Inside the Human Empire’s Internal Affairs Hall, candlelight flickered, casting dark shadows against the stone walls.
“Sok… about the reformation of the Hero Party.”
An old but vigorous voice drifted slowly from the direction of the Dragon Throne.
The King rubbed the carved patterns on the armrest, his gaze buried in the shadows.
“How is it proceeding?”
Sok stood in the middle of the hall, his black robe trailing on the ground.
He kept his head bowed extremely low, his voice steady and emotionless.
“To Your Majesty, they have all agreed.”
“Except for the deceased mage, and… Master Lü Erlu, who remains unheard from.”
“Lü Erlu…”
The King murmured the name, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Not hearing the answer he wanted, he slowly shook his head.
“Sigh, Minister Lü, this was your chance to save your life. Why don’t you understand?”
Sok’s fingers, hanging at his side, tightened almost imperceptibly.
He stole a quick glance at the King’s expression before quickly lowering his head again.
“Your Majesty, the Senate has already decided. They will send people to deal with those who are disobedient and difficult to control.”
“What?!”
The King snapped upright.
He slapped the Dragon Throne with a loud bang, causing the candlelight to tremble.
“Absurd!”
Rage bubbled in his old voice.
“To make such a decision without even asking me, the King?”
He glared at Sok, his tone laced with clear accusation.
“You are my Minister of Internal Affairs! When you received word from them, why didn’t you voice your opposition?”
“Your Majesty…”
Sok’s voice dropped even lower, concealing a faint, undetectable bitterness.
“We both know. Once the Senate is involved… neither of us has a say.”
The hall fell into a dead silence.
*Crack.*
*Snap…*
Only the sound of the burning candles remained.
The King stared at a crack on the armrest of the Dragon Throne.
After a long while, he slumped back powerlessly, his back sinking into the wide seat.
His eyes were full of a complex pity, as if he were seeking justice for the person far away in the castle.
“Lü Erlu, oh, Lü Erlu,” he murmured, his voice as soft as a sigh.
“Why didn’t you learn from the mage and use a fake death as a shield to protect yourself? You aren’t greedy for wealth, nor are you power-hungry. Yet, after resigning, you insisted on staying in that castle.”
The King shook his head with helpless frustration.
“Currently, your prestige is too high. So high that… it’s inevitably difficult to control. The Senate has no choice but to eliminate you.”
He spoke the words softly, yet they carried a heavy sense of destiny.
Sok stood still, the folds of his robe masking the dark light in his eyes.
No one saw the cold, faint curve of his lips.
The King rubbed his temples, his voice exhausted.
“I can no longer protect you… I can only hope you find your own way to survive this trial.”
He paused, his gaze drifting toward the dark night sky outside the window.
His voice was so low only he could hear it.
“After all, I know we both come from the same home.”
‘Who wasn’t a genius youth? Mr. Transmigrator.’
After a moment, the King turned to give orders.
“Sok, delay this matter as long as possible.”
Sok bowed his head and slowly replied, “Yes.”
However, a sliver of unnoticed malice was hidden in that voice.
In his sleeve, he quietly gripped a metal token—it was the Senate Token.
Sok slowly retreated.
*Creeak—*
The stone doors of the Internal Affairs Hall closed behind him.
As soon as he reached the corridor, he could no longer hide his suppressed ecstasy.
The corners of his mouth curled upward uncontrollably, the grin widening as his footsteps became lighter.
“Lü Erlu, Lü Erlu…” he whispered, his voice filled with a triumphant laugh as he gripped the cold metal token.
“I finally found my chance.”
‘To get rid of you, the genius who always pressed me down.’
The shadows of the hallway covered half his face, leaving only his teeth glinting in the dim light.
“If you must blame someone, blame yourself for not knowing the ways of the world, much less the logic of making a timely exit. You held immense prestige but insisted on being indifferent to power and wealth. How could the Senate not see someone like you as a thorn in their side?”
“Heh… Hahaha, hahahahahaha!”
He stopped abruptly, tilting his head back and laughing.
The sound grew louder, carrying the venomous spite he had suppressed for years.
“You thought you could live in peace by resigning? Once prestige gets high enough to be an eyesore, it becomes a death warrant. Just wait… very soon, you will pay the price for being so out of place.”
Sok straightened his robe, stifling his laughter and regaining his usual composure.
But deep in his eyes, the killing intent only grew stronger.
—
In Ziya’s room, a warm yellow oil lamp flickered.
Lü Erlu closed the heavy storybook, having just finished the tale of the Human Hero subjugating the Dragon Queen.
Little Ziya was huddled under the soft quilt, her eyes full of curiosity.
“So, did the Human Hero really defeat the Dragon Queen just like that, Father?”
“Yes, the story is over. It’s time for bed.”
He made a move to get up and extinguish the oil lamp on the desk.
“But Father!”
Little Ziya quickly grabbed his sleeve.
“The Dragon Queen—did she do something wrong?”
Lü Erlu’s movements paused.
The light of the lamp reflected on his face, his expression turning somewhat complex.
“…The story didn’t say, Little Ziya.”
He avoided his daughter’s gaze, keeping his tone as gentle as possible.
“It’s late. Hurry up and get ready to sle—”
“Father—”
Little Ziya shook his sleeve, nuzzling him playfully.
“Just tell me what you think! Since I’ve been so good lately, I’m really curious!”
She opened her large, round eyes, which reflected the dancing candlelight, clear and without a hint of impurity.
Looking at his daughter’s expectant face, Lü Erlu sighed softly.
“Sigh, I really can’t do anything with you.”
He sat back down and began to speak, his voice deep and magnetic.
“If you ask me, I’d say it’s Karma.”
Ziya tilted her head, her pointed ears twitching.
“Karma? What does that mean?”
“It means for every cause, there is an effect.”
Lü Erlu’s gaze drifted out the window.
“The Dragon Queen might not have done anything wrong, but her existence threatened the human territories and infringed upon human interests. That was the cause. Being subjugated by the Hero was the effect she had to bear.”
After nearly thirty years of an immersive life, raising three monster girl daughters, Lü Erlu had gradually matured.
He no longer felt as though all of this was directed by some fictional writer of fate he had once imagined.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at his daughter’s ignorant face.
“Just like some people who only want to live a peaceful life but, because of their very existence, get in the way of others. Without even knowing it, they sow a dangerous cause.”
Ziya blinked, only half-understanding.
“Then… is it possible to not have a bad effect?”
Lü Erlu smiled.
“It’s very difficult. Once certain causes are sown, it’s no longer up to you.”
He reached out and extinguished the oil lamp.
The room instantly fell into darkness, leaving only the faint moonlight filtering through the window.
“Alright, you really need to sleep. Goodnight, my Little Ziya.”
Gently tucking his daughter in, Lü Erlu turned and walked toward the door.
Behind him, Little Ziya was already snoring softly.
His silhouette appeared exceptionally silent in the moonlight.
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