Chapter 240: Living Like This (5)
Since they originated from the underworld organizations, assassins, and intelligence organizations, their identities were not properly managed.
Moreover, as the head of the organization, though it’s embarrassing to admit, AJOR has some members on the wanted list. Even though we aimed for a relatively clean underworld organization, there are records of illegal activities.
“First, we will conduct re-education throughout the winter. The Sky Ears, who originally handled information, are fine, but the members of AJOR, Black New Moon, and Mangya are the problem. Especially AJOR. They need education that’s almost equivalent to brainwashing.”
“Have you prepared the curriculum?”
“Of course. Ehem!”
For a moment, I feel sorry for the members. Well, what can I do? This is for their immunity and promotion.
My father said he would declare the founding of the Herduke Empire after things are roughly organized. And the Herduke Empire will have a unique and powerful department that was not seen in the Kingdom, its origin, or the Anopuri Empire, its foundation.
That would be the Intelligence Bureau, capable of gathering information, espionage, manipulating information, and even assassination.
Either my father or my brother will become the Emperor, and I will be appointed as the Director of this Intelligence Bureau. In that position, I intend to establish a tradition of using this Intelligence Bureau for good.
In fact, one of the reasons the Anopuri Empire faded into history was because it couldn’t listen to the detailed voices of the people and the central government was ignorant of the situations in the provinces.
Only pleasant sounds were reported, but that would have festered internally rather than improved. That continued for nearly 380 years, so it eventually collapsed like this.
“Even though it’s for listening to honest voices, I can’t deny the fun of listening to other people’s secrets. After all, other people’s secrets are fun to listen to. That’s also the reason I took charge of Sky Ears.”
“Is that the biggest reason?”
“Hehehe.”
Aila smiled ambiguously, and I covered my forehead. I should never let my daughter meet someone from the Intelligence Bureau in the future.
It was while I was having teatime with Aila, handling both public and private matters.
“Levidian is here. Namia and Joey have also come.”
“Yes, let them in.”
Perhaps due to the prolonged war, she was wearing casual clothes for a while. Today, she was wearing a modest skirt, a blouse, and a vest. However, under those thighs and sleeves were sharply honed daggers.
Following her, two people entered, looking different from their usual attire.
Namia was wearing a traveling priestess’s robe instead of the ceremonial one she wore after the war, and Joey also looked like he was about to leave.
“Welcome. But you two…… your clothes are strange?”
“Yes, well, are we interrupting?”
“What are you talking about? I’m free these days. Come, sit down.”
I offered them seats. Namia sat silently on the sofa, and Joey, as usual, sat on the floor. Levidian naturally sat next to me. She said,
“We met on the way here, saying we had something to discuss.”
“Something to discuss?”
“Yes. We’ve treated all the post-war wounded and done a lot of public service. The fever disappeared after the Imperial Palace collapsed, Artshever is dead, and Lucy-hyungnim and Silvan Harcian are chasing after Referndi, so Nuna and I thought we had nothing left to do. So, we’re planning to return to the temple.”
“The temple, you mean the Light of Origin?”
Joey and Namia nodded at my question. Come to think of it, Namia is now the High Priestess of the Lynin Religion and the earthly representative of Lynin. The Empire is heavily influenced by Achuni, but she is currently gaining fame as the Saintess of Light.
Namia’s spokesperson, Joey, scratched his head.
“It feels like we’re leaving in a hurry, but the Light of Origin says that while spreading the gospel for the light in the capital is good, the High Priestess position should be officially succeeded. They probably want to see the earthly representative of Lynin quickly. Azot is in an uproar.”
“Ah, I guess so. You haven’t been to the Grand Temple once since becoming the High Priestess, so the pressure must be immense.”
I nodded. In the end, the time has come for them to move towards their respective goals. Until now, we’ve been running towards the same goal, but now that we’ve achieved it, our paths diverge again.
Aila frowned, looking disappointed.
“Still, it’s a bit sad. Even though we can meet again, it would be nice to have a meal together before parting.”
“Ah, we’ll do that next time we come.”
“When will that be? When you return, you’ll have to visit all the Lynin temples throughout Azot, right? The pilgrims will be coming in droves too.”
Levidian nodded at Aila’s words. She must be feeling the same way. I am too.
We won’t be able to see each other for a few years. Traveling all over Azot, pilgrimages, prayer meetings, etc. History tells us how much a denomination is shaken whenever a sacred artifact appears.
Joey scratched his head.
“Well, it’s not something that will end in a year, but we should be able to come back relatively soon. Nuna became quite well-known during the war. We’re thinking of doing missionary work for Lynin in the land that will become the Herduke Empire. If possible, we want to build a temple in the capital.”
“Ah, is that so? Then, are you going now to announce that plan?”
“It’s part of the reason. Azot and the Empire aren’t enemies like they used to be, right? So, the religious world should also open their hearts to each other and welcome a better future. High Priest Damachi Ir welcomed the idea.”
“That’s a joyous occasion. But it’s a bit sudden. Is there anything else going on?”
Levidian tilted her head. Indeed, even though their new goal has been set, this is a bit sudden. It was Namia, who had been silent, who answered her question.
“There’s a duty for the High Priestess.”
“Duty? What kind of duty?”
“Blessing the marriage of the Azot Royal Family.”
“That is…… Princess Mideijel is getting married soon.”
“Huh?”
At Joey’s words, Levidian, Aila, and I all opened our mouths in surprise. Daisy is getting married? This is the first time I’m hearing this! Even during the war, I didn’t hear anything about it!
With a dazed expression, I unconsciously asked,
“To whom?”
“You might remember, but it’s a knight named Sir Levlin Myard of the Azot Royal Knights. You know, the Azot Royal Knight who was building the open-air tavern when we went as envoys to Azot.”
“Levlin Myard?”
I furrowed my brow, trying to recall the memory. I went as an envoy to Azot six years ago. And during the construction of the Empire Culture Street……! Ah! That’s right!
“Didn’t an Imperial Army officer and his sister get married?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“Right, that’s right. I don’t know him well, but he seemed like a very upright person. He seemed flexible too. But how did he end up getting married? Well, as a Royal Knight, he would have had opportunities to get close.”
I nodded.
Lime-hyung always said he would let Daisy marry someone she loves. Is Daisy finally finding happiness?
But in the parallel dimension where I lived my previous life, I remember her committing suicide and not leaving any descendants…… Ah, does it matter? This parallel dimension is the origin now. In the parallel dimensions that will branch out from now on, all Daisies will be happy. That’s a relief.
“That’s something to celebrate. But isn’t the ceremony too sudden? If you two have to go back right now, it means it’s not far off, right?”
At my words, Namia turned her head, and Joey scratched the back of his head again. Is there something they can’t say?
An awkward silence followed, and then Joey carefully spoke.
“Ahem, ahem. Well, you see…… their passion overflowed……”
“You mean a shotgun wedding?”
The three of us who personally knew Daisy, Aila, Levidian, and I, had to make dumbfounded expressions. No wonder Lime-hyung didn’t say a word about such an important matter.
Aila crossed her arms and smiled bitterly.
“Tsk. There’s nothing we can do if that’s the case. By the way, Daisy is unexpectedly amazing. Not everyone can do that.”
“We should…… congratulate them, right?”
“We should. We should send a gift when the official invitation arrives. Whether we can go is questionable. I understand why you two have to leave quickly.”
Aila and Levidian nodded simultaneously. And Namia let out a small sigh and muttered,
“National disgrace……”
“Ahem! Ahem! Anyway, Azot is in an uproar right now. So, we have to go quickly……”
“Ah, right. It’s a shame, but what can we do? It’ll be troublesome if the schedule is delayed. Then Namia, Joey, please give my regards to Daisy. And please bless the child that will be born.”
The two nodded. And so, I sent off my friends whom I wouldn’t see for a few years.
How long will it be until we can see each other again?
23rd of May, Year 1 of the Herduke Empire.
Judging by the increasingly hot weather, it seems like we’ve come quite far south.
Heading south as we approach midsummer, we could lament our fate of running towards the heat.
We passed through several villages and cities on our way. And based on the recent rumors I’ve heard, the news of the Emperor disappearing immediately after his enthronement hasn’t spread yet.
However, I’m worried because I’ve heard that the remaining soldiers causing trouble in the surrounding areas are a headache. Should we take care of them all before we go? But if my location is accidentally revealed while doing so, that wouldn’t be a good situation either.
“I should write a letter to the capital. I’ll tell them to absorb the remnants of the former Imperial Army who are acting like bandits or wandering around. Should I call it an imperial order?”
“That would be good, but if they were going to surrender in the first place, they wouldn’t be acting like bandits. Plus, they’ve already committed crimes, so they need to be punished. How about sending a subjugation force composed of the former Kingdom Army?”
“But the war is over, so I don’t think it’s good to shed more blood…… Should we just leave them alone?”
“That would be good too. The dazzling achievements of the Regent, who is standing in for the Emperor who disappeared immediately after his enthronement, will decorate the first page of the new Empire’s history.”
Levidian said with a grin as she rode. We had just crushed another group of bandits.
We can’t subjugate those in other regions, but we can somehow manage those who block our path. However, the problem, if you can call it that, is that Levidian has been avoiding using her full strength lately.
“The capital must be in an uproar, right?”
“They probably are. To flee with the Empress less than a day after enthronement. It must be absurd. I wonder how historians will record this. Ah, you and Hyung pushed me to become the Emperor back then. But when I decided to flee, you readily agreed. Don’t you think there’s a contradiction in your actions?”
She spoke with a bright smile as she rode. And her voice was carried by the wind.
“I knew this would happen!”
For a very brief moment, I couldn’t help but wear a blank expression.
She knows me.
That means she knew from the beginning that if I became the Emperor, I would be the type to run away.
In the end, to win the bet……!
Gaaaaah!
“St, Stop right there! Immediately! Hiyah! Run! Stop! I said stop! How could you do this to me! Stop! I won’t let you off if I catch you!”
She, who was running far ahead, laughed mischievously and shouted.
“I’m sorry! You said you’d do anything for me, right? Even if you catch me, let me go! Oh ho ho ho!”
“Argh! Argh! You’re a villainess! Damn it! I was blind!”
I gritted my teeth at my fate and chased after her. Still, I must have been born with the fate of a fool……
But this moment is enjoyable.
That’s life.
Rejoicing, grieving, being surprised, getting angry, loving, hating, fearing.
It’s about constantly running forward, carrying both hope and its twin, despair.
No one knows where that destination will be.
Because no one knows, we live life interestingly.
By transforming the fear of the unknown into the joyful anticipation of seeing an unopened gift box.
Even if you know the future, no one knows if that future will actually come true in the next moment.
How boring would it be if you knew everything?
I’m glad that my Reset Life has such fun.
If it had flowed exactly as I remembered, it wouldn’t have been this enjoyable.
Yes, I think so.
It’s thanks to this joy that people overcome difficult times, endure painful times, and reap sweet rewards.
Perhaps the saying, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet,” means just that.
Everyone endures and overcomes, works hard to achieve results, and is always grateful for those results.
And they have loved ones with them.
Anyone can have a successful life.
Everyone does.
That’s how they live.
That’s why it’s life, and that’s why it’s called life.
Let’s go! My life ahead is full of things to enjoy!
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