256.2: The Battle Maiden Wants to Study Abroad (19)
Hades was grabbed by the shoulder. When he tried to turn around, two soldiers seized his arms and dragged him away. The shopkeeper cried out in pain.
“Don’t get carried away just because you know some magic, you fool. We’re taking you in.”
“It was an accident, an accident.”
“As if! Stop making excuses! Get out of the way! What are you looking at?!”
“I’ll show you what you get for defying the Rave Empire army! Don’t think you’ll get away with this!”
“Hey, Hades, won’t Little Miss get angry?”
Rave said worriedly as he floated along. That’s right, Hades thought. He’d like to see the inside of the military base, but he didn’t think it’d be so simple. The biggest issue was that no information was reaching the Rave Empire. Hades needed to uncover the mastermind behind it all. Moreover, there was that incident with the dragon.
I want to stay hidden as long as I can until I can drag them out…
…In that case, should I get rid of them all?
Hades put more pressure on the soles of his shoes. The soldiers turned to face Hades who had stopped.
“Hey, hurry up and walk—”
The soldiers stopped speaking and stepped back. Their expressions were of instinctive fear, like humans facing a dragon.
How rude. Even though I’m smiling so kindly.
“Wait! Wait!”
A man ran toward them, visibly out of breath.
Hearing a voice from behind, Hades narrowed his eyes and turned around. As if released from paralysis, the soldiers gasped and yelled back as if to intimidate him.
“W-who are you—Roger?”
The soldiers seemed to recognize the man, but Hades had no idea who he was. Then, the man came between the soldiers and Hades.
“Sorry, can you let him go?”
“No, he defied us in public! We can’t overlook this!”
“Now, now, don’t say that.”
With that, the man named Roger placed gold coins in their hands. He was bribing the soldiers. They exchanged glances, put it away, and turned around as if nothing had happened. They rushed off, probably because they wanted to get away from Hades.
“Are you okay?”
Hades looked back at the man. True enough, he didn’t recognize this man. Rave slipped into Hades. The reason was simple.
He has strong magic power.
The man smiled warmly at Hades who remained silent.
“Sorry for butting in…”
This man, too, must’ve sensed something from Hades.
“What’s your name?”
“Hades.”
Hades answered honestly, prompting the man to lower his gaze. Then, he immediately laughed.
“I see, that’s a pretty dignified fake name. It’s the same as the Dragon Emperor.”
“…”
“Well, I’ll refrain from being rude. You made a bad move, you know. Going head-on against the Rave Empire army. They backed down this time, but you definitely caught their eye.”
“You must’ve helped me because you needed something from me. What do you want?”
“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? I know you are no ordinary guy. Did Rave send you here to investigate?”
Hades avoided affirming his question by staying silent, but it seemed that the other person misunderstood. He sighed in return.
“I thought so. The military academy was a bluff.”
“Military academy?”
“Yes, I’m a teacher there… By the way, do you have a younger sister?”
“Sister?”
Natalie and Frida were in the Rave Empire. He hadn’t once heard anything about them being here. Roger laughed at Hades’ puzzled expression.
“A girl called Jill. She said she had an older brother, so I assumed…”
Hades froze, still smiling.
He thinks I’m her older brother? Not her husband, son-in-law, lover, or fiancé?
Roger was flustered, wondering to implication behind Hades’ smirk.
“…Sorry. Was I jumping to conclusions?”
“That’s right! I do have a younger sister, but she’s in my homeland. I don’t know any girls like that!”
“Hey! Just pretend to be her brother! Such a convenient lie has fallen onto your lap!”
Shut up! Hiding your relationship is the same as cheating, so I refuse to do it!
As Hades retorted inwardly, Roger sighed loudly.
“I see… so that girl is really just a replacement. I feel stupid for being so cautious. Well, I had a hunch she didn’t know anything… But I wonder what her home country is thinking. The same goes for His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.”
“Is that so? Anyway? What do you need from me?”
There’s no need to hold back around Jill anymore. I’ll do what I want!
Roger continued, becoming serious.
“I want to appeal to my homeland about the plight of this country. Won’t you lend me a hand?”
“Without evidence, we can’t do anything. Do you have any leads?”
“If you’re asking, does that mean you’ll cooperate with us?”
Roger shrewdly articulated his wording. Hades pondered briefly before nodding.
“Okay. Fine, I’ll cooperate with you.”
“Then, I’ll lead you to our hideout. We don’t have much time. The Liberation Army has been very active lately. We need to do something before they take control of the dragons and attack the Rave Empire.”
Take control of the dragons. Now that’s something else.
Hades grinned at Roger’s muttering. Then, he turned away and started walking.
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***T/N: The emperor chilling and sipping tea in the middle of a meeting discussing a rebellion in his empire
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