Chapter 385

“Is this the purification device? It’s smaller than I thought.”

I expected something like an air purifier the size of a bag, but this was closer to a metal dust mask.

Metallic material with a sleek design. Even the cylinder attached under the ear.

If you just added some glowing LEDs, it wouldn’t feel out of place in a cyberpunk genre.

“Since it’s portable, it would be troublesome if it were too bulky. Miniaturizing the purification device was quite tricky, but we managed to complete it somehow.”

With Asha’s help, I tried on the purification device.

As I connected the lock at the back of my head, there was a *click* sound, and the device firmly secured itself to my lower face.

It was a bit heavy because of the metal, but not enough to be bothersome.

My breathing echoed a bit, but it didn’t hinder me much.

“Is it working right now?”

The voice that came out had a strange resonance, almost like a mechanical sound from a speaker.

It vaguely resembled the growl of a beast.

If I had worn this back when I was treated like a monster because of my blood, I would’ve looked exactly like a creature dreaming of annihilating humanity.

[This is a fine device. A threatening appearance and an eerie voice. Perfect for intimidating others.]

Hersela seemed quite pleased with the purification device.

Yeah, I knew she’d like it. This woman.

“There’s no switch, so it activates as soon as you wear it. To take it off, just press and pull here. When not in use, you can hang it on your belt like this.”

Asha reached behind my head and removed the device.

“The internal filter is disposable, so if you feel the performance dropping, just come back for a replacement. Oh, and since it’s made of chrome alloy steel, you can use it like a face guard, but be careful not to apply too much force, or the internal parts might break.”

“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”

After receiving the device from her, I took off my clothes and changed into the new armor.

Winter armor, was it? As expected, a warm sensation enveloped my skin, like being wrapped in a blanket with a lover.

This might get a bit hot in the summer, though.

“What about your original armor? Will you keep it as a spare, or sell it? The spikes need to be removed, but since it’s the armor Ha-shal-leur wore, you could easily get a thousand gold for it.”

“I’m not selling it.”

“That’s a shame.”

Asha let out a faint sigh, genuinely disappointed.

Creepy. Why would I sell it?

Who knows what someone would do with my clothes after paying a thousand gold for them.

Just imagining it makes my skin crawl.

—

After placing additional orders for armor for Ja-han and Ophelia and paying the deposit, I left Asha’s workshop.

My destination was the Imperial Palace.

I had taken care of all my personal errands, so now it was time to handle official business.

Even though it was a sudden visit without an appointment, I was able to meet Leopold right away.

He must have already heard about my return to the capital, as he was waiting for me in his office.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty. Have you been well?”

“Well…do I look like I’ve been well?”

Leopold chuckled as he asked.

His eyes glanced upward, as if longing for the bangs he could no longer have.

Poor guy…

“It seems you’ve had a lot on your mind lately.”

“It’s always like that…… Anyway, welcome back to the capital.”

No amount of comfort seemed to reach Leopold, who sighed deeply.

Even as he sighed, strands of golden hair fluttered around.

In the original story, he might lose his life, but never his hair. How did it come to this?

“By the way, you’re a bit later than I expected. I thought you’d come straight to the palace.”

“There was no other choice. If the commotion at the city gates had spread to the palace, it would’ve been troublesome.”

Ja-han’s defection hadn’t been officially announced yet.

The guards at the palace gates must have caused quite a stir.

Well, I did take care of some personal errands along the way.

I didn’t expect Leopold to be waiting for me since then, though.

“Right. We need to talk about that issue too. Bringing a Ka`har warrior to the capital without even a word to me, what were you thinking?”

“Huh? Didn’t Marquis Ludwig send a message?”

I thought he would’ve informed the Emperor about Ja-han’s defection.

“Unfortunately, no message was received from Landenburg. I only learned about the Ka`har an hour ago.”

Leopold shook his head lightly.

That Ludwig guy, he didn’t even report it? He’s leaving all the explaining to me.

I ignored the golden hair fluttering in the air and explained about Ja-han.

I emphasized that he was a loyal retainer who had been with me for nearly a decade and that he had betrayed Aishan to follow me here.

“…So he won’t cause any trouble. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”

“It’s not about worrying about accidents. The problem is the controversy that will arise from you recruiting a Ka`har. You know how the Empire treats the Ka`har, don’t you? You’re a half-blood and have made significant contributions, so you managed to get by…but he’s different.”

What can I do?

It’s not like I don’t know how the Empire feels about the Ka`har, but I can’t just kick him out.

“Do you understand? Right now, you’ve brought a Suin paladin into the capital solely because he’s your kin. It’s a sensitive issue that will inevitably lead to all sorts of speculation about your intentions.”

“Speculation?”

“Like you’re gathering forces from the east to build a Ka`har faction within the Empire, or using them to erode the Empire from within. In extreme cases, there might even be concerns that you’re planning an uprising like the Militia.”

Is that how it’s seen?

Admittedly, it does make sense from an outsider’s perspective.

“Ja-han is the only warrior coming. It doesn’t seem like there will be others. Even my personal guard has turned their backs on me.”

Considering even Mersin, who was supposed to be my closest ally, betrayed me, the only Ka`har who’ll come to the Empire from now on are probably those who want my head.

So the speculations Leopold mentioned are just baseless rumors from the start.

[Didn’t you turn your back on them first?]

‘Well, the back was turned, wasn’t it? What does the order matter?’

[How shameless.]

Hersela grumbled as usual, but since it was already a done deal, she didn’t complain further.

“That’s hard to say. And even if it were true, it wouldn’t matter to those who want to harm you… Well, fine. I’ll handle the explanations for them this time, but be more careful in the future.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

And so, the issue of Ja-han’s defection was resolved with Leopold covering for me.

—

“By the way, the inspections at the city gates were unusually strict today. Did something happen while I was away?”

In the past, they would’ve let me through just by seeing my face, but this time they even checked everyone inside the carriage.

The inspection methods wouldn’t have changed suddenly unless something had happened.

“You haven’t heard yet? While you were away, three nobles of the capital lost their lives. One count and two barons. All from Duke Bien’s faction. The inspections were tightened because of that.”

“Three nobles of the capital…? How did that happen…?”

A baron is one thing, but a count’s death is a major incident.

Counts are considered powerful nobles in their own right.

“It was an assassination. And by a magic-wielding assassin at that. According to witnesses, it was a giant wielding a sword wrapped in lightning. The knights managed to track him down, but he self-destructed the moment they tried to capture him, so his identity remains unknown. The explosion was so intense that not even a body was left. We couldn’t figure out who sent him, what his purpose was, or even if he was human.”

An assassin, huh? So that’s what happened.

I couldn’t even begin to guess who was behind it.

Among the enemies I know, there’s no assassin who wields a lightning sword.

“At least it’s a relief that he couldn’t defeat the knights. He doesn’t seem to be some superhuman powerhouse.”

If he were that strong, he would’ve slaughtered the knights and escaped, not self-destructed.

The fact that he self-destructed proves he was nothing more than a skilled assassin.

“That’s true. If the assassin were as strong as you, there wouldn’t be any nobles left in the capital.”

Leopold nodded, adjusting his posture slightly as he sipped his tea.

I also picked up the teacup on the table and brought it to my lips.

“Speaking of assassinations…is that proposal you made before still valid?”

“Which proposal are you referring to…?”

Leopold set down his teacup and looked at me directly, as if to say this was important and I should pay attention.

“That…the proposal to assassinate the King of Panam. If you’re still on board, I’m thinking it might be time to carry it out.”

I took a slight breath and set down the tea I was drinking.

Indeed, it was a very important matter.