CHAPTER 291: INTERROGATION

Seven days.

Grim had spent seven full days observing the elven camp from his concealed position in the hills above.

Guard changes happened precisely every four hours. Supply convoys arrived twice weekly from the northeast.

Most importantly, Grim had confirmed the presence of at least twenty-three human prisoners, including several women who could potentially be Lianna.

The elves kept their captives in separate buildings based on apparent value, with the most important prisoners housed in the heavily guarded central complex.

"Day seven," Grim muttered to himself as he observed the morning patrol departing. "Same routine as always."

[You’re getting impatient,] Caius observed.

"I am."

The sound of approaching footsteps made Grim draw Echo silently, his body tensing as figures appeared on the ridge behind him.

Four people moved carefully through the rocky terrain, all wearing dark cloaks and moving with the practiced silence of trained fighters.

The lead figure raised a hand in greeting, and Grim felt a surge of relief as he recognized the petite form of who it was.

"Lord Ambrose," she said quietly as she approached his position. "Empress Alexia received General Chen’s message."

"Huangyan." Grim sheathed Echo and turned to face the small group. "I wasn’t expecting you so soon."

"I brought assistance."

"Captain Wei," Grim acknowledged the senior member of the group, a scarred veteran whose reputation preceded him. "Sergeants Liu and Zhang."

"My lord," Captain Wei replied with a respectful bow. "We’re here on imperial orders to assist with prisoner extraction and intelligence gathering."

"What’s the situation in the capital?" Grim asked as he gestured toward the elven camp below.

"Tense," Huangyan replied. "Emperor Yanyu’s forces are stretched thin. The empress believes that disrupting this operation could significantly impact their ability to coordinate attacks."

"It would." Grim pointed to various structures within the camp. "They’ve established a full military command center. Supply depot, prisoner processing facility, and what appears to be a communications hub for coordinating with other elven forces."

Huangyanstudied the camp. "A direct assault would be costly."

"Which is why we’re not making one," Grim said. "I’ve been watching their patterns for a week. They send out regular patrols on predictable schedules. Our first mission is to capture one of their patrol leaders alive."

"Intelligence gathering," Huangyan nodded approvingly. "Extract information about their command structure and the location of high-value prisoners."

"Exactly. The morning patrol left an hour ago, following the same route they’ve used for the past seven days. They’ll return through the northern pass around midday, tired and less alert than when they departed."

"How many in a typical patrol?" One of the hooded figures asked.

"Eight elves, led by what appears to be a lieutenant-level officer. They’re well-armed and coordinated, but they’ve grown complacent from routine." Grim said.

"Psychological warfare first," Grim replied with a cold smile. "I want the patrol leader to see what happened to his fellow elves before we take him. Fear makes prisoners more cooperative."

Huangyan raised an eyebrow. "What happened to other elves?"

Grim reached into his pack and withdrew the cloth bundle containing his collection of elven ears. As he unwrapped it, the four imperial soldiers stared at the grisly trophies with expressions ranging from approval to shock.

"Forty-six pairs," Grim said matter-of-factly. "Collected over the past week from various encounters."

"You’ve been busy," Captain Wei observed with professional interest.

"The elves in this region now know that someone is hunting them specifically. Word has spread through their patrols. They’re nervous, which makes them prone to mistakes."

"And you want to exploit that nervousness," Huangyan said, understanding immediately. "Use their fear against them during interrogation."

"Precisely. Fear of becoming another trophy in my collection should make even a trained officer more willing to provide information."

Sergeant Zhang, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Those wards will detect any significant disturbance."

"Which is why we’re operating outside the ward perimeter," Grim explained. "The patrols have to pass through several unprotected areas to reach their routes. We’ll hit them in the northern pass, interrogate the leader, and eliminate the rest before anyone in the camp realizes what happened."

"Timeline?" Captain Wei asked.

"The patrol should reach the ambush point in approximately three hours. We’ll position ourselves in the rocks above the pass and wait."

Huangyan examined the terrain through her own viewing scope. "Excellent sight lines, multiple escape routes, and natural cover. Good choice."

"I’ve had a week to plan this," Grim replied. "Every detail has been considered."

For the next two hours, the group prepared for the ambush. Weapons were checked, positions were assigned, and contingency plans were discussed.

Im the next fee moments, the sound of approaching voices echoed through the pass below.

"Eight elves, as expected," Captain Wei whispered from his position among the rocks.

Grim watched the patrol through a gap in the stone formations. The elves moved in standard formation, with scouts ahead and the leader positioned in the center where he could direct responses to threats.

They looked tired from their morning patrol, and their conversation suggested they were just bored.

"Perfect," Grim murmured.

He gave a subtle hand signal, and the ambush began.

Huangyan moved first. Two elves dropped before they could raise an alarm, their throats cut with precision.

Captain Wei and his sergeants struck next, emerging from concealment to engage the patrol’s backs.

Steel rang against steel as the surprised elves tried to mount a defense.

Grim descended into the pass like an avenging spirit, Echo blazing with aurora energy as he cut through the patrol’s front line.

The patrol leader, a tall elf with elaborate armor indicating senior rank, managed to draw his sword before finding himself facing a blade that hummed with deadly power.

"Surrender," Grim said simply. "Your choice is cooperation or death."

The elf looked around at his fallen soldiers, then at the collection of ears hanging from Grim’s belt. Fear flickered in his ancient eyes as he recognized the implications.

"I yield," he said, dropping his weapon.

Within minutes, the engagement was over. Seven elves lay dead in the pass, while their leader knelt in bonds with his hands secured behind his back.

"Efficient," Huangyan observed as she cleaned her blade. "Your week of observation paid off."

Grim nodded toward the bound elf. "Now comes the important part."

They moved their prisoner to a concealed cave system Grim had discovered during his surveillance. The natural chambers provided soundproofing and multiple exit routes while remaining undetectable from the elven camp.

Captain Wei positioned his sergeants as sentries while Huangyan prepared her interrogation tools. The captured elf was secured to a natural stone formation that served as an effective restraint.

"What’s your name and rank?" Grim asked, settling into a position where the prisoner could clearly see his collection of trophies.

The elf remained silent, his jaw set with typical elven arrogance.

"Huangyan," Grim said without taking his eyes off the prisoner. "Begin your work. I want to know everything about their command structure, prisoner locations, and communication methods."

"With pleasure, my lord," she replied, selecting a thin blade from her kit.

The elf’s eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. His gaze flickered between Huangyan’s tools and Grim’s collection of ears, and for the first time, true fear appeared on his ancient features.

"Wait," he said quickly. "I... I may be willing to discuss terms."

"No terms," Grim replied coldly. "Only information. The more cooperative you are, the quicker this ends."

Huangyan approached the prisoner calmly. "I suggest you begin with the camp’s command structure," she said, her voice carrying the kind of quiet menace that came from extensive experience.

The elf looked between his captors, calculating odds that were clearly not in his favor. Finally, his shoulders sagged in defeat.

"Commander Thalorin leads the camp," he said reluctantly. "He reports directly to the Eastern Command in the mountain stronghold."

"Good start," Grim said. "Continue."

"The human prisoners are divided into three categories. Military personnel for interrogation, civilians for labor, and high-value individuals."

"Where are the high-value prisoners kept?"

"The central complex, under constant guard. They’re... they’re being prepared for transport to the mountain stronghold."

Grim felt ice form in his stomach. "When?"

"Two days," the elf admitted. "A special convoy arrives tomorrow to collect them."

"Which prisoners qualify as high-value?"

The elf hesitated until Huangyan moved closer with her blade. "The Celestis noblewoman, two Yanyu officers with strategic knowledge, and several merchants with trade information."

"Describe the noblewoman."

"Tall, dark red hair, fire magic affinity. She’s been... resistant to interrogation."

Grim exchanged glances with Huangyan. That description matched Lianna perfectly.

"Continue." Huangyan demanded, her blade gleaming in the torchlight.

The elf began providing detailed information about shift changes, patrol routes, and magical defenses. As the interrogation continued, a clear picture emerged of the camp’s vulnerabilities and the timeline they were working against.

Two days to mount a rescue operation before Lianna and the other high-value prisoners were moved beyond reach.

"Excellent work," Grim said as Huangyan concluded the session. "Now we know exactly what we’re dealing with."

The captured elf slumped in his bonds, exhausted from the prolonged questioning. Fear and defeat had replaced his earlier arrogance.

"What do we do with him?" Captain Wei asked.

"He’s served his purpose," Grim replied with no emotion.

The elf’s eyes widened in understanding. "You promised..."

"I promised nothing," Grim interrupted. "You chose cooperation over torture. That was the extent of our arrangement."

Echo flashed once in the torchlight, and the cave fell silent except for the sound of dripping water.

"Forty-seven pairs," Grim said, adding the new trophy to his collection.

Huangyan watched him work with professional interest. "So what’s our next move, my lord?"

"We have less than forty-eight hours to plan and execute a rescue operation against a fortified position," Grim replied. "Tomorrow night, when they’re preparing for the convoy, we strike."

"That doesn’t give us much time for reconnaissance," Captain Wei pointed out.

"It gives us enough time for what I have in mind," Grim said with a cold smile. "Besides, I’ve been studying their defenses for a week. I know exactly how we’re going to get in."

"And get out?" Sergeant Liu asked.

"That part will require improvisation," Grim admitted. "But sometimes the best escape plan is making sure no one’s left alive to pursue you."

The imperial soldiers exchanged glances that suggested they were beginning to understand exactly what kind of mission they had volunteered for.

"Rest tonight," Grim continued. "Tomorrow we review final details and prepare equipment. Tomorrow night we’ll collect Lianna and send a message that will echo throughout the elven territories."

"What kind of message?" Huangyan asked.

Grim looked toward the direction of the elven camp, his eyes reflecting the torchlight with predatory intensity.

"That hunting humans was the worst mistake they ever made."