Aquí tienes la traducción al inglés:
Merlian walked leisurely through the dirty streets. There were no rat squeals or insect noises; the silence was surreal, even for two in the morning. Since they arrived in the Promise City, they had been very careful with their tracks. That's why they made sure to put any mortal to sleep, including animals.
This bothered her a little, but they had no other option. If the Great Headquarters knew about them, their mission would be more difficult than it already was.
Thinking about this, she looked into her bag. There was a small hummingbird in her hand. It had the characteristic milky color of ivory. Upon hearing Basil's message, she let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness I was watching the area. Because of that, I could feel the fluctuations of the artifact and spare us the arrival of the Grand Headquarters.
—Mrs. Merly! Over here! —The silence was broken by the greeting of a young man. He was accompanied by a young blonde woman and an albino man.
The girl smiled at her while the man looked at Basil, who was asleep on the ground.
—Good job.
Merlian also looked at Basil with a spark of anger but retracted her gaze upon hearing footsteps nearby.
Two more people had arrived, an old man and a young woman. The old man had a calm smile, radiating vitality despite his gray hair and wrinkles. The woman was the complete opposite; her eyes were those of a corpse, emitting a sense of melancholy and coldness.
—Just in time. Aury, undo the Wandering Law.
Auryn approached Basil reluctantly. She didn't spare him a glance; she simply spoke in a powerful voice.
—Those who are asleep will stop seeing how flora grows from their skin.
She walked away with weak steps but stopped upon hearing Merlian.
—Mr. Saudro, it's your turn.
—Right away. —Saudro extended his hand calmly towards Basil and touched his forehead—. This person is...
—We should interrogate him in his office.
The man was interrupted by Auryn's fragile voice. He turned to look at her. She had an empty gaze, but Saudro would swear he saw a trace of expectation in her hazel eyes.
—Why should we? —Merlian questioned her with an authoritative tone.
Auryn turned to Merlian. She expected an answer, but the cold woman betrayed her expectations. They stared at each other in uncomfortable silence, caught in a battle of gazes. It seemed they would last an eternity like this, but Saudro clapped to get their attention.
—Well, we're not in a hurry. We can take him to your office; maybe he'll feel more comfortable there. —Then he paused—. Although I don't see how he's going to feel comfortable with broken legs... Forget what I just said.
Merlian resigned with a sigh and nodded. The group headed to Basil's bar; their steps were relaxed. They had no trouble carrying him; Kaely held him with one hand.
They arrived at the bar and went up to the third floor. There, Merlian defrosted the furniture and seated unconscious Basil.
Everyone inspected the office with curiosity; the candlelight barely helped to see things clearly. Auryn gently touched the well-cared-for violets while the old man, Ferned, examined the painting on the wall with interest. Meanwhile, Kaely and her friend Fauste sifted through paperwork until they were tired.
—I have to admit it's rare to see.—Saudro's gray-blue eyes were fixed on Basil's ivory grillwork. He seemed lost in deep thought.
—Shouldn't we tie him up? —Fauste asked with noticeable fear.
—Hey, don't tell me you're scared.—Kaely said.
—Hey, in my defense, he's a bit above a mortal. He's a Steam Heart.
Before he could continue, Merlian interrupted them firmly.
—I won't allow any more interruptions. Start, Saudro.
—Hehe, sorry. This man will wake up.
Everyone watched as Basil's eyes opened heavily. The gray-haired man slowly lifted his head and scanned his surroundings, facing the strangers. But he lowered his gaze in surprise as his body no longer bore any plants.
Not even scars!
The relief lasted little because a thundering pain arrived just one second later. Although there was no vegetation in his muscles anymore, his legs were still shattered.
—Kuh... —He gritted his teeth tightly. His irises trembled along with his body. He breathed heavily but struggled not to let out more than groans.
—Doesn't it hurt? —Merlian's gaze was fixed on Basil; her tone was cold and cutting.
—Ahg... it hurts like hell... but something so mundane as pain... isn't going to hinder me... hehe... —Basil smiled, but it didn't last long as pain wiped it away in seconds.
—Hm! You still have energy to be arrogant.
That's right; keep talking. I have to buy time until the Great Headquarters arrives... If it arrives at all.
—Well.... ahg... I've never liked showing weakness.... in front of the...
—Enough with the chatter, I'll have to explain your situation.
Merlian interrupted Basil in the same way he had done. The latter rolled his eyes upon realizing.
Are you really a Disciplinarian? You act like a little girl...
—Yes, I would also... like to know what is happening. What does the Great Headquarters of my innocent... business group want? —He tried to put on a theatrical tone, but it was ruined by his constant groans.
It was Merlian's turn to roll her eyes.
—Innocent business gr...!? —Her expression relaxed after a sigh—. Forget it, you're just joking, right?
—How perceptive.
They stared at each other for a second. Merlian was ready to engage in a staring contest but stopped.
I don't need to do this!
She approached without hesitation and kicked one of Basil's broken legs.
—Ahg! Damn!
Basil lifted his head in agony; his scream echoed far beyond the office.
—I'm sorry, I'm bad with jokes.
—Ahg... ugh... I'll keep that in mind...
—To answer your question, we don't work for the Grand Headquarters; we are an independent group.
As he gasped from the pain, Basil felt relieved to hear this. But he quickly became skeptical again; he couldn't trust that woman.
—that's impossible... an independent group that has... argh... three disciplinarians... what a bad joke.
He gave her an inquisitive look, but Merlian responded unfazed.
—You can believe it or not; it doesn't matter. —A spark of amusement altered the seriousness in her black eyes—. And just so you know, there aren't three disciplinarians; there are four.
Basil couldn't hide his surprise. It was a number only great noble families could afford, and only after investing resources for three generations. Training a Wanderer to rise so high was not easy.
What the hell? It makes more sense for them to be from the Great Headquarters; don't mess with me. But at the same time, it doesn't! I don't recognize any of them!
—it's hard to... believe. Well, let's suppose... that's true. Why does this... mysterious group want to... uf... kill me?
—I already told you before, Mr. Basil. We're not going to kill you. —She brought her fingers to her chin as she thought—. At least not for now.
»As long as you cooperate with what we want, we won't harm you. That also includes your... group.
Hearing this made Basil think of Castian.
—Does that mean... my men are okay?
—I can assure you that...
—Yes, they are.
They both turned to look at Auryn. Merlian shot her a deep look but then ignored her. Meanwhile, Basil analyzed the woman's dead eyes. He could have sworn he saw a spark of emotion in her lost gaze.
He turned back to Merlian with a resigned expression.
—I guess I have no... other choice... kuh... I'll tell you what... you want to know.
Merlian exchanged glances with the others and began to ask questions.
—Were you born here?
—Eh... well, no. —He didn't expect such a question and could only respond hesitantly—. I was born in the City of Dawn.
—that explains the painting. Next question, is "Basil" your real name?
Basil broke into a cold sweat but maintained a calm facade on the outside. He could tell them many things, but his name was not one of them. He would have to lie, even if they tortured him over and over again.
—No... I changed my name when.... uf... I got here. My real name... is Loun. I'm just a peasant, so I don't... have a last name.
For now, I can only assume they are not from the Great Headquarters and move on. I have to cut my tail off to live a little longer...
—Why change your name? —Merlian's tone was slow but had an unmistakable trace of dissatisfaction.
—Well, I had problems with some... argh.... gangs.
—Hm, "if you throw a stone, prepare to be stoned."
—May the will.... of great Hex be eternal. —Despite his injuries, Basil's golden eyes shone with adoration; a life-filled smile ruined his frail appearance.
—Tsk, all believers of Hex are the same.
Merlian's beautiful face contorted into a grimace of anger. Without thinking twice, she began kicking Basil's broken legs intensely. The sound of her shoe against flesh resonated followed by a terrible scream.
—Ahg!! —Basil had mentally prepared himself, but even so, the pain was unbearable. He had read that tibia fractures were the most painful ones. He had once wondered if it hurt more than being hit in the testicles; now he could confirm it because he didn't have one broken tibia; he had two—. Uff... damn it, stop!!
Any trace of dignity that Basil might have shown had vanished. Only a man in pain remained, desperate from agony and on the verge of tears. He had fallen off his chair, but Merlian showed him no mercy and continued pulverizing Basil's feet diligently.
Kaely and Fauste paled at the cruel treatment. They knew Merlian would be fierce, but they didn't expect such harshness. The others were already familiar with that side of her, so they just looked on with indifference.
The woman stopped when her breathing became ragged. I'm losing my composure...
Then, she sighed and returned to her usual dignity, but Basil could still feel her gaze full of rage fixed on his weak body. Her words came out in a low, threatening tone.
—Do you think I'm an idiot? Commoners do not have ivory alloy. —She pointed at Basil's chest, right where that grille was—. You are not telling me your real name. How much do you think you can hide from me? How many blows do you think you can withstand?
—I'm... I'm sorry, I truly am! —The anguish in his tone was evident. Far from his previous slow pace, now his words came out at great speed—. I'm sorry, the truth is that I'm from a noble family! I'm an illegitimate son of Deus Fairgo! My name is Meun Fairgo!
»I fled because my brother wanted to kill me! —Basil's anger was uncontrollable. If his words were poison, he would have killed everyone present a long time ago—. Really, that damn greedy bastard! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this situation! Damn, damn son of a bitch!
The Fairgos... Merlian searched her mind for that name.
The third most influential house in the kingdom, in charge of trade on the Sea of a Thousand Ships... to think he would be connected to that family. But I can't believe him; the probability of him lying is high. For now, I'll continue with the interrogation.
—How do I know you're not lying to me? You've lost my trust, Mr. Meun Fairgo.
Basil appeared distressed, looking from side to side and whispering nonsensical things. No one in the room blamed him; it must all be unexpected for him.
—I know! Yes! That's it! In one of the rooms downstairs, the one next to the stairs, there must be a big man! His name is Castian! He was a knight raised by my family; he kept his medals somewhere! I swear!
Merlian made eye contact with Kaely, who nodded in response. The young blonde left the room without delay.
There was silence after the echo of her footsteps, only interrupted by Basil's ragged breathing. Merlian's black eyes were cold as she looked at him. Her posture was refined, but her thoughts were quite the opposite.
Heh, it only took a little pain for you to talk. Well, I can't blame you; you're just a Steam Heart; you had nothing to do from the beginning.
Amidst the heavy stares and Basil's swaying body, Auryn turned to look at the gray-haired man. He felt a chill when their eyes met; that woman's eyes were devoid of any hint of emotion. Basil felt calmer with Merlian because he could understand her easily, but that woman was inscrutable.
The exchange of glances lasted only a few seconds. He was about to say something when Auryn interrupted him.
—That burn, how did you get it?
What a question... Basil thought about what story to invent but was interrupted by Kaely's arrival as she carried Castian with one arm.
—Wake him up, Saudro.
—Yes, yes...
The albino walked over to Castian with a relaxed expression. In the midst of this, he shot Basil a deep glance. The latter grew nervous.
The other Disciplinarian... Could it be that he noticed?
But far from what he feared, Saudro leaned down and touched Castian's forehead without paying more attention to Basil.
—Castian will wake up.
Merlian and the others were surprised; Basil spoke the truth about Castian's name as he showed signs of waking up.
When Castian's eyelids fluttered and his breathing changed, Saudro was already standing up without giving it much importance. However, he stopped just a second later as he felt someone gripping his ankle.
—Huh? —He looked at his left foot; there was the thick hand of the man gripping him like a shackle. Confused, he sought his gaze. Then when he saw Castian's black irises, his body bristled. Because far from seeing the sleepy eyes he had seen for years, he saw the gaze of a beast filled with bloodlust ready to pounce on its prey.
At that moment, that huge man pulled on his hand and drew him towards himself. Panic flooded him as he began to fall face-first. But he had plenty of experience; you don't become a Disciplinarian by being slow. He righted himself in less than a second and recited a Wandering Law. All his companions did the same.
—Castian will....!
—Castian's time st...!
—Castian will see roots...!
—Wounds heal...!
—Castian weighs...!
—Temperature...!
But before they could finish, Castian lost his strength and fell asleep in an instant. Saudro was a Disciplinarian, and they all recited defensive laws beforehand.
Castian's enormous body fell helplessly onto him, and he sighed in relief upon feeling his weak breath.
Wait... When did that happen!?
He quickly turned around and went pale at the sight of something incredible: Castian's enormous body on top of him, a little farther from its initial position. Just as Saudro was falling, in that brief moment, the enormous man had managed to crawl toward him.
And when the albino looked closely, his heart trembled, he struggled to get Castian off him. He had lost all dignity, flailing his legs while his arms pushed against the enormous body.
However, no one in the room could blame him. After all, Castian's big hand fell just inches from his neck.
—Hey, help me get this guy off me; he weighs too much!
Everyone watched with a grim expression, while Basil couldn't help but lament.
Damn... well, I guess it was to be expected. How hard it is to kill a Disciplinarian.