As he entered his room, a maid was there to greet him.
Her appearance suggested she was in her twenties. However, her snow-white complexion, crimson eyes accompanied with silky turquoise hair pointed towards a deeper mystery.
"Would you like me to pour you a cup of tea, Sir?" she asked.
"It would be delightful."
Gracefully, the maid placed a steaming cup of tea on the table before him.
"Forgive me for overstepping, Sir, but is it alright to let the bug keep buzzing around places it's not welcomed?" the maid bowed with her gaze fixed on the floor.
"No need to pay any heed to it," Stigfinnare reassured her with a smile, "It's just a parent's way to keep their hearts at ease."
"As you say, Sir," the maid nodded.
Just then, someone seemed to have knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Stigfinnare inquired.
"Pardon me, Sir Bishop," a female voice spoke, "I am Wendy, an assistant to Sir Paul. I've been instructed to deliver these papers concerning tonight's trial."
"Very well, come in," Stigfinnare invited her inside.
As Wendy entered the room, an air of ambiguity surrounded her, leaving observers to ponder her true gender. However, her enchanting sapphire eyes, akin to moonlight dancing on a tranquil lake, and her gently shimmering twilight-colored short hair added a captivating allure to her presence.
With utmost respect and impeccable manners, Wendy handed the papers to Stigfinnare.
"No need to be so formal," Stigfinnare reassured her.
"How is Paul faring?" Stigfinnare inquired as he perused the documents.
"Sir Paul has been bedridden due to mana overload during training," Wendy explained, "Sir Gunner advised him to rest for a few days."
"A fifth-circle mage suffering mana overload during training?" Stigfinnare expressed his doubt.
"Tell me," Stigfinnare continued, "Has anyone of note visited him in recent days?"
"Other than court members, there have been no notable visitors," Wendy paused momentarily. "Although, a few days ago, an elder from the Augustine family personally invited Sir Paul for dinner."
"The Augustine family, the Marquis Family from Elonia? Weren't they the ones who reported the taboo crime?" Stigfinnare inquired.
"Yes, Sir Paul initially wanted to decline the invitation, but he was curious about the reason behind it," Wendy answered.
"Very well, you may go. I'll see you at court tonight," Stigfinnare dismissed her.
As Wendy turned to leave, Stigfinnare added, "And when you see Paul, remind him not to overtax himself next time."
"Of course, Sir," Wendy replied and exited the room.
Stigfinnare reclined in his chair.
"Is there something you are troubled with, Sir," the maid asked.
"Perhaps, but tonight promises to be a spectacle worth witnessing," Stigfinnare mused.
"Should I look into this Augustine family?" proposed the maid.
"Well, if you want. But there's nothing much to see other than the Augustine family trying to make use of the name of our nation for their own publicity," Stigfinnare stated.
"If that's what Sir thinks, then is there anything Sir is planning to do?"
"Let's just see how things go. The change of the Justice isn't something made public yet, right?"
The maid nodded in agreement. "Well, that's how it appears to be for now," she replied.
"That means we still have quite a lot of time. Come with me, let's go meet the sacrificial lamb the Augustine family has prepared," said Stigfinnare with a hint of amusement.
"Are we heading to your home, Sir?" the maid inquired.
"That's hardly a home," Stigfinnare replied with a smile.
The maid promptly left the room upon receiving Stigfinnare's directive, her footsteps echoing softly in the corridor.
Soon after, Stigfinnare made his way to the Bouldergate Prison, where tonight's defendant was kept.
Situated at the eastern border of Azov's capital, the prison's exterior bore a resemblance to a long-forgotten castle when viewed from a distance.
However, appearances were deceptive, for the heart of the prison lay hidden deep beneath the surface.
Official records stated that the prison consisted of 30 floors, with only the initial level above ground.
Yet, the true extent of its subterranean depths remained a mystery, known to none but its owner—Stigfinnare himself. This was one of the reasons he wielded considerable authority within the Order of Eunomia, despite holding the title of a Bishop.
When Stigfinnare reached the entrance of Bouldergate, his maid was already waiting there.As Stigfinnare reached the entrance of Bouldergate, his maid was already waiting there, her presence a constant reassurance in his life filled with enigmatic secrets and political intrigue.
"Did I keep you waiting long?" Stigfinnare asked with a slight smile.
"The Sir jests," the maid replied, maintaining her composure.
"Then let's go meet the individual who's been residing in my humble abode without paying rent," Stigfinnare said and continued forward.
For some reason, his words elicited a faint chuckle from the maid, though he remained unaware of it.
Bouldergate Prison housed a wide array of individuals. Most were convicted criminals serving their sentences.
But it didn't stop there.
The prison maintained its own private armed force to enforce order.
The surface level of the prison served as the administrative center and living quarters for the members of the Bouldergate armed force.
From the second to the fifth floors, it functioned as a detainment center for those undergoing trials or individuals with minor offenses.
As one descended further into the depths of Bouldergate, the prison became a repository for increasingly dangerous criminals, each more enigmatic and formidable than the last.
But be assured, regardless of their external power or influence, within the unforgiving confines of Bouldergate Prison, they were nothing more than subjects to the owner of the prison. The moment they were brought to the prison, a binding fealty contract was established, and their destinies were forever intertwined with Stigfinnare's intricate web of influence.