Chapter 116
I deliberately raised my voice so the predatory prisoners would hear me.
Eliza’s blue eyes welled up with hurt.
“That’s not true. We agreed to be friends.”
Sitting beside me, Clara furrowed her brow in concern, then murmured something as if she understood.
“If 48 is Kido’s friend… then she is also my friend. And a friend of a friend is a friend as well.”
What is this, social media? Also, how many times are we saying the word “friend” right now?
With the top predator Clara stepping in, the 30s and 40s quickly turned their heads and pretended to look away.
“Then… could we be friends too? We’re super close with Kido.”
When Leah and Deneb approached from a distance and asked, Clara gave a nod.
“Close friends, you say? A given, of course. We must form a new circle.”
With this, Eliza would be safe from bullying, and no one else would dare mess with me either.
Seeing Eliza beaming so brightly gave me a strange feeling.
Surely she didn’t anticipate I’d say this much, right?
What if she had drawn up a whole blueprint from the start before approaching me?
Come to think of it, entering hell as a lowest-ranked inmate, it was just enough risk to warrant going up against the 10s.
If it really was all intentional, then she’s basically a master-level political manipulator.
“Everyone, scram. That’s my seat.”
Johann had slipped over at some point, now growling at Eliza and Clara seated on either side of me.
“Apologies.”
Clara, ever courteous, shifted aside and looked back at Eliza.
“Number 48. Do you like cats?”
Eliza nodded energetically.
“Yeah! I had three before coming to the Empire. Their names were Do, Re, and Mi. They were kittens someone tried to throw into the river in a sack. I rescued them. That led me to start a ‘Don’t Shop, Adopt’ movement and pass animal welfare legislation. It’s one of my proudest achievements back in the Kingdom.”
Clara, who had been listening seriously, gave a smile like a recruiter meeting an impressive interviewee.
It seemed like Clara liked her background very much.
“Quite the animal lover, I see. Come with me. I’d like to discuss animal welfare and conditions.”
Before I could even scoff, telling them to worry about their own situations first, Clara had already whisked Eliza away.
Leah and Deneb followed close behind, chatting about their own past pets.
Enrique stepped closer to me and said:
“Lady, next time save me a seat. It’s annoying having to clear one.”
“Why don’t you just arrive before the seats are taken?”
What were they always doing that made them late?
Were they sneaking off to eat without me?
A reasonable suspicion.
Johann and Enrique casually settled on either side of me.
As usual, Johann laid his head on my lap, hands folded over his chest, eyes closed.
“Wake me when it’s done.”
Being used as a pillow was now a mark of distinction that showed off our closeness to the rest of the inmates, so I didn’t really complain about the role.
While I fulfilled my sacred pillow duties, the prelude to the service began.
“Huh?”
The one stepping up to the pulpit wasn’t the sleazy priest known for tasteless jabs, but a tall blond man.
The man’s amethyst eyes curved smoothly as they landed on me.
“El? …What’s he doing here?”
God himself doing correctional ministry? Doesn’t he have better things to do?
He wore the simple black cassock symbolizing chastity, but the sensual air about him made it feel strangely sinful just to look at him.
“Oh my, that priest guy is so handsome.”
“Right? Just as hot as Inmate Number 1 and 2.”
Even the men seated up front were visibly dazed.
Why were they ogling him like that?
Wasn’t it possible they were the real culprits who stole Johann and Enrique’s underwear?
The prison warden cleared his throat and began introducing El.
“This is Bishop El Joseph Charpendier, who will serve as your new chaplain. First among the Twelve Apostles of the Divine See, Deputy Head of the Central Liturgy Bureau, and newly appointed bishop of the Central Sacred Order. You ignorant humanfolk should count yourselves blessed that such a man has come to guide your repentance.”
Bishop, deputy director, apostle… he brought as many titles as he did names.
Anyway, what’s he doing here pretending to be some high-ranking clergy from the Order?
Not planning to use the ‘Justina’ persona anymore?
El locked eyes with me and smiled sweetly.
He even wiggled his fingers in greeting.
I quickly averted my eyes, pretending not to see.
If it gets out that I’m in cahoots with Marvas, I’m dead.
“And, the bishop will now assume the position of director of Gavaske Prison.”
This is crazy.
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