Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna exited his domain after spending the night there, feeling the cool morning air on his face. It was time to act, to gather the information he needed. His first destination was the Adventurer's Guild, where he hoped to pick up some intel on the Kingdom of Arenthia and its current state. Meanwhile, Kael also woke up, stretching and preparing himself for the tasks ahead.

They both knew today was going to be eventful.

Canna decided to leave Flora in the sanctuary for now. She was a beautiful woman, and having her accompany them would be like shining a beacon on themselves, attracting unwanted attention. The last thing they needed was to be under constant scrutiny, especially with the suspicions already surrounding them.

As they exited the inn, Kael was about to comment on the day's plans when Canna suddenly halted in his tracks. Kael, who was following closely behind, bumped into him, causing him to grumble, "Oi, don't tell me you forgot something in the room."

Canna didn't respond immediately, which made Kael pause and look up at him. He could sense the sudden shift in Canna's demeanor, a seriousness that hadn't been there a moment ago. His eyes scanned their surroundings, narrowing as he focused on something unseen.

"We're surrounded, Kael," Canna finally said, his voice calm but firm.

Kael sighed in exasperation. "What is it with you? Last time we were in a village, we ended up getting surrounded too." His tone was light, but there was an edge of frustration in his words. He spoke again, more resigned this time, "Oh well, let's go. I bet they sent their finest bunch too."

As they stepped out of the inn, they were met with the sight of a fully armed force, weapons drawn and ready. Staffs were pointed at them, swords raised, and bows drawn with arrows ready to fly. The entire street was filled with soldiers and adventurers alike, forming a tight circle around the pair. One look was all it took for Canna to realize that these weren't ordinary guards.

The steely determination in their eyes spoke volumes—they were prepared to die if necessary.

Kael, who was already considering how to smooth things over, was startled when he recognized the man leading the charge. General Alaric himself was present, standing in the middle of the formation with an air of authority that left no room for doubt. Kael's eyes widened in shock—this was far more serious than he had anticipated.

"Canna Yakane, and Kael," General Alaric's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "We spoke to you a long time ago, but now it's clear. We know you were the one behind the destruction of Avaloria."

The accusation hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Kael's mind raced as he tried to process the situation. How had they come to this conclusion? What evidence could they possibly have? He was about to speak, to try and reason with the general, but Canna interrupted him by raising his hand.

Canna's expression was thoughtful, almost curious. "You think I destroyed Avaloria?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue rather than defensiveness.

Alaric's gaze was unwavering. "We have scouts who saw you leaving Avaloria shortly after it was reduced to ruins. You walked out of a wasteland, Yakane. What else are we supposed to think?"

Canna absorbed the information, piecing together the scenario in his mind. Avaloria's fall had been swift and devastating, but now Arenthia believed he was responsible. The situation was delicate, and any wrong move could lead to unnecessary bloodshed.

But instead of reacting with hostility or attempting to clear his name, a different idea formed in Canna's mind. The dungeons of Arenthia were reputed to be some of the most secure and impenetrable dungeons. He'd always been curious about them, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore their depths firsthand.

"I see," Canna finally said, turning to Kael with a mischievous grin. "You know, Kael, I've always wondered what the dungeons here are like. This could be an interesting experience."

Kael stared at him in disbelief. "You… want to go to jail?"

"Why not?" Canna shrugged, as if the idea were the most natural thing in the world. "I'm sure we'll learn a lot."

Before Kael could protest further, Canna raised his hands in surrender, a casual smile still playing on his lips. "Alright, General Alaric, you win. Take me to your dungeons."

Alaric seemed momentarily taken aback by Canna's compliance, but he quickly regained his composure and ordered his men to move in. The soldiers approached cautiously, as if expecting a trick, but Canna remained passive. They bound his wrists with special cuffs designed to suppress mana, ensuring he couldn't use his powers to escape.

As the cuffs clicked shut around his wrists, Canna sent a telepathic message to Mortem, who was still hidden in the shadows. "Continue gathering information, Mortem. I'll be enjoying some time in the dungeons. Don't worry about me."

The soldiers escorted them through the streets, their presence drawing the attention of onlookers who watched in stunned silence. Canna and Kael were paraded through the city like captured criminals, yet neither appeared distressed. Canna's calm, almost playful demeanor only deepened the confusion among the soldiers.

General Alaric led them to the dungeons, a massive and imposing structure made of dark stone. The heavy iron doors creaked open, revealing dimly lit passageways beyond, where the air grew colder and the sound of dripping water echoed off the walls. The dungeons of Arenthia were as formidable as Canna had imagined.

They were guided to a cell near the center, its bars thick and reinforced with glowing runes. The soldiers shoved them inside, locking the door behind them with a loud clang.

Canna looked around the cell with mild interest. It was grim and uninviting, but the atmosphere intrigued him. There was an air of mystery about this place, and he was determined to uncover its secrets.

Kael, less enthused, leaned against the cold stone wall, folding his arms. "I really hope you know what you're doing," he muttered.

Canna grinned, taking a seat on the crude wooden bench. "Relax, Kael. We're exactly where we need to be. Now let's see what we can learn while we're here."

As they settled into their new surroundings, Canna's mind was already at work, plotting their next moves. The dungeons of Arenthia held many secrets, and he intended to uncover every one of them

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM