Chapter 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Rescue
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Imperial Palace was staggeringly vast, but the world beyond its walls was even bigger.
And there were people everywhere.
Not quite at the explosive population density of Seoul, but...
As the most populous city in the empire, it was packed with them all the same.
The Wet Nurse and I had slipped out in a plain, unadorned carriage rather than one of the imperial ones.
Of course, we'd gotten permission to leave the palace.
Aside from the coachman handling the reins, that was it—no entourage.
There was one simple reason we'd chosen a modest carriage without the imperial crest over a gleaming white one.
To avoid drawing attention.
The palace was teeming with people, and with that many folks came a constant stream of all sorts of carriages.
Food, daily necessities, supplies—the sheer volume of consumables being hauled in and out made it a hive of activity.
So a nondescript carriage like ours rolling out wouldn't raise any eyebrows.
If anything, it looked perfectly natural.
It's been forever.
Suddenly, it hit me—I hadn't stepped out in months.
The palace was so enormous, I hadn't even realized I'd been cooped up inside.
"Feels refreshing to get out after so long, doesn't it, young master?"
The Wet Nurse, sitting across from me, beamed with a gentle smile.
Unlike her usual self, she'd toned down her curves and dyed her hair brown.
Perfect disguise.
I'd used a magic tool just like hers to change my hair and eye color.
The clothes we wore were all genuine, nothing flashy.
"Yeah. Coming out like this feels great."
"If you ever feel cooped up, just say the word—we can head out for some fresh air. We can't do it every day, but we could make it a regular thing."
"I kinda forgot. The palace is so huge, I didn't even notice I was stuck inside."
A plot the size of a large town, plus absurdly massive buildings.
There was barely any room to feel claustrophobic.
Anyone who felt stifled in a place this big would have to be out of their mind.
"True, the palace is enormous."
"Way too big. And since I only stick to the usual spots, there are still places I haven't seen."
"Shall we go exploring the palace sometime?"
I nodded at the Wet Nurse's kind face.
Her maternal warmth was as soul-meltingly sweet as ever.
"Sounds good. Since you'd like that, let's make it happen."
"It's a promise. But for today, we should sightsee outside first, right? Where to begin?"
Meals, luxuries, auctions, magic workshops, and more.
I pondered as she listed out the options.
Where to go?
Too many choices could trigger decision paralysis, and that wasn't fun.
"Let's grab a bite first?"
"Perfect. It's the ideal time for an early dinner. Anything you're craving?"
Suddenly, a parade of dishes danced in my mind's eye.
The empire's prosperity meant a wide variety of cuisine had flourished.
"Salad pasta and cutlet for me. What about you, Wet Nurse?"
"Hmm. Ravioli sounds good for me. That work for you, Lord Niu?"
"Yeah. Don't want to overeat and feel bloated."
The Wet Nurse promptly opened the small window behind her.
It was designed for quick chats with the coachman up front.
"Head to the White Restaurant in the city center in about twenty minutes. We're planning an early dinner there."
"Yes, understood."
Through the narrow opening, the coachman gave a small nod.
He kept his eyes on the road while driving.
Some might call that rude, but not us.
Distracting the coachman would be the real rudeness.
With that done, the Wet Nurse shut the window.
"Alright, shall we enjoy the sights until mealtime?"
"Sure."
I nodded lightly and peered out the window at the passing scenery.
The sun hadn't set yet, so the streets bustled with people.
The further you got from modern times, the deader night streets could feel—but not here.
Magic lights kept things bright.
The huge population kept the energy alive well into the late hours.
It had its upsides... and its chaotic moments.
"Y-Young master... not Your Highness. We've arrived at the restaurant."
Mid-sightseeing, the coachman pulled up in front of the white manor.
It was famous for reasonable prices.
The key wasn't just value for money—it was true fairness.
Even pricey spots could be reasonable if they delivered commensurate quality.
"Coachman, park quick and join us. You're eating too."
I hopped down without help and called out to him.
He'd been driving us around; least we could do was share a meal.
"Yes, thank you."
The coachman replied evenly, then drove off to park.
He seemed outwardly calm, but I caught a hint of genuine gratitude.
While he parked, the Wet Nurse and I headed inside and snagged a table.
Soft lighting, warm color scheme, elegant tableware...
It had all the hallmarks of fine dining.
We waited for the coachman, ate together, then lingered a bit before strolling the streets.
Striking looks aside, our plain clothes made us look like well-off merchants.
And plenty of actual merchants fit that bill.
Nobles might recognize us, but they stuck to their own haunts.
So we didn't cross paths.
"Where to next?"
The Wet Nurse asked as we caught our breath in a quiet spot.
Standing outside the carriage, breathing the open air—it felt liberating.
"Hm... give me a sec to think."
We'd wandered plenty and had our fun.
I was plenty satisfied.
Plus, with dusk settling in...
It was getting late, and sleep was creeping up. Wandering more felt like a chore.
"I'm ready to head home. What about you, Wet Nurse? Be honest—don't mind me."
"If you're going back, so am I. No reason to stay out."
"And you, coachman?"
"Nothing much for me either. Not just saying that to read the room."
The coachman shrugged indifferently.
His bored expression rang true.
"Home it is, then. Coachman, bear with us a bit longer."
"Psh, it's no hardship. Thanks to you, young master, I had a meal way above my station—and gifts for the family to boot. I'm just grateful."
The coachman chuckled heartily and patted the carriage.
I pictured my dad back home, picking up a chicken on especially grueling days.
That bittersweet, weary silhouette...
"Thanks. Ready to head out?"
"Yes. Hop on."
The Wet Nurse and I climbed aboard with the coachman's help.
Thinking of home made drowsiness hit harder.
The rhythmic clatter and sway of the carriage.
Voices from outside seeped in like sleep-inducing ASMR.
"Whoa?!"
Hiieeeing...!
My eyes fluttered as sleep took hold—then the carriage lurched wildly, horses and coachman screaming in tandem.
I jolted awake, eyes flying wide.
My drowsy body snapped alert like a firecracker.
"Lord Niu!"
The Wet Nurse across from me cried out desperately, throwing herself over me.
She hugged tight, determined to shield me at all costs.
The carriage swayed left, then right—like a drunkard stumbling.
Finally, it steadied.
"...Phew."
Silence fell, and a sigh escaped me unbidden.
Partly from being smothered by the Wet Nurse, but mostly relief.
She seemed to relax too, quickly opening the small window.
"What in the world happened?"
"My apologies! A child darted in front of the carriage—I swerved...!"
"A child?!"
The Wet Nurse's voice sharpened.
Calm restored, but anger bubbling up now.
She was gentle to a fault, rarely losing her temper.
But when she did, it brewed fiercely.
Quietly, hotly.
Like crimson lava creeping down a slope.
Time for medicine.
Her anger could be soothed like buying off rage with coin.
A dose of my affection did the trick.
Mwah. I kissed her pale cheek, and her eyes went wide.
Just as expected—stunned.
"Wet Nurse. I'm fine. Breathe easy, okay?"
I met her gaze pleadingly, and she nodded solemnly.
Her bittersweet smile said the anger had ebbed.
I patted her shoulder, then glanced out the window.
"You said a child? What kind?"
"Yes? Oh, right. It happened so fast I barely saw, but the hair was unusual. White-ish, blue-ish... hard to say."
Sex Survivor was a game world, after all.
So it had plenty of elements clashing with the culture or history.
Cheap game logic—couldn't be helped.
Even so, pure white or blue hair was rare.
The kind of colors you saw in games.
In the game?
A chill raced down my spine.
Ice-cold, making my whole body shudder, goosebumps prickling.
"Coachman! Open the door quick!"
"Pardon? Oh, yes!"
I shouted urgently; he hopped down from his perch just as fast.
And flung the door open as ordered.
"Where's the child?"
"Where...? Ah!"
The coachman scanned around, then spotted something in the corner and gaped.
Good—he'd found them.
"Over there, collapsed in the street!"
"Get over there and bring them! I'll come check too."
"Yes, sir!"
As he dashed off, the Wet Nurse and I climbed down.
A crowd of onlookers had gathered amid the commotion.
Gawking stares. Murmuring voices.
Turning accident scenes into spectacle—universal human nature.
"Young master, over there."
The Wet Nurse pointed toward 11 o'clock.
Following her gaze, I saw the coachman sprinting, then crouching low.
Am I right?
Or just another ungame-like element in this world of countless possibilities?
Heart pounding with hope and dread.
"Huff, huff...! Got the child!"
The coachman panted back, cradling a small figure in his arms.
Worn rags, grimy with filth.
That ambiguous sky-blue hair—white? Blue? As he'd said.
Definite match.
Still young, but unmistakably the character from the game.
The boss before the final Emperor showdown.
In some ways, more vicious than the last boss herself.
Submissive prisoner Antiope.
I loved her intense pure-love design and those steamy scenes.
"Young master. Looks like the horse clipped her. Coachman swerved in time, so no major injuries, but..."
The Wet Nurse glanced worriedly.
Anger faded, back to her soft self.
"Hard to say for sure, but I'm partly responsible. We need to get her treated ASAP."
"Yes?! N-No, young master! Begging your pardon, but this is the kid's fault for running out like that."
The coachman waved his hands in shock.
A higher-up blaming himself felt off to him.
"Sure, but I can't say I'm blameless. Anyway, straight to the palace. We can sort out statements later—saving her comes first."
She looked fine externally, but internal bleeding was possible.
Treatment now was key.
Luckily, the palace always had top-notch healers on duty.
They'd fix her right up.
"Y-Yes. Understood."
The coachman nodded reluctantly.
Uncomfortable, but following orders.
"Wet Nurse. Get in first and take the child from him. Easier than carrying her."
"Yes."
She boarded, received the child from the coachman.
I followed with his assistance.
Door shut, he climbed back up front, catching his breath.
"We're off."