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Seated on a velvet sofa, the Star-Rabbit Tribe's Chief gestured warmly for everyone to take a seat, introducing himself with a courteous smile.
"It's been a long time, Lady Eve. I am Carol, chief of the Star-Rabbit Tribe."
Eve, poised and calm under the polite atmosphere, responded respectfully.
"This is Takumi, and this is Flare… they're my companions. We were truly surprised—at first, we thought the Star-Rabbits were only a small tribe. But to see such a vast town, home to so many races beyond your own… that must have taken incredible effort."
After introducing everyone, Eve couldn't help but express genuine admiration for the city's scale.
Carol chuckled modestly, waving a hand. "Hahaha, everyone here merely escaped persecution under the current Demon Lord. Naturally, they gathered here—and over time, this settlement was born. If any credit is due, it belongs to all the people, not to me."
As he spoke at length, a Star-Rabbit maid approached, serving a cup of black tea.
Carol smoothly shifted his tone, smiling faintly. "If you would, please try our special tea—it's our tribe's pride."
Takumi glanced down at the cup. Through the lens of his [Jade Eyes], a line of information appeared instantly.
[Tea infused with Truth Serum]
"Ah… really now?"
Takumi let out a weary sigh and looked at Carol, expression flat. "You're a clever man… but against true strength, cleverness means nothing."
"W-What do you mean, Hero? I'm afraid I don't quite follow."
Beads of cold sweat formed on Carol's forehead. He immediately realized Takumi's words were directed at him—yet he couldn't believe he'd been exposed so fast. They had barely exchanged greetings!
Takumi stared at him calmly. "It's fine if you don't understand. I'll make sure you do."
In the next instant, immense gravitational pressure erupted across the room, pinning Carol and every Star-Rabbit present to the ground. Their knees hit the floor at once—no one could move an inch.
Takumi rose slowly, walking toward Carol. "I don't like wasting time on tricks. I prefer direct methods."
Boom!
In a flash, a hundredfold gravity crashed down. Carol's right hand was crushed into pulp, splattering blood across the marble floor.
The agonizing pain shot through every nerve in his body, forcing a guttural scream through clenched teeth.
"Why aren't you questioning me first!?"
He gasped, clutching his ruined arm. He couldn't understand it—If he'd been found out, shouldn't interrogation come before execution?
"Interrogation? No, that's too slow," Takumi said coldly. "If I want to know something, I'll find out myself."
He raised a hand and placed it atop Carol's head. "[Heal]."
A soft light enveloped him. The mangled flesh reformed instantly—his arm restored as though nothing had happened. But as his body healed, a torrent of memories poured directly into Takumi's mind.
Within moments, everything was clear.
Carol had allied with the Demon Lord not purely out of greed, but out of desperation—to protect the Star-Rabbits and to save his daughter, who was gravely ill. His daughter was also a Demon Lord Candidate, afflicted by a terminal disease that only the Demon Lord's medicine could suppress.
Carol's plan had been simple: use tea laced with a mild truth serum to discreetly extract intelligence from guests—then relay that information to the Demon Lord.
Takumi sighed lightly. "A smart man indeed… kills without ever getting his own hands dirty."
He didn't strike again.
Kureha stepped closer, puzzled. "What happened? Why'd you suddenly attack him?"
Her question echoed everyone's confusion—until Ellen, sharp as always, pieced it together.
"The chief was suspicious. Master must've sensed it."
"Exactly," Takumi replied. "Carol was working with the Demon Lord—but unwillingly.
From what I saw in his memories, the current Demon Lord… seems to be in cooperation with King Jioral as well."
His words left the room in stunned silence. The notion of the King of Jioral collaborating with the Demon Lord sounded absurd—yet coming from Takumi, none dared doubt it.
If true, it changed everything.
"Ellen, we'll discuss that in detail later," Takumi said, then turned to Carol. "For now… I'll give you a chance to atone—and a chance to save your daughter. You've seen what I can do. Right now, I'm the only one who can heal her."
Releasing the gravity field, Takumi stood over Carol, who now looked utterly broken. The surrounding Star-Rabbit soldiers moved to protect their chief, but he quickly waved them back.
"Stand down!"
Still trembling, drenched in sweat, Carol fell to his knees once more. Having witnessed Takumi's divine healing firsthand, he knew this was no bluff.
If his daughter could live… he would do anything.
"Hero… please, save my daughter! I'll tell you my true name and serve you with my life!"
Takumi smiled faintly. "Now that's more like it. Take me to her."
At once, Carol scrambled to his feet and led the way down the corridor. The others remained behind, preparing dinner as ordered.
The deeper they went, the stronger the stench became—a nauseating mix of herbs, rot, and decay.
Carol covered his nose with a handkerchief and offered one to Takumi. He declined with a shake of his head. "I can handle it."
Pushing open the chamber door, Takumi finally saw the girl.
A young Star-Rabbit girl lay motionless on a massive bed. Her once-perky rabbit ears drooped lifelessly, her body wrapped in layers of bandages covering swollen wounds.
Silver hair streaked with blackened blood framed a pale, expressionless face.
Her red eyes, once bright, were dull and unfocused—even as Takumi approached, she barely stirred.
Only when he drew within a few meters did she seem to notice his presence.
"Father… who is this man…?"
Her voice was hoarse, nearly gone—poison had ravaged her throat. Even Takumi felt a pang of sympathy.
Fighting back tears, Carol forced a smile. "Lapiz, this is the Hero. He can heal you."
"...Hero…?" Lapiz's gaze wavered in confusion.
Takumi gently took her bandaged hand, his touch warm and steady. "My name is Takumi. It's an honor to meet you, Lapiz. Don't worry… I'll cure you."
The gentle tone and the warmth of his hand seeped into her weary heart.
Lapiz squeezed his fingers faintly, a soft smile flickering across her lips.
Even that small gesture—for her, who had already abandoned all hope—was enough to rekindle a fragile spark of faith and longing.
...
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