Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

Grim realized they were walking into a trap within a trap. The rebels’ suspicion of humans was going to be used to isolate him, making it impossible for him to help maintain their cover story.

"Actually," Grim said, making a calculated decision, "Isolation might be for the best. I understand your concerns."

Lin shot him a look of surprise and concern, but he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He had a plan, though he wasn’t sure yet if it would work.

"How... cooperative," Commander Taiwei observed. "Most humans would protest such treatment."

"Most humans don’t understand," Grim replied. "I’ve worked with enough dragon forces to know that security comes first."

The answer seemed to satisfy the rebels, though it clearly puzzled them. They had expected resistance, complaints, and perhaps even panic. Instead, they were getting calm acceptance that didn’t fit their preconceptions about human behavior.

"Very well," Commander Yuehua decided. "The human will be held in the detention level. The captain will be questioned in the intelligence wing. And the... princess... will be taken elsewhere."

As guards moved to escort them to different parts of the stronghold, Lin managed to catch Grim’s eye. Her expression showed worry, determination, and something else—a growing trust that he would find a way to help them even when separated.

"It will be alright," she said quietly, ostensibly to all of them but clearly meant for Grim.

"I know," he replied, putting as much confidence into his voice as he could manage.

They were led through different corridors, and Grim quickly lost sight of Lin and Captain Zhen. The detention level turned out to be a series of chambers carved deep into the volcano’s heart, where the heat was almost unbearable.

"In there," one of his guards commanded, gesturing toward a cell with walls of volcanic glass. "Food and water will be provided. Cooperate, and your stay will be as comfortable as possible."

"And if I don’t cooperate?" Grim asked, genuinely curious about their approach to interrogation.

"Then your stay will be considerably less comfortable," the guard replied with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

The cell door sealed behind him with a hiss of steam, leaving Grim alone in a chamber that was mercifully cooler than the corridors outside. The walls were smooth volcanic glass that would be nearly impossible to break, and the only exit was the door he’d entered through.

But as he examined his surroundings more carefully, Grim noticed something the rebels had probably not intended—the thermal vents that heated the detention level also carried sound. He could hear conversations from other parts of the stronghold, distorted sometimes but occasionally getting some parts of the conversations.

"...princess claims are being tested..." drifted through one vent.

"...human consultant knows more than..." echoed from a third.

The rebels were clearly discussing their case throughout the stronghold, which meant his isolation wasn’t as complete as they had intended. If he could piece together what was happening to Lin and Captain Zhen, he might be able to help them even from his cell.

Meanwhile, Lin was being escorted to what the rebels called the chambers—a series of rooms equipped with devices that looked more like torture instruments than scientific equipment.

"The process is quite simple," Commander Yuehua explained as they entered the main chamber. "Dragons of royal bloodline possess certain magical signatures that are nearly impossible to fake. These devices will detect those signatures."

Lin studied the machines with growing unease. She was indeed of royal bloodline—that part of their deception was true. But the devices might detect that Ao Shun wasn’t her father.

"I understand the necessity," she said carefully. "But I should point out that my... estrangement from my father might have affected some of the traditional markers."

"How convenient," one of the technicians operating the devices remarked. "An excuse prepared in advance for any anomalous readings."

"Not an excuse," Lin replied with a flash of genuine royal authority. "A fact. When a dragon rejects their family’s path, it can have metaphysical consequences."

The technician looked uncertain, glancing at Commander Yuehua for guidance. The commander’s expression showed that she was also unsure—the claimed defection of a royal dragon was unprecedented in their experience.

"We’ll proceed with the standard tests," Commander Yuehua decided. "If there are anomalies, we’ll evaluate them accordingly."

The first device was placed against Lin’s scaled forearm—a crystal apparatus that began to glow immediately upon contact with her skin. The light was a light blue color.

"Ice magic is confirmed," the technician announced.

The second device was more complex, with multiple crystals arranged in a pattern that seemed to map the magical energies flowing through Lin’s body. When activated, it produced a display that made Commander Yuehua’s eyes widen.

"Strength level indicates direct descent from a Dragon King." The technician said with surprise.

Lin felt a mixture of relief and growing anxiety. But each test was also narrowing down her specific identity, bringing them closer to the truth.

"One more test," Commander Yuehua said, producing a device that Lin didn’t recognize. "This one identifies specific royal lines within each sea realm."

This was the test that could destroy everything. If the device could identify her as someone who wasn’t royalty.

But before the device could be activated, alarms began blaring throughout the stronghold. Red light pulsed through the chamber as emergency signals echoed off the volcanic walls.

"What’s happening?" Commander Yuehua demanded, speaking into a communication crystal.

"Incoming transmission from the advance scouts," a voice replied through the crystal. "Multiple dragon signatures approaching from the east. A large force, moving fast."

Commander Yuehua’s expression shifted from interrogation mode to military crisis management. "How large?"

"At least fifty dragons, possibly more. Configuration suggests a coordinated assault force."

Lin felt her heart sink. If Ao Qin’s loyalists were mounting an attack on the rebel stronghold, it would validate the intelligence she and Grim had provided.

"Convenient timing," Commander Yuehua said, her suspicion returning full force as she looked at Lin. "Your people arrive just as we’re verifying your identity."

"They’re not my people anymore," Lin said firmly, though her mind was racing through the implications. "I told you—I’ve rejected my father’s path."

"We’ll see about that," Commander Yuehua replied grimly. "Guard! Take the prisoner to the secure holding area. If this attack succeeds, she might be our only bargaining chip."

As Lin was led away under heavy guard, she couldn’t help but wonder if Grim’s calm acceptance of separation had been part of some larger plan. She could only hope that his intelligence and strategic thinking would find a way to turn this crisis to their advantage.

Because if the attacking force really was loyalist dragons, their deception was about to be tested in the most dangerous way possible.