Ignoring the maids, Zandra barged into the room. This was the chamber of the emperor's fifth concubine, her mother's room. The green-haired woman sighed and greeted her daughter.
"What is it? Zandra. Why are you making such a fuss?"
"I have to fuss! Leonardo has been appointed as an inspector and has gone to the south! To our base of support!"
As Zandra ranted hysterically, the green-haired woman, Zuzan, smiled at her.
"Is that so? Leonardo is just doing his job. There's no need to worry."
"But he's gone to where Uncle and the others are! He has the authority to undermine us in any way he can!"
"Ah! Gah! Please forgive me!"
Zandra, displeased with her mother's calm smile, angrily created a whip of wind and lashed out at a nearby maid.
"Kyaaa!! Please forgive me!!"
"Be quiet! Be quiet! You're here to be beaten!"
Zandra continued to beat the unconscious maid relentlessly. By the time she calmed down, the maid was covered in blood. Normally, one would feel some guilt after calming down, but Zandra showed no signs of remorse and returned to her conversation with her mother.
"It's about Leonardo. We need to thoroughly investigate him. If that incident comes to light, he won't be able to talk his way out of it."
"Don't worry. We've entrusted the south to your brother. He'll handle it well. If he fails, all the responsibility will fall on him. It won't affect us."
"But losing the support of the south is a problem."
"It's fine. If your research goes well, there's nothing to fear, right?"
"I suppose so... but..."
"As long as you and I are safe, we can take the throne. Once we're in power, we can deal with the southern nobles. They'll understand if we temporarily abandon them. They follow the strong."
Zuzan smiled, a seductive yet cruel smile. Unlike Zandra, who expressed her emotions openly, Zuzan tended to keep them bottled up inside. Years of suppressing her aggression had filled her smile with madness.
"I can't conduct the forbidden research as per the emperor's orders. You're the only one I can rely on."
"I understand, Mother."
"You're an excellent child. You have the qualifications to be emperor more than anyone. You've inherited my talents. The slave traders will soon bring the children. Your test subjects will arrive. You must complete it. The perfect curse."
"Yes, I will. And I'll curse and kill everyone who irritates me. It's wrong for anyone to bother me. I'll kill everyone who displeases me."
"That's the spirit."
Zuzan, stroking her own green hair, looked at her beloved daughter with affection. Zandra had inherited all the qualities she wanted to pass on. She was almost a copy of herself. Zandra ascending to the throne was equivalent to Zuzan doing so.
"If necessary, I'll eliminate any obstacles. You do what you can. Don't worry. We have many allies."
"Yes, Mother."
With that, mother and daughter embraced. If the emperor saw this scene, he might doubt whether they were truly his concubine and daughter. Both wore smiles that would make anyone shudder. The only witnesses, the maids, bowed their heads and prayed for the end of this hell.
### ■■■
### The South
Leo had arrived in a certain town. Vunme, the largest city in the south, was governed by the influential noble family, the Duke of Kryuger.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Duke Kryuger."
"Not at all. It's our duty as nobles to assist the inspector."
The green-haired man, already in his fifties but still youthful, smiled. Tall and slender, he wore a thin sword at his waist, a former warrior who had seen many battles. His name was Sven von Kryuger, the brother of the emperor's fifth concubine and thus the emperor's brother-in-law.
"I believe the Duke of Kryuger is the best person to ask about the south. Frankly, are there any suspicious nobles from your perspective?"
Leo looked straight at Duke Kryuger. The duke was involved in many events in the south, and Leonardo was aware of this. However, he couldn't immediately investigate the duke. He should start with the places related to the village of Linphia, but he was curious about which names the duke would mention.
"Suspicious nobles? There are no overtly suspicious ones, as I keep an eye on them. However, I have less control over the nobles near the border."
"Is that so?"
The duke's vague response was suspicious. It allowed for easy denial. However, Leo couldn't pursue it based on that alone. He smiled and continued the conversation, paying close attention to the duke's every move.
### ■■■
### The City
While Leo was meeting with Duke Kryuger, Linphia was shopping in the city. She was also observing the city while shopping.
"Can I have that and that one too?"
"Sure thing, always a pleasure!"
"Has anything unusual happened recently?"
"Unusual? Hmm, can't think of anything."
Linphia asked the fruit vendor, but the response was the same as the previous four shops. At least on the surface, the city of Vunme seemed unchanged.
"I see. Thank you."
Linphia, holding her purchases, looked around. She had bought most of what she needed. Gathering information didn't seem very useful. As she pondered what to do next, she noticed an elderly white-haired man struggling on the outskirts of the road.
"Excuse me, I have a question..."
"..."
"Hmm, people around here are cold."
The old man sighed. Short and with slightly pointed ears, he was a dwarf. Despite dwarves typically having aged faces, this one was clearly elderly. He was slender for a stocky dwarf, with a long white beard and a white cane, his back bent. Linphia couldn't ignore the old dwarf and approached, kneeling down to speak to him.
"Sir, is everything alright?"
"Oh, a kind young lady. Could you please guide me to the city gates? I'm directionally challenged. I've been lost for three days."
"Three days? That must have been difficult. I'll guide you."
Linphia, usually not showing much emotion, was surprised that the old dwarf had been lost for three days. However, she quickly smiled to reassure him and offered to guide him. The old man smiled at her kindness.
"Thank you, thank you. As a dwarf, no one would listen to me. I was in a bind."
"I see. That must have been tough."
Despite her calm tone, Linphia's words conveyed sympathy. The old man laughed heartily.
"Not at all. It's lucky you found me. It's a fortunate encounter."
"I... I was also in trouble and was helped. No, I'm still being helped."
"Is that so? You have your own troubles?"
"Yes, sort of."
"I see, I see. That's tough. Hmm, this must be some kind of fate. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The old man opened his bag and started rummaging through it. Linphia tried to decline, but the old man insisted, continuing to search.
"Sir, this way, this way."
"Hmm? Oh, that way?"
Because he kept searching his bag, the old man would often wander off in the wrong direction when Linphia looked away. Adjusting his path multiple times, they eventually reached the city gates.
"Sir, we're here."
"Hmm? Here? Where are we?"
"The gates."
"Oh! That's right! I was looking for a gift to thank you and forgot my purpose!"
The old man looked up and laughed heartily. Linphia thought his personality was why he got lost so often and was worried about letting him leave the city. However,
"Here, take this. It's a flute made from a spirit tree. Blow it when you need help. Your allies will know your location."
"I can't accept that! You should keep it!"
"It's fine. You take it. Use it when you need to. Asking for help isn't a bad thing."
The old man smiled and left the city. His frail figure made Linphia worry, but she had her own tasks. She bowed to the old man and returned to the city.
"People aren't all bad. Where should I go next? Is there a voice calling me?"
The old man muttered and disappeared into the mountains.