Chương 592: Despicable Intentions

After completing the magical farm and speaking with Triss, Reima left to go check the prisoners that were apparently locked in his painted world. Teleporting inside was immediately greeted by the Housr Elves, Unicorns and Thestrals, he nodded at the Elves and petted the animals before calling for Hinky.

The ever Faithful House Elf pops before him and exclaims "Do you needs somethings Master?"

Reima nods, "Yeah, take me to where the prisoners are." he says, with the elf nodding and taking him to the cells.

Once there he was slightly startled at the amount of people present... He was expecting two or three, but the ten unfortunate men being tortured by the chilling winds was certainly a surprise.

Reima smiles at one through the bars, making them shiver, though whether this was due to his gaze or the cold temperatures was unknown. "Hello there, you've found yourself in a sour situation."

"P-P-Please, let me out! I d-d-did nothing!" he pleads.

Reima shakes his head, "Sure."

The man looks at him wide eyed, "R-Really?!?"

Reima nods, "After you've answered a few questions... Though, if you lie I will kill you." he looks at the other cells, "That goes for all of you, but I'm only expecting that you'll understand after my third victim." he says with a chuckle.

They all nod quickly, the man he was talking to doing so the fastest.

Reima nods, "Right, let's ask you a couple questions then... What's your name and who do you work for?"

"I-I'm called Varteand, and I'm a poacher... Please don't hurt me!" he begs.

Reima "Poacher? What is someone like you doing so close to the "Monster" Infested mountains?"

Varteand "I-I was looking for rare animals, I need to pay off my debts... That have my sister!"

Reima "Is that so? Hmm, your story sounds legit... But! Where are my manners? Would you like a drink?" he asks, materialising a porcelain cup in his hand filled with tea that he heats up by quickly manipulating some fire.

Varteand nods rapidly and reaches through the bars for it, Reima hands it to him and he quickly drinks it, savouring the heat that trails down his throat.

Reima smiles, "Now, who do you really work for?"

Varteand "Mensfeld of cour-" he drops the cup and it shatters to the floor, he looks at his hands and begins to sweat profusely despite the winter breeze blowing through the cell.

Varteand "W-W-What did you do to me?!?" he asks quickly.

Reima grins and telekinetically levitates the shattered cup, casting a silent charm on it that causes it to repair before the man's eyes. "Why, I cast a spell on you. You can't lie to me anymore, I might be lenient and kill you quickly if you spill your guts now."

Tears begin to from in Varteands eyes as he drops to his knees and begs, "P-Please don't! I want to live! I'll do anything!" he exclaims.

Reima's brows furrow, "Then, what did Mensfeld send you to do?" he asks.

Varteand "H-He wanted information about the happenings of Kaer Morhen, and a detailed map about the area."

Reima "And?" he asks, guessing there's probably more.

Varteand "He also wanted me to try and gain leverage against whoever was in charge of the fortress, he suggested kidnapping a resident... I swear, that's all!"

Reima nods, "Hmm, alright... Hinky, take this man away... Not to the horses this time." he states as the House Elf pops into the cell and salutes Reima before teleporting away with the man.

Reima strolls in-front of the next cell, a man with a shocked expression sits on the floor as he looks up at Reima. "You're next." he says with a grin.

The man tried to resist, not saying a single word to any of the questions Reima had, it was only when Reima showed his Humanity devouring a mouse that the man began talking. Though after forcefully apply Veritaserum to them it seemed most were lies with small truths sprinkled in.

Reima sighs, "Well, that's two liars... And unfortunately for you, two is today's unlucky number." he says as the Staff of Manus floats out of his shadow and begins spinning before burying itself in the man's skull. A pulse of white mist signals the absorption of the man's soul as Humanity liquidates his body as if it were dumped in a vat of acid.

Clapping his hands clean Reima walks to the next cell, the man immediately shouting everything he knows. He was apparently sent by someone called Kreld Gaeveled, apparently, they're the ruler of Rakverelin. Reima wasn't really interested as their identity didn't matter, only their intentions. Unfortunately for the man his job of marking any trade routes, burning any granaries and assassinating anyone important meant he was horse food.

Most of the rest were similar, having been sent by Mensfeld or one of the other Nobility to scout, infiltrate and or sabotage Kaer Morhen. Though, there were a few innocent people who had literally just been fleeing a bandit group or the war as a whole. These people were given the choice to stay in the settlement, an offer they gratefully accepted

The last person though was the most interesting of the lot, Reima had gotten bored by now and had already forced them to ingest Veritaserum and begun questioning. The information he procured was some of the most aggravating and surprising things he'd heard in a while... Radovid had sent this man, he was one of the best men in the lands at infiltration and other similar lines of work. He had been sent to drug and kidnap... Ciri.

Reima didn't know where Radovid had learned of Ciri's existence, or even that she was located here. But it was definitely a problem. Reima assumed it was because the man wanted leverage against the Nilfgaardian Emperor, maybe he was right or maybe the man intended more despicable things... One way to gain legitimacy for the Nilfgaardian empire would indeed be to marry Ciri, something Reima knew she'd not do unless magically compelled or given no other option.

Perhaps it was time to change how he thought about other countries? He thought to himself.