5th Month, Year 786, Solaris Calendar
Muleton Prison, South-West Island
Under the decree of the Founding Emperor, South-West Island is under the direct control of the royal family, dedicated to imprisoning criminals, heretics, and rebels who destabilize the peace and safety of the empire.
Muleton Prison is humanity's largest prison, designed to guard and seal criminals with life sentences to death sentences. The prison holds ordinary criminals to dangerous extraordinary beings who have harmed the empire's peace.
...
Midnight
As Gretesu killed the flower parasite, he was unable to move, but adrenaline and excruciating pain kept him sober. He lamented his life ending at the young age of 45.
He rolled and looked ahead at the dead parasite as he lay in the green pool of blood. healheal~ He could feel the blood pool was beneficial, as it tried to repair his tissues and stop his wounds, but deep down, he knew it was over.
His face was now filled with cuts, his left eye totally destroyed, obstructing his vision. Everything was blurry. He possessed no limbs, and all his major organs were severely injured, with kidneys and liver totally shattered.
It was his most dangerous battle, incomparable to previous ones. At last, he won, but at what cost?
"Haha," he laughed dryly as he started coughing blood and vomiting fragments of his organs. He was helpless and desperate. He felt death approaching more than ever.
"Hahahahahahahahahahaha," his throat felt metallic as blood kept flowing from his entire body.
Finally, he looked at the place where Richard died and wept. "Richard, I took revenge. Maria, my dear wife, I cannot accompany you in old age."
~Cough
His face was becoming paler every second. The light in his eyes was dim like a candle in a storm, destined to extinguish.
"Lara, my child... Please forgive your father... I cannot see you grow up~cough... and praise you... Se... You... Marr..."
Gretesu's voice became weaker and weaker. At last, he took his last breath. His surroundings became silent as if the world was paying tribute.
5 Minutes Later
~Swosh
Right behind the disfigured body of Gretesu, a red flower bloomed and swiftly entered the corpse.
...
10 Minutes Ago
As the vibrations from the battle between Gretesu and the Blood Wood Flower Spirit continued, the teams and logistics department above were alarmed.
Thud
A candle fell.
In a lobby with a sofa and a desk next to the window, as the flare brightening the room went out, a man napping opened his eyes abruptly.
His gaze swept through the room and rested on the extinguished candle. He opened his mouth, puzzled,
"What's happening?"
As the vibrations shook the room, he steadily stood up and hurried outside.
He took a left turn and headed toward the source of the disturbance. He appeared in front of the 5-meter tall gate leading to Floor 1.
Several guards were already there. As they noticed his presence:
"Captain is here."
"Captain..."
"..."
"James, reporting for duty."
A middle-aged guard with a round physique quickly stood before the captain and saluted.
The captain gave him a quick glance and headed downstairs, taking big strides. He stopped and looked toward the far end of the floor. He asked calmly:
"Where is the first-floor guard, Gretesu?"
James replied nervously, "He was here an hour ago and seemed to have headed downstairs to the prison with Richard."
He continued, "Captain, could the disturbance downstairs be related to him?"
The captain narrowed his eyes. A few seconds later, he commanded all combatants to gather in front of the gate within a minute.
He took out a pocket watch, waited for the minute to pass, and closed his eyes while leaning against the gate.
After about a minute, he opened his eyes and looked around. Seeing almost all the guards present, he ordered one to lead the front.
They moved through the cells unceremoniously, but upon arrival, they found only bloodied ground and various destroyed structures.
The captain raised his arm, unsheathed his sword, and steadily walked toward the center. He signaled it was safe to move, and the guards followed.
Slowly, they saw Gretesu lying in the middle of the ruin, looking at the sky with wide eyes, as if gazing far into the heavens before passing away.
Shock flashed in the captain's eyes.
He slowly stepped forward and carefully analyzed Gretesu's limbless body. He bent down, gently extended his hand, closed Gretesu's eyes, and shook his head.
"...Once again, we were late, old friend."
His words invoked sorrow in anyone who heard them.
"Carry him, and clean this place."
The captain commanded the guards to carry Gretesu's corpse so they could cremate him.
...
The Next Day
In his office, the captain was pacing back and forth, visibly panicked.
He had just received a letter from the church, stating that Gretesu's brother was coming to the prison to investigate the cause of his brother's death.
The captain frowned. "This is trouble."
He was panicking—why wouldn't he be? Gretesu's brother was an inquisitor of the church, in charge of investigating and exterminating heretics.
After some time, he sighed, exhausted, and slumped into his chair. He looked at the clear sky.
"I need to prepare for his arrival... but before that, I need to know more about his character."
He went to the table, picked up a bell, and lightly shook it.
~Knock
After a moment, someone knocked on the door and said,
"May I come in, Captain?"
"Enter." The captain gave permission.
The door opened. A middle-aged man with a scar on his face entered, his gaze attentive and tense.
He slowly approached the center and asked informally, "Why did you call for me, Captain?"
The captain narrowed his eyes at the tone and snorted. "What!?"
Feeling the intense gaze, the middle-aged man coughed and corrected himself. "How may I help you, Captain?"
The captain smiled, satisfied with his moment of dominance, then grew serious.
His sudden mood shift caught the man off guard. The captain was rarely serious, so when he was, it was always severe.
The atmosphere tensed as the captain said, "The church is going to send an inquisitor to investigate yesterday's incident."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man slammed the table angrily.
"How dare the church interfere with prison matters!?"
He looked at the captain, who remained calm.
"The church's interference is forbidden by treaty with the royal family. Why would they allow this audacity?"
The captain checked his pocket watch and replied, "The prison's experts are on an expedition to the Abyss. Security here is at its weakest since its founding."
He continued, "For the next month, countless prisoners will try to escape. So, we will borrow the aid of the church."
"But the most worrying issue isn't the church or the escape attempts."
He paused. The man asked warily, "What's worse than the church?"
"Some world-destroying phenomenon?" he joked.
The captain replied,
"David, listen. From this moment on, we need high mobilization. I am sure that man will work us to the bone, maybe even send us to our deaths."
He solemnly declared, "Gretesu's younger brother—one of the empire's greatest geniuses, and an inquisitor of the church—will arrive soon."
He continued, "He will lead his squad of Holy Knights to suppress the prison and punish all threats to the empire under the Sun God's name."
He turned to David and asked sternly, "Now, you understand, right?"
He took out a pen and began writing a letter to request information about the inquisitor Leon William Droonde.
He sealed the letter with wax, handed it to David, and said, "Take this to Tina and bring me everything about Gretesu's younger brother."
"Old dude..." the captain added gently, "From this day onward, this prison is officially a battlefield."
He stood up, patted David's shoulder, and walked toward the door. "Survive, old man. I don't think I can find a vice-captain as capable as you anytime soon."
David followed the captain and stood outside, feeling emotional and a little afraid.
He thought dejectedly, 'Even Gretesu, a peak intermediate awakened and floor guardian, died confronting an escapee...'
He looked at his hands, possessing only the power of a mere initial awakened. 'I think my days are numbered.'
He watched the captain head toward reception, saluted, and turned left to deliver the letter.
...
3 Hours Later
Sitting on a sofa, the captain sipped black tea. He looked at the old lady before him—no wrinkles, milky white skin, black eyes. Her pointy ears marked her mixed origin.
Tina Magereta, an exiled descendant of the Magerata family, was cast out at 12 for being a human-elf hybrid. Now 73, she governed the information department of the prison's first five floors.
"According to the information you brought from underground, the entity Gretesu fought was some kind of flower, correct?"
"From the battle traces, both combatants were approaching peak awakened rank..."
"And from further evidence, we conclude his opponent was the infamous contracted spirit of the cult: Blood Wood Flower Spirit."
"Reed!" Her shout snapped the captain from his thoughts. He put down the cup, looking slightly annoyed.
"Yes, you're correct."
Tina gasped in frustration. She slammed her leg on the table, spilling tea.
"Don't be like that. I know you like tea, but this is serious. Listen carefully."
"Alright," he replied reluctantly. The captain loved spending time with her—his trainer, his grandmother figure.
Tina nodded, fetched a B-1 classified document, and handed him a book of rumors and data on Leon, the inquisitor.
As he opened the book, he read aloud:
"Name: Leon William Droonde
Age: 27
Titles: Inquisitor, Great Genius, Eldest Son of Droonde Viscounty"
"Powers: Born on Holy New Year, awakened at 9, mastered at 25."
"Achievements: Known for slaying 3 spirit-rank beasts and a demon baron."
"The church praises his gentle, upright nature and diligence, promoting him in 785 Solaris."
Captain's expression grew awkward. "Is that all!?"
Tina looked embarrassed. "As an inquisitor and noble, getting information was hard. This is B-grade classified—very credible."
She reassured, "You probably don't need to worry. According to stats, he's kind."
"Probably!?" the captain teased.
"I'm sure... Now get out!" she shouted, pretending to kick him.
He left laughing, clearly more relaxed.
She smiled and shut the door.
...
Meanwhile, at Sea
A large ship neared South-West Island. A young sailor rushed to quarters and knocked.
"Sir, we're close. Please come out."
~Open
Several knights were playing cards. They glared at the sailor.
"Boy, did you disturb us?"
"You have guts. Join us for a match."
"I-I..." the sailor stuttered, frightened. 'Are these the noble knights of the church?'
One knight approached menacingly.
~Clap
A clap silenced the room.
A man in white robes, gold sun emblem on his chest, stepped forward. Black hair, brown eyes, handsome but ordinary.
"Alright, everyone, pack up. We're arriving."
He looked at the brown-haired knight. "Enough playing. Please forgive my friend."
He handed the sailor a silver coin. The sailor hid it quickly, admiring him: "A true knight."
He went to the deck and looked at the tower on the island, a behemoth exuding gloom.
"This prison is truly filthy," he spat, recalling his brother's death.
Clenching his fist, he felt a flood of strange emotions—rage, sorrow, despair.
Sigh
He relaxed, firm and determined.
Soon, joined by his knights, he stood silently.
Waves roared. He raised a sun emblem and declared:
"From this day forth..."
"All Seven Holy Knights, under the imperial family's request, will suppress this prison until the expedition ends."
"Are you prepared to give your life for the glory of the gods?"
"Yes!!!" Their cry shook the ship.
He raised the emblem toward the sun.
"Praise the sun... Praise the eternal glory of the gods."
The knights and civilians chanted with him.
As the ship docked, the inquisitor stepped off.
Leon William Droonde has arrived.