The Unbound World’s “Normal” is Difficult

"Fufu, I got the white queen."

Have the knights and infantry been sealed off? Jesus Christ, you're working too hard on the queen. "

"He's lighter than a dull king."

Walzer Prison.

Whether it's early summer afternoon or dark, this space is unexpectedly comfortable.

A spacious living room that penetrated enough rooms into the original solitary confinement.

On carefully polished floors are leather sofas, heavy table sets, and even heavenly carpets.

Even the giant chandelier was hanging from the high ceiling.

All of them are well maintained, and it is more appropriate to describe them as a room in the royal castle than as a prison.

Two men and women were now enjoying chess as they sank their backs on the comfortable sofa.

One is a vigorous, grand man with rich black hair and empty eyes.

The other is a silver-haired woman with beautiful rings and a glossy look at her cheek wand.

Heidemary, a former whore with a very unbelievable beauty as the mother of her fifteenth daughter, gently mouthed the white queen she had taken from Gilbert.

"Does cute Elma have one of the queens in her castle by now?

"Just because you're out of here doesn't mean you're staying in the castle."

"Oh, you bet? I'm good at gambling.

Fufu laughing, Gilbert shrugged his shoulders silently.

No fool would gamble with her in this Empire named Walzer Prison.

and then,

― ― Tea is here.

A delicately carved door opened and a man pressing a silver wagon came into the room.

Grey hair with mixed gray hair and eyes of the same color.

Wearing high-quality shirts and trousers and tightening a slender tie, the figure is as elegant as a butler who serves a superior aristocracy, mixed with a soft and intelligent look.

Hydemarie raised her thin, well-laid eyebrows to bring him a set of tea in a smooth manner.

"Oh, that's unusual, Morgan. I can't believe you're making tea yourself."

"You must have kicked out my cute Elma. I was raised to be my successor, including how to make tea."

She was told to indulge herself gently and Hydemarie held her chest as if she had been hurt.

"Drive me out? That's terrible. A helpless sinner can't disobey an imperial order to free an innocent daughter."

"The expression muscles betray your tone and manners. That's exactly what you can say when you're in control of Valzer and you're in control of more than a royal family."

"It's not you, it's us, isn't it? This is the castle of seven of us."

― That's right.

Morgan didn't disobey. Because it's true.

Fifteen years ago, this prison has been their comfortable castle ever since they quietly rose up on the bluishing night of the moon.

The insurgents brainwashed the kidnappers before they sprouted, refurbishing the prison with extra-standard force and raising medical and hygiene standards to unusual levels under Dr. Mad's command.

What did Morgan do?

--I didn't do anything. Because it's troublesome.

He just "didn't disturb" the others when they were able to drink delicious tea.

Rare con artist Morgan, born in a cold village in the Principality of Rutland, once lost his entire family to poverty, he stopped burning his enthusiasm alive.

Knowledge accumulated by dreaming of being born, and then entering people's minds, is completely wasted if it is not in time when necessary.

He has just sacrificed his time by winding up the money with the nobles who are reluctantly luxurious.

I will not contaminate my own hands. I'm just "working" and just watching.

It is strange that we should be diligent in punishing negligence.

Just, yeah.

Only Elma, who was born here fifteen years ago and gave me an innocent smile that day, has grown up with love in mind.

Manners of meals essential to communication, how to brew tea to clear your mind.

Even how to read micro-expressions.

Her life will certainly be much easier if she can master and manipulate people's emotions.

Like in Morgan's life now.

― ― A con artist who reads his face and moves people just by mouth while deciding on high sights. You're really lazy.

When I first met him, Heidemary said so about Morgan.

Because she was amused and applied the name of great sin to seven people, including herself, she was completely accustomed to calling each other by the name of sin.

Elma called her surroundings "[lazy] father" and "[greedy] oniisama" in a disciplined manner, so she might think that's what family is like.

"Yes, Isaac's [bulimia] was also rough. I wonder what you're going to do, even though you've made it to the level of 'Kill that blow, the dragon too'. The kitchen is running out of power, so they'll keep the meat for a while."

"Hey, wait? What did he do to someone's daughter? You're going to lose your wife."

As Morgan poured tea, Hydemarie scratched up her silver hair in an annoying way.

The eyebrows and upper lips, which were stretched for just a moment, also appeared to be truly uncomfortable, but the cat-like eyes, which had slightly widened their pupils, also appeared to be interesting.

As a matter of fact, Morgan was often unable to discern this woman's expression alone.

It's also one of her charms.

─ Well, that's fine.

Hydemarie enjoyed the fragrance when she received the tea with a thank you.

"That's why it's a nest. The challenge is harder, but she'll be motivated."

"Challenge?"

Gilbert, staring at the board face, slightly tilted his neck.

Hydemarie smiled quietly as she mouthed the cup.

"Yes, see what 'normal girl' is like in the world. Don't come home until you know it."

Her breath swayed the amber tea, gently spreading the ripples.