Chapter 93: After the Farewell

Clive appeared in better shape than he had worried about.

Madam Hannon, who had been relieved to see him looking better than expected, couldn’t close her mouth in shock when she saw the chaos in his study.

Though he had lived selfishly, he was a neat person, but the separation from Eirene must have been truly difficult.

Cigarette butts were piled up like a mountain from how much he had smoked, and liquor bottles were scattered everywhere.

Contrary to expectations that he would be sickly from barely eating, only his face had lost weight.

Perhaps because of that, Clive seemed to have become more mature in just a week.

Madam Hannon personally prepared tea for Clive as he came out after finishing his bath.

“I expected you to come out skin and bones, but this is surprising. You look more mature with the weight loss.”

“Are you saying I look old?”

“I’m relieved to see you taking things the wrong way.”

“Having prolonged heartbreak won’t bring her back.”

“You thought well.”

She had heard the whole story from Ulik on the day Eirene left.

The miss had left in such a hurry. She probably did so because the longer she stayed, the harder it would be to cut ties.

She constantly worried about how that frail body was living and where.

Only a week had passed, but it felt like seven months.

Madam Hannon, who was about to leave telling Clive to rest, asked carefully.

“By any chance, didn’t you put a tail on Miss Eirene?”

“No. If Eirene found out by any chance… you know her personality too.”

“Yes. She would hate it.”

Hearing the door close, Clive relaxed his back. He leaned against the chair and looked at the ceiling, then closed his eyes. He had pretended otherwise in front of Madam Hannon, but honestly, it was still difficult.

When he went to the annex, he felt Zeus would be the first to welcome him, and Eirene would be there sitting on the sofa with a smile.

“I didn’t know I’d miss that Zeus too.”

He opened his eyes and straightened up. There was no time to lie around feeling difficult. There was still work to be done. He drank the tea on the table and called for Ulik.

“I’m moved to see Your Grace alive.”

“That sounds like you’re disappointed I’m alive.”

“What are you saying? Do you know how much I waited outside the study door…”

“Quiet. Report what happened during the week.”

“There was another trial yesterday. The criminals received much heavier sentences than last time.”

Ulik stopped speaking. When Clive turned his head while holding the teacup, he immediately continued.

“Siaran was sentenced to death. Since he worked closely with Sebastian, he committed many illegal acts. There were quite a few people who died or were injured because of Siaran. Being a dark mage also negatively affected the sentence. Something like that. The priests who directly helped Sebastian were also sentenced to death.”

“What about Count Phineas?”

“Count Phineas seems to have strong backing. He was the only one whose sentence was reduced. From death to 10 years of hard labor.”

“I did that.”

“What? When did you do that?”

“Before the last trial.”

“Why? He should do 100 years! Stay there forever!”

Ulik made an expression of incomprehension. It was understandable.

He had been annoyed beyond irritation that the sentence was ridiculously reduced for attempting to assassinate royalty.

But now hearing that Clive himself had directly requested the sentence be reduced to 10 years of hard labor was astounding.

“After 10 years, who knows what Count Phineas will do to restore his family.”

“If I hadn’t done it, the nobles who took Count Phineas’s money would have intervened. What’s 10 years? He might have gotten just 1 year. I stepped in before that happened. Actually, the number of years doesn’t matter. Any other reports?”

“Well… Miss Eirene.”

A moment of silence flowed. Feeling like he had mentioned a name that had somehow become taboo, Ulik lowered his voice.

“When will you tell the Imperial family? After Crown Prince Florian visited here, he became severely depressed and there’s a lot of talk.”

“Nothing good comes from dragging it out, so I should tell them today. Let’s enter the palace right away.”

“By any chance…”

“By any chance what?”

“Nothing. I’ll prepare for entering the palace.”

Ulik, who swallowed his words, moved busily.

* * *

Entering the Imperial Palace, Clive informed the Emperor and Empress that he had parted from Eirene.

The Emperor, shocked by Sebastian’s death, wasn’t very interested. The Empress, having heard something from Florian, couldn’t lift her head in front of Clive.

The reason Clive, who had sent Eirene away, left early was because of the Emperor.

Though it would take a long time to return to his former self, there was hope since Sebastian, who had always interfered, was gone.

On his way back after stopping by to comfort Florian. He encountered a familiar figure.

“His Majesty the Emperor summoned me, so I came.”

Rafael first explained why he had entered the palace. Since Sebastian was gone, the Emperor was looking for someone to replace him.

“Let’s talk first before you see His Majesty.”

They moved to a quiet place where no one was around.

“How is the Pope position going?”

“Normally, the day His Holiness the Pope passed away, I would have immediately…”

“How about excluding the term ‘passed away’? He wasn’t even a good person, so what passing away.”

“Anyway, there are forces opposing me, so it’s being delayed.”

“Are they Sebastian’s followers?”

Rafael smiled awkwardly and waved his hand.

“Rather than that, there are more people who dislike me than like me.”

“I roughly understand the reason. Even if I support you, it won’t be much help. Your Eminence and I both have similar rumors.”

“I appreciate the words, but I’ll try with my own strength. But there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“That thing you said you’d tell me last time. You said God would let you know whether He loves one Pope or many citizens of the Empire more. Do you remember?”

“Ah, that.”

Clive tapped his thigh with his hand. A chill suddenly emanated from someone who had shown no particular reaction until just now.

“Your Eminence should know the answer too.”

His lips stretched long, but his slowly blinking eyes seemed to reproach him for asking when he already knew.

Of course, Rafael had also seen Clive’s answer. With his own eyes.

He was just asking to confirm.

“It wasn’t something Your Grace did?”

“Oh my. You’re seriously misunderstanding something. How could I dare do such a thing? Unless God borrowed my hands.”

Clive left only an ambiguous answer and left.

Watching Clive’s retreating figure as he walked away with long strides, Rafael also turned around.

* * *

Five months later.

Count Phineas, clutching his hungry stomach, dug through dirt looking for grass roots.

Unable to bear the hunger, he roughly brushed off the dirt and chewed and swallowed the grass roots. Now he felt like he might live.

It was fortunate the weather had gotten warmer – if it had been cold winter, he would have easily frozen or starved to death.

After the trial ended, while being transported with other prisoners sentenced to hard labor to the frontier, he escaped when security was lax.

Since several days had passed since leaving the capital, the journey back was considerable.

In the mountains he was chased by bandits, and when he went down to villages, he couldn’t stay because of his shabby appearance.

The Count, who had never begged despite hunger because of his pride, eventually snapped when it became unbearable and even stole food.

Though he was caught and beaten, the food he managed to stuff down while being beaten allowed him to survive for several days.

In this village, the people were so fierce he couldn’t think of stealing. After nearly dying from one attempt, he searched the forest and filled his stomach with grass roots and tree fruits.

Having never hunted with bare hands, he often caught and then lost rabbits or birds right in front of him. Even in the forest, he constantly looked around because he never knew when bandits or mountain thieves might appear.

Count Phineas only now realized there were many thieves and bandits in the Bainfelt Empire.

He had been caught by them several times and lost his fingernails. Cruel bastards. He couldn’t forget the faces of those who grinned while smashing his nails with stones.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard from close by. He clutched the grass roots he was eating to his chest and ran frantically.

“There he is!”

The bandits who had spotted Count Phineas began chasing him. The old Count’s running couldn’t match those who climbed mountains like their own home.

It was close. He was about to be caught.

“Aaaaah!”

Count Phineas, who had mistepped, rolled down a steep slope. He rolled and rolled until he hit a tree and lost consciousness.

“How troublesome.”

A bandit ran down the steep slope and poked the unconscious Count with his foot.

“Hey, hey! Wake up!”

“Remember us?”

“Who?”

These were the guys from before. The ones who had smashed his nails with stones. This was already the fourth time meeting them.

“Why are you following me!”

“We just keep seeing you wherever we go.”

“I don’t have anything! Why are you doing this to someone who has nothing to steal!”

Even when Count Phineas shouted, they only laughed.

“Please, why are you doing this to me? Just pass by, please.”

No matter how much he begged, they wouldn’t budge.

“No way. This time let’s smash your toenails with stones.”

“No! No! I don’t want to go! I won’t go!”

He struggled and resisted but was dragged away. Count Phineas never dreamed that they were people sent by Clive.

It was also Clive who had deliberately released him before reaching the frontier.

* * *

Ulik paced back and forth behind a chair.

Madam Hannon, who had been reading a book, took off her reading glasses and pressed her temples.

“Ulik. Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

“No, I want to sit too. But you see.”

“Why? What’s wrong.”

“Ah, well.”

Ulik, who had been scratching his head irritably, sat in front of Madam Hannon.

Looking at Madam Hannon’s face intently with a serious expression, he wrapped his head with both arms.

“Did you make a mistake? Are you worried about getting scolded by His Grace?”

“What are you saying? Who am I to make mistakes? No wait. Is it a mistake? Ugh, d*mn.”

Ulik clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair.

Taking a deep breath, he seemed to have resolved to tell Madam Hannon and became serious.

“Actually. I…”

Having said only that much, Ulik hung his head low.

“If you need time, you can tell me later.”

“No! No. Not that. I’ll talk now. Just wait a moment please.”

“Alright. Tell me when you’ve organized your thoughts.”

Madam Hannon put on her reading glasses and turned her attention to the book.

Though she was looking at the book, her head was full of curiosity about what story Ulik would tell.

“Okay. I’ll tell you now.”

“Yes. Take your time.”

“Actually, I was watching over Miss Eirene until three days ago. Though I saw her with my own eyes for over a week, I had people providing protection in my own way.”

“I see. I don’t know how His Grace will react, but I want to praise you.”

“Thank you. The problem is the miss suddenly disappeared. She didn’t come home last night either.”

“She probably went out for some fresh air. Wait a little longer.”

Ulik made a tearful face.

“I have a feeling it’s not that…”

“Let’s wait a bit more and then talk. So. How was the miss doing?”

“Yes. She seemed comfortable and well, she had gained weight compared to before.”

Eirene was quite thin. It wouldn’t normally show, but if Ulik noticed, she must have gained quite a lot of weight.

While relieved, she felt a little hurt. Even if Clive didn’t show it, he was still struggling. Only five months had passed. In contrast, hearing that Eirene had visibly gained weight created mixed feelings.

But the feeling of relief was much greater.

“Is she living… alone?”

This was the part she was most curious about and wanted to ask.