Chapter 13

From that day on, the problematic merchant guild was raided. The results were shocking. Not only were there exotic poisonous herbs, but also unquarantined animals and tea sets whose import was restricted to only suppliers directly under the Imperial Palace. All these items were goods intended to be sold secretly to nobles and the wealthy.

The guild master had illegally employed migrant children in managing these goods. As they were young, unable to assert themselves, and easy to dispose of if necessary, they were an exceptionally convenient source of labor to exploit.

The abuses piled up, eventually escalating to atrocious acts like conducting experiments with the refinement of poisonous herbs.

Under normal circumstances, the merchant guild would have strongly attempted to conceal this, but this time, they couldn’t. With their key personnel all laid up with broken bones, what could they possibly do? The market governor also sensed that this was an issue of a scale that could not be covered up with a perfunctory search. If the truth were to spread, it wasn’t the higher-ups that would be in trouble, but the people below him. He himself, who had received bribes multiple times, would be the first to be strung up in the public square.

First and foremost, disposal of the contraband was an urgent matter. In the dead of night, hundreds of crates filled with poisonous herbs were dumped into the distant sea.

However, he also couldn’t afford to neglect the superiors. As a result, a throng of servants carrying Eastern silks descended upon the hotel. This lavish display of gifts was a tactic to curry favor, signaling their desire for the matter to be buried once they arrived in the capital.

“Or perhaps, would a decorative sword be to your liking? I hear the young lady you’ve brought is skilled in martial arts. The market governor wishes to offer this as a token of his farewell. Please do not hesitate to speak your mind.”

The market governor’s butler bowed repeatedly, his head nearly touching the floor.

Ruslan tapped on the bathroom doorjamb with his finger. A reply came from behind the shower curtain.

“What need do I have for such things? Tell them it’s fine.”

“So he says. You may leave, there’s no need for such trouble.”

The butler wiped away a sheen of sweat and bowed deeply before leaving.

Juju, who had been soaking in the bathtub, pulled back the curtain and called out to the man outside.

“Count, what kind of threats did you issue while I was sleeping? They’re all completely terrified.”

“I only pointed out their numerous misdeeds. I see he is very attached to material things. It is evident by the way he tried to buy my favor with goods.”

Ruslan, while answering, covered his eyes with the palm of his hand. Juju found the way he was conversing while doing so amusing and made a comment.

“You’re wearing a bathrobe. There’s no need to cover your eyes.”

“Won’t it become see-through if it gets wet?”

“I’ve filled the tub with bubbles.”

Only then did Ruslan lower his hand.

Always being unnecessarily gentlemanly. Come to think of it, the man had fallen asleep on the chair the previous day. Juju scooped up some bubbles and blew on them.

“I was wondering how to clean up the mess they made at dawn, but you handled it all on your own.”

It wasn’t just about the disposal of the exposed evidence. There was also the matter of what to do with the children who were found on-site. Many of them had not only lost their homes but also their parents.

Ruslan had apparently reached out to the north. The Grand Duke in the north already had an infrastructure in place to accommodate the migrants. If they wished, they could relocate there.

The carriages and manpower necessary for this would, of course, be the responsibility of the local market governor, who had so far been negligent in addressing this crime.

Juju was amazed at Ruslan’s resourcefulness in having figured out such a solution in just over a day.

Ruslan leaned against the doorjamb, acting as if it were nothing significant.

“It wouldn’t be proper for a man to hide behind his partner, besides… we’re allies, and it’s simply a division of labor. Ultimately, I don’t possess your kind of combat strength. From now on, negotiations and damage control will be my responsibility.”

Juju, who was manicuring her nails, let out a soft laugh. His eagerness to offer his help was rather intriguing.

“You’re such an odd man. Have you forgotten that I am a villainess you intended to use for revenge? Even if you use me as a tool, I wouldn’t have anything to say about it.”

“I’m dealing with a person, not a tool. It’s more efficient for each of us to take charge of our specializations. Especially in the capital, where we are heading next.”

Ruslan picked up a towel and threw it to Juju. Juju raised her arm and caught it. Water dripped from her forehead to her cheeks.

When Charlotte was at the height of her power as an assassin, she was Albert’s sword. Even the royalty who died at her hands cursed her as such.

Albert had always maintained a detached position. It was always Charlotte’s own independent action and loyalty. He would construct a picture of him never directly giving orders.

Charlotte had also believed that this was her worth. Albert was meant to become Emperor, so she was the one who had to carry the burden of the dirty work.

She thought this time would be the same. She was used to being treated as a villainess. If the previous day’s fight became an issue, she was prepared to play the role of a violent woman to shift the blame.

However, Ruslan took care of the matter cleanly first. The subject of the conflict with the merchant guild had somehow shifted, placing him as the one responsible.

Even the governor’s gifts were ultimately aimed at gaining Ruslan’s favor. Juju was just a bonus hidden in the Count’s shadow.

Ruslan had taken the position of being the shield from the forefront.

“I will help you, as much as you help me.”

Those were the words Ruslan had said in the abandoned palace.

Only now, could Juju understand the true meaning behind those words.

“If you’ll do that for me, then I’m grateful.”

Her ears were hot, perhaps from the bath’s heat. Juju pulled the shower curtain closed unnecessarily and buried her face in the bubbles.

A few days passed and a message came back from the north. The transport of the rescued children was quickly arranged.

Dorothea, who was staying at the estate, also agreed with Ruslan’s opinion on the matter.

“My sister isn’t one to abandon the situation just because she dislikes me,” Ruslan stated in a confident tone.

Juju also agreed, based on her vague physical memory.

The Grand Duchess had inherited her predecessor’s personality. She would indeed be enraged by the injustice at the port. She would also be certain to meticulously handle the administrative affairs for the suddenly burdened children.

‘Would there have been anyone who would have done that in the capital?’ Juju thought, remembering the chaotic place that it was.

An immortal old man clung to power and held on endlessly. His children, whose futures were uncertain, were killing and being killed in their individual pursuits and ambitions.

What could be done to make the empire more peaceful? They never thought about it.

How could they make the empire’s citizens live better? That wasn’t on their minds either.

She didn’t know what her former colleagues’ real intentions were. At least at that time, Albert only thought about surviving. To do that, he had to become Emperor, and Charlotte was devoted to doing her best only for that purpose.

And after five years, the east was in this state.

Juju gazed out the hotel window at the street for a long time. In the corners of the alleyways, migrant families who had left their homeland’s farmland were huddled up. They all looked destitute.

In any case, there was no longer any reason to remain in the east, so the two of them quickly packed their things.

Angela could be met again just before their departure. She had come to the hotel herself.

Juju summoned her to the hotel’s rear and had a private conversation.

“To be honest, I didn’t come because I believed everything. There’s also no proof you’re not Charlotte, so that’s why I came.”

That day, Angela was sober and clear-headed. Although her tone was slightly more respectful, she kept chewing on licorice incessantly.

Juju smiled as she picked a flower that was blooming in the garden.

“If you don’t want to believe it, you can leave. Want to spread rumors too? I wonder how many people would say it’s the ramblings of a drunkard. Tell me if you manage to count them all.”

“The fact that you have the same annoying way of speaking as Charlotte makes me all the more convinced that she has taken over you.”

Angela shook her head and abruptly stretched out her hand, grabbing Juju’s arm. She pulled it in quickly and took her pulse. The chewing on the licorice stopped, and her expression tensed up.

Juju understood her intentions and quietly focused her aura.

After a while, Angela let go of her arm.

“There was a small mole on the left arm I used to take your pulse but it’s gone. Your meridians haven’t been trained but your aura is tremendously deep.”

“I could show you myself.”

Juju clenched the flower she had picked. As she focused her aura, the petals turned into fine powder and scattered in the air.

Angela was calm and collected, showing no surprise. It seemed she was slowly accepting reality. Although the girl before her was a stranger, the contents were definitely someone she knew.

Finally, she knelt on one knee and lowered her head.

“It’s been five years.”

“It has been a while, Angela.”

Juju looked down at her, a mixture of emotions washing over her. The sensation of finally reuniting was overwhelming.

Looking at her in the bright sunlight, Angela had also changed due to the years that had passed. However, her sober face still held a sharp and intellectual air.

“Thank you for telling me about the new poison. Thanks to that, I was able to get some form of revenge for the assassination of Grand Duke Licht.”

At that, Angela suddenly raised her head.

“Then, the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of the Grand Duke of the North were also… so you are following the Grand Duke’s family?”

“The story is complicated, but it’s similar.”

“Are you planning to establish a new Emperor?”

Juju’s lips were sealed for a moment in response to the question.

“It’s not something I can speak about.”

Angela hastily lowered her head.

“I apologize. But if my guess of your goal is correct, then ultimately, wouldn’t that be the result?”

It certainly could be. Her goal was to assassinate the Emperor. And the vacant throne had to be filled by someone.

It was one of the reasons that they couldn’t strike down Albert right away.

If they were to kill him suddenly, chaos would ensue.

Seventy or eighty years had passed since the former Emperor had achieved unification of the continent. The identities of the former small kingdoms were slowly fading and the empire was gradually entering a period of stabilization.

If the leader were to suddenly disappear during such a time, the continent would be torn apart by civil war.

The best option was to weaken the Emperor’s power slowly, while finding new alternatives. That was precisely what Angela had pointed out.

It was too early to discuss it now.

Furthermore, Ruslan’s handling of the incident had raised some suspicions.

Juju decided to say this for now.

“I don’t even know how the capital’s affairs have changed. I’m planning to start a new life there. Will you come with me?”

“If I pack up my shop and head there, the timing should work out. I’ll come if you call me.”

“… Just one question. Don’t you want to live peacefully and comfortably as you are?”

If they failed, an even more bitter outcome than five years ago would be waiting for them.

Angela answered without hesitation.

“If I did, I would have gone to live in the mountains. Lady Charlotte, did you miss the clue as to why I was so wary of the Emperor’s lackeys?”

“I’ve discarded that name so call me Juju. What was the clue?”

“The merchant guild that refined the poison recently started business with a company.”

Angela stood up and came closer to Juju. She pretended to check her pulse while lowering her voice.

“You must remember Hilarion.”

“……”

“That man cleaned his hands of the business five years ago and now he’s dealing in the human trade in the capital. It is said that pretty children among the kidnapped migrants are passed over to him. Perhaps the route the poison took was also… ”

Indeed, was that how it was connected?

The small corruption at the eastern port had flowed and reached all the way to the Emperor in the capital.

Juju completely understood the meaning behind Angela’s words. In five years, the empire had become covered in mold. It wasn’t in a state that could be made healthy just by cutting out one area.

Hilarion had sided with the Emperor and falsely testified against Charlotte. Could it be that the Emperor didn’t know that such a man was involved in the human trade?

Rather, weren’t there suspicions that he actively cooperated in the death of Grand Duke Licht?

“That man loitered around here for a few days. I was worried that I might run into him. I thought it would be better to belong somewhere rather than have the Emperor recall me, since it might be possible that he was going to summon me.”

Indeed, to Albert, Angela was a painful presence to look at. The fact that she was under Charlotte, yet outside of his control, was a flaw in itself. She had no value to kill yet, so she was still alive, but who knew when he might change his mind.

Juju ended the conversation with Angela and parted ways.

She wanted to take her with her immediately, but if she suddenly disappeared, it might raise suspicion. The best plan was to pack up her life as naturally as possible and go to the capital.

‘Hilarion, yeah, there was someone like that.’

The betrayal of Albert and her former colleagues had been so painful, that she had forgotten about the small, parasitic man.

He was unusually prideful of the fact that Charlotte was using him. Whenever she pointed it out, he would try to approach her as a man. That was when he was already wrong.

She had something to do when she got to the capital. She should check out the situation that had changed over the last 5 years, and eliminate him first and foremost.

And before they arrived, there was one homework that had to be concluded.

Inside the carriage leaving the port city, Juju spoke to Ruslan.

“We are going straight to the capital, right?”

“Yes. Unless there are any problems, we will take the central road which will be a straight path.”

“Since we’re on the way, can we stop by somewhere?”

Ruslan blinked as if to say ‘go on.’ Juju gazed intently at his beautiful enamel red eyes, and then replied.

“Moden. It’s my hometown.”