He finally guessed the reason why he was left alive and not killed.
'Interrogation'
The only reason he's still alive is to reveal the location of the other rebels.
This was bad.
It would likely involve excruciating torture.
Every time he answered "I don't know," another torture method would be unleashed.
'Damn...I shouldn't have eavesdropped...'
He'd done something he shouldn't have.
It seemed luck wasn't on his side this time.
***
Darnel and his men marched toward the audience hall with serious expressions.
They'd successfully captured a suspected rebel.
This opened an opportunity to uncover the rebels' positions.
Now, all he had to do was report to the Queen.
Even so, his men still didn't understand why Darnel had let Hastora live.
They exchanged glances, silently urging someone to ask.
They hesitated.
Darnel wasn't just anyone; he was their leader.
They had to remember their place.
They felt unworthy of questioning their leader's reasoning.
But...
Curiosity gnawed at their minds until one of them finally spoke up.
"...Leader," one of them called out.
Darnel answered, walking without looking back.
"What is it?"
"...I have a question."
"Ask."
"...May I ask—why did you let that stalker live?"
"Why do you ask? Do you think it was a mistake?"
"No, it's not a mistake. It's just... unusual. You usually kill rebels without hesitation, but why not this time?"
That was true.
Darnel usually killed rebels without a second thought.
It was natural for his men to be curious and confused by his decision to let Hastora live, even though he was certain the man was a rebel.
His actions were different this time.
He had a plan.
And as the leader, he had to share it with his men.
"So you all really want to know?"
Darnel asked, abruptly stopping.
He turned around.
"Interrogation. The reason I let him live is to interrogate him."
Their eyes widened.
"Interrogation?" one of them asked, curious.
"Yes. That man is most likely one of the rebels; I'm 100% sure.
"There's no way he's not a rebel. He even heard your shout back in Solvareth. He must have been marked—otherwise, how could he have heard you while you were using Selective Sound?
"Keeping him alive is the right choice. We'll interrogate him and force him to reveal the rebels' location.
"If he still refuses, we'll inflict excruciating, unforgettable torture," Darnel explained.
"But what if he remains stubborn and refuses to reveal the rebels' location?"
"The Queen might intervene and handle it herself. So, we must report on him to the Queen first. And none of you dare touch him without my orders."
They all swallowed hard.
Darnel's words sounded like a real threat.
However, there was brilliance behind his plan.
They felt a little better.
"Now you know my plan. Just follow my orders."
Darnel turned and continued walking toward the audience hall, followed by his men.
***
Audience Hall.
Valeska sat in her chair, holding a document.
Her sapphire eyes and snow-white hair cascading down her shoulders made her strikingly beautiful.
She wore a sleeveless top revealing her arms and shoulders, and a layered skirt in white, dark blue, and purple, giving the impression of ice or magic.
A fur-trimmed coat draped loosely over her shoulders, left open to reveal her frost-white skin.
Many documents lay on the table.
She put down the document in her hand and picked up another.
She was exhausted from filling out documents all day alone.
"I want to sleep."
She placed the document back.
She covered her drowsy face with her hands.
She'd worked all day without any sleep.
She was incredibly sleepy.
She wanted to sleep.
But she couldn't sleep before finishing all the documents.
She drank a sip of water from the glass on the table to moisten her dry throat.
"Sister, what about the rebels?"
Valeska asked her sister, who was sitting and drinking orange juice.
They had the same hair and eye color.
But the difference lay in their chests.
Valeska's was more prominent, making her sister, Lysette, slightly envious.
Especially since Valeska was far more beautiful—her younger sister looked truly perfect.
"I've sent Darnel and his troops to pursue them."
Lysette replied, glancing enviously at Valeska's chest.
"Good. And where did the rebels flee?"
Valeska asked, covering her chest with her hands.
Her brow furrowed, uncomfortable under her sister's gaze.
"I don't know... But I think they fled to Eldoria."
Lysette answered, taking another sip of her juice.
Valeska frowned.
"Eldoria? You should have ordered Darnel to recall his troops. Letting them chase the rebels to Eldoria is a bad choice."
"It's alright. They're pursuing the rebels to Eldoria at night. It should be fine."
"Why are you so sure? Is it because of Selective Sound, preventing their voices from being heard by anyone there except the marked rebels?"
"Yes, it should be fine. They'll be back safely—you'll see."
Lysette sipped her juice.
"Why are you asking?"
"Nothing. I just don't want to get involved in a conflict with Eldoria."
"Me neither. It would be disastrous if Lucient, the King of Heroes, intervenes."
Lucient could easily destroy them and their kingdom if he wanted to.
A conflict with him was not an option.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty. Lord Darnel has returned. He wishes to report something."
Suddenly, a maid entered through the large golden door.
Valeska took a sip of water before turning to the maid.
"Let him in," she said.
The maid nodded and allowed Darnel to enter the hall.
Seeing Darnel's expression, she was sure he was bringing good news.
"Your Majesty! I wish to report."
Darnel bowed respectfully, then stood tall and firm.
"Speak," Valeska commanded.
"I didn't capture the rebels. However, I did capture one of them who happened to be stalking us," Darnel stated firmly.
Valeska chuckled.
"Stalking the royal special forces and getting caught? I guess he's an idiot."
"I think so too."
"So, is that all you want to say? Or do you have another plan?"
"I intend to interrogate him... rather harshly."
"That's a good idea. But don't kill him. If he still refuses to talk, I'll intervene personally."
"...Understood."
Darnel bowed and left the hall.
His plan worked.
If Hastora didn't reveal the other rebels' location, Valeska would intervene directly.
Just as planned.
Now, all that remained was to torture him—until he gave up the rebels' location.