"D-damn it...!"
"Want the pain to stop? Well, you can, it's simple, really...all you need to do is answer my questions, and your torture will end," Remarked Jules icily.
"G-go to hell, b-bitch! I will not sell out my comrades to the likes of you! You and your siblings have ruined the name of the Royal family and Nobility, I have nothing to say to treacherous scum like you! You'll come to regret this soon en-...arghh!" He began, before crying out as the Enslavement Collar triggered another wave of pain through his body, spasms erupting across his skin as he tensed up sharply on agony.
It was the 23rd of March, 1919, the day after the meeting, and Jules was currently in the middle of continuing her fruitless interrogation of the individual whom Ravella had captured.
Despite her best efforts, he adamantly refused to budge, bearing the pain he was being put through and staying firmly loyal to his allies.
"How noble of you, refusing to sell out your comrades like this...especially when they sold you out first," Responded Jules, in an attempt to provoke him.
"Wh-what? The hell are you...you talking about?"
"Oh, you still don't get it? You were used as a sacrificial pawn, nothing more than a decoy. They fully expected that you'd be killed or captured, and that was a sacrifice they were more than willing to make," She pointed out.
"Tch, e-even...even if that's true, it changes nothing. I'm sure you wouldn't understand, what with the way you've betrayed the great legacy of your own father! I would gladly give my life to the cause, I wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice myself! I'll die, but I'll die a hero!" He declared without a shred of hesitation in his eyes.
"Misplaced as it may be, your conviction is impressive. Even if it will mean dying a pointless death...because that's exactly what it'll be, completely and utterly pointless. I don't care how many of you there are...you don't stand a chance against us," She stated with a dark look in her eyes.
"Hah, you don't scare me. You're the ones who do not stand a chance...not when you're relying on so many lowly Commoners to fight alongside you! I mean, really, have you no pride as a Royal?" He scoffed disdainfully, a defiant look on his face.
"This is getting annoying, not to mention frustrating. No matter what I say or do, he just refuses to cooperate. It's too bad that Captain Aster destroyed the Ancient Magic Items that were used by Bishop Malachite to control Ravella...but I suppose I understand why he did, and there's no point in dwelling on what's already been done," Jules thought to herself, before speaking, "Okay, enough is enough. If you aren't going to give us any answers, then I see no point in leaving you alive. So, last chance...answer my questions, or I'll kill you right here and now. This isn't a bluff, I assure you...but feel free to test it out."
"Go right ahead! Like I said, I'd gladly give my life for our great cause! I'll never give in to your threats, so say whatever you want, it won't change a damn thing. Hm...but I suppose I can at least tell you this much. Consider it a warning...we are known as Exalt, the exalted ones who've taken it upon ourselves to restore the great Kingdom of Persona to its former glory! And make no mistake, we will accomplish that. Your side will fall, and once we've restored order, we'll make sure that what you people have done will be allowed to happen ever again!"
"Ah, I see, so your little group is called Exalt. That's quite the pretentious name to give yourselves," Scoffed Jules dryly.
"Do you really think I care what you think?" He shot back defiantly.
"It doesn't matter either way. Now, then, since you've made it clear that you aren't going to cooperate, it's time I proved that I'm true to word. I'm going to kill you now," Remarked Jules, as she manifested her sword from her Storage Ring.
"Go right ahead," He responded indifferently, before adding as he closed his eyes as she drew the blade out, "I know that my comrades will avenge me soon enough, you'll see."
"Sorry to say, but that won't be happening. And even if it did, regardless of which of our sides emerges victorious at the end of this conflict, one thing's for certain...you won't live to see the outcome," She replied coldly, before whipping her sword across, the blade fatally slicing through his throat...
...
...
A while later, at Exalt's hideout...
"Greetings, Lord Reiss."
"Hm? Ah, it's good to see you...I take it you coming here means you have something to report?" Responded Reiss with a gleam in his eyes.
"Yes, sir. Our comrade who was taken captive has been killed, but don't worry, he didn't give any information to the enemy," Came the response, before adding, "Also, the Knights and Inquisitors are searching for us, they're sweeping through the nation to try and locate our hideout."
"Hah, well, they can try all they want! They'll never find us, no matter how long they search. Now, then...I must admit, I had my doubts about your allegiance, but you've now proven yourself to be trustworthy, at least for the most part. You've been quite helpful...but it would be nice if we had at least one more spy in a high-ranked position within the Knight Order, like you.
But, unfortunately, any other Knights who would've been likely to help us were ousted from the Order. They've all joined us here in Exalt, but they would have been a lot more useful if they were still on the inside. Oh, well, I suppose there's no point in complaining about something I can't change. Contacting you was quite a risk, so I'm glad it paid off and you agreed to join our side.
It was a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless...I honestly thought you were loyal to the Commander. I considered it to be quite an outside chance, I only took the risk of inviting you to join us because, if it worked out, it would give us a tremendous advantage...so this is quite a nice bonus," Smirked Reiss with a gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, please, I only followed the Commander for my own self-interests. The pay and benefits of being a First-Class Knight of the Commander squad was worth it, not to mention the recognition it brings. That's why I decided to play along with the Commander's foolish beliefs, to earn her favor. However, I always assumed that her goals were naive, I never imagined that they'd ever come to pass...and now that they have, I can't just play along any longer.
I cannot tolerate all these changes that are disgracing our nation, it's simply unacceptable. Pardoning The Irregulars after they killed so many Knights and Nobles, not to mention the heretical destruction they inflicted upon so many of our churches, and the changes that have given Commoners many of the same rights and privileges that ought to be reserved for us Nobles...I refuse to stand for it."
"Excellent, then she's just like most of these other idiots who are following me, blinded by her pride as a Noble. I suppose that means she's not as smart as I thought. That should make it easy to control and manipulate her. Still, I can't completely let my guard down, there's still a chance that she's only pretending to be on our side. I'll need to make her do something that'llprove her loyalty to me and Exalt," Reiss thought to himself.
"Lord Reiss? Is something wrong?"
"No, it's nothing. I was just thinking that we need to do something that'll tilt the odds more in our favor...say, taking out a key player among the Knights. For instance, the Commander herself," He suggested with a malevolent smile.
"While I certainly would like to have the honor of taking her head after everything she's done to sully the name of the Royal family, I'm unfortunately not strong enough...she's much more powerful than I am."
"Yes, I'm well aware of that. However, that's only if we're talking about a fair fight, yes? You have her trust, use that to your advantage...and assassinate her. Can I trust you to do that?" He inquired, narrowing his eyes slightly at her.
"Very well, then...I shall do my best to succeed in this task you've given me, Lord Reiss, even at the cost of my life. I will not fail you."
"Excellent, then I'll leave you to it. I'm counting on you...Tilda Malachite."