In the name of the true god

Is it just my imagination?

Not like.

To ensure accuracy, Jude steadied himself and continued walking, silently asking himself questions using the law of contact:

Is someone following me?

Is someone following me?

Is someone following me?

The answer came out quickly—

Have.

I rely on!

It actually exists!

Jude's hair stood on end.

The Royal Capital Heavy Prison and Hearthstone Street are only two blocks apart. I had only walked halfway when I started to feel like I was being watched.

However, it remains unclear whether someone had just started following him, or whether he had become their target the moment he left prison.

The difference between the two is huge.

Suburban areas have poor security; if you are targeted by someone along the way, the person is very likely to be a thief or robber.

These people certainly wouldn't dare to harm the prison guards. If he revealed his identity when necessary, he could most likely escape danger. If all else failed, he could simply hand over the money; after all, he only carried twenty gold coins with him, not worth risking his life for.

However, if the other party had been following him since he left prison, then the possibility of him being a robber would be extremely slim.

After all, even the most daring robber wouldn't lie in wait for prison guards to rob them.

But Jude believed the former more.

First, I definitely only just realized that someone was following me.

Second, aside from the robbers, who else would have a motive to follow me?

elder brother?

Other priests?

Colleagues in prison?

I've only met these kinds of people recently, and if you think about it for a second, you'll know it's impossible.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace, took out the police badge he had just received that day, and pinned it to the shoulder of his civilian clothes.

I don't know if it was the police badge that had the effect.

When Jude returned to the apartment building and felt the dizziness and other side effects subside, he used the law of contact to question again.

The result this time was that no one followed him anymore.

"Phew..." He let out a long sigh of relief.

The suburbs are really dangerous...

As a prison guard, am I legally allowed to carry a handgun?

That way, if we encounter any danger in the future, at least we can withstand some of it.

Hmm, I'll ask my bro when I get to work tomorrow...

Match them if they should...

Just in case I'm unlucky enough to run into a desperate criminal who not only robs me but also tries to kill me, my supernatural abilities are pretty useless, and without a weapon to protect me, I'd probably just die a horrible death in the street...

After returning home and taking a bath, Jude changed into his pajamas and fell into a deep sleep before 9 p.m., having used the Law of Contact twice in a short period of time.

The next day.

October 6, 448 of the Divine Calendar, Saturday.

When it was time for the shift change, Jude's prison guard squad went to the regular second prison area to carry out their work. The work was no different from that of the regular first prison area: escorting prisoners to meals, going to factories, and patrolling the watchtower and exercise area.

After becoming more familiar with "Big Brother" Killian, "Fatty" Allen, "Handsome" Colin, and "Poet" Anders, these guys were noticeably more relaxed when chatting with Jude.

During lunch break.

"Jude, are you interested in ballroom dances?" Colin, with his slicked-back hair, asked with a mischievous grin.

"A ball?" Jude deliberately slowed down his eating this time, chewing slowly with the others. "I've never been, and I can't dance."

Colin snapped his fingers: "Dancing is very simple, it couldn't be better, so you can invite a kind and beautiful lady to teach you step by step."

"Do you go there often?" Jude was somewhat intrigued.

He doesn't resist new things.

Living a monotonous life between prison and residence every day can be quite tedious.

"Of course," Colin said, raising an eyebrow. "I was the most popular guy at the ball."

"What about the others?" Jude asked, looking at the others.

"My older brother got married a long time ago and never participates in these kinds of activities. The poet is too embarrassed to go no matter what. Fatty did go with me once, but nobody wanted to dance with him." Colin shrugged, somewhat helplessly.

"Where's the captain?"

"Captain..." Colin glanced at Captain Foster, "I'm not saying this to be mean, but the captain always has a stern face, he's not attractive to girls at all."

Captain Foster seemed not to hear, and continued eating his bacon at a leisurely pace.

Jude looked Captain Foster up and down.

Although I didn't ask his age, he looked to be several years older than "Big Brother" Killian.

Could it be that he's not married yet?

"It's said that the captain has never even held a lady's hand." 'Fatty' Allen seemed to have seen through Jude's thoughts and revealed Captain Foster's background with a smile.

"That can't be right," Jude said in surprise.

Captain Foster wasn't particularly handsome, but he was decent-looking.

In addition, having a stable job should make him quite popular with women.

"Are you Jude Viera?"

Before Jude could continue gossiping, a strange prison guard came up to him and asked for his identity.

"Yes, that's me. What's wrong?" Jude looked up.

"Deputy Warden Fernando requests your presence in his office," the prison guard said.

Brother and sister-in-law?

I guess she's just concerned about whether she can adapt.

The reason they didn't come in person was because they were worried about the negative impact.

"Just a moment." Jude quickly finished cleaning the food off his plate, then said to Captain Foster, "Captain, I'll be going now."

"Go ahead," Captain Foster nodded.

The deputy warden's office is located on the top floor of the administration building.

With the prison guard leading the way, Jude had no trouble at all.

"Knock, knock, knock." The prison guard leading the way knocked on Steele Fernando's office door. "Mr. Fernando, Jude Viera has arrived."

"Come in!"

Steele Fernando's voice came from inside, and before Jude could open the door, Steele Fernando opened it first.

"Mr. Fernando." Jude gave a very proper salute, as there were outsiders present.

"Hehe, Jude, come in quickly." Steele Fernando chuckled and invited Jude inside, while the prison guard who was leading the way waited obediently outside the door.

"Wow, this office is huge..." Jude exclaimed as soon as he entered.

The deputy warden's office looked larger than his one-bedroom apartment, and was divided into an office area and a reception area.

One side of the reception area features a large pane of glass, ensuring an open view while allowing ample sunlight to stream in, making it warm and cozy even without turning on the fireplace.

"Sit down." Steele Fernando gestured for Jude to sit on the soft sofa in the reception area. He first turned off the piano music playing on the gramophone, then busied himself pouring two cups of coffee.

"You're too kind." Jude accepted the coffee with both hands.

"It's nothing," Steele said, sitting down opposite Jude. "How's work? Have you been bullied?"

"I feel good. My colleagues are all very kind, and the work isn't too heavy," Jude shared simply.

Steele nodded. "That's good. I was worried you might not be able to adapt... I called you over today to discuss housing with you. The apartment on Hearthstone Street is too small, but your brother thinks it's perfectly adequate. I wanted to hear your opinion."

Unsurprisingly.

Whenever I meet my brother and sister-in-law, all I do is worry about is whether I'm doing well, and I try to find ways to spend money on myself...

Unfortunately, worrying too much can also be a problem...

"My brother is right. There are plenty of houses on Hearthstone Street, and it's close to the prison, so it's convenient for commuting." Jude politely declined Steele's offer, following Connor's previous advice.

Steele pondered for a moment, "This is what I'm thinking. Since you plan to settle down in the capital, you'll need a more suitable house. After you get married and have children, a one-bedroom apartment in Hearthstone Street definitely won't be enough."

Getting married and having children...

That was so far ago...

I wonder if my brother and sister-in-law are going to try and set me up with someone else...

Jude gave an awkward laugh: "Mr. Fernando, I don't have any thoughts on that right now. I feel it's best to focus on doing the work at hand first, and we can talk about the future later."

"Your brother taught you to say that, didn't he?" Steele took a sip of coffee. "He's a very strong-willed person and doesn't like to accept favors for nothing, but we're all family here, so being too polite would be too formal."

"I understand, but I really don't get used to living in a big house. Don't worry, I'll definitely ask for your help if I need anything like that in the future."

"Are you interested in cars? The suburbs are far from the city, so having a car would make it easier for you to go out and about in the city."

"Uh...no rush." ​​Jude felt it wasn't good to keep refusing, and then, remembering that he hadn't seen his brother Connor today, he decided to change the subject. "But I do have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"What is it? Just say it."

"When I was leaving get off work yesterday, I felt like someone was following me, probably someone who wanted to steal or rob me. So I was thinking, could I get a handgun for self-defense?" Jude revealed his thoughts.

Steele Fernando nodded thoughtfully: "Hmm... the suburbs are notoriously unsafe. Here's what I'll do: I'll hire two bodyguards for you, and they'll escort you to and from work—"

"No, no, no," Jude quickly interrupted. "Mr. Fernando, I'm just an ordinary prison guard. My commute is only a few steps. Hiring a bodyguard is not worthwhile. As long as I can be legally equipped with a handgun, it should be more than enough."

"Really not going to?"

"Really, you don't need to."

Seeing Jude's resolute attitude, Steele Fernando could only offer a less desirable solution: "It's not difficult for prison guards to obtain gun licenses, but the problem is that according to the laws of the Kingdom of Florence, prison guards are only authorized to use firearms within the prison, and firearms issued by the prison must be surrendered upon leaving the prison..."

"That……"

"However, special cases are exceptions. I'll process the paperwork for you, allowing you to work full-time," Steele Fernando said nonchalantly.

"Thank you." Jude's anxiety subsided.

This kind of thing is indeed not a problem for the older brother and sister-in-law who come from wealthy and powerful families.

In the afternoon, before Jude could even hand over his duties to the shift guard, his gun license, holster, ammunition pouch, and a revolver with two magazines and 18 rounds of ammunition were delivered to him.

Captain Foster, who had also heard Jude recount his experience, took the opportunity to teach him how to use a revolver.

Because it was much simpler to operate than a bolt-action rifle, Jude learned it very quickly.

As for accuracy, he wasn't too worried.

When encountering criminals, simply brandishing a handgun is already a strong deterrent. In a close-quarters confrontation, if you actually draw your gun and fire, it's hard to miss.

Before you know it, another workday is over.

Considering it was still early and several of his plans hadn't been implemented yet, Jude planned to try his luck at a few newspaper offices after get off work, hoping to buy a few backlogged special editions so he could have something to show Edmund next time he saw him.

but.

Not long after changing into civilian clothes and leaving the prison, Jude, who was already on guard, once again felt the familiar feeling of being followed.