‘What the hell is he doing here?’

The attendant was far from pleased.

The emperor was never exactly a diligent or hardworking ruler. That much could be tolerated to an extent.

But now he was like a ticking time bomb—ready to explode at any second.

And it was Remus Olor who had provoked the emperor to this unstable state. Nothing good could come from him showing up now.

“I will inform His Majesty of your visit at a later time.”

The attendant masked his irritation and once again tried to persuade Remus to leave.

But Remus ignored him. As he brushed past, his shoulder rammed hard into the attendant, making him stumble. Just as the attendant was about to stop him, Remus pushed open the door.

“Ugh!”

A grimace twisted the attendant’s face before he could stop himself.

The moment the door opened, the stench of alcohol, bordering on foul, flooded out. The windows, covered in heavy curtains, had long lost their ability to ventilate.

But Remus stepped inside as if he noticed none of it. In truth, there was no emotion on his face at all.

Then he shut the door behind him.

“W-Wait...!”

The attendant’s urgent voice slipped through the crack just before the door closed—but it was cut off with a hollow click.

Empty liquor bottles littered the path to the center of the room. Remus walked without care, stepping around—or over—them. Occasionally, when a burst of irritation surged, he’d kick a bottle aside.

One struck the wall and shattered with a sharp crack.

As he stepped on the shards, a crunching sound echoed beneath his feet.

“....”

Remus stopped in front of the couch. Lying there was Emperor Subiteo.

He looked a mess. His beard, long overdue for trimming, was ragged. His clothes were stained from spilled liquor.