Simon rode on the back of the Chimera, thinking about how to carry out Alexia’s orders while protecting as many people as possible.
So far, the events he had experienced were already completely different from the plot he knew.
It was like a train accelerating endlessly, rushing down a road with no brakes.
Fortunately, no matter how much the plot diverged, he still knew the situation in Pandas like the back of his hand.
But that was exactly why he felt such a headache.
The main problem on Pandas’ side was the people who followed him.
They didn’t possess the same overwhelming power as him, and could hardly even gather a few decent sets of armor, yet they were numerous and complicated.
Among them were Pandas’ own men, those belonging to his faction, and even innocent citizens shouting to overthrow the Empire without any clear understanding of why.
Because of the appearance of the Malicious Witch and Pandas’ unique Bewitching Arts, most of the capital’s residents were inclined to support Pandas.
Even those who didn’t directly participate would subconsciously side with him.
The people of the Empire desperately sought an explanation for its decline, and overthrowing the Imperial system seemed like the most reasonable reason.
Of course, Simon could use the simplest and most brutal method—massacre.
Kill all the opposition, and once the number crossed a certain line, the psychological defenses of those remaining would naturally collapse.
But is that right? Is that acceptable?
Could he really do something so inhuman and unreasonable?
Even the always authoritarian Alexia probably didn’t have the courage to give such an order.
Given Alexia’s current state, he couldn’t possibly push such a choice onto her.
How could a knight make things difficult for the Princess?
If he could save so many people under Alexia’s orders before, he could do it again this time.
Yet even he felt unprecedented pressure.
His mind was in turmoil, but he had no effective solution.
Simon sank into thought.
Suddenly, the wind brushing his face stopped abruptly.
Immediately, he instinctively placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
Because he felt that the space and time around him had suddenly solidified.
A rift appeared before him, and two people stepped out from within.
The one in front, September Nine, looked a bit awkward as she faced Simon, as if she had done something terribly wrong.
And the White Mask behind her made Simon draw his sword instantly.
“Simon!”
September Nine called out anxiously.
“The Chief means no harm, she just wants to talk to you.”
“What does the Witch Chief want from me?”
Simon stared warily at Zanno.
Alexia’s attitude was clear—the Empire and the Witch Council were enemies.
Though it wasn’t public knowledge, that was her position.
And if Simon wanted to free Alexia from being universally reviled, he had to deal with the Malicious Witch problem.
That in itself meant their relationship couldn’t be harmonious.
Zanno examined Simon, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
“You don’t seem surprised to see me? As if you’re quite familiar with me, though I’m certain this is our first meeting.”
She felt a discomfort, as if she had been completely seen through.
It was as if she had no secrets in Simon’s eyes.
To Simon, a major NPC like the Witch Chief was someone he’d studied thoroughly.
Combined with in-game interactions, it was only natural that he was very familiar with her.
“The Witch Chief overthinks it. This is indeed our first meeting.”
Simon lied without changing expression or heartbeat.
“No, or rather, it’s my first time seeing you.”
Zanno saw the truth in his eyes.
Strange.
How could someone else have seen her when she hadn’t seen them?
Simon shouldn’t even be a hundred years old, maybe not even fifty.
It made no sense.
But such minor issues could wait.
She had come to Simon for more important matters.
“I hear Her Majesty the Empress trusts you greatly?”
Zanno asked Simon.
“I merely follow orders. Gaining Her Majesty’s trust is the honor of a subject.”
Simon replied.
“As expected of someone so close to her side. You’re very good at saying nothing with many words.”
Zanno chuckled lightly.
“In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. No matter what I say, your answers will be empty.”
“Simon, the Chief truly wishes to cooperate with the Empire…”
September Nine whispered from the side.
“If you think it’s possible, she can have the Malicious Witch immediately remove her witch powers so that Her Majesty won’t be affected.”
Simon glanced at her, and September Nine shrank back in fright, hiding behind Zanno.
“I’m not blaming you. It’s only natural you’d have connections to the Witch Chief. But now, you belong to the Empire. You shouldn’t help someone from the Witch Council.”
He sighed, a trace of helplessness in his tone.
This was a matter of allegiance.
Such behavior in front of him was one thing, but if Alexia found out, September Nine would not be in a good position.
“…I know…”
September Nine’s face turned bright red beneath her veil, and the mechanical tentacles on her back drooped weakly.
“Just talk to me directly. There’s no need to drag September Nine into this.”
Zanno stepped forward, completely shielding September Nine behind her.
“Even without her, I know everything about the Empire’s current state. I just didn’t expect your status in Her Majesty’s heart to be so significant.”
She had been in the Empire for so long.
Since Alexia ascended the throne, Zanno had always thought of Simon as nothing more than her sword, a butcher carrying out orders.
She never imagined the rumors in the Imperial City were true.
That high and mighty Empress, who never bowed her head, actually had an affair with her own knight.
“You left the Imperial City to deal with the Pandas problem, didn’t you? In this, I can lend you a hand.”
Zanno offered her terms to Simon.
“The thing that troubles you most is the innocent citizens bewitched by Pandas, isn’t it? I have a way to separate them from his faction and hand them over to the Church of Light. As for the rest, you can deal with them however you like.”
“All I ask is that you convince Her Majesty not to pursue the Malicious Witch issue any further.”
“And if you can persuade her to leave the Witch Council alone as well, I’ll tell you something about the End Chaosbringer, Larodra.”
“Once you’ve resolved the current Imperial City crisis, with her vengeful nature, she’ll definitely send you to investigate. So rather than searching aimlessly, why not get some ready-made answers from me?”
How about it?
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