The elder stood up and picked up the relic on the table. Then, he placed it down in front of the arrested suspect.

[Mendacium] was an uncommon relic that only available in the former territories of the fallen Ratican empire. It was considered as a top notch tool that could unravel the lies and deceitful acts of the target within a second. In other words, it always guaranteed a hundred percent accuracy to disclose the case once it was put in use.

The eminent reliability and the high demand of the item were one of the main reason of the former empire to pass a law for the limited production of the local brand.

Why they did it? Because the former Emperor was afraid that his enemies would use the item to monopolize it by themselves. But the truth was, he wanted to keep the product for himself, so his companies still control the monopoly of the whole country.

All of his efforts went in vain after his administration was overthrown during the peasant revolution, however.

Several years later, the prominent credibility of the relic made the local merchants invest their time to develop their own local brand. However, only a few of the businessman succeed to recreate the same object, but the ability of their products guaranteed a less seventy to eighty percent accuracy only.

"We have plenty of time to spare, Hermes. How about we take this chance to test its ability against you?" Elder Kilo suggested. "Sure, why not. Be my guest. Who am I to refuse? I'm just an alleged suspect anyway. We are going to spend our time here indefinitely," Hermes agreed, adding some sarcastic joke.

The old man activated the relic, and a blue light enlightened the whole room.

'This is the first time I've seen this relic in person. I wonder how the local government used this against the criminals,' Hermes gained interest at the object.

"Please put your hand on the top of the relic," Elder Kilo intructed, pointing his index at the exact position. "Over here, right? Okay, done," Hermes obediently followed.

The cold sensation shivered his right hand after he touched it, and he commented inside his head that the physical material touched as hard as the mouse of the computer in the former world.

"You are really a brave man. Are you really a teenager?" asked Elder Kilo, rubbing his beard. "Yes, I am just an ordinary teenager," Hermes answered brieftly.

The elder took a peek at the relic, but it didn't make a noise.

"Who are you really?" Elder Kilo questioned. "I am a humble merchant who wishes only to live peacefully in the countryside," Hermes responded earnestly.

The elder waited for the relic to make a sound, but he failed to receive a reaction.

"I think this brand is defective product. What do you think?" Elder Kilo entreated, massaging his forehead. "First of all, the receptionist told us already that it only guaranteed a less than hundred percent credibility, so maybe it won't make the same results that you are really hoping for," said Hermes, sarcastically.

"Are you making fun at me, Hermes? If you are not an important man, I already obliterate your body without remorse by my spell," said Elder Kilo, and he heaved a sigh upon seeing his body remained stiff. "First of all, I don't mean any disrespect, old man. You were the one who asked for it, though. Please hold on, calm down a bit. Do not forget that I am only answering the questions that you keep pushing on me, and please remember that you have no power to hurt the suspect in this room," Hermes reminded, stopping him from hurting him.

"You are smart. To think you are aware of the law. I wonder who advised a suspect to study it. You are blessed with a good tutor," Elder Kilo was impressed. "Tutor, huh? Let me correct you there, no one taught me. It is self-study. Knowledge is the only asset I have, so studying is a knife that I always hone its sharpness properly. By the way, an educated man is always aware of his role in the society. For the simple people, the basic law is the only subject matter that the local government teaches in the community, and if a new bill is passed on the congress, they mandatorily notified the public through the news. But deep inside, I admit my mouth make you feel discomfort, but I assure you that I am harmless child who knows his place in this world. In the side note, this relic is not actually a defective brand, so do not underestimate its power, sir. Honestly, it is my first time to see it personally, and I am grateful to actually experience this special service," Hermes crossed his legs together after he explained.

"I don't know why I feel uneasy talking with you. In this scenario, the suspect should feel nervous and explain his side with stuttering notes. Or sometimes, they immediately confess their crimes immediately, and they beg for pardon before they touch this relic. But I am so surprised to see how you can still act so confident after your hand touches a landmine that could explode anytime. Geez, I am questioning now whether I am talking to a fifteen-year-old child or an adult. Why you looked too positive in this situation?" asked Elder Kilo with a curious face. "The innocent is always confident that the truth will prevail over the fabricated lies of his enemies. Hence, I have nothing to fear, and I have no plan to drop a single tear," Hermes clarified, placing a finger on his left cheek.

'Wait, it will explode if I tell a lie? Now, I' m worried.'

"I'll be honest with you. You cannot escape your fate by being a sentimental man, Hermes. We have a huge hammer that could break your iron mask in front the council. These evidences are the weeds that we picked up in your garden, and the lamenting part here is, the weight is too heavy to carry your burden. No matter how you can pull it off, you miss the chance to remove those filthy plants from their roots, and you neglect to pay out the victims with your exploited loots. Do you understand now?" Elder Kilo pulled out a single strand of his hair, and his spell burned it into ashes. "Yes, but I disagree with the questionable statement earlier. I am not the original Hermes Archnemesis who is classified in your collected document. Let's see, weeds are a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, but don't you forget that it is naturally sprouted everywhere in the environment. Evidence is sometimes fabricated to ruin the image of the innocent, and many of the innocent dies because of the wrong sentence. Therefore, there is a less chance I am the person you are looking for, and I will become the victim of unfair judicial trial of the court. I know what are you trying to pull off, but believe me, I won't easily back off," Hermes defended.

"Hermes, you are still amateur in this situation. The person who always put a mask to cover their face is a man who hides his true identity, and even you make a plan to reverse the situation like playing a victim, you will fail perpetually. Once we are inside the trial court, you will start crying inside your heart. People are simple minded, and they only believe to what they read, touch and see. No matter what the suspect do to erase the permanent ink in the board, there is always a portion of dark mark will remain. Now lets change the subject and proceed to a new question. Is your first name really Aljen?" queried Elder Kilo with a terrifying violet aura behind his back. "Yes, my true first name is Aljen," Hermes answered with a dignified tone.

The elder looked at the tool, but it didn't make a reaction.

"U-u-unbelievable, there must be a mistake. Did I capture the wrong person?" Elder Kilo placed a hand on his forehead with disbelief. "Naah, who knows. Lets forget about it. Give me a minute to speak, okay. Calling you senile and old are truly inappropriate and insulting to hear. I admit my mistake, but I won't apologize. I don't intent to ruin the mood and turn our relationship from neutral to hostile. But it is your fault for making me feel mad earlier. You were loud and disrespectful when you introduced me in front of the public, so I was very disappointed at what you did. Anyway, we are now here, so we don't have nowhere to run. The person who currently talking with me is a man of his beliefs and he has an abundant knowledge in poem and philosophy, so I encourage him to proceed. Honestly, I really enjoy our moment together in this moment," said Hermes sincerely.

'Do not give up, or else I will fail my mission,' Hermes said inside his head.

The elder opened his eyes wide in surprise. He was expecting an abruptly response, but this child gained a little bit of his respect for his humbleness.

If the relic wasn't here, his words might be considered as a lie. But it didn't react when he said it. Therefore, he was telling the truth.

'If he is not my enemy, we can be friends. We could get along properly in a simple gathering. We can exhange punchling lines through words. But it is already impossible. This child is classified as a hindrance that we need to remove from the path, so I feel disappointed to see how this humble man fall into abyss.'

"I cannot believe that I feel bad of doing this to you, Herm — Sir Aljen. I' m gonna share something too. We collected it from the news of the media. These reporters created a made-up stories, and they fabricated a report that the new boss of Archnemesis was nothing but a mere brat who knows nothing but to brag his way around. They even described the child a little eccentric, short-tempered and addicted to drugs. But all of these data are led to a single reason. Hermes turned into a tyrant leader after his entire family perished from the world five years ago. He stopped attending school because he felt sick of society. Sir Aljen, let assume you are really Hermes. There are also a rumor that you are a talentless nobody, but what I see in front of me is quiet opposite from their statements. You are different from what the others perceived from their eyes. Those ignorant dogs sniffed the wrong fence. Those animals neglected to smell the innermost part of the backyard. That's why, I am very disappointed about it. By the way, are you perhaps trying to hide your true ability from the public?" Elder Kilo clutched his hands together, and he rested it on his lap. "I didn't know that the elder has a genuine side on his part. I only answered a few question, but your interaction with me has changed drastically in a few moment. You kind surprised me here. But let me clear this issue, I am not the original Hermes Archnemesis, and I don't have a special within my body to show in front of the public. Like I said before, I only used my head to stay alive. In short, I ain't special, and I am still a talentless nobody like the Hermes. Before the old civilization developed the first judicial system, humans has already the habit to judge the others with or without a proof. Fabricated or real evidence, everything is universal that it could make a positive or negative impact to everybody. But there are a lot of things that science failed to fully grasp, it is the universe and the human's stupidity," Hermes articulated honestly.

'What is the reason for the sudden change of heart? He must be testing my potential through my random answers,' Hermes assumed.

"Your determination is comparable to an august mark, and your words conveys how prominent your mind like a folk art. Only the old scribble can understand your true nature, and regardless of what I did, you still remain mature like a new sculture. This elder here shows his genuine respect at your performance. I cannot helped myself to change my perspective so quick. You are no far differen from what I read thus far. You are a small cub who has a bright future in my opinion," Elder Kilo stated firmly, and then he giggled upon saying the last sentence. "Hmm, I see. Thank you for your compliment, but you are exagerating a bit too far. Nevermind, I leave it into your imagination, elder," Hermes lose his thoughts upon hearing it from the old elven man.

'An enemy is praising me regardless of my status. Unbelievable, this is unexpected turn of event.'

At one moment, someone knocked the door.

"Who is it?" asked Elder Kilo, gravely. "Kilo open the door. Wamo and I have something important to talk with you right now," Elder Damaso demanded.

The youngest elder stood up from his chair, he opened the door for his brothers, and he welcomed them with open arms.

"Kilo, let's have a talk outside. You have to explain everything right now," Elder Damaso requested, holding his temper to avoid scolding his younger brother in front of the target. "As you wish, dear brother. Sir Aljen, please excuse me. My brothers and I have some business to discuss tonight," Elder Kilo exited the room and followdd his brothers in the corner.

As they walked closer tl a safe area, the eldest elder moved his mouth.

"Are you aware the consequences of your action, brother?" asked Elder Damaso, calmly. "Yes, I am. I have come this far, so I won't back down if you want to stop me. At least, we got him now," Elder Kilo answered with a cold sweat.

"Kilo, let me correct you properly. We are not here to stop you. Our big brother is mad because you skip a lot of steps to properly execute the plan for his arrest. You literally ruin the whole strategy that we created together," said Elder Wamo, trying to calm his younger brother. "I, It can't be helped. I was forced to move without your consent subsconciously. I am so sorry if offend both of you," Elder Kilo lowered his head in apology.

"So, did you finish the task that I gave to you?" asked Elder Damaso with a sharp look. "U, u, unfortunately, I was too busy with the target that I neglected to check Arak earlier," Elder Kilo confessed honestly, and he genuflected in front of his brother immediately.

"Nevermind, forget about it. It is still within the plan, so I will slide it this time. The council will arrive tonight, so we must prepare the documents," Elder Damaso tapped his brother's shoulder, and he helped him to stand up. "Thank you, brother," Elder Kilo bowed his head twice to thank him.

"By the way, we shouldn't celebrate yet, my brothers. There is a high chance that the tide will turn against us," Elder Wamo reminded. "I know. The high priestess will pay a visit too," Elder Damaso acknowledged.

"But the flow of the water is still in our favor. It is still calm. We still have a trump card," Elder Kilo reassured. "I hope so. Our current ratio of success is fifty-fifty because of her presence. The storm is too powerful to avoid in the ocean, and our war galleon must stay positive that we will sail out alive from the bad weather," Elder Damaso remarked.

"Should we intercept them?" asked Elder Wamo. "No, tell our men to stand down. Our only hope is make the girl believe that Aljen the merchant is Hermes Archnemesisis. He is a criminal who orchestrated the crimes all along to terrorize his people," Elder Damaso explained.

"But I heard from the servants of the church that the high priestess has a crush to Hermes. Do you think we can convince her?" Elder Wamo queried. "Let's just pray to our supreme being that she won't side at him," Elder Damaso wished.

"Stay positive, my brother. I heard from the staffs that there is a [Mendacium] inside the court. We still have a chance," Elder Wamo comforted his brother. "Good grief, our deity is still with us," Elder Damaso heaved a sigh of relief.

"My brothers, I have to excuse myself. I have to check the target now," Elder Kilo excused himself, and he left them alone in the corner. "See you soon," Elder Damaso waved a hand to send his regards.

'I hope the relic will produce a wonderful reaction unlike the defective product she lent to us. I am now convinced it is broken tool,' Elder Kilo commented inside his head.

As the Elder Kilo approached the door, he heard a loud voice behind it. He unlocked the doorknob, and he slowly took a peek. Then, a large spank on the table echoed the room.

"I am a man of my word. I don' t like her at all!" Hermes declared.

*Cling*