Torture and Interrogation

“Who… who exactly are you?”

Belinda produced a document.
Initially, she had no intention of investigating Ciel, but given Ciel’s involvement in the current case, standard procedure necessitated an inquiry.

The findings, however, left her quite astonished.
The earliest record of this woman indicated she had opened a maid cafe just days prior.

Before that, there was absolutely no trace of her existence.
It was as if she had materialized out of thin air, her past experiences utterly untraceable.

Now, her appearance at the auction house, linked to the theft at the Magic Device Institute, seemed undeniably suspicious.

“My name is Ciel, nothing more.”

“Then where does your Star Dragon power come from?”

“I worship the Cosmic Dragon. This power is a gift from my deity.”

“Are you an Astrologer?”

“No. While I understand astrology, I much prefer to be a maid.”

“Huh? You won’t be an Astrologer, but you’ll be a maid?”

Belinda stared at Ciel with an incredulous gaze.
Despite possessing extraordinary magical talent, she chose not to become an esteemed mage, but rather a maid who served others.

This couldn’t help but remind Belinda of that fanatical maid enthusiast she had encountered at the Royal Etiquette Academy!

Seeing that Ciel still had no intention of confessing, Belinda’s expression grew grave.
The immediate priority was to ascertain if she had any connection to the Cosmos family.

Speak of the devil.
The door to the interrogation room slowly opened, and a young knight handed a sealed letter to Belinda.
The wax seal confirmed it was indeed correspondence from the Cosmos family.

Belinda broke the seal, opened it, and quickly read through the contents.
A moment later, she spoke in a solemn voice:

“The head of the Cosmos family has personally written to state that they do not have a silver-haired maid named Ciel, and are unaware of the Magic Device Institute theft. However, seeing as you also worship the Cosmic Dragon, they are willing to vouch for you.”

“…Please convey my thanks to the head of the Cosmos family for their kindness. I am deeply grateful.”

Ciel fell silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
Ultimately, she still couldn’t escape her sister’s protection.

“…”

Belinda raised the letter in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Ciel and Alicia—their names were quite similar, and even their appearances bore a striking resemblance.

Although Alicia claimed to have no such maid in her household, the congruence of the name, appearance, and Stardragon power was simply too coincidental.
It was difficult not to suspect some deeper connection.

In Belinda’s estimation, there was undoubtedly an extraordinary relationship between this Ciel and Alicia.

“How much do you know about the Magic Device Institute theft case?”

“I haven’t heard of it.”

Ciel stated plainly.

“On the night of May 24th, exactly a week ago, the Magic Device Institute was infiltrated by a group of mysterious individuals. They stole several magical devices that were under development.

The guards on duty discovered them, and a fierce battle ensued.
Ultimately, several of the intruders were killed, but a number of magical devices were still stolen, including this very terminal!”

Belinda gestured towards the confiscated item placed nearby – Ren Daozhen’s mobile phone.

“This magical device is the Magic Device Institute’s latest product. Though unassuming in appearance, it contains the Institute’s core technology. Ordinary people wouldn’t know its functions, yet you spared no expense to acquire it at auction. What is your explanation for this?”

“That item is not a magical device, nor is it called a terminal. It’s a mobile phone, Mr. Ren Daozhen’s personal property. It was accidentally lost, found by someone from the merchant guild, and then put up for auction. Mr. Ren Daozhen merely sought to retrieve what belonged to him.”

“Are you saying… that thing isn’t a magical device? Impossible. I’ve seen that terminal before; it’s practically identical.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can have someone from the Magic Device Institute examine it. They’ll confirm whether it’s the stolen terminal.”

“We will.”

Belinda gave a slight nod.

“Until then, please remain here with your friend. Once everything is clarified, you will all be cleared.”

“Captain, Ren Daozhen has confessed.”

Just then, another young knight entered the room and handed a piece of paper to Belinda.

“Oh? He’s actually a Transmigrator? I’ve only ever seen similar records in ancient texts.”

“Did you torture him?”

Seeing that Ren Daozhen had even confessed to being a Transmigrator, Ciel remarked with a hint of envy.

“Of course not. At most, there was some verbal pressure. Our Holy Adjudicator Knight Order is a legitimate organization; we don’t privately torture prisoners.

Wait, what exactly do you mean by that envious expression?”

“N-nothing… It’s just, at the thought of having my limbs pulled until they dislocate; of having my finger bones crushed by thumb screws… my body feels a little restless…”

Ciel lightly stroked her chest, taking a deep breath to compose herself.

“Mr. Ren Daozhen is delicate and frail; he can’t withstand torture. If you wish to interrogate someone, please come to me instead. I can handle it!”

“No… there’s no need… You are merely suspects… not serious criminals… so there’s no call for torture.”

Watching Ciel, whose gaze grew increasingly peculiar, Belinda felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple.
This woman truly was strange.

“In any case, please wait here. We will report this matter to our superiors. You will be released by tomorrow at the latest. If you have any requests, please don’t hesitate to voice them. Should you desire a better room, simply let us know.”

After reviewing Ren Daozhen’s confession, Belinda found herself intrigued by the young Transmigrator.

She instructed her subordinates to arrange a better room for them before she departed.

Thus, Ciel was moved to another detention room.
It wasn’t large, but it was remarkably clean, and all the necessary amenities were quite complete.

With nothing else to do, Ciel took out her needle and thread, sitting by the bed to sew clothes.

Time quietly flowed, and before she knew it, evening had arrived.

“Miss Ciel, your friend has come to visit you.”

Just then, a blonde girl entered Ciel’s room. It was Claire.

“Claire? How did you know I was here?”

“Head Maid, word has spread like wildfire outside! They say the Pine Scent Rat Merchant Guild is suspected of auctioning illegal goods, and many people have been arrested.

I heard there was a very beautiful silver-haired maid among them, and I guessed it might be you, Head Maid? So I came to check, and it turns out it’s true.”

“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine; it’s just a routine interrogation. I’ll be released tomorrow.”

“That’s good then! It’s truly wonderful that the Head Maid is alright!

Oh, I brought some food. Head Maid, are you hungry?”

“Thank you. Oh, you brought quite a lot. I’ll just eat a little; please give the rest to Mr. Ren Daozhen. He’s also being held here.”

“Oh, on my way here, I ran into Mr. Ren Daozhen’s friend. She’s also here to visit him.”

“A friend?”

“Yes, a very beautiful woman with silver-blue hair.”

“Oh, that’s the married shop owner.”