‘It’s more comfortable than I thought…’

Despite the fact they were suspecting me of killing a Yamato Guildmember, my situation was quite comfortable. I was lying on a comfortable bed instead of the cold floor and the food they gave me was really good, which was great because I had been worried about how I was going to have to eat the same food criminals ate. Based on how they were treating me, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that Cha Hee-Ra and Kasugano Yuno were much more influential than I thought because it was obvious that if I was just an ordinary peasant, they would’ve chopped off my head without even holding a trial. As the Mercenary Queen’s Lover and the shaman’s guest, I had enough influence to exonerate myself.

‘That’s why power is great…’

However, I couldn’t feel relieved about the situation. Of course, it wasn’t likely that I would lose my head since showing hostility toward the Mercenary Queen and the shaman at the same time meant that the empire’s forces would be reduced and no one wanted that. In other words, protecting me was more important than punishing the regular members of the Yamato Guild. But it was even more important to find out what Ito Sota was up to. While the severity of my punishment or the amount of fine I would have to pay depended on how much information that bastard gave them, ultimately, I didn’t have to worry about losing my head.

There was one thing I was worried about though…

‘Having a diplomatic disadvantage...’

This issue could be disputed depending on how it was interpreted.

When I looked up after finishing my meal, I saw Cha Hee-Ra looking strangely unhappy.

“I honestly feel good,” she said.

“Huh?”

“That bastard was the one that got killed, not you, right?” she asked.

“I’m surprised that you’re not scolding me,” I told her.

“I’m not in the greatest mood because my plan got ruined and I’m even angrier because you went to the shaman’s room without saying anything and got involved in that situation. I’m sure you know, but I find one’s image to be very important. The reason why I feel good is that whether it was intentional or not, you killed one of the members of the Yamato Guild, that was rather energizing…” Cha Hee-Ra explained.

“Thanks, I guess…” I said.

“What’s your relationship with the shaman?” she asked.

“...”

“I thought that woman would obviously stand on Yamato’s side, but I never imagined that she would constantly testify that you were innocent. You haven’t been keeping in contact with her without me knowing, right? If that’s the case, I might just become a little sad,” she said.

“It’s up to you whether you want to believe me or not, but yesterday was the first time I met her,” I told her.

“You know that things won’t work out well if you lie to me, right?” she asked.

“Why would I lie to you? Do you remember Kasugano Yuno crying when she first saw me?” I asked.

“Of course…”

“That woman can see into the future,” I said.

“What the…”

“However, she can’t see whatever she wants to see and even if she does see it, she can only see it for a short period of time, but I’m certain that she can see into the future,” I told her.

“You’re not joking, right?” she asked.

“I saw it myself. If you just think about it, the answer is there. If not, how could a 16-year-old girl build a large guild in four years? I also have an idea as to why that woman is obsessed with me. In the future, that woman and I end would end up having a connection,” I explained.

“Bullshit.”

“That was the reason why that woman cried while looking at me and the reason why she’s working so hard to defend me. It’s up to you whether you’ll believe me or not, Hee-Ra noona,” I said.

She looked a bit frustrated and after tapping on the table, Cha Hee-Ra spoke while looking at me. “Sigh… you bastard, you’re just a lump of pheromone aren’t you?”

“You know you’re the only one for me, noona,” I told her.

“It’s not good to grovel too much, darling,” she said.

A small frown appeared on her face as she tapped the table. I guess she didn’t enjoy these kinds of jokes because she was obviously angry.

“So… you have a plan, right? Even though I’ve been causing trouble, the public opinion isn’t that great because this is the first time that someone died inside the Holy Empire’s castle and in an argument at that. I’m sure your head won’t get cut off by the guillotine, but the Red Mercenary Guild, the Blue Guild, and Lindel will lose their grounds. It may not seem much, but this is a sensitive issue…” she said.

“There are a lot of things that I’ve been thinking about. There may be changes to the plan, but the result won’t change,” I answered.

“It’s better to act with a plan. The reason why I watch your back is because you’re helpful to me and always keep in mind that me finding you attractive is the secondary reason,” she told me.

“I know. Thanks noona,” I said.

“...I’ll be back later tonight. Don’t stress out and try to think about different things while resting, darling.”

“You too, noona.”

‘She looks happy.’

I wasn’t sure which part made her feel better, but I did see a faint smile on her face and just like Jung Ha-Yan, I could see Cha Hee-Ra’s expression all over her face. The problem was that her emotions changed often just like her title on her status window.

Naturally, I felt tired from greeting the three women who came here all in one day, and honestly, talking to Jung Ha-Yan and the shaman was more difficult than getting interrogated.

“Heuuuuk… oppa… waaaaaah…”

Jung Ha-Yan cried as soon as she came here and she acted as if the world was coming to an end. I guess she was really heartbroken when she saw me being locked up because she was looking forward to spending time with me here and to make things worse, she caressed my cheeks as she wailed. It was as if she thought I was going to be severely punished. If someone had been watching us, they might’ve thought that I had gotten the death sentence or something. But once she understood the situation, she started to direct her anger at Ito Sota and I guess she must have thought that Kasugano Yuno was the source of the issue because she was also angry at her. Naturally, I gave her a special lesson in order to prevent a second accident, but despite that, her anger didn’t subside. As such, I had to ask Cha Hee-Ra to watch over her.

‘I guess she’s not coming today.’

I shook my head when I felt like I was unknowingly waiting for Jung Ha-Yan to come and visit me. It was the same for Kasugano Yuno as well. It was difficult for Yuno to come and visit me because she had to keep working for me, but despite that, she would visit me a few times a day to give reports. I felt bad for the two because the person I was waiting for wasn’t Jung Ha-Yan or Kasugano Yuno.

The person I was waiting desperately for was my lawyer who would defend me. It wouldn’t really matter if I defended myself, but if I could find someone that could do it for me, then it would be better to hire one of the key members of a large guild. A smart and competent woman.

While I was having different thoughts, the door opened and I thought that maybe it was Jung Ha-Yan or Yuno, but the woman that was standing in front of me was the woman that I had been waiting for.

‘Lee Ji-Hye.’

She mumbled as she watched me lying in my bed. “Well look at you… you definitely look like a loser now.”

“I’m ashamed,” I said.

“You’ve fallen right into it,” she said.

“...”

“I guess it must’ve really hurt your pride. I’ve never seen you this angry before,” she remarked.

“Is that so?” I asked.

I wasn’t sure if she had already caught on or if she just knew me really well, but I couldn’t help but feel that I got caught red-handed. I thought that I had to maintain my composure as much as possible, but naturally, I was angry about many things. Backstabbing others was my only specialty, and now that I had been backstabbed pretty badly, it was natural for me to have these thoughts. I was basically backstabbed in a ridiculous way by an overwhelmingly powerful monster.

Even though I was smiling, anger was filling me up. Jung Ha-Yan and Cha Hee-Ra hadn’t noticed it, but Lee Ji-Hye pointed it out as soon as she saw me, so I felt flustered but I wasn’t particularly unhappy.

‘Soulmate.’

That was what I thought every time I saw her—Lee Ji-Hye and I were really like two peas in a pod.

“I thought that you would already be making your move, but I guess that wasn’t the case,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“I was waiting for you,” I said.

“I guess the titles Mercenary Queen’s Lover and the shaman’s guest isn’t enough?” she asked.

She was right. It meant a lot to me that the executive member of the Black Swan Guild and a high-ranking member that the guild master trusted was going to be my agent. This was what it was like to have connections with powerful people. After considering the fact that there was a custom in Korea where lawyers who were once judges or prosecutors would be favored during their first trials, it made even more sense.

‘One’s image is important…’

“I won’t deny it, but more than that, I needed you, noona,” I said.

“Hm… it doesn’t sound all that bad, oppa,” she said.

“I’m glad that’s what you think and honestly, you’re right. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t mad and it did hurt my pride. The back of my head also feels sore,” I said.

“Should I cry with you?” she offered.

“No, I actually have a big case planned out and I was hoping you’d help me. I won’t just get back at him for backstabbing me and of course, you’ll be rewarded for it too,” I said.

“I was thinking about helping you even if I didn’t get anything in return since I’m a romanticist. I’m also mad at the guy personally and for ruining my plan, so then… we should search for the right authority, right?” she asked.

“I look forward to working with you, Miss Lee.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lee.”

Lee Ji-Hye quietly stood up and spoke to the guards in front of the door. I knew what she was going to do because this was the kind of role that I was expecting her to do.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Where’s the weapon that Mr. Lee Ki-Young was holding?” she asked.

“Oh, that weapon… we’re currently keeping it for investigation purposes…”

“Please bring it right away,” she said, interrupting the guard.

“Excuse me?” the guard asked.

“I asked you to bring his weapon right now,” she said again.

“Y-You see… that weapon was used at the scene of the crime, so we’ve been taking care of it. Even if you ask me to bring it…”

“Is the investigation still ongoing? We have already explained the weapon’s skill and you guys have confirmed it yourselves. You guys even did several tests on it, so was that not enough?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“We’re holding it onto it just in case because it was determined to be dangerous…”

“I’m telling you to bring it just in case and I’m sure you already know that my client was threatened by the Yamato Guild’s member and even Kasugano Yuno testified about it since she was the witness. We’re not even sure whether he’s the victim or the assailant, so locking him up and taking his weapon is too much,” she explained.

“A person died. Based on the procedure…”

“The Cursed Sword Juliena is the minimum amount of protection he needs in order to protect himself. If an accident happens to my client because he has no way of protecting himself, will you be able to take responsibility for it? The Mercenary Queen will not just stand still and watch,” she said.

“But…”

“You guys… I’m asking out of curiosity.”

“...”

“Do you know how much that weapon costs? It’s a legendary-ranked item and there aren’t that many of them within the continent. How do you guys plan on taking responsibility if an issue occurs with the sword’s skill? From what I know, weapons that have an ego will have side effects the longer they’re away from their master and if Juliena starts having issues, I’ll sue you guys in my client’s place,” she told them.

“We’re just doing our jobs based on the Holy Empire’s procedure. Even if you say that you’ll sue…”

“I’m not saying that I’m going to sue the Holy Empire. I’m saying that I’m going to sue you for failing to manage Juliena. Of course, the Holy Empire isn’t at fault, but for you guys, it’s a different story. I’m going to sue you guys for oppressing my client, not the empire,” Lee Ji-Hye explained.

“Oh…”

“The price of my client’s weapon is so high that you can’t just put a price on it and if you don’t manage that kind of weapon the right way, do you really think that you won’t be blamed for it? Once I sue you guys, not only will all the guards be instantly in debt, but you’ll also have to go through a long trial against a large guild. I’m sure I don’t need to say who the Holy Empire will side with, right? Are you confident in going through with that?” she asked.

“...”

“I’m not sure whether you’re acting this way because the Holy Empire told you that they’ll protect you when something happens, but if that isn’t the case, then shut up and bring my boyfriend’s belongings. Deliver my words to your superior and if they don’t have the authority, then ask the person above them and bring it to me no matter what. If you can’t resolve it, then you guys come up with a plan and bring Juliena here no matter what… if you don’t, I’ll write down the names of everyone involved and sue all of you,” she threatened.

“Y-You see… our authority is…”

“Didn’t you hear me? Bring your superior or the person who has the authority! Who’s the person in charge here?! How dare you do things this way!” Lee Ji-Hye yelled.

I felt like I was accompanying a scary unnie who was trying to get a refund for an expensive item.

‘Ji-Hye unnie, you’re so cool!’

She was definitely a femme fatale from my point of view and there was no other way for me to describe how she looked in my eyes right now.