The story continued the next morning. Jane and Kunvy were placed in the same cell as Mia. Jane gently draped an arm around Mia's shoulders in comfort, while Kunvy handed her a cup of tea prepared by Roy. Despite her tired voice, Mia smiled as she spoke with them, finding solace in their presence.

  Outside the prison, Dam waited anxiously for permission to see Grandma Mia. Standing near a wall, his posture was tense under the watchful eyes of two guards. One of them remarked, "That old lady killed someone. Why do you even want to see someone like that?"

  Dam sighed, irritation flickering across his face. "You saw her," he replied. "Do you honestly believe my mother could have killed someone in her condition?"

  The guard hesitated, his gaze shifting as though recalling a haunting memory. "Yes," he admitted. "I’ve seen plenty of killers, even old folks, dismembering their victims. No one is an exception."

  Dam held his ground, his voice firm. "And what if it were your mother?"

  The guard fell silent before finally answering, "I’d do what you’re doing—wait to see her."

  Just then, another guard opened the door and called out, "Dam, you can go in. But don’t wander where you’re not allowed, or you’ll get a beating—either from a guard or someone else."

  Dam nodded and followed the guard inside. Before he stepped through, the first guard called after him, "Good luck, kid."

  Led through the prison halls, Dam eventually reached the room where detainees awaited their trials or further processing. After several minutes, the guard unlocked the door, and Dam entered to find Grandma Mia sitting with Jane and Kunvy. A smile spread across his face as he approached the cell.

  Roy unlocked the door to let him in. Without hesitation, Dam embraced Mia tightly, and she returned the hug. Though his heart was heavy, he forced a smile and pressed a kiss to her head. To him, she wasn’t just his grandmother—she was a mother in every sense, full of love and care.

  Respectfully, Jane and Kunvy moved to another cell, leaving Mia and Dam alone to share this moment together.

  Dam looked at Mia, his voice filled with confusion and concern. "Who killed that guy, Grandma Mia? I know how kind and gentle you are. What really happened?"

  Mia smiled softly, brushing her hand through Dam’s hair as she spoke. "It was a girl. As for Fur, the man who died—she killed him and ran away."

  Dam's frown deepened. "But... why did they arrest you? The judge said witnesses saw you. Shouldn't they have defended you?"

  Mia shook her head, her expression weary. A tense silence fell over the room as Roy, Jane, Dam, and the other prisoners listened intently. Then Mia spoke, her voice calm but heavy with revelation. "Dam, my son. There was a guard behind her—the girl who killed Fur. There was no one else but those two."

  The weight of her words shocked everyone. A guard had been involved, protecting the girl while framing Mia for the crime.

  Dam stared at Mia, his thoughts racing but his voice failing him. Finally, Mia broke the silence again, her tone barely audible. "She was a noble girl—you could tell from her appearance and her name. Fur said it when he saw her, just before... she killed him. Her name was Safle."

  Dam’s eyes widened in realization as the name triggered a memory. He vividly recalled Safle—how she had come into the shop with Murdo, how she had asked questions, probing for information. It was as though she stood before him now.

  "Grandma—no, Mother," Dam said, his voice trembling. "I’ll think of something, just..."

  Before he could finish, the door opened, and three guards entered the chamber. One of them, wearing distinctive blue armour, stood out. Roy approached him and asked, "Captain Thal, how can I assist you today?"

  Captain Thal's gaze settled on Mia. "She’s the criminal who killed Fur. We’ve come to take her to the soldiers’ camp, as ordered by Judge Vijay."

  From her cell, Jane called out sharply, "Hey, fancy one!"

  Captain Thal turned toward her, his expression cool and indifferent. Jane pressed on. "We’ve been stuck in this cell for days waiting for a trial, and another day before heading to prison. But you’re rushing to move the old lady? Why the hurry?"

  Thal studied Jane for a few moments before walking over to her cell. His stare was unflinching, cold. Kunvy, standing nearby, was about to speak, but Jane gently pushed her back.

  The captain smirked slightly, his tone mocking. "Protecting your friend? Smart."

  Without warning, he reached through the bars and grabbed Jane by the neck, yanking her forward and slamming her head against the cell. Jane gasped in pain as her head struck the bars, and Kunvy quickly grabbed at Thal’s arm, desperately trying to free Jane from his grip.

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  Thal moved to slam Jane’s head again, but Roy intervened, grabbing the captain’s right arm firmly. Thal turned his head toward Roy, one eyebrow raised.

  Roy tightened his grip on Captain Thal's arm, his voice firm. "No hitting prisoners until they’re on prison grounds, Captain. Isn’t that the rule?"

  Captain Thal released his hold, and Jane stumbled back, clutching her forehead and neck. Though shaken, she remained on her feet. Thal smirked. "Impressive. But remember, I can visit the women’s prison anytime. Beating you to a pulp would be a fine way to pass the time."

  Jane met his gaze with defiant eyes, but Kunvy quickly pulled her away from the bars, shielding her.

  Thal turned his attention to Dam, his tone sharp and commanding. "The visit is over. Mia Dockmag, you’re coming with us. Try to run, and you’ll die. You’re only valuable as long as you’re compliant. Understand?"

  Mia nodded silently as she rose to her feet. Dam stepped forward, his voice filled with determination. "I’ll do anything to help you! Just wait!"

  Mia looked back at him with a gentle smile, her eyes full of sadness. "Forget me, son. Live happily; you were never able to do that before."

  Dam clenched his fists, fighting back tears as Mia walked away with the guards.

  Captain Thal paused in front of Roy, who continued to glare at him. Thal leaned in slightly, his tone cold and deliberate. "Touch me again, and I promise, your life will be miserable."

  He then turned to Dam, his expression twisting into one of disdain. "Weak. People like you are parasites, dragging down our strong country and society."

  Dam lowered his head as Thal exited the room, but those words didn’t merely sting—they ignited a fire within him. Hatred, deep and unrelenting, burned in his chest.

  Roy’s attention shifted to Jane, noticing blood trickling from her forehead. He quickly opened the cell and used a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding. "Stay still," he said gently.

  Then, glancing at the female prisoners, he pleaded, "Please don’t try to escape."

  The women exchanged looks, their eyes darting to the chamber’s open door. Kunvy spoke for them, her voice steady. "Honestly, I don’t think that’s safe. It’s better to stay here."

  Meanwhile, after a few minutes of walking, Mia was led to a prisoner transport carriage. She stepped inside, and the cell door clanged shut behind her.

  As Captain Thal climbed into the carriage, Mia glanced down and realized she was still wearing Roy’s coat. She pulled it closer, whispering to herself, "Thank you, all of you."

  The journey to the city walls took half an hour. Along the road, curious onlookers turned their eyes toward Mia, confined within the carriage’s cell. Their expressions ranged from anger to sorrow and bewilderment. Many struggled to reconcile how such a gentle-looking old woman could be accused of killing Fur—a man known for his strength and skill in countless fistfights.

  Upon departing Pero City, the carriage left the crowded streets and made its way directly to the soldiers' camp, a half-day's journey. The camp, a place where soldiers often gathered to recover after battles with goblins, carried a suffocating atmosphere of death.

  Mia noticed it instantly—the air was thick with the stench of blood, decay, and suffering. Her gaze fell on witches and doctors diligently tending to the wounded.

  Despite the overwhelming odor, Mia remained composed. Her years of experience as a doctor had made her all too familiar with the presence of death. The smell, though unforgettable, had become a somber part of her existence—one that time had never truly dulled.

  The carriage came to a halt. Captain Thal stepped out first, and a guard opened the cell door for Mia. She exited cautiously, her eyes scanning the camp as tension tightened her shoulders.

  Captain Thal gestured toward the camp and spoke with cold authority. "This is where you’ll work. Saving these soldiers is the highest reward you can give to our country. You’ll assist a witch and a doctor when needed. You were a doctor once; you know the rules."

  Mia gave a slight nod.

  Thal’s tone darkened as he added, "The man you killed was a hero. Between you and me, I hope a goblin rips you apart—slowly."

  Mia held his gaze, her expression calm but weary. Thal sneered, stepping closer. "Your son was trash, a coward. And his mother? Just a killer whore. I hope they finish you both."

  Mia lowered her head and stepped back without a word. A guard took her arm and led her toward her designated tent.

  Back in Pero City, Dam sat across from Yoka in his shop. Yoka’s face was etched with concentration as he processed Dam’s story.

  "Safle?" Yoka repeated. "That noble girl? So that’s why the trial was so rushed. They wanted your grandma out of the picture as fast as possible."

  Dam nodded, his hands clenched in frustration. "I don’t know what to do. They didn’t even let her speak at the trial. If they control everything, what’s the point of gathering evidence or trying to find someone to help?"

  Yoka scratched his head, deep in thought. "Even if I spoke out, my words would mean nothing. They could silence me before the truth spread—just like they did to her."

  Dam sighed, leaning forward. "And even if I confronted Safle, what could I do? She’s a noble. Her word will always carry more weight than mine."

  Yoka paused before asking, "What about your sister? Has she become a witch yet? Witches are respected here. She could advocate for a proper trial."

  Dam shook his head. "She’s still training. It’ll take years before she earns enough respect to make a difference. Mother doesn’t have that long."

  Yoka nodded slowly. "But what if your sister befriends a teacher? There are plenty of famous witches at the school. Maybe she could persuade one of them to help."

  The suggestion sparked something in Dam. He stood abruptly, his face lighting up with determination. "Thank you! That’s it!"

  Yoka waved him off with a smirk. "Then go! Hurry to the witch’s school."

  Dam rushed toward the door, his heart racing with hope. But as he reached it, the door opened, and Murdo entered with a group of friends.

  Dam froze, his eyes locking onto Murdo. His jaw tightened as anger flared inside him.

  Murdo, oblivious to Dam’s hostility, smiled warmly. "Dam, my friend! You’re alright! I was really worried about you!"

  But Dam didn’t respond. Time seemed to slow, and the room fell silent as his gaze shifted to Safle. Dressed in elegant, expensive armour and carrying her dark bow, she smiled at him—a smile that chilled him to his core.

  "Hello, Dam," she said smoothly. "Long time no see."

  Dam’s lips curled into a smile of his own, though it didn’t reach his eyes. His voice was calm, "I missed you too, Safle."