My Cell Prison - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 – Tavern

Translator: Exodus Tales

Editor: Exodus Tales

It was time to come clean.

Han Dong had a lapse of judgment with the situation this time around. That incident with frightening the criminals back in the underground detention room was not actually something Han Dong had intentionally done… His goal was of course to prove his identity as a returnee on the side, but he did not expect to so coincidentally bump into that black cavalier who had escorted him yesterday.

The man was considered a high-ranking member. Anyone who graduated from the National Royal Knights’ Academy and successfully ended up being selected to join one of the 12 Knights Regiment, Black Rose Cavalry Brigade, would clearly be stronger and of a higher status than a Trainee Knight, and even more so if compared to the local Security Chief.

Under Fergus Barton’s inquiry, whether Han Dong could stop himself from revealing information about his Headless Ones’ would all depend on Han Dong’s ability to adapt.

———————————-

The subsequent conversation was not done on the streets where rats and insects were running rampant as sewage flowed freely down the street.

Instead, the two men were seated on top of a mechanical black horse as they rode to the neighboring Ghana Commoner’s District.

It was also one of the four major Commoner’s District, but the public security, environment, and architectural design were miles better than that of Samuel District… It was the best out of the four Commoner’s District.

Their black warhorse stopped in front of the entrance of the Hammer and Fire tavern.

The outer walls of this tavern were made from black iron, with complex metal pipes that mosaiced the exterior and a large cylindrical chimney that extended out from the kitchen at the back.

Had it not been for several stubbled men barrelling out of the entrance stinking of alcohol, Han Dong would have mistaken the place for a smithy.

A cloth was used to cover the metallic torso of the horse, Fergus left it in the care of a stablehand in the stables behind the tavern.

Stepping out from the stables, Fergus Barton had removed the seemingly heavy black armor and changed into a simple linen shirt and a leather vest.

The noble and majestic air that the cavalier once exuded had instantly disappeared.

The Fergus Barton right now had completely blended into the Commoner’s District’s environment; strangers would be unable to discern his true identity.

“Just call me Fergus around here. There’s no need for my ceremonial title.”

“Understood!”

“Join me in the tavern for a bit.”

Pushing open the black metal door of the iron tavern, there were plenty of patrons seated inside wearing plain clothes. Almost all of them inside were big bellied and bald drunkards, holding mugs of ale in their hands.

As they walked over to the bar counter, Han Dong could hear a thick country accent call out, “Barton me old boy, long time no see! I thought you’ve forgotten all about me here after leaving for the ‘upstairs’… I’m afraid you’re too big a name and might scare all my clients. There’s a room at the back which I’ve specifically reserved for your use.”

The man speaking this time around was the owner of the tavern, bearing a thick goatee.

“Business’ booming as ever, Old John.”

Old John closed in and whispered, “How can it not? A strong and consummate Black Rose cavalier came from my tavern! Just look at your portraits hung everywhere here. There’s even a metal bust of you on this bar counter. Haha, I hope you don’t mind me using you to advertise in private.”

“Go ahead… I don’t have that much free time to be out this time, so lead us into the room.”

“You got it.”

Old John was passionate and without any filter, asking a question about the frail Han Dong as he took them toward the room, “What does this delicate looking friend of yours do? He couldn’t be your squire, could he?”

“He’s a returnee that has just become a Trainee Knight. He’s a commoner of birth, just like me, except he’s from Samuel District.”

“Samuel District?”

Han Dong chuckled and replied, “Indeed… My name’s Nicholas Valen.”

Old John sized up Han Dong for a while before suddenly laughing as he stroked his goatee.

“Haha, my old eyes can’t tell, but to be able to crawl out from the bottom that is Samuel District is really quite something! Young man… You need to try the signature drink here today – Hammer Spirits. As long as your body can take it, then you’ve made a friend in me, Old John! I’ll be sure to offer you a 40% discount if you come here for drinks from today onward.”

“Heh, I’ll give it a shot…”

Han Dong really did not think that his body could do anything. It would be trouble if he drank too much and caused liver failure as a result.

The enclosed black iron room that they entered could be considered as quite a luxurious private room. An animal fur rug carpeted the ground with an antler decoration hung on the wall and a kerosene lamp. Two extra large mugs of the Hammer Spirits that Old John had personally brought were placed in front of both Han Dong and Fergus.

Han Dong could smell the high concentration ale inside the large hammer-looking vessel… Han Dong felt physically unwell just looking at the drink as it sat there.

At the same time, there were the specialty dishes right near it like pepper pork sausages, fried cod, and other tasty appetizers served to them.

“Old John, I’m going to have a private chat with my friend here.”

“Understood… Just call out my name if there’s anything you need.’

The door was locked behind the old man as he exited the room.

After sampling the dishes and courteous sips of their drinks for a while, the focus shifted back on topic.

“It is rare for returnees to come out of the commoner districts. I’m personally very curious as to how you managed to do it as well… I had originally planned to better understand your past through obtaining the local files that they have on you, but since we coincidentally bumped into each other, I figured I could just ask you in person. Could you secretly reveal your ability to me? After all, there will be people who will be asking you this when you get into the Academy, so I can preemptively help you do a bit of ‘covert work’.”

Fergus’ words had expressed his stance, which sounded as if he was standing on Han Dong’s side… But Han Dong still had his reservations.

“Well, actually, before I entered the Space of Destiny, I had learned knowledge pertaining to Mysticism.”

“Self-taught?” Fergus was skeptical. “You didn’t receive an education, did you?”

“My mother taught me how to read… I have had a weak constitution since birth, so I can’t get out and work. I spent my days at home doing absolutely nothing… Thus I picked up reading to pass the time. I would occasionally head to the nearby waste disposal station and find books that had been thrown away and buy them cheap. I managed to find books like ‘On the development of modern Mysticism’, ‘Mysticism Overview’ and ‘Theory of Astrology’. I’ve personally tried inscribing glyphs and creating spell sigils on scrap paper as well… About a year ago, I was reading a book till late at night when I had a strange dream after I set aside the book and fell asleep. I’m not too sure as to what the dream was about, and all I can remember is that everything was complete chaos, like they were all fragments that ended up getting woven together. When I woke up, I could feel as if there was this concentration of ‘energy’ in my head.”

After giving his explanation, Fergus Barton’s look of complete disbelief slowly changed into that of doubt.

Han Dong continued, “When I touch something with my hands, I’m able to give instructions on a conscious level to a target. It would not cause any huge influence in the subject and I’m unable to change a person’s view or idea, but merely implant a suggestion in his or her subconscious. This technique allowed me to successfully make contact with the key character during the Space of Destiny scenario, and very quickly build up my relationship with them. Later, I was able to direct my Fate point toward this, which made me even more adept at this. Previously in the Public Security Branch, I planted a ‘seed of fear’ into the minds of those I touched, which made those men see me as a demon when they looked at me, scaring them witless. That should be what I think happened.”

———————————–

At the same time, back in Samuel District, in Han Dong’s home. Someone dressed in long dark robes was skulking about, secretly investigating Han Dong’s room. 

While searching through the room, the person discovered a large number of old books pertaining to Mysticism, and there were notebooks filled with notes atop these tomes. There were even a few rudimental sketches of spell sigils inside the drawer.

Nicholas’ room did not even have any of these books two days earlier.

Everything had been what Han Dong instructed his sister Nina to do; it was very easy to get these old and used books from the recycling bin, and a small cost was all it took to purchase them.

Han Dong had always been contemplating how he could conceal the matter surrounding the Faceless Ones’ head.

Since it was related to Mysticism, he decided that he could fake an appearance of being a ‘self-taught genius’… Now that Han Dong had become a disciple of Mysticism, as long as what he said aligned with what was found in his room, even if any higher-ups were to investigate him, it would also be very hard for them to find any real problems with his story.