CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 208: INTERROGATION

After returning to Base 27, Cole was taken away by Kane for a private conversation.

He was the first middle-tier caster captured at Base 27, and they needed to carefully and patiently extract his value.

When Cole entered Base 27, he was completely shocked.

Upon seeing Parker, he sensed the powerful magic aura emanating from him, and many thoughts flashed through his mind instantly.

Cole had traveled around the world these past few years, and he knew that the Noen Kingdom was considered a very remote kingdom in the Elf Plane.

There weren’t many casters here, and those who were strong were even rarer.

A magic master like Sifler was already considered the pinnacle of combat power in the Noen Kingdom.

Cole had visited many places over the years, gaining a lot of knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world.

The more he saw, the humbler he became, realizing that his talent was not that impressive.

Cole never imagined that the desolate Lime Mountain Range would harbor so many powerful casters.

Magic masters and great mages alike, what were they doing here?

As Cole pondered this question, the language barrier prevented him from gaining any useful information from their conversations.

"What language is this?"

Cole was somewhat puzzled; he had traveled to many places but had never heard such a language.

He never considered that Herag and the others might come from other planes.

Instead, he guessed that casters from a very distant place might have gathered here for some unknown purpose.

Cole couldn’t fathom the objective of these people; it seemed impossible that they were planning to seize the Noen Kingdom.

With the power to easily conquer a kingdom, yet hiding within the Lime Mountain Range, they clearly had other motives.

However, Cole’s experience had not reached the level of plane warfare, so he never thought in that direction.

This made the actions of the people at Base 27 seem very strange to Cole.

Why would such powerful individuals hide within a mountain range?

The surrounding area did not appear to have any high-value resources.

Within Base 27, Cole saw several female adventurers, who were also looking at him.

He realized then that the adventurers who vanished into the mountains were either dead or captured.

Cole also knew that he probably couldn’t return.

...

Back in his cabin, Herag quickly welcomed Asuna, who came to change his clothes and brew coffee.

Herag was contemplating certain issues; the task faced on this patrol was already at the Liquid Wizard Level.

Next time, the enemy might be even stronger.

If it’s a Crystalization Wizard next, he might still be able to handle it.

But if it’s stronger Level 2 or Level 3 Wizards, he might have to consider if he’ll have the opportunity to report back.

Having safely passed five months, the remaining seven months didn’t look as easy.

Herag sat down and took a sip from the coffee Asuna poured.

The aroma of coffee filled the room, and the firelight reflected warmth on Herag’s face.

Inside the cabin was a row of wooden racks hung with many clothes.

Some belonged to Herag, others to Asuna.

There were also black and white stockings, originally stored in Herag’s space ring.

Previously, he bought quite a few for Chatiya; these leftovers were perfect for Asuna.

Asuna received them with some shyness, yet she carefully washed all the clothes and hung them out to dry.

When she had time, she would bring them by the fire to dry.

Since going outside was not possible, hanging clothes outside was out of the question.

More importantly, many of the clothes were intimate wear, and Asuna was not comfortable putting them outside.

Asuna was wearing a pair of black over-the-knee stockings, standing by waiting for Herag’s orders.

"Sit over here," Herag patted the spot next to him.

Asuna came over and obediently sat down.

Herag rested his head on Asuna’s lap, feeling the softness of the young girl’s skin.

He closed his eyes for a moment to rest, pondering the subsequent arrangements in his mind.

Asuna remained still, her breath softly brushed against Herag’s face.

"Does it still hurt?" Herag asked.

Asuna hesitated, then her cheeks reddened: "It... still hurts a bit..."

Her voice grew increasingly softer, barely audible.

With closed eyes, Herag said, "Then rest well tonight."

Of course, even while resting, his hands did not remain idle.

"Mm~"

...

Base 27, basement.

Besides the buildings on the surface, Base 27 had a complete seven levels underground.

Herag had never gone down before; entering the basement required certain permissions.

At this moment, in an interrogation room.

Cole was bound to a cross, his entire body restrained by specially made anti-demon iron chains.

"I ask questions, you answer. Silence is useless, and if I use magic to inquire, it will cause some damage to your mind. You are an excellent middle-tier caster with high research value, so I have no wish to ruin you as research material."

Parker spoke while seated on a chair.

Cole remained silent, but finally spoke: "Who are you people?"

This was a point of confusion for him.

"We are a group of truth seekers," Parker smiled.

"Truth? Some church members?" Cole thought they might be followers of a church.

Based on Parker’s actions, it indeed resembled that.

Parker shook his head: "No, we wizards do not believe in gods."

"Wizards?" Cole had never heard of this term before.

"We are similar to your casters, but with slightly different power systems," Parker explained.

"Why have I never heard of it?" Cole asked with skepticism.

Parker took out a pair of scissors: "That’s nothing you need to know, there are many things you haven’t heard of. Next, I’ll ask questions and you answer them; if you refuse or I catch you lying, I’ll snip off one of your organs or parts."

Parker waved the scissors, which made a snipping sound and gleamed with cold light.

Cole’s mind raced, still unable to grasp the purpose of the opposition.

Wizards?

He believed even Teacher Sifler had never heard of this term.

Which faction did this belong to?

Yet, he had no time to think further, as Parker’s questions were coming.

...

Two weeks later, Oberstein Border Camp.

Tyrion paced anxiously, then turned and asked, "Has Mr. Cole not returned yet?"

The order officer lowered his head: "We’ve been keeping an eye outside the Lime Mountain Range during this time, but there’s been no activity inside, nor has anyone come out, could it be that Mr. Cole..."

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