Chapter 81. Dumbfounded
However, surprisingly, I was able to regain my composure quickly. When faced with the thought of death, people tend not to forget what’s important.
I habitually thought of the Battle of Agulena.
I still didn’t know when it would occur, but I had to pull out before then.
For the past two years, I’ve given this a lot of thought.
About the timing to submit my resignation and leave.
My belief that the heroes wouldn’t hold onto me once Aveline appeared remained unchanged. But upon further reflection, it was clear she would appear after the Battle of Agulena.
Which meant that if I waited for Aveline’s appearance, I wouldn’t be able to avoid an untimely death.
I had to escape this cursed purifier role before then.
The timing was now, as I had gathered all my retirement funds.
There was no reason not to leave.
“Miss Ionia.”
I began in a calm, serious voice.
“I’ve made up my mind. Having faced death several times, I feel mentally weakened. Continuing this work seems impossible…”
“I’ll prescribe you some medicine.”
“What? What medicine?”
“I’ll contact Dr. Bremen to concoct a potion that’s good for mental exhaustion.”
“That’s not it, I’m scared of dying…”
“Aren’t we only sending you to areas protected by heroes? No need to worry.”
“Those heroes also contribute to my anxiety… No, that’s not it… I just want to follow the proper procedure to resign.”
I was growing anxious.
It seemed that submitting a resignation wasn’t as simple as I thought. Ionia’s gaze felt like a massive wall pressing down on me.
I couldn’t believe she was so firmly set on rejecting it without even considering it…
“Then would you be willing to go on a mission where there are no heroes?”
“What?”
What was she talking about now?
I blinked in confusion.
I was bewildered by Ionia’s unpredictable words, but I should have composed myself sooner, as I regretted it a minute later.
“Undead energy has been detected near Elmon. Please go there for a while.”
“What?”
“We plan to recruit mercenaries for three weeks before departing. You can consider it as such.”
“So you’re saying I should stay in Elmon for three weeks?”
“Yes. You can rest there.”
Ionia nodded once and then opened the door to return to the administrative office.
Click.
The sound of the door closing echoed unusually clearly in my ears.
Every time I came to Elmon, I could only stay for a few days before being sent off again, but now I could stay for three weeks! Isn’t this great?
…Or so I thought for a moment.
I was momentarily beguiled by sweet words but soon came to my senses.
Damn it!
My resignation was casually rejected!
* * *
I had to go greet Johann.
That was one of the reasons I came to the Imperial Palace…
But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to move my feet, so I wandered around the garden right in front of the Emperor’s Palace. It was the garden where I had undergone hellish training with Jesuf.
The world is truly…
“Beautiful.”
I murmured vacantly, looking at the winter branches with flower buds.
Ah, what a beautiful world!
I can’t even resign as I wish!
I was left empty-handed, with only my resignation letter taken by Ionia. Well, I could always write another resignation letter, but…
“Not like they’ll accept it anyway, right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The resignation letter… huh?!”
I answered absentmindedly, and then suddenly, it felt like all the blood drained from my body, and I let out a scream. Even to my ears, it sounded bizarre.
But that wasn’t the problem.
I belatedly recognized the voice of the person who had approached me silently from behind, and my heart sank.
When I turned around, Johann was standing there, his brows furrowed and his head tilted.
The two words that came out of his mouth slowly and chillingly were,
“…Resignation letter?”
“No, it’s just that my friend is resigning.”
I quickly made up a story with quick thinking.
But it didn’t seem like Johann believed me.
“Where do you have a friend?”
“Why wouldn’t I have friends?”
Now that I heard it, I felt offended.
This guy, does he think I’m some socially inept fool?
“Are you talking about that bastard Marc?”
“No, I was talking about another friend.”
I didn’t manage to save Marc’s honor, who was called a bastard, but maybe I saved his life by throwing an unknown, possibly non-existent friend under the bus.
Johann crossed his arms and scrutinized my face, as if trying to determine whether I was lying. I felt like even the slightest twitch of a facial muscle would lead to big trouble.
Was I too naive?
Did I underestimate the Imperial Palace?
After my resignation was rejected by Ionia, I instinctively felt that I shouldn’t even mention it to Johann.
It felt like…
If I brought it up, I’d be trapped forever.
In any case, I focused on maintaining a neutral expression.
Unfortunately, Johann had a sharp side to him. He ignored the existence of my alleged friend and spoke.
“Did you submit the resignation letter to Ionia?”
“……”
I quietly pressed my upper lip and lower lip together.
Even if I had ten mouths, I wouldn’t have anything to say.
I couldn’t lie about something that would be found out within a day anyway.
“Disloyal.”
The short and intense chill made me feel like my heart was contracting tightly.
“It is your duty to protect the imperial family.”
Johann’s eyes flickered with what seemed like a fiery blaze. The fierce intensity seemed to burn me to ashes.
I quietly lowered my gaze and screamed internally.
How am I supposed to protect you? You’re stronger than me, you damn emperor!
But I couldn’t voice these grievances. Johann, who had warmly greeted me the last time I saw him, was now openly expressing his anger after half a year.
This was the ripple effect caused by my resignation letter.
“It seems Ionia rejected it on her end.”
You guessed it right, you bastard.
“Marseus wouldn’t have allowed it anyway.”
He then issued a threat that wasn’t quite a threat in a stern voice.
“Don’t even dream of resigning.”
“…Yes.”
I replied with a face that looked like I was about to cry.
* * *
A cold air flowed through the emperor’s office.
Johann was glaring into space, clearly in a foul mood.
“Resignation?”
The word slipped out with a scoff, twisting his already twisted mood even further.
“How dare…”
A purifier affiliated with the imperial family trying to leave the imperial family?
In reality, it wasn’t uncommon for employees affiliated with the imperial family to go through legal resignation procedures.
Their reasons varied.
Some returned to their hometowns, others needed to care for sick parents, or they found a different path, and so on.
So, technically, a purifier employed by the imperial family could resign. However, among the fewer than ten purifiers scattered across the continent, none had resigned until now.
Seraphina was the first.
“Hah.”
Dumbfounded.
Johann let out a self-deprecating laugh.
He had eagerly awaited Seraphina’s arrival in Elmon.
He had been so happy to spot her while taking a break from his paperwork by the window. He approached her quietly from behind, intending to surprise her with a playful mood.
But a resignation letter?
Not a chance.
It wasn’t even worth considering.
How could she even think of such a thing?
Johann was so furious that his brain felt like it was hardening. He felt foolish for eagerly waiting for her without knowing what she was thinking.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, with a polite knock, Ionia entered.
“Just in time.”
Normally, he wouldn’t even look up or acknowledge her, but Johann welcomed her.
“Did Seraphina submit a resignation letter?”
“I came to discuss that matter.”
Ionia adjusted her glasses and approached the desk. She pulled out an envelope from her coat and handed it over.
Johann’s brow furrowed.
He could already guess what it was without opening it. It was Seraphina’s resignation letter.
“Throw it away.”
“At least read it.”
“Tear it up.”
“Do it yourself.”
“……”
Johann glared at Ionia with sharp eyes that would make most people tremble, but she didn’t even flinch as she continued to speak her mind.
“You keep interesting reports, don’t you? A purifier’s resignation letter is quite intriguing.”
“……”
Johann had to work hard to calm his boiling anger.
Purifiers were rare talents, and their treatment was exceptional. Everyone was eager to serve in this role, believed to be chosen by the gods.
And yet she wants to quit?
“She refuses even if we double or triple her salary.”
“What?”
How could that be possible?
Johann looked at her with disbelief. He needed more explanation.
Reading his expression, Ionia added calmly.
“She says she’s scared of dying.”
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Arrietty
He said “How dare she even think of such a thing” duh 😐 maybe, just maybe sir.. You & the others should reflect on how have you been treating our beloved purifier, yes?