The Interrogation Protocol

The echoes of the cathedral ambush had barely quieted down. While the imperial guards scrambled outside to secure the perimeter, the central summit hall was locked under absolute martial law.Eren stood stoically near a row of heavy stone pillars under his silver-haired "Rean" identity. His plain traveler's cloak was stained with dark blood, his body still feeling the sharp, burning exhaustion of forcing his Level 2 muscle groups to move faster than the speed of sound. He wasn't resting. His golden eyes were actively scanning the room, utilizing his Absolute Adaptability sensory grid to analyze the environmental layout down to the millimeter.Suddenly, a slight, unnatural movement caught the corner of his eye.Right beside the eastern pillars, a high-ranking delegate who had been cowering on the ground slowly rose to his feet. He wore pristine white robes that completely covered his head and face, looking like an innocent, panicked civilian. But beneath the flowing white linen, his right hand slipped into his waistband, pulling out a jagged, crimson-inlaid assassination dagger pulsing with volatile explosive mana. He didn't make a sound. He lunged directly toward the exposed back of Duke Nileges, Marine's father."Die, tyrant!" the man hissed under his breath.The Duke didn't have time to turn around. The remaining house guards were too far away.But Eren's frame-perfect reflexes were already locked onto the threat. He didn't even draw his 100,000 Mon black katana. Stepping inside the assassin's forward momentum frame, Eren drove his elbow straight into the attacker's throat, executing a seamless animation cancel to sweep the man's legs out from under him.CRASH!The man in white slammed violently onto the stone floor. Before he could detonate the explosive dagger, Eren planted his heavy boot firmly onto the assassin's wrist, snapping the bone with a sharp crack and forcing the blade to slide across the floor. Eren grabbed the back of the man's white robes, pinning his arms behind his back with an iron grip."Secure him!" the head guard roared as the royal knights finally rushed forward, pinning the failed killer to the ground.They tore the white hood off the assassin's head, revealing the distinct, tattooed markings of an elite shadow-agent. Duke Nileges turned around, his sharp features tight with absolute shock as he stared at the captured target.The tactical markings of The Kingdom of Atchwi," the Duke muttered, his voice cold as ice. "A spy from our neighboring empire. Their blockade wasn't enough—they are actively attempting to decapitate our military leadership to launch a full-scale invasion."The Duke turned his gaze toward Eren, his calculating eyes filled with deep, profound respect for the silver-haired rookie. "Rean. Twice in one day, your anomalous reflexes have preserved my life. But this matter goes beyond a simple assassination attempt. This is an act of war."Duke Nileges paced across the room, his fist tightening against his royal mantle. He looked toward his daughter, who was standing nearby, her face flushed a deep, burning crimson as her eyes locked adoringly onto Eren's stoic, blood-stained face."Marine," the Duke commanded heavily. "We need absolute leverage. Go to the capital barracks immediately and summon The Sovereign Hero, Eren. Tell him to look directly into this matter. I want him to fly straight to the Kingdom of Atchwi, stand before their monarch, and demand an answer for why they are committing these treasonous actions."The Duke stood tall, entirely unaware that the legendary blonde Hero he was trying to summon was the exact silver-haired rookie standing three paces away from him.Eren's mind calculated the tactical board at lightning speed. An ordinary protagonist would have panicked about being in two places at once, but Eren just let out a quiet, internal gamer smirk. The Duke wants a Hero? I'll give him one."Your Grace," Eren spoke smoothly under his Rean identity, adjusting his plain traveler's cloak. "There is no need to waste time sending Lady Marine to search the capital barracks. I know exactly where the Sovereign Hero trains. Leave the message to me. I will personally go and explain this entire situation to Eren right now."Duke Nileges paused, looking at the rookie with a faint, approving nod. "You have a direct line to the Hero? Excellent. Go. Tell him the crown demands his absolute authority on this mission.""Consider it done," Eren grinned.An hour later, the silver-haired "Rean" disguise vanished in a flash of soft system particles inside a private estate chamber. His spiky blonde hair returned to its vibrant luster, his heavy, modern gold chains were layered back over his collar, and his signature, high-energy gyaru swagger was fully restored.By the time the afternoon sun hit its peak, a massive, awe-inspiring sight filled the capital launch pads. The Royal Flying Ship—a majestic, leviathan-class sky fortress lined with golden armor plating and runic levitation thrusters—breathed a heavy stream of steam as its sails caught the upper wind currents.Eren walked up the grand boarding ramp, his hand resting casually on the hilt of Albert's ancient black katana, his gold chains clinking with every step. Walking right beside him was Lady Marine, her pristine face completely flushed with a hopeless, adoring crimson blush as she held onto his arm, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.Up on the palace balcony, Duke Nileges watched the massive flying ship ascend into the clouds, feeling entirely secure knowing that the country's ultimate "Hero" was on the case—completely unaware that his future son-in-law had just speedrun the ultimate political play.The royal ship tore through the upper atmosphere, charting a direct course straight toward the hostile borders of the Kingdom of Atchwi to begin the ultimate cosmic confrontation.