Chapter 201 Room 201, Second Floor, Lichtenst Castle

In room 201 on the second floor of Lichtenst Castle, a completely different conversation was taking place. There was no fear or torture here, only focused and polite dialogue.

All the lights were on, making this bedroom brighter and warmer than the one next door.

Large windows allowed ample moonlight to stream into the room, mingling with the lamplight and illuminating the murals adorning the walls.

"Then we can start here."

Lan Qi leaned back in his chair, holding a cup of tea, occasionally blowing on the rising steam.

Before them was a square table, with Lan Qi and Hyperion sitting on one side.

Hyperion held a pen, ready to take notes.

"Please cooperate with us as much as possible."

Hyperion was now very accustomed to speaking in a businesslike, polite tone.

Seated across the table was an imperial noble girl, wearing handcuffs and shackles.

Even muffled by the walls, the screams from the next room were still faintly audible.

In comparison, it was clear that Lan Qi and the others were treating this noble girl with considerable courtesy.

After all, her status in the Kruit Empire was likely not low.

"Your name."

"...Alexia."

"Age, identity, and address."

"..."

Alexia remained silent.

Facing imminent death, she had no interest in answering such trivial questions.

"Don't worry, we've turned off the Shadow World Recording Program. No one will hear our conversation now, and the noise from next door won't disturb the audience in the real world," Lan Qi said calmly.

Hyperion glanced at him, unsure if Lan Qi was speaking normally or using code words.

His words seemed to suggest to the girl named Alexia that if she didn't cooperate, they could send her next door!

"I am Alexia Gemidia Julius, the third princess of the Kruit Empire," Alexia said with a slight frown, somewhat impatiently.

She didn't like Lan Qi's unwarranted confidence.

He was clearly struggling, yet he insisted on acting like he had everything under control.

She could understand him maintaining this facade during the day as a psychological tactic.

But now that the vampire count was coming, his composure seemed foolish.

He simply didn't understand how terrifying vampires were.

"...?"

Hyperion was startled, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.

They were interrogating a princess of the Kruit Empire while she was bound. If they hadn't had the foresight to turn off the Shadow World Recording Program, it would have been a serious broadcasting accident!

The Kruit Empire was far from comparable to any kingdom in the Southern Continent. If they angered the empire, even the Hutton Kingdom would be in trouble!

However, Lan Qi simply nodded, not caring about her identity.

It was as if everyone was equal in his eyes.

"Princess Alexia, were you aware that your two companions are members of the Rebirth Church?" Lan Qi only added a respectful title in his next question.

"I wasn't. They are my classmates and partners at the Kruit Royal Academy," Princess Alexia replied succinctly.

She had no interest in lying.

Alexia knew that with that gray-haired, red-skirted demon nearby, her emotions would be amplified, and lying would be easily detected.

The fact that they had bound and interrogated a princess like her was already a serious crime.

Even if they were foreigners, the Kruit Empire could request extradition.

But she had no interest or need to pursue it.

"I also believe that the Rebirth Church wouldn't infiltrate the Kruit Empire's royal family." Lan Qi smiled and signaled to Hyperion that she could remove Princess Alexia's handcuffs and shackles.

Now that all of her purple and lower-ranked magic cards had been confiscated, even if she wanted to use magic, they had a silencing spell ready.

Hyperion nodded.

She quickly unlocked Alexia.

The sound of metal hitting the ground echoed.

"Hah..."

Hyperion watched Princess Alexia, no longer looking like a prisoner, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Alexia still leaned lifelessly against the chair, motionless like a doll.

There was no difference from when they had her bound.

"Young people should have some vigor..." Lan Qi looked at the princess and sighed helplessly.

Continuing this conversation might reveal many truths, but it wouldn't have any significant meaning.

What Lan Qi really wanted to verify was just one thing.

Under the influence of the poet of love, how much did Princess Alexia truly know about the vampires she feared?

After all, Lan Qi was the only one who knew the information about the game's main storyline in a year and a half: "The Kruit Empire will be gradually蚕食 controlled by the resurgent vampires," "The Kruit Empire in the south is actually the vampires' lair," and "Duke Megaia's disappearance is related to the Kruit Empire and the vampires."

According to Lan Qi's understanding of the current international situation, the Kruit Empire was still a bright and shining behemoth, showing no signs of powerful vampire activity.

As a princess with the protection of many eighth- and even ninth-order national heroes, Alexia shouldn't fear mere low-level vampires wandering within the country.

Unless, she had already perceived some clues and ominous signs within the empire.

"The Kruit Empire has been infiltrated to this extent. Your Kruit Empire is truly incompetent," Lan Qi said, taking a sip of tea, sighing as if he had given up on the interrogation.

"Our Kruit Empire hasn't been infiltrated at all!" Alexia retorted, raising a rare bit of anger, glaring at Lan Qi as if he had hit a sore spot.

"I was referring to the Rebirth Church," Lan Qi smiled, looking at her with slight surprise and confusion.

As if he didn't understand why she was so agitated.

"..."

Alexia looked at Lan Qi's childish demeanor, unsure if she was being too sensitive or if this guy was deliberately being mischievous.

But... the latter was unlikely.

How could a young man from the Hutton Kingdom know the desperate situation hidden beneath the Kruit Empire?

Then, Alexia returned to her despondent state.

She didn't even have the strength to retort to Lan Qi.

How could she not know that the empire was being infiltrated... but there was no one to tell.

After all, even if she revealed the secret that "she had noticed that the behemoth of the Kruit Empire had been unknowingly eroded by terrifying vampires," others would only think she, the princess, had gone mad.

No one would believe her.

The vampires would also do everything possible to eliminate her immediately.

(End of Chapter)