Chapter 108: Leave No Witnesses

Odhran had experienced pain before.

As an Awakener who had spent years venturing into Dungeons and Beyond, he had suffered broken bones, torn muscles, and wounds that would have killed ordinary humans. He had endured those injuries because pain was something he understood. It had a beginning, an end, and usually a reasonable explanation.

What he had just experienced was something else entirely.

His memories had been invaded.

Even after regaining consciousness, Odhran could still feel an uncomfortable sensation inside his head, as though someone had rummaged through his thoughts and left everything scattered.

His vision occasionally blurred, and whenever he attempted to remember certain moments from the expedition, a sharp headache followed.

Across the table, Lucien was examining a dark-purple key that had materialized between his fingers.

"You’re quite fortunate, Mr. Odhran," Lucien remarked, studying the key with an expression of mild fascination. "Most people subjected to such an extensive examination suffer considerably worse consequences. Your constitution as an Awakener has served you well."

Odhran raised his head slowly. Blood had dried beneath his nose, and his throat felt painfully dry. Nevertheless, the hatred in his eyes remained unmistakable.

"You bastard," Odhran rasped, struggling against the restraints. "What the hell did you do to me?"

Lucien looked almost offended by the question. "I examined your memories, naturally. I thought that would have been obvious by now. Although I must admit, the expedition you participated in was far more interesting than I anticipated."

Odhran’s expression changed.

Lucien noticed immediately.

"Ah, there it is," the interrogator continued, smiling as he leaned forward. "That look tells me you understand what I’ve discovered. The valley, the beasts, your companions, and of course, that magnificent golden tree. Quite an extraordinary adventure you had."

Odhran felt his stomach tighten.

They knew. Whatever this man’s Divine Rune had done, it had allowed him to witness the expedition. The Palladium Tree, the fruits, and perhaps even the identities of everyone who had participated were no longer secrets.

However, Odhran remembered something else.

The stranger had been unable to obtain the tree’s location.

"Then you’ve already gotten what you wanted," Odhran replied, forcing himself to remain calm. "You know where the fruit came from. There’s nothing else I can tell you."

Lucien’s smile gradually disappeared.

"Unfortunately, that isn’t entirely correct," he explained, placing the key on the table. "I know what you discovered, but I don’t know where you discovered it. Every attempt to examine the route ended with the memories becoming distorted. It’s a rather fascinating phenomenon, actually."

Odhran lowered his gaze, concealing the relief that briefly crossed his face.

The Red Seal.

He couldn’t be certain, but the oath they had sworn after obtaining the Palladium Fruits was the only explanation he could imagine. Whatever protection it provided, it had apparently prevented the stranger from extracting the expedition’s exact route.

Lucien watched him carefully before sighing.

"I considered attempting another examination," he admitted. "However, I’ve already searched the relevant memories several times. Repeating the process would accomplish little besides damaging your mind further."

Odhran looked up sharply. "Then release me. You have your fruit, and you’ve taken everything else you wanted."

For several seconds, Lucien simply regarded him.

Then he laughed softly.

"Release you?" Lucien repeated, sounding genuinely amused. "Mr. Odhran, surely you don’t believe this organization would allow someone who has seen our faces to walk away. Particularly someone with connections to a powerful Awakener like Captain Adesewa."

Odhran’s blood ran cold. Before he could respond, the interrogation chamber’s door opened. ℯ

Corvin entered alongside two masked men. Unlike Lucien, who maintained the appearance of a polite gentleman, the newcomers made no attempt to conceal their intentions. One carried a short sword at his waist, while the other held a small metallic case.

Corvin approached the table and examined Odhran.

"Is there anything else we can obtain from him?" Corvin asked, glancing toward Lucien. "Our employer wants confirmation before we proceed."

Lucien shook his head, his expression returning to its usual composure. "Nothing useful. I’ve identified the expedition members and confirmed the tree’s existence, but its location remains inaccessible. Keeping him alive won’t change that."

Odhran began struggling violently.

"Wait!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he pulled against the restraints. "You can’t seriously be thinking of killing me! Captain Adesewa will come looking for me, and when she finds out what you’ve done, every last one of you will regret it!"

Corvin studied him without the slightest change in expression.

"Captain Adesewa is already being handled," he replied.

Odhran froze. "What did you say?" he demanded, staring at Corvin.

The silver-haired investigator ignored the question and turned toward the masked swordsman. "Make it quick. We have other matters requiring our attention."

Odhran’s heart hammered against his ribs.

He tried desperately to summon Mana, but the restraints continued suppressing his Divine Rune. The seven ravens tattooed along his right arm flickered weakly before falling dormant again.

"No! Listen to me!" Odhran shouted, twisting against the chair. "I have money! I can pay you! Whatever they’re offering, I’ll double it!"

The swordsman approached without answering.

Odhran’s breathing became frantic. He had faced monsters that could tear Awakeners apart, yet never had he felt so helpless. There was no bow in his hands, no opportunity to maneuver, and no companion waiting to cover his retreat.

Lucien quietly rose from his chair and stepped aside.

Odhran looked toward him one final time.

"Please," he begged, his voice trembling. "I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have sold the fruit. Just let me go, and I swear you’ll never hear from me again."

Lucien adjusted his spectacles, avoiding the prisoner’s desperate gaze.

"I’m afraid that decision was never mine to make, Mr. Odhran," he answered.

The swordsman drew his blade. A cold flash crossed the interrogation chamber, followed by the sickening sound of steel cutting through flesh and bone.

Odhran’s head separated from his shoulders before his body could even collapse. Blood sprayed across the restraints and pooled beneath the chair. His severed head struck the floor with a heavy thud, rolling once before coming to rest near the table.

The seven black ravens on his arm faded completely. Odhran, the archer who had survived the dangerous expedition into Beyond, was dead.

Corvin barely glanced at the corpse.

"Dispose of everything," he instructed the masked men. "No remains, no belongings, and nothing that could identify this location."

Lucien watched as the body was removed, his expression thoughtful rather than disturbed. After a moment, he collected his gloves and followed Corvin out of the chamber.

***

An hour later, Corvin and Lucien stood inside a spacious room where thick curtains concealed every window.

Only a single lamp illuminated the center of the room, leaving the far end swallowed in darkness. Somewhere beyond that darkness, a figure sat behind an enormous desk.

Neither visitor could clearly see the person’s face.

"Report," a voice instructed from the shadows.

Corvin stepped forward and lowered his head respectfully.

"The seller has been eliminated, sir. We also recovered the fruit and confirmed that it originated from an expedition into Beyond. Captain Adesewa Afolayan led the group, which consisted of twenty-nine participants."

A brief silence followed.

"And the source?" the mysterious figure asked.

Lucien adjusted his spectacles before answering. "A Palladium Tree, sir. I witnessed it through the prisoner’s memories. The expedition harvested fifty-seven Palladium Fruits from its branches."

The darkness remained silent for several seconds.

Then a quiet laugh echoed through the room.

"Fifty-seven," the figure repeated, sounding delighted. "And we paid one hundred and twenty million Union Dollars for a single fruit."

Corvin nodded cautiously. "Yes, sir. If the others possess similar properties, their combined value would be extraordinary."

"You’re thinking too small, Corvin," the figure replied. "Fifty-seven fruits are valuable, certainly. But what happens when those fruits are consumed or sold? They’re gone. The tree, however, remains."

Lucien understood immediately. The mysterious figure leaned forward slightly, although the darkness continued concealing every identifying feature.

"I don’t want a collection of expensive fruits," the figure continued. "I want the source that produces them. Imagine possessing something capable of yielding treasures worth hundreds of millions. Every powerful Awakener, every wealthy Guild, and every ambitious organization would eventually come begging."

Corvin exchanged a glance with Lucien.

"Unfortunately, sir," Lucien explained carefully, "there’s a complication. Although I witnessed the tree, the memories containing its location were inaccessible. Something interfered whenever I attempted to examine the expedition’s route."

The figure’s amusement faded.

"Can the other participants provide that information?" the voice asked.

"Possibly," Lucien answered. "The interference may affect them as well, but we won’t know until I examine another person’s memories."

Corvin opened a folder.

"We’ve already eliminated several expedition participants while investigating the fruit’s origins," he reported. "Others remain under observation. Captain Adesewa and her immediate Raid Team are particularly troublesome, but we have identified their known associates."

The figure remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Then expand the operation. Capture the remaining expedition members wherever possible. Recover every Palladium Fruit they possess, and extract everything they remember about that tree."

Corvin bowed. "Understood, sir."

"And Corvin," the figure added, its voice turning colder, "don’t limit yourselves to the expedition members. Their families, friends, business partners, and anyone they’ve recently associated with may possess useful information. I want every possible connection investigated."

Lucien frowned slightly. "Even those who never entered Beyond?"

"Especially them," the figure answered. "People become careless around those they trust. A secret that survives interrogation may already have been whispered across a dinner table."

Corvin studied the information in his folder.

"Two young Awakeners accompanied Adesewa’s expedition," he reported. "Jethro Saint-Clair and Frey Valentin D’Aubigné. Both are currently in Zenith City."

The figure considered their names briefly.

"Add them to the list," the voice instructed. "And make certain nobody has an opportunity to warn the others."

Corvin nodded before turning toward the door.

However, the mysterious figure spoke once more, stopping him. "One more thing, Corvin. We’ve already wasted enough time dealing with these people individually. I want the remaining targets struck before they realize what’s happening."

Corvin turned back, awaiting further instructions.

From within the darkness, the figure issued its final command.

"Prepare every available team. Tonight, we attack all remaining targets in Zenith City simultaneously."