Within the empire, people gathered together in squares, markets, and noble districts…
In any case, under the manipulation of the nobles and the female members of the Round Table Conference, speeches were given, blame was shifted, and the anger and condemnation of the masses rose wave after wave, venting their dissatisfaction.
All mistakes and misfortunes were pinned on Gerald.
At the same time, the speeches fueled fantasies of the empire rising to glory once more, becoming great again, and the return of better days.
As if without Gerald, none of this would have happened, and Emilia wouldn’t have been exiled.
Indeed, he played a leading role, but the fault wasn’t his alone—everyone in the empire was complicit.
Their actions were eerily similar to those of a year ago, except the target had shifted from Emilia to the “deserving” Gerald.
Still as foolish and self-righteous as ever, they believed their actions were for their own benefit, for justice, unaware that they were subtly guided, ultimately becoming pawns in someone else’s game.
At some point in the imperial capital, two familiar figures appeared.
A silver-haired woman, wrapped tightly in a cloak and hood, contrasted with a man who seemed utterly carefree, weaving through the crowd without joining their clamor.
Under Sieg’s “physical stealth” technique—if no one saw him, it counted as sneaking in.
As for why no one saw him?
Don’t ask.
Getting into the palace dungeon was almost too easy, especially now with no guards around—everyone was busy.
Busy was good, very good.
Or perhaps they were napping on the ground.
Tired was good, very good.
“It seems the reports were accurate. The empire has made a move against your little boyfriend, and they’re making quite a spectacle of it, as if they want the whole world to know. Probably to quell the anger and riots. After you left, the contrast was too stark. Who’d want to keep being a dog when they’ve tasted something better?”
Walking through the dungeon, descending a spiral staircase, the man was surrounded by dim lamplight, blood-stained steps, and the echoing sound of footsteps.
He glanced meaningfully at the girl, casually pulling off her hood.
Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, her striking profile betraying no hint of joy or sorrow.
His hand rested on her shoulder, drawing them closer.
“The nobles couldn’t take the pressure, so they dragged him out as a scapegoat. It seems the only lesson humans learn from history is that they learn nothing at all. So, do you feel bad for him?”
Frowning slightly, he caught a familiar scent—his mother’s scent?
No, the scent of a hero.
“As expected, your little boyfriend is locked up below. Man, I know him too well. Back in the Demon King’s castle, he was like an unkillable cockroach, always pulling some kind of power-up… Wait, didn’t he give up his hero powers?”
Originally, he had only brought Emilia to the empire to check things out, test the waters, have some fun, do some shopping, and gauge her reaction.
As he had said before, her words might still be tough, serious even.
But once she saw her little boyfriend down there, she might just melt.
How perfect…
An unexpected bonus.
Who would’ve thought someone would voluntarily give up their power?
Why not take advantage of his weakness and finish him off?
He stroked his chin.
But according to unofficial records, there was once a hero who died from overindulgence in bed with the Demon King, who then seized the chance to invade the world.
The next hero, however, was even stronger and obliterated the Demon King—in every sense of the word.
Though it was just a rumor, better safe than sorry.
Might as well keep this useless hero alive. Besides, killing him now…
Emilia might go berserk, grab a divine light rod, transform into Godzilla, and destroy the empire with an atomic breath, wiping out the continent.
Then he could happily go home.
Perfect…
Wait, what kind of nonsense plot is this?
He clicked his tongue, feeling a bit lost, but one thing was clear.
Their bond wasn’t as shallow as she claimed.
Years of connection—decades, even.
You’d feel something for a pet dog after that long, let alone a person.
Something was definitely off.
It wasn’t paranoia.
After a century in this other world, he’d suffered too many losses from carelessness or blind trust, nearly dying several times.
Better to be cautious.
Careful sailing keeps the ship afloat for ten thousand years.
Otherwise, you might not even know how you died.
Besides, wasn’t there a trope in female-oriented romance novels back in his old world?
This situation felt eerily familiar.
Yes, exactly like that.
No matter how much the heroine was tormented by the hero, they always ended up together.
Wait, wait, wait—am I the backup guy?
The second male lead?
The stereotypical “green-haired turtle,” a pure plot device, a spice for the hero and heroine’s love story, only to be kicked aside when no longer needed?
My god, an epiphany!
It was as if he’d stumbled upon some grand revelation, tempted to sit down and ascend through enlightenment.
Though it was just a guess, it felt close to the truth.
He’d see their reactions soon enough…
A rekindled romance…
Oh, oh, oh.
He couldn’t quite understand why he was so intent on digging into this.
They were just partners, using each other for their own ends.
Prying too much would only complicate things.
But he did it anyway, and now he felt uneasy, restless for no reason.
He couldn’t figure it out.
Looking at the silver-haired girl, his gaze grew increasingly complex, his fondness dipping into the negatives.
“Did I do something wrong, Sieg? If I did, just tell me. I’ll fix it, I’ll apologize… Is that okay?”
She noticed immediately, her crimson eyes trembling slightly as she spoke cautiously, keeping her tone low, afraid of upsetting him.
Ever since she followed him to the empire, his fondness for her had been plummeting.
It was painful.
She’d finally reset their relationship to zero, a fresh start, only for this…
Sigh.
Even if she’d refused to come to the empire, his fondness would’ve dropped.
Now, doing nothing at all, it was still dropping.
She couldn’t take it anymore and finally asked, not understanding what she’d done wrong or hoping he’d at least tell her.
…
“You didn’t do anything wrong. Neither did I. That’s all. Keep moving, don’t dawdle, or your little boyfriend might get anxious.”
“I really have nothing to do with him… What do I have to do for you to believe me?”
She could only repeat the same powerless words she’d said countless times.
He shrugged, casually knocking out two guards with ease, his eyes full of trust.
Seriously.
“Oh, I believe you. Really.”
“…”
Before she could say more, the sound of a whip cracked through the air, striking flesh, accompanied by the mocking taunts of the jailers.
“Your Majesty, how’s this force? If you don’t talk, I’ll have to hit harder.”
“Are you going to talk or not? Speak!”
Sieg quickly tricked the jailers out with sweet words, knocked them out, and let them sleep soundly.
Picking up the whip from the ground, he gestured for the girl to put her hood back on, looking ready to have some fun.
They entered the dungeon where Gerald was held.
She stood in the corner, leaning against the wall, coldly watching the bloodied, battered Gerald hanging on the wall.
Seeing him again after a year stirred no emotion in her—not heartlessness, just indifference.
Why feel anything for a stranger?
Sieg, meanwhile, took over the jailer’s role, swinging the whip, chanting “Talk or don’t talk,” settling some personal grudges.
So satisfying, better than any release.
This trip was worth it.
But then he noticed Gerald’s mouth was tightly gagged, and he fell silent.
He’d thought the guy was tough, not making a sound, only to realize it was physically impossible.
Removing the gag, Gerald erupted like a wild horse, sobbing and pleading as if he’d been waiting forever.
“Are you guys insane? I never said I wouldn’t talk! Just let me speak! Stop hitting me, I’ll tell you anything, but you have to ask something first! Please, stop, or when Emilia comes back, I’ll kill you all. Leave me some dignity!”
This mix of pleas and threats might’ve worked on others, but not on Sieg.
He thought for a moment and responded.
“Oh, we didn’t ask anything… Well, actually… I want to ask you~ Do you dare~ To love me like you said~ I want to ask you~ Do you dare~ To love a handsome guy like me~…”