Turning
chapter-684

Cyregina, who had been staring blankly at him, glanced at Reneve and then clenched her teeth, swallowing hard.

"I will speak!"

Yet, before Cyregina could proceed, one of Nukijo's subordinates, who had been cautiously biding his time, eagerly stepped forward, raising his hand. This sly individual, who had been seeking an escape since hearing of Nukijo's demise, was undeterred by the fierce glares and veiled threats from the VIPs and fellow comrades, and asked in a nervous tone, "Is it enough to confirm that everyone here is a guest of Nukijo?"

"Merely confirming that is somewhat insufficient," replied Kishiar, who desired the names and information of the VIPs.

Hearing this, the man quickly rattled off a few names. However, these lacked the most crucial element: the surnames of prominent families, and he failed to accurately identify the individuals he named.

"You lie to save your own skin, spouting nonsense names! Where are these fictitious people you speak of?" berated one of the VIPs.

"I... I may be slightly mistaken, but I've told you all I know! Isn't that enough?" the man stammered, his words clearly falling short of being helpful. They were mere utterances, far from constituting evidence.

However, Kishiar, with an inscrutable smile, gestured to the Cavalry members, issuing an order, "Release this man from his bonds."

"What? Ah... Yes, understood," they complied, though clearly puzzled by their leader's command. The special forces of the empire, watching from a step behind, also wore expressions of concern.

Contrastingly, the freed subordinate of Nukijo, massaging his sore arms, smirked, his eyes betraying thoughts of escape.

This stirred noticeable unrest among Nukijo's other subordinates, who had been warily eyeing each other. Gradually, they began to speak.

"I think I remember one name..."

"Me too..."

"Silence, you fools!" another shouted, attempting to quell them, but to no avail. They began calling out names they remembered, yet these were as muddled as the first.

Kishiar, unshaken by the chaotic shouts, asked with a smile, "Is that all?"

Silence fell.

"Not one of you correctly matched a name with a family. A pity. There could have been significant leniency for anyone able to do so."

Again, silence.

"Truly, no more?"

"...I know them all," a faint voice broke the stillness. All eyes turned to Cyregina.

"Hmm, do you? Let's hear it," said Kishiar, seemingly without great expectation.

Cyregina slowly turned her head, scanning the faces of each guest. Starting from the one at the far left, she pointed and began to name each. "The guest in the green attire is Coles from the Salmaka family, the second child. Next to him is Eneska from the Abkachia family, the fifth child. And beside them is..."

The previously boisterous VIPs' complexions drastically changed, their surprised and dismayed expressions revealing Cyregina's correctness.

'How could she possibly...?'

"It's all lies!"

"How dare someone like you utter my name...!" they exclaimed in disbelief.

Someone shouted, but their cry was empty, lacking force. Cyregina remained indifferent to the curses hurled at her. Unperturbed by the uproar, she successfully recited the name of every last person. Astonishingly, the information she provided included not just names and families but also the order and positions in which they had arrived and seated themselves at the arena that day.

"That is all," she concluded, and a prolonged silence followed her words.

The first to break the silence was Kishiar, his expression as calm as when others had chaotically spat out random names. "Truly detailed and accurate information. It doesn't feel like something made up. I can understand recalling the names, but how did you remember the rest so precisely?"

"I have been working here since the very inception of the Awakeners' arena under Nukijo, the owner of this place. Nukijo always entrusted me with guarding and entertaining the VIPs in the VIP section, and ordered me to eavesdrop on their conversations for any useful information. With ears, one naturally ends up memorizing such things."

"What did you say?"

"How dare he!"

Exclamations of dismay erupted from various quarters. But with Nukijo dead, there was no one present to bear the brunt of these accusations.

"Useful information collected by Nukijo, you say? An unexpected harvest. Are you willing to share more? Of course, the Cavalry will compensate accordingly, based on the accuracy and usefulness of the information."

Cyregina's eyes flickered slightly. She closed them tightly and then opened them again, her expression completely transformed.

"Of course. If a noble person like yourself wishes, I will reveal all that I know. I assure you, no one knows they dirty secrets and what they sought to hide better than I do."

With these grave words, Cyregina knelt and bowed deeply.

"Traitor!"

Curses followed from behind her, but they had no effect on her or the Cavalry.

'This will surely secure a reduction in my sentence.'

It was, in hindsight, obvious that Cyregina would know so much about the VIPs. Who else but Nukijo would use an Awakener, capable of remaining unseen, to gather such information?

Yet, it would have been difficult to extract this information so dramatically and conclusively, and turn it into a sure deal for leniency, had it not been for Kishiar.

'Perhaps... he had guessed this outcome from the moment he heard that an Awakener with invisibility skills was tasked with protecting the VIPs.'

Yuder, finally easing his mind, turned his head. His gaze found Reneve, who was covering her face, her shoulders shaking.

'Many repeat their crimes even after serving their sentence. It's true that punishment alone does not reform. But... perhaps these individuals will be different.'

With a smile, Kishiar then commanded everyone to head outside.

"Once we leave, transport everyone to the southern branch of the Cavalry for investigation. It will be tiring for all, but I must ask this of you."

"Understood!"

"What? Taken to the Cavalry? You said you'd release us for giving information!"

A recently unbound subordinate of Nukijo protested loudly.

"Well. I said to release the bonds, not that there wouldn't be an investigation."

"What...!"

Stunned, the subordinate could not continue his protest. His inability to retort with curses was due to Yuder, standing right next to Kishiar, flashing a cold glare.

The VIPs, too, were reluctant to be taken away, but they became remarkably docile after making eye contact with Yuder.

As they finally emerged from the collapsed hole into the outside world, passing the Black Orca Tavern, a handful of Cavalry members guarding the perimeter cheered. Piled up like a mountain beside them were the subordinates of Nukijo.

"Commander! Yuder! You're all safe! Of course, I expected nothing less!"

Elpkins, who had been protected among them, wrapped in a mantle, rushed over in a flurry.

"You've returned safely! I, I've applied to join the Cavalry!"

"Is that so."

His face, tear-streaked from emotion, looked somewhat comical, but Yuder did not laugh.

"Then we shall soon see you in the Cavalry."

"Yes! I'm truly… truly grateful!"

As the crowd gathered around to watch, the bound individuals were either dragged or carried off in a line. No matter how much the VIPs raged or bowed their heads to hide their faces, the Cavalry members treated them no differently than Nukijo's subordinates. Amidst the screams and shouts, only Cyregina moved silently and calmly, maintaining her composure.

Thus, the long day ended for the Cavalry Commander and his assistant after arriving at the southern branch.

And naturally, this news quickly spread to the capital and across the Empire, shocking many.