The Echoes of Suspicion
The members of the Central Committee understood all too well the immense weight of responsibility that accompanied their every word and action. Even though they possessed the authority to conduct interrogations based on mere suspicion, it was standard practice to refrain from exercising that power unless they were at least ninety percent certain. Consequently, the few historical records of interrogations involving suspected treason were exceedingly brutal. Though termed "interrogations," they almost always involved high-intensity torture. This was partly because magic capable of forcing the truth from a subject's mouth was strictly forbidden, as its side effects completely scrambled the brain and stripped away the victim's sanity, leaving physical torture as the only viable alternative. In the worst-case scenario, while magic could heal the physical wounds inflicted by torture, it could do nothing to repair a shattered mind. Of course, torture itself could break a person's psyche, but typically, suspects confessed and were executed long before that happened. However, since she was an Academy student whose guilt had not yet been established, and thanks to the earnest pleas of the Academy's principal and Eve, the "interrogation" Scarlet Evande was about to undergo would be conducted in the most humane manner ever recorded.
"Yoon Siwoo, I believe you possess the ability to discern truth from falsehood in a person's words?"
"......Yes, that is correct."
This humane approach was only possible because they now had someone capable of verifying the truth of a person's words without relying on highly damaging magic. Yoon Siwoo, tasked with acting as a human lie detector for the upcoming interrogation, nodded with a grim expression. He knew all too well that Scarlet's fate hung in the balance of this questioning. If she wished to live, he was fully prepared to lie for her. Yet, his own resolve was not the deciding factor. What mattered most was Scarlet—what she herself wanted. She was someone who detested causing trouble for others so much that she had once begged him to kill her with his own hands if the time ever came. It was entirely possible that she might confess her secrets of her own accord. Public hysteria regarding the Witches was currently at an all-time high. If people discovered she was closely connected to a Witch, her execution would be inevitable. And if that happened, there would be absolutely nothing he could do to save her.
As Yoon Siwoo wrestled with these thoughts, Diaconos addressed him.
"Yoon Siwoo, I understand how difficult it must be to interrogate someone who was once your comrade. It brings me no joy either to question the very person who saved my daughter. However, I do this because I believe it is for the sake of humanity, and so I have set aside my personal feelings. As a Hero, can you do the same?"
Siwoo closed his eyes tightly. It would have been so much easier if those words had been a lie. If Diaconos had been a corrupt politician framing Scarlet as a dangerous element for his own safety or personal gain, Siwoo could have lied without a single shred of guilt. But his words were the absolute truth. Diaconos truly believed he was acting for the good of humanity. At first, Siwoo had harbored a faint resentment toward the man for putting Scarlet in this position. But how could he blame someone who looked at him with such unwavering trust, never even imagining that Siwoo might lie? Diaconos was simply a man doing his absolute best in his own position to protect the people. And so, Siwoo steeled his heart. ...If it were Scarlet, she would undoubtedly want him to answer this way. With that thought, Siwoo spoke.
A collective gasp rippled through the observers gathered to watch the interrogation. Sylvia, who had harbored a faint hope that Siwoo would somehow find a way to save her, reeled in shock, nearly losing her balance in her seat. As the onlookers reeled from the sheer weight of his declaration, Diaconos gave a slow, solemn nod.
"......I see. I understand your resolve. It seems our suspect is finally regaining consciousness. Let us begin immediately."
At those words, Siwoo turned his gaze toward the restraint chair. To prevent any potential rampage, Scarlet's entire body, save for her head, was bound by magic-suppressing and ability-inhibiting artifacts. As the upright frame of the restraints slowly tilted forward, Scarlet looked around, her eyes wide with confusion. The sight of her like this sent a sharp pang through Siwoo's chest. Unmoved by his distress, Diaconos stepped forward and threw his first question at Scarlet.
"Answer truthfully, Scarlet Evande. Are you an enemy of humanity?"
Flustered, Scarlet stammered in a trembling voice.
"......Excuse me, but... what is going on here...?"
"You are currently being interrogated as a suspect of treason for aiding a Witch, an enemy of mankind. If you wish to avoid execution, prove your innocence. I will ask you once more. Are you an enemy of humanity?"
Siwoo watched as Scarlet's eyes shook violently. Her pupils trembled, and her breathing grew shallow and irregular. To anyone watching, she looked like a person gripped by sheer terror. Siwoo felt a wave of bewilderment; he had never expected her to react this way. While it was only natural for an ordinary person to be terrified at the mention of execution... the Scarlet he knew was someone who had smiled even as a sword pierced through her flesh. She had always seemed entirely detached from the concept of fear. No matter how dire the circumstances, he hadn't expected her to be this frightened. As he stared, deeply puzzled by her reaction, he caught her faint murmur.
"......No."
"I cannot hear you. Speak up."
"...No. I'm... I'm not like that......"
At her response, Diaconos glanced over, and Siwoo gave him a firm nod. It meant Scarlet was telling the truth. Acknowledging this, Diaconos nodded slowly and proceeded to the next question.
"Hmph, I see. Then here is the next question. Have you ever leaked information to a Witch that could harm humanity?"
"...I've never done that... I haven't. I... I never wanted to hurt anyone..."
Nodding to Diaconos's inquiring glance, Siwoo silently pleaded with Scarlet in his heart. I don't know how long this interrogation will last, but please, just keep denying it like that. If you do, I'll make sure you're cleared of all charges and set free...
And at that moment, Siwoo caught Scarlet's voice, whispering so softly that no one else could hear.
Like someone suffering a severe panic attack, Scarlet gasped for air, endlessly muttering incoherent words under her breath. Her eyes were unfocused and glassy, yet filled with a devastating, profound sorrow.
"I only... wanted to protect everyone......"
As she muttered those words, staring blankly at the crowd, Siwoo saw her head suddenly drop. At the same time, he watched the profound sorrow in her eyes warp into an entirely different emotion.
An alarm blared in Siwoo's instincts. If this continues, something terrible is going to happen. But before he could utter a single word of warning, Diaconos pressed on with another question.
"Next question. Do you have absolutely no connection to—"
Just as Scarlet's bowed head began to lift back toward the crowd—
"Stop this right now!!!"
Sylvia's desperate cry shattered the tension in the room. Diaconos slowly turned to look at her, his expression impassive.
"......Is there a problem, Lady Sylvia? We are in the middle of an interrogation."
"That's more than enough! Haven't her answers already cleared her of suspicion? So please, stop this! She's a student who was just rescued after being kidnapped by a Witch! How long do you plan to keep her locked up here? Miss Scarlet needs rest right now!"
"We still have a mountain of questions to ask. For her own sake, it is better to completely clear up any lingering doubts here and now. If we gloss over this today, and some problematic detail surfaces in the future—"
"......If any such problem arises, the Astra family will take full responsibility. Will that suffice?"
"Lady Sylvia."
The moment the words left her mouth, the elder sitting beside her spoke her name in a sharp, admonishing tone. It was a clear warning not to act out of turn. Under the elder's heavy, disapproving gaze, Sylvia felt an instinctive urge to look down. Under normal circumstances, she would never have dared to defy him. But today, in this very moment, she refused to back down. Sylvia steeled her gaze, staring straight into the elder's eyes.
"Never forgetting a debt of gratitude—is that not the creed of the Astra family? Miss Scarlet saved my life. Elder, does my existence mean so little to the family that we cannot even do this much?"
A tense silence stretched between them as their gazes locked. Finally, the elder bowed his head slightly toward Sylvia.
"......As you wish."
With his concession secured, Sylvia turned her fierce glare back to Diaconos. He, in turn, pivoted toward Martina, who had been quietly observing the proceedings.
"Captain Martina. When you went to rescue the suspect, did you notice anything unusual?"
Martina hesitated for a brief moment before answering.
"......Nothing particularly suspicious. When I arrived to rescue her, she was simply lying there, completely unconscious."
"......Is that so."
Diaconos closed his eyes, appearing to ponder her words for a moment. Finally, he stepped toward Scarlet, deactivated the restraint device, and bowed deeply to her at a ninety-degree angle.
"......Very well. We shall conclude this interrogation and clear you of all charges. Miss Scarlet Evande, I sincerely apologize for subjecting you to such an unpleasant experience due to my misunderstanding. You will be fully compensated for this matter at a later date."
Freed from her bonds, Scarlet quietly stared at the man bowing in apology before her. Then, lowering her head, she whispered softly.
"......It's fine. I'm just glad......"
That this time, I didn't have to burn them all to ashes.
Immediately after, Scarlet lost consciousness once more and collapsed.