The Degree
Interrogations

From Mein's words, it seems that the mastermind behind the attack was a small union that formed a coalition to destroy the western union that has been in power for two years.

It seems that not only Erina but the Order will also be the next target. Mein did not know who was leading the massive rebellion.

“This rebellion has been planned systematically and effectively. I don't know if there is any other purpose behind this attack but in short they have big supporters behind them or there are certain people who provoke them.”

Ray was not convinced that the dozens of small unions were able to form a coalition in a short time just because of mere provocation.

It is much more believable that there are people behind the scenes who pull the thread as the puppeteer who plays the story.

Even so the main question is who pulled the thread.

“Is there really such a great person that is capable of manipulating many people in such a short time?” Terumi looked confused and started to think hard by it.

“You have to throw all those things away. This place is a place made by Secret, an environment where the more hidden someone the more dangerous he is to you in the future,” Mein said as she wrapped her feet in wood and bandages.

“Even if this coalition was formed last night it is still possible because somehow Degree is a big supporter that makes things difficult such as instilling trust very easy.”

An example is Erina's Degree that is able to give shackles to someone. Ray had already experienced it firsthand and he had no doubts about it.

“It's true. Just like Miss who started the union by controlling people, the existence of a certain figure who ruled seemed really not a surprising thing.”

If Mein admits it then Ray understands one thing. The fact that she accidentally revealed was that Erina had a Degree that was able to control someone.

Surely there was a condition for him to be able to do so but I only had a rough idea about it. If this is true then ... . Her thought.

“More than that what does the woman do? Where is Erina?”

When Ray brought Mein up stunned as if she had forgotten something.

“True ... The current miss is supposed to be heading towards the center the rebels are in. I have to go and help her!”

Mein tried to run but it seemed that she had forgotten that her leg was broken and it was impossible for her to force herself any further than this.

Ray immediately grabbed Mein who was about to fall and took her to a quiet and safe place to rest.

Mein seemed reluctant and tried to keep pushing herself but her strength was far below Ray so she could not oppose him.

“You better shut up and rest. I know that you no longer have any ability that can be used to fight.”

“What are you saying, I still have Degree—” Mein originally wanted to get angry but she stopped while looking at Ray in the eye.

His gaze was sharp and contained not a plea but rather a command. The command to obey him is better than by force.

“I remember that Degree used blood as his source of strength. In addition, your degree is certainly limited in its use even though it is very great. It looks very clear because your body looks smaller.”

Although using blood as energy was just a mere speculation of Erina but so far it was the closest to the answer.

“Then what will happen to you, Miss?! Although he is great, but his strength—”

“What's with his strength?”

“Itu—”

Mein immediately fell silent as she would accidentally reveal the Degree Erina had. He locked his mouth tightly and tried his best not to talk more.

“Despite what his Degree is, he is not a person who will lose easily.”

Ray did not doubt that on condition that Erina still had her cold head. If he got out of control even Ray couldn't guess what would happen to him.

“You don't need to worry, Ray and I will help him soon. So you can rest without worry.” Terumi smiled happily to Mein.

Just then Ray heard moans from someone who seemed to be suffering.

“At last you realized, huh? That's good because I have some questions to you.”

The moans came from two people who were tied up by Terumi. One of them is unconscious. Even if one other realizes he's useless.

Thanks to Ray's powerful punch his jaw was shattered and until now his mouth could not close. Letting him live was useless but that person could be put to little use.

“Gaston, oy, Gaston! Aware!”

“So that guy's Gaston his name. I'm sorry, he won't be conscious anytime soon. My punch not only shattered his jaw but it also seemed to have injured a nerve in his brain. Chances are he's in a coma.”

Regardless of whether it was true or not, Ray did not care at all. The most important part was that his words had an effect on him.

“Keepat you! If anything happens to him, I swear I'll kill you!”

“Be aware of where you are.” Ray took out a gun from his pocket and put his barrel in the mouth of this man named Gaston. “I have a place to kill you whenever I want.”

At least Gaston had value in the eyes of the other man.

He was silent when he saw the barrel of the gun right inside Gaston's mouth. If Ray pulls the trigger, his throat will shatter and give him a painful death.

“Please don't kill us! I'll do whatever you want to forgive us!”

“You gave up quickly. That nice. I'll warn you. If you want to betray do it from the beginning or terrible fate will befall you.”

That person's thinking must have come to what Ray meant. In a war or crisis situation the strongest weapons are not nuclear or firearms, but information.

No one can defeat the power of information.

“Alright, I promise!”

Ray nodded in satisfaction while Terumi and Mein watched him in silence. Both realized the best way to help Ray was to say nothing.

“To first say your name in one sentence.”

“N-my name is Gilbert.”

“What's Your Degree?”

“Sniper.”

“Which union are you from?”

“Southlue.”

“Show Your Name Card.”

“Ya.”

Ray reads Gilbert's Name Card and makes sure he doesn't lie. It was fortunate that he had stripped away all of his weapons because his Degree was quite troublesome to deal with.

“Have you heard of Southlue union, Mein?”

Ray knew just a name because he had previously memorized twenty unions in the Open World at registration.

Mein nodded, “That's the union based in the north of this city. In this city, Southlue is at number two after Redwest.”