Under broad daylight, in a clear and just world, facing this silver-haired woman who teased virtuous men and women, the great, handsome, and all-powerful Hakimi Demon King issued his punishment…
A huff.
“To your eyes, cheers, Emilia.”
“Please, if you could stop overwhelming me with your gaze, even a single glance feels so heavy I can barely breathe. Brother, if you keep looking at me like that, I might have to resort to self-defense, ha~ ha~”
“Alright, sorry. If you don’t like it, I’ll be more mindful in the future.”
Though she made several promises, she couldn’t help but let her emotions show.
After all, having been through so much, she thought she had found her home and built bonds, only to realize upon looking back that he was her true home from the start.
Those other things were mere fleeting clouds, shattered by hardships and scattered by lies.
Thus, she cherished him even more.
Sieg, who seemed skeptical, was about to make a sarcastic remark when he was startled by a woman’s angry roar nearby.
His body trembled, his brows slightly furrowed, and his mood soured.
Where did that megaphone come from?
It should be sent to a school to serve as the morning bell.
“Emilia.”
“That woman is back here?”
It was a woman with yellow hair tied in a single ponytail, radiating the fury of a raging lion.
She rode a white steed, holding a whip, her tone and expression brimming with impatience.
For Daisy, seeking out Emilia was an annoying task.
If not for Brother Gerald’s orders, she wouldn’t bother coming for that woman.
After some thought, she roughly understood the reason—perhaps it was because the three of them had lived together as children, which led to Gerald’s decision.
It seemed reasonable enough, so she had no excuse to refuse.
Otherwise, it would seem heartless and unjust.
But there was one thing that puzzled her even more.
She glanced sideways with disdain at Duke Ole, her traveling companion.
From start to finish, he wore a grim expression, looking no older than twenty-something, riding his horse in silence.
He rarely spoke, barely acknowledged others, and only occasionally let slip a sadness as if someone in his family had died.
She couldn’t understand why she had to travel with him… this Emilia-obsessed lackey.
Hmph, boring. She withdrew her gaze.
As Daisy, whose voice arrived before her person, rode into the village where she had grown up, accompanied by a few attendants and the expressionless Ole, her proud and noble demeanor clashed starkly with the surroundings.
Instantly, she drew the attention of many.
The villagers, as if spotting a savior, dropped their belongings and food, rushing toward her like a zombie horde.
They recognized her—it was Daisy, the real Daisy!
Now the right-hand woman of Emperor Gerald, her appearance was like a timely rain.
Gone was the villagers’ earlier righteous indignation.
They knelt around Daisy, some praying, others crying with trembling voices, as if someone had died.
In truth, it wasn’t far off—the nobles’ actions were practically a death sentence for these people.
“You’re Daisy, right? You’ve grown up! I held you when you were little, I remember you. Please, help us seek justice. You’re doing so well in the capital, you must have a way, right?”
“Yes, yes! I always knew you’d make something of yourself. These nobles are taking advantage of our plight. What they’re doing is killing us! You can’t just stand by and watch us die.”
“In this great famine, these nobles are buying our land at rock-bottom prices, and it’s a one-time deal. Lady Daisy, please stand up for us, we beg you!”
…
Originally, Daisy had no intention of meddling, only planning to track down Emilia.
But amidst the chorus of flattery, she lost herself.
The corners of her mouth curled slightly upward, a wave of satisfaction washing over her.
Feeling generous, she decided to show some mercy.
Honestly, she wasn’t fond of these villagers.
After all, in her memories, from childhood to adulthood, all they ever talked about was that guy Emilia or big brother Gerald, as if they were the perfect match made in heaven.
They never cared about her, the insignificant nobody.
Occasionally, they’d mention her in passing, like, “Oh, there’s that person too.”
But now, things were different.
Deep down, it was probably jealousy—jealousy of Emilia.
And an inexplicable hatred…
She dismounted with a flourish, striding arrogantly toward the local noble amidst the crowd, exuding an undeniable air of authority as she began her questioning.
Determined to resolve the matter quickly, she made even the local noble flustered.
Yet, beneath that fluster, he carried a hint of defiance.
He was legitimate, after all.
He hadn’t broken any laws, so what was there to fear?
Even nobles from the capital had to play by the rules, didn’t they?
But the moment she spoke, the noble straightened up with confidence.
“I am Dalie, a knight personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor. Explain yourself, noble, or face severe consequences.”
“Oh, my goodness, esteemed lady, so you’re one of the Emperor’s own! Seeing is believing, and your reputation precedes you. We’re just conducting honest business here. I’d advise you not to meddle unnecessarily,” the noble replied with a mocking tone.
Standing on his platform, he was fearless.
Superficial courtesies aside, he knew the Emperor was just a figurehead now, devoid of real power.
The nobles appointed by him might hold sway in the capital, but out here?
A grand title meant nothing compared to local powerhouses like himself.
After all, without roots or influence, a big name was just an empty boast.
Out here, far from the Emperor’s reach, the nobles were the real kings.
Even if the Emperor wanted to interfere, he’d likely find himself in over his head.
The empire was teetering on the brink, and everyone knew it.
Most old nobles were biding their time, sitting on the sidelines.
To them, it was just a matter of a new emperor taking over.
They’d lose a bit of blood, some privileges, and then it’d be back to music and dancing as usual.
That’s how it always went…
Except for that Emilia.
She was out for the nobles’ throats.
At first, she played nice, charming the nobles and the church, even offering them benefits while appearing harmless.
But when the time was right, she struck with both barrels.
She choked the nobles’ lifelines, suppressed the church, and dealt a devastating blow.
Even when the two forces realized what was happening and tried to fight back, they were crushed.
They could only watch as their power and influence were chipped away bit by bit.
If that woman had another ten years… it’s unthinkable what the empire, with its thousand-year legacy, would become.
Luckily, this Emperor was foolish enough to fall for whispered rumors, idle gossip, and a few fabricated pieces of evidence.
He willingly cut off his own limbs, becoming a puppet for the nobles to manipulate.
Back to the moment—those words thoroughly enraged Dalie.
Being publicly humiliated like this was worse than death, especially by people she knew.
“How dare you! Who do you think you are to defy my orders? Speak the truth, now, immediately!”
“Alright, alright, my lady, take your time listening,” the noble said, humoring her.
Perhaps out of whim or to save Dalie some face, the noble recounted the whole story from start to finish, conveniently omitting anything that might incriminate himself.
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