Can I Escape?

Alex was looking at the celestial noble with three guards surrounding him as he walks around the dungeon. He would taunt and curse at people as he go around cell by cell and sometimes let his guards beat up the slaves to teach them how to act in front of a 'great noble'.

Apparently, kneeling down with heads touching the floor and greetings given with a reverence is a proper way to greet the great nobles. Most slaves have gotten used to this situation and immediately gotten into the posture to greet him when it's their turn.

When the celestial noble was in a few cells next to him, Alex was thinking furiously on how to handle the situation. He had no qualms about bowing down to avoid a beating as honor won't save him from his situation. He might directly die from the beatings with how weak his body was. Just as he was about to crouch down, his eyes met that of the celestial noble.

"You…you lowly human. How dare you look at me directly. Go give him a good beating."

"Yes, Great Noble. We obey."

The beatings that follow was unbearable painful. The guards mostly used their feet to kick his body all over. The kicks were much more powerful that he could ever imagine in his past world. That could only mean the guards should have some sort of special training as expected. He tried desperately to protect his head from being beaten. After howls of pain and begging for mercy, the celestial noble eventually lost interest and moved on with the guards following him.

After he was left alone, Alex tried to take stock of his situation. He was badly hurt with bloody bruises all over his body but he did not seem to have any fatal injuries. He felt some relief for that but he knew he cannot go on like this. He felt mad at himself for not being careful. If he had immediately crouched down and stayed low-key, he might have avoided a beating. 'It's all my fault…wait what the hell! How is it my fault. It's a misjudgment but absolutely no fault of my own. I just need to be careful next time'.

He started to realize how unfortunate it was to be bought by a celestial noble. There was almost no possibility of escape. How was he supposed to break out of the most heavily guarded place in the entire world with no training or fighting skills. If he was bought by a minor noble, he might possibly see an opportunity to sneak out at least. There was no way he could sneak out of this place.

The novelty of being in a new world had started to wear off and the reality was starting to sink in. 'Is it possible that I might never get out of here alive? Was I supposed to live as a slave until I die? No, there might be opportunities. I do remember an event. I don't know what era the world is in but if it's before Luffy went to sea, there was supposed to be a fire started by Fisher Tiger that will free some prisoners. I might get a chance then. But what if the event has already passed? Even if it hasn't, how long do I have to wait? Would I even survive that long?'

He decided that he need more information first. That night when the guards had went out the dungeon, he tried to talk to the prisoners in the cells on both his sides but they were unresponsive. After some time, an old voice from across his cell reached his ear.

"Why are you talking boy? The guards will come. Keep quiet."

"Hello, uncle. I am just trying to ask a few questions. I just want to know what's going to happen to us."

"Oh, it seems you haven't lost hope huh? You must be new. There is no way out boy. But as long as you don't draw attention to yourself you will be fine."

"Uncle, may I ask how long have you been here?"

"Huh, you are a polite one. Sure, I have been here for a long time boy. I can't keep track and I don't even remember anymore . It must be three or four years."

"I am very sorry, uncle."

"It's fine boy. The nobles here are already tired of me so I barely get any beatings now. There is always new slaves for them to play with. Also, they keep their slaves here well fed even if the food is terrible. The guards don't want their masters' toys to go to waste after all. Although I am afraid they might get rid of me if I no longer entertains the masters."

"Uncle, can you tell me about the outside world? Like what's the world outside? I have been stuck in an island before I got captured so I am not sure what's happening."

"Sure kid. What do you want to know. The only big news in the last decade is the execution of Pirate King. "

'So Roger is already dead, huh? So, there is a chance.'

"Uncle, has there been any break-ins or fire at the prison?"

"What are you talking about kid? Keep your mouth shut, stupid kid. How could there be one in such a well-guarded place. Stop talking to me. You'll get me in trouble."

"Sorry, uncle. I was just curious."

After that the old man stopped responding to anything he says.

'At least, the fisher tiger incident has not happened yet. That means there is still hope of hitching a ride to freedom at that event. I just don't' know how long I need to wait. That is assuming I can actually make my escape during the chaos.'