Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 140: I am the best torturer

Vale understood why Wolf needed the chair, and he didn’t like it.

Wolf called some guards, and they strapped Vale to a metal chair with leather bindings after stripping him of his clothes, leaving only his underwear. Wolf explained that he didn’t use chains because they would break his skin, skin he later went on to break with his blades.

Wolf started with his leg, specifically his right one and the toe. "I have a weird fascination with the leg. I know, I can say the same with the rest of the body! But as the best torturer, you must know that you must take away any chance of escape, like this!"

He slammed his metal hammer into Vale’s big toe with a muted thud.

Pain bolted through Vale’s body, and his head felt heavy immediately. He jerked in the chair, but it had been tightly secured to the stone floor, and the leather bindings held him in place.

His mouth was stuffed with rags, trapping his scream behind his throat. It came out as a muffled, painful sound.

Wolf laughed. "Ah! You know, all Knights always think they’re special compared to us Squires. But take away their essence, and they’re nothing.

"They think they are strong men and women, but they forget the pain during a fight is far different when they’re subjected to it by someone like me." He stopped and leaned closer to Vale, his rancid breath washing over him.

"Let’s see how much pain you can take. Be the judge, am I the best torturer in the world?"

Immediately, he ripped off the nail over the smashed toe with his bare hands. Then he took a metal wire, heated it over a fire, and inserted it into the crushed toe, driving it straight into the bone and using it to probe Vale.

This time, Vale shouted, and his body jerked uncontrollably in the chair. His flesh glistened with sweat, his hair plastered to his back. His widened eyes stung as salty sweat dripped into them.

Wolf kept talking. "The new project I’m working on is how to cause pain with the littlest effort. Let’s see... ah, wait... I’m supposed to ask you questions. So."

With that, he removed the rag from Vale’s mouth and asked, "Who are you working for?"

"I’m not working for anyone." Vale’s voice was rough and raw, even to his own ears. It sounded strange, as if he’d been screaming for days.

"Is that so?" Wolf smiled. "Then let’s get back to work."

Vale couldn’t help it. He flinched.

☆☆☆☆

When Frexon returned at night, he found a bloody Vale with a swollen face and mangled fingers and toes. Parts of the flesh on his chest had been carefully peeled away like an orange, revealing the red flesh beneath.

Beside him, Wolf stood with a frown as he looked down at Vale.

"What’s the situation?" Frexon asked.

Wolf shook his head, his expression displeased. "Nothing for now. He’s stronger than I thought. Give me some time with him, and he’ll sing."

Frexon looked at him without saying anything, then turned to Vale. "Why don’t you just answer the question? You might even survive." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

With great difficulty, Vale opened his bloody, swollen mouth. His words came out slurred. "I am not working with anyone. Let me meet the Flagbearer."

Frexon sneered. "You want to meet a Master Knight? What do you think you’ll do once you meet him? Attack him and try to kill him?"

Beneath the blood that marred his face, Vale’s green eyes still burned with intensity. "Maybe I just want to talk to him."

His mouth curled into a faint sneer, and Frexon took a step back. He turned to Wolf. "You’re not doing your job properly."

This seemed to hit Wolf like a physical blow. He flinched and watched Frexon’s retreating back in sullen silence. Then he turned his cruel eyes to Vale. "Do you hear that? I must work overnight. I’ll provide you with some healing potions and food. After all, it’s the inner strength that complements the outside."

Vale could only groan in reply.

☆☆☆☆

Frexon knocked on the dark brown wooden door in front of him and waited patiently. It took a while, but finally, he heard the voice on the other side answer. "Come in."

The voice was low, and without hesitation, Frexon opened the door and stepped into a large study. Part of the wall was lined with shelves filled with ancient-looking books.

The wall opposite the door housed a complete map of the Borderland with colored pins sticking out.

The space in front of the map was occupied by a simple table and chair. On the chair sat a man shrouded in darkness. No, not hidden, it was as if the darkness in the room was so attracted to him that it clung to him.

Master Knight Sevrix, the Flagbearer of the Scuffed Bones. "Make your report, Captain."

Frexon straightened. "The boy has still not given any information. He says he’s not working for anyone."

Sevrix chuckled darkly, his voice like a thin blade. "I see. But his actions suggest otherwise. From the reports gathered here, he’s been targeting us since he stepped foot into the Second Layer. Even in the First Layer, he caused some trouble."

Captain Frexon stood there and nodded stiffly.

"He’s completely disrupted our plans with our factions back at home. No matter—everything is back as it should be. But this means the other faction’s influence has reached deep here in the Borderland," Sevrix mused.

Frexon didn’t reply. He was well used to Sevrix analyzing things like this. Soon, Sevrix would reach his point and give his orders.

"I must force them out. Don’t kill him... yet." Sevrix paused. "You said he’s been requesting a meeting with me, right? Throw him below and tell him the usual. In the meantime, we’ll use this opportunity to see who comes for him."

Frexon bowed. He was surprised that "below" was going to be used again but felt compelled to add something. "My lord, he’s a Rank 1. His power isn’t weak."

The voice seemed to smile. "I have some uncontrollable monsters as well."