Vera had given the order.

Instantly, the mechanics and engineers began a full diagnostics on Lady Quiet.

All the while Soren did not let Billy go—holding on so tight that he looked like a two-year-old scared to leave their mom.

Soon, a panicking mechanic stepped forward with a holographic tablet.

He looked towards Soren, still holding the bleeding Billy captive, and then turned to Edward Kanta.

He swallowed as he kept wiping the sweat off his forehead.

And then he leaned in, raising a hand to block prying eyes and ears, as he whispered into Edward's ear.

Edward's eyes flew open. "WHAT!?"

"Got you." Soren muttered, finally letting go of Billy.

The moment he did, the guards and Red Swords stormed him.

Beatings rained down, but he simply crouched, protecting his face and vital organs as best as possible.

"STOP!" A voice amplified by soul energy was heard, shocking all the guards and Red Swords into backing off.

It was Vera.

She had a frown on her otherwise perfect face.

She didn't say more—just turned and left.

But everyone knew. If one more person touched Soren, they would have her to contend with.

A few minutes later...

Soren sat in the interrogation room—his second time coming here.

He had a swollen eye and bruises around his body.

Even the orange jumpsuit could not hide some of them.

But what really bothered him was the smell in the room.

It smelled funny, in a weird, gory way.

Before he could further think on it, the metallic locks on the door clicked open, and a figure walked in.

Before Soren even saw him, a small pack of ice was placed on the table.

"That's for the swelling."

Soren did not need to turn his head. He knew who it was.

Captain Scarvguard.

Soren stretched for the pack of ice and brought it to his face.

Although his connection to his Shade had long begun to heal his body, he still had to play the part.

"Thank you." Soren muttered.

"Thank you?" Scarvguard scoffed. "I should be the one saying that."

Unlike the last time Soren saw him—years ago—he had a happy look on his face.

"Every time I see you, boy, you find a new way to shock me." Scarvguard took his seat opposite Soren.

Soren raised his head to him a bit and then looked away.

The beaded man looked pleased. Too pleased.

"The information you gave saved the life of one of the best Soul Mecha pilots we have." Scarvguard leaned in. "We—no, I am very grateful." He smiled. "There is also... this."

He tapped a button on the table, and a holographic screen appeared.

It showed the interrogation session with Billy.

Scarvguard asked the questions. But there was a woman—entire face painted red, with black lipstick, a spectral blade passing through her neck, wearing a red gown that had crescent moon symbols on it.

This was a figure Soren had never seen before.

Not in magazines or any pictures. Yet, he could see that her appearance was far more unsettling to Billy than Scarguard himself.

"Tell us. Who bribed you to get access past the security around the Soul Mechas?" Scarvguard questioned Billy.

"I... I don't know, okay." Billy answered, eyes looking towards the woman in red from time to time.

Afraid.

"I... I just, you know, took the money and looked the other way. I swear that was it."

"Lie!" The woman responded.

Billy panicked some more.

"Answer me. Who bribed you!?" Scarvguard's voice had climbed a pitch. His red Soul energy was steaming from his body.

Billy backed away slightly. Sweat leaking down his forehead, wetting the already dried blood and wounds Soren gifted him.

"You do know what will happen to you if you don't talk right?" Scarvguard added. "Who did you collect money from to have access to the Soul Mechas?"

"I don't know, I swear."

"Lie." The woman replied again.

She raised a hand slightly.

Instantly, Billy fell—rolling on the ground like a slug sprinkled with salt.

It was only for a few seconds, but when her hand came down, Billy's skin was redder.

Eyes pleading not to fall into such a state again.

What did she do to him?

Soren wondered.

Regardless, Billy looked more cooperative now.

"Answer me." Scarvguard spoke again.

"They are... prisoners." Billy answered through gritted teeth. "That's all I can say, okay! The soul oath won't let me... ugh... ugh..." He vibrated on the ground, eyes rolling back to show their whites as blood leaked from the side of his mouth, nose, and ears.

Scarvguard stood to his feet. "What's happening to him?"

After a few seconds, he stopped moving.

And then.

Boom.

—splat.

His head exploded, with blood and brain tissue all over the room.

Scarvguard was taken back by this, turning sharply to the woman in red.

"That's not me." She responded simply.

Then she took a step forward. "Whatever soul oath they had with him. It was a very unusual one."

She touched the blood and brought it to her mouth.

Tasted it.

Soren recoiled a bit.

"An Eldritch's soul oath."

The video ended here.

So that's why the room smelled funny. It's got Billy everywhere.

Soren thought to himself.

Scarvguard turned to Soren. "Because of you, we are doing a thorough investigation of all our guards, weeding out those with dealings in the prison and possible spies. We are also looking for the prisoners with ties to the ruining of the Soul Mecha."

The captain's smile got wider. "While I am grateful for this, I would still like to know." He leaned back into the chair's backrest. "How did you figure it out?"

They it is. He finally asked the question. Must have been really bugging him.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." Soren replied.

"Try me."

Soren raised a brow. "I... erm... I saw it." He answered. "I saw the Soul Mecha fail, and its pilot die."

Those words landed heavy.

And for a moment, there was silence in the room.

And then Soren leaned back. "Can I go now?"

Scarvguard stared at the boy a bit more. Like he was trying to uncover the peels of an onion, but the sting only blinded him.

He nodded.

Soren stood up and left.

A few seconds after he did. A figure walked in.

The same woman with a red-painted face.

"What do you think?" Scarvguard? asked.

"Truth," she replied. Simply.

Scarvguard's eyes narrowed. "Get me Commander Jared."

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