Chapter 14
The tears didn’t fall. There was just something thick and suffocating lodged inside him, something he wanted to vomit out. He wanted to scream his lungs out, but it was as if his throat was sealed shut, so he screamed again. The greed of the lord, who had brought them nothing but misery, would eventually lead to death. The absurdity and injustice of it all made Ethan’s breath come in ragged gasps.
“Done screaming?”
“……More or less.”
“How do you feel?”
“It’s unfair.”
His entire life had been unfair, but seeing this made it even more so. It was clear that they, too, would be swept up in the lord’s greed at the end. Rebellion? If war broke out, who would even wield those swords and spears? The residents, who had lived like slaves, would ultimately be driven to their deaths in the end.
“……Drugs and rebellion? It’s a mercy they didn’t engage in slave trading.”
“Ah, well. You can’t tax slaves, can you?”
“……”
Damn it. The logic was so twisted, so blatantly shameless, that Ethan didn’t even have the energy to feel sadder.
Del picked up a box filled with drugs and a few weapons. The lord’s insignia was engraved on the weapons. Del shook his head, muttering, “Rebelling while leaving such obvious evidence—this is a first.” Ethan, who had been worried about how they’d carry the heavy load, watched as the items disappeared effortlessly into Del’s bag. He decided not to question it. He’d better not accidentally stick his head in there.
“Let’s go.”
Del urged Ethan forward, saying they couldn’t stay too long. The hand pulling Ethan’s exhausted body was surprisingly firm and strong. Ethan let himself lean into it, walking slowly. Del grumbled but didn’t let go of his hand.
The way up wasn’t as long as the way down. Maybe it was because they both wanted to escape this place as quickly as possible. As they emerged, dust swirled up from the ground. It was late enough that they’d look suspicious if anyone saw them, so Ethan handed Del his handkerchief again.
“Did they turn a blind eye?”
When they returned to the dark garden, Ethan asked. Del had already known what was down there when they descended. If he’d come here on the “Emperor’s errand,” then the Emperor must have known what was happening in this city, too.
“The Emperor can’t see everything.”
“Even so…….”
“Ethan, the one who made you live like slaves is this city’s lord.”
Was that all? Was complicity not a crime? What about what they’d just heard? The Emperor had turned a blind eye to the drug trade because the taxes kept rolling in. The lord, to justify the fortune flowing into his pockets, exploited the residents even more, and the people here—though technically free—lived no better than slaves.
“……If the lord really is a rebel, what happens to us?”
“Rebels are executed on the spot. The city is annihilated. Everywhere needs an example.”
“It’s unfair.”
The injustice surged to the top of his head. The lord’s endless wealth never trickled down to the residents. Instead, he’d even taxed the water they drank, accelerating their exploitation. Ethan had seen too many children in the slums drink from the Southern Puddle, only to die from food poisoning. Young boys and girls, with no way to survive, had to walk into the bedrooms of rich gentlemen and ladies of their own accord. And yet, they still had to scrape by like mayflies.
“I’ve never had my fill. So why do we have to be treated the same?”
Had they ever been seen as human? They were nothing more than things to be stepped on, exploited. And yet, they were expected to bear the same responsibility. It was infuriating.
“That’s how it is.”
Del muttered, staring into the void. Now that someone from the ducal family knew of the rebellion preparations, this city was doomed. Ethan would probably be fine following Del, but what about the other children? His head throbbed.
“We’ve found everything we needed.”
“……Then let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
Either way, he didn’t want to stay here. He didn’t want to see the traces of someone who had meddled with the forbidden, who had exploited them to the very end. Until the bitter end, they were nothing but the lord’s pawns—not even people worthy of being called “our lord.” He just desperately racked his brain for a way to evacuate the children from the slums.
“No matter how much you think about it, nothing will change.”
“……I know.”
As his anger subsided, Ethan felt awkwardly embarrassed and stood up. His clothes were a mess. He felt bad for ruining the expensive outfit. Del glanced at Ethan’s disheveled state and pulled out a bottle of alcohol from his bag. ……What was in that bag? He was genuinely curious.
“……What’s this?”
“A boy who got drunk and rolled on the floor after seeing his childhood sweetheart, the baron’s daughter, dance with another man.”
“That’s pathetic!”
“It’s the only scenario I could think of. Got a better idea?”
“……Damn it!”
A few drops of the remaining alcohol splashed onto his head. Ethan rubbed his reddened face with his dry hand. For a moment, he’d forgotten about what was underground. The fact that he was worried about his appearance right now meant his expectations had hit rock bottom. Well, his goal had always been to cross the desert and escape to another city, just like most people here.
Del walked lightly through the tangled paths, as if he had a natural talent for finding his way. Ethan, who had lost his way while walking, wondered if all magicians were good at navigation. But the direction they were heading seemed a bit off.
“Lost?”
“……How can you walk ahead so confidently?”
He’d never seen someone get lost with such confidence. He almost got dragged into it himself. Fortunately, Del had at least brought him to the fountain, so he could find his way from there. Ethan grabbed Del’s arm, which kept veering off course, and returned to the building where the party was in full swing. The couples enjoying their honeymoon had already claimed the bushes, making it even easier to find their way.
“Come on, lean on me!”
“……What?”
“How’s a drunk supposed to walk? Come on, drape your arm over my shoulder.”
Did he think Ethan was some kind of actor? Still, if they wanted to leave the party without drawing attention at this early stage, it might be best to play along with Del’s scenario. His clothes were rumpled, as if he’d rolled on the floor several times. The smell of alcohol wafted from his hair. He really did look like a lovesick fool who’d gotten drunk and made a mess of himself. His pride might take a hit, but this wasn’t the real him, so it didn’t matter.
“Where did Miss Baslin go……? Oh, my…….”
“I think he’s had a bit too much to drink.”
Though his face was hidden as he bowed his head, Del’s voice carried a hint of moisture. Maybe Del would have been better at playing the part. A sharp gaze pricked the top of his head. Since his companion was drunk, they couldn’t stay at the party any longer. And one of the voices belonged to someone who found that very regrettable.
“What a shame. I suppose we’ll have to leave early.”
“It can’t be helped…… Shall I assist the gentleman?”
Ethan almost shook his head at the excessive kindness. It might look convincing at a glance, but leaning on someone would give him away. As he hesitated, wondering what to do,
“Oh dear, young master!”
“Coachman…….”
“How could you drink so much when you can’t even hold your liquor? Ah, thank you. I’ll take care of the young master and the lady.”
“Very well. Do as you please.”
Since his own employee was more comfortable, the man didn’t press further. The coachman bowed slightly and lifted Ethan’s arm high—too realistically!—and they were able to leave the mansion, glittering like jewels. As they stepped outside, the familiar darkness and carriage greeted them. Only then did the coachman set Ethan down. When he lifted his dizzy head, there was no one around. Only the large, familiar carriage stood before him.
The coachman asked Del,
“Did everything go well, sir?”
“Better than expected.”
“I see. That’s how it is, then.”
The coachman’s question was met with Del’s answer—a subjectless remark, yet somehow, they understood each other. It was strange how they all appeared as if they knew everything, yet in reality, they knew nothing. The coachman, who had shown up at just the right time, seemed to know something, but maybe magicians just spoke in riddles. He even felt out of touch with the trends.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
