Free Web NovelChapter 332: Chapter 332 Just Change a Person_1
The next morning, in the core area hallway.
Wearing a prison uniform, Sophie mopped the floor along the prison corridor—Aiden had specifically assigned her a cleaning duty, where each person was responsible for a different area, keeping her separated from other inmates.
After mopping half of the corridor, she rinsed the mop and turned to look at the guard at the end of the corridor who was watching her: "The Governor really honors me by personally supervising my work?"
The one monitoring her was none other than the highest authority in the prison, the Governor Aiden—just moments ago, as Sophie had barely started working, Aiden had suddenly come over and told the guard who was watching her to take over another post, taking up the spot to watch Sophie himself.
"Don’t slack off, get back to work properly," Aiden replied expressionlessly. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Making the region’s popular star mop floors, huh? This prison has quite the style," Sophie teased.
"Singer or actor is just a job. Being adored doesn’t mean you’re truly superior, especially after entering prison... Here, you’re nothing but inmates. To be honest, having a celebrity mop floors isn’t as professional as a real janitor." Aiden responded indifferently, "But you seem quite adept at this, I thought such menial work would be quite difficult for our superstar."
"Sometimes, when a double acts in my place, I have to act as the double. Playing the part of a maid, you can’t lack all household skills, right?" Sophie said while continuing to mop, "Even though I barely pass at this, Susan’s acting is decent, but singing is far from professional. The power of the Wordless Code can’t let us learn each other’s skills."
"You can impart your Wordless Code, can’t you?" Aiden asked.
The effect of this "existence" ability stirred Aiden’s interest. Replacing oneself with others could be used for espionage and as a means of survival; it was a widely applicable ability.
"Order" and "Existence" are both high-ranking authorities, and he could learn the Wordless Code of "Existence."
"Sorry, the Wordless Code and divinity are not for sale, that’s our rule," Sophie turned to look at Aiden, "After all, the Balanced Smile is an organization that exploits the privileges of gods for profit, and the greatest value of privilege is rarity. Selling powers could yield a huge profit short-term, but from a long-term perspective, it’s risky for the organization. Trading information is more reliable."
Aiden could understand this rule. Divinity is a limited resource; once sold, it lessens, naturally unfit for long-term business.
As for the Wordless Code... While teaching it has no extra cost, spreading their controlled Wordless Code would decrease its rarity. Furthermore, it increases the chances of another group emerging with the same resources, undoubtedly escalating the potential for competitors.
So, they sold only information. Divinity doesn’t disappear. As long as people in this world pursue the power of authority, information related to authority will continuously update and there will always be people in need of the information they uncover.
And if someday the pursuit of authority ceases, all the better for them; their powers would become truly unparalleled privileges.
"That’s a real shame," Aiden remarked with a tinge of regret, "I think your ability is quite useful."
"It’s not that amazing. At the novice level, you can only swap ’recognition’ of existence, just taking the place of someone or something in the world, not really changing the nature of reality." Sophie paused, "So, Governor, you don’t need to be so wary of me..."
"How can I not be cautious? If you replace me, not only could you leave the prison freely, you could also directly command all the guards," Aiden narrowed his eyes, "And I’m guessing that you can influence recognition of existence with this effect, not just people, but items as well?"
In other words, if Sophie used her power to take Aiden’s place, it’s likely that even the prison’s wards and automated systems, as well as the mercury golems that obeyed Aiden, would all recognize Sophie as Aiden, thereby falling under her control.
This was indeed an ability that posed a significant threat to the prison.
"The Codex you hold is far superior to mine in terms of authority. If I misuse my power, you can counteract it at any time," Sophie stopped her work, "I won’t make such a suicidal mistake."
"I’d still have to inscribe onto the Codex to counteract you, which takes time. Hence the need to closely monitor every move you make," Aiden said.
"In that case, it’d be better for you to use the Codex to forbid me from changing forms without permission," Sophie sighed, "Being on such alert with me here, I feel like I’m going to have a tough time."
"I’m not finding it tough, so why would you?" Aiden shrugged, "The rules that can be written in the Codex are limited, and using one just to restrain you is a loss. Wouldn’t you rather trade some information that I want to know? Maybe then I would consider relaxing my surveillance on you."
"Those pieces of information are worth a fortune, Governor. Are you inciting me to bribe you?" Sophie looked at Aiden.
"An inmate hoping that I would relax my watch over her should at least prove her willingness to cooperate with real actions, right?" Aiden replied unflinchingly, "You’re treating this place as a haven, and I haven’t even asked you for compensation."
Sophie pondered for a moment, then turned back and continued mopping: "Aren’t I already helping you out with work here? Plus, being too quick to talk isn’t what a good informant should do."
From several encounters, Aiden had learned that when it came to high-value information, Sophie wouldn’t budge easily.
Either he had to pay a hefty sum, or trade information about Melifilia—neither of which Aiden was willing to do.
Of course, Aiden had a third option, which was to use the rules of the Codex to force Sophie to talk.
But the Codex was a double-edged sword; while it would compel Sophie, as its bearer, he would be forced to be completely truthful as well, and Sophie had a certain grasp of information about the Codex.
Yet this didn’t mean the plan was devoid of value...
After Sophie finished mopping the entire corridor and washed the mop, she placed her hands on her hips and lamented, "Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve done physical labor. I’m a bit tired."
"Think of it as exercise. Mop two more corridors and call it a day," Aiden commanded.
"Governor doesn’t plan to spend the whole day with me like this, does he?" Sophie teased as she looked at Aiden, "To be accompanied by one’s idol for an entire day—a real stroke of luck for me."
"I have work to do as well. Someone else will come to tail you this afternoon," Aiden answered.
That’s right, as long as... someone else takes over.
