Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: 13. Book of Life and Death (4)
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Conclusion first: everything wrapped up smoothly.
I'd made a ton of preparations just in case things didn't go as planned, but in the end, they weren't even needed.
It was like when the squad leader offhandedly says to his men, "That mountain over there rubs me the wrong way," and the next day, the whole unit's riding the hellbound express train.
The emperor shot a meaningful glance at the cadets sitting there, and that was that—the whole situation was over.
Why? Because those sleazy bastards who'd been tormenting Riz so pathetically had eyes sharp enough to spot trouble a mile away. They slammed their own heads into the ground first thing.
"Your Majesty, I'm truly innocent! I had no idea about any of this!"
Meanwhile, amid the silence where everyone else had shut their mouths, the chairman was still desperately proclaiming his innocence.
The emperor just chuckled at the man's antics, finding them amusing, like a cute puppy's tricks.
"Heh heh, you really are something. You think saying you didn't know fixes everything? As far as I recall, you were the head honcho in charge here. Must be nice having such an easy life."
"No, that's not it—I'm just saying we shouldn't blow this out of proportion and should resolve it through dialogue—"
"Oh, that's music to my ears."
The emperor replied with a pleased smile.
"Coming from the man who didn't bat an eye when the cadet I have my eye on was getting bullied. Makes it all the more trustworthy."
"..."
I clicked my tongue watching the emperor effortlessly shut down the chairman's last desperate ploy.
Serika, who'd been standing quietly beside me, spoke up with a puzzled look.
"...Why the face? Got some complaint?"
"Complaint? About what?"
"You've been looking dissatisfied since earlier. Were you hoping to handle this yourself?"
"Nah, it's not that..."
Truth be told, I was a bit disappointed.
Normally, you'd expect at least one or two idiots to lose the plot, claim they did nothing wrong, and yap at the emperor for some real entertainment.
'Though in a class-based society, anyone mouthing off to the emperor would have to be stark raving mad.'
If some fool here had actually insisted on his innocence and barked at the emperor, I'd seriously suspect he was in cahoots with Ricardo plotting a Sixth Republic or something.
Anyway, with the emperor wrapping things up so neatly...
He dismissed everyone, then approached the dazed Riz and gently patted her head.
"There, you must have been through a lot at such a young age. Protecting the empire's subjects is my solemn duty, yet I failed you in that. Allow me to apologize."
"Y-Your Majesty! N-No, please! I just..."
"Enough. No need for words. I merely did what I was obligated to do."
With that, the emperor glanced back at Kaya, who'd been standing behind him like a secretary, and gave a wry smile.
"No wonder you, busy as assistant director for Raguna's project, insisted on playing my attendant today. I thought it was a bit odd."
"...My apologies. If I've overstepped..."
"No matter. I'd fall for tricks like this anytime. Frankly, it's rather amusing—being able to legally kick the asses of those rice-wasting scum."
Suddenly, the emperor turned his gaze to me.
"That aside, Raguna. Got nothing to say to me?"
"...Pardon?"
"I handled what should've been your job. No reward or anything?"
"...?"
Was this some game quest? Solve the problem, get loot.
But surprisingly, the emperor looked dead serious.
"If I helped, could you maybe give me an advance screening of Book of Life and Death? Like before that... ahem, unfortunate incident between us."
"..."
"Truth is, I can't stand it anymore. I'm dying to know how Alpha tracks down Zodiac, and what Louis is thinking exposing his position on purpose!"
The emperor's eyes sparkled with that telltale dual-addict—no, anime-addict gleam.
"The duke spoils just enough to tease without spoiling properly—it's infuriating! So, please. If you grant my request, I'll make it worth your while—"
Unfortunately, the emperor's plea cut short there.
"...Your Majesty. Please stop. And didn't we agree? No pressuring the director about advance screenings, no matter what."
Kaya, standing behind him, fixed the emperor with an icy stare.
"Ka-Kaya! It's not like that—I just love anime purely and—"
"Excuses later. Hush and come along. Do you know how packed your schedule is today?"
With that, Kaya dragged the protesting emperor off somewhere quietly.
"..."
"..."
Serika and I watched the scene in mild bewilderment. Then Riz, who'd been keeping her head down without a word, approached me.
"Um... Director..."
"Yeah?"
I turned to her, and she looked on the verge of tears.
"Th-Thank you. Really... I never dreamed you'd care this much..."
"...Got it. Just drop the face. I hate that stuff."
But Riz's expression didn't lighten up.
In the end, I had to drag her to a quiet spot with no one around and deploy the cheat code.
That cheat code being none other than...
"Ahem. Actually, I urgently need to discuss episode 7's plot with you, Riz. Since we're here, mind if we chat briefly?"
"...Book of Life and Death episode 7? But why me...?"
Sure enough, mentioning Book of Life and Death improved her mood instantly.
She was a pro voice actress, after all—no matter what, she got deadly serious about work on the show.
Seeing that, I relaxed a bit and continued.
"Because you're voicing Alpha, who's hunting Zodiac."
"...Pardon?"
"Even as the director overseeing Book of Life and Death, I can't match your immersion in the role. And episode 7 hinges heavily on Alpha's mindset."
"..."
Riz blinked, then slowly nodded.
"...Understood. If I'm good enough, I'll help however I can. So, what do you want to ask?"
"You did the script read for episode 6 recently, so you know what happens, right?"
"Yes. Alpha suspects Louis isn't Zodiac and bugs his house with surveillance artifacts."
Up to now, Book of Life and Death had been Louis and Alpha desperately sniffing each other out with zero clues.
From episode 6, they vaguely peg each other's identities and kick off a proper brain battle.
"As you know, Alpha currently suspects Louis is Zodiac. She says aloud the odds are under 1%, but deep down, she's basically convinced."
That's why Alpha monitors Louis's house, desperately hunting for proof he's Zodiac.
"Louis knows he's being watched, so he plays the perfect average guy to fool her—doing typical stuff for guys that age."
"...And?"
"Alpha's already locked in on Louis as Zodiac mentally. No ordinary behavior will shake that suspicion. So, what crazy stunt does Louis pull to make her finally drop the surveillance?"
That was it.
The core headache plaguing episode 7's plot.
If Alpha were average, Louis's "normal life" act would dispel doubts instantly.
But Alpha was the genius detective who zeroed in on Louis with no leads whatsoever.
Any half-baked ploy from Louis fooling her would shatter the story's plausibility.
Riz pondered my words, her face flushing red before she spoke.
"Hmm... If I were Alpha, seeing Louis read dirty books in his room might ease suspicions a bit."
"Dirty books?"
"Yeah. Boys that age obsessing over naughty stuff is totally normal, right? Hiding it from others is normal too, and it'd explain why he holes up in his room so much."
"...Hmm."
I nodded at her reasoning.
Jerkin' it to erotica or porn...
Not a bad idea.
Using that, even if Alpha still suspects Louis, she'd have to quit spying.
Peeping on someone's private shame is crossing a line, after all.
Especially if Louis turns out innocent—it'd be a huge breach.
But...
"Hm, not bad. Not bad at all... but the impact feels a tad weak."
"Pardon?"
"For a hormonal teen, ogling smut is routine—like breathing or drinking. Would Alpha buy it from something so mundane?"
Maybe if he read a comic where a dragon turns into a carriage—something utterly depraved—or dropped trou knowing he's watched?
I genuinely thought that might do it.