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Chapter 497: Unexpected Event
"You ask me why I'm so down? Heh, everything has been awful lately. They—they're all parasites!"
At this, Raj set down his mug and muttered curses under his breath.
Asher continued to probe, "Oh? How so? I heard that the empire has been flourishing in recent years."
Raj hiccupped, his emotions growing agitated. "The dragon-blood nobles are the ones making all the money. What does that have to do with us workers?
I work from dawn to dusk, handling hundreds of rifles a day, but even if those guns sell for millions, all I get is a single gold dinar a month.
And those big shots? They just lounge on their sofas, putting on airs, and earn tens of thousands of gold dinars effortlessly."
His voice trembled as he spoke, growing more and more emotional.
"And the people at the Imperial Bank—they're all bloodsuckers too! Six months ago, I took out a loan to buy a house on the outskirts of Isthalia."
"Now that I'm out of work, not only are they sending people to collect the debt, but they're also trying to throw me out! I spent all my savings on that house..."
Asher nodded in agreement, "That truly is excessive."
"But wait—aren't you a worker at the military factory? Why did you lose your job?"
Raj let out a bitter chuckle and took another swig of his drink. "The factory supervisor thought I was slacking off, constantly distracted. And with those Starfallers returning soon, they decided to kick me out."
His tone grew angrier, beer foam spraying into the air.
"And what gives him the right to judge me? We work ourselves to the bone every day, but all he has to do is stroll around, and he makes several times our wages. How is that fair?"
Asher immediately put on an indignant expression and said, "These people—they're truly despicable!"
"Exactly!"
"Bankers, factory owners, overseers... they're all parasites of the empire!"
Raj slammed his mug down heavily on the table, as if venting his frustration. His face had turned completely red.
Seeing Raj's emotions intensify, Asher lowered his voice and tentatively asked, "Have you ever wondered—why did you end up in this situation?"
Raj, still flushed, swirled his drink. "Of course, it's all because of that damned Jelsen supervisor! He fired me over a minor mistake..."
Asher patted his shoulder and pointed skyward, his voice low and full of temptation. "What I mean is, if the empire's system itself is unfair, then what about the one who created it in the first place..."
He trailed off, staring intently at Raj, awaiting his reaction.
"Of course..."
"Wait, you mean—"
Raj's eyes suddenly widened, and he shuddered.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain—perhaps sheer survival instinct—he suddenly sobered up, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He understood exactly what this "foreigner" was insinuating.
This man wanted to oppose the almighty Emperor Cassius!
Although Raj had always scoffed at the propaganda ministry's flattery and felt little loyalty toward Emperor Cassius—perhaps even some resentment—
The fear of him was deeply ingrained in his very bones!
After all, the Imperial Guard's rifles and Nocturne's poisoned daggers were no joke.
"That was close—I nearly blurted it out."
Raj felt a wave of dread wash over him. He patted his chest, exhaling a long sigh of relief.
Seeing Raj's lingering fear, Asher leaned in and whispered in his ear:
"Don't be afraid, Raj. Speak your true thoughts. Think—who is truly responsible for the life you lead?"
But at this moment, Raj was clearer than ever. Nervously, he scrutinized the "foreigner" beside him, recalling the conversation they just had.
The plain gray robe, the abrupt conversation, the suggestive words...
Finally, Raj reached a conclusion—this man was likely a spy!
Raj's heart pounded, not just from fear but from sheer excitement.
In the "Imperial Dream" stories published in the "Kingdom Gazette", his idol, Baron George, had risen to nobility by reporting spies, climbing the ranks until he became a noble of dragon blood.
After losing his job and home, was this his chance for a comeback?
Reporting a spy meant a minimum reward of fifty gold dinars. If the information was crucial, he might even become a first-class citizen with lavish privileges.
With that, he could pay off his debt, reclaim his home, and maybe even become a factory supervisor—his entire life could change!
"Maybe... I could become a great man like Lord George!"
The thought ignited something within him. Suddenly, he looked at Asher with an almost fervent gaze.
This wasn't just some ordinary drinking companion—this was his golden ticket to success!
Asher noticed the change in Raj's demeanor and felt pleased, believing that he had successfully planted the seed of hatred.
"Come, Raj, don't be afraid. Say the name—the one truly responsible for your suffering."
"Don't fear their retaliation. I will grant you immense power, so you can take revenge on all who have wronged you."
"Alright."
Raj nodded, his forehead drenched in sweat, barely containing his excitement.
Revenge...
He had seen this kind of talk before—in imperial notices about demons from the Abyss!
For the past six months, the empire had placed great importance on demon-related cases. A certain demon hunter had even received hundreds of gold dinars for uncovering one.
That same hunter had since opened a shop in Northwind Fortress and was living a prosperous life.
But high rewards often meant high risks—demons were extremely dangerous. One wrong move, and one's life could be forfeit.
As this thought dawned on him, Raj's legs began trembling. His face stiffened, sweat dripping from his nose.
Yet Asher mistook this for hesitation over fear of imperial retaliation.
Asher said, "Raj, don't be afraid. Think—I will grant you endless wealth, unparalleled power—"
Just as he was about to continue, a sudden sharp noise interrupted him.
"Crash!"
A drunken ogre in the tavern, completely wasted, smashed his glass mug over a goblin's head.
Shards of glass flew in all directions, and the goblin clutched his bleeding head, roaring in pain.
"Damn ogre, what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
The ogre, swaying unsteadily with his broken glass, slurred, "Ugruk does what Ugruk wants, you red-skinned runt!"
"You're asking for it!"
The goblin lunged at the ogre, and soon, the brawl escalated. Other goblins and ogres took sides, some even reaching for their sidearms.
"Stop fighting! Stop!"
"The security patrol is coming!"
Seeing the chaos unfold, the tavern owner hurriedly called for help, and the tiefling security forces, who had been patrolling nearby, quickly arrived.
"Silence!"
"No brawling in the city! And on Coronation Day, no less!"
Tiefling guards stormed into the tavern, long spears raised, barking commands.
"Bang!"
A gunshot echoed as a bullet pierced the ceiling, halting the brawl instantly.
"I didn't mean it, I was just drunk," the ogre mumbled, raising his hands.
The once-noisy tavern fell into silence as the security officer recorded names and identities.
Just then, a heavily intoxicated human stumbled forward, tripped over a bottle, and collapsed.
"Thud!"
Sitting on the ground, he pointed a shaking finger at the gray-robed figure, his voice hoarse as he shouted:
"Catch him! He's a demon!"
The tavern erupted in chaos.