The speed of the alchemy elevator gradually slowed down, and a sound similar to the pounding of metal came closer, echoing through the rocky walls with a dull and continuous thud.

Eric, obviously entering the inner prison for the first time, showed a strong interest in the sound. "What's behind there?"

"It is said that Black Prison is more than just a prison, but I can't take you to visit other areas. They are under the jurisdiction of another department," the prison officer said, pointing at Rocky. "He may know better about this. That area used to be under the jurisdiction of the Oxias clan."

Rocky put away his pocket watch and said, "Black Prison is divided into three zones. The upper level is the Living Prison, where living criminals are imprisoned. The middle level is Nomenge's largest alchemy industry zone and magic energy center, responsible for producing one-fifth of the empire's advanced alchemy creations and providing energy for the entire imperial capital. Most of the labor force there comes from the upper level prisoners... The lower level is the Death Prison, where irredeemable death row inmates are held, awaiting execution based on a letter from the Holy Palace and the Senate."

"Currently, the Oxias clan has taken over most of the Death Prison. Over seventy percent of the cells are used to hold them," the prison officer added with a smirk evident in the eyes behind his mask.

With a click, the alchemy elevator embedded itself into the metal base and came to a steady stop. The three of them had reached the bottom of Black Prison.

Contrary to the imagination of the people in the imperial capital, the Death Prison located at the very bottom of Black Prison was not an exceptionally terrifying place. There was no blood flowing everywhere or limbs visible everywhere. There wasn't even a guard stationed. What stood before them was just a long and winding corridor, built with dark bricks, aged yet clean, obviously cleaned regularly. At intervals, pairs of torches were inserted into the walls. The darkness was driven far away, out of sight.

On both sides of the corridor were doors made of black iron, blending in with the color of the walls. It was hard to see them without careful observation.

"The one you are going to visit is Lilia Dolaville Oxias. She is in cell number 32. Let me take you there," said the prison officer, leading the way.

Rocky and Eric followed behind. It was unusually quiet here, and even their footsteps seemed noisy, making people want to tread lightly.

Underneath the iron doors on both sides, there were small gates, presumably for delivering food and changing chamber pots. Some were closed, while others were left open. The sound of their footsteps caught the attention of the prisoners. Occasionally, faces could be seen peering through the gates, their long-term imprisonment giving them all a similar color. Rocky couldn't even differentiate which faces he had seen before and which ones he hadn't... They were all equally emaciated, equally weak, their bloodshot eyes coldly surveying Rocky.

His striking blue hair and eyes, the most prominent features of a pure-blooded Oxias, were evidently recognized by the prisoners.

Someone muttered in a hoarse and heavy voice, the words indistinct, "It's him..."

"It's him..."

"It's him..."

More people responded, the murmurs rising and falling, like fragments of the devil in the silent prison.

"Rocky..."

"Dolaville..."

"Oxias..."

"The traitor..."

"Traitor..."

Some of the voices were familiar to Rocky. They were his fellow clan members, sharing the same blood, once living in the same large family... his relatives.

"Quite unexpected..." the prison officer clicked his tongue. "These guys hardly ever say a word, but it seems they really welcome you, Mr. Rocky."

Rocky didn't say anything, seemingly indifferent to those voices.

"Ah, we're here," the prison officer stopped and pointed to a cell door with the number "32" written in white lines. The small gate below it was locked shut. The cell was quiet, like an empty room.

"Please, Mr. Rocky... It's time for you and your sister to reunite," Eric gestured towards the cell. "I'll be waiting outside for the good news."

"In fact, you are not seeing it clearly, Mr. Rocky," Eric chuckled briefly. "Family is family after all. It's easier to forgive family than enemies. In a life-or-death situation, it's understandable to do things like that."

The prison guard on the side opened the door of cell 32 for Rocky, and the door, made of black iron, slid into the gap in the wall with a slight friction sound.

"Well, I'll be waiting for good news, Mr. Rocky." Eric did not enter with Rocky, indicating to the prison guard, "Your Excellency, please continue the tour with me."

Eric clearly did not intend to expose the intentions of the Celine family to a prison guard, so only Rocky was left standing outside the open cell. In other prisons, this would be a great opportunity for an escape, but the prison guard led Eric to continue the tour of death prison, and their laughter gradually grew distant, seemingly not caring about the prisoners in the cell.

Because the prisoners in death prison couldn't escape, Rocky believed that he had only seen a very small part of the numerous defense measures in Black Prison. But even just these were enough to extinguish any thought of escaping.

The cell was very dark, with no source of light. The light from the corridor only illuminated a small area near the doorway, while the rest was engulfed in darkness.

The black iron door slowly slid shut, effectively cutting off the last bit of light.

In the darkness, Rocky could hear faint breathing coming from the corner, accompanied by occasional coughing. Although it was still late summer outside, the Black Prison was incredibly chilly. The prisoners here must endure illness all year round.

Rocky didn't know how to start the conversation. What kind of identity did he come here with... as the older brother visiting his imprisoned sister? Or as a mid-level clergyman from the church coming to interrogate?

He felt unworthy of either.

After a brief silence, Rocky spoke, "Lilia, I came to see you."

There was no response, perhaps she was too disdainful to reply?

Rocky walked towards the corner, gently moving his fingers. A flame formed at his fingertips and slowly floated up, illuminating the five years of darkness.

The young girl let out a small cry and covered her eyes, cowering in the corner. Her eyes couldn't adjust to the brightness anymore.

Rocky slightly decreased the proportion of fire elements in the flame, dimming the light. He silently stood there.

This time took quite a while. Rocky used his heartbeat as a timer, and approximately ten minutes passed before Lilia lowered her arm blocking her eyes.

No one would doubt the blood relationship between Rocky and her. She was indeed his younger sister, with the same deep blue hair and eyes, and even their faces were very similar. Back in the day, Lilia was often said to be a great beauty in the future, and now the prophecy was starting to come true. Even though she was dressed in rough prison clothes, her exquisite and delicate face couldn't help but make people admire her. However, the long years spent in captivity had made her appear haggard. If not for her emaciation and paleness, she would have been even more stunning.

The most similar thing between Rocky and her was the unchanging indifference on their faces. The two siblings were like two mirrors reflecting each other.

Rocky became a little absent-minded. Lilia had grown up... Not only did she resemble her brother, but she also resembled her sister. However, Laylie always had a warm smile on her face, as if she could melt glaciers.

Lilia slightly frowned and lowered her head, not allowing Rocky to gaze at her face.

"It's very cold, isn't it?" Rocky noticed her slight trembling, so he took off his coat and draped it over Lilia.

She didn't refuse, but she sneered, "How does the loyal hero who rebelled against the church have time to care about a dead prisoner like me?"

"I just returned to the imperial capital. I spent the past five years studying in the Magic Tower," Rocky said, "I'm sorry, I'm late."

"Five years... So it's only been five years." Lilia continued to smile, her voice raising slightly. Her laughter, devoid of warmth, echoed in the cold cell, "But did I expect you to come? Did I dare to hope for your arrival?"

She continued, "Your arrival five years ago destroyed our family and took away Laylie's head... What are you going to take away this time? My head? It's all I have left."Rocky was at a loss for words, squatting down and reaching out his hand to touch his sister's hair.

This time, Lilia did not allow him to do as he wished. She blocked his hand and suddenly lifted her head, staring into his two deep blue eyes. "Stop playing that ridiculous sibling game. In the underworld, there are no family members for you, only enemies!"

Rocky stood up and took a step back, as if he was afraid of this frail girl. It was also as if he had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with this blood relative who was now just a prisoner.

There were enough people who wanted him dead, enough to form several regular armies. What difference did a few more make now? Rocky silently looked at Lilia, feeling the air in the room grow colder.

"I don't understand why you would betray our family..." Lilia lowered her head and shrunk back a little into the corner, trying her best to keep her voice from sounding teary.

Rocky's pupils slightly contracted, but he quickly lowered his eyes to conceal this imperceptible change.

"It's really pitiful, Lilia," Rocky said. "Isn't this to be expected? I am now a mid-level priest appointed by the Senate, while all of you are just condemned prisoners waiting to be executed with a stroke of a pen."

"How did you become like this..."

"People change, don't they? But if you really want to seek revenge on me, keep your secrets hidden inside. The dead can't be blamed," Rocky looked down at her and said softly, "Don't think the Holy See is delaying your execution out of compassion."

"...What secrets?"

"Celine's family discovered the family's financial records and found the money that disappears every year... I think you should understand what I mean," Rocky said.

Lilia was shocked and inadvertently raised her voice, "But..."

"Shh." Rocky put a finger to his lips. "The Selene family is not the only smart ones. In fact, the Senate has almost turned over the entire book... All the big names in the empire believe that the Oxias family still hides an astonishing wealth. Otherwise, why would they spare the lives of a group of rebels?"

"But no one has ever interrogated this matter. In fact, no one has come to interrogate at all."

"That's because everyone wants to seize this treasure for themselves and not hand it over to the treasury. But no one wants to be the praying mantis that catches the cicada, while the oriole is waiting; they are just waiting, waiting for someone impatient to make a move," Rocky said. "This time, the Selene family made the first move."

"So you came here." Lilia sneered, "You made a deal with the Selene family, even though you knew the truth."

"Yes."

"But you must know that you won't get anything," Lilia said, "because the so-called treasure doesn't exist."

"Yes."

"The Selene family won't spare you..." Seeing Rocky so calm, Lilia became confused. "You will die before me."

"Maybe not." Rocky said, "Since they are willing to believe in the existence of the treasure, they should believe that the Oxias traitor obtained the clue to the treasure after talking to Oxias prisoners. Even if the Selene family wants to harm me, the Senate and other families won't allow them to do as they please... That's why I agreed to the deal. This will be a good card for me, one that I can use for a long time."

"What's in it for you? You won't get anything and instead put yourself in danger, becoming the target of everyone's arrows."

Rocky didn't immediately answer. He turned and walked towards the door of the cell. It was not until he was about to leave that he said, "I have never been safe."

"Don't you fear that I will reveal all of this?" Lilia said, "I hate you to the bone."

"Say what you want to say, let's see if they will believe you," Rocky did not look back. "And you won't say anything... Actually, Eric was right. Family is still family after all. Forgiving family is always easier than forgiving enemies, right? My sister."

"Ridiculous! Why would I..." Lilia didn't finish her words because she suddenly thought of a possibility. "Could it be... you seek revenge?"

The door of the cell slowly closed behind Rocky, his voice was very soft, almost imperceptible through the iron door. It sounded more like Lilia's imagination than reality. "I will."