Zalkareth's heavy gaze stayed fixed on Orsuis's body.

For a moment, his cold, calculating eyes looked like they wanted to read through every layer of his existence.

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be interrogating that human right now? The one they say managed to use demonic energy." he asked in a casual tone.

Daniel, inside Orsuis's body, didn't hesitate even for a second. With a rough and cold voice, he said:

"I interrogated him. He kept repeating one thing… that he doesn't know anything. And I believe him. That human really doesn't have the ability to use demonic energy. It's impossible for humans to use demonic energy."

Zalkareth tilted his head a little. His fingers tapped quietly on the edge of the Gulf of Sumer map, then he nodded with a thoughtful expression.

"I think so too. Most likely he just copied a skill that carried demonic energy and used it. Something like that isn't impossible."

For a moment, Daniel was genuinely shocked. He didn't expect such an accurate analysis. Not just reasoning, he actually uncovered the entire truth so easily.

That alone was enough to make Daniel's danger sense activate for the first time since entering this demon base.

This demon in front of him was dangerous.

"Still, make sure no other human with this kind of ability exists. After that, kill the same human. There's no need to leave a threat, even a one-percent one." Zalkareth continued.

"Alright." Daniel nodded calmly.

"Where is that girl? I want to interrogate her personally." Daniel said suddenly.

"There's no need. Other people are responsible for that." Zalkareth raised an eyebrow.

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

"I didn't ask."Orsuis's harsh aura suddenly grew heavier, and Daniel spoke with a cold, threatening tone.

A few seconds of deadly silence passed, then Zalkareth suddenly laughed, a mocking, sarcastic laugh.

"Haha… fine, calm down."

"Take him to that female human." He raised his hand and called one of the guards.

Daniel left the room with the guard, and just as the door closed behind him, Zalkareth frowned deeply. His gaze stayed on the map for several seconds; it wasn't clear what he was thinking about.

The guard led Daniel through the twisting, dark hallways of the base. The further they went, the colder the air became. The walls got more damp, and the atmosphere heavier.

Daniel was a bit surprised at how much time they must have spent building a place like this under the base. It was obvious they spent far more time here than on the fortress above.

Eventually, they reached a completely underground section; a cell that was different from the others. The thick door opened, and Daniel walked inside.

Lyra was chained to the wall with black chains. Her body was full of wounds, her clothes torn and soaked with dried blood. Her head was lowered, and her shoulders shook with every breath she took from crying.

Fear was all over her; a fear that no longer needed screaming, it was just sitting inside her body. With one look, it was clear she had lost all hope of living.

The guard stepped back. Daniel walked forward.

As soon as he entered, Lyra's body tensed up. Even her spirit seemed to shrink. She clearly expected another round of torture.

"It's better if you tell us where the thing we're looking for is." Daniel frowned and said it in a loud, harsh voice.

"I… I don't know…" Lyra answered with a broken, weak, trembling voice.

"Don't be scared. This demon is under my control."

At that moment, Daniel's real voice echoed inside her mind.

Lyra's eyes widened in shock. She looked up in disbelief. But immediately, Daniel's voice rang again in her head:

"Act terrified. I don't want anyone to get suspicious."

With all her shock and fear, Lyra forced herself to stay in character.

"I'm one of the same men you saw in the carriage. I heard the truth from Melia. I know what the demons are looking for. If you want to stay alive, you need to tell me where that thing is." Daniel continued quietly in her mind.

Lyra stayed silent. Her expression tightened. It was completely clear that she was fighting a horrible battle inside, between telling and not telling. And that battle wasn't easy at all.

On one side was her own life, and on the other side was the safety of the entire continent. She didn't want and couldn't allow the demons to reach that place.

To fool the guards, Daniel suddenly grabbed her by the neck and squeezed hard.

"Human! If you don't want your servant to be ripped apart in front of you, talk!"

"D… demons can't get the thing they're looking for…" Lyra said in a choked, weak voice.

She had clearly made her decision, even knowing what the result could be.

"Don't be too confident. It looks like they want to negotiate with humans… they want to trade you in exchange for that thing."

Daniel said in her mind.

Lyra's expression immediately changed; the color drained from her face.

"We demons get anything we want."

Daniel said with Orsuis's loud voice and laughed.

"Tell me… what exactly do you have that makes demons so sure humans will agree to a deal?"

And then he added quietly in her mind:

But Lyra suddenly broke. Her tears got worse, and with sheer terror she shouted:

"Kill me now! Do it right now! Don't let that exchange happen! If they get that thing… it won't just be our death… the entire world will be in danger!"

Daniel frowned deeply. Naturally he already understood the danger, especially after hearing the demons' plan and knowing what they intended to do.

He was thinking about the connection between the Pagoda of Eternity, the divine essence, and that "thing" when suddenly footsteps echoed from outside.

The cell door opened.

"General Orsuis… His Highness has summoned you. It seems… the time for negotiation has come." one of the demons said respectfully.

Daniel froze for a moment in place.

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