I have been using Lobelia to get through various political crises.
Whenever someone tried to use me or drag me in, I would say as if I belonged to the Lobelia faction.
But is that really true?
Unfortunately, I don’t particularly support Lobelia.
I just took advantage of it.
Considering how Lobelia has tormented me all this time, isn’t this much something I’m allowed to do?
I received a fair price.
……But I never expected it to come back to me like this.
“We’ve arrived, Chief of Staff.”
“Oh, right……”
I returned to the Cradle in a carriage bearing a large imperial seal, the symbol of power.
I’m not happy about it at all.
“Johan, I hate to say this, but do you absolutely have to be away from me for even a single minute or second?”
“I have nothing to say.”
What happened right after I was separated from Yuna was like a natural disaster.
I even boasted that it would be safe inside the Cradle, but what happened right after Yuna disappeared?
First of all, Stan went on a rampage.
He suddenly started going berserk, so no one could have predicted it.
And then I was conscripted.
It feels like I skipped a lot in between, but anyway, that’s what happened.
This wasn’t something that could have been solved even if Yuna had been there.
“Yuna, I have something to tell you.”
“If it’s something that needs my permission, is it about Oracle or Emily?”
“Why would they come up?”
“Oh, so it’s not?”
Yuna smirked.
It must be my imagination that she looked somewhat pleased.
“Yuna, you’ve probably already figured it out, but I’m someone who reincarnated from another world. More precisely, I regained the memories of my previous life a few years ago.”
“Mhmm, I kind of figured. More importantly, were you planning to keep it a secret?”
I wasn’t particularly planning to.
I had already revealed it early on to the Scriptwriter, and I’ve even mentioned it carelessly when Yuna was around.
I think I may have told her directly at some point too… but this is the first time I’ve properly explained it like this.
Well, to be exact, it’s about the Demon King. Something even I didn’t fully understand myself.
I explained to Yuna about my previous life and the Demon King.
“So the conclusion is….”
Yuna seemed to be listening carefully, then replied with a serious expression.
“So the conclusion is that Johan is actually two years older than me? Should I call you big brother from now on? Big brother♡”
“That’s totally fine… no, that’s not the point.”
She even added a heart at the end and acted cute, and for a moment I almost let it slide. But that’s not what’s important.
Let’s set aside the fact that I reincarnated.
It feels too late at this point to be surprised about that part anyway.
What’s important now is the relationship between the omen of the apocalypse and the Demon King.
And that the approaching end of the world summoned the Demon King.
And because of that, I ended up getting dragged into all kinds of trouble.
“But isn’t more than half of the things you got dragged into because you ran your mouth without thinking?”
“…….”
“Oh, was that an uncomfortable truth? Okay. I won’t mention that part.”
“Right.”
It’s all because of the Demon King.
“But even if you figured that out, what changes?”
“Yuna, that’s too indifferent.”
“They say when you love someone, you become like them.”
Are you saying I’m like that?
Well… I can’t exactly deny it. I do have that side to me.
But you shouldn’t be like that.
“But realistically, it’s not like there’s any way to remove the Demon King’s soul inside you, right? And even if there were a method, there’s no guarantee there wouldn’t be side effects.”
“That’s… true.”
“Is there even anyone you could ask for advice? Honestly, I can only think of two people, and both options kind of suck.”
“Who comes to mind?”
There are actually about two people I can think of as well.
“The Great Sage and Princess Lapis.”
“I figured.”
They say when you love someone, you become alike. Who knew our thoughts would overlap like this.
And just like Yuna said, I don’t want to get involved with either of them.
Even if I don’t want to, it’s obvious I’ll end up entangled with them anyway, but that doesn’t mean I want to make the first move.
This is probably all because of the Demon King too.
“So there’s nothing we can do right away, then.”
“Right….”
“So you just wanted to vent?”
“That too….”
I did want to vent.
Other than that, I know there’s nothing I can really do.
Well, the authority of a strategist who can command the Guillotine Knights?
It might be useful, but it’s obvious that every single thing I do would be reported straight to the Emperor. It’s not a kind of power worth using while carrying that kind of risk.
To begin with, this position is practically a pair of shackles. Of course, just as power comes with responsibility, the opposite is true as well.
Still, while carrying out my duties as a strategist of the Guillotine Knights, there might be something I can gain.
“I’ll be busy with missions for the Guillotine Knights for now.”
“So while you’re busy, you want me to investigate?”
“Exactly.”
You really do get it without needing things spelled out.
When I act as part of the Guillotine Knights, I’ll be wandering outside the Cradle, but I won’t need Yuna as my escort.
After all, they’re the imperial-certified human butcher squad, aren’t they?
“Johan, the unemployed bum, is finally getting a job.”
“Yuna, I may not look it, but I do have the status of a student.”
“Oh.”
I guess you don’t realize because you’re surrounded by students who all work, but you guys are the abnormal ones.
***
The first weekend as a member of the Guillotine Knights.
Following the imperial order, I finished preparing for my mission.
“Not a school uniform, but a formal uniform….”
“It suits you.”
“Black has always looked good on me.”
“Black looks good on pretty much anyone.”
That’s not true.
She’s probably saying that because she’s lived her whole life without ever worrying about her looks.
“By the way, I didn’t realize it before, but the knights’ formal uniform is surprisingly neat, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
Yuna rested her chin on both hands and stared blankly at me as she muttered.
It wasn’t that the clothes suited me. The uniform itself wasn’t bad.
I guess a knight order is still a knight order.
“The problem is this, though.”
I threw on the cloak issued over the knights’ formal uniform.
It covered my entire body, and the hood was large enough that just wearing it made me look suspicious.
The hem of the cloak was split as well, so whenever I moved, it fluttered around like a wandering ghost.
I’m not really sure what the meaning behind this design is.
“There are enchantments on it, though….”
Various spells had been cast on it, including perception-interference magic.
Considering it was equipment issued by the imperial family, that makes sense.
On its own, it’s actually quite an impressive item.
“Anyway, I’m off, Yuna.”
“Okay, see you later, honey~”
“Honey? Seriously?”
“I just wanted to try saying it. It’s not an opportunity that comes around often, you know?”
“That’s true.”
This might be the last time we have a conversation like this.
If I become a count, I’d be working in the castle instead of wandering around outside like this.
The whole situation of being seen off on my way to work would be pretty rare in the first place.
“Want a goodbye kiss?”
“Tempting offer, but I’ll pass. Don’t want lipstick on me.”
“What a shame. It would’ve been a mark that you’re mine.”
“Don’t worry. No one in the knights will look at me that way.”
“That’s true.”
That’s true?
Why would you phrase it like that?
“Puhihi, then I’ll just have to sneak one somewhere no one can see.”
For a moment, I trembled in betrayal.
Yuna suddenly stepped close and bit down on the back of my neck.
She nibbled there, diligently making a hickey.
She’s gotten a lot less shy than before.
Actually… if we go even further back, she used to be even more bold than this.
“Then take care, Johan.”
“Yeah.”
And just like that, I finished getting ready for work.
***
The moment I stepped out of the main gate of the Cradle—
In an instant, the Guillotine Knights revealed themselves around me.
Like rising shadows, the knights emerged like ghosts and silently took their positions around me, escorting me.
“Hmm.”
It seems there’s no hazing culture here.
I was kind of expecting at least one guy to say something like, “I can’t accept someone as weak as you as my superior!” What a shame.
I was almost looking forward to chewing someone out, too.
“Well then.”
I pulled up my hood as well.
I have no intention of flaunting that I’m part of the Guillotine Knights.
Of course, showing it off might have its own advantages, but for now, it’s better to focus on adapting first.
“May I ask you something?”
“Please speak comfortably, Strategist.”
“Then I’ll just ask.”
“Yes.”
Wow, you’re just going to take that?
Even after I immediately dropped the formal speech, there was no reaction. Considering that guy Miles who used to get pushed around by Oracle, it’s not like they’re emotionless….but when it comes to their work, they’re clearly disciplined.
“Perception interference or not, if we move around in a group like this, won’t we actually stand out more? Is this really right?”
“Those were the orders.”
“Oh?”
Would you look at that?
So they’re not testing me, huh?
It doesn’t seem like these guys would bother testing me……. It feels more like a board the Emperor has laid out.
Is he expecting me to prove myself on my own? Or is he hoping I’ll realize something? Either way, it’s nothing but a hassle.
Still, if I fail to do anything on the stage he’s set, that too could become a concern later on.
“So it’s for show.”
For now, I decided that was the right answer.
The purpose of this mission is to create a sense of unease by having the Guillotine Knights openly patrol the streets.
“So what exactly is this mission about?”
The orders given to me only said to lead the Knights and resolve whatever trouble had arisen in the Empire today.
In other words, even if there isn’t a special assignment, I’m still expected to show up for work.
“There was a report filed this morning. It seems you should visit the scene today and resolve the issue.”
“Right. Let’s head there first.”
I’ll find out once we arrive.
***
The moment we reached the scene, I had to suppress the urge to retch.
Right. I shouldn’t have underestimated a report brought to the Guillotine Knights.
The scene was far more gruesome than I had imagined.
“Are you all right?”
“Ah, yeah. Interesting.”
I was only startled for a moment.
At worst, it’s just a horribly mutilated corpse.
I’ve seen plenty of this even back at the cradle.
What caught my eye now was something else.
I wondered if this was meant to test me, but it seems a little different.
The scene of a brutal murder.
But what mattered wasn’t the victim or the perpetrator.
The incident occurred near a fountain where people pass by, in the early hours of dawn.
So that anyone could discover it, so that countless people could witness it.
The act of showing it was the point.
“What about controlling the rumors?”
“We should start now.”
“Yeah, I figured. Leave a few behind and take care of what needs to be done.”
“Have you identified the culprit?”
I answered while casting a sidelong glare at the Guillotine Knight who asked me.
“Does the culprit matter? I’m more curious about who the victim is.”
“…….”
The knight nodded and left.
I examined the scene once more.
The body torn to shreds and the magic circle engraved beneath it.
I know the nature of that magic circle. I saw it not long ago.
“An ill omen, huh…….”
A magic circle whose sole purpose is to evoke an ominous atmosphere.
Yes, what matters is the atmosphere.
Because it reveals nothing but that atmosphere, leaving no room for someone to take a closer look and exploit it. The Emperor must have been pleased.
So it’s a staged act, is it?
The Guillotine Knights moved openly and without restraint.
Even if we try to contain the rumors now, those already spread can’t be stopped.
If they were going to do it, they should’ve done it from the start.
Trying to clamp down after the fact only breeds more suspicion.
Almost as if that was the intention.
The culprit doesn’t matter. It was probably someone connected to the Imperial family.
It might even have been carried out by another Guillotine Knight.
This happened on a road where people frequently pass by.
Even at dawn, it’s impossible to deceive the public eye.
Unless someone had been controlling access to the road in advance.
What on earth are they thinking…….
Within the deliberately constructed atmosphere, I quietly pulled my hood down over my head.
I saw something fall from the body as the knights were clearing it away.
It was the same ornament attached to the uniform I was wearing. In that instant, the victim’s identity was revealed.
No, perhaps “victim” isn’t quite the right word.
“How frightening.”
Or rather “accomplice” would be more accurate.
“Truly frightening.”
So this is what the Guillotine Knights are?
They say they’ll do anything for the sake of an imperial command….
It seems the title “Shadow of the Empire” is no mere empty name.
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