I Think the World Made Me Its Enemy

And yet, thoughts about what had happened to the original owner of this body before I moved in never left me.

"Ha..."

I exhaled.

All I could do was guess.

Still, I had my part of the work left, right?

(Hah...)

Evening came quickly, giving way to night.

In my hand was a lamp with burning oil, which I had already gotten used to over these past few days.

The handle was made of iron and felt cold, and the oil inside barely flickered, matching my secret (another) nighttime stroll.

(Maybe it's just a comforting thought, but it seems I'm starting to get better at navigating here...)

I stopped at a fork of two dark stone paths in the dungeon.

(Well, this time I'll take the right one.)

Remembering previous failed attempts, I grimaced.

(This time, it has to be right, yes?)

"You don't try you don't find out, heh..."

With determination, I stepped again into the dark abyss of this grim prison that promised nothing good.

And...

I should end up at a possible exit, right?

I should.

Should.

Should I?

It exists, doesn't it? Ha-ha.

(Damn it!)

"Damnit, why am I back here again..." I stopped, unable to hold back a quiet curse.

The cold air, the same gloomy walls, and the door to that very cell about ten meters away from me.

Without a doubt, I was here again.

(And what number is this, damn it?! How annoying is it that...) —C...

Making the most displeased sour face, I clenched my teeth tightly and pressed my lips together until they looked like a thin pale line.

Taking out my pocket watch, I quickly glanced at the hands. I had borrowed it prematurely from another guard who was friendly to me, and it was very timely.

Time to leave and not get caught again.

"And which time is this... the third, I suppose?"

"Well, that's possible, right?"

"Indeed..."

(Huh?!)

I suddenly turned around.

Frozen for several seconds, I finally gathered myself and answered.

"It's..."

Before me stood Lucas in all his glory.

Of course he was here! Since he was not a prison worker but came to rescue a prisoner, it was not strange that he lingered near his cell at the same time as me!

At the same time, the guard shift change and rounds were happening!

"You decided to take another walk here, I suppose?" On his handsome face, which was not even spoiled by the dim shadows, appeared a charming calm smile.

No, not just that.

He was so calm and focused it was frightening.

(Ts... his behavior annoys me...)

"Would you believe me if I said I got lost here again?"

I made the most innocent sad face, which did not hint at any attempt to escape or anything like that.

In this prison, corruption was the main authority, so even noble people could be allowed such walks.

(It seems I heard that one noblewoman met her lover in the night garden and the only thing they did was kindly warn her not to do it again.)

"..."

Hmm, why are you silent?

My nervousness rose significantly after that silent response, but I just blinked innocently again.

You have to believe me, right?

"Hmm, you're right. Don't blame yourself too much. The underground tunnels in this prison are enchanted, so at first wandering in circles and ending up in the same place is quite normal."

Lucas nodded, making me slowly exhale.

"Ah, right! I wanted to ask you something."

"Y-yes? I'm listening."

"About that cell. Did you happen to enter it?"

He pointed to the cell where I (of course) had been, to my (great) misfortune.

"C-cell? I don't quite understand..."

Did he know?

That prisoner could not see me clearly because of the poor lighting, but that was only a guess, right?

"It's okay, you can tell me. The guard before my shift forgot to lock the door for a few minutes, despite the alarms and chains restraining the prisoner inside. He's still quite dangerous, you understand?"

"Ah, that... actually, when I was returning, one of the guards was passing by, so that was the first thing that came to mind... Sorry, was that reckless?"

Mumbling this, I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Of course, I could still easily lie, but my intuition as a top-class trickster would not allow it.

Despite all his charm and friendliness, and the fact that Lucas was not even a prison guard, his eyes...

His eyes looked too piercing for someone like that, right?