Carson’s knights from Landhill were in the midst of training day after day. Even the nobles were cautious, refraining from social activities and avoiding gatherings of three or more people.

“Sigh…”

Carson was in the most challenging state of patience, surveillance.

“Noah, check if people are still queuing up for the distribution in Sestina today.”

“Yes, understood.”

In the empire, they operated a distribution center named Sestina for the poor. However, lately, the number of people visiting the place had increased dramatically.

Carson’s reason for choosing Harleben was to closely observe the situation of the empire’s citizens. In the past month, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense.

He deliberately spoke slowly. Soon, a scout returned and reported the situation to Noah.

“The line today is longer than a few days ago.”

When Carson left for Monstera, the market in the capital was lively, and resources were abundant. However, over the past few months, people had become increasingly anxious.

“Why is that?”

“The amount of grain circulating in the market has significantly decreased. Even if you want to buy with money, almost half the time there’s nothing available.”

Carson gently stroked the mane of his horse, lost in thought. He knew that the amount of grain was decreasing, but the severity of it in recent weeks was too much.

“What do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“There wasn’t a drought or flood in the past two years. The harvest wasn’t bad. But suddenly, there’s a shortage of grain in the market? The only explanation is that someone is intentionally hoarding and not releasing it.”

Noah hadn’t completely ruled out such a possibility. However, there was no reason to hoard grain at a time like this.

“Who do you think has the wealth to buy up all the grain in the capital and tie it up somewhere? If not the royal family, who could it be?”

“Probably the royal family, right?”

“Why would the royal family? What good would it do when the people’s mood is turning sour?”

Indeed, that was true. If someone deliberately took away grain, it could only be…

“Ah!”

Noah’s eyes widened as if he had realized something. At this moment, the royal family couldn’t afford to move such a large amount of money. Moreover, if the imperial citizens were starving, their resentment would all be directed towards the royal family.

“In that case, from the Sweden family…”

“Most likely.”

“Then, Lady Sweden probably didn’t give a heads up in advance?”

“Not at all.”

Whenever Ines planned something without Carson’s permission, she always kept her words to herself.

“If this assumption is true, what do you think might be the reason behind such an act?”

“If I knew that, would I be asking you?”

“Is she just trying to direct arrows of resentment towards the royal family? It seems too massive for that, isn’t it?”

Carson shrugged his shoulders. Although there were suspicions, it wasn’t confirmed, so he refrained from commenting.

“Do you know that, Noah?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s an enormous casino in Harleben.”

Noah’s expression twitched at the sudden change of topic.

“Of course, I’m aware.”
Noah hesitated to approach Harleben not only because of the lax security in the mansion but also for another reason – the grand casino with extensive facilities.

Although not many people knew this fact, all the money coming out of the casino went directly into the Empress’s private funds. Therefore, Harleben itself could be considered the Empress’s playground. Being present in the Empress’s playground during a time when caution was needed made Noah even more uneasy.

“In the place where that casino stands now. Originally, it was the largest slum in the capital.”

“I’m aware of that as well.”

“Our Empress set it on fire.”

“What?”

Noah exclaimed, causing the horse he was riding to snort softly.

“Is that true?”

“It might be hard to believe, but it is true.”

“How did you find out about it?”

“Some is speculation, and some is inference.”

“Inference?”

“Who do you think took care of the aftermath?”

“Weren’t you quite young back then?”

“Fifteen is an age to know enough. Of course, at that time, it was mostly guesswork. But when I investigated it, it all made sense. I even got a statement.”

The more Noah heard, the more astonishing it became. However, it was also a moment when suspicions about how Sonia was able to unify Lesonia with Landhill were dispelled.

“Why haven’t you told me this until now?”

“I didn’t plan to use that card.”

Carson stopped gently stroking the mane of the horse and stood up straight. The midday sun colored the ground, making it scorching hot.

As if the remnants of a fire that had burned all the people in the slums to death.

When he tightened the reins a little, the black horse resembling him walked even more gracefully than before.

“People are strange. Even though it’s impossible for the rumors to spread, those who survived there all talk like this.”

“…”

“The one who set my child on fire is said to be the Empress. Without any evidence. What do you say about that kind of thing?”