The next day, on the prison’s 1st floor hallway.
“Did you hear?
The Head Guard was found dead on the mountain last night.” “I know.
They say he was torn apart by mountain beasts…”
The guards inspecting the relatively safe cells on the 1st floor.
They were on edge due to their superior’s sudden death.
“Do you all really think it was the work of mountain beasts?” “I heard the Black Knight Order investigated it themselves.
They wouldn’t file a false report.”
The Black Knight Order was a group famous for their thorough investigations.
Nevertheless, a few guards still looked unconvinced.
“Think about it.
The Head Guard was a man who even served as a centurion on the battlefield.” “He wasn’t someone who would be easily taken down by some beasts.”
On that point, everyone was stirred, agreeing it was certainly strange.
“The way I see it, he was assassinated.
He must have been eliminated.” “By whom?
Who here is capable of such a thing?”
The guard swallowed hard.
He held his breath and looked at the stairs leading to the warden’s office.
“There is.
A family that has done contract killings for generations.” “Don’t tell me you mean Warden Derek?”
The black-haired guard quietly nodded.
His voice hushed, afraid someone might overhear.
“Last night, our senior died right after he was granted leave.
I think it was a trap to expose a turncoat.”
Everyone swallowed hard at the fact that they too could have been killed.
“Let’s be careful.
He’s meticulous enough to fool even the Black Knight Order.”
Chatting nervously, they soon arrived in front of a prison cell.
However, they didn’t stop and continued their conversation.
“Anyway, the Warden is really something else.
To form an alliance with that fearsome Saintess.” “He has the look of a typical gloomy young nobleman.
If my daughter brought him home as a son-in-law, I’d have done a background check first.”
The guards who were checking the prison cell’s doorknob.
But…
The door, which should have been firmly locked, was wide open.
“What the, why is this door open?” “I ordered it to be left open.”
The guards, who had been neglecting their duties from being tormented by the Saintess.
They met the eyes of a blond-haired man using the most luxurious prison cell by himself.
“I always have it open for my morning stroll.”
A mere prisoner who could command other guards, Great Elder Darc.
He asked leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back.
“By the way, I’d like to hear more of that story.”
The guards, who had always firmly punished any prisoner who crossed the line.
Their bodies went rigid and pale before the presence of the old man they faced.
“What did you say the new Prison Warden did?”
The one known as the King of Nobles, even with the Emperor still on the throne.
Prisoner Number 2, Great Elder Darc, had taken notice of the new warden.
***
Meanwhile, in the warden’s office.
I sipped my coffee, mulling over the news that had arrived this morning.
“It turned out well.
I’m glad it was handled cleanly.” “I know, right.
To think he fled in such a hurry only to be caught by a beast…, tsk.”
“You lie as well as you look.” “Hmm?
What do you mean?”
Clea’s expressionless face broke into a slight smile.
Like a chess player satisfied with an opponent’s clever move.
“Going as far as to secure an alibi by being on night duty with me.
It was quite cute.”
What is she talking about?
When I widened my villain-like sharp gaze, she shook her head.
“It’s fine.
I’ll turn a blind eye, so let’s get to work.”
The paper Clea handed me had a request for an interview from someone.
The King of Nobles, who had brought me my second despair.
The name of Great Elder Darc.
“Because something more pressing has come up.” “It certainly seems so.”
Was it because she knew I was serious about my job as warden?
Clea’s gaze toward me had become quite serious.
“Be careful.
More than a few guards have disappeared after getting on Darc’s bad side.” “I know.
It was a different case from brainwashing, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.
He dispatched the Board of Audit to tear apart anyone he disliked.
But I wonder if that will work on you, who are famous for being a ruffian.” “True.
That old man would have already noticed my infamy.”
Clea let out a short sigh.
She tucked her blue hair behind her ear and then approached me.
“That’s right.
So it will be important to maintain your dignity when you meet the Elder.”
She gently straightened my wrinkled collar with a delicate touch.
A clean scent of soap wafted up, enough to chase away the prison smell.
“Honestly, I don’t think you can persuade the Great Elder.”
The adjutant tightened my loose necktie.
And, with her resolute blue eyes, she said.
“But I will at least trust your sincerity in wanting to reform this place.”
She, who had responded with force even to the Imperial Royalty who brandished power over her.
With a heart so upright, she sincerely wished for the prisoners’ reformation.
“I will repay your faith.”
I went down the underground stairs again.
Unlike the solitary confinement cell where the Saintess was held, Darc’s prison cell was very close.
‘He’s in a nice place for a first-class prisoner.’
Before going inside, I first peeked through the door.
A luxurious carpet that looked like it belonged in the warden’s office.
Unlike the hallway that reeked of mold, there was even the fragrant scent of black tea.
It felt more like looking at a room in a luxury hotel than a prison.
“Are you the warden of this prison?”
The blond-haired man sitting in the leather chair glanced at me.
A teacup and saucer in his hands.
“Yes, Great Elder.
I am Derek Minster.
I’m here for an interview.” “A first interview a month after being admitted.
How novel.”
His intelligent eyes suggested he was often called handsome in his youth.
The man who resembled an old lion set down the saucer.
“I’ve been very busy due to circumstances.
I hope you understand.” “Busy?
I thought you’d be the most carefree person in this prison.”
The intense eyes of a 60-year-old flashed.
Even though he surely hadn’t left this prison, he had already figured me out.