The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the cobbled streets of Befardo. Lanterns flickered to life, illuminating the city in a soft, golden glow. Liam and Caiser made their way towards the barracks, where the Queen's special unit held the detained woman.
"You're really going through with this?" Caiser asked, a hint of unease in his voice.
Liam glanced over, his expression relaxed. "Why not? I'm curious, and besides, it might be fun."
Caiser sighed, shaking his head. "You're treating this like a game, Liam. But these soldiers are loyal to the Queen. They won't hesitate to use force if they feel threatened."
Liam's smirk didn't waver. "Good. I wouldn't want them to make it too easy."
They approached the barracks, a fortified building that loomed over the nearby shops and homes. Two guards stood at the entrance, their faces stoic as they eyed the approaching pair.
"Halt," one of the guards commanded. "State your business."
Caiser stepped forward, giving a friendly nod. "We're here to inquire about the woman you brought in earlier. We believe there may have been a misunderstanding."
The guard's expression remained unchanged. "This is an internal matter of the Queen's unit. Outsiders have no authority here."
Liam let out a small chuckle, stepping forward. "Is that so? You might want to reconsider."
The guards exchanged a glance, visibly irritated. "Who do you think you are?"
"Liam Hemsworth," he said, his voice calm but carrying a weight that made the guards stiffen. "And I suggest you let us through, unless you want the Queen herself hearing about this."
The guards hesitated, clearly uncertain. Caiser placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of one of them. "We don't want trouble. We just want to make sure justice is served."
After a tense moment, the guards stepped aside, allowing them entry. Liam gave a small, satisfied nod as they passed through the heavy wooden doors.
Inside, the barracks was dimly lit, with soldiers milling about. At the far end of the room, a young woman knelt on the floor, her hands bound. The soldier with the scar from earlier stood over her, barking orders to another guard.
"Keep a close eye on her. We don't need her causing any more trouble," the scarred man growled.
Liam's eyes narrowed as he approached. "Still roughing her up, I see."
The scarred soldier turned, his expression twisting into a scowl. "You again? I told you to stay out of this."
Liam ignored him, crouching down to meet the woman's gaze. Her eyes were filled with fear and exhaustion, but she managed a weak smile when she saw him.
"You're here," she whispered, almost in disbelief.
"Of course," Liam replied softly. "Can you tell me what happened?"
The scarred soldier stepped forward, grabbing Liam's shoulder. "Enough of this! She's a thief. We caught her red-handed!"
Liam slowly stood up, his expression darkening. He didn't say a word, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The other soldiers shifted uncomfortably, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere.
"Tell me," Liam said quietly, his voice laced with a cold edge, "what exactly did she steal?"
The soldier hesitated, taken aback by the intensity in Liam's gaze. "She… she was found near a merchant's stall. There was a scuffle, and she tried to run."
Liam glanced at the woman, who shook her head vehemently. "I wasn't stealing," she insisted. "I was just looking for my brother. They grabbed me without warning."
Ray's voice echoed in Liam's mind. "Liam, this is more than just a misunderstanding. Look at the scarred soldier's ring."
Liam's eyes flicked down to the man's hand. He spotted a ring similar to the one Rhett had worn during the interrogation—a dungeon item designed to detect lies. However, this ring's gem was dark and cracked.
"A broken lie detector ring?" Liam thought to himself. "Interesting."
He turned back to the soldier, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Your ring is broken," Liam said casually. "You can't even tell if she's lying, can you?"
The soldier's face paled. He clenched his fists, clearly caught off guard. "That's none of your business!"
"Oh, but it is," Liam said, his voice dripping with amusement. "You see, I can't stand it when someone abuses their power."
Before the soldier could react, Liam raised his hand, activating his skill [Mark]. A faint glow enveloped the man's wrist as the [Wiretap] ability took hold.
The soldier flinched, feeling the sensation but unable to understand what it was. He glared at Liam, trying to mask his unease. "Get out, or I'll have you arrested too!"
Liam leaned in close, his smile widening. "You're welcome to try."
Caiser quickly stepped between them, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright, let's all calm down. We're just here to ask a few questions. No need for threats."
The scarred soldier gritted his teeth but eventually stepped back, muttering curses under his breath. Caiser turned to the woman, offering her a reassuring smile. "We'll get this sorted out, I promise."
As they led the woman outside, Liam glanced at Caiser, who seemed unusually tense. "What's on your mind?" Liam asked.
Caiser sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're pushing your luck, Liam. These soldiers might not hesitate to report you to higher authorities."
Liam shrugged, unbothered. "Let them. I want to see who comes for me."
They reached a quieter street, away from the prying eyes of the barracks. The woman looked at Liam with tears in her eyes. "Thank you… I thought I was done for."
Liam gave her a small nod. "Just tell me one thing. Who were you looking for in the plaza?"
"My brother," she whispered. "He went missing a few days ago. I've been searching everywhere, but no one will help me."
Ray's voice chimed in. "A missing person case in the capital? This might be worth investigating."
Liam's expression softened. "I'll see what I can find. Go home for now, and stay out of sight."
The woman nodded gratefully and disappeared into the night. Caiser turned to Liam, a look of concern on his face. "You're really going to look into this, aren't you?"
"Of course," Liam replied. "There's more going on here than just a simple arrest."
Caiser sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're going to get us both in trouble."
Liam's smile was sharp, almost predatory. "Trouble is where I thrive."