A vast plain where the capital appeared like a mirage on the distant horizon.
Standing there, completely out of place, was a massive, pure-white structure composed of countless hexahedrons of varying sizes.
The Hexahedron.
Named for its appearance, this was the empire’s largest and most secure “Superpower Criminal Containment Facility.”
As Matilda slowly drove toward the enormous gate set in the high, sturdy-looking outer wall, guards in white uniforms approached.
“…”
Matilda rolled down the window and handed over a single sheet of paper.
Upon seeing the document bearing the emperor’s official seal, the guard immediately gestured to his colleague, and the steel gate, which looked as though it could withstand a tank, opened with a heavy groan.
Rumble—
“…Feels like we’re walking into hell. This is kind of thrilling, in a good way.”
While she couldn’t agree with the word ‘thrilling,’ Ashmia felt a similar sentiment to Elizabeth.
After crossing an open area that doubled as a parking lot, they reached the entrance of the bizarrely shaped building. There stood an elderly, white-haired woman, with a line of guards behind her.
“Welcome.”
As Ashmia’s group got out of the car and approached, the woman held her head stiffly, her yellow eyes, similar to Ashmia’s, scanning each member of the party.
“I am Patricia Rohan, the warden of this facility.”
Receiving the woman’s rigid greeting, Ashmia smiled.
“Ashmia Kallashniel. A pleasure to meet you, Warden Rohan.”
Ashmia extended her hand, but Patricia didn’t move a muscle.
“Physical contact is strictly prohibited within the facility. I ask for your understanding.”
Ashmia shrugged and withdrew her hand.
“You received our message?”
“Yes. Please follow me.”
As Patricia entered the building first, a portion of the guards followed her, while the rest waited for Ashmia’s group to enter.
“Is this how you welcome guests?”
Elizabeth’s red eyes narrowed fiercely at the guards who surrounded them as if they were criminals.
“Calm down, Older Sister. This is just how things are here.”
“I don’t like that old hag. Doesn’t she look like she’s the boss of all the bad guys?”
“She can hear you, you know.”
They walked for a long time, passing numerous doors and spaces of unknown purpose, then took an elevator down to the basement, where another group of guards stood in formation.
“Are we there yet? How much farther do we have to go?”
“We’ve arrived. She is an S-class inmate, so security befitting her status is necessary. I ask for your understanding.”
“Why do you keep asking for our understanding? You knew we were coming, didn’t you? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just drag her out to the front yard?”
Patricia ignored Elizabeth’s grumbling and continued walking, soon stopping in front of a certain door.
Click—
Clack—
Clank—
The sounds of several layers of locks being undone echoed.
Thud—
When the door finally opened, they saw a cage-like prison made of steel bars in the center of a wide, dark room. Inside, a figure in a white straitjacket was confined.
“Likewise, physical contact is forbidden. Per regulations, the visit will be conducted with myself and the guards present.”
Ashmia nodded at Patricia’s words.
“Is it alright if we get closer?”
“Yes. Just be careful not to make contact. Depending on the situation, we may open fire without warning.”
“Understood.”
Ashmia’s group slowly approached the prison.
The person in the straitjacket, who had been looking down, slowly raised their head.
“…Oh my.”
Through messy red hair, pale sky-blue eyes glared at Ashmia’s group.
“Well, this is… a truly unexpected guest.”
Karen Emmanuel smiled eerily.
Ring, ring, ring—
As the phone rang, Claudia walked over at a measured pace and picked up the receiver.
“Hello?”
—‘Hello? This is Yulia Orlova.’
Claudia’s eyes widened slightly at the urgent sound of Yulia’s voice on the other end.
“Yes. Go ahead.”
—‘I need your help.’
Claudia’s expression hardened at the abrupt plea for help.
“What’s wrong?”
—‘The safe houses are being attacked one by one.’
“…?!”
Startled, Claudia looked around and, spotting Vanessa passing by in the hallway, beckoned her over.
“…?”
Vanessa trotted over with a bright expression and pressed her ear to the receiver as Claudia indicated.
“Please explain in more detail.”
—‘I haven’t fully grasped the situation myself. All I know is that there’s a group attacking simultaneously, with precise knowledge of the safe house locations…’
Vanessa’s eyes widened at the unexpected news.
Vardi.
The same name surfaced in both Vanessa’s and Claudia’s minds.
Claudia asked cautiously.
“Don’t tell me, are they trying to find Ivan Randolph?”
—‘I think so. Witnesses from other cases have been indiscriminately attacked, and the assaults are continuing… I can’t even trust fellow police officers right now. So please, help me. I need support.’
“I understand. Just wait a moment.”
—‘As quickly as possible, please.’
‘Click.’
“What should we do? Should we report this to the Young Lady first—?”
“Yes.”
At Vanessa’s words, Claudia began to dial.
However.
—‘She has not yet arrived here.’
Hearing the response from the facility, Claudia stared into space, thinking. Ashmia had entrusted Claudia with the authority to make decisions on all matters that arose in her absence.
If that was the case, there was no more time to hesitate.
“Vanessa, get ready to leave. We’re going.”
“Okay. Do you know the locations?”
“There’s a memo with the addresses in Miss Ashmia’s office. I’ll go get it now, so Vanessa, you get the car—”
As she spoke and turned, Claudia stopped short, startled by a large silhouette that had suddenly appeared before her.
“…Hunter?”
Vanessa also looked surprised to see Hunter standing there, blocking Claudia’s path.
“Please step aside. This is urgent.”
Thump—
But Hunter grabbed Claudia’s shoulder.
“My apologies. I don’t make a habit of eavesdropping, but I happened to overhear as I was passing by.”
Hunter released Claudia’s shoulder and continued.
“I know time is of the essence. But where do you think you’re going in that state?”
“…There’s nothing wrong with me.”
Claudia said this as she tried to pass by Hunter.
Trip—
“…?!”
But she stumbled on Hunter’s lightly extended foot and fell to her knees.
“This is nothing?”
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
As Vanessa strode forward with an angry face, Hunter swiftly twisted her hand, grabbing it.
“Ugh?!”
As Vanessa winced in pain, Hunter let her go.
“Vanessa Wheeler, your hand hasn’t fully healed either. And as I recall, weren’t you both ordered by the boss to remain under house arrest?”
“This is not the time for this. If you interfere any further, I will consider your actions a hostile act.”
Claudia said, her eyes filled with killing intent as she struggled to her feet, dragging the leg that had been broken by Ethan Freeman’s kick.
“Like boss, like subordinate.”
Hunter, however, met her gaze calmly and said,
“You and your boss, you’re not satisfied unless you handle everything yourselves, are you? If you go out in your condition, you won’t be protecting anyone. You’ll just be throwing your lives away.”
“Hey! If you have something to say, spit it out! We’re busy right now!”
“How frustrating. Do you still not understand what I’m saying? There’s someone right here who is idle and perfectly fine.”
“…?!”
Hunter pointed to himself and continued.
“So give the order, Claudia Ranieri. I am ready. Or—”
Hunter’s single eye glinted sharply.
“Am I not good enough for the job?”
‘Damn it! I can’t focus!’
Why the hell did he have to sit next to me when he could have just sat in the back!
Ron was so nervous with Hunter in the passenger seat that he was about to lose his mind.
“Is this how you normally drive?”
“Ah, no, it’s just…”
“Relax your shoulders. Anyone would think I have a gun to your head.”
I can’t exactly say that’s precisely how I feel.
Ron nodded reluctantly.
Still, this was no time to be dwelling on such things. Ron forced himself to focus on driving.
‘Left turn here!’
Screeeech—!
The car crossed the center line, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic as it swerved into an alley.
Despite the incredibly dangerous maneuver, Hunter didn’t even blink.
“Is this the right way?”
“Of course. This way is much faster.”
“Hmm. They said you were a skilled driver. I’ll trust you.”
‘I know something Hunter Veros doesn’t?!’
In that instant, Ron’s confidence was restored by that single fact.
Vrooooom—!!
But before long, Ron tilted his head in confusion.
‘…That’s strange.’
Even though he was tearing through alleys and main roads as if traffic lights didn’t exist, he hadn’t seen a single police car, which would have normally been on his tail by now.
Hunter seemed to have noticed it too, his brow furrowed.
“It seems the situation is more serious than I thought.”
Ron pressed the accelerator so hard his shoe touched the floor.
The car entered a residential area in the southern district.
The roads in this area, filled with old multi-family houses, were four lanes wide, but due to the haphazardly parked or abandoned cars, they were as narrow as a two-lane street.
“We’re almost there…”
According to the address Claudia had given him, their destination was the eight-story building up ahead.
Unable to pick up speed, Ron muttered impatiently.