Ery stepped through the final security seal, entering the heart of the Citadel's most guarded facility. His presence was imdiately acknowledged by the watching janitors, though none spoke.
The corridor ahead brimd with thick enchantnts and ancient runes pulsing softly in the stone—wards ant to restrain even the most powerful of beings.
At the center of the cell, restrained by no less than seven layers of soul-sealing magic, sat a gaunt figure—frail, pale-skinned, and hunched with age. His once-imposing fra had withered, the thick cords of muscle Ery rembered now shrunken beneath loose robes. Still, the aura that clung to him was undeniable.
Rosin Karat.
The old devil himself. Patriarch of the Karat faction. Master of the Golden City.
It felt surreal. Ery rembered watching this man clash against King Alduin of Zodiac City—two titans of power. And now, one of them sat here, bound and bent like a forgotten relic.
As Ery stepped closer, the prisoner raised his head just slightly. He did not open his eyes.
"A new visitor…?" the old man rasped, his voice like dry parchnt. "And who might you be, young man?"
The Supre Magus couldn't sense him. That much was clear. The bindings around him blocked every spiritual perception, leaving him blind to everything but sound and faint vibrations. Ery, too, was forced to tread carefully. He couldn't risk exposure. Surveillance runes watched from every corner of the room. It was likely even Lord Ariel himself was monitoring this conversation.
"I am an alchemist, elder," Ery said with a respectful bow. "I've been permitted to gather samples in pursuit of a cure for the parasite infection."
The elder let out a weak chuckle, bitter and humorless. "You may take your samples… but you will find nothing. I am not infected."
"I understand," Ery said. "Still, any data could help further our research."
As instructed, Ery made no physical contact. Instead, he uses spirit reading to guide a set of floating instrunts from a sealed case. Needles and tubes hovered midair, delicately extracting blood, skin, and saliva samples from a distance. It was a clinical process, yet beneath it, sothing far more important brewed.
While the tools perford their work, Ery stepped near the periter of the seal and stood directly across from the elder.
"If you would, Elder… I'd like to ask a few questions about your realm. It may help us understand more of the situation."
It was a scripted pretext—just enough to seem plausible. But as he spoke, Ery reached out ntally.
The risk was high. Sending ntal ssages in this chamber could alert watchers, even if they couldn't read the contents. But it was a chance Ery had to take.
The elderly supre brow twitched. His head turned slightly.
And then
"What…!!" His voice trembled, gaining sudden strength. "What gas are you playing now?! I have cooperated! I've given you everything! I know!"
His voice rose in fury, and Ery's pulse jumped. It was too loud, too sudden—one slip could jeopardize his identity.
"My apologies, Elder!" Ery quickly said, "Please—remain calm."
On the other hand, he sends more ntal ssages trying to convince with reason.
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