I’m Not That Kind of Talent - Chapter 32

32. To the Empire (3)

‘How do we fix this…?’

The nearby city of the area where the subjugation was carried out gave it to them as a token of gratitude… It is not to say that they went there under imperial orders, so they just did what they had to do.

I don’t even believe the dream-like story that I accidentally found a cave during a subjugation, entered it, and found this. Damn it.

The only thing Remember can trust is ‘a token of gratitude’, but if this gets to the emperor’s ears, it will be a big problem.

It’s clear, ‘You did what Jim told you to do and even stole money from him? ‘I feel like I’m full of greed in my stomach, but can I help reduce it?’ And he will draw his sword.

How can you be sure? Because there was already a precedent!

For reference, it is said that the person involved in the ritual was dragged out of the imperial palace as a cold, bloody corpse. The family had to take care of retrieving the body, which was thrown on the side of the road like a piece of luggage.

‘Just be honest and say you won it by gambling?’

If I leave out the story about the Demon World and say I gambled a bit… then my image would plummet.

Still, that’s the best excuse. Oh, it’s not an excuse, it’s a fact.

In any case, gambling is not specifically prohibited by law, and the nobles of the empire often enjoy it in secret, so my image will only deteriorate a little and no other noise will be caused.

I was about to finish my thoughts and speak, but before that, Remember, who had been looking at me blankly, spoke with a faint smile.

“It’s a joke.”

“….”

“I will use this money well to add to my finances. I apologize if you were offended. “It looks like the old man was so happy that the Count was thinking about the finances of the mansion that he acted manipulative for a while.”

“Ah hahaha. It’s a main policy. Haha….”

Fortunately, they don’t ask about the source.

While I was feeling relieved, Remember suddenly changed the direction of the conversation, as if reading my thoughts.

He said with a serious expression as he put the money in.

“I won’t ask where the money came from.”

“….”

“Since the Count’s position is a position, there will be many people who want to line up.”

“yes?”

No, wait a minute. I think I completely misunderstood something.

“If you were in a position like the Count, you wouldn’t be able to say anything even if you took all the money you were given and kept your mouth shut. Given the Count’s personality, he wouldn’t have asked for a bribe first, so the big problem is…”

“What do you mean?! “It’s a bribe!”

There’s no way I could take a bribe! It’s not even a position you deserve in the first place!

“Who would bribe an honorary count! “What nonsense…!”

And even if someone had really tried to bribe me, I probably would have flatly refused.

Receive it and try to get the news to the emperor’s ears. Isn’t it obvious that the skin of my belly will crack?

So we need to quickly clear up this misunderstanding.

‘It’s not like a bribe!’

“Will my belly skin crack?”

“…yes?”

“yes?”

“…Didn’t you just change your thoughts and words?”

“ah.”

This isn’t it.

Remember, who was looking at me in confusion as I hurriedly corrected my words, had a calm smile on his face.

When I paused for a moment with a smile that somehow overlapped with the previous scene, he spoke with a kind face.

“It’s a joke.”

“….”

I want to hit him.

“I’m sure you’re not planning on hitting the old man.”

“You’re quick to notice.”

“Isn’t that what a deacon should do?”

“…Remember better not make jokes. “It’s indistinguishable from seriousness.”

“Are you trying to take away this old man’s only pastime? You are doing too much. “It’s the old man’s pleasure to see the count’s embarrassment.”

“Was it intentional?!”

“The carriage is ready. Didn’t you say you would go right away? “Please come down.”

Remember bows slyly.

I couldn’t bear to argue with the old man, so instead of arguing further, I muttered to myself and took my steps away.

It wasn’t a formal trip anyway, and since news of my return wasn’t yet known, the number of escorts wasn’t that large.

In addition, it was also a choice I made to improve mobility because I do not like to stay in the carriage for a long time.

Inside the shaking carriage, I took down my stuffy mask and leaned my back against the wall.

Maybe it’s because it’s quiet, but random thoughts keep coming to mind. Because we were on our way to meet the emperor, the story was especially about the emperor.

It’s not particularly bad.

Since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, it would be better to reflect on it to avoid making mistakes.

So what comes to mind when you think of an emperor?

‘The emperor… is a complicated person.’

Is there a person in the world who is not complicated, but with my limited vocabulary, this is the best I can do to describe him.

A person who is arrogant but has the ability to back it up. A man with not only strength but also brains. A person who is even greedy and seeks to improve himself and spares no effort in gathering talent. And…

‘tyrant.’

He ascended to the throne by rebellion.

Do you know what the ‘King’, the former 9th prince, said at the coronation ceremony, which started with the blood of his brothers instead of a carpet?

[Jim came to this place with blood. It would be funny to use the same name of the kingdom that was used before for such a topic. Therefore, I declare here and now that I will change the name of the kingdom.]

A statement that can never be taken lightly, started in place of a boring speech.

He abandoned the name of the kingdom he had used so far and came up with a new name.

It would have been better if it had been something like ‘Edoardo Kingdom’ named after himself.

The name of his kingdom created by the new king is—

[empire]

[Forget the name of the kingdom before. The name of this country is ‘Empire’.]

The madness was extreme.

‘Empire’ itself is a name.

Naturally, there was no way other kingdoms would just ignore this.

There was a lot of backlash.

All the kingdoms on the continent came forward and criticized him, and the ‘King’ of the ‘Empire’ simply ignored their reaction, which was truly harsh. No, rather it was provocation.

That’s how the war began.

The long ‘8 Year War’ changed my life forever.

‘Fuck, it felt like hell.’

It was so terrible that half of my memories of that time were gone.

The memories I don’t particularly want to retrieve are probably the things my mind refuses to remember.

When the eight-year war ended, the ‘Empire’ in name only had become a true ‘Empire’ that no one could refute.

A true empire where the country is ruled by an ‘emperor’ rather than a ‘king’ who has swallowed up 1/3 of the continent.

‘And me.’

He was made an honorary count in recognition of his contributions in the war.

Even before I could enjoy that position, I was selected as a warrior’s companion and immediately set out.

I continued to think about how my nose had been pierced by the Demon King’s Castle because of that, but at that moment, the carriage came to a screeching halt.

“What….”

―Waaaa!

“…cry?”

I quickly put on my mask and opened the window slightly. The guards were clashing weapons with some strangers.

Dressed in blue, with a white bird drawn on it.

…It’s a revolutionary army.

A group that was created due to the actions of the emperor who conquered each kingdom during the Eight Years’ War.

‘Damn emperor. It’s good not to leave any regrets behind, but you should have left at least some hostages.’

Not only the powerful and popular people, but also the royal bloodlines were searched and killed, so how can those who have nothing more to lose come out?

The country was lost, and the person who should have been the focal point was also lost. They literally rolled their eyes.

This is why they started going on a rampage to destroy the emperor and all upper class people and create a world where everyone is equal.

‘It doesn’t matter to me what ideology they have… but I’m not very happy about being the victim.’

Even the scale is considerable.

It is only natural that the people of each kingdom, who should rise up with their respective royal families (centres), have united as one under the name of the revolutionary army.

The coachman must have sensed that I had opened the window and shouted, brandishing his dagger.

“It’s an attack! Close the window!”

Isn’t it usually ‘Please help me!’? I’m not some noble lady. Even though it looks like this, I am a person who fell on the battlefield…

Of course, I really had no intention of getting caught in that gap, so I obediently closed the window and sat down. I heard the sound of something being struck, as if an arrow had come flying at me.

‘This seems a bit dangerous, but shouldn’t I fight too?’

Out of anxiety, I was seriously considering whether I should grab the dagger I had brought for emergency purposes and go out, but at some point, I heard a popping sound from the coach seat. It was a very familiar sound, so it was easy to understand.

‘He’s dead.’

A cold feeling goes up my spine. At the same time, a crackling noise began to be heard from the carriage door.

It’s like something is breaking…

Kwaang!!

“I’m so fucking broken.”

It’s not just broken. The carriage door was completely torn off.

Beyond where the door was, you can see guards fighting frantically. I didn’t know how many enemies there were, but they were all swinging their swords like crazy with expressions on their faces that showed no composure.

‘Okay, everything is good, but I’m about to die, you bastards…’

A huge body is blocking the only escape route.

The guy had a scary scar on his face and was holding a huge ax in one hand, as if to put pressure on his opponent.

Just looking at it makes my stomach tingle.

A guy who looked like I couldn’t tell whether he was a monster or a human was clearly looking at me with his eyes shining.

“It’s you. “The emperor’s dog.”

“Oh no.”

“….”

“….”

There was silence.

“…Excuse me, but what is your name?”

“Deon Hardt.”

“That’s right, the emperor’s dog!”

“No…”

I think it’s true that the person they’re targeting is me, but it’s not really the emperor’s dog.

But before I could even open my mouth, he looked at my white hair and red eyes and nodded and muttered to himself.

“I’m sure. “It looks dirty.”

“Bi….”

Biri Biri. Isn’t your house needlessly big?

Of course, I couldn’t say it out loud.

Not only did he not have the strength to do so, but he reached out his big hand and grabbed my neck.

“Wow! “Wow….”

“I was nervous because they said he was a hero, but I never thought he was such a servile person. “What a disappointment.”

“This… Michi…in….”

“Is it just the mouth? “Swearing in this situation is praiseworthy.”

What did I do?

“How on earth did you become a hero? “I’m not an emperor who would pour his heart and soul into someone who doesn’t deserve anything.”

I’m short of breath. To make matters worse, my damn body was racing and desperately needing oxygen.

I tried to hastily slam the dagger in my hand into the guy’s arm, but there was no way I could gain speed because I swung it clumsily while I was short of breath.

On the contrary, the ax he lightly swung collided with and flew out of his grasp. shit!

‘If it had been outside the carriage…’

There would have been a lot of space to avoid, so I wouldn’t have been caught like this.

I put that thought to the corner of my head.

Let’s talk about useless ‘what if’ assumptions later. For now I need to focus on getting out.

‘Damn my breath…’

These damned guards are preoccupied with dealing with the endless waves of enemies.

‘I have to do something…’

My head screams that I need to stay calm, but my body struggles against my will.

With both trembling hands, he was squeezing and scraping the strong forearm that was clutching my neck as if he wanted to live.

In the process, the gloves on his hands came off and the carefully wrapped bandage came loose, revealing his pale hands.

I heard him snort when he saw my thin and skinny hand.

“Please direct your grievances to the emperor. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

I guess so. If it weren’t for the current emperor, the revolutionary army would never have been born.

…But how?

‘The fact that I came back…?’

Before such questions can even take hold of my mind, I feel lost.

Even though the ignorant grip was strangling my neck, it was amazing that I had managed to come to my senses until now.

I want to praise myself, but I know that if I pass out now, I’ll be in big trouble…

‘That bastard just picked up an ax?!’

I opened my eyes wide.

You must never lose your mind! The moment you let go, you will die. You will definitely die!

However, against my will, my vision keeps getting blurry.

My trembling hands lost strength, and my last memory was of him lifting a huge axe.