On the Negative First Floor of Helrom Prison, several intern prison guards were walking slowly along a dim corridor that led to the Warden's Office.
After passing through the Teleportation Hall, they came to a suspension bridge, from which they could see the cells and the prison guards on duty below.
From time to time, other prison guards in similar uniforms passed them in the opposite direction. Their faces looked more solemn, their steps were quick, and their eyes were focused yet weary. When they passed the intern prison guards, they might nod in greeting, but soon returned to their own busy work.
Quite a few prison guards wore pained expressions, their faces filled with worry and pressure, as if they were busy resolving some troublesome problem.
After crossing several suspension bridges, Hughberlian led the Poet of Great Love back into an indoor space. Tall bookshelves stood on both sides, made of dark oak and packed with all kinds of heavy law books and historical documents.
The prison guards handling clerical work in the office looked rather relaxed instead, as if they had no burdens at all. A faint smile hung on their faces, as though the seriousness and heaviness of the prison had nothing to do with them. Some even hummed softly while holding books, occasionally flipping through a few pages and completely immersing themselves in their own worlds. They were far more at ease than the prison guards on the Basic Level.
Some went even further, chatting by the office wall. Their voices were absorbed by the corridor walls, leaving behind the faintest echo.
"..."
Without paying too much attention to the prison guards on the Negative First Floor, Hughberlian led the others briskly onward.
From the work the prison guards were doing along the way, Hughberlian discovered