Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Chapter 298: Reasons for Betrayal

As Rain wondered about the situation, he began to suspect a connection between the ambush at the border and the ongoing conflict with the sea folk. Though he couldn't quite pinpoint it, a sense of unease suggested that these two events were somehow intertwined. Rain had a gut feeling that a hidden connection between two incidents existed for quite a while.

The group left the city again to the camp that Rain made and in there, they prepared to take all the information out of him in one way or the other... However, Branden stepped in and stopped them.

"Why, Rhodes?" Branden asked. "I chose you and the others because I thought that my enemies wouldn't be able to find any weaknesses in you all. You don't have a family, so they couldn't use that against you. I don't think that you all could have been bought with money only, so why?"

"My lord... I have no excuses," Rhodes said. "I accept my death."

"No, no, while death ends quickly, too fast, and we don't have time, it isn't the best option here," Rain said. "Torture can take too long, but it will also give us some information."

"I have nothing to say," Rhodes said with his head down as if he was waiting to be beheaded.

Too bad for him, for Rain didn't have a sword, while he could make a blade out of magic, Rain didn't have the luxury to spend that much mana on an opponent that wasn't planning on fighting.

Branden was caught in a difficult situation. The informant's betrayal left him in a dilemma. He couldn't ignore the argument that killing him wouldn't provide any valuable information. This issue left Branden in a bad spot.

When Rhodes was informed about the severe consequences of betrayal, a wave of anxiety washed over him and he began to sweat cold. It wasn't just him who would suffer the consequences; anyone linked to his actions would also face a grim fate, with options boiling down to either death or exile.

This policy reminded Rain of a principle he had encountered back on Earth – the idea of addressing a problem at its source instead of trying to fix it after the damage is done.

Rain understands the reasoning behind such harsh measures. It made more sense to prevent potential threats from emerging by ensuring that those associated with the betrayers also paid a steep price. This approach aimed to nip any future problems in the bud by making it clear that even indirect involvement in betrayal would lead to severe repercussions.

"Do you understand, Rhodes?" Branden asked. "You and anyone who was seen with you will be paid for the betrayal. Do you want to die knowing that, or are you willing to cooperate?"

"... I will answer all of your questions," Rhodes said after a resigned sigh.

Rhodes disclosed a troubling turn of events. He explained that he had refrained from reaching out to anyone about his investigations but had received a disturbing letter instead. This letter delivered a gruesome ultimatum: halt his investigation into the city's lord or face a gruesome fate where both he and his lover's heads would explode violently.

This dangerous threat left Rain, Lorene, and Orcis contemplating the possibility that the same person who had tried to bury them earlier had somehow made contact with Rhodes without his knowledge.

The authenticity of this threat remained uncertain, though, and it was unclear whether it was a genuine danger or just a bluff. However, the timing of the threat was that dangerous. It coincided with the recent relocation of the city's ruler, suggesting that Rhodes had been under investigation for quite some time.