Volume 1 Chapter 104

Volume 1 + Chapter 104: Oh No, They Know Each Other

Umi’s mother instinctively frowned, her expression turning serious as she followed the sound.

Looking down the commercial street, she saw the rapidly approaching carriage belonging to the Knights of the Imperial Tribunal, an institution similar to a combination of a police station and court from Eve’s previous life.

Back when Eve was sentenced to death, it was the Imperial Tribunal that tried and executed her.

It represented the empire’s order, with its primary function being to maintain stability. Its scale was vast, second only to the formal Imperial Knights.

After all, the empire’s territory was vast and sprawling. Any area within the imperial borders required the Imperial Tribunal and its subordinate knight orders to maintain order.

As one of the empire’s most core regions, the Imperial Tribunal’s response here was often alarmingly fast.

At almost the slightest sign of disturbance, even without a report, the Imperial Tribunal would appear on the scene with incredible speed.

This time was no exception. Of course, the possibility couldn’t be ruled out that someone from the Reynolds family had reported it in advance.

This was also the source of Umi’s mother’s worry. The other party was, after all, the grandson of a founding hero. That layer of relationship alone placed him far beyond the reach of a small merchant family like Umi’s.

Although Miss Eve seemed very capable and was excellent at educating children, in the end, she was still just an ordinary person.

After all, someone willing to haggle over a piece of beef for half a day exuded a strong sense of everyday life—not something a powerful aristocrat would have.

Thinking this, Umi’s mother felt even more regret for dragging Miss Eve into this muddy water.

She fidgeted nervously, rubbing the hem of her skirt, considering whether to take all the blame upon herself. No matter what, she couldn’t let Miss Eve be implicated.

“Imperial Tribunal! Who is causing trouble here? Isn’t this… the Reynolds family’s butler, Mr. Fu? It’s been a long time. How is Lord Reynolds’ health?”

A man from the Tribunal, who seemed to be a small leader, recognized the old man immediately upon seeing him.

This made Umi and her mother even more nervous… Oh no, they actually know each other?

“Look at my memory, getting old and confused. I didn’t realize it was you…”

At first, the old man didn’t recognize the Imperial Tribunal’s small leader, but his aged eyes clearly lit up with a gleam of excitement.

After all, in such a situation, having someone from the Imperial Tribunal on your side brought an undeniable sense of reassurance.

Given Eve’s composed demeanor, even if she was just bluffing, it was still quite intimidating.

“Mr. Fu, you must be busy and forgetful. I’m Carlo, responsible for security management in this area. Don’t you remember? Last time your young master got drunk and caused trouble, we were the ones who arrested him.”

The small leader named Carlo patted his chestplate, the metallic clang of armor striking together inspiring awe.

“It was you who came to bail him out then, and you said, next time, don’t let you run into us. Bully your young master, and you’d have my rank stripped sooner or later.”

“Don’t remember?”

Carlo’s words instantly flipped the atmosphere on the scene.

Umi and her mother, who had been somewhat tense, exchanged glances, their expressions lightening considerably.

As for the old man who thought he could breathe a sigh of relief, his face was a sight to behold.

He had thought meeting an acquaintance meant the matter could be settled. Well now… the good news was, it was indeed an acquaintance. The bad news was, it was an acquaintance he had offended.

Moreover, although the different world’s order might not be as developed as in Eve’s previous life, it didn’t mean all the officials were unsavory.

Thanks to the governance of the Imperial Monarch, apart from some superficial projects and a tendency for social climbing, other aspects of the empire—whether maintaining public security and stability or providing welfare for citizens—were handled quite adequately.

A colossal entity like the empire, gathering the hearts of countless people, could not be sustained by a group of self-serving bureaucrats.

The reason that water can carry a boat but also capsize it was not understood only by the empire’s three great pillars.

(The church system was an exception, which was also why the Imperial Monarch kept the church’s influence firmly suppressed.)

“I must clarify with you, we act impartially according to the rules. If you have any issues, you can report them to my superiors. We welcome supervision of our work at any time.”

As he spoke, Carlo straightened up and performed a standard knight’s salute to the old man, whose expression had become somewhat wooden.

“Furthermore, judging by your young master’s actions and the situation on the scene… the matter is quite clear.”

Just as Carlo was speaking, a relatively young knight returned with a notebook. He first saluted Carlo, then began reporting the information gathered from interviewing witnesses around the area.

Hearing the young knight’s incredibly detailed information, even Eve couldn’t help but feel impressed.

This young man’s level of meticulousness was no less intricate than a maiden doing embroidery.

With such work ethic and attention to detail, no wonder the empire’s capital was known as one of the world’s most prosperous regions.

No wonder Eve had chosen to stay here.

“Well, now it’s even clearer.”

Simultaneously, Carlo shifted his gaze to Eve, who had been watching him without saying a word for quite some time.

While marveling at Eve’s appearance, he seemed to also realize something was amiss.

“M-Miss Eve?”

“Hmm?”

Seeing this small leader call her by name, Eve instinctively frowned.

The old man standing opposite also frowned at the same time.

Oh no… they know each other.

“You know me?”

“Of course I know you. That day when I followed my organization to the Imperial Palace to study the etiquette of the Royal Knights… you probably didn’t notice me, but I saw you. You were chatting and laughing with Her Imperial Highness the Empress. Me and a few colleagues were stunned… n-no, I shouldn’t say that. Sorry for being presumptuous.”

Carlo was also straightforward, the type who said whatever came to mind, with no filter on his mouth.

However, Eve didn’t blame him.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind that. By the way, how did you know my name?”

“Your name is well known throughout the Royal Knights. After all, the security arrangements His Majesty made for you are no less extensive than for Her Highness the Princess. I heard it from a senior in the Royal Knights, who said you are the future Imperial Teacher.”

Hearing Carlo’s words, Eve instinctively looked around. No wonder she felt like countless eyes were on her as soon as she entered the city district.

In the past, Eve had grown accustomed to being stared at in busy areas because of her good looks.

Today, even though it was early, she still felt that intense sense of being watched. So it was… the Royal Knights lying in ambush?

Wait, does that mean her trip to the suburbs to meet Anna was also known?