"Lisa?" Will stepped into the cell, his gaze falling upon the disheveled woman whose wrists and ankles were bound in heavy chains.
"Will?" Lisa lifted her head in astonishment, clearly not expecting to encounter him in such a place.
"It really is you. What are you doing here?" Will hurried to her side, voice laced with concern. Yet Lisa did not respond immediately.
"That's… a long story," she murmured.
"Why didn't you use magic to escape?" Will asked.
"I tried. It's no use. This place is sealed with anti-magic sigils by the Church. The moment I attempt to cast a spell, the mark will attack me," Lisa whispered, glancing up toward the ceiling.
Following her gaze, Will saw it too — a luminous orb hovering above, shimmering faintly. It was the sigil she spoke of. Within its domain, any use of magic would be met with relentless holy retribution.
"You know this prisoner?" Eddie's voice came from behind, laced with suspicion.
"Yes. She once saved my life. There's no way she could be a murderer," Will declared with conviction.
"But we caught her in Lord Roman's chamber, the murder weapon — a candlestick — still in her hand," Eddie said, eyeing Lisa with mistrust.
"There must be some mistake. Isn't that so, Miss Lisa?" Will's tone was earnest, driven by unwavering faith in her.
"I've already told them… someone else killed Roman. I was merely there by coincidence," Lisa replied wearily. She looked as if sleep had eluded her for days.
"Roman's room isn't one someone can simply wander into. How did you end up there?" Eddie demanded.
"A portal… in the fireplace. It was a portal," Lisa said slowly.
"Don't be ridiculous! We arrived moments after and found no trace of magic!" Eddie snapped, clearly dismissing her explanation.
"That's because he used enchanted powder. The flames consumed it completely — of course you found nothing," Lisa answered.
"Hmph! Even if that's true, why would Lord Roman create such a portal?" Eddie interrogated.
"To meet someone — I followed the trail and ended up in his chamber," Lisa explained.
"Nonsense! Lord Roman would never meet anyone in secret!" Eddie countered.
"He was a spy for your enemies, plotting treason," Lisa said calmly.
"Then why is he dead? Are you saying you killed him to aid us?" Eddie shot back.
"No… he was too greedy. The one he was meeting turned on him," Lisa replied after a pause.
"Lies! Lord Roman was not that kind of man!" Eddie's frustration boiled over. To him, her every word was a desperate fabrication.
"Believe what you will. But if you don't find the real traitors soon, your kingdom will fall just like the Empire of Arus — nothing more than a pawn," Lisa sneered.
"Enough! Will, let's go. Don't waste time on her delusions," Eddie scoffed and grabbed Will's arm, dragging him away.
"Miss Lisa, I promise — I will find the true culprit and clear your name. I'll get you out of here!" Will shouted as he was pulled toward the cell's exit.
…
Some time later, within the city walls of the Paralar Empire.
"Will, you're not seriously considering helping that criminal, are you?" Eddie asked as they walked.
Will said nothing. He was lost in thought, torn between Eddie's certainty and his own instincts — instincts that refused to believe Lisa capable of murder.
"Will! Will!" Eddie called loudly.
"What?!" Will snapped from his reverie.
"I asked — are you really planning to help that woman?" Eddie repeated.
"Yes. I believe she's innocent," Will said solemnly.
"Why? Just because she once saved you?" Eddie asked, bewildered.
"Yes. I've only known her a few days, but I can tell — she's a good person. She wouldn't kill a stranger without cause," Will replied with unwavering certainty.
"Ugh, you're impossible," Eddie sighed.
"Will you help me?" Will asked.
"Fine. What do you need?" Eddie relented.
"Just some information. That shouldn't be too much trouble… right?" Will said with an apologetic smile.
"Alright, I'll help. But listen — if you want to save her, you'll need to uncover the real murderer within three days. Otherwise, the Church will execute her," Eddie warned.
"Three days… I'll do my best," Will said.
"Let's hurry. I'm starving. We'll surprise Aunt Sophia and then enjoy a proper meal," Eddie grinned.
"Now that you mention it… I'm pretty hungry too," Will admitted sheepishly.
…
Later that evening, at Will's home.
"Father, what do you think about Lord Roman's murder?" Will asked, seated at the dining table beside Terry.
"How do you even know about that?" Terry asked, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Eddie.
"Well… Uncle Terry, don't blame me — the guards let it slip," Eddie said innocently.
"Hmm… very well. The matter seemed resolved — after all, we apprehended the suspect," Terry said in a low voice.
"But Will believes the person we caught isn't the real killer," Eddie quickly interjected.
"What?" Terry looked at Will in surprise.
"Yes. I know her. She's not the culprit. I can feel it," Will replied, his eyes fixed on the candle's flame, face grave.
"Why do you think so? Tell me, Will," Terry said, now smiling as though intrigued by his son's conviction.
"It started a few days ago… right after I left home," Will began.