As dawn broke over the horizon, painting the sky with orange and pink hues.
Horus and his troops mounted their horses, preparing for the long journey through the outskirts of the forest.
Not everyone had horses, especially the civilians, but they were carefully escorted behind by the knights.
The capital city of the Nether Empire was approximately 200 miles away, and due to the civilians' exhaustion and need to rest, the journey was longer than expected.
Along the way, Horus noticed Lady Vi slightly distanced from him.
Maybe it was because of what he had said back in the cave.
They marched through treacherous marshlands, fending off lurking mountain beasts.
'This guy really is a fool,' Horus thought as he stared ahead. 'He brought all these people such a distance, just to beg?'
He gritted his teeth, because the fact that he was in this body pissed him off. The original owner had done foolish things, and now Horus was facing the consequences.
"Just a few miles from the capital," the knight commander announced jovially.
Horus noticed that this knight had an aura that felt welcoming to the civilians.
When he spoke, they suddenly felt energized. He wasn't just a commander to them, he gave off the aura of a friend.
He had always been at the emperor's side, even in battle, and he never let a single drop of blood stain him.
And during fights, while the commander would lay down his life for the emperor, the knights would do the same for him.
Horus admired his leadership.
"What is your name?" Horus asked. He could clearly see the disappointment on the commander's face at that question.
The person he had risked his life for countless times didn't even know his name? "Erwin," he responded.
"Tell me, Erwin, what is the current situation of my empire?" Horus asked.
At first, Erwin didn't quite understand the question. "Pardon me, my liege, but what do you mean?"
"I mean, what is my empire lacking? Is it resources, protection, or anything else? I believe you should know these things, since you're more acquainted with the civilians than I am."
Commander Erwin frowned. If he were to begin, it would take more than a horse ride to the capital.
The excessive taxation on the lower classes was something Erwin didn't fail to mention.
Their forests and gardens had already withered, and their crops were barely clinging to life in the cracked fields.
When they finally reached the empire, Horus saw it for himself. He frowned as he took in the devastation.
His people on the streets were no different from beggars in his world. Even though he had brought the people back, no one seemed happy.
How could they shout? After all, they were obviously hungry.
"I don't understand, what happened to the government?" Horus asked. If the emperor had been a fool, then the others should have done something.
However, Commander Erwin was taken aback. At this point, he didn't know if the emperor was testing him or if he was truly clueless.
"If you insist, my liege."
In the end, he knew that if no one spoke up for the people, they would die either way, including him.
The government of the empire was more than rotten. While they fed themselves, they neglected the land and the needs of the populace.
Their only interest was increasing taxes behind the emperor's back, an act that served only their own interests.
After all, the emperor had been a fool. How could he have noticed?
As Horus rode further, he saw children running away from him and women locking their doors. He wasn't loved, he was feared.
'I understand now, loyalty doesn't come from fear,' he sighed. 'Nevertheless, I am in charge now.'
"It was Minister Evans who was responsible for collecting the taxes. Nobody knows what he uses it for," Erwin added. "He is also your personal advisor."
That caught Horus's attention. Of course, the foolish emperor couldn't have made all the decisions by himself, someone had been guiding him.
"Take me to him."
Erwin blinked. He hadn't expected the emperor to act so quickly. "N... now?" he stuttered.
Horus sighed. 'I should probably rest before anything.'
"Before nightfall."
"Okay, my liege."
-[Ding]-
-[Rebellion: 67%]
-[System Notification: At 100%, the rebellion will attack you]-
---
Meanwhile...
In the streets, a cloaked figure watched as Horus made his way to the palace. After gathering the information he needed, he quickly slipped out of sight.
He made sure he wasn't being followed, constantly glancing behind him.
Soon, he reached his destination: an abandoned alleyway. Two individuals cloaked in black stood in front of him.
"Password," one of them demanded.
"Freedom," the man replied.
With that, the sewer in front of him opened, and as he leapt in, it shut closed.
The man continued moving forward, then stopped when he reached a cliff. Beneath him was the small city of the rebellion.
Soon, two other individuals guided him toward the throne room of their leader, and there, he was left alone.
In front of him was the leader, a woman with sea-colored hair and blue eyes. She sat on the throne, wearing a revealing white dress that exposed half her body.
"He survived, I presume," she said.
"Yes, Queen Mira. Somehow, he came back with everyone."
Perplexed, she raised an eyebrow and sat up properly. "Tsk, my foolish emperor keeps getting lucky," she giggled.
"Clearly, the people weren't happy about his return," she added.
"Also, I have located Minister Evans. He is responsible for killing Lady Sue's husband."
Hearing that name alone ruined her mood. The minister had been given too much freedom to do as he pleased.
He crossed the line when he killed Sue's husband just to force himself on her.
At first, they had negotiated. Her body was all that was needed to free her husband, but even after sleeping with her, the minister still slaughtered him.
Now that her spy had found his location, nothing stood in the rebellion's way of killing him.
But there was one problem. The minister wasn't an ordinary man, his skills were beyond what any ordinary rebel could handle.
"Prepare my personal seven. I'll kill Minister Evans myself."