You said you've never been to a place called the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace is, how should I put it, truly a strange place.
It's a place where all the wealth and glory of the world is gathered, yet when you actually go there, you get the feeling that the atmosphere is unbearably gloomy. When you actually go there, I mean.
Why is it gloomy?
Well.
I can't explain that precisely. If I had to say, it's because too many thoughts coexist in that place?
Countless ghost-like beings obsessed with power are crammed in there, and in the span of a single breath, countless conspiracies sprout and disappear.
From the outside, I was certainly envious of the existence called the Emperor who lived inside, but when I actually went in there, how should I put it… I no longer wanted to live the Emperor's life.
Hm?
Why did I go to the Imperial Palace in that situation?
To rescue Wei Yan-ho?
What nonsense are you spouting?
What kind of loyalty do I have to that bastard that I would try to save him? I'm in a situation where I need to survive.
Hm?
Then why did you go to the Imperial Palace?
Hahaha.
The weather is really nice.
…What are you talking about?
I'm not trying to change the subject.
No, what I mean is…
…
Fine, I was dragged there. Happy now?
These youngsters these days really don't know how to respect their elders.
Ah, my back.
***
Chop chop chop chop chop.
"…"
The jailer looked at the young man with very trembling eyes.
Chop chop chop chop chop.
"…What is that bastard doing?"
"He's a newly arrived prisoner."
"So you're saying that bastard is a newly arrived prisoner?"
"That's right."
The jailer blinked his eyes.
This place was the Imperial Prison.
Moreover, it was the Imperial Palace Prison, which could be said to be the most sacred in all the land. Those imprisoned here were either people who had committed great crimes against the Emperor or members of the Imperial Family or high-ranking officials who couldn't be confined in other prisons.
Therefore, the Imperial Palace Prison was called by two names.
Either Heaven's Prison or Hell's Prison.
For members of the Imperial Family or high-ranking officials whose status was too high to be imprisoned in other prisons, things that prisoners could never dare to enjoy were provided.
Though it was called a prison, they could enjoy benefits not much different from house arrest.
The jailer also made efforts to minimize their discomfort. As long as they didn't leave this place, he tried to accommodate whatever they wanted as much as possible.
And the most vicious traitors who were too heinous to be housed in other prisons were also confined here. For them, this prison became a place worse than hell.
Therefore, the first task the jailer had to do was to distinguish how to treat the prisoners who entered this place.
"Is he a high official?"
"No."
"Then the Imperial Family?"
"That's not it either."
"What's his crime?"
"High treason."
By this point, he was confused.
"Wait, let me organize this."
The jailer, who had briefly closed his eyes to organize the situation, opened his fierce eyes and glared at the guard as he spoke.
"So what you're saying is… right now a bastard who is neither Imperial Family nor a high-ranking official has committed high treason and entered this Imperial Palace Prison?"
"That's right."
"Then what the hell is that appearance!"
The jailer pointed inside the prison.
Chop chop chop chop chop.
Inside the prison, Wei Yan-ho was sitting sprawled on the floor, rapidly emptying a lavishly prepared meal.
"Gulp! Cough cough cough cough!"
Wei Yan-ho, who had been hastily shoving food in his mouth, grabbed his throat and coughed, then raised his hand.
"Could I get some water here?"
"…"
The jailer forcibly grabbed hold of his flying reason.
"If you can't explain how this happened, your head will fly!"
"P-please calm down, Jailer. I'll explain everything."
"How much longer for the water?"
"This damn bastard!"
The jailer's thunderous roar filled the prison.
"So…"
Chop chop chop chop.
"Quiet! You bastard! Can't you eat quietly?"
Chop chop chop chop.
"Grrrr."
The jailer shook his head and ground his teeth as he looked at the guard.
"It's true that bastard was captured as a traitor…"
"Yes."
"You're saying the one who brought that bastard to the Imperial Palace was Prince Lee?"
"That's right."
"…But even so, isn't he a traitor? Even if it's Prince Lee, he wouldn't be able to protect a traitor, would he?"
"Moreover, Eunuch Nok said not to stir up trouble unnecessarily and to grant him whatever he wants as long as he doesn't escape from the prison."
"Eunuch Nok said that?"
"Yes."
The jailer's face went blank.
'What the hell is going on?'
Of course, one of the two might protect that crazy little bastard. Such things had happened often before.
The fact that he was a traitor was problematic, but in truth, wasn't high treason a crime that could be an earring if hung on the ear, or a nose ring if hung on the nose?
But could it happen that the two people who were the Imperial Palace's representative arch-enemies would simultaneously protect one person?
'Whose person is he?'
The jailer's head began spinning furiously.
Of course, in Nok-gi's case, he had restrained them because he was worried that if the guards tortured Wei Yan-ho unnecessarily, the prison might explode, but there was no way they could know that fact.
"Then… um, so…"
The jailer's face contorted miserably after grasping the entire situation.
"So you're saying that crazy little brat… no, that person is a traitor who simultaneously receives the protection of Eunuch Nok and Prince Lee?"
"That's right. We also didn't know how to treat him, so we were waiting for you to come."
"What did the Imperial Guard say?"
"They said they don't know either."
"…"
The jailer's face trembled.
'What kind of dog-like situation is this?'
A traitor who simultaneously receives the protection of the Imperial Palace's two great power holders – what kind of nonsense is this?
This was like a polite barbarian or a military official who had mastered the literary arts—something that couldn't exist in reality.
"Then… has a master entered?"
"…"
The jailer fell into confusion.
Of course, that bastard was a criminal. A criminal couldn't be a master over a jailer. Looking at it from common sense, it was all too obvious.
But where in the world does common sense apply?
When you work as a jailer, you inevitably get prisoners who are like masters. To put it bluntly, even if that bastard gets executed for high treason, If he just says one word on his way to execution—like 'that jailer bothered me'—he wouldn't be safe.
'Prince Lee is one thing, but Eunuch Nok is…'
Nok-gi was famous for caring for his people. No, to be precise, even if they were subordinates he didn't particularly cherish, he was someone who absolutely wouldn't tolerate them being disrespected elsewhere. But didn't that Eunuch Nok personally say to grant that bastard whatever he wanted?
'This is the first time I've encountered such a case…'
After finishing his thoughts and looking at Wei Yan-ho, the person looked different.
That pure white skin was something that someone who worked outside could absolutely never have. Only a scholar who had only read books indoors could have such skin. In other words, it meant that bastard was quite the son of a prestigious family.
A son of a prestigious family beloved by Eunuch Nok.
Wasn't that a spine-chilling combination just thinking about it?
"Even so, he's a traitor, so calling him a master is a bit much, isn't it?"
"Right?"
"I think so. However, there's one thing that worries me."
"What?"
"If we just treat him carelessly and it turns out he's not a traitor, what happens to us?"
"We'd die."
"Right?"
Then Eunuch Nok's wrath would sweep through the prison.
Just as the jailer was pondering what to do, a loud voice was heard.
"Hey there!"
"Wh-what?"
"How much longer for the water?"
The jailer's eyes shot up.
Even though there were cases where they served prisoners like masters, a prisoner couldn't so brazenly make demands of jailers like that.
Such a case had never happened since the Imperial Palace Prison was established.
The jailer resolved to restore the dignity of the Imperial Palace Prison that had fallen to the ground today and shouted loudly.
"What are you doing! Bring water immediately!"
"…"
"Immediately!"
"…Yes."
The jailer thought he should survive for now.
***
"How is that bastard doing?"
"As soon as he entered the prison, he ate a lavishly prepared meal, and now he's lying down sleeping."
"Hehehe."
Nok-gi burst into laughter.
"That bastard is quite the character."
"Grand Eunuch, I cannot help but worry. Is it alright to confine that bastard in such a flimsy prison? Considering his abilities, it wouldn't be strange if he escaped at any time."
"That's true too."
"Even now, we should immediately set up guards with the Imperial Guard and other palace warriors around that bastard's prison."
"Tsk tsk tsk tsk."
When Nok-gi clicked his tongue, Yeong-ban slightly raised his head.
"You still can't read my intentions and act accordingly."
"I apologize."
"If that bastard escapes, there would be nothing better than that. It would be like admitting his guilt, so only Prince Lee who brought him would be in trouble."
"Ah…"
"Catching Wei Yan-ho is also important. But the bigger thing is bringing down the big fish called Prince Lee. If we can do that, we can let Wei Yan-ho go."
"You speak wisely."
"That bastard knows that too. He knows that if he runs away, Prince Lee will be in trouble. That's why, even though he could have escaped sufficiently, he obediently let himself be captured and brought to prison. If that bastard puts his mind to it, even if palace warriors swarm him, they couldn't stop his prison break."
"My thinking was shallow."
"Hohoho, that bastard is probably thinking right now that if he just endures a little, Prince Lee will be able to free him. But what if his high treason is confirmed and he's sentenced to be beheaded? He'd have no choice but to run away. Wouldn't that be right?"
"That's right."
"Then that would end everything. Prince Lee would become someone who brought an outsider into the Imperial Palace and plotted the assassination of the Crown Prince. Even if Wei Yan-ho doesn't run away and is obediently beheaded, it wouldn't be bad. Prince Lee would just have his position reduced, but we'd be able to execute the thorn-in-the-eye Wei Yan-ho."
"I cannot follow Grand Eunuch's depth of mind."
"The plan has been executed exquisitely. We'll need to cut off at least his arms and legs to survive. With this, the grand plan is almost complete."
"Hasn't Grand Eunuch, who has waited and endured for long years, finally seized the opportunity?"
"That's right. That could be said. But…"
Though he was only saying good things with his words, Nok-gi's face wasn't very comfortable.
"I'm somehow a bit uneasy."
"Why is that?"
"It's too easy."
"Pardon?"
Nok-gi quietly fell into thought, then slowly opened his mouth.
"When I was excited thinking I had hooked that bastard, I didn't notice, but looking back now… doesn't it seem like Wei Yan-ho was hooked too easily? And… his reaction was too excessive."
Yeong-ban tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.
"I don't know what he's aiming for, but now that he's in my grasp, he won't be able to scheme anything. I won't give him time or opportunity."
Nok-gi sprang up from his seat.
"I'm entering the palace. I must see His Majesty. Prepare immediately!"
"Yes! Grand Eunuch!"
As Yeong-ban ran outside, Nok-gi hardened his expression.
"I'm uneasy. For no reason at all."
Nok-gi headed outside, trying to shake off the anxiety rushing into his chest.
With a resolution in his mind to definitely confirm Wei Yan-ho's execution.