MIGHT AS WELL BE OP-Chapter 449: Interrogation-2

"According to your report, you concealed yourself using an ability, whatever it was, when you replaced yourself with that clone, correct?"

The Grand Marshal Titan's voice was calm but edged with suspicion.

"That is correct, sir"

Anthony replied, his tone unshaken and casual.

"Then doesn't that also mean"

The Grand Marshal Titan's gaze bore into Anthony's very soul.

"That while you were with your team, replenishing your mana, your clone could have used the exact same ability to remain hidden, and taken the corpse unnoticed?"

His eyes seemed to pierce through Anthony's mind, searching for any flicker of hesitation.

"Due to the uniqueness of my clone, I can only deploy it once a month"

Anthony said smoothly, the lie slipping effortlessly from his lips.

But it mattered not, neither the Grand Marshals nor the arcane runes embedded in the chair and table could detect his lies.

He remained utterly composed, his expression flat, his demeanor unflinching.

'How is this brat so calm?'

The Grand Marshal Titan sent the thought directly to the Grand Marshal Dragon.

'Why ask me?'

Came the reply, laced with quiet frustration.

'He doesn't even flinch. His breathing is steady, his blood flow unbroken. The artifact interprets every word as absolute truth'

The Grand Marshal Dragon let out a silent sigh, invisible to all but the air around him.

Every tactic, every accusation they had thrown at Anthony had failed to crack his composure, failed to shake him in the slightest.

The Grand Marshal Titan, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, leaned forward and addressed Anthony directly.

His voice was brisk, sharp with doubt.

"For someone in such a precarious position, you seem far too composed. Isn't that... a little suspicious, Lieutenant Anthony?"

Anthony shook his head slowly, his expression calm and resolute.

"From the moment I awakened and began training under my parents, the Sword Saint and the Elemental Witch of Destruction, I was taught that panic solves nothing. One must remain cool-headed, no matter the circumstance. Besides, the innocent have no cause for fear or haste. After all, the truth shall set one free"

His words rang with righteousness, yet beneath them lay a carefully woven lie.

The Grand Marshals had no way of knowing this, after all, to the artifact's unerring judgment, every syllable Anthony spoke was the very embodiment of truth.

Even though Anthony had never spent a single moment training with either of his parents.

Before the Grand Marshals could respond, Anthony spoke again, his voice steady and measured.

"Accusations especially one as severe as treason, carry immense weight. Such claims can shatter a man's future, both in life and within the military. I would appreciate knowing the name of the person who accused me. After all, without evidence, one cannot tarnish another's reputation"

His words hung in the air, sharp and deliberate.

The Grand Marshals' thoughts momentarily faltered.

They had invoked treason merely as a gambit, a way to unsettle Anthony's composure, never even thinking he was guilty.

This was why they had dropped the charge the moment he denied it.

Yet now, Anthony was turning the tables, demanding the identity of his accuser, challenging their very narrative.

"What do you intend to do with that information?"

The Grand Marshal Dragon's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp.

"You must understand that killing a fellow soldier is a grave violation of military law"

There was no name to offer, no accuser existed, for Anthony had never truly been accused.

The charge of treason had been a mere pretense.

"I have no intention of killing anyone, Grand Marshals"

Anthony replied smoothly, a faint, innocent smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"I am well aware that such an act would be against military law. I would simply forward the names to my parents and grandfather. After all, accusing the descendant of three Supreme Monarchs of treason is no small matter, it's practically an accusation against the three Monarchs themselves, by extension"

Anthony's words fell like a bombshell, detonating silently within the minds of the Grand Marshal Titan and Grand Marshal Dragon.

They scarcely believed what they had just heard.

Not merely one Supreme Monarch, but three accused of treason by extension.

Their heartbeats shifted imperceptibly.

Outwardly, they maintained a facade of calm and composure.

But beneath that veneer, their blood ran cold; a chill crawled down their spines, and their throats suddenly grew dry.

What could they say now?

Admit it had been a mere joke?

Invent a name on the spot?

Or withhold any name at all, citing confidentiality?

Yet, could Anthony not simply summon the three Supreme Monarchs and reveal that their own bloodline had been branded traitorous?

Their minds raced uncontrollably, conjuring the terrifying image of three Supreme Monarchs descending upon the military base demanding answers.

An oppressive silence filled the room, stretching endlessly between them.

Anthony regarded the two Grand Marshals before him with an innocent, unassuming gaze.

Yet, if anyone could peer into his mind at that very moment, they would see him doubled over in silent laughter, madness and mirth intertwined, tears glistening at the corners of his eyes, a stark contrast to his serene exterior.

His All Seeing Eyes pierced through the layers of deception; he knew the accusation of treason was a lie, pure and simple.

But the Grand Marshals were unaware of his insight.

So Anthony chose to turn the entire interrogation upside down.

After all, wasn't this entertaining?

If they wanted to play games, why shouldn't he?

He sat calmly, watching them unravel under the weight of their own facade.

'This isn't some detective story where criminals spill their secrets and then the interrogators simply walk away with what they want'

Anthony mused silently.

'We're utterly doomed, aren't we?'

The Grand Marshal Titan transmitted telepathically to the Grand Marshal Dragon.

'Indeed'

Came the grim reply.

They had planned to play one final card, demanding Anthony prove he was the genuine Null Anthony, not some impostor from the higher galaxy.

But now, it seemed that strategy had been rendered futile.

Clearing their throats to steady their composure, both Grand Marshals rose from their seats.

The Grand Marshal Dragon spoke with measured calmness,

"No need to overthink this. We will ensure the matters linking you to treason are... silenced"

The Grand Marshal Titan followed without hesitation.

"The interrogation ends here, Lieutenant Anthony. You may leave"

Without another word, they exited the room exactly as they had entered.

The moment their footsteps faded, Anthony felt the space behind him quiver, a portal spiraling open in response.

With an unreadable expression, he stepped through without hesitation.