My Students Regret It After I Retired

82 – The Crimson Faction

As Leos’s story spread, his reputation, already that of a righteous figure on the Interrunner, soared to unimaginable heights. Countless people praised Leos, and public opinion swung towards helping him.

– Leos has done so much for us… and he was even betrayed by that Belin guy, wasn’t he?

– Come to think of it, that was a thing too? Gate Management member Belin uploaded a video to the Interrunner himself, saying he framed him.

– Is Leos some kind of angel? Even after being treated like that, he’s still trying to help people.

– Honestly, I think I was badmouthing Leos back then… I suddenly feel guilty. I should go to a safe zone too.

– Me too, I’m going to a safe zone. I might die from the monsters on the way, but anyway, Leos has worked hard for us, even now, right? In the end, Leos is doing this for the empire.

The impact of the post, by someone residing in a safe zone, that exposed the atrocities the Imperial Palace was committing was enormous. The initial post detailed all the despicable acts of the Imperial Palace.

From abandoning the Red Gate vortex to trying to kill Leos, who was actually trying to create safe zones and protect people. That alone was enough to ignite public fury. Some people even started to vent their long-held grievances against the Emperor.

– What the hell has our Peren Empire Emperor been doing all this time? With the Red Gate spreading nationwide, people are dying everywhere, but why haven’t we heard any news of him offering help?

– Rumor has it that he only stationed troops around the Imperial Palace and is hoarding artifacts for his own use?

– Son of a b*tch, is he trying to save his own skin?

– Maybe he’s just crazy, like, genuinely nuts.

– I think it’s a bit different. Maybe he’s trying to protect the treasures inside the Imperial Palace?

– Then he’s a total lunatic. He’s not just trying to save his own skin, he’s holding a siege to protect some treasures and artifacts?

– Yeah, that seems possible. Because apparently, a ton of Red Gates have opened near the palace? Usually, it’d be better to abandon the palace and run, but the Emperor’s just holding a siege there. They’re still subjugating monsters every 24 hours, they say.

– Isn’t that overkill? He could just carry the treasures out.

– Haha, who knows who’d steal the treasures in that chaos? How could he move so much stuff? He’s a greedy, trashy b*stard who doesn’t even protect his own people; no way would he trust his treasures to anyone.

On the Interrunner, there were many speculations about why the Emperor couldn’t leave the Imperial Palace, and the most powerful argument was that it was because of the immense gold, silver, and artifacts stored inside. The fact that someone who doesn’t protect his people is using all his forces to protect his wealth was enough to spark a nationwide revolt.

– I don’t know much about Leos, but I know one thing for sure. This Emperor is a piece of trash right now.

– If we leave him like this, the empire is done for. I’m in, too. They said Leos is fighting the Emperor, right? Fuck it, I’ll lend a hand too.

Leos, fighting for the people, and Emperor Vermon, using all his forces for his own greed. The implications of their battle were huge. From the people’s perspective, it seemed like Leos was trying to set things right.

Centered around the Interrunner, people began gathering one by one. The people flocked toward the safe zone where Leos was.

*

Even with Red Gates spreading all over the Empire, roughly 300 people managed to find their way to the safe zone. Considering that it was the first day after the post, quite a few people came.

“We’ve come to help Leos-nim. What do we need to do?”

Leos, who hadn’t been communicating with the people living in the safe zone until now, ordered Lakruth to treat them decently this time. The people already living in the safe zone had just hidden away because they lacked the courage to fight monsters, but these people who had come now had risked their lives to help Leos. Leos had no intention of turning away those who had come to raise their flags against the Emperor with him.

“I am Lakruth, a comrade of Leos-nim. Thank you for coming all this way. We have prepared many tents for you to stay in temporarily. You can stay there for now. We will provide you with basic food and supplies, but we would appreciate your help if we need to go hunting later.”

“Yes. The people here, including me, came here after surviving on our own, fleeing from the swarming monsters. As long as you provide us with shelter, don’t worry about things like food. We’ll all figure it out.”

Then, a man in the back raised his hand and spoke.

“Please include me in the hunt. If others need food, you can use the monsters I kill.”

Lakruth nodded as if he understood.

“Thank you. And the fight with the Emperor is planned for after we’ve prepared a bit. The Imperial Guard, including the Emperor’s knights, their forces are considerable. We’re trying to gather as many people as possible to fight.”

“The more manpower, the better, right. I understand.”

Having replied like that, the man hesitated a moment before speaking to Leos, who stood beside Lacart.

“Leos-nim, what’s your reason for fighting the Imperial Palace? We have a general idea, but we’d like to hear it directly from you.”

Leos closed his eyes for several tens of seconds, silent, then slowly opened his mouth.

“At first, I was just enraged by the fact those Shadow Order b*stards had imprisoned me for no reason. It was purely personal anger, I was moving for petty revenge. But as time passed and I encountered them, I saw various things. The way those vermin used and discarded so many people like tools for their own selfish desires. Seeing them, I thought. Even I, with my power, was helplessly subjected to this, so what about those defenseless civilians? No, even if they weren’t civilians, are there even beings capable of standing against the Imperial Palace? Of course not. They’d just suffer and die alone, but there’d be no madman crazy enough to rise up against the Palace. That’s what I thought.”

“…”

“That was truly disgusting. I don’t care at all about who the next Emperor will be. However, I cannot stand the way the current Emperor treats people. I detest his attitude that cultivates injustice. That’s why I’m rebelling. My role is to stop the Emperor’s tyranny. That’s it. The rest is for others to take care of.”

The volunteer lowered his head and spoke.

“I, too, was enraged by the Emperor’s plan to detonate a massive mana bomb during the Redgate Vortex incident, trying to kill people. And besides that, I think the current Emperor must die. I feel the same way as Leos-nim. I don’t know about complicated politics or anything like that. But one thing, for the sake of our Empire, I think reform is necessary. And for that, I’m risking my life alongside Leos-nim.”

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

“Kemes.”

“Alright, Kemes. I want you to be the head of the volunteers going forward.”

“I don’t have the qualifications for that.”

“No, you’re more than qualified.”

Leos stared at Kemes for a while without a word. Kemes, as if he couldn’t refuse, lowered his head and replied.

“…Then…I’ll try my best.”

Lacart, seeing Leos talking with someone else for the first time in a long while, looked on in surprise. He had only ever known Leos to be cold, but now he saw Leos treating the volunteers with sincerity.

Lacart, noticing the growing numbers, felt the need to establish a group name. Therefore, he suggested to Leos.

“Leos, from now on, more people besides us will start uniting to oppose the Imperial Palace. I think it would be good to have at least a proper name.”

Leos paused, considering Racard’s words, then replied.

“The Scarlet Faction will do…”

“What does that mean?”

“An enemy of the Emperor. That’s all.”

Racard nodded, as if that were just like Leos.

“Since we’re exposed anyway, should I officially declare the Scarlet Faction on the Interrunner? So that even if I or someone else dies, we can be remembered by many in the name of the Scarlet Faction.”

“Do as you wish.”

And so, the establishment of the Scarlet Faction, those who opposed the Emperor’s will, began to be officially known through the Interrunner.

And the news reached Belin as well.