IYAMD: Episode 54

Even without the emperor present, the empire continued to function. That was because Serez and Emileo, the emperor’s aides, worked themselves to the bone—and they made sure the other officials worked just as hard.

Serez found himself working even more overtime when the emperor was away. How many days had it been now? Four? He hadn’t been home in that long. And since the chief aide was in this state, his deputy, Emileo, was no different.

He had resolved to leave work early today no matter what. But then that damned archduke had barged in out of nowhere, and honestly, Serez was pretty pissed.

For days now, the man had been sending messengers, demanding a meeting. It wasn’t hard to guess why he was so desperate. But really, why should Serez care if the archduke was anxious? It had nothing to do with him.

Besides, Serez didn’t like the archduke. While the late emperor and the current one were out subjugating monsters and governing the nation, all Exion ever did was brood over his lost claim to the throne.

Other than sending assassins to kill the emperor, what had the archduke ever done to fulfill his royal duties? The moment the late emperor found his soulmate, he had tucked his tail between his legs and fled to the Grand Temple like a coward.

Serez believed that the goddess had chosen not to make Exion emperor because she had a good eye. If a man like him were crowned, it was obvious that the empire, which had stood for thousands of years, would crumble to disgrace.

Yesterday, Serez had been too busy compiling reports for the emperor to even open the archduke’s latest letter. And of course, the result was this—an unannounced visit.

After wrapping up his work, Serez finally turned his gaze toward the archduke, who had been standing at the door all this time.

Exion’s eyes, full of arrogance and fury, were locked onto him in a glare.

Instead of acknowledging him, Serez called for Emileo.

“Emileo, let’s leave early today. What time is it…? Ah, well, I suppose it’s still a bit early. But at this rate, we’ll die before His Majesty does, so let’s take a break today.”

Serez had pulled an all-nighter again yesterday, working at the emperor’s desk. Meanwhile, Emileo, who had been using Serez’s desk, finally lifted his head from the mountain of paperwork.

He, too, had barely gotten any sleep over the past several days. His sunken eyes darted over to Serez as he quickly responded.

“In that case, I’ll head out first.”

Emileo rose to his feet in a hurry, swaying slightly as he made his way toward the door. Only when he was about to leave did he pause to bow respectfully to the archduke.

“Your Highness, please excuse me.”

Exion watched him with a look of utter disdain before stepping aside, as if eager to see him gone. The speed of his movement suggested he had been waiting for this.

Once Emileo had left, Serez let out a small sigh and gestured toward a chair.

“Have a seat, Your Highness. You must have had some urgent business this morning.”

The archduke raised an eyebrow at the invitation, clearly displeased by the fact that Serez hadn’t even bothered to rise from his own seat.

If he didn’t want to sit, so be it.

Serez, his mouth dry from exhaustion, leaned his elbow on the desk, unbothered. Since the archduke was the one who had business with him, he saw no reason to speak first.

And frankly, he was too damn tired to.

Exion wrinkled his brow as if looking at something beneath him, then struck his cane against the floor with a loud thud.

What a temper.

“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Serez said dryly. “I’ve been up for three days straight and am not in my right mind. I was planning to get some proper rest today—perhaps it would be better to meet when I’m more alert? If you come back tomorrow—”

Before he could finish his sarcastic rambling, the archduke cut him off coldly.

“Enough, Serez Hastings.”

Serez merely shrugged, then gestured toward the chair again.

“Will you be sitting?”

With an air of haughty reluctance, Exion took a seat and crossed his legs. He had been pacing like a horse on fire, yet he still clung to his royal pride.

Instead of getting to the point, he chose to criticize Serez’s attitude.

“Insolent bastard. You’d do well to remember who stands before you, Count Hastings.”

Serez only grinned. He had seen this act far too many times before. And by now, he had a pretty good idea of why the archduke had come so early in the morning.

“Ah, of course. The illustrious Archduke Exion Doton. But if I may make a humble request as an overworked official—could we get straight to the point? I’m far too exhausted for theatrics.”

Serez knew he looked half-dead. His complexion, pale from not seeing the sun in days, was impossible to ignore.

The archduke let out a sharp cough, his displeasure evident. But in the end, the one who thirsts must dig the well.

When Serez blinked slowly, his exhaustion obvious, Exion finally relented and spoke first.

“I hear there are all sorts of rumors about the emperor’s lover.”

Serez had expected this. The talk that the emperor had taken his lover along on the latest subjugation mission.

And he also knew that most of the nobles spreading that rumor were aligned with the archduke.

Both he and the emperor had anticipated this outcome.

The emperor seemed to prefer the rumor of a lover over the alternative—that his soulmate had been found. But in Serez’s opinion, neither was ideal.

After all, the emperor’s only flaw was that he had yet to find his soulmate. Otherwise, he was the most diligent and powerful emperor in history—something even Exion’s faction couldn’t deny.

And now, that impeccable ruler was the subject of such scandalous gossip.

Serez let out an exaggerated sigh before responding.

“Lover? His Majesty personally appointed him as my adjutant.”

The archduke scoffed.

“That mute half-wit? Does he even know how to read? There are rumors all over that he bought some common whore from the Eastern Continent.”

Serez knew that Exion must have received reports of Jaha’s remarkable performance during the subjugation.

Which was precisely why this stubborn bastard had been burning with impatience all morning.

Serez did not think that the Archduke was saying such things because he was unaware of Jaha’s true identity. What was he trying to probe? Had he realized that Jaha was the Emperor’s soulmate?

In any case, the Emperor probably didn’t believe that this man was completely in the dark either. Suppressing his urge to leave work immediately, Serez rubbed his temples.

“Just to ease my concerns… are you perhaps interested in my adjutant in that way?”

Lowering his head slightly, Serez felt the Archduke’s icy gaze land on the crown of his head.

“Do you think I would be aroused by some murderer?”

“Not only are you calling him a common whore, but now he’s a murderer too… Your Highness, your opinion of my adjutant is far too harsh.”

The Archduke was referring to the incident in the imperial palace where the attendants had been slaughtered. Serez simply smiled at him.

What a tiresome man. If he were just straightforward about his suspicions, Serez could at least give a half-hearted answer and leave. But since he insisted on circling around the matter and fishing for reactions, it was clear that leaving work early today was out of the question.

The man, who was in his fifties but looked to be in his early to mid-forties, acted even more stubbornly than his age suggested. Serez merely smiled indifferently.

Indulging an old man’s chatter was a sign of respect from the young, after all. He decided to take his time.

In the end, the Archduke was curious about Jaha’s abilities. Having learned that he was a warrior of Swordmaster level, his heart must be racing.

Serez found it almost disappointing that the Archduke hadn’t collapsed from the shock. Since today was already a day off, he might as well enjoy a little conversation for the sake of entertainment.

…

At the same time, in Ferento territory, the rain that had been pouring for three consecutive days had finally stopped. Marsilia had sent soldiers to search for the missing reconnaissance team and had personally taken his knights to inspect the area.

The state of the land was even more disastrous up close than it had appeared from a distance. Hardly any homes or buildings remained intact, and scattered among the debris and mud were bones that the Minotaurs had gnawed on and discarded.

Judging by their size and thickness, it was clear they belonged to humans. Marsilia sent word to the camp, requesting additional personnel to retrieve the remains.

He wore a somber expression throughout, and ever since entering the devastated lands, his words had grown sparse.

The knights were no different. When they discovered the remains of a child—its tiny bones still clinging to bits of flesh—their energy roiled with barely restrained fury.

Meanwhile, Jaha’s heart was pounding from the stench of rotting corpses so close by.

He had thought he had regained some measure of inner calm after days of continuous meditation, but…

The eerily familiar scent of decay made his breathing grow uneven. A strange sensation, as if something were about to resurface in his mind, flashed through his head.

His vision briefly darkened, and within the blackness, a vivid crimson spread.

“Sable.”

Marsilia rode his horse closer to where Jaha had come to a halt. His voice was quiet yet firm, and Jaha lifted his head at the call.

“Are you alright?”

Marsilia leaned forward slightly in his saddle, as if trying to get a better look at Jaha’s condition. His green eyes drew near, carrying the sensation of a cool breeze.

Jaha’s cold sweat began to dry, and the damp strands of hair around his forehead and sideburns fluttered slightly. Seeing Marsilia’s hand approaching, Jaha squeezed his eyes shut.

A warm palm cupped his cheek before moving to his forehead. Marsilia gently wiped away the lingering sweat before clicking his tongue softly.

“Your body is cold.”

Jaha smiled faintly, his eyes still closed.

It’s your hand that’s hot.

The warmth against his sweat-cooled forehead made him want to drift off to sleep.

So he wouldn’t have to remember anything at all.