Chapter 28 - 28: The Journey Part 9

"Not yet, I want to exchange a few words with our guests on the lower floors" These were Aron's words as he answered Jin, before standing from the table and turning to leave.

Jin simply gave him a knowing nod and leaned back into his seat before placing his legs on the table relaxingly.

"Well all the best with that, interrogations have never really been my strong hold. Aristocrats tend to upset me more than I should be." Jin added before yawning and stretching his arms in a tired manner. Aron only nodded at this before leaving the room entirely and heading towards the lower floors.

As he made his way through the many halls and stairs of the ship that resembled what one would expect to be the interior of a lavish mansion to look like.

Even the lower floors that stored cargo had an exceptionally well decorated interior that could rival any lavish mansion's event's hall.

But Aron had no interest in admiring the beautiful craftsmanship that surrounded him. No, the only thing that had Aron's interest where the two women that sat leaning against a wall, Anastasia and her maid.

"..." it didn't take long for them to notice Aron's presence and look in his direction as he made his way towards them.

The maid in particular seemed especially agitated by Aron's presence and moved closer to Anastasia as if shielding her from him.

"Good, you're awake." Aron stopped a few inches away from some well drawn writings with an outer glow. These were the glyphs and runes Aron had placed on the walls and floor around the two women, preventing them from escaping.

Once she saw Aron stop and look down at her, Anastasia showed an angered look as she felt he truly was looking down on her, her pride immediately caused her to stand and walk two steps which brought her mere inches away from the runes and glyphs Aron had drawn.

"I warn you pig, release me now and I can at least guarantee you a quick death. Do you even know who you're dealing with?!" Anastasia exclaimed towards Aron who simply looked at her as if she were amusing to him.

"I'm starting to think all aristocrats are the same, you look down on others because you feel you are superior because of your pointless wealth and titles. Even now when you've been captured so easily and imprisoned you seem to think your name will matter. Quite frankly the only reason I didn't kill you before is because I want you to give me information." Aron crossed his arms and titled his head slightly as he explained his intentions towards Anastasia plainly.

His words struck hard at Anastasia as she tried to reach for his throat but found her hand stopped right above the glyphs and runes he had done. She looked down at the runes in anger before quickly raising her head, only to see Aron showing a small smirk.

"You must be as dumb as you look if you think I'll listen to the words of a pig. What are you going to do if I refuse to cooperate? You may be safe now but if you do much as touch my family will go to any lengths to see you dead!" Anastasia threatened before showing a smile of her own but Aron remained calm and unfazed. He instead simply let out a sigh while shaking his head at the girl.

"Tsk, Tsk. My methods are nothing so primal. You know? I've always had a strange fascination towards mana the second I learnt of it. After all, it makes even the most unrealistic of dreams seem possible. What amazes me is the variety of applications it has, don't you agree?" Aron kept his hands crossed and began pacing to and from the edge of the barrier, while speaking in a calm and friendly tone. This only serves to unsettle Anastasia, which was precisely what he wanted.

"Are you trying to say you'll use magic to make me confess? Although I doubt a pig like you knows of such sophisticated techniques, even if you did my will is too strong!" Anastasia replied loudly making Aron come to a halt, he simply now looked at her with a blank expression making her mind constantly wonder what he was thinking.

'He keeps on bluffing, I'm sure of it. It isn't impossible for a commoner to be well versed in magic but he looks no older than my brother, no way my brother is on the same level as commoner but then why is he so calm...' Anastasia began to question herself constantly within her mind. Fear of the unknown slowly bubbling up inside her mind. Soon she began to take his looking at her as mockery and snapped at him.

"What is it that you want, pig!" Anastasia yelled out angrily once more, even causing her maid to look at her oddly. When she noticed this, she quickly tried to recompose herself but not without making Aron realize something as he took a few steps closer towards the barrier.

"Image is very important towards aristocrats if I remember correctly. One wrong act and your reputation could be ruined for life, it must be hard. I applaud you all for this, so if you wish to keep your reputation clean then I suggest you answer the few questions I have to ask." Aron offered plainly and simply before stretching out his hand towards Anastasia's stomach.

Anastasia instinctively shuffled back when she saw him do this and put up her guard but a split second later, she felt her insides rumble madly. She immediately held her stomach and gave a deathly glare towards Aron who showed a small smile.

"Oh? No need to give me such a horrid look, I've given you options. Either answer my questions or have your bodily functions run mad, I can't imagine the look your peers and servants will give after finding you wallowing in your own filth for days like the very pigs you seem to hate so much. Ridicule, shame, loss of respect, I can already picture so many things that would come about as a result. Well? What shall it be? answer my questions? Or should I leave and let you be? I wouldn't want to be around for what follows."

Aron's threat had Anastasia wide eyed, he had already set her mind on a trend of overthinking with his earlier probing, so when he suddenly brought her body to the state it was now in she had no time to thoroughly process. Panic was slowly rising in her mind every time she managed the result of not doing what he asked.

"How dare you! My family will have you killed if you do such a thing! Cease this immediately!" Anastasia opted to try and threaten in a desperate attempt as she felt she could no longer control her bodily functions but Aron never once seemed fazed.

"I very much doubt that, it's already embarrassing having a member of their family not only lose to a commoner but to be left wallowing in their own filth. Would it not only serve to embarrass them more if they sought revenge against a single commoner for that act? Maybe or maybe not, I'm willing to take the risk but the question is are you? I'd answer quickly if I were you, time isn't on your side." Aron responded casually while Anastasia held stomach even more tightly before nodding her head vigorously.

"Fine! Fine! I'll answer your questions!" She hurriedly spoke bringing a smile to Aron's face.

"Finally cooperating, good. Now for the questions...."