I Am The Truth II

Chapter XIX: An Untold Truth

It had hardly been a few hours or so. The Piglins had to stand back under Vulcannus' orders, but even still, Val was somewhat restless when the brutes are nearby. Even when she tried to rest briefly, a voice began to chant loudly in her mind.

"You cannot sleep," It said. "There are monsters nearby."

She remained against the wall of the more fancier room, still covered in nothing but the same shawl given to her. Vulcannus had been rather hospitable thus far and he had shown signs of trust, but she was still a prisoner in some regards. 

The Mendoris silently watched him as he took a seat in his blackstone chair. Netherans had a thing for sitting in fancy chairs, an observation Val only just became aware of.

"What are you thinking right now?" Vulcannus suddenly asked.

"...?"

"I see it in your eyes," He continued. "They shine with something more than just intelligence."

"Well obviously... Ardoni eyes are luminescent."

Vulcannus let out a whole-hearted laugh. 

"Yes, yes they do," He conceded. "In any case, do understand that I know who you are now."

"Right," She murmured, unfazed.

"Val Mendoris," Vulcannus began, opening the first of a stack of files that sat on something resembling a teapoy. "A former investigator and intelligence officer for the police of Oakendale. You came here a month ago to track down another Ardoni that has been in exile."

And now both of them were back in here. Speaking of which, she wondered if they even noticed she had been gone for a whole day.

"You have since been involved in revolutionary activities which has placed you on an international register for wanted persons," Vulcannus continued. "I know all this because we have our own agents too."

"So..." Val began. "You will hand me in to the Diamond Heights and make your fortune?"

"No," He responded, shaking his head. "Why would I do that? You willingly strayed into our territory."

"I was beaten up by Piglin brutes," Val said. "I can hardly believe they are on your side."

"That is simply their nature," Vulcannus said dismissively. "With time, they will respect you."

"What then?"

"What I want is simply an answer," Vulcannus said, leaning forward to look evenly at Val. "How desperate are the Knights to overthrow Allister's government?"

"Well, it depends on who you ask..."

She eyed him with suspicion.

"Why?"

"Who do you think we are?" The Netheran asked rhetorically. "If you think the Overworld and the Netherworld have been holding hands all this time, you are very much mistaken."

A small alarm on his watch began to beep.

"Anyways, my younger brother should be here any moment now," Vulcannus continued, looking at the bronze watch on his wrist. "Right... about... now-"

Another Netheran appeared through the doorway. His features were a lot harder than Vulcannus', as though he was always scowling. And unlike his older brother, he walked purposefully, always assessing every person he passed with a calculated glance.

"Pythus," Vulcannus began. "So you have come after all."

"Pray tell me that my time is not to be wasted," Pythus responded with spite, his gaze upon the Mendoris before him. "I have seen plenty of these not too long ago, no?"