* * *
Solter III sat bored on the throne, propping his chin, before widening his eyes at the unbelievable story just delivered to his ears and staring at the messenger.
"……Say it again. Once more."
It was an urgent, trembling voice that didn't suit the usually languid emperor. Fearing for his neck, the messenger knelt before the emperor, shaking violently.
"The Masqueen Ducal Residence…… was burned by the Liberators. The Liberators distributed the Masqueen family's wealth to the poor……."
"Next—the next part. Say it again, quickly!"
Solter III clenched his fist in rising fury. He gripped so hard his hand visibly trembled.
"The Masqueen ducal family was brutally……."
The emperor finally couldn't contain his rage and began overturning everything beside him.
The Masqueen Duke was Solter III's maternal uncle.
The uncle who killed the crown prince, son of the empress, and gave the insignificant second prince the glorious name of Solter III.
Yet such a man had been trampled by filthy parasites.
The emperor couldn't tolerate the messenger who brought such horrific news. Drawing his sword, he stabbed the messenger again and again until the corpse was mangled beyond recognition.
After capturing Brubang, the Liberators' movements had stalled for a while. The flies irritating him lately had been the Black Spider instead. To dare commit such an unspeakable act…….
"I thought that doctor's words were right since they'd been quiet. Even if a bit delayed, I thought Jin dying within three months was true……."
The emperor's voice, having vented his rage, returned to its usual languor. Though madness lingered in his black eyes, making it even more terrifying to his subjects.
"No matter how I think, it seems that bastard is still alive and well. No one figured out how he's survived past the three-month death sentence? Utterly incompetent."
No one dared speak easily to the emperor covered in bright red blood. Solter III let out an angry sigh.
"Your Majesty, that……."
Then, one subject spoke up in a trembling voice.
The emperor leisurely tilted his head to look at him. What would he say? He prayed only words the emperor wanted to hear would come from his mouth. That way, he could save his precious life.
"From what I've investigated, five months ago the Gray Lion raided the Imperial Capital's prison. Among the prisoners who vanished from the prison then was a woman named Astrid Ober……."
The subject's words jogged a memory. Right. There was such an incident.
He'd remembered it because it was odd for them to raid a prison holding no Liberator members, seemingly gaining nothing.
"Astrid Ober? Who's that?"
Ober…… The proper surname suggested she wasn't from lowly origins. Not a famous noble house, though.
"She was a criminal sentenced to hanging for performing unlicensed medical treatments in Aub Street."
Aub Street.
Solter III rummaged through his mind for a vague memory. Come to think of it, he recalled a woman called the 'Angel of Aub Street' praised among the vermin-like populace.
"And?"
Not very significant, so he'd just ordered her hanging and forgotten her. What about her now?
"Rumors say she's now attached to Jin as his personal physician in the Underground City. That she revived Jin when his breath had stopped……."
Wrinkle formed between Solter III's brows. What nonsense was this? How could a dead person be revived?
But dismissing it as ignorant rumors among the populace…… Jin still being alive was suspicious.
Surely a famed physician attended Jin, but a woman? An unlicensed quack?
"Ha, absurd rumor."
The emperor scoffed. At his ridicule, the hesitant subjects awkwardly began laughing too.
"However……."
As Solter III spoke again, the room fell silent.
"It doesn't hurt to confirm for sure. Issue a wanted poster. Ah, capture her alive. She might be amusing."
The emperor said with a bright smile.
To smile like that even after hearing his uncle was beaten to death by the populace just now…… The subjects murmured, gazing at the emperor.
"Hm, bounty…… How about 3 million lumen?"
At the enormous sum from the emperor's mouth, everyone widened their eyes and looked at each other.
Of course, it was trivial compared to the bounty on the Underground City's 'Emperor' Jin, but 3 million lumen was on par with Gray Lion Rishar's bounty.
"Why the faces? Any problem?"
No subject dared respond to the emperor's question. It was the command of Regnumia Empire's ruler, Solter III. There could be no issue.
* * *
"Huh? Where's Rishar?"
It was time for the walk with Jin, but Rishar, who should escort us, hadn't come. Holding Rodent's hand tightly as we prepared for the stroll, I asked Jin with a puzzled face.
"Rishar's outside. He has an important mission."
"Then who's the escort?"
I blinked and looked around. Rodent and I couldn't push Jin's wheelchair up that slope alone.
"Wait a bit more. Today's escort works outside the Underground City."
Right then, a man opened the bedroom door and entered.
"Hey, Jin! Sorry, sorry! I'm late!"
His attire differed from the usual Underground City folk. Flashy and luxurious, perhaps.
Around mid-thirties, a couple years older than Jin and Rishar. I'd seen him occasionally at executive meetings but not often enough to remember his name.
"Taud, why are you so late?"
Jin asked in a low voice.
As Taud approached Jin's wheelchair, a faint smell of alcohol wafted.
What, did he just drink?
"Sorry. Had a drinking party with a trading partner last night. Still smell of booze?"
He sniffed his clothes and grinned slyly.
"But Jin. You're struggling to take care of yourself, why bring a kid along? Such a hassle."
He said it looking at Rodent standing by the wheelchair.
What could it be…… His tone and expression seemed very kind and polite, but it somehow rubbed me wrong.
"He's a friend I cherish."
Jin replied in a slightly deflated tone.
Rodent, standoffish at the stranger, brightened happily at Jin's words.
I patted Rodent's shoulder. From the trading partner mention, he worked for the Liberators' merchant guild? But why a merchant for escort?
"Got it. Then let's head out. Already delayed a lot because of me."
Taud grinned cheekily and pushed the wheelchair out. Normally a delightful stroll, but today felt somewhat listless.
Rodent, usually darting about curiously, sulked today, skipping flat stones across the lake surface.
Splash, splash, splash. Ripples spread with each skip.
Jin and I sat comfortably in the tree shade, watching.
"Jin. That guy's a merchant? His vibe seems like it."
I glanced at yawning Taud and asked Jin.
"Yeah. He's running a merchant guild undercover."
Undercover, huh. Like a spy? Sounded kinda cool…….
But one thing still puzzled me. Why send a merchant as escort?
"Rishar's mission is crucial, so minimal forces left here, all deployed there. We borrowed from the guild, but Taud volunteered, saying it'd be fun. Don't worry. Despite looks, he can handle simple escort duty."
Reading my doubt, Jin explained patiently.
But hard not to worry seeing Taud's slick, fox-like smile. Could he really protect properly?
Such doubts arose, but fortunately, nothing happened during our leisurely Lake Shore rest.
Rodent's stone skipped far before sinking. Ecstatic at his record, he beamed proudly.
"Leader, Teacher! Did you see?"
"Yeah, we saw. Rodent. You did great."
I stroked Rodent's head. He grinned and sat beside me.
"Shall we head back? You look tired."
We'd been at Lake Shore a while.
Jin, who usually whined to stay longer, quietly sat in his wheelchair today.
Soon after finishing the stroll and arriving at the Greenhouse for auscultation, Rishar rushed in.
"Rishar, you came quick. How'd it go?"
"The Masqueen Ducal Residence op went smoothly. Warehouse goods distributed well to the slums. But……."
Masqueen Ducal Residence…… Why familiar?
Ah, right. The emperor's maternal clan, Masqueen Duke house. The first in-law faction Rodent eradicated after reuniting Liberators' power.
And now Rishar and Jin handled it? Wow, the story's diverging hugely from the original……?
"But in the process, enraged citizens beat the entire Masqueen family to death. Couldn't save them."
Just timing advanced; not different from the novel. Eight years from now, Rodent raided the residence, distributed wealth to slums.
Then citizens, unable to endure their tyranny, stoned and beat them. Thus the emperor, losing all in-laws, ground his teeth vowing to kill Rodent.
"Shocking, but…… Fitting end for nobles who squeezed citizens' blood for personal gain. They reaped what they sowed."
Jin said coolly.
Whoa, first time seeing Jin so ruthless. Maybe because I missed parts, but rebel leader is rebel leader.
"Jin, that's not the issue. The emperor's bloodthirsty for you now. You know they're his maternal clan."
Things were getting serious. Jin's check-up done; time for me to leave.
"Th-then I'll go now. You two talk."
I grabbed my medical bag and stood quickly. But Rishar stopped me.
"Teacher, stay a bit longer. There's something you need to hear too."
Huh? What for me? I sat back down. Rishar's face was grim.
"……Teacher Ober. There's a bounty on you. Seems you've been exposed to the Empire."
Rishar said, face heavily creased.
I blinked blankly at his face. What, a bounty?
