Chapter 90

"Mr. Rail Rain... You've come all the way here with a royal permit. Is it about that noble's matter?"

I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the guard who exuded a lax atmosphere. They were people who had abandoned their duty to monitor prisoners and fled to the surface. Even if that were the case, they didn't deserve respect...

"Don't stick your nose in too much. You don't want to get burned, do you?"

Moreover, there was another reason for my anger this time. It seemed that there were people from the Dataner family who had influence in this Kudan Prison, among both the guards and the prisoners. Honestly, we were fools for not seeing it coming. It was entirely possible.

As soon as I learned about it, the prince sent me to this Kudan Prison. Prince Lasser entrusted me with the task of protecting Kururi's safety, with a feeling so intense it hurt.

It might already be too late. The response might be too late. I will accept the punishment. I will accept it willingly. But if there's still something I can do, I will do anything.

The princes are working hard to prove Kururi's innocence on the surface. I need to protect him as long as possible underground.

Unpleasant thoughts kept coming to mind, but I decided to get off the elevator.

"The sword, I'll have to take it..."

The guard must have noticed the anger in my gaze, as he didn't interfere with my actions any further.

I descended to the underground. The guard, who seemed eager to leave, quickly returned to the surface. With such an attitude, there could be no order in this prison. I was overwhelmed with even more discomfort.

This Kudan Prison, contrary to what I had heard, was not as dry as expected. I had heard it was a place with only dirt and prisons, but it felt quite humid. Did it rain last night? I had heard it rains once or twice a year...

I could also hear lively human voices.

I had heard it was a gathering place for corrupt people... Are they having a fight or something?

"Hey, are you new? I don't recognize your face!"

A man with a pickaxe on his shoulder, who looked like a typical prisoner, stopped me. He had a bad appearance but a strangely clean feel. But he was definitely a prisoner. The fact that he carried a weapon... This place was not normal.

"Can you tell me where room 136 is?"

"Hey, you've got some guts for a new guy! I think you should reconsider, though?"

"Just tell me."

"Can't help it. If you go straight down this path, you'll find it. I'll guide you, but it's not a good time to go there."

Not a good time to go there?

That phrase stuck with me. What happens at this time? My mind was filled with dark thoughts. I needed to hurry.

I found room 100. It should be around here.

I caught another prisoner and questioned him.

"Huh? You're going to room 136? What for? Only the higher-ups are allowed near there."

"Just tell me. I'm getting impatient."

"Huh? Oh, turn right here and you'll find it. I don't recommend going there, especially at this time."

Is room 136 already a well-known place?

I had heard there were about 300 prisoners here, but could something so notorious have happened that everyone knew about it? Is something terrible happening? If so, I...

With a sense of urgency and a heart that wouldn't stop beating, I quickened my pace.

I wanted to draw my sword. I wanted to cut down anyone in my way. Could I really hold back my anger if the reality matched my imagination?

Room 136.

I finally found the room.

Compared to the other cells, which were made of iron bars, room 136 was made of wooden boards. It was sealed... I hoped whoever was inside was just being confined.

Five men with even worse expressions were standing guard outside. They wouldn't let me pass without a fight.

"Hey, what are you doing here at this time?"

"Why?"

"Obviously, it's busy! Now get lost!"

So they were guards.

They all had intimidating faces, trying to scare me. Do they think such intimidation will work against my anger?

"Move. I have business in that room."

"What? I told you it's busy!"

"Do you think the rules of your narrow world apply to me? I feel like cutting down two or three of you. Your lives mean nothing to me."

I drew my sword. I no longer needed to hold back. I was here. I would do as I pleased from now on.

"What's going on? You're making a lot of noise."

"Sorry, Boss! There's a strange guy here."

Boss? A voice came from inside the room. From the guards' anxiety, it was clear the boss was inside. They were in the same room... That's why it was a bad time to come.

"Boss. Perfect, come out. King of the narrow world."

The boss opened the door and came out.

Fiery red hair. The only one who looked well-nourished, with healthy skin. A well-proportioned, slender build. Kind eyes...

It was Kururi, looking lively...

"Huh? Rail? Is that you! Why are you here? Did you get arrested for harassment?"

"Wh-what? Boss?"

"Yeah, I'm the boss now. I became the boss after defeating the previous one."

"Monkey Mountain!? Is this Monkey Mountain!?"

"Not exactly, but not far off. Come in. Even a nuisance like you is welcome in this deep underground. Hurry up!"

I was invited into room 136.

Kururi sat on a sofa and invited me to sit as well.

What!? A sofa!? In a prison!?

Looking around, I saw a bed, a bookshelf full of books, a window, and even a flower. It was well-lit and well-organized.

It was comfortable. It was actually comfortable.

"I don't have much in the way of sweets, but I have some alcohol. And some light snacks."

"You have alcohol!? And snacks!?"

"White or red? Which do you want?"

"Types too!? Where am I!? Where did I come!?"

"Calm down. This is Kudan Prison. Did you come to the wrong place?"

"I did. You did!"

You're making a face like you're surprised, but I'm surprised! I came here thinking I'd have to pour red liquid on my sword, but now there's red liquid in a glass!

"What!? Kururi, you're in prison, but you're living comfortably?"

"Yeah, it was tough, especially getting the sofa."

"Of course! You can't get a sofa in a prison!"

"What's with the excitement? Calm down and have a drink. After you calm down, you can take a bath and stay the night."

I spat out the alcohol I had just taken a sip of.

"A bath!? Stay the night!? No, did I come to a friend's house!?"

"What are you talking to yourself for? I'll give you the bed, and I'll take the sofa."

"That's not the point! What!? What's with the reality here!?"

After being calmed down by Kururi, I decided to take a bath first.

It was still light, so only Kururi and I were in the bath.

"During the day, everyone works to make this prison a better place. We found this bath in the process. Since the meritorious ones are gone, we're now working on a common cemetery. We're also considering expanding to a new area to grow crops. Lately, I've been locked up thinking about it. I don't move much, so I feel bad about it."

"...You seem to be doing well. You have the air of a lord."

"Really? I'm trying to do as much as I can before I leave. I'm the boss, after all."

"Everyone is struggling on the surface to prove your innocence."

"Yeah, and 'Money Grubber' Saisin Upstall is going to correct his testimony. He overcame his shame."

"Self-resolution!? What about our efforts!?"

"So, I'm ready to fight whenever. Just call me back whenever."

"Ha, I worried for nothing. Prince Lasser looked at me with moist eyes and said, 'Brother, I'm counting on you.'"

"That was a mistake."

"How do I report this? Seriously."

"Just say he's doing well."

"Alright, I'll do that. By the way, where does the alcohol come from?"

"Yeah, there's a guard who's been bought off by the Dataner family. I'm using him to get things delivered."

"...You're tough. I'll take that guard with me when I leave. It's a small piece of evidence against the Dataner family, but every little bit helps."

"Ah, then the supplies will..."

"I'll take care of it. Besides, you'll be out of here soon, right?"

"I have some feelings for these people. I want to maintain order even after I leave."

"You want to do as much as you can. You should hurry. They need you on the surface."

"...Understood. I'll do that."

I soaked in the warm bath and slept in a soft bed.

On my way back, I was given the corrupt guard and food for the journey. My hair and skin felt good. Maybe it was the bath?

...Yeah, I might come back again. I'll definitely come back when Kururi is released. It was a good trip.

---

"Brother, a bird message from Mr. Rail has arrived. There's a letter attached."

"His work is quick. Iris, you might not want to read the letter."

"Prince Ark, I'm prepared. Besides, you promised to show it to me!"

"I know, but... I don't want to make you sad."

"I'm prepared. I'll read it. Absolutely!"

"Brother, Iris and I are prepared. If something happens to Brother, I don't think I can control myself. But I don't think it's right to turn a blind eye to reality. We are prepared. Please show it to us."

"...Alright. I won't say anything more. I'll read it. Be prepared."

"Report from Rail Rain. Kururi is doing well. His skin looks good. He was very kind to me."

"Huh?...Huh?"

"Brother, hurry!"

"Ah, sorry. ...Huh? Huh?"

"Prince Ark, hurry!"

"Um, Kururi is doing well. His skin looks good... He was very kind to me."

"...Huh?"

"...Huh?"

"Huh?"