Reset Life – Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Time to Grant the Request 4

Imperial Year 375, November 5th.

“I am Arisein Herduke—!”

“The second son of the Herduke family has appeared—!”

8:00 PM. Those leisurely enjoying their dinner would be forced to face an unjust situation, their tranquility shattered.

Naturally, as the son of a suspected traitor, I am also a target for arrest. Although the warrant hasn’t reached Orknesia yet, wanted posters with my face on them are already plastered all over the Imperial Capital.

The Security Force has only one way of dealing with wanted individuals:

Apprehension.

That’s precisely why the Imperial Capital’s evening is facing such an unjust situation.

Security personnel spread out, informing the citizens of my appearance. I can clearly hear their shouts, urging people to report any sightings immediately.

Thus, I nonchalantly remarked,

“They’ve already stripped me of my title, huh? Where did the ‘Pen’ and ‘Bre’ in the middle go?”

“Didn’t the ‘Pen’ come from the Azot Royal Family? They wouldn’t be able to just remove it.”

“That’s true. Perhaps they’re doing this to address you more conveniently.”

Levidian nodded. I shrugged and leaped onto the roof of another building, and she effortlessly followed.

“There’s a reward for those who cooperate with the arrest! Anyone who sees Arisein Herduke, report immediately—!”

Hearing the voice passing just 10 meters below, I shrugged again.

Currently, Levidian and I are practically flying across the rooftops. With each jump, we soar up to 20 meters and cover a distance of about 50 meters forward. The night wind brushing against my face is refreshing.

Lucy chuckled and said,

“I wonder what their expressions would be like if they knew the wanted man himself was moving around 30 meters above their heads?”

“They’d probably make excuses, saying they didn’t have the time to look up.”

The only thing Levidian and I had to worry about was a sudden onset of acrophobia. Thanks to the Jumping Feather spell, which allows for a gentle ascent and a leisurely descent, the three of us were soaring through the skies of the Imperial Capital.

There were many things we could do in the air. We could flip our bodies for fun, fly like birds, and even support ourselves with our palms when touching down. Magic is truly fascinating. However, that soon became boring, and the three of us resorted to running (?) across the Imperial Capital’s sky.

Levidian, the first to get used to this situation, glanced down and nonchalantly said,

“But wouldn’t making this much noise be more dangerous? The Imperial Capital’s security will be doubled. I don’t think this is the right time to carry out the rescue operation.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

I said confidently.

If they receive reports of my sightings like this, the Security Force will either rush out to catch me or request backup from their superiors. Then, as many personnel as possible will be dispatched to thoroughly search the area around the reported location.

This will temporarily concentrate security forces in one area, creating a void and weakening security in other areas.

But what if reports of Arisein Herduke sightings flood in from all over the Imperial Capital?

Security personnel will be dispatched after receiving the reports and confirming the locations. Even if they’re false alarms, it will still create a small-scale security void in those areas for an hour or two.

Issues other than Arisein Herduke will be neglected.

The problem is, this small-scale security void will occur across the entire Imperial Capital. If holes are poked everywhere in the well-organized security system, like cheese, the outcome is obvious.

The Imperial Capital’s security will fall into great chaos.

I am the one who caused this chaos, and for this chaos, reports of Arisein Herduke sightings will be flooding in for an hour this evening.

The number is a whopping 45.

It’s enough to shake the Imperial Capital from the outskirts to the center.

After explaining this, I added,

“This chaos is only possible because I’m a rather influential figure.”

“Then wouldn’t someone, after seeing this chaos, realize that it’s a trick to rescue your family right before the trial?”

“Ah, of course they will. About 3 hours later.”

“Huh?”

She widened her eyes and tilted her head in confusion.

Instead of explaining the process of how the various Security Bureaus would connect the dots, hold a Security Summit, and figure out my plan, and how long it would take, I simply smiled and said,

“There’s quite a significant time difference between someone who starts by creating chaos and someone who starts after the chaos has already begun.”

“Ah, I see. So that’s why you can leisurely head to the mansion now?”

“That’s right.”

Of course, this chaos alone won’t create a ‘festival.’ The chaos is just a part of the festival, a method of staging.

I’ve prepared many stages for tonight. Some things I started preparing a few days ago when I arrived in the Imperial Capital, and some things I prepared much earlier.

Let me tell you in advance, I’m not someone who enjoys wasting time.

Even before I died, I held the virtuous belief that wasting time was the root of all waste, and after I died, I didn’t have a single moment to spare.

The time I spent lying low in the Imperial Capital.

That means I wasn’t just playing around with Levidian for nearly 3 years.

“Oh, we’re almost at our destination. Looks like ‘that side’ is ready too?”

The ‘that side’ Lucy is referring to is the rooftop of a building not far from the Herduke family mansion. It’s located lower than other buildings, making it invisible from the front of the mansion.

Jay and some members of the AJOR organization were already waiting there.

The three of us, including myself, gently flew through the air and landed on the rooftop.

“Hey, boss, making a grand entrance, I see.”

“Are you ready?”

“Who’s orders do you think these are? We wouldn’t dare neglect them. We’re all set. Just give us the signal to start the fireworks—! and it’ll be mayhem everywhere.”

Jay had a somewhat tired face, but he smiled pleasantly. He looked at us as we arrived and then stopped, his eyes widening as he saw Lucy.

“Wow! Dude, you’re dressed up nicely!”

“How do I look? Does it suit me?”

Lucy was wearing a robe with a red background and a strange pattern of overlapping gold squares. The flashy yet powerful design, reminiscent of his magic book, truly suited him.

I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted that a festival requires a festive costume. Since it also fits the role he’s playing, I decided not to question his sense of style.

I said to Jay,

“Then let’s begin the final check.”

“Aye! Alright, everyone scatter! Be back in 5 minutes!”

The AJOR members dispersed at once.

Currently, the Imperial Capital should be in a frenzy due to the reports of Arisein Herduke’s appearances.

Should I say that Duke Ecoshian’s words have come true, at least halfway?

I’ve become a big shot capable of shaking the Imperial Capital. Although the fact that I’m a wanted man leaves a bitter aftertaste.

A short while later, the members returned one by one. They brought the good news that there were no problems in their assigned areas. Finally, the last member returned and reported the same as the others.

“No problems.”

I smiled with satisfaction.

“Alright, everyone smile. The fun festival is about to begin.”

The AJOR members silently smiled and nodded. Lucy grinned, holding his gold-trimmed staff. I was pleased with the sight.

“Good. Keep that expression. Today is a festival. A lively spectacle is about to unfold. You’ll be missing out if you don’t smile.”

“Who would dare disobey your words, My Lord?”

“Cut the court mage act, Lucy. Regardless of whether it suits you or not.”

“Tsk. Still, I’m glad it suits me.”

“A mage who betrays his lord and plots conspiracies. Just as the stories say.”

“What?!”

Lucy’s reaction brought even more amusement to my face and the faces of the AJOR members. It’s important to have the leisure to joke around before a big event.

I drew my sword.

“Let’s go!”

8:30 PM. The Arisein-hosted Imperial Capital Festival begins!

“I heard Arisein Herduke appeared.”

“It’s not really our concern, is it? If he comes here, we just have to catch him and throw him in the mansion.”

“Isn’t the wanted poster a bit too widespread for that kind of treatment?”

“He’s the Knight of Light who saved the Imperial Capital, you know. Who knows? He might try to rescue his family single-handedly.”

“Haha! That’s ridiculous…… But wait, where did this fog come from?”

“The weather’s been like this lately. Ugh, when will our shift be over?”

The Security Force members guarding the perimeter of the Herduke family mansion chatted leisurely.

Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack……

Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed from down the street. And the streetlights began to go out one by one. Following the sound of the approaching hooves, each streetlight extinguished in turn.

Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack……

“Wh-what’s going on?”

“Huh? Hey, the streetlights……! Hey! What’s happening over there?!”

No answer.

“Hey! Everyone gather around!”

They gathered the others nearby.

During the day, Security Force members are stationed every 3 meters, and at night, two members are stationed every 10 meters. Soon, everyone within earshot had assembled.

They called out to their remaining comrades, those beyond the darkness, but there was no response.

Only the approaching sound of hooves, and another streetlight going out, drew closer and closer to them.

“Wh-wh-who is it?!”

“Halt!”

But the sound of hooves did not stop. The clicking sound slowly approached like a prelude to something.

From within the darkness, ‘it’ revealed its form.

A black horse, its appearance difficult to discern in the darkness. Its coat gleamed with an obsidian sheen, and it snorted lightly, seemingly unburdened by its rider.

Perhaps it was only natural for the horse to treat its rider so casually. After all, if there was anyone who could make light of any situation, it would be the rider, whom one might describe as utterly thoughtless.

“Aaah, uwaah……!”

The rider, clad in black armor and a tattered cloak fluttering in the wind.

As his figure came into view, everyone froze, their faces pale with terror.

His shoulders were shrouded in darkness. In other words, there was nothing there.

A Security Force member screamed.

“A-a headless knight—!”

The rider pulled the reins as if to confirm the truth. The horse reared, letting out a loud whinny.

The Security Force members, either fainting from fear or already having lost their will to live, couldn’t even fathom the concept of resistance.

I glanced at my pocket watch, listening to the cacophony of screams erupting from all directions. A festival needs a parade to be complete, right?

“It’s quite effective. Everyone is in a panic.”

Levidian peeked over the edge and smiled brightly.

By now, the main street leading to the front of the Herduke family mansion should have transformed into a scene straight out of an old wives’ tale.

Mysterious stories that anyone who had ever huddled by a fireplace or nestled in their grandmother’s lap, begging for a story, would have heard.

Starting with the headless knight who appeared from my side, there was a werewolf, a grim reaper wielding a giant scythe, a ghost draped in a single sheet, and many more.

Aside from the darkness, I orchestrated everything.

Lucy was responsible for the fog and the streetlights, and the Black New Moon is currently assassinating, or rather, rendering unconscious, the unresponsive Security Force members. They’re probably diligently knocking them out right now.

“Hieeeek—!”

An incomprehensible scream came from nearby, and Levidian giggled.

“Scaring people is surprisingly fun.”

“Once you get a taste of it, you can’t help but get addicted.”

“Ah, I see. So that’s why Risel keeps teasing me. Stop changing the subject and answer me.”

“Well, it’s time.”

“I said stop changing the subject.”

I shrugged and approached the items I had prepared. Levidian, with a sullen expression, helped me set them up.

A thick, long cylinder pointing towards the sky, its supports, and a long fuse hanging down. The preparations were complete.

“I’ll light it.”

“Yes.”

She moved away, and I lit the fuse.

Sizzle……

With a small spark, the fuse began to burn. I quickly joined Levidian and drew my sword, and she followed suit.

Finally, the fuse burned down and disappeared into the thick cylinder. A small puff of smoke rose, and I waited nervously for the reaction.

Whoosh—!

With a sound that could be considered the great-grandfather of the fuse’s sizzling, a massive ball of light shot up into the sky. Levidian looked at it and then at me with an expression that seemed to say, “That’s all?” I smiled meaningfully.

Kaboom—!

A giant firework exploded right above our heads.

The firework bloomed like a chrysanthemum, radiating a brilliant yellow light that painted a fleeting picture in the sky before disappearing. Following closely behind, a second and then a third firework soared into the sky, transforming the Imperial Capital’s night into a field of blossoming lights.

Bang-! Kaboom-! Boom-! Crackle—!

Among the connections I made during the past 3 years, there was also a fireworks craftsman. He was planning to create dazzling fireworks, and I became his biggest sponsor. The craftsman managed to create the fireworks earlier than expected.

These fireworks, never used in any event before, would evoke fear rather than wonder. They began to bloom all over the Imperial Capital, starting from the back of the mansion.

Rumble! Boom! Kaboom—!

Flashes of light followed by delayed rumbling sounds. Explosions and flashes of light happening right above their heads. It was like a sudden thunderstorm on a clear day.

The Security Force members, already shaken by the various fantastical creatures, and the unfortunate citizens caught in the crossfire, wouldn’t be regaining their composure anytime soon.

“What’s that?”

“Oh my god……!”

“Achuni, help us!”

Hearing the screams from all directions, those who had been hiding began to open their windows and peek outside, driven by fear and curiosity.

They turned their heads towards the source of the following voice.

“Uwahahaha—! The gods do not favor you—!”

“Th-that’s!”

“Who is that—!”

The Security Force members who had fled from the fairytale creatures gathered at the mansion’s main gate, hoping to find strength in numbers, but it seemed their numbers were meaningless.

Lucy stood in mid-air, dramatically raising his arms.

“Behold—! You who have imprisoned and persecuted the innocent! You who have committed sins without remorse! Your excuses will not reach the heavens, but your sins have reached the heavens and seeped into the earth!”

With that cry, the various creatures that had been tormenting the Security Force members gathered below Lucy. The headless knight, the werewolf, the moving tree, and other grotesque figures emerged from the darkness.

“Do you see them?! If you do, then feel it! This is proof that your sins have manifested on earth!”

Lucy swung his staff and passionately declared. It was a truly fitting scene. Only Lucy could pull off such a bold and embarrassing act without hesitation.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Yes. Good work.”

I leaped from the building and slowly descended into the midst of the monsters. Lucy improvised, shouting,

“But sins can be forgiven! Injustice can be rectified with justice! Behold! The Knight of Light, Arisein, has appeared to forgive your sins!”

As soon as his cry faded, I landed on the ground. Immediately, the surrounding monsters stopped moving and began to bow before me.

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