-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: From Guard to Master
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“And prisoner Helios. You will also be punished as an accomplice in yesterday's incident.”
Because I took care of Grogi, I'd draw even more attention.
And according to that, 'he' was also scheduled to make a move.
“This is the result of your actions, so you will take responsibility.”
Well, I thought differently.
Like it or not, Helios would have drawn the attention of the Niflheim prisoners one way or another.
First, his appearance is striking. On top of that, his talent is exceptional.
“Under orders from above that you both require special management for a while, you will share this cell with Garet.”
But he was still just a seed that would one day become a great tree, making him a tempting target for those who enjoyed stomping on such sprouts.
“And prisoner Helios. Starting next week, you will enter the Tower from the 20th floor.”
That said, I hadn't expected Helios to receive this kind of punishment either.
Sergeant Steven briefly turned to me with a complicated expression.
His face was a strange mix of what could have been interest or concern.
“Of course, Garet, who has become a prisoner, will enter the Tower with him.”
Sergeant Steven left the room.
The sight of the thick iron door closing was not unfamiliar.
‘Though I didn't expect to see it again so soon, of course.’
It's fine. I'll make sure this is the last time I see that door as Garet.
‘I have to get out.’
The moment the door was fully shut, Helios spun around fiercely.
I could clearly see him reaching out, but once again, I didn't bother to dodge.
Both his hands gripped my shoulders tightly.
“What in the world is going on?”
His flustered expression was fascinating. I didn't know he could make a face like that.
“It's just as you see, prisoner Helios. Ah…”
I realized my mistake after speaking.
There's no reason for me to call him that anymore, is there?
I'm no longer a guard; I'm back to being a prisoner.
“Now that I'm not a guard, I can't call you prisoner. What should I call you?”
“Is that what's important right now?! Murder? You've never killed anyone, have you?”
“We'll be sharing a room from now on. What could be more important than how we address each other?”
“There was definitely no one dead. They were all still breathing!”
I nodded seriously.
“If you'll allow it, there's something I'd like to be called.”
“…Could you please just listen to me?”
Ah. Helios's brow furrowed again.
I let out a small laugh.
“That's right. I didn't kill them. There probably won't be anyone dead even after they get back.”
“Then why?”
“Because the higher-ups wanted it.”
“That's unreasonable. They were the ones who started it, weren't they?”
“That's strange. Did you really think things like fairness and reason would be upheld here?”
“…”
“Legality, morality. All good things. But if that's what you wanted, you shouldn't have come here.”
After saying that, I paused for a moment to think.
It wasn't really a fitting thing to say for either me or Helios, who were both here for crimes we didn't commit.
“Since we're companions now, let's sort out our titles.”
“…Aren't you even the slightest bit resentful?”
I tilted my head. Resentment…
“I think I felt that about ten years ago.”
“What?”
“Just kidding. I don't feel particularly resentful. We all agreed to follow any and all orders upon entering this place. So, of course, the responsibility for the trouble I caused and my actions lies with me.”
From the moment Grogi appeared, things were bound to get complicated no matter how I handled it.
What can you do?
Besides, now that I'm in the main building as a prisoner, I can protect Helios 24/7.
“I have no particular regrets.”
I'm satisfied. I'd say the Warden's handling of the situation was appropriate.
In truth, telling a brand-new prisoner to start from the 20th floor is a death sentence.
But the higher-ups ordered me to go in with him.
In other words, they're telling me to carry him.
‘Alright, I'll give him a limousine ride.’
“More importantly, about what to call me…”
“Hah, call me whatever you want! I don't care, so do as you please!”
“Really?”
“Yes. What about you? What are you planning to do now?”
“You really won't regret it? Can I assume you truly won't mind?”
“Yes, I said I don't care!”
I nodded.
“Understood. And as for what I'm planning to do… I've become a prisoner, so I suppose I'll live like one?”
With that, I grabbed Helios's arm.
As he flinched, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him closer to get a good look at his face.
“…What are you doing?”
‘Just as I thought.’
I could see signs of injury all over his face. There was a dark bruise on his neck.
He's in worse shape than when he first came out of the Tower.
‘He got into a fight.’
The moment the rumor spread that a rookie guard had taken care of Grogi, it seems some guys couldn't hold back and went after him.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“Huh? What?”
“You were hit.”
“…”
“Where were you hit? Who did it? Explain.”
Our faces were very close.
It was necessary to see the wounds properly.
“…Whether I was hit or not, wh-what does it have to do with you?”
“Why wouldn't it? You must have been hit because of me.”
I could feel his ragged breaths, but strangely, it wasn't unpleasant because of a rather sweet and refreshing scent.
Though his breaths seemed a little warmer than before for some reason.
“…Why would that be your fault?”
Of course it is. A huge rumor must have spread that his dedicated guard was involved, so how many small-fry would have gathered to hear the full story? It was obvious without even seeing it.
Come to think of it, we weren't guard and prisoner anymore.
So there's no need to use a formal guard-like tone, right?
The tone I'd diligently practiced for two months was quickly corrected, making all that effort feel pointless.
“Are you sure no one hit you while mentioning my name? I'm warning you now, it'll be in your best interest to spit it out instead of trying to be clever.”
Helios, who had been mumbling, scowled and turned his head slightly.
He lightly covered his mouth with a large hand.
“…I-I don't know! There was no one like that. Got it? More importantly, why are you talking like this?”
“I'm not a guard anymore, so there's no need to be so formal. Come to think of it, there's a title I'd like you to call me.”
“Do you… have some kind of disease where you die if you're not addressed by a certain title? Why are you so obsessed?”
“Not 'you.' 'Master.' Helios.”
Helios looked slightly startled and stared at me again.
“The 20th floor of the Tower is no joke. If you don't learn well from now on, you'll die.”
We were so close that the tips of our noses brushed lightly.
I could feel the air stir as Helios's lips parted.
I had no idea why his hands were trembling.
But the wavering in his beautiful, jewel-like violet eyes was quite a sight.
“Now that we're both prisoners, it'll be easier to teach you, right?”
“…”
“So, not 'you.' 'Master.'”
After a flicker of hesitation, Helios very lightly grasped my wrist, the one holding his collar.
“…Master.”
The voice that came out was quiet, echoing softly like that of a small child learning to speak for the first time.
Nevertheless, unlike before, it was tinged with warmth.
I raised the corner of my mouth slightly.
“Good boy.”
He didn't blame me once. I suddenly felt proud of him.
“Ah, it's okay to resent me for making you go to the 20th floor.”
Helios's lips parted.
His head slowly lowered.
“I don't resent you.”
His words were unexpected. I couldn't help but be surprised.
He got beat up because of me, and he doesn't resent me?
“You don't have to pretend to be nice.”
“Who's pretending to be nice?”
“Even if you resent me, I'll still teach you Kia well.”
“…Are you seeing me as some kind of suck-up who'd do anything just to learn Kia?”
“You're not?”
“I'm not!”
Helios's face turned fierce.
He was still handsome even when he looked fierce, which was nice to look at, but I couldn't understand why he was angry.
“It wasn't your fault in the first place, so what is there to blame you for?”
“Not 'you.' 'Master.'”
“Do you really have time to insist on a title in a situation like this? Just answer me!”
“You get worked up easily. Is your throat okay?”
“…”
The prison walls are thick, so a squabble like this probably won't leak outside.
But if the guards misunderstand and think we're fighting, we could be disciplined.
Which means it could get pretty annoying.
“Hah… Forget it. It's hard to have a proper conversation with you.”
“Not 'you.'”
“Fine, Master, Master!”
Good. I nodded in satisfaction.
Then, I walked past the rigidly standing Helios and flopped down on the bed to the left.
Wow, it's been a while since I've felt something this hard.
‘The guard's bed really was nice.’
“What are you doing?”
When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw his face looking at me with disbelief.
“What?”
“In the middle of a conversation…”
“Ah, did you want the left side? Should I move to the right?”
“No, I'm asking where you're going in the middle of our conversation.”
“You should lie down and rest, too.”
“…You have no intention of listening, do you.”
