chapter_0232

231 – Emergency Arrest

231 – Emergency Arrest

A week later, in a certain basement.

“Your Highness! Prince Arno!”

Arno turned his gaze towards the sound of someone descending the stairs.

Just as he was putting down the torture tools he held in his hand, a servant entered through the entrance.

The servant, upon entering the basement, involuntarily paused.

Arno was using a towel to wipe the blood from his hands.

His appearance was hardly that of a noble royal, and as the servant hesitated, Arno turned his head.

Lifting a hand to sweep back the hair that had fallen forward, Arno opened his mouth.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Ah. I apologize.”

The servant quickly offered his apology and bowed lightly.

“Your Highness, the National Crisis Economic Unification Act has passed the committee review.”

“The National Crisis Economic Unification Act? Already?”

The National Crisis Economic Unification Act was a bill proposed by the Central National Party, the leading party, just a few days ago.

The purpose was that each party should work together for the people and the nation in order to overcome the current national crisis, but looking deeper, it was closer to creating a single party to give power to the Emperor.

‘Daniel Steiner must have bought off the Central National Party. Even Selvia…’

Could the articles he had published using the independent newspaper, Belbelbel, have been that displeasing?

‘I thought Daniel Steiner would take action, but…’

He never imagined he would reveal his true colors so drastically.

“…When is it scheduled for the plenary session?”

“Tomorrow, immediately.”

Hearing the word “tomorrow,” Arno sighed.

“Seeing as they’re moving to the plenary session immediately after passing the committee review, they must be trying to pass the bill quickly before any complaints arise. That bitch Selvia has finally gone mad.”

The servant, watching Arno grind his teeth, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Your Highness, my political knowledge is limited, but wouldn’t it be difficult for the bill to pass? The Liberty Socialist Party and the Labor Federation Party won’t stand idly by; they’ll surely cast their votes against it.”

“Does Selvia look like she wouldn’t know that? She must have prepared a countermeasure. That bitch only moves when she’s sure she’ll win.”

At Arno’s words, the servant broke out in a cold sweat.

“Then shouldn’t we escape? If the National Crisis Economic Unification Act passes, not only will the Emperor target Your Highness Arno, but Daniel Steiner will as well.”

He wasn’t wrong.

They wouldn’t leave a royal with no backing alone.

Selvia might, but Daniel Steiner would never leave Arno unattended.

Arno was aware of this as well, but he showed no signs of anxiety.

“Escape? To where? Don’t tell me you think there’s a place in this Empire where we can live, hidden from Daniel Steiner’s eyes.”

“There’s also the option of seeking asylum.”

“Shut your mouth! I’d rather choose death than live so wretchedly! Besides…”

Arno slowly rolled his eyes.

His gaze landed on an old man tied to a chair, spitting blood from his mouth.

“We have a card to turn the tables, don’t we?”

Sensing the atmosphere, the servant bowed his head and exited the basement.

Confirming that the servant had left, Arno picked up a sharp dagger and approached the old man.

“I’m not sure whether to call you a doctor or a scientist. But one thing is certain: you committed a taboo with the help of my father in the past.”

The old man’s eyes trembled.

“You deserve to be executed for committing a taboo, but I intend to show mercy with a generous heart. I will spare your life, so tell me. Where is the evidence that you committed the taboo?”

“Your Highness…”

“I trust you won’t remain silent now, after telling me all the details of the incident. You said you regretted committing the taboo? Then I’ll give you a chance to correct it now. Speak quickly.”

The old man bit his lip tightly, gasping for breath.

“Why are you so obsessed with that empty throne? Even if there is evidence, it’s already located where Your Highness cannot reach it. And even if you miraculously succeed in obtaining the evidence, can you handle the aftermath?”

Arno and the old man’s gazes met.

“The Empire will fall into extreme chaos because of Your Highness’s greed. A civil war will break out, and a tragedy will occur where people kill each other. Why do you seek to walk a path stained with blood?”

Arno’s hand, gripping the handle of the dagger, tightened.

“So? Are you telling me to remain silent? You told me! The woman sitting on that throne now…!”

Arno raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

“Is a monster pretending to be my sister! So why should I accept it!? Speak if you have a mouth!”

A hollow laugh escaped the old man’s lips.

“Your Highness, haven’t you ever wondered? Why didn’t the late Emperor pass the throne to Your Highness Arno, even while ignoring the nobles who committed taboos and claimed legitimacy?”

“That’s…”

“Because he judged that Your Highness would lead this Empire to ruin! Seeing that you still haven’t come to your senses, I feel like I did a very good job!”

As the old man spat and raged, a vein popped out on Arno’s forehead.

Arno, his eyes wide, brought the dagger to the man’s eye.

“Let’s see…”

Applying pressure and slowly pressing down, the tip of the dagger pierced the skin, and blood began to form.

Arno, watching the man’s breathing become rough, wore a bitter smile.

“Let’s see how long that thought lasts.”

*

Meanwhile, at a villa on the outskirts of the Imperial City.

“The National Crisis Economic Unification Act! Is this even a reasonable thing to say!?”

Sereveil, the leader of the Labor Federation Party, raised his voice among the numerous lawmakers gathered at the villa.

Sereveil, receiving the gazes of nearly a hundred lawmakers, frowned.

Not only Labor Federation Party lawmakers but also many Liberty Socialist Party lawmakers were present here.

All of them had gathered, angered by the newly proposed bill.

“They say they’re uniting forces to resolve the national crisis, but how is that different from virtually occupying the parliament with a single party!? Frankly, I am deeply concerned about the sanity of the Emperor, who supported the National Crisis Economic Unification Act!”

The lawmakers stirred.

They were all equally angered by the National Crisis Economic Unification Act, but they were inwardly flustered because he was mentioning the Emperor.

Sereveil, looking around at them, shouted resolutely.

“If I’m wrong, then try to refute me! The parliamentary system was established by the late Emperor! But isn’t trying to deny the system created by the late Emperor head-on an act of filial impiety?”

The murmuring among the lawmakers decreased.

Sereveil, noticing that they somewhat agreed with his words, quietly continued.

“The Emperor is currently unable to shake off Daniel Steiner’s grasp and is unable to engage in righteous politics! Shouldn’t we rise up with loyalty for the sake of the country!? So let’s stop the infighting between parties and join hands at the plenary session tomorrow…”

As Sereveil continued his long speech, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Wondering what was happening, he looked towards the entrance, and the door burst open as a servant rushed in.

“Party leader! You must evacuate! Soldiers and police are…”

Before he could fully understand the servant’s words, the sound of military boots filled the hallway.

Only then did he realize that something was going wrong, but it was already too late.

Police officers and soldiers had rushed in through the open door.

As armed soldiers began to surround them, the lawmakers recoiled in horror and huddled together.

Sereveil also panicked and looked around, while one of the police officers stepped forward.

Judging by the rank insignia, he was a superintendent.

“Party leader Sereveil. You are under arrest on suspicion of violating the National Security Act and preliminary insurrection under the Criminal Act. Therefore, I ask for your cooperation.”

At the superintendent’s threat, some of the lawmakers expressed their anger.

“Are you trying to frame us as criminals? Did the Central National Party order you to do this!?”

“You must be crazy! You’re the ones committing crimes!”

“We are lawmakers representing the people! Don’t you know we have immunity from arrest?”

The superintendent sighed and frowned openly.

“The Security Agency has extrajudicial powers, so even if you are lawmakers, we can arrest you if there is clear evidence that you are trying to harm the safety of the nation. You lawmakers know this better than anyone.”

Clear evidence? The panicked lawmakers looked at each other, while Sereveil stepped forward.

“Tell the Director of the Security Agency right now. I don’t know what evidence you’ve collected, but I won’t tolerate this outrage!”

The superintendent remained silent.

Just as they were wondering why, the sound of shoes quietly echoed in the hallway.

Tap

As everyone remained silent, the sound of footsteps grew louder and louder.

After waiting for a while, an Officer entered through the open door.

It was Daniel Steiner, wearing several medals on his uniform.

Fear momentarily gripped Sereveil, but he thought he shouldn’t be intimidated and opened his mouth.

“Daniel Steiner…! Not only did you bring soldiers, but you even mobilized Security Agency police officers; are you out of your mind!? I will contact the Director of the Security Agency right now and inform him of your abuse of power, so be warned!”

Sereveil rebuked him, but Daniel remained indifferent.

“That sounds interesting. Go ahead and try to contact him.”

“What do you…”

Sereveil stopped speaking mid-sentence.

He had a vague sense of foreboding.

Daniel, staring intently at Sereveil, asked again.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you calling?”

At those chilling words, Sereveil couldn’t help but realize.

‘The Security Agency…’

Had long since fallen into Daniel Steiner’s grasp.

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading again today…!

It’s really hot today, so be careful of the heat…! It’s really killing me…!

Then I’ll see you again tomorrow…!