The Warden of The Witches

You've Been Targeted

On the weekend, accompanied by Veronica, Aiden brought Priscilla to the library.

"Here is the library, equipped with a reading room. The research room for your studies is in the archive room on the side of the library," Aiden explained to Priscilla, who was wearing handcuffs. "Of course, all research findings and required materials must be reported and approved by me first. Surveillance by prison guards will be present during research, and experiments requiring spellcasting permission must be conducted in the controlled chambers with myself and at least two riot control officers present." Aiden paused, giving Priscilla a meaningful look. "Of course, no funny business during research. Otherwise, I can assure you that your end will be quite unpleasant. I trust you're not that foolish."

"The library..." Priscilla scanned the surroundings. "It looks decent. I've never heard of a prison with such facilities."

"Establishing this was my personal decision after taking office, adding facilities for the inmates to acquire knowledge and refine their character," Aiden calmly responded. "This library is for the use of the inmates in the core area. On the east side of the prison, there is a larger library for the inmates in the three regular zones."

"Using the prison's funds for this kind of place?" Priscilla turned her head, looking at Aiden with a puzzled expression, seeming a bit perplexed. "And you still need personnel to supervise the inmates in the library, right? Isn't this an uphill task?"

"Regardless of where the inmates are, I always assign personnel for supervision. There's no difference. As for the funds, indeed, setting up these facilities costs money. However, from a long-term perspective, it can significantly enhance inmate compliance and reduce disciplinary issues. Consider the additional costs incurred in the past decade to suppress riots in the core area; that sum could have easily built three or four similar facilities. If the inmates behave, we also have less trouble."

"It seems you've truly turned into a great Samaritan," Priscilla remarked teasingly. "Back when you were an inquisitor, you weren't exactly gentle, whencapturing us witches."

"Different roles come with different stances. An Inquisitor duty is to apprehend you all; you and the inquisitor are adversaries, so there's no room for leniency. But now that you've been thrown into prison, to us guards, you're just subjects of our work," Aiden calmly explained.

"Is there a difference? You hold handcuffs and weapons to supervise us, prisoners always looking to escape your control. In the end, law enforcers and inmates are still in an adversarial relationship," Priscilla retorted coldly, her resistance toward enforcers not easily swayed.

"Guards and inmates have to coexist continuously. Hostility benefits no one," Aiden glanced at her, shrugging. "But if that's how you see it, I can't help it."

"Warden, that statement of yours is one of the classic lines of a scoundrel," a faint voice drifted in.

"Arsena," Aiden turned to the source of the voice. "You were so quiet; I thought you were dozing off."

"I was just reading with my head down," Arsena replied calmly, while adjusting her glasses.

"Be careful not to break your neck while reading like that," Aiden cautioned. "Are the book archives sorted?"

"Of course, I wouldn't want to lose this good position," Arsena replied, shifting her gaze to Priscilla. "Do you have a new favorite already?"

"This is the recently incarcerated prisoner 3397, Priscilla, Dailey's roommate. She might need to use the research room in the future, so I brought her here for a look," Aiden introduced her.

"I know, I know, Priscilla, a big shot in the Witch Gathering," Arsena nodded indifferently. "Are you on a mission to drain the Witch Gathering of its resources?"

"If all those troublesome witches were brought here, I wouldn't be able to handle it. Besides, it's the Inquisition jobs for apprehending them, not me."

If the prominent figures of the Witch Gathering were captured, they would likely end up in this Rose Prison. However, individuals like Abigail, whom even national agencies hesitate to provoke, are unlikely to be caught.

Aiden turned to Priscilla, "There are people researching in the rooms now; let's go have a look."

They entered the research room, the room was divided by a partition. On one side near the door, a guard sat monitoring, while on the other side of the partition, Melusine was conducting experiments at a table, extracting essence from herbs.

"Oh, Warden, free enough to visit my experiment today? How unexpected," Melusine greeted Aiden upon seeing him, then noticed Priscilla standing nearby. "Isn't this my previous 'patient'? Has she regained her memory?"

"Carry on with your work; don't mind us," Aiden waved his hand.

"Don't be so aloof; I wanted to discuss something with you," Melusine said with a smile. "I'm thinking of applying to research some Potion. Warden, what do you think?"

"Don't even think about it," Aiden outright rejected her. "Don't get any funny ideas. Obtaining materials for Potion is so difficult, with no prospects for extensive application. If you want to apply for clemency, researching regular medicinal cures is sufficient. Bringing out potion are you looking to incite another riot for me?"

"Me? How could I have the nerve for that?" Melusine quickly retreated. "I just thought..."

"No more nonsense. Don't forget you've only had your execution postponed. Are you looking to stay alive or cause trouble?" Aiden bluntly interrupted her.

"Okay, I understand," Melusine swallowed her words

"Is she... on death row?" Priscilla quietly inquired to Aiden.

"Yeah, this one is a despicable criminal deserving of no mercy," Aiden whispered back. "But in this prison, there's a juvenile offender she transformed into a killer. His survival depends on her skills, so I managed to keep her alive. She was Lamia's student, skilled in pharmacology, possessing advanced techniques that can be used for healing. So, I allow her to conduct research here and applied for her clemency."

"Even willing to use someone like her..." Priscilla turned to stare at Aiden for a while, then spoke, "It seems Dailey was right. You really are someone worth making deals with... even though I personally still don't like you."

"I don't expect you to," Aiden shrugged.

"Anyway, considering you haven't deceived me, I'll give you a warning," Priscilla paused. "You might... have attracted Vera's attention by now."

"What do you mean?" Aiden was taken aback.