World of Karik: A Game of Villains 66 The Entrance

"If you tell me the truth, I will answer your question honestly." I wanted to check whether or not my main deception skill could hide my obligation to speak the truth from other people.

"Wow, there's a sign of the geas above your head," Dasha immediately destroyed all of my hopes. "This sounds interesting, let's do that."

Where was the girl who was just recently looking away in embarrassment? Right now she was like a predator that had smelled blood. I shouldn't risk it, so I won't ask any complicated questions; just "yes or no" ones. It'll be easier for me as well.

"Truth for Truth" has been activated.

"Have you been, directly or indirectly, involved in the destruction of Innokenty's tombstone?" At first, I wanted to ask if she had killed him, but then I remembered one book that I had read a long time ago, and decided to formulate the question in a more cunning way.

"No," she lied. I felt it, and the girl saw it in my eyes.

"Now it's your turn to ask," I said, trying to digest this bit of info. What was I supposed to do with it? And, more importantly, why would she have done that? Right now, it's better to keep silent and let her speak.

"Will you tell anyone?" She agreed to this even though she knows that she's guilty. Why? Didn't she believe what I told her about my geas? Even though she witnessed it first hand? Or was she just surprised by my question and wanted to finally get rid of all of her suspicions? Perhaps that was the issue... She couldn't have arranged all of this herself. I was sure that she knew something about what had happened. However, would others believe me if I told them? I didn't think so. I had to pressure her if I wanted to learn more. At least I managed to easily take care of my "truth debt".

"I will," I answered honestly. There we go, one hundred percent. Splendid.

"No one will believe you, you are a murderer!" the girl shouted furiously and ran away. She probably knew that I had no evidence to back this up with. Was that really the case though? I really didn't like being accused like that. I was thus very much interested in unraveling this story. A smile spread on my lips as I got an idea.

Having weighed out all of the pros and cons, I went looking for Petrovich. Ironic, isn't it? The God of Deception's ward in a search for the truth. I hoped that this wouldn't bring bad karma. I was taking a risk with this as it was very easy to say that I could just up and leave and survive on my own in the heat of an argument when, in reality, that was hard thing to do. In fact, only an insane person could, and would, do that. I also had to try and make people realize that I wasn't the next Jack the Ripper.

Our leader, as it turned, had canceled all of today's campaigns and had begun his own investigation. I could understand him; he wouldn't be able to uphold his power if his people were feeling unsafe. There would be a rebellion. People would either leave or hide their tombstones in more secluded places. Just like I had done. That was why the lancer looked at me as if I was his savior when I showed up with a solution to the problem.

Half an hour later, all of the base dwellers had gathered at the square in front of the campfire that was intended to be started in order to cook breakfast, but now lay forgotten.
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"Listen to me," I made a step forth, catching a couple of surprised gazes.

"Are you going to confess?" Innokenty tried to crack a joke. The situation with his broken tombstone changed him. Perhaps he had come to terms with all of his problems and was taking it easy. Some people spend tried decades to acquire that ability, and all he needed was one morning.

"Don't listen to this murderer!" Dasha shouted and tried to leave, but was stopped by the shaft of Petrovich's lance that he put on her shoulder.

"Nobody's going anywhere," he furiously hissed. "Personally, I'm not going to live in constant fear that something could happen to my tombstone. Law must be respected in my camp! Go on, Cat."

A joke, a threat and a promise to deal with the problem made everyone become more serious. Everybody was attentively listening to me.

"There is a simple guaranteed way to reveal the guilty party," I said, feeling a bit nervous. I don't recall the last time I had to take responsibility for such a big group of people. "I have a geas, which allows me to distinguish truth from lie. I'll come up to every single one of you and ask you if you have broken Innokenty's tombstone. I know. You won't believe my words unless I provide evidence."

My last sentence instantly silenced the murmur that had already begun to grow.

"Fortunately, that won't be necessary," I continued, taking advantage of the silence. "The catch is, after I ask someone a question and find out if they told me the truth, I have to answer their question. And I cannot lie. Although there is an exception — if they lie, I can lie too."

"Truth for Truth" has been activated.

Chapter end