After hearing Inquisitor Wince's explanation, Roxy frowned slightly. "Even ordinary prisoners like these require permission from the General's Mansion?"
Wince sighed. "Chief Sister, you may not be aware of this."
"Something extremely troublesome recently cropped up in the surrounding region."
"A group of cultists of unknown origin used blasphemous sorcery, with very serious consequences."
"So the General's Mansion has tightened its oversight procedures for all cultists during this period."
Roxy asked, "What cultists?"
Wince smiled discreetly. "That falls within our duties. There's no need for you to concern yourself."
"Our Chief Inquisitor Sarg Ironhand has already begun investigating."
"If you wish to interrogate them, I can arrange a venue and handle the procedural coordination right now."
"But if you want to take these prisoners away, please obtain a transfer permit approved by the General's Mansion first."
Roxy nodded. "Then we'll interrogate them first. Prepare the venue."
Wince said quietly, "Of course."
Meanwhile, at the mine, Fun God, Bathing Emperor, and the others were hard at work when a squad of guards in powered armor suddenly approached and hauled them away.
I Want to Learn English sent an excited private message. "Horus works fast!"
Technician No. 8 said, "Those connections are terrifying."
Fun God looked around. "This doesn't feel like they're releasing us. It feels like they want to interrogate us."
Half an hour later, the six of them were brought into a gloomy, damp steel chamber.
Then they were secured inside six cages smeared with blood, unidentified hair, scraps of flesh, and even ruptured eyeballs.
Seeing this, Bathing Emperor said, "We're screwed! They're about to give us a taste of Torture as Art."
Just as the six Players were growing extremely nervous, the tall, heavy door beside them opened.
Then they saw the previously vicious-looking guards retreat respectfully.
Two burly