In the name of the true god

Chapter 124 Resignation

November 21, 448 (Wednesday) in the Christian calendar.

Only a week had passed since the escape of the forty-two implicated wizards and resonance sorcerers, when Jude received a notice from the Royal Capital Heavy Prison, recalling the temporarily suspended prison guards.

It was exactly 9:00 a.m. that day.

In front of the special prison building of Wangdu Heavy Prison.

Aside from the necessary guards on duty, all the other on-duty guards lined up neatly, their eyes fixed on Warden Adel at the front.

"I don't want to go into too much detail about what happened a week ago—" Warden Adel acted swiftly and decisively, without any unnecessary words, and focused on announcing three things.

The first piece.

The heretical prison area has been officially abolished, and the second basement floor of the special prison building will be converted into the ordinary third prison area after the renovation is completed.

As for the specific date of rehabilitation, that depends on when Connor, who remains in prison, will be able to find out the ins and outs of the tunnel.

the second one.

Instil Fernando resigned in disgrace, and the priests sent by the church have mostly left. The prison has reopened to all...

The positions have been adjusted.

Melanie Gilbert, the first-level warden who was willing to oversee the general prison ward, and Phoenix Griffin, the first-level warden who was willing to oversee the death row and solitary confinement ward, were promoted to deputy wardens.

Three other second-level guards with outstanding qualifications and performance were promoted to first-level guards, respectively in charge of the first ordinary prison ward, the third ordinary prison ward, and the death row and solitary confinement ward.

The third piece.

Given that the ordinary third prison ward has not actually been completed, the prison guard team that was originally assigned to the heretical prison ward can only be temporarily incorporated into the other three shifts and continue to perform their duties according to the schedule.

"Tsk—we can't slack off anymore." After the meeting, "vain guy" Colin sighed to Captain Foster, Jude, and the others.

"If you can, can, can continue working, that's already pretty good."

"Poet" Anders thought optimistically.

Captain Foster did not respond.

Three second-level wardens were promoted to first-level wardens, which means that three second-level warden positions are now vacant.

If Allen hadn't been his subordinate, and if he hadn't coincidentally been rotated to the heresy ward, his name might have been on the list for this personnel reshuffle.

but--

There's no point in talking about this now.

"team leader."

"What's wrong?" Captain Foster asked Jude.

It's better to keep things to yourself than to compare them.

I have no chance of being promoted.

What about Jude?

His brother was relieved of his post as a first-class wardens and left alone as a priest, with only the authority to investigate the tunnels.

His brother and sister-in-law also bore part of the responsibility for the prison break, and they didn't even get a chance to be demoted or have their salaries reduced; they were simply dismissed.

In a short time.

Jude, who once had the most powerful connections and commanded respect from everyone in prison, now has no one to rely on.

"I want to resign," Jude said.

"what?"

"this----"

The three men, "Pretty Boy" Colin, "Poet" Anders, and "Big Brother" Killian, had complex expressions on their faces.

Captain Foster narrowed his eyes slightly, but he wasn't surprised.

Without a backer.

They were also given a pay cut.

For Jude, there was truly no reason to stay in the capital's heavy prison any longer.

"Jude, you—"

"Should we...should we...think about it again?"

Colin and Anders both got along well with Jude, and naturally didn't want another person to leave after the team had already undergone major changes.

"I've thought a lot during this week of suspension," Jude said, looking at the group and politely explaining his thoughts. "This isn't the life I want. Staying here wouldn't make much sense for me."

"Are you sure?" Captain Foster simply asked.

"It's confirmed."

"Alright. You guys go back first, and remember to be on duty in the death row and solitary confinement area on time tonight. I'll go with Jude to the administration building to process my resignation." Captain Foster gestured for Colin, Anders, and Killian to go home and rest first, and then walked towards the administration building with Jude.

Jude turned and looked at the group, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

When leaving a job, is it customary to have a farewell dinner with close colleagues?

Never mind —

Let them return to peace —

In front of the administration building.

Connor, dressed in a priest's blue robe, seemed to be waiting for Jude.

Captain Foster nodded to Connor.

Jude stopped in his tracks: "Brother."

Connor asked, "Are you preparing to resign?"

"Yes."

"I'll go with you." Connor glanced at Captain Foster.

Seeing this, Captain Foster gave up on accompanying them: "Then you go."

"Captain, thank you for taking care of me during this time." Jude expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"It's nothing, I wish you all the best." Captain Foster shook his head slightly and turned to leave.

"What are your plans next?" Connor asked, leading Jude into the administration building.

"After resting for a while, I feel that I've adjusted my condition quite well, and I plan to do some other work that is more meaningful to me next."

"for example?"

"Private investigator".

This was something Jude had planned long ago.

Being a private investigator allows you to hone your contact skills and earn some living expenses, which is much better than staying at home completely isolated and living off your savings.

not only that.

If he has enough energy, he also plans to find a job at the zoo.

After all, improving the similarity law isn't something that can be achieved simply by reading Chairman Frost's "Observation Manual" on paper. Taking notes and conducting on-site observations must complement each other to maximize efficiency.

"Private investigator—" Connor was now completely certain that his brother Jude was involved with a wizard. "Do you have any connections? Should I introduce you to some experienced detectives?"

“No need,” Jude said. “I knew a policeman who quit his job to become a private investigator, and I’m planning to ask him to give it a try.”

"Remember to contact me if you need anything."

"Um."

In places like the Royal Capital Heavy Prison, where positions are stable, resigning usually involves a lengthy process.

Fortunately, Connor's influence was still there. When the HR staff learned of Jude's identity, they made an exception and completed the necessary procedures in just a few minutes.

Finally, Jude didn't forget to return his service weapon to the prison.

This pistol was originally given to him by his brother and sister-in-law Steele for self-defense when he was first being followed.

However, until now, the gun has never actually been fired.

"Walk."

"Where to?"

After completing the resignation procedures, Connor immediately led Jude up the stairs to the top floor of the administration building: "Steel is leaving soon, go and say goodbye to him."

"Me? Then you—"

"I won't go in."

Anticipating that his brother and sister-in-law must have had some disagreements about staying or leaving, Jude wisely refrained from asking further questions. Instead, he followed Connor's advice and knocked on the door of the deputy warden's office alone.

"Enter."

"throat."

Jude pushed open the door and entered, only to see his brother and sister-in-law, Steele, packing their things.

"Jude?" Steele greeted Jude with his usual warm smile. "Come, sit down."

"Mr. Steele," Jude said somewhat awkwardly, sitting down on the sofa in the reception area, "I heard you were leaving, so I came to say goodbye."

"Yes, it's time to leave, and I'm a little reluctant to go—" Steele looked at the large and small boxes filled with her belongings and couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions.

"Would you like me to help you tidy up?"

"No need," Steele declined. "After staying here for several years, all I can do in the end is take my own things with me."

Jude did not respond.

After everything that had happened, he was actually a little uneasy about dealing with Steele again.

If my brother and sister-in-law ask me to persuade Connor to leave with them, should I do it or not?

advise?

For his own selfish reasons, he wanted his brother Connor to stay in the capital.

Shouldn't you advise against it?

"Brother and sister-in-law Steele have helped me a lot and really treat me like family. I can't expect them to always think of me first."

Thank goodness.

Steele didn't bring it up again, and before leaving, she was still concerned about Jude: "Jude, I'm leaving, and Connor has lost his official position in prison. What are you thinking?"

"I just finished my resignation procedures," Jude said.

"Ah—this is for the best. Prison is so dangerous; I really don't feel comfortable leaving you alone without our supervision—" Steele nodded to herself. "Any plans for the future? Should I help you find a better-paying job?"

"No need, no need," Jude quickly waved his hand. "You've already helped me a lot."

"Are you still being so polite with me?" Steele asked with a smile.

"How could that be? I just want to try building my own business for once."

"—Well, he's still young, it's never a bad thing to try new things." Steele agreed with Jude's decision. After a brief silence, he got up and went to the office area, brought back a check and handed it to Jude. "I may never return to the capital after this departure. Keep this money for emergencies."

Jude was both moved and ashamed: "Mr. Steele, I have already received so much kindness from you during this time. I haven't touched the money you gave me last time, and I absolutely cannot take it this time."

"Who would complain about having too much money? Take it if I tell you to." Steele wasn't just putting on an act; he stuffed the check into Jude's pocket without further ado.

Jude clutched his pocket tightly: "Really, I don't need to."

The two remained locked in a stalemate for a while, exchanging words back and forth.

Seeing that Jude's attitude was far more resolute than his own, Steele ultimately didn't press the matter. He simply sighed and sat down wearily. "—Where's your brother?"

"My brother—is outside." Jude didn't know how to lie to Steele.

"—After I leave, please pass on a message to him for me."

"Please speak."

Steele's eyes reddened as he said emotionally, "He once told me that there's a small coastal town called Gersa south of Florence, a beautiful, peaceful, and comfortable place. I'll settle there, buy a house that's not too big or too small, and a small boat—and if he ever decides to leave the capital, I'll welcome him to come find me anytime."

Jude opened his mouth slightly.

He had assumed that if Connor refused to leave, Steele would simply accept the Fernando family's arrangement and marry into the Merrick family.

Unexpectedly, Steele preferred to travel alone to a faraway place rather than submit to the will of her family.

For a fleeting moment, he was thinking about it too.

Connor's insistence on staying is simply to continue providing assistance to the "heretics," isn't it?

As a priest, he frequently lends a helping hand to "heretics." Who can guarantee that he won't be exposed one day?

On the contrary, living a peaceful and secluded life with her brother and sister-in-law Steele might not be such a bad thing.

But Jude also knew that Connor had always been a very opinionated person, and once he made up his mind about something, he would never waver.

Steele tried to persuade him for so long, but to no avail.

Trying to persuade them yourself won't have much effect either.

He handed Steele a tissue and slowly walked out of the room.

In the corridor.

Connor was chatting with Melanie.

Melanie, who had just been promoted to deputy warden, looked smug. Seeing Jude emerge, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "I heard from your brother that you resigned?"

"Yes." Jude forced a smile. "Congratulations on your promotion to deputy warden."

"Why did you resign?" Melanie asked.

"I feel that working in a prison isn't very meaningful."

"Bullshit." Melanie interrupted mercilessly, "Isn't it just that you think you won't survive in prison because your brother and Steele are gone and you have no one to back you up?"

Jude gave a wry smile and, going along with Melanie's guess, admitted, "I guess so."

"I used to admire you for not being afraid of power and for standing with me to seek justice for the innocent prison guards who died," Melanie said disappointedly. "Unfortunately, you've already shown your true colors so quickly."

Connor smiled and didn't defend Jude.

Jude remained calm and composed: "You're absolutely right, that's just who I am."

"Don't you want to think about it again?" After her initial belittling remarks, Melanie's tone unconsciously softened.

"All the formalities are complete."

"It's not too late to cancel now."

"No, thank you." Jude looked at Connor. "Brother, let's go."

Connor grunted in agreement and headed towards the staircase at the end of the corridor.

Melanie looked at the two people's backs.

Although she verbally expressed her disdain for Jude, her admiration for him only grew stronger: "If you feel you lack a backer—I can protect you."

"Heh—" Connor chuckled softly as he continued walking.

Hearing his laughter, Jude felt inexplicably embarrassed.

Melanie pressed, "I'm asking you a question! Are you going to change your mind or not?"

"If you have the chance—" Jude didn't turn around, "look after me at the ballroom dance."

"you----"

Stairwell.

"Melanie has tried to persuade you to stay so many times, are you really not planning to stay?" Connor asked with a hint of teasing.

"What's the point of staying?" Jude shrugged, following behind Connor. "Besides, didn't you advise me to avoid Melanie?"

"You two seem to know each other very well."

"No way—" Jude immediately denied, "She's teased me so many times before, shouldn't I take this opportunity to retaliate one last time?"

Connor, contrary to his usual behavior, gave an objective assessment: "Actually, Melanie is a pretty good person."

"Brother, you're just stirring up trouble—"

"hehe."

"Aren't you going to ask me what Mr. Steele and I talked about?"

"There's nothing to ask." Connor's smile faded.

"He asked me to give you a message—" Jude relayed Steele's words to Connor verbatim.

After listening, Connor remained silent for a long time: "If there is a chance—we will meet again."

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