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Chapter – 39
Who in the empire could ever defeat the Emperor with money?
“No… that’s just….”
“Why, do you not have money?”
“…….”
The Emperor shifted his gaze toward the office manager.
“So then, manager, what will you do?”
“Your Majesty… no matter how much he’s at fault…”
“Why, don’t you want him expelled?”
“No! He must be expelled! Money isn’t necessary. Someone dared to harm Your Majesty’s people—how could I stand idly by?”
So that’s why people care about power, not just money.
‘Of course, according to Khan, the manager is better than the director…’
Even without money, the manager was clearly weak in the face of authority. Well, this mercenary office was the only one in the empire, holding a monopoly on mercenary contracts. Who would be pleased if someone else opened a rival office?
“Director. You’re fired, effective today.”
“Does this make sense? Just for expelling one woman, you’ll do this to me?! Your Majesty, this is too harsh. Of course… I shouldn’t have insulted Your Majesty, but… to fire someone like this…!”
The director stammered, and the Emperor spoke again.
“If you don’t like that, I said you could bring money, didn’t I?”
“That… that’s impossible. How could I have more money than Your Majesty…?”
“Then you’re fired. Don’t like it? Then be the Emperor yourself.”
“What…! Your Majesty….”
“To be honest, I’m furious that you expelled Raviel and caused her to end up like this. I would have liked to punish you more severely, but since it wasn’t intentional, this is enough. If you keep running your mouth…”
The knights had already surrounded the director.
“Ah… no, I, I’ll leave.”
Those who wielded swords seemed to understand instinctively the danger they were in. The director awkwardly smiled and barely managed to leave the reception area.
“But Your Majesty… you really… are ending it here, right…?”
“I don’t change my mind once I’ve said it.”
“Ah… understood.”
Finally, the director slouched and trudged out. But he wasn’t just leaving quietly—his face was full of anger as he glared at me.
“Ah, Director.”
“Yes, yes!”
“There’s one thing I haven’t said. Apologize to Raviel before you leave. And if you dare open your eyes like that again, I’ll pluck them and use them as marbles, so roll them carefully.”
There was nothing more to add. The director awkwardly laughed, replacing the glare in his eyes with a humble expression, and smiled brightly at me.
“I’m sorry, Raviel… sir.”
“Ah… yes.”
“I didn’t mean it on purpose…”
“Enough. I didn’t ask for excuses. Stop wasting words and leave. I don’t want to see that face again.”
Even though the director felt wronged that he couldn’t even manage this, he eventually left.
The mercenary office manager, up until the director left, looked troubled, as if he still didn’t know how to handle the situation. He kept glancing at my head repeatedly. Once the director stepped out, the manager finally spoke.
“Shall I call a doctor?”
A kindness that was clearly directed at me. Whether it was genuine or just the courtesy shown in the presence of authority, I didn’t know.
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”
“No, Raviel. You should have a doctor check. You were bleeding so much…”
Khan followed up.
“Actually, it’s not my blood. It’s someone else’s.”
I smiled awkwardly, brushing my hair away so as not to worry others. The blood had matted my hair, making it difficult to smooth down.
“Really? Is that so…?”
“Thanks for worrying, Khan. And you, manager.”
“What’s there to thank me for? The manager foolishly kept such a person by his side. You should be grateful to us instead.”
The Emperor, clearly displeased with the situation, narrowed his eyes and glared at the manager.
“My apologies. I had been slightly concerned about the office manager for a while, but I overlooked it because of the years we’d gotten along… and this happens. I truly apologize.”
He even bowed before me.
“No, it’s fine. I could get back up, so it’s okay.”
“Raviel, don’t be so complacent. At times like this, you should claim compensation for the near trouble you faced. Why can’t a clever lawyer look out for their own interests?”
“Haha… but thanks to Your Majesty, nothing serious happened. That’s good enough.”
He nodded, satisfied with that.
“If I hadn’t been here, you’d be in real trouble, understand?”
“Yes. I’m grateful. You’ve helped me every time.”
“There’s nothing to be grateful for. So, manager.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. If you say compensation is due, I’ll provide it.”
“No, it’s fine. Instead, take this.”
The Emperor pointed to the reception desk, where a purse had been placed by a knight.
“Eh? You’re giving us money? We were at fault here.”
“If you don’t take it, that director will appear again. If you don’t want to see such a fool again, this is the right way. I truly care about you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
That was the end of it.
“All dismissed.”
The mercenaries who had gathered, the office staff, even the manager, all left awkwardly. Only Khan looked worried, but with the Emperor right by my side, he had no choice but to leave.
At last, the two of us were alone in silence.
“Thanks to Your Majesty, I survived. Thank you. For my father’s situation too… and even here, you resolved everything.”
“That’s right. If I hadn’t been here, you’d be in serious trouble.”
“You said you couldn’t come… but you came because of me?”
“Recently, monsters have increased drastically. I almost couldn’t come because I had to check that. But something felt off, so I came. I didn’t expect this to happen.”
The Emperor, wearing a slightly frustrated expression, slowly surveyed me.
“Raviel, I came because I thought this was what you wanted, but I need to ask—will you stay here?”
“Ah… I can just move my residence.”
“Even if you move, your father will appear again. No matter what you do, he’ll pick a fight over everything. You’re only safe now because I’m here watching your back. But this won’t last long.”
“…….”
I knew that too. For now, he’s backing off, but my father will appear again. I realized I hadn’t been running across a plain—I’d been on a hamster wheel. My chest tightened at the thought.
“So, you have two options: either kill him entirely, or come with me to the palace.”
He looked down, waiting for my answer, and met my eyes directly.
“It seems simple enough. Why can’t you decide? Honestly, I don’t understand. I would just kill him.”
“Then I’d owe another favor.”
“Caught, huh? I thought you’d take my assignment anyway.”
“……Well, besides owing a favor, honestly…”
I was about to explain that I had other concerns, but he spoke first.
“No matter how vile your father is, does he have any heart left? Because he’s family?”
“No. That’s not it.”
I said no firmly, but he wouldn’t know. I, as a person, have no feelings for Raviel’s father, Count Avalon. Honestly, I might even hope that this obstacle would die.
But the true Raviel might hope that her father survives.
‘I hate root vegetables the most in the world, yet here I am, making them myself.’
“If that’s not it, then why can’t you choose?”
“If I kill my father, his son will torment me.”
“Then kill him too?”
“No. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.”
Right now, I could choose whether to take the Emperor’s divorce case. But if I owed anyone, I’d have to take it even if I didn’t want to. I absolutely didn’t want that.
“In the end, there’s only one way. You’ll have to come with me.”
“……There’s no other choice, then.”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. That captivating expression made my head spin.
‘Could it be…?’
