There are times when someone’s gaze feels like violence rather than interest.

The Likas Mercenary Group was currently in such a situation. As usual, they entered the capital with their faces hidden under hoods, but this only served to capture people’s attention even more.

As they got closer to the imperial palace, it was palpable how unfriendly the crowd’s gazes were. Beyond simple curiosity, some were openly displaying their displeasure.

“Mom, who are those people?”

“Shh. Pretend you don’t see them. We’ll be in big trouble if we provoke them.”

“I think that’s the mercenary group the Emperor summoned.”

“They’re from the North? There are plenty of other mercenaries who are former soldiers, why contract with Northerners of all people…”

“Has the Empire’s military strength fallen so low that we need to contract with barbarians?”

It was baffling why people were saying things they wouldn’t dare say to their faces, but loud enough to be heard. Lailo, sensing the hostility in the surrounding gazes, moved closer to Lebel’s side.

“Captain.”

“What?”

“Show your face a bit.”

“…No.”

“Now’s the perfect chance to change public opinion. Can’t you see how the kids are hurt by people’s stares? If you just show your face once, those people will shut right up. Have you already forgotten how people reacted at the tavern last time?”

Regardless, Lebel remained silent. Lailo sighed deeply, seeming to make a decision, and reached for the hood Lebel was wearing.

“Oops, my hand slipped.”

Lebel glared at Lailo with a displeased look. This caused his neat eyes to narrow, but it only served to highlight his straight nose and eyebrows even more. There was an audible intake of breath from the gathered crowd.

“He’s… quite handsome.”

“Yeah. Why was he hiding a face like that?”

“Let me see too. Handsome men are rare.”

“Oh, those people… Aren’t they the ones who appeared at the festival last time? Clover Tavern!”

“That’s right. They put those Imperial Guard bastards in their place, didn’t they?”

Public opinion changed as easily as flipping a hand. The members’ shoulders, which had been hunched up, relaxed a bit in the now favorable atmosphere. Lailo was strutting about with a rather proud posture.

‘Look at this, you lot. This is our captain!’

There were still voices harshly criticizing the Northerners, but it was minimal in comparison. However, the younger members like Eddie were particularly sensitive to such negative reactions.

“It’s really dirty and petty… How can Northerners live with such contempt? Always busy insulting us, calling us barbaric and whatnot. Think about the territories near the mountain ranges or borders, not just the well-developed capital area and its surroundings.”

Eddie complained in a low voice. In reality, while the capital and its vicinity were experiencing remarkable development, the more rural areas lagged behind, showing a stark contrast.

Moreover, the northern regions of the Empire had frequent interactions with nomadic tribes, naturally leading to shared cultural practices. The custom of thinly slicing frozen raw meat was a food culture notorious even in the capital.

“The only thing you ever hear is barbaric raw meat eaters, cruel killers. I’m so sick of hearing how we’re going to be put down next that I can hear it even with my ears plugged.”

“You think this is just a day or two? Bear with it and move on.”

When will the day come when people stop dividing each other based on where they were born and raised? Lailo, well-accustomed to such treatment, patted Eddie’s back as he walked ahead. It was the only consolation an adult who had endured years of such scrutiny could offer.

They would soon arrive at the imperial palace. A place where unfamiliar faces and lofty individuals they had to crane their necks to look up to existed. They moved forward, feeling a different kind of pressure than when they first entered the palace grounds.

**

The time when Ilarid made contact with Turgel, the former captain of the Likas Mercenary Group, goes back about a month.

On the outskirts of the capital, there was a winding alleyway. The alleys formed between tightly packed houses were dark even in broad daylight due to the shadows.

Those familiar with the geography used these places as shortcuts and moved about freely, but in such secluded spots, any crime could occur unnoticed.

Deep inside a small alley, Turgel, who had received prior notice, was leaning against a wall, nodding her head slightly. Her reddish-brown hair swayed with the movement of her head.

Next to Turgel was a large axe, laid askew. It was nearly as big as her large frame. Under her rolled-up sleeves, pale and dark scars were clearly visible on her bare arms.

Perhaps due to her imposing appearance, no one in the alley dared to speak to or make eye contact with Turgel.

After some time had passed, Ilarid, her face hidden by a hat and mask, approached Turgel. She then spoke the pre-arranged code phrase.

“I’ve come to rescue the bird.”

“Which bird are you referring to?”

“The red hawk.”

Upon hearing the answer, Turgel gestured towards the woman. The middle-aged woman was wearing a cloak, hood, and even a mask. Anyone could see that she was someone who couldn’t afford to have her face recognized.

Most people who sought clandestine meetings like this had predictable requests. Turgel deliberately pretended not to know and tested the woman.

“Are you requesting an assassination?”

“…It’s someone I can’t just let die peacefully.”

“If you make a separate request, we can handle it as painfully as possible.”

“That’s not enough.”

A strong voice emerged, contrary to her delicate physique. Turgel sensed that the woman’s eyes were blazing behind her mask. She didn’t bother asking the mysterious woman about her circumstances.

There are some angers too profound to put into words. Who would dare to guess the depth of such fury?

Ilarid had to calm her rising breath for a moment. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the faces of everyone she had lived with at the Melpiram mansion.

None of those who worked inside the mansion survived. The soldiers belonging to the family were out of the question. From the butler to the chef and gardener. Even the young child who took care of odd jobs.

Ilarid’s older brother, Limless Rowen Melpiram, who commanded the Melpiram soldiers, confessed after enduring all sorts of hardships in prison that the Melpiram Count family had plotted treason.

The Count, Countess, and Limless – all of Ilarid’s family were sentenced to death. The execution was carried out quickly, and Ilarid couldn’t even hold a proper funeral for them.

Anyone could see that the Melpiram Count family was not the type to plot treason.

It was assumed that Limless’s confession was merely a false admission obtained through torture. There was someone else who accused the Melpiram family of crimes and systematically drove them to their deaths.

Emperor Cledius and the noble factions supporting and protecting him.

Ilarid dreamed of revenge, slowly but invisibly. Every night, she imagined plunging a dagger into the sleeping Cledius’s chest.

But death alone wasn’t enough. To exact revenge, she needed to take away what he valued most.

The power that Cledius couldn’t bear to lose his grip on, and the Astrid Empire.

Ilarid intended to bring it all down.

“I’ve heard plenty about the Likas Mercenary Group. I hear that at least on the battlefield, they don’t engage in looting or arson even after victory.”

“Well… some might think it’s hypocritical for people who get their hands bloody and carry out assassinations, but it’s one of our mercenary group’s iron rules.”

That’s why she chose them. Ilarid hoped that at least the forces she would work with weren’t individuals who acted solely with money blinding their eyes.

Her ultimate goal was to recruit the mercenary group and make them her own forces.

It was nearly impossible for the Empress to personally contract with mercenaries. Although less than before, the Emperor’s surveillance hadn’t completely disappeared.

“What kind of request do you have?”

Ilarid moistened her parched lips slightly. Though trying to appear calm, her body naturally stiffened as she thought about what was to come.

“A month from now, the Empire’s Founding Festival will be held in the capital of the Astrid Empire. On the first day of the festival, please cause a disturbance by entangling with the Imperial Guard. The location is here.”

She handed over a folded note.

Inside the note were the name ‘Clover Tavern’ and its location.

It was information she had gleaned by casually inquiring from the maids not long ago.

‘Everyone will be out enjoying the festival during the Founding Day celebrations. Where do people go for fun these days? The capital will be bustling with officers on leave this time.’

‘We’re planning to go to the ‘Blue Tavern’! There aren’t many people there, so we can chat and have fun to our heart’s content.’

‘I see… Where are the crowded places?’

‘Of course, it’s the ‘Clover Tavern’! I hear many Imperial Guard officers go there too. Most of the young people go there. It’s rare for people like us to encounter those of noble birth except at times like these.’

The young maids chattered eagerly around Ilarid. If the late Empress Dowager had been alive, she would have fainted at the sight. But Ilarid didn’t stand much on ceremony except for official events.

It befitted her title as a kind and benevolent Empress. Thanks to this, the maids could comfortably share various stories while maintaining proper respect.

Sensing that some maids were feeling burdened by the difference in status and imperial etiquette, Ilarid deliberately revealed her lonely situation.

‘I can’t leave the Empire without the Emperor’s permission, you know.’

Seeing the Empress’s melancholic eyes, the maids immediately sprang into action. Whenever they had the chance, they began to share snippets of stories they had picked up on the streets or within the palace.

Thanks to this, they were fulfilling their role as Ilarid’s informants both inside and outside the palace, just as she had intended.

This time too, she was able to naturally gather information through the maids. Ilarid quietly thought as she watched the note leave her hand.

‘If the mercenary group succeeds in their mission, I should give some small reward to the maids of the Empress’s palace.’

Turgel opened the note and for a moment, doubted her eyes and ears. Was she willing to pay money just to request such a simple task? And with her face so thoroughly concealed?

Is this for real? Noticing Turgel’s skepticism, Ilarid quickly added:

“I’ll pay the advance immediately.”

Soon, a heavy bundle of money was placed in her hand. It was quite a substantial amount for such a simple request.

‘Is she trying to test us before making a proper contract?’

Turgel glanced at the mysterious woman while pocketing the money.

Does she intend to see with her own eyes how this mercenary group handles a crisis situation, what level of skill they possess? She hid her suspicions and added a word to the unknown woman.

“The content of your request will probably be handled by the person who will become the next captain.”

“Isn’t it you?”

“I’m retiring in a few days. But he’s someone who does his job properly, so you don’t need to worry.”

Ilarid bowed her head briefly before leaving the alley. She had to hurry, having left Lynette at the entrance of the alley and come alone.

If they win against the Imperial Guard, it will surely reach Cledius’s ears. It might not be much, but it would be enough to slightly dent his pride and draw his attention.

Especially since this Founding Festival was not only a national event but also aimed at boosting the morale of the Imperial Guard.

Thanks to this, Cledius’s Imperial Guard would be able to enjoy a sweet vacation during the Founding Festival period. It was a privilege that only a group composed entirely of children from noble families could enjoy.

Would such people spend their vacation quietly cooped up in their lodgings?

This wasn’t a one-off occurrence. Imperial Guard officers caused alcohol-related incidents during every festival period. This time would be no different.

What if the mercenary group was placed in a tavern where many Imperial Guard officers gather? And if they naturally create conflict and then show themselves gaining the upper hand?

Naturally, that news would reach Cledius’s ears.

From here on, luck would have to be on Ilarid’s side.

Cledius would undoubtedly move to war. And she knew that the principality that had previously contracted with the Likas Mercenary Group had engaged in battle with the Empire.

Even when the mercenary group was present, the advantage had tilted towards the principality, but after the mercenaries left, they could easily win.

Knowing this fact, Cledius would likely set aside his bruised pride and move to contract with them.

Victory in a war of conquest meant an increase in the authority of the Empire and the Emperor. If he could win the war, he was the type of person who would even drink lye.

‘Please, just this once, help me.’

Ilarid attempted something like a prayer for the first time in a long while. It was the first prayer she had offered since losing her entire family and employees.

Once a small cog starts rolling, the next things tend to fall into place naturally. Though their forces were insignificant compared to Cledius’s army, even that was desperately needed for Ilarid.

‘I need them.’

And finally, fortune took Ilarid’s hand.

**

“Your Majesty the Empress. The mercenary group has arrived, they say.”

“…I see.”

On the outskirts of the imperial palace, there was an encampment for mercenaries. It was a space specially prepared due to the frequency of contracting with mercenaries. Those who had arrived were probably settling in and resting from their journey there.

There was no ceremony to welcome the mercenary group. Cledius said there was no need for a welcoming ceremony, but since they had come a long way, they should at least exchange light greetings, and called for Ilarid who was in the Empress’s palace.

Ilarid made an excuse that she wanted to rest for a moment and sent Lynette who was by her side. In a moment of quiet, she leaned her forehead against the window, trying hard to hide her trembling heart.

Although they had encountered each other at the tavern, she hadn’t shown her face, so they probably wouldn’t remember.

If she got unnecessarily tense with needless worry, her expression might harden and arouse suspicion. She just needed to act as natural as possible, playing the role of the benevolent Empress as usual.

It’s time to meet them now.