Sorry, everyone, for not uploading these past few days. I have been busy with my job, so my attention is focused elsewhere.
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At that moment, a sudden alarm blared through the prison, drowning out even the crackling of the flames.
"What?!" Naraku's eyes widened in surprise.
Simultaneously, the ceiling began to warp and deform, releasing a steady stream of water. This was the smoke alarm, an ordinary device that detects smoke caused by fire and sprays water to extinguish it. It wasn't high-tech, but it was vital for prison safety. The cascading water immediately doused the flames, restoring calm.
"Is this... a spell?" Naraku wondered, bewildered. Though the fire extinguisher was simple and not of this era, such an occurrence was startling. The other two were equally stunned, drenched, and looking utterly disheveled.
Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated the scene. Sebastian appeared before them, calm and composed. While fires weren't unusual, Sebastian's presence suggested he was here to investigate. A fire in a cell could only be the work of deliberate sabotage.
Miroku and Miyatsu followed close behind.
Nearby, Inuyasha, who had been patrolling, also heard the alarm. Recognizing the danger, he hastened to the scene with Onigumo. Seeing the extinguished fire, he let out a relieved sigh, scratched the back of his head awkwardly, and shot a glance at Sebastian. "I swear, it won't happen again."
As a patrol demon soldier, Inuyasha's duty was to safeguard the city. The recent fire in the prison made him feel partly responsible.
"It's not your fault," Sebastian said softly. "But the hay, firewood, and similar materials in the prison must be cleared immediately. Such incidents cannot be allowed to recur."
"Understood." Inuyasha nodded without hesitation and began gathering the combustible items.
Meanwhile, Kikyō and Tsubaki arrived simultaneously, bows and arrows slung over their shoulders. They stared at Sebastian, who was standing in front of the scorched cell floor, already having loosened her arrows and appearing ready for battle.
"Don't be alarmed," Sebastian reassured them gently, pressing a calming hand on Kikyō's arm. "It's just a cell fire."
But her gaze sharpened as she turned to examine the other prisoners. Her voice grew serious. "However, this was arson."
A faint smile curled on Sebastian's lips. "Did you set the fire?"
She scrutinized the group, finally fixing her gaze on three individuals whose faces were obscured by black ash. Though their features were hidden, Sebastian saw the guilt etched into their postures. There was something off about all three.
"Is there something unusual about them?" Miroku asked, puzzled as he watched Sebastian select those three from the dozen or so prisoners. His curiosity about Sebastian's intentions deepened.
"Why did you three set the fire?" Sebastian asked coldly, her expression unreadable. She knew they were lying, yet she awaited their response. These three were part of the notorious robber trio.
"What?! We didn't do it! Please, my lord, look carefully!" The three Naraku stood before her, each displaying different expressions of innocence or distress.
Onigumo's pupils contracted sharply, instinctively stepping back.
Naraku, maintaining his composure, appeared unfazed, as if he knew nothing.
The oldest Rasetsu among them knelt before Sebastian, tears welling in his eyes, voice trembling with grief.
"We're new here at G.D.I.," he sobbed. "We were locked up for no reason, and then the cell caught fire while we were asleep till midnight. We nearly lost our lives!"
If an ordinary person saw Rasetsu's tears, they might feel pity. But Sebastian knew better, this was a lie from the start.
"It was these three who tried to bribe me," Inuyasha suddenly snapped, his tone furious. Pointing angrily at the trio, he added, "They're lying."
Naraku's heartbeat quickened. "How does he know we set the fire?"
He cast a wary glance at Sebastian, a flicker of doubt and panic crossing his face. Was this just a trick? Even if it was, how could Sebastian have identified the culprits so precisely?
Beneath his calm exterior, Naraku's mind raced. He had studied Sebastian carefully before coming, aware that Sebastian rarely took direct action himself, usually delegating to his apprentices. This was why Naraku felt confident in his plans; he believed Sebastian wouldn't personally investigate such a minor matter.
But Sebastian's unexpected appearance, coupled with his quick identification of the suspects, had shattered Naraku's assumptions. He hadn't anticipated this level of scrutiny. Countless scenarios raced through his mind, but none prepared him for the current predicament.
Now, Naraku's heart pounded fiercely, as if on the verge of exploding. His composure faltered under Sebastian's unwavering gaze, feeling an oppressive weight pressing down on him.
Sebastian simply stood there, expression inscrutable, yet the silent intensity radiating from her made Naraku feel as though he were trapped beneath an unyielding force.