Prison

Thud, thud.

Footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.

The environment was so poor that it seemed miraculous anyone could live here for long, but Stella paid it no mind.

After all, it was clearly a fitting treatment for the vilest criminals’ final destination.

“Couldn’t you at least turn on some lights? I can’t tell if we’re going the right way.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. The prisoners here have grown accustomed to the darkness. Suddenly turning on lights could severely damage their eyes.”

“…Do we really need to care about criminals’ eyes?”

These weren’t petty offenders.

This prison had historically housed the worst quality criminals.

That most inmates were child molesters or serial killers showed how rotten these prisoners were.

Moreover, not all who committed such crimes even qualified to come here.

Only those with evidence and circumstances so clear that no other perpetrator was possible.

Otherwise, entering this prison was impossible.

Did such scum really deserve such consideration?

Though somewhat cruel, Stella thought this way.

The Prison Warden who’d offered to guide her nodded in apparent agreement.

“I agree completely, but if they go blind, it becomes a management hassle.”

“…Ah, I see. Right.”

“Neither I nor my staff want to come here. That Your Highness came at all is astonishing.”

“My apologies.”

“No need. It’s my duty.”

So it was a management issue.

Well, even in this darkness, one could adjust enough to see nearby objects.

Toss them a hard bread crust and they could probably find it to eat.

Blindness would force staff to individually assist them – far more troublesome than now.

The stench was bad enough already, but then it might become truly unbearable.

Stella observed criminals lying corpse-like in dark cells.

Monsters who’d committed inhuman atrocities.

The death penalty abolition might be their true misfortune.

Condemned to spend their remaining lives in such a place.

Yet she felt no pity. They’d earned this through their crimes.

“…By the way, Your Highness. Did you come all this way to question that criminal about something important?”

“Hm? Ah, nothing major. Just a casual question.”

“I see.”

The Prison Warden seemed curious why a princess would visit prisoners for questioning.

Couldn’t someone else handle this? His expression seemed to ask.

Not entirely wrong, but this required personal attention.

When Stella showed no inclination to explain, the warden stopped probing and resumed walking silently.

After several minutes, he stopped before a cell.

“Here we are. We’ll erect soundproof barriers. If any problems arise, press this button immediately.”

“This is?”

“Gas. Can eliminate the solitary confinement prisoner instantly. Pressing it also isolates the cell, so don’t worry.”

“…Understood. I’ll keep it.”

“Use it immediately if anything seems suspicious. We’ll blame any ‘accidents’ on preexisting conditions. …Hey, you have a visitor. Wake up.”

“Ugh…”

The small iron gate to the solitary cell opened, eliciting groans from its occupant at the sudden change.

Ignoring his discomfort, Stella addressed him.

“Do you know Ophelia?”

“Ugh… Gkk…”

“Answer.”

The Prison Warden had wondered why Stella came.

The answer was simple – she couldn’t overlook even improbable possibilities.

Stella had already ordered subordinates to report on all criminal organizations in the capital.

…Rather than wait during the brief response time, she decided to learn more about Ophelia.

Hence this visit.

“Answer truthfully… and maybe I’ll release you. I’m the princess. As a member of that organization that tried overthrowing the world by targeting me, you’d recognize my face.”

“Prin…cess?”

“So answer sincerely, Salome.”

The Bright Light Society’s terrorist activities had been easily suppressed thanks to Grandma and the teachers.

Their leader dead. Most members dead or captured. Remaining fugitives wanted.

Why question a remnant now?

To trace Teacher Ophelia’s movements.

The Bright Light leader reportedly kept talking until death.

Claiming Ophelia stood behind him.

Academy teachers dismissed it as terrorist ramblings.

Fearing conspiracy theories among citizens, they buried the story.

Stella wanted to investigate those very ramblings.

Since Teacher Ophelia left, those words likely held truth.

But she wanted details.

“What’s the relationship between the Bright Light Society and Teacher Ophelia?”

“…Lady Ophelia?”

“Yes. Teacher Ophelia.”

“What business do you have with Lady Ophelia?”

…What’s with this bizarre loyalty?

The near-dead man’s face suddenly filled with determination.

A look vowing never to harm her, no matter what.

Stella guessed what happened to him.

Hypnotized, it seemed.

“Fine, I’ll rephrase. When did you first meet Teacher Ophelia?”

“…What are you up to?”

“Who knows? But think carefully. Answering serves you well.”

Stella attributed the abnormal loyalty to hypnosis.

Otherwise, it meant she truly belonged to the Bright Light Society.

The worst possible scenario.

So Stella deliberately dismissed that possibility, though she knew she shouldn’t.

“Hmph. Obviously since the Bright Light’s founding day…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Something’s off. Was the Bright Light… founded at a hotel? No, impossible…”

“…Enough. I’ve learned what I needed.”

Fortunately, Stella’s worst fear hadn’t materialized.

However Ophelia infiltrated them, she’d hypnotized them after joining.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t seem so confused.

Thus, the Bright Light leader’s claims weren’t entirely false.

Ophelia stood behind him – meaning she’d hypnotically controlled their leader.

But why?

Too many unknowns remained, and Stella wasn’t Ophelia.

She’d learn the rest when they met.

At least Ophelia and the Bright Light weren’t allies.

Stella felt satisfied knowing that much.

“Thank you. I’ve learned everything I needed.”

“I don’t recall our conversation being that meaningful.”

“To me, it was quite enlightening.”

“Oh? Then about our deal…”

“Deal? What are you talking about?”

“What?”

Stella smiled coldly at Salome’s dumbfounded voice.

“I said I might release you. Never promised I would.”

“Th-that’s…! Sophistry! Get me out now!”

“Ah, you recognize sophistry. …But know this?”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Perhaps sensing his escape opportunity vanishing, Salome frantically pounded the walls demanding release.

Stella just watched his tantrum with amusement, taking no action.

“Politics naturally works this way. I never actually promised, did I?”

“You, you biiiiiiitch!”

“Next time, listen more carefully. If there is a next time.”

“Release me! Release me now!”

“Farewell. Pleasant dreams.”

Crash!

Salome’s hopes disappeared, mocked by Stella’s retreating figure.