Transmigrated as a Ghost

"They were not nearly as formidable as I was expecting." Kollo said with a disappointed expression now that the battle was over.

The expedition squad's ambush had been a resounding success, and they had routed the group of trespassers with ease.

Of course, Marcus was not so sure if he would agree with Kollo's statement. If they had engaged this other team of explorers in a head-on battle it would have been a tough fight. Their easy victory simply came from being able to attack from outside their opponents' range of detection and scoring a crippling blow to them with their opening barrage of spells.

'I doubt we would fare much better if a bunch of tier seven and eight spells rained down on us from out of nowhere.' Marcus thought, looking at the carnage their attacks had caused on the landscape.

Despite this island possessing tougher ground and foliage than the rest of the world, the earth was filled with giant craters and the once vibrant forested area had been leveled. Such was the combined might of the expedition squad.

Still, a little damage to the environment meant little since they had finished up their duty to protect the island from outsiders without suffering a single casualty. 

"Now, who want to take the lead on interrogating this guy? He doesn't seem to want to say anything, and I don't think light persuasion methods are going to work." Cassius said, looking down at their prisoner.

He had been glaring at all of them the entire time and had yet to say a single word.

 Marcus knew a surefire way to get the information, but he had no intention of eating their captive's soul just to obtain some information he did not really care about.

Of course, everyone's mind turned to torture, but Holden was clearly a tough individual that was likely to lose his mind to whatever they subjected him to before spilling anything.

"I suppose that I will do it. This magic is incredibly tiring, so I hate using it, but I don't care to waste copious amounts of time trying to break someone." Thegia said, her face showing her clear annoyance.

Nevertheless, they had an obligation to find out what nation or organization had disregarded the adventurers guild's claim on this island.

Once she was in front of their captive, Thegia used her earth magic to wrench his head upwards and force his eyes open. She needed him to be able to clearly see her for her magic to work.

Back and forth she slowly rocked her staff as it filled with a mesmerizing light.

Holden naturally attempted to resist, but he was powerless to hold off against Thegia's magic for long, and the defiant look in his eyes soon faded as he fell into a stupor.

"Brillant Fantasy."

As the spell took effect the devastated landscape filled with enemies began to bleed away in front of Holden's eyes.

When his wits finally came back to him, he found himself standing in an opulent hall with a number of intricate and beautiful tapestries hanging from the walls.

At the head of the room was a regal individual sitting on a gleaming throne made specifically to show off their influence and power.

Realizing where he was, Holden immediately corrected his position and knelt down with his head bowed low.

"My liege. Please forgive me for forgetting myself in your presence. I must have been dazzled by your brilliance." 

However, the individual on the throne simply waved their hand and beckoned Holden to rise.

"There is no need to be so stiff. Today is a joyous occasion, isn't? You are here to report your successful expedition of that new island, correct?"

Hearing this, Holden's body went stiff and the images of a hellish battle where the team he was leading was wiped out passed before his eyes.

Yet, before these memories could take root, a new set of images overrode them. His team had executed a peerless victory against the squad sent by the adventurers guild and went on to find great treasures on the island of fog.

'That right. We achieved even greater results than expected and have returned home to a hero's welcome. I simply must have been remembering a nightmare I had.' Holden thought, shaking his head to forget the horrible experience that was surely untrue. If his team had fallen and he was captured, there was no way he would be in front of his emperor right now.

With the feelings of accomplishment raising his spirit, Holden began relaying everything that he and his team had seen on the island as well as their victory over the tyrannical adventurers guild.

"I see, you have done well for our nation." The emperor said.

"Of course. I live to serve you and Vothurg."

"Vothurg, eh." The emperor said with a pleased grin.

"Your majesty?" Holden said, confusion written all over his face.

Something about his liege's mannerisms just now had unsettled him and felt alien.

Yet before his mind could wander, the emperor drew Holden's attention back to him.

"Now, you have told me about the overall success of your team, but I want to know more about individual performance. I must know who deserves even greater rewards for their exemplary service."

Going back to a topic he felt proud to discuss, Holden began speaking with a fervor about his subordinates' achievements.

Eventually the topic changed to other skilled mages and warriors within Vothurg, and while he thought it a bit strange since the emperor already knew all of this, Holden gave his opinion nonetheless.

Slowly but surely, their conversation began to feel like an interrogation, and something in the back of Holden's mind told him that this was wrong.

His breathing started to become heavy and when he looked at the emperor sometimes their form became unfocused.

"Your, not his majesty. Who are you?" Holden said, his head feeling like it was being split open.

"Oh! I guess I must have pushed you a bit too hard then at the end. The fatigue is catching up with me, so I tried to hurry things up. Still, I think I got enough."

The emperor, no, a deep gnome woman then snapped her fingers and the illusion around Holden shattered.

In an instant he found himself in a devastated area back on the island of endless fog, surrounded by the enemies that had destroyed his team. What he had thought was a nightmare all came rushing back to him and dragged him back into a horrid reality.