Chapter 10

**Somewhere in the Capital of Aeruna**

The cell was small but well-kept, with polished stone walls that carried a subtle gleam, reflecting the soft light filtering in through a high, narrow window. The floor was made of smooth, dark wood, with a faint scent of incense lingering in the air, giving the room an oddly serene atmosphere. A low bed rested against the wall, its simple, yet comfortable-looking, straw-stuffed mattress covered with a woven blanket. A wooden bucket sat in the corner, and a small tray of half-eaten food lay on the floor nearby. The iron door was sturdy, with a small barred window at eye level, offering a glimpse of the hallway beyond.

A bored sigh escaped Azid's lips as he lounged on the bed, his inhumanly pale blue eyes flicking around the room. "I'm bored~" he drawled in a sing-song tone, rolling off the bed with a lazy stretch. His jet-black hair framed his blue-skinned face as he strolled over to the door, peering through the barred window.

Outside, two guards stood at attention, their postures rigid and their gazes fixed ahead. One was a dog-type demi-human, his sharp ears twitching at the slightest sound. The other, a cat-type demi-human, had her arms crossed over her chest, her tail flicking in agitation beneath her armor. Both were clad in heavy, well-crafted armor, their weapons within easy reach.

"Hey, guys?" Azid called out, his tone light and teasing. "Could you let me out yet? I'm getting real bored in here."

The guards jolted slightly, their focus snapping to him. The male guard was the first to respond, his tone gruff. "What? Do you think we make that decision?"

The female guard narrowed her eyes at Azid, disbelief coloring her voice. "And even if we did, do you think we'd ever let you out?"

Azid tilted his head, his expression one of exaggerated confusion. "Eh~ but why? I haven't done anything to deserve a life sentence."

The guards' expressions hardened, their eyes narrowing into intense glares. The male guard spat out, "Do you even realize how many people you've killed?"

Azid shrugged nonchalantly, his tone almost casual. "No, I'm not some weirdo who keeps track of my kill count."

The glares from the guards only grew more intense. The female guard's voice was filled with contempt as she hissed, "You deserve immediate execution for what you did."

Azid sighed dramatically, as if they were the ones being unreasonable. "Honestly, you guys make it sound like I killed civilians or something. They were soldiers—they signed up knowing they could die. Your group also killed my soldiers, and you don't see me complaining about it."

The male guard's fury was palpable as he turned fully towards Azid, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You don't belong here! You and your kind are nothing but invaders—not just to Aeruna, but to all of Aetheria!"

Azid raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he looked down his nose at the guard. "Oh, I see," he said, his voice dripping with mock realization. "You're racists and speciesists who don't like immigrants! That's why you're keeping me locked up in here! Got it!"

The male guard's face turned an angry shade of red as his hand flew to the hilt of his sword. The female guard quickly intervened, placing a hand on her comrade's arm and glaring venomously at Azid. "Shut up! And leave us alone!" she snapped.

Azid put his hands up in mock surrender, rolling his pale blue eyes as he sauntered back to his bed. With a resigned sigh, he flopped down onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling. It seemed he was trapped here for a while longer, with no choice but to wait for his lord to come and rescue him. Of course, he'd considered breaking out himself, but he glanced around the cell at the runes etched into the walls and floor. These runes disrupted his abilities, making it impossible to properly channel his demonic energy or transform. Worse yet, they delivered a painful shock whenever he tried to tamper with them.

"I'm so freaking bored~" he groaned, letting his head fall back against the bed, resigned to his fate.

The guards outside Azid's cell exchanged irritated glances. "Seriously, what is wrong with that thing?" spat the male guard, his frustration evident.

The female guard nodded in agreement, her tail flicking with annoyance. "What else could you expect from demons? They're all inhumane monsters," she added with a scowl. Both guards silently resolved to keep Azid locked up for as long as possible, their disdain for him palpable.

Their conversation was interrupted when they heard a new voice. "Looks like you two are taking your job quite seriously," a light, amused tone said from behind them. Both guards turned sharply to their right and were met with the sight of an elderly man with gray hair and bright yellow eyes. His face was adorned with a gentle smile, which only deepened their surprise.

Instinctively, the guards scrambled to salute. "Good—" they began in unison, but their salute faltered as the elderly man raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

"No need for that," he chuckled warmly. "I'm not really your superior anyway."

The guards exchanged a wary glance but offered a nervous nod in response. "But why are you here, sir?" the female guard asked, her curiosity evident.

The male guard, trying to make sense of the situation, guessed, "Is it to interrogate that thing inside?" He jabbed his thumb towards the cell door.

The elderly man chuckled again, a soft, knowing sound. "In a manner of speaking, yes. Now, could you..." He gestured towards the door.

The female guard nodded and pulled out a singular key engraved with an intricate rune. With practiced ease, she inserted it into the lock and turned it, the door creaking open. Inside, Azid, having heard the lock disengage, sat up on his bed, his eyes gleaming with a mix of hope and excitement.

"Am I finally being let out?" he asked with a grin, his voice full of eager anticipation.

The elderly man's smile widened as he stepped into the cell, flanked by the two guards. "In a manner of speaking, yes," he repeated, his tone carrying an enigmatic hint of amusement.