Chapter 289:
Chapter 289: Love Makes People Blind
"Strictly speaking, simply ignoring the criminal's threat would have been enough to show our stance," Franda sighed deeply. "Now that it's in the papers and the impact has spread this far, if sothing happens... surely you're not unaware of the consequences?"
As a veteran guard, she knew very well how governnt agencies react to public opinion.
Considering the worst-case scenario, if Navia Drake succeeded in the jailbreak, Rose Iron Prison would be left in an extrely awkward position.
For them, minimizing the impact of such an event was naturally best.
If news hadn't spread after the jailbreak occurred, the Prison Administration Bureau, even the Ministry of Justice, would do everything possible to suppress public opinion and eliminate the fallout. With the Capital Prison case still unsolved, the higher-ups likely wouldn't be too harsh on those in charge. At most, Warden Aiden would be called in for a symbolic reprimand; the punishnt couldn't possibly exceed what the Empire did to the Capital Prison's warden back then.(TN: 罚酒三杯 (Fájiǔ sān bēi) - Lit. 'punished with three cups of wine'. A symbolic punishnt, often aning a slap on the wrist or mild reprimand.)
But now, thanks to Aiden's reply, the matter was publicized in the dia, thrusting the conflict between the Red Shark Pirates and Rose Iron Prison directly into the public eye. If the Red Shark Pirates broke inmates out under these circumstances, Rose Iron Prison... and indeed the entire judicial departnt of the Autonomous Prefecture would lose face completely. Soone would inevitably have to take full responsibility, and the higher-ups' handling of the person in charge couldn't possibly be so lenient then.
Although Aiden was undoubtedly her superior in rank, she still had more experience working in this specific prison. Aiden had also previously instructed her to promptly report any problems or opinions she had regarding work.
"Rest assured, Franda. If sothing happens, I'll take full responsibility myself," Aiden nodded with a smile.
"You're already speaking as if sothing will happen! How is that reassuring in any way?" Franda's eyes widened. "You getting dismissed would greatly affect us too!"
The managent of Rose Iron Prison was now vastly different from other prisons. If Aiden stepped down at this juncture, almost no one could take over seamlessly.
"Don't worry, Chief Guard. Since the Warden said so, he must be confident!" Veronica continued to speak up for Aiden.
Franda shot Veronica a helpless glance.
This isn't trust anymore; it's complete blindness.
"Warden, before I was assigned here right after joining, I visited the Empire's Capital Prison for observation and learning," Franda said, brow furrowed. "The conditions there, while not up to Thorn Fortress standards, were much better overall than here. And the Empire's system is different from the Autonomous Prefecture's; so prison guards are transferred from the military and have military equipnt. I don't an to be rude, but if that pirate crew could crack the Capital Prison so easily, there's no way we can defend against them here."
"I know about that too. In fact, I already know their thod for the jailbreak. That's why I haven't told you my plan; no matter how we prepare, this prison's asures won't work against it," Aiden replied calmly. "For now, just continue working as usual. There's only one thing—if the jailbreak happens, do not attack the jailbreakers or the escaping inmates until I give the order."
"Warden, do you realize what you're saying right now!?" Franda's eyes widened further.
If such an order were discovered during a post-incident investigation, Aiden would undoubtedly be suspected of dereliction of duty.
"I can't explain in detail. You just need to know one thing: they have a way to directly harm anyone who tries to attack or stop them. So, before I counter their thod, don't act rashly," Aiden explained briefly.
"Does that an you've already found a way to counter it?" Franda realized.
"Tentatively, yes," Aiden replied. "But this counterasure can only be used when they make their move. That's why I replied to them; I hope they'll act soon so we can resolve this quickly. I'll be staying in the prison these next few days to prepare."
"Alright, since you have a plan, I won't probe further," Franda sighed in relief. "But, Warden..."
"Hm?" Aiden sensed his subordinate had more to say.
"Is there any deep aning behind drawing this graffiti?" Franda pointed expressionlessly at an accompanying picture in the newspaper. "Honestly, aside from provoking the other party, I see no other significance."
The picture showed the wanted poster Aiden had posted on the landing's bulletin board, complete with his reply and the added doodles.
"Well..." Aiden hesitated slightly, then spread his hands. "While it truly doesn't an much, doing stuff like this makes
happy."
"This..." Aiden's frank admission left Franda montarily speechless. Finally, she covered her face helplessly.
Why is it that even the most reliable n indulge in pointless antics and beco so childish?
Feeling she could no longer persuade him, she turned to Veronica with a final glimr of hope, expecting her to offer a straightforward, sensible opinion this ti.
Veronica leaned in, stared at the newspaper for a good while, and finally said, "I think the drawing is quite amusing..."
"Is that the point!?" Franda was dumbfounded.
Finally, she gave up trying to persuade them and, looking weary, reached out to pat Veronica's shoulder.
"What's wrong, Chief Guard?" Veronica blinked.
"Never mind, it's nothing..." Franda swallowed the words she wanted to say, rely sighing.
This girl is a lost cause.
"If there's nothing else to report, you can go back," Aiden looked between the two.
Both saluted Aiden and prepared to leave the office.
Just then, Aiden suddenly rembered sothing and called out to Veronica, who was the last one out the door, "By the way, Veronica, are you heading to the cafeteria for dinner later?"
"Are you going too, Sir?" Veronica's eyes lit up.
"No, I still have a lot of work... I was just wondering, if you're going, could you get
two portions of Zhajiangmian from the cafeteria? I plan to eat in the office."(TN: 炸酱面 (Zhájiàngmiàn) - Zhajiangmian, noodles with fried bean sauce. Kept the pinyin as it's a specific dish.)
"Oh, I see. Of course, no problem," Veronica felt a small pang of disappointnt inwardly, then thought for a mont, suddenly uncertain. "Huh? Did you just say... two portions?"
The cafeteria's main course portions were quite substantial. In her mory, Aiden's appetite wasn't particularly large, not even comparable to her own increased appetite near the full moon.
"Yes," Aiden smiled calmly. "Today, I just happen to be a bit hungry."
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