I rushed out of the ball making sure to hide myself as I ran through the halls. Thanks to my bad luck, I was having a harder time sneaking out and avoiding the guards. It seemed like there was a much larger presence of guards today than any other day. It was most likely due to the banquet, but it was extremely inconvenient.

I looked out of a window and my eyes shrank back in fear.

They were building a platform with a noose hanging. Next to it was a lever that would slowly raise the unfortunate soul upwards. It would undeniably cause a slow and horrible death. I gritted my teeth at the thought.

Dante… Please stay safe until I can save you!

I continued to rush through the Palace until I made it to my room. I threw off my clothes and rubbed off my makeup quickly. I didn't care if it actually made me look like a raccoon. I couldn't spend my time worrying about my appearance. I put on the clothes and cloak the farmers gave me before rushing to the floorboard. I lifted it up and gasped.

The papers the Holy Empress had written were gone.

My jewels and other hidden treasures were there, but the papers were missing. Who would steal those papers?! I intended to give them to Dante as a memento from his mother!

UGH! I don't have time to find them. The clock is ticking, and I only have three hours to figure out a solution.

I stuffed the jewels into my pockets and put the necklace from Bertram on. The necklace hid under my shirt against my bare skin. If I was to die today, then I am going to make sure I die with everything I came here with.

I quickly ran out of the Palace using the hidden pathway without another thought. As I ran throughout the streets, I lifted the flags so that the Bandits would know to get ready. I panted out of breath as I looked along the abandoned streets.

Where is everyone? Usually there are at least a few people walking around at night. It's never this abandoned. There's not a curfew or anything, right?!

I forced myself to continue running.

Only two hours remained.

As I ran, I soon saw the Lion's Den filled with lights and angry voices bellowing out. I was surprised to see swarms of people around the building trying to pile in but it was too crowded. I ran over and struggled to push myself through.

It's just like the times I went to a concert and had to push myself to the front. Thank the heaven's I had much experience with this.

I listened to everyone shouting in anger as they seemed to be discussing something. "How can the King throw such a lavish party while we are on the streets begging!?!"

"Well at least he gave us all a loaf of bread! Thanks to that I actually was able to eat today!"

"Just one d*mned loaf of bread?! Why would you be thankful for THAT! It was stale and moldy! Not even the soldiers would eat that!!!"

"It's better than nothing!"

So it's just as I had predicted. A lavish party couldn't be hidden from the lower class. Not only could it not be hid, but it would cause waves of resentment. This people in this bar is just one powder keg away from exploding.

I shouted, "Hey! Listen to me!"

My screams were quickly drowned out by the arguments and shouts. I need to think of a way to get their attention. As the crowd shoved me, I looked around and could only see a mix of bodies. I stood on my tiptoes to see over them, but they were still too tall. Then, I suddenly recalled the bar tabletop.

If I stood on top of that, they'd have to listen!

I tried to push to the bar, but the bodies ejected me without even noticing I was trying to get through. I tapped my chin as I tried to think of a way to escape. My eye turned towards the ground.

Well… I could always crawl…

I bent down and soon started crawling along the floor. There was definitely a lot more room to travel in. However…

These bastards keep stepping on me!!

IT HURTS!

I bit down my cries and forced myself to continue. Once I made it to the bar, I quickly climbed on top of it covered in dirt and bruises. The bartender was panicking behind the bar and when he noticed me climbing up, he shouted. "Not you again! Wait, what are you doing!? Get down from there!"

I ignored him and shouted, "EVERYONE SHUT UP!"

Yet again, my shouts got no attention from the crowd of angry men. I looked around and saw two copper plates on the bar table. I picked them up and threw off their contents. The bartender saw this and shouted, "Oi! My bar is already a mess! Stop making it worse!"

I ignored him and started slamming the plates together. The metallic noise boomed and echoed off the walls in a painful manner. I screamed, "OI! SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!"

Everyone soon quieted down as they held their hands over their ears from the painful noise. They all turned to glare at me. It was so intimidating I almost lost my voice. One spoke, "Who the hell is that?!"

One looked closer, "Oi! I think it's that bloke that beat Gilyn!"

"How can you tell? His face is smeared in black stuff."

Oh sh*t. I completely forgot I only smeared the makeup and didn't take it off. How can I explain that I am wearing makeup?! Who cares about them finding out my gender! They will automatically think I am a noble since only nobles can afford a thing!

Can my luck get any worse?!

"What is it!?"

"I know what it is! It's black soot from the coal mines!"

"He works in the coal mines? He must have it hard."

Their intimidating stares seemed to lessen at this thought. Coal mines were notorious for their death-like conditions. Many pale skinned people worked in them because it was the only job they could find. The reason was obvious.

Those who entered would die shortly after.

Oh well. I can use this to my advantage.

I spoke loudly, "Right now, the King is having a lavish ball in the Palace! All of the nobles are there!"

One shouted back, "We know! But what can we do about it?!"

"Yeah! The King just ignores us! Nothing we can do will change our situation!"

I shouted back, "Tonight we must fight for our lives! The King wants us all to starve to death! The truth is that he doesn't care for you or me. A stale loaf of bread?! He sent us that to mock us! He thinks that we will prostrate ourselves before him and kiss his feet for this loaf of bread!"

"Despicable!"

"D*mn the King!"

Seeing them getting more riled up, I decided to strike while the iron was hot. "The King is the source of all evil that plagues this Kingdom! He will never listen to us and he will never look out for us! There is only one thing we can do!"

My voice rang out. "We must kill the King and overthrow the Royal family!"

Everyone stopped their shouting when they heard this. I paused to see them all looking around nervously. One brave soul spoke, "How can we do that? If we try we are as good as dead."

I shook my head, "It's not true! All we need is for all the citizens to come together. I have a way into the Palace and a way to get weapons. The rebellion will be a success! You only need to follow me!"

"Follow you?! You aren't even citizen! How can we trust you?!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but found no words came out. How could I argue with this? Anyone would think the same way. I am only a visitor in this land. I am not a citizen. So what gives me the right to interfere?

"I trust him."

Everyone stopped chatting in disapproval and looked to the corner where the voice had come from. The goat farmer raised his head to speak, "The King's men came and killed most of our goats for tonight's party. They didn't give us any compensation for doing it either. If it wasn't for this man giving us the jewels that he snuck out of the coal mine, we would have suffered and probably starved to death."

The jewels weren't from the coal mines… But… Ah, I see what he is doing.

Another spoke, "That night at the bar, I lost my bet against this pale skin. Afterwards while I was on the street, he also handed me jewels. I did not know it was from the coal mine, but before I could decline, he was already gone. A few days later, my sister's husband was killed at war. He was a high-ranking Knight, but the King refused to give the widow any compensation. If it wasn't for the jewels, my sister would most likely be on the street or dead!"

Wait… I don't remember giving him any jewels. Was I really that drunk?!

The bartender crossed his arms with a look of irritation, "We can't forget that this pale skin is close to Gilyn. They were chatting like old war friends. If he is confident that we can get in, then the confidence must be for a good reason."