Conan makes his way back to the fortress, a look of utter satisfaction on his face. As he walks briskly toward his quarters, he mutters, "Well, that's one nuisance taken care of. A trap impeccably set for Aiden." His smile gets very wide as he imagines everything falling into place.
Back in the fortress, Aiden sits in his Command room, surrounded by Lina, Marius, and Kellan, all engrossed in a detailed discussion about fortress management. Aiden pauses mid-conversation and addresses Marius.
Aiden pauses mid-conversation and addresses Marius, "Marius, have you prepared the profiles of the adventurers we've recruited?"
Marius answers promptly. "Yes, my lord. I'll send them over by evening through Vice Commander Conan."
Even the mention of Conan's name casts a small shadow over Aiden's expression. He sits up, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Conan? Has he come in today," he asked .
Marius's expression was heavy with concern as he met his lord's gaze directly. "No, my lord. He hasn't. Although it's not uncommon for him to disappear for days after—well, after what he's been through." His voice carried a quiet seriousness, the worry in his tone unmistakable. He stood firm, though the weight of his thoughts seemed to press down on him.
Aiden is silent for a minute as his mind races. Conan's absence and Muinin's sudden disappearance gnawed at him. He stands suddenly from his seat.
"Marius, accompany me to Conan's quarters. I'd like to have a word with him."
The two men, accompanied by a group of guards, make their way to Conan's quarters. Meanwhile, in his garden, Conan is rehearsing his fabricated story, intending to lure Aiden to the monster nest. As he glances up, he notices Aiden, Marius, and the guards approaching. Panic flashes across his face, though he quickly schools his features into a semblance of calm.
Conan bows deeply as Aiden approaches."My lord, Commander Marius, what brings you here?"
"That's what I should be asking you, Conan," Aiden said, his sharp gaze fixed on Conan. "What have you been doing since morning?" His voice was calm, but his tone edged with authority; it made the question feel more like a demand than a casual inquiry.
Cona hesitates."I wasn't feeling well, my lord, so I took a leave to rest."
"Ah, yes, you took leave because you were unwell" Aiden said, towering over Conan who stood with his head bowed in front of him. Aiden smirks, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But really, can you imagine how utterly pathetic would it have been if you'd taken leave just because you were feeling a little down?" He let the words hang in the air, his gaze unwavering, the mockery in his tone slicing through the tense silence.
Conan's hands tighten into fists behind his back, his jaw clenching as he struggles to contain his anger.
"I apologize for not informing you beforehand, my lord. It won't happen again," he said, his hands were clenched tightly at his sides, a subtle hint of the tension he worked hard to suppress.
"No need for apologies, Conan. Rest is important for someone who's ill."Aiden leaned forward, his tone oozing with suspicion. "Speaking of which, what are you doing outside your quarters if you're so unwell?"
Conan hesitates before responding, his voice shaky."I… I just needed some fresh air." he stammered, his voice wavering as he spoke.
Aiden's gaze locked onto Conan, his expression tinged with skepticism as he crossed his arms."Fresh air does wonders, doesn't it?"
Without missing a beat, Aiden shifts the conversation.
"By the way, have you seen or spoken to Muinin recently?"
"No, my lord. I haven't seen him in days." Conan replied instantly, the words coming out in an instant as if he couldn't disagree fast enough.
Aiden raises an eyebrow, his tone sharpening.
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's odd," he said. "A soldier informed me that you summoned Muinin to your chambers," his expression unwavering as he spoke.
At this, Conan's face pales. He stammers, struggling to respond. Aiden calls out to the soldier in question, who steps forward, visibly trembling.
"It seems there's a discrepancy here. Tell me, soldier, is your report about Conan summoning Muinin false?"
The soldier glanced nervously at Conan, who glared at him with a warning look. Stuttering, the soldier begins to speak, but Aiden cuts him off.
"Spreading false information and tarnishing the Vice Commander's name is a serious offense."Aiden said, his gaze locking onto Marius. "Commander Marius, what punishment is fitting for such a deed?" His tone was stead, as if he already knew the answer and was waiting for Marius to confirm it.
Marius responded, his words deliberate."Stripping him of rank and five years of imprisonment is the minimum, Beheading the maximum."
Aiden nods thoughtfully, then speaks coldly.
"Very well…then proceed with the beheading."
The gathered crowd gasps in shock. Conan breaks into a cold sweat, while the soldier collapses to his knees, pleading desperately.
Soldier: "My lord, it's true! Vice Commander Conan ordered me to summon Muinin and to lie if questioned. Please, I beg you to spare me!"
As Marius unsheathes his blade, raising it high, the soldier's desperate cries fill the air. Just as the blade descends, Aiden calmly raises a hand, stopping Marius at the last moment. The blade's edge brushes the soldier's neck, leaving a thin red line.
Aiden turns to Conan, his eyes icy and piercing.
"Enough with your Bullshit, Conan. Where is Muinin? Choose your words carefully. You won't get another chance."
Conan looks around, searching for an escape, but the weight of Aiden's gaze pins him in place. He stammers, unable to form a coherent response.
Aiden's voice was icy, his gaze unflinching as he spoke. "I'm waiting, Conan." The words were simple, but the coldness in his tone left no room for delay or excuse.