◈ Chapter 136 - 18-Eve Eve
Beaje Sorang.
The third daughter of the Sorang family.
If you ask Octantium noblewomen who the most talked-about person is right now, a hundred people will name that name.
The woman that Bjorn chose after abandoning the magic tower lord.
In addition, she suddenly appeared in aristocratic society and added buzz.
Even though the Sorang family is a noble family at the edge of the North, it is a prestigious count family.
With just a little research, you can quickly find out how many children Count Sorang has.
Count Soran had two daughters and one son.
However, when her third daughter, whom she had never heard of, appeared in the capital, it was natural for her to become the subject of gossip.
There were many speculations, but they also had their own established facts that eventually came together.
She said, 'She was originally an illegitimate child, but she fell in love with Bjorn and was hastily registered in the family register.'
The Oxburg Empire, which values monogamy for religious reasons.
It was impossible to place her illegitimate child on the family register, but this could be circumvented through the system of her adoption.
In fact, there are several illegitimate children in history who became nobles like that.
Based on this speculation, the nobles believed that Beazé Sorang was a lowly person who had been cured by selling her tail to me.
I'm sure there will be some nobles who are determined to openly disparage them at this party.
Wake up from your dream.
It will never come true.
She got out of her carriage, held my hand, and walked towards her garden.
The garden of the Glass Palace was as quiet as if cold water had been poured upon seeing the camp decorated with false badges.
It is not easy to overwhelm someone with your appearance.
Jin did it without a care in the world.
Even if half a penny loses his body, his godhood does not seem to disappear.
"I should have known in advance when you said you were going to roll. I never thought you would use me as a real doll. You should have made a golem with a different appearance instead."
"What are you talking about? I like the way you look right now. If you want to stand next to me, you have to look like that. That way, other women won't be attracted to you."
This would have added one more line to the numerous terms that describe me.
He's a serious idiot.
From now on, no noble woman will have the courage to talk to me unless she is at least Asili-level.
At those words, Jin let out a sigh as if it were absurd.
"...Do you realize that I am a god?"
Well, I'm sure I'm the only person in the world who uses the Flame Jinn to get rid of annoying people.
Don't say it's excessive.
There's a long way to go before you get rewarded for your hard work.
"Just think of it as a face stamp. Right now it's a fake identity, but there will soon come a time when you have to reveal your identity. This is the best way to be comfortable at that time."
I smiled at her, pretending to be friendly, trying to cover up her grumbles.
Because her attention was focused, Jin responded to my smile with her distorted face.
It was so funny that I had a hard time suppressing my laughter.
Although teasing Jin was an incomparably enjoyable experience, I went back to focusing on my work.
While holding Jin's hand and leading him, I also took a look around the garden.
The nobles in the garden were largely divided into three categories.
The group that shows off their seniority by wearing old-fashioned clothes and being old is the emperor faction.
The rather young aristocrats, gathered around Duke von Lorraine, wore formal attire that matched the trend.
The two were huge factions that divided the Glass Palace for a long time.
Meanwhile, there was a new movement.
This group consisted of wizards, merchants, and nobles who were obsessed with new ideologies.
People called them revolutionaries.
Although we never met face to face, they followed me.
I also had the responsibility to lead them down an unprecedented path.
"Usually, don't you at least pretend to blend in? Even though it's a party, there's no need to stand apart so blatantly..."
Barton left a short comment after seeing the nobles divided into factions.
Normally, as Barton said, we would have talked in an appropriate manner.
The reason the nobles couldn't do that was because the political situation was so bloody.
A situation where a knife is at everyone's throat.
In times like this, the group has no choice but to come together.
If you chat with the opposing camp without being able to understand the atmosphere, you are likely to be branded a traitor and kicked out.
As a result, the nobles who had gathered in the garden ahead of the party were looking sideways at the enemy lines with a life-like attitude of their own.
"There are more faces I haven't seen before than I thought. At the same time, there are some quite familiar faces."
The faces that Amber talks about are those who are not from the central region.
These are the powerful people of the empire who were forcibly invited by the emperor to make it a monumental day comparable to the founding of the nation.
A representative example is the Marquis of Dunmore, who is based in the southeast.
He was showing signs of discomfort as he was caught up in the imperial faction camp.
Another person is Chief Heydalmons, who leads the southwestern Aryan protectorate.
He, too, stood at a distance, as if he had no interest in any of the three camps, and rested his old body on a cane.
The two, who do not have a base in the capital, are outcasts anyway.
At least for this matter, there was nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, there were also people who were overly familiar.
Two figures slowly approached me from the center of the revolutionary group.
"Count Sorang, Count Haenrel."
I bowed briefly to the two counts who had come down from the north to Octantium on behalf of Aidan.
An event commemorating the day when the North became one.
Originally, Marquis Aidan must attend.
However, if Aidan came to the capital and became a hostage to the emperor, everything would be over, so he had no choice but to appoint a representative even if it was against etiquette.
It happened not long after the civil war ended, so there was a good excuse.
Count Soran and Eileen were selected as the agents.
"Haha! Count Soran! It's like becoming a father-in-law now, so don't call me harsh. Björn de J.B.T.S."
His eyes were fierce, as if he was trying to shake off a lot of accumulated sediment.
He whispered in my ear.
"I am so thankful that you gave me a daughter whose name I do not know. What can I do? I should criticize the De Jeevitz family. Isn't that the secret to the Soran family's survival until now? However, I want you to know that my wife almost died thanks to you."
"..."
"Oh, and my youngest son's eyes turned cold. He said he didn't know that his father had an illegitimate child, and that he wants to make sure the property is distributed. What do you think?"
"...I'm sorry. It just happened to be like that."
Well, even if I had ten mouths, I wouldn't have anything to say.
Still, Count Sorang seemed to have not resolved the problem and turned his arrow towards Jin.
"Oh, my daughter. Beaje Sorang! You're getting prettier every day!"
"...Ah, father. It's been a while since I've been greeting you."
Count Sorang approached Jin, who was awkward and didn't know what to do, and had a friendly chat.
It was an action to dispel the rumor that 'Beezé Soran is an illegitimate child.'
Also, it was his ability to rally the revolutionary group between the emperor faction and the noble faction in advance.
When I look at him, I am reminded of the typical example of a subordinate who is annoying at everything but does the job well when asked.
I understood why the Sorang family had been trusted by the De Jeevitz family for so long.
"...So who is that kid really? I don't think he's a noble."
Eileen asked me, half covering her face with her fan.
"I think you can see that right there?"
"The effort may be imaginary, but you can't fool my eyes."
It may be presumptuous to say this, but Eileen was a woman well-versed in court etiquette.
I heard that many families were anxious to have her as their teacher.
I, who studied etiquette under her, wanted to tear her to death at the time, but she said it.
Looking at her made her feel throbbing in the parts of her that were hit at the time.
"Let's just say she's not interested in the North. Isn't that what you want to know?"
Ultimately, what Eileen was curious about was whether that woman might have caught the attention of the northern powers.
Aidan is still an unstable Marquis, and I hold her life in my hands.
If I wanted to, I could always kill Eileen, absorb her Haenrel spirit, purge Aidan, and take control of the North.
I guess he was worried that I might do something like that because of the pillowcase lawsuit.
Just like you did with Canniel.
"Okay, that's enough. I can only hope that that feeling doesn't change."
Eileen let out a sigh of relief.
She has shown her mercy now, but there is no guarantee that she will do so in the future.
Although I was the one who punished him with having to worry about that for the rest of his life, it was a truly noble idea.
The North is being integrated into the Empire, but how much Northern power is left?
"Then now, won't you tell me why you called me to the capital?"
It was enough to have Count Soran as his agent.
The reason she called Eileen to her capital was because she wanted to send a message to her emperor not to nitpick over the absence of the Marquis de Jerviets, but at the same time, she also had other requests.
I answered her question.
"As you can see, that child is not used to noble etiquette. The same goes for Ember Cutter. Both of them lack social skills, even more so. So, you will be their babysitter and help them during the party. For that, I have called you to the capital."
"...Is this what you're asking me to do, to get two girls I don't even know from?"
Eileen glared at me with a puzzled expression.
I spoke clearly into her ear.
"Eileen, put aside your pride when you show her mercy. If you criticize me again, then her other hand will have to wear a glove for the rest of its life."
This is not a request.
It's an order.
Eileen seemed to understand what I was saying and nodded her head with a resigned look on her face.
Fiddling with her gloved hands to hide her scars.
There was nothing she could do for me other than say yes.
While he was threatening Eileen under the guise of her chat, the main door of the glass palace opened.
The refined dance of the Knights of the Holy Cross and the powerful performance of the military band.
It was the appearance of an emperor.
"Gentlemen. We welcome you."
◈ Chapter 137 - 18-Eve Festival
To the right of the emperor is Sword Saint.
On the left is the Magic Tower Lord.
He is the vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross.
He is a pillar of the empire who receives everyone's respect.
Even they were just bridesmaids to grace the emperor at this party.
It mobilizes all of the nation's capabilities to highlight just one person.
This is only possible in a system called an empire.
However, the effect was outstanding.
Even nobles would be overwhelmed by this scenery, and merchants and wizards would be even more shocked.
When they saw the emperor for the first time in their lives, they were so overwhelmed by his force that they did not even dare to make eye contact.
"The Human Lighthouse, which had been cut off due to long-standing customs, has finally returned to Octantium to fulfill its duties. Bjern de Jeevitz, commander of the Human Lighthouse. Your bravery has made us happy."
He slowly approached me, waving red silk like a robe.
Although we hadn't kissed or promised anything in advance, I instinctively knew what to do in this situation.
I spoke with the courtesy of a knight.
"Your Majesty. Now that the threat of the devil has become visible, I don't think we can solve anything by being bound by outdated customs. The Lighthouse Corps of Humanity will fight for change at the forefront of the empire."
"You are right. The Empire is more united than ever, and any enemy that stands in our way will be slaughtered by the might of a unified Empire. Your loyalty is so deep, so the future of the Empire is bright."
The return of the right to appoint the commander of the Human Lighthouse Corps is to prepare for the devil's invasion.
The Emperor flexibly changed my firm statement to 'enemy'.
Moreover, by emphasizing the expression of a unified empire, they also expressed their will to no longer tolerate private soldiers.
At the point when the Lighthouse of Humanity was taken into the arms of the Empire, the nobles had no reason to maintain the Knights.
Even now, noble knights are gathered under the imperial flag for war against the Kingdom of Junta.
Taking advantage of this time, the emperor expressed his ambition to monopolize military power for the empire.
There was no need to mention the subtle cracks that appeared on the nobles' faces.
Even every word the emperor uttered was laced with political rhetoric.
Although his actions were radical, he was more attractive than any emperor in history.
The one who leads everyone from the front.
He was the opposite of me, so he was the most annoying enemy.
The Emperor placed his hand on my shoulder and shouted.
"What day would you raise a toast to without celebrating a day like today? We tell you, listen. Eat, drink, laugh, shout. The Empire will do everything for you!"
Just like it always was.
I realized what the emperor's last words had been omitted.
All you have to do is follow me by my side.
If you do that, I'll give you everything.
Wealth, fame, power, and even historic achievements.
Just don't think about getting ahead.
The empire is mine and mine alone.
Drich von Oxburg opened the eve with an extremely arrogant, perhaps even disastrous, declaration.
*
-Bang!
The smell of gunpowder wafted through the cold air from the palace's backyard.
The emperor raised his eyebrows and savored his appetite as if he felt regretful.
"I hope the next pistol has a longer barrel. A short barrel is good for portability, but the accuracy is not very good."
"I'll pass it on to the technical officer."
Pulling the hammer again, the Emperor was startled by a sudden roar that froze to ice, and then took aim at his deer.
The era of iron horses.
Of course, there were guns in this world too.
However, in this world where there is a wizard who can shoot fireballs all day long as long as he is fed, it was not easy for a gun that needed constant management and supply to take on this role.
Therefore, guns in this world were relegated to self-defense or hunting toys for the nobility.
Also, because there was no large-scale investment, it developed in a form that was very different from the standards of modern Earth people, like putting paper ammunition in a revolver.
"Isn't Lord Djevitz going hunting? Is it possible he doesn't know how to shoot?"
The emperor stared at the sight with one eye closed.
I retorted as I looked at the pistol, which had flashy decorations but was not crude.
"What fun would it be if a knight got involved in hunting?"
No matter how messed up he is, the knight is a superman.
It is not difficult for an ordinary person to hit the target if they put in the effort, but once you become a sword expert, it is possible to keep shooting at the same hole.
I really want to mess up this party, but hitting the candle in that way is just stupid.
The reason deer hunting is suddenly taking place in the palace's backyard is because of imperial tradition.
The Oxburg Empire had a custom of deer hunting when the founding emperor arrived.
The emperor personally slaughtered the largest deer among the deer caught by the nobles and shared it with the nobles.
It was a tradition with a long history that continued from Homeland.
It was just a party, and of course the reason for including this event in the first schedule was a political decision by the emperor who wanted to make today the second founding day of the nation.
The good news is that, like a real international event, you don't have to go outside the capital to hunt wild deer.
If I had done that, I would have felt really bad, like a new employee being taken on a mountaineering trip by the manager.
I sent a short condolences to the Knights of the Holy Cross who went all the way outside the capital and ran through the mountains to capture the deer needed for this event.
-Bang!
Once again a shot rang out from the Emperor's pistol.
This time, the deer's head shook violently as if it had been hit.
Brief exclamations and flattery from the nobles nearby followed.
Rather than the entertainment going on inside the palace, my interest was focused on the group watching the event under the tent.
Except for young male nobles, most of them were spending time in the shade in front of the palace until the hunt was over.
Aperitifs and simple appetizers were provided at each table.
Tableware, bread and alcohol provided.
None of it was expensive.
I must have been pushing myself harder than usual.
The intention is to definitely suppress the spirit of the merchants.
However, those who knew the current state of the empire's treasury better than anyone else were watching the party with the feeling of 'Is this okay?'
The emperor pointed to one of them and said:
"Lord Barton Wigher, I am reading the Central paper well. Today is a good day, so don't criticize me too much."
Barton's face turned pale when he heard something close to a joke or his own name mentioned in the Emperor's mouth.
It is not easy to endure the fact that the most powerful person in the empire is watching.
But Barton should know.
It turns out that the emperor is not the only one who has his eyes set on him.
'Still, Barton's situation is better.'
Perhaps because he was the child of a merchant, he was ignorant of etiquette, but he was not ignorant of aristocratic culture itself.
The real problem was Jin and Amber.
They are both very angry guys, so if things continue like this, they will definitely cause an accident.
Do you think you can withstand other female nobles trying to prey on you?
Even if I named Eileen, I was very worried.
"Well, it looks like our deer is the biggest. There's nothing funnier than a party host taking the ball."
Meanwhile, deer hunting also came to an end.
Even visually, the deer caught by the emperor was much larger than that caught by other nobles.
"Your Majesty won an overwhelming victory, so wouldn't it be natural for you to monopolize the winner's joy?"
"Your Majesty, I salute you!"
The servant carrying the deer on his back headed toward the tent.
As if showing off its size, the servant walked around the nobleman.
The cold eyes of the deer that ended its life in the palace's backyard without knowing why were shining upon them.
After boasting once, the servant entered the emperor's tent set up in the center of the backyard.
There, the emperor himself prepares deer and serves it to guests who visit the palace.
In the meantime, no one dares enter the tent.
It was a traditional custom that the slaughter could not be shown to those below.
"Lord de Jeviets, have you ever slaughtered a deer?"
"I've never done it before."
If it's hunting, there's no way I, a nobleman, have ever slaughtered game.
When I shook my head, the emperor said as if he knew that of course.
"Oh my. A true warrior should know how to prepare his own prey. We'll teach you at this point. Follow me."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the murmur around him grew louder.
This is because there were only a few officials in history who entered the tent with the emperor during the founding of the country.
The representative figure among them was the first head of the De Jeevitz family.
Are you trying to recreate the history of the invitation and elevate yourself to equal status with them?
Or do you want to talk to me separately?
There was no reason to refuse either one.
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
He followed the emperor into the tent.
In the past, people lived in luxurious tents during civil wars in the north, but the emperor's tent was incomparably extravagant.
It must have been made of gold thread, and it sparkles every time the light hits it.
A tent made of cowhide, turned over, softened, and then dyed red.
Utensils made of silver. It seemed like a commoner would be able to play and eat for the rest of his life if he sold just one item, such as a piece of wooden furniture with a mysterious color.
The most surprising thing was that right next to the deer that had just been killed, there was a deer that had already been neatly trimmed.
The emperor said as if asking what made his eyes so wide.
"You probably didn't believe that we would prepare it ourselves, right? No matter how traditional it is, we can't serve meat without hair to nobles who visit the palace."
"...If that were to happen, the authority of the imperial family would be thrown to the ground."
Such an obvious statement.
But before I knew it, I too had been pressured and deceived by that tradition.
Well, it's safer to have a butcher prepare it in advance than to take risks.
Still, I couldn't help but feel dizzy as if I had just seen a magic trick.
I thought that perhaps the reason the emperor had been grooming the deer in the tent until now was to hide this.
"Don't be too disappointed. Even though it's not a deer, we still plan to slaughter it ourselves today."
"Are you talking about the deer that was killed?"
"No."
I could hear the hammer being pulled and the revolver chamber turning.
The emperor's pistol was aimed at my head.
"I'm curious. If a Sword Expert gets shot, he dies."
◈ Chapter 138 - 18-Eve
A black muzzle with no visible inside.
There's definitely a bullet in it.
His finger on the trigger proved that his words were not bravado.
"Anything more than this cannot be tolerated."
The person who stood in his way was Helga Sentle.
While hiding and watching the situation outside the tent, he sensed something unusual and stood between me and the emperor.
But the situation Helga fears will not happen.
After putting my hand on his shoulder and making him step aside, I spoke to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, isn't the gun too small to hunt griffins?"
The emperor is not stupid enough to put a bullet in my head here.
He can't kill me, at least not before the Estates General.
And there's no way he could die from a pistol shot as a knight.
If it were a firearm on modern Earth, it might be a crude pistol bullet, but a sword expert can block it without causing some damage.
One thing that bothers me is that the emperor pointed his gun at me even though he knew that.
The expression 'slaughter' made a prickly sound in my mouth.
Is it simply a threat?
Or is it some kind of metaphor?
There was nothing I could be sure of yet.
"Hmm. You are right. This gun is definitely not good enough to catch a griffin."
The Emperor shrugged his shoulders and lowered his gun.
Making a heavy noise characteristic of iron, the pistol lay down next to the slaughtered deer meat.
The way he said it was a joke, the mood changed in an instant.
His true nature revealed in the tent was like that of a predator.
"So I've been thinking of another way. Before that, Bjorn de Jevietz, I'd like to give you one last chance."
A transparent red silk robe fluttered.
The emperor spoke in a relaxed tone and smiled gently.
"You are a talented person. Although you are my enemy, I respect you. I assure you, you are currently the most dangerous person in the empire."
"I will take it as a compliment."
"It's a compliment, so of course it should be. That's why we'll make this offer to you one last time. Wouldn't you like to use that talent for the empire with me?"
Standing at the same eye level as the emperor, I also spoke calmly.
"My talents are always used for the Empire. I am grateful for the offer, Your Majesty, but I am not an enemy of the Empire."
I am your enemy, not the enemy of the Reich, Drich von Oxburg.
Rather, you are the true enemy blocking the empire's path forward.
However, if you truly want to be with me, there is no way.
I continued speaking to the emperor.
"I understand that you want to make me more useful. Then, Your Majesty, can you accept my advice?"
"Speak up, for we are listening."
"Stop the war with the Kingdom of Junta right now and prepare for the devil's invasion."
Stop the fruitless war with the Kingdom of Junta and use the empire's remaining power to prepare for the devil's invasion.
Indeed, if I do that, I can also take the lead in protecting the empire along with the emperor.
With a bomb planted beneath the empire, I also don't want to bear the burden of revolution.
The emperor closed his eyes for a moment as if contemplating, then opened them and answered.
"It's impossible. Then the negotiations are broken."
There may have been no agreement between the emperor and me in the first place.
To him, the empire is entirely his.
I couldn't share it with anyone.
The position of emperor is inherently like that.
"It's a shame. Why do talented people become enemies, and ignorant fools become allies? It's inconvenient because every time you kill, it feels like you're eliminating a talented person from the empire. If you were on our side, the empire could have become stronger."
"Sounds like a winner's speech. I think I have the upper hand so far."
"Yes, you are right. We may have won moment by moment, but in the grand scheme of things, it is no exaggeration to say that it was your victory. You used your newspapers and ideas to crown my people and turn me into a vile usurper. "It's a feat no one has achieved."
If I had gone through the empire under the pretext of exterminating the demon cultists, I would have already won.
The emperor clicked his tongue, saying that he had only taken the life of the port director.
"But after playing with you a few times, I started to see something."
A bitter relationship that began in the north.
The emperor and I have been fighting since we didn't even know each other.
Just as I understood the emperor, he also seemed to have looked into me during that time.
"You love the empire more than me. The people of the empire, to be exact. I felt it from the north. There is always mercy in your moves. If possible, avoid shedding blood. If so, keep it to a minimum. My guess is correct, right?"
"...What does that have to do with your 'slaughter'?"
"It means I can kill you, but you can't kill me. Do you understand what I mean?"
The moment you kill the emperor, the empire collapses.
Even after the revolution ends, he must remain a symbol that unites humanity.
That's why I couldn't kill him.
The emperor noticed this fact.
"No matter how vicious we are, you can't kill us... Isn't this a game that is too advantageous for us?"
For a moment, a feeling of anxiety came over me.
My prediction that he would join hands with Duke von Lorraine and push me around seemed completely wrong.
Maybe it's natural.
Until now, the Emperor has never once moved within the scope of my expectations.
"Your plan is centered around the revolution itself. 'In order to resolve the payment issue, in a weakened period, incite the citizens and magicians of the empire to start a revolution and take over the empire.' It was indeed a difficult number. There seemed to be no way to solve it. But if your blade is dull, is there any reason for me to hesitate?"
The corners of the Emperor's mouth rose as he realized that he no longer needed to move cautiously.
"Do you see the merchants and wizards gathered at the party? Most of them are friendly to you. When this party is over, I will kill them all."
This emperor is called Pae Hwang.
It was an appropriate nickname for him, who caused a bloody storm from the incident that occurred at the coronation ceremony to the war with the Kingdom of Junta.
He was able to raise his body again after it had been frozen for a long time.
"Of course, it will be a huge blow to the empire. I know that the empire will be in chaos for a while. But there will not be a revolution. Wouldn't that be better than losing the empire to you?"
"...Your Majesty, are you saying we should destroy each other now?"
"Common annihilation? Killing them all won't make the empire disappear. It may deteriorate, but it's still an empire. The same goes for you. Even if I kill you, the empire will still remain an empire. It'll be different if I die. You know that too. "Isn't it?"
The reason he has not actively used force until now is because he is afraid that force might stimulate people and lead to a revolution.
And it was because they were concerned that the revolution would end the empire.
But once he realized that there was no way I would kill him for the Empire, there was nothing to stop him.
The emperor is not the type of person to avoid the smell of blood.
Rather, if given the opportunity, he will actively stab people.
Knowing that, I grabbed his wrist and twisted it under financial pressure.
I think that actually revealed my weakness.
Now that my position has been revealed, which is to transform the empire with minimal damage in preparation for the devil's invasion, it is not surprising that he would raise a toast.
"Not only that. After this party, I plan to imprison Lord Ember Cutter. She, your right-hand woman, will suffer all kinds of torture and die in prison. But is she better than Barton Wigner, whose body we won't even be able to find? You're going to die."
Although no bullet was fired from the barrel of his gun, the bullet clearly pierced my head.
There was no room to dispute that it had been bitten at its weakest point.
The deer's cold eyes looked at me.
The guy was hanging on a hook, dripping blood, and seemed to be reliving his tragic fate of being hunted.
At that time, Helga, who was kneeling next to me and observing the situation, opened her mouth.
"Your Majesty! The princess left a message for Your Majesty to lead the empire on the right path! Are you planning to abandon that wish?!"
The emperor's eyes moved.
It was a dry gaze, devoid of any emotion.
"Sir Helga Sentle. Your act of entering the tent without permission was considered to be your merit and loyalty to the lord. But how dare you criticize our words? Your sin is deep and heavy. We speak, so you listen."
The emperor's mouth moved with a bitter coldness.
"Cut that arrogant tongue. This is the Emperor's command."
A dagger fell in front of Helga.
It was thrown by the emperor himself.
Helga's face was reflected in the dagger.
That expression doesn't belong to someone who's afraid to stick her tongue out.
Rather, I was filled with despair for an old relationship that had been ruined so miserably.
"Your Majesty! Even if you cut out my tongue, please remember the princess who sacrificed her life for you!"
"This is outrageous. You also disobeyed my sister's request. Don't you dare mention my sister."
"Your majesty!"
"Shall I cut out your tongue if I ask Lord De Jeviez for your sins?"
Despite her cries that were almost screams, the Emperor looked down at Helga with her pitiful face.
◈ Chapter 139 - 18-Eve Festival
The relationship between the emperor and Helga is probably deeper than I can fathom.
The two must have overcome an unprecedented event in history called the 'Concubine Rebellion' in the monogamous Oxburg Empire.
I can only vaguely guess from the circumstances what happened between the emperor, his sister, and Helga in those days.
As soon as the story of the princess came out, the emperor changed his title from 'we' to 'I', and you could tell that what had happened was against him.
Before Helga had her tongue cut out, she tried to somehow return the Emperor's mind.
I never remember seeing him this emotional.
"Your Majesty, if a revolution breaks out even after killing the wizards and merchants, what will you do then? Are you going to exterminate the people of the empire?! Is this the empire you swore to the princess that day?!"
"Sir Helga Sentle. Shut that mouth of hers. It is her command."
I cut off the scream.
It doesn't matter what tragedy happened between the two in the past.
Now, Helga is a senior knight of the Lighthouse of Humanity, and is in the presence of the Emperor of the Empire.
His attitude was such that he would have been lucky if his tongue had been cut out.
I just couldn't let Helga die because of something like this.
"Your Majesty, my knight made a mistake. A vassal's sin is the lord's sin, so I will pay for his sin."
I lifted the dagger I placed in front of Helga.
Before he could stop me, I grabbed the blade with my hand and cut.
The flowing red liquid was poured into a bowl prepared for distributing the deer meat.
Until the bowl, smaller than a basin but larger than a bowl of rice, overflows with blood.
"My blood would be worth a little more than Lord Sentle's tongue, wouldn't it?"
Haha! That's right. Don't be like that! It's still early, but I'm so happy to see your blood!"
As the blood suddenly drained, I felt cold.
My peripheral vision darkened slightly.
Still, the emperor's sneer was clearly visible.
"With the head of a snake and a heart full of warmth. You are truly a strange being."
With a look on his face that said he knew that would happen, the emperor spat a mocking remark at me.
"Aren't you really looking forward to the future? You shed your own blood because you didn't care for even one knight's tongue. What do you plan on sacrificing when we try to kill wizards and merchants?"
Only then did the emperor's intentions begin to become visible.
The reason you told me your future plans in advance.
He is waiting for me to throw an unreasonable number to protect the wizard and merchant.
You can sit back and watch wizards and merchants get slaughtered.
Or maybe you try to stop it and fall into a trap and die.
During the party, there was no way out no matter which side you chose.
"We expect you to make decisions for the empire, as you always have. However, there is one thing you are mistaken about."
The emperor spread his arms.
He said as if making a declaration.
"The empire is me. Even if all the people of the empire die, if I am alive, the empire is alive and well. So, die for the sake of the empire."
In gambling on his empire, the emperor went all in.
As if this is where the game will be won.
*
The emperor and the eldest son of the De Jeevitz family entered the tent.
Everyone gathered here knows that this is an act of reenacting the story of the founding of the first emperor.
If the two even join hands, the noble faction will be destroyed.
The nobles of the noble faction who knew this turned pale.
However, unlike the founding legend, the relationship between the emperor and De Jeviez was like a love-and-war relationship that could not be reconciled.
Duke von Lorraine, who knew him, was lost in thought under the shade.
I was wondering why the Emperor entered the tent with Bjorn and not with him.
'... The emperor has no intention of joining hands with me.'
If an attempt was made to suppress the revolutionaries, Duke von Lorraine's help was essential.
Even though he lost the Robe Union and became half-hearted, a considerable number of nobles and wizards still follow him.
If the emperor had extended his hand, Duke von Lorraine would also reluctantly cooperate.
At this point, Bjorn was more dangerous to him than the emperor.
But I couldn't think of any other reason for leaving him alone and going into the tent with Bjorn other than having no intention of joining hands with him.
Maybe, he thought, it was natural for an emperor.
'Are you seeing the disowning of Björn as a trap?'
Duke von Lorraine and Viern were disowned.
Due to the tragedy of his daughter, Princess Della, Duke von Lorraine crossed an irreversible river with Vienna from the beginning.
In addition, Bjorn announced to the world that her blood ties were officially severed through the last engagement commotion.
That meant that the revolutionary and aristocratic factions were also completely divided.
However, even if that were the truth, from the emperor's perspective, it could have been seen as a manipulation.
'Still, I thought you were going to hold my hand.'
Even if Duke von Lorraine was planning to fight with Viern, he knew that the emperor, who was in a desperate situation, would definitely give him advice.
On the contrary, the emperor came up with a way to overcome this situation.
'If the emperor really thought of such a number... 'That's not bad either.'
Whatever the number, Bjorn is not a kid to sit back and get dealt.
As a result, the imperial faction and the revolutionary faction will fight fiercely.
In the meantime, the noble faction can naturally make profits by being a fisherman.
In that case, there was only one thing for the noble faction to do at this party.
To draw wizards and merchants back to us.
If he regained the initiative he had lost, Duke von Lorraine could once again gain the upper hand in gambling on the empire.
And even the method has been completely designed.
'Björn, I will repay you for what I learned from you.'
Duke von Lorraine recalled the humiliation he had suffered from Bjorn in the past.
By bringing out a scandal, he exposes it in front of everyone and thereby undermines his authority.
This time, it was time to return the humiliation that had been suffered.
He saw a girl named Beaset Soran sitting far to the left.
She was a girl with great looks, but whose roots were unknown.
It was too easy to create a scandal.
And that child's scandal will become an attack directed at her fiancé, Bjorn.
Wizards and merchants who are not familiar with the social circles of aristocratic society will be more easily swayed.
'The revolutionary faction is soft. At best, it is a group gathered together based on ideology. They have little in common and are not as strong as blood ties. If the leader's authority is shaken at this time, it will collapse like a sand castle.'
All you have to do is aim for that time and have the noble faction take control of them again.
Duke von Lorraine raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at the revolutionary faction who seemed to be wandering around.
"You're probably thinking... You're a stupid old man. I can read everything you think."
Amber, who was listening to Count Sorang's harsh words, looked at him with her cold, salty eyes.
He had never had an in-depth conversation with him, but he remembered that he didn't have this kind of personality, at least not in the North.
As I looked at him, his familiar face came to mind.
'I think I felt this same way when I saw Sir Runea Van Hoss.'
In Amber's eyes, if Lunea was a Björn who had grown up faithfully, Count Sorang looked like a Björn who had been blackened by the ravages of time.
Jin seemed to have similar thoughts and gave the vitriol an ambiguous look.
Perhaps, after the civil war, the Sorang family absorbed the Canorot granary region and gained confidence.
"Isn't that a wrong idea? In fact, it is true that the revolutionary faction was hastily created."
Count Sorang clicked his tongue at Ember's rebuttal.
"Tsk, Operations Chief. You are not a noble, but your way of thinking is similar to that of a noble."
"What? Would you like to say that again?"
The moment Amber heard those words, she thought of hundreds of moves that would bring down the Sorang family.
Count Sorang continued speaking confidently, not knowing whether he knew that his family had just been exterminated hundreds of times.
"The criteria for lineage and class are clear. But what about ideology? It is invisible and cannot be known unless it is revealed. Yet, they trust and rely on each other. Is there any need to say more about which one is stronger?"
"...That's unexpected, Count Soran. I had no idea that you were such an intelligent person. Would you like to put that great intellect to good use? I will tell Lord de Jeevitz."
"What is it? I suddenly feel chills?"
Duke von Lorraine slowly approached Count Soran, who was shivering from the sudden cold wind.
At first glance, it seems like a movement just to kill some free time.
However, it signaled the beginning of the aristocratic offensive against the revolutionaries.
"Count Sorang. It's been a long time. Is the territory safe?"
With a gentle smile, Duke von Lorraine stroked his beard.
Count Sorang spoke without hiding his uncomfortable feelings.
"Duke. Please forgive me for not greeting you first due to the difficult situation."
"Of course. I'm not so petty as to scold the Count for not saying hello to him when he met his daughter for the first time in a long time and resolved his concerns."
Even though you ignored me, I see you keep coming back to me. I guess you have no pride?
Wouldn't it be better than you suffering because of a daughter you never had?
Sparks flew where their eyes met.
"Okay. Would you like to take this opportunity to formally introduce your daughter? I thought you said she was a Beaje girl. I saw you once last time, but do you remember me?"
◈ Chapter 140 - 18-Eve Festival
It's only been a few weeks since I met Jin.
It's not enough time to get to know someone, but Amber has figured out the basics.
His personality is as fiery as his nickname, Jin of Flame.
To Amber, Jin was like a furnace, warming her hand when he touched her from afar, but burning her skin when he crossed the line.
Does Duke von Lorraine really know?
The fact that the being I am trying to cause a scandal is the Flame Jinn, one of the three gods.
And that Jin has a hobby of burning the tongues of insolent humans.
Amber, who had witnessed Björn's burning tongue several times, clearly understood on this occasion what the saying "Ignorance is sometimes medicine" Means.
"Count Sorang. All of your daughters are beautiful, so you are truly blessed. By the way, do you mind if I ask why such a beautiful child has finally appeared in the world?"
"Everyone has a heartbreaking family history, right? I believe the Duke will understand."
"I see. I understand."
Despite Count Soran's sarcastic remarks about the tragedy surrounding the ducal family, Duke von Lorraine seemed relaxed.
After all, the answer that Count Soran had just given was exactly what Duke von Lorraine wanted.
'The third daughter has a past that cannot be told to others.' Because it was no different from what was declared.
'Okay. It's finally starting to show.'
From the North to now.
Ember, who experienced the social interactions of nobles several times, was able to read the numbers behind their speech.
Rather, it was as if it was strange that it had not been seen until now.
So I found out.
Just now was Count Sorang's defeat.
And that was what Count Soran intended.
When asked how he would deal with the sudden appearance of his third daughter, Count Soran said this.
"Anyway, if you lie, you'll only get caught. It's better to admit it and move on."
"You just have to make sure you don't get into trouble at this party. Wouldn't it be better to think of a good excuse?"
"Hmm, Chief of Staff. They look like ghosts on the battlefield, but they don't have much talent in politics. We are not in a position to defend ourselves. On the contrary, we have to push them back."
You can never gain an advantage just by protecting it.
We must respond proactively by taking advantage of the opponent's offensive.
Without even knowing that Amber was thinking, 'Wouldn't I win if I fight this arrogant nobleman now?', Count Sorang continued.
"There is no need to drag out a birth story that will end in scandal at a time like this. Do you know what the best way to dispel a rumor is to just admit it is true?"
"...I don't understand."
"It means you don't feed them. Do you think they care about whether the rumors are true? They just need something to chew on. If you just admit it, those who can't stand it will move on to the next thing."
If that happens, negative perceptions may remain, but stories about origins will become distant.
It is up to us to decide what to throw next.
After hearing the answer, Amber had no choice but to slightly revise her evaluation of Count Sorang.
'A man like this is crouching in the northern outskirts...' ... No, there hasn't been a place to prove his abilities so far.'
At a time when a meeting was going on in the north, I remembered Count Sorang, who flattered Canniel.
If the North had fallen into the hands of Count Haenrel and the Demon Cult at that time, his life would have ended as an ordinary Count in the North.
Now, he was fighting with Duke von Lorraine, the second-in-command of the empire, in the central region.
How could I have known that someone so hateful would become such a reliable ally?
Duke von Lorraine seemed not to waste any time, and after a short nervous battle, he turned his attention to Jin.
"Actually, the reason I came here was because I wanted to ask Bease Soran something."
"...Please speak."
Jin answered in a harsh tone that I had never heard before.
Every time Duke von Lorraine opened her mouth, her face became cold, as if he were smelling bad breath.
"You didn't say anything when Bjorn was behaving indecently in my garden. Can I assume that means you have the same intentions as my grandson?"
A question bordering on criticism.
Even if Bjorn said she would do it, would she have any reason to do such a thing to you as well?
If she replies that she and he have the same intentions, he is a cocky bitch who got involved in someone else's family's affairs even before they were married.
In other words, it is an act of making Bjorn a fool.
In response to a question that was difficult to avoid, Amber looked at Jin with nervousness.
"I mean the same thing as Bjorn. Just as he helped me when I needed help, I too will help him when he asks for it."
It is a straight answer with no embellishments or even any other connotations.
But such answers did not belong to nobles.
"Then Count Soran, what are your intentions? Do you respect your daughter's thoughts?"
Will you also bare your teeth against the von Loren family?
To protect my fake daughter, whose real name I don't even know.
Count Solan tried to smile at Duke von Lorraine's threat, but even Ember could easily read it.
'This is a child brought in by Bjorn, so she must have some basic skills,' she thought complacently, and then her face looked like she had been punched.
There was a moment, but Count Soran hid his embarrassment as best as he could.
"My daughter is following the family's will. The Sorang family has always followed the eternal light."
Please consider the position of our family, which has pledged allegiance to the De Jeevitz family.
I bowed my head, but not humiliated.
Count Soran's management skills this time were excellent, but there was no guarantee that he would continue to work with Duke von Lorraine.
In particular, he knew that if Jin messed up one more time, he wouldn't be able to control himself.
At that moment, Eileen, who was watching the situation, intervened to turn the situation around.
"Duke von Lorraine. Will you please give up my daughter-in-law now? I have a lot of stories I want to share with this child."
"Oh, my. I guess I took up too much time. Please excuse me. We can talk later when we have time."
Due to Eileen's intervention, Duke von Lorraine took a step back.
The look behind him as he returned to the aristocratic camp showed that he had plenty of time anyway.
Or maybe he was satisfied after realizing that his opponent, Jin, was softer than he thought.
Amber's head became confused due to the complicated political situation.
"Thank you for your help, Count Haenrel."
Count Soran sat down again and thanked Eileen.
Eileen said as if it was obvious, sipping tea.
"Not much to say in the same situation. More than that, Bease. The lives of many people depend on your every word, so next time, I hope you will answer more carefully than now."
Although she did not strongly chastise Jean for coming under her Bjorn's protection, Eileen clearly showed signs of her discomfort with him.
There is a long way to go, so why not just get stuck in this exploration battle?
She seemed somewhat intimidated, obviously aware that the Sorang family had almost been driven into a corner because of her.
"...I guess I made a mistake."
She wears clothes that don't fit her human customs.
In particular, she did not fit into the grammar of aristocratic society.
If it's overwork, it's overwork.
Amber, who knew that feeling well, hesitated to extend her hand of comfort.
Because it didn't seem like it was her role.
"Looks like things aren't going well?"
There was a smell of gunpowder behind me.
Barton returned from deer hunting with young nobles.
Ember whispered into his ear.
"This is just the beginning. Just because you sewed the first button wrong doesn't mean you can't fasten your clothes."
"Seeing as you are aware that you stitched it incorrectly, it must be quite distorted."
"I only suffered a slight loss in the search war. How about that?"
It was Count Sorang who brought the revolutionaries together, but it was Barton's role to unite them.
Under the pretext of deer hunting, he was also in close contact with those who moved toward the revolutionary faction.
Said Barton, sitting down and taking off his gloves.
"The nobles belonging to the revolutionary faction are full of enthusiasm. The same applies to wizards. But the merchants are the problem."
Nobles and wizards are basically a class with considerable knowledge.
Two classes of the revolutionary faction were absorbed in Amber Cutter's writings.
However, merchants are fundamentally a people driven by money rather than knowledge.
Even if they were now dissatisfied with the empire and moved towards the revolutionary faction, there was a possibility that they would move to another faction depending on their interests.
Barton, the son of a merchant, knew that fact better than anyone else.
"We need something to really grab them."
There is a need to instill in people the perception that it is good to be in the revolutionary group, whether it is great profits or a bright future.
That was an important factor that would determine the success or failure of this party.
Barton asked Amber, who was lost in thought.
"But why did Your Majesty go into the tent with Master Björn? Something bothers me."
"What is there to worry about? Either it is a reenactment of the founding of the nation, or there is a separate conversation I would like to have."
"I know that. But something feels uneasy. I have a feeling that Bjorn sewed the first button wrong too."
Before their conversation could end, the emperor who had entered the tent appeared.
Afterwards, the leader of the revolutionary faction, Björn, followed.
With a blood-soaked bandage wrapped around his hand.
Barton's complexion darkened at the realization that his bad premonition had come true.
◈ Chapter 141 - 18-Eve Festival
*
Deer meat, said to have been slaughtered by the emperor himself, was served for lunch.
Dinner held in the backyard of the Glass Palace.
The treatment of maids who followed strict rules was truly representative of the etiquette of a nation.
Meat touched by the emperor is sacred in itself.
Leaving even a single piece was not permitted.
The imperial faction nobles ate the meat cautiously as if they had come into contact with some kind of spiritual creature, but I, who knew the truth, found it ridiculous.
As I cut the meat with uncomfortable hands, my eyes turned to the emperor sitting in the center.
I cut it while grooming a deer.
I had no choice but to say that in response to the stubborn questions of my companions.
Jin looked at his injured hand and asked if it made sense that the Sword Expert cut his own hand while using a sword.
But how can you say that the emperor is threatening you with your lives?
Even when Jin interrogated me, I remained silent.
"Make sure you crack down on it. At least no one should know until you come up with a plan to control the situation."
I made sure to stop Helga, who was standing next to me, from speaking.
If news spreads that the emperor has drawn his sword against the revolutionaries, he will be in trouble before he can react.
That is something that must be prevented.
"...Yes, I understand."
An expression of regret appeared on Helga's face, as if she was aware that her master had been hurt because of her.
Still, I was glad that it ended with just one of his hands being cut.
Even though they could have made him go through as much hardship as he wanted, he was able to gain the upper hand without having to bite.
"But wouldn't it be better to tell the knights?"
"The emperor is trying to kill you, and you're telling me that I'm not good enough and that I'm the one suffering?"
I shook my head at Helga's suggestion.
I am their lord.
You may be shaken, but you must not be unreliable.
If I don't come up with the right plan first, opinions may diverge and internal strife may break out.
If something like that happens within the tight time constraints of a week, it can get out of control.
It would have been better to at least come up with a rough plan and then ask for opinions.
"But that doesn't mean there is no income at all. I clearly know the emperor's intentions."
"I didn't know that Your Majesty would say that everyone would be killed."
"No, quite the opposite. The emperor does not want to kill anyone."
Hearing my ironic words, Helga asked me what I meant with a puzzled look on her face.
"So does this mean that Your Majesty is bluffing?"
"No. After this party, the emperor will definitely purge the revolutionaries."
"Then the back and forth..."
"The emperor is threatening me to kneel before that happens. Because he has realized that I have no intention of destroying the empire."
I can't kill him.
But he can kill me.
The fundamental difference here is painful.
If things continue like this, the empire will be ruined.
Still, I will stop you.
You can't kill me anyway, and my empire can be rebuilt as long as I survive.
But what about you, Bjorn?
Can you destroy the empire for the future you dream of?
Even if that happens, will you fight me?
Or are you going to bow down to me at this point and find another way?
Holding the Empire hostage, he was threatening me.
"You fucking emperor. Shall I pull out my trump card?"
The fourth book sleeping in the drawer came to mind.
If I made that book known to the world, it would have been possible to crush the emperor without getting a single drop of blood on my hands.
The problem is that the country is also becoming irritated.
If I felt like it, I wanted to release the book on the market, but since I didn't have much time left anyway, that was out of the question.
The good news is that the emperor has no intention of joining hands with the noble faction.
From the emperor's point of view, it seems that he decided to rule out the possibility of joining hands and being stabbed in the back by Duke von Lorraine at the last moment.
In that case, first of all, our revolutionary faction must dominate the aristocratic faction in this party.
"Let's ignore the emperor's provocation for now and focus on Duke von Lorraine for now."
Important differences between the imperialist faction and the revolutionary faction.
The Emperor faction can join hands with the Noble faction, but cannot absorb them.
Because the values pursued are different.
On the other hand, the revolutionary faction can devour the aristocratic faction.
Because the values pursued by the aristocratic faction are ultimately backward compatible with those of the revolutionary faction.
Knowing this, Duke von Lorraine further distanced himself from the revolutionaries, but that may now be his limit.
In this party, most of the aristocratic faction joins the revolutionary faction.
Because I will make it like that.
Duke von Lorraine.
Unfortunately, you are destined to be eliminated from the preliminary round.
"Did Duke von Lorraine make any movement while I was in the tent?"
I asked Jin, who was sitting next to me, what had happened so far.
I had a rough idea of who she was, seeing as she looked withdrawn unlike usual.
In response to my question, she spoke with a dissatisfied face.
"Are you done whispering with Helga? I feel like I've become more uncomfortable since I gained a physical body. I could have overheard as much as I wanted before."
"You have to adapt to a new relationship. Everyone needs secrets."
"...Yeah. You're right."
The sense of distance has changed since I created a fleshy body with a golem.
The twisted relationship that resulted from that.
I was vaguely feeling it too.
That we can't be as close as before.
Because our paths were too different for that to happen.
Rather, it was just strange until now.
"Duke von Lorraine approached. I made a mistake, and Sorang and Haenrel took care of it."
In a business-like tone, Jin talked about what had happened.
After she finished speaking, she seemed to have already become accustomed to aristocratic society.
"Okay. I got it roughly. From now on, we won't be separated. Stick next to me and don't talk as much as possible. I'll take care of it."
As her attitude subsided, I also became uncomfortable talking to her.
For a while, only the sound of clattering dishes was heard in the surroundings.
It would be a lie to say that I didn't know this would happen.
Because it was me, not anyone else, who made the relationship become like this.
It's unbearably sad, and I'm sure I'll feel empty, but if I want to leave without any regrets, there's no other way.
Taking it all in, I turned my head away from her.
*
No matter what my relationship with Jin was, the party continued.
Simple circus performances and concerts.
There was no end to the things to see, and there was no shortage of uplifting music.
Every time, the emperor took me with him like a love doll.
It was a simple but effective way to prevent solidarity with revolutionary groups.
'Of course, there's no way I don't know that number.'
I had given Barton the role of leader of the revolutionary faction in advance.
Although Barton was concerned about how he could take on such an important responsibility.
Rather, Barton, he doesn't seem to know that only he can fulfill that role.
Originally, Barton Wigner was not a character in the original work.
Considering that his name is not left in the vast collection of settings, he probably failed the Human Lighthouse Corps exam, or even if he passed, he died during the devil's invasion.
His strength is mediocre, and his intelligence is not outstanding.
A person who seems lacking in some way to be entrusted with important responsibilities.
However, it was Barton who played the most important moment from the North so far.
It was he who showed his wit and saved my life at the moment when I was almost killed by Quarha.
He was also the one who helped Ember come to her senses during the giant slalom on the Leuktra Plain.
It is no exaggeration to say that 50% of the success of Central Newspaper is his credit.
Barton was the strongest Joker card I had.
Only he can turn the tide when a miracle is needed.
'I think it looks better for him to be at the front rather than for me, who was born a nobleman.'
As if living up to my expectations, Barton was quickly rallying the barely-formed revolutionary faction.
"Oh, Geneth. How was the ad in the Central newspaper last time? Did it have any effect? I guess I should since I gave in to all your unreasonable demands. Haha!"
"Viscount. Thank you for your help with the article about the mansion. I heard that our reporter was quite rude. You understand that it is for journalism? Oh my, I am touched."
"Baroness. Unfortunately, that book was stopped from publication on the grounds that it was critical of society. But... You never know. If you search the warehouse, there might be some leftover that wasn't burned. Yes. If I find it, I'll send it to the mansion. If you keep it a secret. "
At the center of the revolutionary group, Barton was captivating them like a knight of wit.
For now, it's just trivial chatter, but as the day goes by and the party slows down, it will soon develop into a discussion about the transformation of the empire.
Not to be outdone, Amber was also receiving a lot of attention within the revolutionary group.
Mainly the professors of the Magic Tower followed her around.
"It seems that the human rights on page 314 are used in a different sense than the human rights on page 158. Am I correct? The words on page 314 seem to contain a bit more comprehensive content. In this case, the concept of human rights contained in the term 'citizenship' is I think it is more appropriate. What do you think, Lord Cutter?"
"No, at what time are you asking about such minor details? Rather, this concept called the right to resistance is too comprehensive. The standard for national tyranny is vague, and it is also confusing to what extent resistance can be considered resistance. There are no specific examples. "Can you listen to me?"
"Everyone, please come out. My question comes first! It seems to me that human rights are ultimately granted by the state to its citizens, but if that is the case, then humans without a state cannot be guaranteed any rights. How is this something that is innate and an absolute value? "
In response to philosophical questions from professors like Margery and Go Bong-Bap, Amber became meditative.
If I had been the author, it would have been like this.
I briefly mourned her having to deal with questions from her professors who had reached the pinnacle of her intellect with a book she did not write.
Whether intentional or not, the revolutionary faction became a proper faction due to their activities.
Naturally, the spark flew towards Asili.