𝐈𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝟏

The sound of the prison door opening with a clank woke Luke, who slowly sat up.

His body demanded rest, but if he didn’t respond immediately, a merciless whip would fly his way.

Of course, if he resisted, he would be beaten even more, and he couldn’t take a proper defensive stance because his right hand and right foot were chained together.

These restraints allowed him to walk normally, but they were utterly unsuitable for running or jumping.

That’s prison life, being forced to work from morning till night in such a state.

Ironically, Luke is currently engaged in repairing a highway, the very construction site that caused the downfall of the Gold-lined Butterflies.

“Number 214. Come out.”

He was called and slowly left his cell.

He was never called by his name. Because he was not considered a human here.

“You are now permitted to bathe. The time is half an hour.”

At the guard’s words, Luke’s face regained its vitality.

The only pleasures in prison are meals and baths. But baths are only once a week, and the time is very short.

It’s been a long time since he was able to take his time with half an hour.

The bathroom he was taken to already had water in it, and even soap and a razor were prepared.

Of course, it’s a bathroom with iron bars.

The guard demanded that Luke enter and reach out his hand through the bars.

Without understanding why, he complied, and the chain on his right hand was removed. Then his right foot.

“There is a pardon. Prepare yourself to meet the nobleman who will release you from prison.”

“. . .”

“Your answer?”

“Yes!”

“Good. I’ll come to pick you up when it’s time.”

With that, the guard turned on his heel and walked away briskly.

This was also unusual.

To be allowed to use a blade like a razor without supervision.

“. . . What on earth. . .?”

Luke, puzzled, undressed his prison uniform and took a bath.

Although he had become thin due to the poor diet and forced labor, his body was well-trained.

He washed his body, shaved his beard, and changed into the clothes provided.

Just doing that felt so special that he inadvertently wiped his eyes.

Suddenly, the razor he had just used to shave his beard came into view.

It’s a sharp blade.

He could threaten the guards with it, and if he used it well, he could probably kill two or three people.

“. . .”

He reached out for it but stopped himself.

He shouldn’t do anything unnecessary. Didn’t Lionel once say that when you don’t know how the situation will turn, you shouldn’t take on elements that put you at a disadvantage?

Just having a hidden razor wouldn’t be enough to turn the situation around.

It would be more troublesome if it was discovered that he was hiding it.

“If you’re hiding something, your actions become unnatural, right? Damn. To remember his words at a time like this.”

When he clicked his tongue, he heard the footsteps of the guard.

The man Luke faced was a muscular middle-aged man.

His head was completely bald, but there was nothing else that made him feel his age.

His eyes were sharp, and it was clear that he was a man who was always on the battlefield.

Even if he attacked, he would never win with his bare hands, Luke analyzed.

Moreover, judging from the reactions of the guards and the warden, he seemed to be a high-ranking warrior.

An officer. . . or perhaps even a general.

“You are Luke of the Gold-lined Butterflies, correct?”

“Yes.”

The very simple identification question also proved that this warrior did not know Luke.

“You are pardoned. Give thanks to the majesty of King Morrison.”

“I am grateful for this blessing.”

Luke bowed deeply.

The warrior in front of him mentioned the king’s name, but of course, this was a formality. A pardon is granted in the name of the king.

In reality, the king doesn’t know or care about each individual prisoner. In other words, this warrior is in a position to receive permission from the king.

No wonder the guards are so respectful, Luke thought with a wry smile.

“Excuse me for asking, sir. Is this pardon due to someone’s recommendation?”

“It’s my recommendation. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not at all.”

With a single word, he was silenced, and Luke bowed his head.

But with that one word, he understood. He understood without any basis.

The warrior in front of me, he was hired by someone to do this.

And who that someone is.

When he turned his face back, there was a blue flame burning in his eyes.

It’s him.

He’s the one who’s been meddling.

Probably using his personal connections. Feeling sorry for me, who was connected to the prison.

Don’t be ridiculous.

He could have used those connections to help the Gold-lined Butterflies in their time of crisis.

Is he now extending a hand in a way that feels like he’s doing me a favor?

Inside Luke’s stomach, emotions boil like magma.

But his face is all smiles.

Suppressing the frustration that makes him want to grind his teeth.

“It’s not much, but you should take it. You’ll need money to get your life back on track.”

The warrior, who had been watching Luke with amusement, placed a small leather bag on the table.

This is probably his doing too.

I have to accept his charity, with a forced smile on my face.

Like a beggar.

In the midst of the humiliation that makes him feel like dying, Luke reached out for it.

“I am grateful for your kindness, sir.”

Somehow, squeezing out the words.

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