Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening
Chapter 163: Betrayal

Chapter 163: Betrayal

"..."

Caleb had no words for the commander who saw right through his disguise. Even so, he wanted to see how far he could push it. The commander was most likely gaslighting him to see if he would break.

"Please, I’m just trying to earn some money." Caleb pleaded. "I’ve heard of the conflict going on, but I have nowhere else to go, please..."

"Haha," The commander chuckled, letting go of Caleb’s chin and stepping back. "I don’t know who you are or what you’re trying to achieve here, but..."

SLAP!

A sudden but swift slap went across Caleb’s face, the shock and suddenness leaving him stunned and wide-mouthed.

’The hell...?’ Caleb couldn’t believe what just happened.

The commander made no efforts to question him or anything of that sort; he just straight up chose violence. It was a first, even for him.

"Right there," the commander grinned, looking at Caleb’s shocked expression. "A heavy slap like that would have toppled over a normal person...."

Caleb ignored the commander’s words, taking a moment to recompose himself. He knew his acting sucked as he had given away too many signs.

’He’s right...’ He admitted. ’Though my previous life wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t bad either. Keeping up this charade would do me no good. Then again, with a wanted poster on my head, it’s difficult for me to do anything with ease.’

The commander made no further moves, patiently waiting for Caleb to snap out of his reverie. He knew he had the stranger by the neck and was willing to wait.

Several seconds later, Caleb lifted his head to look straight into the commander’s eyes. There were no signs of tears, and neither was there a mark left on the slapped cheek — almost as if the slap never happened.

Commander Harrision smiled victoriously, knowing he was right in his readings. He crouched slightly, moving his face closer to Caleb, "So, are you willing to talk now, or do you prefer a couple more slaps before we begin?"

Behind the commander, looking cautiously at Caleb, was the commander’s assistant. Like the commander, she had noticed the lack of print on Caleb’s cheek.

This was what bothered her as they were presently under the effects of a mana suppression cage. Magic wasn’t supposed to be working at the moment, much less natural regeneration.

’Is he just that tough, or is there something more?’ Skylar wondered, glancing briefly at the commander and then back at Caleb.

"What is this farce about?" Caleb let out a subtle sigh, not breaking eye contact. His question widened the commander’s smile.

"Hehe, finally..." Commander Harrison stood back up. "We can be on the same page. In case you aren’t aware, you can’t use magic here; there’s no escape for you."

Skylar frowned slightly, unsure if that was the case. This time, however, her subtle moves were picked up by Caleb, making him realise that the woman was onto him.

’She’s a smart one...’ Caleb thought amusingly, quickly shifting his gaze to the commander. ’For now, let’s see if the commander has anything to say...’

"Of course, without a truth decipherer, it would be difficult to tell if you’re being truthful or not." The commander continued. "Not that it would matter... Until I’m satisfied with your answers, anything I deem wrong would receive..."

He smiled once more, his gaze shifting to Caleb’s cheeks. "Well, you already know."

"You haven’t answered my question, Commander..." Caleb pressed, completely ignoring the nonsense the commander just spewed. "This conflict with the neighbouring kingdom, are you truly here to halt their progress, or are you just playing games?"

"..."

Commander Harrison and his assistant frowned at Caleb’s direct and fearless tone.

"You’re with His Majesty, aren’t you?" the commander realised grimly. "You’re one of his hidden forces... No wonder..."

To that conclusion, Caleb raised his brows, mildly surprised. Although the realisation made the commander take a step back, it also enlightened Caleb himself.

"So it is a farce, isn’t it?" Caleb’s words snapped them out of their shock. "The Marquise may be in on what’s going on. With how sensitive things have gotten between the Royals and nobles, your Lord seems to be choosing a sid-"

SLAP!

Caleb received another sudden slap on the other cheek, once again shocked by the commander’s audacity and choice of action.

"Watch your tone, shadow." Commander Harrison growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You forget yourself."

"C-Commander..." Skylar gulped nervously, glancing at Caleb and her commander in turn. "Maybe you shouldn’t be too violent with this man. He may not be the only one around..."

Commander Harrison sharply turned to look at his assistant, making her flinch. "Get out." The commander spat out coldly, leaving no room for refusal.

The assistant realised she had overstepped her bounds. Although her suggestion was reasonable, she understood how stubborn the commander could become when he was angered.

"Y-Yes," With no choice in the matter, Skylar cast a last glance at the stranger, bowed to the commander and quickly left the tent.

As soon as the flap closed behind the woman, Commander Harrison wasted no time and viciously grabbed Caleb by the neck and slammed him into the hard ground.

Caleb swallowed a moan as he glared at the commander, whose face was mere inches from his own. Bound to a chair, there wasn’t much Caleb could do to ’resist’.

"I don’t give a fuck who you are, shadow." Commander Harrison whispered, tightly clenching Caleb’s neck. "You have no idea what’s coming... so you better shut it! You think anyone would give away their power on a silver platter?!"

"Hehe," Caleb smiled defiantly, letting out a couple of coughs. "Y-You’re finally t-talking! His Majesty was right! The nobles are betraying the kingdom!"

"Figuring it out now won’t make a difference." The commander pressed harder, the pressure forcing groans out of Caleb. "You won’t be leaving here alive."

"Y-You sure about that?"

Caleb muttered between coughs. While the commander’s grip was tight, it wasn’t to the extent of pulling him into the realm of unconsciousness and then death.

"L-Like your assistant said, I’m not alone!" Caleb bluffed confidently.

"Doesn’t matter," Commander Harrison wasn’t having any of it. "This ’farce’, as you call it, will be over soon. At that time, it won’t matter what the king does. The Growian Kingdom isn’t playing around. Trust me, you have no idea the kind of forces they have on their side."

The commander seemed to be venting his frustrations on Caleb, freely speaking about what he knew about the Growian Kingdom. It wasn’t much, but it summarised what had been happening since the Demon Generals’ invasion.

RUMBLE...!

A sudden earthquake shook the entire base, throwing both Caleb and the Commander to the side. A groan escaped the Commander’s lips as he collided with the cage, while Caleb and his chair crashed into him, compounding the damage.

"Fuck...!" The commander cursed. "Not again!"

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