The First Magic World War

Chapter 33 32. The new warden issued a dismissal notice (asking for a monthly pass on an April morning)

For the past several days, Charles had not seen Menilman again.

He also heard a few pieces of news, and some even rumored that Miss Menilman had been locked up in the lowest level of the prison, but these gossips had no reliable source.

Charles had not been transferred here long ago and had no acquaintances in Kilmainham Prison to inquire and verify these rumors.

Once again leaving work early, Charles accompanied Anne to an opera and caught a ride back to Elysian Pastoral Avenue in the Brittany Family's carriage, bid farewell to Anne, and walked back to number 58.

What surprised him was seeing two familiar prison wardens outside his home.

Charles asked, "John, Tony! Are you two looking for me for something?"

"So late at night, could it be Miss Menilman has some instructions?"

The two wardens looked at each other and said in unison, "Warden Menilman has been transferred away, is it the newly appointed Warden Magrull Teller who sent for you?"

Looking at the late hour, Charles couldn't help but say, "At this time of night?"

The wardens replied, "Can't help it, the new Warden Magrull Teller has a terrible temper. He came to the prison this afternoon, called roll and upon learning you were not there, has already signed a dismissal order. Perhaps if you go back now, you might still have time to salvage the situation."

"A dismissal order!?"

Charles was truly shocked this time.

Just for leaving early in the afternoon, the new warden would dismiss him for such a small mistake?

This did not comply with the laws of the Empire, but the Empire was never a society ruled by law in the first place.

Charles did not say much, but followed his two colleagues back to Kilmainham Prison in a hurry.

When Charles stepped into the familiar office, instead of his beautiful sister-figure, blooming like a rose, he saw a potbellied middle-aged man whose large uniform was straining at the seams, and his face was full of anger.

Charles quickly made a respectful gesture, thinking, "This guy must have been waiting just for me."

A cold and sarcastic voice arose, saying, "Mister Mecklen, as the Clerk Chief you have been leaving early consecutively, and even on the day of my appointment, you disappeared for the entire afternoon, may I ask?"

"Are you suitable for this job?"

Charles had nothing to say; indeed, he had been leaving early frequently of late because there had been nothing much to do at the prison, and he had already worked too much overtime.

However, although the other party spoke with a tone of righteousness, he had already signed the dismissal order before Charles's return, without offering any chance to defend himself. It was clear it wasn't just over a minor issue like leaving early.

According to Imperial law, the worst punishment for being late or leaving early was a salary fine; there was no reason for dismissal. This potbellied fellow was likely aiming to purge the "confidants" left by Menilman.

Charles remained silent, leading the new warden to think that he had begun to fear, satisfied with his own intimidation. He spoke with feigned anger, "I have dismissed you from your duties as Clerk Chief, but as a new superior officer, I have graciously given you the opportunity to stay as a temporary prison soldier at Kilmainham Prison. If you're willing to work hard and correct the minor issue of leaving early, I am not opposed to reinstating your position."

"A temporary prison soldier? That's hardly an Imperial Civil Servant!"

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Charles had spent two years in the Central Government Office, familiar with the Imperial law, and he sensed something amiss, his mind whirring at full speed, "The issuance of a dismissal order means the complete stripping of status as an Imperial Civil Servant."

"According to Imperial law, while a prison warden can issue a dismissal order, it's impossible for him to reinstate me to the position of Clerk Chief, unless an official one or two ranks higher intervenes."

"He's playing dirty by issuing the dismissal order directly and then deceiving me, saying that I could be reinstated if I work hard. What exactly is he trying to do?"

The new Warden Magrull Teller of Kilmainham Prison, thinking he had "suppressed" this minor Clerk Chief, naturally issued the dismissal order; the other party was no longer a Clerk Chief. Now, Charles Mecklen was just a small fry he could manipulate at will.

Magrull flashed a smile and said, "I trust you know how to act accordingly."

"I want to know what Menilman has been up to lately? Which events have you been involved in? She specifically called for your transfer from the Central Government Office, there must be something special she needed you to do, and I want to know the details."

Charles immediately realized and thought to himself, "Is this a political struggle against Sister Menilman?"

"Damn it!"

"Being caught up in a struggle of this magnitude, a small fry like me is going to die!"

Seeing that Charles remained silent, Magrull added sternly, "You are now a temp prison guard, responsible for managing those damned prisoners, but it's not impossible to change your status and become one of the garbage locked up."

"I also have a report here stating you 'borrowed three Extraordinary Weapons for private use without returning them to the prison.'

"My patience is limited!"

"Don't test my bottom line."

Charles took a deep breath. The under-the-table sale of Extraordinary Weapons was an unspoken rule of the prison, and unspoken rules meant they were not to be openly discussed. The new warden bringing this up meant he wasn't giving him a chance to choose sides; he was determined to back him into a corner.

Since this issue had been dug up, even if he complied, his fate would still be grim.

Charles didn't know what sort of political struggle Menilman was involved in, but since the new warden clearly didn't care about his well-being, betraying his senior wouldn't lead to any good outcome. The most likely scenario would involve being used and discarded, dying a meaningless death—so what was the point of betrayal?

It left him no choice but to side with the other.

Though he had enjoyed his time here, as a transmigrator, he did not regard this life as critically as the natives did; he had neither their fear of loss nor any sense of blind hope.

Charles lifted his head, which had been bowed, and said, "I am willing to report…"

Magrull despised the clear eyes of the young man but decided to give him a sliver of patience in response to his words, saying, "Charles, as a temp prison guard, you really know what's good for yourself." He emphasized the term 'temp prison guard' deliberately, intending to increase the threat, as prison guards were at least Imperial Civil Servants, but temp prison guards were not, not even the lowest rank of fifty-three.

Charles took a step forward, conjuring a Vampiric Hand Axe in his hand as if by magic, and with might hurled it, while thundering, "Warden Magrull Teller, don't think you can force me to slander Miss Menilman..."

The moment the Vampiric Hand Axe flew out, Charles activated Bloody Glory, leapt backward with all his might, and using his back, he smashed through the warden's office door.

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