Chapter 250: Chapter 250: Give You a Hand_1
"You also want... to go out and help?" Aiden felt a bit surprised and then straightened his face, "Stop joking, do you think this is a hotel? Want to go out whenever you wish?"
He originally wanted to use the past and Kael’s task to stimulate Ophelia’s pride, aiming to give her a clear understanding of herself so that from then on, she would behave in the Rose Iron Prison.
But now it seemed that the effect of his goading was somewhat unexpected.
"Don’t you always like using prisoners as labor? This—" Ophelia paused abruptly, swallowing the words "Your Highness" and changing her tone, "Fine, I’ll reluctantly lend you a hand this time, don’t be ungrateful!"
"Who is being ungrateful?" Aiden immediately felt both annoyed and amused, "Do you think I let just any prisoner work for me? I have standards, you know, I only consider those whose disciplinary scores are high enough. As for you, one escape, one escape plus riot, you’re still within the observation period, where you’ve also picked a fight, a list of misdemeanors a mile long. If a prisoner like you can stroll outside, I might as well dismantle this prison’s gates and let everyone come and go as they please."
According to the rules, prisoners like Ophelia who were in the observation period could not be allowed to leave the prison as Daili, Presia, or Avansa once did, under the pretense of assisting with cases or performing external labor. His extensive authority in the prison did not mean that he had unlimited power.
Of course, even if it were possible, he would not be foolish enough to easily trust a repeat offender like Ophelia; for both official and personal reasons, he would not make such an unwise move.
"Finding so many excuses, you’re clearly afraid of me, aren’t you?" Ophelia taunted with an unnatural expression.
"Someone with a brain as poorly functioning as yours shouldn’t bother with reverse psychology," Aiden replied without hesitation.
Ophelia clenched her fists tightly, barely suppressing the urge to jump up and punch the man.
"Not bad, at least you’re starting to learn patience," Aiden chuckled, "But some things are simply impossible, and you, for now, should abandon any hope of stepping out of this prison."
"Then at least..." Ophelia’s voice lowered, her expression stern as she proposed another plan, "Take one of my hands with you."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"Didn’t you say that Kael is going to transform into a bat and sniff out the scent of human blood on the enemy? I can do that too!" Ophelia spoke earnestly, "Whether it’s one hand or one leg, I can separate it and hand it over to you. A limb severed from me can both vaporize and change shape; it should be of some use."
"You’re not thinking of escaping piece by piece now, are you?" Aiden joked.
"I just don’t want to sit here being a vase!" Ophelia said emphatically, pronouncing each word clearly.
"You feel it’s unfair? Well, I can understand that. But how can I be sure that whatever part of you I take will behave? For all I know, once outside, your hand might strangle me," Aiden questioned, looking into Ophelia’s eyes.
"Aren’t there witches in the prison who are skilled in using familiars through magic? Carve the runes of a familiar on my limb, or directly use a possessed demon to attach itself, then you can turn it into a familiar under your control." Ophelia did not avert her gaze, "Rest assured, staying in this decrepit prison that can seal magic power, it’s impossible for me to control a limb on the outside. And don’t you possess the strength to beat me by chance? Are you really afraid of just one of my hands?"
Aiden narrowed his eyes; he understood the workings of black magic, and Ophelia’s proposal theoretically had no problems.
Removing Ophelia’s limbs from Rose Iron Prison, the magic-power-sealed Ophelia could not manipulate her limbs at will, but the limbs could act autonomously on inherited will through magic power, no different from independent low-level magical beasts. Using a familiar spell to control them was a feasible idea, and it also posed little risk; even simple techniques targeted at vampires would be effective.
Times had changed, and now he, having mastered the divine word "Return", could even confront Ophelia at her peak. There was indeed no need to fear a mere piece of severed limb.
"This is somewhat interesting, I don’t mind giving it a try. Give me... your left hand," Aiden considered for a moment, his lips curling into a smile, "But I still must warn you, don’t play any tricks. With your current situation, making any unnecessary moves..."
"Don’t worry about me!" Ophelia interrupted him before he could finish, "Since you’ve agreed, then hurry up, grant me the spellcasting permissions!"
"Prisoner 3005, temporarily lift the spellcasting restrictions." As Aiden said this, he took out a gun, placed it on the table, aiming at Ophelia’s heart, and supervised her as she removed her hand.
Having weighed the risks, he decided to give Ophelia a chance to try.
Ophelia’s offer to help indicated that her earlier words might have had some effect. Therefore, he felt it was necessary to confirm this.
If this individual still had a chance for correction, he wouldn’t mind taking advantage of her.
Though the search task was assigned to Kael, having his own enemy radar would also bring some benefits—he knew well that the enemies had already marked Rose Iron Prison as a target, and it wouldn’t be strange for them to come after him at any time.
Even without a barrier, the curses on Ophelia’s neck still limited her transformation abilities, but that much was already sufficient. Ophelia vaporized her left hand, and then the mist reformed on the table in front of Aiden, turning into a left hand surrounded by grey mist.
"Prisoner 3005, reseal the spellcasting permissions," Aiden said again.
The mist dissipated, and Ophelia frowned, clutching her forearm. Before the spellcasting permissions were sealed, she had quickly sealed the wound with blood magic. The severed, pale left hand lay quietly on the table.
Aiden picked up the dismembered hand nonchalantly: "Then I’ll take it without further ado. I will have Daili take care of it."
"I really feel like getting goosebumps just knowing a person like you touched it," Ophelia said with an expression of disgust, "Let’s get one thing straight, don’t do anything weird with my hand!"
"Rest assured, my tastes are not so perverse as to be interested in a severed hand to that degree," Aiden said while swinging Ophelia’s hand, "Here’s to hoping our cooperation will be pleasant."
Ophelia hesitated for a moment, then said, "I mean..."
"What?"
"Even if I ask you, at least don’t let that idiot die..." Ophelia said, looking away.
Aiden stared at her for a moment, then smiled, "Alright, I’ll try my best."
