I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 159

Episode 159

Since then, time has passed quickly. 

It was such a hectic day that she couldn’t even remember what she did.

Between the succession of Ceteran’s throne and the Emperor’s funeral, Vehen had hardly any time to meet with Min-joo due to various other matters.

Tedric didn’t send personal letters as before, just like Permette didn’t.

Min-joo isn’t sure if Permette is busy because Vehen is busy or not.

She received a call that Neriant had also been promoted and added that she would hold her wedding after Ceteran’s coronation.

The Emperor’s funeral passed by in a flash, more grand and magnificent than the Empress’ funeral, and the entire empire was in an uproar.

No, it was even in uproar abroad, with dignitaries from various countries, including ambassadors, attending.

Min-joo was able to hear some trivial stories from the Emperor’s funeral through Vehen.

The people’s attention was focused on the Emperor’s funeral and Ceteran’s coronation, and news about Marquess Trimidri’s trial was still far away.

“This is the anesthesia you requested.”

The apothecary working with Fortis brought a huge load to Hiltate.

Boxes stacked in one corner of the basement were filled with bottles containing liquid. Min-joo checked the transparent liquid and listened carefully to the apothecary’s explanation.

Baroness Meghini and Andy were also there.

“Even a small amount can temporarily immobilize the body. You can inject it directly into the body, or inhale a large amount into the air, which will induce drowsiness. Drinking it directly would be a problem, but it’s not harmful to the body.”

In other words, a small amount is an anesthetic, while inhaling a large amount induces sleep anesthesia.

This anesthesia will bring remarkable achievements to the medical field. How on earth could they come up with this so easily?

Andy, despite knowing Min-joo’s plan, repeatedly questioned its effectiveness out of unnecessary anxiety.

Baroness Meghini, who was observing the situation from afar, stood beside Min-joo.

“Lady Park Min-joo, I don’t think this is a good decision.”

“I’ve already made it.”

Min-joo smiled faintly and closed the box. Baroness Meghini adjusted her round glasses with a discontented expression.

Min-joo asked the apothecary.

“So when can Viscount Rolfreme’s prototype be sent?”

“He said he would send it soon.”

Everyone has their roles to play. Min-joo just needs to fulfill her role as Min-joo.

The one who stands out the least, but controls the most.

After roughly confirming the quantity and appropriate dosage of the anesthetic, Min-joo called on those who had joined the revolution in the basement.

Though ten were not a large number, they were the leaders of each area.

With the help of many, including Permette and Andy, it was not unreasonable to say that most of the people participating in the revolution were from the capital.

Most were resentful towards the nobles, but after hearing the goals of the revolution, they generally accepted them. Some would hold their ground with just the pretext of bringing down the nobility.

Anyway, the fact that the entire population of the capital is participating in the revolution doesn’t change.

They have to win. Even if they request help from outside and call in soldiers from other areas, it will already be after the revolution is over.

Min-joo scanned the gathered people and steeled her resolve.

‘This is what I’ve started. I want to see it through to the end, perfectly.’

So, she meticulously and thoroughly prepared.

The gathered people varied in appearance, occupation, and gender. The only commonality was their status and goal.

It’s hard to believe that such different people gathered because of a shared goal.

Her heart swelled for no reason.

“We have only a few days left. Thank you for being with us through this urgent process.”

All eyes turned to Min-joo. The gaze brought not fear but a slight sense of burden and exhilaration.

“We’ve come running with our goals in mind. Even if this endeavor fails, it will never crumble, and we’ll see it through to the end. Our work might be reduced to a single line in the annals of history, or it might not be recorded at all. But this endeavor will change the future. We are all equal and have the right to happiness.”

For now, it may only end with the distribution of power, but afterward, the shackles of social status will disappear, and everyone will have the opportunity for education and the life they desire.

That’s what will happen. Most of the capital’s population held such thoughts, and thoughts have a significant impact on choices.

Each individual will change many things through the connection of thoughts.

Min-joo, the one who gathered them and led the plan, explained the operation that would be the first and last.

Ceteran’s coronation is in three days. They’ll move in two days.

Whether it will remain as a line in the honorable history or be labeled as evil will be decided then.

Breathing in was suffocating, and exhaling was bitter.

The tense body didn’t seem to calm down as if it were about to vomit.

* * *

The capital was quiet yet chaotic.

Carriages filled with furniture passed near the palace.

The guards thought this chaos was just the usual cleanup after what was practically a festival for the commoners following the Emperor’s funeral.

There were no special reports, and the nobles inside were gathered for a meeting, so there was no need to create a fuss.

With the funeral and coronation scheduled, the nobles ignored the unrest among the commoners and stayed inside the palace.

Indeed, a few days ago, some nobles’ carriages were attacked and fell into the river, but they attended reluctantly, knowing that if they missed the coronation preparations, they would incur Ceteran’s wrath.

“…Wha, what’s that…?”

“Shouldn’t we report that…?”

The guards, carrying rifles on their shoulders, were taken aback and took a step back.

The carriages they thought had just passed by the massive iron gate of the palace were all gathering.

Behind them, people with cloth wrapped around their faces were gathering confidently.

“Seal the entrance! Don’t let anyone in, report immediately!”

“Yes!”

The guards standing outside hurriedly entered and locked the gate. The sturdy iron gate didn’t seem to open no matter how hard they banged on it.

One of the guards dashed into the building without hesitation, while the remaining guard aimed his gun and shouted sternly.

“Back off! I’ll say it again, back off! If you approach any further, we’ll open fire!”

The furniture piled on top of the carriages served as excellent barricades, thanks to the advice from Vehen and Neriant.

Following the advice to pile up as much furniture as possible for cover, they consumed a lot of furniture.

The carriages gradually approached, and many people gathered behind them also approached the palace.

Those who had endured the bitter winter winds stood silently behind the carriages.

“I said back off! Back off, you bastards!”

The guard, intimidated by the thoroughly prepared barricade, pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Bang!

A fierce and loud noise pierced through the air and struck the table on top of the carriage.

Realizing that a single bullet wouldn’t affect them, the guard continued to indiscriminately pull the trigger until the ammunition ran out, trying to break through the barricade.

“They fired first.”

A burly man responsible for the E sector command picked up a rifle on his shoulder. The people crowded around him also held rifles.

They carried small but large bags, from which they took out small tubes with needles and attached them to the rifles.

“Close the distance! Break down the door!”

With the lightning-fast command of the burly man, the carriages approached the massive iron gate.

“Separate the powers! The Emperor’s autocratic politics will ruin the country!”

Their massive cry shook not only the palace but also the capital. Under their cry, dry branches swayed, icicles fell, and the frozen ground melted into puddles.

“…Isn’t it too noisy?”

The first to react to the shouts that pierced through the tightly closed windows was Ceteran.

He was checking the final schedule for the coronation and discussing the policies to be implemented afterward.

The gathered nobles were more numerous than usual, with both conservatives and reformists mingling.

They didn’t rashly act since the incident with Marquess Trimidri, or at least that’s how it seemed to Ceteran.

It was probably because significant events had occurred one after another since Nelsie’s return.

“Yes, indeed. Shall we assess the situation and report?”

Vehen, who was sitting next to Ceteran, glanced out the window and asked in a monotone voice.

The nobles gathered in the room began to murmur one by one in response to Vehen’s question.

“I wonder if it’s another riot.”

“Since we easily suppressed it before, why not send the military?”

The nobles who assessed the situation began to voice their opinions one by one.

Ceteran, who had experienced similar situations before and regretted them deeply, couldn’t speak up easily.

Then it happened.

“Your Highness! Armed civilians are storming the palace!”

The guard who had left to report gasped for breath and shouted.

Armed civilians. Unlike before, this time they would have to deal with each other’s significant injuries.

Ceteran’s face turned pale as he swiftly rose from his seat.

“Do not shoot until they shoot first! Maintain the situation with as little violence as possible. What about the military?”

“We will summon them immediately upon Your Highness’ orders.”

“Also relay the orders to the military. Handle the situation with as little violence as possible.”

The guards bowed their heads and hurriedly ran out.

The news of armed civilians was enough to frighten the nobles. They all just uttered words of ending the meeting and leaving.

Vehen simply sat still and observed the situation. When the nobles attempted to leave their seats, he slammed his fist on the table to draw their attention.

“If you don’t want to go out and face them, stay put.”

Everyone fell silent and adjusted their clothes. There was no guarantee that those who had gone out in carriages wouldn’t suffer harm from the armed civilians. They might even face a disastrous fate.

“However, it would be best to end the meeting here. Please gather in one place for your safety. Your Highness, please ensure the safety of Her Majesty the Empress and evacuate to a secure location.”

Vehen quickly organized the situation and stood up from his seat. Ceteran also left the meeting room with the words of ending the meeting.

The knights accompanying Ceteran ensured his safety, and soon the palace and its surroundings were filled with soldiers.

“We have to succeed.”

Otherwise, all their efforts would be in vain.

Vehen silently clenched his fist as he looked out the window.

The assembled army skillfully closed in on the people, trying to corral them into one place gradually.

The people raised their guns, aiming at the densely packed soldiers. Despite the barricades made of furniture, they were uneasy about facing well-trained soldiers.

“Clear them out first! Subdue them at once!”

The soldiers who reached the furniture barricade were clearing out the furniture one by one. Some even inserted their guns through the gaps and aimed at the people. Those standing in front would inevitably die without any chance to move.

Bang!

A small gunshot was heard from afar.

It came from the tallest building closest to the palace.

As soon as the gunshot was heard, gunfire erupted from all around. Soldiers near the furniture were silenced without a chance to scream.

“…That was close.”

Min-joo, who had fired the first shot, sighed as she loaded her tranquilizer gun.

The long, neatly tied black hair on top of the tallest building closest to the palace swayed in the wind.