Chapter 70: The Archon’s Interrogation

Stan stumbled, his hand instinctively gripping the windowsill. He covered the back of his hand where he’d been struck, then ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

Though his mouth hadn’t split open, his lip stung, a sharp pain suggesting it had torn. Frowning deeply, he licked his lip with his tongue and glared at Hay.

Hay, who had been nonchalantly dusting off his hands and muttering, took another step closer and seized Stan by the collar.

“Take one more punch.”

His face remained expressionless as he spoke with resolute firmness.

Hay threw a punch, but Stan had no intention of taking it this time. When his fist was blocked, Hay’s brow furrowed slightly.

“I told you to take it.”

“Would you take a punch just because someone told you to?”

“One punch isn’t enough to satisfy me.”

“Why are you hitting me? Is it because I was late in finding you? I was rushing as fast as I could.”

“No, it’s because you took us into the labyrinth, knowing how dangerous it was, without ensuring our safety. You said only three people had encountered Watchers in the last hundred years, didn’t you? What a coincidence, we met three Watchers on our very first visit. And we almost died, properly.”

Of course, Hay had summoned two of them, but Stan was unaware of that fact.

“That was something I couldn’t have predicted either. Belgadon appearing was an accident in itself. At the very least, if you hadn’t separated from us, you wouldn’t have encountered the other two monsters.”

At his words, Hay’s expression shifted.

His eyes grew cold, suggesting genuine anger this time.

“Belgadon appearing was an accident, yes. But are you saying it was our fault we got separated from you? That’s quite a funny thing to say. Do you think we *wanted* to get separated?”

“That’s not what I meant—”

Stan, about to retort, sighed and raised both hands in surrender.

“No. You’re right. I should have put some safety measures in place when I took you there, instead of just telling you the precautions. Honestly, I never anticipated such an accident would happen, so I was complacent. I thought it would pass without incident, like any other time. I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I mean it.”

Hay stared silently at Stan. Then, clicking his tongue, he released his grip on Stan’s collar.

“It’s a good thing you showed up in time to save Renki. If Renki had died then, I wouldn’t have just punched you; I would have pierced your neck with a spear.”

“In that case, I would have been defenseless.”

Hay spoke those words, but in truth, if Renki had died, he would have blamed himself for rashly summoning Philly and Lana del Rond, rather than killing Stan.

Hay recalled Philly, who had wielded overwhelming power. He also remembered Philly, body contorted, held in Lana del Rond’s hand.

The image of the arm, transformed into a blade, aiming for Renki’s neck flashed in his mind, making him shiver as he recoiled from Stan.

“No running in the hallway!”

“Yes, I’m sorry!”

Someone issued a warning, and Renki’s reply could be heard.

Hay returned to the bed. He drew the curtain and picked up the clothes Stan had brought him.

Stan, rubbing his bruised jaw, turned towards the exit.

“Change your clothes and come out. I’ll handle the discharge procedures, so just meet me outside.”

Just then, Renki entered the hospital room.

“Master!”

“Your master is changing.”

“Oh, hello, Master.”

“We just saw each other this morning; no need for another greeting.”

Stan said nonchalantly as he stepped out. Renki stopped beyond the curtain Hay had drawn.

“Master, I rushed over as soon as I heard you were awake. Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“I’m fine. How’s your arm?”

“I’m perfectly fine. I received treatment as soon as I arrived. It’s completely healed!”

“That’s good to hear.”

Hay removed his tunic and put on the new clothes. They were a size too large, likely due to a slight difference in their builds.

He tightened his waist with a belt and put on the shoes. Fortunately, his foot size seemed to be the same, as the shoes fit well.

After donning his outer garment, he pulled back the curtain, his eyes meeting Renki’s, who stood directly in front of him.

Seeing Hay seemed fully recovered, the tension around Renki’s mouth visibly softened. It appeared he had been quite worried.

Hay glanced outside the hospital room, then asked quietly.

“The compass? It wasn’t discovered, was it?”

Renki nodded.

“When we escaped the labyrinth, Master was too preoccupied to notice what I was holding.”

“That’s fortunate. I can’t see my staff. Do you know where it is? Did I leave it in the labyrinth?”

“If it’s your staff, it should be at the reception desk. They said they’d keep it safe to prevent it from getting lost.”

“Is that so? That’s also quite fortunate.”

Hay buttoned his outer garment and stepped out of the hospital room.

“Nothing unusual happened while I was asleep, did it?”

“What do you mean by ‘unusual’?”

“Like someone coming to question you about something.”

Renki tilted his head, not quite grasping Hay’s meaning.

It seemed Renki was still unaware of the true reason for their arrival in Arkashandra. Hay pondered whether to be grateful to Stan for that, or not.

“Have you seen Lorelai? Stan hasn’t mentioned her. Has she been hurt?”

Renki shook his head.

“I haven’t seen Lorelai since we arrived here either. When I asked Master, he simply said she was in a ‘safe place’.”

“A safe place?”

Hay frowned.

It seemed something had happened to Lorelai. And it was clearly nothing good.

‘Surely she hasn’t been imprisoned?’ he wondered. ‘No, if Lorelai were imprisoned, Stan wouldn’t have come looking for me so casually, suggesting we eat.’

“Oh my, you’re awake! Are you feeling alright?”

The healers they encountered in the hallway asked. Hay gave a perfunctory nod.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Despite his simple reply, the healers giggled amongst themselves, making a fuss.

Hay, bewildered but quickly shaking off his confusion, headed down to the first floor.

At the reception desk sat Richen Noy, the intern healer he’d seen upon waking, busy organizing charts.

“Excuse me. Was it Noy, I believe?”

Richen rose from her seat.

“Yes, how may I help you? If it’s about the discharge procedures, Inquisitor Demonic has already handled them.”

“I heard. I was told my staff was being held at reception.”

Richen’s eyes widened in confusion, then she gasped as if remembering something.

“Ah, that’s right. Please wait a moment. I’ll go get it.”

Richen left the reception desk, went to the nearby director’s office, and soon returned with Hay’s staff.

“Here it is. We kept it in the director’s office to prevent it from getting lost. Is this what you’re looking for?”

Hay took the staff and inspected it briefly. Fortunately, it didn’t appear to be damaged anywhere.

“Yes, it is. Thank you.”

The two exchanged silent nods of acknowledgment, then exited the treatment center. The murmuring whispers behind them grated on Hay’s ears.

Outside the treatment center, Stan sat on a nearby bench. Hay quietly observed his red hair from behind before slowly approaching.

“Stan.”

Stan turned to Hay, his face devoid of expression.

“Let’s go eat.”

****

Their meal was to be at Arkashandra’s cafeteria.

All the way to the cafeteria, Renki enthusiastically recounted everything he had learned about Arkashandra during the day.

He detailed what was where, and what could be found in various locations.

Hay, capable of remembering everything even with a casual listen, let Renki’s words flow in one ear and out the other.

Stan, walking ahead, remained silent until they reached the cafeteria. From his expression, it seemed he had much on his mind.

Upon arriving at the dining hall, they showed some form of identification card used within Arkashandra and found a suitable empty table. A server then approached, asked if they would all be dining, provided them with tea water, and departed.

“You can’t choose your menu here,” Stan explained. “The day’s meal is predetermined.”

Stan’s tone was somewhat unenthusiastic.

Renki added that the cafeteria only operated during lunchtime each day. It reminded Hay of eating school lunches.

A moment later, the server returned and placed three portions of food on the table.

The meal was simple, yet the portions were generous. There were even meatballs made from ground meat.

People passing by often greeted Stan, but he merely acknowledged them half-heartedly.

As Hay found it odd that everyone was so polite to Stan, Renki subtly whispered.

“They say Master holds quite a high position here. I’ve never seen anyone speak informally to him.”

“Is that so?”

Stan, who must have heard Renki’s words, merely focused on eating without any particular reaction. At this point, Hay began to feel a little frustrated.

“Why are you so quiet? Didn’t you say you had a lot to talk about?”

“Let’s talk after we eat. It’s not something we should discuss where there are so many people.”

After finishing their meal, they exited the cafeteria to find a woman in a black robe standing before them. She had dark hair and brownish skin.

Seeing the three of them, she smiled brightly and clasped her hands together in a respectful greeting.

“Greetings, Inquisitor.”

Then she gave Hay a warm, smiling glance.

“You’re awake, Mr. Styles.”

Hearing her voice, Hay realized she was one of the Guardians he had seen in the labyrinth. She had also been the one supporting him as they exited.

“This is Guardian Jiwena Rerickton.”

Stan stated.

Guardian.

According to the Arkashandra system Renki had explained, a Guardian was, quite literally, a soldier who ‘guarded’ Arkashandra.

Most Guardians, he was told, were mages of the fourth class or higher.

“Hello. I’m Hay Styles.”

As he bowed, Jiwena blinked.

“This is my first time seeing you properly, aside from your transfer, and you’re truly handsome! No wonder the healers at the clinic were making such a fuss!”

Jiwena exclaimed.

Her clear, ringing voice gave Hay the impression she was quite a boisterous chatterbox.

“Guardian Rerickton, I’ll leave Renki in your care.”

“Yes, sir! Do not worry, Inquisitor!”

Jiwena’s eyes gleamed as she spoke with a dramatic solemnity, as if entrusted with a monumental task.

“You, follow me. The Guardian will look after Renki.”

Hay looked between Renki and Jiwena. Stan was already walking ahead, not waiting for him. Hay patted Renki’s shoulder.

“Listen carefully to the Guardian.”

“Yes, Master. Be safe.”

Renki nodded obediently, not even asking where they were going.

As Hay followed Stan and looked back, Jiwena calmly took Renki’s hand and walked in the opposite direction.

“Renki, shall we go to the library again today?” she asked, seemingly intending to go read.

Stan walked on for a considerable distance.

Unsure how far they intended to go, Hay moved to walk beside Stan and questioned him.

“Where are we going? You said you had a lot to talk about.”

“Yes, a lot. Let’s talk as we go. First, you haven’t forgotten that the reason we came here is because of the Red Jewel, have you? We’re going to meet the Archon now.”

“Are we going to start the investigation there? Is Lorelai there too?”

“No, Lorelai is not in a condition to be interrogated right now. I’ll tell you about her after my meeting with the Archon, so focus on this for now.”

Stan pulled the Red Jewel from his pocket.

“Only four people, including myself, know that the Red Jewel is here in Arkashandra right now: you, Lorelai, and the Archon. Naturally, only those four also know that Lorelai and you are involved with this Red Jewel. When we meet the Archon, the first thing they’ll do is use the Book of Truth to verify if what you told me is true.”

‘An interrogation right after eating? I’ll probably get indigestion.’

“So what happens if even one part of what I’ve said turns out to be false?”

“All dispositions will be handled by the Archon after the investigation is complete. You just need to answer their questions honestly.”