Thud—.
“Whew…”
I returned to the musty corridor.
Unexpectedly, Clea was there to greet me in person.
“You made it out safely.
Or not?
Your eyes are still gloomy.” “Sounds like you were hoping I wouldn’t be safe?”
“Of course not.
It’s just that I couldn’t believe you really did it.” “I told you, I’m pretty competent.”
I clasped my hands behind my back and leisurely took the lead.
The Adjutant watched me closely and followed.
“You didn’t threaten the Saintess with some strange act, did you?
Like using your family’s power.”
Clea asked, picking a white hair off my back.
We barely had any contact, but quite a few had stuck to me without my knowledge.
“I’m a Disowned Child in my family.
How could I threaten her?” “Then how did you persuade her?”
“I let her look into my memories.
She saw my sincere desire to run the prison honestly and let them go.” “I don’t believe it.
You look far from having that kind of image.”
I returned to the Office.
There, the guards, freed from the magic, were waiting with overwhelmed expressions.
“All rise.”
The Adjutant commanded in a voice befitting the prison’s Second-in-command.
The deeply moved guards stood up and looked at the new Prison Warden with emotion.
“Your greetings are late, everyone.
Are your bodies feeling better?”
The guards who, until a few days ago, had just guarded the entrance with dazed looks.
Freed from their suffering, they saluted in unison with clear eyes.
“Yes, the Tinnitus has completely disappeared.” “Me too, the hellish screaming has finally ended…!!”
They certainly looked skilled, as expected of knights with rich battlefield experience.
The Head Guard, who seemed to be their representative, asked me with a joyful expression.
“But how on earth did you persuade the Saintess?
I just can’t believe it.” “Luckily, her ‘Conviction’ and mine aligned perfectly.
I’ll continue to handle her well, so don’t worry too much.”
The black-haired Head Guard slowly nodded.
With a somehow nervous gaze.
The guards must be well aware of my family’s Infamy.
So, the first priority must be to coax them into becoming My Ally.
“For the time being, I will handle all prisoner Meal distribution and Interviews myself.
You all focus on recovering until then.” “A-Are you sure you’ll be alright…?”
The Head Guard asked on their behalf.
To this, I responded with a serious gaze.
“It’s the way of things for a superior to step up first for the tough jobs.”
I extended a hand for a Handshake to them first.
The subordinates, seeming relieved not to be in charge of the Disaster-level Prisoners for a while, willingly accepted.
“I’ll be in your care.
I’m the new Prison Warden, Derek Minster.” “We will do our best as well.”
I shook hands with the guards one by one.
Afterward, it naturally became Clea’s turn.
“Do I shake hands too?” “Yes.
You’re the one I’ll be relying on the most from now on.”
I gave a faint smile.
Like in the past, during my time as the Imperial Court’s Chancellor who led many talented individuals.
“I know you don’t trust me yet.
You must find me unreliable in many ways.” “…”
“So I’ll continue to show you through my actions so that trust can be built.” “Just as expected of a young master, you’re quite eloquent.”
Clea, as if to soothe her idle hands, adjusted her Necktie.
Afterward, she reluctantly took my hand.
“Still, well, you seem the best among all the past prison wardens.
If you give me the next order, I will follow.”
The next order, huh.
I suddenly remembered the meaningful words the Saintess had said.
‘Don’t trust the guards too much.’
“We need to let the guards who suffered from hallucinations go home.”
A red sunset was falling outside the window.
I glanced at it, my eyes narrowing to thin slits.
“If you all want, you may go home.
Report to work tomorrow morning.” “Are you really sure it’s okay?”
The Head Guard, who had been the first to step forward and pledge loyalty, asked again.
The other subordinates also looked excited about their first break in a long time.
“Yes, because the Adjutant and I will be on Night Duty today.” “But I’m going home.”
The guards immediately bowed their heads to the Adjutant to express their thanks.
Caught off guard before she could refuse, she wore her characteristic Sullen, Blank Expression.
In the end, she went down to make coffee, partly to see the departing men off.
“…”
She, who had returned to the office after watching the backs of those leaving first.
Tonight, she planned to get her revenge by pestering her superior all day long.
“I’ve brought coffee.”
As I turned around with a blank expression, Clea said cynically.
“I didn’t spit in it.
Though I did pour it into a dusty cup.” “It’s not that.
Come over here for a moment.”
Forced into Night Duty, she untied the hair she had in a Ponytail.
She approached the window, lightly arranging her brilliant Blue Hair.
“The guards who just left.
Do they all live around here?” “Yes.
They all reside within a 5-minute walk from the prison.”
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Character illustrations & later chapters: