Handle the prisoners.

After an early morning breakfast, you leave Niki, Amara, and Eva to their own devices, as you must now face the dilemma of what's beneath the castle. At least you to do now with a lighter heart. It isn't just because you're still within the peaceful bliss of post-climax, but because you can still sense the touch of their hands to your heart, no matter how far away they may be. With a bolstered resolve and a stomach filled, you garb yourself in your casual yet finely made clothing, tie your scabbard to your belt just in case, and make your way back down to the dungeon.

The first cell holds Meti the djinn. Next to that one is Ariusia the mantidae insectrin. Lastly, there's the human girl Anastasia who hails from the Kingdom of Varat. Some of their regret is more obvious than others, though all three were your enemies not long ago. You can't let them go completely scot-free, but Elok Daven and Breiah were incredible manipulators, and it wouldn't be the first time you've met foes turned to friends. The important thing right now is to act stern and strict, as to not show weakness, until you can get them to open up further.

Three individuals sit outside the center cell. Taiga does, which makes sense given she's a guard, though Summer is there as well. Behind them Luna, though she rests her rump against the railing. They turn to face you as you enter, as you don't intend to sneak. You wonder what it is they're all doing here until you consider one similarity--insectrin.

"What's going on down here?" you ask regardless.

Taiga stands, using her spear to lift herself to her feet. "Apologies, Your Majesty. I know you didn't give me permission to bring others down here, but they insisted."

Summer springs up quickly after. "And I brought her a treat!"

Ariusia's voice whispers out from behind the bars. "I can't eat this," she mutters, staring down at a plate holding a huge wobbly blob of honey.

"Perhaps I should depart," says Luna. "And return to my work."

You wrap your hands around one of Ariusia's bars. "I get it. First the insectrin, now the ALICEs. It's weird to think about, someone playing God enough to create an entire race. But if you think about it, that was the same for catfolk and bunnyfolk, whether they realize it or not."

"But they weren't crafted to kill by a Demon King's hands!" shouts the mantis as she stands.

Your eyes glance to the others behind you. "Don't worry, Taiga. I appreciate you all coming. But let me take it from here."

She nods, and her cold stare turns to the other insectrin nearby. "Come," she says with a back of her spear's blunt end against the stone floor.

Luna and Summer follow behind, leaving you once again alone with the prisoners.

Once they're gone, and the dungeon falls silent, Ariusia speaks up, albeit very quietly. "Don't say it. I know you're gonna be all like, well why don't you act more like them? They understands the same struggle. You all came from Demon King Muian, and look how they act."

"Ariusia. Everyone is different," you state. "You need to find your own path. But I also can't simply forgive you for all your side did. You served Elok Daven, and it seems to did it willingly, but--"

"I didn't pay that much attention, all right?" She sits down on her bed and hangs her head. Her eyes stare at the floor between her feet. "I mean, I knew what he was doing. I know I was on the side of an evil army or whatever. I just didn't know where else to go. Do you know what it's like, to be seen as a demon everywhere you go?"

"Only partly," you reply. "I was kidnapped from my home world. After being brought here, those you served experimented on me, turning me into some weird abomination, even though I don't look any different on the outside. Now my level will never increase, and I'm full of holes I don't fully understand how to use. I may never go home again. I don't know. But as it stands, Castle Phoenix is my home, and it's where I'm accepted."

"I don't know what you want me to say. Just take me to the gallows or whatever already."

"For your crimes against Castle Phoenix as well as the Empire of Tivera, I want you to atone. Work for me. We have criminals amongst us. Literal demons. You mustn't run away, and you'll do as you're instructed, but you'll serve here as a warrior. If you're good, maybe I'll let you fight some real strong enemies. You can cut them up good."

"You're teasing me," she says, but smirks despite her frustrated tone.

"I'm not lying. What do you say?"

She may be the most dangerous of the three in personality, but not necessarily in power. If she does try anything, we can handle her. At this point, I better be an expert in dealing with rowdy girls or I'm doing something wrong.

"... Fine."

"But no cutting someone up unless I say so, all right?"

She glares at you with a toothy grin. "Point me at your enemies."

You chuckle. "I like the enthusiasm." Finally, you release the bar from your grasp and step back. The first thing you notice is Anastasia pressed up against the bars of her cell, on her knees, with watery eyes.

She sniffles as she stares at you from the darkness. "M-Maybe you are the Hero King after all."

You cross your arms. "You know, you were just as bad. Have you reflected on all you've done? Do you regret your actions?" Slowly, you make your way over to where she sits.

"Oh yes! I prayed to Lasis all night for forgiveness, but then I realized what may be as important as it stands. I need your forgiveness, Your Majesty."

"Then do the same. Atone. Work here. Tivera has recognized us as a nation of our own, and just look at what we've already done. We're not in the business of manipulation or destruction. We slay those who deserve it. Believe what you'd like, but we're not the villains."

"I believe that now. I think. It's just... Well, it's hard to believe anything now."

"If I release you from your cell, you're not to run. You'll help us here in Castle Phoenix. To rebuild, and to protect."

She stumbles to her feet and squeezes the bars with both her hands. "I swear that no matter what, I'll do what's needed from me, even if Tivera is still a strange place in my eyes. I will learn more about it!"

"You're better serving to help those in need than having your head removed, even if you did serve the enemy. Welcome to our numbers. You and Ariusia," you say as you step away from her, and walk past all three cells to eventually come to a stop before Meti. She's been standing quiet the entire time.

Even when your eyes meet, she doesn't speak.

"Meti," you say. "All three of you did what you thought was right, or what you needed to do to survive. My offer extends to you as well. On top of that, you were one of the main reasons we were able to defeat David to begin with. Thank you again for that. But to properly be forgiven, join us. Help us."

She swallows, and then finally whispers her response. "Is that truly enough?"

"I have travelled between worlds. Fought monsters, met Demon Kings. I've bedded the two creator gods of the catfolk and bunnyfolk people and was granted their boons. Though my heightened senses granted to me by the mighty Feli, I can in a situation like this one whether or not someone is being genuine. I can tell you're sad, and while I believe you do deserve to work off your debt, I don't believe you deserve to frown. So come with me. All three of you. But don't even think of fleeing."

"I will not," Meti says.

"Neither will I!" blurts out Anastasia from her cell. "I swear on my devotion to Lasis that I will follow your orders until my debt is repaid!"

A snicker comes from the middle cell. Slowly, Ariusia approaches the bars. "You know, you do seem like a lot more fun. Even at the Sports Festival, playing around with your allies was more enjoyable to me than basically anything I had done for months. You're all a bunch of weirdos, and you fight all sorts of strange, powerful monsters, right? Maybe I'll want to stick around, whether my debt is repaid or not, or whatever. If I can."

"Then my judgement is passed," you say. "You'll be freed from the dungeons, but you must remain within the walls unless I tell you otherwise. You'll be watched closely, but I think you understand why given all that's happened."

Meti especially seems pained by that statement. She did already escape once.

You open wide your arms. "Welcome to Castle Phoenix."