Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 1
What kind of disaster is this?
“My world collapsed yesterday…”
A room surrounded by dull gray walls, wearing a greenish-gray prisoner’s uniform, freedom constricted by iron bars.
Yes. I was a prisoner on the second day in the punishment cell.
Beyond the grim iron bars, a tall guard in a black uniform approached briskly.
“Prisoner number 49, it’s mealtime.”
- That’s what I’m called instead of my name.
Thud—
A piece of black bread fell through the bars and bounced a couple of times on the floor.
Just from the sound of it falling, I could tell how hard the bread was.
Is that really bread? Not a weapon?
“Excuse me, Captain.”
I pressed my face against the iron bars and looked at the guard.
His blue eyes slowly turned towards me.
I began to plead in a very desperate voice.
“It’s so unfair; I’ve done nothing wrong. Please call the family’s lawyer.”
The guard, with sandy hair, wearing thin-rimmed glasses, an image of intelligence—Damian Meister—said in an expressionless face.
“The family is probably long gone. Hasn’t your nobility been erased as well?”
“No matter the revolution, the profession of a lawyer can’t just disappear. Please let me write a letter seeking help.”
“What can you hope for? You’re not going to be in a position to get anyone to help you, the days of being treated by your bloodline are over.”
Damian threw a rebuke and went back to his place.
What happened to my uncle? Captured or dead, just as cursed Enoch said?
“Haaaa… Life.”
I had been locked up in the punishment cell since the first day of my imprisonment, simply for cursing that man.
I was under constant surveillance throughout the day.
Unlike other guards who spat out rough curses and informal speech, that man always used honorifics and polite language.
“Number 49, do not lie down. Take me as an example, straighten up your posture and sit upright.”
Though he nagged endlessly, like a devil’s assistant.
In the punishment room, one was not allowed to lie down or lean back except during designated sleeping hours, and had to spend the entire day sitting upright reading thick sacred texts.
It sounds trivial, but sitting motionless for hours on end was an excruciating task.
I sighed and turned the page of the sacred text, thick enough to be used as a weapon.
[The divine power of Ahura Mazda shall judge the deceitful demons and the apostate ‘Inmaz’ who betray and follow them.]
Other nobles too must have been imprisoned or killed, laden with various accusations amidst massive social oppression.
The clergy probably pat themselves on the back with impunity, proclaiming ‘It’s the will of God! They are followers of demons, after all!’.
Especially targeted were the five great noble families, and even distant relatives like me couldn’t escape oppression.
“Sit up straight. You seem to look for every chance to lie down.”
At the guard’s annoying nagging, I groaned and straightened my back.
“How can one stay in the same position for hours? You must want to lie down too, Captain. Pretend you don’t see me and let’s lie down for just 10 minutes?”
Damian, sitting unwaveringly on his chair, slightly nodded his head.
“Why can’t you? I find this upright position comfortable.”
You might be able to do so because you’re a soldier, but not me.
I fiddled with the power-controlling collar locked around my neck like a dog’s leash.
Does this country care nothing for human rights? It’s too torturous.
“This is what they call a meal…”
Seeing the black bread rolling on the floor made me want to cry.
Who would have thought that from a life of luxury, where if there was no bread one might eat cake, I would fall into this pit overnight.
That damned Damian turned to look at me in my despair.
“Number 49. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be moved to the general prison. And except during lunchtime, you’ll be mobilized for labor from 7 am to 6 pm.”
“What? I haven’t even had a trial yet.”
“Inmaz are sentenced without trial. Your charges include illegal import of foreign pharmaceuticals, tax evasion, bribery, among a total of 64 counts…”
Wow, they’ve attributed every white-collar crime imaginable.
And why proceed with sentencing and execution without me?
This is absurd.
“A couple of months of detention and a fine, right? I might be released on bail?”
“Life imprisonment. Had you been a direct descendant or obtained the power of the Marquis, you would have faced a firing squad, but as you haven’t even awakened your power, consider yourself lucky.”
What? I felt my face go pale.
True to his word, I was but a frail human who hadn’t even awakened any abilities.
“How is that lucky, you f*cker!”
