The moment Allen's words fell, the room was enveloped in a tense silence. Livia lowered her head, her mind racing to recall the name she'd just heard—Emma, the General of the Seventh Army Group.
Who was Emma?
Emma's name resounded throughout the military like thunder. Though she came from humble beginnings, she quickly rose to prominence through extraordinary intellect and unmatched ability. Despite her youth, she earned the trust of her soldiers with her decisiveness and composure. At the same time, she became a figure of interest among the military elite. The Seventh Army Group under her command was renowned for its discipline and precision, and Emma's talent for devising meticulous strategies led to several major victories. Within the ranks, she was privately hailed as a "rising star of the future." However, her background remained shrouded in mystery—no one truly knew her origins. She seemed to have emerged from nowhere, an inexplicable yet dazzling force in the army.
As Livia listened to Allen mention Emma's name, a surge of complex emotions stirred within her. What was Emma's connection to this kidnapping?
At that moment, Marcellus spoke abruptly, his gaze sharp as it landed on Livia. "Why did you bring up Eryx? Did you discover something during the kidnapping?"
Livia raised her head to meet his eyes. She had anticipated this question, but it still weighed on her. She knew now was not the time to reveal the kidnappers' connection to the Second Army Group. Doing so might divert the investigation in the wrong direction or even lead to unnecessary complications. However, remaining silent would risk missing key information.
After a brief pause, Livia chose a more ambiguous response. "While I was being held, I overheard them mention a few names. They might've been talking about something unrelated, but I do recall hearing the name 'Eryx.' Maybe it caught my attention because I'm somewhat familiar with Commander Eryx. But… I'm not entirely sure what they were discussing."
Marcellus frowned slightly, clearly processing her words. His gaze bore into Livia as though trying to extract more information from her expression. It wasn't suspicion—rather, it stemmed from his overwhelming concern for her safety and the case at hand. But Livia remained composed, neither avoiding his gaze nor offering unnecessary elaboration, leaving him to form his own conclusions.
After a moment of deliberation, Marcellus nodded slowly. "Understood. It's possible they merely mentioned Eryx in passing, unrelated to the kidnapping. Still, I'll keep an eye on it and see if I can gather more clues. For now, though, we need to focus on Emma."
At the mention of Emma, Elias let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with disdain. "Emma's methods are certainly impressive. She appears loyal on the surface, but who knows her true intentions? And why is she targeting us?"
Livia didn't respond, lowering her head as she sank into thought. Emma was undoubtedly a formidable figure, but what concerned her more was whether someone else was pulling strings behind the scenes. The mention of Eryx's name among the kidnappers wasn't coincidental. Though she couldn't openly disclose the Second Legion's involvement, she was certain there was a deeper connection at play.
Marcellus shifted his gaze to Elias. "Don't jump to conclusions just yet. We don't fully understand Emma's motives, but if her name has surfaced, we must investigate thoroughly. Elias, prepare a comprehensive review of all Seventh Army Group activities, especially Emma's movements. I'll call Edgar. Matters involving an Army Group are beyond what we can handle alone."
Without hesitation, Marcellus picked up the phone and dialed Edgar's number. The current situation had escalated beyond a mere personal grudge. Livia's kidnapping, the complete elimination of the kidnappers, and the capture of a single mole—all pointed to a more significant and dangerous conspiracy, with Emma at its center.
When the call connected, Marcellus spoke in a calm yet grave tone. "Edgar, there's an urgent situation. Livia was kidnapped earlier, but she's been rescued and is unharmed. The kidnappers have been neutralized, and we've captured one mole. Based on his confession, this incident is connected to Emma, the General of the Seventh Army Group."
There was a pause on the other end before Edgar's furious voice erupted. "What?! Why didn't you realize this sooner? Can't you ensure Livia's safety? And Emma? Are you seriously telling me it's her?"
"Yes," Marcellus replied firmly. "The mole admitted to working for Emma, providing her with intelligence, including details of Livia's recent movements."
Edgar roared, "Enough! Stay where you are and wait for me. I'm bringing my men to Emma's location right now. If what the mole said is true, I'll have her arrested on the spot!"
With that, Edgar hung up abruptly. Marcellus set the phone down, taking a deep breath as he steadied himself. The issue involving Emma, was no longer just about a single kidnapping—it hinted at a far-reaching conspiracy.
After the call, Marcellus and Elias resumed their interrogation of Allen. They knew that the final pieces of information could only come from this lone survivor.
In the interrogation room, Allen's pale face betrayed his exhaustion and despair. By now, he understood there was no way out. Under relentless questioning, as Marcellus and Elias alternated between harsh tactics and psychological pressure, Allen's confessions gradually revealed the truth.
When the interrogation concluded, Marcellus gave a cold command: "Take him back to his cell. Keep a close watch on him. No one is to approach without authorization."
Peter nodded and escorted Allen out of the room. Though the interrogation had been devoid of overt violence, the tension throughout was suffocating, each second weighing heavier than the last.
At last, Marcellus allowed himself a moment of reprieve. He stood by the window, gazing at the overcast sky, his mind awhirl with unanswered questions. Was Emma truly the mastermind behind this? Or was she merely a pawn in a much larger scheme? How would this discovery affect his and Livia's future?
Turning back to Elias, Marcellus spoke with resolute determination. "We'll wait for Edgar's report. For now, Livia's safety is our top priority. She must not be harmed again."