~Chapter 43~
A few days passed.
The latest issue of Sunday’s Exposé sold incredibly well, making Aisha twice as busy.
“In the Drakxion Empire, talking about the Imperial Family, especially Roselia, was almost forbidden. I’ve pushed it this far, so if I stop now, it’ll all be for nothing. Readers are definitely waiting for the next issue.”
Aisha was right. After this issue came out, sales skyrocketed, and countless anonymous subscribers joined. These new readers were probably different from the usual ones.
For example, they might be nobles unhappy with Empress Dowager Roselia and the current Imperial Family. Or people like Killian Winters, who were in trouble for falling out of Roselia’s favor.
“If things keep going this way, making life hard for Roselia… maybe she won’t be able to start a war with Aldrosia on her own terms.”
This was what Aisha was really aiming for.
She still hadn’t told Killian directly that “Roselia is secretly working with Aldrosia and plans to kill you in this war.” From Aisha’s point of view, it made sense. Killian already knew about her connection to Rune. If she brought up this topic, she’d be in deep trouble. He’d surely grill her about where she got the information.
“I don’t want to cause more trouble for Til, and besides, talking about Rune to others is forbidden. Til wouldn’t give me special treatment either.”
Aisha valued her own life, so she couldn’t say more.
In this situation, the best she could do was keep stirring public opinion against Roselia. And honestly, she wanted to do it.
“In all my years as a reporter, I’ve never seen someone like that hold power and come out on top.”
Aisha clearly remembered the disgusting moment in the Emerald Palace. This wasn’t just about protecting Killian—it wasn’t some creepy reason like that. It was her personal anger toward Roselia as a person.
Anyway.
“That’s about all the information I have right now.”
As soon as Aisha decided to keep writing articles about Roselia, she started organizing what she knew.
“Hmm…”
In Killian’s office, Aisha sat facing the wall like a punished child, carefully studying a paper filled with notes.
“For now, I know about Roselia’s allied nobles. I already know who has the weapon production monopoly and mining rights, so it’s faster to dig into the other nobles.”
Aisha was very thorough. She had no plans to attack Roselia openly right away. The scariest, cruelest, and most effective way to take someone down was this:
- Shake up the people around the target, like dusting off a rug.
- Use that information to start a public opinion war.
- The panicked target will try to fight back, but no one will listen because their trust is already gone.
- That’s when you hit the target with everything.
- And that’s how you win.
Honestly, it felt a bit sneaky, but so what? Roselia was the kind of person whose life was so messy that even a little shake would kick up clouds of dust.
That’s what Aisha thought, anyway.
But right now, her biggest concern wasn’t Roselia.
“Hey.”
It was Killian’s stare, fixed right on her.
“If you have a problem, why not just say it? If you keep staring like that, you’ll burn a hole in my face.”
Unable to take it anymore, Aisha turned and spoke. Only then did Killian open his mouth.
“Can I say it with insults?”
“…”
“You act like it doesn’t matter what I say.”
“Will that help?”
“Sure.”
With that, Killian stood up abruptly. What, is he picking a fight? Aisha flinched, but Killian, now standing close, handed her something.
It was a letter.
“Your brother sent this urgently this morning.”
“Leoric?”
“But since I don’t know what he’s scheming, I checked it first. You don’t mind, right, Aisha?”
“Uh, no. Sure, go ahead.”
She said that, but her heart sank. Leoric, that idiot, wouldn’t have written anything obvious about Rune, would he?
Dear Aisha,
Aisha unfolded the paper with slightly trembling hands.
You probably know, but things aren’t looking good. The Imperial Family is serious this time. They’re determined to find and punish the publisher and reporters of Sunday’s Exposé.
Aisha already knew this much. She’d expected it.
But…
I heard this at a tavern, but the guards in Harlem District, where your workshop is, have multiplied. Anyone even slightly suspicious gets thrown in jail. I saw someone get arrested there yesterday.
The rest of the letter was news Aisha hadn’t known.
They’re grabbing people regardless of status or background if there’s any suspicion. This is definitely not good for us. Especially since that woman sees you and your fiancé as a thorn in her side. So you really need to be careful this time.
P.S. If you get caught, can you not mention me?
From your dear Leoric.
…Is this guy insane?
So this letter wasn’t about worrying for her—it was about making sure she wouldn’t rat him out?
What would Killian think of her after seeing this? That she’s a complete fool? Damn it.
Anyway, today was the day Til was coming to visit. Aisha decided she’d ask Til for more details. At least Til was far more reliable than Leoric, especially when it came to information.
As Aisha was lost in thought, Killian spoke again.
“Like your brother said, Roselia is dead set on this.”
“It’s not good news, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah.”
“But what can we do? The game’s already started, and once an article’s out, that’s it.”
“Did I… say something wrong?”
Aisha kept talking, but Killian didn’t respond. She glanced at him, wondering if he was angry, but it didn’t seem like it.
Killian was touching his chin, a habit of his, staring down at her. He looked like someone deeply curious about something…
“…The Dark Guild Rune.”
At the sudden mention of Rune’s name, Aisha’s eyes widened in shock.
