The journey back to House Silver felt far longer than the journey to the Crown Prince's manor.
No conversation filled the carriage. No attendants dared speak. Outside, the streets of the Imperial City remained as lively as ever, completely unaware that one of its greatest heroes had just been sentenced to death within the Imperial Court.
Arceus simply sat motionless. His eyes remained fixed upon the carriage floor. The blood that had dried around his wrists from struggling against the restraining formation earlier remained untouched. The Imperial guards escorting him maintained a respectful distance. Although placed under house arrest, he had not been treated as a criminal. The Emperor had at least granted him that dignity.
