Chapter 87

At the very edge of the capital, or rather, outside the capital area, the Kudan Prison stands in a desolate land, isolated from the world of human life. Although it is said to be built, it is hardly a man-made structure. Near the capital, there is a large depression known as Kudan Hole, a circular area that is thirty meters lower than the surrounding flat land. The depression has walls that are almost ninety degrees steep, making it possible to confine prisoners simply by placing them inside.

Only the most notorious criminals are sent here. I, too, have joined their ranks, having shocked the world. Despite being temporarily detained, I have been placed in the harshest facility, which is no surprise given the wealth of the Dataranel family.

Sigh. Have the king and the princes abandoned me? I can't help but feel that way. If they had spoken up more, my punishment could have been lighter, couldn't it? Am I really that worthless?

Well, it doesn't matter. All I can do now is wait. I hope the evidence gathering is conducted fairly.

I wonder if my parents are doing well. I hope they haven't been troubled because of my crimes. They are quite fragile, so I'm worried.

"Instead of thinking about other things, it's better to consider how you'll survive down there."

"Thank you for the advice."

After the handcuffs were removed, I was led to the elevator that descends to the underground. The elevator is attached to the wall, and it seems to be the only way to travel between the ground and the underground.

"I'll give you one more piece of advice. Food is delivered once a week for everyone. You'll have to share with the others. From my experience as a guard, it's best not to defy the veterans. You won't get any food for a while, so you'll have to endure."

"I'm innocent, so I'll be out soon."

"Is that so? But I doubt a noble can endure even a short stay here. It's been years since a noble was sent to this prison. Try not to draw attention to yourself."

With a final piece of advice from the seemingly kind guard, the elevator descended into the underground. The ground gradually disappeared from view. Thirty meters is quite a height.

The walls have no footholds, making it impossible to climb. I'm starting to feel a sense of despair, as if I'll never be able to climb out.

Ah, I wish I could see that person's face one more time. Just once. Then, I could endure life underground. And I should have eaten something sweet. I miss it so much.

The elevator came to a sudden stop, and the strong sound announced my arrival underground. The guard opened the iron gate around the elevator, and I was admitted to the prison.

This will be my new home for a while. I should greet it properly.

The elevator returned to the ground with the guard, leaving me with no way back. It felt as if I was being forced to accept my fate.

The prison is quite large. To put it simply, it's as big as two Tokyo Domes. At least I won't have to worry about my neighbor's snoring.

However, the space is rough, with only rooms made of earth, iron bars, and iron roofs. There are no beds, sofas, or beautiful paintings. It's the worst, but I'll endure for now.

My room is number 136. I found it after passing a few prisoners. Room 136 is also a room made of iron bars, with a dusty, earthy floor. Since I'll be staying here for a while, I should clean the room first. Fortunately, the rooms on either side are empty, which should make my stay more comfortable.

I used some rags to clean the floor and the iron bars, creating a basic sanitary environment. I took off my shoes inside and lay down on the hard floor. It's clean, but the iron bars make me feel exposed. Some prisoners with bad looks have been passing by and peering in, making me very uncomfortable. I should look for something to use as a wall. Even a large piece of cloth would be great. But I doubt I'll find one.

Just as I was about to put on my shoes and start searching, I noticed a group of prisoners with the worst looks heading my way. The prisoners I had passed earlier were all alone, but this group had more than ten members. Do they find it convenient to live in groups?

"Is this room 136?"

They stopped in front of my room and confirmed the room number and my face. They seemed to have found their target and surrounded me. They must have some business with me. What could it be?

"Just so you know, I don't have any candy."

"We don't need that. The boss has called for you. Follow us."

"I was planning to look for something to use as a wall. Does the boss have any?"

"I don't know. Just come with us. If you resist, we're told to bring you by force. Got it?"

Got it? Even if you threaten me, I understand. But it's my first day here, and I'm busy. Can't you understand that?

I was half-forced to follow as a large man grabbed my shoulders.

"Hey, it's dry here. Can I ask the boss for some water?"

"Shut up or we'll make you. Got it?"

Got it? I understand, but it's really dry here. My throat is dry. Can't you understand that?

After walking for a while, it seemed we had arrived at the boss's place. To my surprise, the man sitting on a leather sofa in front of me looked out of place in this prison of iron bars and earth.

"Does the building behind me catch your attention?"

The man, who seemed to be the boss, asked. I was indeed curious about the building behind him, which had actual walls made of wooden boards and looked quite spacious and comfortable.

"The building behind me was used by the guards in the past. We staged a rebellion, and now there are no guards in the prison. The ground is indifferent to us."

The man, surrounded by ten prisoners with evil faces and thirty more standing around, looked ordinary and thin, unlike the others. He was the boss? He didn't look like it, but appearances can be deceiving.

"Are you 136, the noble Kurri Heran?"

"Yes, that's me. Do you know me?"

"No, I'm the boss of this prison, Duras. I used to be a spy from another country, but I've been living here since I was captured. I've heard about you from someone."

"Someone?"

"Yes, someone. This prison is run by the prisoners, so we have our own unique rules. I am the rule, and you must follow them."

"Someone?"

"Let's move on. The rules are simple. As a new prisoner, you're at the bottom. You'll get the leftover food, and there are plenty of jobs like cleaning up waste."

It seems that being a new prisoner is tough everywhere. I want to get out of here as soon as possible.

"But you're different."

"VIP treatment?"

"Someone requested it. As a thank you for the supplies we receive from the ground, you're to be shown hell. You're to be treated as if everything is to be trampled."

"Someone? You don't have to hide it. It's probably someone from the Dataranel family, right? A request from Fregen?"

"Ah, you know. Yes, we receive many things, and while it's unfortunate for you, it can't be helped."

I don't need to hear more. I never intended to follow the rules for new prisoners, and I certainly won't follow these special rules.

"I refuse everything. I thought I'd try to be peaceful, but I'm done with that. I've decided to take the soft-looking sofa you're sitting on and the wooden boards from the building behind you to my room. Since you came to threaten me, I'll be forceful too."

The boss laughed.

He seems like an ordinary person, and when he laughs, he looks kind. Maybe he'll give me what I want.

"Here, you can't use your noble power. Do you understand? Hey, someone, do something."

"I'll do it."

A particularly muscular man stepped forward. Is that what you meant by "do something"? ...I'll take you on.

"Hehe, I can't give this kind of fun to anyone else. I love knocking down brats like you."

"Sure. I'm an expert at cleaning up dirty faces, so come at me with confidence."

He charged at me, falling for the cheap provocation.

It's fair to be one-on-one. How long will it last...

He threw several powerful punches. I dodged and countered with jabs to his vital points.

When I was warmed up, I landed a punch to his side, defeating the first opponent. I pushed away the large man, who was drooling, and asked for the next one.

"Good, I'm warmed up. Next, next!"

The boss whistled and smirked, sending the next opponent.

Five at once. Not bad. I can handle it.

I took a few punches but defeated the second and third opponents. The sight of the men drooling as they fell made me realize how accurate my punches were. I was starting to enjoy it. It's been a while since I've had a good fight.

I kneed the third man in the jaw and felt a sharp sensation. It seemed the boss, Duras, had cast a spell. Sharp ice spears were flying at me. I noticed and could have dodged, but I decided to take them all.

"What!?"

The boss, who had joined the fight out of boredom, seemed shocked.

"What? You're using magic first? I knew you had more magic power, but I was planning to use it when I was in trouble."

"Impossible! Why are you standing! Why are you unharmed! They should have all hit you!"

The boss was taken aback. It's no wonder. The spells hit me directly. I could have dodged, but I chose to take them. In fact, taking them worked to my advantage. I learned this recently.

"Hey, it seems magic doesn't affect me. In fact, when I take magic, my own magic power explodes uncontrollably. Look, it's already too high to control."

"Impossible! What is this magic power! What's going on?"

The boss was clearly shocked by the visible magic power. He was the boss because he was the strongest with magic. If I surpass him, I'll be the new boss. I don't want to be the boss, but I want the sofa and the wooden boards. Being the boss will make it possible.

"Wind, rise and sweep away this annoying trash, and slam them back into the dark underground!"

Using a large amount of magic, I created a massive wind spell. A tornado formed, engulfing the thirty or so prisoners. They were thrown into the air and then slammed back into the ground by the wind.

Screams filled the air, and no one could stand... except the boss.

"I didn't include you in the tornado by accident. You're special. I'll beat you with my own hands."

"Stop! The Dataranel family is behind me! Do you understand!?"

"I do. We're already at war with the Dataranel family."

"Ah! Stop! You'll kill me with that punch!"

I poured the remaining magic into my fist, converting it into a massive flame that covered my right arm. I slammed it into the current boss's face with all my might.

Duras flew away. He won't be able to live a normal life for a while. From today, I'm the boss. Sorry.