章 150: Close

I walk down the line of prison cells, my boots crunching against the gravel with each step. The air is thick and stale, a mixture of sweat, blood, and the kind of damp rot that clings to stone walls. Every breath feels heavy, yet I force myself forward, clutching the small, enchanted ring given to me by Duke Remiro. It pulses faintly in my hand, its magic a silent companion, masking my presence from prying eyes and warding off unwanted attention. It's moments like these where the old Duke's secretive gift proves its worth.

The torchlight flickers uneasily as I move deeper into the darkness, casting wild shadows that slither along the cell walls. I can feel my anger simmering beneath my skin, threatening to boil over, but I hold it back. Focus. There will be time for rage later. Right now, there's only the mission, the purpose driving me here.