Chapter 107: Dekan's Gambler-Style Interrogation Technique
"Rest for the night, perhaps?"
The lord seemed to assume that Dekan would be staying overnight at the lord's mansion. After all, Dekan seemed very pleased with the place.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate it if you could take me there tonight."
"I shall take you there after our meal."
Thus, the two of them began to enjoy their dinner in a rather relaxed manner.
Every dish seemed especially delicious to Dekan when he thought about the Resurgence Church followers suffering in the prison.
The pain of evildoers was indeed the best seasoning.
I really want to move this long table to the entrance of their prison cells and have them watch me eat...
Dekan couldn't help but think.
...
After finishing dinner with the lord, after a short wait, the lord arranged the trip to the Tristin City prison.
Soon, the lord and Dekan arrived at the enormous underground prison in a dedicated carriage.
In the pitch-black underground prison, occasional roars from prisoners echoed from the lower levels.
Some extremely wicked high-tier prisoners were detained on the lowest floor. Ordinary prison guards couldn't possibly make them obedient; they could only ensure that the prisoners wouldn't escape.
After entering the prison, the lord and Dekan proceeded straight down, reaching the lowest floor.
This level had only a few faint lights in the corridor, reflecting on the walls without creating the slightest ripple, as if the darkness was about to engulf the line of sight.
Presumably, the most vicious and dangerous individuals in the prison were detained here.
Although these two Resurgence Church followers were only tier 5, members of the Resurgence Church, undoubtedly, deserved to be on the lowest floor of the prison. After all, each of them could be directly considered a condemned criminal.
Dekan assessed the environment of the lowest floor of the prison.
Unexpectedly, it felt quite good.
In the future, the Rejoice Church should also create a confessional room in this style.
When the time comes, let's build it according to this style.
"This is it."
The lord led Dekan to the entrance of a spacious cell, separated by metal bars imbued with magic wards. Behind these bars was one of the Resurgence Church followers captured by Dekan in the cockpit. The other one was confined to a distant area to prevent any communication between the two prisoners.
"Dekan!"
The prisoner, upon seeing Dekan, gritted his teeth, a mix of resentment and fear evident in his expression. He had suffered considerably at Dekan's hands during their time on the magic airship.
This less-than-desirable individual, whose whereabouts and actions were unpredictable, left the prisoners uneasy.
"Hey, hey, don't be so nervous. I'm here to offer you a chance."
Dekan walked up to the iron bars, smiling as he addressed the prisoner inside.
Without Cornelia, he was unwilling to open the cell for a close interrogation of a tier 5 criminal.
Prisoner: "Haha, it is common sense to not negotiate with terrorists."
Dekan: "?"
Dekan: "Who are you calling a terrorist?"
Dekan's eyes widened, seemingly a bit angry. He felt offended.
That look made the prisoner's heart pound, and he immediately dared not speak again.
"Anyway, let's cut to the chase. Confess voluntarily and save yourself from suffering; it will be a different story if I have to extract the information from you myself."
Dekan sighed helplessly.
He wasn't concerned about how any Resurgence Church follower would react.
"Go ahead and try interrogating for the information you want before everything ends. If you are to take illegal measures to use torture, even if someone decided to cover for you, you won't escape the punishment of the Kingdoms Federation!"
The prisoner shook his head defiantly, expressing his resentment.
Even if Dekan offered the best conditions, even if he was willing to let him go, once he confessed, freedom would not be waiting for him; endless retaliation from the Resurgence Church would.
He was well aware of the significance of this mission to the Resurgence Church.
"No, no, no need to worry. After the interrogation, you won't have any scars, and Croix won't let you die."
Dekan recalled something amusing, chuckling twice.
"That said, it would be one thing if your operation is tonight, but if your Resurgence Church's scheme doesn't start for a couple days... I'm afraid you'll end up completely broken."
Dekan looked at the prisoner with a gaze that was seven parts pity and three parts mockery.
The last person who received such a gaze from Dekan was Baron Bacher from the Demon Academy's culinary classroom.
Unfortunately, at that time, when tormenting Baron Bacher, Croix wasn't by Dekan's side.
That was one of Dekan's major regrets.
The prisoner's pupils contracted.
He thought of something terrifying.
According to intelligence, Dekan had a healer teammate with an unclear significance.
Although his healing output was enormous, healing came with painful side effects, and his presence would increase the difficulty of the Shadow Worlds he entered.
At this moment, the prisoner's brain raced and he instantly understood the purpose of this healer presence by Dekan's side!
Dekan, this scum bastard!
He didn't want a healer; he wanted an invincible interrogator!
Croix's healing side effects combined with Dekan's expertise in causing pain, no living being on the surface could withstand their interrogation!!
"No, it's impossible. Croix won't be here!"
The prisoner quickly retreated a few steps, retreating until he could retreat no more, shouting with his back against the wall.
Compared to earlier, his words had completely lost their sharpness, leaving only endless fear.
Dekan grabbed the iron bars, peering at the prisoner as if he were about to stick his head into the cell, inexplicably grinning and whispering: "Your companion has already confessed. Your target is the Ice Princess..."
At these words, the expression of the prisoner finally underwent a drastic change, as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth splitting. He stared fixedly at Dekan, his body uncontrollably trembling.
"Do you know how we got him to talk? At first, he was as stubborn as you."
"Unfortunately, he can't speak right now. But that's only temporary, Croix is trying to wake him up."
"So, you still have a chance. You can skip all the pain your companion suffered."
"Confess now, and I guarantee you won't endure torture anymore. Besides, you can receive special treatment in prison, like a better room and delicious meals for each serving, right?"
"Of course. You only have a chance to confess now. Once your companion regains consciousness, you'll be useless."
After delivering this final sentence in a cold tone, Dekan fell silent, waiting for the prisoner to make a choice.
The prisoner's teeth chattered, and his gaze gradually became vacant.
"I, I confess..."
Without much hesitation, the prisoner answered in this way.
A satisfied curve formed at the corner of Dekan's mouth.
There was no Croix here.
Dekan had no idea that their target was the Ice Princess.
One relied on deception, and the other on guesswork.
Two easy steps to handle the prisoner.
Well, of course, if things didn't work out, he would still have to summon Croix. After all, Croix would arrive by tomorrow at the latest.
As for the conclusion of "targeting the Ice Princess," Dekan purely relied on a bit of luck.
After all, Dekan had obtained information from the informant Ourola that the Resurgence Church's target was related to the Tristin Academy.
Apart from having a tier 8 special card maker, there was nothing particularly special about the Tristin Academy worth the Resurgence Church's major efforts.
So, the Resurgence Church's target could either be something hidden in the academy, either a treasure or an evil presence, or the Ice Princess.
These were the two most common plotlines.
So, Dekan tried this out, deceiving the prisoner.
After all, there were two prisoners, and he could try each scenario.
It turned out that he guessed right.