The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

34 – Assassination

Duke Sebes had a routine.

At lunchtime, he would finish his meal, lie down on a comfortable armchair, and listen to the sound of a lute played by the hired musician.

Then, for thirty minutes, he would nap while feeling the touch of his personal barber shaving his beard.

It was a habit that had never missed since he became a duke.

Thump, thump, thump!

“Your Grace! There’s big trouble!”

“What’s the matter?”

Duke Sebes, awakened by the sound of footsteps, turned his head.

It was one of his spies.

The spy, sweating profusely, relayed the news.

“Crown Prince Cain has begun to protest fiercely after hearing the news of Ascal Debré’s imprisonment!”

“I had already anticipated this. Don’t worry; we have a plan.”

When they framed Ascal Debré and imprisoned him in Zurat, it was natural to assume that Cain, who had a good impression of him, would stand up for him.

However, Duke Sebes had long been accustomed to concocting such schemes.

By presenting manipulated evidence, even the Crown Prince would find it difficult to further question the matter.

Duke Sebes gave a sinister smile and lay back down. Today’s nap was bound to be a short one.

“Your Grace! There’s big trouble!!”

“What now?”

This time, it was another spy.

“Duke Senestia and Princess Yulia have started to defend Ascal Debré!”

“This is a bit troublesome. But it’s still manageable.”

Duke Sebes squinted.

He knew very well that a word from a person in power carried weight.

In this era, a single word could turn innocence into guilt, and guilt into innocence.

Crown Prince Cain, Duke Senestia, Princess Yulia… Why on earth does a mere 5th-grade official like him have such powerful backing?

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“His Majesty is on our side. That fact won’t change.”

Is that correct?

Truthfully, even as he said it, he felt slightly unsure.

Originally, the plan was to swiftly execute Askal Debrur, but the Emperor’s reaction was lukewarm.

“Hmm, execution might be, well, a bit much. Hmm.”

It was Duke Severes who had always manipulated the Emperor with his words.

Naturally, he thought this matter would proceed smoothly as well, but due to the Emperor’s passive opposition, they only managed to send Askal, a mere thorn in their side, to prison.

However, the prison Askal was sent to was none other than the Empire’s worst, the infamous Zulrat prison.

The likelihood of Askal coming out of there safely was virtually nil. To be even more certain, the Duke even contacted the prison warden, Cheshire.

“Askal Debrur is ‘adjusting very well’ in Zulrat.”

It was a satisfactory response.

Imagining Askal laboring under the scorching sun, the Duke smiled.

At last, he should be able to take a refreshing nap.

“Your Grace! We are in deep trouble!”

“Your Grace! We are in deep trouble!”

“Your Grace! We are in deep trouble!”

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

Simultaneously, three spies burst into the Duke’s chambers.

Unable to hold back, the Duke stood up from his seat.

“What on earth is going on! If it’s not a big deal, you should know better than to disturb me!”

The spies exchanged glances, pushing each other forward.

The one shoved out had no choice but to report first.

“The Empire’s Evaluators have gone on a group strike! They are protesting in the square, demanding Askal Debrur’s release!”

“Moreover, the Catfolk are supporting them! More than half of the Catfolk in the Empire are present in the square!”

The Duke’s face turned red with anger as he yelled,

“Disperse them by force!”

Seeing the Duke’s fury, the spies hurriedly left the room.

The Duke panted heavily for a while, then glanced at the spy who had not left.

“Why haven’t you left?”

“Well… The White Mage Tower discovered an incredible magical effect from the Jewel Frog.”

The Duke’s eyes widened.

“What? How did that happen?”

“I don’t know.”

The spy said calmly, taking a piece of paper out of his pocket.

“What’s that?”

“It’s my resignation letter. Working with you has been awful, so let’s not run into each other on the streets.”

The spy left.

The wake Lord spoke calmly.

“We’re screwed.”

White Magic Tower.

A gathering of individuals who dedicate themselves solely to the study of magic without belonging or showing loyalty to anyone.

“So after a long silence, your disciple returns and says, ‘I think there’s something about this frog, so please investigate it thoroughly?'”

Berman, the master of the White Magic Tower, looked at the disciple in front of him with distaste.

Originally, the Magic Tower was a group that valued practicality, but as one reaches Berman’s age, etiquette becomes important.

No matter how noble the disciple, this time they crossed a line.

Berman tapped the desk with his staff, and a soft sheepskin carpet appeared on the floor.

“Yulia, come and sit down for a moment.”

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“Then let’s do this. I will thoroughly investigate these jeweled frogs on my honor. If they are as valuable as you say, I will overlook your rudeness and actively listen to your story.”

Berman spoke with a cold gaze.

“But if they are not, Yulia. No matter who you are, you will have to bear the consequences. You will be ostracized from the White Tower, and you can never expect any favors from me again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

Yulia bowed her head.

Seeing his disciple’s face, Berman sighed.

“At least take a break for now. Your face looks terrible.”

Even Berman, who had no interest in such things, could see that Yulia’s face was a mess.

How long had she not slept? Her eyes were bruised, and her lips were pale and dry.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Sigh… I don’t know why such a smart girl would do something so reckless.”

Berman picked up the cage containing the jeweled frogs.

Business is business, as they say.

No matter how much he cherished his disciple Yulia, he would not go back on his word now that it has been said.

“Why is this a medium?”

Berman wiped his cold sweat.

In the impregnable Zulat Prison, Warden Cheshire reviewed the prisoner list with an unusual expression.

“What’s going on here? This prisoner named Jerobe, his records are strange, aren’t they? They don’t match at all.”

＜Ascal Debre – Market Manipulation＞

＜Jerobe – Murder＞

This was the list of recent prisoners. Jerobe had come to the prison right after Ascal.

“Especially for a murder case, the records should be more accurate, but the person he is said to have killed died long ago. Something’s strange.”

Cheshire’s aide, a prison guard, stroked his chin seriously as he looked at the name Jerobe.

“Jerobe. This man has been sticking close to Ascal Debre whenever he gets a chance. It’s like he’s waiting for an opportunity when they’re alone together.”

“…!”

Jerobe.

Unknown precise identity.

Entered the prison following Ascal.

Always seeks opportunities to be alone with Ascal.

Even a fool could see what it clearly implied.

“Askal, he’s in danger! Move now!”

I can’t let my benefactor, who perfectly prepared my home and retirement plan, die in a place like this.

Cheshire became desperate.

Thud!

As soon as Cheshire arrived at the playground, he saw Inyoung taking a full spin in the air and then sticking sharply into the sandy ground.

“Ah, is it already too late……”

Behind him was a huge Inyoung.

It was Zerob.

Cheshire clenched his face with both hands.

It was already too late.

He had let his benefactor die.

“What brings you here, warden?”

“Ah, Askal teacher. I came to see because I thought Askal was in danger……”

Cheshire opened his eyes wide and checked the other person.

Askal was doing gymnastics in perfect condition.

‘No, then who’s the one that collapsed?’

Cheshire checked the collapsed person.

It was just an ordinary brutal criminal.

With foam in the mouth, he was wandering aimlessly.

“Send him to the infirmary.”

Cheshire ordered the guard.

After the brutal criminal was carried away, Cheshire sighed a sigh of relief. At least Askal is safe for now.

“What happened? It looks like there was a disturbance among the prisoners.”

“hehehe. When that friend rushed to Askal, I played with him instead.”

Zerob answered in Askal’s place.

It seemed like Zerob had protected Askal.

Cheshire looked up at Zerob’s gigantic figure.

“Askal, let’s do some knitting.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

And then, in a size that didn’t match his huge body, he immediately sat down on the floor, took out a thread, and started knitting.

It was a mystery.

Jerop, who on earth was this person?

A dark room.

The Spider’s leader unfolded a crumpled letter.

The writing was spread out here and there like a child’s, making it difficult to read.

The leader squinted his eyes and barely managed to decipher the letter.

＜Just as you said. I came to the prison. Surprisingly, life in prison is enjoyable.＞

“Hmm. It seems Jerop was successful in infiltrating. Counterfeiter, your merit was great.”

“That level was a piece of cake. Well, the Empire won’t last long if they aren’t stupid.”

The first step of infiltration was a success.

Jerop, a member of the Spiders, was not particularly intelligent, but he was stronger than anyone in terms of sheer power. It wasn’t for nothing that he was of the Giant lineage.

“Did the assassination succeed?”

“I’m reading it now.”

＜I found the person you were talking about. A black-haired man. He looks smart. Askal. I approached him.＞

“Heh. It looks like Askal’s luck has run out. Now that he’s caught Jerop’s eye…”

＜But Askal wasn’t a bad person, as you said. He’s kind. It’s fun to be with him. I like Askal more than you guys now.＞

“That Jerop, could it be!”

＜Now, I’ll be with Askal. Farewell to you guys. Bye-bye.＞

“What is Jerop saying? Leader, did he succeed in the assassination? Tell me quickly.”

“There are still six legs left on the Spider.”

“What are you talking about, Leader? Leader!”

The lights in the dark room went out.