The New Girl (Fairy Tail Fanfic)

Chapter 17: True Lies

*This chapter contains violent and upsetting description. Please proceed with caution.*

The New Girl (Fairy Tail Fanfic):
Chapter 17: True Lies

Elaine's POV —

"Miss Vitalihive?"

I glanced around at the others waiting in the large tent. It was finally my turn.

Since we contacted the Royal Army, everyone had been questioned one by one. No one had explained what happened, how, or why. Each returning witness left us more frustrated, as they never brought back useful information. I felt increasingly uneasy. The whole thing felt surreal, like being trapped in a crime novel where the plot seemed to be closing in on us.

My hands, clasped together for so long, were now trembling slightly. I just hoped that my turn would at least provide some clarity for the others.

"This way, Miss Vitalihive," said a man with glasses and a ponytail, standing out in his Rune Knight officer uniform.

I nodded and followed him into a large tent. Inside, a man with short hair, a distinct X scar on the side of his face, and an officer's uniform waited at a desk.

His piercing gaze was unsettling.

"Miss Vitalihive," the scarred face man said, reading from a board.

The man with glasses, who introduced himself as Lahar, gestured for me to sit. "Please, take a seat. We'll make this as brief as possible."

I sat down, my heart pounding with both nervousness and frustration. I tried to maintain my composure.

"I'm Lahar, Head of the 4th Custody Enforcement Unit. This is my partner, Doranbolt, who heads a division of the Rune Knights Magic Council Intelligence," Lahar introduced formally. "How long have you known Sir Gabriel?"

"So that was the old man's name." I thought, feeling a pang of sadness.

The mention of Sir Gabriel's death stirred something deep inside me. Unbidden, my thoughts turned to my parents. I never saw their bodies, never got to say goodbye, and yet, sitting here, I couldn't stop imagining them with the same brutal injuries that had killed Sir Gabriel. The thought of them bleeding, broken, or suffering in any way twisted my stomach in knots. The idea that they might have met a similar fate made me feel queasy, and the room felt suddenly suffocating.

As the interrogation continued, a wave of anxiety washed over me—stronger than I realized.

"Not long, only for...minutes," I replied.

The two men exchanged a look. "Have you had any previous connections with him?" Doranbolt asked.

"I met him today, along with everyone else," I said. "Do you know what happened? How did he die?"

"We were hoping you could fill in the blanks," Doranbolt said, his tone sharp.

I froze, unsure of what to say next. They were clearly determined to get something out of me.

"What do you know about these gems?" Doranbolt pressed.

"Nothing at all," I said firmly.

"Nothing at all?" Doranbolt challenged, leaning closer.

I tightened my grip on my clothes. It was becoming increasingly clear that they were interrogating me last for a reason. I was already in this tent longer than the others.

I was shocked at how cold and unfeeling these officials were. I had always believed that those in authority were just and fair, but here I was, facing an interrogation that felt more like an accusation.