King Of Limbo

Night soon fell upon the city of Vonstein and the topic on everyone's lips was that of Aron supposedly murdering Arkus Vonstein, a talented mage from one of the branch families.

Many began to speculate just how this feat was achieved. The Journey hadn't been broadcast in Ettenheim so a large majority of aristocrats were still aloof as to how powerful Aron was.

They wondered why a trial was even necessary when the one in the wrong was just a commoner. Some could only assume it was because of the knowledge he obtained while others thought it had to do with him being close to Lady Rose. Whatever the case the majority of aristocrats didn't agree and they didn't hesitate to show it...

"Off with his head!"

"Off with his head!"

"Off with his head!"

Outside the detention center, a large gathering of middle class and lower class aristocrats could be seen as they began to protest the need for a trial in the first place.

Their cries and cheers echoed through many parts of the eastern side of the city and could even be heard by Lady Rose who had chosen to rent a room at a local high class lodging away from the rest of the officials. 'Quite the rowdy group of vermin you've attracted Aron.'

She looked outside through the window of her room which was situated on the fourth floor and gave a good view of the eastern side of the city. The same side in which the detention center laid.

'This gathering is too well organized to be random, it surely serves some sort of purpose. Alas I can only trust in your plan and observe for now.' Lady Rose thought to herself before turning away from the window then crumpling up a piece of paper she held in her hand and tossing it into the nearby fireplace.

...

Meanwhile many meters below the detention center, a large network of small primitive looking cells existed that didn't match the building's exterior aesthetic at all.

It was clear the cells above were meant to detain criminals with a background while those below were for individuals who didn't matter.

'They segregate even criminals.' Aron who was placed in a cell near the very depths of the network couldn't help but snicker at this thought. It was almost as though they were trying far too hard to be aristocrats, reaching a point where one would even think them to be a different more superior species.

The cells below were of poor sanitation and airflow which was only made worse by the city's sewage line which ran directly under the network.

The cells closer to the bottom were hence plagued by a fowl stench and the sound of water running. The one meal Aron was served didn't look the least bit edible and he could only imagine what vile things they had placed and done to it.

Luckily for him his body didn't require the nutrition so he didn't even pay it a second glance.

He was currently seated on the freezing cold floor as the cell had no bed nor place to sit. The fact it was even missing basic lavatory essentials was testament to the fact that those placed here weren't even considered human.

As Aron quietly sorted his thoughts, a feminine shaped silhouette appeared outside his cell. Normally one couldn't make out the face or figure given how poorly lit the lower network was but Aron's vision in the night was near perfect so he could easily see the visitor who arrived.

"Did you manage to deliver the letter?" Aron turned to Khalifa who's face was hidden under a grayish veil. Her attire which normally had a plethora of colors now changed according to the area she stood.

The only reason Aron could instantly recognize her despite the camouflage was because of her mana signature.

"Yes, I left it in her room and observed from a distance to ensure it reached her." She replied formally and didn't say a word less or more. "I see, then that is all for now. Continue to gather what evidence you can and send it to Rose but ensure she doesn't see you." Aron commanded and Khalifa bowed to show her acceptance of the order before leaving as quickly as she came.

However not long after Khalifa left the sound of several footsteps could be heard approaching.

'Two... no three individuals.' Aron guessed from the echoes and intervals of each step.

*click*

Soon two masculine shaped figures appeared in front of the cell before opening the door leaving one to stand guard. Among the two who entered one wore the encaptor uniform while another was draped in a black cloak with a mask covering his face.

"Tsk. This place smells putrid! If you want to leave here quickly I suggest you corporate with me and tell me every bit of information you know. Do this and I guarantee you this matter will end, like it never even existed." The cloaked figure asked in a groggy tone.

"And I'm supposed to trust some masked unknown individual who doesn't even dare to use his real voice in front of me? You must think me senile or desperate to accept such a vague offer." Aron didn't hesitate to reject the proposal and snicker at the man for his poor attempt.

"I gave you a choice but if you insist on being difficult then I suppose I can only "interrogate" you till you speak. Bring it in and Leave us!" The cloaked figure instructed and the encaptor who had initially remained outside dragged in a metallic trolley like table that housed numerous eerie looking bloody tools.

After leaving the trolley in the cell the two encaptors walked out and locked the cell before leaving the lower levels.

"One last chance, will you speak?" The cloaked figure offered but Aron only snickered.

"What use is there wasting words on a dead man in a soon to be fallen city." Aron warned which only seemed to irritate the figure as he proceeded to pick a tool off the trolley and face Aron.

"Let's see just who will regret what."

...

At around the same time outside the city, two cloaked figures could be seen sneaking near the boarder.

"Juliet just what is it that you want us to do?" The figure a bit further behind who was none other than Anastasia couldn't help but ask this in a whispery voice.

"Just making preparations should all else fail. Just keep placing those beads down every ten meters until we circle the entire city's outer perimeter." Juliet replied vaguely causing Anastasia to glance at the numerous dark beads in her hands.

"Fine." Anastasia clicked her tongue in irritation and continued to carry out this unknown task alongside Juliet while wondering what exactly it was that she was planning. 'Was she also approached by Aron and forced into this?... no she looks very willing to do all this.'

Anastasia could only continue to wonder as to what the exact motives were.

....

Time passed and soon midnight fell...

Many meters under the detention center in the row that housed Aron's cell a thick scent of blood now prevailed in the area.

Inside Aron's cell the cloaked figure placed a bloody and brunt tool back on the trolley before looking down at the bloody and badly bruised body before him.

"Where is that arrogance you had before?" The cloaked figure asked but only received a bloody cough in reply causing him to snicker. "Oh right, you can no longer speak. This should make for quite the interesting trial." The figure remarked before turning to knock on the cell.

Once he did so one encaptor soon came and opened the door while another lifted a sort of crystal lantern to light the dimly lit cell. Upon doing so they saw the bloody figure laying on the ground and they couldn't help but widen their eyes under their helms.

"I doubt he'll heal before the trial so I need you all to stage a fight among the lower detainees so what occurred here can be said to be a result of that. Understood?" The figure asked in a tone that left no room for refusal and the two immediately nodded before gulping and leaving the cell.

After this the figure was escorted up by the two encaptors. "My Lord, we've placed a change of clothing in the main office, you'll be able to leave in the confusion the protest outside is causing." The encaptor explained in a humble tone before leading the man to the said main office.

Once there the encaptor excused himself and the cloaked man went into the office where he was greeted by an unexpected guest.

"Well now isn't this interesting, I do wonder what Ursula's first and most powerful son could be doing in such a place dressed like this." A chuckling Belle sat comfortably on the office's main seat with her legs resting on its desk.

The cloaked man didn't respond to her which lead her to chuckle once again before shaking her head.

"Don't worry Gregor, you and I could help each other don't you think?" Belle asked seductively while running her finger across her glossy lips.

The cloaked figure who was revealed to be Gregor Vonstein snickered before lifting his mask, revealing a face that bared a strong resemblance to Brutas.

"I'm listening..."