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Chapter 172: In the Midst of Rebellion (1)

This was the kind of comfort that never grew old. Louise’s cookies truly were my personal comfort food.

‘Red Wave.’

But even though my heart felt at ease, my mind was still a mess. These rascals had a knack for popping up and causing trouble.

Thankfully, they only came one at a time. It would have been overwhelming if they all attacked at once. Did they make an arrangement with the other organizations?

Either way, trouble was trouble. Those rebels were always causing a stir. I should blow their heads off once they come.

— The Academy appears to be the prime target at the moment.

And it turned out to be true.

A few days after the Information Department’s Executive Manager mentioned the Red Wave, we were contacted again. Among the imperial palace, the administration, and the Academy, the latter seemed to be their most likely aim.

It wasn’t surprising. It would have been more shocking if they had targeted anywhere other than the Academy.

— It seems they’re aiming for what they perceive as the weakest link—

The Academy’s security wasn’t lax, but it wasn’t on par with that of the palace or the administration. It certainly seemed like the easiest target.

— Of course, I’m referring to the quality of the guards, not the Prosecutor stationed at the Academy.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

How did he interpret my expression that he gave such a strange comment? Yes, I already knew that the Academy was an easier target. But why were we discussing this?

His next words compelled me to sit up straight.

— It seems the Red Wave has infiltrated within the Academy, though we’re not sure whether they’re official members or mere collaborators.

“This is driving me insane.”

I ran my hand through my face as I recalled the Information Department’s Executive Manager’s words. External threats were one thing, but internal spies were a whole different level of problem.

And it was the Information Department’s Executive Manager himself who said it. Although it was a tentative statement, it must be true if he was the one saying it.

“Something’s missing.”

I murmured to myself, unable to comprehend. Saying that the Academy was infiltrated meant that the infiltrator was either one of the faculty or students.

Neither should be in a dire enough situation to associate with radicals like the Red Wave.

The faculty of the Academy were well-regarded in the empire’s educational circles, and they held considerable prestige. Meanwhile, the students were either born to privilege or guaranteed success upon graduation. Why would they risk a stable future for something as trivial as the Red Wave?

It was also highly unlikely that the Information Department’s Executive Manager was fed false information. But there seemed to be no one within the Academy capable of such treachery. Unless they were out of their minds—

‘Ah.’

A realization hit me. The Red Wave consisted of madmen, and anyone who joined them couldn’t be considered sane. I had been viewing this too conventionally.

I should reflect on myself…

***

Understanding the perspective of others was important. There’s a reason for the saying, ‘Put yourself in another’s shoes.’ By considering their position, you can also understand their choices.

Let’s consider their perspective. What circumstances would lead me to join the Red Wave? What would drive me to dive into that wave?

‘How would I know?’

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t grasp the rationale of someone with such a flawed mentality.

I couldn’t become mad just to understand their madness. Trying to think like an ordinary person alone was already challenging since I’d been reborn as a noble.

‘I was a commoner before this possession.’

But how could you compare a commoner from medieval Europe to one from the 21st century? They weren’t even remotely close.

The solution seemed to be nowhere in sight. I wasn’t skilled in investigation, so how could I identify an internal spy? Perhaps bracing for the blow and mitigating the pain was the only way.

And then, as if sensing my plight, Enen sent a small helper my way.

“Ah, Executive Manager!”

I had stepped out for some air when I encountered someone who had endured more hardship than most.

“Olivia?”

Olivia, who was wearing an armband symbolizing her membership in the student council, ran towards me while waving her hands enthusiastically.

“Wow! You can see everything from here?”

“Indeed. It’s been a while.”

I hadn’t really had the chance to meet Amelia and Olivia since pushing them into the student council. In the first place, our initial encounter was purely coincidental.

She was alone. Was she on patrol?

“Are you working?”

“No. I just finished and was on my way to the cafeteria with unnie.”

She glanced around and then chuckled.

“I guess unnie got lost again.”

I didn’t bother to point out that she was probably the one who was lost. Why embarrass a child who was content simply from having a good meal?

Olivia seemed pleased to see me after a long time, and she started chatting away about this and that. I nodded along, thinking.

She was a commoner from a family whose parents passed away early. Her elder sister carried the burden and became the breadwinner of a household with many dependents that they even had to share a single turnip among them…

‘She’s a picture-perfect proletariat.’

Honestly, Olivia would’ve had every reason to cry out for a revolution countless times if she wasn’t a student at the Academy.

Even the Emperor would be merciful rather than annoyed with a child who was calling for equality. Of course, there would still be consequences for Olivia.

“Olivia, can I ask you something?”

“Yes?”

It wasn’t that I suspected Olivia or Amelia, for that matter. It was easy to spot those driven by fanatic beliefs even in brief interactions.

They were just kids hungry for more food. They didn’t seem to hold any type of radical belief.

“Have you ever heard of the Red Wave?”

Normally, you’d beat around the bush with such questions. Directly asking only prompted denials. Who would openly say, ‘Yes, I’m part of the Red Wave’?

But I figured that Olivia might not understand it if I used indirect inquiries. I wasn’t interrogating her; I was just seeking testimony.

Her reaction was unexpected.

“Oh, that?”

Her previously bright expression soured.

“Ugh, they were really loud and annoying back home.”

“That must have been troublesome.”

Despite the seriousness of her statement, I kept my tone light. Pressing for details would only make Olivia nervous.

“Exactly! They were always making noise from dawn, insisting that we join them and trying to drag us along!”

Olivia vented, releasing her pent-up frustrations.

I got the gist. Perhaps they went preaching in areas populated by poor commoners. How was that any different from a cult?

“Still, unnie said we had to tolerate them because they were poor people.”

Her sudden comment made me clench and then unclench my fist. Her having said ‘poor people’ sounded like she knew something more.

Although there was only a slim chance… If Amelia held a favorable view or even sympathy towards the Red Wave…

“She said they were lost in their own delusions and were incapable of taking care of themselves. It’s not like we’re in the age of Apels anymore. She also added that success is attainable with effort, but that they preferred to talk rather than act.”

I was wrong. She was filled with contempt.

I felt awkward for a moment. After all, wasn’t Amelia the one who had always persevered through tough times? To her, the Red Wave would likely seem as nothing but troublemakers who only added fuel to the chaos.

“But there was this smart man in our village who actually liked them.”

I nodded as she added that he disappeared sometime later.

***

The escaped Olivia was eventually retrieved by her keeper, Amelia, who flinched upon seeing me.

“Did she cause any trouble?”

“It was nothing much. We just talked a little about the Red Wave.”

Amelia’s face turned pale upon hearing Olivia’s words. The thought of a Prosecutor discussing republican fanatics with a commoner must have been unsettling.

Inadvertently, I ended up listening to something akin to Amelia’s oath of loyalty on the spot. No, it’s not what you think… I’m fine.

“I would never follow a misguided belief down the wrong path!”

Hearing Olivia’s story and seeing Amelia’s desperate reassurance convinced me further.

Of course, not all commoners were sympathetic to the Red Wave. Also, their level of knowledge didn’t necessarily correlate with their allegiance to it.

‘Maybe it’s someone from the faculty.’

Intellectuals with strong convictions and pride could be more dangerous. Such a person might cause even greater turmoil if they fell for the Red Wave.

…But now that I think about it, it wasn’t really a conclusion. It was just an expansion of the pool of suspects.

‘Damn it.’

Still, breaking down my prejudices was a step forward. Now, I wouldn’t be blindsided by someone completely unexpected.

As I walked on, my communication crystal lit up from within my pocket.

‘What is it now?’

Could it be the Information Department’s Executive Manager again?

— Executive Manager, it’s me.

“2nd Manager?”

My anxiety turned into relief as the 2nd Manager greeted me. It seemed that his other eye had been healed already. What was this all about?

“What’s going on at this hour?”

— Ah, well, that is—

— Move!

— Oof!

The 2nd Manager was interrupted by a direct hit to the chin by a white-haired figure as he began to speak. It wasn’t even a punch but a headbutt, leaving the 2nd Manager unable to retaliate and down for the count.

That hit landed solidly. Even the minister would reel from such a blow.

— Executive Manager! How have you been?

“Not great.”

Things were fine until the Red Wave messed everything up.

Despite my curt response, the 1st Manager chuckled, seemingly undeterred.

— Don’t worry! You’ll cheer up soon!

“Why? Did the Minister approve my resignation?”

Of course, we all knew that it was unlikely.

— I’m heading to the Academy!

My mind went blank. What did she say?

— Ah, I’m coming along too.

The recently floored 2nd Manager also chimed in. What… what on earth…?

“Don’t spout nonsense.”

I finally spoke up after a moment of silence. These guys had really improved their lying skills since I last saw them.

But this wasn’t the time for joking around. It was a serious matter.

Everything is just going the wrong way, damn it.

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