The individuals belonging to the Central Committee understood the immense responsibility that came with every word and action they took.

Even if there was suspicion, it was customary not to exercise authority unless they held over ninety percent certainty.

As a result, the few interrogation records of suspected traitors up until now were exceptionally brutal.

While it was called an interrogation, it had mostly involved intense torture.

The magic that extracts the truth from someone’s lips was prohibited due to its severe side effects, which would obliterate the brain and render a person mindless, leaving the interrogators with no options but to resort to horrific means.

In the worst-case scenario, while magical torture could heal physical injuries, it could not restore a broken mind.

Of course, torture could also damage the mind, but typically, the usual method of interrogation concluded with the execution before the psychological damage reached that point.

However, since Scarlet Evande was still a student of the Academy, the heartfelt requests from the Academy’s principal and someone like Eve allowed for the ‘interrogation’ that Scarlet had to undergo to be conducted in the most humane way possible thus far.

“Yoon Si-woo, you have the ability to discern the truth of what someone says, don’t you?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

Currently, it was possible because they had someone capable of determining the veracity of statements without the prohibitively dangerous magic.

Yoon Si-woo, who was set to play the role of a lie detector in the upcoming interrogation, nodded with a serious expression.

He was also aware that Scarlet’s fate depended on this interrogation.

If she wished to live, she was prepared to lie.

However, the point wasn’t his own will.

What mattered most was how Scarlet felt.

She was the type of person who disliked causing harm to others to the extent that she would request to be killed if the time ever came, as she despised inflicting suffering on others.

Perhaps she might even confess her secrets herself.

The paranoia regarding witches had reached its peak.

If people were to discover that she had a close relationship with a witch, she wouldn’t be able to escape execution.

In that case, at that moment, he felt powerless to help.

With those thoughts in mind, Diakonos asked Yoon Si-woo.

“Yoon Si-woo, I understand how difficult it is to interrogate someone you once called a comrade. I, too, find it discomforting to question the one who rescued my daughter. But I believe this is for humanity’s sake, so I have set aside my personal feelings for the moment. As a hero, can you do the same?”

Yoon Si-woo tightly closed his eyes at those words.

If only those words were false, then he would have felt more at ease.

If someone was prioritizing their own safety and ambitions, pushing Scarlet into a dangerous situation, he could have easily lied without any burden.

But his words were the truth.

He genuinely believed this was for the sake of humanity.

At first, he felt some resentment towards the person who put Scarlet in such a situation.

Yet, how could he blame someone who, with eyes filled with trust, acted as if he would not lie?

He was simply someone trying to do his best in his position for the sake of others.

With that in mind, Yoon Si-woo steeled his resolve.

…If it’s Scarlet, she would surely want a response like this from him.

Thinking so, Yoon Si-woo answered.

“…If Scarlet is a threat to humanity… I will execute her myself.”

Those present to witness the interrogation drew their breaths at Yoon Si-woo’s answer.

Sylvia, who had thought that Yoon Si-woo would find some way to help, was left in shock, swaying in her seat.

Yoon Si-woo’s answer was so shocking that it deeply unsettled everyone, and Diakonos slowly nodded his head.

“…I see, I understand your resolve. It seems our suspect is also regaining her senses. Let’s begin right away.”

Yoon Si-woo turned his head toward where Scarlet was restrained.

Scarlet, whose entire body was bound by a device to suppress her magic and superpowers, leaving only her head free, looked around in confusion as the device was set up slowly.

Seeing her in such turmoil made Yoon Si-woo’s heart ache.

Yet, unfazed by his feelings, Diakonos asked Scarlet a question.

“Answer truthfully, Scarlet Evande. Are you an enemy of humanity?”

Scarlet, perhaps surprised, responded in a trembling voice, “…Excuse me, but what is happening right now?”

“You are being interrogated as a suspect in a traitorous act of assisting a witch, an enemy of humanity. If you do not wish to be executed, prove your innocence. Once more, I ask: Are you an enemy of humanity?”

Yoon Si-woo watched as Scarlet’s gaze violently shifted.

Her pupils trembled, and her breath became increasingly irregular.

She obviously exhibited the demeanor of a frightened individual.

Yoon Si-woo felt somewhat bewildered because he had not expected her to react this way.

For an ordinary person, it was natural to feel terrified upon hearing the word execution…

However, the Scarlet he had seen until now had been someone who could smile even at the moment when a sword pierced her body, making her seem far removed from the emotion of fear.

Even given the circumstances, he had not anticipated she would be this fearful.

As he was pondering her reaction, he heard Scarlet muttering softly.

“…No.”

“I can’t hear you well. Answer loudly.”

“…No. I’m not like that…”

After Diakonos gestured, Yoon Si-woo nodded in response.

It meant that Scarlet’s words were the truth.

Seeing that, Diakonos slowly nodded his head and then asked Scarlet.

“Hm, is that so? Then for the next question: Have you ever conveyed any information that could potentially harm humanity to a witch?”

“…I never did… I promise! I’ve never thought of wanting to harm people…”

Yoon Si-woo, nodding in turn to Diakonos who glanced back, internally pleaded with Scarlet.

He didn’t know how long the interrogation would last, but he hoped she continued to deny everything in that manner.

Then he would find some way to set her free of all charges…

“…I’m being suspected…? Am I really going to be treated like this…? It’s too loud… No, it’s not true… No… Huh…”

And in that moment, Yoon Si-woo heard Scarlet’s voice muttering softly, too quiet for anyone else to perceive.

“…Hah, no… I really didn’t do anything… So why am I being branded as the bad person…? No, it’s not true… Why won’t anyone listen to me? Why doesn’t anyone believe me? Am I also going to suffer this? No… I don’t want to…”

Like someone experiencing anxiety, Scarlet was gasping for air, muttering unintelligibly in a small voice.

Her eyes had a dazed expression, yet they were filled with an unbearable sadness.

“I only wanted to protect people…”

Yoon Si-woo noticed Scarlet’s head suddenly drooped, as if she were about to collapse.

At the same time, he could see the sorrow in her eyes morph into a different emotion.

His instinct rang alarms.

If this continued, something was going to happen.

But before he could articulate any words, Diakonos directed another question at Scarlet.

“Next question: You have no connection whatsoever to witches—”

As Scarlet’s head, which had been lowered, turned toward the people…

“Stop it!!!”

Sylvia’s urgent cry rang out, echoing through the space.

Diakonos slowly turned to look at Sylvia and asked, “…What is the matter? We are still in the middle of the interrogation.”

“Isn’t that enough? Scarlet’s guilt was just resolved with that last exchange, wasn’t it? So please, stop now! How long do you plan on holding a student who was just rescued after being kidnapped by a witch? She needs a break right now!”

“There are still countless things to ask. For her sake, it’s best to clarify any suspicious points completely during this opportunity. If we neglect anything today, it could lead to issues later on—”

“If such issues arise, Astra will take full responsibility for it. Doesn’t that solve everything?”

“Sylvia.”

As soon as Sylvia said that, the elder who had been seated beside her called her name, as if scolding her.

It meant not to act on her own.

Under the steadfast gaze of the elder, Sylvia instinctively felt like lowering her eyes.

Under ordinary circumstances, she wouldn’t have dared to defy him.

Yet today, in this situation, she couldn’t yield at all.

Sylvia opened her eyes wide, looking directly at the elder, and said, “Isn’t it Astra’s principle not to forget a debt of gratitude? Scarlet is the one who saved my life. Elder, does my existence hold no significance for Astra?”

A moment of silence passed as their gazes clashed, and the elder then slightly bowed his head to Sylvia.

“…Very well, do as you wish.”

Hearing those words, Sylvia shot another glare at Diakonos.

He then turned to ask Martina, who was observing the interrogation.

“Martina, when you went to rescue the suspect, did you notice anything suspicious?”

Martina hesitated for a moment before responding.

“…There was nothing particularly suspicious. When I arrived to rescue her, she was just unconscious and lying there.”

“I see.”

After listening to her words, Diakonos closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, then approached Scarlet, undid her restraints, and bowed 90 degrees to her.

“…Understood. I declare the interrogation complete and exonerate you. Scarlet Evande, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience caused by my misunderstanding. I will ensure you are adequately compensated for this later.”

Scarlet silently watched as he bowed to her after releasing her from the restraints, then lowered her head and muttered.

“…It’s okay. I’m relieved…”

This time, she didn’t have to burn it all away.

Right after that, Scarlet lost consciousness again and collapsed.