In this world, power was imbalanced.
In a world where supernatural powers existed, ordinary people simply had no strength to resist the powerful.
Even Aaron could easily think of a hundred ways to stop marches and riots—for instance, setting up a large-scale ritual in the slums to constantly reinforce the residents' sense of order and obedience, making them too afraid to violate Imperial law even if they starved to death in their homes!
From an occult perspective, this was entirely achievable.
Yet marches still happened. Though they were effectively suppressed, each occurrence would ultimately provoke others, leaving wounds in their hearts.
Even after wounds healed, scars remained, gradually corroding the foundations of the Empire's rule.
"I... I don't know. Isn't that normal? If you can't go on living, then you have to find another way to live..."
Louis scratched his head, utterly unable to understand what Aaron was talking about.
"Fair enough... As friends, let me buy you a drink. Things are already like this anyway."
Aaron made his suggestion.
"Mm... My boss's shop is on this street. There's absolutely no way it can open today."
At the mention of drinking, Louis's eyes began to gleam. "I know a tavern. Their smoked sausages are guaranteed to be unforgettable once you've tried them..."
Black Rye Tavern.
It served only the cheapest rye beer, and its customers were clearly all from the lower rungs of society, yet business was quite good.
Since it was daytime, Aaron and Louis took a round table against the wall, ordered smoked sausages and other house specialties, and slowly drank their beer.
"We can't go on like this... Last month's Equal Rights Bill proposal failed. That means those great capitalists who transformed from great nobles have completely abandoned us... They're even more vile than the old