The Burial Jail of Bella. Located in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Garleist, it was a veritable heaven for filthy rats and insects.

　It was always a messy place, and there was hardly anyone to sweep up the bits of food that fell to the ground. The humidity was moderate, probably due to the fact that it was surrounded by water holes, making it a perfect place to sleep.

　Besides, no one cares if you run around the stone-floored corridors as you please. Both the prisoners and the guards were used to that kind of filth.

　Because of this environment, rats and insects usually behave as they please here. It's as if it's their home.

　But today was a different story.

　The guards, who normally would not be able to find cleanliness anywhere in their heads, are dressed up and wiping the dirt off the corridors with cleaning tools.

　Of course, there were always a few people like that, but today, everyone was like that. It's as if people have changed.

　Even the rats retreated into the back of the room, looking unhappy. The unaccustomed smell of disinfectant was getting on their noses.

　When the floor and interior had become visible, the sound of hard pounding on the stone floor echoed in the prison. It was a habit of the upper class to walk as if they were pounding the floor.

　The guards lined up to greet the person.

The guards greeted the man in line. ...... Moss that sticks to you can't be removed in a hurry. If you want to hide the dirt, at least do it a little better.

　The man who greeted him said in a nervous voice and rattled the prison floor again. The chief jailer followed beside the man and began to lead him to the innermost room.

　The man's clothes, while not flamboyant, were strangely opulent and not very appropriate for a prison.

　Not only that, but his behavior and every word he speaks are so different from those of the people around him. It seemed as if he was alone in the air.

　It was no wonder that almost all of the prison guards came from the lowly common people. Some of them didn't even know what knowledge was.

　But the man was different.

　He was a member of the aristocracy and the head of Jailer Vera. Jailer Paloma-Bashar. He is the one who has been delegated by the King of Garlist to have full authority over the prisoners of Jail Bella.

　In reality, however, Paloma rarely stays in the prison.

　In reality, Paloma rarely stays in the prison because there is nothing to be gained by maintaining such a prison. The most he can get is the title of patriot. If that is the case, it would be more beneficial to devote oneself to the management of the territory.

　Originally, I did not want to come here this time.

　Biting a bitter taste in his mouth, Paloma took a big step toward the warden's office.

　The room had been cleaned with no small amount of effort, and it looked better than the rest of the hastily done area.

　Even so, Paloma's eyes twisted wide and she tugged lightly on the beard around her mouth in frustration. Then she turned to the warden and said.

"How is she?

　How is she? The warden was well aware of what Paloma meant when she said the pronoun here.

　As if he had been prepared for it, the warden rattled off the words.

"Yes, sir. Prisoner number 2066 will be treated with respect in the guest prisoner's room. So far, no problems have arisen.

　There was nothing more to it than a simple statement of the situation. There was nothing more to it than that.

　Prisoner number 2066, prisoner name Nines. She is the parent of the great sinner Lugis, and also the parent of the great saint Alueno.

　I'm sure everyone had a hard time dealing with her.

　Considering her relationship with the Great Sinner Lugis, there was no way she could turn a blind eye to his existence.

　However, if you were to touch her body in an unprovoked manner and come to the conclusion that she was a saint, what awaited you was your destruction.

　That's why the Nines drifted from one prison to the next as if they were dealing with a tumor, and finally ended up in Bella, the burial prison.

　Or, to make matters worse, Paloma was forced into it.

　Paloma, without making eye contact with the warden, moves her beard and speaks. She speaks with a hint of something in her voice.

"Why? She's the foster mother of the great sinner Lugis. There's no doubt she's related to the Old Ones. Get a confession out of her right now.

　I don't care what it takes. At these words, the warden involuntarily raised both eyebrows and rolled his eyes. For a moment I was at a loss as to what to say.

　After all, it was the warden himself, Paloma, who had told him to treat the Nines with respect when they first arrived here. I'm not sure why he's saying the exact opposite now.

　I couldn't help but ask him back, "Are you sure? I guess he was expecting it. Paloma's voice swallowed the warden's words.

There is no good or bad. That's the way it is now. That woman has nothing to do with the saints, she's just a wicked old witch.

　Paloma said, and continued. It was one of the many things I had been thinking about on the carriage ride here.

"There was a tip-off from one of the Old Ones that she was being sold. When she was forced to confess, she admitted her crimes and was finally executed in the capital.

　I've already decided that's the plot," he reminded her.

　The warden made no further comment. As long as Paloma speaks, it's the truth in this prison. In fact, if you interfere any further, even you may be blamed.

　As the warden bowed his head in reverence and left the warden's office, Paloma let out a sigh in her mouth. He did not seem to have the impudence to let it out.



　The only thing that changed was his gaze, which became increasingly stern.

　--I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that we're going to be able to make up for the blunder of the Great Church.


　◇ ◇◆

　
　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, we're here to help. She was followed by thousands of soldiers and cavalrymen, who also ran in the same way. The clattering of her boots threw her into the sky, assertive even in the dead snow.

　Perhaps it was the skill with which she handled the reins. Valerie's horse continued to outrun and outrun the others.

　I'm not sure if it's because of my skill with the reins or because of the way I handle my horse.

"General! General Brightnes!　It's the first time I've heard it today.

　It was the second time today. I'm not sure if you'll be able to see the difference, but I'm sure you can.

　Finally, Valerie's wise eyes caught sight of what was going on around her. Neymar saw Valerii stop his horse and look back at him as if to say, "Oh, no.

　Before Neymar could catch his breath, Valerii told her, "What's the matter, Neymar?

"What's the matter, Neymar lieutenant?

　Valerie said, shaking her short hair as if she was asking a genuine question. Neymar's eyes widen in surprise and he lets out a few words.

As you can see, if you keep going at the current rate, some of your men will drop out. So, .......

　In the middle of his words, Valerie nodded her head as if to take in Neymar's words, "I see. That was the end of the conversation.

　I've done this a few times before. And so, without really understanding, she moves forward again.

　Perhaps this time, too, she doesn't understand what is essentially at stake. Somewhere along the line, Neymar began to develop a dim, yet deep suspicion of Valerie.

　Valery-Brightness was a man of unmistakable talent. You can see it in the way he handles his horse and the way he carries himself.

　Even more than the old general, Richard, who Neymar had accompanied before, she exuded a certain sharpness.

　She does not have a tormenting presence like Richard, but a dangerousness that could pierce an opponent with a single glance.

　I could see why she had been appointed to one of the guardian forts that were responsible for slaughtering magical beasts.

　She is a strong individual who is at ease in every way, and she must be a stronghold for the soldiers. This is the most necessary element when facing a monster like a hexenbiest.

　But, Neymar thinks. On the other hand, she's too individualistic.

　Her self-centeredness, or perhaps her sense that if she can do it, then why can't others do it, is apparent in many places.

　The fact that this is not an act of arrogance makes it all the worse. She must not really understand why others cannot follow her.

　In that respect, Valerie was a different kind of general from Richard. They were so opposite in nature.

　As he exhaled a white mist, Neymar ordered his men to take a short break. Wherever they're going, their legs can't hold out much longer at this rate. And we need to absorb those who drop out. Perhaps that's your job, too.

　I squinted, and for a moment, the face of the old general crossed my mind. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one.

　--How dare you send me to this place? That battalion commander...

　He knew that his canine teeth were clicking with a strange sharp sound. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's taken advantage of the opportunity to be associated with the Fomor family.

"Lieutenant Neymar, we will now move south.

　When he had finally absorbed a few of the deserters, Valerie said in a voice that seemed to speak only to Neymar.

　We're going to go south from here. I was told that we were supposed to be heading for the eastern border, but you mean to make a stopover on the way.

　However, there are no major points of interest south of here. At best, there would be one prison.

　You're right.

That's right. My team is on its way to Jail Bella.