Chapter 34: Crime and Punishment

A few days of traveling later, Auren arrives at the Kukan’yu Kingdom.At this rate, I should just buy my own airship. I'm flying around the world like a lunatic... And of course, there aren’t any public transport options for this next step.

In the capital of the Kingdom, Auren visits the best private airship company he can find on short notice and hires a small, speedy model—along with an elderly pilot who's familiar with flying it. Deciding not to cut corners, he spends over three million Jenny to rent it for a week—the company’s minimum contract duration.

If things go smoothly, I can use this to return to Heaven’s Arena.

The trip to Trick Tower takes another eight hours.

Shortly before arrival, Auren contacts Bunu and Grunah, asking for further instructions.

Bunu replies with a single sentence. “Ask that hag.”

Grunah simply replies, “Everything has been prepared. Just present your license, sign the documents, and take possession of her. She'll need to stay with you for a while until I figure out a legal way for her to move independently. Also... please be kind. I just learned she’s in terrible condition. I know I forced you into this, but I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

This idiot should’ve thought about that earlier... she’s just now figuring things out? Well, too late to back out now.

Finally, Auren’s small airship touches down on the flat summit of the mountain where Trick Tower is located, landing directly in front of the main entrance.

Trick Tower is massive and cylindrical, sitting atop a wide, sheer mountain. Escape is thus made almost impossible, even if inmates manage to break out of their cells.

“I’ll be back shortly. Get ready to leave,” Auren tells the pilot, suppressing his doubts.

“Yes, sir,” the pilot responds with a warm smile.

Standing before the colossal structure, Auren hesitates for a moment.

How did I even end up in this situation? What am I doing here?

Then he steps inside.

The interior is a wide, open hall with numerous mysterious doors—not at all what one would expect from a prison.

This is as much a labyrinth and trial ground as it is a prison… this is so strange.

As Auren enters, a man with a wide grin welcomes him. Auren eyes him with a skeptical look. The man is short—shorter than Auren even—with a violet mohawk, red eyes, and ridiculously large, round glasses.

“Welcome, Hunter Auren. I’m Lippo, a Blacklist Hunter. I’m currently in charge of Trick Tower. The Association usually uses it for the Hunter Exam. Unfortunately, this year they didn’t—what a shame, really. You missed out,” he says.

“Can’t say I’m sad about it,” Auren replies honestly. “I’ve no desire to spend even a minute longer than necessary in this damp, dilapidated tower. However, thank you for welcoming me on such short notice.”

“Heh, you get used to it. The offices are comfortable enough—and I’ve got mountains of sweets,” Lippo chuckles. “Come along. Let’s get your prisoner.”

“Sure, thank you. I’m in a bit of a rush, so I appreciate how smooth this is going,” Auren replies, falling into step behind him.

It takes them ten minutes, winding through dark, worn corridors and climbing multiple staircases, before they reach their destination.

A narrow hallway filled with cells.

As they walk past the cells, Auren sees a variety of prisoners. Every one of them glares at him and Lippo with burning hatred—yet not a single one dares to speak.

Guess they get punished if they talk. Discipline here is higher than I expected.

Finally, Lippo stops in front of one of the cells.

Inside, a young woman lies silently on a bed, wearing a plain brown prison uniform. She appears to be asleep.

“Prisoner 1625, Neffi Caras. You’re getting released under the supervision of a Hunter,” Lippo announces.

The woman turns her head slightly, showing no real reaction. Her eyes flicker for a second, then lose interest.

Auren stares at her, stunned.

She’s slightly taller than him, with brown skin, golden-brown eyes, long black hair, and a slim, fragile-looking frame. Nothing remarkable at first glance—except for the fact that her entire body, including her face, is covered in wounds and fresh scars. Some areas are still bandaged. She looks utterly destroyed and lifeless, as if her very soul is missing.

Hasn’t it been quite a while since the incident? What the hell happened to her?

“Lippo… what happened to her? Did you do this?” Auren asks, visibly unsettled.

“Lingering injuries,” Lippo replies casually. “She’s receiving medical care—we’re doing more than the law requires. You do know what she did, right? She murdered an entire family. A high-ranking politician’s family, no less. The Kingdom reacted fast. The only reason she’s alive is her age—she’s just 14. The Kingdom wanted to handle this quietly to avoid scandal, so she didn’t receive the death penalty.”

“I know,” Auren says. “I’m asking about these injuries. Look, she was obviously tortured, don’t think I’m an idiot.”

“Can’t say much. Officially, they happened during the incident. But I think I know what you're really asking. Most of that damage came after her arrest. Not on my watch, though. She’s been serving her sentence here—quietly and without trouble. 500 years. If you weren’t taking her, she might’ve gotten a reduced sentence when the next Hunter Exam incorporates Trick Tower.”

Looks like she really pissed off the Kingdom... She looks completely broken. I could... but that would expose—

“I’m assuming this deal about me being in charge of her stays confidential?” Auren asks.

“Of course,” Lippo replies.

“Let’s get going then… are her injuries too severe for transport?”

“No, she’ll be in pain either way. The worst is already behind her. She should be able to walk on her own by now,” Lippo explains before adding, “her wounds are mostly psychological, in my lay opinion.”

Auren steps into her cell, gazing at the girl. Her frail form stays limp on the bed, eyes flickering to glance at him briefly before returning to the ceiling.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Go where…?” she asks, her voice calm and barely audible.

“Outside. We’re flying directly out of the Kingdom—we’re heading towards Heaven’s Arena.”

“Not… another prison?” she asks, her eyes growing watery.

“No. Please get up,” Auren tells her.

She rises slowly, attempting to take a step but falters.

Auren reacts quickly, catching her with ease. He sighs.

I guess there’s no other way.

He gently lifts her into his arms and turns to Lippo. “Let’s get the paperwork done.”

“Sure. Let’s head to my office,” Lippo replies with a mysterious grin.

As they walk through the corridor, leaving the dim hallway behind, Lippo explains, “Your license grants you the right to employ any prisoner. Since Prisoner Caras is not on death row, you’re only allowed to use lethal force if she attempts to escape or if you catch her committing a crime that carries a mandatory sentence of at least three years.”

They descend several floors. Lippo continues, “You are expected to supervise her at all times. If she disappears, it's your responsibility to track her down. You are permitted to reduce her sentence—within reason. I’ll give you a list of acceptable reasons and corresponding sentence reductions. Don’t think you can fabricate excuses and just set her free.”

As Auren walks alongside Lippo, he glances down. The girl stares silently up at him.

Eventually, they arrive at Lippo’s office. Multiple people are inside, focused on rows of monitors that display feeds from throughout the tower.

Lippo places a thick stack of papers on the desk and hands Auren a single official-looking document.

Still holding Neffi, Auren takes the paper with one hand and scans through it.

In short, I officially acknowledge that the girl was handed over to me, and that I am now responsible for her. If I screw this up, my rights to hire prisoners will be permanently revoked, and I may be forced to pay restitution for any damages caused by her escape. This is more than I wanted... Whatever. If Grunah can’t come up with a solution, I’ll just return her.

Auren signs the document and hands it back to Lippo, then grabs the stack of documents prepared for him.

“Is there anything else?” Auren asks.

“No, you’re good to go. A pleasure,” Lippo says with a suspicious grin.

“You,” Lippo calls out to a nearby warden, pointing. “Escort him outside.”

“Yes, sir,” the man responds.

Before leaving, Auren turns back toward Lippo. “You probably won’t answer this… but why did you allow this charade? I’m just a rookie Hunter. Obviously, I am neither qualified nor really motivated for any of this.”

Lippo smiles. “If you don’t know yet, you’ll find out. If that person wants something… no one denies her without a good reason.”

That mysterious leader again? I need to get some real answers from Buno and Bunu soon.

The warden leads Auren out of Trick Tower, bows politely, and then returns inside.

Still carrying Neffi, Auren heads toward the airship. On deck, he finds the pilot lounging in the sun.

“We’re leaving immediately. We’re flying straight to Heaven’s Arena,” he orders, before stepping inside the small cabin.

He gently places Neffi onto a soft, padded chair and stands in front of her.

“Do you know what’s going on?” he asks.

She shakes her head.

“I’m Auren. I passed this year’s Hunter Exam. Your master, Grunah, asked me to get you out. In return, I was promised that both she and you would train me… but you don’t look like you're in any condition for that, so let’s forget about it for now. You don’t seem particularly motivated, either. If you were using Zetsu properly, your condition should be better—you need to get a grip.”

“Master… didn’t abandon me? Why…?” Neffi asks, her voice cracking.

“How should I know? She’s furious, that’s for sure, but she still loves you. Called you her daughter or something,” Auren says, remembering his first call with Grunah. “Do you need medical attention?”

“No… but I don’t know how to face Master… after everything,” she stammers.

“You suck at revenge. Try not to get caught next time,” Auren remarks, noticing a faint look of anger in her eyes.

He tries to continue the conversation, but her replies are always brief—single words, if that.

Finally, as they near their destination, Auren decides to address it directly.

“Look, I don’t want to bother you. I got you out because your master asked me to. I don’t know you, your story, or your goals. You can stay silent or talk, that’s up to you. But I’m responsible for you now. I won’t limit you, but I do need to trust you. That means no running off, and no murdering anyone. If possible, I’d like us to get along. Do you understand?”

“Understood,” she says, clearly aware of her position.

“There’s one more thing you should do,” Auren says, pulling out his phone. He dials Grunah’s number and hands the device to Neffi.

He watches her expression shift immediately as she hears her master’s voice. Within moments, she breaks down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Auren exhales and steps outside the cabin, giving her space.

Over the next few days, Neffi gradually regains a hint of motivation. She begins using Zetsu, doing her best to slowly recover. Even so, Auren can tell a part of her remains shattered. Despite her improving physical state, the scars across her body—and deeper ones—are unlikely to ever fade. A slight improvement is all she can hope for.

The airship finally lands near Heaven’s Arena. Auren and Neffi—now able to walk on her own, albeit slowly—step off together.

Let’s focus on the important things! I have plans!