Although they didn't glean any useful information from the burly man, the fact that he and the other humans in the prison were all from the Silver Hand Knight Order took Alonso and Braus by surprise.
As for the promised meat, it was torn off by Alonso, belonging to him. The reason was simple: hungry Braus and Karla finished their share in just a few bites, and this condition was set by Alonso himself, so naturally, he got the lion's share.
Braus tried to ask for the man's name and other things, but the man returned to his silent state, only smiling and pointing at his mouth. Understanding his meaning, Braus shook his head helplessly, giving up on trying to communicate with the guy.
As mealtime ended, the entire prison gradually returned to its previous silence. The gnoll prisoners and those from the Silver Hand all returned to their respective corners. Alonso and his companions, with their escape plan at a standstill, entered a state of rest. After all, according to their previous deductions, they could receive a mission to hunt monsters at any time.
In the underworld, there was no distinction between day and night, and naturally, there was no concept of time passing in the monotonous life of the Dry Valley prison. Alonso began to feel a sense of blur about the passage of time.
After an unknown amount of time, the familiar sound of bending iron bars reached his ears again. Alonso opened his eyes and the flames' light made him and others accustomed to darkness feel a bit disoriented. But after just a few seconds, this feeling disappeared. In front of him were the two gnoll strongmen from before, and behind them stood a tall figure, not burly, with a sinister face no less intimidating than Tovagel's hunched form.
"Tsk tsk, Dry Valley Prison, haven't been here in ages. Hey, you three in the cell, had enough rest? If not, you better get up!"
As he uttered the last sentence, the sinister gnoll's tone suddenly became sharp, causing a sharp pain in Alonso's ears. Braus and Karla, who were still half-asleep, even covered their ears with their hands, instantly wide awake.
Even the entire prison woke up because of this one shout. The prisoners all rose and leaned against the iron bars, their eyes widened in anger, searching for the culprit who had suddenly awakened them. Though he hadn't spoken yet, curses were already forming in their minds.
The tall gnoll also noticed the commotion in the other cells. He swept a glance and, with anger in his tone, said, "None of your business! Get back to your corners and stop annoying me!"
"Tucker·Nozwick!"
One of the gnoll prisoners suddenly recognized him and exclaimed his name. Then all the gnoll prisoners were stunned, immediately retreating to their corners, covering their mouths, afraid to make a sound and provoke his displeasure. Along the corridor, only those from the Silver Hand remained, still leaning against the iron bars, watching the irritable old gnoll in confusion.
Alonso and his companions clearly saw the expressions of the two gnoll strongmen change upon hearing "Tucker·Nozwick." It turned into the kind of expression one has when they suddenly realize something terrifying is behind them but don't have the courage to turn around and look.
They had only known this figure as someone sent by the Elder Council, but upon hearing the name spoken by the prisoners, they realized he was actually the most feared one from the Elder Council!
"You three, stop gawking and come out."
Tucker·Nozwick shifted his gaze back, looking coldly at the three.
Although they didn't know what the name meant, hearing the commotion from the other cells, Alonso and his companions were sure that the figure before them was no good. So, with nothing to hold onto, they cooperatively stood up and walked out of the cell.
As for attempting an escape, the three had no such thoughts. Apart from not knowing the capabilities of this newcomer, even those two gnoll strongmen, now without any equipment, didn't give them absolute confidence in winning.
"Follow me. I'll tell you what's going on along the way. Don't entertain any illusions that you can escape from me. Oh, of course, if you're not afraid of losing limbs, you're welcome to try!"
With that, Tucker turned and walked away, with Alonso and his companions following closely behind.
But as they passed by the two gnoll strongmen, these previously aloof individuals shook their heads at them. Then, as they passed by each cell of the gnoll prisoners, each gnoll prisoner, after confirming that Tucker had passed their cell, would cast a warning gaze at them, then shake their heads, just like the gnoll strongmen did.
All the gnolls in the prison were warning them not to try to escape from this man's hands!
"'Tucker·Nozwick,' this name, I must record it in my diary.
I really didn't expect that I, wielding a set of artifacts, would be defeated by this gnoll who seems to have nothing but height and end up being thrown into prison.
However, I did manage to hit him in the spine with my Wand of Miracles, so his future probably won't be too bright either. Oh, right, where would this gang of gnolls have hidden my set of artifacts?"