I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 32.1
In the evening light, a secret exchange took place, wrapped in mystery. Adele, wearing a hood to hide her face, looked briefly at Lionel’s brother, who sat across from her. She smiled slightly and apologized for taking an unattended carriage earlier.
“Sorry for taking the carriage without permission,” she said.
She then removed her hood and greeted him politely.
“Hello, Lord Baldr.”
Although the Empress seemed calm and relaxed, Adele could sense that she was troubled. Adele hid her own worries well, not showing any signs of unrest. She knew she needed the approval of Theseus, her brother, for her kind act toward Lionel. Adele had packed her things carefully, expecting Lionel to call her and confirm Duke Baldr’s consent. However, during the intense encounter with the Emperor at the Empress’ place, she impulsively left without gathering her essentials.
“I was waiting for the public’s approval, to be honest. It’s a bit late to admit it now that we’re already in this carriage, but I thought it was necessary,” Adele said with a kind smile, looking at his brother.
“Would it be okay if I took care of your needs for three or four days?” she asked.
Theseus replied without hesitation.
“It would be my pleasure.”
The calmness that now surrounded the siblings brought relief to the Empress. Lionel, sitting close to her, found it hard to ignore the Empress’s presence in the small carriage, despite her efforts. Theseus, too, seemed unconsciously fascinated by the Empress’s graceful appearance. He wondered where she got her perfectly fitting black dress and elegant boots. The Empress leaned against the carriage wall, lost in her own thoughts, her golden eyes constantly scanning. After a moment of contemplation, she asked Adele an unexpected question.
“Is this the common standard of living in the capital?”
The roads, well-maintained and resplendent, hosted a plethora of immaculate establishments, bustling with activity. Merchants engaged in transactions, children frolicked amidst the crowd, and passersby, adorned in meticulously tailored attire, added to the visual symphony. Though the edifices lacked the grandiosity of Leviathan’s spine, they were impeccably maintained, free of any signs of dilapidation, and adorned with delicate floral arrangements. Not a trace of filth marred the thoroughfares, and destitution seemed an unfamiliar concept. Adele regarded this panorama with rapt attention, her eyes drinking in the scene before her.
“What do you see?”
Theseus’s question drew Adele’s attention away from the window, and she turned to face him. Theseus removed his glasses and inquired again.
“May I know what you’ve been gazing at?”
Adele shifted her gaze back to the passing scenery outside. The world seemed to rush by in a blur.
“The clothing appears tidy and well-kept, and although I can’t discern the interiors of the houses, the exteriors are adorned with neatness. It seems that one can lead a decent life here, so I would consider it a middle-class neighborhood, even though it may not be entirely ‘normal’ for commoners.”
“… …”
“How about you? In Gottrov, this would be considered one of the affluent areas. What about Ehmont?”
“Have you spent a lot of time undercover?”
“I’ve spent more time outside the palace than within its walls. Now, please answer my question.”
“Yes, you’re correct. This is a middle-class residential district. Just around ten minutes north, there’s a sprawling slum that stretches across a small river.”
Adele locked eyes with Theseus.
“In the end, those who lost their hometowns due to the Tower have nowhere else to go but these slums. They’re springing up and expanding across most territories, including the capital.”
“… …”
“May I ask why you summoned Count Calvin?”
The carriage sped onward, entering the shade of the arboretum. The autumn sun cast long shadows through the towering trees, enveloping the interior of the carriage in darkness. In this dimness, the Empress exuded an entirely different aura compared to her earlier presence in the sunlight.
“It was the least humans could do for their own kind. He might not have been of much assistance, but I wanted to extend some aid.”
This response ignited the Emperor’s fury.
“Did you engage in any rescue operations while you were in Gottrov?”
Lionel was certain she had. The Empress had undoubtedly been more resolute in demolishing the tower than anyone else. The manner in which she obliterated the tower was an achievement even skilled individuals couldn’t replicate. As if confirming Lionel’s assumptions, the Empress slowly nodded. However, what she uttered next caught the Baldr brothers off guard.
“I was the founder and commander of the Gottrov Tower Counter Headquarters.”
Her words struck them like a sudden blow to the stomach.
“That was the case until six months ago.”
She recalled dashing across the treacherous mountains of Gottrov, heading towards the spot where the tower had collapsed. The thought of annihilating the tower before it touched the ground, preventing demonic creatures from emerging and ravaging the land—this notion propelled her onward. Her comrades were still out there, running towards that very destination. In an instant, the Empress’s eyes transformed. A blend of calmness and deep-seated resentment permeated her being. Adele had experienced hardships throughout their journey across the mountains of Gottrov, yet there was a sense of contentment amidst the exhaustion that threatened to consume her entire being. The sight of the crumbling tower fueled a fire within her. The warm embrace of gratitude from the survivors and the laughter of children adorned with garlands—such vivid memories flooded her mind. And as the carriage swiftly emerged from the arboretum, the opening of her eyes allowed light to pour in, as if awakening from a reverie.
“Rescue every last person, never falter. Uphold your humanity and show courtesy.”
This was the principle Adelaide staunchly advocated when she established the Tower Counter Headquarters, despite her mother’s opposition. It embodied Adele’s unwavering conviction and served as the guiding purpose for the headquarters. ‘Uphold your humanity and show courtesy.’ It was a phrase she proudly presented to her mother as well.
“Did you receive a response?”
Lionel and Theseus found themselves breathless as they gazed at Adele. She emanated a presence akin to a sword forged amidst rugged mountains and crimson lava.
Before long, the trio arrived at the communal residence. Thanks to a skilled coachman who deftly guided the carriage to the duplex’s back entrance without any prior warning, Adele was able to discreetly step foot inside.
“Thank you. If an opportunity arises, I hope to ride in your carriage next time.”
Adele was typically not one to pay heed to such worldly matters.
“You may take this carriage on your return journey.”
“Oh, right. In that case, I shall ask for your assistance when the time comes.”
The coachman bowed, his attempt to quell his trembling evident.
“It would be my honor!”
