Chapter 72 – Imperial Palace Guards

Among the four districts where imperial citizens resided, District 13 was the loudest.

Political parties sprouting like mushrooms day after day, and the rallies they led.

District 13 was the place where such activities were most active, and it was also the place that would not escape the imperial family’s sword-wielding today.

Sitting in the official carriage, Rashid stared silently out the window.

Although invisible, the sounds of rallies demanding the overthrow of the imperial family and the Emperor were reaching his ears.

‘It’s today.’

Could he stay still on this day?

Even if he could not get involved, he wanted to watch nearby.

Because it was also a historical day when the long, long era of the Emperor was setting.

‘If Kaiser fails, her era will open. But even if her era opens, the Empire will not be able to avoid destruction. In any case, the Emperor’s era is ending.’

The authority she possessed had absolute power, just like the successive Emperors did.

Many people would be swayed by this, and among them was Ryden, a main named character.

Rashid thought about Ryden.

‘Does he know? That her authority is already in effect. He’s a truly funny guy.’

Ryden Pathfinder.

Users’ evaluations of him were quite diverse.

‘He’s an old-school protagonist. A so-called cancer cell. Since he’s a character who is not only swayed here and there, but is always suffering.’

Sometimes as an ally, sometimes as an enemy.

Due to her authority, he was a man who could stand anywhere.

‘For now, he will become an enemy.’

If he stood on the side of the Empress of Blood, there would be no ally as reassuring as him.

However, if he stood on the opposite side, there was no enemy as fearsome as Ryden.

As expected of an imperial hero, his military power competed with Varasha’s for first and second place.

‘Ryden is the most troublesome opponent from Kaiser’s perspective. If it weren’t for Varasha, he would have suffered quite a bit. Since there would be no one else capable of keeping him in check.’

In that case, would he continue to remain as an enemy?

At least Rashid did not think so.

‘As long as Kaiser does not betray him, Ryden will remain a troublesome opponent. But conversely, if he betrays, I must pull that guy to my side. In a way, it will look like Varasha is taken by Kaiser and Ryden is taken by me, but that’s not a story I really want.’

“Karl, please wait here.”

Rashid stepped outside.

Then, there was someone who automatically followed him.

“Did you not say you are not interested in politics?”

“I am not interested. I just came out to get some fresh air.”

“This is District 13, located in the 4th District. It is the place where citizens most actively engage in political party activities. For you to come out to get some fresh air in such a place unintentionally. You are not someone who wouldn’t know, so it is indeed mysterious.”

Rashid gave her a cold look.

“You have a lot of interest in me.”

“Yes, of course I should. We are not strangers, and above all, you are my superior.”

“And is it not to find an excuse?”

Her expression was still dry.

“Why would I find such a thing? We are on the same side.”

“Did someone like you also have a ‘same side’?”

She, who had casually followed him, gave him a meaningful look for the first time.

“Is it not? I always think that I am on the same side as you, Chief Inquisitor.”

She was still a woman whose inner thoughts were impossible to know.

She clearly knew his weakness, so how long was she planning to play dumb?

Looking around the chaotic surroundings, she spoke casually.

“I do not consider just anyone to be on the same side. I only think of truly meaningful people that way.”

“Am I one of those meaningful people?”

It was a casual question, but the returning answer was without hesitation.

“Yes, otherwise why would I be in this place?”

Her gaze was indeed strange.

She stared blankly at him, but her face was still hard to read.

“I will ask just one thing. Do you also wait for the time to hunt? Since depending on the opponent, waiting is also necessary.”

She chuckled, and then spoke with a straight face.

“Chief Inquisitor. I do not calculate.”

It was so firm that there was no opening.

What should he say? Was it a response typical of her?

‘Amusing woman.’

She changed the subject.

“More than that, why did you come here? To say you have no interest in political activities, you have come to a very noisy place.”

They were shouting for the overthrow of the imperial family here and there.

As if it were unpleasant to hear, she vented her displeasure.

“In the past, everyone over there would have been executed for lese-majesty. The world has indeed changed a lot.”

As soon as she finished speaking.

An aligned army appeared from the other side, matching their boot steps.

Looking at the flag, it was the Imperial Palace Guards, the Emperor’s direct troops.

“Why is the Imperial Army……”

The Imperial Army’s arrival here carried great meaning.

They wouldn’t have come for no reason.

An ominous thought flashed through her mind.

“The Imperial Army does not listen unless it is an imperial command. Originally, it is a separate army from the regular Imperial military. But why did the Imperial Army come all the way here? Surely they wouldn’t do something so reckless, right?”

She was someone who had even experienced war.

She knew what that meant.

“The Guild Federation will dislike this very much, won’t they?”

“That probably means they don’t care anymore. Otherwise, why would the Imperial Army come all the way here?”

If they stayed any longer.

There was a possibility of getting caught up in the matter here.

“Let’s go. It seems they intend to block this place, in any case.”

Rashid led her, and she followed him, still filled with doubt.

“Why are they doing this only now? I heard the atmosphere with the Allied States is also not good these days.”

“Who knows. Or maybe the young Emperor came out for an inspection and his mood got completely ruined.”

Far away.

The Imperial Army, which was advancing with the sound of boots, came to a halt.

They blocked all the entry and exit routes of District 13 like rocks.

“No, why are you blocking us when we want to go out?”

“We have nothing to do with what is going on here. We were just passing through.”

“Can’t you just let us out?”

The citizens who had not yet managed to escape clamored, but the Imperial Army, which only followed the imperial command, was merciless.

“It is an imperial command! There was an instruction from His Majesty the Emperor to close all entrances leading to District 13.”

Rashid stood in front of them.

As the Inquisitor stood before the commander of the Imperial Army, there were a few relieved citizens.

It was because of a glimmer of hope.

Rashid lightly scanned the chaotic surroundings and finally opened his mouth.

“I am an Inquisitor. I would like to go out. Will you block even us?”

It was only for a split second that the commander showed a troubled look.

Could a mere citizen and an Inquisitor be the same?

The commander, who paid polite respects to him like a high noble, guided him politely.

“I will clear the way. The two Inquisitors may exit through that way.”

It was a free pass, but that was limited only to the two Inquisitors.

Rashid spoke regarding the people who were stamping their feet near him.

“Surely you aren’t letting only the two of us out, are you? The people here don’t seem to have much interest in politics either, so how about letting them out together?”

The commander showed a troubled expression.

“There was His Majesty’s command to close the entirety of District 13. He said there are no exceptions, but I have made a special consideration for the two Inquisitors.”

“Look here, commander.”

Rashid’s expression sank coldly.

“Does it look like I am asking for a favor right now?”

The commander wore a perplexed expression.

“Still……”

“Stop talking nonsense and open it. At least the people here must have the protection of the Holy Order.”

If he were not an Inquisitor of the Holy Order, the commander would never have bowed.

The commander, who reluctantly bowed his head, instructed the Imperial Army to open the path of retreat.

“Since you came late, I will specially let only the people here out.”

“Thank you.”

At least the people within Rashid’s sight were all able to go out of the path guarded by the Imperial Army.

“We are truly grateful, Inquisitor. We will never forget this favor.”

“Thanks to you, I saved my life.”

“I will pay double the offering this month. No, I will make it three or four times.”

Those who barely saved their lives kept bowing.

Soon, gunfire began to echo from here and there.

The Imperial Army had begun to rain bullets down on those trying to escape District 13.

“The Council…… will be abolished soon.”

Thinking about the inner affairs, she predicted the future and spoke.

“Probably. They might have even foreseen that. Otherwise, it would be hard to do that act.”

“Does the imperial family have the capacity to handle that matter? I heard the finances are in jeopardy right now. If even the Guild Federation pulls out…… they absolutely won’t have the capacity.”

“Sometimes, one cannot make rational decisions. That is probably one of the results.”

The two continued their conversation as they moved their steps to where the official carriage was.

“That man named Kaiser. He will become dangerous again. If it were me, I would absolutely not leave him alive.”

That was true, but.

If it was this period, it was time to meet her.

With Varasha, that is.

‘This time, she might help him instead of me.’

“That guy has many friends. He won’t be brought down so easily.”

She expressed concern.

“Isn’t he going to come find you again to torment you, Chief Inquisitor? He did that back then too.”

The possibility was not nonexistent, but.

Rashid saw that possibility as low.

“I must pray that it won’t be this time.”

* * *

A place close to District 13 where gunfire was raining down.

Not very far from the Imperial Army, there was a high-end vehicle parked.

It was the vehicle of the woman who was active as an Internal Inspector.

She was not riding alone.

Next to her was also the man who had guided her here.

“The Imperial Army has appeared. Furthermore, they closed the entirety of District 13. You surely know what this means, don’t you?”

Because the situation was serious, her expression was infinitely low.

“That is the true appearance of the Emperor you serve. It is nothing but pathetic.”

She was quiet, but the Ambassador sitting in the front seat was already thoroughly angry from his expression.

“I did not know the imperial family would act like this. I am greatly disappointed.”

“I have only one thing to say. If they abolish the Council like this, please do as I said, Ambassador.”

“Naturally, I intend to do so. That is a brutal act of the imperial family that abandoned their promise with us. I cannot tolerate this.”

Knock, knock!

There was someone tapping on the window where Kaiser was sitting.

He was a knight in magic armor with an eyepatch on one eye.

As the window opened, Brocken spoke while being conscious of Varasha.

“Representative. As instructed, I have completed the deployment.”

“As everything prepared?”

“Yes, everything is deployed as instructed. Both I and the revolutionary army are only waiting for the Representative’s command.”

Was there any need to delay?

“Then please move immediately. Every single person in there is our precious party member. We must save even one more.”

“Revolution in the heart.”

Brocken left the place with the firm party slogan.

Kaiser, who did not close the window, intentionally let her hear the sound of gunfire and screaming.

“How does it sound to your ears? Was this the Empire you wanted to protect?”

“…….”

“You have been silent since the Imperial Army appeared. Did you experience deep disappointment?”

“How did you know it would turn out like this?”

Kaiser smiled faintly.

“Would you believe it if I said it was a coincidence?”

“A coincidence?”

“It was a coincidence and an inevitability. I already knew about the inspection, and it was obvious how the naive Emperor would behave after hearing what was said at that rally.”

Although she did not believe the word coincidence, she was extremely disappointed by the appearance the imperial family showed.

“The Imperial Army will have blocked all entry and exit routes, and a massacre by the guards will be occurring inside. Since, from ancient times, the treason of lese-majesty was in principle executed without reason.”

Thinking that this was enough, Kaiser slowly broached the topic.

Since this entire meeting was for this.

“What will you do? Will you continue to support such an imperial family? Or will you seek a new era with me?”