Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 10

Chapter Title: Shadows in Anu Palace

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After spending the entire morning in meetings with envoys from neighboring countries, Kamin returned to his office looking exhausted.

The moment he sat down in his chair, he closed his eyes.

Barts, who had entered the room with him, checked the Crown Prince's complexion and asked how he wanted to handle lunch.

"No appetite. What's on the schedule after this?"

"Nothing major. There's a dinner with the ministers of the Six Departments this evening."

"So the afternoon is free."

Kamin declared he wanted to be alone until evening and sent all his attendants out of the room.

As he sank deeper into the chair, intending to catch a quick nap, he suddenly sensed a presence by the window.

Soon, the sound of the window opening came.

"Back early, I see."

Kamin murmured softly as he opened his eyes.

Jahankun stood before him.

Kamin straightened his back and rubbed the nape of his neck.

"Anything happen outside?"

"She made contact with your organization."

"What? How?"

"I don't know how she found out, but she headed straight to Laura Pawnshop after leaving the palace."

Kamin furrowed his brow.

"That's a place for special clients only... Damn it, looks like Edmond let something slip. Who did she meet, and what did they talk about?"

"She met Max and commissioned a job."

Jahankun roughly relayed the conversation between Leona and Max.

After hearing it, Kamin stood from his chair and left the room.

As Jahankun slipped out the window discreetly, Kamin announced he was heading out incognito, throwing his attendants into a frenzy.

Since the Crown Prince's beloved horse was already famous in the capital, Kamin left Nacha in the palace and rode a different steed out.

Casey and seven other elite guards followed to provide protection.

But the moment they left the palace, Kamin overrode Casey's objections, shook off his escorts, and moved alone.

The guards tried to tail him secretly, but Kamin's movements were too elusive, and they soon lost track of him.

Edmond, deep in his ancient texts, jumped in surprise at Kamin's sudden appearance.

"What brings you here? I figured you'd only show up on your regular day off."

"Why did you drag Leona into the Sandcastle? What are you plotting?"

Edmond looked flustered as Kamin confronted him directly.

"Plotting? What are you talking about?"

"She commissioned a job at the Sandcastle today, didn't she?"

"How did you know that?"

"Just answer me. You set it up so she'd go to them, right? What's your angle?"

"Don't misunderstand. I just thought she could be useful to you, so I gave her a silver badge in case you needed her. It was purely out of goodwill."

"Pure goodwill?"

Kamin snorted skeptically, giving him a suspicious look.

Frustrated, Edmond pounded his chest.

"It's true. Do I look like I have the spare time for schemes? I'm pouring every ounce of effort into stopping the apocalypse, and it's still not enough. Look at me—investigating anomalies across the continent and finding ways to fight the giants, barely getting two hours of sleep a day!"

Edmond tossed the ancient tome he was holding at Kamin's feet.

Kamin picked it up and skimmed the contents.

It was a record of the achievements of emperors who had possessed the Guardian's Fragrance.

"You might think my work is futile, but I'm doing everything I can to avert the end. I don't expect anything from you, though. I've realized relying on you is hopeless. So I have no reason or spare time to pull some maid named Leona into this, got it?"

Edmond glared at Kamin, breathing heavily.

Kamin fell silent for a moment, then apologized.

"Sorry. I misunderstood."

Edmond snatched the book back from Kamin's hand and returned to his desk.

Even when Kamin tapped the desk to get his attention, Edmond ignored him, focusing solely on analyzing the tome.

Kamin felt awkward.

Edmond was the type to hold a grudge for a long time once upset.

He wanted to discuss Leona's commission, but things had gotten complicated.

Kamin paced around the desk before casually dangling some bait.

"Found any leads on countering the giants?"

"Why ask? You don't care anyway."

Edmond finally reacted.

Kamin glanced at the papers on the desk and struck up conversation again.

"Researching the Guardian's Fragrance, huh?"

Edmond's lips twitched.

He was starting to get itchy to talk.

"Any progress?"

Unable to hold back, Edmond handed Kamin the document he was working on.

"Take a look at this."

As Kamin scanned it, Edmond opened up fully.

"I collected folklore on the early Guardians and dug into records of emperors from a century ago. I was curious about exactly what power the 'Guardian's Fragrance' held to render the giants powerless. Examining cases where it was used, I inferred two effects. First is regeneration. Legends say, 'Where the Guardian's fragrance touches, dead land revives.' The first emperor's records prove it too—when his beloved pet died of illness, he revived it with the fragrance."

"There's also the tale that flowers and leaves turned toward the Guardian as he passed."

As Kamin nodded along, Edmond's voice grew more animated.

"Exactly. It infused life into nature; places where the Guardian stayed burst with vegetation. But this regeneration only worked on plants and animals, not humans."

Edmond handed Kamin another document.

"The second is weather control. The Guardian could manipulate temperature, rain, snow, and clouds at will. When emperors had the full Guardian's Fragrance, the empire rarely suffered typhoons or droughts, and harvests were bountiful every year. But after it faded, natural disasters struck more often, and famines began."

"Hearing that, I get how the Guardian could trap the giants behind ice walls."

"Right? In contrast, the giants' power is completely opposite."

Edmond rummaged through his desk and pulled out an illustrated album.

"This is a collection of pre-empire drawings. Not originals, but it has plenty of folk art depicting giant-related tales."

Kamin opened the album and flipped through slowly.

Scattered illustrations showed giants, drawn similarly to the real ones Kamin had seen.

As Kamin silently turned the pages, Edmond pointed to one.

"Look at this."

It depicted a giant eating a human.

Edmond pointed at the ground beneath the giant's feet.

"See the ground? Black lines like spiderwebs spread from its feet. Around those lines, not a blade of grass grows, and animals lie dead with eyes rolled back. Next page."

Kamin turned the page.

This one showed a group of giants tormenting humans.

Edmond focused on the ground again.

"See? The whole earth is blackened, barren. Every picture's the same. Wherever giants are, it turns to land of death. Current anomalies feel like a preview of their power."

Kamin closed the book and set it on the desk.

Edmond continued.

"Giants generate death, fear, and ruin just by existing. But the Guardian's Fragrance suppresses that aura. That's why they were powerless before it."

"You've uncovered a lot in such a short time."

Kamin was impressed, but Edmond slumped, disheartened.

"No real countermeasures yet."

"Plenty of time left. Keep at it."

Edmond shot Kamin a dirty look.

Kamin's expression and tone showed no sincerity.

"Thanks for the encouragement. What's the price for listening to my ramblings when you don't care?"

"Price?"

"Spit it out."

"Will you take Leona's commission?"

"That's what you wanted to know?"

Edmond let out a hollow laugh.

"Of course. My reputation's on the line."

Kamin's face hardened, and now Edmond looked wary.

"What's wrong? Something bothering you? You don't want us taking her job?"

"No. Handle it as she wants. And if you have time, look into a woman named Biota Helsian."

"Biota Helsian? The Emperor's new consort?"

"Yeah."

"Alright... Oh, found the place making the White Sword replica."

"Good. Completion timeline?"

"Predicting a month."

"A month..."

Kamin stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking abruptly.

"They start on Yora's necklace replica?"

"Yeah, but rare materials, so it'll take time."

"Send it to Jahankun as soon as it's done. And track this guy."

Kamin pulled a note from his pocket and gave it to Edmond.

Edmond glanced at it and tilted his head.

"Katago Tribe name, looks like."

"Correct."

"Who is he? Important?"

Kamin started to explain but clamped his mouth shut.

He didn't relish admitting the guy had spied on Leona bathing.

"...Yeah. Important. Just locate him."

"Location only?"

"Yeah. I'll handle him personally."

Kamin muttered through gritted teeth, sending a chill through Edmond at the inexplicable killing intent.

Kamin bid Edmond farewell and headed to where he'd left his horse.

While speeding through the city center, something caught his eye, and he halted abruptly.

Young women crowded a street vendor's stall, oddly drawing Kamin's gaze.

He approached and peered over them.

The stall displayed various women's accessories; the women eagerly searched for ones suiting them.

Strangely compelled, Kamin scratched his head and lingered.

Then, one girl started haggling with the vendor.

"Too expensive. That's absurd for a fabric bracelet."

"Can't afford it? Don't buy."

"Come on, discount it. I really like it."

"No way. Highest-grade fabric, hand-embroidered by a famous artisan. Can't sell cheaper without losing money."

"Still too much. Who but nobles could pay that? It'll sit until it's worn out, unsold. Better lower the price and sell to me."

"Jeez..."

"Discount it. See? Perfect fit for me."

She held the bracelet to her wrist.

Kamin's eyes lit up at the sight.

A subtle sheen on the blue band, dotted with red embroidered flowers, reminiscent of the Crown Prince's crest: a blue hawk with a red spot on its breast.

"I'll take it."

Kamin snatched it from her hand and tossed a gold coin to the vendor.

"No change needed."

The vendor beamed with joy; the girls gaped in shock.

Today was Miranda's New Year's holiday.

The night before, Miranda had asked Leona not to wake her, saying she'd sleep all day.

Leona rose at dawn as usual.

To avoid disturbing the sleeping Miranda, she quietly changed and slipped out.

Her destination was the Chief Supervisor's conference room.

By the Crown Prince's order, Leona's duties started at noon.

With time until then, she volunteered to assist with morning Chief Supervisor tasks.

Early each morning, the Crown Prince Palace Chief Supervisors held a joint meeting.

Leona cleaned and prepared the room beforehand.

When the meeting time came, Gerard, Cindy, and other senior servants and maids entered.

Soon, all attendees arrived, and the meeting began.

Leona stepped out and waited.

While waiting for it to end, she stared blankly at the hallway window.

By now, His Highness is probably training with the Imperial Guard at the drill grounds.

With state council meetings starting today, lunch will be in the outer courtyard.

The Tasting Department will prepare the food... should be fine for now, right?

(Tasting Department: The division responsible for preparing and managing palace cuisine)

In her past life, after toppling Supreme Maid Chief Odel, Biota ousted the heads of departments loyal to her and installed her own people, seizing control of the inner palace.

Those elevated by Biota subtly tormented the Crown Prince to curry her favor—for example:

The Tasting Department, overseeing ingredients for the Crown Prince Palace, sneaked in spoiled or toxic ones.

Fortunately, Gerard handled it, keeping food inside the palace safe.

But outside, the Crown Prince had to eat Tasting Department meals—non-poisonous but barely edible.

Yet he always ate them without a grimace.

Suddenly, Leona recalled him stoically downing muddy-tasting soup at a past banquet.

Her face twisted as she clenched her fist.

I have to stop Biota's rise. Or the same tragedies will repeat.

As dawn broke, the conference room door opened.

Leona waited for everyone to leave, then entered with her mop.

But Gerard and Cindy were still inside.

As she started to back out, Cindy called her.

"Come in. Close the door."

"...Yes."

Leona shut the door and stood by Cindy.

"Sit. We have something to discuss."

Leona sat in an empty seat; Cindy and Gerard exchanged glances.

Gerard spoke first.

"Cindy told me. The lord of Moran Palace threatened you to make you a spy?"

"Yes."

Gerard's face darkened.

"Do you know why she did that?"

"...I suspect to monitor His Highness and find weaknesses."

"We think so too, but... her true aim eludes us. She already has the Emperor's overflowing favor—what more does she need to target His Highness?"

"My thought is..."

Leona hesitated, gauging their reactions.

"Speak. We called you for your opinion."

Leona quickly calculated and offered a plausible view.

"I believe she's not targeting just His Highness, but the entire inner palace."

"The entire inner palace?"

"Yes. Laying groundwork to seize it."

"Groundwork..."

"She's surely not just after me. Recently, there was friction between her and the Supreme Maid Chief over dividend issues, but the Emperor sided with Moran Palace. Now the Inner Treasury Department bends to her, providing whatever she wants. With imperial favor and wealth, power tilts to Moran Palace. Soon, others will flock to her willingly. Plant spies in each palace, and the inner palace will be hers to command."

(Inner Treasury Department: Division managing inner palace finances)

Gerard and Cindy couldn't hide their surprise.

Gerard hummed thoughtfully before speaking gravely.

"Your reasoning holds. Recently, we got word the Ceremony Department Servant Chief has been in close contact with Moran Palace..."

Cindy gasped softly.

"Moran Palace reached out to Gilabo Servant Chief too?"

"Not confirmed."

Gerard glanced at Leona, then continued cautiously.

"But attempting to turn His Highness's close maid into a spy suggests it's possible. You know Gilabo's character, Cindy."

Cindy nodded heavily.

"Moran Palace's moves are ominous. Failed with Leona, so they'll target others here. Or maybe spies are already in place. What do we do?"

"Can't investigate everyone without evidence..."

"Stirring things up would just heighten their guard. We must handle this carefully."

Gerard agreed with Cindy.

Seeing them view Moran Palace as the enemy, Leona inwardly cheered.

With Leona there, they brainstormed countermeasures at length.

As discussion heated up, a knock sounded.

Gerard paused and let the visitor in.

It was one of the Crown Prince's close maids, a senior maid assigned to attend him today in Miranda's place.

Cindy frowned.

"What is it? His Highness's orders?"

Skipping greetings, she spoke urgently.

"Big trouble. His Highness has been waiting outside Anu Palace for half an hour, unable to enter."

"What? Why?"

Cindy and Gerard exclaimed; Leona quietly stood.

"...The Ceremony Department won't let him in, saying the Emperor hasn't coughed yet."

"That make sense? Escort him to another room to wait. Is it the Emperor's direct order?"

As Gerard bellowed, the maid teared up.

"I don't know... He's waited outside patiently, but Anu Palace is silent. Sun's up; he's standing in the heat. Barts couldn't watch anymore and sent me for a plan. What do we do?"

Gerard and Cindy exchanged helpless looks.

If the Ceremony Department blocked him, it was the Emperor's will. How could they defy that?

As they fretted, Leona spoke calmly.

"Why is His Highness at Anu Palace this hour?"

Cindy answered.

"Morning visit to the Emperor."

"His Highness got permission to skip morning visits before campaigns."

"Sudden message from Anu Palace yesterday: resume them starting today."

"...Was the Emperor alone last night?"

Caught off-guard, Cindy looked to Gerard.

He replied.

"Moran Palace's lord entered the Emperor's bedchamber last night."

"I see..."

Leona assessed the situation mentally, then said to them.

"I'll go to Anu Palace."

"You? Got a plan?"

Seeing her composure, they clung to hope.

"I'll explain after. It's urgent..."

"Go, then."

Leona bowed and hurried out.

She dashed from Crown Prince Palace to Anu Palace, pausing at the gate to catch her breath and straighten her attire.

Guards and attendants eyed her curiously.

"Leona!"

The Crown Prince's guards waiting outside brightened.

Leona nodded to them and approached the gate.

Identifying herself, she passed smoothly into Anu Palace.

Crossing the vast garden, she spotted the Crown Prince before the palace building.

Barts and attendants stood rigidly behind him.

His palace folk lit up at Leona.

She first greeted the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness."

He didn't welcome her.

"What are you doing here?"

Arms crossed, he eyed her irritably.

Leona smiled awkwardly, glancing at the palace.

Ceremony Department folk stood at the entrance, including Maid Chief Ember.

Why was she there, when she should guard the Emperor?

Leona thought fast.

The Emperor wouldn't push His Highness away yet.

He's still the sole heir.

Biota and Gilabo orchestrated this.

To humiliate him and spread rumors of imperial distrust.

If they play dirty...

"Your Highness, leave it to me."

"What will you do?"

Leona whispered for his ears only.

"I'll bluff and scare them off."

He blinked, then laughed.

"Forgot how capable my maid is. Go on."

With permission, Leona headed to the entrance.

A young Ceremony maid stepped forward.

"What do you want?"

Ignoring her, Leona went straight to Ember.

"Maid Chief Ember."

As a Crown Prince close maid, Leona knew her.

Ember accepted the greeting blankly, gaze distant.

"What is it?"

Her tone was flat.

"His Highness's message. Let me see Servant Chief Gilabo."

"Gilabo?"

"Yes."

Ember glanced at the Crown Prince, then scanned Leona.

"...Fine."

Ember ordered the others to wait and led Leona inside personally.

They exchanged no words en route to the Emperor's bedchamber.

At the entrance, imperial guards and Ceremony servants stood watch.

Ember left Leona waiting, entered alone, and brought out Gilabo.

Gilabo eyed Leona sternly.

Leona smiled brightly and bowed.

"Servant Chief Gilabo."

"His Highness's message?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"He says you've greatly sinned by disturbing His Majesty's mood and committing filial impiety, so confine yourself to the palace from today and reflect until forgiven."

Gilabo choked on a cough.

Ember beside him looked shocked.

Not waiting for him to recover, Leona continued.

"As a sinner, he can't perform duties, so he'll skip today's council too. Servant Chief Gilabo, please convey His Highness's profound filial piety to His Majesty."

As Leona turned to leave, Gilabo grabbed her urgently.

"W-wait. What is this? H-how could His Highness say that?"

Leona feigned wiping tears with her sleeve, sad-faced.

"What kind of man is His Highness? The Emperor's only heir, who personally led armies to victory for him. Until recently, His Majesty praised him endlessly. Yet today, he punishes him suddenly. His Highness can't even guess why. Imagine his anguish. He believes he's unknowingly committed a grave sin against His Majesty."

"No... that's..."

Confirming Gilabo's pallor, Leona smirked inwardly.

He never expected this to blow up.

If it became public, his crimes—distorting the Emperor's will and slandering the Crown Prince—would surface.

As Ceremony Servant Chief, he knew that best.

"Must be a mistake. His Majesty punishing His Highness? Unthinkable."

"What do you mean? He's stood outside like a criminal for half an hour."

"Criminal! How could His Highness be one?"

Leona gasped, countering.

"Then why make him endure the cold so long?"

"Th-that... probably a mix-up in relay. Ember, didn't I ask you to attend His Highness until His Majesty coughs?"

Gilabo shifted blame to Ember.

Ember coolly retorted.

"Never heard that. Forgot? You told me to guard the entrance and let no one in."

"Don't pin it on me. When did I..."

Leona cut their bickering.

"How long will you leave His Highness outside? Fix it now. If it's a Ceremony Department error, admit it to him and beg forgiveness."

Stung, Gilabo rushed to the Crown Prince without demur.

He scurried like a mouse with its tail aflame.

But Leona's expression remained grim.

She'd talked her way out today, but it was temporary.

Biota would keep attacking covertly.

They needed countermeasures soon, or His Highness would suffer greatly.

Leona turned to Ember.

She hadn't followed Gilabo, still standing there.

"Not going, Maid Chief Ember? Worried what Gilabo will say to His Highness?"

Ember walked toward the bedchamber silently.

"Wait, Maid Chief Ember."

Ember stopped and turned.

"Something to say?"

Straight-backed, icy-faced, she showed no weakness.

"Tonight, ninth hour, meet me at the West Lake Court laundry warehouse. Important words for you."

"...Whatever it is, I refuse."

"Even if vital to you?"

"My only duty is Ceremony Department work."

Ember turned curtly.

As she stepped away, Leona added.

"Under the zelkova tree."

Ember froze.

"Still no interest?"

Ember slowly turned, eyes shaking despite her composure.

"What... did you mean by that...?"

"Curious? Come to the laundry warehouse tonight. I'll tell you."

Leona smiled innocently and bowed politely.

The incident of the Ceremony Department's blunder leaving the Crown Prince waiting outside ended quietly: Gilabo knelt before him, apologizing profusely, and escaped punishment.