"In this world, strength is a crime, and weakness is righteous. The strong have only two choices: either become lapdogs, fighting and dying to protect the weak until something stronger replaces them; or be feared and hated by the weak, then locked away like Alice—in the deepest, lightless cell, condemned as a criminal until death. This is the Kingdom’s principle. And the only view on power I truly believe."

Back at Fort Posein, inside the heavily guarded trial chamber, Dante declared this absurd philosophy with utter nonchalance, officers watching.

"Thus, under the Kingdom’s Special Ghostkind Management Act—a law embodying this principle—I, as Fort Posein’s current commander, hereby sentence this Fourth Category Ghoul Species, the girl called Alice, to Cell Two of the Third Detention Chamber. Objections?"

"I object!" Yulia shouted immediately after hearing the verdict, having attended the trial.

But Elaine Maid clamped a hand over Yulia’s mouth before she could say more.

"Seems there are no objections," Dante announced to the clerks, ignoring Yulia entirely. He ended the trial, then lazily pulled me up from the floor where I’d been pinned and sauntered out.

Though resentment simmered in me, relief washed over me too—I wouldn’t be executed like a Corpse Eater. Just imprisoned.

"Third Detention Chamber’s a luxury suite, in every sense," Dante explained as he dragged me along. It lay deep beneath the fort, reserved for the most dangerous prisoners. Only the fort’s highest authority held its keys. That’s why he’d personally presided over my trial—only he could lock me away.

"This cell’s been empty nearly thirty years. Last occupant was over two decades ago. You’re my first since taking command. Practically your own private prison. Impressive, huh?"

Yulia must have broken free then. She chased after us, shouting, "I absolutely refuse to let Alice be jailed—especially not in the Third Detention Chamber!"

"No choice. Only that chamber can hold a Fourth Category Ghostkind."

"But records show imprisonment there means life without parole!"

*Life?* I’d thought it’d be weeks. Panic surged. I twisted violently against Dante’s grip, but he pressed down hard on my head, immobilizing me.

"Stop fussing, you two brats. I’ll report to Chancellor Lawrence tomorrow. You won’t rot here forever." He held both our heads like misbehaving puppies. "Once you turn fifteen and prove you’re harmless, you’ll be released under my supervision. And since no one knows your real age…" He smirked. "I can declare you older. The older you are, the sooner you walk free."

"Though…" He eyed my small frame. "I can only claim you’re ten at most. Ugh, paperwork. Damn Parliament for revising the Ghostkind Act. Should’ve labeled you Second Category. Only those clueless hunters knew the truth anyway. Annoying. So annoying."

Dante grumbled as he escorted me down shadowed corridors, past candlelit stairs, through filthy dungeon passages, and finally through an eerie, ornate gate to the fort’s cavernous lowest level. Yulia trailed stubbornly behind, pelting Dante with minor spells while protesting my treatment. From her casual hostility, it was clear the fort’s commander was her usual punching bag—and magical test subject.

Dante barely reacted. He even asked Yulia to light the pitch-black cavern with magic. She obediently conjured three glowing orbs. Dante then pulled out a worn parchment map, squinting under the light.

"This way," he declared vaguely, leading us into a maze-like tunnel.

*Of course he got lost.* After several wrong turns in the suffocating dark, we hit a dead end.

"Is the Third Detention Chamber really in a place this creepy?" Dread coiled in my stomach—this might be my home for years.

"Just confine Alice to a room next to mine!" Yulia insisted, still flicking harmless spells at Dante.

"Stop that. I can’t read." He squinted at the map again. "Damn that weird old predecessor… Why build such bizarre mechanisms? Ugh. Hate work. I don’t even know magic. Can’t get past this wall."

An idea struck him. He handed the parchment to Yulia, sweetening his tone. "Be a dear and follow the instructions?"

*Seriously? That’s top-secret, right?* I bit my tongue. As a prisoner, I couldn’t afford to insult the man holding my life. Instead, I schemed silently—maybe Yulia would memorize the map. She could sneak me supplies later. Even if she couldn’t free me.

"This is Dark Magic…" Yulia murmured. Then, chanting in a strange rhythm like a secret code, she activated a hidden mechanism.

"A spatial magic array? What exactly is this Third Detention Chamber—"

Before she finished, darkness swallowed us whole.

"Overkill. How do we even get out?" Dante muttered.

"Exit instructions are here," Yulia said, relighting the orbs and pointing at the parchment.

We stood in a narrow, deeper cavern. Ten identical cells lined the walls. Only the first was locked; the rest gaped open, rusted gates hanging wide.

"Welcome home," Dante announced, sweeping a hand around the Third Detention Chamber.

"How am I supposed to live here?" I wailed, staring at the dust-choked cell.

"Relax. The map says it has a toilet, water basin—everything. Livable." He’d reclaimed the parchment. "Look. Since you remind me of my childhood self, I won’t torture you. Here." He tossed me a heavy iron keyring. "Keys to every cell. No chains. Roam freely."

*What about food?*

As if reading my mind, he explained: he’d visit weekly with supplies. Since I could use fire magic, I’d cook my own meals. Then he took a dagger-like relic from his predecessor and carved a glowing sigil onto my palm. "This binds you to the chamber’s barrier. You can’t leave unless someone defeats me and takes this dagger." He pocketed it. "This place is Fort Posein’s ultimate prison. Escape?" He fixed me with a cold stare. "If soldiers spot you outside, you’ll be shot on sight. Consider this mercy."

Mercy? Years in this lightless tomb felt like endless torment.

Desperation sparked a plan. I swallowed my pride and deployed my strongest skill learned from three months with hunters: the Ultimate Cute-and-Pitiful Act. Tears welled in my eyes. I clutched Dante’s hand, gazing up with trembling lips. "Please, Commander Dante… Release me. I’ll do anything. Anything at all. Even… this body of mine…"

"That trick only works on perverts. Sorry. I prefer the ladies of the pleasure district." His rejection was ice-cold.

"Fine." I yanked my hand back like touching filth. "Truth time. I turn fifteen in two months. Make sure your report says that." I glared at the idiot.

*What possessed me to say that in front of Yulia?* Shame burned my cheeks.