Mirscella was descending the stairs to the dungeon. A thick door opened automatically, detecting the old lady's presence. Entering the prison proper, Mirscella wondered about the technology used by the System.
She had been able to infiltrate many places in the past. The arrival of biotric scanners of all kinds had changed things, but Mirscella had adapted. She had learned to hack, bypass and deactivate most of these protections. At least those used by civilians. The old lady hadn't reached such an advanced age by choosing the wrong targets.
With the onset of the apocalypse, her retirent had co to an end. The attributes offered by the System made her heart beat again. Her competitive spirit had awakened, and she was thinking about returning to service. She missed the tension of flying and the adrenalin of an assassination mission.
The trouble was that she didn't understand the Palais Ducal security system. For the mont, it didn't matter, because it belonged to Sphinx - a friend of Alain's son. But if she ever had a target protected by similar safeguards...
"Obviously, the answers lie in these skills," she murmured.
"Who's there?!" exclaid a voice a little further away.
Mirscella shook her head, straightened her back - good posture was essential to avoid lumbar problems - and arrived in front of Claire's cell.
Behind a force field, the girl sitting on a chair seed to be withering away. The dungeon didn't violate human rights, but it was nothing like a luxury suite.
"That's ," smiled Mircella. "I'll bring you so food. So grilled wyvern. It's delicious, you'll see."
"... One last feast before my execution," Claire comnted, lowering her eyes.
Mirscella sighed. She had nothing against the young woman, but her condition as a Revenant, coupled with her past actions, condemned her. Above all, she was Priam's enemy. You shouldn't have betrayed soone capable enough to engage in close combat with a wyvern. Mirscella kept this thought to herself.
"You can see it any way you like," she said, setting the tray on the floor.
"I'm not hungry. I'd rather know how my family is." The young woman's clear gaze fixed on her, and Mirscella smiled.
"Your sister's fine. Priam is not a monster, and we both know it. You're going to be executed, but I'm willing to bet he'll help your sister financially. Certainly anonymously. I'm a good judge of character: he's a nice guy."
Claire laughed. "He's an egotist. He doesn't want to read the accusation in my sister's eyes. He's buying himself a conscience, that's all," she spat.
Mirscella shrugged. "Perhaps, but actions speak as much as intentions. In any case, it will be positive for your sister."
"... What would be positive is if I could help her. You could..." Claire cried out, recoiling abruptly. A long gash appeared on her cheek.
"Don't try to use your power on , Claire, threatened Mirscella. Priam will return in a few hours, and you will be executed for your cris. If you try to manipulate my mind again, I'll bring forward the ti of execution. Is that clear?"
Mirscella was perfectly composed as she stroked the dagger that had just appeared in her hand. Priam had warned her, and she had no desire to disappoint everyone by letting a fool escape.
Claire swallowed before nodding.
With a kick, Mirscella slid the al tray to the ground. It crossed the force field and landed at Claire's feet. She looked down, and Mirscella turned on her heel.
"What about his cris?"
"Excuse ?" the old lady asked, turning slightly.
"He, too, has committed cris. Hundreds of people died because of him. Who will judge him?" Claire trembled as she spoke the words.
Mirscella couldn't help but burst out laughing. The innocence of young people was sotis disconcerting.
Several seconds later, she cald down. "No one. No one can, and honestly... no one wants to. At least not the people who matter."
"This world is rotten," Claire murmured.
Mirscella moved away. The prison door opened to let her through.
"It's not rotten. Just ruthless."
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