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The assault team of “Death Hornet” divided into three groups: the front entrance, the service entrance, and the sewer system.

Among them, the front entrance group quickly met their demise, but they fulfilled their role as both a distraction and the cause of a bloody incident.

The “Golt Family,” the effective owners of the hotel, had anticipated the assault and had combat units and bodyguards on standby. However, while the assault team that infiltrated through the service entrance engaged in combat with them, the main sewer group secured the fourth floor. From there, they took all the guests on the upper floors hostage.

In exchange for the lives of all the guests, “Death Hornet” demanded the life of the leader of the “Golt Family.”

Of course, such a demand was unacceptable.

There was never any intention to negotiate, and essentially, it was an outbreak of militants in the conflict between the two sides. It was just one form of retaliatory attack.

The more unrelated casualties, the better, as it would tarnish the “Golt Family’s” public business ¹ with the blood of innocent victims.

However, in a separate development, they unexpectedly stumbled upon something else.

“What’s the boss saying?”
“He says, ‘Well done.’”
“All right!”

They occupied the conference room without windows.

About ten men, clad in sharp shoulder pads, lightweight armor, and rudimentary protective gear, loitered around. Despite being basic, their equipment was sufficient. Life was cheap, and mobility and aggression were more crucial. It embodied their organizational creed.

In the conference room, a man in a suit was tied to a chair.

For no apparent reason, he seemed to have been punched in the face. His eyes were bruised, and blood dripped onto his suit collar.

“Hey, if we trade this guy, will the big brother come back?”
“The boss will handle it, for sure.”

The rogues, enjoying stolen alcohol, laughed heartily.

To what extent would the Empire protect bureaucrats?

There was no straightforward answer. However, even if they were considered ‘convenient’ nobility, if they didn’t fulfill some obligations, the morale of the entire country would suffer. Whether officials or knights, sometimes risking their lives was necessary. However, not everyone was so ‘loyal’ that they would accept it if you just told them to sacrifice their lives for the country whenever they were in danger.

The prediction that they might accept minor demands in exchange for Efrain was a reasonable assumption.

“…Do I hold such value?”

Efrain, the captive, spat out with a growl, clenching his molars.

“Huh?”
“Is the life of just one person more valuable than the Empire’s order!? The Empire won’t yield to rogues. Even if they abandon me, they will punish all of you!”

Efrain declared vehemently.

Even if the Empire might secretly accept the demands, doing so openly would diminish its authority. Outwardly, Efrain’s words held true.

Suddenly, a sword was thrust into Efrain’s thigh.

“Shut up!”
“Ugh… Gah!”

For yakuza individuals who lived on reputation, being insulted by a bureaucrat was an unbearable humiliation. Their anger was directly linked to violence.

“I ain’t asking for your opinion. Let’s see if these guys really abandon you,” a low, mocking laugh echoed.

However, Efrain twisted his body, tipping the chair towards the sword thrust into him.

“What!?”

The sword gouged through Efrain’s flesh under his own weight. Despite his own blood flowing, Efrain pressed his body against the sword, severing the restraining ropes.

With the hand freed from the rope, Efrain grabbed the blade. Though it was a shoddy sword, blood seeped from his hand as he held it.

“As one who dedicated his life to the Empire, I fear nothing. If I become a shackle to the Empire, then here and now, I’ll sacrifice myself!”
“Oh damn, he’s crazy! He’s gone mad!”

Facing Efrain, who seemed determined to pierce his own throat with the sword, the men were completely overwhelmed and in disarray.

Lucella could only watch the scene unfold until then.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Kicking through the air vent cover, Lucella leaped down from the ceiling.

“Lady Lucella!?”

Before anyone could react, Lucella forcefully kicked the sword the two men were struggling over. The sword smashed through the room’s wall and fell on the other side.

“Huuh? Who’s this bra–” Crash!

Like ripples on the water’s surface, a literal shockwave burst forth, sweeping through the entire area!

Lucella’s unleashed wave gouged the floor, pierced the ceiling, and tore through the walls! The rushing current pierced through two corridors and three rooms, revealing the upper and lower floors and even breaking the outer wall, exposing the sky. Those caught in it were, naturally, utterly obliterated.

The conference room, once the stronghold of the villains, was now damp as if caught in a rainstorm, with only Lucella and Efrain remaining.

Everything was resolved in an instant, and Efrain, rather than being relieved, seemed unable to keep up, stunned and crawling on the floor.

When Lucella touched him, the remaining ropes binding Efrain charred and scattered instantly. Lucella opened a small vial of healing potion she brought just in case, sprinkling the emerald-colored liquid on Efrain’s leg wound.

“Why… Why are you so willing to sacrifice yourself so easily? Only fools would find joy in such selflessness.”
“Well… Those who are strong may not understand. People are weak. They lean on each other, combine their strengths… because there are those fighting and shedding blood that we can protect the whole.”

With a look of enlightenment, Efrain spoke.

Lucella felt her thoughts entwining in her mind.

“Having said that, it’s not like I wish to throw away my life in vain. Thank you for saving me.”
“And… when do you plan to waste that life that was just saved?”
“If it’s necessary, I’ll do it right away.”

Efrain’s determination was quiet and unwavering.

However, to Lucella, Efrain’s determination felt strangely shallow. Strangely, she could even see the reason behind it.

It was simply, really—if there was only one path, there was no possibility of getting lost.

“I deeply appreciate and love the Empire. The Empire is like family to me. Anyone would risk their life for their family, right?”
“And… Is there no one who would mourn for you?”
“Friends and mentors, once they know I’ve dedicated my life for the Empire, I’m sure they’ll be proud of me.”
“That’s wrong.”

Anger leaked through clenched teeth, flames visible between them. Not directed at Efrain, but at this cruel system.

“If… they considered you a friend… there would also be friends who would not be happy.”
“Huh…?”
“I… *I *²… know you.”

Who could possibly shatter his perception?

Even with the power of a dragon, it was likely impossible.

In that case, perhaps…

“A man was born in Takka and spent his first sixteen years at the Malienova Juvenile Dormitory. After graduating from Gaujan Memorial Applied School, he drifted through various jobs, eventually becoming an adventurer manager. Ultimately, he ended up in the Setulev Kingdom, Kugutfulm, and became the exclusive manager for a party called the ‘Seven-sided Dice ³.’”

The Empire should have investigated Lucella’s background to the extent possible, and it was likely that this information was shared with Efrain.

The period when Lucella roamed with Giselle would have been challenging to trace, as they traveled across nations, not just the Empire. Retrieving information from adventurer guilds of various countries would be necessary, and guilds were unlikely to readily share such information. Therefore, even the Empire might not have been aware of it.

However, the information after they came to Kugutfulm was different.

Recognizing a familiar word, Efrain widened his eyes.

“But, in the remote regions of Mount Kuguse, betrayed by party members and on the brink of death, he was picked up by the Queen of Mount Kuguse. Then, he received the name Lucella… the name of the Queen’s deceased daughter, and became her adopted daughter… In exchange for his human name and appearance.”

Efrain’s face was now ashen.

The loss of color was likely not just due to shock but also due to the revelation of hidden truths.

“Long time no see. You’ve become quite… a big shot, Efrain.”
“…Impossible. How could this be….”

With trembling lips, Efrain muttered in shock.

1. This uses the Japanese yakuza jargon “Shinogi” which normally refers to businesses that yakuza/mafia run to earn income. They are often scams/etc, but in this case it just refers to lawful business unrelated to the criminal side.
2. Lucella switched to ‘ore’, the original male pronoun she used as a guy.
3. This was Seventh Dice before but I noticed it was a mistake so it will be Seven-sided Dice from now.