“Boiler, stable!”
“Gas valve, stable!”
“Pipeline airtightness is intact!”
“This machine is truly a masterpiece. The workmanship is incredible.”
“Stop jabbering. Open the gas valve!”
On May 25th, at 3:00 PM sharp, the factory that had been silent for months began to billow white smoke.
The noise clamored through the entire prison, especially in the cramped Half-Blood Ward adjacent to the factory. Many half-bloods felt nauseous just hearing it.
The crackling coals inside the boiler, the scalding wastewater spreading recklessly across the floor, and the humid, scorching air brewed a crowded, noisy purgatory on earth under the muggy May sky.
“How is it? Any problems?” Rafayel asked, looking at the drenched Xiugu.
“Nothing major. The bearings connecting to the loom are a bit worn, but they’re still usable,” Xiugu replied.
“That’s good.”
Turning, Rafayel looked at Estina.
“The raw material procurement and scheduling are up to you. For the next two days, you’ll be the only Chief Guard in the prison. It’s indeed a heavy workload, but hang in there. Once these two days are over and I’ve hired new staff, I’ll give you paid leave.”
Then Rafayel added, “One week off and a 20% raise.”
[Ding!]
[Estina’s Loyalty Increased!]
[Individual Name: Estina]
[Position: Chief Guard]
[Loyalty: 58 (Firmly Supportive)]
[Loyalty Change: 42 → 58]
“Yes, Lord. I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
For a corporate slave, what could be better than paid leave?
Of course—getting a raise on top of that!
And more importantly…
“Seven days. Seven whole days!”
Estina walked out of the factory with composure, then started shouting.
“Holy Sacrifice Day only gives three days off. I get seven paid days? Oh my god, Tulip Prison is the best prison in the world. Lord Rafayel is the greatest warden. I take back every complaint and insult I ever made about this prison. From now on, I am its most loyal supporter and Lord Rafayel’s blade!”
From then on, whenever someone complained about something in the prison, Estina would thunder:
“You’re right, but Tulip Prison is a super-humanized, large-scale welfare institution located in the west of Starfall Bay…”
“Working at Tulip Prison saved my life…”
“I suggest you quit the prison, and also quit your life early.”
“What, you got a problem?”
Having apparently pressed the promotion button too many times, Estina worked with blazing passion.
For the rest of the day, Xiugu and the others continued inspecting and tuning the equipment. After all, it had been months since they last operated, and everything needed to be cleaned up and adjusted.
The integrated furnace was simple enough—just toss in coal and metal and let it smelt.
The forging table was the same. According to Xiugu, it was extremely precise and complete. As long as the materials were up to standard, it could produce almost any part currently available on the market.
Of course, Rafayel knew the machines only provided the conditions. The real work was done by craftsmen like Xiugu and the workers who smelted the materials and supplied the raw ingredients.
‘Liliya has been gone for almost a day…’ Rafayel looked at the panel. ‘It’s still lit. Shouldn’t be a big problem.’
‘Next, I need to redesign the prison layout.’
Back in the Warden’s Office, Rafayel picked up a pen and paper and began drafting a plan.
First, a division of responsibilities.
As the warden, Rafayel unquestionably held absolute control over the prison, its assets, staff, prisoners, and everything else.
The prison had always used a guard rotation system, where the three Chief Guards took turns overseeing Half-Blood Zone 1, Zone 2, and Death Row.
The advantage was that it allowed the Chief Guards to share the burden of executing death-row prisoners, reducing their psychological pressure.
But now, that was no longer necessary.
Death Row would be handled by Rafayel himself.
The number of Chief Guards would increase to four, each responsible for one of the four sectors in Zones 1 and 2.
At the same time, a “cadre responsible for specific cells” system would be implemented. Each guard would be assigned to a specific cell block, with accountability pinned to the individual.
Guards would also be subject to performance evaluations.
The evaluation criteria would include the injury rate and mortality rate among prisoners.
Exceeding the targets would result in deducted performance points, meaning the guards wouldn’t receive the corresponding performance bonuses.
If a guard managed their assigned area well—improving cell hygiene, prisoner productivity, prisoner health, and mental state—they could apply to the warden (Rafayel) for an excellence evaluation.
If they passed, they would receive a bonus and a 5% increase in base salary.
Performance bonuses would be independent of base salary, paid out at 20% of the guard’s base salary.
As for the Chief Guards, in addition to managing their own zones, their evaluation criteria would include the performance of the guards under them. If the guards performed poorly, the Chief Guard would also have bonuses deducted.
Rafayel’s goal wasn’t so-called “efficient management.”
He knew that the prejudice against half-bloods couldn’t be erased just by him saying “equality.”
But to protect the half-bloods’ safety, he cleverly used the performance system to force the guards to take the half-bloods’ lives, livelihoods, and production seriously.
Next, restructuring the defense force.
Currently, the prison’s defense was still handled by the motley crew under Lanse’s command.
But that would end next month.
Rafayel planned to build a special unit around Liliya, selecting a group of half-bloods with low Sin Levels.
Using half-bloods as a defense force wasn’t uncommon in the Empire.
They would assist him in managing Death Row, while also handling daily patrols and external searches.
Next, he would establish a Research and Development Department, with Xiugu as its core. While maintaining the factory’s daily operations, they would study the blueprints Rafayel provided—such as the previous firearm blueprint and the advanced loom blueprint.
The kitchen also needed reform. It would be relatively simple—just improve the food for the half-bloods. Aside from increased daily expenses, there were almost no pain points.
The infirmary needed more staff.
Rafayel planned to remodel the soon-to-be-vacant Staff Dormitory No. 1. The first floor would become a hospital, while the second and third floors would serve as dormitories for the newly established unit.
This world had no comprehensive medical care system, so mortality rates—especially among half-bloods—had always been high.
Popularizing basic medical knowledge and standardizing the medical environment were top priorities.
After writing all this, Rafayel looked at the prison’s status panel.
[Tulip Prison: Level 1]
[Current Influence: 9 (Unknown)]
[Staff: 40]
[Military: 0]
[Prisoners: 1277]
[Liquid Assets: 13,000 Crowns]
[Fixed Assets: 5,000,000 Crowns]
[Current Liabilities: 6,000,000 Crowns]
[Current Net Assets: –987,000 Crowns]
[Projected Monthly Expenses: 10,000 Crowns (including military and staff salaries of 3,400 Crowns, prison daily expenses of 6,500 Crowns)]
[Projected Monthly Income: 2,000 Crowns (labor subsidy of 1,400 Crowns, weaving workshop 600 Crowns)]
[Prison Riot Index: 99 (affected by staff and prisoners’ work environment, living conditions, compensation, etc.; when it reaches 100, a riot is guaranteed)]
‘It updated…’
‘The Riot Index went up too.’