I Was Just Enjoying the Discipline - Chapter 7

It seemed everyone had finally resolved to escape. As Sophia rose, claimed a corner of the cell, and lay down against the cold stone wall, the others gradually began settling in for the night as well.

Before long, the prisoners curled up on the cold, unforgiving floor drifted off to sleep, one by one.

‘They must be exhausted. They were dragged here without warning yesterday and have barely slept since.’

Sophia, however, couldn’t bring herself to close her eyes. Tomorrow, she’d be responsible for leading everyone out of this place. And knowing what happened in the original novel and actually living through it were two very different things.

‘I just hope everyone makes it home safely.’

She lay awake, staring into the darkness, listening to the steady crackle of the torch burning outside the cell as she tried to quiet the unease gnawing at her.

Then she sensed someone approach.

It was Lavina.

She settled down close behind Sophia, near enough that their backs were almost touching. For a long while, she said nothing.

Then, quietly, she asked:

“…You could have escaped by yourself. Why did you tell everyone?”

Lavina spoke as though she already knew Sophia was still awake.

“You would’ve had a much better chance alone. It certainly would’ve been easier than trying to get all of us out. So why?”

Sophia remained silent. She had an answer, just not one she could possibly give.

“…Was it because of me?”

“…”

“Because I wouldn’t stop crying? Because I looked so pathetic that you felt sorry for me, Sophia?”

“…”

“Please answer me. I know you’re awake.”

“…I just felt guilty.”

Sophia’s reply was scarcely louder than the breath of someone already asleep. It was a carefully embellished answer, one that wrapped her true motives in as much kindness as possible.

“You, the others from the village… all of you. I just thought it was a waste for you to spend your lives here, offering your life essence to demons. No one would choose a life like that, would they?”

“…”

This time, it was Lavina who fell silent. She seemed to turn Sophia’s words over in her mind before quietly speaking again.

“But you wouldn’t want a life like that either, Sophia. If I knew a way to escape like you do…”

She lowered her eyes.

“…I think I would’ve run without looking back. After all, if I were caught trying to save everyone else, I’d only end up with an even worse fate.”

“…”

“But you don’t seem to care about any of that. You’re so brave… It’s almost as though you’re not afraid of the demons at all.”

“…”

“How can you be like that?”

“…I’m not the person you think I am. For tomorrow’s sake, You should get some sleep too, Lavina.”

Sophia shifted onto her side like someone settling in for sleep. With no blanket to pull over herself, she simply wrapped her arms around her own body and lay still.

Even then, Lavina didn’t leave. She remained where she was for a long time.

Sophia could almost feel the weight of Lavina’s gaze resting on the back of her head, but she stubbornly kept her eyes closed and endured it in silence.

At last, Lavina quietly returned to her own place. Only after hearing her retreat did Sophia finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘I thought she’d figured out I was doing all this because I wanted to stay behind, happily undergo the demons’ “training,” and offer up my life essence.’

Lavina’s questions had been far sharper than Sophia had expected. Even now, with her gone, Sophia’s heart was still pounding wildly in her chest.

Still, judging by the fact that Lavina had withdrawn without another word, it didn’t seem she’d uncovered Sophia’s true intentions.

That alone was a relief. Letting out another silent sigh, Sophia finally closed her eyes.

* * *

“Wake her.”

Someone spoke in a low voice. The next instant, a bucket of icy water crashed over Sophia’s face.

“…Ghk!”

The freezing torrent flooded into her mouth, her nostrils, even beneath her eyelids. Sophia’s eyes flew open as she lurched forward, coughing violently.

Instinctively, she tried to raise a hand to cover her mouth. It wouldn’t move. Her arms felt as though they had been bound to something. Only the chair beneath her rattled as she struggled.

She didn’t have time to wonder why. Unable to use her hands, Sophia could only keep coughing, desperately trying to expel the water that had rushed into her nose.

Even after the coughing subsided, far too much water had gone down the wrong way. Her nasal passages burned, and her throat stung with every ragged breath.

Sophia had only just managed to steady herself and catch her breath when she felt it. A piercing gaze, sharp enough to prick at her skin.

She looked up. Directly across from her sat a man with fierce violet eyes fixed coldly upon her.