“P. Stella.”

“Yes?”

The eyes of the man in front of her widened as if they were about to spill over. It couldn’t be helped.

It was a particularly strong period for imperial authority. The direct rule of the palace, which had reached a level almost comparable to the territories held by all the nobles, was an absolute centralized state.

However, who wouldn’t be surprised when the Empress suddenly appeared one day without any notice and called out the name of her wife?

Seeing that, Ines smiled brightly.

The name of the man standing in front of her was Homer Hawkins.

During Ines’s time in Romfield, he was a prison guard who, relatively speaking, treated prisoners humanely.

“How is your wife doing?”

And a wife with a name similar to the Pisteira, called the end of the world. P. Stella.

Homer didn’t know how to react, so he knelt down on the spot.

During the era of imperial authority, everyone had to kneel and not make eye contact to converse with the nobility. Of course, it was not the case now.

However, those who had never had the opportunity to face the nobility did not know the etiquette. So for now, they could only bow their heads and kneel.

“Get up. Is this the era of Flaubert now?”

Even though Ines spoke gently, Homer, not knowing what to do, tried to roll his eyes to understand the situation.

Intentionally leading Homer into the room that was used as Zemuren’s office, Ines spoke. Even with just a humble teacup filled, and the warm fragrance wafting, the room felt less unfamiliar than before.

With Homer in front of her, Ines looked around.

After deciding to return to Romfield, Ines couldn’t sleep at night. However, the prison she returned to was completely different from what existed in her mind.

Everything seemed too small and shabby, like the impression you get when you revisit the place where you lived in your childhood after growing up.

Even the intimidating gray walls and the door of Zemuren’s office, which looked like the mouth of hell, looked completely different.

“Get up.”

As Ines repeated her words, Homer awkwardly got up. He still couldn’t meet her eyes, but he somehow managed to sit on the opposite side of her, placing his buttocks on the edge.

“Who is using this room now?”

“Oh, uh…”

His brain seemed to have stopped, and his mouth just stuttered, barely uttering a unfamiliar name. It was natural that the name of the current Zemuren in prison did not come up, but for some reason, Ines felt a heavy weight on her chest.

Ines got up and approached the desk that Zemuren used. Although the owner of the room had changed, newspapers reporting the news from Landhill were still placed on that desk.

“Do you know why I’m here?”

Currently, imperial knights were thoroughly investigating Romfield to understand the situation.

There was no need to dig deep. It was certain that countless corruptions would emerge as soon as they started digging into Romfield, a small hell within the empire.

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Today, perhaps… many of the former prison guards will become prisoners.”

Ines picked up the newspaper. On the front page were the smiling faces of the imperial couple at the recently completed Swenden Station.

“Of course, an investigation about you will also be conducted.”

“I, I…”

“I don’t know how my words sound to you, but I know very well about you.”

Ines spent a long time in Romfield. Even if one had a good heart, it was inevitable to be tainted by living with demons here.

He did not specifically grant recognition to the prisoners, but simply not becoming like the demons made him a great person.

It had been a whole 10 years. He consistently maintained his principles with an unwavering attitude.

“Unless you cause a big problem, you will be the head of Romfield’s prison guards.”

“Yes… Yes?”

Inside Romfield, the guards made a big fuss, but the profession of a guard was not a highly regarded one in the world. Moreover, Homer, a commoner, could never rise to the position of head guard even if he worked as a guard for a lifetime.
“I, how could I… I don’t have that ability…”

“I’m not placing huge expectations on you.”

Ines took a step closer to Homer, who had a vacant expression. His head lowered involuntarily. The dim light barely illuminated the gloomy room, casting a faint glow on the side profile of Ines.

“Treat the prisoners not just as sinners but as humans. Not like animals.”

“I… I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“It means to continue as you are now. Don’t just leave the guards’ antics of tormenting prisoners for amusement unchecked. I want to give you the power to prevent that.”

“…”

“Don’t hit without reason, and don’t hang them on the gallows or tie them to trees.”

As facts unknown to anyone but the inner circle were revealed through the Empress’s mouth, Homer’s body trembled sweetly.

“Provide food that people can eat, and bury them if they pass away during labor.”

Ines approached a bit more and spoke towards his head.

“They are human.”

“…”

“Hmm?”

“Yes, yes. Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Homer knelt down on the floor.