As Shinrou Rokuro traversed the long, dimly lit tunnel of the dungeon complex, he became the sole subject of the prisoners’ attention. However, they chose to remain hidden in the corners of their cells, refusing to engage with him in any way.

With a clear destination in mind, Shinrou made his way toward the cell where a new criminal was being held—a girl. Among the multitude of cells, hers stood out due to the rare access it had to a narrow window, allowing a sliver of light to penetrate the otherwise murky darkness.

The girl could see him approaching, but instead of reacting, she remained seated on the ground with her legs crossed.

Finally, the captain halted right beside the cell bars and gave her a lingering gaze. It appeared that she had no intention of speaking to him; silence seemed to be her preferred way of communication.

"The wolf I brought with you. How well do you know this animal?" he eventually inquired.

Yura's eyes widened at the mention of Milo, prompting her to rise and cautiously approach the bars as well.

"Did something happen to him?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Satisfied with her response, the captain swiftly turned on his heel and exited the area, making his way outside.

"Hey! Wait! Did something happen to Milo?!" the girl called out after him, but he paid no attention to her plea. "Tell me!" she demanded, but there was no response.

Once he was gone, the prisoners awoke from their passive state and immediately began mocking her. Some barked like wild dogs, others laughed with contempt, and a few audaciously requested that she undress, hoping for a crude spectacle.

Resigned, she resumed her seated position and closed her eyes. The meditation techniques Thyme had taught her, although not yielding any visible results, provided a way to ward off the torment of those around her. So she tried again, not expecting to feel any magic, but rather seeking to distance herself, at least within the confines of her mind, from the taunting prisoners.

Meanwhile, Shinrou Rokuro emerged from the barracks, stepping into the outside world. The mere presence of the captain commanded the attention of the soldiers nearby, who promptly ceased their activities to pay him respect. Ignoring most of the salutations, his mind preoccupied with a purpose, Shinrou walked along the paved road toward his house, located on the outskirts of the district.

Passing the wooden fence as he entered through a gate, he found himself in a magnificent garden enveloping his residence. As if appearing out of thin air, two wolves charged toward him. Bolting across one of the many wooden bridges, they raced each other down the paved path, eagerly anticipating their owner's arrival.

For a time, Shinrou appeared to pay them no heed, until they abruptly halted in front of him, blocking his path and skidding on the bricks.

"Yoru, Kiba, enough," he calmly commanded, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority.

The beasts, their ears flattened, swiftly transformed their mischievous demeanor into a much calmer one, as if they were obedient soldiers carrying out orders from their general.

Shinrou Rokuro continued his march, traversing several wooden bridges until he reached his house. On the porch lay the cage containing Milo, visibly emaciated and refusing to consume the provided food or drink.

A heavy sigh escaped Shinrou's lips as he turned around and retraced his steps back to where he came from.

Hours later, he returned, striding purposefully through the darkness of the dungeon. Two guards trailed behind him in silence. The captain's reappearance silenced the prisoners, who retreated to the depths of their cells, while Yura remained unperturbed. Immersed in her meditation, eyes closed, she failed to register the shift in the atmosphere, as her focus was consumed by the peculiar experience she was undergoing.

Her entire body felt rigid as if it had become a prison of its own. Though she had the ability to move, she chose not to, and in this strange stillness, her senses honed in on the harshness of the floor beneath her hips, the chilling air in the depths of the underground, and the repulsive stench of excrement and sweat. The outside world ceased to hold meaning for her.

It was a bizarre and unpleasant sensation, yet tinged with a sense of mystery, as if something elusive lay beyond her reach. She had not delved deep enough to pierce the veil.

"Wake up," demanded Shinrou Rokuro, his gaze fixed upon the girl.

His words, calm yet cutting, were sufficient to jolt her out of her peculiar state. She opened her eyes and gazed at him with a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. The sudden return to reality momentarily hindered her comprehension of the situation, but then it all fell into place. She knew who she was and where she was, but more importantly, she recognized the man standing before her.

"I'm awake," she informed him after a slightly protracted moment of silence.

"The wolf is not eating. If you can make him eat, I will allow you to leave. You will reside with my servants, under the watchful eye of the guards, but you won't be trapped in here," he offered.

She didn't respond immediately, contemplating the proposition before silently nodding in agreement.

"Release her and unchain her," he ordered.

The two soldiers promptly moved into action, and moments later, the girl found herself following the enigmatic man, traversing the underground corridor. She could feel the envious gazes of the prisoners upon her, stripping her with their eyes, yet she maintained a serene smile.

As she stepped out into the open, the first breath of fresh air, untainted by the repulsive stench, sent a shiver down her spine. A wide, genuine smile spread across her face.

"Should you attempt to flee, you will find yourself in a far worse place than the one you just left," Shinrou Rokuro warned, halting momentarily to assess her. "Now, follow me without doing anything foolish."

Again, she nodded in acknowledgment.

Some more moments later, she found herself amidst a sprawling garden, where shimmering streams intersected in various locations. Its beauty was so captivating that, for a brief moment, she completely forgot about her circumstances. The man had to break her reverie by approaching and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"This way," he directed before resuming their march.

She continued to follow, and soon they arrived in front of the house, where she noticed Milo confined within the cage. Two other wolves stood sentinel beside him.

Despite the potential danger, she hastened towards the animal.

"Milo," she whispered. "Are you alright?"

The beast responded with a gentle whimper.

"Here... Eat something and drink some water," she said, taking a small piece of raw meat from the bowl and holding it to the wolf's mouth. Milo opened his eyes, momentarily glaring at her. Tears welled up in his eyes, and then he accepted the food.

A chuckle was what Yue-Liang heard, jolting him awake. Opening his eyes, he discovered the flickering orange glow of a nearby campfire piercing the darkness of the night. The sight propelled him into action, as memories flooded his mind.

He wriggled on the ground, realizing he was securely bound. His hands were tightly fastened to his chest with numerous ropes, while another rope connected him to a tree, ensuring he wouldn't attempt any foolish escape.

The brief scuffle had been senseless, but it had alarmed the bandits who now encircled the fire, cooking meat. Yue-Liang recognized their faces, finally comprehending his dire predicament.

He found himself in an unfamiliar location, held captive by a group of four who had chosen to rest for the night in this very spot. Their horses were tethered nearby. One of the steeds snorted loudly, tossing its head, prompting the boy to shift his gaze in that direction. He realized that the number of horses exceeded the number of people by three—the same number he had taken down back in the forest.

Two with the initial burst of energy, and the third crushed by a falling tree.

"Calm down, kid. If you don't do anything foolish, you'll be treated well," the same red-haired bandit who had instigated the massacre spoke up, inciting laughter from his comrades.

"You're dead!" the boy growled through clenched teeth.

"Hahahahaha!" Their laughter intensified as the man stood up, skewering a piece of meat on a short stick.

"We know you're dangerous, but that's exactly why we'll fetch a hefty sum for you." With those words, the ginger bandit approached Yue-liang, reaching out to pat him on the cheek, further fueling the boy's anger. Yue-Liang wriggled furiously, but his efforts were in vain. "Behave, and we'll find you a cozy new home in Nira."

"Nira?!" he exclaimed.

His question only elicited more laughter from the men.