First Steps Towards Change

The next day, the Empire was finally turned upside down.

It was all because of the incredibly shocking news announced by the Imperial Palace.

– Behind the Eyes of Dawn is the Order of the Sun, and furthermore, the Sun Goddess Erze-nim. I will resist them for the sake of my beloved country and dear people. Even if the opponent is a god, I will not forgive anyone who disturbs this nation!

The Emperor’s words, spoken in the plaza after gathering most of the residents in the capital, plunged everyone into a crucible of shock.

Especially since there were quite a few believers in the Order of the Sun not only in the Holy Kingdom of Arcadia but also in the capital Artas, this news brought even greater shock.

And as they quickly spread the news, the entire Empire began to stir in less than half a day.

“How dare you, even as the supreme ruler of the Empire, disparage Erze Goddess-nim! This is blasphemy! The entire Order must rise up and resist!”

“That’s right! If we stay still, the authority of the Order will plummet to the ground!”

Naturally, the believers of the Order of the Sun, especially the lower-ranking priests who had no idea that the Eyes of Dawn and the Order were colluding, were furious and even insisted that Oswell be deposed.

The believers of the Order residing in the capital also wrote protest letters on boards or large papers and went outside, creating a scene of utter chaos.

“But isn’t it strange? If those words are false, why would His Majesty the Emperor need to be at odds with the Order of the Sun to such an extent?”

“That’s what I’m saying. His Majesty is strong-willed, but I don’t think he’s the type to make enemies recklessly.”

“Could it be that all those words are true? Maybe those treacherous bastards really originated from the Order.”

“I think so too. From the past, it was widely believed that the Empire’s rebels, who have existed since the past, have never been caught because there’s a backer supporting them.”

However, it wasn’t just negative views.

Rather, among the atheists who had no connection to the Order, or more precisely, ordinary Imperial citizens, there were quite a few who viewed this incident with a cold eye.

The reasons were twofold.

First, the trust stemming from the fact that the current Emperor, Oswell, was a former emperor who received overwhelming support more than any other emperor in history.

And second, it was because of the rumors about the Eyes of Dawn that had been circulating among some people since long ago.

Until now, any group that rebelled against the Empire had met a tragic end.

Just a few decades ago, didn’t the Margrave who defended the Empire against the barbarians at the southeastern tip also taste a terrible end after rebelling, thinking that public sentiment was leaning towards him?

But for some reason, even though the existence of the Eyes of Dawn was clear and their misdeeds were quite widespread, there was never any news of even a clue being found.

Even recently, those crazy bastards committed the unbelievable act of assassination in the Imperial Palace, but they still couldn’t catch their tails.

At that time, there were quite a few people who blamed the incompetence of the Imperial Palace, and even the Empire.

However, those who analyzed the situation calmly suggested the conspiracy theory that the reason they were so elusive was because there was a huge backer hiding behind them.

It was called a conspiracy theory only because it was dismissed as nonsense at the time.

But if Oswell’s statement was true, then it wouldn’t be just a simple conspiracy theory.

“It’s quite noisy outside. Was it manageable to go out, Kyle-ssi?”

Meanwhile, Oswell, who could be said to be at the center of this story, discovered Kyle and Sylvia, who had promised to meet him today, and could only force a benevolent smile.

“I’m sorry. Because of us…”

“How could that be your fault? Rather, I should say it’s thanks to you. We were able to reveal this ugly truth and the true face of that treacherous goddess.”

Kyle, who had briefly hidden his face and went out to check the reactions outside, then returned after discovering the chaotic streets, couldn’t hide his bitterness as he offered an apology. Oswell shook his head.

He had expected this kind of reaction anyway.

Even inside the Imperial Palace, it was so noisy.

But for the sake of change and reform, there are times when pain must be endured.

Oswell felt that this was that moment.

And that opportunity was given by the two people in front of him.

How could he dare to receive an apology from them?

Rather, he should be expressing his gratitude.

“So, what was the reaction of the residents?”

“It was a very chaotic atmosphere. I even witnessed someone who appeared to be a believer of the Order of the Sun assaulting someone who appeared to be a believer of the Order of the Moon.”

“I see. It’s truly bitter.”

At Sylvia’s answer, Oswell made a bitter expression and sipped his black tea.

Since it was a word that followed from Lete’s message, it was inevitable that the relationship between the two Orders would deteriorate.

But even if it was expected, the regret doesn’t disappear.

As Oswell, who truly cherished this country and its people more than anyone else, wanted as few people as possible to be hurt.

He knew very well that wanting no one to be hurt was hypocrisy, just like Kyle.

From the beginning, humans are beings that fall, get scratched, get hurt, and move on.

All he can do is hope that not too many fights break out within that, and that no too big wounds are created.

“Come to think of it, did you say you had something to tell me today?”

Oswell, who had already drunk his third cup of black tea, which he didn’t particularly like, probably because his mouth kept drying out, broke the silence and opened his mouth.

Kyle nodded at that.

“Yes. I was going to tell you yesterday, but I didn’t have enough time…”

To be exact, it wasn’t that Kyle and Sylvia’s schedule had a problem, but that Oswell was too distracted.

He had even abandoned the cabinet meeting and went out to meet the two and Theodoric, so his schedule was bound to be busy afterward.

Moreover, before spreading the news in the plaza today, he had to give the ministers a heads-up in advance, so he was even more out of his mind.

Hearing those words, Oswell unconsciously smiled bitterly and nodded, as the time that had passed mindlessly yesterday and today came to mind.

“Is it about the Eyes of Dawn?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll listen.”

Oswell gestured as if to tell him to speak, as the information Kyle always provided was only valuable.

At this, Kyle, who had been subtly watching Sylvia, who was sitting next to him, carefully opened his mouth.

In fact, he hesitated because it was a heavy story that he didn’t want to tell in front of her as much as possible, but it was a possible action because he now recognized Sylvia not simply as ‘someone to protect’ but as ‘someone to move forward with’.

“Do you happen to know about the Drake family?”

“How could I not know? It’s a very famous family.”

Oswell expressed his agreement to Kyle, who had started the conversation.

From the beginning, how many Imperial citizens wouldn’t know about the name of the Drake family?

They have produced a Magic Tower Lord, and they are a family with a high reputation, said to be the best in the Empire when it comes to magic.

In fact, originally, it wasn’t a family with such a prominent impression of being particularly good at magic, but from some point on, they nurtured talented people, and finally, Alberton Drake, the former head of the family, rose to the position of Magic Tower Lord, solidifying that evaluation.

Even Vermillion, the man who was marked as the next head of the family, wasn’t his name highly regarded as the most promising talent in the Drake family?

But Oswell, wondering why the name of that family suddenly came up, expressed his doubts, and Kyle continued to speak.

“Actually, we have a friend who is secretly cooperating with us. It’s a friend named Vermillion Drake.”

“Vermillion? If it’s that man, surely…”

Hadn’t it been said that he had gone missing?

Oswell frowned slightly as he remembered hearing such a rumor.

“Yes. There’s probably a rumor that he’s dead. But no. He’s just disguising himself to avoid the Eyes of Dawn’s surveillance network and is with us.”

“Avoiding their eyes, what connection does that person have with the Eyes of Dawn that he’s doing that?”

Even Kyle, who can be said to be the most annoying existence to the Eyes of Dawn right now, doesn’t take that kind of measure, so why would he do that?

Moreover, if it’s to avoid their eyes, it would be better to stay quietly in the family.

His question was valid, but soon after, when Kyle’s words continued, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

“Actually, Vermillion, or rather, the Drake family, was cooperating with the Eyes of Dawn.”