For several consecutive days, Charlotte did not see Senior Sister Menielman again.
He heard some rumors, with some even suggesting that Miss Menielman had been imprisoned in the deepest part of the prison, but these gossip sources were unreliable.
Charlotte had only recently transferred to Kilmainham Prison, so he had no acquaintances there to verify these claims.
Once again leaving work early, Charlotte accompanied Annie to a play and caught a ride back to Elysee Field Street in the Brittany family's carriage. After bidding Annie farewell, he walked back to No. 58.
To his surprise, he saw two prison guards outside his door, both familiar faces.
Charlotte asked, "John, Tony! Is there something you need from me?"
"Is it an order from Miss Menielman, so late at night?"
The two prison guards exchanged glances and said in unison, "Warden Menielman has been transferred. The new Warden Magru wants to see you."
Charlotte looked at the sky and couldn't help but say, "So late?"
The two guards responded, "We can't help it. The new Warden Magru has a very bad temper. He came to the prison this afternoon, called names, and upon learning you weren't there, he signed your dismissal order. Perhaps if you go now, you can still save your job."
"Dismissal order!?"
This time, Charlotte was truly shocked.
He had only left early in the afternoon, and the new warden had caught such a small mistake and was ready to remove him from his position?
This was not in line with imperial law, but the empire was not exactly a society ruled by law.
Charlotte didn't say much, followed his colleagues, and hurried back to Kilmainham Prison.
When Charlotte stepped into the familiar office, he saw not the beautiful senior sister who was like a blooming rose, but a pot-bellied middle-aged man whose large uniform was stretched tight. His face was full of anger.
Charlotte quickly saluted and thought, "Has this guy been waiting for me the whole time?"
A cold, sarcastic voice rang out, "Mr. Mecklen, as a Level 1 Secretary, you have left work early multiple times, even going missing the entire afternoon on my first day in office. Do you think you are fit for this job?"
Charlotte had nothing to say, as he had indeed been leaving early lately. But with no work at the prison and after working so many overtime hours, who wouldn't?
However, although the new warden's righteous words were sharp, the fact that he had already signed the dismissal order before Charlotte even returned, without giving him a chance to explain, clearly indicated that this was not just about his early departure.
According to imperial law, the most one could suffer for lateness or early leave was a fine, not dismissal. This pot-bellied man was likely trying to remove Menielman's "trusted personnel."
Charlotte didn't speak, making the new warden think he was scared. Satisfied with his intimidation, the warden feigned anger and said, "I have removed you from your position as Level 1 Secretary, but as your new superior, I am giving you a special opportunity. You may stay on as a temporary prison guard and continue to work at Kilmainham Prison. If you work hard and correct your habit of leaving early, I might restore your position."
"Temporary prison guard? That's not even an imperial civil servant!"
Charlotte had worked in the Central Government Office for two years and was familiar with imperial law. He immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly thought, "A dismissal order strips you of your status as an imperial civil servant."
"According to imperial law, a warden can issue a dismissal order, but he cannot reinstate me as a Level 1 Secretary unless higher-level officials intervene."
"He's being so ruthless, signing a dismissal order and then trying to trick me into thinking that hard work will restore my position. What is he up to?"
Kilmainham Prison's new Warden, Magru Trell, thought he had "intimidated" this young Level 1 Secretary. Of course, after the dismissal order was signed, Charlotte Mecklen was no longer a Level 1 Secretary but just a small figure that Magru could manipulate at will.
Magru smiled and said, "I believe you know how to behave."
"I want to know what Menielman has been doing lately and what events you have been involved in. She specifically transferred you from the Central Government Office, so there must be something special she wanted you to do. I want to know the details."
Charlotte immediately realized that this was a political struggle against Senior Sister Menielman.
"Damn it!"
"Getting involved in this level of political struggle will get me killed!"
Magru saw that Charlotte was still silent and sternly added, "You are now a temporary prison guard, responsible for managing those damned prisoners. But that doesn't mean you can't become one of the trash locked up here."
"I also have a report here accusing you of borrowing three extraordinary weapons and keeping them for personal use, without returning them to the prison."
"My patience is limited!"
"Don't test my limits."
Charlotte took a deep breath. Selling extraordinary weapons under the table was an unspoken rule in the prison, and like all unspoken rules, it couldn't be brought to light. The new warden was not giving him any choice but to force him into a corner.
Since this matter was brought up, even if he complied with the warden's demands, his fate would not be good.
Charlotte didn't know what political struggle Menielman was involved in, but if the new warden had no regard for his well-being and betraying his senior sister would bring no benefits, what was the point of betrayal?
There was only one choice left.
Even though he didn't know what fate awaited Menielman.
Although he had been enjoying life recently, as a transmigrator, he didn't hold his current life in high regard. He didn't have the local mindset of worrying over gains and losses, nor did he harbor any illusions of luck.
Charlotte raised his head, which had been lowered all this time, and said, "I am willing to report..."
Magru disliked the clarity in the young man's eyes, but Charlotte's words made him decide to give the young man a bit more patience. He said, "Temporary prison guard Charlotte, you are indeed a sensible person." He emphasized the words "temporary prison guard" to increase the threat, reminding Charlotte that while a prison guard was an imperial civil servant, a temporary prison guard was not, not even at the lowest level of fifty-three.
Charlotte took a step forward, and with a deft move, a vampire's handaxe appeared in his hand. He threw it forcefully and shouted, "Warden Magru, you will not force me to slander Miss Menielman..."
As the handaxe flew out, Charlotte activated his Blood Glory ability, leaping backward and slamming his back into the office door, shattering it.