They don't want me to try anymore.

Luvia was extremely anxious.

You learn that Richard has been imprisoned in Central Prison.

You try to pull strings, but find that the prison is unusually strict this time; they won't even allow you to see them, let alone release them.

You turn to Minister Lauren for help, only to learn that the trial is being orchestrated entirely by the Second Prince, with the Emperor's tacit approval. You cannot help Richard.

How could this be?

I had clearly planned for the future, so why did the situation suddenly turn so bad!

Intolerable...

Luvia gritted her teeth, almost ready to draw her sword and storm the prison.

But at this moment, the words of teaching from his parents and teachers echoed in his ears.

She was no ordinary person, not a bandit from the mountains… She was a child of the Cromwell family, the sword of the empire, the belief of her family for centuries that made the empire great and powerful…

For her, the word "betrayal" was far too heavy a burden.

...And then again, it was impossible for a single gold-plated individual to force their way into the central prison.

Torn between her thoughts, Luvia put down her sword and began reading Richard's newspaper again.

She confirmed that Richard's report was accurate.

The real culprits in this incident are the entire Highland Legion and those scum behind them who trampled on moral principles for profit!

They are the ones who should be punished, not Richard!

I should correct this mistake using the methods of the Imperial Sword!

You formally raised questions about Richard's charges and argued that the case should be reopened.

You've uncovered the people involved in the attack on Richard, and one by one they're coming to his door demanding a duel.

But the emperor merely gave you perfunctory responses to your disturbances.

And you also cannot directly take action against the Second Prince and the royal spies.

hateful……

If I had already ascended to Legendary status...

Well, the mighty sword of the empire, facing its own superiors within the system, truly felt a deep sense of powerlessness at this moment.

of course.

Luvia will not give up so easily!

However, she needs time to think of another way...

the other side.

Richard settled into a quiet life in prison.

Although his powers were sealed, he was not mistreated because of his special status as a political prisoner, and his food and lodging conditions were acceptable.

There was indeed a lack of entertainment, but fortunately the fellow inmates around him were all very interesting. There was a famous thief, a failed assassin, a bisexual succubus of mixed blood, a mafia boss who was betrayed by his subordinates and forcibly turned into a female character, and a mad magician who turned his lower body into a spider girl who could think independently... The latter often "argued" with his lower body, resulting in the room being filled with white sticky silk (referring to spider silk).

Richard was quite certain that nearly half of these people had been featured in his newspaper!

Sure, they're all talented, and they speak very well!

However, there are still some undesirable aspects to living in a prison-like environment.

For example, every night, he would be taken out of his cell by a group of strange people...

At midnight, you were promptly dragged to the interrogation room by two men wearing blue gloves.

They didn't torture you; they just made you sit in a chair, put a brass laurel wreath on your head, and made you recite an obscure passage of scripture over and over.

You reluctantly cooperated, initially feeling apprehensive, unsure of what these two intended to do to you. However, you quickly realized from their expressions that their plan seemed to have failed as well.

[On one occasion, you even overheard them talking about their discouragement:]

"Why is it still not working? Is this guy's spirit made of steel?" "Be patient, just a little more patient. He's very valuable to the goddess; we can't give up."

Hmm... is it my special ability that's working?

Goddess…are these people from the church? Wait, I think I've heard of Blue Gloves…

Is the church planning to distort my mind? What will they use me for?

For a moment, countless questions filled Richard's mind.

After the two blue-gloved men failed to get anything out of him that night, they sent him back to his cell...

You faintly hear an unfamiliar, aged voice.

"Another fuel prepared for the final day..."

You ask in a low voice, "Who is speaking?"

The voice sounded slightly surprised: "You can understand me? And not just hear a bunch of annoying noise? Remarkable mental fortitude, no wonder you've lasted so long!"

"Who exactly are you, Your Excellency...?"

"Ah, just another loser like you, trapped in prison. Nothing much to say. Let's talk about you... talented, healthy, wait, this scent... you have the blood of an ancient dragon? No, that's not right..."

Who is this person!

A prison ghost that can only communicate with itself?

Richard frowned slightly, realizing that he was coming into contact with some extraordinary beings.

It's like facing the gods with Elsa during the first simulation!

There's something like this underground in the Empire's central prison?

No, I have too many questions...

Unable to contain yourself, you pressed on, "What have you discovered about me? Do you know what the Church plans to do to me?"

"Child, I can tell you're anxious, but please don't rush... Considering your unfavorable situation and the almost zero trust between us, I think it's dangerous to tell you too much. Please forgive my silence..."

"If you have no intention of saying anything, then please forgive me for remaining silent."

You don't want to rush, right?

Then let's stop chatting!

It's just a simulation anyway, we can always come back another time!

Richard's seemingly defiant words stunned the other person, who took a long time to reply.

"...I can tell you some information that is not related to me, and in return, you will do me a favor."

"Next month, the prison will be upgrading the magic array on the lowest level, and some upper-level prisoners will be temporarily transferred. They plan to use this opportunity to escape. If you also want to escape, you can discuss it with them. Their names are..."

Mom!

Could this mysterious person have been eavesdropping on everyone's whispers in the prison all this time without ever being caught by the guards?

Imperials, your management skills need improvement!

Despite his complaints, Richard quickly wrote down the list.

The mysterious voice continued, “If you can truly escape, remember to go to the northern kingdom of Via, find any church dedicated to the goddess of night, face the statue, and silently pray: ‘She has been split.’”

["Say it three times, then just leave."]

It feels like a secret message; is it really a matter between gods?

It's split up? Who are you referring to?

Richard wanted to ask more questions, but the voice disappeared the next second, as if it had never existed.

Whatever.

Let's focus on preparing for the prison break!

Based on the list, you quickly made contact with several prisoners in the jail.

"Hey guys, you don't want the guards to find out about your escape plan, do you?"

They don't trust you, but they can't shut you up, so they can only recruit you.

You have successfully joined the relaxed, fun, united, and friendly Prison Break Family Squad.

[Besides you, the team includes a thief, an assassin, a succubus, a former godfather who has been turned into a female version of himself, a mad mage whose lower body is a spider, and...]

what.

These are all familiar faces! And almost everyone is here!

System, are you sure this group of people are united and friendly?

[Within the team, there are those responsible for unlocking locks, those responsible for contacting outside help, those responsible for making props using items from inside the prison, and those responsible for building good relationships with the guards using efficient methods.]

As a newcomer, you've been assigned the task of lookout, which isn't difficult. You have plenty of time to observe your comrades' actions.

You've learned slang, lock picking, theft, ventriloquism, and voice imitation; your disguise skills have improved significantly, and you've heard many tales of legendary thieves...

For a moment, Richard felt like he was in school, not in prison...

Enough with the small talk, the plan is proceeding smoothly.