[Siena PoV]
In front of me sat a black-haired man roughly 18 years old—three years younger than myself. His hands were handcuffed behind his back, and his expression remained weak from the massive blood loss he sustained during our fight three days ago.
"Miss Siena, how am I supposed to eat if my hands are bolted behind my back like this?" he complained, sounding like a child.
On the table sat a sandwich and a glass of water intended for the man before me. Previously, when I attempted to begin the interrogation, this man only answered with the pitiful, rumbling sound of his starving stomach. I had relented and asked the ship's cook to bring food.
"I have fulfilled your request, yet now you show no gratitude for my kindness," I countered.
In response, Raul began pressing his cheek against the table. He moved his mouth back and forth, trying to reach the sandwich on the plate. I had intentionally placed it in the center of the table, just out of this black-haired man's reach. The ridiculous expression on his face as he struggled to grab the sandwich made me want to laugh.
I knew I shouldn't harbor such feelings for the person who had slaughtered my squad. However, this is war. If we do not kill or exploit each other's weaknesses, how else are we to achieve victory? Soldiers on all sides are killed in this conflict. Therefore, unnecessary sentiments like these should not cloud my judgment.
After several minutes, Raul finished the sandwich provided to him.
"I didn't expect the person who gave 40,000 troops such a hard time they had to abandon the Empire's Eastern region to be a mere academy student," I remarked.
Not only that, but despite being only 18, his combat demeanor was that of a Knight who had survived hundreds of life-and-death battles. He could even use the Reject Impact spell, which only a handful of people in this world have mastered. Yet, during our fight, I never saw him use his Mana Nature or his Profound Codex at all. Was there a specific reason he held back against me?
"Miss Siena, you say that without looking in a mirror," he shot back. "You're only three years older than me, yet you possess strength equal to or greater than a Grand Espada, and your intellect is famous across the continent for revolutionizing the Venetian Republic's systems and other amazing innovations."
I looked down slightly at his words. All the knowledge I possess isn't purely the result of my own efforts, but rather from peering into the memories of two women whose lives I dreamt of while in a coma years ago. In essence, all these "miracles" weren't truly mine.
Looking back at the man, I gave him a sharp gaze.
"So, how did you enter our territory? It's impossible to climb through the Montana mountains, and it's equally impossible to pass through the Mazovia Forest filled with wild beasts."
My plans for the Empire's Eastern region were ruined by him because I never expected them to cut off the logistics for 40,000 Draconia Kingdom troops. Furthermore, my intelligence unit and I had thoroughly scouted the mountains and found only one secret path safe for an army. They couldn't have used that one since we guarded it heavily, which meant they found another secret route through the peaks.
"Will I be treated well if I speak honestly?" the man asked.
"At the very least, you won't lose your life as long as you are my prisoner," I answered.
"Fair enough," he said. "Before fighting me, you chased my squad but couldn't find them, right?"
I nodded in affirmation. I and the juniors were the ones who pursued his squad. However, after following the route they took, we found no sign of them. At the time, I racked my brain trying to figure out how they vanished. Soon, I realized that the group we followed was merely bait to give Raul de Garcia time to slaughter the Seniors following him. It was my greatest mistake. I thought this man had made himself the bait, but it was the other way around.
"We found the Dwarf labyrinth in those mountains," he revealed casually.
Dwarves...
A race that hasn't made contact with humans for hundreds of years. How did the Empire find them? Moreover, what deal did they strike to be allowed passage through the labyrinth? I realized I needed to evaluate the Intelligence Unit's operations to ensure such a fatal error never happened again—one that turned my perfectly prepared plans into chaos.
"And how did you communicate with your spies in the Military Logistics Department?"
At my question, Raul's face shifted to one of slight surprise. He looked at me with a gaze sharper than before.
"Did you execute him?" he asked, expressionless this time.
"You're right. It was because he refused to open their mouths," I replied, leveling my revolver at his forehead. "You will meet the same fate if you don't answer my question."
Yet, despite being threatened with death, the man before me stared into my eyes without showing a hint of fear or resignation.
"There is an artifact called the Light Bubble that allows us to communicate over long distances," he revealed. "We obtained these artifacts from the Dwarves as part of our agreement."
"What kind of agreement?" I pressed.
"You know, Dwarves are very fond of alcohol. In exchange for the alcohol supplies we provided, the Dwarves gave us several valuable artifacts they possessed."
I detected a lie in his body language. However, I had read that Dwarves do love alcohol. Was what he said half-truth and half-lie?
"I received reports that the Empire used Scorched Earth tactics to face the Draconia Kingdom forces by burning food supplies and fields in the Cataluna Margraviate. Does this mean you planned to cut their logistics from the start?"
Honestly, I felt the Empire knew our secret strategy to attack from the East. Every move they made seemed too fast and effective at countering the strategy I had meticulously prepared.
"Exactly. The Empire—and specifically I—knew you would attack from the East," Raul stated. "That's why we could easily counter the tactics you used when attacking Cataluna."
Hearing his answer, I lowered the hand holding the revolver. So that was it. My strategy had been read before the war even began. I had underestimated them.
"How did you know we would attack the Empire's Eastern region?" I asked curiously.
At this, the black-haired man actually smiled.
"Melissa..."
My eyes widened in shock as he murmured the alias I had used to spy on the Empire's Eastern region. Months before the war broke out, I had disguised myself as a drink shop vendor to gather information and incite groups dissatisfied with the state. During my time there, I first met this man—Raul de Garcia. We talked about many things. I never imagined he realized all along that I was a spy from the Venetian Republic.
But how? I had altered my face with an artifact given by my mother so I would be unrecognizable.
"I still want to taste the drinks you made, you know," the man said mockingly.
I glared at him again. This man... he knows everything. I didn't think an academy student could be this dangerous and well-informed. I realized I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, even if he looked unconvincing. I thought I had stopped underestimating the enemy and was acting cautiously.
"How did you see through my disguise back then, Raul de Garcia?" I had to know how my "perfect" cover was blown to avoid the same mistake.
"Do you remember when you were about to leave Cataluna Fortress City after the monster and demon attack?" Raul asked back.
I nodded.
"I remember you asked me for a blood donation before I left, didn't you?" I said.
Raul then explained that he suspected me of being a descendant of a Hero from the Mier Nation. That was why he wanted my blood—to open a secret chamber in the Mier ruins within the Mazovia Forest. He then pointed toward my neck, specifically at the locket hanging there.
"You have an artifact from the Mier Hero that can change appearances, don't you?"
I opened the locket and showed him the artifact left by my mother.
"You mean this?" I pulled the locket from beneath my uniform collar.
"Exactly. The Hero of the Mier People had two artifacts that could be paired to become a new, more powerful artifact."
Once again, I was shocked Raul knew this. Only my mother and I knew about this artifact and the fact that it had a counterpart. However, even we didn't know where the counterpart was. He said that if the two were joined, a new power would emerge, greater than the sum of its parts.
Many questions flooded my mind. How did he know I was a Mier descendant? How did he know I could change my appearance?
"I know the location of the matching artifact."
— Thump!
He knows where it is? For years, my mother and I wanted to know the truth of our lineage. Why was I born able to use magic despite being of Venetian descent? Was it mere coincidence or a special cause? All the answers I sought were held by this man.
"I will tell you the reason why you were born with such rare magic, and I will tell you the truth of your lineage, Miss Siena," the man said. "But first, you must answer the questions I give you honestly."
What kind of questions did he want to ask?
"Have you ever entered someone's body? Or had visions of a world different from this one?"
— Thump!
Again, how did he know? Was it a guess? Did he know the reason I experienced those phenomena? How should I answer? This is my greatest secret. Yet, I also wanted the truth about myself and the artifact my mother gave me.
"I will answer if we perform a Blood Pact," I offered.
The man nodded, stood up, and turned his back to me. I stood, drew a knife, and cut my palm.
"Hey, can't you unlock these handcuffs to make this easier?" he asked.
"Don't be fussy."
— Srattt!
"Arrgghhh!" the man cried out as my knife cut his palm.
I pressed our palms together, mingling our blood.
"Recite the oath," I commanded Raul.
"I swear not to spread the information Siena di Reginossa gives me, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and will never use this knowledge to harm her or her country."
"I swear to answer Raul de Garcia's questions honestly and without lies."
After the oath, a red rune appeared on our hands. The rune was slowly absorbed and vanished completely. Once the ritual was done, I sat him back down to continue.
"So, what is your answer?"
I could only sigh.
"You're right. I once had visions of the lives of two women," I revealed. "The first is Liana de Grantz—the Hero and strongest Grand Espada in the Empire's history. The second is Liana Rosentina—a woman from a world called Earth."
Raul didn't look surprised at all. Had he predicted this?
"That's why you could use her sword techniques during the final strike of our fight, isn't it?" Raul said.
"Exactly. I can use all her knowledge in battle because I saw her life from the perspective of Liana de Grantz herself," I answered.
Next, I began telling him about Earth—the world where Liana Rosentina lived. That world is very different from ours. Humans there cannot use magic like the Venetians here. However, their civilization is far more advanced. Their technology can perform miracles as if it were magic itself. I admire the humans there; without magic, they made life easier and more prosperous than in our world.
"And what about the woman named Liana Rosentina?"
I began telling Raul about Liana's life. Liana was the daughter of a renowned military weapon businessman in her country. She always had a different view of the lifestyle of those in her family's social circle. Furthermore, she had a traumatic experience when she indirectly caused her first friend to commit suicide. This made her reluctant to socialize with people who didn't judge her based on her background. She lived in isolation, lonely, unable to share the beauty of life with anyone.
However, her colorless life changed when she met a man named Evans Baxter. They met while preparing to enter a prestigious university. From there, they slowly grew close and understood one another. Because of the vast difference in their family backgrounds, their relationship was always plagued by those in Liana's social circle. Yet, they faced it bravely until they became an ideal couple.
As I spoke of Liana's life, Raul's expression looked strangely nostalgic. I ignored it and continued. Their relationship grew strained when Liana's family tried to arrange her marriage to the son of a famous oil tycoon. Liana asked Evans to marry her immediately, but Evans was busy managing a project he called his lifelong dream. I don't know what project he was making, but because of this, they decided to end their five-year relationship. Liana then went to Evans' residence to say her final farewell. But...
"Then what happened after Liana said her final goodbye to her ex-boyfriend?" Raul asked, sounding curious.
"She died," I answered briefly. "After leaving her ex-boyfriend's home, Liana and her fiancé were involved in a transport accident that killed her instantly."
Not long after Liana died, I woke up from my coma in my current world. Dreaming of her life changed mine drastically.
I finished the story and looked back at Raul. But unlike before, his expression was now hollow, as if there was no soul left in his body.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
I tried calling him, but he remained silent and did not respond. What is actually happening to him?