Matteo: (chuckling quietly, crossing his arms with an embarrassed smile) This is a bit embarrassing, ahaha...
The Director: (shaking his head, visibly tense) I understand you very well...
this is the first time I feel this way too, just for a simple lunch.
(takes a deep breath and carefully flips through the menu) I think I'll order a lobster tail with lemon and elderflower infusion and a fine white wine.
Matteo: (nods approvingly, then confidently points at the menu) For me, a white truffle risotto with hazelnut butter sauce and an aged red wine.
Dav: (scrolling through the menu with a frustrated look, sighs and glances furtively at the waiters, desperately searching for a "simple dishes" section) I can’t find anything interesting...
Matteo: (interrupts his reading, raising his gaze with a slight nervous tic in his eye) ...
You're looking for a hamburger, aren't you?
(drops the menu on the table and massages his temples, exasperated) Don't even think about ordering a hamburger and fries in a place this elegant, or I swear I’ll flip this table over!
Dav: (huffs, resigned, crossing his arms with a disappointed grimace) Fine, then I’ll have scallops with shrimp risotto and pink flowers...
Is that good enough for you?
Matteo: (smirks, nodding with approval) Perfect!
Narrator: After placing their orders, the trio waited for more than ten minutes, immersed in an elegant atmosphere.
The waiters moved with grace, bringing the dishes with extreme care, placing them delicately on the table.
Shortly after, the sommelier arrived with the selected wines and, with precise and refined gestures, filled their crystal glasses.
Finishing their meal with a good coffee, the three bid farewell to the Executive Chef, Lorenzo Ricci, and the vice director with polite words and handshakes, enough to move them.
The chauffeur drove them to an isolated area so they could fly without worrying about the media.
Once they arrived, stepping out of the car, they made sure no one had followed them.
Dav created a barrier around them, instructing the other two to step inside and not move too much, as it was going to be a long journey.
Forty minutes passed from Milan to Gozo, part of the Maltese archipelago.
Upon arrival, they found themselves before an imposing prison, stretching for kilometers and towering high enough to make people look like mere insects, visible only through binoculars.
Its mere presence was enough to send chills down one's spine, with high-ranking guards stationed everywhere—thousands of men and women maintaining their positions with an almost spectral discipline.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
A prison, a true hell, housing parasites, rapists, serial criminals, and the worst of the worst.
The trio advanced confidently toward the entrance, but when they reached the checkpoint, the guards, with cold stares, told them that civilians were not allowed to proceed.
The Director: (with a cold and resolute expression, staring at the guards) I advise you to be careful about whom you're stopping.
You are standing before the Legendary Hero and his bodyguards.
No one in this prison should dare to stop him... not even by force.
[His voice was calm, but the aura he emanated was enough to instill fear in even the bravest.]
Matteo: (stepping forward, crossing his arms, with a subtle but threatening smile) If you feel like trying to stop us, we can settle this another way.
Dav: (sighing, looking a little bored, but with a hint of tension in his muscles) No need to overdo it...
let's just meet with the director.
They're just doing their job.
Narrator: The guards, visibly uneasy at the implicit threat, exchanged glances and, without another word, gave a nod of assent.
They asked if they could meet the director or whoever was in charge.
With quick and nervous steps, the guards led them to a luxurious waiting room, furnished with plush sofas and a TV that seemed out of place in such a menacing environment.
Minutes later, they left to fetch the director, leaving the trio to reflect on what was truly happening inside those walls.
Shortly after, the director arrived—an enormous, bald man, towering in height, with an expression devoid of emotion.
He greeted the Legendary Hero with respect, bowing his head.
Bernard: My name is Bernard Kross, also known as "The Colossus."
Welcome to this humble prison, gentlemen.
Dav: (direct, with no wasted words) Bernard, let’s get to the point.
No formalities.
I'm looking for a very important prisoner to personally deliver his death sentence.
Bernard: (thoughtful) A direct man, I see.
You don’t seem like a bad person, but issuing a death sentence purely on your own authority...
(Curious, but maintaining his impassive gaze) If I may ask, is there a specific reason for going this far? Isn't there another way?
Dav: (pressing Bernard with his words, filled with determination) What reason would scum have to live, other than for the day of their death?
Bernard: (smiling involuntarily, though not fully showing it) Very well.
Tell me his name, and I will find him immediately.
Matteo: (with an intimidating gaze, his tone deep and menacing) From this point on, I will be the one giving you the information about the prisoner.
His name is Zephirus Maldroth.
He worked as a doctor in a hospital.
Arrested and convicted for killing, mutilating, and sacrificing many men and children.
The reason was never known, of course, but today we will find out.
Bernard: (glancing at one of his composed guards) Find me this Zephirus Maldroth.
Guard: (searching the database, quickly retrieving the information)
- Name: Zephirus Maldroth
- Black Mage
- 48 years old
- Cell Number: 79,540
- Sublevel: 76th Floor
Dav: (thinking) So the prison holds at least 100,000 prisoners.
When the cells start getting full, they are emptied through death sentences.
Bernard: (turning to them) Follow me, gentlemen.
It’s a long way down, and it will take at least an hour or so to get there.
Narrator: It took some time to descend.
Dav looked at each cage with a murderous instinct so intense that it made the prisoners regret their very existence even more.
Bernard could feel the oppressive aura of his killing intent as they walked, causing him to break into a cold sweat despite the already freezing temperature of the lower levels.
Dav: (gazing at the cells in anger) These creatures deserve nothing but to be erased from the face of the earth.
Bernard: (trembling slightly, thinking) I’ve seen men like him before, but... this sensation...
It feels as if every cell is about to explode from the sheer intensity of his desire for death.
(Looking at Dav) I apologize, but I fear that your presence is... oppressive.
Dav: (without looking at him) Don’t worry, Bernard.
This isn’t about you.
You are not my target.
(pauses, but his gaze remains cold and resolute) These men are just obstacles.
Narrator: The air grew heavier and heavier, as if the corridors themselves carried the weight of dark energy with every step.
Each cage seemed to whisper stories of torture, crimes, and misery.
The sound of footsteps was the only thing breaking the silence.
Bernard: (stopping for a moment, whispering) We’re entering the heart of the prison.
Here, suffering is... unimaginable.
Dav: (low voice, but clear) I don’t care.
I’m here to do what must be done.
END OF CHAPTER - 44