novelraw Chapter 120 : Melisia
Chapter 120 : Melisia
Chapter 120: Melisia
Before continuing, it is necessary to explain the situation of the Melisia Region.
Melisia was located in the northwest of the Empire. As mentioned before, it was separated from the mainland by an ocean. Even within the Empire’s original territory, Melisia was considered a border region—beyond it lay the freezing, desolate lands of the far north.
Because of this, Melisia was initially used to guard the Empire’s borders, and later became a place of exile for prisoners—somewhat similar to the idea of being banished to a remote frontier as forced labor.
Many criminals were sentenced to exile and sent to this barren land, where they worked as laborers.
After all, the environment was harsh. No ordinary citizen of the Empire would willingly come here if they had any other choice—so prisoners were sent to develop it.
However, over time, more and more people arrived.
Most were those who could no longer survive in the Empire—some fled after offending powerful factions, others escaped punishment for crimes. Since exile to Melisia was itself a punishment, inspections for travelers heading there were lax, giving many criminals a chance to evade justice.
There were also nobles who had lost political struggles and were forced to flee.
Because of this population composition, Melisia had almost no sense of belonging to the Empire. Combined with inconvenient transportation—previously, it took half a month or more to reach by ship—the Empire largely allowed it to govern itself.
Even if they wanted to control it, the journey alone made governance impractical.
But with the rise of the steam revolution, everything changed.
Ships like the Arctic Star reduced travel time to one week. Airships could arrive in just two days. Under these conditions, the Empire naturally sought to strengthen its control.
And Melisia naturally sought to break free from that control.
The Empire’s attitude toward Melisia was oppressive and aggressive—but from their perspective, it made sense. A region filled with exiles, fugitives, and political criminals was hardly deserving of leniency.
Meanwhile, Melisia viewed the Empire with equal hostility.
“You forced us here, and now you want to destroy us completely?”
Their arguments essentially boiled down to this:
Melisians: You drove us here in the first place!
Imperials: You were exiles!
Melisians: We fled oppression!
Imperials: You fled the law—criminals!
Within the Empire, Melisia was seen as a barbaric wasteland filled with criminals. Melisians themselves were synonymous with lawlessness.
There were reasons for this.
During past wars, Melisian soldiers had mutinied more than once. Some argued it was because Imperial officers treated them as expendable cannon fodder.
Melisia also continued trade with the Francis Republic during wartime, claiming autonomy.
To the Empire, that was practically treason.
In short, relations between the Empire and Melisia were deeply hostile.
The Empire, being stronger, would not yield.
Melisia, shaped by history, resisted fiercely.
After studying reports and newspapers, Levi reached a conclusion:
War between the Empire and Melisia was almost inevitable.
Their conflict had accumulated over centuries, and neither side believed they were wrong.
At the same time, the Queen’s steam revolution aimed to restore the Empire’s dominance. Other nations—like the Francis Republic and the Holy Lord Church—were already acting against it.
Under such circumstances, any concession in Melisia would be seen as weakness.
So even as a warning to others, the Queen would never allow Melisia to succeed.
For the Empire, Melisia was a rebellious chicken that had to be killed—the only question was how.
From Levi’s perspective, coming from a unified civilization, he naturally disliked concepts like “separation,” “rebellion,” and “independence.”
Melisia even reminded him of a certain country from his original world… one he disliked.
Helping the Queen, therefore, seemed reasonable.
Better than letting Melisia become a rogue state.
In fact, the Queen’s plan had already begun.
The tea tax incident mentioned in newspapers was part of it.
Under the new law, tea could only be sold through designated agents, who were exempt from certain taxes—essentially dumping cheap tea into Melisia.
This devastated local businesses, causing bankruptcies, unemployment, and poverty.
This was the first step—disrupting Melisia’s financial system.
If Melisia surrendered, the Empire would take full control.
If Melisia resisted, it would be labeled rebellion—giving the Empire justification to suppress it.
Either way, the Empire benefited.
However, one condition was critical:
The war must be swift and decisive.
A prolonged war would expose weakness.
Technologically, the Empire had overwhelming superiority.
Melisia still used outdated firearms, while the Empire had advanced steam-powered weaponry.
But on the mysterious side, things were different.
That was why Levi had been sent.
The army would suppress them technologically.
Levi would handle the supernatural.
During Levi’s voyage, tensions escalated further.
The Empire passed laws banning Melisia’s foreign trade until compensation was paid.
They also removed the current governor and passed new laws increasing authority and military control.
The new governor?
General Thomas Geller, commander of Imperial forces in Melisia.
A military leader as governor—the intent was obvious.
Melisia responded by forming a “Continental Union” and suspending trade with the Empire unless the laws were revoked.
Levi could only laugh.
Of course the Empire knew those laws violated Melisia’s autonomy.
That was the point.
Levi’s presence itself represented the Queen’s stance.
After arriving at the Governor’s Office, Levi met General Geller.
“Welcome to Melisia, Mr. Levi. You’ve chosen a terrible time to arrive.”
Geller was nearly sixty, but robust, like a solid reef.
“Perhaps that’s why I’m here.”
“Fair enough.”
Geller had read the Queen’s letter.
“We need help. The parliament gives orders easily, but when problems arise, they don’t know what to do.”
“Could you explain the situation?”
“Of course.”
Geller lit a cigarette.
“You’ve read the reports. Since the new laws, enforcement has faced heavy resistance. The biggest problem is the Phantom Killer.”
“Phantom Killer?”
“Yes.”
Geller nodded.
“A killer said to appear only at night, silently murdering targets. Some even claim it’s a messenger of death.”
“I assume it’s not just a rumor.”
“It isn’t.”
Geller frowned.
“Several of my advisors have been killed. Some at home, others in public buildings. One went to the restroom and never returned—we found his throat slit. Others were killed in their own bedrooms or bathrooms. No trace left behind.”
“Hmm…”
“Your colleagues came and implemented protective measures. Unfortunately, they weren’t fully effective.”
“So partially effective?”
“Yes.”
Geller nodded.
“I was attacked myself. I was shaving when my reflection suddenly smiled and tried to cut my throat. I screamed, your colleagues rushed in, shot at the mirror—and I heard a scream. I’m not sure if it was real, but I don’t think I imagined it.”
“So now you’re staying in a room without mirrors?”
Levi glanced around—no mirrors, windows covered, even no washbasin.
“We suspect the Phantom Killer attacks through reflective surfaces…”
“I heard my colleagues were injured?”
“I don’t know the details.”
Geller shook his head.
“They investigated something, but didn’t tell me. Days later, three returned severely injured. They said they were discovered during the investigation… and then they died. The wounds were poisoned.”
“I see…”
Levi thought for a moment, then smiled.
“I’d like to investigate the area first. Is that alright?”
“Of course. Please be careful, Mr. Levi.”
Geller’s expression darkened.
“Our enemy… is extremely dangerous.”