Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

She gestured for them to sit around a low table carved from volcanic glass, then produced several crystals that began to glow with soft light—recording devices that would capture every word of their conversation.

"Let’s begin with basic information," Commander Yuehua said, her tone professional but not unfriendly. "Names, ranks, and units of service."

This was it—the moment where their deception would either hold or fall apart entirely. Lin straightened her shoulders and met the Commander’s gaze directly.

"I am Lin Shuang," she said, using a variation of her real name that sounded plausible. "Former tactical advisor to the Inner Sanctum defense corps."

"Captain Zhen Wei," Captain Zhen said, also modifying his name slightly. "Third reconnaissance squadron."

All eyes turned to Grim, who realized that his answer would be the most scrutinized of all.

"Grim van Ambrose," he said, deciding that truth was safer than invention. "Strategic consultant specializing in inter-realm conflicts."

Commander Yuehua made notes on a tablet as they spoke, occasionally nodding as if their answers matched information she already possessed. But when she looked up again, her expression had hardened slightly.

"Interesting," she said. "Because according to our records, the Third Reconnaissance Squadron was disbanded three months ago after their commander was arrested for seditious activities."

The silence that followed was deafening. Captain Zhen’s cover story had just been blown apart, and with it, potentially their entire deception.

But before anyone could respond, Lin spoke with a calm authority that commanded attention.

"Which is exactly why he sought us out," she said smoothly. "When his unit was disbanded for asking the same questions we were asking, he realized that the loyalist command was more interested in suppression than addressing legitimate concerns."

It was a brilliant recovery, turning their exposed lie into evidence supporting their cover story. Commander Yuehua studied Captain Zhen with new interest.

"Is this true? You were part of the Third Reconnaissance’s... questionable activities?"

Captain Zhen nodded slowly, playing along with Lin’s improvisation. "I believed... we all believed that the traditional approach was failing our realm. When they disbanded us rather than listen to our concerns, it confirmed everything we suspected."

Commander Yuehua made more notes, but her expression remained skeptical. "And you, Lin Shuang. Your service record shows no assignment to the Inner Sanctum defense corps."

Grim felt his heart sink. They were being caught in lie after lie, and each exposure made their situation more dangerous.

But Lin didn’t flinch. "Because I served under a different name," she said calmly. "Ao Lin. Daughter of Ao Shun of the North Sea, assigned to the South Sea as part of an inter-realm diplomatic exchange."

The recording crystals captured the collective intake of breath from everyone in the chamber. Commander Yuehua’s eyes widened with shock and something that might have been fear.

"You’re claiming to be Princess Lin?" she asked carefully.

"I’m claiming to be a dragon who’s tired of watching her family’s policies destroy the sea realms," Lin replied with steel in her voice. "A daughter who’s finally ready to stand up to her father’s failed leadership."

The revelation changed everything. If Lin really was Ao Shun’s daughter, then their little group of "defectors" had just become the most valuable intelligence asset the rebels could imagine.

But it also meant that the stakes had just risen exponentially. If the rebels discovered she was lying about her motivations—that she was actually still loyal to her father—then they wouldn’t just be imprisoned.

They would be executed as spies.

The silence in the chamber stretched like a taut wire as Commander Yuehua processed Lin’s revelation. The two guards at the entrance had gone rigid, their hands moving instinctively toward their weapons before stopping, uncertain how to respond to such an unprecedented situation.

"Princess Lin of the North Sea," Commander Yuehua repeated slowly as if testing the words for truth. "Daughter of Ao Shun the Steadfast. Here, in our stronghold, claiming to be a defector."

"I’m claiming to be a dragon who’s finally opened her eyes," Lin replied, her voice carrying the perfect mixture of pain and conviction. "Who’s seen what her father’s policies have cost the sea realms."

Commander Yuehua’s expression shifted between skepticism and calculation. If Lin was telling the truth, she represented an intelligence coup beyond their wildest dreams. If she was lying, she was either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.

"This changes everything," Commander Yuehua said finally. "I need to report this immediately to the High Command. You’ll need to be moved to secure quarters while we verify your identity."

"How exactly do you plan to verify it?" Grim asked, recognizing the danger inherent in any deep investigation of their backgrounds.

"It’s quite simple really. If she’s from the North Sea, she should have ice magic. And her dragon form should be unique if she really is the princess."

Before anyone could say anything else, the chamber door opened and Commander Taiwei returned, accompanied by three more rebels wearing the insignia of senior officers. Their expressions were grim, and Grim noticed that they positioned themselves strategically around the room—not quite surrounding the supposed defectors, but close enough to respond quickly if needed.

"Commander Yuehua has reported some... interesting claims," Commander Taiwei said, his sharp eyes fixed on Lin. "Claims that require immediate attention from our leadership."

"I understand your skepticism," Lin replied calmly. "But consider this—why would anyone lie about being North Sea royalty? It would be counterproductive."

"Unless," one of the new officers interjected, "you’re actually a spy sent to infiltrate our organization."

The accusation hung in the air like a blade. Grim could feel the tension in the room ratcheting higher as the rebels’ initial cautious welcome transformed into active suspicion. freeweɓnovel.cøm

"Think about it logically," Grim said. "If we were spies, would we have chosen such an easily verifiable lie? Royal bloodlines are documented, and traceable. We’d have to be incredibly stupid to claim royal heritage if it wasn’t true."

"Or incredibly clever," Commander Taiwei countered. "Banking on the assumption that we wouldn’t dare test the claims of someone claiming to be Ao Shun’s daughter."

"Then test them," Lin said with steel in her voice. "Whatever verification you have in mind, I’m prepared to undergo it."

Commander Yuehua exchanged glances with the other officers. "Very well. But first, you’ll be separated for individual questioning."

The word ’guests’ carried no warmth, and Grim realized their situation was deteriorating rapidly. Separation meant they couldn’t coordinate their stories or help each other maintain the deception.

"Is that really necessary?" Captain Zhen asked. "We’ve been cooperative—"

"It’s necessary," Commander Taiwei interrupted. "Especially given the... unusual nature of your group."

Two more guards entered the chamber, bringing the total to nine rebels facing three supposed defectors. The odds had shifted decidedly against them.

"The human will be placed in isolation pending further evaluation," Commander Yuehua announced. "His presence complicates matters significantly."

"Wait," Lin said quickly. "He has valuable intelligence about—"

"He has whatever intelligence you’ve told him to have," one of the senior officers interrupted. "Humans are easily manipulated, easily controlled. If you are who you claim to be, then you would understand the security risks he represents."