The epithets following Emperor Cleodius were numerous, among which the most famous was ‘the madman of war’.

One might wonder how many would dare to call the lofty Emperor a ‘madman,’ but this nickname had spread far and wide, beyond the capital to the border areas.

Even Cleodius himself seemed to quite fancy this title. He harbored grand dreams of unifying the small neighboring countries through annexation.

After the peace treaty, with the reduction of armies, most of the disbanded soldiers became mercenaries.

Usually engaged in farming or other jobs, they would flock to the capital looking for work at the slightest hint of war.

Those familiar with the imperial army found it relatively easy to get contracts, but for the rest, their worth had to be proven solely through skill.

Rumors of war spread silently. Already, mercenaries hoping for a contract gathered near the capital, individually or in groups.

“Another war, huh? Seeing a lot of mercenaries around.”

On the outskirts of the capital, a pub called ‘Clover Tavern,’ frequented by common folk, was bustling with people.

Mercenaries quenched their thirst among them, and people glanced their way, whispering cautiously.

“Keep it down. Don’t want to stir up trouble for nothing.”

“Coming to the capital and causing a scene would only harm them. If they get on the wrong side of His Majesty, they can forget about any contracts for life.”

“Taxes will go up again, I bet. Those high and mighty always find a way out, right?”

“It’s always the same. The nobles too, supposedly paying more, but they always find loopholes. The rest falls on us.”

“Can’t the assembly do something about it?”

“What’s the use of gathering our opinions and protesting? The so-called representatives of the common folk, can they even exert any power? It’s always blocked…”

“If only the Melpiram family was still around…”

The noisy tavern suddenly fell silent. Despite the passage of time since the annihilation of the noble Melpiram family, the power that the name ‘Melpiram’ held was still evident.

A thorn in the royal side, the Melpirams were seen as rebels, nobles who sought to align with commoners. Everyone believed in Melpiram’s innocence when they were accused of treason, but no one dared to speak up.

The Emperor’s sword was dangerously sharp, and no one in the empire could stop him.

“Watch your words. Want to get accused of treason for mentioning the Melpiram family?”

“Don’t worry. The royals are too noble to visit a dingy tavern like this!”

“Who called this place dingy!”

The owner’s shout from behind the counter, followed by a loud laugh as he slammed a table, filled the pub. Mocking the high and mighty was as good an appetizer as any.

The tavern buzzed with life again. Amidst the noise, someone sat quietly, observing the surroundings. The hooded figure drew brief glances but no significant attention.

“Leader, what do you think?”

“Seems appropriate. A variety of customers makes it easier for rumors to spread.”

“Done checking? Can we have a drink now?”

“Eddie, we’re still on the job.”

“Che.”

The reprimanded man pouted. The mercenary-like figure continued to survey the area cautiously.

An unusual air surrounded the hooded men, suggesting years of experience on the battlefield.

A drunkard stumbled between the tables, bumping into one of the men and tumbling over. Managing to stay upright in his drunkenness, he staggered.

“Oops, sorry.”
The man staggering around grabbed the hood of a man sitting at a table to steady himself. This caused the man’s hood to fly back, revealing his face for all to see.

A gasp went through some of the patrons as they recognized him. Rumors had already informed them of who he was.

“……You’ve come from afar.”

A patron, noting the emblem of a mercenary group inside the man’s hood, murmured quietly.

He was Rebel, the leader of the Riccas mercenary group, more often referred to by his nickname, ‘Beast of the North’.

People who realized he was Rebel sent him curious looks along with exclamations of surprise.

Seldom seen in person despite the widespread rumors, some even changed their seats to get a closer look at him.

His slightly wavy black hair and blue-grey eyes stood out. His eyes, resembling the sky’s color at dawn, were not common in the capital or the empire.

The tavern’s topic quickly shifted to rumors about the Riccas mercenaries.

“They say they’ll do anything for money. They were so brutal on the battlefield last war, skinning people alive.”

“But they’re reliable in their work, perfect in clean-up.”

Rebel, listening to the whispers, knew these people wouldn’t dare say anything to his face.

Despite his fierce gaze, his handsome appearance stirred a flutter in the tavern. His tall stature contributed to this. Some patrons loitered near him, showing interest.

Amid the excited voices remarking on his looks and physique, the discussion continued about regional issues.

“A northerner, right? Mercenaries from there are notorious.”

“Why not? Many barbarians from the north, right? Probably here for a contract…”

When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem

This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Synopsis:

“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”

Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.

Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.

While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the  Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…

Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.

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