The story started on the morning of the next day. Jane and Kunvy were placed in the same cell with Mia. Jane comfortingly placed her arm around Mia's shoulders, while Kunvy served a cup of tea prepared by Roy.

Mia smiled as she talked to them. Her voice was tired, but she felt a sense of comfort in their presence.

Outside the prison, Dam was waiting for the guards to let him see Grandma Mia. He stood near a wall, his posture tense as two guards watched him. One of them commented, "That old lady killed someone. Why do you want to see someone like that?"

Dam looked at him, sighing in annoyance at the question. "You saw her," he said. "In your opinion, could my mother have killed someone in that condition?"

The guard answered while looking away, as if remembering a nightmare. "Yes, I've seen a lot of people killing and dismembering their victims. Old people were no exception."

Dam looked at the guard, his expression firm. "And what if it was your mother?"

The guard fell silent for a moment before replying, "I would do what you're doing: waiting to visit them."

At that moment, a guard opened the door and said, "Dam, you can enter, but don't walk where you shouldn't, or you'll get a beating—by a guard or anyone else."

Dam nodded and began to follow the guard inside. Just before entering, the guard he had spoken to earlier called out in an encouraging voice, "Good luck, kid."

Dam followed the guard through the prison, heading toward the room where they held people awaiting their trials and prisoners waiting for their documents to be organized before their fates were decided.

After several minutes, the guard opened the door, and Dam entered to find Grandma Mia sitting with Jane and Kunvy. Dam smiled as he approached the cell.

Roy opened the cell, allowing Dam to enter. He immediately hugged Mia, who hugged him back. Though heartbroken, he forced a smile and kissed Mia's head. To him, she was like a mother, and what a loving mother she was.

Jane and Kunvy walked to their other cell, leaving Mia and Dam alone.

Dam looked at Mia and asked, "Who killed that guy? I know full well how kind and gentle you are, Grandma Mia. What happened?"

Mia smiled as she stroked Dam's hair, then she said, "It was a girl. As for Fur, the men who died, she killed him and ran away."

Dam then grew confused and asked, "But... why did they arrest you? The judge said that witnesses saw you, so they should have defended you!"

Mia shook her head. Roy, Jane, Dam, and the female prisoners went silent as they heard her words: "Dam, my son. There was a guard behind her, the girl who killed Fur. There was no one other than those two."

Everyone was shocked. A guard was behind the murder, apparently protecting the girl and framing Mia.

Dam was silent, unable to find the words to respond. Mia then spoke in a weak voice, "It was a noble girl, just from her appearance, and her name. Fur mentioned it when he saw her, before... she killed him. It was Safle."

Dam's eyes widened as he remembered who Safle was. He recalled how she had entered the shop with Murdo, the times she had asked for information. It was as if she were standing right in front of him.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Dam looked at Mia and said, "Gra... no, Mother, I... I will think of something, just..."

At that moment, three guards entered the chamber. Roy walked over to them and spoke to the one who wore blue armor, different from the others. "Captain Thal, how can I help you today?"

Captain Thal looked at Mia and said, "She is the criminal who killed Fur. We will take her to the soldiers' camp, as per the orders of Judge Vijay."

Jane then called out from her cell, "Hey, fancy one!"

Captain Thal turned his gaze to her, maintaining a cold and calm demeanor. Jane added, "We've been waiting for days in this cell for the trial and then another day to go to the prison. Aren't you moving too fast with the old lady?"

Captain Thal continued to look at Jane for a few moments before slowly walking over to her cell. When he faced her, he maintained his gaze for several seconds. Kunvy was about to speak when Jane gently pushed her back.

Captain Thal looked at her and said, "Protecting your friend? Smart."

Suddenly, he reached his hand between the bars and grabbed Jane's neck. He pulled her forward, slamming her head against the cell!

Jane felt a sharp pain, her head nearly crashing. Kunvy quickly grabbed Captain Thal's hand, trying to loosen his grip on Jane's neck.

Captain Thal attempted to slam Jane's head again when Roy grabbed his right arm. Captain Thal looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

Roy tightened his grip on Captain Thal's arm and said, "No hitting the prisoners until they're on prison grounds, Captain?"

Captain Thal let go of his grip, and Jane grabbed both her forehead and neck, still standing on her feet. Captain Thal commented, "Impressive, but remember, I can visit the women's prison every day, and beating you to a pulp would be entertaining."

Jane glared at him defiantly, and Kunvy quickly pulled her away from the bars

Captain Thal then looked at Dam and said, "The visit is over, Mia Dockmag. You're coming with us. No running, or you die. Your worth will deplete the moment you become a liability. Understood?"

Mia nodded as she got up. Dam looked at her and said, "I will do anything to help you! Just wait!"

Mia smiled as she stared at Dam and said, "Forget me, son. Live happily; you were never able to do that."

Dam held back his tears as Mia left with the guards. Captain Thal then walked over to Roy, who kept glaring at him. Captain Thal faced him and said calmly, "You touch me again, and believe me, your life will be miserable."

Captain Thal looked at Dam, his face showing disgust as he said, "Weak. You and others like you are parasites that plague our strong country and society."

Dam lowered his head as Thal left the room. Those words, those damn words burned deep inside him. It didn't hurt nor bother him—it filled him with hatred!

Roy then noticed Jane bleeding from her forehead. He quickly opened the cell and began to stop the bleeding with a piece of cloth.

Roy then looked at the female prisoners and said, "Please don't escape!"

The prisoners glanced at the chamber's open door and back at Roy. Kunvy replied, "I don't think that's safe. It's better here to be honest."

After a few minutes of walking, Mia was brought in front of a prisoner transport carriage. She got up, and they closed the cell door behind her. Captain Thal entered inside, and Mia noticed something—she was still wearing Roy's coat. She whispered to herself, "Thank you, all of you."

It took half an hour to reach the city's walls. Along the road, people stared at Mia in the carriage's cell. Some were angry, some were sad, and many were confused about how such a kind-looking old lady could be involved in killing Fur, who was no weak person and had handled himself quite well in many fist fights.

After passing through the entrance of Pero City, the carriage went directly to the camps where many soldiers resided after their battles, often hunting goblins.

Mia looked at the camp and immediately smelled the air of death that permeated the area. The sight of many witches and doctors at work, dealing with the inevitable outcomes of battle, didn't make her vomit; the horrible smell was somehow familiar to her. After all, she was a doctor, and the essence of death was something you never truly forget, no matter how much time had passed.

The carriage stopped, and Captain Thal stepped out. The guard opened the cell, and Mia got out, glancing around cautiously.

Captain Thal looked at the camp and said, "This is where you will work. Saving those soldiers is the ultimate reward for helping our country. You will work with a witch and a doctor, assisting them when needed. You were a doctor, and you should know the rules here."

Mia nodded. Captain Thal then said, "The man you killed was a great man. Between you and me, I hope some goblin kills you slowly."

Mia looked at Captain Thal, who faced her with a disgusted expression and said, "Your son was a piece of shit, a coward, and his mother was just a killer whore. I hope they get you."

Mia stepped away, lowering her head. The guard then walked her toward her tent.

Back to Pero City, at Yoka's shop, Dam sat on a chair facing Yoka, who appeared deep in thought. Yoka then said, "Safle? That noble girl? So, that's why the trial was so quick. They ensured your grandma is out of the picture."

Dam nodded. "I don't know what to do. They didn't even allow her to speak at the trial, and if everything is controlled by them, what's the point of looking for evidence or finding someone to help?"

Yoka scratched his head and said, "Even my words would mean nothing. They could silence me before the news spreads, just like they did with your grandma."

Dam then added, "And even if I faced Safle, there's nothing I can do. She is a noble, after all, and her word carries more weight than mine."

Yoka then asked, "What about your sister? Has she become a witch? Witches are respected here, and she could advocate for a trial."

Dam shook his head. "It will take years for her to establish herself as a respected witch. Mother doesn't have that time."

Yoka nodded. "But she could befriend a teacher there. Many famous witches work there, and she might persuade someone to help her."

Dam got up; this idea struck him, and he looked at Yoka, saying, "Thank you, thank you."

Yoka waved his hand. "Just go! Get to the witch's school quickly."

Dam then started running toward the door, but he stopped when Murdo entered with his friends. Dam stared at them with angry eyes. Murdo looked at him and smiled, "Dam, friend! You're alright! I was really worried about you!"

But Dam didn't respond to the words. Time seemed to stop, and everything went silent as he looked at Safle, with her dark bow and expensive armor. She smiled at him, "Hello, Dam. Long time no see."

Dam then smiled back, "I missed you too, Safle."