The man somehow correctly identified this place as the Dungeon of Lust, but it seemed he thought Salome to be the host. Well, that was probably because Salome was the only one he could actually see due to the quills on her wings glowing, and her figure embodied lust much more than Vale's.

"I'm a magnanimous woman. So I'll overlook your rude behavior and grant your request. If you tell me everything I need to know, that is. And, don't even try to lie, or you know the fate that awaits you."

The man's shrill voice receded to a small whimper, small tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

"I understand…"

The man tightly closed his eyes, probably a precaution any Pandora native would take when facing Lust. Or at least that was Vale's interpretation of the strange action.

"First… Where are we?"

"You don't kn—?" The man quickly corrected himself. "You are in the Northern region of the Teracotta Scar."

'Oh great… I know exactly where that is!'

While having one piece of the puzzle wasn't by any means helpful, it would definitely help build the wider view. So, Vale took a mental note of the most essential information: Northern.

Vale had no idea where north or south was yet, and he didn't want to assume the sun rose and fell from the same position as on Terra, but this was a step toward that cardinal understanding.

"And how did you end up here, chained and bloodied?"

"I…" the man stuttered and choked on his spit, then continued, "I come from a nearby village, and, once a week, we make an offering to the river goddess… I was that offering. A week ago, at least. But I survived the fall and waited to die… That's when I realized our goddess was fake, since she should be at the base of the waterfall. Since then, I have been trying to make my way to Eagles Landing."

Salome put a hand on the man's wet cheek, brushing his short, matted brown hair back and out of his eyes.

"Eagles Landing… care to explain?"

"Y-yes… Eagles Landing, a couple of hundred kilometers South, is an Akkuron outpost on the edge of the scar. They have an elevator and often patrol the ground due to the Dungeon of Envy's nearby location."

'Envy?'

Vale stared in surprise at the terrified man whose face was streaming with tears, and his eyes were still clamped shut. The pitiful fool was still trying his best to resist Salome's charm. And, much to his credit, the man hadn't eased up at all yet. Though it was just a matter of when, not if.

Even if Salome couldn't thoroughly charm the man with her ability, the natural effect of persuasion she and Vale exuded wasn't the easiest to ignore. If the man let his guard down for a moment, he'd begin to trust Salome and speak without a single reservation. Possibly revealing something he otherwise wouldn't.

'So Envy is relatively close?'

'But… he really thought he was going to make it even 20 kilometers more in that condition?'

'Hope is a dreadful thing…'

"So, this Akkuron… I assume it's a nation. I also assume it's not the only nation on this continent. Also, which direction is the waterfall from here?"

The man winced and tried to crane his neck to shake off Salome, but his position was firmly solidified.

"Y-yeah! And the waterfall is North! Eagles Landing South! As for the continent… It's split in half by the scar, East and West. Akkuron controls all land on the East side, while Celestia controls the West."

The glow of Salome's eyes brightened.

"Fascinating… So, who's stronger? And which side of the scar is this dungeon, East or West?"

"I-I think West… And I don't know! I'm sorry!"

Salome, even if the man wasn't looking at her, gave him a reassuring smile.

"No worries… I don't expect a village boy to know the military and economic powers at be. But, there is something else you know that I want."

Salome traced the man's jawline until her finger was under his chin, then she slightly lifted it up.

The man peeked open an eye.

"Y-yes?"

"You were from a village, you said? I assume it's close by if your past time is throwing people off a waterfall."

"Y-yeah. It's on the East side near the edge."

"How strong is it? And how many people live there?"

The man opened his eyes wide and stared into Salome's

"Y-you… what are you planning?!"

Salome gave the poor fool a sadistic smile.

"Nothing yet…"

The man grimaced.

"I beg of you, leave the village alone!"

Ximena, standing a little away, couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle.

"You're trying to protect the people who cast you off to appease a false goddess? Humans really are such entertaining and interesting creatures."

'Seriously, how did she just laugh without moving her facial muscles!'

The man drew his eyes in her general direction, but it was clear he couldn't see her. Perhaps the only thing he could see was the reflection of the gems embedded in the flowing sash.

"They— Because— Just whatever you do, I beg of you, spare a girl named Ophelia!"

Ximena slung a callous remark in reply:

"How are we supposed to spare a girl we don't know based on name alone? And why would we ever listen in the first place? If the destruction of your village is needed in the future, compromises will not happen."

Salome cast a glance over her shoulder at the crystal owl.

"Don't mind her. I promise to spare this Ophelia if I can. As long as you tell me ooooone little thing."

"T-that is?"

"Tell me all you know about your village and its customs, as well as any neighboring villages or towns."

The man shivered, still desperately holding back from letting himself ease up; however, from the fact that he couldn't close his eyes any longer, he was obviously failing.

"W-why do you want to know all of that?"

Salome gave the man a calming smile.

"Where do you get off questioning me so much? Just tell me what I want to know and I'll grant your request."

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