NOVPUBLanci pondered. It appeared that Duke Morotian wanted the meeting kept relatively clandestine, hence why he did not make grand arrangements or go through the school for authorization, but instead had the warden send a private summons on his behalf.
"Who else but you, the busy bee of this empire, always disappearing after making an appearance?"
Warden Bacas joked, shaking his head. By then, he was watching Lanci’s response closely, wondering if he would agree.
If he agreed, Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt would owe him a favor. If he declined, he would not offend Governor Rocky McCarthy.
Throughout their journey, Bacas had been gauging the man next to him, feeling an aura of mystery from his bearing, an aura common among those in power. He couldn’t quite ascertain what weighed on Lanci’s mind.
Eventually, Lanci halted his steps, standing before a set of deep-red double doors at the end of the hallway, alongside Warden Bacas.
"No problem. If Warden Bacas makes a request, no matter how busy I am, I will make time for it. How about I wait for Mr. Berenhald in my office after we finish discussing our collaborative project today?"
Lanci gazed at Warden Bacas with a gentle expression, as if reassuring him that he would certainly grant him this favor.
"... I am truly honored. Let me convey your acceptance to Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt first, then we can commence our discussion?"
A moment of surprise flitted over Warden Bacas’s face before it morphed into a gracious smile. He found his conversation with Governor Rocky McCarthy rather pleasant.
Compared with the mighty Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt, Governor Rocky McCarthy seemed to respect him more and prioritized their dealings ahead of the Duke’s matters.
"No problem, Mr. Bacas. Right this way, please." 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
With a friendly smile, Lanci pushed open the heavy doors, gesturing for Warden Bacas to enter the room designated for their meeting.
Despite not betraying any emotions on his face, Lanci was wondering about the purpose behind Duke Morotian Berenhaldhardt’s visit.
He always found it odd whether he had been deceived by Cloris and Xido or whether the Duke was still fraudulent.
Either way, the true nature of the Duke could be unveiled during their meeting later.
Presently, most of Lanci’s attention was fixated on the other side of the suburb to the west of the imperial city Herram. The silence was not to portray profound wisdom to Warden Bacas; managing two bodies was simply a bit more than he could handle.
...
The western side of the imperial city Herram.
On the outskirts of Herram, a large square building, surrounded by the stern Protoss Imperial troops, towered majestically. Despite the unique charm of each Herram-style building nearby, they all paled in comparison to the sight of this prison structure.
The walls of Herram Prison were a dark gray, sturdy as cold iron. They were engraved all over with dense, ancient magic curse marks. The prison structure emanated a chilling glow, and the magic fluctuations it discharged were sharp enough to sting the skin of the visitors, creating an impenetrable protective barrier.
However, the part of the prison seen on the surface was just the tip of this subterranean prison, a mere tip of the iceberg.
Herram Prison consists of seven floors. In addition to the basic level on the ground, floors -1 to -3 are classified as the Outer Layers, and floors -4 to -6 as the Inner Layers.
For the average students of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, merely gazing at its existence evokes an intangible sense of oppression and terror.
Consequently, the vast majority of third-year students would not select the "Herram Prison Guard Assessment" as their Capstone Project.
Only those with proper Imperial credentials and paperwork, who have passed numerous security checks, can enter the interior of the basic layer of Herram Prison.
A number of individuals in special imperial officer uniforms patrol around the barriers of the building. They are not regular soldiers, but officers of the Magical Special Forces. They have eagle-eyed watchfulness and magic probes that can lock onto any passerby who demonstrates even the slightest irregularity or suspicion.
All of this is because Herram Prison houses many extremely dangerous Imperial offenders.
The prison’s security measures were once amplified to prevent the Rebirth Church or other lawbreakers from targeting the convicts inside. The ward now has paramount security and vigilance.
Currently, as the Rebirth Church has become a legitimate organization, every branch must maintain a law-abiding image and prove their willingness to assist the Imperial Army, regardless of at what end of the public opinion spectrum they lie.
With these former professional terrorists now combating other criminals, incidents of violence and crime in the Empire have decreased significantly within a short period.
Early this morning, on the exterior of the fortress-like Herram Prison, Hyperion and four other figures have passed the building’s rigorous security checks. Under the early morning sun, their long shadows stretched out on the wide road leading to the building. As they moved further into the structure, their shadows, like silhouettes, disappeared into a wholly enclosed space.
Emblazoned on their prison guard uniforms were the emblems of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. They were a co-branded prison guard uniform, rewarded as memorabilia to all who opt for the subject "Herram Prison Guard Assessment," regardless of passing, failing, life or death.
"..."
Hyperion glanced back at a green-eyed, black-haired girl, who seemed a little distracted.
At this moment, the Great Love Poet, who had transformed into a human form, was being controlled by Lanci.
But as Lanci had to control two bodies in different scenarios, the Great Love Poet sometimes seemed a bit distracted, almost tripping over or bumping into the security gates. Whenever she lost balance, Hyperion would grab her arm to steady her and guide her along the path.
After nearly half an hour of security checks and registration processes, the five-member student team finally entered the labyrinth-like interior of the basic level of Herram Prison.
Under the intertwining light and shadows, the curtain of the ancient and heavy basic level of Herram Prison gradually unveiled. Every corner of this seemingly forgotten space was immersed in the Demon World-style construction and barriers.
Upon stepping into the vast hall, what they saw was a complex network of crystal pipes and magic devices sprawling over the towering walls. Occasionally, the faint rumble of magic fluctuations could be heard from a distance. These relics of the demon civilization radiated a deep and eternal glow. They seemed to be narrating a story of power and devastation.
Beneath the dangerous mechanical constructs was the final checkpoint and the destination Hyperion was headed for – a massive, deep purple mirror surface.
Having regularly challenged the Shadow World and Artificial Shadow World on the South Continent, Hyperion was familiar with this structure.
The Demon Race has employed a type of Magical Engineering similar to the "Void Gate" of the Artificial Shadow World, using the only interface to connect the basic floor of the prison to the subterranean levels. To access each subsequent level, one must comply with the prison barrier’s regulations; otherwise, there would be no other way to break through.
The basic level is merely a preparation area for the intern prison guards participating in the examination. They can apply to exit the prison at any time, and the officers working on this level mainly have clerical duties; they do not have to interact with the prisoners.
As for the examination, the real danger begins upon entering the first sub-level. Each subsequent level holds greater peril and doesn’t allow a return to the prior level. Participants could only go further down and choose to end the assessment and return to the basic level at either the third or the sixth sub-level.
