# 12
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Hirose returned to his small office and slowly lowered his head.
His cheeks were red to his ears, as he stared at the ground with an uneasy look for some time.
As if he could hear his loud heartbeat reaching his ears.
Among the papers he took out of the drawer, there was a clear message written in a secret code known only to few, urging him to return.
After reading it, he turned off the lamp and quickly burned the paper between his index and middle fingers.
The small raised corner of his lips and the sparkling sparks in his brown eyes left no doubt – he was a ruthless criminal.
'If he said he hadn't changed with that face, I would have no choice but to believe him.'
Amidst the blazing flame in his eyes, appeared the face of the woman who had captured him - the face of Catherine Elmore, frozen in ice.
A dimensionless serial killer.
The one who used to provoke laughter with her constant chatter and complaining.
Thanks to his sharp observations, he could easily notice her change like others.
That was after the funeral. …
“If you open the office door to save documents, the fire may spread, so the servants must be evacuated first.”
“No way! Secret documents are more important than their lives, they must go in and take them out even if they get burned.”
Then he remembered her violet eyes that had slapped him without hesitation.
“Shut up! I don’t want to use this place as your crematorium.”
The endless insults and the condescending look from above.
In the evil witch's fragrance that became more intense, there was an obvious determination that had not appeared before.
When faced with this, Hirose realized how dangerous his tendencies were.
Rapid heartbeat. …
“Sorry, ma'am.”
Hirose exhaled hotly and raised the corner of his lips.
Then he put his hand on his chest, where his heart was beating hard.
'Treat me more harshly.'
His closed eyebrows twitched.
* * *
“Things are going as I expected.”
During preparations for the opening of the “Sistina” nursing home, which received a quick permit from the temple, disturbing news arrived.
Shocking news about Uncle Badalmun submitting a request to the court to stop supporting and operating the nursing home.
Since Hirose had filed the papers correctly, the closing would not be approved, but he realized that Padelmon was greedily extending his wealth.
“I was hoping Lucia would stop her father after hearing my threat, but it seems like it was too much.”
Maybe Badalmun underestimated it.
To him, an expert in conspiracies and dirty deeds, his orphaned niece is just a little girl.
Eventually, he'll give in and open the safe for me.
“Madam...”
Badelmon was trying to buy off everyone connected to the “Ellimore” family, even his wife’s relatives, to seize her father’s wealth.
He incited the others, saying: “Let’s take the money that is supposed to be ours from that bad girl who is distributing it to the poor people on the streets.”
But I was not the type to lose in an unfair fight.
The original “Catherine Elmore” in the story was evil but stupid. She started throwing her money little by little to relatives, until she ended up tied to the guillotine at the instigation of Badalmun, the Emperor’s supporters, and her fiancé, Filius.
But I'm not like her.
“Let's ignore it.”
“But, will you be okay?”
“The side that will be upset by the lack of a response will think that he has set a trap, only to find himf falling into it. This is what “Baddlemon” will do.”
I extended my legs and stretched.
Hirose looked at me in amazement and then tilted his head.
“Okay, then I will strengthen the guard in the palace.”
“Oh, and also...”
I touched my watch, which looked like a jeweled bracelet to him, and said.
“Let's expand the support at this orphanage event, let's add some nutritional supplements and medicines as well.”
“That much?”
Even what we have prepared now exceeds all the temporary support for care homes in the capital combined.
“I told you before, this will be a tax evasion outlet. Since we are going to do this, let us operate on a large scale. Let us benefit from the propaganda as well.”
My eyes stopped on the clock screen.
⌈Etheus von Clyde⌋
Health Points (HP): ♥♥♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Of course, not because of the trivial reasons I just mentioned.
Ethi now has three hearts.
I thought the high comfort level would prevent losing hearts for a while, but... …
'He's obviously hungry.'
By the way, an alert message shows that serious physical symptoms start at three hearts, so it can't be left like that.
'He should take care of himf first, what should he do? 'Oh Ethi.'
I didn't know raising a favorite character would be this difficult.
“Okay, ma'am.”
“And there is a guest I would like to invite.”
"a guest?"
I remembered the newspaper article I saw yesterday and the corner of my lip raised.
“The frugal ones.”
I noticed how Hirose's fingers trembled.
A mysterious organization, and the Emperor had even issued orders to eliminate it previously, so it was understandable that he would feel uneasy.
But if I want to find Geoffrey Whistler, I have to contact the Thrifters, and I need them to defend me from Badalmun now.
“They are a secret organization, there is no way to reach them.”
Hirose asked with a serious face, and I shrugged.
“Don't worry, I know a way.”
* * *
Qarqar -
The little boy of the hero of the revolution hugged his hungry stomach and curled in on himf.
His father will bring bread when he returns from training.
The child's father was a soldier in the imperial army during the reign of the previous emperor, but he was expelled and punished after the current emperor usurped the throne, during which his wife also died.
So he joined the revolutionary army, seeking revenge for his wife and a new world.
“I'm hungry.”
The communal room in this two-story building isn't cold enough to die like his old house, but if there's one thing that's annoying, it's the food.
They were always short of food.
Even some of them go out to make money which is not easy.
Because most of them are expelled people who are hated by the Emperor's supporters, and people don't hire them.
In the end, they rely only on those who make money through dangerous mercenary work, and on the meager salary of Commander-in-Chief Etheus von Klede.
“I want to eat until I am full for once.”
As he opened his mouth imagining warm food, someone offered him bread.
“...Commander?”
The child stared at Etheus in amazement.
A wonderful army commander respected by all adults, His Highness Prince Clyde.
“Is this for me?”
The child was too young to understand the prince's status, but he knew that he was someone unapproachable.
But when the delicious smell of bread tickled his nose, he couldn't help but extend his hand.
“Your Highness, but this is for you...”
Etheus shook his head, dismissing Karon's words behind him.
“Thanks, I'll eat it.”
Etheus nodded to the bent child and then went out.
“Training time.”
“But how are you going to train without eating any...”
“Army cohesion is collapsing at its weakest point.”
Etheus stood tall and spoke to Karon with his steady blue eyes.
“For example, a little child longs for his devoted father and falls from hunger: If there is bread for me, give it to them first.”
It was not due to a weak heart or purely humanitarian reasons.
Ethios's principles were so painfully clear.
He didn't even hesitate to undermine himf for her.
Karon sighed as he watched this scene.
“We will follow orders, Your Highness.”
His master's walk was more dignified than anyone's, his face shining with nobility, but if he continued to give up all his food, his health was bound to suffer.
Of course, the two have been through much harsher circumstances, but that doesn't stop them from worrying.
‘This way, even if the revolution succeeds, he may not be able to lead the new world, Your Highness.’
Tomorrow is the first day of the “Sistina Hospice” event, and he has been eagerly awaiting this day.
Due to the famine, prices have almost doubled a week ago.
His master had not had a proper meal in three days, and his insides were burning from the inside.
Meanwhile, Etheus entered the dark arena and raised his sword.
In his clear blue eyes, there was no room for hunger or fear.
With clear vitality of spirit, he moved without hesitation.