"Relax… We have some questions for you," the smiling masked man said. Thanks to their masks, it was impossible to see their expressions. This added a level of terror in Tengon's mind. This masked person was Inari, whom Shirley was once travelling with. However, even if she were present, she would not recognize him. His level of disguise was not something she could break.
"If you scream or alarm anyone, then our other companions will kill everyone in your family," the other man said coldly. Tengon despaired. He did not doubt the man's words.
"Naturally, we will spare everyone if you answer truthfully," Inari added. It was the classic carrot and stick strategy. Regardless, there was no way for Tengon to resist anyway so he nodded in agreement. Inari smiled, removed Tengon's mouth gag, and asked, "First question: Are you aware of Ten Dawn Nassandra Adnire's true identity?"
"What! How do you know about that?" he shouted in surprise. The wariness grew in his eyes. "Who are you people?"
The other man said, "I'll kill a person for every answer I don't like."
Tengon paled. "Please spare my family and me! There are things I can and cannot say. I don't want to betray the Zino Kingdom!"
"You have five seconds to decide."
"Please… Have mercy!"
"Five," the man coldly said.
"I'll give you anything else. What do you want?"
"Four."
"Power? Wealth?"
"Three…"
"Status? What about women?" Tengon became frantic.
"Two…" the man said as his tone became increasingly sharp.
"You're a demon! A real demon!" he became angry instead.
"One!" his killing intent surged. Tengon felt it clearly that this man was at Perception Realm! And not a fledging Perception Realm at that. He was above the Royal Guard-level!
"Alright! I'll tell you everything…" Tengon became gloomy.
His spirit was thoroughly deflated, and he felt he aged by a few decades instantly. This matter… involved the top secrets of the kingdom, secrets which could never be revealed under any circumstances. Besides him, scarcely anyone knew the truth. Hence, it was easy to guess the consequences of leaking it. The entire Vensire Family would be held accountable! Between loyalty to his family or his kingdom, that was a difficult question to answer. But in the end, he decided to spill everything anyways. Death was already staring at them! Might as well give them what they want now and figure everything else later. That was undoubtedly a wise decision.
But the most important reason why he conceded… was because he felt indignant! After everything he did, everything he endured, and everything he sacrificed, this was how the Zino Kingdom repaid him? By patting his shoulder, saying a few conciliatory words, and praising his heroic sacrifices? How laughable! Tengon was no patriotic person. He would not sacrifice his life for heroism. He was extremely blunt and realistic. When he used Torrential Blizzard during the battle with the emperor, he had no choice. He had to do as he was ordered! And there was no regret there. The situation was dangerous, and the lives of thousands weighed on his shoulders. If his actions gave the slightest improvement to their odds, then he would do the same.
And yet, he expected repayment at least! Forget about these fake titles or honors. He wanted a substantial reward! Because he knew how fragile his family's circumstances were! Without him to carry the reins, then his family would fall from grace and time showed that he was correct. He subtly protested a few times to the Ten Auroras, the governing half of the Celestial Council of Magic, and raised it to even the Three Sages. However, he was tacitly ignored. Perhaps, in their eyes, he was nothing more than a tool. Once his use expired, then he was discarded. Tengon became increasingly cynical and depressed that this was the kingdom he fought for. Over time, this transformed into resentment and hatred.
Inari and his partner grasped Tengon's psychology perfectly. Inari sneered. In truth, it was just the two of them on this mission. There was no one else helping them. Their threat to massacre this family was merely empty words. However, Tengon did not know that and it forced him to decide. Of course, if Inari and his partner were truly devoted, then the Vensire Family would suffer for it. If they could sneak into one of the most secure places of an Engelsheft Family, then no one would be safe! But that would be inefficient. This was the simplest and most straightforward method to get what they wanted.
Tengon closed his eyes and said, "Ten Dawn Nassandra Adnire… is one of the few living descendants of the legendary Arcellius Family! About the Arcellius Family, their history-"
Inari smiled. "There's no need to go further. I can see now that you're being honest with us." Tengon shivered. The first question was nothing more than a probe! "Next question: Why were you assigned to be Ten Dawn Nassandra's partner?"
"This... In truth, this is related to my speciality. While publicly I am an Arcanist that excels in wind-type magic, my Bloodline is related to sensory-type instead. I have a unique Bloodline Ability that allows me to sense subtle fluctuations in an Arcanist's Magic Aura. This allows me to determine whether they have a Bloodline and how close it is to awakening. It has a niche use, so I never publicized it. Naturally, I reported it to the Zino Kingdom as a Ten Dawn.
"Aside from a few cases, it never came up at all. However, when they promoted Nassandra to the Ten Dawns, I was assigned to be her partner. Originally, I thought nothing of it, but then I was assigned another mission: to use my Bloodline Ability and monitor her growth! I had to determine her value to the Zino Kingdom by closely interacting with her. I had to learn her habits, hobbies, thoughts, and potential. If she became a danger, then I had to eliminate her. If she became an asset, then I had to support her. If she awakened her Bloodline Ability, then I had to report it immediately. Nassandra had a terrifying power latent inside her that could propel the kingdom to the next level, and that was exactly what the Three Sages were eyeing!"
The two masked men said nothing and Tengon became anxious. It was far too difficult to read the atmosphere. Were they happy? Sad? Angry? He had no way of telling! It felt like he was talking to a brick wall! He felt so nervous that his nerves were about to snap. At least say something! he shouted internally.
After what seemed like an eternity, the crying masked man said, "Final question: Who ordered the hit on the Adnire family six years ago?"
"You…" Tengon widened his eyes in surprise. "Who said that anyone ordered the Adnire family to be attacked? I thought they died in the Invasion of Aereon."
The man snorted. "Don't play dumb with me. Didn't I tell you that for every answer I don't like, I would kill a member of your family?"
Tengon shrank back in fear and smiled wryly. "I… I really don't know anything else. I might have been a Ten Dawn, but I was nothing more than a tool for them. They wouldn't dare to tell me that much. If I had to guess, then I would… gamble that the Three Sages were involved."
"Oh? Go on," Inari was interested.
"I remember hearing a rumor that the Second Sage's injury was related to the Arcellius Family, but I don't know the exact details."
Inari's eyes shined. "Are you referring to what crippled Sage Alana?"
"I don't know. These are all rumors and speculation so I can't confirm anything."
"I see… Thank you for your cooperation, Ten Dawn Tengon Vensire," Inari said.
Tengon shook his head. "Before you kill me, will you spare my family? They're not involved in this. Consider this as my final request."
He knew beforehand that his death was certain. These two were peak-level assassins, or combatants on that level. With how careful and coordinated their actions were, would they leave behind such a glaring loophole? Obviously, they would not. They did not hesitate in threatening to massacre his entire family. He hoped that by cooperating honestly that these two would let the Vensire Family off. This would be his final act of duty to his family. Images of his parents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and everyone else flashed through his mind one last time.
Mother, father, I hope you won't mind me leaving early… he sighed.
"Rest assured, we don't act without purpose. Your family will remain untouched," Inari said with a hint of respect. Tengon was worthy of admiration! It was no wonder that he became the pillar of the Vensire Family. Once a part of the Ten Dawns and one of the strongest Arcanists in the Zino Kingdom, he was an integral figure in the Golden Nightmare and the final battle with the emperor. Unfortunately for him, his story would end here. Tengon Vensire died peacefully!