Hero’s Downfall Report

8 – A Woman Without the Eyes of a Man (3)

The former emperor Alexios left behind two children, Anna and Ioannis. As both siblings had a claim to the throne, it didn’t matter who became the emperor.

The problem lay in the difficulty of ascending to the throne. Not only did they need to have a claim to the throne, but they also had to pass a vote by the seven electors and ultimately receive approval from the Pope.

If one were to prioritize, Anna had a stronger claim. However, Ioannis had a higher chance of becoming the emperor.

Their aspirations were completely opposite. Anna desired a well-ordered empire ruled by a strong emperor like their father, while Ioannis wanted an empire where the emperor and nobility could progress together.

Predecessor or not, those with the right to succeed the throne, namely those who can say, ‘If the imperial lineage is severed, then our family will continue the imperial bloodline.’ They must obey the emperor, yet they are more vigilant than anyone else about the emperor’s influence growing.

Naturally, they would lend their support not to Anna but to Ioannis. Anna’s heart quickened. As the influence of the predecessor grew stronger day by day and the empire was splitting, her brother’s approach seemed excessively lax and feeble.

Therefore, Anna presented that famous proposal to her husband, Niki Brien, who was also the Imperial Army Commander.

“Let’s stand together at the pinnacle of the world. Just as we have walked together until now, I hope we can continue to do so in the future. You are my companion, and therefore, you have the qualifications to become the empire’s greatest man. Let’s become emperor together.”

Excluding the nobility of the capital and the predecessors, everyone in the empire liked and loved Anna. The local nobility and commoners loved her. She was not only a genius unparalleled in the entire history but also popular for her upright and virtuous heart.

Even her husband, Niki Brien, was her choice. She was the one who first recognized and proposed to him, a lower-ranking officer from a noble family in name only, indistinguishable from commoners.

And her choice was not wrong. Victory was certain, unnecessary sacrifices decreased, and persuasion through rational and convincing tactics left a deep impression on the entire Imperial Army.

Naturally, the Imperial Army supported Niki Brien. And Anna loved Niki. She also knew that her wife was exercising the legitimate authority that the heir to the throne could have.

Moreover, for Anna to become the emperor, Ioannis had to relinquish the throne succession rights. This too she understood.

Therefore, he donned the armor and sword given by his wife and, accompanied by the most trusted subordinates, headed to his brother-in-law’s residence. There were no guards to stop the Imperial Army Commander who appeared in the middle of the night.

Yet, Ioannis, the crown prince, was not bewildered.

It was not just overshadowed by his genius older sister’s reputation; the crown prince himself was wise, thoughtful, compassionate, and decisive enough to hear the sound of victory. Realizing his situation and what was happening, he had no time to put on armor. He confidently stepped forward with the Imperial Sword belt over his gown.

“It seems you couldn’t sleep well, brother-in-law?”

Niki Brien unsheathed the Imperial Sword.

And slammed it into the stone floor.

The inverted sword fell silent.

“Imperial Army Commander Niki Brien greets Emperor Your Majesty. The empire belongs to the emperor, and the Imperial Army is the emperor’s sword. We offer the sword to the master. Please accept the sword’s reverence.”

Niki’s subordinates also unsheathed their swords and thrust them into the ground.

“Please accept the sword’s reverence!”

At that moment, Ioannis Commodus disappeared.

“Imperial Commander Niki Brien. Rise and receive your orders,” commanded the new emperor, Ioannis II.

“Close the gates and open the doors. Wake and arm every man and woman. Illuminate the streets as bright as day but do not cause a disturbance. Do not harm others but allow attacks on intruders. Increase the guards and maintain order. Summon all the pre-emptive forces. Arrest the perpetrators of attempted looting.”

Niki Brien arrested his own wife, laying down his empty scabbard in front of his subordinates, and tenderly embraced and kissed her on the forehead.

Anna did not cry. She did not even show anger. Perhaps she did not know how to react, overwhelmed by the shock.

Instead, she left a lonely smile and the famous words: “I had no eyes for men.”

It is unclear whether this was an expression of betrayal towards her husband or a praise for her younger sister’s unexpected courage.

Ioannis’s ascension happened quickly. Anna received no retribution. Ioannis himself was sullen.

“Are you making a fuss over a family argument at a funeral home?” he said.

Even the most fervent loyalists who had pledged allegiance to Anna were now swayed to his side.

The nobles, who had feared being oppressed like the previous emperor, now blessed the birth of the new emperor and pledged their loyalty once again.

Niki Brien stepped down from his position as Imperial Commander and became a close advisor to the emperor.

With his military talent and political acumen, he actively supported the emperor.

As the empire rapidly solidified its position, Anna’s political standing diminished.

She still had a good relationship with her husband. They did not divorce. She still loved her husband, and he loved his wife. Her younger sister would occasionally invite her over, bringing gifts and sharing jokes.

But ultimately, Anna embarked on a distant journey.

She exchanged knowledge with the world’s scholars and studied at foreign universities. She went on pilgrimages and conversed with the Pope. She diligently wrote letters with important news and matters that the emperor needed to know. It was not at all strange for a member of the imperial family to take on the role of a diplomat.

Wherever Anna went, she was welcomed. No one ignored her. On the contrary, she attracted the curiosity of all rulers with the story of the failed heir to the throne.

Endless wisdom, a kind heart, a strong inner self, and even a witty sense of humor. She knew how to put people’s hearts at ease and there was nothing she didn’t know. Once she heard something, she never forgot it, and if she told you one thing, she understood two.

That’s how she became a professor of history at the Imperial Academy.

* * * * *

The world is vast. Somewhere out there, there are people who are happy all week just by unfolding a map and drawing their own borders.

But most students find history classes boring. Meaningless facts, memorization for the sake of memorization, monotonous and leisurely lecturers…

If it’s a subject that you have to take because you’re required to graduate, it’s bound to be irritating.

However, the world is still vast. The “Imperial History Introduction” class at the Imperial “Capital” Academy has always been highly popular and well-regarded.

One could argue that there’s no way the evaluation of a lecture taught by the Emperor’s sister could be negative, but the students and graduates of the Capital Academy testify unanimously. If you attend the class even once, you won’t be able to say such things.

It was said that students who took Anna Commodus’s class were astonished three times.

First, by her elegant and slender appearance and her humble yet elegant demeanor, contrary to her fierce reputation as the “Emperor’s sister and Empire’s rebel.”

Second, by the fact that she willingly lowers herself and uses honorifics with her students.

And third, by the fact that she remembers the names and faces of the students who took her class even after they graduate.

If a graduate of the Capital Academy happens to run into her, Anna would close her eyes slightly and ask, “Augustino Ancel, you were a student in the summer semester seven years ago. You graduated from the Fine Arts Department. I heard your harvest of self-composed poems was good this year. You must have had busy yet prosperous days.”

Anna has never given a definite answer as to whether her uncanny memory and information analysis abilities, which go beyond the realm of the uncanny, are due to the power of the memory technique that has been passed down through generations in her family, or her own sharpness. She simply says, “I’m just very interested in my students.”

And now, Cain, who is riding in the same carriage as Anna, is pondering the meaning of her words.

Anna and Lily are in the midst of an endless conversation. Mostly greetings and small talk about their whereabouts, gossip about Lily’s fellow graduates. Thanks to that, Cain was able to momentarily escape from the gaze of the two women.

“She even knew Lily’s nickname.”

They used their real names at the Academy. The names Cain and Lily are aliases they chose for themselves after joining the Security Bureau. If Anna had been a normal professor, there’s no way she would have known the names Cain and Lily.

It means that the royal family has a great interest in the Security Bureau agents.

Moreover, Cain and Lily were directly “appointed.” Did Anna simply give a ride to her former student in the royal exclusive carriage out of joy? Cain didn’t think so. There was undoubtedly a reason behind this action.

When I saw the carriage’s destination, my suspicions only grew stronger.

The street glimpsed through the curtains was not the city center with the palace. The procession was passing through the old town.

“We should be reaching a crossroads about now.”

A grand trumpet blast echoed, sounding like a bear’s roar.

The knights of the Holy Grail, separated from the procession, turned onto the right road. It led to the capital cathedral, where the headquarters of the order were located.

Meanwhile, the royal guards and Anna’s carriage continued straight ahead. At the end of this road lay the main gate of the academy.

Anna Commodus was still a professor. She gave lectures, wrote papers on her history major, and was engrossed in writing history books. So, going to the academy was no different from going to work for her.

But why was Cain insisting on bringing himself and Lily?

Snap.

Suddenly, Anna’s fan struck Cain’s thigh, breaking his train of thought.

“Yes, that expression,” Anna said, holding her waist and laughing.

Cain looked back and forth between Anna and Lily with a puzzled expression.

“Do you know what conversation Lily and I were having?”

“I don’t know.”

Anna nodded at Lily. Lily sat by the morning window, as chirpy as a bird.

“We were talking about first impressions. The conversation was about how remembering not only faces and names but also the first feeling makes it easier to remember.”

“We were talking about you. You were a unique student. It seemed like you kept everything at a distance from the world, but your eyes never wandered.

Your eyes looked ahead, but your pupils seemed to be dreaming. It’s the look of someone who thinks about this and that in their head. It’s the look of someone who reflects on the past and predicts the future.

It’s the kind of impression that makes you want to give a good smack, like they’re floating around with their soul as if they were dreaming.”

Anna smacked Cain with her fan again. Cain let out a hollow laugh.

“Did I say that? I’m not sure.”

“You’re speaking the obvious, aren’t you? How can a person know their first impression? I’m curious. Lily, what did you think when you first saw Cain?”

“Are you talking about first impressions?” Lily slightly lowered her head and pressed her lower lip. But her smile didn’t fade; it only spread further.

“I was similar to the professor.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled, and Cain became a little uncomfortable.

“So, you wanted to hit me?”

“Oh, no! That’s not what I meant!”

Lily lightly punched Cain’s arm with a clenched fist. It was more of a tap than a punch, but it was enough to make Anna chuckle.

“Interesting. Lily, you’ve changed a lot. You used to be tougher than a soldier throughout your school days, but now you’re quite gentle. So, how about now compared to your first impression?”

Cain became even more uncomfortable. He couldn’t figure out Anna’s intention. Was it just a mean joke or curiosity?

But as Lily spoke, all those thoughts disappeared.

“Your facial expression doesn’t change much, but in reality, you laugh a lot secretly. You rarely burst into loud laughter, but you often smile quietly.

You act indifferent and uninterested, speak little, but in reality, you often take care of others from behind the scenes. You don’t boast about your accomplishments, and you only help when it’s absolutely necessary.

You are respected by your subordinates, loved and envied by your colleagues, and recognized by your superiors as a capable agent.

And always, in your position…”

It was like a child asking, “Can I list a hundred reasons why Mom and Dad are great?”

Anna was first surprised, then shocked, and beyond her wildest expectations, she desperately tried to stifle her laughter. She couldn’t contain herself and opened the curtain, fanned herself, and hid her face. Cain seriously considered jumping out of the carriage door. He thought taking a hit from the guards might be better.

“…you are a model of doing your best in your position…”

Lily, who had just woken up from her absent-minded state, blushed. Even someone who had forgotten to wear pants and walked out onto the street would not have been as embarrassed.

“It’s getting warm. Is it because it’s early summer?” Anna fanned herself, fiddling with her collar.

“Well, Lily. There’s never a person with only good sides. In fact, you should be cautious of such people because they often hide something significant behind. That is, unless you can see through them.

So, I need to make sure your perspective is well-balanced. Don’t ask again. Any regrets with Cain… No. No. It might be awkward in front of the person. Do you have any wishes? Something you wish I had done, or something you’d like to do together.”

Lily’s expression became serious. Cain felt his heart sinking.

“…Yes.”

Lily pulled Cain’s document bag towards her. It seemed as if her body was shouting that she would never give it back.

“Oh? What is it?”

Cain became anxious. Lily would probably say, “I hope you don’t quit.”

Then, naturally, the emperor’s sister would ask, “Why do you want to quit?” wondering.

What would he say? His lips trembled gradually.

But Lily unexpectedly gave an entirely unexpected answer.

“I’ve never had a sparring match.”

“Sparring?” Anna was as puzzled as Cain. “Are you talking about martial arts, where you confront each other? Combat training?”

“Yes. That’s right.” Lily twiddled her fingers.

“It’s unusual. I know that even the Security Bureau has as much sparring and training as most military institutions. Cain, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

Anna adjusted her posture. It was an unconscious habit when she focused.

“You were throwing away the chance to spar with the Blossom Knight of the White Blood Order? Lily may be young, but technically, she would be near-perfect. At least, there must have been a lot for you to learn from Lily, especially when it comes to the sword.”

Cain recalled Director Burnice. The memory of him always shouting, “When are you going to fulfill your mandatory sparring participation!” like a broken record.

“It’s not because I dislike it; I just haven’t had much sparring. There was a lot going on…”

“Wait a moment. You did have some sparring, didn’t you?”

Beyond with martial arts, with spring through wrestling, and with Godfrey through a shattered chair, they had competed. The encounters with the Beyond Spring brothers took place in the Security Bureau training ground, while those with Godfrey were in the back-alley pub. Naturally, the latter was an unofficial record. Cain suffered a leg abrasion, and Godfrey had a broken nose.

“Yes.”

“With a sword?”

“…We used martial arts and wrestling.”

“Then, last year? Did you use a sword?”

One cannot lie to the imperial family. Cain answered honestly.

“…I did not use a sword. Fist, baton, staff, and wrestling…”

A light tremor passed through Anna’s lips.

“Cain. Are you still using a sword?”

Lily raised her hand after glancing at him. Anna nodded instead of saying more.

“The supervisor probably didn’t know. I’ve never requested a sparring, and this is the first time I’ve mentioned it. It’s my fault. I’m to blame.”

Anna’s face once again softened with a smile and playfulness.

“Lily, I thought your strength lay in honesty and boldness. Your straightforward and honest approach is your personality, right? Why didn’t you say anything? Maybe there’s a rule against sparring for a certain period after joining. As far as I know, there’s no such regulation.”

Lily lowered her head. Her legs trembled slightly.

“…I was embarrassed. That’s why I didn’t say it. I’m sorry. I got too carried away with the atmosphere… and made a verbal mistake…”

“Really. You just grew taller in body.” Anna gently placed a delicate and slender hand on her cute disciple’s knee.

“Lily, do you want to be happy?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to be happy?”

“Prepare for happiness and be ready to welcome it,” declared the Emperor’s sister. The rightful heir to the imperial throne, a rebel against the empire, and a professor at the academy—both mentors made this proclamation.

“Accepting and enjoying happiness requires effort as much as rising after a setback. It’s the effort to convince oneself that one deserves to experience happiness. You have to do that.”

Anna tightened her grip on Lily’s legs. It seemed like she was trying to convey an inner fervor. However, Lily seemed not to understand well. Her expression appeared perplexed.

“Lily, some people, even when happiness is right in front of them, can’t see it. Some people spend all day thinking only about failure, death, frustration, and bitterness. But such people cannot be happy. Do you know why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Just observe from a distance, like it’s someone else’s business. So when happiness finally arrives, they can’t bear it. They envy and resent others’ happiness, and even though they yearn for such happiness themselves, when it comes, they can’t accept it.

It’s burdensome, it feels overwhelming, and they doubt whether it’s truly theirs. They doubt if they deserve such happiness and end up missing or letting it go.

But they handle failure, death, frustration, and bitterness well. Because they think about it all day and prepare in advance for how to act when it comes. There are even sad people who find solace in that familiar helplessness.”

For some reason, Cain felt like Anna was speaking directly to him. His eyes were on Lily, but…

“You need to train. Think about joy and happiness as much as sorrow and tears. That way, you can grasp the happiness right in front of you, not just the happiness that might come someday. Don’t resign yourself. Don’t let go of yourself, no matter what happens, under any circumstances.”

“Yes. I will never, ever let go. Never.”

Lily firmly held the mentor’s hand. However, her gaze was directed at Cain. She was still embarrassed, but confidently so.

Of course, a little later, realizing she had held the mentor’s hand for too long, she blushed, released her hand, and said, “It’s early summer, isn’t it? The season when everyone falls in love. My favorite season.”

Lily covered her face with her palm, as if believing it could hide her embarrassment and shyness.

Unaware that Cain’s heart had become even heavier.

Eventually, the procession passed through the main gate of the academy.