Warm wind blew. The flowers lining the roadside were waving their leaves as if welcoming the wind, and the sun was shining warmly as if it were a blessing.
Yes, it was spring.
It was late spring, closer to summer.
The gatekeeper guarding the front of a huge mansion yawned lazily due to drowsiness and lifted one of his eyebrows as if he had seen something.
In the distance, someone wearing a traveler's robe was walking straight towards them.
"...Hey."
"Huh?"
"Isn't that guy suspicious?"
"What are you talking about... Oh, I see."
Even though it may seem like this, it was a job to take pride in in its own way. In an instant, his colleague, who revealed his sword-like prayer, adjusted his spear and grabbed it. The gatekeeper also held his weapon tightly and clearly showed caution towards the stranger approaching.
And the moment he got close to me, the gatekeeper put out his weapon, signaled him to stop, and said, "This is Count Hardt's residence. The Count is currently out of town, and outsiders are not permitted to enter. If you have something important to say, please leave a message."
A phrase that had been repeated to guests over and over again.
Usually, there was no benefit to be gained by turning Count Hardt into an enemy, so most people just returned, but this person seemed to be different.
He just stood there proudly, without retreating even an inch, as if he hadn't heard those words at all.
No, he actually went one step further.
"Open the door."
"...Sorry?"
Open the door. How could he be so shameless?
The moment the gatekeeper was about to say something out of shock, he took off the hood of his robe.
And the gatekeeper was momentarily dazed by the exposed white hair, and was then frightened by the red eyes he met and put away his weapon.
"Isn't it ridiculous that I can't go into my mansion?"
"Count Hardt!"
Honorary Count Deon Hardt.
He had left the mansion for the purpose of subjugating monsters and returned after a long 6 months.
***
"Deon Hardt is back?"
The man who was leaning on a chair raised his upper body.
Purple eyes sparkled with interest. Purple eyes and purple hair. Just as gold was a symbol of the
imperial family, purple was a symbol of a family in the empire.
Duke Illuster.
Stave Illuster, who stood as the opposite of the Emperor, the only duke in the Empire and the head of the Noble Faction, raised his eyebrows at the news that had just arrived.
Who was Deon Hardt? Wasn't he clearly the Emperor's dog? As the head of the Noble Faction, he was the very 'hero' who must be eliminated.
Even though he disappeared suddenly and came back suddenly, it was nothing new. If you think about it, it was almost time for him to come back.
"Okay then."
He turned his gaze and looked at the person who had been standing next to him the whole time.
Green eyes that don't show any signs of agitation and a deadpan expression that left you unable to tell what's inside. A strange look appears in Stave's eyes as he looked at Cruel Hardt.
Next, an incredibly kind voice came out.
"What should I do?"
He heard his brother was back.
This news would not have been widely known yet. Because the information network that the operatives were building was particularly tight.
At most, the only person who knew other than himself was the Emperor.
In such a situation, what Cruel, the servant of the head of the Noble Faction, would say was already decided.
"I will place an assassination request."
"Wrong. There must be a card that is more cost-effective."
The Duke looked away, waving his finger as if teaching a child.
As if responding to this, a woman who had been holding documents in the corner and waiting for her turn to report, as if she were there or not, raised her head and met his gaze.
"Saerin, you answer. What should I do?"
"...Are you thinking about the Revolutionary Army?"
"You're right. There is no way they would refuse a request to kill the Emperor's dog, as they're so hell-bent on getting rid of the Emperor. They will participate in this more passionately than those who murder just for money."
Therefore, the Duke smiled and gave an order to Cruel.
"Contact the Revolutionary Army."
***
I don't know what it was, but everyone looked quite busy.
I felt like I'd become a huge uninvited guest. It looks like I was away for too long.
But there was nothing I could do about it because of the Demon King.
As I was scratching my head for no reason, an old man with gray hair came out from among the busy workers, walking at a pace that was neither fast nor slow.
"Are you here, Count?"
"Ah yes. It's been a while, Remember."
Remember, the butler who had been with me since I received this mansion, welcomed me with a kind smile.
Seeing his unchanging and calm demeanor, I had the feeling that I had returned, so I tried to take a step closer, but the greeting that I thought was over continued. "Did you finish subjugating the monsters safely?"
"...Yes?"
Subjugating monsters?
Ah, that's right. To the Empire, I was away to subdue monsters under the Emperor's orders.
"Ah, ah, yes."
After I nodded roughly, Remember took a step to the side with a profound smile on his face. He acted as if he was saying, 'Please come in,' so I naturally went inside and spoke to him who was following me.
"I am going to see His Majesty. Please get ready."
"You must have been tired from the long journey, so it would be best to get some rest..."
"No, I will wash and change clothes and then go right away."
Wouldn't I want to rest? Of course. But there was nothing I could do about it because it would be a bigger problem to be out of the Emperor's eyes.
The current emperor, Eduardo Desert, was a bloody emperor who ascended to the position of monarch with the sword.
The scene when he, the 9th prince, killed all of his older brothers and sisters, dragged his sword across the palace, picked up the crown with bloody hands, and put it on himself, was so terrifying that it was still talked about among his subjects even 10 years later. It was quite a scene.
What would happen if I got out of his sight? Of course, he is not a tyrant who would kill someone just for not coming to report right away, but it would be safer to not do anything that would draw attention if possible...
'...But why is the atmosphere like this?'
For some reason, people who were moving so rapidly before had stopped moving.
Looking at the workers who were fidgeting and just lowering their heads with puzzled faces, Remember naturally spoke.
"I will prepare right away."
And the action that followed was quick enough to remind me of Ed.
Some of the employees prepared bath water, while others waited with towels.
And after being dragged by the hands of several others, I came to my senses and found myself soaking in a warm bathtub.
It had been a while since I was bathed while sober, but it wasn't the first time either, so I wasn't that embarrassed.
As I began to droop down my tired body, which had become relaxed in the warm water, the door opened and servants came in, cleaned my body, put me in a gown, and led me somewhere.
'Now... wait just a minute.'
Are you really crazy at this point? Maybe it's because I'd been away a while, but I was really out of it. You guys didn't go this far. What on earth happened while I was away?
As if they couldn't see my expression, the maids sat me down on the sofa, took out my uniform, and started talking amongst themselves.
"If you're going to the imperial palace, wouldn't this uniform be a good idea? It has appropriate decorations, so I think it will highlight the Count's beauty."
"No, the trend nowadays is to be ascetic! In that sense, don't you think this uniform with only embroidery without any decorations would be good?"
"Considering the Count's well-known image, don't you think this would be better? It feels kind of elegant. I think this will soften the Count's image a bit... How about going with the concept of a sickly nobleman?"
I don't know why they're worried about white uniforms and white uniforms and white uniforms.
The uniforms were all white. Even the uniforms hanging on the remaining hangers were all white.
"What do you think, Count?"
"..."
To me, they all look the same.
Damn it, it just so happened that my symbol became a white uniform. I sighed and buried my back on the sofa. After half-closing my eyes, I roughly point to something with my hand, and I heard two clicking sounds and one small scream of joy.
'I can hear you clicking your tongue. Guys...'
My eyes opened at the absurdity, and when I glanced up to check what I had chosen, it was the maid who had shouted 'sick nobleman' who was standing in front of me holding a uniform.
'Uh... sickly?'
I think I picked something wrong.
No, I think the intention of softening my image is good, but seeing that maid's smile made me very uneasy.
Should I step down now?
With that in mind, I straightened my upper body, and the maid handed the uniform over to the servant waiting next to me and quickly walked away.
'No, wait...!'
I'll just choose something else…
Tak. The door was closed.
"..."
"..."
"...Um... Count... The gown..."
"Ah."
There was one thing I learned while living in the Demon King's Castle. A very useful thing to use in times like this.
Resignation.
That's right, I won't die just because of what I wear.
The uniform doesn't look that strange, so there shouldn't be any problem.
The look in the maid's eyes bothered me a bit, but...
'Let's ignore it.'
I obediently took off my gown and handed it to the attendant. I was bandaged from wrist to fingertips and wore white gloves. Once I put on my uniform, the rest was easy.
The maids who had left came rushing in again, straightening my clothes and casually combing my disheveled hair.
'Even if it were straightened, it would become disheveled again over time.'
I didn't have to say that thought out loud.
Even my eyes were bloodshot from concentrating hard, so I can't even imagine what kind of criticism I'll get if I say something rude.
As she put on the white cloak that was specially provided during the war and finally put on a white mask to block out the sunlight, the maids let out a sigh of disappointment, but also touched each other's palms.
What was with that behavior? Ah, seeing as there were people covering their mouths while looking at me, I don't think it meant anything particularly good.
Doesn't covering your mouth mean you feel nauseous?
Do I look that bad? To the point of nausea?
"As expected, changing clothes..."
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
"What are you saying?"
I was just saying this to myself, but why are you all being so sensitive…
...Am I sure they're not trying to screw me over?
As I was looking at the fussing maids with suspicious eyes, I heard a knock on the door and Remember's voice soon after.
"The carriage is waiting. You can leave as soon as you are ready."
It seemed like there was nothing more to prepare, so I just grabbed a portable dagger and opened the door.
I made eye contact with Remember, who seemed to be standing right in front of the door, wearing a neat tailcoat.
From his perspective, the door may have been opened suddenly, but Remember did not show any signs of fluster as he stepped to the side and lowered his head.
He must have seen my clothes, but judging by the fact that he didn't say anything, it doesn't seem like there was any problem with them...
"Oh, just a moment before I leave..."
I turned around to head to the first floor and headed towards my room.
After having Remember wait outside, I looked around the room and saw the belongings I had brought with me when I arrived on the desk.
'Luckily, it's still there.'
It seems like he had listened to what I had barely told him to do before going in, telling him not to mess with it because I would take care of it myself.
I picked up a food bag from among the things that were lying there as if I had never even touched them.
'Because magic is exclusive to demons.'
I couldn't just leave this alone.
Although there were few people who were well versed in magic, any idiot who opened this even once would immediately realize that this is an enchanted bag.
So I should burn it.
Because it was late spring, the fireplace was off, so I just lit a candle and burned the bag.
The food inside would also burn, but I have no regrets. In the Empire, I could eat delicious food freely.
I waved my hand to roughly blow away the ashes flying in the air and picked up another bag.
'If I burn this without emptying it, it'll be a big problem.'
A bag full of gold coins.
I searched the room, took out several regular leather pouches, moved the contents into them, and then I was able to burn the original bag without any hesitation.
After organizing my bag of gold coins, I picked up two of them and opened the door.
"Please use the money I earned on this last trip to add to the my finances."
In fact, I already had a lot of money, so there was no need to add more.
Remember took the bag, checked its contents, and then raised his head. Unique silver-blue eyes that were difficult to see contained an unknown light.
"These days, monsters seem to spit out gold coins when you kill them."
"...Ah."
That's right, I went to subdue monsters.
I was so distracted that I forgot about it for a while.