The edge of the outskirts of the capital. No, it would probably be better if I were to rephrase it as ‘outside the capital's range’–that’s where Kudan prison was built, on a dry land detached from the circle of life. Even though I say it was built, the building itself isn’t mostly man-made either. There is an enormous pit near the capital which has been called the ‘Kudan Hole’ since the past. It’s a plot of land with a depth of over 30 meters. The walls around the pit itself make a 90 degree with the ground so just putting in the prisoners there itself was enough to keep them in captivity. The only ones put in here are criminals who have quite the shady history even among criminals. In other words, I have safely entered into the circle of people who have shaken the society. I still have some doubts about being thrown here for just temporary imprisonment but I guess it isn’t that hard to imagine when you think about the Dartanel family’s assets. Sigh — have the royal family and the princes abandoned me? I can’t help but feel that way. If they had said something more, would I not have been given a much lesser punishment? Am I that little of a value as a person?
Well, that doesn’t matter now. I have no other choice but to wait now. I can just hope that they judge the evidence with impartiality. More importantly, are father and the others alright? I hope my sins are not causing them any trouble…. He is quite a fragile person so I can’t help but worry.
“Rather than thinking about others, it would be for your good if you thought about how to live down there.”
“Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.”
Removing the handcuffs which were on me, I was guided into the elevator which leads underground. From what I had seen, there were elevators along the walls and there doesn’t seem to be any other way to come and go from the underground.
“I will give you one more advice. Food is supplied as a whole only once a week. You’d better share properly and eat. From my experience as a jailer, I would advise you to not go against the leader of the group there — that would be for your own good. You won’t probably get food for a while but you will have to endure.”
“I am innocent so I will probably get out real soon either way.”
“I see. But even still, it is hard to think of it as an environment the great nobles can endure — even for a short period of time. In the first place, I wonder how many years it has been since a great noble has entered this prison… You should try not to attract attention.”
Is he actually being kind? Having received some advice from the jailer, the elevator still kept going deeper underground. The surface seems to be much further away. I guess 30 meters is quite deep. There are also no gaps in the wall — leaving no option of climbing. I somewhat felt this uneasy feeling of never being able to crawl up again. Ahh.. just once, just once would be enough. I wanted to see that person’s face one more time. I would have been able to live underground without feeling uneasy too that way. Also, I should have ate something sweet too. I am extremely missing it.
With an intense clanging noise and impact, the elevator had reached. The jailer opened the iron railing surrounding the elevator and I was imprisoned. I would be in the hands of these guys for a while now. Better convey my greetings properly. With just a few guards, the elevator started moving again, this time towards the surface. I can’t go back now. It felt as if that feeling was forced onto me.
It was pretty spacious inside the prison. In simple words, by eye measurement, it looked like it would be able to fit two Tokyo Domes in it. if it’s like this I guess I don’t need to worry about my neighbor snoring. At any rate, it is quite a crude space made only of soil and iron. Of course, there were no beds or sofas. It is the worst, but I guess it’ll do. I just need to endure it for a while.
Now then, it seems my room number is 136. Passing a few prisoners on my way, I found my room. Room no. 136 was of course, made with iron and the floor smelt like dust. I will be here for a while so I guess I will clean up the place first. Fortunately, it seems the neighboring rooms are empty so it might be easier to spend my time here.
Cleaning up the place with a piece of cloth lying outside the room, I tidied up the place and made it a little more hygienic and livable. Taking off my shoes, I tried lying down on the floor for a while. It was nice that there are no dirt on the floor now but since the walls are iron bars, it is completely visible from outside — which makes it hard for me to calm down. Some pretty bad looking prisoners have been peeking in while passing by for a while now. It feels really uncomfortable. Alright, I guess I will search for something which can act as a wall. It would be perfect if a big cloth or something is lying around here somewhere.
And so, just as I was about to go look for one, I realized that a group of those bad looking prisoners were coming my way. The ones who were passing by just now seemed like they were alone but… there are more than 10 people in that group. I guess it is convenient to live with a group everywhere, huh? I wonder if they are doing that…
“No. 136… Here, eh?”
Standing in front of my room, the guy in front confirmed my face and room number. Seems like they found their objective — as they surrounded me. So they wanted something from me, eh…? So, what is it?
“Let me just say this first, I don’t have any candy, alright?”
“I don’t need stuff like that. The boss calls for you. Come along.”
“I was planning on searching for something which could be used as a wall but, does your boss have something like that?”
“I don’t know. Just come. We were told to bring you by force if needed. You get it, right??”
Well, even if you threaten me like that… I do get it but, people are normally busy on their first day moving in, you know? Do you get that? After that, two tough looking men grabbed me by the shoulder and forcibly dragged me there.
“It’s pretty dry around here. Do you think this boss-san will share some water with me if I ask?”
“If you don’t shut yer trap I will havta force you shut, got it?”
‘Got it?’?…. Well, I do get it but… It is seriously really dry here, you know? My throat would naturally get dry, you get it, right? After walking for a while, just when I thought the filthy men had dispersed, it seemed like we reached the boss’ place. Oi oi, what is this? Just when I had thought there was nothing but iron and dust here, although I don’t know how they got it in here but the man in front of me was sitting on a sofa. Moreover, the room behind him has walls. This, too, I don’t know how they got, but it was made of wooden boards. On top of that, it’s vast! What is with that pleasant looking room?!
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