminal bloodline] No
[Criminal bloodline origin] Unknown
[Treat level] Caution is advised
[Result]
The analysis of the Bloodstone deems the blood examinee as an unknown variable.
The examinee has no criminal records.
The examinee has reached Blood Tempering Stage One.
The examinee’s noble origin is underdetermined.
Caution is advised as the remaining information is underdetermined.
Use a higher grade Bloodstone for the chance of a more accurate test.
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“I’m not a bad person. It’s just that my blood is tainted, that’s all.” Vincent promptly stated after the results weren’t that much in his favor. An unknown variable is dangerous most of the time.
[Why did you have to talk after the results so quickly? Only people with a guilty conscience dispute the result the moment it becomes known.]
Vincent felt he made a terrible mistake. No one can rewind time, and mistakes are permanent. The puzzled expression on all the soldiers’ faces soon appeared both by the never-seen result and Vincent’s explanation.
“You are lucky someone from high above requested proper treatment for a disciple of a prominent cultivator sect. Tell me what this tainted blood story is and then what happened until your arrival here. Tell me your business to coming here and...” Plavin said with a conflicted expression.
If it wasn’t for Feng Mengli’s disciple identification, Vincent might have to undergo an arduous interrogation, it seemed. The Bloodstone displayed not only the result but also the best action to take.
Vincent’s blood had undergone a change at a molecular level, changing his DNA entirely after being infected. Vincent and his parent’s DNA became so different that it would be impossible to say he was their offspring. Nevertheless, the Bloodstone magical technology is advanced enough to notice something is different with Vincent.
*sigh*
Plavin sighed. He tapped on the table with his index finger and continued, “Well, tell me everything. I need to judge your threat level personally. If I determine you aren’t a threat, then I will be able to dismiss you from further interrogation and let you enter on probation.”
Vincent nodded and suddenly stopped like a statue for three entire seconds. The four soldiers stared at Vincent’s sudden action with caution. Was he thinking a way out or simply preparing to fight his way off?
*a... choo!*
Vincent sneezed loudly, breaking the four soldiers’ concentration. However, it was a fake sneeze to hide what he did in those long three seconds.
Vincent entered his Soul Domain for three minutes which is equivalent to three seconds in the living world. Vincent and Kazumi cooked a story of his origin and left the rest of the traveling story the same.
“I’m sorry if I startled you. Everyone tells me I sneeze weirdly, hehe.” Vincent chuckled as if it was a natural occurrence.
His acting skills under pressure improved by the day. In other words, Vincent was becoming more fearless and frank with every new experience.
[Looks like it worked. The cleaner and secretary are hiding their mouths with their cheeks visibly puffed from a smile. The other female soldier is facing the other way while Plavin is simply nodding.]
“Ahem... could you start now?” Plavin regained control of the interrogation after he loudly cleared his throat.
Vincent nodded and started with his origin story. It began how his family was a low-ranked noble family from the Berlucia Kingdom.
Vincent mentioned how he was a child when the family of three personally transported their merchandise and used it as a family bonding time. However, they were attacked by an unknown Demonic Beast halfway.
Defended by their guards and protected by his parents, Vincent managed to survive with a few deep wounds. The last time he felt his parent’s touch was when they placed him on a horse with a young servant and slapped the horse to run away.
The servant found a small rural village and explained what happened to the village chief before succumbing to her injuries. The village treated Vincent, and he managed to survive by sheer luck.
Vincent mentioned how he had lost his memories because of the trauma he suffered. The village was kind enough to raise Vincent without asking about his origin in fear of making horrible memories resurface.
It took a few years for his memories to return. He also experienced an awakening that surprised the entire village. It was similar to a shapeshifter, berserker, and summonable equipment. But Vincent stated how he couldn’t remember the appearance of the Demonic Beast up to this day.
“And that’s how my blood must have changed. The blood of the Demonic Beast that flowed through my wounds, the herbs and other things given to me for treatment must have mutated my blood. But at least I survived. That’s why I have a surname and probably not seen as noble anymore. Though I don’t know if I am.” Vincent ended his origin story with these words.
[Well done. These four soldiers seem to believe your story, and I think one or two have a tear in their eyes.]
[Since now you are going to continue with the story I heard dozens of times, I will go and look at the others. I’m interested and worried about the interrogation of Ester, Lupa, and Tula.]
-Leave it to me. I will use my condition as an excuse for some pity points if their expression looks undecided.-
[Ok, but I’m a bit worried.]
-Huh? For what?-
[I’m afraid you are becoming more astute. It will be harder to tease you.]
-Aren’t you the soul of the Knowledge Hero? Your knowledge knows no bounds. It will take a second to annoy me no matter how clever I become.-
Kazumi felt happy with the amount of consideration Vincent showed. Then she used Soul Export to exit his body and left the room without the need to look back.
The Vincent now isn’t the same easy to fluster Vincent of Earth. He can take care of himself now. Only a push to the right direction every now and then is required, Kazumi believed.
Vincent started telling the story of Tival Village while Kazumi entered the adjacent room. It was the room where Lupa was being questioned.
Vice captain, “Based on the blood test, you are an ordinary beastman with a few unknown results. So why don’t you have a collar around your neck?”
Lupa, “I already told you what happened. My mate said humans like to place collars on non-humans. Is it what is called, hmmm... ahh, yes! A fetish!”
Vice captain, “Stop your nonsense. I’m already treating you with respect since you are a beastman with unknown blood origin.”
Lupa, “Humph. I’m a white wolf.”
Vice captain, “There has never been a report of a beastman of the white wolf race. The white wolves are too proud to mix-breed. The forced ones kill themselves after knowing of their origin.”
Lupa, “Then one is in front of you now, hehe.”
Vice captain, “This is not a joke... *tsk*.”
Vice captain, “Messenger. Please go to check on the situation of the other rooms for me. I can’t get anything out of this hardheaded one. Being instructed leniency sucks.”
Lupa, “Why are you angry? I said the story as you wanted. Do humans other than my sister and mate forget their words quickly?”
Vice captain, “Gah...”
Kazumi laughed as she watched Lupa play passive, innocent, and mocking the vice captain at the same time. However, the standing of the beastman didn’t look too great in the city.
‘Well, Lupa doesn’t have much difficulty in her interrogation. I’ll go to the next room.’ Kazumi exited the room from the door and entered the corridor.
The messenger in charge of Lupa’s interrogation room entered the opposite room to check on what was happening. The curious Kazumi followed the female soldier and saw Ester with the Bloodstone result window still open.
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[Name] Ester
[Growth potential] High
[Blood type] A
[Bloodline origin] Berlucia City and Deshumdum Region
[Blood refined] No
[Noble bloodline] Half Noble
[Criminal bloodline] No
[Criminal bloodline origin] No
[Treat level] Safe
[Result]
The analysis of the Bloodstone deems the blood examinee as safe.
The examinee has no criminal records.
The examinee’s noble origin is half from the Berlucia Kingdom, and the other half is that of a commoner from the Desert Continent.
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.....
“We will put you on probation for an undisclosed amount of time. We need to assess if you are a spy from the Selos Kingdom, Berlucia Kingdom, or the Desert Continent. Furthermore, this treatment is because of the leniency order.” The vice captain said with authority.
“Would I be tortured if not?” Ester took a sip from a cup of tea. The cleaner soldier was ordered to serve Ester a cup of tea and a few biscuits because of her half noble blood.
“That information is classified, but let me ask you one last time, from what noble family do you hail from? What was your birth gift?” The vice captain asked while tapping his index finger.
“I already told you how my parents died in a fire, and then I lived in Tival Village of the Selos Kingdom up until now. The birth gift was lost, but it was an ordinary sword. It looked cheap with no family crest on it.” Ester dipped a biscuit in the tea and took a bite.
Ester looked in control of the situation, but her heart was racing like mad since she was trying too hard to look relaxed. The only way to hide her anxious emotions was to drink tea and eat biscuits. She would ask for a refill when the tea disappeared in her mouth. The number of teas she drank was about to reach a dozen.
‘Ester seems fine, but I know she can’t stand this anymore. Hiding her face with a cup of tea will still make her suspicious, hehe. At least the vice captain is acting gullible and isn’t saying anything to Ester’s obvious acting. A professional interrogator would smell her anxiety from miles away.’ Kazumi thought before deciding to visit the last room.
Kazumi entered the last room, but a heavy sight welcomed her. Ben was signing a document, and then Tula was next with a gloomy face. Both looked sad, but Kazumi entered the room after most of the important process took place.
“The witness and the retiring soldier have signed the document. As of now, Tula will no longer be a soldier of the state. She will be compensated with an annual fee for the service provided thus far.” The vice captain announced.
Ben held Tula’s hand with a reassuring hold and said, “Don’t worry, Tula. The amount is small, but it will help your family until you get your memories back.”