068
I looked down at Rick’s body. Gray matter and brain fluid were seeping out of the puncture wounds in his jaw and crown. His death was certain.
I couldn’t relax even after seeing Rick’s death. I stared at Kinuan while holding Crucis.
“What happened?”
“As you can see, I killed an enemy of the empire.”
Kinuan was babbling. He was rummaging through Rick’s body.
“That’s not what I’m asking!”
Kinuan ignored my words and searched Rick’s chest. He rubbed his chin and looked thoughtful, as if he hadn’t found what he was looking for.
Creak.
After finishing his thoughts, Kinuan took off Rick’s helmet. Rick’s face, which had been through a lot, was revealed. Countless scars were proof of a life of struggle.
Click.
Kinuan pulled Rick’s eyeball out with his thumb, then plunged his finger deep into the empty hole. There was a squelching sound as he ripped through the squishy flesh.
“… … Rick, you seem to cherish your treasure quite a bit. Did you plan on taking it with you even after you died?”
Kinuan took out a bead from Rick’s brain. The blood-stained bead had a blue glow. Upon closer inspection, the bead’s surface was densely engraved with complex circuits. Such unique patterns and blue glow were the style of the Arcane civilization.
‘Arcane Relic.’
Rick had an arcane relic implanted in his head. The ability to teleport seemed to be the relic’s power.
“If you had accepted Rick’s offer, I wouldn’t have had to kill Rick. I could have put you under surveillance for joining the terrorists and just reported the situation.”
Kinuan didn’t take his eyes off Rick. It must have been true that the two were friends. Rick had no doubts about Kinuan’s friendship. That’s why he was caught off guard.
What was Rick thinking the moment his friend’s blade dug into his jaw?
“The instructor was a double agent.”
But he was on the side of the empire, not the terrorists.
“There’s no need to emphasize this again. I said it with my own mouth earlier. I’m a double agent.”
A hollow laugh came out.
“I don’t know how much of what you’re saying is true or false.”
“I know you mean it as a criticism, but it sounds good to me. The confusion you’re experiencing is proof that I’m still a fresh-faced double agent.”
I tried to clear up the confusion in my head, but it didn’t go away easily.
Kinuan’s words and actions came to mind. He had secretly, and sometimes directly, expressed his antipathy toward the Empire.
“Was it all an act?”
“Do you think you can fool Rick and me with just acting? It’s true that the Empire isn’t perfect. I was sincere when I criticized the Empire. But the Empire can’t fall. It’s nonsense to break down the breakwater just because it’s not perfect.”
Kinuan said blandly. He deceived everyone. That was his role.
Kuk.
I unconsciously gripped the handle tightly. My body was receiving a combat signal. I still couldn’t get out of the combat stance.
“… …Who are you?”
“Before you answer, I have something to say. Lucius Custoria, you have walked precariously in a reality where even right and wrong are ambiguous. You have walked through the harmlessness of chaos without a single inch in sight, you have faced death that cannot be reversed, and even in a desperate situation where even hope has disappeared… … You have not lost your compass. I am willing to pay you respect, because I understand the anxiety and turmoil you have experienced.”
Kinuan greeted him politely, like a well-educated nobleman. He placed his palms on his chest and bowed.
“And you finally sided with the Empire. Even though you knew the Empire was wrong, and even though you understood that the world wasn’t that simple. You made that decision based on your experience and will.”
Kinuan waited for my answer.
“It’s not that great of a reason. I… … .”
My shoulders and arms slumped as the tension eased. I couldn’t think of what to say.
“Haha, praise the defender of humanity, the founding father of the nation, and the first emperor of the empire, Dino Kratzia.”
Kinuan muttered and continued. I don’t know if he was being sarcastic or sincere. He stood in front of me.
“… … I am the servant of the current Emperor, Yuri Kratzia. I am the Emperor’s eye and watcher, and I have been granted the title of ‘Achies Domini.’ My word is His Majesty’s command, so kneel, Lucius Custoria.”
Kinuan’s voice changed from the middle. It was so deep and overwhelming. It even felt sacred.
I closed my eyes. Countless thoughts passed through my mind before my knees touched the ground.
Still, I don’t know right from wrong. I just wander. Empire, terrorists, upper and lower classes, privileged class, poor, everywhere I look, there is only irrational distortion. But it is not only the Empire. Even my narrow-mindedness could tell.
The world, this universe… … must be like that.
Bam.
My knees touched the ground.
“Born as Luca, and become Lucius of Custoria, I command you to carry out the duties of Archies Domini. We are nowhere and everywhere.”
“… … is nowhere, and is everywhere.”
I said the last phrase. It sounded natural, as if I had rehearsed it.
“Rise, young watcher.”
* * *
Kinuan and I talked a lot in the ruined building. It was like the scene in old tales where a teacher passes on knowledge to his student through oral tradition.
The Emperor’s eyes and watcher, Archieus Domini.
His position and existence are not recorded. He was like a ghost. The position of Emperor’s servant was also an unofficial position.
Even the Emperor would deny the existence of Archies Domini if asked.
I don’t know how many Akies Dominions there are. Maybe it’s just me and Kinuan. In any case, the number is not that many. If there are hundreds or thousands, it’s hard to keep a secret. At most, there are probably a few dozen.
‘… The power of the empire is deep and wide. No matter where you look, there is no end in sight.’
Kinuan was a subversive guard. He came from a similar background, and his record was extremely suspicious. There were many suspicions that he was connected to the terrorist group Nemesis. In fact, he was a double agent and was communicating with anti-imperialists.
‘It’s all a pretext for surveillance.’
It was not that the Empire failed to find its internal enemy; it was even aware of its movements.
“The empire has learned from past experiences. Rigid social structures and strict rule invite strong opposition. If you do not allow that opposition at all and suppress it, it will eventually lead to a situation where the table is turned upside down.”
“So you are monitoring and managing them from within?”
It was like draining the water little by little before the dam burst.
“You are an easy student to teach, after all. You hit the nail on the head. Let the likes of Nemesis and Rick set up as much as they want, but keep them under control so that they don’t threaten the rule. This actually helps to relieve opposition and discontent. Most people are satisfied with even small deviations. Few people are truly trying to overthrow the Empire.”
Kinuan is a teacher who is generous with praise. I was curious as I listened to the story.
Did Rick Kaiser really want to overthrow the empire?
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I didn’t say a word of my curiosity. It sounds really strange, but Kinuan is Rick’s friend. He had experienced his friend’s death only minutes before. It wasn’t something I should be asking about right away.
Kinuan took out a water jug and poured some warm tea and drank it. It was really amazing how much obsession he had to bring tea all the way here.
Kinuan took a sip of tea and continued speaking.
“Just hearing and seeing news of the assassination of officials that could be churned out like manufactured goods, or terror attacks or riots that are not even a blow to the Empire… … Some people believe that the Empire will change little by little, and they live each day suppressing their discontent.”
Kinuan’s gaze turned to the dead Rick. After looking at Rick for a while, he slowly turned his gaze to me.
“Luka, remember this. When you feel that things are changing for the better, your discontent will subside. No matter what anyone says, the human brain feeds on hope, not despair. The belief that things will get better is what allows you to overcome misfortune and suffering. It helps you overcome even the most horrible reality.”
I had a lot of questions.
Our title was Archie Domini. What does this have to do with Archie Victima? Was Noel Mulizka, who led the first rebellion, really a traitor? Was he also working for the Empire for some political interest?
But the most important question for me now was something else.
“Even the captain of the guard doesn’t know about the watcher.”
Captain Heilas would not know about the Emperor’s Watcher. I wanted to hear the answer from Kinuan’s mouth.
“Haylas is too loyal, that’s a flaw. It would have been better for me if he had been a little more lax. You keep pretending to investigate me. And since things have come to this, take Rick’s body. It’ll help your reputation and promotion. You’ll be the most accomplished cadet in the history of the Guard.”
I saw Rick’s body. The strong warrior who seemed like he could turn the world upside down was lying quietly. Death was so quiet.
‘If I had accepted Rick’s offer… … .’
I got goosebumps when I thought about it. I might have joined forces with Kinuan and carried out anti-imperial activities without even knowing his true identity.
And one day, just like Rick, I too will be suddenly disposed of.
“Instructor, did you neglect Nikolaos Custoria knowing that he would die?”
“The death of Nikolaos, the eldest son of a high-ranking official and captain of the guard, is a great comfort to the subversive forces. Assassinating a person of that level gives them the illusion that they have accomplished something. In reality, they are a manpower that can be replaced at any time. In any case, Nikolaos’ death will allow them to operate quietly for the time being.”
As he said this, Kinuan observed my complexion and attitude.
“So you’re saying that you let Nikolaos be assassinated because it was more useful… … to kill him? Was Rick the one who ordered the assassination?”
When I said it out loud, my voice was cold.
“Good boy Luca, you’re still a trainee watcher. You won’t be able to find out everything from me. Be aware of your position. You’re still on the lookout and it wouldn’t be strange if you were disposed of at any moment.”
Despite Kinuan’s warning, I didn’t hide my complicated feelings. It’s natural for me to be distressed now. It would look even stranger if I hid my expression.
‘Nicholas died in the chaos.’
Again, I’m not attached to Nikolaos, but I still feel a sense of responsibility.
If things are this messed up, who should I blame? Kinuan? The terrorist group? Rick? Or… The Emperor of the Empire?
Kinuan stood up from his seat. He tapped my shoulder.
“When the time comes, His Majesty will call for you. Until then, countless questions and complaints will arise, but hold them in check.”
I nodded stiffly.
Kinuan passed me with his eyes shining with a cold light. Soon, his presence disappeared.
