Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1479  Interrogation

Kenny sat at a table in a dimly lit room.

He didnʼt know where he was, and he didnʼt know how he got here. One moment, he was inside the warehouse by the Anumay, and the next, he woke up in this small room.

A simple lamp hung from the ceiling, casting a dull yellow circle of light over the tabletop. The rest of the room stayed in the shadows.

Bare concrete walls. No windows. And only one empty chair across from him.

Heʼd been alone in this room for almost an hour. His hands rested flat on the table, fidgeting. His jaws were clenched tight. His right foot continued to tap the floor. He tried to force himself to stay still, but failed.

His performance was… flawless.

Kennyʼs teeth clattered, his gaze glued to the locked metal door in front of him. He was waiting for someone to enter, he was waiting for something to just… happen. The silence was deafening as it pressed on him from all sides.

He spread his senses outward and silently counted…

One, two, three… four and five, he thought to himself, his mind calm, cold, and calculating.

Three Mana Vortex Magi and two Mana Liquefaction Magi, including Devon.

Hmm, I was hoping a Councilor might be present as well. Was what I revealed not enough to draw the attention of a Mana Core Magus?

Earlier, he had given Devon just enough information to pique his interest. Adam knew that what heʼd divulged was enough to draw the attention of Mana Vortex Magi — Wardens — inside the Cult.

But apparently, it wasnʼt enough to lure a Councilor out of the hole.

Should I divulge a little more? He wondered.

If I could get in a room with a Councilor, Iʼd be able to advance my plan a step forward…

Although Iʼve mostly completed my objective of infiltrating the Brotherhood, going a few steps further would have been slightly advantageous.

Well, it doesnʼt matter, anyway. I always knew this was a long shot. Relying too much on luck will make me complacent.

I suppose I shouldnʼt get too greedy. Letʼs see how things turn—

His train of thought was interrupted when the door to the room suddenly opened.

Creak!

Kenny perked up, his brown eyes flashing with a ray of hope. He saw his former trainer, Devon, enter and couldnʼt help but quickly say:

”Did you inform your superiors? I can give you intel! A-and what of my safety afterward? P-please, sir… I need proof of my—”

”Calm down, Kenny.” Devon smiled gently as he took a seat.

”B-but—”

”I said, calm down.” Devonʼs voice turned colder.

Kenny couldnʼt help but nervously gulp.

Devon returned to his calm and gentle demeanor.

”You claimed to have found evidence about corruption within the Brotherhood,” he said. ”You do know these are some serious allegations, donʼt you?”

”I-I know!” Kenny nodded. ”But this is the truth! Earlier, I believed that the difference between the two sides within our organization was purely political, but… it turns out there is something far more sinister at play!”

”I see.” Devon nodded. ”Where is the evidence? Can you show me?”

Kenny forced a smile. ”Sir, w-what about my requirements?”

”Ah, yes, of course.” Devon smiled. ”Rest assured, we will protect you. By the way, humor me a little.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing. ”Whom are you seeking protection from, anyway?”

”Spies from the Cult!” Kenny blurted out. ”I already told you! I-Iʼm not lying. You must believe me. Please…”

”I see. Of course.” Devon nodded in understanding. ”These Cult spies… do you know who they are?”

”N-no, there wasnʼt enough time to read the entire list.” Kenny shook his head nervously. ”No, I mean, I just read a few names. High-ranking members… I think.”

”What list?” Devon pressed.

”The list containing the names of all the compromised members,” Kenny truthfully said.

”And where did you come across this… list?”

”At…” Kenny almost blurted out the answer, but at the last moment, he pressed his lips shut. And then, he just chose to remain silent, his eyes trembling in fear.

Devon sighed. ”Kenny, you have to be transparent with us. If you want our protection, then you have to tell us everything you know.”

”No!” Kenny adamantly refused. ”Not unless you give me guarantees about my safety. A mana oath!”

The Agentʼs expression darkened. ”A mana oath? Are you even listening to yourself? What if we do swear a mana oath, and your information turns out to be bogus? What then?”

Kenny gnashed his teeth, hesitation flickering past his eyes.

”Who else have you divulged this information to?” Devon asked gently.

”N-no one, I promise!” Kenny sincerely said.

”If youʼre lying, weʼll know.” Devonʼs eyes narrowed. ”You see these runes etched on the floor? They can detect your heart rate. You know what that means, donʼt you?”

Kenny nervously lowered his head and glanced at the faint runes inscribed on the floor. Of course, he had already noticed them beforehand. These runes were usually used in the field of herbalism, applied while treating patients in intensive care.

Seeing the youth grow visibly nervous, Devon smirked slightly. He knocked the table loudly twice, then asked, ”Results?”

Kenny was nervous, wondering what he was talking about.

But the next moment, a voice echoed from outside the room, delivering judgment that made Kennyʼs heart sink.

”Deception indicated.”

”See?” Devon shook his head, sighing in disappointment. ”Youʼre lying.”

”No!” Kenny blurted out, his body trembling in fright. ”Ask me again! Ask me again!”

He took several deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.

Devon patiently waited for a few moments, then asked again. ”Who else have you divulged this information to?”

”No one!” Kenny spoke resolutely.

Devon turned his head, waiting for the answer.

And then came the judgment.

”…Truth.”

Devon couldnʼt help but frown. Kenny, on the other hand, quickly said. ”See! I wasnʼt lying! I have critical intel, and I didnʼt divulge it to anyone except you!”

The frown on Devonʼs face deepened. ”But we clearly saw you with Lebu Potts earlier.”

”I didnʼt tell him what I told you,” Kenny explained frantically. ”Only told him that I have evidence of corruption within the Brotherhood, and that it was tied to Baron Veyne. He believed me immediately, because the initiation mission heʼd given me was related to the Baron!”

Devon remained silent for a long time, head turned to the side as if he were listening to someone.

At last, he shook his head. ”We cannot swear a mana oath without you giving us anything.”

He paused, sighing helplessly. ”And since you wonʼt divulge more information without us swearing a mana oath, how about we do this...”

”Anything!” Kenny quickly agreed.

”Meet us halfway,” Devon said in a bewitching voice.

Kenny nervously gulped. His expression twisted unnaturally as he displayed his inner turmoil. At last, he nodded.

”Fine,” he said. ”Iʼll tell you…”

”Go on.” Devon gestured, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.

What Kenny said next made Devon and the rest of the Magi standing outside the interrogation room turn pale.

”I… I know… No, I am certain,” Kenny began.

”There is a high-ranking member of the Cult of Bones in the city!”