Chapter 68
I looked down at Rick’s corpse. Gray matter and brain fluid seeped out from the penetrating wounds on his chin and crown. His death was certain.
Even after witnessing Rick’s death, I couldn’t let my guard down. Clutching Crucis, I fixed my gaze on Kinuan.
“What happened?”
“As you can see, I killed an enemy of the Empire.”
Kinuan feigned innocence as he rummaged through Rick’s body.
“That’s not what I’m asking!”
Ignoring my words, Kinuan continued searching Rick’s belongings. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he stroked his chin, lost in thought.
Click.
Having reached a conclusion, Kinuan removed Rick’s helmet, revealing a face hardened by countless battles. The numerous scars were proof of a life steeped in struggle.
Snap.
Kinuan pressed his thumb against Rick’s eyeball and popped it out. Then, he shoved his fingers deep into the empty socket. A squelching sound echoed as he dug through the soft tissue.
“…Rick, you must have cherished your treasure quite a bit. Were you planning to take it with you even in death?”
Kinuan pulled out a small orb from Rick’s brain. Stained with blood, it emitted a faint blue glow. Upon closer inspection, intricate circuits were etched densely across its surface. That unique pattern and blue radiance were unmistakable.
‘An Arcane Artifact.’
Rick had embedded an Arcane Artifact inside his own head. It seemed his teleportation ability came from that relic.
“If you had accepted Rick’s offer, I wouldn’t have needed to kill him. I could have just put you under surveillance as a new recruit for the terrorists and reported the situation as it unfolded.”
Kinuan didn’t take his eyes off Rick. It was true that those two were friends. Rick had believed in Kinuan’s loyalty without question. That was why he had let his guard down.
When the blade of a trusted friend pierced his chin, what had gone through Rick’s mind…?
“You were a double agent, Instructor.”
But he hadn’t been on the terrorists’ side—he was with the Empire.
“There’s no need to stress that. I already told you—I’m a double agent.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“I have no idea where the truth ends and the lies begin with you.”
“You mean that as criticism, but to me, it’s a compliment. Your confusion is proof that I’m still an active and capable double agent.”
I tried to sort through the chaos in my head. But it refused to settle easily.
Kinuan’s past words and actions resurfaced in my mind. At times subtly, at times openly, he had expressed his resentment toward the Empire.
"Was it all an act?"
"Do you think mere acting could have fooled both you and Rick? It’s true that the Empire isn’t perfect. My criticism of it was sincere. But the Empire cannot be allowed to fall. Tearing down the breakwater just because it isn’t flawless is utter nonsense."
Kinuan spoke calmly. He had deceived everyone. That was his role.
Clench.
Before I realized it, I had tightened my grip on my sword. My cybernetic body had received a combat signal. I still hadn’t exited battle mode.
"…Who are you?"
"Before I answer, there’s something I need to say. Lukaus Custoria, you have walked a precarious path in a world where right and wrong blur into ambiguity. You have navigated through an abyss of chaos where nothing could be seen, confronted death that left no room for retreat, and endured despair where even hope had vanished… Yet, you never lost your compass. Understanding the fear and turmoil you must have faced, I offer you my sincere respect."
Like a well-mannered noble, Kinuan placed his palm over his chest and bowed gracefully.
"And now, you have finally chosen the Empire’s side. Even knowing that the Empire is not just, even understanding that the world is not so simple. This was a decision you made through your own experiences and will."
Kinuan waited for my response.
"It’s not such a grand reason. I just…"
The tension drained from my shoulders and arms. I didn’t know what to say.
"Haha… Praise be to humanity’s protector, the father of our nation, and the first Emperor of the Empire, Dino Accretia."
Kinuan muttered, then continued speaking. I couldn’t tell if his words were genuine or mocking. He stepped in front of me.
"…I am a servant of the current Emperor, Yuri Accretia. His eyes, his Overseer, and a bearer of the title ‘Akies Domini.’ My words are the Emperor’s will. Kneel before me, Lukaus Custoria."
His voice shifted midway—deeper, more resonant, overwhelming. It even carried a sense of sanctity.
I closed my eyes. Countless thoughts passed through me in the moment before my knees touched the ground.
I still did not know what was right or wrong. I was merely wandering. The Empire, the terrorists, the upper and lower classes, the privileged and the impoverished—wherever I looked, I saw nothing but twisted injustice. But surely, the Empire was not the only one. Even with my limited knowledge, I could understand that much.
Such is the nature of the world—of this universe.
Thud.
My knees touched the ground.
"You, born as Luka and now Lukaus of Custoria. I proclaim by decree—fulfill the duties of Akies Domini. We are nowhere, yet we are everywhere."
"…Nowhere, yet everywhere."
I repeated the final phrase. It came out naturally, as if I had rehearsed it beforehand.
"Rise, young Overseer."
* * *
Kinuan and I spoke at length in the ruins of the building. It felt like one of those old tales, where a master passed down knowledge to his disciple through oral tradition.
The Emperor’s Eyes and Overseers—Akies Domini.
Their rank and existence left no records behind. They were nothing more than ghosts. Even the title of the Emperor’s servant was an unofficial position.
If anyone asked, even the Emperor himself would deny the existence of Akies Domini.
I had no idea how many of us there were. Perhaps it was just Kinuan and me. Either way, there couldn’t be many. If there were hundreds or thousands, maintaining secrecy would be impossible. At most, a few dozen.
‘…The reach of the Empire is vast and deep. No matter where I look, I cannot see its end.’
Kinuan was an untrustworthy member of the Imperial Guard. His origins were suspicious, and his records were riddled with inconsistencies. There was even considerable circumstantial evidence linking him to the terrorist group, Nemesis. In reality, he had indeed been working as a double agent, maintaining ties with anti-Imperial factions.
‘All of it was a ploy for surveillance.’
The Empire had not failed to identify its internal enemies. In fact, it was well aware of their every move.
"The Empire has learned from history. A rigid social structure and strict rule only breed fierce resistance. If that resistance is crushed too thoroughly, the entire order is eventually overturned."
"So instead, you monitor and regulate them from within?"
It was like draining small amounts of water before the dam could burst.
"You really are an easy student to teach. You grasp the essence quickly. People like Nemesis and Rick Kaiser are allowed to run wild—just enough to be noticeable, but never enough to threaten the Empire’s stability. This approach actually helps alleviate discontent and rebellion. The majority are satisfied with minor acts of defiance. Very few truly wish to overturn the Empire."
Kinuan was a generous teacher with his praise. As I listened, a question arose in my mind.
Did Rick Kaiser truly wish to overthrow the Empire?
I didn’t voice my curiosity.
It might sound strange, but Kinuan was Rick’s friend. He had just witnessed his friend’s death mere minutes ago. Now was not the time to ask such questions.
Kinuan took out a canteen and poured himself a warm cup of tea. The fact that he had brought tea all the way here spoke volumes about his obsession.
After taking a sip, he continued speaking.
"When people hear about the assassination of a bureaucrat as replaceable as mass-produced goods, or about riots and terrorist attacks that don’t even dent the Empire… some of them start believing that the Empire is slowly changing. And so, they suppress their discontent, day by day."
His gaze drifted toward Rick’s corpse. He stared at him for a long while before finally turning to me.
"Luka, remember this well. When people feel that things are changing for the better, their dissatisfaction eases. No matter what anyone says, the human brain feeds on hope, not despair. The belief that things will improve is what allows people to endure misfortune and pain. It helps them push through even the most horrific realities."
I had many questions.
Our title was Akies Domini. How was this related to Akies Victima?
Was Noel Mullizcane—the leader of the first rebellion—truly a traitor? Or had he, too, been serving the Empire under some political arrangement?
But at this moment, one question mattered more than the rest.
"The Commander of the Imperial Guard doesn’t know about the Overseers, does he?"
Commander Hemillas wouldn’t know about the Emperor’s secret watchers. I wanted to hear Kinuan confirm it himself.
"Hemillas’ flaw is his excessive loyalty. If he were a bit more lenient, my life would be much easier. Keep pretending to investigate me. And now that things have turned out this way, take Rick’s body with you. It’ll help your reputation and your chances for promotion. You’ll go down in history as the cadet with the most achievements in the history of the Imperial Guard."
I looked down at Rick’s corpse. A warrior who once seemed capable of turning the world upside down now lay still. Death was this silent.
‘If I had accepted Rick’s offer…’
The mere thought sent chills down my spine.
I would have joined the anti-Imperial movement without ever knowing Kinuan’s true identity.
And one day, just like Rick, I would have been quietly eliminated.
"Instructor, did you let Nikolaos Custoria die knowing full well what would happen?"
"The death of Nikolaos Custoria—the eldest son of the Commander of the Imperial Guard and a high-ranking bureaucrat—has brought great comfort to the dissident forces. Killing someone of that stature gives them the illusion that they've accomplished something. But in reality, he was just another replaceable figure. In any case, with Nikolaos dead, they'll likely lie low for a while."
As Kinuan spoke, he carefully observed my expression and demeanor.
"So you let Nikolaos die because it was the more efficient option… Are you saying Rick ordered the assassination?"
My voice was colder than I expected.
"Good boy, Luka. But you’re still just an apprentice Overseer. You won’t get all the answers from me. Know your place. Right now, you stand at the edge—and it wouldn’t be strange if you were disposed of at any moment."
Even with Kinuan’s warning, I didn’t bother hiding my conflicted emotions. It was only natural that I felt this way. Trying too hard to conceal it would be even more suspicious.
‘Nikolaos was caught in the chaos and died.’
Again, it wasn’t as if I had grown attached to him. Yet, I still felt a sense of responsibility.
With things tangled this badly, who was I supposed to blame? Kinuan? The terrorist group? Rick? Or… the Emperor himself?
Kinuan rose from his seat. He patted my shoulder twice.
"When the time comes, His Majesty will summon you. Until then, no matter how many doubts and grievances arise, keep them buried deep."
I nodded stiffly.
Kinuan’s cold, piercing gaze swept over me as he walked past. Soon, his presence disappeared entirely.