Chapter 13: S1. The Prince, The Flower, And The Resistance – 3
“Do you perhaps have a job?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Struck by a piercing, painful question from Centra, the Second Prince’s complexion turned pale.
“Ahhhh, don’t make that face! I know it’s not easy for imperial citizens to find jobs…….especially for those with blond hair.”
It was persecution imposed on the imperial citizens, particularly those who bore the blood of the Imperial Family.
Though it had only been three days, Irid experienced it to the point of nausea. Even without his princely status, Irid was still a valuable asset and a high-caliber talent. The position of an Imperial Prince demanded as much authority as it did extensive learning.
He had studied everything from literature, martial arts, and calligraphy, to horse riding, hunting, considerable combat skills, and thorough knowledge of imperial laws.
Yet, he still couldn’t find a job.
The persecution had robbed him of even the slightest opportunity to struggle.
Irid reminisced about his original world.
The Empire was sustaining its massive labor needs through slavery. They not only turned criminals into slaves but also enslaved children born to slaves.
Until now, he hadn’t fully considered the cruelty of the slave laws, but…….
Perhaps the Empire’s system of slavery, along with the discrimination against other races, had more flaws than he could’ve imagined.
“At our inn, ummm…….Job placements? We offer those.”
“…….Jobs?”
“Yes! There are many like Irid, who are not slaves but aren’t treated as free citizens either. There’s a small group of such people. And it’s a bit embarrassing, but I lead that group………If Irid’s okay with it, then perhaps…?”
“I’m against it.”
“Ronya!”
Ronya, the female mercenary, interjected with an objection, her skeptical eyes scrutinizing every inch of Irid.
“Everyone we’ve taken in so far at least had their identities verified. But not this guy. I did some background checks while you were feeding him.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“Nothing. No traces of his past at all. I even asked people in other cities, but nobody knew a vivid yellow-haired blonde called Irid except for the Wither Emperor. It’s like this guy just fell from the sky one day.”
That was indeed true. He had been transported to the future, 100 years later, by a wizard’s Dimensional Travel Magic. Since he appeared outside his time, he had no connections and absolutely no proof of identity.
Irid checked the tattoo on his wrist. He had indulged in luxuries like eating stew and taking a warm bath for the first time in ages. Now, he only had about 5 and a half days left.
The warmth of the inn and the concerned look in Centra’s eyes. The warmth that radiated from her gaze. Centra’s hand was fidgeting, as if eager to hold his again.
Irid looked out of the inn’s window. Outside, there was nothing but chilliness.
He truly, truly did not want to leave.
Irid faced Ronya squarely. Though his spirit had been crushed by the continuous shocks, the habits ingrained over decades did not fail him. He imitated the arrogance of Imperial Blood.
“Bring me a document.”
“……What?”
“The inn’s ledger, a contract, a policy proposal, anything. Just bring one sheet of any document. I shall prove my worth with that.”
“Hey, you’re being suspected right now, you know? Who would trust documents to a suspicious g…….”
“Are you talking about the suspicious guy who couldn’t even get a job after getting beaten for three days? Also, the uncertainty of my identity and my personal ability and character are separate matters. I swear, I shall not cause any loss to Centra.”
“That’s why I have no reason to believe in your wor…..!”
Irid quickly cut off Ronya by turning away. It was pointless to persuade someone who was doubtful just for the sake of being doubtful. He changed his target. While facing Centra instead……
No, while glancing at her from the side, he asked.
“What do you think?”
“Sounds good! I actually have a contract that needs reviewing. It’s for a sewer cleaning service, so could you check if there are any issues?”
“Anytime.”
“Hey! Don’t ignore me!”
After receiving the contract from Centra, Irid found three toxic clauses, six typos, and one violation of standard employment forms in just five minutes.
Five more minutes later, he had three suggestions for revisions.
The Emperor of a vast empire needed to solve all kinds of major and minor issues. Naturally, as someone who aimed for the throne, a prince was expected to have monstrous document-reviewing skills. Or have a loyal retainer who was excellent at it.
The Second Prince, weak in power and lacking talented individuals, had no choice but to improve his own document-reviewing skills, and that finally shone in the future, 100 years later.
“……This is….”
“W-Wow……..”
Even Ronya, who was notoriously picky and blunt, couldn’t find any fault. There was an enormous intellectual gap between the mercenary and the prince.
At the surprised reactions of the two, Irid’s lips curled up, but he then felt confused. Was it really right to feel proud for applying skills learned for governing an empire to a sewer cleaning contract?
This was a clash between the pride of a prince nurtured for 20 years and the desire for recognition of a commoner born in just three days.
However, this confusion was swiftly forgotten when Centra reached for his hand.
“Hmm. Mhm, I’ll hire you!”
“I’m in your care.”
Their hands shook up and down.
===============================================================
Three days had passed since Irid began handling the paperwork.
He woke up from a bed in the morning – Irid had just learned that commoners used straw mattresses instead of bed mattresses – and ate stew prepared by Centra.
Then, he worked on various documents next to the grumbling Ronya, who constantly picked a fight.
And he would occasionally glare at people Centra brought in. Ronya did the same beside him.
The paperwork was plenty, but it was a small amount for a prince. The mountain of documents was swiftly sliced through by Irid’s work pace, leaving only a few remaining.
As he had more free time, he sometimes used it for a simple stroll. (He walked inside the inn, too scared to go outside.)
And he often chatted with Centra and sometimes with Ronya.
These days, he frequently looked at the watch tattoo on his wrist. Centra, seeing this, would say ‘Did a bug bite you or something? I’ll apply some medicine!’. It seemed like the tattoo was invisible to others.
The scales of the watch tattoo started moving from 1 to 0. There were only about two and a half days left. The end was approaching.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“What’s with that dead look?”
“…..Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“You’re making that face and it’s nothing? You have never learned to lie before, have you, Irid?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“This bastard….”
Irid thought he should perhaps tell Centra. About the fact that he would leave for a distant place in two days. But if……the disciple of the Purple Magic Tower Master had mastered the art of Dimensional Travel Magic….
If he could be returned to the same world, then there would be no need for farewells. Whenever he wanted to share warmth in this shabby inn room, all he had to do was ask for Dimensional Travel.
It would have been nice if he listened a bit more about Dimensional Magic. He regretted not doing so.
When there were no guests in the inn, Centra often left her spot. Seeing that the laborers, blondes mixed in, occasionally visited the inn asking ‘Is Miss Centra out again today?’, it seemed she often went out.
“Hey, Wither Emperor.”
“What, Mercenary.”
Now he could let Ronya’s constant insults pass without a second thought. Although just hearing the two words ‘Wither Emperor’ still stressed him to the point of a headache, he felt a bit better thinking of it as the babble of an uneducated fool.
“I have an errand for you, so go and do it.”
“I made a contract with Centra, not with you.”
“I was trying to tell you to go and meet Centra.”
“Where do I need to go?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Irid felt a tinge of embarrassment when he realized how quickly he had answered with such enthusiasm.
“…….This is why I hate bastards with balls hanging from their crotch. Hey, go to the intersection near the Eastern Adventurer Guild. She said she went to buy ingredients, so go and help her.”
“I shall.”
Irid carefully flipped his rag to cover his blond hair. Centra had washed it cleanly, so it didn’t smell.
After preparing to leave by picking up a large basket from the cupboard, Ronya spoke softly.
“Hey, but you know.”
“If you have something you want me to do, say it before I leave.”
“No, it’s just…..Be mentally prepared. The Founding Festival is soon, you know?”
“The Founding Festival?”
“Yeah, a festival commemorating the day the Kingdom Alliance won victory over the Empire. It’s in two days.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Coincidentally, it was the same time as Irid’s return.
“After the Founding Festival, it’ll be hard to see Centra. We’re moving into a new era, you see.”
“What era?”
“Obviously, the era of beer and bellows. Go and come back.”
At Ronya’s significant words, Irid recalled the documents he had processed. There were suspicious parts in some of them. It seemed like logistics were being diverted elsewhere, and there were items that could be used as weapons accumulating. He could have investigated if he wished, but he didn’t bother.
After all, Irid was a stranger and someone who would leave soon.
As such, he decided to bury the fact that this cozy inn was being used for Resistance activities.
===============================================================
Irid walked through Crownhall, once the capital of the Empire.
As someone who frequently conducted inspections, Irid was very familiar with the area. He knew all the shortcuts in the back alleys, allowing him to navigate through numerous threats.
Dangers such as retired soldiers or noblewomen encroaching suspiciously upon him.
As he hid his blond hair and walked confidently, nobody took Irid for a slave. He headed towards the location adjacent to the Adventurer Guild where, according to Ronya, he could wait for Centra.
“⋯⋯?”
Tap, tap. Tap.
The sound of hurried footsteps. Was someone running away? Irid calculated the direction of the sound and the surrounding geography, mapping out the escape route in his mind.
He didn’t want to get involved in any commotion.
However, if the escapee was a murderer….and if they posed a threat to Centra……
Even though it was just a slim possibility, it tugged at his nerves, and Irid jumped over the wall.
He crossed his arms and waited at the end of the escape route. If his prediction was right, the person would appear soon. 3, 2, 1…….
“Wahh!”
The escapee, surprised to see Irid blocking their path, hit the brakes hard.
It was a bizarre outfit, one he had never seen before. The material was black and glossy, tightly hugging the entire body and outlining the wearer’s curves.
It was full-body tights.
While he could understand the functionality, did the person not feel any shame about revealing their figure so completely? With these thoughts, he stared at the face of this strange individual.
It was Centra, her face flushed red.
“…….Centra?”
“T-This. About this….Let’s run for now and talk about this later!”
“That way is not a good route. Follow me. This direction is better for evading the guards.”
“……Got it!”
Irid, without looking back, jumped over another wall. He couldn’t bring himself to look, knowing that the owner of that body was Centra.
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