"I'm not sure if it's possible to interrogate them with the use of my mind-controlling ability," Nial said after he and the Elves had come together.
A few Elves were currently sorting out the information and making notes based on the physical files while others had accessed the database of the hidden laboratory with the use of the Shelturion whose biometric fingerprint and iris were required to be scanned to access most data.
The data was copied to an external drive, where it would be organized and shown to Nial and the other higher authorities.
Nial had received the right to get his hands on the 'valueless' files and information which the Elves didn't require. As for the rest, he would be allowed to take a look at them before the Elves would take them for their own use.
One could say that it was their payment for helping the humans from Jundra and the slight possibility that they would be dragged in a war because of their actions.
Nial had nothing to say about their demands. In fact, the Elves didn't ask for much in exchange for the help they provided. It was more than fine with Nial.
Unfortunately, he didn't ask the government for permission when he chose to raid the hidden laboratory…but that was also fine. The government would have never accepted his actions because they hadn't done anything against the Cultivation Drug pill until now, either way.
He was quite sure that the government accepted the drugs because they were the lesser evil. Instead of waging war, losing some humans to drugs and some weird Soul Contracts was fine with them.
The government had too many problems to solve at the same time to bother about some greedy humans. This was especially true when other races were involved. Other races were usually stronger than the humans from Jundra because they already had a foundation and stronger Originals on their side.
Of course, Nial didn't really care about all that.
"If your ability doesn't work, we can just torture him using other means," The Royal Princess said with a shrug. She didn't seem to have anything against torture, which was quite unexpected.
Nial expected the Royal Princess to say that he should try out Dominion over and over again.
"We can still ask them some questions, and I have a plan."
He ended up showing Princess Evalyne a messenger device with a faint but evil smile on his face.
"I wonder what Great Wirliam will say after hearing that his little hidden laboratory has been raided and that I possess a mind-controlling ability," Nial muttered before he added the most crucial point related to his plan.
"...or what he will say if we hand over all these traitors to the Shelturion's government. I am curious what will happen to them…"
His voice was cold and barely loud enough to reach the ears of the tied-up Shelturion. They began to shiver in fright, which further increased after Nial changed the effect of the Blood Eclipse Moon's crimson moonlight.
The targets Nial considered as allies would receive a physical enhancement and other augmentations thanks to the crimson moonlight of the manifested Blood Eclipse Moon. Meanwhile, the targets that were labeled as enemies would feel weakened, a light dizziness would affect them and negative emotions would feel much more intense than usual.
This was one of Nial's means to weaken the mind of the tied-up Shelturion, but there were far more tricks in his arsenal. He made sure that the Tyrant of Destruction retrieved one of the Guard corpses from his body while exuding a large portion of his killing intent.
His killing intent was not targeted at anyone present but the remnants swept over to the Shelturion nonetheless. Their heads turned to the huge black monster, whose ruby eyes shone dangerously. The harrowing sight made their eyes quiver before their body followed suit as they started to tremble violently.
Right in front of their eyes, the Guard transformed into one of their fellow brethren. This was done with Nial's use of Dominion, enhanced by the Darkness Essence and some Chaos. He had never used Chaos to enhance Dominion, let alone together with Darkness Essence but it worked out much better than expected.
The Shelturion looked at the corpse in fright, some even screamed out in terror, just to see how the body of their own 'brethren' was torn apart by Tyrant.
Gasps, heavy breaths, and screams filled the main hall of the hidden libratory for a moment.
"I think Dominion will work now," Nial spoke slowly before he activated Dominion once again.
'...Intensify their fear and alter their mind slowly…use their damaged will and fear to break through their mental defenses…'
Nial was telling himself what he was supposed to do and he focused all his attention on the task ahead. He could not afford the distraction and ended up making a big mistake.
Using the crimson moonlight and the Shelturion's fear and terror to his advantage, Nial was slowly unleashing the might of Dominion. He altered the mind of the Shelturion in front of him, temporarily of course. It was not possible for him to permanently alter the mind of a few dozen Originals who were not only at a higher rank than him but also in possession of a big head, literally.
If the Shelturion were physically extremely weak, their mind was strong and well-protected.
Thus, temporarily altering them was everything he could do, and even that required a few hours.
Nial was exhausted afterward so he left the Royal Princess and her people to give them some space in interrogating the Shelturion.
He eavesdropped on their discussion but that was already it.
Like that two more hours passed and a heavy silence filled the room.
"Looks like there are a few more hidden laboratories…hah…" Nial exhaled heavily and he kept rubbing his temples for a few minutes.
The locations of the other hidden laboratories were just as annoying as the hidden laboratory they had just raided.
There were also as many guards and Shelturion Alchemists as they caught in this place…and all of them created not just the Cultivation Drug pills but also other medicines.
Only the Cultivation Drug was purposely created to turn humans into addicts, while the other potions and pills were manufactured to make more connections and money.
"They've already sent an emergency signal to the headquarters, so there is no point in searching for the others. Just to return and use the Forest of Life's teleportation magic circle a few more times would cost us a few days. We don't even know the most suitable coordinates to be teleported, either and our guesses might end up in the maw of a Dragon or in the magma pool of an active volcano…" Nial mumbled, understanding that raiding the other hidden laboratories was not plausible.
It would be nothing short of a miracle if the vigilant and cowardly Shelturion wouldn't have fled already.
"Let's call that bastard then!" Nightingale shouted out loud from behind. The other Elves turned to the Royal Nightshadow Elf, not really understanding his enthusiasm, except Nial, who scoffed.
"Of course, we will call him. I'm just wondering how to make it clear that I will turn his life into a living hell if he doesn't give me what I want…."
Dark energy exuded from Dilan's body and traces of darkness spread through his milky white, lifeless eyes. He licked his lips after almost half a minute had passed before he picked up the messenger crystal of the hidden laboratory's Head Alchemist.
He was the only one with Great Wirliam's number, but that was more than enough.
Dialing the number, Nial retrieved a chair from his spatial ring. He sat down and leaned against the backrest. His left leg rested on his right leg while he was waiting patiently.
And it was not long after that the call went through.
[I know that you're the Invader… Who the hell do you think you are?! Do you know whose laboratory you've just attacked?] A voice seething in anger rang out from the messenger crystal. He spoke in the universal language, which made things a lot easier for him.
"Of course, I know whose laboratory I attacked, but who said that I care?" Nial retorted in the universal language. His voice was calm and composed.
[You…WHO are you?!?] Great Wirliam bellowed, just for Nial to start snickering.
"Me? I'm just one of the humans you're looking down at…"