
“Hmph, how? Are you scared? If you're afraid of dying, then tell us what you know”
The ignorant interrogator said so with an arrogant expression that made Rio snort through his nose. Seeing that, the ingerogator hit Rio's nose.
“Who is the main culprit behind all this? From my superior investigation, you and those delinquents never met in person with the main culprit but received orders through third party”
Rio was fed up with everything. But he could do nothing more, but
denying will only worsen the situation. Thinking about it, Rio thought he
the victims were caught in a political shootout that took place inside the palace
Workings.
If that's the case, then everything is understandable. Getting rid of the perpetrators by poisoning their food and leaving Rio to take care of himself. Sure he is
will be interrogated because he is the only person left in contact with
the incident.
Rio calmly analyzed the information he had gathered so far. Someone might take advantage of the benefits of the incident. The main culprit is the most likely candidate since the delinquents have been removed to destroy the remaining evidence.
The losing side will fall into a difficult situation and try to get information from Rio.
For example, the main culprit might just be the King, if he is a ruthless person who does not have
doubt by using a child as a political chess piece. But
probability low.
Other than the King, the one who had the most advantage from this incident should be a very influential noble.
But those with close ties to the royal family do not have
the urge to do it.
There was no way they would do that because they would gain nothing from the fall of the King. For that reason, the one who tried to get the best benefit from this incident was neither the King nor the nobles related to the King.
But when it had come this far Rio was worried, he was caught in a political dispute between
patricians. (Don't joke!) Rio showed a smile that was tinged with madness in his mind.
An influential noble lost in the current power struggle and used all their efforts to force Rio to confess, while the victorious party was against him.
As long as the losing side is suspicious, Rio will not be released. Such suspicions would be very difficult to clear. The interrogators kept on interrogating and kept on asking Rio questions.
If things are not going well, giving a false confession is one of the things that is possible.
(If I can give a false confession that made the losing side fall, there is
chances are I can be free) but he can't escape.
“Who was the one who told you? Is that a child of a lower-class noble? You've actually received combat training, ‘kan?"
Without getting tired, the interrogator continued to ask Rio questions. Carrying a stick, a stick,
the interrogator tried to provoke him by hitting his cheek.
“...Peh” Rio spat out saliva mixed with blood on the integrator. She wanted
it removed the bit of hatred he felt.
Even if it shows resistance
it will not change his fate. He should not be able to kill Rio without orders.
“...Fuck you!” Angry, the interrogator yelled at Rio. At that moment, the cell door opened. Looking at the man who had just entered, the interrogator immediately stood up straight.
“W-Vice Captain! I-It..”.
“Tenace. How's it going?”
The man who had just entered was named Alfred Emal. He was the second son of the Emal family
the one in charge of protecting the royal family and the palace.
Getting into the cell, Alfred waved his hand at the integrator. He then turned his gaze towards Rio.
“Ha~ As I suspected, even with a little bit of violence she won't say anything. Like the attitude of a rebel. With such mental strength, I really want to know if he is just a little boy”
Alfred put a hand on his mouth as he listened to the words.
“Jadi .... Where's Commander?” Looking from his expression, it seemed like the interrogator wanted to ask something.
“The commander is busy because there is business, so I came as his replacement”
Hearing that, Alfred was slightly surprised. The interrogator explained the situation and Alfred turned his gaze to Rio.
“Hmph-deep. Are you really the orphan who saved Hime-
same ?”
“...” Alfred's voice echoed in the cell.
Although he was still fairly young with his age that was even less than 30s, he could emit a powerful pressure that ordinary people would not be able to handle. But Rio
just ignoring the question.
“Attemptation!” Shouting, an Imperial Guard standing beside Alfred approached and struck Rio.
Rio moved his body as much as possible to reduce the impact of the attack
and set a cold look at the knight.
"....." When he saw his eyes, the guard involuntarily flinched.
“Interesting, even I can't make this homeless boy talk” Alfred looked at Rio while judging himself. They both stared at each other.
“I understand..”
After staring at each other for a while, Alfred muttered in a low voice as if he realized something.
“Fumu, take this kid to training”
“Understanding! You listen. Fast walk!”
After which, the interrogator snatched the chain attached to Rio's neck and handed over
chains on the Imperial Guard. Rio did not put up any resistance, but he was still withdrawn
rudely by the guards.
The prison is located in the basement, but the training ground is outside. The appearance of the Beltram Working Palace was nothing more than a small palace surrounded by sturdy stone walls, but it was a very artistic palace with white stones as its base.
However, in order to resist against enemy invasion, a sturdy fortress was made with a large area. Various luxurious and precious items were scattered everywhere inside the palace walls.
In this place, Rio was walking through a vast corridor facing outward with pillars lined up regularly and red carpets scattered on the floor.
During the walk, the palace guards and servants stared at him curiously.
The knight who guided him ignored them and continued to guide him.
(It's the same as the monkey exhibit, yes. No, this is even worse) They looked at Rio with a sharp gaze mixed with sympathy and contempt.
The high-class civilians he passed occasionally in the hallway displayed the same expression. When he met the gazes of those who were looking at him, they turned their eyes away.
“We've reached” And Rio's taken to the training ground. Nobles and Knights serving the Kingdom gathered around as spectators to observe the performance.
Rio was given a training sword and made to stand in the middle of the training room to
facing knights. Rio did not understand why he was forced to fight, but he had no choice but to obey.
Now, he just needs to focus on how to defeat the opponent he is in
ahead of him. Fortunately the handcuffs blocking his magic power had already been removed.
If something bad happened, he could use body reinforcement to break through the gate. But escape can be waited until the fight is over. So, he only needed to end this fight peacefully.
Taking a stance with the training sword, his opponent was an Imperial Guard
equipped with light metal armor and shield.
He looked at Rio with one eye.
Even when provoked by the Imperial Guard to make a move first, Rio did not
move from his position. Rio was calmly observing the opponent who was before him.
intimidated. Stopping his tongue, the Imperial Guard decided to go attack.
“HAAAAA!!”
Quickly closing the distance separating them, he unleashed a powerful attack to destroy Rio. The knight skillfully swung the training sword.
If the attack hit Rio's body, it wouldn't end with just sustaining a wound.
Sensing the approaching danger, Rio decided that it would be better to
avoid that attack.
He dodged the attack by jumping to the side nimbly. The knight's face turned into astonishment while the audience was shocked at what had just happened.
Without removing the opportunity, Rio used a certain amount of magic power to strengthen his physical abilities and muscles, and directly aimed the tip
sword training on the neck of the Imperial Guard .
Silence began to fill the area.
“T-Wait! I'm not ready! He's just lucky! Next I'll be serious!”
The Imperial Guard began to panic as he threw out an excuse. Seeing his appearance
not worth seeing, the silence around turned into the laughter of many voices
people.
“...Me, ha, hahaha! Don't you make excuses for losing to a child! Just embarrass the Imperial Guard. This kind of defeat is inexcusable”
A loud voice sounded from the crowd of spectators. The voice belonged to one of the nobles who was watching the match from the corner of the training ground.
“Y-Yes! As Duke Eugono had said, it was a shame for an Imperial Guard to make such excuses”
The nobles around him muttered in agreement. On the other hand, the group that was isolated from the defeated nobles, lost interest and bit their lips while listening
their word. Rio who was seen by many people remained expressionless
whatever.
“Stupid basis! Cool your head! Your negligence is the cause of
your defeat. As an honorable member of the Imperial Guard, accept your defeat”
Alfred reprimanded the Imperial Guard that was in front of Rio. As expected of
the rebuke given by the Vice Commander, the Imperial Guard immediately regretted it
and bow his head.
Alfred directed his attention at Rio. After seeming to be daydreaming for a while
while observing Rio, Alfred spoke.
“Good work! Boy, this is proof that you really are the one who has saved Christina-sama and Flora-sama ”
“What do you mean?” Rio without hesitation asked Alfred.
“Oh, I just personally convey my gratitude from His Majesty. It is a great honor for you to receive Your Majesty's gratitude.
The room for you will be ready soon. You've been released from prison now”
Using his power, Rio was completely cornered unilaterally. The king is
an absolute existence that is admired by everyone. That kind of feeling. Kings
not saying anything since Rio left the prison.
“... I'm honored” Rio replied nonchalantly which made Alfred furrow his brows. He looked at Rio and said,
“Fu~n, for now go to the room you have prepared. An
witches have been told to check and treat your wounds”
“Thank you so much”
As one of the responsible ones who had put Rio in a state
the sad one, which was initially under Alfred's orders.
He was unhappy at the reality he had experienced before, but for now he expressed his gratitude.
That way, Rio has been released from prison.
After receiving treatment for his injuries, he was escorted to his room for a bath. There, he is greeted by a girl older than him, who serves as a
his manager.
He's still a dozen years old.
But the beauty of the girl will make the famous artist will not be able to
her beauty and elegance in her lifetime.
‘Cantik’ is the only word that can be used to describe her. The girl calmly entered the room and bowed to him.
“Happy to meet you. My name is Aria Gavness. I am an apprentice servant who works in the Royal Palace and has been appointed as the caretaker of Rio-sama.please help him”
Aria said so with her expressionless face. It was a clear voice and
without hesitation.
“Ah, thank you, for treating me politely like that to someone
low like me. I'm Rio” The girl said without expression and emotion, but her voice was beautiful.
Bowing respectfully without being bothered by the servant beauty who was unable to
trusted, Rio politely greeted her back. If the other party is acting politely, then
Rio would also respond to her in a polite manner as well.
Eyes in return, and kindness in return for kindness, that's what Rio believed. She did not know the ethics of this country, but from the way she returned her greeting, there was a hint of shock from Aria's eyes.
If they do not have very sharp observation skills, they will miss it. But Rio saw it. Seemingly behind her expressionless face, Aria seemed to have emotions as well.
“I will work as Rio-sama's servant during your stay at the Royal Palace.
If you need anything, please feel free to call me”
But Aria was also acting quite professionally, she was not trying to get any information
anything about Rio.
“Then tell me one thing! After meeting His Majesty the King tomorrow, will I be directly expelled from the palace?”
“ I'm sorry. But I don't know anything about that. I just know
that you have a meeting with His Majesty the King tomorrow. I was ordered to
caring for Rio-sama for this time”
In other words, it is possible that he will be placed under house arrest
after tomorrow's meeting. Hearing the answer he had predicted made him despair.
But at least this is better when compared to the previous prison cell.
“I understand. Thank you for telling me”
“No, it's already my duty. If you don't have any more
asked, should I bring you food?”
“It's good. Please do”
After going through various afflictions and being served with unworthy food, Rio
she has a smile that is suitable for her age.
(It's not all bad. I can eat a sumptuous meal) While putting aside the gloomy thoughts in his mind, Rio thought about the royal palace cuisine that might be being brought for him.
~End Vol 1 Chapter 4 : Interrogation~