Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Wish Voucher (1)
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While the warden was seeing off the Audit Bureau chief,
three women visited his office.
Anje sat in the warden's chair, arms crossed by herself.
Clea and Myoran sat on the guest sofa.
In the suffocating tension that closed in like a noose, the saintess spoke first.
"Who'll use theirs first."
The vice warden and the Sword Sage didn't answer right away.
They pondered like diners at a lavish feast, wondering what to savor first.
"Don't any of you cross the line. That boy's my prophet, after all."
Anje laid down the law like splashing cold water on their table.
Myoran shot back coldly.
"Derek, your prophet? That's just your delusion."
Ever since the saintess had disguised herself as Eri for a secret date.
Their relationship had soured badly.
"The warden has no interest in your religious games. If anything, he seemed to like our Eastern culture."
"Ha, what're you talking about? Did he eat Eastern food? Or wear Eastern clothes?"
Anje's white hair rippled ominously.
As if she might smash the prison to bits any second.
"He did something even more impressive than that. Didn't you see the back of the prison?"
Myoran pulled a pink petal from her qipao pocket.
She lightly covered her lips with it, teasing the saintess.
"Why else would he plant Eastern flowers there himself? For me."
Myoran stretched out her legs leisurely.
Her ample thighs came into view along the side slit.
"So I'm planning to take the warden East and show him. The ecstatic flower fields."
The journey from this Western region to the Eastern Continent took a full month by ship.
In other words, taking him meant spending nearly a year together.
"Unbelievable. You think he likes you just because he humored your little flower garden?"
"If not, he wouldn't have gone all the way to the capital for the seeds."
The Eastern girl knew she already held a place in his heart.
She lounged on the sofa like a victor, full of ease.
"Don't mistake it for him indulging a bratty kid he finds hard to handle."
"You're the one who's nothing without your disguise. The warden was just scared of you."
Anje fell silent for a moment.
As if to show that actions spoke louder than words, red eyes flashed in the wild hills behind the prison.
"Bring it. I've been wanting to swing my sword now that my realm has advanced further."
"Oh? Perfect timing. I've been itching to half-kill you and use you as the vanguard for my legion."
"Your twisted tastes haven't changed. Planning to enslave Derek someday too?"
"Oh my, were you thinking of that? You're such a naughty girl."
Any normal person in this room right now would have their mind shattered.
The clash of those two powerful yin auras shook even the still cups.
"......"
But Clea kept her stoic expression.
She sighed deeply, as if watching immature big sisters and little sisters.
"Enough, all of you. You think smashing the prison will make the warden like you?"
She absently brushed off her skirt hugging her full hips.
She rose from the sofa and began brewing tea with practiced skill.
"Don't get heated and ruin the trust you've built up."
To Anje, she served warm peppermint tea and sweet madeleines.
To Myoran, milk and cake.
"Since I secured the wish vouchers for you, I'll set the rules too."
Clea crossed her arms alone and pointed at the two in turn.
"No wishes that cross the line. Keep them reasonable enough for everyone to accept."
Anje and Myoran were clearly far stronger than Clea.
Yet she spoke plainly, without flinching.
"Wishes must be fulfilled within the Empire. No forcing religion or allegiance."
She was the type to stare down royalty and assert herself.
Knowing her personality, the two prisoners didn't argue.
"And drop the habit of treating the warden like your possession."
As if agreeing, the office door opened right on cue.
Grand Elder Dark appeared next, hands behind his back.
"Good rules, Vice Warden. Allegiance only counts if he chooses it himself."
The old man, neatly dressed in a dress shirt and cardigan, sipped the coffee Clea offered and persuaded the two.
"If you're truly after Warden Derek for 'business' reasons, shouldn't building trust slowly come first?"
With even the negotiation expert stepping in, the two prisoners relented for now.
Anje, regaining her composure, continued probing.
"You got a wish voucher too?"
"Of course. I told Fred and Nix to peel potatoes."
Next, Myoran spoke up.
True to her Eastern roots, her tone was polite to the elder.
"Then what wish will you make, sir?"
"What big wish does a man over sixty have?"
The elder pointed to the emperor's portrait on the warden's office wall.
Behind Bodin VIII stood various vassals, including the Northern Duke.
"I just hope Derek goes beyond warden and becomes lord of the North."
"......"
Everyone sobered up at once.
You're no slouch either.
"Only then can I live comfortably here."
The three prisoners began eyeing each other again.
One aiming to put the Northern Duke on the throne and reap the honey from behind.
One scheming to build a new kingdom in the North and become king and queen.
Even one wanting to take him back to her Eastern homeland and found a clan together.
Finally, only the warden's closest aide, the vice warden, remained.
As everyone turned to her, footsteps echoed from the hall.
The obsessive prisoners identified the owner instantly.
The Audit Bureau chief departed.
The prison, now rid of him and his Red Horse unit, was eerily quiet.
But I knew.
If I returned to the prison now,
countless calamity-level beings would seek revenge on me.
"Hmm. Guess I'll head home for the day."
My escape instinct surged wildly.
Every nerve in my body screamed to leave immediately.
"Yeah, it's quitting time anyway. Might as well take some vacation."
Come to think of it, I'd never used a single day of paid leave.
After busting my ass for three months straight, a day off—or a week—should be fine.
"......"
Why's the prison so quiet, though?
I cautiously headed back inside.
"Why's the hallway so dark? Everyone asleep?"
If so, perfect.
They must be exhausted from all the acting, so early bedtime makes sense...
"You're back."
The moment I opened the warden's office door, my hopes shattered.
They were all already inside, waiting for me.
"What's everyone doing in the warden's office?"
I clasped my hands behind my back sternly and asked.
The prisoners narrowed their eyes in unison.
"You pretending not to know? We had a hell of a day because of you."
Clea spoke for the group.
I answered as casually as I could.
"Couldn't be helped. I didn't invite the Audit Bureau chief."
"It's entirely your fault, lad. Absorbing that mafia gave them an excuse to show up."
Even Grand Elder wasn't on my side today.
True to his skilled politician nature, he seized the opportunity fully.
"I nearly got spotted by Damas myself. Hiding at my age was exhausting."
"Haa... alright, I get it. So what's everyone's wish?"
I dragged my tired body to the leather chair and flopped down.
The seat was still warm from whoever sat there before.
"Go ahead, one by one."
Out of respect for the elder, everyone turned to Grand Elder.
He opened his mouth first, as if responding.
"Fine. I'll go."
Grand Elder handed over a prepared sheet of paper.
It was none other than...
a list of noble ladies residing in the North.
"Start with an arranged marriage."
"......?"
Already hitting a wall on the first wish?
"Pardon? Get married?"
As I asked loudly, the prisoners behind him focused intently.
With cold eyes devoid of warmth.
"Yes. At 21, isn't it time for marriage proposals?"
Grand Elder ignored the piercing glares.
Like the seasoned political heavyweight he was, he stressed marriage's importance.
"Connections are essential to rise higher. Marriage is the surest way."
True, marriage had long been a key political tool.
But I'd been single my whole life.
Who'd date happily knowing the world was doomed?
"Sorry, but I don't have the bandwidth right now."
Only after I hesitated did the prisoners' glares soften.
"I'll hold onto the list, though. Might have time someday."
"Hoho, do that. Looks like you're not entirely uninterested."
Of course not.
Gorgeous women rivaling top celebrities paraded right in front of me.
If I stopped all the apocalypses, I'd love to have a bunch of kids and live happily.
"I'm a man too, naturally. Someday I'd like to start a family."
Start a family.
At those words, the women sitting behind froze.
"Yes, yes. Best to marry on a whim—peace of mind. Get old and tied down, it's a headache."
"Don't worry. I'm not the type to get tied down."
The two men chuckled, looking at each other.
The women in back eavesdropped and smirked.
Like hatchlings frolicking atop an aging lion.
"Anyway, that's my wish."
"Got it. Who's next?"
Anje, perched demurely on the sofa armrest, stepped up.
She sat on the desk in her red dress.
"You know how embarrassing my acting was today, all for you."
"I do. Thanks to you, we fooled the Audit Bureau chief easily."
Anje glanced at Myoran and Clea.
They wore deadly expressions warning not to cross lines.
With Grand Elder wielding the powerful marriage card too.
In that midst, the saintess's wish was...
"Be my model."
More normal than expected.
"Model?"
"Yeah, writing a novel, but the poses are tricky."
No, that's not hard at all.
I worried she'd ask to leave the prison—relief.
We could do this right in her cell.
Too easy.
"Sure. Happy to."
"Great, that's enough for me."
Anje slid off the desk lightly.
She slowly passed Myoran and Clea.
"......"
The two women furrowed their brows, trying to guess her scheme.
But for now, the saintess's true intent remained hidden.
"Next."
"My turn now."
Myoran rose gracefully from the sofa and approached.
She eyed my body slyly, then spoke.
"Honestly, I don't have anything specific. Just here to help prep for your matches."
Another surprisingly easy wish.
At this point, their intentions were starting to scare me.
"For real...?"
"Yes. But I'll train you brutally, so brace yourself."
Had I really succeeded in reforming these prisoners?
Their modest wishes filled my chest with pride.
"Alright, Clea last?"
"Nothing grand from me either."
The vice warden pulled an address from her uniform pocket.
"What's this? Looks like a house."
Anje and Myoran watched Clea casually.
She'd said no crossing lines herself—must be nothing big.
But.
"Right, my home."
The fox we'd thought tame hopped onto the hearth first.
"Your home? Why there?"
"Besides prison work, I've got a side gig lately. Hard to look after my siblings."
Clea brushed her bangs aside expressionlessly.
Unlike usual, she averted her gaze as she said,
"On your day off, watch them for me."
"What, that's it? Wouldn't a nanny be better?"
"I figured the warden, with his snake-like tongue, would handle them better than most."
"That's a compliment, right?"
I chuckled lightly at Clea's joke and waved it off.
But the prisoners standing behind showed no amusement.
On the surface, a selfless wish to babysit her siblings.
Yet among women, it meant something else.
I trust you enough to entrust my family.
Indeed, Clea glanced at the two prisoners foxily.
With her slender eyes.
That vixen dares.
The two calamity prisoners scowled coldly.
With wishes stated, they stormed out of the office.
"......"
Dark hallway bathed in moonlight.
Heading to their cells, they muttered.
"Fine, playing it that way, huh?"
In truth, both had their own intentions behind their wishes.
"Alright, no more holding back."
Anje opened a drawer and grinned wickedly.
Inside were stacks of nude sketches of the man.
"No one reliable in the West after all."
Myoran, back in her cell, smirked too.
She flipped through a martial arts manual from the East.
Filled with illustrations of men and women pressed close, gazing intensely.
"In that case, first to claim wins."