Chapter 172: In the Midst of Rebellion (1)
I gathered my thoughts while munching on a cookie. They say sugar gets the brain going faster, but I’m not sure about that; what I do know is that a full belly brings peace of mind.
Ah, the kind of comfort that never grows tiresome. Indeed, Louise’s cookies are my personal survival rations.
‘Red Wave.’
But even though my heart felt calm, my mind was still a chaotic whirlwind. These rascals just pop up out of nowhere and make life a hassle!
Thankfully, it seemed like they were coming in one at a time, as if they’d made a pact with the other organizations. If they had all charged in together, I would’ve been completely overwhelmed!
Still, a troublesome bunch is just that—troublesome! Those rebel scum, the moment they show up, I should blast their heads off!
— The Academy appears to be the prime target at the moment.
And it turned out to be true.
A few days after the Executive Manager of the Information Department mentioned the Red Wave, we got another call. Among the imperial palace, the administration, and the Academy, it seemed the Academy was the right answer.
I wasn’t shocked; it would’ve been more surprising if they’d targeted somewhere else.
— They seem to be aiming for what they perceive as the weakest link—
The Academy’s security isn’t exactly lax, but compared to the palace and the administration, it doesn’t hold a candle. It definitely seems like an easy mark.
— Of course, I’m talking about the guards’ quality, not the Prosecutor stationed at the Academy.
“Thank you for your kind words,” I said, though I wondered how he interpreted my expression to make such a strange comment. Sure, I knew the Academy was vulnerable, but why were we even discussing this?
His next remark made me sit up straight.
— It seems the Red Wave has infiltrated the Academy. We’re unsure if they’re official members or just casual collaborators.
“This is driving me insane,” I muttered, remembering the Executive Manager’s words. External threats are one thing, but internal spies are a whole other kettle of fish.
Plus, it was the Executive Manager himself who stated it. Even if he was vague about it, if he said it, then it’s probably true.
“What’s missing?”
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. If the Academy was compromised, then the infiltrator had to be either a faculty member or a student.
Neither situation should be dire enough for them to team up with radical groups like the Red Wave.
The Academy staff were quite reputable in the empire’s educational circles, holding considerable prestige. Meanwhile, the students were either born into privilege or were commoners guaranteed success upon graduation. Why would they throw such a stable future away for something as trivial as the Red Wave?
It also seemed highly unlikely the Executive Manager was fed false information. But there didn’t seem to be anyone within the Academy capable of such treachery! Unless they were utterly out of their minds—
‘Ah.’
A light bulb went off. The Red Wave was made up of lunatics, and anyone joining them couldn’t be considered sane. I’d been thinking way too conventionally.
I should reflect on myself…
*
Understanding the perspectives of others is important. There’s a reason they say, “Put yourself in another’s shoes.” If you consider their position, you might understand their choices.
Alright, let me think from their perspective: In what situation would I join the Red Wave? What would drive me to leap into such madness?
‘How would I know?’
No matter how hard I thought, I just couldn’t fathom what goes through the mind of someone with multiple screws loose.
I couldn’t afford to lose my mind just to understand theirs! Even trying to think from a commoner’s point of view is tough since I’d been reborn into nobility.
‘I was a commoner before this possession, though.’
But really, can you even compare a medieval European commoner to a 21st-century one? No way, they’re on completely different planets!
I could see no solution in sight. I wasn’t exactly skilled at snooping around; how was I supposed to catch an internal spy? The best I could do was brace myself for a hit and try to minimize the pain!
And then, as if sensing my plight, Enen sent a little helper my way.
“Ah, Executive Manager!”
I had stepped outside for a breather only to stumble upon Olivia, whose life had probably been tougher than anyone else’s.
“Olivia?”
Olivia, sporting an armband that identified her as a student council member, waved her arms furiously as she ran towards me.
“Wow! Can you see everything from here?”
“Indeed. It’s been a while.”
I hadn’t had much chance to run into Amelia and Olivia since I pushed them into the student council. Our first meeting had been a total fluke, after all.
By the way, she’s alone. Is she on patrol?
“Are you working?”
“Nope! I just finished and was heading to the cafeteria with my big sister.”
She scanned the surroundings before giggling.
“Looks like my sister got lost again.”
I refrained from pointing out that she was likely the one who was lost. There was no need to embarrass a kid who was enjoying their meal!
Overjoyed to see me after a long time, Olivia started rambling about this and that while I nodded along, deep in thought.
She was from a family of commoners whose parents passed away early. Her elder sister took on the burden and became the head of a household with so many dependents that they even shared a single turnip among them…
‘She’s a picture-perfect proletariat.’
Honestly, if Olivia weren’t a student at the Academy, she’d have countless reasons to call for a revolution by now!
Even the Emperor would prefer to show mercy rather than annoyance at a child clamoring for equality. Of course, there might still be consequences for her.
“Olivia, can I ask you something?”
“Yes?”
It’s not that I suspected Olivia or Amelia, for that matter. After all, those driven by fanaticism are easy enough to identify through brief chats.
They’re just kids, hungry for food. They don’t seem to hold any radical beliefs.
“Have you heard of the Red Wave?”
Normally, one would dance around the subject. Just asking outright would invite denials: “Sure, I’m a part of the Red Wave!” said no one ever.
But I figured Olivia might not grasp it if I were indirect. I wasn’t trying to interrogate her; I was simply looking for some information.
Unexpectedly, her response caught me off guard.
“Oh, that?”
Her previous bright expression fell flat.
“Ugh, they were really loud and annoying back home!”
“That must’ve been quite a nuisance.”
It was a serious matter, but I made an effort to keep it casual. If I pushed for details, it would only make Olivia more anxious.
“Absolutely! They were always making a ruckus from morning, insisting we join them and trying to drag us along!”
Once I threw in a few remarks, Olivia seemed to have a lot to vent, and she unleashed the pent-up frustrations.
I got the picture. They probably went out preaching in areas where poor commoners lived. Wasn’t that just like a cult?
“Still, my sister said they were pitiful and we had to tolerate them.”
That random comment made me clench and then loosen my fist. Calling them “pitiful people” sounded like she knew something more.
The chance was slim, but if Amelia had a favorable view—or even pity—towards the Red Wave…
“She said they were lost in their delusions and couldn’t even take care of themselves. It’s not like we’re in the Apels era anymore where effort guarantees success! They just love to talk without doing a thing!”
I was wrong. Her words were filled with disdain.
I felt a bit awkward. After all, wasn’t Amelia the one who always persevered during tough times? From her point of view, the Red Wave must look like nothing but troublemakers stirring up chaos.
“But there was this brilliant man in our village who actually liked them.”
I nodded as she added that he vanished soon after.
*
The now-absent Olivia was eventually retrieved by her keeper, Amelia, who flinched when she spotted me.
“Did she cause any trouble?”
“Nah, it was nothing major. Just a little chat about the Red Wave.”
Amelia’s face went pale at Olivia’s words. The thought of a Prosecutor discussing republican radicals with a commoner must have sent chills down her spine.
So, unintentionally, I found myself listening to a sort of loyalty oath from Amelia right there on the spot. No, it’s not what you think… I’m okay with it.
“I would never follow a misguided belief down the wrong path!”
Hearing Olivia’s tales and Amelia’s desperate reassurances solidified my belief further.
Of course, not every commoner is sympathetic to the Red Wave. Also, their level of knowledge doesn’t correlate with their allegiance to it.
‘Could it be someone from the faculty?’
In fact, the ones with strong convictions and pride could be even more dangerous. If such a person fell for the Red Wave, they would wreak even more havoc!
…But, thinking it over, I realized this wasn’t really a conclusive thought. It just broadened the suspect pool.
‘Damn it.’
But hey, at least I knocked down a few prejudices. Now, I wouldn’t be blindsided by someone completely unexpected.
As I continued on my way, my communication crystal suddenly fizzed to life from my pocket.
‘What now?’
Could it be the Executive Manager again?
— Executive Manager, it’s me.
“Second Manager?”
My tension eased as the Second Manager greeted me. It seemed that his other eye had healed already. What was this all about?
“What brings you here at this hour?”
— Oh, um, that is—
— Get out of the way!
— Ugh!
The Second Manager was interrupted mid-sentence as a white-haired figure smashed into his jaw. Not even a punch, just a headbutt, leaving the Second Manager dazed and flat on the ground.
That hit connected way too well! Even the minister might wobble after that one!
— Executive Manager! How have you been?
“Not too great.”
Things were fine until the Red Wave came along and messed everything up.
Despite my blunt response, the First Manager just chuckled, as if unfazed.
— No worries! You’ll cheer up soon!
“What’s up? Did the Minister finally accept my resignation?”
Of course, we all knew that was highly unlikely.
— I’m heading to the Academy!
At that moment, my thoughts blanked. Wait, what did she just say?
— Oh, I’m coming along too, said the recently floored Second Manager. What… what the heck…?
“Quit spouting nonsense!”
After a long silence, I finally managed to speak. These folks really upped their lying game since I last saw them.
But this wasn’t the time for jokes. It was a serious matter.
Everything is heading downhill, damn it!
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