The two finalized the plan.
On June 16, after Raphael’s fixed deposit at the bank matured, he would pay the fee in one lump sum.
The project would officially start tomorrow, May 27.
But for Raphael, the payment date didn’t matter anyway; he had no intention of paying.
The two didn’t sign a contract, and Raphael didn’t plan to use the materials provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
In fact, Raphael was just using this opportunity to scout talent.
At most, he’d give him a finder’s fee.
‘It’s redundant, but teasing that old man is fun.’
‘As for the consequences…’
Almost none.
Raphael wasn’t worried about the prison’s products having no market; Donald’s Chamber of Commerce wasn’t the only one in Starfall Bay.
Starfall Bay was located on the main trade route between Angres and the Imperial Capital, and the constant flow of goods and people gave this small town vitality.
As for reputation, Raphael thought that in the eyes of these merchants and capitalists, his credibility and name would surely plummet.
So was there still any need to worry about such things?
Soon, matching clothes and daily necessities were distributed to every hybrid.
For the first time in their lives, the girls had decent clothes, shoes that fit, towels that didn’t scratch, toothbrushes that didn’t hurt, and a fragrant bar of soap all their own.
Such conditions would be considered luxurious even for farmers on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
Throughout the entire Empire, this was the only place that treated hybrids so well. And it was a prison?
Before this, Safitiya had always believed that all rights were won through struggle.
Raphael’s words were just a temporary delaying tactic, empty promises to keep them in check.
But now…
She had just finished “labor” and received a full set of clothes and fine daily necessities from the guard.
Unlike other hybrids, Safitiya had seen the world.
She knew how terrible the oppression of hybrids in this world was, knew that all humans were so cold and ruthless, and knew how harsh and violent those factory owners and landowners were.
So much so that she had come to believe that only by wiping out all humans could the glorious era of hybrids arrive.
And now…
Raphael’s promise from last night had been partially fulfilled.
She pinched the fabric of the brand-new clothes in her hands, so much more comfortable than the rags she was wearing.
What did a clean set of clothes mean?
Once they accepted a better version of themselves, no one would be willing to touch filth again and become dirty and vile.
Dirty clothes were an alienation of their spirit, subtly making them take for granted that they were guilty and deserved it.
And clean clothes undoubtedly gave them back their dignity.
‘No, no way. That idiot definitely didn’t consider this connection.’
‘And Lady Tina… yes, that’s right. This must be Lady Tina’s doing.’
She shook her head, convinced.
Then, she bumped into Raphael’s chest.
“Don’t zone out while walking.”
Raphael said softly.
“Mm…” Safitiya paused. “Understood, Lord Warden.”
“Then I’ll…”
“Wait.”
Raphael called out.
“You said you want to join the troops, right?”
Safitiya nodded.
“The slots are full, but I can make an exception. However, you need to undergo the corresponding trial.”
“A trial?”
“That’s right, a trial.”
Implementing compulsory education in the prison wouldn’t be easy.
But regardless, as a hybrid, Safitiya had a certain affinity with other hybrids that humans lacked.
Raphael had already figured it out: first have Safitiya train thirty to fifty hybrids with basic literacy, then have those hybrids teach the rest.
This would be done in the evenings, while during the day, Safitiya would handle official matters together with Raphael.
Especially financial issues; with Safitiya, his workload would be much lighter.
“This trial will last half a year.”
“Within six months, you need to complete two tasks. I’ll judge whether you’re qualified to join the troops based on your performance.”
“Two tasks?” Safitiya had a bad feeling.
While she was hesitating, Raphael said:
“What, you’re not scared, are you?”
“Who… wh-who’s scared?!”
“Then you agree?”
Raphael asked with a smile.
Safitiya turned her head away, her fangs biting into her red lips, staring fixedly at the ground, not daring to meet Raphael’s eyes.
After mumbling for a long time, she squeezed out a few stiff words from her throat. “F-fine, I’ll do it.”
—Wait.
She suddenly sensed something was wrong.
Why had she agreed without asking what the tasks were?
Sure enough, she saw Raphael’s smile gradually shift from serene to perverse.
“Heh heh heh, Safitiya, you don’t want to lose your chance to join the troops, do you?”
“Eek—!”
[Information Change]
[Individual Name: Safitiya]
[Position: None]
[Loyalty: 1]
…
That evening, in the Warden’s office.
Estina presented Raphael with the newly planned factory shift schedule and the specific implementation plan for the guard responsibility system.
It had to be said, Estina’s work efficiency was indeed high.
But there was one extremely conspicuous figure present: a half-demon with a broken horn.
“Good work, Estina.”
“No, not at all, Lord…”
Estina really wanted to say, a mere half-demon, how dare you sit together with a noble?
How audacious, how reckless!
I, Estina, will now slay the wicked and defend human glory!
Ah, no no no, what the heck is “defend human glory”?
Estina didn’t know why these thoughts suddenly popped into her head.
Thinking carefully, it wasn’t like she just found out yesterday that Raphael favored hybrids.
She had witnessed Raphael doting on that Kelisidina, and she hadn’t reacted then, had she?
Why now of all times…
“My Lord, I’ll take my leave now.”
Estina bowed and withdrew.
Pushing open the door and gently closing it, she leaned weakly against the wall.
Let’s sort this out carefully: why hadn’t she felt that disgust toward Kelisidina?
Come to think of it, did she really dislike hybrids that much?
No, definitely not.
In her attitude toward hybrids, she considered herself a moderate.
And it was true.
She had never reprimanded any hybrid without reason.
Bullying and abusing them was far less satisfying than blowing up the heads of those villains.
If so, where did this difference come from?
“Raphael… Lord.”
For some reason, she couldn’t help uttering this name.
Her chest seemed to still retain the scent left by Raphael.
The moonless night made Estina’s flushed cheeks grow even redder in the darkness.
Meanwhile, Tina lay on the bed.
Her fingers twisted off a tender hibiscus flower, her fingertips cutting through the leaves, the hibiscus’s juice seeping into the soft green foliage.
Her body trembled slightly, creating wave-like ripples on the white sheets.
Her tense toes pointed, reflecting an anxiety and thrill that coursed through her entire body.
“Raphael… Lord!”