Chapter 53

As soon as we left the hunting grounds and boarded the carriage, Heros gave his report.

“Kamel Beatrice is heading not to his own territory, but to a different residence within the capital.”

He would likely verify the authenticity of the documents there—
And afterward, he would probably seek out Etias.

Revolutionary Army Status

Military strength: Insufficient [more]
Equipment and supplies: Insufficient [more]
Comfort: 75%
Funds: 1,590 den
Revolutionary progress: 83%

There were no changes in the other stats, but the revolutionary progress had risen to 83%. That seemed to reflect how smoothly things were going.

Soon, the lack of military strength would likely be resolved. Once Kamel joined in full force, the progress would rise even faster.

The Emperor had suddenly scheduled my title conferment ceremony to be held in a month. I guessed the revolution might begin right after that.

‘I never wanted to become a Duke Elemoer in the first place.’

The only reason I kept Fadelmon alive was because I needed someone to take the fall if I escaped.

But if I actually became a duke, even that would be difficult.

I have to escape before the title is given.

Heros, accepting my bow to store it, spoke excitedly.

“Second place…! And to think you actually caught the black bear! That’s incredible, my lady!”

“I wasn’t the one who caught it.”

“Pardon?”

“It was Etias. His skill.”

Heros gave me a confused look. He clearly didn’t understand why the black bear Etias killed was credited to me.

“I almost died to the bear, and he saved me. Then he registered the kill under my number. It was more or less… mutual cooperation.”

“I see…”

Startled by my words, Heros’s eyes flickered.

“…I’m indebted to him, then.”

“Anyway, it all worked out. It’s a good thing I didn’t win. I was so nervous, you have no idea.”

My lottery ticket winnings had nearly gone up in smoke.

“Ah, the lottery.”

Realizing what I meant, Heros slapped his knee lightly.

Despite the complicated situation, thinking about all the money waiting for me brought a sticky smile to my lips.

“Let’s go get the money, Heros.”

Soon, our carriage was headed toward the public lottery office.

Today, I planned to claim the prize under Heros’s name.

I couldn’t risk rumors spreading that I had bet on Etias and taken the prize.

I pulled out a black veil and threw on a cloak haphazardly.

Then, leaping down in front of Heros as if to escort him, I held out my hand.

“I’ll give you half.”

“You don’t have to, my lady. That’s far too much.”

“Don’t refuse. You’ll regret it if you do.”

This was my way of preparing for my escape—giving Heros his “severance” pay.

Half of 1 million den… that was 500,000 den. About 5 billion won. That amount could give him a comfortable life anywhere.

Looking at me with flickering eyes, Heros reluctantly nodded.

“…All right then.”

He took off his jacket and stepped forward.

Wearing a white shirt and black trousers, he looked like any noble young man.

The lottery building was crowded with disappointed people.

“No way! Prince Etias won? I never saw that coming!”

“That scarecrow prince? I heard rumors he was disabled—or even dead. Some even said he was a brainless fool…”

“Why did Duke Kamel Beatrice suddenly withdraw halfway through? Damn it!”

These jerks—calling him brainless and saying he’s dead?

My eyebrows twitched at the insults hurled at Etias, but I passed by, pretending not to care.

“How did you know, my lady?”

Heros asked in a low voice beside me.

“That Prince Etias would win?”

“Hmm…”

“Did you just believe it blindly?”

His lips twisted ever so slightly, as if darkened by something unspoken.

“Not in him—I believed in myself. That I could change someone’s future.”

And I did.

“I believed it deeply.”

“……”

Heros looked at me, then gave a chilling smile.

“If the opportunity arises, I’d like to challenge him someday.”

“Huh?”

“Prince Etias.”

I furrowed my brow and lightly grabbed his arm, as if to tell him to cut it out.

“No. I absolutely forbid it.”

“Because I might hurt him?”

“No. Because you might get hurt.”

Heros paused and looked at me.

His brown eyes were trembling faintly.

“You have no idea what Prince Etias is truly capable of.”

With that, I passed him and walked ahead.

Swordsmanship was one thing, but if Etias used his innate ability—<Shadow Veil>—even a moment of carelessness could lead to irreversible injury.

Based on the original story, it wasn’t time for him to reveal that ability in public just yet.

A moment later, Heros picked up his pace and walked beside me.

“But my lady… you don’t know me either.”

“Oh?”

“You’d be surprised.”

I laughed at his half-joking tone, and Heros opened the door to the claims office.

The creaking door revealed the payout counter.

Two massive guards stepped aside when Heros showed them the bag full of winning tickets—bets placed on “Prince Etias.”

We approached the empty counter, and soon the branch manager appeared, bowing to Heros.

“Oh dear, sir! Congratulations on your winnings! I’m Ranks, the branch manager. Perhaps you’d care for a cup of tea—?”

“Just give us the winnings.”

I spoke from just behind Heros, and the branch manager’s expression twisted slightly. He must’ve assumed I was a maid since I didn’t stand beside Heros.

“We’re in a hurry. Just the prize money, please.”

Following my cue, Heros requested the payout without delay.

The branch manager hesitated awkwardly, then spoke.

“It’s… quite a large amount, you see. Wouldn’t it be better to manage it safely, perhaps deposit it in a trusted bank—?”

Behind him, bank agents with thick document files were waiting.

In this world or the other, when someone wins big, the sharks always circle.

“Not necessary.”

“But—”

“I said it’s not necessary.”

At Heros’s firm tone, the branch manager fidgeted but made one last attempt.

“T-then… how about purchasing tickets for the next match? It could be a great chance to multiply your winnings…”

Before Heros could respond, I raised my hand.

“Next match?”

I asked, unease creeping in.

The branch manager lowered his voice and explained.

“His Majesty the Emperor plans to duel Prince Etias personally. At the royal training grounds. He says it’s for the morale of the imperial army.”

My heart dropped.

In the original story, the Emperor had forced brutal training on Etias after he scored zero, leaving him near death.

Now that Etias had won, it seemed he’d simply found a new way to torment him.

“Well, everyone’s buzzing about Prince Etias’s surprising skills, so His Majesty probably wants to knock him down a peg. Prince Etias is a thorn in the Emperor’s side, after all.”