The pitch-black interrogation room was eerily silent. Through the iron bars, faint light filtered in, and the wooden bench offered no comfort whatsoever.
Compared to the questioning itself, the waiting was far more agonizing.
Liliruca stared at the flickering candlelight. As the sound of approaching footsteps grew closer, even though she had long since steeled herself, her nerves remained taut.
She wasn't particularly worried that the Ganesha Familia would resort to torture.
But when the iron gate creaked open and a bare-chested, muscular man wearing an elephant god mask walked in, the worst-case scenario had already arrived.
Ganesha.
After all, mortals in the lower world could not lie before a god.
Before leaving, Liang Yue had specifically told her that if a god was the one conducting the questioning, she should simply tell Ganesha the truth.
What Liliruca worried about more was whether she had managed to buy enough time.
Following Ganesha into the interrogation room was the Familia's captain, Shakti. Naturally, the questioning would not be conducted by a god—at most, he would serve as a witness to verify the truth.
Knowing that this matter was not as simple as finding the culprit, and that the Guild was involved, Shakti casually waved a hand to dismiss the other Familia members.
Once that was done, Shakti gave Liliruca a complicated look, placing a crystal vial of green liquid—the "truth serum"—in front of her.
She spoke concisely. "Liliruca Arde, I hope you'll cooperate with us."
"Do I even have the right to refuse?"
Liliruca raised her head with a faint smile toward Shakti. She could already guess the potion's effect, but she had no intention of hiding the truth any longer.
After all, this tragedy had happened due to her own dereliction of duty. Meeting Liliruca's gaze made Shakti avert her eyes.
Without prying into the old wounds of Liliruca's past persecution, Shakti went straight to the point. "Is the true reason for the Soma Familia's destruction related to you?"
"That's right."
Liliruca's voice was cold, the corners of her lips curling in open provocation. "In fact, I planned it myself."
Ganesha didn't speak, but his silence was proof enough that she was telling the truth. Shakti let out a barely audible sigh before asking the most crucial question.
"With your strength as a supporter, you couldn't have destroyed a Familia. Who was the adventurer you sought help from? Have they had any dealings with the Dark Faction?"
"Just a random adventurer. Do you think I'd be stupid enough to get involved with the Dark Faction?"
"Their real name, Familia affiliation, current level, and usual hangouts," Shakti pressed again.
"I don't know their Familia—I never asked."
She had no reason to lie now, but Liliruca truly didn't know Liang Yue's Familia. As for where he frequented: "He likes going to the Dungeon."
"Name?"
"…Liang Yue."
Even now, two days after the night of the plan, Liliruca still found it incredible. "As for his strength—I'd say Level 1."
"Do you believe that?"
"!!"
The Guild's records showed that the Soma Familia had four Level 2 adventurers and over sixty Level 1s.
Hearing that the culprit was a Level 1 adventurer made Shakti instinctively glance at Ganesha, confirming Liliruca wasn't lying. Her mature, composed face remained outwardly calm, but inside, waves of shock crashed violently.
If he truly hadn't hidden his strength or name, then for a Level 1 to wipe out an entire Familia was an unimaginable feat.
An adventurer capable of defeating far stronger opponents was never someone insignificant.
The problem was, Shakti had never even heard the name "Liang Yue." It was highly likely he was an adventurer hiding his true strength.
She frowned and continued, "Tell me more about your interactions with Liang Yue."
"Captain Shakti."
Instead of answering directly, Liliruca's young face softened into an unguarded, gentle smile at the mention of Liang Yue.
Her demeanor was unusually relaxed. "The truth is often hard to accept, isn't it?"
"Perhaps you've never even heard of 'Liang Yue.' But it won't be long before all of Orario remembers his name."
"Reason?" Shakti's fists clenched.
With eyes full of longing, Liliruca spoke as if it were obvious. "He's going to break the world record for the fastest rise to Level 2. Do you think that's significant enough?"
Seeing Shakti's pupils shrink, she added with a smile, "Oh, and everything you've asked me? He wanted me to tell you."
—
"This guy!!"
As she left the interrogation room, Shakti slammed her clenched fist into the wall. Her mood was far from pleasant—she had been completely led around.
If the "official explanation" for the Soma Familia's destruction was what Liang Yue had left for the Ganesha Familia, then Liliruca's final words were clearly Liang Yue toying with Orario's rules.
Most importantly, she had no way to punish him. She knew exactly where the Guild stood.
The destruction of the Soma Familia?
If Liang Yue truly broke the record for the fastest promotion to Level 2, then in the face of that kind of value, this sensational massacre would unfold exactly as he had planned.
"Defying the will of the gods, the Soma Familia members attempted to sell mind-controlling divine wine and were punished by a passing adventurer."
"Shakti, that's enough."
Now that they had the truth—just as Ganesha had expected—he wasn't angry. In fact, he found it interesting.
After all, "wiping out a Familia while under-leveled" and "fastest rise to Level 2" were words irresistibly enticing to bored gods.
Wasn't this exactly what they had come to the lower world for—unpredictable thrills?
This wasn't about Liang Yue's allegiance. As long as he could create miracles beyond their understanding, he would be entertainment.
"A Level 1 adventurer destroying a Familia…"
Even Ganesha couldn't help but feel deeply impressed by Liang Yue's feat, his curiosity piqued.
If not for the Soma Familia incident, recruiting Liang Yue into his own Familia could have greatly benefited the future. But seeing Shakti's grim expression, he gave up on the thought.
That didn't diminish his anticipation.
What would the other gods think when they learned the culprit was someone with such extraordinary "potential"?
"How interesting…"
"It's about time we announce the Soma Familia's destruction to the adventurers of Orario," Ganesha said decisively.
What path should they take?
Knowing Uranus's nature, he likely already had his judgment. Ganesha turned toward Shakti, whose face was still dark.
"As for Soma, I won't comment. His wine was pretty good."
"As for Chanes, the acting commander, his background was never clean to begin with—at most, his efforts in the Xenos trade just went to waste."
"And you…"
Looking at Shakti, Ganesha thought of Liang Yue—not only did he have exceptional potential, but his mind and methods were equally meticulous.
He shook his head slightly, his mask hiding most of his expression, leaving only a tone of admiration.
"I wonder which Familia was lucky enough to pick up such a treasure. I look forward to seeing at the Denatus…"
"…just how far those bored gods can take this!"