บท 58: Chapter 58: A final fight

"Drop your weapons and storage rings!" Lucas commanded from a distance, gesturing to the surrounding troops.

Cassian and the others complied without hesitation, placing their weapons and Storage rings on the ground and raising their hands.

"Until we can fully verify your identities as humans, we won't take any of your words as truth. But rest assured, we won't act aggressively unless necessary." Lucas spoke from a distance, clearly wanting to avoid any unnecessary confrontations.

The StarHold forces separated the group to prevent communication, surrounding each individual with about four soldiers each.

The other S- rank and the remaining A+ ranks all surrounded Jin, indicating their awareness of his true strength.

(POV: Cassian.)

"Cassian StarHold, is that really you?" Lucas approached me after separating me from the others, his expression still neutral but slightly warmer.

"Yes, cousin." I replied with a bit of awkwardness, having never seen this person before in Cassian's memories and not having written such a character in the game.

Calling a complete stranger "cousin" felt somewhat embarrassing. I tried to go along with it since Jin wouldn't speak unless he was certain.

"Cassian... I heard you disappeared in Mountain of Fog seven months ago, and no one has seen you since. Council forces stormed the mountain a month ago and found no traces either. Can you tell me what happened there?" Lucas spoke informally, clearly testing my identity.

"The fog there deceives the senses, but by using the Northern Lantern and the Pendant of Certainty, navigating was manageable." I replied honestly, not wanting to raise any suspicion and start another unnecessary fight.

"How was your journey from the south of the mountain? I heard a council member helped you move there." Lucas began to speak with false information, hoping I would fall into his trap if I were an imposter.

"I made a deal with Lady Loana, and a member of her secret team transported me to the north of the mountain, near the goblins nation." I replied quickly, making it clear that I didn't need to think to explain the truth.

Then, the final proof...

"Here is a copy of the contract we made." I extended my hand towards Lucas, and a copy of the soul contract appeared.

After signing a contract between two people, a mental copy is given to each of them, which can be materialized just as I did now. In some important military locations, these contracts are used as identity verification documents.

Lucas looked at the contract for a moment, then began to laugh. "So, you really survived from there! Delaying our judgment on you wasn't a mistake!" Lucas suddenly put his hand on my shoulder and started acting strangely friendly.

I'm sure... even the previous Cassian had never seen this person before. Why is he acting like this?

Does he want something from me? The sudden change in his demeanor once he confirmed my identity was unusual. It seemed Lucas realized this, as he immediately withdrew his hand and apologized politely.

"Sorry, I got carried away. You just don't know how much my father and I struggled in the family council, arguing that something like this would happen!" he paused to catch his breath, then continued:

"Although Darian has already inherited the rule, you can still initiate an inheritance trial with my father and Alios' support. I'll introduce you to them later."

I was a bit stunned to see how quickly this man's personality changed. From a cold soldier to a friendly cousin.

"O-Okay!"

—-----

<<Where did you come from?>> Ten soldiers surrounded Jin, who had been separated from the others some time ago.

"From the Eastern Sea, we were stranded on an island that was enslaved."

<<Where were you born?>>

"In the west, I lived my whole life considering StarHold as the royal family to follow."

<<What is your identity number?>>

"Due to using one of my skills, my entire body structure was altered, so I won't be recognized. But my identity number is: ****"

<<Jin Marsh? You were sent on a mission at Lady Loana's request and disappeared in the Eastern Sea. Is that you?>>

"Yes."

<<How did you end up on that island, and how did you meet the others in your group?>>

"I ended up falling into the sea after failing my mission. I woke up to find myself on the island's shore with Prince Cassian. We were put under a hypnotic influence and forced to work as laborers for some time. The rest of the group were my companions there, and people who helped us escape."

<<What was the nature of the mission you were sent on?>>

"Classified information, I cannot disclose."

<<Why are you escorting Prince Cassian?>>

"You'll have to ask him yourself."

<<Why were you attacked by the dwarves?>>

"It was surprising, I don't know the reason myself."

<<How did you rise from rank A+ to S within four months?>>

"Personal secret."

<<How can we verify your identity?>>

"Wait for Lucas to return."

Jin closed his eyes after the last answer and completely stopped responding to any other questions. He had given them enough information that would soon be published everywhere. Any additional details he considered secret and would only disclose to friends.

Giving his ID number might become a problem later, but since Loana has no control over this group, his information probably won't reach her. The questioning continued for a long time, and he answered everything briefly, without giving the soldiers any significant information.

Jin wondered what was happening with the others…

***

Daristan and Killian were also separated and received the same questions that Jin had answered. Killian's answers were exactly like Jin's, except he refused to verify his identity or state his exact birthplace.

This made things worse for him, and the soldiers might soon start using force to make him answer. Unfortunately, he really couldn't answer those questions, as it would put both him and Daristan in danger.

The situation was tense with Killian, but it was at least better than Daristan's...

***

<<Where did you come from?>>

"I don't even know where I am now."

<<Where were you born?>>

"In the north."

<<What do you know about the north currently?>>

"Under the leadership of the MoonHold family, I believe the heir took the family's throne about a year ago."

<<It's impossible that you don't know what happened months ago. Why are you pretending to be ignorant of the obvious?>>

"Huh? What are you talking about?!"

<<The MoonHold family was confirmed to have abdicated in favor of the government five months ago..>>

Daristan's expression changed, and he reached into the air. "I know you're messing with me!" A moonlight sword appeared in his hand as he finished speaking.

The moon had finally begun to appear in the sky for some time, and it was clear that his sword had become much sharper. Not just the sword, even Daristan himself started to emit a much stronger aura than his level.

<<Throw the sword away and lie down on the ground! Any unnecessary action will only cause you harm!>> The StarHold soldiers shouted loudly, each of them unleashing their power one after the other.

"What you said cannot be ignored!" Daristan's voice grew louder, and he eventually moved toward the nearest soldier.

"Stop immediately!" Lucas appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Daristan's sword and the soldier's hand that was about to strike him. Of course, he didn't do it with his bare hand. White fur grew on his hand accompanied by long, sharp claws, which he used to stop both strikes with relative ease.

'This person… he is much stronger than his level…' Lucas looked at Daristan while thinking, thoroughly impressed.

"The prince's identity has been confirmed. Release his companions immediately!" Lucas ordered after lowering his hand, then looked at Daristan.

"Sorry about that, but I was listening to your interrogation." Lucas spoke while cleaning his hand.

"Your ignorance of what happened is understandable. You were likely lost 'there' before that event occurred." Lucas hid the handkerchief and began to approach Daristan.

His hands returned to normal, but his eyes remained completely red, with a long yellow slit like a cat's eyes.

"But no matter how shocking the news is, I suggest you don't attack my soldiers again." A short distance separated Daristan and Lucas's faces, with the latter's voice carrying a clear threat.

"Do you want a fight?!" Daristan obviously didn't back down, as white armor began to surround his body.

"Are you seriously telling me that a royal family has abdicated? simply like that?" The rate at which the armor was forming accelerated strangely as his anger increased.

"Are you saying the eclipse makers gave up just like that?" Daristan's eyes became bloodshot as the transformation completed, and a dragon helmet appeared on his head.

Behind him, a small shape of the moon under the effect of an eclipse appeared before everyone, making them appreciate his power even more.

Lucas looked at Daristan with the same eyes, then sighed. "As you wish…"