Maneuvering

“Torture and interrogation may work, but they’re not necessarily the best method.”

Margaret remained calm and said, “To be honest, there’s a restriction placed inside my body. As soon as I activate my divine sense, the restriction will explode with immense energy, annihilating everything within a hundred meters --- including myself.

If that happens, you won’t get anything --- and you’ll be injured in the process.

I believe that’s not the outcome you want. Of course, it’s not something I want either.”

The moment those words left her mouth, the smile on Zeus’s face immediately froze.

He thought he had Margaret completely under control --- who would’ve expected she still had a hidden trump card?

Now, he was momentarily at a loss and couldn’t act too rashly.

“Hera, what do you think?”

Zeus turned to his companion for her opinion.

He was good at fighting and killing, not negotiating.

If this were about anything else, he wouldn’t have wasted time talking --- he would’ve just killed her.

But unfortunately, what Margaret had mentioned --- a method to break through bottlenecks --- was something he had long dreamed of acquiring.

Even though he knew she might be lying, he still clung to a sliver of hope.

Better safe than sorry.

What if she was telling the truth?

If he failed to extract the method from her now, who knew how long he’d have to wait for another chance?

Maybe there wouldn’t even be another chance.

So he couldn’t afford to gamble.

“Young lady, I truly admire your courage and wisdom.”

At this point, Hera finally spoke. “Just a few simple sentences, and you’ve played us into your hands --- we don’t even dare lay a finger on you. There aren’t many clever people like you left. But more than your cleverness, I admire your bravery.

Even knowing death is imminent, you remain calm and composed, negotiating with us without flinching. That kind of courage and boldness is remarkable.

If we were in the same country, I’d take you as my student. You’re exactly the kind of person I appreciate.”

As she spoke, Hera even began clapping, her face full of undisguised admiration.

“Hera, what the hell are you doing?”

Zeus frowned beside her.

Weren’t they supposed to be threatening her? Why the praise now?

Hera ignored him, keeping her eyes fixed on Margaret with a smile. “Young lady, if I’m not mistaken, you’re deliberately stalling for time, aren’t you?

Telling us to leave the Dragonmarsh and promising to hand over the breakthrough method three days later --- it’s obviously suspicious.

Though I don’t know what’s supposed to happen in three days, I’ve got a bad feeling. If we let you have your way, we might all be in danger.”

“I just hope you two can show mercy and let Logan Rhys live. That’s all I ask,” Margaret said, her expression unwavering.

“No, no, no…”

Hera shook her head and analyzed, “If your only goal was to save Logan Rhys, you wouldn’t have gone with this kind of plan. You had the whole night to find a way to escape this place, but you never made a move.

Even after the tower was destroyed, you didn’t flee --- instead, you boldly negotiated with us.

That means one of two things: either you’re relying on something that makes you unafraid of us, or you’re trapped here and can’t leave.

Tell me --- am I right?”

Hearing this, Margaret remained expressionless on the outside, but inside, a ripple of shock passed through her.

She hadn’t expected Hera to be this perceptive, seeing straight through her situation.

If she denied it now, she wouldn’t be able to explain why she hadn’t tried to escape --- and there’d be no way to convince the two of them after that.

After all, to become gods like Zeus and Hera, neither of them were fools.

“I admit it --- we’re indeed trapped here and can’t leave,” Margaret said after a few seconds of silence.

“Hahaha… I knew it!”

Hera laughed, circling around Margaret as she spoke. “If you’d denied it just now, you’d already be dead.”

“Lady Hera, you’re incredibly wise --- so sharp and intelligent. My petty tricks were never going to get past your eyes,” Margaret sighed lightly.

“Flattery,” Hera smirked. “Now tell me --- what exactly is keeping you here? Be honest, and maybe I’ll spare your life.”

“There’s no point in hiding it now.”

Margaret looked deflated, her tone dim. “Logan Rhys fought a fierce battle recently and was gravely wounded --- he’s on the verge of death. Under this mountain is a spiritual spring that can heal him and keep him alive. If we leave this place, he’ll die for sure.”

As soon as she said that, Hera smiled --- just as she had expected.

“So that’s it. No wonder you’ve been stalling all this time. Turns out, it’s all to keep your lover alive?” Hera chuckled.

She had already heard rumors that Logan Rhys was seriously injured. Now it seemed those rumors were true.

“So, you’ve been lying to us this whole time?”

Zeus’s face darkened, arcs of electricity flickering between his fingers. “This so-called breakthrough method --- it’s all fake, isn’t it?” - Ton