Chapter 177 - 177: An Investigation II

Halora was accompanied by ten cops including the commander-in-chief into the headquarters upon arrival. She looked like a President who were guarded by armed men.

Behind them, Markus and Sebastian followed silently as it was not against the protocol. They both walked with their head held high like it was a hallway surrounded with students.

"This way!" The cops said. They were all serious, quiet and entire place seemed to be a huge cage for the criminals. "Okay, we're almost there, Young Lady!"

"A– alright! Thank you for bringing me here but I guess, I am not alone!" A mischievous smile plastered on her lips, turned around and waved her hand on them. "See? I have two handsome boys as a back up and they'll stay until the investigation is done."

The cops was quietly amazed by her intelligence. Instead of uttering a word, he shook his head and told Halora where was the investigation took place.

Right then, she entered a room with two aluminum chairs and a table. It was dim inside that bothered her even more.

But, she remained calm and cooperative. She has to be at home right now but she didn't want to be chased by the authorities.

For a second, she looked throughout the room, the cops inside with them. She sighed, until the commander–in–chief asked her to take a seat.

"Place sit down, Young Lady. Don't worry, we have only three questions that you must answer. Do you understand?"

She shook her head in agreement. As she waited for their questions, under the table, Halora squeezed her hands that somehow took away the fear and calmed her down.

The old man in front of her was holding a bullpen, and a folder that contained important information. He gasped, looked intently into her brown eyes, "Okay, let us start with you." he said shortly. "So, tell me about yourself, Halora."

"I am Halora Chui, living on my own since my parents died. I am the only child so they left me a small amount for me to finish my studies." she said straightforward.

It somehow inspired the old man while he wrote down everything she said. He smiled, flipped another page, "Okay, we have your personal information and I'm glad that you didn't lie to us. Well, you're an honest young woman indeed."

"So, the second question is... how did you found that magical ring and where those ugly creatures lurked for so long?"

Halora took a deep breath for a second. She bowed her head, opened her mouth and she replied, "I... I found this ring at my friend's room. I am his tutor and I was supposed to teach him but an unexpected thing showed up!"

"And about the witches' hideaway, I don't have any idea. To be honest, I haven't seen such creature in my whole life but Damara– the queen of witches usually appeared in my dream!"

"In your dream? Then what would be her intention?"

Halora stopped for a moment. She recalled that dream that felt like real. "She was looking for this ring."

The officers around her felt a sudden fear in their body. They never encountered such happening and it was quite disturbing.

As the old man wrote her testimonies, he didn't look at her anymore. For the last question, he blinked his eyes countless times.

He said, "If I will ask you to surrender that ring, will you surrender it as part of the investigation?"

At that moment, Halora felt like she turned into a deaf young woman. She didn't expect such question from the authorities but if it was the best way to do, she was willing to surrender the ring and to have peace of mind like before.

However, there was a part of her telling not to surrender the ring. She smiled bitterly at them, "C– can I talk to my friends first? I... I don't really know what to do, officer. I hope you'll understand."

"I understand, Young Lady. But if you go out from this room, we have to do something that against your will. I am giving you five minutes to decide."

Halora was left speechless. She looked at him with a regretful eyes and caught a glimpse to the door where they waited.

For a couple of minutes, she thought about it very carefully. If surrendering the ring would bring her to the right hand, then she put her arms on the table.

The tension between two parties became too intense. It felt like there was a deep stare competition until she breathed heavily in disbelief.

"Alright, if I give this to you, would you let me see them for the last time?"

The commander–in–chief and the two cops behind him looked at each other. It seemed like they didn't expect it to be heard from her.

Until he chuckled bitterly, tried to act normally and he said, "O– of course! But–"

"With my friends?" She cut him off that left them with no choice.

With hesitation and qualms, he slightly nodded his head in agreement. He smiled sarcastically, closed the white folder and stood from his seat.

"Follow me then!" he replied shortly.

Although it was an advantage for Halora, she has no choice but to give the ring after everything. She knew it was only part of investigation and she must cooperate with them.

By then, as she followed the old man, she saw Sebastian and Markus on a bench. They waited for her patiently until she called them, "Follow us!" she murmured as they followed the old man to the huge room.

Silently, as they reached the said room, the two cops quickly opened the door. They bowed their head and let the commander–in–chief led the way.

It was an ordinary room filled with a lot of small cage made up of steel. Halora looked at the witches who were put inside of it and their hands were tied up with a thick, indestructible chain.

At the last row, Halora saw Damara who were peacefully sleeping. Her face turned into an innocent woman that caught her attention.

Her face looked familiar with her. Damara's nose, lips and even the shape of her face. She was about to touch her face but Sebastian stopped her.

"Don't wake her up, Halora. She's a dangerous woman." he murmured.

"I... I don't know but I think about mom everytime I look into her face." she whispered to the cold wind as she didn't want to be loud about it.

Halora sighed in relief as she knew how hard the cage could be ruined by them. Good thing that they tied up all of the witches' hands so that they couldn't manipulate it.

As the time goes by, the old man in uniform cleared his throat from behind. He walked towards Halora, held his breath back, "Surrender the ring to us, Young Lady. Don't worry, it is in the good hands, do you trust us?"

"Y– yes, I do and I hope you'll do your best to keep all of them in here because I can't fight them any longer without the ring."

"Of course, we will do our best to ensure that no one else can ever escape from here."

Because of his convincing words and actions, Halora smiled at him shortly. She looked at the ring on her fingers, and for the very first time, she felt a sudden pang on her chest.

It was strange but despite the doubt and hesitation, she took off the ring, looked at Sebastian and Markus who seemed to be bothered by her decision.

But it was now or never, she needed a peaceful life not a magical power that would entirely changed her life.

Before she surrendered the powerful ring, Halora glanced at Damara. She scoffed, bitterly smiled until she faced the old man.

With courage on her eyes, Halora bestowed the ring with a heavy heart. As soon as it slipped into her palm, a warm fluid fell into her cheek. And the next thing she said left everyone shocked and surprised.

"Once for all, I am ready to let it go. And no matter what happens, I am still the ring's real keeper."

"You will always be, Young Lady. And I want you to keep this confidential testimonies l– like a s–secret that meant to be kept."

And right that moment, she was released by the authorities after they gathered such important information from her.

As the three of them finally reached the parking area, Sebastian quickly grabbed her hand that shocked Markus who were about to comfort her.

"Forgive me, Halora. I wasn't be able to protect you and the ring from the witches!" he whispered as he rubbed gently her back. "I... I know h– how much it means a lot to you, b– but you did the best choice."

"I know but w– why do I feel this way, Sebastian? My heart filled with a heavy burden and I can't find the exact words to explain it!"

Tears traveled from her eyes to her cheeks and nothing else could take it away from her heart.