The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-399

Chapter 399: Black Tongue (1)

Thud, thud, thud,

Thud, thud, thud,

Thud, thud, thud,

Thud, thud, thud.

In the humid, sticky corridor, the sound of footsteps echoes in pairs.

Leading the way was Garam Nord, followed by High-level lieutenant Kirko Grimm. Vikir, disguised with Garam’s identity, is currently heading towards the interrogation room where Major Black Tongue is stationed.

“Finally, meeting all five pillars of Nouvellebag.”

Major D’ordume, Major Souare, Lieutenant Colonel Bdissem, Lieutenant Colonel Flubber… Each “pillar” encountered so far had their own peculiarities. However, the one they are about to meet, Major Black Tongue, was reputed to be more sinister and unpleasant than the others mentioned.

“How could Flubber get more votes than Black Tongue in the popularity poll?”

Despite allowing for multiple votes, Major Black Tongue always ranked last in popularity among both junior and mid-level officers.

Suddenly, Vikir wondered if there were clues to be found and turned to Kirko following behind.

“Hey, Lieutenant.”

“Yes.”

It was the first time Vikir initiated the conversation since becoming their superior, causing Kirko’s face to flush slightly. However, the topic that followed was enough to freeze her expression.

“It seems you dislike Major Black Tongue.”

“….”

“I heard your sigh as we walked past.”

Kirko remained silent for a moment at Vikir’s words before speaking up.

“I refrain from gossiping about superiors.”

“Just stick to the facts.”

With that, Kirko took a deep breath. If the superior insisted, then she had to oblige.

“His real name and age are unknown. He holds the rank of major and goes by the nickname ‘Black Tongue’ or ‘The Interrogator’s Interrogator.’ His tongue is black, hence the nickname, and he’s a member of the interrogation team.”

“I’ve heard he wields a blade. They say his skills are remarkable.”

“Yes. If judged solely on skill, it’s said he surpasses even Major D’ordume or Major Souare. However, his temperament is so notorious that despite his seniority and experience, he remains a major and wasn’t promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.”

“Handling internal inconsistencies, maintaining military discipline, overseeing internal disciplinary actions, and various audits alone?”

“In theory, such things rarely occur within Nouvellebag. Unless instigated by Major Black Tongue’s whims. Like today.”

“He seems quite capricious.”

“Yes. The problem isn’t just his capriciousness but also his impulse control disorder and sexual deviancy. He’s notorious for not only mistreating prisoners but also harassing and torturing fellow officers.”

Finally, Kirko listed the names of those who had suffered at the hands of Major Black Tongue up until now.

Most of them either died horrifically under torture, were declared missing, or became incapacitated.

“Valentine Grimm, 23 years ago… Parren Parrens, 12 years ago… Yang Borts, Lieutenant Gorlock 7 years ago… Captain JamesCharles, and Lieutenant NicocadoAvacado 3 years ago… And just last year, one of my peers, Lieutenant Virginia…”

Among them was the name of someone who was presumably Kirko’s mother.

‘So that’s why… That’s why she was enraged.’

Vikir averted his gaze from Kirko’s chilling expression.

Meeting individuals linked to a dark past requires significant mental preparation.

* * *

The interrogation room where Major Black Tongue resided was situated within the sinister labyrinth of caves. Despite the convoluted and treacherous paths winding through narrow, steep inclines within the rocky caverns, there was no fear of getting lost.

“It’s as twisted as its inhabitant. There’s hardly anyone decent living in a place like this.”

“Normally, I wouldn’t judge someone’s character based on where they live… But this time, I agree.”

Kirko nodded in agreement with Vikir’s words.

Eventually, they entered a relatively spacious chamber. It appeared no different from the path they had traversed thus far, with jagged stalagmites protruding upwards, damp seawater trickling down the walls, deep puddles pooling on the floor, and…

“What’s this?”

Kirko cocked her head as she observed a black spherical object lying on the ground. As they progressed, more of these black orbs, resembling eggs, appeared in increasing numbers until they covered the floor, walls, and ceiling indiscriminately.

Neither Vikir nor Kirko knew what these black spheres, about a meter in diameter, were.

Poking one with her finger yielded only a squishy sensation; the contents remained a mystery.

Then, suddenly…

Squish…

Vikir kicked one of the black orbs with his boot, and it emitted a strange sound, contorting unnaturally.

Squish, squish, squish…

Disgusting, nauseating juices began oozing out from the black orb, emanating a foul smell.

“Ugh! What’s this smell? It’s like rotting flesh…”

Even Kirko, with her strong stomach, wrinkled her brow at the repulsive odor.

Eventually, Vikir retrieved a truncheon and struck the black orb.

Splurt!

Like a burst balloon, it distorted, and its contents began gushing out through the narrow opening at the top.

…!

Kirko’s eyes widened momentarily as she witnessed what emerged from the black orb: corpses.

Grotesque skulls and viscous blood spilled onto the floor.

Vikir proceeded to kick the adjacent black orbs one after another.

Splurt! Squish! Plop!

Each time, a repugnant stench accompanied the explosion, as foul odors wafted through the air.

The black orbs disgorged various contents: skeletal remains, coagulated blood, chunks of yellowish fat and flesh, or dried-up bones and skin.

Finally, Vikir understood the true nature of these black orbs.

“They’re leeches.”

Leeches. Blood-sucking parasites that attach to their host’s body and drain blood.

However, the leeches in Nouvellebag were a bit different.

There were leeches that sucked blood, leeches that sucked bones, leeches that sucked flesh, and so on… The leeches here had diverse preferences in what they consumed.

If caught by a blood-sucking leech, a person would be swiftly drained to nothing but bones and skin, twisted into a mummified state like a corpse.

Caught by a bone-sucking leech, all the bones in a person’s body would disappear, leaving only blood and organs floating inside the skin, essentially turning them into a living “blood pouch.”

Caught by a flesh-sucking leech, only bones and blood remained, with the blood rapidly solidifying into a jelly-like substance during the process, creating a bizarre and eerie sight of bones trapped within.

The leeches present in this chamber were all massive entities that had grown significantly, each having swallowed a human whole, digesting them within their bellies like food.

Surprisingly, among those trapped inside the leeches’ bellies, some were still alive.

Kirko heard a feeble voice calling her name.

“Kir… Kirko…”

Almost as if it would break off at any moment, the voice was barely audible.

Kirko’s eyes widened as if they were about to burst.

“Virginia!?”

Lieutenant Virginia. A peer of Kirko’s who had been taken to the interrogation room by Major Black Tongue after being caught for a military offense, and then disappeared without a trace.

Her voice was emanating from inside one of the black orbs.

Splurt!

Kirko immediately drew her knife and struck the black orb with all her might.

As the leech’s tough skin was pierced, it slowly began to be sliced apart.

Kirko eventually made a gash in the leech’s skin and twisted it open.

Squirm…

As the leech’s bodily fluids gushed out, Lieutenant Virginia’s figure emerged from within.

…!?

Kirko covered her mouth with both hands at the sight of her peer, whom she hadn’t seen in a year.

Unable to find the right words, Kirko stood there dumbfounded. Vikir approached her and said,

“It seems it was a bone-sucking leech.”

Virginia, sprawled on the floor, was shedding tears. She desperately moved her lips to form the shape of her final wish.

“P… Please… kill…”

Kirko, still in shock from the horrifying sight, stood motionless, unable to close her eyes or mouth.

Taking matters into his own hands in place of her, Vikir acted swiftly.

Slice…

Like a skilled hunter, he ended the target’s life as painlessly as possible.

“Ahh… Ahhh…”

Kirko, her eyes brimming with tears, knelt down and clasped the ‘once-was’ peer in her hands.

At that moment…

“Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha… What on earth are you doing now?”

A voice echoed from deep within the cave, greeting Vikir and Kirko.

Amidst the countless black orbs and leeches, a single shadow stretched out.

It possessed a distinct, dominant blackness, even amidst the surrounding darkness and shadows.

Vikir narrowed his eyes.

Finally, the most sinister and unpleasant figure in Nouvellebag had appeared.

Major Black Tongue.

The last of the five pillars of Nouvellebag.