WCMBI - Chapter 239: Chaos At Place (Patreon)

Ian fell from the roof of the peacock nobleman's mansion with a tremendous crash. Startled, the knights of the nobleman rushed over, only to find that the intruder was none other than their master. Bewildered, they fretted about, unsure of how to handle the situation.

The resident physician, alerted to the commotion, hurried to the scene and personally ordered Ian to be taken to a room. With the nobleman absent, from the butler to the chamberlain, there was a glaring shortage of people capable of leading the estate.

Though he was fortunate to have escaped major injuries, Ian had sustained a deep gash on his ankle. To an ordinary person, it might have seemed a trifling wound, but for a knight who wielded a sword, an injured ankle was no trifling matter.

The physician immediately tended to Ian's ankle wound, applying medicine and tightly wrapping it with bandages. In anticipation of sudden movements upon awakening, the physician secured his foot slightly raised by tying a rope to the ceiling of the bed.

"Haa…"

Having swiftly attended to the treatment, the physician sighed as he settled into a chair. Recent events, occurring in quick succession, seemed to have taken a toll on his heart.

When would the chamberlain be released from the underground prison, and why did the butler suddenly quit his duties? Furthermore, the captain of the nobleman's knights spent more time outside on errands than within the mansion. Without a middle manager in the estate, the situation was far from ideal.

Amidst such tumult, if even the master of the mansion remained oblivious, what was to be done.

"Excuse me."

The physician stood up from his chair at the arrival of the head butler, who had been learning the duties just below the chamberlain.

"For now, the urgent measures are complete."

"I apologize. I was in the warehouse and heard the news belatedly."

"That can happen. But for the time being, it would be wise to focus on the well-being of our master."

"Yes, I understand."

Knowing well the burdens that would now fall upon the head butler, who was suddenly tasked with the duties of the chamberlain, the physician offered some encouragement before returning to his own chamber. He had to prepare the medicines needed by the nobleman.

* * *

Meanwhile, chaos erupted within the palace. Not only did they face an abrupt assault from an unknown assailant, but even the Emperor's attire was ruthlessly torn apart. Such behavior was outrageously disrespectful, as if it were a blatant declaration of war against the Aeris Empire.

However, the one at the receiving end of this calamity, Adrian, found his mind troubled for different reasons. The sudden appearance of Lucia and the simultaneous disappearance of Pedro and Ian perplexed him. Despite the presence of protective barriers within the palace, Lucia and Pedro had displayed their magic so nonchalantly.

"Well, one begins to doubt whether the barriers are functioning as they should," he mused.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Shall I invite a different mage, one who is not from the Matap Mage Association, to investigate?" proposed an advisor.

"That might be prudent. I never imagined that my dealings with the Matap would lead to such a situation," the Emperor responded with a tinge of regret.

"I feel a sense of betrayal. Your Majesty has always shown utmost respect to the Matap Lord."

The Emperor's close aide tremble with indignation, but Adrian remained surprisingly composed. This composure puzzled the aide, who finally asked, "Does Your Highness have any idea what may have caused this?"

"My convictions are not strong enough to gauge Your Majesty's intentions. Perhaps, there is a plan you have in mind," the advisor inquired.

"I never anticipated such an event, so how could I have a plan?" Adrian retorted.

The Emperor's response left the advisor even more bewildered, but Adrian gestured to dismiss all his attendants. There was someone else occupying his thoughts—neither Pedro nor Ian. Suddenly, only Lucia, who had appeared out of nowhere and exhibited an entirely different side of herself, occupied his mind.

"Was she always like this?" Adrian wondered aloud.

When she lived in his palace, Lucia seldom spoke, appearing meek and almost melancholic. No, it would be more accurate to describe her as reserved. Adrian had never seen her smile, assuming that she was incapable of such expressions.

"Yet, she could laugh like that."

Even if her laughter seemed mocking, the echo of that fleeting sound continued to resonate in his ears. "An abhorrent experience to be made a pawn of..." he muttered.

Though he wanted to refute it, he couldn't deny that her words held some truth.

"She must have felt that way."

In truth, he had contemplated the treatment of omegas at least once before. However, he never pondered the wounds they endured or the pain they carried; it was as if he accepted the exploitation of omegas as an unquestionable fact. He even rationalized it, not just for alphas but also for betas, reducing a few omegas to a vulnerable plight that suited their convenience.

Adrian recalled Lucia during her time in the palace. She always greeted him in a state of undress, her alluring and sorrowful omega nature seemingly imposed upon her by someone else.

To his surprise, he found himself growing cold and rigid at the thought. He was well aware that every resident of the palace, in their pursuit of appearing better in the eyes of the Emperor, would stake their lives. However, why hadn't he ever suspected anything back then?

"Should I make appropriate attire for an omega?" The voice, soaked in hatred and abhorrence, reverberated in his ears.

"Your actions were driven by your desires, not her own."

Adrian could not hide the bitterness in his tone. He knew he could not let this pass without further investigation. It was long overdue, but he needed to find someone who would unclothe the abuse towards omegas, and more specifically, examine the precise point at which the status of omegas had plummeted.

Yes, perhaps it was time for the era to change.

With that thought, Adrian rose from his seat and left without summoning any attendants. The guards and the aide waiting outside quickly followed, and he walked away without uttering a word.

Though he was curious about Ian's whereabouts, he believed it was essential to meet the Empress first. After all, Lucia, during her stay in his palace, had a maid who served her—someone from the Empress's entourage.