"I mean... do we really have to go to Blood Port this way? Isn't this a bit too outrageous?"
Lina stared blankly out through the observation window, looking utterly exhausted.
She and Little Gwen were currently inside a new-model Stellar Furnace, on their way to Blood Port. The two of them would be touring Blood Port by riding in the furnace.
"Look on the bright side. At least I'm accompanying you two on your stroll," a lazy voice said from beside her. Lina looked up and saw Theus... Worker Theus.
"Should I thank you, then? For building such a huge cage for the two of us."
"The body is inherently a cage for the soul. Having changed so many shells, you should know that better than anyone. I merely added another layer around your cage."
"I don't understand, but I think you want to use me as fuel."
"...That's not entirely wrong, but you actually didn't need to enter the Stellar Furnace. The Tribunal assessed you as relatively harmless, so you could have wandered around outside."
"Then how did I..."
"I applied for it!" Little Gwen cut in. She immediately grabbed Lina's hand and held it against her chest. "Sister Lina, you wouldn't have the heart to leave me alone in the furnace, would you? If I were by myself, I'd be lonely to death!"
Lina rolled her eyes. She had finally figured it out: none of these Castel people were normal. They were all crazy.
Then she glared viciously at Theus.
"Don't look at me... It's useless even if you do. She applied to have me brought in too." Theus let out a long sigh. "But we won't be staying here long. As soon as we confirm that Little Gwen won't suffer a Castel Syndrome episode, we can leave."