Standing in front of the increasingly growing crowd of people, Alex slowly started recounting his version of events from his short stay in the town, starting off with how the guards tried extorting him the first time he entered Monty town, and that he had only managed to get past it due to his own strength being higher than that of the guards.
"With how familiar all the guards seemed with this extortionate process, it's safe to say that they do it pretty often to any newcomers that visit." Alex added, amused by Bertram's frown growing increasingly as he spoke.
"I had no idea about the actions of the guards, I was away for 4 months so how could I have known-" Bertram refuted Alex's words, pushing the blame solely onto the guard's shoulders.
"While that could be true, that just makes you an incompetent leader instead — unable to control your own subordinates, it truly is a wonder how a man like you ends up as the Mayor of the town." Alex rebutted. Anything Bertram could say to defend himself would only get thrown right back at his face.
"Now, how about we take up your offer and head inside for a nice and friendly chat?" Alex ended the conversation short and started walking inside the manor, not even waiting for an answer from Bertram as he knew they'd end up following him inside anyway.
Seeing the familiar extravagant interior of the manor, Alex still felt disgusted at how the outskirts of the town were only barely able to earn enough to survive day to day life in their tiny little houses, but here in the centre of the town there was such a luxurious mansion that probably cost the townspeople at least a years of their taxes to build.
Inside the dimly lit halls of the manor, Alex led Bertram and Kilian silently towards the study, ensuring they were away from prying eyes. The air was thick with tension as the three men stood facing each other, fear only settling deeper into the opposing men's hearts the longer they gazed into Alex's eyes.
There was a saying that the eyes were a window to the soul, and Alex's eyes were reflecting a blazing hatred back to them.
"Now, gentlemen," Alex began, his voice low and laced with dangerous intent, "We are going to have a little chat, and you are going to tell me everything. No more lies, no more excuses. I want the truth, and I want it now."
Bertram sneered at Alex's tone, but he said nothing, his eyes darting nervously between Alex and Kilian. It was clear the two men were on edge, their composure starting to crumble in the face of Alex's unrelenting gaze.
"Why did you request the count to send an assassin after me, Bertram?" Alex demanded, his low voice echoing throughout the chamber.
Bertram hesitated for a moment, his gaze darting nervously between Alex and Kilian. "I... I suspected you of being a spy from a rival nation," he stammered, his voice betraying his uncertainty.
But Alex was not fooled by Bertram's feeble excuse. "That's bullshit, and you know it," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "Now tell me the truth, or these next few seconds will be the most painful seconds of your life."
Bertram paled at Alex's words, but he knew that he had no choice but to continue his story. If Alex found out about the plan, then he would kill him for certain.
"It's the truth!" He blurted, arrogance laced all throughout his words as his fake demeanour crumbled.
His eyes shifted to Kilian, who had said nothing by this point but kept up the same arrogant look and attitude as Bertram.
"I don't think you two realise what kind of situation you're in. You have no control here, your lives are in my hands right now, and if you tell one more lie, I'll only have to resort to methods much worse than this." As he spoke, Alex's sword flashed with a silver arc of light. His actions were so fast that neither man had even noticed Alex had made a move until they saw the blood dripping from the tip of his blade.
"ARRRGH!" Bertram cried out all of a sudden in a howl of pain.
He looked down, only to see three of his fingers missing and blood starting to pool on the ground beneath his feet.
"I'll take from you, both of you, until you tell me the truth or there is nothing left of you to take." Alex spoke in a cold tone, his sword ready to slice again at any time.
"I promise I was telling the trut-" Bertram was cut off, the sword light flashing once again.
"That's the remaining two fingers for that hand. I'll start on your other hand next."
***
Over 30 minutes later, Bertram and Kilian lay on the ground with tears, snot and blood streaming down their faces.
They had still not revealed the truth up until this point, but Alex didn't doubt his judgement and knew they were still lying.
By now, both of them had lost an arm, a leg and all their fingers.
"Okay! Okay, I give up. Just please stop, have some mercy for the love of god!"
Finally, Kilian caved in first as he couldn't take the torture anymore. His psyche had completely broken down alongside his physical body and he couldn't put up with his facade anymore. "The Count invited Lord Bertram over to his manor 3 months ago during our travels, he seemed like he had something exciting to share with my Lord, and as his loyal servant I naturally accompanied him and had the privilege of listening to his proposition as well."
Kilian started recounting events from the beginning, and judging by the look of betrayal on Bertram's face, this was probably the real truth this time.
"Stop! Kilian, if you speak one more word, I'll have you killed!" Bertram shouted out in rage, clearly betrayed by Kilian's words.