'How do I fix this...?'
I could say the nearby city of the area where the subjugation was carried out gave it to me as a token of gratitude...
I don't even believe the dream-like story that I accidentally found a cave during a subjugation, entered it, and found coins. Damn it.
The only thing Remember could believe is 'a token of gratitude', but if that got to the Emperor's ears, it would be a big problem.
It's clear, 'You did what I told you to do and even stole money? I feel like you're full of greed in your stomach, so can I help reduce it?' And he would draw his sword.
How could I be sure? Because there was already a precedent!
For reference, it was 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 I won it by gambling?'
If I left out the story about the demon realm 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 was 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 your finances. I apologize if you were offended. It looks like this 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, he didn'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 high position, there will be many people who want to line up to gain your favor."
"Yes?"
No, wait a minute. I think he completely misunderstood something.
"If they were in a position like the Count, they wouldn't be able to say anything even if they took all the money they were given and kept their 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 'bribe'?!"
There's no way I could take a bribe! It's not even a position I deserved 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. If I accepted a bribe, the news would surely reach the Emperor's ears.
So I needed to quickly clear up this misunderstanding.
"It's not like a bribe!"
"Yes?"
Remember, who was looking at me in confusion as I hurriedly corrected his 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 bowed 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 was because it was quiet, but random thoughts kept coming to mind. Because we were on our way to meet the Emperor, the thoughts were especially about the Emperor.
It wasn't 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.'
There isn't a person in the world who is not complicated, but with my limited vocabulary, this is the best I could do to describe him.
A person who was arrogant but with the ability to back it up. A man with not only strength but also brains. A person who was even greedy and sought to improve himself and spared no effort in gathering talent. And...
'A 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?
'I 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 reign. 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 that had been used so far and came up with a new name.
It would have been better if it had been something like 'Eduardo Kingdom,' named after himself.
The name of his kingdom created by the new king is—
'The Empire. Forget the name of the kingdom before. The name of this country is 'the Empire'.'
The madness was extreme. 'Empire' itself was 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 'Eight 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 didn't particularly want to retrieve were probably the things my mind refused 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 was ruled by an 'emperor' rather than a 'king' who has swallowed up 1/3 of the continent.
'And me.'
I was made an honorary count in recognition of my contributions in the war.
Even before I could enjoy that position, I was selected as a hero'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..."
"Waaaah!"
...A 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 the revolutionary army.
A group that was created due to the actions of the Emperor who conquered each kingdom during the Eight Year 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 hunted down and killed, so how could those who had nothing more to lose not 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 was why they started going on a rampage to destroy the Emperor and all upper class people and create a world where everyone was equal.
'It doesn't matter to me what ideology they have... but I'm not very happy about being the victim.'
Even the scale was considerable.
It was only natural that the people of each kingdom, who should've rise up with their respective royal families, had 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 fought on the battlefield...
Of course, I really had no intention of getting caught in that chaos, 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, so should 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 went up my spine. At the same time, a crackling noise began to be heard from the carriage door.
It was like something was breaking...
Kwaang!!
"It's so fucking broken."
It wasn't just broken. The carriage door was completely torn off.
Beyond where the door was, I could 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 was 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 made my stomach tingle.
A guy whom 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 I'm 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 right."
"I..."
Wasn't he being too hasty?
Of course, I couldn't say it out loud.
Not only did I not have the strength to do so, but he reached out his big hand and grabbed my neck.
"Ugh! Ah..."
"I was nervous because they said you were a hero, but I never thought you were such a servile person. What a disappointment."
"This... bit... ch..."
"Is it just the mouth? Swearing in this situation is praiseworthy."
What did I do?
"How on earth did you become a hero? The Emperor isn't someone who would pour his heart and soul into someone who doesn't deserve anything."
I was 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 dodge, so I wouldn't have been caught like this.
I put that thought to the back of my head.
Let's talk about useless 'what if' assumptions later. For now, I needed to focus on getting out.
'Damn, my breath...'
These damned guards were preoccupied with dealing with the endless waves of enemies.
'I have to do something...'
My head screamed that I needed to stay calm, but my body struggled against my will.
With both trembling hands, I was squeezing and scratching the strong forearm that was clutching my neck as if I wanted to live.
In the process, the gloves on my hands came off and the carefully wrapped bandage came loose, revealing my 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 did they know? The fact that I came back...?'
Before such questions could even take hold in my mind, I felt 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 kept getting blurry.
My trembling hands lost strength, and my last memory was of him lifting a huge axe.