Beyond the Gate of Hell.
Chill, darkness, dampness... At intervals along the brick walls stood iron cages, each containing torches that would never go out.
One cold, pitch-black iron door after another stood in neat rows, stretching endlessly into the darkness.
If the previous Investigation Bureau headquarters had still retained some reinforced-concrete, Steam Age style, then beyond the Gate of Hell, Aaron felt as though he had returned to the era of Green Forest, entering the dungeons commonly found beneath noble castles.
"This one."
The guard took out a key, opened the cell nearest to the Gate of Hell, tossed Aaron inside, and locked the door.
Aaron looked around and found the furnishings simple: only a fixed bed, and very little space.
"But it's actually a single cell? What excellent treatment... Is this to keep Beyonders from killing their cellmates?"
"In ancient times, they'd have crammed at least six or seven people in here."
Aaron surveyed the surroundings and found them fairly satisfactory.
Rumble!
As the Gate of Hell closed, the atmosphere within the prison became even more profound and secluded, and a certain suppression descended.
'This is the seal of the Investigation General Bureau. With the status of the Sun King's Spear, it suppresses all extraordinary things, including people!'
Aaron felt an oppressive force emanating from the void. "If anyone stayed here for too long, they'd probably develop problems, no matter who they were."
His expression was utterly relaxed, as though he had come on an outing.
After his body had taken leave, it had found another hidden place to sleep, guarded outside by William carrying Roberts's Magic Insect Box.
After confirming it through divination, there should be no problems in the short term.
And as for the Spirit of Void, it could abandon this stinking shell and leave