Chapter 82: The Weight of Knowing

Inside the quiet room of the inn, Rowena paced back and forth, her footsteps soft yet restless against the wooden floor.

She stopped near the window and stared out into the night, her gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of the Federation Police building.

It’s cold stone walls rose like a silent judge against the dim glow of street lanterns.

Her fingers curled tightly around the windowsill.

’I hope she’s alright,’ she thought, biting gently at the edge of her lower lip.

The longer Minerva stayed away, the heavier the unease in Rowena’s chest became.

She exhaled slowly, frustration turning inward.

’I should have followed her into her office.’

The thought gnawed at her relentlessly.

She had known Minerva well enough to predict what would happen. Once her best friend heard something that challenged her sense of justice, she would never let it go, not without confirming it herself.

Rowena pressed her forehead lightly against the cool wooden wall.

She had allowed Minerva to return to her duties as a Federation Police officer, despite the growing unease both of them felt.

And now, regret clawed at her heart.

If what Thoren said was true.

if even a fraction of it was true, then Minerva would never be able to turn a blind eye.

She would dig.

She would question.

And if she uncovered the truth…

Rowena’s chest tightened.

Minerva would confront those behind it.

That terrified her more than anything else.

Rowena had already lost everyone close to her. Comrades, people she trusted all because of arrogance, blind faith, and naïve belief in authority.

She had survived only by his mercy.

Now, Minerva was the last person she truly cared about in this cruel, dangerous realm.

And Rowena refused to lose her too.

Just as she began to consider storming the Federation Police building herself, a soft knock echoed against the door.

Tap. Tap.

Rowena stiffened.

The sound jolted her out of her spiraling thoughts.

“Who—” she began, but before she could finish, the door creaked open.

Minerva stepped inside.

For a heartbeat, Rowena simply stared.

Then relief surged through her like a breaking wave.

“Thank the gods, you’re alright!” Rowena rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Minerva.

Minerva blinked in surprise before returning the embrace, her arms closing around Rowena’s back.

“I told you,” Minerva said softly, “nothing would happen to me.”

Yet the bright smile on her face betrayed just how much the concern meant to her.

Rowena scoffed lightly, though her grip did not loosen. “You always say that.”

She pulled back and grabbed Minerva by the wrist, dragging her toward the bed. They sat down, side by side, facing each other.

Rowena studied her closely.

“So,” she said at last, her tone cautious. “How was it?”

Minerva didn’t answer immediately.

She lowered her gaze, staring at her hands resting in her lap. Slowly, the smile faded from her face, replaced by something darker.

Heavier.

Grim.

Rowena’s heart sank.

Minerva drew a slow breath and finally spoke, her voice quiet but unsteady.

“Thoren… wasn’t lying.”

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

She paused, swallowing hard.

“I wanted him to be wrong,” Minerva continued. “I needed him to be wrong. But everything I found only confirmed what he said.”

Her voice wavered.

She had believed.

No, she trusted that the Federation fought for the people. She had believed it was humanity’s last line of defense in the abyss.

That belief had been her anchor.

And now it was shattered.

Rowena watched as Minerva’s shoulders trembled slightly. The pain was written plainly across her face, raw and unguarded.

Minerva bit down on the corner of her lip, trying to restrain the emotions threatening to spill over.

Her eyes glistened.

She sniffed quietly, then exhaled through her nose.

Yet no matter how she tried to steady herself, the images of missing commoners, of lives erased without explanation, flooded her mind.

Her chest ached.

How could they do this?

The Federation knew something horrifying was happening in the abyss. They knew awakeners were disappearing.

And yet, they did nothing.

Worse, they lied.

Before the tears could fall, Rowena shifted closer and pulled Minerva into her arms, pressing her gently against her chest.

“Whatever it is,” Rowena whispered softly, her voice firm despite the fear curling in her stomach, “we’re going to find a solution. Together.”

Minerva nodded, her forehead resting against Rowena’s shoulder.

She took several slow, deep breaths until her erratic emotions gradually settled.

After a moment, she pulled back slightly.

“Do you think I’m foolish?” Minerva asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rowena didn’t hesitate. “No.”

Minerva lifted her head and met her gaze. “Then… I’m naïve.”

Rowena shook her head gently. “No. But your sense of justice made you overlook things. You trusted too easily.”

“So, I am naïve,” Minerva insisted bitterly.

She knew her friend was trying to protect her feelings, but she couldn’t deny the truth anymore.

If she hadn’t been blind, how could she have missed the signs?

She had made countless arrests based solely on the captain’s orders. She hadn’t questioned motives. She hadn’t listened to pleas.

As long as someone was declared guilty, she accepted it.

Like a puppet.

Her stomach churned violently.

Guilt tore through her chest.

She had been responsible, directly or indirectly for many innocent awakeners being locked away in the dungeons.

The thought made her feel sick.

Her fingers curled into fists.

“But I’ll fix it,” she said, her voice trembling with resolve. “Even if it costs me everything.”

Rowena searched her face, then nodded.

“So,” she asked carefully, “tell me what you found.”

Minerva took a steadying breath and recounted everything, missing files, survival logs, the patterns hidden beneath layers of bureaucracy.

As she spoke, Rowena’s expression grew paler by the second.

“Two to three awakeners… every batch?” Rowena whispered in disbelief.

Minerva nodded grimly.

“For how long this has been happening?” Rowena asked, her voice shaking.

Minerva didn’t answer.

She didn’t know.

The uncertainty made it worse.

“This is only what’s recorded,” Rowena murmured. “What about those who were never logged at all?”

A chill ran down her spine.

“My goodness…” she whispered.

“Rowena,” Minerva said suddenly, gripping her hand tightly. “I need your help.”

Rowena squeezed back without hesitation. “You know I’m always with you.”

Minerva nodded, then rose to her feet, pulling Rowena along.

“Follow me.”

“To where?” Rowena asked as they moved toward the door.

“The dungeon,” Minerva replied. “I need to hear the victims’ side of the story.”

Rowena swallowed, then nodded. “Alright.”

They left the inn in haste and hurried through the dim streets toward the Federation Police building.

Moments later, they entered the building. With Minerva leading the way, no one questioned them as they descended deeper underground.

Down one flight of stairs.

Then another.

The air grew colder.

Heavier.

Finally, they reached the dungeon entrance.

Standing guard was a young man clad in a black robe, a hood pulled low over his head.

“Vice-captain,” he said, his voice low and grating, “what are you doing here?”

The sound sent a shiver through Rowena.

It didn’t sound human.

It was like metal scraping against metal.

Rowena narrowed her eyes, staring intently at the guard.

Her heart skipped a beat.

’How could this be…?’

Fear exploded in her mind as realization dawned.

Something was very, very wrong.

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