Chapter 53

Fujimoto had no other alternative than sweating while being tied to a wall by shackles. He had been loud for last few days so the doctor had taken his liberty to speak. A piece of cloth was tied so firm on his lips that he couldn’t feel his lips. Pumping out a bit of voice had been impossible last night. Yet he found a way to groan while the smoke was filling inside the room where he was kept as captive.

His lungs were working hard in panic, causing the level of breathable air decline with each breath taken. Fujimoto pulled the chains to make noise while getting suffocated but the strong jolts hurt his wrist instead. The wall where he was tied with his arms and legs open was at opposite of Genzou’s burning laboratory.
He had clueless on how smoke had made its way in his room. Fujimoto had smelled fragrance of potions coming to his room in the past. Perhaps smoke had also crept in there by the travel route of scent.
Smoke had claimed his room, leaving no space for him. And the cough he was getting was unbearable.
Sometimes he could cough but couldn’t do so for most of the time. Tears on his eyes obstructed his view in the pitch black room. The blackness didn’t allow Fujimoto to comprehend he had started to pass out.
He took the sight as a dream when someone unlocked the door. Smoke began exiting the room which helped his lungs by a heavy margin.
Nightmarish death like this would be better than this gruesome living. Fujimoto spoke to himself when the air got breathable. His eyes were fixed at the door. Fujimoto didn’t move his sight from it after seeing someone standing outside.
Shinji! Fujimoto sighed.
The person standing outside stood calm despite of all the yelling happening outside. Fujimoto whimpered by pulling the shackles which spread his hands on the wall. Preceding Fujimoto’s movement, the person decided to step inside the room. The man went on to unlock the window. Cold breeze and light hit Fujimoto’s face at the same time.
As well as Padoreigu’s.
“You would have died if I hadn’t reminded Genzou where the key of this room was.” Counselor Padoreigu took out a bunch of keys from the pocket of his blue robe.
Standing on his toes, the bearded man started loosening the knot of cloth on Fujimoto’s mouth.
Still Padoreigu’s feet were covered by the long robe.
Fujimoto breathed like never before when the cloth was off his lips.
“Thank you.” Fujimoto said which hit Padoreigu by surprise.
“Chamber next to you caught fire.” Padoreigu dropped the cloth, “And they even caused loss of Lord Werhnh’An’s snakes.”
Fujimoto didn’t have words in his answer. He had already said what he wanted to say but didn’t intend to repeat it.
“What will your doctor do to me?” Fujimoto mumbled.
Fujimoto’s response caught Padoreigu’s attention.
“With the laboratory burnt, you can expect a lot of things.” Counselor Padoreigu replied then turned back for the door.
“Wait!” Fujimoto raised his voice.
Padraid stopped but didn’t bother twisting his neck at Fujimoto.
“Where is Shinji?” Fujimoto inquired.
Padoreigu didn’t look at him and said while walking, “He’s doing good.” But before exiting the room, he paused to glance at the prisoner, “If only Shinji had asked about you once….” Padoreiguh sighed, “Let it be…” and left without locking the door.
Padoreigu’s words left Fujimoto in denial.
He must be doing something to help me. I shouldn’t trust this man. Fujimoto convinced himself but couldn’t keep his statement out of his head.
Soon he was in sadness, thinking what if it was true.
I had made the choice to be Fujimoto’s companion. Blaming Shinji is worthless. Fujimoto was getting anxious. He rolled his head around and when his eyes met the floor, he smirked.
A burnt key was near Fujimoto’s feet exactly where Padoreigu had stood.