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Prison wasn’t too bad. Saying this might make me sound like a criminal who had given up on everything, but it was surprisingly bearable.

The term ‘prison’ might conjure images of a cold and damp place. However, the space I had to stay in for five days was like any ordinary room except for the bars where a door should be. The furniture even felt newly replaced, so it was nice.

If you could forget that it was a prison, then it was quite livable. Yes, let’s just forget that part.

"Number 2781. Your meal has arrived."

Unfortunately, the person in front of me made that impossible. I couldn’t look away no matter how hard I tried.

"Why are you here again?"

"My valued subordinate is in this cold prison, so eating alone just doesn't feel right."

Bullshit. I could vividly imagine him using my imprisonment as an excuse to down bottles of liquor.

The Minister presented me with a box, his face brighter than ever. Damn it, how long have I been locked up for him to already be sending in food?

I wanted to yell at him to take that monstrous thing away, but causing a fuss in prison could extend my sentence for misconduct. The thought of extending my already tear-inducing five-day sentence was unbearable.

'He knows that all too well.'

And from what I knew, the Minister knew that as well. That was probably the reason why he visited with such enthusiasm.

"Aren’t you touched?"

I bit my lip at his words.

The past me was clearly and thoroughly insane. Right now, I was left dealing with the aftermath of those actions.

Yeah. Thinking about it, sending in the meal on the first day was crossing the line. I should have waited until the last day.

"Damned civil service..."

God definitely existed here; this seemed like a world where karma was a bitch.

***

I’ve never felt this satisfied since becoming the Minister. I now feel confident that I can go to work without any complaints for the next five years.

'So this is what it felt like.'

Seeing the prisoner grinding his teeth in front of me filled me with a deep sense of satisfaction.

The barrier of the prison bars, the inferior status of the convict, and the one-sided teasing opportunity—all of these were things I hadn’t experienced before.

Now I understand why that bastard rushed over with a written report when I was imprisoned.

'I thought he was insane.'

I thought he was crazy for writing a report just to mock me. I also thought that he must have lost his mind from being burdened with heavy responsibilities at such a young age.

But he was right. If one could enjoy this situation, then a written report was a small price to pay. It was worth the decision, even at the risk of a probation.

"Just take it. It's food you won't be able to eat for a while."

I slipped the box through the gap. It wouldn't have fit had it been a bit larger, but I was a former inmate myself. I wouldn’t have made that mistake.

"No, I’m here just for five days!"

"It's long enough."

Carl, who received the box through the gap, shouted with frustration, but I lightly retorted.

What did it matter if he got out after five days? The important thing was being stuck here and now, wasn’t it?

"It’s getting colder, so take care. I’d be sad if you caught a cold in prison."

This was sincere advice, but the ungrateful bastard just shivered.

Well, it didn’t matter. My mockery was as sincere as my advice, and that was exactly the reaction I wanted.

"Then, I'll be off. Take care, number 2781."

I deliberately mentioned his prisoner number as I turned away. Even if it was just a show for five days, a prisoner was still a prisoner by name.

This number, 2781, would stick with him even after his release, just like how I still remembered being called 1276 for a week.

'Was the sky always this clear?'

An incredibly clear sky greeted me as I looked up after exiting the prison.

I guess it can’t be helped. It would be disrespectful to Enen not to commemorate such a day.

Today called for a celebration.

***

Nothing happened after the Minister visited twice. Nothing else happened after the Minister's two visits.

I said it twice because it was important. It was less shocking because I expected the Minister to come on the first day, but him coming twice with a meal was too painful.

I expected to be hit, but I didn’t think it’d happen twice in a row. Please, let’s have a cooldown period.

'Today just passed by.'

I lay on the bed, calming my heart that would have cried if it had tears.

Yes, today just passed. The Minister's mental attacks were powerful, but thankfully, no one else came. It made me wonder if I even needed to refuse visits.

However, the real problem started tomorrow. A day had passed since my imprisonment, so the rumors would’ve likely spread. And since it was the weekend, people would have free time.

'...Should I extend it just one more day?'

For a moment, I seriously considered extending the no-visitors rule.

Of course, that was impossible because it would lead to rumors like 'What did he do that he can't even have visitors?' Damn it, it would’ve been less frustrating if I was actually here for a serious crime.

"Executive Manager."

As I blankly stared at the ceiling, I heard someone call me.

What, was there another visitor?

I hurriedly got up and saw the guard, who was awkwardly standing outside the bars.

"I came to check if you needed anything."

Ah, so it was nothing serious.

I thought it might be another visitor or the Minister's third attempt, but it was fortunately neither. I didn't want to meet anyone else today...

"I'm fine. There’s no need to worry."

I waved the guard off. The room wasn’t uncomfortable, and although it was annoying, the Minister had provided me with food, so I lacked nothing.

After all, it was just five days. Complaining about this and that would be pathetic. Besides, it wasn’t like being in prison was something to be proud of.

The guard bowed several times in response and then left after telling me to let him know if I needed anything.

'Luxuries in prison.'

It was a crazy thought, but I had that thought for a moment. Seeing how friendly the guard was made me wonder if I was in prison or some 5-star hotel.

But what could I do? From the guard’s perspective, it must be hard to treat me like a real prisoner.

'I would have felt the same.'

If I were stripped of my Executive Manager position or if I were facing years of imprisonment, then the guard would have treated me like a real prisoner.

But a five-day sentence? Clearly, it was just for show and I would return to work right after it ended. How could anyone treat such a person as a regular prisoner?

In a way, the guard was a victim in this as much as I was. He was just doing his job when he was suddenly tasked with managing a high-profile inmate.

'Was he also the same guard who managed the Minister?'

Being the guard who managed both a Minister and an Executive Manager was quite the achievement.

But grand or petty didn’t really matter. There was nothing I could do for the guard outside while I was in here. Staying quiet was the best help I could provide.

And as night fell, the guard returned with an armful of blankets.

"The prison is cold. Providing heating is difficult, but this might help..."

"Thank you."

I nodded to the guard, who spoke with a hint of nervous sweat. It seemed like refusing would only add to his burden.

Even my mere presence was a nuisance to him.

'I'm sorry...'

I should send him a gift once I was released.

***

The first thing I saw upon waking up on the second day of my prison life was the guard as he came to greet me.

Anyone would’ve thought that I was in a mansion and not a prison.

Seeing the bowing guard reminded me of what the Crown Prince had said in his office. What on earth did that bastard tell them for the guard to act like a butler?

Such a pitiful victim of the crown prince's actions. The thought made me feel a pang of sympathy. I should definitely send him a gift.

'Maybe transferring him to another department would be a good gift.'

Apart from the frequent visits from the guard, nothing else happened.

I’ve heard that vigorous inmates in prison braced themselves for extended sentences to engage in fierce brawls, but I had no chance of witnessing such spectacular fights since I was in a single cell.

I wasn’t even sure if such things really did happen. Who in their right mind would jeopardize their future just to enjoy the present?

'Me.'

Surprisingly, that mad person was me. I wouldn’t have ended up in imprisonment if I hadn’t gone so far as to tease the Minister, which led to a written report.

The prisoners in jail and I were not so different, after all. I came to realize something I'd rather not know.

"Executive Manager?"

"I’m fine."

While I was coming to terms with my own identity, the guard approached again.

I said that I would call him if I needed anything, and yet here he was again. It must not be deliberate negligence on his part. If so, was it because of the crown prince?

What did he say that made them so dedicated? This was almost frightening.

"It’s not that. A visitor request has come in."

"Oh."

I almost closed my eyes, resigning myself to the inevitable.

It wouldn’t be the Minister. He barged in yesterday without my consent, claiming 'It’s business about the Ministry of Finance!' so there was no law saying he that couldn’t do it again today.

But if it wasn’t the Minister...

'Who could it be?'

There were quite a few possibilities. Just counting the Senior Manager and the Managers alone, there were about five; if we were to include the 4th Manager, that made six.

Ah, maybe they came as a group. That would indeed be more convenient for them.

"It’s still morning; that was quick. Who is it?"

"That is—"

The guard just shifted his eyes, unable to answer my casual question.

...That was when I instinctively realized. It was definitely not someone from the Prosecutors’ Office.

"Her Grace, the Mage Duchess."

Ah.

I almost spat out the words 'Can you tell her that I’m not here?'

Where else would a prisoner be if not in prison, you /genesisforsaken