Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Last Interview (2)
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It started with a sea of tears right from the first interviewee.
At the same time, Bermin shook his head.
Bermin and the instructors could see in real time how the statue was evaluating the trainee through the assessment board linked to Likken.
Bermin gave a curt reply toward the female trainee collapsed and sobbing uncontrollably.
Fail.
This cold verdict only made her cry even harder.
Remina, witnessing the scene live, looked utterly baffled.
Arent you supposed to just speak honestly and straightforwardly? Whys she crying like that?
Luem took it upon himself to answer.
Yes. Thats exactly it.
Luem shuddered once, as memories of his past encounters with Likken flooded back.
Likken exposed every dirty secret a person wanted to hide without mercy.
Memories you wanted to erase?
Pain you didnt want to recall?
Likken ruthlessly dragged them all out into the open.
Even if you couldnt remember, it made you relive them in vivid detail, recounting every shameful moment of your past down to the last bit.
Then it asked.
Is this true?
Thats when your mentality started to crumble.
Likkens job was to force you to confront your embarrassing past.
Only those who overcame it received a passing mark from Likken.
But unless you had exceptionally strong mental fortitude, most threw in the towel.
Thats why the Likken interview was the final test.
Luems massive frame shuddered again.
Thinking about repeating this a seventh time... my mentalitys already cracking.
Roin, waiting nearby, spoke up.
I get how you feel.
Hearing that, Remina tilted her head.
Youre doing this for the first time with me, arent you? How would you know?
It wasnt actually the first time.
If you counted, this made three.
But since he couldnt mention his past life, Roin brushed it off vaguely.
Just a hunch.
As his turn approached, Luems face grew increasingly pale with terror.
But he had no choice but to go through with it.
Hed been challenging this for seven years now, and failing meant no more retakes.
His family was on the brink.
For his parents sake, he had to pass somehow.
Bermin, scanning the roster, called the next name.
Luem. Step forward.
Y-Yes!
Luem stuttered blatantly, showing his nerves.
Remina patted his broad back.
Dont worry, just do your best. Youll be fine.
Thank you, Lady Remina. Hoo!
He took a deep breath and started walking forward slowly.
Hey, Luem.
Roin tossed out a pointed remark.
Half-truths beat perfect lies any day.
Huh?
Keep that in mind.
There was only one way to get past Likken.
The truth.
Realizing what Roin meant a beat too late, Luem steeled himself and stepped forward.
He lifted the black curtain slightly and entered the Room of Truth at last.
Ten minutes later.
His legs seemed to have given out, as Luem trudged back out.
The moment he emerged from the curtain, he returned to his seat with a dazed expression.
Remina asked worriedly.
Did you do okay? What did Likken say?
I... I dont know. I cant remember a single thing I said.
The more you overthought, the faster your emotions drained.
So Luem had decided to empty his mind completely.
But... what Lord Roin said really saved me in that critical moment.
Really?
Yes. There was a point where I got stuck, and your words justbam!flashed through my mind. Thanks to that, I made it through.
If Roin hadnt said that at the end.
I mightve been kicked out midway.
Thats how much Roin had helped.
Remina, who hadnt yet entered the Room of Truth with Likken inside, couldnt fully relate.
Had Luems efforts, bolstered by Roins advice, actually worked?
Moments later, Bermin gave Luem his result.
Luem.
Yes!
Bermin looked at him and gave the faintest smile.
Theres hope this time. Good work.
Th-Thank you, Instructor!
Bermin had been teaching Luem for quite a while.
On his seventh try, even he hoped Luem would pass the Mid Knight exam.
Likkens evaluation aligned somewhat with that wish.
Next up was Reminas turn.
Ill be back.
Do your best, Lady Remina!
Thanks.
Just before heading to the black curtain.
Roin spoke to her first again.
You know what I want to say, right?
Half-truths are better than perfect lies?
Youve got it.
Roin wasnt the type to proactively help others indirectly like this.
This was highly unusual for him.
It was just one sentence, but Remina had seen firsthand how much it helped Luem.
She etched Roins words deep into her mind.
Then she stepped toward the room filled with unknown dread.
The room Remina faced was strikingly simple.
Walls papered entirely in white.
And.
A dragons head protruding from one wall.
Crafted to actual dragon size, it was enormous.
Is that... the truth-seeing statue, Likken?
As she tried to guess in her head.
-Your guess is correct, girl.
...!
Remina jumped in surprise.
Even though it wasnt spoken aloud, Likken replied as if peering directly into her mind.
A white flame ignited in the dragons eyes.
-I startled you by knowing your inner thoughts.
...
-No need to be shocked. Far more astonishing things are about to happen.
Man or woman.
Child or elder.
The voice, impossible to pin down, warned Remina as much.
This was just the beginning.
Thats what it seemed to say.
Remina swallowed dryly.
Fear stemmed fundamentally from ignorance.
Encountering a completely unknown entity.
Now, she had to pursue the truth within it.
Likkens first question began.
-How are you feeling today?
It was so unexpectedly light that it threw her off instead.
But she had to answer.
Not bad.
-Good to hear. Then, on to the second question.
The second question followed.
-Do you respect Billien Whisli, your father?
Not a tough one this time either.
Yes. Of course. To me, hes priceless and someone Im deeply proud of.
Billien Whisli was the man who revived House Whisli amid dire circumstances.
Though hed suffered an irrecoverable betrayal from a trusted subordinate midway.
Still, those in the know recognized House Whislis prestige.
-I see. Then, the third question.
Though it was a motionless statue.
Likkens expression shifted as if smiling.
-Have you ever thought about killing your father?
Only then did Remina realize.
The true meaning behind Likkens warning of more astonishing events.
-Is it hard to answer?
...
It was.
Incredibly, excruciatingly so.
But.
She had to answer.
Her lips trembled.
Her clenched fists shook visibly.
Finally, Reminas mouth moved.
I...
The door to the Room of Truth opened.
Like Luem, Remina emerged forcing strength into her legs.
Thud!
The instant she exited the curtain, she collapsed right there.
Her legs had given out completely.
Lady Remina! Are you alright?
Luem rushed to support her.
Roin followed Luem to her side.
Seeing Reminas spaced-out expression, Roin gave a wry smile.
You did it.
...
But Remina didnt respond to Roin.
She couldnt.
Her whole body was drained; she didnt even have the energy to open her mouth.
Even Bermin had never seen Remina this exhausted.
How had Likken judged her?
...
Bermin stared silently at the assessment board.
Then, gazing at Remina, she announced the result.
Remina. That was a close one.
Remina still couldnt string words together.
The exam had imposed an immense mental burden.
Once she regained a sliver of strength and could speak, her first words were striking.
I never want to go through that again.
Every trainee felt the same.
Next was Jerkas turn.
Would Jerka make it through unscathed?
Everyone watched with bated breath.
Unlike the others, Jerka took a remarkably long time before emerging.
A full thirty minutes later, Jerka finally came out.
Yet Jerka maintained the exact same expression and gait as when he entered.
The trainees let out admiring sighs.
As expected...
Members of House Tayla are on another level.
Bermin gave Jerka a concise evaluation.
Pass. Good work.
Thank you, Instructor.
Now, at last.
It was the troublemakers turn.
Roin Leyden.
Yes.
Roin stood from his seat with a bored look.
The trainees attention focused on him for entirely different reasons.
In terms of raw power, Roin was overwhelmingly first.
But.
Mental fortitude was another matter.
House Tayla drilled knightly discipline and training rigorously from childhood, so passing Likkens test was no big deal for them.
But what about this good-for-nothing trainee who only cared about looks, Roin?
Roin asked Bermin.
May I go in?
He looked eager to get it over with.
You may enter.
The moment permission was granted, Roin strode forward.
He pushed aside the black curtain, grasped the doorknob to the Room of Truth, and turned it.
The door opened to reveal the white room.
Same as before.
The structure completely disoriented ones sense of space.
Thanks to the rooms design, Likkens face stood out prominently.
Roin planted himself boldly before Likken.
Just as with the previous trainees, flames lit in Likkens eyes.
The dragon statue gazed down at Roin for a long while.
-A being who has no need to be here has arrived.
Likken regarded Roin and said this.
-Long time no see. Black Helmet Hero, Rodri.