◈ Episode 190

Imperial city Ishtar.

Shiran's Imperial Palace is the true heart of the nation. This is true for any monarchy, but even if you were to line up all the countries on the continent, it would be difficult to find a place as big as Shiran's Imperial Palace.

For example, the royal palace of Bastitera was a hotbed of corruption until just a few years ago. Even now, whenever there is an opportunity, there is conflict and intrigue between the powerful figures.

Shiran is different.

Historically, there has never been a period of weakness in imperial power for hundreds of years, and the current emperor boasts absolute power. No head of a noble family can raise his voice in the palace.

So the palace is always quiet.

This is especially true for the main palace where the Emperor resides. The only people allowed to enter are the Royal Guards and servants personally selected by the Emperor. They are like puppets, silently faithful to their roles.

The overwhelmingly spacious room was filled with silence. Kushan was gripped by a peculiar sense of oppression. This place felt more like a temple than a palace, and the Emperor's gaze felt even heavier.

The emperor's mouth opens slowly.

"It's been three years. And I never thought I'd see you here again."

"It's not that glorious."

"Haha, you're still so picky. There are more than a few people who want to meet me."

He smiled broadly.

"But I consider it a worthwhile meeting. There are only a handful of people who spend the same amount of time with me. Of those, the only ones I can call friends are you and Heinrich."

"...."

"Marcus also went away like that. What a pity."

Kushan did not answer. He only thought about it. Did the Emperor not know that Marcus was hiding in Howland? Did he know and ignore it?

How much do they know and how much do they design?

The question was buried in his heart. Even if he asked, there was no way he would answer straight away. Even if he confessed in the first place, there was no way for him to know whether it was true or false.

There is only one thing that is certain.

Make Shiran even greater.

The emperor lives only for that.

"Isn't the picture funny?"

"hmm?"

"You brought me here as a heinous criminal and left me defenseless."

The emperor blinked at the nonsense. Soon, laughter erupted.

"I didn't notice it before, but haven't you changed your personality a little? If it were the past, you would have definitely said something like this. Why did you call me here? Please get to the point…."

He added that he had changed as a human being without realizing it.

"It's a refreshing shock to think that even at our age, we can still change."

"You know a lot. I'm still not interested in small talk."

"That's not like you either. You should have kept your mouth shut here. You should have made a face that said I couldn't understand."

We really couldn't communicate.

The emperor was still the same as ever. At first glance, he seemed to be sly and enjoyed teasing others, but that was only on the surface. Inside, only obsession was stuck on him like soot.

As Kushan closed his mouth, the laughter grew louder. To outsiders, it might have sounded like a conversation between close friends. But to Kushan, it sounded like a meaningless formality.

'I'd rather chat with AI.'

It was a time when my attitude naturally became calm.

"We'll have to wait and see whether the changes that come with it are growth or regression. I'm quite positive about it. That's why I want to give you as much time as possible."

The laughter suddenly stopped.

"Let me share some information first. I heard that the CellbroLogics lab is currently empty. Some are headed to Cilicia, and most are headed to Bastitera. I didn't mean to scare you, but I'm sorry."

"Tell me what you believe. What are you doing sending the executioner?"

"No, no. I'm being serious."

The emperor smacked his lips as if he was sorry.

"Even a single researcher is a high-level human resource. If possible, I want them to work for the Empire. There are many capable people in the Empire, but any ruler is always hungry for talent."

"It would be better to give up early."

"Of course it will be difficult right now. That's why I'm trying to give you a choice."

Hongan (Red Eye) looks straight at Kushan.

"Let's throw away the current name. I know the solidarity of the Cellbrox Lab. If you return to Heinz Millarc, wouldn't the Lab follow you?"

"You've got the wrong idea from the start. There's no way I'd accept it…."

"If you don't accept it, the treasure trove will collapse."

The emperor spoke in a calm tone.

"I can do a lot from this place. Bastet is, yes, a place where Shiran's influence barely reaches. But if I put my mind to it, there's nothing I can't touch."

It wasn't a bluff.

If he were the monarch of a weak country, he might not know, but he is the emperor of an empire. If he is willing to risk bloodshed, what can he not do? If he works hard, he can attack the rap without being criticized internationally.

I've just been waiting for the right time.

"Take your time and think about it in prison. It won't be too late."

At the Emperor's beckoning, the Royal Guard approached and took Kushan away. Immediately afterwards, the Emperor looked at Guardian Heinrich, who had been standing quietly behind him.

"What happened to Dustborne Corporation?"

"There's been no contact yet. I guess we should consider it a failure."

"One is tenacity. It's a great bad luck."

"It can't be just luck."

Hyun. He rested his chin on his hand, thinking of the unidentified man.

"Can you handle it yourself?"

"If you followed the rap to Bastetera, wouldn't it be difficult? It's a special place in many ways."

Shiran and Bastet. The difference in military power between the two countries is truly overwhelming. There is no need to deploy internationally banned aircraft. They can trample the entire country in an instant with just artillery fire.

However, if it is personal protection and not war, it is a different story.

"The royal family will do their best to protect them. Princess Ainoa and Crown Prince Adrian are both no strangers to assassination attempts. They are no match for one another, and they will stand out if they increase in number."

"Things are seriously messed up."

"Then you should have sent me away earlier. You were too shallow."

The emperor did not show any displeasure at the rude remark. Evidence of intimacy? That was not the issue. Even if Heinrich were to start using informal language right away, the emperor would not react at all.

What happens here doesn't leak out. As long as it doesn't affect the Emperor's position or Shiran's safety, it's fine. Heinrich also knows the Emperor's temperament well.

"You don't have to be wary of the group called Dustborne itself. If we just destroy the central axis, the key members will scatter. The organization may survive, but it will never be the same as it is now."

"Do you think that a man named Hyun will become a problem in the future?"

"In my opinion, yes."

The 'Hyeon' that Heinrich investigated was a person who was unpredictable. He had novel ideas and bold execution. In addition, considering his friendly relationship with the rap, it was inevitable that they would clash sooner or later.

"Maybe he's still plotting something."

"First of all, I would like to tell you to strengthen border checks."

"I will also look into your activities."

Just an individual, not a huge group.

That's why it's unpredictable and difficult to track down once you miss it.

Before we knew it, Kim Lee-hyun had become a huge variable.

* * *

Thud thud.

As he pushed away the boulder that covered it like a lid, sand and rock dust fell out. Natural light poured in through the gap. Kim Yi-hyeon stuck his head out to look around and then left the tunnel.

Ghost and Edwin followed behind and came out onto the ground. The fresh air unique to the mountainous region filled their lungs. They were so flustered that they didn't even think to brush the dust off their clothes.

"...You really came."

"Was infiltration always this easy…?"

The two did nothing. They simply moved according to Kim Yi-hyeon's instructions. They wandered around for a while, not knowing the exact location, but it was only for a moment, and they were soon able to find the entrance to the tunnel.

"I'm curious again. What did you do originally?"

"I just lived an ordinary life."

"I remember hearing that you were a former soldier."

"I went there about two years ago."

Ghost was deep in thought. He heard from Westcreek that there had been a similar situation before. When he had infiltrated Atlanta, Kim Hyun had immediately taken out the code to contact the criminal organization.

'I didn't know you even knew about Shiran's tunnels.'

Which country's agent are you from?

That being said, when I first came to rap, there were no amateurs. It could have been acting, but I never thought it was unnatural at the time.

"It has nothing to do with my past. It was sold by the Legion."

"…This is my first time hearing about this. How can I know something I don't even know?"

"There was a cleanup operation in Cilicia a while ago. I captured someone and interrogated him, and he confessed all sorts of things, so I memorized them. I didn't know I'd end up writing it down like this."

Even though it was a little bit unconvincing, there was no choice.

In the first place, I didn't have enough free time to dig up my colleague's identity.

"If you go north, you'll come across a village. You should meet your collaborator there."

"Do you even have any collaborators?"

Ghost felt like common sense was being broken. Wasn't it the basics of infiltration to cross the border cautiously, worrying about being discovered, and slowly blend in with the local community?

I was so dispirited because everything was prepared from start to finish.

"He's not a spy I planted. Of course he's a member of the Legion."

"You brought me here to be grilled and boiled?"

"You did well last time. Just do it like you did last time."

Edwin let out a huge sigh.

"It really sucks you right down to the marrow."

"It's the same whether you hit the back of the head once or twice."

Not once, in terms of number of times. Didn't he try to deceive Kamael Lospur in Ishrad too? Even though it didn't work out, Edwin had long been a traitor to the core.

"I'd like to take away the car, clothes, maps, and if possible, fake IDs."

Now you will gradually feel no guilt.

* * *

It's been seven years since I went into hiding in the rural village of Moonstone.

In recent years, Konrad Reimer has been struggling with his own identity. He is now more comfortable with his daily life as a hardware store owner than with his espionage activities.

For example, he beat up the neighborhood kids who stick gum on the walls. He often receives food from the couple living next door. He sometimes goes out with a stick when a wild animal appears.

Conrad had blended in so well here, living safely away from the tragedies of the outside world, and mingling with people he had initially disliked so much.

There has been no contact from the Legion for several years now.

I was beginning to feel more and more distressed about whether it was okay to continue living like this.

A gang of robbers, no, comrades, came to my house.

"Wow, Lord Edwin himself came…!"

"Uh, um. Sorry for not contacting you in advance."

"No. Please come inside first, as we don't know who will see you."

Conrad led the three into the shop, avoiding the attention of the residents. It was usually the height of work hours, but he locked the door. Edwin Berenice was a worthy opponent.

"I haven't heard any news from outside for a long time. What's the status of the organization?"

"It's quite a tricky situation. A spy from Cilicia was also captured not long ago."

"Is that so? Damn it, while I was wasting my time here…."

Edwin then spoke with a determined expression.

"So, this time, we absolutely have to succeed."

"Of course I will cooperate. Please tell me your plan."

"First of all, let me share the situation, um."

For some reason, Edwin seemed to be keeping an eye on the subordinates who came with him.

The question that briefly crossed my mind was buried in the words that followed.

"A key figure in the organization has been arrested."

A rescue operation by the Legion (or not) has begun.