Extra's Descent

"...?"

Illya could only stand perplexed.

'Open your mouth?'

What kind of implication was that?

Though Illya often appeared cold, she was not dense in these kinds of matters.

At that moment, Brandon rolled up his sleeves and tightened his gloves.

"Open."

However, Zeke did the opposite, biting his lip tightly.

"Illya, can you gather the water again?"

Brandon turned his head slightly, meeting Illya's gaze.

Ah, right.

Blank.

They were to refer to him as Blank.

Illya nodded her head and waved her hand. Magic power began to gather and the water on the ground floated into small bubbles, gathering together until they formed a big bubble.

Then, Brandon returned his attention to Zeke, who was still biting his lip. For a second, Illya could see blood start dripping from his bottom lip.

"Don't you want water?"

Zeke seemed hesitant at first. But that hesitation soon vanished as he slowly opened his mouth.

However, Illya didn't expect the next action Brandon took.

"Nmmh!"

Brandon reached out and inserted his hand inside Zeke's mouth. Then, he leaned close to Zeke's ears. Since the room was quite isolated, also silent, Illya had no problems overhearing.

"How many teeth does it take for you to talk?"

"....?"

Again,

What?

It was then.

"Hieaaa—!"

Zeke started screaming. Blood spattered in the air, and as Brandon pulled his hand back, Illya could see a single tooth between Brandon's thumb and index finger.

"...."

He was ripping his teeth out.

Now, Illya was a contracted killer, but she had her own boundaries when it came to violence.

Quite ironic, if she had to be honest.

But Illya stood and watched the entire scene unfold.

She had to see it for herself.

What Brandon Locke would do.

If Zeke were actually innocent, then all of this would be for naught.

That, and they would lose the little amount of trust they had in Brandon.

However, seeing the expression Brandon was making….

"...."

Was he grinning?

Illya could swear she saw Brandon grin, just before his face was covered from her angle.

Ah, so this is his true color.

All those times when he showed his cool and composed demeanor was nothing but an act.

Internally,

….He was insane.

***

Brandon removed his gloves and tossed it in the trash bin.

Then, he put on another set of gloves and returned his attention back to Zeke.

Blood smeared all over his features. Of course, Brandon had left some of teeth, just so his speech wouldn't be too impaired.

It took about three teeth ripped out just for Zeke to start speaking.

However, still, he wouldn't provide as much information as Brandon needed.

Not enough to count as evidence that he was of Milis descent.

For that reason, Brandon stopped ripping his teeth out.

But it was not for naught. Clearly, Zeke was now fearful of him, evident by his dilated pupils, and his constant trembling whenever Brandon neared him.

Like….

Swoosh—

"Hieaaa—"

The moment Brandon flicked his head towards Zeke, his body shuddered, yelping audibly.

Swoosh—

"Hieaa—"

Again.

Swoosh—

"Hieaaa—"

It was kind of funny.

"I didn't want to resort to this, Zeke. But you leave me with no choice."

Brandon cracked his knuckles once again. However, surprisingly, Illya spoke more than one sentence.

"What if he's innocent?"

"Hm?"

Brandon halted in his steps, turning his head slightly, meeting Illya's gaze.

"You've done a lot, but he isn't saying anything at all."

"Maybe you're right."

No, he was confident.

He just had to push his agenda harder.

"Give me one last try. If not, well… I'll stop."

But clearly, Illya started doubting whether Zeke was from Milis or not.

She was starting to doubt in him.

That much was certain.

However, Illya gave him the limelight, nodding her head as she remained silent.

For whatever reason why she was still here, Brandon was unsure.

Maybe to monitor him?

At that moment, Brandon neared Zeke once more. As soon as he did, Zeke flinched and turned his head away, flailing his arms around out of fear.

However, it didn't amount to much as the shackles only rattled everytime he moved.

"Get away…!"

Zeke exclaimed.

But this only served to push Brandon more.

But firstly, he had to check up on Illya.

"Maybe you want to close your eyes for this."

It's not as if he couldn't be explicit in front of Illya. After all, Illya was older than him.

'I think she's 23.'

But the signs told him Illya didn't fancy torture.

"...?"

Blinking her eyes, Illya tilted her head in confusion.

"Hmm…."

Maybe he was being too careful around her.

For that reason, Brandon waved it off and placed his hand on Zeke's shoulder.

"Hieee—"

Zeke yelped, his body jolting.

At that moment….

Crack—!

Exerting mana in his palms, Brandon clutched Zeke's shoulder tightly and a cracking sound echoed, reverberating around the isolated chamber.

And of course, Zeke screamed.

"Hieaaaaa—!"

Really loudly at that.

"Are you from Milis?"

"...."

Yet regardless, Zeke stayed silent, biting his lips with whatever teeth he had left.

Crack—!

His other shoulder.

"Hieaaaa—!"

"Are you from Milis?"

"...."

"You know, this isn't gonna kill you. I can break as many bones, enough just for you to stay alive."

"Nmm…."

Zeke let out a low sound.

"Hm?"

Brandon leaned slightly close, just enough to hear whatever Zeke was about to say.

However, as he did so….

"....Fu–ck you."

Crack—!

"Hieaaaa—!"

"Are you from Milis?"

"Fuck you, fuck you!"

Crack—!

"Hieaaa—!"

"Are you from Milis?"

"Fuck. You."

However, just as Brandon was about to crack another set of bones again, he felt a hand placed on his shoulder.

It was Illya.

"I think that's enough. He clearly doesn't know anything."

"No, it's because you say that—why he isn't saying anything. He thinks he'll get out of this if he just perseveres."

As those words left Brandon's mouth, Illya pulled her hand back and shook her head, returning to where she once stood.

She looked as if she had given up on convincing him.

Then, Brandon turned his attention back to Zeke.

And of course,

Crack—!

He broke another pair of Zeke's bones.

"Hieaaaa—!'

Zeke's complexions started to pale severely.

He looked like utter garbage.

"If you pass out, I'll make sure you stay awake. If there's no bones left to be broken, I'll get someone to heal you."

Brandon stated, narrowing his eyes.

"Now tell me, are you from Milis?"

"...."

And Zeke still remained silent.

Truth be told, Brandon started to doubt himself too.

Time had elapsed for who knows how long, yet Zeke wouldn't say anything.

Could it be somehow different in this progression?

Crack—!

"Hieaaa—!"

Since he had broken quite a lot of bones to his liking, Brandon opted for another choice.

His skin.

SHIIING—!

For that reason, Brandon unsheathed the blade on his waist, allowing Zeke to take in the sight.

However, Zeke's reaction was beyond expectations.

He was smiling. As if he was happy, thinking Brandon was finally going to kill him.

"Are you just going to kill him?"

Illya, who watched the entire thing with a blank expression, asked.

"Yeah."

Brandon nodded his head in response.

"Then what about the evidence? Have you given up?"

After all, regardless if Zeke was of Milis or not, his death was set in stone.

He had seen the Primordials. For that reason, they couldn't allow him to live.

"Maybe."

"...."

Brandon could feel the disappointment coming from Illya's face. However, he waved it off. And judging from Zeke's expressions, it was a contrast to Illya's.

He looked hopeful.

Hopeful that he could finally die and get away from his suffering.

Exactly what Brandon wanted.

And at that moment.

"W-wait, what are you—Hieaaaaa!"

Brandon began to carve Zeke's skin, scraping the skin off his chest.

Blood seeped down, and Brandon continued scraping his skin off.

This sheer act alone seemed to have been too much for Illya as she looked away.

Brandon continued.

"Are you from Milis?"

"...."

Yet again, Zeke remained silent.

For that reason, Brandon retrieved something from his pocket. Something he had been saving if things went awry.

A small alcohol bottle.

Although it was a bit overwhelming, it served a purpose.

Then, he began pouring alcohol all over Zeke's wounds.

"Hieaaaa—!"

Yet again, Zeke screamed. Though his voice was now hoarse due to screaming too much.

"Open your mouth."

"Nmmh…!"

And Zeke retorted, biting his lip with whatever teeth he had left.

For that reason, Brandon forcefully opened Zeke's mouth and poured alcohol in.

Since his teeth had been ripped out, there were visible wounds in his gums.

Meaning, the alcohol's effects kicked in.

Drip….

"Are you from Milis?"

"...."

"Tsk."

Crack—!

"Are you from Milis?"

"Just kill him. You've wasted enough ti—"

"Yes! Yes I am…!"

Illya was just about to advise him, when Zeke finally spoke up.

However, it's not enough. If he were to submit it as evidence, it would sound forced.

As if Zeke was only forced to admit it.

Brandon pushed further.

"Why do they want to wage war with Holy Britannia?"

"I don't know!"

Frowning, Brandon cracked one of Zeke's bones again.

Crack—!

"Hiee—I don't know, okay?! I was merely following orders!"

"Who are you? What's your standing in Milis?"

"R–Roy Fitz! Republic of Milis, Lieutenant General! Zeke was just an alias!"

He exclaimed.

He finally budged.

Brandon turned around slightly, and for the first time in his life, he had finally seen a change of expression on Illya's face.

"Hah."

Brandon couldn't help but scoff, as if he was saying, 'I told you so.'

However, Illya remained transfixed with wide eyes.

Brandon returned his attention back to Zeke as he went on to say,

"Answer all of my questions."