《The Response to my Drunken Proposal was Surprisingly Good》 Illustrations Upscaled S?a??h the N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 1: I Will Be Your Woman Note ¨CHello Everyone! This is the Creator, the TL from SacredTextTLs. I have moved over from that blog website of mine to here since many of you had complaints about text size, dark mode and many others. And I believe it will help me with my growth too. Welcome y¡¯all. I hope you will keep supporting me here as well. ¡ª¡ª-xxxx¡ª¡ª¡ª Tok tok tok¡ª That day began in clamor from the start. Tok tok tok¡ª At perhaps dawn, some snowy white bird was pecking insistently at my window, bathed in the brilliantly pouring sunlight. It made for a rather beautiful scene, were it not for the pounding in my head. ¡°Nngh¡­¡± How much did I drink last night? I couldn¡¯t quite remember. Well, if I can¡¯t remember, then I must have drunk a lot. Tok tok tok¡ª Tok tok tok¡ª The bird continued to tap on the window. Even if I ignored it, it never stopped its actions. As if determined to reach me no matter what. Thwack. Still slumped on the sofa, I flicked my fingers to open the window. For a mage, such a telekinetic feat was child¡¯s play. The bird chirped merrily and landed on my thigh. It then tilted its head, staring up at me as if trying to identify my face. After a staring contest, I eventually narrowed my eyes at it. ¡°A letter?¡± Clutched in its beak was a neatly folded letter. Even at a glance, it exuded an unmistakable air of elegance befitting high-quality stationery. Before I could ponder whose letter it might be, the bird spread its wings wide. As it took flight back out the window, all that remained were the letter and myself. With a sense of curiosity, I picked up the letter by its edges. It had been ages since I last held a letter in my hands, as such a medium had long been absent from my life. Shurrrrk¡ª Then the letter unfolded on its own accord. The day when imagination finally becomes reality; there really is such a day. Magic is the art of making imagination tangible. Those were the words you, my magic mentor, spoke on our very first lesson. Come to think of it, I was so scared at that time that I couldn¡¯t even look you in the eye. You were almost twice my height, weren¡¯t you? You never smiled with a sharp expression. I suppose it was common for those specializing in Ice magic to be that way ¡ª as cold as ice itself, razor-sharp like icicles. To my childish mind, you were utterly terrifying. The training was grueling to the point of tears daily, leaving my body aching, yet whenever I receive recognition these days, I¡¯m newly struck by how it¡¯s all thanks to you tempering me so rigorously that I am who I am today. So, how have you been? I believe I¡¯ve been doing well. The weight of the royal family was enormously burdensome at first, but surprisingly, I¡¯ve gradually grown accustomed to it. Perhaps I too have now become a proper royal adult? Carrying out my duties is tedious but not difficult. Still, when I grow weary, I would sometimes indulge in a bit of fantasy before bed. The fantasy of you reaching out to me. And now that fantasy has become reality, like magic itself. ¡­ Are you going to tease me if the contents of the letter are exactly what I imagined? At any rate, you¡¯ve amazingly proposed to me. Thank you. I had stayed up two straight nights when I opened your letter, which then cost me another full day of wakefulness. At first, I simply could not believe it. Was this someone¡¯s idea of a cruel prank? It was no joke. I had to read it over and over before it finally sank in. Even after accepting it as truth, my head was pounding. For I know better than anyone the grievous wounds the royal family inflicted upon you. And I kept wondering if I was truly a woman worthy of you¡­. I agonized over it countless times. But in the end, I was able to make my decision. Yes. I will be your woman. However, all things have their proper time, do they not? The situation is not ripe for us to marry immediately, given the unstable state of the empire and court. When you sealed the portal to the demon realm, I had thought everlasting peace would dawn, but lately erosion has been occurring in places anew. Moreover, all five of us princesses have now come of age to ascend the throne. Tensions are utterly cutthroat, like treading upon thin ice. On the day I take the throne as empress, we shall marry without fail. Do you know how much effort I expended just to smuggle out this single reply letter? You would surely be amazed to hear it. ¡­I tried to write in a reserved tone, but now I cannot stop thinking of you, which grows troublesome. Why of all times did this have to happen now? You should have reached out sooner and more often. But I shall limit my complaints to just that. Befitting an adult, a mage, a princess. You once said that all things are like ice ¡ª glistening yet inevitably destined to melt. But it is not so. The magic, words and deeds you showed me have not melted, still lingering within me. I will pray for our reunion to be hastened by any amount. Thank you. Truly, thank you. Setting the letter down, I folded my arms and pondered. No matter how many times I turned it over in my mind, I kept arriving at the same conclusion. ¡°¡­An assassin again?¡± Ice magic, the great deed of sealing the portal to the demon realm, serving as a mentor to the princesses in the royal court, the backroom work for the royal family¡­ It was all true, but it was all top secret. It was not information that anyone would know. The problem, however, was that I had no recollection of proposing to anyone. ¡°Seems a rather skilled one is behind this.¡± I let out a little laugh and threw on my outer robe. It was time to grab a hangover cure. As if some measly assassin mattered? However, the hangover did. * * * * * The neighborhood was unnaturally bustling. On my usual path to the general goods store, there were far more people out than normal. It was understandable since the weather was so nice, but that wasn¡¯t the problem. The problem was their expressions and murmurs. These were not the faces of people out enjoying a pleasant day. On the contrary, they looked more like they were worried about something big. S?a?ch* Th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Developed sensory perception also applies to hearing. Even without consciously trying, I began to hear snippets of their murmured conversations. ¡°So you¡¯re saying someone sent a communique to the royal palace?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a huge deal. Why would anyone dare do something so reckless?¡± ¡°Considering the current emperor¡¯s temperament, this could mean serious trouble for the whole village. Serious trouble.¡± My head snapped around at the surprising news. The people who met my gaze flinched their shoulders. ¡°You there.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Ezekiel? What is it?¡± ¡°This story you were just discussing, is it true?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, someone apparently sent word to the royal palace. That¡¯s why everyone is so concerned. You know the reason well, don¡¯t you?¡± Of course I know. How could I not know? ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know who it is, but they¡¯re not in their right mind.¡± The Imperial Palace. The most exalted place under the heavens. A few years ago, the empire instituted a policy of ¡®mandatory review¡¯ for all communications addressed to the palace. Everyone was well aware of this notorious decree. Was it to ensure they attentively listened to each message? Not a chance. It means that they will punish you mercilessly if you send nonsense. It means that you shouldn¡¯t even send it unless it¡¯s something important. In fact, after changing the way things are done, all correspondences to the palace were mostly cut off. No, it may be more accurate to say they vanished altogether. As I continued walking, an unusual number of people kept glancing my way. Some even approached me directly. ¡°Say, Ezekiel, you didn¡¯t happen to send anything to the palace, did you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± ¡°My apologies if not. But of everyone I know, you¡¯re the last person I¡¯d expect something like this from. No one else even comes to mind.¡± ¡°I see.¡± By the time I arrived at the general store, my eyes were drawn to the familiar sight ¡ª A woman with fiery red hair in an apron, vigorously dusting as she cleaned. The grocery store¡¯s owner, Apple. ¡°Apple.¡± Hearing her name, she turned to face me. ¡°Give me a hangover cure. The one that works the best.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Time seemed to freeze as Apple stared at me for a long moment. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Then her eyes abruptly went wide as saucers. What followed was a flurry of bafflingly swift motion. She dashed away, then ¡ª BANG ¡ª slammed the store¡¯s door shut so hard it rattled. After locking it, she double and triple checked it was secure. She immediately looked up at me and asked, ¡°Ezekiel, what happened?¡± ¡°As you can see, I¡¯m suffering from a hangover. My head is pounding.¡± ¡°No? Not that! What I mean is¡­¡± She scurried around, her face drained of color. To my throbbing head, her behavior was just vexing. ¡°I¡¯m in no mood for jokes.¡± ¡°Jokes? Do I look like I¡¯m joking?¡± She seemed utterly aghast beyond words. ¡°Why are you acting this way?¡± ¡°Why am I acting this way? Don¡¯t you remember last night?¡± ¡°Last night?¡± ¡°Seriously, you really¡­don¡¯t remember?¡± Apple grabbed a fistful of her own hair. ¡°I knew this would happen! I should have stopped you by any means! What were you thinking? This is bigger than just a hangover!¡± She pointed her dusting rod at me like a sword. ¡°Last night when you were drunk, you wrote letters! Said you were sending them to the imperial princesses! I tried to stop you over and over but you wouldn¡¯t listen!¡± ¡°I did?¡± A chilling joke indeed. No, not a joke, was it? For a moment, memories were flashing through my head in a jumble. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Yes, I think that¡¯s what happened. I was resentful that I was dying, resentful that I had given all my time to the royal family, and I wanted to be compensated for something, so I got drunk and proposed to them in a fit of pique. And not to an ordinary woman, but to the imperial princesses. I pressed my palm against my throbbing forehead. ¡°Wait a minute, then the letter that came this morning¡­¡± ¡°A letter? A letter came? What did it say? Did they threaten to kill us?¡± Apple leapt in alarm. ¡°Tell me! Did they say they¡¯ll wipe out our whole village? Oh no! Writing the princesses a prank letter! Because of you, everyone here is doomed!¡± I could not respond rashly. Because there was an even more pressing matter. ¡°Apple. What did you just mutter under your breath?¡± ¡°You want to pick a fight now? Is that what this situation calls for, you drunkard?¡± ¡°Not that. You said I sent letters to ¡®the princesses¡¯, plural?¡± My expression must have turned grave. The color slowly drained from Apple¡¯s face as our eyes met. ¡°Uh¡­now that you mention it, you did write five letters¡­¡± She turned ghostly pale as she asked me: ¡°The¡­the reply¡­what did it say¡­?¡± No, the contents of the reply were not the critical issue here. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± I gulped down my dry throat. Out of those five¡­which one accepted my drunken proposal? A life that was never smooth to begin with was now facing a tidal wave of chaos. ¡ª END ¡ª Chapter 2: The Road to Imperial Palace (1) When I was young, I loved the idea of the butterfly effect so much. The idea that a small, seemingly insignificant condition can lead to enormous consequences is a fascinating phenomenon that any mage would be captivated by. To think that world-shaking events could blossom from my fingertips, how beautiful would that be? Yes, those were my thoughts back then. But right now, As I look at the approaching typhoon, a thought naturally comes to mind. What becomes of a butterfly caught in a typhoon¡¯s winds? Will it be torn apart, its wings and antennae ripped off, left with nothing but a battered end? No, not necessarily. ¡­Perhaps I should ride those currents instead? Revel in the massive flow itself. Not as a butterfly, but in my own way. * * * * * In the general store, silence fell as if sound itself had ceased to exist. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± A chill crept up my spine as I thought. It had been a long time since I¡¯d felt such a sensation. When was the last time I¡¯d felt chills like this? ¡®Which princess accepted my proposal? I truly don¡¯t know.¡¯ The most crucial detail ¡ª her name ¡ª was missing from the letter. An ardent ally can become the most formidable enemy the moment they turn their back. Not knowing who the recipient of my proposal was filled me with dread. And seeing my reaction, Apple eventually nodded, seeming to realize the gravity. ¡°¡­We¡¯re doomed, aren¡¯t we? A fate of vanishing without a trace?¡± ¡°It may well come to that.¡± The fact that we don¡¯t know who wrote the letter was one problem, and the current emperor¡¯s dignity was another problem. Apple¡¯s words were quite reasonable. The Unseen Emperor Verd. Regarded as possessing the greatest martial might in imperial history. A warmonger who took ¡®tyrant¡¯ as a compliment¡­ And I had propositioned his daughter. Through the audacious act of a marriage proposal, no less. And not just one daughter, but all five of them. I quietly pulled a petal still attached to its stem from my pocket. It was just the right size to hold between my lips. Commonly known as Sunweed, it was a plant with effects comparable to a hot, burning tobacco. Chiiiik¡ª There was no need to light a fire. Simply chewing it would set it alight. The chill that had gripped my body began dissipating bit by bit, replaced by rising heat and blurring vision. Ah yes, here was the world as I knew it. ¡®What¡¯s done is done. If it cannot be avoided, make an opportunity of it.¡¯ To track down and marry the princess who accepted my proposal. That was the sole path forward in this situation. ¡°Say, Apple, want me to give you one too?¡± ¡°No thanks. While your condition forces your internal mana to constantly freeze over, sunweed is still undeniably an illicit drug, you know.¡± ¡°Even if I was an ordinary person, I¡¯d have smoked sunweed. Started earlier, indulged more heavily.¡± ¡°¡­You really do sound like a junkie saying that, you realize?¡± Smoke began wafting through the store interior. Yes, the root cause of all this was truly this accursed condition of mine. ¡®I have no more than perhaps 2 years left in this life.¡¯ I had reached the pinnacle of ice magic, achieving a breakthrough, but I couldn¡¯t find a way to overcome its power with a human body ¡ª and the result was this constantly freezing-over state of body and mana. At some point, my gaze drifted to the masked woman beside me. ¡°Apple, have you heard the tales of sacred artifacts?¡± ¡°You mean those reported to be in the Imperial Treasury?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯ve heard of them. There are supposed to be many incredible ones, including an artifact that grants the Emperor immortality, or so it¡¯s said¡­¡± As she spoke, Apple¡¯s expression shifted to one of sudden realization as she looked at me. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you wrote asking for those? The sacred artifacts?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t outright ask for them. I was¡­more circumspect in my phrasing.¡± By marrying into the imperial family, might I not receive a share of the sacred artifacts? Such was my simple line of thinking. ¡°Oh¡­! So how exactly did you put it? I¡¯m dying of curiosity here!¡± Phoooh¡ª I exhaled a long stream of sunweed smoke. ¡°Apple.¡± ¡°I proposed to each and every one of the five princesses, without exception.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°And one of them actually accepted. I just don¡¯t know which.¡± ¡°Ah. No, wait, what?¡± Apple stared at me, her expression utterly scrunched. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± She seemed to ponder something gravely for a long while, before finally walking over and snatching the sunweed right from my lips. ¡°¡­This person is out of their mind. Is this what sunweed does to you?¡± ¡°I agree. I¡¯m not in my right mind.¡± Never was. Never have been. Not now, not ever. * * * * * On my way back home, a large crowd had already gathered around the entrance. ¡°Ezekiel!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Ezekiel! The bastard¡¯s here!¡± Those who recognized me widened their eyes. One of them, the same man who had asked if I sent a communique, hurried over urgently. ¡°H-Hey, Ezekiel!¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°You clearly said you didn¡¯t send any message to the palace, right? People from the imperial palace came looking for you. They said they were here to take you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s because of the alcohol. You should stay away from alcohol too.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that¡­?¡± In front of the entrance was a massive carriage, flanked by two palace guards. Its sheer size practically begged to be noticed, and its exterior radiated an undeniable regal elegance. It even bore the imperial sun crest reserved solely for the palace. The carriage door opened and a black-haired woman with a bob cut stepped out; expressionless ¡ª a visage devoid of apparent emotion. Dirrk! Dirrk! She deftly turned a hexahedral cube with just the movement of her fingers in one hand. Her fingers moving at a constant speed were elegant to watch. Her uniform, which resembled a suit, was also jet black, and a pin with a sun crest was pinned near her chest. She was also a person who came from the imperial palace. ¡°The palace never did have ordinary personnel, past or present.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± She gave me a sidelong glance, then swiftly turned her head away without uttering a single word. Instead, she addressed the guards. ¡°Have you verified his identity?¡± ¡°Not yet, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Open it. ¡°Yes, Lady Agnes.¡± The scroll held in the soldier¡¯s hand fell vertically and unfolded. I couldn¡¯t help but narrow my eyes when I saw it. ¡®They don¡¯t look alike at all.¡¯ Aside from the long white hair and facial features, there was virtually no resemblance. Yet this woman called Agnes nodded in affirmation. ¡°That¡¯s right. Take him to the imperial palace.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± At last, her gaze turned towards me. ¡°Get in.¡± Dirrk! Agnes gestured with her chin towards the carriage entrance, still fiddling with the cube. Its scrambled exterior had become realigned. ¡®Well, it¡¯s not like the attitude of inviting a guest.¡¯ It was more akin to hauling off a criminal, if anything. I boarded the carriage puffing on my sunweed. As soon as I shut the door behind me, it immediately lurched into motion. ¡°Always in such a hurry with official business. Quite befitting of the palace.¡± At that moment, the partition at the front slid open, revealing Agnes¡¯ face. She spoke with her usual expressionless face. ¡°This is the interior of an imperial carriage. Please refrain from smoking.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°You will. Especially if that¡¯s classified as the illicit sunweed drug.¡± Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if dealing with something beneath her. ¡°I don¡¯t plan on having a power struggle with a drug addict. Spit it out.¡± Simultaneously, Agnes extended her hand, indicating for me to spit out the Sunweed into her palm. Clearly, she didn¡¯t care about hygiene; work seemed to be her only concern. ¡°Is that so? Well, this is awkward. I¡¯m an Imperial-certified addict.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of that.¡± ¡°Then you must have received shoddy handover briefings. Perhaps you dozed off?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes¡¯ eyes narrowed further. She pulled out a thick notebook from her coat and began flipping through it quickly, all while making it clear she wouldn¡¯t tolerate any nonsense from me. ¡°If it¡¯s a lie, there will be severe punishment. Be prepared.¡± However, the flipping pages came to a halt at one particular page, almost at the end. It was almost the last page. Her golden eyes trembled slightly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± She silently tucked the notebook back into the inner pocket of her suit jacket. I tilted my head slightly and asked, ¡°Well, am I going to be severely punished?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± Drrrk¡ª Drrrk¡ª She just kept solving the cube without answering. She seemed to have gotten irritated. It was a while before she spoke. ¡°¡­It was my mistake. Please accept this.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It is a letter from His Majesty the Emperor.¡± She handed me a scroll and promptly closed the partition with a firm thud. It seemed that she was embarrassed because there was something she didn¡¯t know. In fact, it couldn¡¯t have been her fault. It was just that the relationship between me and the imperial family was so complicated and so unknown. Anyway, I unfolded the Emperor¡¯s letter. ¡°So the nobleman knows how to write letters too.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call His Majesty the Emperor a ¡®nobleman¡¯¡±¡ª Agnes¡¯ voice came from behind the partition, but I ignored it and started reading. Ezekiel. Let¡¯s talk at the imperial palace. Come alive. It was a short but powerful letter. Come alive. In other words, the journey ahead would probably involve risk of death. ¡°Looks like the road won¡¯t be an easy one.¡± I muttered that and closed my eyelids. I intended to get some sleep beforehand, in case the journey wasn¡¯t easy. ¡­At least, that was my intention. Drrrk¡ª Drrk! Drrk! S?a?ch* Th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Drrrk¡ª ¡°¡­Noisy.¡± I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and snapped my fingers. And at the same time, the noisy sounds outside stopped. With a thud, the partition in front opened again. ¡°Excuse me.¡± Agnes stared at me expressionlessly. Her hand gripped the frozen cube tightly. ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± ¡°Be quiet. Quietly.¡± ¡°Unfreeze it. Are you in your right mind?¡± ¡°I was never in my right mind to begin with.¡± After that short reply, I used my powers to slam the partition shut with a thud. Thud! Thud! Thud! It seemed to try to open again, but it was no use. I had frozen the seams shut. Once again closing my eyelids, I thought, Well, I wonder how much the Imperial Palace has changed? ¡ª END ¡ª Chapter 3: The Road to Imperial Palace (2) CLUNK! CLUNK!Sitting at the front of the bumpy carriage, Agnes, the official of the imperial family, was deep in thought. Her sharp gaze was fixed, of course, on the completely frozen cube. ¡®This was no ordinary cube.¡¯ Though it wasn¡¯t considered a sacred relic, it was regarded as an artifact. Simply manipulating it with her fingers could restore her energy. And yet Ezekiel had frozen it. Without any warning. This meant he had a profound mastery of Ice Magic. Agnes couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the identity of the person being transported to the Imperial Palace. A mage? Perhaps, but mages were incredibly rare. ¡°Just what is this person?¡± Agnes mulled over the appearance of the person riding in the back. The shoulder-length white hair and unusually unruly demeanor, even casually chewing on a sunweed. ¡­Far too lacking in decorum typically pursued by mages. Her gaze shifted to the soldier driving the carriage beside her. ¡°The person we¡¯re transporting now, you said he¡¯s not a criminal, right?¡± ¡°Yes. He definitely does not have criminal status.¡± ¡°But he¡¯s not a guest either.¡± ¡°¡­You have a point there. Still, it¡¯s not often the Emperor himself singles someone out to summon, is it? Truly remarkable.¡± ¡°Could he be a mage?¡± ¡°¡­I really don¡¯t know. There¡¯s no information available.¡± Maybe he used a magic scroll? ¡°Like using a magic scroll inside the carriage.¡± ¡°Doubtful. This carriage blocks the activation of scrolls.¡± ¡°Ah yes, of course.¡± Ezekiel did seem to be a pure mage. And a highly skilled one at that. Even Agnes¡¯ number one treasure, her notebook, provided no clues when she opened it. ¡¸Special Notes for This Mission¡¹ ? Do not try to understand with common sense. ? Avoid interacting if possible ¡°Hmm.¡± Agnes, who prided herself on following rules to the letter, found these abstract guidelines utterly perplexing. It was the first time she had been asked to abandon common sense and reason, which she held in high regard. She didn¡¯t know. The more questions she had, the more question marks seemed to pile up. ¡°How much farther to Feital?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be arriving shortly. Ah, but come to think of it¡­¡± The soldier glanced at Agnes¡¯ expression. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°The fact that they insisted on routing us through Feital¡­It doesn¡¯t seem like they intend for him to reach the Imperial Palace alive, does it?¡± ¡°You may be right.¡± Feital, the danger zone, and a lawless territory. The palace had specifically instructed that this transport absolutely pass through this region. An area where even immediately dispatching troops would be insufficient. ¡°Who knows. We¡¯ll have to see.¡± Before long, she idly turned the thawed cube in the fading sunlight. It was unlike her to dwell on the will of those above. Her role was simply to carry out the mission and report the situation. Tap. Then, the sound of a finger snap came from inside the carriage. ¡°Ah.¡± Agnes squinted her eyes and looked back. ¡­Because the cube had been frozen again back there. ¡°¡­This is infuriating.¡± Just what the hell is this guy? * * * * * * The carriage finally came to a stop when the crescent moon hung in the night sky. ¡°Please come out.¡± Agnes opened the door for me. I stepped down from the carriage and looked around. It appeared like an ordinary town, but had an unmistakably eerie atmosphere. Thanks to that, I immediately realized where this place was. ¡°Feital? Did the palace move and forget to tell me?¡± ¡°We will be staying here for the night.¡± ¡°Why? Did some high-ranking official order that?¡± ¡°Do not refer to His Majesty the Emperor in such a manner.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mention the Emperor.¡± S?a?ch* Th? ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes narrowed her brow, as if dealing with something trivial. ¡°Stop playing with words.¡± ¡°So, what¡¯s the reason we have to spend a day specifically here?¡± From the neighborhood I lived in to the palace, there was no need to pass through Feital. I was curious why they were taking this detour. ¡°It is His Majesty¡¯s will. And only you will be staying here.¡± ¡°Aha.¡± The Emperor ordered a detour to Feital ¡ª his intentions were clear. Every region has its own specialty. So what was Feital famous for? A prison? Heinous criminals? Feital was the area where heinous criminals were left to kill each other. Even those who committed serious crimes were mostly exiled here. ¡°Well now, ordering a trash cleanup before even seeing my face.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡®Come alive¡¯ ¡ª that short phrase meant this. Either survive by eliminating the heinous criminals, or be eliminated and die ¡ª one or the other. Even in this lawless zone, there were basic buildings. Following Agnes¡¯ lead, I entered a huge inn with an attached restaurant. ¡°Yes, please prepare the order as requested.¡± Without listening to my opinion, Agnes arbitrarily ordered the food. Perhaps because it was the city of heinous criminals, the food was subpar ¡ª just a thin, hot porridge and some corn kernels with scant seasoning. She picked up her utensils first. She pushed the unappetizing food into her mouth without a hint of displeasure. I took out the sunweed and asked, ¡°How¡¯s the taste?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. I eat because it¡¯s mealtime.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be easy living on a salary, having to eat stuff like this too.¡± ¡°You aren¡¯t exactly a guest of honor either, you know? It¡¯s clear what kind of treatment awaits you going forward, so you might as well get used to meals like this in advance.¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯d rather starve to death.¡± After that, the meal continued in silence. Agnes slurped the porridge at regular intervals, as if timing it, while I just chewed on the poor sunweed. My vision grew hazy, but it felt oddly comforting. Unexpectedly, it was Agnes who broke the silence first. ¡°Are you a mage?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t even know that? Didn¡¯t do any prior investigation? That¡¯s quite lazy.¡± Seemingly disliking being called lazy, Agnes¡¯ brow twitched. ¡°In Feital, a mage makes quite the delicacy.¡± ¡°Mages are treated that way anywhere.¡± ¡°Yes. The development of magic scrolls has changed many things on the continent.¡± As magic scrolls became greatly advanced, new professions like magic scholars and scroll-makers emerged, causing the number of mages to decrease significantly ¡ª it was an inevitable progression. These days, just using magic alone was not enough to be called powerful. There was no need to painstakingly cast magic directly when scrolls exist. It was better to develop other abilities instead of investing time in magic training. Ah, there was one more reason ¡ª the Erosion phenomenon. Conveniently, Agnes just happened to open her mouth. ¡°The erosion phenomenon has also become serious recently. Especially here in Feital.¡± ¡°I¡¯m already aware of that story.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll save you the trouble. I¡¯ll skip over the part about how those afflicted by the curse of erosion make mage their main prey.¡± ¡°Yeah, they do drool excessively at the sight of mages.¡± ¡°Indeed. But then, you happen to be a mage.¡± Magic scrolls gained immense popularity partly for this reason. If you train your mana to become a mage, you will only become a target. But how convenient and safe it would be to just use magic scrolls. Agnes brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She blew on the porridge in the spoon before putting it in her mouth again. ¡°This place, Feital, is a lawless zone. No matter what happens here, it wouldn¡¯t be strange. It¡¯s full of heinous criminals who harbor resentment towards the palace.¡± ¡°I have plenty of resentments towards the palace too. Though I¡¯m not a heinous criminal.¡± Or am I? I don¡¯t even know which princess accepted my marriage proposal. ¡°What if those heinous criminals became afflicted by the curse of erosion too? Just imagine how violent they¡¯d become. It¡¯s a simple problem, and doesn¡¯t require deep thought.¡± ¡°What were you trying to do by talking like that? Were you trying to scare me?¡± ¡°Yes. Did you feel a little scared?¡± ¡°Barely a yawn. You need more practice.¡± ¡°Have you resigned yourself then?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m just pretty strong.¡± Whoo, I exhaled a long stream of sunweed smoke. Agnes narrowed her eyes and fanned the sunweed fumes away from her face. Then she opened her notebook on the table and made some checkmarks. [Transport to Feital] ? [Have a Meal] ? [Intimidate him] X [Observation and report back in the middle] Noticing my gaze, Agnes hurriedly slapped the notebook shut. ¡°You¡¯re quite the adorable worker. How old are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now. I¡¯ll see you again tomorrow morning.¡± Agnes¡¯ short hair swayed as she left. ¡ó©¤©¤¡ô©¤©¤¡ó The inn was eerily quiet. How much time had passed? ¡®I¡¯m getting hungry.¡¯ Ezekiel suddenly thought so. No matter how unappetizing the food was, hunger was a force to be reckoned with. Reluctantly, he picked up the spoon. The porridge tasted almost inedible, making him newly appreciate Agnes¡¯s ability to eat it without complaint. He propped his feet up on the table and lazily twirled the spoon between his fingers. As he chewed on another piece of sunweed, he stared into the void. ¡°Come to think of it¡­ it was like this back then too.¡± When he was part of the palace¡¯s shadowy organization, it started this way. They locked fifteen people in a small room and let only the last survivor out. After lasting until the end, they refilled it with fourteen more and repeated it fifteen times. Well, compared to back then, the current situation seems downright tame. Thump! Thump! At that moment, footsteps began to be heard. Someone entered the inn¡¯s dining area; too many to bother counting, a crowd instantly surrounded Ezekiel in a circle. Each of them, holding their weapons, exchanged glances and smiled. ¡°You look plenty rich. We hit the jackpot.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a single coin. Are you blind?¡± Ezekiel calmly responded. ¡°We saw you get off the imperial carriage.¡± ¡°I may be destined to marry a princess, but I¡¯m not a palace folk.¡± ¡­Though I don¡¯t know which princess it is. ¡°Is that so? It just so happens we have a grudge against the palace.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just kill him first. He¡¯s gotta have something on him.¡± The encirclement slowly tightened. Still with his feet propped on the table, Ezekiel exhaled sunweed smoke. Ssssss! ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± The thug at the very front who had been approaching suddenly stopped in his tracks. Feeling uneasy, he brushed his arm and found white grains all over it. ¡°¡­Frost?¡± It was undoubtedly frost coating his arm. Come to think of it, the temperature seemed to have dropped. Their breaths were visibly puffing out. ¡°Did none of you think to wear something warmer?¡± Ezekiel rested his arm behind his head as he asked. Hoo- The smoke he exhaled looked like the frost dragon¡¯s breath, mysterious. ¡°It¡¯s about to get quite cold from now on.¡± The corners of his mouth curling up, he was as relaxed as ever. ¡ª END ¡ª Chapter 4: The Road to Imperial Palace (3) ? Chapter 4 ¨C The Road to Imperial Palace (3) ?Frost began settling all around the dining area. ¡°What the¡­ why is it suddenly so cold?¡± one of the thugs stammered. ¡°That guy! I bet he¡¯s the cause!¡± another pointed at me with his sword. The sunweed, a dangerous drug that endlessly torments people. The weed, used only for pleasure and excitement, was for me, used to reduce the output of my cold magic. And I had just spit it out. S?a??h th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. One of them raised the corners of his mouth in the middle of the commotion, ¡°You¡¯re putting on a show because of that woman, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. That woman is not my type.¡± I remained with my feet on the table, contemplating how awful the food was, how annoyed it made me feel, and how hungry I still was¡­. I twirled the spoon in my fingertip while processing this mix of emotions. ¡°Which one of you should die first? Decide the order among yourselves.¡± At that, the men¡¯s bodies shook violently as if in anger. ¡°¡­¡­¡­!¡± Immediately after, their wide eyes turned to their own ankles. They tried to kick the ground nicely but were flustered because they couldn¡¯t. It was only natural. They were frozen from the feet and the ground up. ¡°Decide from where you are. Don¡¯t come any closer.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a trickster. Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯m the emperor¡¯s son-in-law-to-be.¡± ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never been sane.¡± Always, already, now. I had never been. Clang©¤! Clang©¤! Clang©¤! It was then that one of them swung his club down on the ice of his ankle. After a while, the guy who had regained his freedom kicked the ground hard. ¡°Stop putting on airs and die, you bastard!¡± I watched silently as he raised his club high. In my mind, I painted a picture using mana, like colors on a white canvas. I envisioned a few techniques and the thug frozen solid. The picture in my head and the reality gradually overlapped; the moment it intersected exactly, I just flicked my finger. Zzzak-! The thug¡¯s body split perfectly in two, falling to either side of me; the wound froze instantly, preventing blood from spurting everywhere. His face remained fixed in a deathly scream, not even realizing his demise. Pathetic. ¡°I told you not to come closer.¡± As I muttered to myself and looked around, I saw that the men¡¯s momentum had weakened considerably. They had barged in as if they would devour the entire inn, but now they were humbled. Their feet were still frozen to the ground. I pointed to each of their heads with the tip of my spoon. ¡°So, who do you think should die next?¡± At that, the men exchanged glances and one of them spoke up. ¡°¡­Can¡¯t you just let us go? We¡¯ll keep quiet.¡± ¡°Ah, asking to be let go now?¡± They tensed as I pretended to consider it. ¡°Alright. I will.¡± ¡°Oh¡­!¡± Their faces lit up momentarily. When I nodded behind me, everyone¡¯s heads turned that way. At the same time, it was the moment when the faces that had been bright just now froze in an instant. What awaited them at the end of their line of sight was a door frozen solid, reminiscent of the entrance to an ice cave in the north. Not only was it blue, but it was also full of frost. ¡°How about it, can you open it and go out?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± They turned back to me, their faces now filled with determination. Their enraged faces said it all ¡ª they had met a foe who would not accept surrender. Naturally, when facing such an enemy, the only choice was to fight to the bitter end. ¡°Have you ever wondered about this?¡± Instead of the usual sunweed, I chewed on a small piece of ice. ¡°What if I was frozen forever in just a single moment ¡ª what expression should I be frozen with? Have you ever thought about that?¡± ¡°Hyaaahh!!¡± Rather than answering, the thugs let out a collective war cry and tried smashing the ice binding their feet. But it was merely a futile cry to overcome their fear ¡ª the chill was as cold as ever. Frost, by its nature, was devoid of mercy. I closed my eyes and slowly extended one hand. I aimed at the motionless blue figures. Though my eyes were closed, my vision became even clearer, filled with detailed spell formations. The abstract chill that permeated the air was more vivid to me than anything else. Thus, a simple ice enchantment, I said ¡°Freeze.¡± Thereafter, silence. Everything I had sensed through my perception of mana had faded away. The hostile presences approaching me, the malicious auras lashing out, the desperation of struggling to survive¡­ all of it. Not a single thing left. Whooosh¡ª Only when the chill wind brushed my nose did I finally open my eyes. ¡°Hmm.¡± They were all frozen mid-charge, like exhibits in a museum. I studied them for a while. ¡°Probably could¡¯ve frozen you all in better poses though, don¡¯t you think?¡± Of course, no answer came back. Just as I reached into my coat for another sunweed¡ª BANG! BANG! Small objects burst through the frozen doorway, instantly shattering the frozen corpses into pieces like shattered sculptures. A skilled mage¡¯s reflexes were not to be underestimated. Studying the projectiles, I sensed an oddly familiar presence. ¡°¡­Cube fragments?¡± The very cube Agnes had been fiddling with one-handed. Those were the pieces. The cube fragments moved with a mind of their own, whirling through the air before converging at the dining hall¡¯s entrance onto Agnes¡¯ outstretched palm, her short hair neatly kempt as always. I addressed her bold entrance, ¡°A telekinesis mage? Didn¡¯t expect that.¡± ¡°Your preliminary investigation was lacking. How lazy of you,¡± Agnes replied pointedly, as if she had been waiting to throw my own words back at me. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t carry such a sharp tongue if you want to be popular with men.¡± ¡°I¡¯m grateful for that. It means I don¡¯t attract men like you.¡± I leisurely chewed my sunweed, savoring the small pops and charred flavor when biting down forcefully. ¡°So why did you barge in so late anyway?¡± ¡°I simply finished evaluating your level just now.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it. Why did you destroy my handiwork?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ll ignore that. His Majesty the Emperor has ordered your transport without delay.¡± I chuckled and nodded compliantly. ¡°Can¡¯t disobey his Majesty the Emperor, I suppose.¡± ¡ó©¤©¤¡ô©¤©¤¡ó After that, the carriage traveled relentlessly for several days. After freezing Agnes¡¯ cube, Ezekiel started sleeping endlessly, and thanks to that, her head was full of Ezekiel against her will. She stared blankly at the notebook in her hand. ¡¾Strong. Skilled in Ice Magic.¡¿ At the time, she had left one cube eye inside the dining hall for situation observation, and thanks to that, she could feel everything with her eyes and ears. The conclusion of her impression was precisely four letters. Extraordinary. Agnes asked the soldier next to her. ¡°¡­Why didn¡¯t such a powerful mage even become rumored?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to ask.¡± The soldier answered right away as if it was a question he had been holding onto as well. ¡°While apprentice mages are prey themselves, isn¡¯t a high-rank mage much higher than a scroll user? Once they survive and become stronger, they can¡¯t help but gain tremendous fame, isn¡¯t that the structure?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. But it seemed like the villagers didn¡¯t know about him at all.¡± Agnes remembered the subtle attitude with which the villagers treated Ezekiel. It was just the attitude treating an ordinary commoner. Precisely that. ¡°It¡¯s strange. Unless the information was intentionally erased, it can¡¯t be explained. There are too many parts that don¡¯t add up.¡± ¡°¡­Well, would it really go that far? The imperial family?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying that¡¯s how it is. High-ranking mages are that precious.¡± The biggest difference between scroll users and mages was most clearly revealed when comparing the realm called ¡®Transcendence¡¯. Scroll users can use various magic spells from the beginning, so their starting point is extremely high, but only complete mages can ultimately reach the realm of Transcendence. The soldier clicked his tongue. ¡°A high-rank mage¡­ It really doesn¡¯t suit him. His personality was ridiculously strange. In fact, he¡¯d fit in well with Feital folks more.¡± ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s not in his right mind.¡± She should probably note that down too. Agnes quietly wrote in her notebook. ¡¾Seems to have mental issues.¡¿ It was then that a majestic view unfolded before Agnes and the soldier. ¡°Ah, we¡¯ve finally arrived. It¡¯s an imposing sight no matter how many times I see it.¡± ¡°¡­The Imperial Capital. Artiel.¡± The scenery of sophisticated and tall buildings gathered together was itself close to art. This was Artiel, the imperial capital where the imperial palace slumbered at its heart. What was the enigmatic man they were transporting by carriage? ¡ªHe might as well be the Emperor¡¯s prospective son-in-law. ¡°¡­That absolutely won¡¯t be the case.¡± A preposterous notion. Not only was it not at the absolutely not level, it absolutely cannot happen. For a man like that to marry the emperor¡¯s daughter, who was as graceful as a celestial maiden? That must not happen. If it does, then this world is abandoned. Well, they¡¯ll find out later how things unfold. Yes, they¡¯ll find out later, but¡­ A strange phrase she heard while observing the situation kept coming to her mind. ¡ªThat woman is not my type. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡ªThat woman is not my type. ¡ªThat woman is not my type. ¡ªThat woman is not my type. That phrase kept bothering her. No matter how hard she tried to forget it, it kept surfacing. She was just quietly doing her job, but why did this man keep saying such unnecessary things? And to carelessly utter such a rude remark at that. Agnes narrowed her brow and added one more line to her notebook. ¡¾You¡¯re not my type either.¡¿ ¡­Her heart felt much lighter. Chapter 5: Palace of Penance (1) ?Chapter 5 ¨C Palace of Penance (1)?¡°¡­They¡¯ve completely turned it upside down.¡± The imperial palace I visited again was entirely different from the one in my memories. Back then, during the time when the empire¡¯s destruction was being discussed due to the demon realm, the palace had been as precarious as a leaf on the edge of a cliff. Now, however, every sight that met my eyes was fascinating. A statue bearing the sun¡¯s emblem, towering over most buildings, an artificial garden that proved the prosperity enjoyed after the portal to the demon realm was closed, and gold decorations adorning every corner of the buildings¡­ This was the current imperial palace. Agnes glanced at me. ¡°What¡¯s with that reaction, like you¡¯ve been to the palace before or something.¡± ¡°Yeah. I wish this was my first visit too.¡± ¡ª Ezekiel! Where is Ezekiel? ¡ª Oh, Lord Ezekiel! Just this once¡­! ¡ª I swear this is the last time, Ezekiel! There was a time when I went in and out of the imperial palace dozens of times a day, but those certainly weren¡¯t happy memories. After taking care of one task, ten more would pile up. In the midst of it all, guiding five princesses went beyond being a teacher and was almost like being a nanny. Managing members of the imperial secret organization was also my duty. Agnes and I walked along an elegant path decorated with flowers. ¡°Well, the imperial palace is more like an entire region itself. Otherwise, you might get lost like an idiot.¡± Whether it was a symptom of being a workaholic, Agnes seemed strangely happy when explaining something. I pretended not to notice and played along. ¡°Really? It¡¯s that big?¡± ¡°Just separating the areas where His Majesty the Emperor and the princesses reside, there are already 6 areas. There are even underground structures too.¡± ¡°Wow, how smart.¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s nothing special.¡± Agnes brushed her short side bangs behind her ear. As we kept walking, a wide training ground appeared on both sides. Chack¡ª! Chack¡ª! On the left training ground, soldiers were simultaneously moving their spears and footwork in unison. A perfect formation without a single disruption. The perfect balance and symmetry was soothing to the eyes. ¡°Ceremonial training, is there some event coming up soon?¡± ¡°All the princesses except the Third Princess are currently away. They¡¯ll be returning to the palace the day after tomorrow, and this is the ceremonial formation to welcome them back.¡± ¡°So currently only the Third Princess is in the palace.¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t get any ideas. You won¡¯t run into her.¡± On the other hand, the soldiers in the right training ground were fiercely engaging in combat with wooden weapons. It didn¡¯t seem like just a mock battle. ¡°And that side is regular training. The erosion of mana has become serious recently, so this is in preparation for any contingencies.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recall asking about that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± At that, Agnes stopped walking and narrowed her eyes very thin. She was a woman who didn¡¯t understand jokes at all, which gave me a strange pleasure in teasing her. She took out her notebook and scribbled something rapidly. ¡¾You¡¯re not my type either.¡¿ ¡¾Don¡¯t tell him anything.¡¿ ¡°¡­What¡¯s that about?¡± ¡°Nothing you need to know.¡± Agnes snapped as she closed her notebook with a thud. Then she quickly gestured towards some imperial officials and soldiers approaching from afar. ¡°Over here. Take custody of this person. Quickly now.¡± As I started walking with the soldiers, I glanced back briefly. ¡°Agnes, let¡¯s at least greet each other if we meet again sometime.¡± ¡°No. We absolutely will not meet again.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as ¡®never¡¯ in this world.¡± I chuckled and took out the usual sunweed. Your Majesty the Emperor, I wonder how you¡¯ve been doing all this time? ¡ó©¤©¤¡ô©¤©¤¡ó ¡°¡­She really has a nasty temper.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but mutter that. I was put, no, imprisoned in a very familiar accommodation. An audience with the Emperor? An encounter with the princesses? I hadn¡¯t been able to do anything yet. ¡°This place hasn¡¯t changed one bit. Not at all.¡± The interior of the accommodation was extremely luxurious. From the impossibly high-end furniture to the fully stocked daily necessities. It was an accommodation called the ¡°Palace of Penance¡± from when I was in the imperial palace. Someone thrown into this place might think¡ª I don¡¯t want to leave. I want to stay here forever. Yes, and that is why this place actually had no windows or exits. At some point when the thought of wanting to leave suddenly arises, that¡¯s when the elation slowly starts turning into horror. I sank into the plush sofa and chewed on the sunweed. Pop! A small burst in his mouth. At the same time, a thought surfaced. ¡°So they¡¯re keeping me detained first while deciding how to treat me?¡± I tried to guess the Emperor¡¯s intentions. First of all, the Emperor was almost omnipotent, knowing everything. He raised five daughters he doted on. Then some guy came along and made the insane move of proposing to all five at once. On top of that, one daughter readily accepted the marriage proposal without knowing the details¡­ ¡°¡­It¡¯s understandable that he hates me.¡± In fact, I should be grateful that he hasn¡¯t torn me apart. It was around when I was having those sorts of thoughts. Creeak¡ª The door opened, and a woman was ushered into the Palace of Penance. A very familiar face. It was Agnes. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Even after the door closed, Agnes just stood there awkwardly, unable to overcome her discomfort as her hands fidgeted and rapidly spun her cube. ¡°I understand,¡± I nodded quietly. ¡°You made a point of saying we¡¯d never see each other again, so you must be really embarrassed to reunite like this so blatantly, right? I understand.¡± ¡°¡­I was just given additional orders!¡± Agnes refuted with a slightly flushed face. It was like a small bird fluffing its feathers to appear threatening, but not intimidating at all. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could raise your voice. Interesting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the truth. The Third Princess will come to meet you herself tomorrow. I¡¯m to observe you for just one more day.¡± ¡°And here I thought you were quite experienced, but you¡¯re really just a rookie, huh.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Taking on additional assignments is a privilege of the lower-ranks.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not lower-rank. I¡¯m just a new recruit.¡± Ah, so that¡¯s what it was. I wondered why she was so fixated on work, but Agnes was simply a by-the-book new recruit. It was a moment when she looked a bit more like a baby bird. In any case, I understood thanks to this. Agnes wasn¡¯t being so calm because she was overly experienced. She was just calm out of sheer obliviousness. I asked as I chewed on a sunweed, ¡°Agnes, do you know what this building is?¡± ¡°It is just regular accommodation, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Seems it¡¯s your first time after all.¡± ¡°¡­Weren¡¯t you only here about 10 minutes before me?¡± Agnes stared at me with narrowed eyes. ¡°This is the Palace of Penance.¡± ¡°¡­The Palace of Penance?¡± I briefly explained about this place, from its structure to the fact that there was no ordinary way to escape. Still expressionless, Agnes blinked her eyes a couple times. ¡°As far as I know, there is no such building inside the imperial palace.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not something to brag about. And what would a lower-rank person know?¡± ¡°Even if that¡¯s true¡­. How do you know the imperial palace so intimately?¡± ¡°Who knows? More importantly, do you get cold easily?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t get cold easily. Why are you suddenly changing the subject¡ª¡± However, Agnes couldn¡¯t finish her words. ¡°That¡¯s a relief then.¡± Whoosh¡ª! The space was instantly dyed white in a flash. It happened so quickly that Agnes couldn¡¯t sense any premonition, and simultaneously everything white was densely packed frost. With just a single breath, I had turned this place into an ice cavern. Agnes asked while letting out a breath, ¡°¡­What are you suddenly doing?¡± ¡°Look at this.¡± Following my gaze, she was soon able to confirm. It wasn¡¯t that the entire space had frozen over. Strangely, there were lines that the frost couldn¡¯t adhere to, spread out on the floor in a wide web-like pattern. I placed my hands at the center and infused it with my mana. And responding to that, clusters of blue light floated up in the air. The wavering light took the form of lines and was eventually woven into letters. ¡ºAnnouncement to the Palace of Penance.¡» One, a total of three will be lodging at the Palace of Penance today. Two, reduce the number to two by tomorrow. Three, if the above conditions are not met, the Palace of Penance will be destroyed. s?a??h th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Agnes, who had been expressionless the whole time, furrowed her brows slightly. ¡°¡­What is this?¡± ¡°I told you, we can¡¯t get out by normal means.¡± This may also be why the Third Princess held back her actions. She likely wished for an audience, but the Emperor ended up putting me in the Palace of Penance instead. In any case, I have to get out of here to meet the Princess. On the other hand, Agnes continued speaking, ¡°The destruction of the Palace of Penance¡­ surely, you don¡¯t possibly mean¡­¡± ¡°Exactly what you¡¯re thinking. Total annihilation.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I¡¯m an imperial administrator.¡± ¡°When you became an administrator, didn¡¯t you perhaps sign something about potential death in the line of duty, or a multiplied compensation for your family?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Agnes blinked vacantly. Well then. ¡°It¡¯s always something bizarre like this. Always unprecedented.¡± ¡°Then are you saying I need to kill one of the other two to ensure my own survival?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Usually it¡¯s convicts facing execution that get sent in here.¡± Knock! Knock! Then a knocking sound reverberated through the entire space. ¡°¡­¡­¡­!¡± Agnes furrowed her brow and jumped up from her seat. The ominous and tremendously powerful aura flowing in from beyond the door was the cause. ¡°This intense energy¡­ Black magic¡­?¡± She hurriedly flipped through her notebook. ¡°This is abnormal. Situations like this aren¡¯t covered at all in the manual¡­¡± ¡°Stop fussing and sit down.¡± I grabbed Agnes¡¯ wrist and made her sit beside him. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean Agnes calmed down right away. Her entire life had been guided step-by-step according to manuals. ¡°This job is unjust, and now even my life is in danger. How can I stay calm in a situation like this? At the very least, I should secure a safe position beforehand.¡± ¡°No, your current spot is the safest place here.¡± I leisurely crossed my arms and chewed on the sunweed. In truth, contrary to its name, the Palace of Penance was closer to a forge than a place of repentance. It was a place where lives were thrown in to sever each other¡¯s breathing, and this was repeated endlessly to produce weapons. In the past, amidst the countless repetitions, there was one boy who survived. A weapon that endured the insulation of the smelting furnace and was finally tempered. ¡°The safest place inside the Palace of Penance. Where else but next to me?¡± The weapon¡¯s name, Ezekiel. Chapter 6: Palace of Penance (2) ? Chapter 6 ¨C Palace of Penance (2) ?A Dice. A six-sided plaything tool. It randomly presents numbers between 1 and 6, each with an equal probability ¡ªsimple enough to be favored in games. This little thing. But then, one day, quite suddenly¡­ If a human had to stake their entire life on this tiny die, could they truly obtain the desired number? What number would the die deliver in response? ¡°It should have landed on 6¡­ no, even a 5 would have been enough.¡± A man in chains, tied with a rope, muttered weakly as he was being taken to the imperial palace. ¡°It was a life-or-death dice game. If I had won, I could have easily paid for my academy tuition. Maybe I would have become an honor student that everyone would recognize¡­.¡± The man who was muttering weakly like this was named Barton. He was currently the most wanted fugitive in the Yurgo region with the highest bounty. Barton muttered to himself, then suddenly chuckled and shook his head. ¡°No, I suppose not. The moment I met that vexing professor, I might have just killed him. Perhaps I was fated to commit murder from the start¡­¡± It was right then. Whack! A soldier¡¯s knee slammed squarely into Barton¡¯s abdomen. ¡°You disgusting murderer, muttering and mumbling. What are you saying?¡± The two nearby soldiers, as if waiting for this moment, immediately joined in the violence. They must have been itching to do so. Soon, the surroundings were filled with only the sound of thudding. Whack! Whack! ¡°He thought we were treating him like an honored guest?¡± ¡°You¡¯re headed straight for execution at the imperial palace, you insect!¡± Whack! Whack! Whack! ¡°¡­Ah, the dice.¡± Barton could only endure the beating, while repeating the words ¡°the dice.¡± The assault continued for a while longer, and eventually the situation was brought under control by the lead escort captain. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± The escort captain said, clicking his tongue. ¡°I understand you want to kill him, but our job is to escort him. In the end, we have to keep him alive and take him to the imperial palace. That¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°Ah¡­understood!¡± The escort captain also examined Barton¡¯s condition. He was badly beaten. It seemed unlikely that he would be able to walk anytime soon. ¡°Have you all eaten?¡± ¡°Not yet, sir!¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t eaten yet!¡± The escort captain thought. Since Barton couldn¡¯t walk immediately anyway, they might as well let the soldiers eat first to pass the time. ¡°Fill your bellies, then we depart again.¡± As soon as the order was given, the soldiers tied Barton to a nearby tree stump. Their meal began brazenly in front of the criminal. ¡°The imperial workers always deal with fancy folks, but we¡¯re stuck with just scum like this¡­what is this, really?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. Catering to those elite¡¯s tastes is far more tedious and difficult. I¡¯ve done both, and this work is much easier in the end.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Their lunch conversation, naturally, was about work. Then, one soldier seemed to recall something and spoke up. ¡°But Captain, I heard that the Palace of Penance is full for the first time in a long time. Is that true?¡± ¡°Surprisingly, yes. I was quite shocked myself when I heard.¡± S?a??h the N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The scum we¡¯re escorting now won¡¯t be going there, right?¡± The soldiers¡¯ gazes momentarily turned to Barton before dispersing. Barton. A vile criminal who annihilated an entire village with black magic. ¡°A place even scum like him can¡¯t set foot, just who gets sent to the Palace of Penance?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way for us to know. It¡¯s for those beyond our imagination.¡± ¡°Beyond our imagination¡­like someone who killed their own family?¡± ¡°That¡¯s still within the scope of what you can conceive. The Palace of Penance, as I said, is for those beyond our comprehension.¡± ¡°¡­I see. Suddenly I feel uneasy.¡± ¡°From what I heard, one inmate is already there, while the other nearly crossed the Yurgo Mountains. They¡¯ll likely kill each other soon.¡± ¡°Heh, is that so?¡± A strangely out-of-place voice suddenly interjected. The problem was the voice¡¯s source was unsettlingly close. The soldiers¡¯ heads whipped toward the sound¡¯s origin. ¡°If there¡¯s such an amusing place, you should have told me sooner!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The owner of the voice was none other than Barton. He had somehow seated himself cross-legged brazenly between the soldiers and the escort captain. As if he had been dining with them all along. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± It took everyone a beat for their eyes to widen in shock. They swiftly grabbed their weapons and backed away. How had he regained his mobility? When did he get so close? The more they thought about it, the more unsettling chills ran down their spines. Wheeeee¡ª A tense silence fell between the soldiers and Barton. Surprisingly, he did not immediately attempt an ambush. Instead, the wanted criminal simply spat out something he had been chewing on. At first it seemed he was expelling a tooth knocked loose from the beating. But unexpectedly, it was a cubic object. One of the soldiers muttered in realization: ¡°¡­Is that¡­a die?¡± ¡°Indeed. A three came up.¡± Despite his gruesome appearance that made his ability to stand questionable, the soldiers could hear Barton¡¯s words clearly. ¡°Each of you roll it too. If a higher number than three comes up, I¡¯ll spare you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°The odds are a whopping fifty-fifty. Quite an enticing offer for those definitively facing death currently, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± The three soldiers and the captain exchanged glances. The captain soon scoffed at Barton¡¯s words. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you escaped the tree stump, but that was your last chance. You¡¯ll regret not ambushing us for the rest of your life.¡± ¡°So you won¡¯t roll? Despite the incredible fifty-fifty odds?¡± ¡°Mere criminal scum! This time I¡¯ll have to slit your¡ª¡± Shlick¡ª Spines erupting from the ground vertically impaled the justice-filled captain. The noble soldier became a corpse in an instant. ¡°C-Captain??¡± ¡°This is¡­ This is what¡­!¡± The soldiers muttered in horror, but their words soon became their last. More spikes began rising from the floor. Shlick¡ª Shlooosh¡ª ¡°Guheck¡­ughh¡­!¡± ¡°Aaaaagghhh¡­!¡± For a while, only agonized screams and the cruel wet sounds of tearing flesh and bones filled the area. The rapidly pooling blood staining the ground was a given. . ? . . The sunset stained the world crimson. At the edge of the Yurgo Mountains. The shattered remains of a carriage lay abandoned, soldiers¡¯ corpses strewn about. Standing tall in the center was, of course, Barton. He grinned, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. ¡°So I¡¯m the one headed for the Palace of Penance¡­Definitely amusing. It was risky.¡± ¡°Spare me, spare me please¡­¡± A vile criminal squirmed at Barton¡¯s feet, begging. ¡°No can do. The dice only showed a two for you.¡± Barton had rolled a three. And this wretch, a two. He never made exceptions in this dice game. ¡°Please, spare me¡­Agghh¨C!¡± Barton coldly snuffed out the other criminal¡¯s life. He felt quite satisfied. The one in the Palace of Penance would surely be even more entertaining? Muttering thus, he crudely changed into the freshly dead man¡¯s clothes. From now, he would wait patiently to be discovered and escorted to the imperial palace by the palace goons. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t wait to reach the Palace of Penance.¡± Just who awaited him there? He simply hoped for an amusing companion. One who would make the killing savory.? ¡ó©¤©¤¡ô©¤©¤¡ó Late at night. Finally, the entrance to the Palace of Penance. Knock! Knock! Having at last arrived, Barton rapped on the entrance door. As an added flair, he exuded an aura of black magic. ¡®This should suffice to instill some fear.¡¯ If they were weaklings, their frightened expressions would be entertaining to witness. If reasonably strong, they would tense up the moment they sensed Barton¡¯s aura, taking up combat stances. Either reaction would be a sincere one. He found that amusing. Such powerful sincerity, crumbling with just one dice game? ¡­Ah, the thrill of that was indescribable. Indulging in the pleasing thought, he kicked open the door with a bang. ¡°Greetings, friends! Give me a chance to play a dice game with you. What do you say?¡± His shout was for added flare. What reaction would come? However, Barton¡¯s vision detected no one. Impossible, right? The soldier had mentioned another inmate already being in the Palace of Penance. ¡°A dice game? Sounds fun.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Barton¡¯s head whipped toward the sudden voice. ¡°¡­What¡¯s this?¡± And he was dumbfounded once more. Upon first entering, Barton had scanned the blind spots and ceiling. If they sensed his intense aura, they would surely prepare for combat. Typically lying in wait at such locations. ¡­But not here. One man, one woman, casually seated on the center sofa. But then he realized there was another reason to be stunned. ¡®What did I just hear?¡¯ Had they not accepted the dice game proposal far too readily? As if reading his mind, the man opposite nodded. ¡°Let me finish this, then we¡¯ll get started right away.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°Ah, would you like one too? I have extras if so.¡± He even offered sunweed quite brazenly. Barton reflected on his life up to now and quickly reached a conclusion. ¡­This man was of a type Barton had never encountered before. Chapter 7: Third Princess, Solana (1) ? Chapter 7 ¨C Third Princess, Solana (1) ?¡°Sure, I¡¯ll take one.¡± In the end, the first words that escaped Barton¡¯s mouth were those. It would probably be prudent to naturally sink into the atmosphere and gauge it first. Soon, Ezekiel handed over a sunweed cigarette, which Barton rolled around in his fingers for quite a while with a look of novelty. ¡°I didn¡¯t think so but this really is a genuine sunweed cigarette. Definitely the real thing.¡± Barton didn¡¯t readily ask for the sunweed just to savor it. He was merely curious if the one Ezekiel was casually smoking was authentic. Ezekiel exhaled a puff of smoke while looking at Barton, ¡°I have no reason to bother with fakes, do I?¡± ¡°Sunweed is the highest grade drug ¡ª how did you manage to bring them all the way here? I¡¯m curious about your smuggling methods.¡± ¡°Well¡­ I just brazenly smoked them on my way here.¡± ¡°Hah, right. You wouldn¡¯t easily divulge trade secrets.¡± Is he specialized in concealing things? In any case, it was clear the man across from him was being cautious of Barton to a certain degree; then his outwardly nonchalant demeanor must just be an act as well. Meanwhile, Ezekiel asked Barton something rather unexpected, ¡°Say, do you know how to cook at all?¡± Suddenly changing the subject? Seems rather weak compared to expectations. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°There are ingredients and cooking utensils on the second floor. Use them if you get hungry.¡± ¡°Is this your house?¡± ¡°It was pretty much like that for me once upon a time.¡± Compared to him, the man had only arrived a mere half-day earlier ¡ª the ludicrously feeble claim of seniority that nearly made him laugh outright. ¡®No, come to think of it, a sunweed addict couldn¡¯t be normal.¡¯ Vivid hallucinations were one of the most common symptoms experienced by sunweed smokers. It meant their ramblings were often incoherent nonsense. Inferring from that, everything now made sense. The man¡¯s excessive casualness, his seeming disconnect from rationality. Ezekiel then gestured with his chin toward the ceiling. ¡°It¡¯s the rule of the Palace of Penance, check it out.¡± ¡°Rules?¡± Barton¡¯s gaze followed to the ceiling. ¡ºAnnouncement to the Palace of Penance¡» One, a total of three will be lodging at the Palace of Penance today. Two, reduce the number to two by tomorrow. Three, if the above conditions are not met, the Palace of Penance will be destroyed. ¡°Hmm, quite an interesting set of rules,¡± Muttering so, Barton looked around. A sunweed addict, and a tense woman wound up tight¡­a simple but concise conclusion presented itself. The strongest one here was undoubtedly Barton himself. ¡®I expected formidable opponents, but this isn¡¯t bad either!¡¯ There was certainly amusement to be had in tormenting the weak. Perhaps this was the feeling a chef had placing ingredients on the cutting board. He was already giddy imagining how he would harass and defile the hapless pair. Barton took out the dice he had nestled in his pocket, ¡°If those are the rules, no need to drag things out, right friends? Let me propose an entertaining method to start things off!¡± ¡°Entertaining?¡± ¡°Yes! Since someone has to die in this space anyway, let¡¯s fairly decide with dice who that one will be. Whichever of you two rolls higher, I¡¯ll let live.¡± As he spoke, Barton didn¡¯t forget to exude an overwhelming aura of dark magic. The reason, naturally, was to physically impress upon the two that he was overwhelmingly stronger. For a while, silence hung in the air, the man and woman across from him exchanging glances a few times and nothing more. Thanks to that, Barton reaffirmed his conviction once more. ¡®As I thought, without a doubt I¡¯m the strongest one here right now.¡¯ Wouldn¡¯t it be entertaining to see them fight each other? Eventually, it was Ezekiel who picked up the dice first. ¡°Quite the peculiar fellow has shown up. I¡¯ll go first.¡± ¡°Go ahead. Don¡¯t hold back, roll comfortably.¡± As Barton muttered these words, he subtly cast a dark magic spell on Ezekiel. It was the infamous ¡®Weakening¡¯ curse. ¡®The value of this cursed dice is proportional to the strength of the person who rolls it.¡¯ The weakened Ezekiel would roll a low number, and Barton would immediately kill him. He had already made a rough plan to spend the rest of the time having fun with the woman. ¡°Now, I wonder what number will come up? I¡¯m really looking forward to it.¡± S?a??h th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Just as Barton licked his lower lip with his tongue, *Whack!* Something he hadn¡¯t noticed had struck his chest with great force. ¡°Guh¡­!¡± Barton immediately straightened his violently whipped-back head. Bewilderment came first, followed by a split second later by pain. As he tasted the metallic tang of blood, he moved his tongue and realized that his mouth was strangely empty. His front teeth had all been knocked out by the blow. And then, that casual voice ringing in his ears¡ª ¡°Well, is this how you¡¯re supposed to roll it?¡± Ezekiel. He was smiling leisurely as he rolled the dice back and forth. ¡°You dare¡­! What did you just¡­!¡± ¡°Your mouth is still plenty functional. Guess I overcompensated on the force.¡± As he finished speaking, a large piece of ice exploded from Ezekiel¡¯s palm, and countless crystals formed into the shape of dice and shot out. *Whack! Whack! Whack!* Moving at speeds difficult for the naked eye to even track. All Barton could do was helplessly endure. ¡°Guh¡­! Aaargh¡­!¡± *Whack! Crunch!* ¡°Stop! Stop¡­! At least stop for now¡­!¡± Unable to withstand the unbearable agony any longer, Barton soon dropped to his knees, and ultimately crumpled into a fetal curl on the ground. ¡­Such torment, such humiliation, was utterly unprecedented in his life. ¡°W-what¡­ a mage? Just what are you? You were definitely hit with the Weakening curse¡­!¡± Barton was simply puzzled. His mind was filled with only one question ¡ª ¡®Why?¡¯ It was extremely well-known that dark mages held a decisive advantage against ordinary mages. Yet even with the Weakening spell cast on him, how could he have such power? ¡°You¡¯re¡­ You¡¯re a mage! How against a dark mage like me¡­!¡± ¡°Matchup advantages?¡± Ezekiel just snorted and laughed outright. ¡°That¡¯s only something that matters when you¡¯re evenly matched. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± *Crunch!* The last ice dice that was fired pierced the crown of Barton¡¯s head, who was still lying face down. It was an overwhelming victory. Ezekiel¡¯s gaze turned to Agnes beside him. ¡°Congratulations. To think a newbie like you survived this Palace of Penance, that¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± However, Agnes could not utter a single word. She remained expressionless, but in truth her mind was a whirling storm of complexity. Ezekiel¡¯s magical prowess she had witnessed firsthand far exceeded her imagination. She could only feel utterly dumbfounded. It was quite a while before she looked back at Ezekiel. ¡°¡­Just what exactly are you?¡± Unfortunately, she could not receive an answer. *Thump Thump!* ¡ª Hear, Palace of Penance! The time has come! For the appointed time had finally arrived. *Shaaaaaah!* A blindingly strong light burst out like a flash inside the space. ¡ó©¤©¤¡ô©¤©¤¡ó *Beeeeeeeeep* I lowered my head, feeling a strong ringing in my ears. It was the side effect of the teleportation that is activated when the Palace of Penance time is over. I¡¯ve experienced this a few times, but it¡¯s always unpleasant. ¡®This place¡­ The reception room?¡¯ Thanks to my past experience in the imperial palace, it was easy to recognize. Currently, I found myself situated in the middle of an empty reception room. However, I was alone. There was a chair across from me, and two teacups clearly set on the table in front, yet no one else was present besides myself. ¡®Where is the Third Princess?¡¯ Should I go out and search directly? It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult to find her. Just look for the most emaciated woman in the imperial palace. Just as I took out a new sunweed cigarette to light up, *Creak* *Clack Clack* A woman entered through the opening reception room door. Hair of such pure gold that its mere color proved its preciousness, undulating in waves like molten gold whenever it swayed. And beneath that, deeply gleaming red eyes. A stranger, yet simultaneously familiar. But also familiar, yet simultaneously a stranger. What could this woman be, bearing both familiarity and alienness? As I fell into complicated contemplation, the golden-haired woman took a seat across from me. Up close, the curves of her figure were shockingly, excessively voluptuous. No matter where my gaze landed on her body, I couldn¡¯t help but feel awkward. Our eyes naturally met face-to-face. *Whew* The woman let out an abrupt sigh first. However, it was unmistakably a sigh of relief, not displeasure. ¡°I¡¯m truly relieved you are unharmed. My heart sank when His Majesty the Emperor forced you into that Palace of Penance trial. But rest assured, this brief conversation with me will surely be safe.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± I silently regarded her. For her extreme dissonance was incredibly jarring. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Yes. I am Solana, the Third Princess of the Vaith Empire.¡± *Whew-woo-wooo* I ended up exhaling a cloud of smoke directly into her face. You¡¯re Solana? ¡­You are? The same you who was scrawny and haggard? Chapter 8: Third Princess, Solana (2) ? Chapter 8 ¨C Third Princess, Solana (2) ?The sunlight filtering through the window fractured into hexagonal patterns ¡ª elegant scenery. And currently, I was seated in the royal reception room that only privileged guests could barely set foot in. Facing none other than the Empire¡¯s Third Princess. ¡°You¡¯ve really changed a lot.¡± No, it was at a level where ¡®evolved¡¯ would be a more fitting expression. She had always been strikingly beautiful even as a child, but now she had blossomed spectacularly into a sunflower in full bloom. The Third Princess across from me flashed a faint smile. ¡°You, on the other hand, haven¡¯t changed at all, Master. Neither has your love for the sunweed.¡± ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll quit it only in death. Or because of it.¡± ¡°¡­Die? You mustn¡¯t joke about such things.¡± Though it was merely a joke to me, a somber concern crossed Solana¡¯s face. She still possessed a graceful spirit. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± And a brief silence fell between us. Perhaps it was because we hadn¡¯t seen each other in so long that it felt somewhat awkward. I snapped my fingers, and just as the ice formed in midair and plopped into Solana¡¯s teacup, I began to speak. ¡°Solana. I¡¯ve often heard tell of your stories.¡± ¡°Really? You¡¯ve heard stories about me, Master?¡± ¡°People call you the Face of the Empire.¡± The Third Princess of the Empire, the face of the Empire ¡ª Solana Rium. There were quite rational reasons to call Solana the Face of the Empire. Her very face exuded grace, and she was simultaneously the princess who made the most public appearances. ¡°¡­The Face of the Empire? Me?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve also heard you called the ¡®Angel of the Empire¡¯.¡± She was revered as both a princess and a saintess. The holy power she possessed was evaluated as paramount. Though she could not resurrect the dead, it was said that at least those still living would not die in her presence ¡ª a famous tale. ¡­To think such an extraordinary woman was once my student. ¡°I find it too generous a description. It is a level I could only reach thanks to your teachings, Master. I feel almost ashamed to hear such words.¡± ¡°I merely taught you intermediate magic. The holy power you manifested was your own doing. You should take pride in that, it seems.¡± ¡°Not at all. The flow of spirit is not so different for holy power. It was entirely thanks to your teachings, Master. Do not deny it.¡± Have you ever witnessed the sight of paint gradually spreading across drawing paper? Solana began growing increasingly excited in a similar fashion. ¡°And that¡¯s not all. You told me stories of the world, taught me etiquette¡­ Everything was thanks to you, Master!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Her sudden burst of excitement brought on a descending silence. I silently chewed the sunseed, and we gazed at each other wordlessly. And then, at some point. ¡°Pffft¡­¡± ¡°Haha, ahahaha¡­¡± ¡°Just like old times with you.¡± We burst into laughter, unreservedly. A situation we had experienced countless times in our youth had just been reenacted. ¡°I showed my true colors again, didn¡¯t I? And here I am, supposed to be an adult.¡± ¡°Not true colors, but a bit of a blunder.¡± ¡°A blunder¡­ Yes, that¡¯s what you called it. Haha¡­¡± Only now did she truly seem like the Solana I knew. In truth, Solana¡¯s nickname as the Face of the Empire had been a palace tradition from within for quite some time. ¡ª Princess Solana, isn¡¯t she just perfect? ¡ª As long as she keeps her mouth shut. ¡ª As long as she doesn¡¯t trip over herself occasionally. ¡ª As long as she just stays still. Perhaps due to her exceedingly graceful appearance. She was often called ¡°surprisingly clumsy¡± behind her back. Though never to her face, of course. s?a??h th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I suppose no matter how much time passes, I¡¯m still just a child in your eyes, Master?¡± ¡°Not at all, I have a full-fledged Princess seated across from me.¡± ¡°¡­Really?¡± She blushed and smoothed her bangs. However, nestled among Solana¡¯s bangs was a rather out-of-place, noticeably worn hairpin. A jade hairpiece that clashed with the empire¡¯s lavish accessories; a blemish among gems. It was a familiar object, since I had given it to her as a reward. ¡°¡­You¡¯re still wearing that hairpin?¡± ¡°Hm? Of course.¡± She looked at me with an expression as if I had said something utterly bizarre ¡ª as though I had spouted nonsense like ¡®the moon rises in the morning.¡¯ ¡°But it¡¯s so worn out.¡± ¡°Not at all? Even if worn, I will wear it. For life.¡± Perhaps she had a preference for reasonably aged items with a sense of history over excessively refined objects. If she liked it, there was nothing I could do to dissuade her further. She continued with a resolute expression, ¡°In any case, everything the imperial sisters including myself have achieved is all thanks to you, Master. It would be problematic if you yourself did not know that.¡± ¡°Everything¡­? Now that you mention it, what about the other princesses?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve all become truly remarkable individuals. Making great names for themselves in their respective roles, no? They¡¯ll be returning soon.¡± ¡°It sounds quite impressive.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯ll be surprised when you see them again.¡± Whether commanding the demon subjugation forces, outright establishing and overseeing their own magic towers, or controlling trade across the entire continent¡­ They had become pillars propping up the realm. Just hearing tales secondhand painted awe-inspiring pictures. Solana smiled wryly. ¡°There¡¯s a proverb that goes: In the forest, all the outstanding trees get cut down, leaving only the poor trees behind¡­ It seems I was the poorest tree of all. The only one left in the palace.¡± ¡°Not proverb, but a saying.¡± ¡°Ah, saying. That¡¯s what I meant.¡± ¡°And managing the imperial palace is a duty only you can handle.¡± ¡°You used to comfort me like that when I was little. Hearing it again after so long warms my heart. Thank you. Now then¡­¡± Solana nodded and set down her empty teacup, ¡°With the tension dispelled, shall we proceed to the main subject?¡± At last, the conversation turned to the main issue at hand. ¡°I feel ill at ease having summoned you here to the palace in such an aggressive manner. If the journey was unpleasant, allow me to apologize on their behalf.¡± ¡°It brought back old memories ¨C it wasn¡¯t so bad.¡± Come to think of it, the letter I wrote was the catalyst, simultaneously an imperial decree. There was no reason to blame Solana. ¡°Ah, well¡­ There are complicated circumstances surrounding that¡­¡± ¡°Hm?¡± But Solana averted her gaze. Other circumstances, she said? ¡°Ahem, but first. Please extend your hand to me.¡± She took my hand of her own accord. After a moment, she closed her eyes and channeled her holy power to examine my condition. ¡®This does bring back memories.¡¯ Back when she had just awakened to her holy power, Solana would also arbitrarily grab my hand like this under the pretense of ¡®healing practice.¡¯ ¡­The biggest difference between then and now was likely her expression. ¡ª All done! You¡¯re incredibly healthy today too, Master! She would cheerfully exclaim with a bright smile back then. ¡°¡­Yes. I¡¯m finished.¡± Now, Solana merely gave a faint, rather melancholic smile. The time I have left is a mere 2 years. This body was in poor condition. As one who wields holy power, she likely knows this better than I do. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master. There will surely be a way.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Okay, good. Then let¡¯s discuss something else for now.¡± She took out a scroll from her robe. Not a true scroll, but rather what appeared to be a single document rolled up. ¡°Since you will live a long, happy life ¨C because I will make it so ¨C let¡¯s first talk about the matter at hand.¡± ¡°The matter at hand?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered ¨C is there no way to compensate you for the time you¡¯ve devoted to the imperial family? No way for all the people of the continent to acclaim and follow the talents you possess¡­¡± Solana tapped the rolled document she had placed on the table. ¡°And this is the conclusion I¡¯ve reached.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°A letter of appointment. Would you like to examine it?¡± A letter of appointment? For what appointment? [Letter of Appointment] [Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector] ¡°¡­¡­..¡± I silently rolled up the document. Then, after a moment, unrolled it again. [Letter of Appointment] [Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector] ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°A letter of appointment.¡± ¡°But I never applied or registered for anything.¡± ¡°I took care of the application and registration process entirely.¡± When I remained silent, Solana added ¡°¡­Do you know how pained I felt whenever I imagined you, secluded in some remote corner of the continent, subsisting only on alcohol and sunweed? You cannot continue living like that any longer.¡± ¡°No, listen¡­¡± ¡°No. Your opinion is immaterial.¡± Solana firmly cut me off, ¡°From this very moment, I will forcibly bestow upon you immense wealth, great honor, tremendous adoration¡­ everything.¡± Then she showed me the brightest smile I had ever seen from her. ¡°¡­You understand, don¡¯t you?¡± Chapter 9: Third Princess, Solana (3) ? Chapter 9 ¨C Third Princess, Solana (3) ? S?a?ch* Th? ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality.I gazed at Solana with a bewildered expression. My former student, now proudly established as the Third Princess of the Empire and known as the Angel of the Empire, was brazenly forcing the position of Imperial Magic Tower Inspector upon me. ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°I am serious.¡± There was certainly no hint of joking in her eyes or tone; the problem was, if this wasn¡¯t a joke, it was an even bigger deal. ¡°Surely the Third Princess understands the prestige of the Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Yes, I understand it well.¡± ¡°Me, not even a professor at the Academy, but an Inspector of the Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Yes, that is correct.¡± The Academy and the Magic Tower differed like heaven and earth, not just in status but in standards and quality. It was only natural. The Academy was a cradle of dreams where talents from across the continent gathered to be polished. But the Magic Tower was a place where only the most refined gems could set foot ¡ª it was no wonder that the top graduates of the Academy each year publicly declared working at the Magic Tower as their dream. Solana tilted the teapot, refilling her cup, ¡°As you know, there are a total of six Magic Towers in the Empire.¡± ¡°The central Imperial Magic Tower, surrounded by five other Towers.¡± ¡°Correct. You will be in charge of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± Imagining a pentagon makes it easy to visualize. The Imperial Tower stood in the center, surrounded at the points by the Black, Red, Purple, Green, and Blue Towers, like the vertices of a pentagon. That the Imperial Tower held preeminent authority was not even worth explaining. ¡°With the advancement of scroll technology and the ominous erosion phenomenon¡­the Imperial Tower¡¯s authority is waning. Amidst this, the relations between Towers have escalated beyond mere checks and balances into outright conflicts.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a situation that must be resolved, and we need your strength. I believe you can firmly re-establish the authority of the Imperial Tower.¡± Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. It was a position that could interfere in virtually any matter at the Tower ¡ª setting quarterly goals and achievements, schedules, staffing levels, departmental personnel allocations¡­one could meddle in it all with the Inspector¡¯s authority. But looked at another way, an Inspector could choose to do nothing at all. ¡°Unfortunately, I do not possess that level of sense of justice.¡± There was a time when I too burned with passion. A naive youth when I believed defeating the demonic forces and sealing the portal to the demon realm would usher in tremendous peace, allowing me to escape my doomed fate. Solana nodded, taking a sip of her tea, ¡°Of course, you don¡¯t have to do anything inside the Imperial Tower as Inspector. Some Inspectors choose that path, and it¡¯s valid.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± I pondered briefly. Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. A lifetime aspiration and dream for some. ¡­But I could only shake my head in response. ¡°There are far too many issues for me to accept outright.¡± ¡°Issues? What issues?¡± Regrettably, Solana did not back down easily. Rather, after hearing my answer, she seemed to have already steeled her resolve, her expression becoming firm. Since it appeared I could not simply brush her off, I calmly organized my thoughts. Where should I begin? The Parachute Problem¡ª ¡°The missions I was in charge of in the past were all top secret. I have no public accomplishments. To others, it would appear I¡¯m being parachuted in. Negative comments towards the Imperial family would pour in.¡± ¡°No, you do have accomplishments.¡± Solana confidently replied. ¡°You personally defeated criminals in the Feital region and apprehended a wanted fugitive who entered the Palace of Repentance. That should be more than sufficient.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Did she have this planned from the start? The way she conveniently skirted around the Palace of Repentance made it seem like this whole situation was designed for this purpose. Compensation Issues¡ª Fortunately, there were still plenty of reasons to refuse. [Letter of Appointment] [Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector] Written just below the line for the appointment was another line¡ª [The salary is set at 300 gold coins per month.] Three hundred gold coins; an outrageous amount of money. I exhaled a puff of sunweed smoke and spoke, ¡°Solana, you should take a closer look at civilian life. For a common household, a single Imperial gold piece is enough for over a month¡¯s living.¡± According to the letter, my monthly salary would be enough for a commoner household to live for about 25 years. Preposterous. ¡°I expected that question. But I¡¯ll be paying out of my own personal funds.¡± ¡°¡­Your personal funds?¡± ¡°Yes, I have plenty of saved gold pieces, so it won¡¯t be a problem.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± If that was the case, I had nothing further to say on that matter. This left me with only one choice remaining. A somewhat rigid but orthodox method, childish yet highly effective ¡ª a tactic I frequently used in the past¡­ ¡ª His Majesty the Emperor would likely find it distasteful. ¡ª Ah, Master ! Then let¡¯s forget I said that! Yes, nothing beats invoking His Majesty. ¡°His Majesty the Emperor would find this distasteful.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Solana flipped over the appointment letter, revealing a large square seal prominently displayed. Familiar ¡ª it was the mark of the imperial jade seal. ¡°His Majesty has readily given his permission.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Now I had no valid reasons left to refuse. At this point, I grew curious why Solana was so insistent, going beyond mere persuasion to effectively forcing this on me. So instead of refusing, I decided to ask¡ª ¡°Solana, why are you going to such lengths?¡± ¡°I¡¯m simply repaying the debt of gratitude I owe you as my teacher.¡± ¡°Is that the only reason? I ask because it doesn¡¯t seem so.¡± Solana¡¯s lips quivered slightly. I continued, ¡°I may need to ponder whether wealth and honor appeal to me, but even if you wish to assist, there are countless ways to do so. There must be another reason you¡¯re forcing this particular method.¡± For a brief moment, she averted her gaze from mine. So that¡¯s how it is. My eyes that watched over her from a young age cannot be deceived. She did indeed have another reason. One more important to her than repaying a debt of gratitude to her teacher or the circumstances between the Towers. Something she felt was far more crucial. Solana fidgeted with her tea for a moment, clearly carefully considering her next words, so I patiently waited. It seems she had another very significant reason for insisting I take the Inspector position, beyond repaying a debt of gratitude. Eventually, she spoke. ¡°¡­Because I read your letter, every single word.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Ah yes, the letter. At that moment, I felt a cold sweat trickling down my back. What exactly had I written in that letter? I only remembered that it concluded with a proposal, but the exact words eluded me. Solana continued, ¡°Every single word¡­ I could feel the depth of your anguish.¡± Hmm, I wrote it while drunk and under the influence of sunweed. Her face flushed slightly as she added, ¡°They were sentences I had never encountered before. Cryptic at first glance, yet the feelings came across. But more than anything, you included a drawing with it. I liked that.¡± ¡­I had included a drawing too? One of my habits when drinking. I must have drawn something while intoxicated, but what could it have been? My mind raced with countless possibilities. Thankfully, Solana didn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°You¡¯re right, Master. There is a reason I¡¯m insisting on this method. It¡¯s the conclusion I reached after reading your letter countless times.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± ¡°First, please trust me. I have a request.¡± ¡°I understand the gist of what you¡¯re saying.¡± I nodded. At this moment, the strongest feeling I had was of regret for putting Solana through such an ordeal with that letter. While it¡¯s true I felt indignant and pitied my own fate of being unable to escape my doomed lifespan, Solana must have agonized tremendously after reading my letter. Which led to this current situation. She has been worrying about me this whole time, even going so far as to leave the Imperial Tower Inspector position vacant and willing to pay me salary out of her personal funds. I felt ashamed. ¡®¡­I have acted shamelessly unbecoming of a teacher.¡¯ It feels like I needlessly dragged Solana into my own misfortune. With the Empire¡¯s recent troubles and the atmosphere among the Princesses preceding the succession of the throne, her life was already burdened enough without me brazenly intruding like this. My heart was troubled. Yet, thanks to this, I had resolved my mind. They say early suppression is crucial for fires, do they not? Before this situation grows into an uncontrollable blaze, I feel laying everything bare and resolving it now was the best course ¡ª the minimum courtesy. ¡°Solana.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°About that letter, I think we should put it aside for now¡­¡± THUNK. Solana firmly set her teacup down on the table. Simultaneously, I got the illusion that the entire world has frozen over. ¡°¡­Ah, my apologies. Were you about to say something?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± It was only for a brief instant, but I clearly saw it. Her eyes narrowing with a gleam of white, the benevolent holy power she usually exuded shifting into a cold, chilling aura. ¡°¡­It¡¯s nothing.¡± I realized with dread¡ª Forget early suppression. ¡­The fire has already spread beyond the point of being extinguished. Translator¡¯s Notes:- Don¡¯t go into mountain treks y¡¯all. It sucks. It really sucks. Last few days have been really¡­not so pleasant to remember. Chapter 10: The Emperor (1) ? Chapter 10 ¨C The Emperor (1) ?¡®¡­In the end, I couldn¡¯t refuse.¡¯ I sat alone in the reception room, chewing on the sunweed. If there was one thing I¡¯m more familiar with than anyone, it was the cold. Yet even I felt as if the world had frozen over for a moment. How is this possible? Fortunately, Solana had so far lived up to her nickname as the Angel of the Empire, showing kindness. But angels are known to transform into the most vicious demons the moment they change their minds. ¡­I don¡¯t want to witness an angel becoming a demon. [Letter of Appointment] [Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector] It seems I¡¯ve become the Inspector of the Magic Tower. An ordinary magic tower was impressive enough, but this was the Imperial Magic Tower we¡¯re talking about. Huh©¤ I exhale the sunweed deeply, reflecting on how I spent my days just a few days ago. My routine was remarkably simple. Drinking, painting, whiling away time immersed in nature¡­. But now, everything had changed. I¡¯ve suddenly found myself in a position where I need to dress smartly and report for work. ¡°It¡¯s a shame mind-reading isn¡¯t my specialty.¡± I still haven¡¯t fully grasped Solana¡¯s intentions. She was dispatching me to resolve an issue at the Imperial Magic Tower, yet she added that it would be fine even if I did nothing. Does she believe my mere presence will solve the problem? Well, it was not something to dwell on right now. I was being forced into this Inspector role anyway, and since I promised to trust her, I had no choice but to do so. Solana must have asked for my trust while harboring only the best intentions. Now, there¡¯s only one thing bothering me. ¡°¡­So who wrote the reply? Was it really Solana?¡± While it was certain that Solana read the letter, I couldn¡¯t confirm if she actually sent a reply due to the awkward atmosphere. Simultaneously, another thought occurs to me. ¡®If it wasn¡¯t Solana who sent the reply¡­.¡¯ A cold sweat broke out on my back. Accepting Solana¡¯s goodwill while potentially marrying another princess? It was impossible to imagine what would happen. I couldn¡¯t even use the excuse of a ¡®drunken mistake.¡¯ ¡­Is this what it feels like when playing with fire accidentally burns everything down? No matter how I saw it, it was the worst-case scenario. It had been a long time since I¡¯ve felt such fear. ¡®I suppose I¡¯ll have to meet the Emperor himself.¡¯ Although I was not particularly fond of the Emperor, perhaps using his power could forcibly erase this whole affair? ¡°It¡¯s something the Emperor has forbidden¡±©¤ that sounds plausible. Bang©¤ Just then, the reception room door opened once again. A now-familiar face. Agnes, with her short black hair and expressionless demeanor. Click©¤ Click©¤ As usual, she entered while manipulating a cube with one hand. Is this what it feels like to watch a skilled musician? Her long, slender white fingers moved with remarkable grace. Lost in thought, I quietly chewed on my sunweed and met her gaze. We remained like that for a while. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Click©¤ Click©¤ Click¡­. ¡­..¡­. Suddenly, Agnes hid the cube behind her back. She seemed concerned I might freeze it again. I hadn¡¯t been paying attention, lost in thought, but seeing her reaction oddly made me want to freeze the cube. I snapped my fingers lightly. Agnes immediately squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the icy chill in her palm. Her shoulders trembled as an added effect. ¡°¡­Please don¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°How many times did I tell you in the carriage? It¡¯s noisy.¡± Surprisingly, she just let out a deep sigh without much resistance. It seemed she¡¯d developed a strange sense of courtesy since our time at the Palace of Penance. She was not as sharp as when we first met. ¡°So, why do you look like you¡¯ve lost everything?¡± ¡°If I¡¯d only lost things, I¡¯d be smiling. I¡¯m in debt now too.¡± ¡°Is it hard to understand? Isn¡¯t this more like a promotion?¡± Agnes looked at me as if she¡¯d seen something bizarre. ¡°You were a hopeless wastrel, but somehow you¡¯ve made it to the imperial palace. And you weren¡¯t even dragged here as a criminal. You seem to be treated as an honored guest, surprisingly.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could express emotions honestly. That¡¯s new.¡± ¡°You started the honesty first.¡± Agnes held up the frozen cube as if to show me, but I stubbornly refused to thaw it. I¡¯m sick of the noise, after all. ¡°Anyway, I didn¡¯t know you were acquainted with the Third Princess.¡± ¡°Solana? We go way back.¡± ¡°¡­Is it okay for you to use her name so casually?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine for me. Not for you, though.¡± Agnes slightly furrowed her brow, and this time I asked, ¡°So what¡¯s your business here? Your task is already done, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°One thing remains. His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± This was actually welcome news to me. I¡¯d been wondering how to get a private audience with the Emperor. Agnes tilted her head slightly in confusion. ¡°¡­You really are strange.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Your expression darkened after meeting with the Princess, but you brighDtened at the news of meeting the Emperor. Isn¡¯t it usually the opposite?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always been strange. Let¡¯s leave right now.¡± Always, already, now. It¡¯s always been this way. ~~??~~??~~ After that, I followed Agnes¡¯s instructions and started walking. Or rather, I found myself walking ahead of her. After all, the layout of the imperial palace was already etched in my mind. And as expected, whispers followed us. ¡°Towards His Majesty¡¯s quarters¡­ Who is that?¡± ¡°I heard the Emperor summoned him personally.¡± ¡°¡­How enviable. I¡¯ve worked here for 20 years and never even caught a glimpse.¡± My mind, however, was preoccupied with thoughts about the Emperor. Why did the Emperor stamp the appointment letter issued by Solana? That monstrous man? The one who doesn¡¯t know the concept of ¡®dialogue¡¯? There seemed to be something going on between the princesses and the Emperor, and I intended to unravel it step by step from now on. Soon, Agnes stopped at the end of the corridor. ¡°I can¡¯t go any further. This is as far as I go.¡± ¡°Come to think of it, you¡¯re still new here. Alright, I got it.¡± ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± As she departed, I sensed a strange excitement in her retreating figure. Perhaps even this expressionless woman couldn¡¯t help but feel joy at the prospect of going home. Upon entering the Emperor¡¯s quarters, I was greeted by officials with their faces completely covered by veils. The officials here aren¡¯t allowed to expose any part of their body or face. ¡°The changing room is to your left. Would you please change into this?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± I quickly changed. In fact, it was more like a large tablecloth covering the body, hardly deserving to be called clothes. It¡¯s likely intended to prevent visitors from secretly carrying anything. I had to walk for quite a while after that. ¡°The Four Seasons Garden, it¡¯s been a while.¡± A famous spot known for capturing the essence of each season. Only after passing through spring, summer, autumn, and winter in order could I reach the massive door. Beyond this lies the Great Hall where the Emperor resides. ¡°Stop right there.¡± Two enormous men blocked my way on either side of the door. Their stature was so grand they could¡¯ve been mistaken for living pillars. The one on the left pointed at my mouth, ¡°Spit it out.¡± Spit out the sunweed? Of course, I didn¡¯t. ¡°¡­You won¡¯t spit it out?¡± The guy tried to step in forcefully, but the one on the right quickly restrained him. They whispered something to each other, then simultaneously nodded. Finally, both of them bowed respectfully. ¡°We apologize. We¡¯ll open the door for you right away.¡± The massive door opened without a sound. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± My first impression upon entering ¡ª Majestic. But it wasn¡¯t due to the interior¡¯s size or structure. It felt majestic because of the single imposing presence it contained. At the far end, atop the stairs on the throne, sat a being. Its body was transparent, making it look as if clothes were suspended in mid-air. Despite having no visible form, the presence on the throne exuded an overwhelming aura that colored the entire space. This was the Empire¡¯s Emperor, Verd, the Formless. I paid my respects. ¡°I stand before Your Majesty, the Emperor.¡± There was no response. The collar of the clothes hanging in mid-air on the throne fluttered. A nearby chalice rippled, probably as the Emperor casually swirled it in his hand. Then, silence. I would have appreciated some words, but there was only silence, so I calmly waited for the Emperor to speak. It felt like almost a day had passed. And when that day was nearly becoming two¡­ ¡°Ezekiel Hound.¡± He finally called my name. Crash©¤ Simultaneously, the entire floor crumbled like puzzle pieces. Now, what existed below was something that could only be described as an abyss, a darkness of unfathomable depth. S?a??h th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. However, I didn¡¯t fall. An ice sheet had already formed under my feet, firmly supporting me. ¡°Persistent. You¡¯re not easy to kill, are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll die soon enough, though. I¡¯m terminally ill, after all.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The Emperor then gave a meaningful smile. ¡°I told you to teach my daughters just a bit of magic¡­ and yet, you brazenly submitted a marriage proposal. What on earth were you thinking?¡± I was drunk. ¡­That was something I couldn¡¯t possibly say out loud. Chapter 11: The Emperor (2) ? Chapter 11 ¨C The Emperor (2) ?Emperor Verd, the Formless. Ironically, despite being the most famous figure in the Empire, no one truly knew him. First, his abilities were unknown. He unified the chaotic Vaith Empire through sheer force alone, and was the only one who ¡®negotiated¡¯ with the Demon King during the last war with the demon realm. He even killed the mothers of his five daughters with his own hands. ¡­These were facts I barely knew because I was there. It was around then that the Emperor spoke again, ¡°Well, the leader of Balance shouldn¡¯t die from something this trivial.¡± Balance. The name of the imperial secret organization. I was their leader. After the portal to the demon realm closed, every member was killed. Not by enemies, but by the Emperor, for the purpose of silencing them. That was the kind of being he was. ¡°Living without a name and dying quietly. That should have been your final mission, but are you now trying to rebel?¡± ¡°Rebellion, perhaps that¡¯s what it is.¡± I haven¡¯t forgotten about that incident. No, I must not forget. That¡¯s the duty of a leader. Of course, I didn¡¯t propose to the princesses out of revenge. I only answered this way because I couldn¡¯t bring myself to honestly admit that I wrote the proposal while drunk. However, because of my response, the Emperor seemed convinced that I proposed to the princesses for revenge. ¡°¡­You dare to take my daughters hostage to save yourself?¡± Simultaneously, invisible thorns rushed to pierce me. Crack©¤! ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Despite defending myself by encasing my body in a cubic ice barrier, several thorns deeply penetrated my shoulders. The Emperor¡¯s power, as expected, wasn¡¯t magic. ¡°Ezekiel Hound.¡± The chalice near the throne swayed in mid-air. The Emperor¡¯s mood was clearly unsettled. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I have five daughters. How many marriage proposals do you think they¡¯ve received in total so far?¡± The imperial princesses were all exceptionally talented, regardless of looks or abilities. Surely there must have been many trying to pluck these flowers from the cliff¡¯s edge. ¡°I believe quite a lot.¡± ¡°Quite? No, it¡¯s uncountable.¡± The small chalice in mid-air continued to ripple. As if the purple liquid inside might spill over, but not quite, the Emperor continued speaking, ¡°The methods of courtship were countless too, but the endings were all similar. My daughters never give their hearts easily.¡± This was quite an interesting story for me as well. ¡®I wonder what it was like?¡¯ Since stories from within the imperial palace never leak outside, I quietly listened to the Emperor¡¯s tale. ¡°The eldest seeks strength. She strictly adheres to her belief of only giving her heart to a man stronger than herself.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°She set the condition of marrying anyone who could defeat her in combat, and I¡¯ve never seen anyone return alive. Even though she could have spared their lives, she always killed them. It was troublesome to deal with.¡± The Empire¡¯s First Princess, Ether. It sounded just like her. She truly was a monster. Moreover, she inherited part of the current Emperor Verd¡¯s power. ¡°The second pursues lineage, grace, and dignity.¡± ¡°She was like that even as a child.¡± S?a??h the ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It¡¯s probably due to her dragon blood. If she considers someone beneath her, she doesn¡¯t even treat them as living beings. You know about dragon speech, don¡¯t you?¡± I nodded. The Empire¡¯s Second Princess, Hedera. She possessed dragon speech and was also a Lingual Spellcaster. ¡°She said she¡¯d gladly give her heart to a man who could withstand her command. What do you think Hedera¡¯s command was?¡± ¡°Whatever it was, it sounds just like Hedera.¡± ¡°It was a command to commit s*****e. Not a single one withstood it and they all killed themselves.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡ª Master! Don¡¯t go! Play more! ¡ª Play more! I said don¡¯t go! ¡ª Eek! It¡¯s a command! Play more! ¡­She wasn¡¯t that extreme when she was young, was she? ¡°The third is best described as a saint. Her faith is admirable.¡± The Empire¡¯s Third Princess, Solana. ¡°Isn¡¯t her nickname ¡®The Angel of the Empire¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes, she said she¡¯d give her heart to a man who could pray longer than her. Not a single one lasted longer than Solana. The longest anyone held out was just three days.¡± Solana¡¯s holy power had already reached great heights. It was essentially a declaration that she wouldn¡¯t give her heart to any man, but what¡¯s important was that I¡¯m hearing about this condition for the first time. ¡®She never asked anything like that of me.¡¯ I wanted to ponder on this point, but the Emperor continued speaking. ¡°The fourth, as always, is obsessed with gold coins and gambling.¡± ¡°I tried to correct her behavior a few times in the past, but it never worked.¡± The Fourth Princess, Chain. The Empire¡¯s wealthiest individual. ¡°She always said she wouldn¡¯t accept anyone with less wealth than her, but she always gave her suitors one chance.¡± ¡°What kind of chance?¡± ¡°A chance to gamble. She always made a bet on marriage.¡± I couldn¡¯t imagine the Fourth Princess losing. Since childhood, she had an uncannily high win rate in probability-based bets. ¡°Most lost a wrist or ankle, and in severe cases, had their eyes gouged out. She probably has them on display somewhere. That¡¯s the kind of person she is.¡± The Fourth Princess¡¯s possessiveness was tremendous. It was quite understandable, as she always wanted to take trophies from any competition. ¡°Lastly, the fifth, as always, has no interest in humans.¡± ¡°Is she still devoted to inventing scrolls?¡± The Fifth Princess, Neo. She was extremely shy. I remember it was incredibly difficult to even catch a glimpse of her face, as she always confined herself to the library or research lab. ¡°The fifth received many proposals too. They must have thought she was an easy target.¡± The Emperor¡¯s words were tinged with a slight sneer, ¡°She created almost a maze with magic scrolls, saying she¡¯d meet anyone who could pass through it. Most gave up or died trying.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± All five princesses were rejecting suitors in their own unique ways. And more violently than I had imagined. ¡°Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not harsh enough to force my daughters into unwanted marriages. Rather, I respect their opinions. I¡¯m willing to help them build families with the partners they desire.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± I responded, uncertain about this uncharacteristic statement from the Emperor. ¡°Yes, however¡­¡± But soon I realized it was a misconception. After hearing the Emperor¡¯s next words, I understood that this was, in fact, the most characteristic statement of all, ¡°If the man turns out to be disappointingly inadequate, I can¡¯t stand idly by as a father. I¡¯d have to prevent the marriage even if it means tearing the man to pieces. Wouldn¡¯t it be better for my daughters to resent me than for the entire continent to fall to ruin?¡± ¡­In the end, it means he¡¯ll kill anyone he doesn¡¯t approve of. If that¡¯s the case, my chances of being killed by the Emperor right now were extremely high. ¡°Now then, Ezekiel. I have a few more questions left. Let¡¯s discuss whether you¡¯re someone who deserves to be torn apart.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Are you strong enough to defeat the eldest? If not, do you at least possess blood more noble than the second¡¯s dragon blood?¡± The chalice was set down on the small table near the throne with a thud. ¡°Are you as devout as the third? Wealthier than the fourth? Or can you easily break through the youngest¡¯s magic scroll maze?¡± The Emperor was asking if I was qualified to propose. I might be able to break through the youngest¡¯s magic scroll maze. At least in the field of magic, I¡¯m more confident than anyone else. However, the rest were indeed difficult, so I shook my head. ¡°It might take some time.¡± However, I didn¡¯t forget to answer cleverly, using a bit of cunning. A smart ploy to postpone this situation, implying that while it¡¯s difficult now, I might be able to do it later. But the Emperor pinpointed this exactly. ¡°I¡¯m asking about right now.¡± ¡°It might be difficult at the moment, but¡­¡± ¡°Yes, I think so too. No matter how many times I consider it, that¡¯s the case.¡± My mind started spinning rapidly. ¡®Surely he¡¯s not going to make me take all five tests at once?¡¯ If so, that would be extremely troublesome. I wrote that letter out of resentment for my terminal illness, but it seems I¡¯ve ended up shortening my life instead. Of course, there were plenty of other unfavorable possibilities as well. While I was pondering these things, the Emperor called my name once again, ¡°Ezekiel. Now for the final question.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± The next moment, space compressed. Suddenly, the Emperor and I were facing each other at a very close distance. Although he had no physical form, I could clearly feel a pair of piercing eyes staring at me. ¡°You, who cannot pass a single one of those trials.¡± Simultaneously, I detected something clearly mixed into the Emperor¡¯s voice, albeit very slightly. Surprisingly, it was doubt; it was undoubtedly doubt. ¡°You, who are utterly pathetic, you who could be crushed with a single gesture¡­¡± But then my mind went completely blank. Because the Emperor¡¯s next words were so shocking. ¡°¡­How on earth did you manage to win the hearts of all my daughters?¡± What? ¡­What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Chapter 12: The Inspector (1) ? Chapter 12 ¨C The Inspector (1) ?¡°Hmm.¡± I left the Emperor¡¯s quarters with mixed feelings. In my hand was a scroll given to me by the Emperor. ? First, become stronger than Ether. ? Second, become more noble than Hedera. ? Third, become more devout than Solana. ? Fourth, acquire more wealth than Chain. ? Fifth, reach a higher magic realm than Neo. Simply put, the Emperor¡¯s options were just two ¡ª either complete the prerequisites written on the scroll to escape being an ¡°inadequate man,¡± or just die. Except for the fifth item, the difficulty was nearly impossible, but what could I do? If I don¡¯t want to die, I have to do it. I couldn¡¯t die in vain after doing this out of resentment for my terminal illness. I muttered while chewing on the sunweed. ¡°¡­In the end, I couldn¡¯t even suggest pretending nothing happened.¡± Moreover, there was an even more crucial fact now. ¡ª How on earth did you manage to win the hearts of all my daughters? Yes, the Emperor definitely said that. The fact that the Emperor, not the princesses, presented the five prerequisites, and that he offered conditions instead of trying to kill me¡­ These clues suggest only one thing. ¡®Are the princesses considering this marriage positively?¡¯ ¡­All five of them? Given the circumstances, it seems so. Sufficiently so. This could be incredibly good news, but currently, my feelings were rather complicated. After all, the Emperor¡¯s way of thinking had long since left the realm of human comprehension. The biggest concern was the potential friction between the princesses and the Emperor. If they, who have reached the pinnacle in their respective fields, were to oppose the Emperor, the repercussions¡­ The chaos that could ensue across the continent was terrible even to imagine. Somehow, the future of the continent now depends on me. It was too late to back out, and the situation had grown too big to pretend nothing happened, so completing all the prerequisites was the only way to conclude this without any harm. That¡¯s the situation I¡¯m in now. ¡°Hah,¡± I sighed deeply, shaking off my worries. Nothing would change by dwelling on concerns and apprehensions. It¡¯s a hundred times more helpful to focus on what needs to be done and the positive aspects. The Emperor also said this¡ª ¡ªIf my daughter gets a husband, well, I don¡¯t think he¡¯d be terminally ill. Though indirectly, the Emperor¡¯s meaning was clear. If by any chance I were to marry a princess, he would help with my current terminal illness problem. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not impossible.¡± I muttered this as I made my way to my quarters. Hoo©¤ I exhaled a long stream of sunweed smoke. Tomorrow will be the start of some extremely busy days. ~~??~~??~~ The next day. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived!¡± I nodded at the coachman¡¯s call and got off. I now stood in the bustling area near the Imperial Magic Tower in the Empire¡¯s capital. The Magic Tower, so tall its peak was invisible to the naked eye; numerous towering buildings and floating objects in the air; passersby in mage-like attire with pointed hats and hoods, striding through the streets¡­ It was indeed a scene brimming with magical ambiance. I chewed on the sunweed while checking the schedule in my pocket. ¡®The inauguration ceremony for the Magic Tower Inspector is tonight.¡¯ I don¡¯t plan to make the ceremony too grand, but it would be odd to show up knowing absolutely nothing. Since this would be my workplace for a while, I intended to familiarize myself with the surroundings in advance. But then¡­ Clunk©¤! As soon as the carriage that brought me here departed, a much larger one took its place. The person getting out of the carriage was all too familiar. ¡°Solana?¡± The face of the Empire, the Angel of the Empire, Solana; her eyes widened as soon as she spotted me. ¡°Ah, Master?¡± She wore a hood tightly pulled over her head, perhaps trying to conceal her identity, but it was insufficient to hide her characteristic sunflower-like brightness. I asked her, ¡°What brings you here? What about the Holy Temple?¡± Solana was undoubtedly the Empire¡¯s greatest saint. No matter how many public activities she had, they couldn¡¯t compare to the days she spent inside the Holy Temple within the imperial palace. However, Solana just smiled, ¡°The Holy Temple is fine with all the other priests there. Someone needs to spread the Sun God¡¯s grace and teachings directly to the masses. This time, I¡¯m just doing it myself.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°By the way, Master, what a coincidence. To run into you like this.¡± ¡°Indeed. You must be busy too. Let¡¯s meet again when we have the chance.¡± Just as I turned to leave¡­ ¡°W-wait a moment! Master!¡± Solana swiftly blocked my path. ¡°Such coincidences are rare¡­! Have you eaten yet?¡± . . . . .? ¡°I see. I¡¯m glad the conversation went well.¡± At a restaurant in a bustling district. Solana nodded quietly as she chewed her food. I had just finished telling her about my meeting with the Emperor. Of course, I couldn¡¯t divulge everything that had transpired. I simply explained that while there were a few conditions, the conversation itself wasn¡¯t bad. S~?a??h the N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. It wasn¡¯t exactly a lie. Considering the Emperor¡¯s temperament, this could be considered a remarkably smooth dialogue. I took a bite of the sunweed and said, ¡°What, were you worried about me?¡± ¡°Of course I worry about you, Master. Isn¡¯t that natural?¡± Solana replied with unexpected confidence. Her reaction was as if I had stated something as obvious as the sun rising in the morning and the moon at night. Her boldness in expressing concern made me feel slightly embarrassed for my attempt at humor. ¡°Still, you shouldn¡¯t have put aside your work to follow me.¡± ¡°Oh, no, that¡¯s not it. We met by chance. You saw it yourself earlier, didn¡¯t you? Me getting out of the carriage by coincidence.¡± The world doesn¡¯t call that a coincidence. I was about to say that, but instead, I just chuckled and let it slide; there was something endearing about observing Solana¡¯s obvious lies; it reminded me of her younger self. ¡®She must have been really worried.¡¯ Though she pretended it was a chance encounter, it was clear Solana had followed me here, too concerned about my conversation with the Emperor to stay away. She cleared her throat a couple of times, ¡°More importantly, I have two urgent matters to discuss with you.¡± ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡± Thanks to her tightly drawn hood, fortunately, no one in the restaurant recognized or bothered Solana. I also had time to spare until dinner. ¡°First, your current living situation might be difficult.¡± ¡°You mean ¡®living arrangements,¡¯ not ¡®situation.¡¯¡± ¡°Right, living arrangements. That¡¯s what I said. Did I pronounce it wrong?¡± Solana laughed awkwardly, holding the back of her hand to her mouth. She was probably the only one unaware of how red her face had become. ¡°Why would my living arrangements be difficult? Surely there are dormitories in the magic tower.¡± ¡°Ah, about that, I have something to tell you.¡± Solana pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, ¡°I¡¯ve looked into everything in advance ¨C the dormitory capacity, how many rooms are available¡­ Let¡¯s review it now that we¡¯re on the subject.¡± Her eyes narrowed as she read down the paper. ¡°¡­Oh? This can¡¯t be.¡± Finally, with a grave expression, she spoke in a serious tone. Her eyes were filled with shock and concern. ¡°Master, what should we do? There are no rooms left.¡± Is that even possible? Solana grinned. ¡°But it¡¯s alright. As it happens, I¡¯ve rented a house nearby because I have so many matters to attend to in this area. The house turned out to be much larger than I expected. If you don¡¯t mind, why don¡¯t you stay there with me?¡± ¡°Let me see that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Solana quietly licked her lower lip. She glanced back and forth between the paper and me, then suddenly began to look twice as shocked as before; her hands trembled as she widened her eyes to almost twice their size. ¡°What should we do¡­ Master, there really are no rooms available in the dormitory.¡± ¡°I said, let me see it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Finally, I used telekinesis to snatch the paper. Upon inspection, not only was the dormitory fully occupied, but it was surprisingly empty. It seemed inexplicably vacant. ¡°There are plenty of empty rooms.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Solana discreetly avoided my gaze. It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to stay with Solana. However, there were too many factors to consider before rashly going through with such an arrangement. What would happen if people found out that the Empire¡¯s face, the so-called Angel of the Empire, was living with a man? ¡­The repercussions would be enormous. Moreover, I had no time for distractions with the urgent task at hand. ¡°Let¡¯s reconsider living together later. For now, the magic tower takes priority.¡± Solana blinked, as if she had heard something unexpected. ¡°Oh? Have you become interested in the magic tower affairs now?¡± ¡°It seems that¡¯s how things turned out.¡± Now I was in a position where I had to take great interest in solving the magic tower¡¯s problems. Otherwise, I might end up dead. My gaze shifted to Solana, whose eyes had suddenly brightened. ¡°So, what¡¯s the second thing?¡± ¡°Ah, the second matter.¡± Solana nodded as if she just remembered. ¡°The second is about your inauguration ceremony this evening.¡± ¡°My inauguration?¡± ¡°Yes. While the living arrangements are important, this is also why I decided I needed to ¡®coincidentally¡¯ meet you. It seemed crucial.¡± ¡­Decided to meet me? Is she unaware that she¡¯s confessing to intentionally following me? It seems she¡¯s not even trying to hide it anymore. Anyway, she once again reached into her pocket. ¡°¡­¡­¡± I inadvertently furrowed my brow slightly. Because what she pulled out was none other than an envelope. ¡°Look here. Two letters addressed to you.¡± Chapter 13: The Inspector (2) ? Chapter 13 ¨C The Inspector (2) ?In the office of the Chief of Imperial Administration. ¡°Agnes, you¡¯re submitting a resignation letter? Are you out of your mind?¡± The Chief of Imperial Administration stared across at her with widened eyes, as if he¡¯d heard something preposterous. He was holding Agnes¡¯s resignation letter in his hand. Agnes replied without a hint of hesitation, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just keep saying ¡®yes¡¯. Explain yourself. You¡¯ve finally earned a position as an Imperial Administrator after all your struggles in the Magic Tower, and now you want to go back? Does that make any sense?¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± ¡°Why this all of a sudden? Are you ill?¡± But her decision had been made long ago. She always gave her all to her assigned duties, but she wasn¡¯t foolish enough to accept being treated as disposable. This recent mission at the Palace of Penance had led her to decide on retirement; her illusions about the Imperial Administrator position had been completely shattered. ¡°This work doesn¡¯t suit me.¡± ¡°Is it as difficult as work in the Imperial Magic Tower? It must be better than that!¡± The Chief raised his voice, trying to hold onto Agnes. From his perspective, a competent newcomer like Agnes was a rare find, appearing maybe once every few years. She was even taciturn to boot. Letting her go felt like an unbearable loss. However, Agnes¡¯s expression remained as impassive as ever. Though she was merely an administrator here, Agnes had been a renowned magician in her own right at the Imperial Magic Tower. No matter how grueling life there had been, she had never felt like a disposable resource. The Chief continued anxiously, ¡°I always emphasize this. It¡¯s most comfortable to just carry out your duties. The Magic Tower has so many people to deal with.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine with me.¡± ¡°I hear a new inspector is being appointed. What if they¡¯re the complete opposite of you? Are you confident you can endure that? It¡¯ll be too late to turn back then! Once you turn your back on the Magic Tower, you can¡¯t come back here!¡± ¡°Yes. That¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll be going now.¡± Agnes turned on her heel, her short black hair swaying. ¡°Agnes, wait just a moment! Agnes!¡± The Chief¡¯s cries did nothing to stop her steps. Click©¤ click©¤ With a resolute heart, she began to turn the cube. She was now heading back to the Imperial Magic Tower, with a heart at peace. ~~??~~??~~ At a restaurant in the downtown area near the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°¡­Letters?¡± I furrowed my brow at the mention of letters. It was a natural reaction. Wasn¡¯t this whole situation triggered by the letters I¡¯d written while drunk? Could it be that the replies from the other four had finally arrived? Fortunately, I soon realized my assumption was wrong. ¡°They¡¯re letters from the Magic Tower. Since they didn¡¯t know your address, they were sent to the palace first. Would you like to read them?¡± ¡°I might as well.¡± ¡°Given the timing, they must be about the inauguration ceremony.¡± Thankfully, these weren¡¯t marriage proposal letters. With a sense of relief, I unfolded the two sheets of paper. First, the first letter. ===== x ===== x ===== x ===== To the esteemed Inspector, Congratulations on your appointment as this year¡¯s Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. We wish you continued good health. We eagerly anticipate how your blank years of experience will be filled with achievements at the Tower. I am Nox, the Chief of Administration at the Tower. It¡¯s difficult to convey sincerity and dedication through mere text, isn¡¯t it? We¡¯ve prepared an inauguration ceremony at the high-end restaurant ¡®Dawn¡¯s Rest¡¯ today. If you can make it on time, I will be sure to greet you personally. ===== x ===== x ===== x ===== ¡®The Chief of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower, huh.¡¯ As Solana had said, it was about the inauguration ceremony. The Chief of Administration would be a fairly high position, though lower than the Inspector. I proceeded to read the remaining letter. ===== x ===== x ===== x ===== Congratulations on your appointment as Inspector. It¡¯s truly welcome news that talent is coming to the Tower. I¡¯m sure there will be blessings in the magic you utilize. Though I¡¯ve never heard of a commoner making a mark at the Tower, I have expectations for you. I am Widro, the Chief of Administration at the Tower. The position of Inspector isn¡¯t easy, but I have a considerable amount of information that could be of help. I¡¯ve prepared an inauguration ceremony at the high-end restaurant ¡®Twilight¡¯s Breath¡¯. I look forward to our meeting. ===== x ===== x ===== x ===== After reading both letters, I closed my eyes. Two Chiefs of Administration, a one-time inauguration ceremony at the same time, but different locations mentioned in the two letters¡­. All the clues pointed to only one thing. ¡°¡­Would you look at that?¡± This was clearly about factions. There were two separate factions within the Imperial Magic Tower. The intention behind designing it so that I, the newly appointed Inspector, could only visit one side was obvious without asking. They wanted to see from day one which Chief of Administration I would align with. In other words, to put it very simply¡­. ©¤Who are you going to side with? That¡¯s what they were asking. These mere fledglings. My gaze turned to Solana sitting across from me. S?a??h the ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. She looked like a bright sunflower turned towards me. Curious about both the content of the letters and my reaction, she had been staring at me with sparkling eyes. ¡°Solana, do you know about Nox, the Chief of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Of course. He¡¯s the leader of the Practical faction.¡± ¡°What about Widro?¡± ¡°I know him too. He¡¯s the leader of the opposite camp, the Theoretical faction.¡± Solana¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t tell me, the letters were from each of them?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°Oh dear, I suppose the content wasn¡¯t pleasant.¡± She placed her small palm on her forehead. ¡°Actually, the Imperial Magic Tower doesn¡¯t just have poor relations with outsiders. There¡¯s also an intense rivalry between the two schools internally. It¡¯s not widely known, but those who need to know, know.¡± ¡°A rivalry between two schools?¡± ¡°Yes. Theory versus practicality¡­ That¡¯s the nature of the conflict.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that magic scrolls have developed quite a bit.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. As the level of scrolls has improved beyond expectations, many existing magic practices are being questioned these days.¡± Solana¡¯s subsequent explanation was simple and clear. As scrolls developed beyond a certain point, a sharp divide emerged within the Imperial Magic Tower between the Practical School, which blindly believes in scrolls, and the Theoretical School, which still adheres to traditional methods. ¡®Asking me to choose between them, how absurd.¡¯ In any case, her explanation confirmed the existence of factions and their attempt to draw me into this conflict. A hint of concern colored Solana¡¯s expression. ¡°Did they make some unreasonable demands of you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that part.¡± I had no intention of taking sides with either faction; and I certainly won¡¯t be manipulated according to their wishes. There was something else that bothered me more. ¡°How are my background and experience currently known?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Since your records were erased, there¡¯s no career to speak of. Your status should be listed as a commoner.¡± ¡°I see.¡± That makes sense. I understand now. What bothered me most at the moment was their attitude. I reread the key sentences in the letters. ¡ª We eagerly anticipate how your blank years of experience will be filled with achievements at the Tower. ¡®Let¡¯s see what accomplishments this inexperienced nobody can achieve.¡¯ ¡ª Though I¡¯ve never heard of a commoner making a mark at the Tower, I have expectations for you. ¡®What¡¯s a commoner doing in the Magic Tower? Let¡¯s see if you can make any impact.¡¯ The meaning was so transparent, I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Hoo©¤ I exhaled a long stream of the sunweed smoke. ¡°Well, I¡¯m being treated like a proper parachute appointment.¡± A commoner by birth, with no experience. For the seasoned Chiefs of Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower, there couldn¡¯t be a better prey. How convenient it would be to chew me up thoroughly and use me as a puppet inspector. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± It was then that I felt Solana¡¯s gaze fixed on me. She was watching me, her chin resting on both hands on the table. At a glance, she looked like a sunflower with its flower base. I also met her eyes silently, chewing on the sunweed. We used to have moments like this in the past occasionally. Moments of just looking at each other without saying anything. Solana broke the silence first, ¡°You know, Master.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Spending time like this, just the two of us, doesn¡¯t it feel like¡­¡± ¡°It does.¡± We spoke simultaneously. ¡°It feels like we¡¯re having a lesson.¡± ¡°It feels like we¡¯re on a date.¡± Solana¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°¡­A lesson? What am I supposed to be learning right now?¡± ¡°A first-rate person should be able to learn from anything they see.¡± ¡°Forget it. Anyway, this isn¡¯t a lesson.¡± Solana waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Anyway, you seem quite pleased right now. What¡¯s it about? Can I hear it too?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing special.¡± I crunched on the sunweed. The small popping sensation in my mouth. Nice. ¡°They¡¯re just asking for a good scolding.¡± It wasn¡¯t a troublesome matter at all. Just a bit annoying. Chapter 14: The Inspector (3) ? Chapter 14 ¨C The Inspector (3) ?After finishing our meal, I parted ways with Solana for a while. Although she seemed to want to spend more time together, we both had urgent matters to attend to. For instance, I had my inauguration ceremony in just a few hours. ¡°It¡¯s quite lively.¡± The number of people bustling through the busy streets was increasing. Clean streets without a speck of trash, buildings and facilities lined up at regular intervals, and faces moving with both busyness and vitality. Standing in the center of it all, I reflected on my conversation with Solana. ¡ª I need to send a reply. Give me their address. ¡ª What will you write? ¡ª Just one line. I¡¯m only going to write about the location. ¡ª Ah, you plan to summon them directly. But she showed signs of concern. ¡ª Providing the address itself is easy¡­ but I¡¯m not sure if the department heads will read your reply. It¡¯s hard to guarantee. Solana¡¯s subsequent explanation made quite a bit of sense. From their perspective, there¡¯s a high chance they won¡¯t read a reply from someone known to be of common birth with no experience. Even if they do read it, they¡¯re likely to ignore it until the inauguration ceremony. I exhaled a puff of sunweed smoke. ¡°This is why fame is troublesome, and obscurity is frustrating.¡± ¡ª Well, let¡¯s send the reply first. I have a plan. So I had sent the reply, and now I needed to find a way. A way to make those guys read my reply somehow and come running to the specified location. As I continued pondering while walking for quite some time. I suddenly stopped in my tracks. It was in front of a hair salon. I was about to pass by, but my reflection in the glass window caught my attention. Like a wolf that had been rolling around in the wild, with white hair flowing down to my waist, chewing on sunweed ¡ª a rather unkempt appearance. It would be somewhat inappropriate to attend the inauguration ceremony looking like this. ¡®I should at least look presentable as an inspector.¡¯ Since I could think about my plan while sitting down, there was no reason to hesitate visiting the salon. I made up my mind and stepped inside. ¡°Uh¡­¡± The height difference between the hairdresser and me was truly immense. She looked up at me, far above her, and stammered, ¡°Are you¡­ here for a haircut?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Um¡­ you¡¯ll need to put out your cigarette¡­¡± She mumbled in a timid voice, carefully gauging my reaction. While I had no intention of causing trouble, I usually need a few conditions met before I can spit out my sunweed. ¡°How long will it take?¡± ¡°We can start right away, so 20 minutes should be enough.¡± ¡°20 minutes, alright.¡± I spat out the sunweed into the trash can. Due to my unique constitution that freezes even my surroundings, I always need sunweed, but I can manage for about 30 minutes. I should be able to endure and prevent the area from freezing over through sheer willpower. As I sat in the chair, the hairdresser cautiously asked, ¡°How would you like your haircut?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± I pondered for a moment what kind of hairstyle would suit me. Truth be told, I was confident I could pull off any hairstyle, but I didn¡¯t want to completely chop off the long hair that had accompanied me on my lengthy journey. ¡°Just trim it moderately.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll cut it to about shoulder length then.¡± However, as the hairdresser was about to put her scissors to my hair, she hesitated and couldn¡¯t start working. She just kept nervously glancing at my eyes through the mirror. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re too tall. Could you please lower your head a bit?¡± Instead of answering, I slightly lowered my head. Snip¡ª Snip¡ª S~?a??h the n0v?l(?)ire.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. And soon, the sound of scissors filled the space. At the same time, I sank back into the contemplation I had been engaged in earlier. There¡¯s always a solution in any situation. It should be the same now. Snip¡ª Snip¡ª Snip¡ª Snip¡ª Continued pondering, continued snipping. As time flowed like water, suddenly¡ª Bang! A loud noise erupted from outside the shop. It sounded like a sugar lump shattering. The sound was so intense that it pierced through all the noise of the already bustling street, causing the hairdresser to quickly turn her head in that direction. I too rolled my eyes. Not because the noise bothered me, but because it was a familiar sound. If my intuition was correct, it was probably the sound of ice crystals shattering. ¡®That¡¯s right. It¡¯s ice.¡¯ Shifting my gaze, I spotted a boy. He was shabbily dressed, barely covered in rags, and kept trying to create ice crystals the size of his head in mid-air. Bang! But it was a failure. The ice crystal, about the size of a watermelon, simply exploded. The hairdresser sighed deeply after seeing ice fragments scatter everywhere. ¡°Ah¡­ Why does he have to do this here of all places? Those don¡¯t even melt easily, looks like I¡¯ll have to clean it up again¡­¡± ¡°Do you know that boy?¡± ¡°He¡¯s more like a familiar beggar. A magic beggar.¡± After hearing the word ¡®beggar¡¯, I finally understood that the tin can at the boy¡¯s feet was meant for collecting silver coins and the like. Well, magic was a field that required astronomical costs. Food expenses for self-improvement, training fees, tool costs¡­ Except for breathing, you had to pay enormous costs for everything just to barely maintain the title of a mage. The hairdresser continued with a sullen expression, ¡°Usually, they show off impressive magic and beg for silver coins. But that kid always fails. I¡¯ve never seen him succeed even once.¡± ¡°Yet he comes to this place every time?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no place in the busy district where more people pass by than this street. Sigh, if he¡¯s going to show magic, he should at least practice. He¡¯s driving away all the customers who were going to come¡­¡± Snip¡ª Snip¡ª The haircut continued and I kept my gaze fixed on the boy. Bang¡ª! This time, the ice scattered even more violently than before. The crowd stirred greatly. People whose clothes were hit by ice crystals frowned, and even the hairdresser who had been treating me kindly seemed to be gradually losing her composure. ¡°What on earth is he trying to make?¡± People coming to check what was happening, others backing away in shock after seeing the situation¡­ The street was a melting pot of all sorts of human reactions, truly in chaos. I quietly spoke up, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± The hairdresser¡¯s hand hesitated, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You don¡¯t want this part cut?¡± I shook my head. I wasn¡¯t talking about the hair, but about the ice. ¡°¡­That boy isn¡¯t trying to make anything right now.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± I quietly observed the boy¡¯s actions. Bang¡ª! Boom¡ª! Explosions repeating without a single success, people openly glaring and cursing. I tried to focus solely on the boy¡¯s magic and ice, ignoring all other scenes for now; rather than understanding the boy¡¯s results, I tried to understand his motivation. As a result, something occurred to me. Perhaps this is¡­ ¡®An ice rainbow?¡¯ A technique of scattering countless intricate ice crystals to showcase multiple rainbows at once. The boy was probably attempting that; it was a technique that somewhat fit the boy¡¯s current situation. To those not involved in ice magic, it would be an infinitely beautiful sight, so he was likely planning to use it to beg for money. Bang¡ª! Ice scattering everywhere due to failure. Simultaneously, the crowd stirred. I organized my thoughts while observing this scene. Bang¡ª! The fame I need to gain in a short time. Making the department heads follow the letter. The problems I need to solve immediately. Meanwhile, the hairdresser stopped cutting. ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m finished. Do you like it?¡± At her question, I grinned, ¡°¡­I like it very much.¡± A way to solve everything at once. It came to me. ~~??~~??~~ Bang¡ª! Another spectacular failure. The boy was frustrated; he didn¡¯t want to go hungry today. So he was determined to somehow create an ice rainbow and receive alms from people. But the situation wasn¡¯t good. Perhaps due to his many previous failures, there weren¡¯t many people near the boy anymore. The once lively street had somehow become as quiet as a dead mouse. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The boy, about to attempt once more, suddenly stopped. A huge shadow was gradually enveloping him. Looking up, he saw a man staring down at him, and their eyes naturally met. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The boy unconsciously gulped. An impossibly tall height, blue eyes so cold they sent chills just by looking at them, and neatly trimmed white hair that exuded nobility. Before his brain could process it, his mouth moved, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll leave.¡± That was the best he could muster at the moment. He was on the verge of starvation even without anyone bothering him. He didn¡¯t have the strength to endure the pain if he got beaten up here. The man quietly bent his knee. As their eyes leveled, the boy tightly shut his eyes. The worst-case scenario he had anticipated was right in front of him. However. He had to open his eyes wide soon after. ¡°Ice rainbow.¡± Because the man muttered something utterly unexpected. ¡°It¡¯s an ice rainbow, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± With eyes wide open, the boy nodded. Until now, no one had ever shown interest in his magic. No, more than that, he always failed so no one even recognized what he was trying to do. ¡°You won¡¯t earn a penny making it like that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The small head bowed down with a dejected expression. It was the fact the boy knew best. It was also a frustrating reality. His own ability was far too inadequate to manifest an ice rainbow. ¡°Have you ever seen an ice rainbow in person?¡± The boy shook his head, ¡°¡­No.¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s good.¡± The man exhaled smoke and showed a faint smile, ¡°Watch carefully.¡± That smile held a composure the boy had never possessed. ¡°I¡¯ll show you just once.¡± Just one sentence, but the boy instinctively sensed it. A realm of instinct far from logic and reason that could never be understood rationally. It whispered quietly to the boy. That this street would soon be filled with people. Chapter 15: The Inspector (4) ? Chapter 15 ¨C The Inspector (4) ?Ice rainbow, also known as seven-colored ice. This was an advanced ice magic that required a total of five different spells to perform. Despite recent advancements in magic scroll technology, most of these advancements had been practical rather than artistic. Thus, scrolls that could perform spells like the Seven-Colored Ice, which blend artistry with magic, were still rare. In other words, the success and form of such a magic spell depend entirely on the caster. It can be considered an art, with mana as the paint, and the caster¡¯s imagination as the brush. Ezekiel spat out the sunweed and turned his palm towards the sky. The boy, without realizing it, focused intently. ¡­What kind of magic would unfold? A chill began to swirl above the palm. It was incomparable to the mass the boy had struggled to form. The shape was intricate, and the size several times larger. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The boy unconsciously held his breath; his heart began to race as he became certain he would see an ice rainbow¡ªsomething he had never witnessed in his entire life. Yet, the man¡¯s eyes held a somewhat distant look. As if a realm unreachable to others even after a lifetime of struggle was utterly simple for him; as if a spectacle that ordinary people might see once in their lives, if they¡¯re lucky, was all too familiar to him. As if he were merely recalling a common scene from the past. ¡°¡­This brings back memories,¡± Ezekiel merely murmured. ~~??~~??~~ Meanwhile, 30 minutes earlier. Near the Imperial Magic Tower in the bustling district. Widro, the head of the theoretical faction at the Imperial Magic Tower, stroking his white beard, he spoke, ¡°Only a few hours left until the inauguration ceremony. Has the reservation been made without issue? And the letter, you didn¡¯t forget to send it?¡± ¡°Of course not. I¡¯ve reserved ¡®Twilight¡¯s Breath¡¯, the most prestigious place in the area. Those practical faction fellows must be feeling bitter by now.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± Nodding with satisfaction, he was currently leading his group through the busy streets. The reason ¡ª to hold a strategy meeting for today¡¯s inauguration ceremony. As they were heading towards ¡®Breath of Sunset¡¯¡ª Bang! Everyone frowned at the sudden noise. Just as those trained in music had exceptionally keen hearing, mages were highly sensitive to sounds produced by magic. And that sound was particularly abhorrent; the sound of a spell failing miserably. Like instruments being randomly smashed, it was grotesque. Bang! Bang! The parade of failures and noise continued. Even as they turned towards the source of the sound, the actual caster was hidden by the crowd. Widro had to suppress the urge to overturn everything. ¡°Seems someone is begging using magic.¡± ¡°Is the bustling district always like this? It¡¯s changed a lot since I last saw it.¡± ¡°Yes, this kind of thing is quite common.¡± In truth, Widro wasn¡¯t well-versed in the ways of the bustling district. He was an extremely authoritarian mage who avoided spending time in busy areas, considering it too common. ¡°Those who want to do magic but lack talent, those who lack money for magic but don¡¯t want to do manual labor¡­ Such people often resort to magic begging.¡± ¡°Hmph. These days, people take magic too lightly,¡± Widro snorted. Magic was never a field easy enough for common folk to dabble in. Not only was the difficulty of spellcasting high, but each manifestation was imbued with noble etiquette, and various magical activities require enormous amounts of money. ¡°No need to worry too much. Those who fail at begging will naturally disappear.¡± ¡°I¡¯m most curious about the one making the noise. How can they keep trying? Don¡¯t they feel any self-loathing producing such things? Aren¡¯t they ashamed?¡± People seemed to share similar sentiments as they began to leave the area one by one. It must have been more horrific up close. Finally visible, the caster was a beggar boy, and the area around him had cleared as if a barrier had formed. Except for one person. Well-groomed white hair falling to the shoulders, tall stature¡­ Only one man remained by the boy¡¯s side until the end. Widro gestured toward that man with his chin, ¡°Why isn¡¯t that one leaving?¡± ¡°Must be an outsider. It probably seems interesting to him.¡± ¡°He watches that trash out of curiosity? He must have a strong stomach.¡± Widro didn¡¯t want to pay attention to such abysmal spell manifestation, so their conversation topic naturally shifted. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this new inspector who¡¯s being inaugurated.¡± He pulled out a rectangular object from his breast pocket. It was none other than an envelope. ¡°He even sent a reply already? Quite a bold fellow.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be good to check the contents? Who knows, he might have written asking for your favor since he¡¯s in line behind you, Widro.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already read it. The reply is even bolder,¡± Widro let out a derisive chuckle. ¡°He just wrote down the location. Does he think he can summon me? Has this commoner lost all sense of propriety?¡± ¡°¡­That is indeed strange. Not only a commoner but one without experience, daring to show such audacity towards you, Widro?¡± While the inspector might outrank him officially, Widro far surpassed him in understanding of the Magic Tower¡¯s internal affairs and practical experience. In other words, coming to the Magic Tower with just an Inspector¡¯s title meant nothing; trying to push through various tasks would only lead to complaints about ¡®not understanding the local situation at all.¡¯ If he understood this flow, he wouldn¡¯t dare to be so bold. ¡°When one knows nothing, they often become reckless. To think such a person is the Inspector, truly the world is in decline,¡± Widro clicked his tongue. ¡°Anyway, he¡¯ll surely choose our side, right?¡± ¡°How could he possibly side with those practical faction fools? If he understands even a little about your position, Widro, he wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Finally, Widro¡¯s lips curled up in satisfaction, ¡°I think so too. If he stands with us, I¡¯ll have to consider what to do with him. I have many ideas in mind.¡± All Widro had lacked in his time at the Imperial Magic Tower was higher status and stronger power. Now that he was about to obtain even that, he could pull out all the thorns in his side. The very thought was exhilarating. ¡°Will you deal with the practical faction first?¡± ¡°Of course. It¡¯s absurd to allow those parasites clinging to scrolls into the tower and call themselves mages.¡± However, someone nearby expressed concern. ¡°But¡­ Widro, I¡¯m a bit worried about something.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this year¡¯s schedule for the Imperial Magic Tower too tight? We have to present our achievements for the past 10 years, and there¡¯s the inter-tower competition¡­¡± The performance presentation of the six towers occured every 10 years. In fact, thanks to this, it wasn¡¯t obvious, but the Imperial Magic Tower hadn¡¯t done much in the past decade. It wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say it was just a glossy shell. ¡­It was actually a very big deal. For the Imperial Magic Tower to maintain its current position, it needed to accomplish something in one go that surpassed the achievements other towers have steadily built over 10 years. Widro looked at him seriously. ¡°So what are you trying to say? That we should use scrolls for immediate results and victory in the competition?¡± ¡°No, absolutely not. That¡¯s not what I meant at all.¡± ¡°Then?¡± S?a??h the Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Given the scale of this year¡¯s events, I¡¯m worried the Imperial Magic Tower might not be able to continue¡­¡± ¡°You fool!¡± Widro thundered before he could finish, ¡°Why on earth should I worry about such a problem?¡± ¡°P-pardon?¡± ¡°If there¡¯s a problem with the Imperial Magic Tower, that¡¯s for the Inspector to take responsibility. I just need to drive out those unsightly practical faction members!¡± ¡°But if the entire Imperial Magic Tower falls¡­¡± ¡°That will never happen. How long has the tradition of the Imperial Magic Tower lasted? It won¡¯t disappear. Only the Inspector will change, that¡¯s all.¡± A quick-witted individual swiftly joined the conversation. ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯ll drive out the practical faction, the inspector will take responsibility for the performance¡­ Perhaps after that, you could become the Inspector yourself, Widro.¡± ¡°Me, the Inspector? Ho ho ho¡­¡± Widro¡¯s face filled with a covetous desire. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± At some point during their walk, the theoretical faction group came to a halt. They had encountered unwelcome faces. The opposite side seemed to feel the same, stopping abruptly. It was Nox, the leader of the practical faction, and his group. ¡°Move aside.¡± Despite Widro¡¯s words, both sides merely glared at each other with hostile eyes, neither willing to give way first. ¡°I said move. Did reserving a restaurant far beyond your class make you impatient? Is that why you¡¯re trying to interfere like this?¡± ¡°What nonsense.¡± Nox slightly pushed up the middle of his glasses with his ring and middle fingers. Behind the lenses, his eyes remained expressionless, ¡°For so-called mages to compete over a restaurant¡¯s reputation, isn¡¯t that childish and pathetic? We don¡¯t stoop to such things. We compete with skill.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I understand your feelings. You must be anxious. After pouring years into each magic technique, seeing youngsters manifest with a single scroll activation must twist your guts.¡± Widro¡¯s expression grew more severe. The atmosphere between the practical and theoretical factions was becoming increasingly hostile. Widro slowly stroked his beard, ¡°Why would I have any reason to feel that way?¡± ¡°Why tell such an obvious lie? You¡¯re like a senile old man in the back room, struggling every moment without realizing you¡¯ve already been pushed aside.¡± ¡°Someone died recently, didn¡¯t they? From the practical faction.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..?¡± Nox¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°An accidental death. That¡¯s how it was reported.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s absurd. A mage dying not from a spell backfire, not from being trapped in a mana-void space, but simply from forgetting a scrap of scroll paper.¡± Widro¡¯s expression showed nothing but contempt as he clicked his tongue. It was as if he¡¯d heard news of an insect accidentally crushed underfoot. Blatant disdain, undisguised disregard. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Nox quietly fingered the scroll in his breast pocket. Simultaneously, Widro began to slowly draw up mana. Just as the verbal sparring was about to turn physical, someone shouted¡ª ¡°Hey, hey! Look at that!¡± It was an understandable outcry. The sight of major figures from the Imperial Magic Tower openly confronting each other on the street was bound to draw attention. Widro and Nox continued to glare at each other murderously. Nox pushed up his glasses and said¡ª ¡°Would you like to taste this scrap of paper?¡± ¡°Were you planning to have an accidental death today too? I hadn¡¯t known.¡± At that moment, someone else shouted¡ª ¡°That¡­! What is that!¡± ¡°Huh? Whoa!¡± The people¡¯s reactions were oddly out of sync with their own actions. Puzzled by this, Nox and Widro turned their heads simultaneously. And then they understood. The surrounding people weren¡¯t interested in them at all. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Nox and Widro muttered in unison. Far off in the air, an ice sphere surrounded by a cloud of cold air was rotating. Even at a glance, it was enormous, dispersing an incredible aura in all directions as if it were the source of mana itself. People continued to shout¡ª ¡°Isn¡¯t that dangerous?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it!¡± Like an egg about to hatch, the sphere in the air vibrated with a cracking sound. It was clearly an ominous phenomenon to anyone watching. ¡°It¡¯s going to burst! It¡¯s definitely going to explode!¡± ¡°Everyone run!¡± If such an enormous mass of cold energy were to explode¡­ No one could guarantee what would happen to the surrounding area. Crack! Crack! An ominous sound like the harbinger of disaster. People scattered in all directions in panic. ¡­But. Amidst the chaos, one person shouted. It was someone by Nox¡¯s side. ¡°Oh, oh? That man¡­!¡± He pointed at the protagonist of this commotion with wide eyes. ¡°It¡¯s him! It¡¯s definitely that man!¡± The gazes of those nearby instantly turned to him. It was impossible not to be curious about someone who knew the person responsible for causing such an enormous disturbance. What followed was even more shocking. ¡°The Inspector! It¡¯s the Inspector who¡¯s about to be inaugurated!¡± This time, the gazes of both factions turned towards the Inspector. The Inspector¡¯s expression was strange. It was the look of a not-unlikeable mischief-maker. Chapter 16: The Inspector (5) ? Chapter 16 ¨C The Inspector (5) ?¡­That man is the Inspector who¡¯s about to be inaugurated? Nox and Widro had the same thought simultaneously. Crack! Crack! But there was no time to be lost in thought. The sphere surrounded by cold air rotated madly, filled with an ominous aura, seemingly about to explode at any moment. It was truly a terrifying sight. The confused crowd began to shout wildly. ¡°That¡­ Shouldn¡¯t we stop it?¡± ¡°It looks dangerous!¡± If a sphere containing such a massive amount of mana were to explode, it would tear everything around it to shreds. Widro and Nox immediately prepared to face the crisis in their own ways. In fact, if this was a crisis, it was also an opportunity for them. With people in chaos now, if they became the heroes who defended against it, they could both demonstrate their power and gain fame. Crack! Rumble! However, another problem existed. The sphere¡¯s energy was far more enormous than imagined. Rumble! A brief thought flashed through Nox and Widro¡¯s minds. Perhaps even they might not be able to defend against it. The moment they thought this, a grand explosion occurred. Whoosh! ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± ¡°Guh!¡± Everyone in the area covered their eyes with both arms. Even though hastily cast defensive spells flew out haphazardly, they couldn¡¯t do anything about the brilliant light scattering in all directions. So everyone remained frozen with their eyes tightly shut for 1 second. 5 seconds. 10 seconds. Pitter! Patter! The sound of something light tapping on the barrier was heard. No, ¡°tapping¡± might be too strong a word. It was more like something settling on top of a curtain. Though they worried about a possible massive aftershock¡­ That was all. Even after 30 seconds, nothing more happened. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± They had anticipated the worst, but nothing worthy of being called ¡®the worst¡¯ had occurred. Nox, Widro, and the nearby mages slowly opened their eyes and surveyed their surroundings, feeling a sense of dissonance. ¡®¡­Frost? Hail?¡¯ What had settled on the protective barriers was merely frost or hail. An attack spell? No, everything was intact. Not only was nothing destroyed, but it was also hard to even consider this magic as an attack. The ice was so weak and fragile that it was melting in real-time as they observed. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The surrounding area was already quiet. People who had been running away in all directions had stopped to look around, and those who had fallen to the ground were getting up. There were no injuries whatsoever; a peace devoid of even screams. A world unchanged except for being slightly colder. What was the purpose of the explosion that had just occurred? No one here could understand the reason yet. Nox and Widro looked at each other simultaneously. ¡®I didn¡¯t stop it, but surely he didn¡¯t either?¡¯ But as soon as their eyes met, they knew. It definitely wasn¡¯t the other who had stopped it. At that moment, they could clearly read the elements in each other¡¯s expressions. Surprise, bewilderment, awe¡­ Well, it wasn¡¯t just them. The entire surroundings were the same. ¡°What on earth happened?¡± ¡°Nothing happened?¡± ¡°Was it just an illusion?¡± ¡°¡­A prank to scare people?¡± Unable to understand the intent of the magic at all, everyone¡¯s gaze turned to the caster. As they waited for him to say something¡­ ¡°Up¡­!¡± Someone shouted with all their might. ¡°Up there! Look up!¡± At the urgent voice, everyone¡¯s heads turned upward. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± And everyone in the area was shocked. For a moment, they had imagined a terrible scene, but what actually unfolded in the sky was the exact opposite¡ªa spectacle. Fragments of light split into hexagons as they passed through crystal-like ice formations, spreading out in seven brilliant colors. Beautiful. They couldn¡¯t help but be transfixed, their gazes stolen. ¡°Wow¡­¡± People¡¯s mouths slowly opened. This street, once a place where magic beggars pleaded, where factions of the Imperial Magic Tower fought fiercely, where everyone was too busy coming and going to find happiness or leisure¡­ Now, it has become an art gallery where everyone could indulge in leisure. Mages often say ¡ª S~?a??h the ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Magic is the power to make miracles real. Yet it was not far removed from reality, but rather touched it closely. It took ordinary, trivial things and season them to make them special, inevitably captivating everyone. Was this moment special for everyone? It was hard to say. But one thing was certain ¡ª everyone was undoubtedly captivated. Countless rainbows fell slowly like parachutes, and people¡¯s gazes followed them. It created a pleasant illusion of the sky lowering. Swish¡ª As if showing off its parade of seven colors, the light swirled around the caster¡¯s body before vanishing with a poof. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± A world now without any traces left. Everyone¡¯s gaze naturally turned to Ezekiel. ¡°My goodness.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.¡± Sound finally returned to the world. People murmured such things while touching their own faces. For some reason, they felt like they might have been unconsciously mimicking the man¡¯s relaxed smile. It wasn¡¯t terrorism, but art. And that art clearly contained something incredible. Most of the people strutting through this bustling area weren¡¯t ordinary folk, but mages. There were realms visible only to those who knew; as people who had learned and attempted magic themselves, they couldn¡¯t help but be even more amazed. No, they were astounded. ¡­An incredible feat. The difficulty was undoubtedly high, and they couldn¡¯t even begin to fathom how the detailed elements were designed. It was at such an impressive level that it could be a lifelong goal. ¡°¡­That¡¯s all.¡± The caster, Ezekiel, murmured. Only then did people return to reality. The light had disappeared, and all traces of ice had completely evaporated. Except for the lingering impression left on people, it was as if nothing had ever happened here. ¡­Yes, like a midsummer day¡¯s dream. Only after realizing it was over did people start exhaling here and there. They wanted to praise the caster. Or perhaps ask to see it just once more. Somehow, the beggar boy¡¯s can was already overflowing with silver coins. ¡°Um, excuse me¡­!¡± Just as someone finally mustered the courage to speak¡ª Ezekiel shook his head. He merely smiled faintly, as if knowing what words were about to come his way. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m busy with my inauguration ceremony soon.¡± Leaving behind just those words, the man vanished without even allowing people a chance to stop him. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Meanwhile, Nox and Widro flinched, startled by the mention of the inauguration ceremony. More urgently than ever, they rummaged through their pockets and simultaneously pulled out something. It was the reply from Ezekiel ¡ª they checked the contents as if entranced. [ Imperial Magic Tower Cafeteria ] It was just a single line. ¡­But somehow, it felt like they absolutely had to go. ~~??~~??~~ The Holy Temple. In a space filled with darkness, light seeped through the single glass window. What it revealed, like a spotlight, was a woman offering a devout prayer. The Angel of the Empire, the Saintess, Solana. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± She suddenly spoke words that weren¡¯t a prayer. But she was still kneeling in a praying posture. ¡°What brings you here? I thought you disliked the human realm, finding it trivial.¡± The Saintess¡¯ characteristically gentle voice filled the empty space. Then, a presence submerged in darkness revealed its outline. ¡°Second Imperial Princess, Hedera.¡± Click¡ª Click¡ª The woman who emerged walking was lethal. She was as brilliant as a jewel, yet simultaneously exuded immense danger. ¡°Solana. You¡¯ve done something exceedingly impertinent.¡± Hedera spoke directly, without any greeting; her voice lacked even a shred of respect, as if looking down on someone far beneath her. Solana finally stood up and faced her counterpart. ¡°You¡¯re still as beautiful as ever, Second Princess.¡± Red eyes gleaming beneath black hair. Evidence of mixed blood dragon lineage. Despite Hedera being shrouded in darkness, those eyes alone shone brightly. At times, they even elongated vertically like a reptile¡¯s. It was mystical in itself. ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject. I hear you appointed an Inspector to my magic tower.¡± ¡°Is that why you came down? You¡¯ve neglected the Imperial Magic Tower for nearly 10 years. Why the sudden interest?¡± The Imperial Magic Tower was unequivocally a building, and buildings naturally have owners. That owner was the Second Princess Hedera. ¡°¡­You¡¯ve become quite impertinent while I was away. Need I remind you of your place?¡± Hedera brought her hand to her mouth. Currently, her mouth was covered by a mask so thick it resembled a gas mask. The moment she removed it, every word Hedera uttered would become dragon speech. Fortunately, Solana smiled faintly, ¡°It¡¯s just a greeting. A greeting. We haven¡¯t met in a long time, right?¡± Hedera lowered her hand and clicked her tongue. ¡°So, what business do you have in the Imperial capital?¡± ¡°I just received an urgent message.¡± ¡°An urgent message?¡± ¡°A letter¡­ But you don¡¯t need to know that much. Don¡¯t be impertinent.¡± Hedera glared at Solana. ¡°So, why did you appoint an Inspector to my tower as you pleased? Why do I have to hear such news the moment I arrive in the capital?¡± ¡°I appointed someone trustworthy. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Hedera¡¯s pupils elongated vertically. ¡°I¡¯ll be the judge of that. Who is it?¡± ¡°I told you, it¡¯s someone trustworthy.¡± ¡°I asked who it is? I won¡¯t ask a third time.¡± Sigh. Solana let out a deep sigh and said a name. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Immediately after, Hedera¡¯s pupils rapidly returned to their original shape, like egg yolk spreading. However, her eyes had grown twice their usual size. ¡°¡­What?¡± Chapter 17: The Inspector (6) ? Chapter 17 ¨C The Inspector (6) ?In the lounge of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°Do you know anything about the new inspector who¡¯s taking office?¡± A tower employee asked Agnes, addressing her more like an old friend than a visitor. It wasn¡¯t surprising, given they had known each other since Agnes¡¯s time at the tower. The atmosphere in the lounge was relaxed as the employee continued, popping a small dessert into her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s unbelievable. A commoner with no family and absolutely no experience. That¡¯s all there is to say.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± How could someone like that become an Inspector? That was the only thought crossing Agnes¡¯s mind. An Inspector¡¯s role was to ensure the Tower maintains its proper course and to oversee that its members adhere strictly to principles and magical ideologies in their duties. However, to effectively supervise and lead the Tower¡¯s members, overwhelming support was crucial. It was essentially a leadership position. Click-clack-click. Agnes idly turned a cube in one hand, as was her habit. After a long silence filled with contemplation, the employee sitting across from her smirked knowingly, ¡°Come on, you don¡¯t want to be that Inspector¡¯s secretary, right? Let¡¯s forget I mentioned this. You should hurry back to the palace.¡± Just as the employee reached to retrieve the documents from the desk¡ª ¡°¡­No.¡± Agnes gently held the papers in place with telekinesis, ¡°I can¡¯t go back to the palace anyway. I have no choice.¡± Having already submitted her resignation before coming here, Agnes had limited options. With the Imperial Magic Tower currently short-staffed only in secretarial positions, what else could she do but accept? The door creaked open. As their conversation continued, a male employee entered the lounge. He was quite surprised to see Agnes. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s this? Isn¡¯t that Agnes?¡± He confirmed her identity after noticing the cube. ¡°It is. What brings the palace administrator here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m no longer the palace administrator.¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t tell me you left there to come here?¡± The man¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve made a mistake. You¡¯ve come to a sinking ship.¡± The woman beside him immediately glared at him. ¡°Hey, why are you saying such things as soon as you arrive?¡± ¡°What? Agnes should know the truth.¡± Despite their heated exchange, Agnes calmly brushed her short black hair behind her ear. The female employee¡¯s eyes rounded in surprise. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about this, Agnes?¡± ¡°Significantly low performance, factional disputes¡­ Isn¡¯t it just the same old story? These issues have been around since I worked at the Tower in the past. Hearing about them again doesn¡¯t surprise me much.¡± ¡°Oh, but that¡¯s not all anymore.¡± The male employee sighed deeply. ¡°For some reason, the Second Princess has returned to the Capital. She¡¯s expected to visit the Imperial Magic Tower within a week.¡± A brief silence followed his words. ¡°¡­The Second Princess herself is coming?¡± ¡°Yes. What do you think about that, Agnes?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Though Agnes had never personally encountered the Second Princess, she had heard countless stories about her. ¡®Mind even your breathing.¡¯ This warning always accompanied tales of the Second Princess. She was known to place immense importance on bloodline and status, and even more so on dignity and decorum. ¡­The fate of those who offended her was predictable. The male employee sighed, ¡°It¡¯s unlikely she¡¯s suddenly developed affection for the Tower she¡¯s neglected for years. The prevailing opinion is that she aims to sell it off.¡± It was a plausible inference. The Imperial Magic Tower belonged to Second Princess Hedera. However, Hedera herself had shown little interest in it. More precisely, she lost interest dramatically when the Tower failed to achieve its goal of ¡®Human magic rivaling dragons.¡¯ This marked the beginning of a long period of neglect. The female employee shuddered. ¡°Hmm¡­ Would the Second Princess approve of a novice Inspector with no experience, let alone common birth? I seriously doubt it¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Both employees¡¯ gazes turned to Agnes. ¡°Agnes, just go somewhere else. Honestly, if you were a stranger, I¡¯d try to persuade you to work here, but because it¡¯s you, I¡¯m saying this. Why come to a place like this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. Unless the new Inspector is omnipotent like a god and solves everything, this place is doomed. It¡¯s far from being a dream workplace, you know?¡± In simple terms, there was no future here. Click-clack-click-clack. Agnes turned the cube, reflecting on her memories. Her strict family, the academy she graduated from too early due to her exceptional abilities¡­ In the end, this Imperial Magic Tower was where she had spent most of her life. It was also the only place Agnes had ever grown attached to. Perhaps that¡¯s why she felt a strange sense of regret. Deep down, she hoped the Imperial Magic Tower wouldn¡¯t fail. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± But she shook her head and signed the document. She knew well that sentimental feelings, especially expectations or hope, didn¡¯t suit her. ¡°¡­It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll work here briefly and then leave.¡± An omnipotent Inspector. An Inspector who could solve all the Tower¡¯s problems at once. An Inspector who could persuade the formidable Second Princess. ¡­There¡¯s no way such an Inspector could exist. ~~??~~??~~ The cafeteria of the Imperial Magic Tower. Currently, the crowd was divided into two opposing sides, leaving the head seat vacant for Ezekiel. This arrangement wasn¡¯t due to the room¡¯s layout, but rather the natural result of having two factions. ¡°Well, well, I didn¡¯t expect to see you here, Widro.¡± Nox, the leader of the Pragmatic faction, pushed up his glasses with his middle and ring fingers, curling up the corners of his mouth as he did so. ¡°I heard you boasting about reserving Twilight¡¯s Breath. What brings you to the cafeteria? Perhaps your age is catching up with you, making you confuse locations?¡± ¡°Mind your own dignity. Many people saw you frantically pulling out scrolls in the street, looking like a desperate lizard shedding its tail.¡± The tension between the two sides was palpable, ready to snap at any moment; neither side showed any sign of backing down, refusing to avert their gaze or soften their tone. Though these groups despised even breathing the same air, today they had a reason to abandon all their plans and gather here. And that reason was, of course, just one thing. Ezekiel¡¯s Seven-Color Ice. They were captivated by it. ¡®It was something we¡¯d never seen before, and it was truly remarkable.¡¯ Nox and Widro shared the same impression. Ezekiel¡¯s display in the street had been that impressive. It was an immense source of inspiration, enough to spark intense curiosity even in those who had spent years in the Imperial Magic Tower. Suddenly, Widro smiled. ¡°By the way, Nox, haven¡¯t you noticed?¡± ¡°Notice what?¡± Widro¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°The Inspector. He used magic without relying on scrolls. It¡¯s obvious he has no interest in those scraps of paper. You¡¯d better give up your ambitions now.¡± Most of the Theoretical faction wore expressions similar to Widro¡¯s. They firmly believed the new Inspector would be a talent suited to the Theoretical faction. Their confidence was evident in their relaxed demeanor. ¡®Pathetic old fools.¡¯ However, Nox also raised the corners of his mouth in a relaxed manner. S?a?ch* Th? ?ov?l?ir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Why didn¡¯t they understand that it was precisely because the Inspector used pure magic that Nox was interested? ¡®No matter how excellent pure magic is, once you try using it with scrolls a few times, you can¡¯t help but be attracted to the convenience. The more remarkable the skill, the easier it is to side with the Pragmatic faction.¡¯ Think of scrolls as sponges. Sponges that absorb magic with all their might and release it when squeezed. Nox prided himself on having the technology to perfectly absorb any type of magic. He recalled the Seven-Color Ice from his memory. If he could capture that in a scroll and utilize it¡­ The potential profits were immeasurable. ¡®This is an incredible opportunity. Truly incredible!¡¯ The door swung open. It was at that moment that Ezekiel appeared. A head positioned so high that one had to look up considerably to see it. Beneath the white hair, features arranged in a noble form, yet his mouth, full of composure, was chewing on a blade of grass. Dignity and rebellion. Two elements that should never coexist were strangely harmonious in him. Perhaps such a unique individual defied ordinary descriptors. The entire room rose at once to greet him. Rustle¡ª Regardless of who held real power in the tower, the position of Inspector was the highest. Everyone stood to pay their respects. The large crowd, the resounding voices, the intense gazes¡ªall attention was focused solely on Ezekiel. A novice Inspector might have felt awkward, but¡­ ¡°Surprising. You do know how to greet properly.¡± He was remarkably at ease. As if it were natural for countless honorifics to surround him, as if dominance flowed in his blood from birth, he treated what would overwhelm an ordinary person as utterly unremarkable. ? It was as if a single moment of a fountain had been eternally preserved. Meanwhile, Widro wore a perplexed expression. ¡°¡­What did that just mean?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve confirmed the achievements of nearly the past decade. It seems you know absolutely nothing.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Still, you greet quite well. That¡¯s surprising.¡± As the conversation started with achievements, everyone¡¯s expressions stiffened. Widro even chewed his lips. Hoo¡ª The Inspector exhaled a cloud of smoke nonchalantly and spoke, ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m here. The inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. Ezekiel.¡± Right after that, everyone gathered doubted their sense of smell. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± It was spicy, but it was definitely different from the usual incense. If you inhale it all at once, it feels like the tip of your nose is burning with a warm feeling. The clues pointed to only one thing. ¡°¡­Sunweed? Inside the Imperial Tower?¡± Their expressions began to grow complicated, but Ezekiel simply ignored it with nonchalance, continuing his words, ¡°This is a tiring place, so I don¡¯t think it¡¯s good to drag this out. I¡¯ve already decided on a few things before I came here. I¡¯ll just convey those.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± The one who interrupted Ezekiel¡¯s words was none other than Widro. ¡°A tiring place? This is a great place.¡± The old man looked around at the well-prepared food around him. ¡°I guess they prepared all this good food because a noble visited the Magic Tower. It¡¯s a good place. That¡¯s right.¡± Nox pushed up his glasses and looked at Widro intently. It was meant to ask what he was doing out of the blue, but Widro ignored the meaning in that gaze and went on to ignore it completely. ¡°Before we get down to business, how about a drink? I¡¯d like to have a drink with the great Inspector.¡± Widro was smiling, but no one thought his smile was genuine. It seemed that his pride was severely hurt by the blatant mention of his track record. Well, his pride was stronger than one could imagine. Already unable to hold back, Nox sighed as if he couldn¡¯t help it. Meanwhile, Ezekiel just chewed on the sunweed calmly, ¡°Well, okay. Will the rest of you have some too?¡± And the moment he picked up the bottle and tilted it, the moment the liquid spilled out of the spout and was about to flow down, Widro injected magic into the cup through his fingertips. He covered the surface of the cup with a thin, dense transparent film. If this came into contact with the liquid, it was obvious what would happen. The alcohol droplets would splash everywhere like a fountain, making a mess. What could be better than giving him shame in an official setting? ¡°Hehe!¡± Widro burst into laughter. ¡°It seems that our Inspector is not used to being in a high place. What are you going to do if you spill alcohol everywhere? Your clothes are a mess!¡± But then, a huge sense of humiliation washed over him like a wave. The gazes directed at him were strange. Only then did he realize when he looked at the floor. That there were no stray alcohol droplets. But there was nothing in the cup either. Why? Finally, the moment his lost gaze turned to the mouth of the bottle. Widro was aghast; he was frozen. The alcohol droplets that had been splashed everywhere had turned into ice crystals, one by one, and were stuck in the air, defying gravity. Chapter 18: The Second Princess, Hedera (1) ? Chapter 18 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (1) ?The room fell silent; the atmosphere had already settled. Ezekiel gently tilted the bottle, filling his glass. Not a single drop splashed; it was a clean process. Pour! With a soft gurgle, he drained the glass in one smooth motion, then pulled out a fresh sunweed and put it to his lips. Though he¡¯d been here for mere minutes, no one dared show him disrespect now. ¡°First, regarding the factional disputes.¡± Widro and Nox swallowed hard simultaneously; a single word from Ezekiel could drastically alter their fate. However, his next words were unexpected. ¡°Go ahead and fight all you want.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± Nox and Widro¡¯s eyes narrowed in unison. ¡°I won¡¯t stop you. But from now on, compete only through results. Act like adults, not children.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Both factions remained silent, swallowing their words. Just hours ago, they had been scheming to win the Inspector¡¯s favor. Now, the tables had turned completely. They were putty in his hands. ¡°Next. Second point.¡± Ezekiel exhaled a plume of smoke, ¡°I¡¯ll be directly involved in all research and training within the Tower. No exceptions.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± Everyone stared at Ezekiel in shock. Nox, the leader of the Pragmatist faction, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and pushed up his glasses before carefully speaking. ¡°¡­Who decided this?¡± ¡°I did. As the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector.¡± ¡°What about the opinions and resistance from the Tower¡¯s mages? Surely you understand their unique temperament?¡± He hurried to continue, ¡°Magical research is delicate work. Too much interference hinders our abilities. And getting too involved can breed resentment¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care about resentment. I only care about results.¡± ¡°Ah, you misunderstand. We don¡¯t neglect results just because we research without interference.¡± In response, Ezekiel simply dropped a stack of documents in front of him. He gestured towards Nox, indicating he should take and review them. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Nox¡¯s expression hardened as he examined the papers. They detailed the Tower¡¯s abysmal quarterly performance. ¡°If this is the result of your attention, the problem is even more serious. Isn¡¯t this place supposed to gather prodigies?¡± Nox could only keep his mouth shut. Though not yet announced, the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s performance was truly pathetic. At the same time, Ezekiel was clearly not someone to be trifled with. Suddenly parched but unable to object, Nox could only gulp down wine as if it were water. ¡°You¡¯ll have to announce these results this year. So, third point.¡± Ezekiel continued, ¡°Out of the six Towers, the Imperial Magic Tower will rank first.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± A moment of silence fell. The statement was too absurd. However, Ezekiel, the source of this silence, remained unfazed. In fact, he appeared confident, as if he had just stated the obvious. ¡°¡­Inspector, you¡¯re merely stating a goal, right?¡± Widro was the first to break the silence, his tone noticeably more respectful than before, ¡°I think it¡¯s good to have ambitious aspirations. But actually achieving first place is an entirely different matter¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand.¡± Ezekiel cut him off dismissively, ¡°The Imperial Tower will rank first. Or it will be dissolved.¡± At this, all the staff turned pale. ¡°Why are you all reacting like this? Is it so strange for the Imperial Magic Tower to outperform the others? Isn¡¯t it expected?¡± ¡°Well, um¡­¡± Everyone had much to say but couldn¡¯t bring themselves to speak; yet, apart from Ezekiel, they all thought the goal was utterly absurd. Ranking first in the performance review after ten years essentially meant making up for a decade¡¯s gap in just one year. Such a feat seemed impossible. ¡°Now, lastly, the most important point.¡± ¡­The most important part hadn¡¯t even been mentioned yet? What he¡¯d said so far was already overwhelming. Could there be something even more radical? S?a?ch* Th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Everyone stared wide-eyed, bodies tense. Nox and a few others were gulping down drinks, their throats parched. ¡°All the principles Hedera left for the Imperial Magic Tower. We¡¯re discarding them all.¡± ¡°¡­Haa.¡± Nox, who had gotten a little drunk, let out a small laugh, ¡°The ancient mage Hedera. How long ago was that? We¡¯ve long since discarded those outdated theories. Even if our performance is low, aren¡¯t you underestimating us too much?¡± But as he spoke, he noticed an eerie silence around him. Nox looked around. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± His intoxication rapidly faded as realization dawned. Hedera. Ezekiel had clearly mentioned those syllables; those who understood their significance were already frozen in place. ¡°¡­¡­¡­!¡± Nox, unable to contain his shock, whipped off his glasses. ¡°Y-y-you can¡¯t mean¡­ Are you referring to Her Highness Hedera, the Second Princess and Head of the Imperial Magic Tower? You¡¯re saying we¡¯ll discard all the principles she left for this Tower, starting today?¡± His question sparked a wave of murmurs. ¡°Is this really okay¡­?¡± ¡°The Tower Head is the only position here higher than the Inspector. But to discard the principles set by the Tower Head herself¡­?¡± Amidst the commotion, one person hesitantly raised their hand. Ezekiel nodded for them to speak, but they struggled to form coherent words, ¡°Exactly one week from now. In one week¡­¡± ¡°What about one week from now? Speak clearly.¡± ¡°Exactly one week from now, Princess Hedera is scheduled to visit this Tower in person. Is this really alright¡­?¡± It wasn¡¯t defiance or nitpicking, but a genuinely concerned question. Could they really handle the consequences of such actions? ¡°Yes. We will thoroughly abolish Hedera¡¯s Tower principles.¡± Of course, Ezekiel himself remained calm. ¡°A week is plenty of time, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­Ah.¡± Nox clutched his head, staggering as he muttered. ¡°This isn¡¯t sane. It can¡¯t be sane¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never been sane.¡± Always, already, now. Ezekiel had always been this way. ~~??~~??~~ Several hours later. I sat in my office, reflecting on many things. First of all, there were four main things I was going to force through in the Magic Tower¡ª One, easing factional tensions. Two, the management and supervision of all training and research. Three, to take first place in the performance announcement.0p Regarding the first three¡ª ¡®To meet the Emperor¡¯s conditions, I have no choice. I must use every method and give my all.¡¯ The comfortable life of being a parachute appointee, regularly receiving gold coins from Solana¡ªthat life ended the moment the Emperor set his five conditions. Just looking at a few of the princesses makes this clear. The continent¡¯s wealthiest person. Fourth Princess Chain. No matter how much gold Solana provides, it can¡¯t match the Fourth Princess¡¯s wealth. The Tower¡¯s massive capital growth was essential. The monster. First Princess Ether. To surpass the First Princess, who already gives off the aura of the Emperor in his prime, in power and fame, I must rely on a well-developed Tower. ¡­Now I truly must do my utmost to grow the Tower. ¡°That¡¯s how to handle the first three. As for the last one¡­¡± Four, abolishing the principles Second Princess Hedera left for the Tower. Her principles for the Tower were as follows¡ª [The Imperial Magic Tower values the self-realization of individual mages. While maintaining the honor and dignity of the Imperial family at all times, freedom in magical exploration takes priority. Pursue your interests at ease.] It sounds nice, but in reality, it means¡ª ¡ªDo whatever you want, as long as it doesn¡¯t cause problems. It was a directive to focus on self-improvement without ambition or goals, as long as it didn¡¯t create social issues. Thorough neglect and abandonment. ¡®It means expectations for the Tower have completely disappeared.¡¯ Therefore, these principles must be eliminated. Fortunately, there was a whole week before Hedera arrived. Suddenly, I recalled the past. ¡ª I believe human magic is excellent too! ¡ª Someday, can¡¯t humans surpass the dragon race? ¡ª Then everyone will be recognized and get along well, right? The young Hedera was always saying such things, but how did it come to this? It reflects the harshness of reality and the passage of time. Knock knock¡ª Then someone knocked on the door of my office and came in. ¡°Pleased to meet you. I¡¯m your direct secretary, Inspector.¡± The bow at a perfect ninety degrees was impressive, but not as striking as the familiar voice and black bob haircut. The direct secretary had a familiar appearance no matter how many times I looked. There was no doubt about it. It was Agnes. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Even after a long time, when I didn¡¯t return the greeting, Agnes still kept her back bowed and only raised her head slightly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± And then, immediately after, she straightened up her body with her round eyes wide open. As if struck by lightning. She quickly turned her head to the side. An ostrich burying its head in the ground in a moment of crisis. Something like that. I approached Agnes without hesitation. ¡°You said we wouldn¡¯t see each other again. And yet, we seem to run into each other quite often.¡± ¡°¡­We¡¯re meeting for the first time.¡± As I tilted my head slightly to meet her eyes, she swiftly turned the opposite way. Her bob, like a curtain, brushed against my cheek and went past. ¡°Agnes, your memory is poor. Can you really be a secretary?¡± ¡°Who is Agnes?¡± ¡°You.¡± ¡°My name isn¡¯t Agnes.¡± Swish¡ª Swish¡ª Whenever I tilted my head to meet her eyes, Agnes quickly turned her head the other way. I finally chuckled and lifted her hair with my palm. Beneath the curtain-like black hair was a face flushed bright red. Agnes quickly retreated and snapped with a blank expression¡ª ¡°Why on earth are you the Inspector?¡± ¡°And why are you the direct secretary?¡± Agnes chewed her lip. ¡°¡­Resign immediately.¡± ¡°Why should I? If anyone¡¯s leaving, it should be you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes remained expressionless, but her eyes blinked rapidly. It was clear she found the situation uncomfortable. Finally, she spoke, ¡°¡­This Tower now has no future.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to report? Why don¡¯t you do that?¡± ¡°That was my report. Didn¡¯t I just inform you of something you didn¡¯t know?¡± Saying this, Agnes skillfully arranged some documents. Indeed, her elegant use of telekinesis was quite impressive. ¡°Here are a few draft schedules. Choose whichever you like and proceed accordingly. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± As Agnes turned quickly to leave¡ª BANG¡ª! The door swung open, colliding squarely with Agnes¡¯s face. Leaving Agnes frozen in place as if time had stopped, a few Tower staff members appeared, looking pale. A female staff member hurriedly scanned the room. ¡°Oh? Agnes? Are you okay? No, more importantly. I-Inspector!¡± I pulled out some sunweed. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°The Second Princess! The Second Princess is visiting!¡± I exhaled smoke nonchalantly. ¡°The visit in a week? I¡¯ve known about that for a while.¡± ¡°No! She changed her schedule!¡± The female staff member shook her head urgently. ¡°Tonight! She¡¯s coming tonight!¡± ¡°¡­Tonight?¡± I stopped chewing the sunweed. Tonight, huh. ¡­This, I didn¡¯t expect. End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . Chapter 19: The Second Princess, Hedera (2) ? Chapter 19 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (2) ?The current time was 7:50 PM. ¡°This is the Tower¡¯s training ground.¡± Soon, the Empire¡¯s Second Princess, Hedera, will visit the Tower. Upon hearing this news, Ezekiel, guided by Agnes, visited the training ground. Of course, he was accompanied by Nox and Widro, the leaders of both factions. The training ground had two floors, with an upper level allowing observation of the lower area. We were currently standing on the upper level. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ezekiel silently observed the scene below for a moment. The number of people gathered in the Tower¡¯s training ground was substantial. However, there was a strange sense of discomfort. ¡°Agnes, the Second Princess is expected to arrive at 10 PM, correct?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been informed.¡± Two hours. That was all the time we had left. ¡°Alright. Continue the tour.¡± I leaned back in my chair and pulled out a sunweed to chew; the sensation of it bursting in my mouth was exquisite. ¡°Besides its size, this space is incredibly durable. Experimental use of magic in research stages, power and efficacy tests¡­ Practically all manifestations take place here.¡± Ezekiel nodded quietly. ¡°You¡¯re quite skilled at giving tours.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been at the Tower for quite some time.¡± ¡°Is your nose alright?¡± Just earlier, Agnes had collided face-first with the door; the sound was so loud, I couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°It¡¯s perfectly fine.¡± ¡°Well, maybe you should wipe that nosebleed first.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Agnes hastily touched her nose, but no blood stained her hand. It was just a joke, after all. ¡°¡­The situation is urgent. Please don¡¯t jest.¡± ¡°Anyway, the use of this training ground is a mess. We need to fix that.¡± ¡°In what way is it a mess?¡± The discomfort Ezekiel felt was the cause of this mess. In this training ground, there were no duels. ¡®No one is dueling.¡¯ Training and dueling should be inseparable, yet despite the large number of people, no one was engaged in duels. ¡°Experimental use, power testing, practical application¡­ One duel could reveal all that. Yet no one is dueling.¡± ¡°Ah, Inspector. Duels are problematic.¡± Nox interjected. Still slightly tipsy, he occasionally hiccupped, but calmly pushed up his glasses as he continued, ¡°Following the Second Princess¡¯s directive, we prioritize exploration. Duels don¡¯t fit the nature of this place.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Ezekiel chuckled. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s interesting?¡± ¡°Everything.¡± He exhaled a plume of sunweed smoke. ¡°Children. That¡¯s exactly how you¡¯re being treated.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Leaving young children to play in a magic playground. It seems Hedera treated them just like that. ¡ªDo whatever you want, as long as it doesn¡¯t cause problems. Hedera issued such a directive, and nothing was more likely to cause incidents than duels. Unsurprisingly, duels had become taboo within the Tower. Ezekiel¡¯s gaze fell on Agnes. ¡°Agnes, combat is included in the performance evaluations, right?¡± ¡°Yes, it is.¡± ¡°¡­Yet you don¡¯t duel? Even a passing dog would laugh at that.¡± It was absurd to discard an item explicitly included in the performance evaluation. Other Towers might focus solely on their strengths, but the Imperial Magic Tower currently had nothing to confidently showcase. They¡¯re in no position to be picky about categories. ¡°Please listen, Inspector.¡± Widro cautiously spoke up, ¡°I understand your enthusiasm to make changes, but are we in any position to be visiting the training ground right now? Take a look at the lower level.¡± Ezekiel followed the old man¡¯s gaze towards the first floor. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The mages who met his gaze quickly averted their eyes. Unable to focus on anything, they fidgeted aimlessly. The chaos on the first floor was palpable even from just observing. A mage¡¯s highly trained magic sense extended to their hearing as well. Thanks to this, Ezekiel could hear all the whispers. ¡°The new Inspector is impressive in his own way, but¡­¡± ¡°Inspector or not, we¡¯re dealing with a princess here. What if we break her directive and fall out of favor?¡± ¡°I heard he has no experience yet. Maybe that¡¯s why he¡¯s so brave? He doesn¡¯t seem to know how harsh the Second Princess can be¡­¡± Indeed, all the talk was about the Second Princess. ¡°Plus, isn¡¯t this visit about selling off the Tower?¡± ¡°Sell the Imperial Tower? To whom?¡± ¡°If it doesn¡¯t sell, they might just get rid of it. It¡¯s just wasting maintenance costs at this point. What should we do now?¡± Between the newly appointed Inspector and the notoriously harsh princess, it was natural to be more wary of the latter. Everyone was trembling in fear of the Second Princess, at a loss for what to do. Widro clicked his tongue, ¡°The entire Tower is paralyzed by news of the Second Princess¡¯s visit. We shouldn¡¯t be lingering in the training ground; we need to prepare countermeasures immediately. We can¡¯t do nothing until 10 PM.¡± The old man, seemingly impatient, even urged them on. ¡°Listen, are you hearing me? We can¡¯t receive the princess in such a chaotic state! This is serious!¡± Of course. Ezekiel merely waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t make such a fuss. I¡¯ve already prepared countermeasures.¡± He already had a plan, which is why he came to the training ground. ¡°¡­Countermeasures?¡± The eyes of the three nearby widened. Ezekiel, chewing on his sunweed, continued nonchalantly. ¡°First, the Second Princess¡¯s visit is for selling the Tower. That¡¯s certain.¡± ¡°You mean it¡¯s not just a rumor, but a confirmed fact?¡± ¡°Of course. This is the best time to sell for the highest price.¡± The Tower¡¯s dire situation wasn¡¯t yet known outside. However, if these results were maintained until the announcement day, the Tower¡¯s value would obviously plummet. From the Second Princess¡¯s perspective, now was the best time to sell at a high price. Agnes blinked quietly, ¡°So, what countermeasures have you prepared?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s obvious, isn¡¯t it? We should just clean up thoroughly,¡± Nox interjected, pushing up his glasses. ¡°Rather than causing trouble and incurring the Second Princess¡¯s displeasure, it¡¯s much safer to clean up and wait. We can decide how to respond after gauging her reaction.¡± ¡°¡­That makes sense. Inspector, is that your plan?¡± However, Ezekiel shook his head firmly, ¡°Nonsense.¡± Of course, Nox¡¯s judgment fell within normal parameters. It was general and rational. Most people thought like Nox, which is why they were wasting time and just waiting quietly for the princess. However. Ezekiel knew very well that this approach wouldn¡¯t work. ¡°That would be too late.¡± ¡°Too late for what?¡± ¡°Exactly what I said. If we wait to see and then react, it will definitely be too late.¡± The current Hedera was a cold-hearted princess. She knew how to calculate benefits precisely and rarely reversed her decisions once made. There was a high chance she¡¯d proceed with the sale immediately upon arriving at the Tower, ignoring everything else. Requests like ¡®Please hear us out¡¯ would be meaningless. Hedera never listened to such things. Therefore, there was only one way. To change Hedera¡¯s mind. For that¡­ ¡°This place, the Tower, must already be changed.¡± As soon as Hedera sets foot here, the Imperial Tower must spark her interest. They needed a scene that would capture the princess¡¯s attention, an element that appealed to her. Nox ran his hand through his hair, exasperated, ¡°¡­Change this place? In just two hours?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°In mere hours, and into something the Second Princess would like? Easier said than done! Is that even possible?¡± Nox continued with a bewildered expression, ¡°The stakes are too high to gamble¡ªwe¡¯re talking about the Imperial Tower. Let¡¯s just clean up. Please, I beg you, Inspector!¡± ¡°To turn crisis into opportunity, you need to bet at least that much. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± Good opportunities were always fraught with danger. Simultaneously, dangerous situations always presented good opportunities. This was one of the lessons he¡¯d learned in life. It was then that Agnes spoke up, ¡°¡­But implementation is the problem. Everyone¡¯s in chaos; they don¡¯t seem ready to follow orders.¡± Agnes¡¯s gaze turned to the first floor. The mages there were still indecisive. They were just pacing anxiously, waiting for the princess to arrive. However, Ezekiel seemed to have anticipated even this, ¡°I understand. They¡¯re all cowards.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not cowardice, it¡¯s common sense. How many in the Empire aren¡¯t afraid of the Second Princess?¡± ¡°Agnes is right,¡± Widro chimed in. ¡°The moment they follow your orders, they become accomplices. If the princess becomes furious, can you handle it? Are you willing to take responsibility for everyone here?¡± ¡°Responsibility?¡± But. Ezekiel merely smiled faintly, ¡°Responsibility, huh.¡± A smile. Yet, his curled lip wasn¡¯t entirely unpleasant, like a mischievous child¡¯s. An attitude suggesting he was so brilliant he¡¯d gladly do it. A conviction that he could easily lift what would crush an ordinary person like a feather. ¡°I¡¯ll take it. The responsibility.¡± He briefly recalled fragments of his past. ¡ª Ezekiel, just this once, take responsibility for the continent. If you can just succeed in closing the portal to the demon realm¡­ ¡ª Ezekiel, take responsibility for the lives of the squad members¡­ ¡ª Ezekiel, it¡¯s your responsibility. The sunweed fell from his mouth to the floor. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve already shouldered such things countless times.¡± Ezekiel snapped his fingers lightly Rumble¡ª Immediately after, the entire training ground shook. ¡°Whoa!¡± ¡°W-What¡¯s happening!¡± As everyone was startled, frozen statues of beautiful women with closed eyes rose from both ends of the training ground. They looked so lifelike, as if their eyelids might open at any moment. The surprised mages gaped in awe. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Wow. They¡¯re beautiful¡­¡± But their pure admiration didn¡¯t last long. Whoosh¡ª The two statues began to exhale white breath. The mages soon noticed something strange with their bodies. ¡°I-It¡¯s getting really cold?¡± ¡°My body¡¯s freezing up! W-What is this!¡± Frost began to form on the mages¡¯ skin. They all stared at Ezekiel on the second floor with bulging eyes. ¡°No need for a fuss.¡± Ezekiel said, casually leaning on the railing. ¡°If you stand still, you¡¯ll freeze, but if you use mana, you¡¯ll be fine. From now on, use magic desperately. It would be even better if you pair up and duel.¡± ¡°What are you¡ª!¡± ¡°Do you have time to argue? Hurry up and use your magic.¡± ¡°Aaaargh¡ª!¡± Avoiding freezing took priority over questioning anything. Soon, a spectacular scene unfolded on the first floor, with everyone frantically using magic and engaging in duels. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The three nearby stared at Ezekiel with dumbfounded expressions. Ezekiel merely put another sunweed in his mouth. ¡°Everyone in the Imperial Magic Tower was threatened by me and was forced to duel to survive. This should be enough, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± From their perspective, the best they could do was stare at him as if he were insane. While his method was extremely bizarre, it was also true that Ezekiel would bear all responsibility. Someone on the first floor shouted. ¡°Ah, aah! That inspector, he¡¯s out of his mind©¤!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never been in my right mind.¡± Always, already, now. He had always been this way. A momentary calm settled with Ezekiel¡¯s smile. The man stared intently at the lower floor for a while. With a magician¡¯s eyes, keenly. With a leader¡¯s eyes, steadfastly. With a pioneer¡¯s eyes, thoroughly. At some point, Ezekiel closed his eyes. 1 second. 2 seconds. And finally, 5 seconds. He lifted his eyelids and said, ¡°No need to wait until 10. Tell them to come by 9.¡± It was the tone of someone who had found the answer. ~~??~~??~~ 10 PM. The entrance of the Imperial Magic Tower. Whooosh©¤ The night wind swept over the body of a woman. Her figure was as exquisite as if crafted by a skilled artisan, something that could be described as perfection without exaggeration. In the dark hour, only her red eyes emitted a glow. The woman stood with her arms crossed, silently gazing up at the Tower. Whooosh©¤ Once again, the night wind blew, and the sale plan document in her grasp fluttered noisily. Suddenly, a thin piece of paper tucked between its pages fluttered ostentatiously into the air. The woman swiftly caught it between her index and middle fingers. It was a single envelope. s?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Click©¤ Click©¤ Second Imperial Princess Hedera. She finally stepped onto the entrance of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°¡­Hah.¡± With her mouth hidden behind a mask, no one could discern her expression. Chapter 20: The Second Princess, Hedera (3) ? Chapter 20 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (3) ?Dragons are solitary beings. You, who face the dragon, This truth you must know. ~~??~~??~~ In the distant past. The Second Princess, Hedera, was engrossed in her magic training since dawn. She was so untalented that she couldn¡¯t afford to slack off on her training for even a single day. Since she learned to read, she had never neglected her reading, and she was always willing to train even on gloomy days. Everyone around her clicked their tongues and felt sorry for her. It was only natural. Even with her unwavering passion, she was not seeing any results at all. Could there be a more heartbreaking sight to watch? But then, one morning, truly, without any warning, Dragon¡¯s Blood¡ª ¡ªthe most noble Dragon¡¯s Blood was manifested in the girl. Of course, she also awakened dragon speech and lingual magic, and the news that a dragon¡¯s blood owner had appeared in the royal family spread throughout the continent. Dragon Speech. Lingual Magic. Their power was beyond imagination. Hedera¡¯s position was turned upside down overnight. Just by looking at the titles that immediately followed her, you could tell. The girl who was once called a dunce was now being called a genius and a dragon-kin. Academies and Magic Towers would periodically send invitations. They didn¡¯t want to teach, but they humbly asked for demonstrations just for the inspiration of other mages. Hedera, starved for human connection, readily agreed, but there was still no one who was at her level. She just wanted to make friends, but neither the students nor the professors treated her that way. ¡ª Rise. S?a??h the N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª Shatter. ¡ª Explode. She could accomplish with a single word what would take an ordinary person a lifetime to master. Yet Hedera wasn¡¯t the type to become arrogant or look down on others. Because she wasn¡¯t born a genius, Because she remembered being slow-witted, she could only think¡ª ¡­I¡¯m lonely. When she was still considered slow, she had companions who strived alongside her daily. Though the results were meager, the time spent together and the sweat shed through shared effort was rewarding. I want to be with everyone. Hedera valued togetherness over personal achievement. She hoped those around her would grow quickly to reach her level. So they could be together again. However. The world wasn¡¯t as accommodating as she had hoped. Instead, things began to flow in the opposite direction of her intentions. ¡ª The Second Princess? Just lucky. ¡ª She succeeded overnight without any effort. ¡ª Why did the Dragon¡¯s Blood choose her of all people¡­ Perhaps because the gap before and after obtaining Dragon¡¯s Blood was too great, Hedera had somehow become someone who had never made an effort in her life. She couldn¡¯t easily understand why she was disliked. So she tried even harder to do well, and worked on her social skills to be friendlier to those she met. Only after Hedera had given her all could she finally understand one thing. ¡ª Seeing the Princess makes me lose motivation¡­ ¡ª My own abilities seem so insignificant. ¡ª We¡¯d rather do this on our own. Being a genius, in itself, was reason enough to be disliked. One¡¯s mere existence becomes a catalyst for others¡¯ inferiority complexes and crushes their motivation. Paradoxically, to get along with them, Hedera had to hide herself. How much time had passed? She stopped going out. She merely watched her peers through the window. Waiting endlessly for their level to rise so she could mingle with them again, longing for the day they could be together, she uttered her Lingual Magic. ¡ª Become great. ¡ª Become magnificent. Utterly abstract words. Lingual Magic unlikely to take effect. ¡ª Hurry and become great. ¡ª Quickly become magnificent. Nevertheless, she repeated these words countless times. She was already suffering from severe depression. Lifeless, she was like a withered plant, with only crumbling away left to do. She might have truly died. If that man hadn¡¯t appeared in the girl¡¯s life that day. ¡ª I¡¯m Ezekiel. From today, I¡¯ll be in charge of the Princess. How long had it been since someone entered her life? His face was barely visible due to their height difference, but his blue eyes were clear. Though impeccably polite, there was something sharp and frightening about him. On the first day of lessons, Hedera displayed minimal skill. For one reason ¡ª if she appeared too exceptional, he¡¯d leave, saying there was nothing to teach. She didn¡¯t want that. ¡ª Is this really your best? Hedera felt relieved hearing those words. It went according to plan. Now the teacher wouldn¡¯t leave right away. ¡ª Princess. But what followed was something Hedera had never heard before in her life. ¡ª To learn from me, you must do at least this much. The man began weaving ice in the air. It started as ice Hedera knew well. But as the magical formulas and strokes overlapped, it transformed into a scene she had never imagined. It was a feat that left her mouth agape. This is¡­ magic. It was even more astonishing that a human had performed it. The girl couldn¡¯t guarantee she could replicate this magic even using Dragon Speech. Could human magic be more advanced than that of dragons? As she pondered this¡­ ¡ª Young Princess. ¡ª Ah, yes? Hedera startled, her body trembling. Thinking back, nothing good had ever followed ¡®Young Princess¡¯ in her life. She grew anxious, fearing he might leave without giving her another chance. However, the man simply said¡ª ¡ª Always give your best in front of me. Always. From the next day on, it was pure happiness. Being able to give her all without reservation was like a blessing for Hedera, who had always lived hiding something. Her master was stronger than she could imagine, always surpassing her even when she gave her best. It was reassuring. Through her master, she slowly began to hope that humans could surpass dragon magic. ¡°Humans can do the impossible too. If there were more mages like the master, we could all get along¡­¡± Happy thoughts piled up in the girl¡¯s heart day by day. The girl repeated endlessly¡ª ¡ª Humans can surpass dragon magic! ¡ª It¡¯s possible! ¡ª Let¡¯s all surpass it together and get along! Though she didn¡¯t know when that day would come, she could always proclaim it with confidence. With her master, that day would surely come. Until then, she¡¯d stay close to her master. However, the master was extremely busy. He had to teach other princesses besides Hedera, and was often called away during lessons for various matters. Though she understood, it really upset her. Was that why? She took out her frustrations on her only ally? Made unreasonable demands? ¡ª I don¡¯t understand well. Please give me extra lessons. ¡ª Am I doing this right? From one hour to two hours. From two hours to four hours. The time Hedera demanded from her master gradually increased. ¡°Could you make an ice sculpture of me?¡± Later, she began asking for things beyond time. ¡°Master, why won¡¯t you play with me?¡± ¡°I heard you do various things with the other princesses.¡± ¡°I want to play games besides studying too.¡± She regretted it as soon as she said it, but surprisingly, the master readily agreed. The girl¡¯s heart filled with excitement. When the promised day for play arrived. The master looked different from usual. Unlike his usual attire, he wore a formal uniform and military boots. A hat covered his eyes. He wasn¡¯t even alone. ¡ª Captain, we need to leave immediately. ¡ª ¡­Time. ¡ª Urgent¡­ At least ten others in identical attire stood beside the master, all with serious, frightening expressions. After a while, the master approached Hedera and said¡ª ¡ª Princess, today¡¯s game is hide-and-seek. ¡ª You must not come out until I find you. Hedera finally understood the situation. Everyone dressed like the teacher must be ¡°it.¡± Thinking the difficulty would be quite high, she nodded vigorously. But the master never found Hedera. No, he vanished completely. Hedera hid and waited for two whole days. What¡¯s two days? She could have waited longer. But palace guards found her first and forcibly dragged her out. ¡ª Princess, here you are! ¡ª We found her! We found the Princess! ¡ª Let go! The hide-and-seek isn¡¯t over¡­! At first, she denied it and kept waiting. But a week passed. A month. A year. The master never returned. Perhaps if she found the other seekers, it would solve the problem? ¡ª Such people do not exist. But searching through the royal personnel records, she couldn¡¯t find those who were with the teacher that day. Maybe the master left because she had been too difficult? If so, she wanted to apologize somehow. But the master never returned. Even when she sought the Emperor, she only received unhelpful answers. ¡ª He had his reasons for quitting. Hedera was alone again. Left alone, she devoted herself to building a Magic Tower. So that someday, when the master returned, he could praise her. To proudly show him what she had accomplished while waiting. And soon after, she realized. Other humans weren¡¯t as great as the master. The potential she had seen wasn¡¯t human potential, but something unique to the master. Hope was soon covered in dust. She cried every day, spending nights with hollow eyes. ¡ª Come back. ¡ª Please come back. Those Lingual Magic commands were never fulfilled. Several long years passed. The girl who grew on tears as nourishment stopped crying one day. She had finally bloomed into the flower of adulthood. Simultaneously, her emotions completely dried up. After abandoning the Magic Tower, she secluded herself in the realm of dragons. Having realized that no matter how much she begged, the master wouldn¡¯t return, she no longer clung to futile dreams. However¡­ occasionally, she tried to forget. ¡ª Make me forget. ¡ª Make me forget. ¡ª Make me forget. Like embers left behind, she no longer had the passion to burn brightly. She just wanted to forget. If she could never meet him again, she thought it better to forget. If she forgot the taste of hope, the present wouldn¡¯t be painful. That day too, Hedera was engrossed in training in the dragon realm as usual. If nothing else, training had never betrayed her. It was then that she unexpectedly received a letter. ¡°¡­¡­¡­?¡± She read it once. Then once again. ¡°¡­What is this?¡± After reading it ten times, Hedera couldn¡¯t help but furrow her brow. She didn¡¯t know how to react, but the letter was just one line long with a seemingly hand-drawn picture enclosed. Moreover, a marriage proposal. ¡­A marriage proposal? It lacked any sense of reality. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± There was too much time omitted between her and him. Yet, suddenly a proposal without any explanation? Complex emotions tangled and rose from her withered heart. She soon made a decision. The young Hedera, the current Hedera. The biggest difference between the two was her ability to act. The girl who once feared stepping outside had become a woman who could confidently stride through the world. So, she intended to confirm it herself. She had to meet him, ask something, and hear something in return. ¡­Without fail. . . . . . Don¡¯t forget to rate and review the novel on NovelUpdates And now. In the corridor of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± That man stood before Hedera¡¯s eyes. Still with unreadable eyes, a mouth chewing sunweed, mixing exhaustion and composure. The same as in her memories, yet at the same time, an appearance so different from what she remembered. What could have been his thought in sending a marriage proposal? Because she absolutely couldn¡¯t understand it. Because she truly couldn¡¯t even guess. ¡°¡­It¡¯s been a long time.¡± Hedera finally managed to part her lips. It was the beginning of a reunion that would shake the entire continent. End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . Chapter 21: The Second Princess, Hedera (4) ? Chapter 21 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (4) ?In the corridor of the Imperial Magic Tower. To implement the prosperity of the Imperial Magic Tower and prevent its sale, I had immense confidence in my own decisions. However, thinking about it, I actually had a different problem. The marriage proposal letter. Hedera and my relationship wasn¡¯t simply that of a princess and a magic tower inspector. In the past, we were teacher and student, and I even sent a marriage proposal letter written in a drunken state. What if this visit wasn¡¯t about the sale issue? ¡­What if Hedera¡¯s visit was because of the proposal letter? ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± My head ached. But it was already spilled milk, a fire that couldn¡¯t be extinguished. Lost in various thoughts, I suddenly sensed a presence. At the other end of the corridor, a woman staring at me without hiding the slightest bit of her Dragon Blood¡¯s intimidation was the cause. I stood my ground. She approached with measured steps, accompanied by a single knight. There was a moment when the distance between us narrowed, and when we were close enough to touch if we reached out, the movement stopped. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time.¡± A restrained tone. The woman broke the silence first. She had changed a lot, but was still beautiful. Jet-black hair and a mask covering her mouth. Only her eyes were visible on her face, but their sparkle, like blood crystallized into jewels, was incomparable. ¡°Yes, it has been a long time.¡± This woman was Hedera. The Second Imperial Princess. Skilled in Lingual Magic and Dragon Speech based on her Dragon Blood, she might even become the Empire¡¯s Emperor someday. It was then that I sensed an enormous killing intent. At first, I thought Hedera was emanating it, but fortunately, that wasn¡¯t the case. The source was the knight standing like a statue beside Hedera. With his face hidden by a helmet, he already had his hand on the sword hilt. As if ready to cut me down at any moment. I ignored it. There was absolutely no way I¡¯d feel threatened by a mere knight. ¡°Have you been well? No, what have you been doing?¡± Hedera asked in a very controlled tone. Not a simple greeting, but a question about what I had been doing. It was a difficult question for me to answer given my circumstances. ¡ª This operation is confidential. ¡ª No one but you and I should know about it. ¡ª Your fallen comrades¡­. There are quite a few bereaved families. ¡ª At least they should live on. You understand, right? It was problematic to reveal the operation I carried out at that time. The Emperor had eliminated everyone who knew the truth except for me, and Hedera would be no exception even if she was his daughter. However, it was not just for Hedera¡¯s safety. ¡ª Ah¡­. Captain¡­. S?a?ch* Th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª Our names¡­. Please make them known someday¡­. ¡ª I promise. Because I promised my comrades that day. My comrades were the core of my life, so I never forgot that day¡¯s promise. To reveal this truth to the entire continent someday, it was premature to disclose it to anyone now. For a single fatal strike, one must quietly hone the blade. This process must not be noticed by anyone, and sometimes one must even deceive oneself. That¡¯s how it was with a grand mission, with revenge. Therefore, it was best to deflect Hedera¡¯s words for now. ¡°It was just so-so. Ordinary days.¡± It was the best answer, but Hedera¡¯s eyebrows twitched. Complex emotions flashed across her eyes. Thoughts like ¡®I asked with such difficulty, yet you answer so easily?¡¯ were clearly visible. She seemed to have chosen a direct approach. ¡°Do you remember the last game we played?¡± Hide-and-seek. I remember. ¡°You never found me in the end.¡± I quietly nodded. Hedera¡¯s obsession at that time was stronger than imaginable. The mission to close the portal to the demon realm while the Emperor held back the Demon King. Given Hedera¡¯s determination to cling to me no matter where I went, that excuse was the best way to separate her. When I didn¡¯t answer, Hedera sighed. Rustle©¤ She quickly sorted through the stack of documents in her hand. Then she pulled out a small piece of paper from among them, its identity immediately apparent even from a distance. It was the marriage proposal letter I had personally written and sent. ¡°Why did you send this letter?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± But this was something I couldn¡¯t explain for a different reason. I wrote it while drunk. There¡¯s no way I could admit that. Our reunion after so long, and there were even enormous circumstances I hadn¡¯t yet explained. ¡­And to think the cause of this reunion was a letter written in a drunken state. Hedera pressed for an answer. ¡°Do you have no intention of answering?¡± It was clear that giving a straightforward answer would be disastrous. At this moment, my best option was to ask her a question back. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Hedera slightly furrowed her brow. Her face showed that she couldn¡¯t understand why I would ask that back. Indeed, how would it feel to face a man who sent a marriage proposal letter but can¡¯t explain why he wrote it? However, she continued in a controlled tone, ¡°You once told me this. To always do my best in front of you.¡± Hedera¡¯s red eyes were glaring at me, ¡°So now I¡¯m asking with all my might. Why did you send this letter? Moreover, did you really write it yourself?¡± Numerous thoughts flashed through my mind. First, I can¡¯t tell the real reason. Several plausible excuses came to mind, but I didn¡¯t want to deceive Hedera with shallow lies. My entire life was already a consequence of the lies created by the Imperial family. After finishing my thoughts, I finally said, ¡°¡­The reason isn¡¯t really important.¡± At that, the black pupils in Hedera¡¯s red eyes split vertically like those of a reptile. From behind her mask came the sound of teeth grinding. ¡°It¡¯s true that I wrote it, but I can¡¯t tell you the reason yet.¡± ¡°Ha¡­.¡± In the end, she let out a dejected laugh. No, it was hard to call it a laugh. It was more like a sigh. Disappointment directed at herself, as if even the fact that she had expected something felt pathetic. A feeling of ¡®I should have known.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t dare to measure the complex emotional components. ¡°It seems the past is heavily romanticized after all,¡± She said in a dry tone, like a leaf about to crumble. ¡°I was nothing to you, and now it seems you¡¯ve developed a taste for the imperial position¡­ Yes. I understand clearly now. That¡¯s fortunate. From now on, I can live without holding onto distorted hope.¡± She crumpled the letter and tucked it into her bosom, ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± Those were her last words, and Hedera began walking down the corridor, passing my shoulder. Click! Click! Only the steady sound of high heels echoed through the corridor. Click©¤ Click©¤ The girl who once waited for days in one place had grown into a woman who could say she¡¯s leaving and depart boldly. A heartening growth, but I also knew¡ª I shouldn¡¯t let Hedera leave like this. ¡°Hedera.¡± I spoke the Second Princess¡¯s given name. But despite clearly hearing me, she didn¡¯t stop. Her advancing steps showed no hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m not finished speaking yet.¡± Only then did she halt her steps. She still had her back to me, but I could understand the meaning of Hedera stopping. It meant she would listen. ¡°When I say the reason isn¡¯t important, it means there¡¯s something else that is important.¡± At that, Hedera started walking again. Click©¤ Click©¤ As if she didn¡¯t even expect anything from my following words, as if she would treat whatever I said as an excuse¡­ She walked like that. I followed Hedera with slightly larger strides. And in the moment our distance closed¡ª Whoosh©¤! I grabbed her snow-white wrist and turned her body towards me. Simultaneously, a gleaming white blade rushed towards my neck. Clang©¤! The knight guard had quickly drawn his sword, but such a hastily made strike couldn¡¯t cut through the ice barrier I swiftly raised. Surprise could be felt from the tip of the knight¡¯s sword. I slowly parted my lips. ¡°That letter¡­¡± A feeling that, even if aided by drunkenness, wasn¡¯t a lie. The one thing I could still utter without hiding. At the same time, a statement that wouldn¡¯t deceive Hedera. ¡°At least, it was sincere.¡± Immediately after, both Hedera and the knight guard¡¯s actions ceased. The corridor fell silent as the sound of heels stopped. Gazes meeting in midair, facing each other. At that moment when my blue eyes mixed with the dragon¡¯s red pupils. In that strange, momentary gap where time and space seemed to be held still. I was still holding her wrist. Chapter 22: The Second Princess, Hedera (5) ? Chapter 22 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (5) ?Drunken Confessions. Words that spill from the heart when intoxicated. Strong intoxication makes people act out of character, weakening their inhibitions. Thanks to this unique effect, hidden truths are often revealed across the continent, slipping from lips unbidden. The letter I wrote must surely be the same. While I couldn¡¯t recall every single word I wrote, I¡¯m certain I didn¡¯t write anything unpleasant. Nor did I string together any outrageous lies. ¡­So, at least, it was written sincerely. I didn¡¯t utter falsehoods to Hedera. ¡®For now, holding on like this is the best option.¡¯ This was the unavoidable best choice. I couldn¡¯t possibly tell the real reason ¡ª that I wrote it while drunk. Besides, my intuition strongly insisted that if I let Hedera go now, I¡¯d never have another chance to meet her. If things go wrong, it could become extremely troublesome. First off, I¡¯d fail to meet the Emperor¡¯s conditions, right? The Emperor would end the marriage talks due to unfulfilled conditions, and in the worst case, might even resort to measures to eliminate me. Then, who knows what the Princess, who had shown a positive response to the proposal, might do in the continent. As for me, I wouldn¡¯t be able to obtain the imperial artifact, leaving me unable to cure my terminal condition. And if I die young, it would be difficult to avenge my fallen comrades¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡­I suddenly realized how tangled my life had become, like a ball of yarn. The butterfly effect. It had already turned into a hurricane. Meanwhile, that¡¯s when Hedera made a sound. ¡°¡­Ah.¡± Only then did I break free from my thoughts. I realized I was still holding her wrist. In the quiet corridor. We were still looking at each other, frozen in place. Only Hedera¡¯s eyes, now back to their original form, trembled slightly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Just as her lips were about to utter something. ¡ª Aaargh! A strange cry came from inside the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡ª I¡¯m going to freeze to death at this rate! ¡ª Inspector! Where has the inspector gone? ¡ª Waaah! Come to think of it, I shouldn¡¯t be away any longer. Regardless of my reunion with Hedera, I am the magic tower¡¯s inspector, with a duty to supervise the mages here. I released her slender wrist, ¡°I need to go, being the inspector and all.¡± I¡¯d encounter her again inside the Tower anyway. I walked away, leaving her still standing there. As I walked down the corridor, feeling her gaze on the back of my head, a thought struck me. ¡­Alcohol is the culprit. Alcohol. ~~??~~??~~ The now-empty corridor. The Second Imperial Princess, Hedera, remained in place long after Ezekiel had left. The turbulent currents of confusion in her heart showed no signs of subsiding. As she tried to calmly retrace recent events and organize her thoughts, an unexpected figure appeared in the corridor. It was the Third Imperial Princess, Solana. ¡°Oh? Fancy meeting you here. You arrived early?¡± The radiance of the Empire that doesn¡¯t lose its light even in darkness. The face of the Empire, the Angel of the Empire¡­. Hedera wondered why she had appeared, but soon understood. It was Solana who had arbitrarily placed Ezekiel in the Inspector¡¯s position. Solana approached her with her usual vivaciousness, ¡°Second Princess, have you met the Inspector? Oh, should I call you the Tower Master here? Your agony continues, I see.¡± ¡°Not agony, anguish.¡± ¡°Anguish. Ah, that¡¯s what I said. I must have spoken too softly¡­¡± Solana chuckled softly. Hedera, thinking Solana too bright to understand the complex situation, just sighed, not bothering to explain. ¡°He¡¯s already giving his all to various tasks. I couldn¡¯t help but think, as expected of our master. Don¡¯t you think the Magic Tower will stand tall again? Tower Master, perhaps you should reconsider the sale more carefully.¡± ¡°The sale isn¡¯t the issue right now¡ª¡± Though Hedera tried to brush her off, Solana¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°You¡¯re not selling? That¡¯s a good decision.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± At this point, Hedera ran her hand through her hair in frustration; no, beyond frustration, she was starting to feel unpleasant. The five imperial princesses, raised in different environments with vastly different personalities and values, never got along well to begin with. But what Hedera particularly disliked was Solana¡¯s affected brightness that never revealed her true intentions. This constantly cheerful attitude, seemingly oblivious, irritated her. Sometimes it felt deliberately so. ¡°¡­Solana.¡± Hedera spoke with a slightly sharp voice. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel anything, seeing him after so long?¡± Hedera¡¯s separation from Ezekiel had been excruciatingly painful; the sudden accident left no time to cope, and she was too young to know how to deal with such severe pain. The girl at that time had confidence. Confidence, no, certainty that she could have waited 10 years or 100 years if he had just explained the circumstances. She would have understood anything, truly. Perhaps she would have followed him even if the world had crumbled. Because that would have hurt less. But. That past separation remained unresolved. Today was no different. No, their recent encounter had only made things more confusing. She had even asked the Emperor to postpone matters and came here personally, but this was the result. ¡­Yet, why was this naive girl so cheerful? ¡°Him? Are you referring to the master?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve changed. You used to call him your future husband when we were young.¡± Hedera gritted her teeth at Solana¡¯s harmful brightness. Indeed, there was such a time in the distant past. But Ezekiel, once again, had not explained himself. He had simply repeated his actions from that day when he left suddenly without any explanation to Hedera. Wasn¡¯t he just asking her to believe that he was sincere, even though he couldn¡¯t explain? ¡°Um, are you upset? It was just a joke. After all, there¡¯s no way you two would ever actually get married.¡± Solana continued in her usual tone, ¡°Anyway, yes. I don¡¯t feel much about it. Master must have had his reasons. I¡¯m just glad we can reunite now. It¡¯s better than never seeing him again, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°How nice to be so simple-minded. You can easily move on.¡± ¡°Easy? That¡¯s not true.¡± Hedera was growing increasingly irritated with this conversation. S~?a??h the N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. As she was about to leave the corridor, ¡°Second Princess.¡± Solana called out to Hedera for the first time; their gazes met in mid-air. Solana¡¯s lips curved into the gentle smile typical of clergy, but Hedera could clearly see that her eyes told a different story. ¡°There are such things in this world. Things that become sinful just by trying to know them, things that cause great pain just by asking about them¡­ This is just my opinion, of course.¡± ¡°¡­What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°The master, he didn¡¯t smoke sunweed in the past.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± A moment of silence. ¡°¡­¡­..?¡± Hedera¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, a beat later. Come to think of it, that was true. In the distant past, Ezekiel wasn¡¯t someone who even touched tobacco, let alone sunweed. But now, the distinctive burning scent of sunweed clung heavily to him. ¡°Without imperial permission, possessing sunweed is illegal. Even then, it¡¯s mostly for medical purposes. I¡¯ve never seen anyone chewing entire stalks before.¡± ¡°Stop beating around the bush. Tell me everything you know.¡± ¡°I know nothing. I told you earlier, didn¡¯t I? I just believe. It¡¯s the only thing I can do, knowing nothing.¡± With those words, Solana turned abruptly, ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead. There¡¯s training today, and it¡¯s my role to care for any injuries. I¡¯ll see you inside.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Left alone, Hedera remained rooted to the spot. Her already complex emotions became even more tangled with Solana¡¯s words. They seemed to rise like waves, threatening to engulf her. Why was she so displeased right now? ¡ª It¡¯s sincere. Because those few words had shaken her slightly. Because she found herself utterly disgusting and pathetic for being swayed again, despite being deceived for years. Then, why did she feel so frustrated now? ¡­Though she hated to admit it, it was because she was a little curious. She became even more curious about what truth she might not know. She absently fingered the crumpled letter in her pocket. To burn it, or not. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± In the end, Hedera moved on without burning the letter. A postponement. She wasn¡¯t kind enough to believe him immediately. Nor was she that stupid, young, or naive. But watching and observing wasn¡¯t too difficult, was it? Hedera possessed dragon blood now. She was strong. If she didn¡¯t give her heart in the first place, she couldn¡¯t be betrayed. Even if something seemed off, she could protect herself. Having made her decision, she nodded a couple of times. For now, she would set aside her role as the Second Princess. She still had the issue of selling the Imperial Magic Tower to deal with. ¡­It was time to work as the Tower Master for a while. ~~??~~??~~ The Magic Tower¡¯s corridor. Even after Hedera had left, someone still remained. Valken, the Second Princess¡¯s knight. It was him. Despite his face being completely hidden by his helmet, his eyes seemed to gleam. With that intense gaze, the knight continued to stare at the spot where Ezekiel had disappeared. Valken thought. A dragon blood user means perfection. At the same time, a perfect being does not harbor emotions. Thus, in his mind, Hedera was a perfect being. However. Just now, when she faced Ezekiel, Valken clearly felt Hedera waver in a way uncharacteristic of her. It was the first time he had seen such a sight since beginning his duties as a knight in the mortal realm. Therefore, what he must do was clear. For Hedera¡¯s perfection. For Hedera¡¯s nobility. No, for Hedera herself. ¡­He must eliminate that man. Chapter 23: The Second Princess, Hedera (6) ? Chapter 23 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (6) ?The Magic Tower¡¯s training ground. Currently, this place was truly a crucible of chaos. ¡°Eh, huh? Is that¡­?¡± ¡°Why on earth is she at the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± Widro and Nox were dazed amidst the confusion of the mages. Welcoming the Second Princess was overwhelming enough, but now an unexpected figure had joined them. ¡°¡­There¡¯s no doubt. It¡¯s the Third Princess herself,¡± Widro muttered in disbelief. The Angel of the Empire, and the face of the Empire; the Third Princess, Solana herself, had taken a seat in the training ground. ¡°Phew©¤¡± Nox pushed up his glasses and took a deep breath to compose himself. At the same time, he racked his brain. What reason could there possibly be for the Third Princess to visit this place? First, it wouldn¡¯t do to leave such an esteemed guest alone. Nox, Widro, and Agnes approached the Third Princess. Nox was the first to gather his courage, ¡°Excuse me, Your Highness the Third Princess! I greet you! I greet you ¡­ .Ahem.¡± He tried to greet her with a perfect baritone, but his extreme nervousness caused him to falter from the start. It was a complete blunder. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, Third Princess¡­¡± Only then did Solana¡¯s sun-like eyes turn to Nox. Nox, Widro, and Agnes steadied themselves with countless deep breaths. It was a natural reaction. After all, the Third Princess Solana was not only a princess but also renowned as the highest-ranking Saintess. The religious order that worshipped the Sun God, led by the Saint in the Empire. The reputation of their heresy inquisitors was unparalleled. How famous were the stories of their merciless purification of anything impure? It was said that not even a speck of dust remained after purification. Could there be something impure in the Imperial Magic Tower? ¡­No, they hadn¡¯t committed any corruption, at least. ¡°As it¡¯s not common for such an esteemed person to visit the Magic Tower, please forgive our clumsy reception. May I ask the purpose of your visit, Third Princess?¡± However, there was no response, to their embarrassment. ¡°Hey, is everyone alright? Nobody frozen solid?¡± Just then, Ezekiel appeared in the training ground, and Solana¡¯s eyes turned in his direction. The only problem was that her gaze showed no signs of wavering. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Simultaneously, the bodies of the three Magic Tower executives were covered in cold sweat. Naturally, the Imperial Magic Tower was a place that encompassed both advantages and disadvantages. Although the disadvantages overwhelmingly outweighed the advantages these days, there were still some positive aspects. In other words, while there were things they could confidently show Solana, there were also things that absolutely must not be shown. ¡­Things that must never be shown? The gazes of all three turned to the same place at once. Towards Ezekiel, the new Inspector. ¡®Anyone but that Inspector¡­!¡¯ ¡®This could be disastrous.¡¯ ¡®Should have stuck with the Imperial administrator position.¡¯ In an instant, the three formed a human barrier. After blocking Solana¡¯s view of Ezekiel, they desperately began to blurt out anything that came to mind. ¡°There are quite a few sights to see in this Imperial Magic Tower. If you would graciously allow us, we¡¯d be honored to guide you on this occasion.¡± ¡°This old man has something to show you¡­¡± ¡°The view from the upper floors is beautiful. As the training ground is noisy, I think it would be good to change locations.¡± Everyone was exhausting themselves just by addressing the Third Princess. On the day an unruly Inspector took office, no less than two princesses visiting this place ¡ª how could this be happening? It was almost like the probability of being struck by lightning twice in a row. But. The next moment, something unexpected happened. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± As Solana quietly raised one hand slightly, the words of the three executives stopped simultaneously, as if on cue. Everyone was on tenterhooks. They had no idea what Solana was about to say. What if she said something like ¡®I¡¯d like to take a closer look at that Inspector©¤¡¯? Just imagining that future made their hearts feel like they might stop beating. However, Solana simply gave a radiant smile. Just as the three began to feel hopeful, ¡°Would you mind stepping aside? I¡¯d like to see, but you¡¯re blocking my view.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± There exists such pressure in this world. The kind of pressure that¡¯s impossible to resist because the other person¡¯s smile is too bright, and their request is too gentle. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The three stepped aside with a sense of resignation. They desperately hoped it wasn¡¯t so, but Solana¡¯s gaze was fixed solely on Ezekiel. Widro and Nox hurriedly created a transparent mana barrier to communicate privately among themselves. It was a magic called ¡®Telepathy¡¯. ¡ª What do we do now? ¡ª It seems we¡¯re already doomed. Let¡¯s just accept it. As they communicated via Telepathy, ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Suddenly, Solana, who had been staring at Ezekiel, burst into laughter while covering her mouth. It was an incredibly bright smile, completely contrasting with the maturity of a Saintess, more like that of a young girl. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The executives felt chills run down their spines. They even felt fear. Solana¡¯s gaze fixed on Ezekiel. Solana, not even blinking. Was Solana¡¯s pleased smile truly one of pleasure? It was impossible to tell. Could it be the satisfaction of a Saintess who had found something to purify¡­? At some point, Agnes asked via Telepathy. ¡ª By the way, what¡¯s the next item on the agenda? ¡ª We were planning to demonstrate the training method that abolishes the Second Princess¡¯s summoning. ¡ª ¡­Who? ¡ª ¡­Who do you think? ¡°Ah¡­¡± Finally, Agnes staggered, holding her forehead. Why did I submit my resignation to the imperial court? What was I thinking¡­? ~~??~~??~~ The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s training ground. In this place where frost still clung to the walls and floor, I stroked my chin while carefully examining the clues scattered about. ¡®So this is the extent of it.¡¯ To cut to the chase, the mages¡¯ level was below expectations. The old me wouldn¡¯t have cared about other mages¡¯ achievements, but now I was officially an Inspector after all. As I was organizing a few thoughts in my head, ¡°Inspector.¡± Agnes approached me with somewhat hurried steps. As always, she was frantically turning a cube in one hand. It was spinning at several times its usual speed. Snap©¤! I froze the cube first. ¡°Inspector, is that what you¡¯re calling me now?¡± ¡°¡­Why did you freeze it? It¡¯s a silent cube.¡± She touched the frozen cube with an incredulous look. ¡°I told you, the sound isn¡¯t the problem. It¡¯s distracting.¡± ¡°Ah, yes. Anyway, the cube isn¡¯t important right now. The real issue is that there¡¯s something else far more distracting.¡± Agnes began to explain to me calmly, her face expressionless. ¡°Two princesses have visited this place simultaneously, and now you must present how you¡¯ll change the Magic Tower in front of them. Don¡¯t you think this is far more unsettling?¡± ¡°Not particularly.¡± ¡°What do you mean ¡®not particularly¡¯? This is serious.¡± Agnes stared at me intently, her face still expressionless. ¡°Inspector, I have a question.¡± I nodded. It meant she could ask anything. ¡°Why did you make the Magic Tower mages duel?¡± ¡°We need to assess their level before we can supplement their training.¡± S?a??h the N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°That¡¯s right. Thanks to that, we¡¯ve blatantly violated the Second Princess¡¯s principles. But you didn¡¯t even watch the duels, going out to the corridor instead. Isn¡¯t this meaningless?¡± ¡°Why is it a problem that I stepped out?¡± ¡°The mages suffered for nothing, we¡¯ve already broken the Second Princess¡¯s principles, and we have nothing proper to present while two princesses are watching¡­. What do we do now?¡± Although Agnes¡¯s face remained expressionless, her voice clearly conveyed her concern for the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s survival. She, who could pride herself on being several times calmer than others, was in turmoil. In other words, it meant that the current situation of the Imperial Magic Tower was that dire. I might have been concerned like her too. If, that is, I were a terrible mage. But the one standing here now was none other than Ezekiel. That is me. ¡°I can tell.¡± Agnes¡¯s brow furrowed ever so slightly. ¡°Even though I stepped out, I can tell plenty.¡± ¡°What on earth can you tell¡­?¡± But Agnes couldn¡¯t finish her sentence. Swish swish swish©¤ I drew up the cold in my body. It was a spell that required five strokes, but having done it countless times, the manifestation was almost instantaneous. ¡°Agnes, basically, ice talks a lot.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± ¡°It always tells you what it¡¯s been through.¡± Simultaneously, all the colors in my vision inverted. I slowly re-examined the ice. On the blackened ice, traces of mana glowed in fluorescent colors. Observing this was equivalent to observing the duels. I could sufficiently infer how each spell had been cast. Psychometry. The paranormal ability to read all memories related to an object by touching it ¡ª I was achieving this through pure magical ability. ¡®As expected, below par.¡¯ Of course, even upon re-examination, my opinion didn¡¯t change. To think this was the result despite driving the mages into a terror of freezing ¨C if I had to describe the magic performed here in one word, it would be simply ¡®crude¡¯. Of course, the general public would give a standing ovation even for this level of magic, but wasn¡¯t the goal of the Imperial Magic Tower to stand at the pinnacle? If so, this was far from enough. ¡°Gather.¡± At that single word, all the ice crystals coalesced above my palm. Crack crack crack©¤! They rubbed against each other, shaving and merging, quickly forming a perfect spherical crystal ball. Even the interior was transparent. I closed my eyes and absorbed all its traces. One. Two. Three. It didn¡¯t take long to organize my thoughts. When I opened my eyes, Agnes was staring at me with confused eyes. I suddenly asked her, ¡°Is there anyone else we should call?¡± Crunch, I took out a sunweed and chewed it. ¡°It¡¯s a shame to show this only to those gathered here.¡± ~~??~~??~~ Finally, the time for the presentation arrived. Unlike usual, the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s training ground was filled with an unprecedented tension. The cause was, of course, the two noble guests. The Second Princess Hedera and Third Princess Solana were watching the situation with keen eyes. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Everyone held their breath, carefully observing the princesses¡¯ reactions. In truth, everyone had similar thoughts. It felt like the sale of the Imperial Magic Tower was already unstoppable. Yet, they secretly harbored hope that the new inspector would prevent it. Just as it seemed someone might suffocate from the tension, Finally, the Magic Tower¡¯s inspector, Ezekiel, appeared. However, he didn¡¯t bother with even the most basic formalities. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­¡± All eyes focused on this single man. Could he really prevent the Tower¡¯s sale? What was he going to announce that made him act with such outrageous confidence¡­? The man, bearing everyone¡¯s questions, ¡°It¡¯s better to just sell this tower.¡± Suddenly uttered words no one expected. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± After his statement, silence fell. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± As if time had stopped, the silence continued for a long while. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± Only after nearly a minute did Hedera¡¯s eyebrow twitch. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Belatedly, shock began to register on the mages¡¯ faces. Their eyes grew almost three times larger and their mouths gaped open. They had heard the Inspector¡¯s words clearly, but it was shocking because they had heard them. ¡°Hehe, hehehe¡­¡± The Third Princess, Solana, burst into laughter at that moment. Simultaneously, everyone sensed it. ¡­This presentation was already an unprecedented situation. Chapter 24: The Second Princess, Hedera (7) ? Chapter 24 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (7) ?Five minutes before the presentation. Hedera, the Second Imperial Princess and the Head of the Imperial Magic Tower, was furrowing her brow as she flipped through the sale proposal. ¡°Hmm.¡± Indeed, her mind was still in turmoil. ¡ª Your Majesty, I will handle this myself. ¡ª I implore you, do not interfere. She had intended to settle things with Ezekiel in one go, but ultimately failed. The situation left her with an uneasy feeling, like a crumpled letter in her pocket. At one point, she had thought of leaving when it seemed he was just making excuses. In the end, that decision backfired. Who would have thought he¡¯d grab her wrist, say it was sincere, and then leave? He was indeed a formidable opponent. Anyway, it was now time to perform her role as the Head of the Magic Tower. ¡°Sigh.¡± The thought of carrying out her duties as the Tower Master elicited a sigh. ¡®What presentation?¡¯ It was just a place where people beg not to sell off the Tower. She had experienced countless such occasions. People wearing awkward smiles to impress Hedera, desperate attitudes of those who would lose their jobs if the Tower disappeared¡­ Until now, she had generously kept the Tower out of a sense of charity, but her circumstances had changed, making it difficult now. ¡®The Ascension Ceremony.¡¯ In the celestial realm, there exists a grand event called the Ascension Ceremony. It was an incredible opportunity for those with dragon blood to be acknowledged by the living legends, the dragons themselves, and become one of them. Hedera intended to remove any blemishes beforehand for that day. ¡®The head of an underperforming Magic Tower¡¯ was close to being a stigma. In fact, thinking of the Ascension Ceremony, there was no reason to listen to this presentation. It would be right to proceed with the sale without hearing anything. However. Despite this, the reason she personally took a seat was. ¡ªI¡¯m sincere. ¡­Because of that one phrase. She decided to give a chance. ¡°Let¡¯s see what he has.¡± If the contents of the letter were truly sincere, what could Ezekiel have prepared? Could he present something to fill the gap he never explained, something that would convince Hedera? Valken, her knight, subtly lowered his posture. ¡°Your Highness, are you really going to listen to that man¡¯s story?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Of course, if he spouts nonsense, she¡¯ll leave immediately. There was no doubt that she currently holds the upper hand. Just as Hedera was repeating this fact to herself, the murmur in the room ceased. Ezekiel had finally made his appearance. However, from the start, things deviated from Hedera¡¯s expectations. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­¡± She expected a flood of flowery words, but that wasn¡¯t the case. She thought he would be excessively formal and courteous, but he wasn¡¯t. ¡°This kind of Magic Tower, it might be better to just sell it off.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± At first, she doubted her ears. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± And only after a minute did she realize she had heard correctly. Because she had heard correctly, she couldn¡¯t help but doubt her ears again. Eventually, a single thought bloomed in her mind. ¡®What?¡¯ ¡­She couldn¡¯t even begin to guess what he was trying to do. ~~??~~??~~ Finally, the main presentation began. Ezekiel pulled out a new sunweed and chewed it with a crunch. ¡°As everyone knows, the Imperial Magic Tower is a place for utilizing and researching highly advanced magic. However, I¡¯ve noticed there are still those who can¡¯t even grasp the basics occupying positions here.¡± The mages¡¯ minds began to race. They couldn¡¯t understand what the Inspector was trying to say or what his intentions were. ¡­He was even using informal speech? But this wasn¡¯t the time to quibble over that. As Ezekiel exhaled a short puff of sunweed smoke, ice sculptures began to sprout rapidly from the ground. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°What? That¡¯s me, isn¡¯t it?¡± Everyone¡¯s faces were a mix of surprise and bewilderment. They were amazed at the creation of such intricate ice sculptures, understanding the extreme difficulty involved. Yet, they couldn¡¯t fathom why these sculptures depicted themselves. Ezekiel continued his presentation, chewing on the sunweed. ¡°Basic magic: Ice Spear. One scroll is enough.¡± He unrolled a scroll he had prepared in advance. Whoosh! The scroll thrown into the air took the shape of an ice spear and pierced through the air. A textbook example, without any frills. ¡°But what about an ice spear like this?¡± Shwack! Thunk! As soon as he finished speaking, something tore through the air and embedded itself in the wall. The movement was too fast for the naked eye to follow. Its tip was saw-toothed, and its speed was incomparable. The difference was so extreme that it could hardly be considered the same magic. Well, the ice spear in the scroll was designed with 14 strokes, while Ezekiel¡¯s manifestation consisted of a whopping 80 strokes. ¡°Why is there such an extreme difference in the same magic? Is it simply because it was strengthened? Has anyone seriously explored this?¡± No mage had answered yet. ¡°Then why is the casting time the same? It¡¯s common knowledge that the amount of magic formula is proportional to the casting time, so why?¡± Still, no one answered. But now, everyone was focused on Ezekiel¡¯s words. ¡°Of course you wouldn¡¯t know. You¡¯ve been so obsessed with the uniqueness of magic and fixated on new discoveries that you¡¯ve missed what¡¯s truly important.¡± That¡¯s when it happened. The ice sculptures mimicking everyone began to move. It was as if they had their own consciousness, creating a mystical spectacle. The mages¡¯ mouths hung open in amazement. ¡°The answer lies in understanding yourself. From now on, you need to observe not magic, but yourselves. Countless times.¡± The movements of the ice sculptures were a recreation of the intense duels the mages had during Ezekiel¡¯s absence. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± The mages were shocked and clung to the railings; the instinct to see good magic up close and for as long as possible ¡ª wasn¡¯t that an irresistible impulse for any mage? Of course, Hedera still had her brow furrowed. She didn¡¯t want to admit that she was engrossed in this presentation. She wanted to deny even more that she found it interesting¡­ It was a product of pride and defiance combined. ¡°The caster is you, yet most of you spend your entire lives just watching others cast magic. How has your life been?¡± S?a??h th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel pointed to one of the moving sculptures. The sculpture seemed to be unfolding something, likely depicting the use of a scroll. ¡°This one activated a Falling Rock Summon scroll. Let me apply my understanding to it. It¡¯s just a few examples.¡± Ezekiel unrolled a Falling Rock Summon scroll¡ª Pop! ¡ªand rocks generated in mid-air began to fall. ¡°Changing the core element acting as the fundamental stroke. To ice.¡± He applied his self-understanding to the scroll itself and the falling rocks transformed into massive icicles. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t always have to fall, does it?¡± He adjusted the circuit of direction. Reverse. And the falling icicles soared back into the air. This wasn¡¯t telekinesis. It was also an ¡®application¡¯ of the scroll. ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s more effective to have a greater number.¡± He split a particular stroke on the scroll, which had been drawn as a straight line, into countless dotted lines. Immediately, the single icicle divided into ten identical ones, which then crashed into the ground. By integrating his understanding with a simple falling rock scroll, he created effects like Icicle descent, Icicle ascent, and Icicle fragmentation launch, all from a single scroll¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Hedera unconsciously touched the mask over her mouth. It was a long-standing habit that emerged when she found something intriguing. And for good reason ¡ª Ezekiel¡¯s words were purely ideal. This was absolutely not basic. Not at all. Why else would the phrase ¡°easier said than done¡± exist? While theoretically possible, many things were practically impossible when attempted. If all theories were realizable, there would be no distinction between geniuses and dullards. Ezekiel¡¯s presentation was exactly that. ¡­Just words. Nothing more, right? Wouldn¡¯t it be far too difficult to actually attempt? ¡°Alright, let¡¯s dissect this scroll next.¡± However. If there was someone who made such a theory seem effortless before your eyes. If there was someone who proved that impossibility wrong, right in front of you. If there was a person who turned mere words into simple reality, a spark ignites in a mage¡¯s heart. That desire to try it at least once. ¡°Each of you has your own constitution. They¡¯re all different, and that uniqueness is what you should cling to. For this, you must observe yourself countless times.¡± Come to think of it, there were no mirrors in the training ground. The mages had only been looking at each other all this time. Everyone in the training ground was already fully focused on Ezekiel. His self-image shown through the ice statues was unfamiliar yet welcome. The hand cautiously extended towards the magical self that had been so indifferent to oneself. A reconciliation with oneself, grasped with aspiration and courage. The first handshake. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± A spark began to ignite in Hedera¡¯s heart as well. Just as it was about to narrow the frequency of friction. Just as it was about to kindle even a small flame¡ª ¡°That¡¯s all for now.¡± ¡ªEzekiel suddenly stopped all action. Simultaneously, all the ice statues in the training ground shattered into vapor. As if nothing had happened. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Just a little more¡­!¡± Instinctive sighs of disappointment were heard here and there. For a moment, Hedera felt goosebumps. Because she had clearly just felt a sense of regret. Currently, she was feeling disappointed? ¡­Was she that interested in Ezekiel¡¯s words? Everyone except Hedera looked at Zekiel with expressions full of impatience. They fervently hoped for his presentation to resume. Stopping here was no different from torture. ¡°Well, this is roughly what I consider basics.¡± Of course, Ezekiel just casually lit a new sunweed. ¡°Let¡¯s just sell it off. You don¡¯t even want to try.¡± At this, everyone¡¯s eyes lit up. It wasn¡¯t a look of defiance, but rather a plea. The mages were now looking at Ezekiel with expressions that seemed to beg for a chance. ¡°Why those faces? Am I wrong?¡± The mages nodded with their eyes. But Ezekiel shook his head once more, ¡°Still, it¡¯s not possible. This method goes against the principles.¡± Simultaneously, he let out a chuckle. A mischievous smile, full of playfulness, yet not at all unlikable. ¡°Unless the Second Princess changes her mind.¡± At that moment¡ª all the mages¡¯ heads rotated quickly like owls. Countless eyes landed on the face of the Second Princess, Hedera. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± In that brief instant, Hedera sensed what they harbored. Unlike before, it wasn¡¯t just childish pleading to avoid selling off the scrolls. What blazed behind their eyes was desire. Hands itching to manifest magic right away. They were, at last, true mages. A sight Hedera had never seen before. ¡°¡­Ha.¡± The princess finally let out a dry laugh. End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . Chapter 25: The Second Princess, Hedera (8) ? Chapter 25 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (8) ?The training hall of the Magic Tower fell silent. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Hedera continued her deliberation under everyone¡¯s gaze. Why had she grown so weary of these presentations? It was because most appealed to emotions ¨C begging her not to take away their jobs, pleading to postpone the sale as if begging for their lives. But today was different. Those present weren¡¯t just employees facing layoffs or breadwinners desperate to provide for their families. At this moment, they faced the princess as true mages. It was evident in their eyes. While they had previously been driven by performance metrics, now they aimed solely for the challenge. Their efforts for success had transformed into efforts to avoid regret; the difference between striving for success and striving to avoid regret, though seemingly similar, was immense. This change was the result of Ezekiel¡¯s influence. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Hedera looked at the sale proposal in her hand. The Second Princess had faith in herself. She had faith that she could dismiss most matters with a laugh. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± However. Ezekiel¡¯s presentation, regardless of her personal preferences, was clearly beyond the ordinary. It was something she hadn¡¯t anticipated at all. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Her deliberation dragged on. The Ascension Ceremony. The crucial event that those with dragon blood must undergo in the celestial realm was approaching. The performance review of the Magic Tower was scheduled even earlier. Thus, this situation was a gamble for Hedera as well. If the entrusted Magic Tower flourished, it would add to Hedera¡¯s proud achievements. But if it failed, it would remain as a glaring blemish, potentially hindering her at the Ascension Ceremony. Suddenly, a phrase came to mind. ¡ª I¡¯m sincere. ¡­Could it be that he knew how close the Ascension Ceremony was? Was he implying that while he couldn¡¯t explain everything, his intentions were genuine? That he aimed to develop this Magic Tower for Hedera¡¯s Ascension Ceremony? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The problem was, she couldn¡¯t directly ask him about it. Hedera and Ezekiel had been apart for a long time, leaving many unknowns between them. Even if she asked outright, it was uncertain if she¡¯d get an answer. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Hedera quietly surveyed her surroundings. Everyone was still looking at her. With desperate eyes, they simply watched. As her deliberation seemed to stretch endlessly¡ª ¡°Your Highness, please, we beg you.¡± ¡ªsomeone broke the silence. Nox, from the Pragmatic faction, was bowing respectfully as he pleaded. ¡°Please give us a chance.¡± This became the signal for all the mages to speak up. ¡°Please, we implore you!¡± ¡°Please postpone the sale!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll work extremely hard!¡± The same phrases as before; these words hadn¡¯t changed at all. Yet unlike before, Hedera was now genuinely considering. As the training hall suddenly burst into commotion¡ª The Second Princess lowered her mask and murmured softly. ¡°Stop.¡± At once, everyone froze without warning. Like a photograph capturing a single moment, time seemed to stand still, creating an eerie scene. This was the power of a dragon blood possessor. The Lingual Magic. ¡°¡­One day.¡± At the center of the motionless space, the Second Princess spoke, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it for exactly one day.¡± She lifted the Lingual Magic and left the place. ~~??~~??~~ The next day. As dawn broke, I got up. Checking the clock, it was 5 AM. Hedera¡¯s decision announcement would be in one hour. After getting ready, I opened the dormitory door and immediately noticed something placed there¡ªa rectangular box. ¡°A lunchbox?¡± I opened its lid. Immediately, an appetite-stimulating aroma wafted out. Inside were several fresh-looking vegetables and fried foods, along with a note. [ I enjoyed your presentation. I¡¯m leaving early. ] [ I¡¯ll pray for your well-beeng !] I understood immediately upon seeing it. Solana had left this. ¡°It should be ¡®well-being¡¯, not ¡®well-beeng¡¯.¡± Despite her exceptional holy power, her spelling remained unsolvable. Meanwhile, I was suddenly reminded of the past. ¡ª Master! Let¡¯s eat together! s?a??h th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª I made this myself! Solana always loved cooking and would offer her homemade food whenever she was in a good mood. Receiving a lunchbox from her after so long felt somewhat strange. ¡®At least Solana seems satisfied. That¡¯s a relief.¡¯ An angel can turn into a devil the moment they turn their back. Why, even during our conversation in the reception room earlier, she had exuded a terrifying chill once. I was glad not to see that side of her again. Now all that remained was Hedera¡¯s decision. ¡°Inspector, Inspector.¡± Just then, someone called me. Twice, even. ¡°Inspector.¡± Now three times. The voice belonged to Agnes. She wore her usual expressionless face, but somehow seemed urgent. ¡°Agnes, do you have three Inspectors to manage?¡± ¡°How could that be? I¡¯m a dedicated secretary. Naturally, managing you alone is my entire job.¡± ¡°Then why call three times? I heard you the first time.¡± ¡°¡­I was in a hurry. That¡¯s why.¡± My gaze shifted to the cube in her hand, and Agnes quickly stuffed it into her pocket. However, the suit¡¯s breast pocket wasn¡¯t elastic enough to hold the cube. ¡­It stuck out like a squirrel with an acorn in its mouth. ¡°Anyway, Inspector.¡± Agnes swiftly changed the subject, ¡°We¡¯ve received a communication from another Magic Tower. After reviewing the contents, it seems you¡¯ll need to compose a reply personally.¡± I received a sheet of paper from Agnes. == x == x == [ Invitation ] == x == x == Greetings. Once again this year, the Empire¡¯s six Magic Towers have organized a magic exchange meeting through steady efforts and achievements. As this is a year for performance presentations, we ask for much encouragement. We especially request the esteemed guests from the Imperial Magic Tower to attend and grace us with their presence. Though humble, we have prepared gifts. Artifacts, elixirs¡­. We believe you will not be disappointed. We will do our utmost to provide for you even if you just visit. From the Black, Red, Blue, Purple, and Green Magic Towers of the Empire. == x == x == x == x == x == x == x == The content itself was quite simple. It was an invitation to a regular exchange meeting of officials from each Magic Tower, hoping for the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s participation. However, I read this invitation three times. Because it was strange. ¡­Strange how favorable the conditions were. ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°They¡¯re saying they¡¯ll give out things just for visiting. Isn¡¯t it usually the opposite?¡± For a meeting of officials from the six Magic Towers, even just participating would be an incredible experience. Wouldn¡¯t it be more common to offer gifts to secure participation in such an exchange? Something seems odd. They¡¯re giving out precious gifts just for participating? ¡°It turns out there were reasons behind it,¡± Agnes stated matter-of-factly. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has missed over ten exchange meetings now. It¡¯s not just once or twice; other towers are starting to notice our dire situation.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been preparing quite diligently.¡± The other Towers weren¡¯t complete fools. They must have sensed something was off with the Imperial Magic Tower long ago. It seems they¡¯re trying to lure us into a visit, expose our weaknesses, embarrass us, and elevate their own standing. ¡°Visits are such a hassle. Can¡¯t we just accept the gifts?¡± ¡°¡­Are you in your right mind?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never been in my right mind.¡± ¡°This is no time for jokes. Anyway, the biggest problem right now is¡­¡± Agnes hesitated for a moment. ¡°They¡¯ve requested an immediate reply. We haven¡¯t heard the Second Princess¡¯s decision on the sale yet. What do you think, Inspector? How should we respond?¡± I blinked quietly. Not because I had much to consider, but because there was no need to deliberate. ¡°Tell them we¡¯ll attend.¡± I¡¯m confident I can win Hedera¡¯s trust. I¡¯m confident I can visit the exchange meeting with pride. Agnes looked at me as if she wanted to ask something, but soon nodded and started writing something in her notebook, ¡°¡­Understood. I¡¯m sure you have your reasons, Inspector.¡± ¡°Oh, and tell them to skip the elixir and pack some sunweed instead.¡± Snap¡ª Agnes¡¯s pen nib broke. ~~??~~??~~ At the training grounds inside the Imperial Magic Tower. At last, the time Hedera promised had arrived. After she took her seat, an intense silence filled with tension enveloped the area. This was to be expected. No matter how well Ezekiel had presented, the final decision ultimately rested with the Second Princess. Would it proceed with the sale as planned, or overturn it and postpone? Was this the end, or would there be one more chance? Everyone waited with bated breath for Hedera¡¯s answer. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± And then, at some point, Hedera stood up. Just as she was about to speak¡ª ¡°Pardon me, Your Highness.¡± Another person abruptly rose from their seat. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.?¡± Simultaneously, confusion flickered in the eyes of the mages. The reason being, the person who stood wasn¡¯t a mage. It was the Knight who had been guarding Hedera¡¯s side all along. ¡°Knight Valken, assigned to protect the Second Princess.¡± ¡°Valken, what is your business?¡± Even Hedera herself was unaware of his intentions. ¡°If I may¡­¡± Valken turned his head in a specific direction. His piercing gaze, impossible to conceal even behind his helmet, was fixed on Ezekiel. ¡°¡­There is something I must urgently request of Her Highness.¡± He concluded with a weighty voice. All the while, he continued to stare intently at Ezekiel. Chapter 26: The Second Princess, Hedera (9) ? Chapter 26 ¨C The Second Princess, Hedera (9) ?¡°This is quite unusual, Valken,¡± Hedera remarked briefly. The Imperial Knights. Among the many Knights Orders across the continent, including City Knights and Wandering Knights, the Imperial Knights stood paramount. They gathered proven knights and put them through rigorous training, producing elite warriors. It was no idle boast to say that one Imperial Knight could match an entire battalion of other knights. However. The Imperial Knights were known by another name¡ª ¡ªThe Silent Knights. They never utter unnecessary words. Their blades sliced through the air without a sound. And in their final moments, they left no last words. S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Yet Valken was undeniably an Imperial Knight assigned to the Princess¡¯ guard. For him to request to speak at an official gathering was, as the princess noted, truly rare. But in other words, when he did speak, it was for a compelling reason. To become the princess¡¯s guard, one must survive countless trials even among the Imperial Knights. Only when other knights deem you superhuman could you earn the honor of protecting the princess. So the voice speaking now wasn¡¯t just that of a mere knight. He was speaking as a superhuman who¡¯d attained tremendous prestige. Even as the Second Princess, Hedera had no reason to ignore him. Valken first bowed his head respectfully. ¡°Forgive my impudence. I¡¯m aware of my own improper behavior.¡± ¡°Go ahead and speak. I¡¯ll listen.¡± The observing mages gulped nervously. Why had the guard knight suddenly stepped forward? Unlike the mages¡¯ faces, which betrayed inexplicable anxiety, the Inspector Ezekiel remained remarkably composed. He calmly exhaled a puff of sunweed smoke. In truth, such situations were all too familiar to him. Fame was troublesome, obscurity was frustrating. Ezekiel belonged to the latter category. Most of his lifelong missions required him to operate in secrecy, so he was no stranger to resistance. ¡ª Who do you think you are? ¡ª Can you take responsibility? ¡ª Do you know who I am? ¡®Too many to count.¡¯ Ezekiel had lost track of the number of times people had looked down on him, demanding proof of his authority. To him, such things were merely annoyances, never true obstacles. It was then that Valken continued speaking. ¡°Before the Second Princess makes her decision regarding the sale of the Magic Tower, there¡¯s something I must urgently request.¡± But Ezekiel immediately interjected. ¡°Surely it would suffice to make your request after hearing the decision. The princess likely arrived having already made up her mind.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The knight¡¯s piercing gaze turned towards Ezekiel from within his helmet. The hostility was unmistakable; though half of the Second Princess¡¯s face was hidden behind a mask, a flicker of interest passed through her eyes. Hedera slowly spoke, ¡°Inspector, you seem confident you¡¯ll hear the outcome you desire.¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t even bother to answer her question. He simply bowed slightly with a relaxed smile, as if confirming Hedera¡¯s guess. It was an astounding display of confidence. But then¡ª ¡°Regardless of today¡¯s decision, the Inspector needs to correct his attitude. How dare you be so disrespectful in the presence of the princess?¡± Once again, it was Valken who spoke. His eyes gleamed like those of a predator encountered in the dead of night. Yet Ezekiel met his gaze unflinchingly, as if the knight¡¯s words were beneath him. ¡°I don¡¯t care about manners. I only care about results.¡± He spoke as if the Second Princess weren¡¯t even present. ¡°Isn¡¯t that better than an incompetent Inspector?¡± ¡°¡­How dare you.¡± While Ezekiel¡¯s words were a genuine question, Valken seemed to take them as a provocation. The knight placed his hand on his sword hilt as he looked to Hedera. ¡°Give me just 10 minutes for education. I¡¯ll instill in this Magic Tower Inspector the proper etiquette for addressing the princess.¡± However, much to Valken¡¯s embarrassment, even Hedera seemed unconcerned with Ezekiel¡¯s attitude. The Second Princess simply waved her hand dismissively and said¡ª ¡°Guard, state your request first.¡± ¡°¡­Understood.¡± He had no choice. If he became agitated when the princess herself didn¡¯t take issue, it would be overstepping. This made Valken even more anxious and uneasy. ¡­Hedera¡¯s attitude towards Ezekiel was different. He had never seen the princess treat anyone like this before. The Imperial Knight took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and spoke¡ª ¡°Your Highness, I believe there¡¯s a clear distinction between an excellent individual and an excellent leader. The difference is significant.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Even if the Inspector is a talented mage, he hasn¡¯t proven himself as a leader in this presentation. For the Imperial Magic Tower to achieve high results, wouldn¡¯t everyone involved need to improve their skills?¡± Everyone listened silently. The logic itself was sound. ¡°Many imperial citizens are suffering from the recent erosion phenomenon. If he¡¯s truly an excellent Inspector, I¡¯d like to see him quickly train skilled mages and show results.¡± Hedera seemed to ponder for a moment; then, as if reaching a decision, she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll give the others a chance to speak as well. You don¡¯t have to remain silent. Feel free to express your opinions.¡± Immediately, Widro, the leader of the theoretical faction, stood up. ¡°You say to quickly train skilled mages and show results, but how long exactly are you talking about? Consider that the exchange meeting is coming up soon.¡± ¡°The imperial citizens in the neighboring region of Ruiple are suffering from magic beasts and mana as we speak. I believe it should be resolved within a week at most.¡± ¡°¡­A week? Be reasonable!¡± ¡°I¡¯m confident I could train squires into knights in a week. Is this magic tower truly incapable of the same?¡± At this point, Nox pushed up his glasses and interjected¡ª ¡°Sir Knight, the Inspector has given tremendous motivation to the previously aimless mages of this tower. Isn¡¯t that already an achievement in itself?¡± ¡°Even thieves can provide motivation. What matters are tangible results, not such emotions.¡± ¡°What¡­! Are you calling us thieves?¡± ¡°Given that you¡¯ve received investment from tax money with zero results, perhaps calling you thieves is too generous. You¡¯ve been legally robbing people all this time.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± The mages¡¯ expressions began to fill with antipathy and unease. They had just begun to feel hope after seeing the presentation, but the guard was trying to take it all away again. The problem was, his words were entirely correct. Demanding proof of excellence as a leader rather than individual brilliance was logically sound. But the mages were anxious. There was a world of difference between dreaming and achieving. Could they reach the level of skill the Inspector had demonstrated? Could they arrive at an erosion-afflicted area and produce amazing results? ¡­And all within a week? Results meant purifying infected areas. Purification meant exterminating magic beasts and mana sources. Furthermore, stabilizing civilian life¡­ They were uneasy because they couldn¡¯t guarantee any of it. As the training grounds began to stir¡ª ¡°Stop.¡± ¡ªHedera spoke; though she hadn¡¯t lowered her mask or used her Lingual Magic, this alone was enough to quell the commotion. ¡°Valken has faithfully carried out his duties for many years, and the new Inspector¡¯s presentation was impressive. I¡¯ll give my opinion based on what I¡¯ve heard so far.¡± The princess¡¯s eyes rolled towards Valken. ¡°I am a dragon blood bearer, a princess, and a Lingual Magic user¡­ The weight of my words is immense. I decided to consider it for exactly one day, so I must make the decision about the sale now. The imperial guard knight wouldn¡¯t dare object, would he?¡± ¡°How could I possibly defy you? I¡¯ll follow whatever you decide.¡± Hedera nodded. ¡°First, I won¡¯t sell the magic tower. That¡¯s my decision.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..!¡± The mages¡¯ eyes widened. Their expressions, previously full of worry and concern, now brimmed with joy. However, the Second Princess hadn¡¯t finished speaking. ¡°While the imperial guard¡¯s argument has merit, it¡¯s a proposal the Inspector would hesitate to accept given his tight schedule. There¡¯s truly no benefit for him.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°So let¡¯s do this.¡± Hedera slowly crossed one leg over the other; her alluring posture was beyond fitting. ¡°If the Inspector accepts the imperial guard¡¯s proposal despite his tight schedule, I¡¯ll partially open the Imperial Treasury. It should be an adequate reward for the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°¡­The Imperial Treasury?¡± Agnes muttered involuntarily. The Imperial Treasury, wasn¡¯t it the place where incredible things slumbered? ¡°I¡¯ll open the first floor and grant the Imperial Magic Tower whatever they desire from it. I¡¯m a Lingual Magic wielder. I don¡¯t lie.¡± ¡°The entire first floor¡­!¡± The mages stirred. Valken, on the other hand, remained calm. The Inspector wouldn¡¯t set foot in the Imperial Treasury anyway. No, he wouldn¡¯t even accept the proposal to prove himself. The reason was simple. These people were incapable of it. All eyes turned to Ezekiel simultaneously. It was like a trap. While not forced, participation came with a reward. At first glance, it might seem possible to avoid participating by forgoing the reward, but no one was foolish enough to think that way. ¡­The princess was showing enough interest to offer a reward. She was also expecting something. That was the key. Refusing would disappoint the princess, which was a problem. Accepting was a problem due to the impossibility of success. ¡­It was a trap. Everyone¡¯s faces were filled with dismay. After a long moment. Ezekiel spoke. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not inclined to accept.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The mages nodded with difficulty. It was the expected answer and the safe move. Considering the possibility of a spectacular failure if they tried, it would be far better to just slightly disappoint the princess. ¡°Hah.¡± Just as Valken snorted as if he had predicted this, and as even Hedera was about to reluctantly accept¡ª ¡°But since it¡¯s a chance to obtain imperial treasures, let¡¯s aim to achieve higher results than you, guard knight.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± For a moment, everyone was speechless. Valken parted his lips, doubting his own ears. ¡°¡­Higher results than my knights?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°©¤!¡± Only then did everyone react as if struck by lightning. Not only training the mages, not only achieving results in the Ruiple region¡­ But to surpass even the performance of Valken, a member of the Imperial Knights. ¡­Ezekiel had just boldly declared this. In the midst of the frozen silence, with everyone stunned as if struck by lightning¡ª ¡°Inspector, are you in your right mind?¡± To the guard knight¡¯s question, the man exhaled sunweed smoke. And then. He grinned widely, showing all his teeth. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve never been in my right mind.¡± His piercing blue gaze. It had long since penetrated Valken¡¯s helmet. Chapter 27: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (1) ? Chapter 27 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (1) ?Rumors always spread faster than anything else. Even faster to those who have been waiting for them. In the imperial capital, at the temple dedicated to the Sun God¡ª ¡°Hehehe¡­¡± The Angel of the Empire, the face of the Empire, the Third Princess¡­ Solana burst into girlish laughter. It was a face difficult to imagine from her usual kind and mature demeanor. S?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°A bet. And with the former captain of the Imperial Knights, no less.¡± However, Solana¡¯s face showed no concern. Her expression was filled only with interest. ¡°It¡¯s simply astonishing. To cause such a stir right after taking office, this Inspector must be an unpresidented figure. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Meanwhile, the priest who brought the information quietly thought¡ª ¡­It¡¯s ¡®unprecedented¡¯, not ¡®unpresidented¡¯. But he didn¡¯t dare voice his thoughts at this moment. ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve certainly never seen an Inspector like this before.¡± He nodded anyway. At least he could wholeheartedly agree that this Inspector was unprecedented. What was a Magic Tower Inspector? Most Inspectors simply served their terms leisurely, living in luxury before retiring. It was a cushy position as long as they didn¡¯t cause any incidents. That was about it. But an Inspector who actively stirs things up? ¡­It had been a long time since they¡¯d seen one. No, it was the first time. ¡°Ahem.¡± In any case, Solana seemed pleased with the news the priest had brought, occasionally flashing inscrutable smiles in all directions. The priest, at a loss for words, said¡ª ¡°I apologize. It seems I¡¯ve disrupted the Third Princess¡¯s morning prayers by bringing this news.¡± ¡°Not at all. I requested this information in the first place.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± As the priest withdrew, Solana was alone again. Now she would need to start her day as a Saintess. She pushed away all thoughts except those of one person, then clasped her hands and closed her eyes gently. ¡°Oh Sun God¡­¡± At dawn. Without fail, every single day, Solana¡¯s routine began with a prayer for the peace of one single man. ~~??~~??~~ ¡°Your Highness.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Forgive my impertinence, but what is your relationship with the Inspector?¡± In the top floor of the magic tower, in the VIP room reserved for the Second Princess, Hedera furrowed her brow while resting. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Hedera silently looked at Valken for a moment, then¡ª ¡°Hah.¡± She sighed deeply as if in understanding. Come to think of it, that¡¯s right. Their interaction and conversation when she encountered Ezekiel in the tower¡¯s corridor¡­ Valken had been right there, witnessing everything. The letter, true feelings, and so on. There were some provocative words for someone unaware of the circumstances. It wouldn¡¯t be strange to think of it as a romantic relationship. Fortunately, Hedera was in a position where she could simply give orders. ¡°Forget it.¡± ¡°Yes. As you command, I shall forget.¡± Valken bowed respectfully. ¡°I knew from the start that it wasn¡¯t my place to interfere. However, Your Highness, what I was concerned about was¡­¡± ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. You were worried about my Ascension Ceremony.¡± Hedera cut off Valken¡¯s words. ¡°Valken, I know your loyalty well. But there¡¯s nothing I consider more important than the Ascension Ceremony. Whatever attitude I take towards the Magic Tower and the Inspector, know that there are absolutely no emotions involved.¡± ¡°¡­Yes. Your Highness is perfect.¡± ¡ª Your Highness is perfect. A phrase Valken had uttered countless times while serving Hedera. But for the first time, as he spoke those words just now, Valken felt something like a stone catching in his heart; because the current Second Princess seemed imperfect to him. The Ascension Ceremony. To pass it safely, one must achieve flawlessness. In other words, the more one sheds their human aspects and truly becomes a dragon, the better. ¡­But the current Hedera clearly wasn¡¯t like that. As a skilled knight, Valken could see it without fail. The subtle changes in Hedera¡¯s facial muscles and fingertip movements when dealing with Ezekiel, different from her usual demeanor. Clearly, at that time, Hedera had some kind of emotion. ¡®Ezekiel, just who in the world are you?¡¯ Thanks to this, that was Valken¡¯s only question. ¡°I suggested this performance proposal purely out of curiosity about the Inspector¡¯s abilities. Though it¡¯s grown into a bet with you, that¡¯s not a bad thing.¡± ¡°¡­Do you believe the bet will actually happen?¡± Valken asked incredulously. However, Hedera continued speaking calmly, ¡°You can tell just from his presentation. It¡¯s not simply a matter of being good at magic. He has boundless creativity.¡± ¡°It was certainly impressive.¡± ¡°Impressive? That¡¯s not enough to describe the feeling. It¡¯s more like, how should I put it¡­¡± She suddenly stopped speaking and waved her hand lightly. ¡°Ah, never mind. I¡¯m talking too much. It¡¯s unbecoming.¡± To Valken¡¯s eyes, it seemed the princess had gotten a bit excited and was about to continue, but consciously stopped herself. ¡°Anyway, do your best, my loyal knight.¡± ¡°¡­Your Highness. I am Valken.¡± Valken said with a somewhat suppressed tone. A Knight¡¯s strength in handling sword qi and sword techniques was no less than a mage¡¯s. Moreover, Valken was the former captain of the renowned Imperial Knights. He had rarely experienced defeat. Valken sometimes felt disappointed by this aspect of Hedera. Despite being in a position revered by other knights, Hedera would often make comments to Valken as if he fell short of some standard. As if she had seen something too incredible. As if nothing else could impress her anymore. ¡°I know. I¡¯m telling you this because I know how great Valken is.¡± But the next moment, Valken doubted his eyes. Because he thought he saw a hint of that very impression in the princess¡¯s eyes. ¡°¡­This bet might be quite challenging for you.¡± ~~??~~??~~ In the corridor of the Imperial Magic Tower. Nox, the leader of the pragmatic faction, was a connoisseur who knew how to enjoy alcohol. The only problem was being drunk in broad daylight. ¡°Hahaha! Hahahahaha¡­!¡± He burst into laughter bordering on madness. ¡°Finally! The magic tower has finally avoided being sold!¡± But the next moment, he suddenly sat down. ¡°Hic¡­ *sob*! Waaah!¡± He exhaled heavily, wailed, and shook his head violently. ¡°We¡¯re ruined. Ruined, I tell you! A bet with the Second Princess¡¯s guard knight¡­ Have we leapt up only to fall even harder? What will become of this magic tower now¡­!¡± ¡°¡­Bipolar disorder? Poor thing, at such a young age.¡± Ezekiel, who had been watching this scene, commented. Agnes, who had been observing Ezekiel, also remarked, ¡°Isn¡¯t this all thanks to you, Inspector?¡± While Nox seemed out of his mind, this was actually the atmosphere throughout the entire Magic Tower. It was good that they avoided being sold, but how could they win this bet? The situation was utterly incomprehensible. ¡­Of course, Ezekiel, the person directly involved, couldn¡¯t have been more nonchalant. ¡°Save your thanks for after we win the bet. It¡¯s too early now.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t gratitude at all. This is what we call sarcasm. Sarcasm is¡ª¡± ¡°Enough. You¡¯ll be grateful anyway. Because we¡¯re going to win.¡± ¡°Where does that confidence come from¡­? Anyway, look at this.¡± Agnes, who had been walking down the corridor, suddenly stopped. In the center of the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s corridor was something like a giant blackboard, covered densely with documents of different colors at regular intervals. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower isn¡¯t run on taxes alone. Requests we receive are posted here as documents, and we earn rewards for solving them.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so crowded. Are there always too many requests?¡± ¡°Hardly any come in. They¡¯ve piled up because we can¡¯t solve them.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying it¡¯s been in the red for about 10 years straight.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Agnes cleared her throat expressionlessly. ¡°Actually, these aren¡¯t requests exclusive to our tower. Other magic towers, knightly orders¡­ They all receive them simultaneously.¡± ¡°I¡¯d expect so. Anyone who can solve them will do so.¡± ¡°The important thing is, it¡¯s not that we¡¯re incompetent and that¡¯s why it looks so crowded. These are just the ones that other towers and knightly orders couldn¡¯t solve either.¡± Agnes said with a dead serious expression. In any case, more noticeable than the content of the current missions was the color. Among the white papers, there was one that stood out in yellow. ¡°There¡¯s one with a different color. What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°We use different paper colors according to difficulty. White is medium, yellow is high, red is extreme. That sort of system.¡± Ezekiel closely examined the yellow paper. [Request for Purification of Erosion Phenomenon] [The erosion phenomenon in the Ruiple region is severe. Magic beasts and even monsters are appearing. As soon as possible¡­.] ¡°Recently, the erosion phenomenon in the Ruiple region has become serious. We¡¯ve cleared out magic beasts and monsters multiple times, but the problem is they keep reappearing as if nothing happened.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s a request for identifying the cause, not just elimination.¡± ¡°Exactly. The Blue Magic Tower has already tried twice and failed, so there¡¯s been discussion about upgrading it to a red request recently.¡± Ezekiel understood why the paper was yellow. Simply eliminating magic beasts wasn¡¯t difficult, but if the goal was to find and eliminate the cause of their constant reappearance, the difficulty inevitably increased greatly. ¡°I¡¯ll need to choose carefully by the end of today. I understand for now.¡± Agnes nodded silently at these words. At the same time, she felt relieved. Is there a more important strategy than carefully selecting requests with a possibility of success? In fact, Agnes had been very worried about what to do if Ezekiel suggested taking on the Ruiple region request. ¡­That one was practically impossible. A request that shouldn¡¯t be attempted. Moreover, Valken had already accepted the Ruiple region request. If Ezekiel accepted it too, it would mean competing in real-time in the same region¡­. ¡­The thought alone was terrifying. ? Of course, Agnes now understood Ezekiel¡¯s extraordinary abilities. However. ¡®Performance missions require at least three people.¡¯ If the other two held Ezekiel back, wouldn¡¯t the situation become much more difficult? The opposing side would have at least three knights of Valken¡¯s caliber working in perfect unity. So there was a better strategy. ¡°It seems we¡¯d be better off handling multiple white requests. We should aim for quantity.¡± Yellow requests were worth 10 points, white ones 1 point, so if they worked hard to solve about 10 white ones, they might manage a draw. Fortunately, Ezekiel nodded, ¡°I got it. I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Relieved, Agnes unnecessarily added¡ª ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll assist as much as I can.¡± Ezekiel suddenly handed her a box. ¡°Fill this with sunweed.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Agnes was about to protest but closed her mouth. She realized she had just volunteered to assist. Just now, in fact. In the end, she pursed her lips and did voice an objection. ¡°Sunweed is very hard to come by these days.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s gaze turned to Agnes¡¯ cube. ¡°¡­It¡¯s true.¡± A bead of sweat formed on Agnes¡¯ forehead. ¡°It won¡¯t work even if you threaten to take my cube hostage.¡± ¡°Then explain why.¡± ¡°Ruiple is the main producer of sunweed. I understand they¡¯re having trouble with the erosion phenomenon lately. Distribution has also been cut off due to monsters.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Agnes finally breathed a sigh of relief. But the next moment. She realized there was nothing to be relieved about. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± The yellow request paper attached to the board. The request that Knight Valken had already accepted. Ruiple region, high difficulty, identifying the cause of erosion ¡ª Ezekiel was closely examining that request paper after removing it. ¡°¡­Insolent monsters.¡± The Inspector muttered with a rather serious expression. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to teach them what fear is.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡­Agnes felt like she already knew what fear was. End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . Chapter 28: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (2) ? Chapter 28 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (2) ?The next day. The Imperial Magic Tower was in an uproar from the morning. ¡°Is this¡­ Is this for real?¡± ¡°How long has it been since we accepted a yellow-grade request?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the acceptance that¡¯s the problem! How are we supposed to succeed?¡± The reason they couldn¡¯t stay still was one ¡ª the notice conspicuously posted on the board. == x == x == x == x == x == x == x == x== x == x == x == Ruiple¡¯s insolence has gone too far. As the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, I cannot stand by. In one week, we will depart to investigate the cause. Personnel will be selected this afternoon. Gather accordingly. == x == x == x == x == x == x == x == x== x == x == x == ¡°¡­What!¡± Widro, the leader of the theoretical faction, exploded in anger. Nox, the head of the pragmatic faction? He had long since collapsed from drinking. Perhaps because Widro was the highest-ranking official among the nearby mages, everyone began to direct their questions at the old man. ¡°Master Widro, departing for Ruiple after just a week of preparation? Will we be alright like this?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± But Widro could only groan in response. Are we alright? That was something they should ask the Inspector. Everyone here was worried about the same thing. ¡°Currently, Ruiple has an extremely bad reputation. Do you think a novice mage can grow enough in just a week to set foot in such a place?¡± ¡°Exactly! Even if the Inspector is excellent, the rest of us¡­¡± ¡°M-moreover, our opponents are three knights from the Imperial Knights Order! It would be great if we won the bet and opened the Imperial Treasury, but if we lose, the consequences¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Widro could only quietly stroke his beard. ¡­I don¡¯t know either. Why are you asking me? Fortunately, Widro¡¯s awkward situation didn¡¯t last long. From the far end of the corridor, Ezekiel appeared. And the mages rushed towards him. ¡°Inspector!¡± ¡°Inspector! We have something to ask!¡± Though their expressions were uniformly urgent, Ezekiel preempted them as if he already knew what they were going to say. ¡°¡­There is no turning back on this mission. Follow me for now.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± His tone was as chilling as the ice he could create. In the end, no one dared to ask any further questions. Thud¨D Thud¨D Everyone could only stare blankly at Ezekiel¡¯s back. In that quiet moment, someone asked Agnes¡ª ¡°Agnes, you¡¯re the secretary, right? Haven¡¯t you heard anything?¡± At that, the eyes of the others also turned to Agnes in an instant. It was a simple thought that if she was the personal secretary, she might have heard something. ¡°Th-that¡¯s right! You¡¯re the personal secretary!¡± ¡°Agnes, haven¡¯t you heard anything about this decision?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± However, Secretary Agnes remained silent for a moment. To distribute sunweed, he said. Can I tell them that? ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± No, I can¡¯t. I absolutely can¡¯t. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t say it. ¡°¡­There is a reason why we must go to Ruiple.¡± An expression full of meaning in many ways. For now, this was the best Agnes could do. ~~??~~??~~ In the afternoon, Ezekiel headed to the auditorium with Agnes. ¡°We¡¯ll select only one novice to accompany us,¡± he muttered, chewing on a sunweed. Perhaps because there weren¡¯t many left, or because he wanted to savor it, he was chewing slower than usual. ¡°Just one? Shouldn¡¯t we select at least two?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I already have one person in mind.¡± ¡°When did you do that? You¡¯ve just taken office and haven¡¯t even interacted with the other mages.¡± At that moment. Swish¨D A yellow badge suddenly appeared on Agnes¡¯ chest above her uniform without her noticing; the person in question just blinked silently at the unexpected occurrence. A yellow badge. As far as she knew, it was the symbol worn by mages going on yellow-grade missions before departure. ¡°¡­What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s you. The one I had in mind.¡± ¡°I¡¯m administrative staff, not a field personnel.¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not mandatory. I¡¯ll give you a choice.¡± Ezekiel handed her an envelope. Agnes took it and looked inside to see that it was a blank resignation letter. The implication was clear. ¡­Either you come with me, or you resign. ¡°Ah.¡± Agnes closed her eyes tightly. I¡¯m crazy to quit my job as an imperial administrator. I¡¯m really crazy¡­ ¡°Why me of all people?¡± ¡°Your telekinesis is useful. It¡¯d be a waste to let it go to waste. If you polish it properly, you could be a great achiever later.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The woman quietly brushed her hair behind her ear. It was true that Agnes usually took great pride in her telekinesis, and it felt good to be recognized by Ezekiel, who had achieved remarkable magical feats. But there was one thing that greatly bothered her. The manual. S?a??h th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Agnes had lived her entire life following set manuals. As a result, she liked things that were predictable and naturally avoided things that weren¡¯t. Agnes quietly looked at Ezekiel. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡­I couldn¡¯t predict what he would do next, even a second from now. But what could she do? She couldn¡¯t resign. ¡°¡­I understand for now.¡± The two finally arrived at the auditorium. In the spacious area, novice mages stood at regular intervals; their faces were filled with tension. Agnes broke the silence with an expressionless face. ¡°There are a lot of people. It seems like it will be a long process.¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Ezekiel answered easily without hesitation. And for good reason¡ªhe had done this countless times before, refining and selecting gems from among many candidates. ¡ª Since it¡¯s the organization you¡¯ll lead, select the personnel yourself. ¡ª What should we call it¡­ Right, Balance. ¡ª You¡¯ll also directly select personnel for missions. Who to select for the organization, who to take on this mission¡­ These were things Ezekiel had done countless times, and they were Ezekiel¡¯s strengths. So the task of selecting people¡ªhe had mastered it by now. ¡®The only problem is¡­¡¯ Is the gem Ezekiel wants here? He didn¡¯t know. ¡®There are fewer than 10 sunweeds left now.¡¯ If Ezekiel were to become incapacitated due to the absence of sunweed, they would need someone competent enough to fill his shoes, but that was probably too high an expectation for a novice. It was then that Agnes spoke up, ¡°What are you going to do? Are you going to go around by yourself? Or should I tell them to come one by one?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± Snap¨D! Ezekiel snapped his fingers. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± At the same time, the mages opened their eyes wide and looked at the ceiling; high above, a sphere enveloped in cold air slowly rotated, beginning to scatter snowflakes. Agnes caught one snowflake on her index finger. ¡°¡­It doesn¡¯t seem like an ordinary snowflake.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. They react to the mage¡¯s mana and stick to them.¡± It was a marvelous magic whose principles Agnes couldn¡¯t even begin to guess. In any case, thanks to Ezekiel¡¯s application, they could now identify at a glance who was the most talented. Far away, there was someone who was already turning into a snowman. Ezekiel puffed out smoke and asked, ¡°Who is that guy?¡± ¡°That¡¯s Leo, the valedictorian of this year¡¯s academy class.¡± As expected, Leo will be selected. That thought crossed Agnes¡¯ mind¡ª ¡°I see.¡± ¡ªbut Ezekiel looked elsewhere as if he was not interested. Agnes unconsciously followed Ezekiel¡¯s gaze and was surprised to see a girl who was melting the snowflakes falling around her. Ezekiel approached the girl and asked, ¡°You, what are you?¡± ¡°Me¡­ me?¡± The girl with pink hair pointed to herself with her index finger. She was clearly nervous. What was unusual was that she was sweating profusely; so much so that it seemed a bit excessive. ¡°Ah, hello! My name is Belka¡­!¡± She shouted, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. She even gulped down the water bottle she was holding in one hand. However, it was somewhat different from being nervous about wanting to be selected. It seemed more like she was trembling with fear that she might be picked. ¡°I, I absolutely can¡¯t go with you!¡± Belka exclaimed. ¡°Explain why,¡± Ezekiel said. It was an unusual scene ¨C usually, people would try to persuade him by explaining why he should take them, but instead, she was asking him not to take her by explaining the opposite. ¡°I¡¯m not good at magic in the first place¡­! I only know how to use scrolls, and, and I don¡¯t even know how I got into the Imperial Tower in the first place!¡± Agnes , who had been listening quietly, nodded after looking at the document containing her personal information.¡±Her scores should have disqualified her, but there were few applicants this year. Her academy grades were in the lower-middle range.¡± ¡°Yes, yes¡­ That¡¯s right¡­¡± Belka did not feel bad about Agnes¡¯ words, but rather agreed vehemently, clapping her hands. However, Ezekiel noticed that there was something a little unusual about her. Belka¡¯s grades weren¡¯t consistently low ¨C they were either top marks or complete failures, nothing in between. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m not suitable for group activities¡­¡± Belka continued, sweating so much so that the robe she was wearing was completely soaked and stuck to the contours of her body. ¡°My mana keeps boiling over¡­ It keeps spreading like a haze, interfering with the mana control of the surrounding mages. It¡¯s serious¡­¡± ¡°Your mana boils over?¡± ¡°Yes, yes. It¡¯s true.¡± When Belka stretched out her hand to the right as if to show him, the snowflakes in that direction immediately melted. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel paused, holding the stem of his sunweed. He looked at the sunweed, then at Belka, then back at the sunweed. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡­A sunweed seedling was breathing alive right in front of his nose. ¡®It¡¯s a living sunweed.¡¯ Of course, Belka¡¯s condition was still mild, far from the heat output of a sunweed, but it was worth cultivating. Very much so. ¡°The rest of you, please leave,¡± Ezekiel announced. The other novices left the auditorium as if they were waiting, and in just a few minutes, the space was empty. And finally, Ezekiel nodded. ¡°Belka. You pass.¡± ¡°¡­What? Whaaaat?¡± . . . . . And so, the three people who would go on the mission were formed, and Belka, one of the person involved, visited Ezekiel every day. Of course, the purpose of her visit was simply to plead. ¡°In-Inspector, I don¡¯t know how to do anything¡­!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°Whaaaat?¡± Meanwhile, the people inside the Imperial Magic Tower began to wonder about various things, their necks craned. Will they really be able to go to Ruiple? And if they went, will they be able to solve the request? Could they even win the bet? Thanks to the fact that there was so much to talk about, the mouths of the Imperial Magic Tower mages didn¡¯t stop talking for a long time. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t believe they passed over Leo.¡± ¡°Belka isn¡¯t particularly talented as a newcomer¡­ No, could it be! Is he confident he can nurture even the untalented?¡± ¡°What was that reason they absolutely had to go to Ruiple?¡± ¡°All we can do is wait and watch the results.¡± What changes would Ezekiel bring about in a week? This was currently the greatest point of interest in the Imperial Magic Tower. At the same time, anticipation and concern enveloped the entire Magic Tower; the amount was overwhelmingly immense. ~~??~~??~~ I greeted the day of departure without any training. ¡®This is the last sunweed.¡¯ And one more thing. ¡°Shall we talk?¡± Hedera came to see me. Chapter 29: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (3) ? Chapter 29 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (3) ?On the day of departure for Ruiple and the wager¡ª In an elegant room of a mansion worthy of being called a castle, Hedera ¡ª the Second Imperial Princess, a Lingual Mage, and the Dragon Blood possessor ¡ª sipped tea as sunlight streamed through the window. The tea leaves were a rare luxury from the Celestial Realm, said to be worth their weight in gold in the mortal world. Her gaze was directed outside, where three knights including Valken were training in the practice yard. Whoosh¨D! The knights moved ceaselessly with their swords. Compared to just a week ago, there was a noticeable improvement. While Valken still held the center, the other two knights could now keep up reasonably well; to the point where they were beginning to show some synergy. All sorts of shouts filled the training ground. ¡°Give it your all! Her Highness has ordered us to do our best in this wager and not underestimate our opponent!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Since Hedera hadn¡¯t explained the situation, Valken likely saw Ezekiel as a commoner who got his position through connections. Yet, it was impressive that he could still give his all. It wasn¡¯t just words ¨C his determination not to let his guard down was evident. Indeed, his reputation as a knight was well-deserved. ¡°Hmm.¡± However, Hedera¡¯s thoughts were currently quite complicated. She put down her teacup with a thud; that¡¯s because she couldn¡¯t smell the fragrance of the tea leaves that were so famous for being so rich. Her thoughts were that complicated. ¡°¡­Ezekiel,¡± she muttered, slightly furrowing her brow. A week ago, Ezekiel¡¯s presentation was amazing. As she already knew, his magical prowess and potential were not to be underestimated. Still. So, Princess Solara, the third princess, must have offered him the position of Inspector because she knew that too. It was only natural. ¡°I expected it.¡± It made sense, so she had anticipated it. Yes, it was something she had clearly expected. And yet, despite that¡­ What happened that day was full of questions for Hedera. It wasn¡¯t a question of others, but a question of herself. If what she had expected had happened, then she should have only dealt with it according to plan. Hadn¡¯t Hedera always dealt with life¡¯s problems in that way? Rational thinking. Emotionless. These were the most important elements to her, the possessor of the Dragon¡¯s Blood and the Lingual Magic. She had always thought of others as mere human beings. That¡¯s why the memory of that day was just a question. ¡°Why did I¡­¡± Why had she unknowingly encouraged the wager? Knowing the time was tight. Knowing the chances of winning were slim. Even going so far as to offer the Imperial Treasury as a reward. ¡°¡­Why on earth did I suggest the wager?¡± She had made a fair judgment in her own way, but it was also true that Hedera had instigated it by promising excessive rewards. She didn¡¯t expect anything from others, only treating them as humans. She was not interested in them, so she didn¡¯t even consider them as objects of amusement¡­ That¡¯s how it should have been. ¡­What was she feeling when she did that? ¡ªI¡¯m sincere. Suddenly, she recalled Ezekiel¡¯s words and she unfolded the letter she had crumpled. One line stood out conspicuously¡ª ?In this short life, I hope at least you find happiness.? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± And next to it, a picture that she had not yet crumpled up. It was undoubtedly a drawing by Ezekiel¡¯s own hand. A profile of Hedera from the distant past, engrossed in her studies. ¡­Had there really been days when she wore such an expression? Had Ezekiel always seen her with this face? Hedera looked in the mirror, finding it hard to believe. The bright-eyed girl was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a woman with a cold expression. The picture was absurd, unbelievable. Yet the reason she hadn¡¯t crumpled this drawing yet was because of the line¡ª ?In this short life, I hope at least you find happiness.? Happiness. The girl in the picture certainly looked happy. ¡°¡­Could it be, for my happiness?¡± Did he accept the position of Inspector and even agreed to the outrageous terms of this wager purely for Hedera¡¯s happiness? Was he determined to bring her happiness, whatever it might be? And at the same time, was she expecting something? Did she impulsively suggest the wager, hoping Ezekiel would find that happiness for her? If that were the case¡­ If it really were so¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s stop thinking about this.¡± Hedera shook her head vigorously. What was important to her, what was her happiness ¡ª It was now only the Ascension Ceremony. Wasn¡¯t her sole aspiration to be reborn as a member of the dragons in the Celestial Realm? Emotionless. Hedera had to maintain that state. She¡¯d just ask him directly why he accepted the wager. He shouldn¡¯t find that suspicious. ¡°Stop thinking about stopping thinking.¡± The woman soon fell into deep meditation. ~~??~~??~~ On the day of departure and the wager. I started warming up my body from dawn. Ssss¨D The state of my ice-type magic was excellent as usual. A noticeable improvement in refinement compared to when I was lazing around like a bum in the town. My proficiency has improved again recently as I¡¯ve been using magic a lot more. Ssss¨D I first created a few ice crystals before stopping. I was already confident in my own magic; what I really wanted to check was something else. I glanced at the pink-haired mage beside me. ¡°Belka.¡± ¡°Ah, y-yes¡­!¡± Belka hurriedly ran over and stood at attention. My constitution was unable to withstand the excessive cold of my body and mana. But what if I could get the heat to neutralize it from someone other than a sunstick? ¡­It would be convenient. In the first place, it takes a considerable amount of time for my body to absorb the heat of the sunweed. In other words, if I want to use magic at 2 o¡¯clock, I have to start chewing it at 1 o¡¯clock. But if I got it from someone, it was possible immediately. I placed the back of my hand on Belka¡¯s forehead. Just that, and steam immediately started to rise. Hiss¨D! ¡°Phew-w-w¡­ it¡¯s cool¡­!¡± Belka stuck out her tongue like a dog on a summer day and wore an expression of bliss. I could also clearly feel heat similar to sunweed. However. ¡°©¤!¡± At some point, Belka¡¯s eyes widened. And snot dripped from Belka¡¯s nose. ¡°C-c-c-cold¡­! I¡¯m going to freeze to death¡­!¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough for now.¡± I immediately removed my hand. As expected, the total amount of heat was insignificant compared to sunweed. If I had continued to pour in cold, she would have certainly died of hypothermia. ¡°The total amount of heat is insufficient, but¡­¡± It was quite satisfactory in that I could obtain heat instantly. If nurtured, the returns will surely be great. I showed Belka a sunweed. ¡°Say hello.¡± ¡°Ah, h-hello¡­! But to whom¡­?¡± ¡°To the sunweed. It¡¯s your senior.¡± ¡°S-Sunweed senior¡­! Hello¡­!¡± It was then. ¡°¡­What on earth are you doing?¡± Agnes appeared at the training ground and as usual, she was expressionless, spinning a cube in one hand. ¡°It¡¯s time. Are you ready for departure?¡± I looked at the clock and saw that it was time to go. ¡°Let¡¯s get going then.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± As the three of us started walking, Agnes asked¡ª ¡°¡­In the end, we didn¡¯t do any training for a week. Is it really okay to depart like this?¡± ¡°No need to ask about everything. You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t have any thoughts. I just already had a concrete plan and the confidence to realize it. After all, this isn¡¯t my first visit to Ruiple. ¡°I understand.¡± Agnes gave up surprisingly quickly. Though she still seemed to have many thoughts, it wasn¡¯t an issue that could be resolved with words. Doubts could only become certainty when addressed on the spot. As we continued to walk, we soon left the Imperial Magic Tower behind. The starting point was a large square near the Magic Tower. And two sizable carriages were already waiting. The three knights on the other side greeted us. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t run away, Inspector,¡± Valken, fully covered in helmet and armor, sneered from the start, but I didn¡¯t bother to engage. Because there was another, more important person. Thud¨D Someone descended from the enormous carriage and approached. The Empire¡¯s Second Princess, Dragon Blood possessor, and the wielder of Dragon Speech¡­ It was Hedera. She stood conspicuously between Valken and me, holding a yellow request form. ¡°As the erosion in the Ruiple region has been severe recently, I am sending the Imperial Magic Tower Inspector and escort knights in person. The two parties should prioritize the safety of the imperial citizens over competition.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡± Valken shouted loudly and I too just went along with it. Hedera nodded as well. ¡°Good. That concludes the oath. Depart immediately.¡± The three knights promptly boarded their carriage, and Agnes and Belka also got into the other carriage. I was about to follow them with a nonchalant gait¡­. ¡­at that very moment, in a split second¡­ ¡°Shall we talk?¡± ¡­Hedera¡¯s voice stopped me. As I half-turned my head, Hedera had already lowered her mask, her pupils vertically slit. And in an unexpected moment, the Dragon Speech burst forth. ¡°Tell me why you accepted the wager.¡± Paat! Immediately after, an absolute force enveloped me. While I generally had resistance to Dragon Speech, resistance basically requires an immense amount of mana. In simple terms, with only one sunweed left, the cost-effectiveness of high mana-consuming resistance wasn¡¯t great right now. I thought for a split second. ¡®I can answer this question well enough.¡¯ It would be much more beneficial to answer and conserve mana. S?a??h th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. And after making my judgment, I only put up minimal resistance. Just enough to make the specific answer sound abstract. After a while, my mouth uttered a voice¡ª ¡°There¡¯s a reason I absolutely must win this wager.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± And then there was a moment of silence. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.?¡± However, Hedera¡¯s face was particularly marked with surprise. It was something I couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± More than surprise; perhaps an expression close to astonishment. But it didn¡¯t matter. I was sure I didn¡¯t misspeak. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s continue this conversation after the wager is over.¡± I turned my back for now. But I could feel her gaze boring into the back of my head. End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . Chapter 30: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (4) ? Chapter 30 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (4) ?They finally arrived at Ruiple. A man stepped out of the carriage. With his white hair and impeccably controlled cold aura, he had an appearance that might remind one of a frost dragon or snow spirit at first glance. Hoo¨D He exhaled a long plume of sunweed smoke. ¡°Inspector?¡± The one who spoke was none other than the knight. Valken, Hedera¡¯s escort knight, asked Ezekiel, ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°My joints are aching.¡± ¡°Well¡­ I won¡¯t say much more.¡± Valken continued while polishing his sword, ¡°How confident are you about this wager?¡± To those words, Ezekiel only blinked slowly. Confidence, huh. It had been a long time since his entire being was filled with it. Always, already, now. That¡¯s how his life had always been. So. ¡°Even I can¡¯t know such a thing.¡± The question of ¡®how much,¡¯ he just could not answer. ~~??~~??~~ Ruiple. A place where safety could never be guaranteed. Ruiple was known to the world as such a region, and it was true. Merchants who had to pass through this area always traveled in groups. It was to increase their chances of survival, however slightly, when fiends and monsters appeared. And today was no different. ¡°It feels especially ominous today. What if monsters show up?¡± ¡°Keep quiet. Your words might come true.¡± ¡°I regret it. I shouldn¡¯t have passed through Ruiple¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no choice, isn¡¯t this the fastest way? I have to sell everything to feed my child. I can only pray that no monsters will appear today¡­¡± But why would fiends and monsters care about human circumstances? ¡°M-Monsters!¡± ¡°Run!¡± Starting with someone¡¯s scream, shadowy figures with human forms rushed towards the merchants. ¡°Aaargh!¡± ¡°Help! Help me¡­!¡± Everyone was desperately scrambling to survive. If only their opponent was a robber, they might have tried to negotiate, but the monsters and fiends were only interested in human lives. Just as hell seemed to unfold in an instant¡ª Whoosh! Suddenly, a massive greatsword cleaved through a fiend¡¯s body. Or rather, it was closer to simply crushing it with sheer force. ¡°How dare¡­ Who are you¡­¡± The mid-level fiend muttered contemptuously, but¡ª Crash! Its head was pulverized by a single downward strike. This feat was accomplished by just one woman. Under the sunlight pouring down like a spotlight, a woman stood with a greatsword resting on her shoulder. ¡°Huh?¡± The tables turned in an instant, and the merchants blinked in confusion. To shatter a mid-level fiend with just one strike¡ªthis was an incredibly powerful individual. ¡°Deal with them.¡± The woman muttered softly. Her companions immediately pursued the fleeing monsters. In less than ten minutes, not a single living fiend remained in the vicinity. As the merchants could only dart their eyes around¡ª One of the companions climbed atop a wagon. ¡°Everyone, attention!¡± Who would dare disobey a call for attention from their savior? In an instant, all eyes turned to the wagon. ¡°Once again, the righteous Tirbi has protected the imperial citizens of Ruiple! We¡¯ve settled here to guard you all, so you can cast aside your worries!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± The merchants¡¯ eyes widened. After all, anyone who knew the Ruiple region would naturally know the name Tirby. ¡°Come to think of it, that iconic greatsword!¡± ¡°Tirbi? The righteous one who¡¯s been working on clearing fiends from the Ruiple region for years? I can¡¯t believe she actually exists!¡± ¡°She must be an envoy sent by the Sun God!¡± The faces that were once full of question marks soon turned to expressions of joy and the commotion gradually drew more people. Of course, the imperial court didn¡¯t entirely neglect the Ruiple region, but what was really frightening the residents was the possibility of the exterminated fiends reappearing. The moment the imperial figures left, the disaster would repeat itself. So, if there was someone who would stay and work hard to exterminate the fiends and the monsters, their support would be sky-high. In addition, the gathered residents cheered. ¡°We¡¯re safe again today thanks to Tirbi¡­!¡± ¡°Tirbi! Thank you! Thank you so much!¡± ¡°How can someone so beautiful possess such incredible strength?¡± Tirbi¡¯s appearance, with the greatsword resting on her shoulder, was as sublime as if she had descended from the heavens. Perhaps because of her charm, even when she just stood there and smiled, the cheers grew even louder. Tirbi parted her lips, ¡°There will be a festival in Ruiple starting today. If you¡¯d like, merchants, please stay and enjoy it for a while.¡± ¡°A festival? Is such a thing possible in Ruiple?¡± ¡°Of course. Because I, Tirbi, am here.¡± ¡°My goodness!¡± The merchants¡¯ eyes widened. As if to confirm it wasn¡¯t a lie, Tirbi¡¯s companions chimed in. ¡°Since it¡¯s been mentioned, let¡¯s move to the location right away. Please leave this area if possible! It¡¯s dangerous with so many fiends and monster corpses! We kindly ask again!¡± An envoy sent by the Sun God, truly an envoy from the Sun God. People praised in unison as they retreated. . . . . ?¡±Haha¡­ Hahahaha!¡± Tirbi burst into laughter after the residents led the merchants away. Her expression was utterly vile. Moreover, the whites of her eyes had a purple tinge. It was a sign of immense mana, typically associated with high-level fiends. ¡°Human emotions are so simple and easy to manipulate.¡± With just a few acts, she had won over the hearts of Ruiple¡¯s people. Anyone who set foot in Ruiple would worship Tirbi like a god. They would also cling to her desperately. That was the purpose of this charade. She swept her greatsword over the monster corpses. Whoosh¡ª And the monsters and fiends transformed into dark mana and were sucked into the greatsword. Tirbi then caressed the sword. ¡°Delicious, isn¡¯t it? Hmm? How¡¯s this fear?¡± Growl¡ª The greatsword made a beastly sound. A demonic sword that feeds on fear, a fiend that feeds on fear ¡ª that was Tirbi. She consistently gathered fear by absorbing it after collecting it through artificially summoned fiend and monsters. One of her fiend companions approached cautiously, ¡°Lady Tirbi, when should we create the next batch of monsters?¡± ¡°At least a week later. The key is to give them time to get somewhat accustomed to safety. That¡¯s how we can extract more fear.¡± ¡°As expected of you, Lady Tirbi.¡± ¡°Good¡­ In just a few more years, things will get really interesting.¡± Tirbi was essentially operating the entire Ruiple region as a fear factory. At this rate, she might be able to target even the monstrous First Princess in a few years. Just then, another of her fiend companion came running breathlessly. ¡°Lady Tirbi!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°The Empire has dispatched people to Ruiple!¡± She quietly examined the paper handed to her; the information written was extremely simple. ¡°Three from the magic tower, three imperial knights¡­ Is that all?¡± Tirbi¡¯s face showed no sign of concern. Instead, a smile of contempt appeared. ¡°Perfect. I can feed my greatsword a special meal.¡± Growl¡ª The greatsword resonated as if in anticipation. Meanwhile, the fiend who reported seemed somewhat worried. ¡°I¡¯m concerned that there¡¯s no information about the Inspector. What if someone extraordinary comes? Like Seolgwi¡­¡± ¡°Nonsense.¡± She quickly cut off her companion¡¯s words. ¡°You fool. Seolgwi doesn¡¯t actually exist.¡± Seolgwi and the Sleet he supposedly led. Of course, those were just names the demons whimsically attributed. A human by birth, yet undefeated against any fiend under any circumstance. Tirbi had only heard of him through old tales, stories passed down as legends. But there¡¯s a reason legends remain legends. ¡­Yes, legends never truly exist. Something as overwhelmingly powerful as Seolgwi couldn¡¯t possibly be real. ¡°He is just a fictional character created to lessen the shame when the demon realm failed to conquer the human world. Understand?¡± ¡°I see. Well¡­ I suppose you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°There¡¯s only one thing you need to do now.¡± Tirbi tenderly stroked her greatsword, ¡°Watch closely with your own eyes just how ridiculous they look when they¡¯re completely gripped by fear.¡± The woman¡¯s smile could not have been more vile. ~~??~~??~~ Around the time Ezekiel would likely be arriving in Ruiple. Hedera, the Second Princess of the Empire and possessor of the Dragon Blood. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± She was still at the departure point. Ezekiel¡¯s reaction to her Dragon Speech still held her in place. ¡®Did my Dragon Speech¡­ work?¡¯ Hedera recalled a distant memory from the past. ¡ª Master! Don¡¯t go! ¡ª Play with me more! In her childish years, she had tried to keep Ezekiel with her using Dragon Speech for even trivial matters. ¡ª I¡¯ll see you tomorrow. However, the results were always a failure. The reason, of course, was that Ezekiel could perfectly defend against Dragon Speech, to the point where one could say he was immune. That¡¯s how remarkable Ezekiel was. Of course, Hedera¡¯s Dragon Speech might have grown stronger since then. She had never neglected her training. However, there was one possibility that couldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡®Could there be a serious health issue?¡¯ ¡ª Master didn¡¯t smoke sunweed in the past, did he? Suddenly, Solana¡¯s words flashed through her mind. Chewing on a whole sunweed stalk was not just a little strange. It meant that even though he might look normal on the outside, there was something wrong on the inside. If that hypothesis was correct, the questions only deepened the mystery. If he was not healthy, why did he take on the role of Inspector? ¡°¡­Happiness?¡± Could it be that Ezekiel truly prioritized Hedera¡¯s happiness over his own health? Just imagining it gave her a strange feeling, and her questions kept piling up. But right at that moment. ¡°Hmm hmm~¡± Someone hummed a tune and passed Hedera. But it was a very familiar face. Recognizing Hedera, the other person greeted her first. ¡°Oh my, Second Princess? What brings you here?¡± ¡°Solana.¡± The other person was the third princess of the empire, Solana. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re wandering around here.¡± ¡°Ah, I¡¯m planning to go to Ruiple now.¡± ¡°Ruiple?¡± ¡°Yes. I heard that the erosion is getting serious there, so isn¡¯t it my duty to investigate such a place? I need to be able to take the lead in spreading the Sun God¡¯s grace.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Hedera looked at Solana as if dumbfounded. She was carrying a lunch box and dressed as if she were going on an outing. Her intentions were clear; then she suddenly remembered the worries she had been having until just now. ¡°Solana.¡± Hedera called out the third princess¡¯s name. ¡°Yes? I¡¯m listening?¡± S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Tell me everything you know about the Inspector¡¯s health condition.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± But Solana was silent for a moment. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Then she smiled kindly as usual, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about that later, shall we?¡± Just as Solana was about to board the carriage. Right at the moment she opened the door. ¡°Stop.¡± Hedera¡¯s Dragon Speech burst forth. Solana was fine, but the horses that were supposed to pull the carriage were all frozen in place. It was indeed a formidable power. Hedera added a word in a calm tone. ¡°Well, you¡¯ll only be able to leave if you tell me now.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Solana slowly. Very slowly. Very, very slowly turned her head towards Hedera. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The sun-like eyes. They had turned completely white. Chapter 31: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (5) ? Chapter 31 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (5) ?STAKK¡ª! A carriage halted with a jolt, and a woman stepped out. Her beauty, though ordinary at first glance, was elevated by an air of dignity. In the empire, there were few who wouldn¡¯t recognize her. She was Hedera, the Second Imperial Princess and possessor of Dragon Blood. She stepped towards the entrance of the Capital¡¯s Holy Temple. ¡°Hmm.¡± This was, in fact, an unexpected move even to herself. Among the imperial princesses, there existed an unspoken rule of non-interference in each other¡¯s domains. The Holy Temple that revered the Sun God was Princess Solana¡¯s territory. The holy knights guarding the entrance widened their eyes in surprise. ¡°Second Princess? To what do we owe the honor of your visit?¡± ¡°Halt.¡± Her command rang out. The stalwart knights froze instantly, though fortunately, their immobility wouldn¡¯t last long. Hedera had no intention of lingering here. ¡°Wait momentarily. I¡¯ll release you soon.¡± With those words, Hedera entered the temple. Click-clack, click-clack. Under normal circumstances, she would have offered a logical explanation. However, Hedera currently lacked the composure for such niceties. A colossal question consumed her thoughts. Click-clack, click-clack. As the sound of her high heels echoed rhythmically through the Holy Temple corridors, she recalled her memories. ¡ª Find out for yourself. ¡ª Temple Archives, Section F, Row 8, Number 323. ¡ª That¡¯s all I know. The Temple Archives. Hedera was well aware of the nature of this place. On the surface, it was exactly what its name suggested¡ªan archive. At first glance, it merely contained detailed records of when, where, and to whom the priests had bestowed their holy power. However, when the subject of healing was a person of significance, these treatment records became invaluable information. Through repeated healing attempts, one could deduce intricate details about an individual¡¯s constitution and abilities. It was a highly classified area, and Solana had granted her access. Solana had even specified Section F, the most securely guarded area. In the archives, the deeper the section, the more crucial the information it held. ¡­.and there, the information about Ezekiel would be found. ¡°What on earth¡­¡± What could be recorded there? Click-clack, click-clack. Hedera continued her purposeful stride. And at last, before she knew it, she stood before the archives. ? ** ** ** Ruiple. Agnes and Belka gazed around in bewilderment. The scene before them was utterly different from what they had anticipated. ¡°Is¡­ is there a festival going on?¡± ¡°This is definitely Ruiple, but it¡¯s nothing like the rumors.¡± They had imagined Ruiple as a hellscape overrun by fiends and monsters. Yet, upon setting foot in the town, they found it alive with festive mood. As they struggled to reconcile this disparity, a voice rang out. ¡°Oh my, such distinguished guests! Welcome!¡± A slender woman appeared, greeting Ezekiel and Valken¡¯s group with enthusiasm. The dust from her apparent rush was only now settling behind her. Her footwork was truly remarkable, especially considering the massive greatsword she wielded. A beat later, those presumed to be her companions emerged in the background. ¡°You must be the esteemed guests sent by the Imperial Family, correct?¡± The woman with the greatsword bowed respectfully. ¡°My name is Tirbi. I¡¯m an aspiring knight, currently clearing out monsters in the Ruiple region. Allow me to properly greet our imperial guests!¡± ¡°We pay our respects!¡± her companions chorused, bowing in unison; their movements were so precise and deferential that Belka, unaccustomed to such treatment, fidgeted uncomfortably. She whispered to Agnes, ¡°Why are they being so formal?¡± ¡°Even if one aspires to be a knight, it¡¯s difficult without status or position. With the Imperial Knights visiting, they likely hope to make a good impression.¡± ¡°Can one join the Imperial Knights that way?¡± ¡°Occasionally, if one¡¯s swordsmanship is exceptional or their reputation stellar. But it¡¯s quite rare.¡± Agnes¡¯s explanation seemed plausible. Indeed, Tirbi¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Valken¡¯s group. Tirbi smiled warmly. ¡°Oh, where are my manners? It¡¯s rude to keep you standing here. Shall we move inside the manor? The festivities are in full swing!¡± ¡°¡­Nonsense.¡± Valken, the leader of the knights, flatly refused. Though an imperial knight, he was also the personal guard of the Second Princess, Hedera. Losing this wager would not only tarnish his reputation but also the princess¡¯s honor. There was no time for frivolities. They needed to scour every inch of Ruiple, find as many monsters as possible, and improve their performance. ¡°We can¡¯t trust the supposed safety claimed by a mere aspiring knight. Let¡¯s move. We must investigate ourselves.¡± With those words, Valken turned away, leading two knights. He didn¡¯t even spare Tirbi a glance. As he brushed past Ezekiel¡¯s shoulder, he added, ¡°Inspector, you might as well enjoy the festivities. After all, it¡¯s a wager you¡¯ll lose even if you give it your all.¡± Boom! As Valken took off, the air around him split; the spectating townspeople gaped in awe at his remarkable skill. So this was the caliber of an Imperial Knight. Tirbi¡¯s gaze finally turned to the Imperial Magic Tower group. ¡°Well then, what would you mages like to do?¡± And a moment of silence followed. ¡°Did you say there¡¯s a festival in full swing?¡± The silence was broken by the lone man with snow-white hair, ¡°I¡¯d like to take a look around first.¡± . . . . . ¡°You want to look around first? Of course, you¡¯re welcome to!¡± Tirbi personally guided the distinguished guests from the Imperial Magic Tower. The atmosphere all around was festive, with no sense of danger. Agnes, fidgeting with her cube, asked, ¡°I heard that monsters appear without warning.¡± ¡°When I first settled in Ruiple, that was certainly the case! It was certainly that kind of place! We had to face monsters and fiends without a moment¡¯s rest,¡± Tirbi flashed a charming smile that was hard to dislike. Meanwhile, Agnes carefully observed Tirbi¡¯s energy. Beyond her upright character, it was her well-refined energy that was particularly striking. She was undoubtedly a formidable warrior who never neglected her training. ¡°So that was Ruiple then¡­ What about now?¡± Tirbi confidently flung open the manor doors. Bang! ¡°Drink up! Drink!¡± ¡°Leave all your worries behind!¡± The atmosphere was boisterous, with residents enjoying the festivities without a trace of fear. Tirbi looked at Ezekiel¡¯s group with a proud smile, ¡°See! My efforts have finally borne fruit.¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Belka blinked in amazement. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s true. Everyone seems completely carefree. If they had even the slightest anxiety, they couldn¡¯t enjoy the festival so wholeheartedly¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m honored that you¡¯ve noticed. Indeed! The expressions of the residents never lie!¡± Just then¡­ ¡°It¡¯s Lady Tirbi!¡± ¡°Ah! Tirbi, the hero of Ruiple!¡± The villagers who recognized Tirbi began to chant her name and she responded with a bashful smile. Agnes quietly blinked. ¡°¡­It seems you have a firm grasp on the people¡¯s hearts.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t my intention, but somehow it turned out this way. It¡¯s a bit embarrassing, actually. Haha¡­!¡± Tirbi continued in a robust voice, ¡°You esteemed guests were sent by the Imperial Family, right? While it¡¯s an immense honor that you¡¯re showing interest in this region, please rest assured! I¡¯m here to protect it!¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right! Since you¡¯re here, why not enjoy the festival a bit?¡± Smiling radiantly, Tirbi thought to herself¡ª ¡®Those knights who left earlier will come back empty-handed.¡¯ They would find nothing but traces of vanquished monsters. The reason was simple. Tirbi, the creator of monsters in the Ruiple region, had designed it that way. While the time it took might vary, all visitors to this place would eventually come to acknowledge Tirbi. This was a stage where an intricate play unfolded for that very purpose. ¡®It would be perfect to establish connections with these people.¡¯ The Imperial Knights, the Imperial Magic Tower. For Tirbi, infiltrating either group would be a massive gain. After all, high-quality individuals could yield high-quality fear. ¡®I will certainly succeed. They¡¯ve already fallen for it.¡¯ Tirbi was confident. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± As the first evidence of her success, the man from the Magic Tower had been staring intently at Tirbi. She was well aware of her own charm, which she often used to her advantage. ? Typically, when men looked at Tirbi, they usually harbored lust, while women would flatter her in hopes of becoming friends. This man, despite his outward appearance, seemed to be just another ordinary male after all. ¡°Hahaha¡­!¡± Tirbi feigned embarrassment and laughed, ¡°Ah, well¡­ it¡¯s just that the esteemed gentleman has been staring at me so intently¡­ I¡¯m not used to dealing with such distinguished guests, so I¡¯m not sure how to conduct myself.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing special,¡± the man said nonchalantly, ¡°I¡¯ve just taken an interest in you.¡± ¡°Oh my¡­ I don¡¯t know how to respond to that.¡± Tirbi was certain. Indeed, this man had fallen for her charms. Though he was more direct than she anticipated, it didn¡¯t matter in the end. Everything was going according to her plan. She then turned her attention to Agnes, ¡°If you¡¯re concerned about results or achievements, there¡¯s no need to worry. I¡¯m just an aspiring knight! I don¡¯t need such things. I¡¯ll gladly transfer all my accomplishments to you.¡± ¡°We appreciate your offer, but we have no intention of claiming others¡¯ achievements. Since we don¡¯t know when monsters might appear, we must fulfill our own duties¡­¡± ¡°My companions are stationed throughout Ruiple! It¡¯s perfectly fine for you to enjoy yourselves for a while.¡± Tirbi carefully studied Agnes¡¯s face ¡ª elegant features, extraordinary magic ability, and an upright mindset¡­ This inspector was even more steadfast and incorruptible than Tirbi had anticipated. But in the end, it made no difference. ¡®Why are you playing hard to get, you fool¡­¡¯ While she might be resistant to bribes, Tirbi had never met a distinguished guest who refused accolades and achievements. This time would be no exception. Tirbi grasped Agnes¡¯s hand. ¡°Inspector! It¡¯s been this humble aspiring knight¡¯s lifelong dream to host distinguished guests. Please allow me this honor!¡± A slight hint of discomfort crossed Agnes¡¯s otherwise expressionless face. Good, she¡¯s almost convinced¡­ But at that moment¡ª ¡°¡­What do you think we should do?¡± Surprisingly, Agnes¡¯s gaze turned to someone else. Tirbi¡¯s eyes naturally followed. Agnes was looking at the man who had made the bold statement earlier. ¡®Why is she asking her companion¡¯s opinion? Perhaps the Inspector has feelings for this man? What an absurd bunch.¡¯ However, Agnes¡¯s next words were truly shocking. ¡°I believe you should make the decision, Inspector.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.?¡± Tirbi¡¯s expression turned bewildered in an instant. The man still stood casually with his arms folded, ¡°There¡¯s no sunweed, just plenty of alcohol. Is this really a festival?¡± S?a?ch* Th? ??v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡­This man is the Inspector? Tirbi couldn¡¯t believe her ears. Chapter 32: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (6) ? Chapter 32 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (6) ?Secret Archives, Section F of the Temple Archives. In this space, reserved exclusively for Solana¡¯s eyes, information was meticulously arranged. And today, an unexpected guest of honor was scrutinizing each character with intense focus. It was none other than the Second Imperial Princess, Hedera, possessor of the Dragon Blood. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± The content themselves were vast, yet they were concisely summarized in a mere 50-page dossier. This document contained comprehensive information about the current Inspector, Ezekiel. ¡°¡­Is this all?¡± Hedera muttered, unable to mask her bewilderment. The archivist, wrapped from head to toe in white cloth, had been observing her reactions carefully. With great difficulty, they managed a slight nod. ¡°I believe so, Your Imperial Highness.¡± ¡°This is absurd. Are you toying with me?¡± Hedera, uncharacteristically, couldn¡¯t help but let slip a crass remark. Her reaction was understandable. She had personally come to this archive to unravel all the knots in her mind, yet the crucial information seemed to be truncated. As the Second Princess¡¯s mood visibly darkened, the nearby archivist could only stand helplessly. ¡°Y-Your Highness, as you¡¯re aware, these classified documents here were all personally prepared by the Third Imperial Princess herself. If it¡¯s not written here, then the information truly doesn¡¯t exist. We assure you, we¡¯re not concealing anything. Please, calm your anger¡­¡± ¡°I understand. Now, silence.¡± She sealed the archivist¡¯s lips with her Dragon Speech. ¡°How could this be¡­¡± Hedera began to re-examine the document from the first page. Even on her second read-through, chills ran down her spine. She narrowed her eyes, her pupils vertically slit like a dragon¡¯s, staring at the document as if she could tear it apart with her gaze. ?The subject in question is currently undergoing self-treatment due to excessive cold energy. It is believed that periodic, intense measures will be required, and the duration of treatment is impossible to estimate.? It was an unbelievable statement. At least, that was what Hedera thought. In the distant past, wasn¡¯t Ezekiel, her master, the one who had reached the pinnacle in the field of Ice mana manipulation? ¡­And now, he had been consumed by the very Ice he had once mastered? Hedera¡¯s fingertips hastily turned the pages. ?All internal heat-generating organs are in a state of paralysis. While we cannot pinpoint the exact cause, there is reason to believe they were forcibly shut down due to external intervention. Status: Pending.? ?Due to the deteriorating condition, the subject can utilize only a fraction of their total mana reserve, with an abysmal level of efficiency.? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The prowess Ezekiel had demonstrated during his appointment had been astounding. To think that such a display was the result of abysmal mana efficiency? Anyone, not just Hedera, would have failed to notice. His worst was beyond many others¡¯ best. And then. The final line. A line that she found unbelievable no matter how many times she read it. ?Time left to live: Not long.? Something in Hedera¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Is this really all?¡± Hedera mumbled again, dazed, but no answer came. It was a question impossible to answer. The Second Princess then closed the document and started reading from the first page again. After finishing the last page, she returned to the beginning. Again and again. No matter how many times she repeated this, there was nothing more written. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Suddenly, her heartbeat began to intensify. For Hedera, who had always responded to everything with detached emotions, this was a rare feeling she hadn¡¯t experienced in a long time. Its name was anxiety. S?a??h the N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ A terminal illness? She hadn¡¯t known. No, it was something she couldn¡¯t even have imagined. Strength inherently encompasses health. How long had he, who seemed stronger than anyone, been carrying such a burden? She couldn¡¯t tell when. ¡®The reason my Dragon Speech worked was¡­¡¯ Because his body was suffering from such a severe condition. Her command must have been an immense strain on him. Gulp. The Second Princess quietly swallowed her dry saliva. If this was the reason he had left Hedera, if this was the circumstance he had kept secret¡­ it all made sense why he had hidden it so desperately. ¡ª There are such things in this world. Things that become sinful just by trying to know them, things that cause immense pain just by asking about them¡­ Yes, thinking of it as a terminal illness, she understood. It was more than enough reason to keep silent. It was more than enough reason to try to hide it by any means. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Dragons were synonymous with immortality. The immortal Hedera had demanded answers from the terminally ill Ezekiel. When she had insisted he explain himself, how must he have felt, bearing the full weight of this truth? She, who had never worried about lifespan, couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead. At the same time, another question surfaced. ¡®With a terminal illness¡­ why did he reappear?¡¯ Suddenly, her conversation with the Third Imperial Princess Solana came to mind. ¡ª So, why did you appoint an Inspector to my Imperial Magic Tower as you please? ¡ª It¡¯s for his own good too. For his own good. That¡¯s what Solana had said. How on earth could this be good for him? ¡°Could it be¡­¡± Did Ezekiel value Hedera¡¯s Ascension Ceremony more than his own life? Was he compelled to appear, just as his letter had said, for Hedera¡¯s happiness? If. If by any chance. If Hedera¡¯s assumption was correct. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ What did it mean that Hedera had proposed the Ruiple wager, wanting to test him once more? How must that have felt to him? Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Still, her heart raced with anxiety. Because Ezekiel had shown no sign of his condition. Because he had not uttered a single complaint. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ And so, there seemed to be no end to this anxiety. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Hedera¡¯s grip tightened. Before long, the document in her hand crumpled. She quickly turned her head to look at the clock. Ezekiel must have just arrived at Ruiple by now. It would take at least a few days for him to return, but what should Hedera prepare in the meantime? ¡®¡­The Imperial Treasury.¡¯ She had promised to open the Imperial Treasury if she lost the wager. Could there be something helpful there? At the very least, there might be an elixir to improve his health. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± However, she had to stop that train of thought. She had promised to open the Imperial Treasury, yes. If she lost the wager. ¡­That is, if Ezekiel won. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ ¡®Can he win?¡¯ Ezekiel¡¯s health couldn¡¯t be worse; it was nearly at its worst. Though he might appear fine on the surface, he was essentially a castle built on sand. And his opponent was the guard knight, Valken. Valken¡¯s recent performances had been nothing short of excellent. Why, right up until his departure, he had been tirelessly swinging his sword in the training grounds, showing no signs of fatigue. A mage at his worst versus a knight at his best. Hedera felt she could predict the outcome of this contest. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Her once steady stance finally faltered. Her heart, unable to bear the anxiety, felt ready to burst. Beads of sweat trickled down the woman¡¯s spine. Her mind had long since gone blank. ~~??~~??~~ Ruiple. Ezekiel and Tirbi were walking alone together. ¡°To think that the esteemed Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower would request a drinking session with me, I can¡¯t express what an honor this is!¡± Tirbi led the way, her excitement palpable; she prided herself on her shrewdness and was quick to judge which strings to pull. Agnes? Her interest had waned the moment she learned she was merely a secretary. Clearly, the person Tirbi needed to persuade now was Ezekiel, the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡®This will be easy.¡¯ What better proof that things were going well than the Inspector himself desiring to share a drink with Tirbi alone? Fortunately, the Inspector seemed to be materialistic. How fortunate indeed. And so, they arrived at a somewhat suggestive dwelling. Of course, the atmosphere of this place was intentional. Tirbi deliberately showcased her hips as she rummaged through the stored liquor. ¡°Being in Ruiple, I¡¯m not sure if we have any liquor worthy of your satisfaction, Inspector. It would be impolite to serve lukewarm alcohol.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Ezekiel crafted a glass from ice. Not an ordinary glass, but one encircled by a frost dragon. ¡®Oh, so he can handle this level of magic?¡¯ But the intention behind creating such an exquisite glass was obvious. Wasn¡¯t he trying to score points with Tirbi? She inwardly mocked Ezekiel. And so the drinking session began. Tirbi quietly brushed her hair behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if someone as lowly as myself should dare to serve drinks to the Inspector. Ah, I noticed the knights busy moving about¡­ Are you alright with that, Inspector?¡± ¡°Let them wander. They¡¯ll only tire themselves out.¡± Tirbi suppressed a laugh that threatened to burst forth. ¡®Look at this fool, putting work entirely on the back burner?¡¯ Was he solely interested in Tirbi, regardless of performance or duty? It was so ridiculous it was almost unbelievable. ¡°Inspector, let me pour you a drink first!¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± His gaze, as he answered briefly, was fixed on Tirbi. ¡°¡­But Inspector, you keep looking at me?¡± A simple, seductive remark. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you?¡± However, Ezekiel drained his glass lightly and said, ¡°That I¡¯m only interested in you.¡± Tirbi¡¯s hand, pouring the drink, hesitated for a moment. Come to think of it, the Inspector¡¯s gaze was somewhat different. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Piercing blue eyes, like the gleam of a predator encountered in the dead of night. Somehow, it felt as if he could see through everything about Tirbi. ¡ª End of Chapter ¡ª Translator¡¯s Notes :- When I woke up this morning, I found out that my AC isn¡¯t working. And rain dampened my clothes that I had put out to dry. Today might be one of the worst days. ? ? ? Chapter 33: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (7) ? Chapter 33 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (7) ?Led by the Second Imperial Princess, Hedera¡¯s guard knight Valken, the knights began to search every corner of Ruiple. If the information they had obtained beforehand was correct, they should have been facing monsters and fiends, without a moment¡¯s respite. However, the Ruiple they actually experienced was the exact opposite. ¡°How¡¯s it over there?¡± ¡°Absolutely nothing. We can¡¯t even sense any mana.¡± Valken¡¯s expression slightly creased upon hearing the report. ¡®Let alone fiends, we can¡¯t even find low-level monsters.¡¯ This was completely unexpected. He had been concerned that they might encounter fiends stronger than anticipated, but to face a situation where not even low-level monsters appeared? It was beyond his expectations. ¡°Here¡¯s another monster¡¯s carcass!¡± ¡°Cause of death?¡± ¡°There are sword wounds that seem to have been inflicted by humans. It appears that Tirbi¡¯s group dealt with this one as well.¡± Valken did not like Tirbi. He thought she was just a woman who was trying to join the Imperial Knights under the guise of cooperation, but it seemed that she was actually quite competent, unlike what he had initially thought. A knight, wiping away sweat, asked, ¡°Sir Valken, we¡¯ve completed a full circle of Ruiple. What should we do now?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Zero kills. In other words, zero achievements. This was something Valken had never even imagined. In other words, it spoke volumes about the impressive security Tirbi had established. ¡®Anyway, I have to have a better record than EEzekiel.¡¯ While it was good news that Ruiple was a safe area, Valken hadn¡¯t agreed to this wager solely for the safety of this place. The Second Princess, Hedera, was a being who had to be perfect. As his liege, she needed to remain flawless in the future as well. She had to pass the ascension ceremony of the Celestial Realm without a hitch, and become the pride of the Empire. However. Ezekiel was an existence that threatened that perfection. A presence that kept creating cracks in Hedera¡¯s psyche through means Valken couldn¡¯t fathom. An obstacle. An impurity. And so, eliminating Ezekiel was Valken¡¯s destiny. ¡®The moment I win this wager, he¡¯ll be endlessly doubted for his qualifications as the Inspector. That will be the beginning.¡¯ But what could that man be doing now? ¡°What is the Inspector currently doing?¡± ¡°It seems he¡¯s simply enjoying a feast.¡± ¡°¡­What a fool. Does he think Ruiple is a place without eyes and ears? Word will surely spread.¡± A pathetic story. Valken clicked his tongue in disgust. ¡°To think such a man is the Inspector. Listen, everyone!¡± ¡°Yes, Sir Valken.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll take a short break and then resume our patrol. Mana tends to intensify at night. The situation may change once Ruiple is shrouded in darkness.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir Valken!¡± It wouldn¡¯t matter even if they failed to kill a single creature. After all, Ezekiel¡¯s achievement would also be zero, and upon returning to the Imperial capital, rumors would spread about how the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower neglected his duties to drink. Just at that moment. ¡°I sense mana!¡± Of course, Valken felt it too. He took a large step forward without even opening his mouth and charged towards the source. ¡°Is everyone keeping up?¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± And a moment later, a look of joy spread across Valken¡¯s face. Grrrr©¤ In the distance, there was a low-level monster in the shape of a wild wolf. Normally, he would have sighed at the prospect of dealing with such a low-level creature, but considering the current situation in Ruiple, this single beast represented a precious achievement. ¡°We must be the ones to deal with it!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± And mana began to gather around Valken¡¯s sword. A moment later, the mana, taking the form of a rapid current, surged towards the low-level monster. Kuuuguuuguuuguu! ¡®¡­ This bet, I will definitely win!¡¯ Valken grinned widely, his face hidden behind his helmet. ~~??~~??~~ Deep within the estate, in a private chamber. Gulp©¤ In this place where only the sound of alcohol sliding down throats existed. Tirbi quietly glanced at the clock on the wall. Two hours had already passed. She looked at the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. For two whole hours, Ezekiel had been doing nothing but emptying his glass. ¡ª I¡¯m only interested in you. ¡­Was that statement merely a simple confession? Tirbi recalled Ezekiel¡¯s gaze from two hours ago. That piercing look that seemed to see through to her very soul ¨C for a moment, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if her true identity had been exposed. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± She took a sip from the icy glass to calm her nerves. Yes, in truth, she had nothing to worry about. The materialistic Inspector had just aggressively expressed his desires, and he hadn¡¯t even begun to uncover Tirbi¡¯s true identity. That must be the case. The disguise technique of high-level monsters was more sophisticated than one might think. Isn¡¯t that the very reason they could skillfully hide among humans? At that moment, Ezekiel shook the empty bottle. ¡°We¡¯re out of alcohol.¡± ¡°Ah, yes! I¡¯ll bring more right away!¡± While fetching more alcohol, Tirbi casually asked, ¡°Inspector, is there anything else you¡¯d like?¡± She said this in the hope that Ezekiel would open his heart, whether it was his body, money, or public office. The sooner she could deal with this, the better it would be for her. S?a?ch* Th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± However, Ezekiel merely continued drinking the replenished alcohol. There was no conversation between the two, and time continued to pass steadily and relentlessly. In fact, he seemed to have a strong tolerance for alcohol ¡ª drinking several bottles without showing any signs of intoxication. ¡®¡­Maybe I should have spiked it with a sleeping drug?¡¯ If she had known he would drink so trustingly, she would have mixed in a sleeping drug from the start. But what could she do now? It seemed too late to add anything at this point. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. In the quiet chamber, the ticking of the clock¡¯s second hand seemed loud. Ezekiel continued to empty his glass at regular intervals and Tirbi felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. She very carefully broke the silence, ¡°You really enjoy drinking, don¡¯t you? I should have prepared some side dishes. I¡¯ll go out and bring some quickly!¡± ¡°Sit down.¡± ¡°Pardon? Ah, yes!¡± For some reason, she sat down again, feeling a sense of intimidation. Thinking about it, it was strange. She, a high-level fiend, was obeying the orders of a mere human. ¡­Perhaps she had become too accustomed to this role. She was currently playing the part of a low-ranking adventurer, so it was natural to cater to the whims of the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. Wasn¡¯t it necessary for the greater cause? Tirbi decided to let it go for now, thinking along those lines. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. The second hand circled countless times. A suffocating silence. Finally, Tirbi came up with a plan. She subtly moved her fingers hidden below. Exactly ten seconds later, commotion erupted outside. ¡ª M-Monsters? Monsters are here! ¡ª There are fiends too! The commotion grew in an instant, like a wildfire; there was also the sound of a table being overturned with a bang. ¡ª There are too many of them! ¡ª Lady Tirbi! Where is Lady Tirbi? As the place descended into chaos due to the appearance of fiends and monsters, Tirbi rose from her seat as if she had been waiting for this moment. ¡°This is terrible! It seems the fiends have appeared! I must go out immediately to deal with them©¤!¡± However. ¡°Deal with¡­ them¡­ Huh?¡± The door wouldn¡¯t open. It was as solid as if the entire door had become part of the wall. She was bewildered when it didn¡¯t budge even when she applied force. Just in case, she turned around. Gulp©¤ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Still, Ezekiel continued to empty his glass with his back turned to Tirbi. Though she felt an inexplicable discomfort and wanted to leave quickly, something was off about the state of the chamber. Tirbi tried to open the door several times. ¡°Why, why, why won¡¯t this open! I¡¯m in such a hurry¡­!¡± Finally, the moment she kicked the door open with a bang¡ª ¡ªshe realized it; the strange sensation of her foot slipping at the end of the impact. It wasn¡¯t locked. The door was frozen. Ssssssss©¤ At the same time, the entire interior of the chamber began to turn white. It looked as if the building had been made of ice from the start ¡ª an extraordinarily high-level technique indeed. ¡®¡­Ice?¡¯ The only one who could manipulate ice here was¡ª The Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, Ezekiel. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± She quickly pressed her back against the door. She opened her lips, trying to sound as calm as possible, ¡°Inspector, is this to protect me?¡± ¡°Who knows.¡± ¡°I appreciate the thought, but I must go outside. I proclaimed myself an adventurer, so I should save at least one person. That is my mission.¡± ¡°¡­What an interesting story. It makes for good drinking conversation.¡± Gulp©¤ Ezekiel emptied his glass. At the same time, the floor beneath Tirbi¡¯s feet began to freeze. Tirbi forced a gentle smile. ¡°Inspector, why are you really doing this? What do you want?¡± However, there was no answer. Could it be that he had seen through Tirbi¡¯s true identity? In truth, even if he knew, it wouldn¡¯t be a significant problem. However, what truly unnerved Tirbi was Ezekiel¡¯s strength. The overwhelming feeling that even if she revealed her true colors right now, she couldn¡¯t win. ¡°Tirbi, who¡¯s your superior?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a wandering adventurer. I don¡¯t have a superior¡­¡± ¡°How are the executives of the demon realm doing these days?¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Craaaaaack©¤! The chamber froze over once more, even more intensely. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know anything! What are you doing!¡± A massive icicle pointed at Tirbi¡¯s chin, and the freezing that had started from the ground had already engulfed her ankles. ¡°S-S-Stop this! There are fiends outside. We need to go out and save the residents right now©¤!¡± The moment she shouted at the top of her lungs. All the ice vanished in an instant. Tirbi, who had been struggling to free her right foot, ended up hitting her own chin with her knee. Thwack! ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± It hurt. ¡°Awww¡­!¡± Rubbing her painfully throbbing chin, she thought. Was he just testing her? She needed to get outside first¡­! Just as she was about to burst through the door. Clank©¤! A piece of ice was thrown at Tirbi¡¯s feet; with a cleanly polished surface, it was an ice mirror. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Tirbi unconsciously swallowed hard. Her eyes reflected in the mirror were already purple. Her body had reacted to the threat before she could control it. ¡°¡­How long have you known?¡± There was no point in hiding her identity anymore. As Tirbi quietly gripped her greatsword¡ª ¡°From the beginning.¡± Ezekiel answered briefly. ¡°Tirbi.¡± Clack©¤ The man finally set his glass down on the table. ¡°We¡¯ve talked about what I want.¡± He slowly rose from his seat. ¡°I want your life.¡± He was still facing away from her. ¡°You don¡¯t have to prepare anything. I¡¯ll take care of it myself.¡± The man¡¯s breath came out as white mist; like a frost dragon awakening from its lair. Chapter 34: I Will Teach You What Fear Is (8) ? Chapter 34 ¨C I Will Teach You What Fear Is (8) ?The festivities were in full swing in Ruiple. In the midst of an atmosphere where everyone had set aside their worries and was enjoying the merriment, Agnes and Belka had also blended in. ¡°Huuuaaa¡­. It¡¯s cool¡­.¡± Belka had been holding an ice glass against her cheek since a while ago, but Agnes didn¡¯t put anything to her mouth and just turned the cube around occasionally. ¡°This mission seems easier than I expected¡­¡± Agnes stared at Belka with an expressionless face. ¡°We are still on a mission. Do not let your guard down.¡± ¡°Ah, yes¡­¡± ¡°You never know when what situation will arise.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand¡­¡± Belka, deflated, kept glancing at Agnes nervously. Indeed, for a girl like Belka who feared human interactions themselves, Agnes was the very embodiment of a natural enemy. Her speech was stiff, and her expressions were cold. ¡°Um, how long do we have to stay in Ruiple?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll need to stay for at least a week.¡± Agnes answered, turning the cube with one hand. Assuming that the cause has not been identified, it would be right to observe for at least a week to see if Ruiple has really become a safe area. In addition, achievements are also necessary. ¡­It might be possible to return immediately if the cause is found and eliminated, but that was also a story that was easy to say in words. ¡°This wager, it¡¯s a really important wager, right? I heard that if we win, we can access the Imperial Treasury¡­¡± ¡°Of course, it¡¯s a very important wager, but it¡¯s not just because of access to the Imperial Treasury.¡± ¡°Eh¡­? There¡¯s another reason it¡¯s so important¡­?¡± Belka¡¯s pink eyes widened in surprise. ¡°There¡¯s an upcoming exchange meeting between the six magic towers, isn¡¯t there?¡± Since Belka still looked like she didn¡¯t understand, Agnes slowly added an explanation. ¡°The number of times the Imperial Magic Tower has not attended the exchange meeting has exceeded 10. Don¡¯t you think the other Magic Towers are starting to realize that the Imperial Magic Tower is unstable?¡± ¡°I suppose so¡­?¡± ¡°But if we achieve results in Ruiple, it might slightly reduce the suspicion towards the Imperial Magic Tower. It means the chances of being slandered will also decrease.¡± ¡°Ugh, ugh, slander? They do that at the exchange meeting too?¡± ¡°¡­Do you think the exchange meeting is some kind of tea party?¡± Agnes clicked his tongue. ¡°It¡¯s just called an exchange meeting for appearances. In reality, it¡¯s a battlefield. A place where even lives are at risk.¡± ¡°W-Why? Why do they have such meetings¡­?¡± ¡°It is because there must be mutual checks and struggle to survive for magic to develop. Like swordsmanship, magic is also a discipline built on blood.¡± ¡°That¡¯s scary¡­ Can¡¯t we not participate¡­?¡± ¡°We postponed the sale of the tower on the promise of producing results. How can we not participate? Think a little¡­¡± Agnes started to speak but then let out a deep sigh. ¡­Why was she so unlucky when it came to people? Her superior was utterly unpredictable, and her junior seemed hopelessly dim-witted. She must have been crazy to quit her position as an imperial administrator¡­ Absolutely crazy¡­ If there was one fortunate aspect to the situation, it was that Belka was Agnes¡¯ subordinate. In other words, she could be managed. ¡°If you have any questions, please follow the procedure of asking me, your senior, instead of acting on your own. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, of course!¡± Belka responded with unexpected vigor. ¡°Lady Agnes, if this wager is as crucial as you say, should we really be here¡­?¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± ¡°Then why is the Inspector¡­¡± ¡°¡­He¡¯s someone who defies common sense.¡± Up to this point, the questions had been relatively normal. However, the next moment¡ª ¡°Um, Lady Agnes, are you senior to the sunweed?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..?¡± A completely incomprehensible question came out of nowhere. ¡°I will not respond to nonsense questions from now on.¡± ¡°But this isn¡¯t nonsense¡­¡± Belka fidgeted with her fingers. After a brief pause, she asked, ¡°Agnes¡­ may I use the restroom?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to ask permission for such things.¡± Agnes unconsciously opened her notebook and quickly jotted down two lines¡ª ¡¾The subordinate is also hopeless.¡¿ ¡¾It might be better to just enjoy the festivities.¡¿ While her superior was already in the category of being hopeless, her subordinate was even more so. Agnes thought it might be better to continue enjoying the celebration within the estate. It was a simple judgment ¡ª rather than wandering outside and risking a major incident or losing the wager, it would be safer to spend time here where safety was guaranteed. ¡°Um, Agnes¡­¡± ¡°Think three times before you speak to me,¡± Agnes abruptly cut off Belka¡¯s words. ¡°If you still feel like you have to say something after thinking about it three times, then do so. Do you understand?¡± ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s not it¡­¡± Belka pointed towards the estate¡¯s wall with her fingertip. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a fiend¡­?¡± Grrrrrr¡ª! ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..?¡± It was real. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Like waves crashing over a breakwater, countless fiends were leaping over the walls and rushing in. The two instinctively began searching for one particular person. ¡°We, we need to call the Inspector¡­!¡± ¡°Damn that Inspector¡­!¡± The moment the two women turned their heads towards the residence¡ª Craaaaaack¡ª The entire dwelling froze over in a brilliant white. An immense chill swept through the estate, causing a surge of mana to ripple across the grounds. ~~??~~??~~ Thud¡ª Thud¡ª On the ground that had become an ice rink, EEzekiel approached Tirbi without slipping, gradually closing the distance between them. ¡®There¡¯s not a single opening. Or is everything an opening?¡¯ Ezekiel advanced as if on a leisurely stroll, yet he didn¡¯t appear to be letting his guard down. It was an attitude that could only come from immense self-assurance. Tirbi grudgingly acknowledged this; his ice techniques were indeed worthy of such confidence. ¡°S-Stay back,¡± she tightened her grip on her greatsword¡¯s hilt. Her wrist trembled¡ªa first for her. ¡°I said stay back¡ª!¡± Whoosh¡ª! The greatsword drew a near-perfect horizontal arc; its force was as immense as the size of the sword itself. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± But the strike fell short by a hair¡¯s breadth and Tirbi stood frozen in place. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± However, her reason for freezing was different. It wasn¡¯t because her attack had failed to reach its target. ¡®¡­He didn¡¯t even blink.¡¯ A few strands of Ezekiel¡¯s bangs had been sliced off and were floating in the air; that¡¯s how close the strike had been. If the sword had gone just a bit deeper, his skull would have been cleanly split, brain matter splattering everywhere¡­ ¡­Yet he didn¡¯t even blink. As if he knew from the start it wouldn¡¯t reach him. No, as if even if it had, it would have been inconsequential. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± That calm response was all there was to it; this was different from the humans Tirbi had faced before. Tirbi had always had the upper hand in any contest, victory coming easily. Humans inherently possessed fear, after all. ¡­But what if the opponent was devoid of fear? ¡®That¡¯s impossible. It can¡¯t be¡­¡¯ She summoned an immense amount of mana into her greatsword. ¡®Spirit Slash.¡¯ It was a technique that channeled the fear of the vengeful spirits she had collected over time. She had gathered countless such spirits. ¡ª I¡¯m scared! ¡ª I¡¯m terrified! ¡ª Save me! The vengeful spirits began to wail. Rumble rumble rumble¡ª At the same time, the entire residence began to shake; the tremendous power was palpable. This strike would do it. Tirbi was certain. It contained the fear of over a thousand spirits. No one could withstand such a flood of memories all at once. It might even cause their brain to explode. Thud¡ª The moment Ezekiel took another step closer. ¡°Hyaaaaaaah¡ª!¡± Tirbi brought down her sword with all her might; the vengeful spirits rising from the sword opened their maws as if to devour Ezekiel. In that fleeting moment, she saw Ezekiel still standing there, having taken no action. It would work. It had to work. Boom¡ª! With a thunderous sound, all four walls of the residence exploded; the ceiling, too, crumbled into dust and settled down. When all the debris had cleared¡ª ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± ¡ªEzekiel stood there, unscathed. Ice had formed around his neck like armor, and the greatsword was lodged in it, unable to cut through. Tirbi¡¯s eyes grew so large that they looked like they were about to pop out of her head. In all the fights she had faced in her life, had there ever been such an absurd difference in skill? At least in Tirbi¡¯s mind, she had never even imagined such a scenario. It was then that Ezekiel calmly spoke, ¡°A sword that devours fear, how intriguing.¡± ¡°H-How¡­?¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Ezekiel said, ¡°Have you ever thought about your own death?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± When Tirbi couldn¡¯t answer, Ezekiel spoke again. His voice remained unnervingly calm, ¡°Decide. In what form you¡¯d like to freeze.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ Ah¡­¡± Tirbi couldn¡¯t form words. Her mind had completely frozen. She had lived a life without ever considering the possibility of meeting her end, never once entertaining such a thought. Then, in an instant, Ezekiel nodded as if satisfied. ¡°That expression right now¡ªit¡¯s fitting for your final moment.¡± Tirbi¡¯s face reflected in the icy ground beneath her; it was the visage of someone utterly terrified. ¡°Aargh!¡± At the same time, she felt an immense pain and lost her grip on the sword. The demon blade that devoured fear was now trying to consume her whole. The reason was obvious. ¡®Am I¡­ feeling fear? Me?¡¯ The moment one experiences fear, they can no longer wield this sword; the absence of fear was the minimum requirement to grasp this greatsword. Ezekiel quietly extended one hand. ¡°It suits you.¡± S~?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. With those final words, everything in the vicinity froze over. One high-ranking demon. Her expression frozen in terror, breath stilled. ¡°The end.¡± Chapter 35: Embers of Regret (1) ? Chapter 35 ¨C Embers of Regret (1) ?The scene that unfolded resembled a snowy country. The residence had exploded, leaving only ruins behind, and the entire estate was blanketed in pristine white snow. Those who had been enjoying the festivities still did not seem to understand the situation. It was only natural, given how swiftly the change had occurred. ¡°¡­¡­..What on earth happened?¡± ¡°It seems like there was a big fight inside the residence.¡± As they murmured thus, feeling a profound sense of unease, they soon realized what had caused it. Monsters and fiends. ¡°Wait a minute! What about the monsters and fiends?¡± It was peculiar that they had the luxury to chatter so leisurely when hordes of monsters and fiends had just invaded, wasn¡¯t it? Everyone swiftly surveyed their surroundings, searching for what had become of these creatures. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± And soon, all were astounded. The monsters and fiends were simply frozen. The demonic mana, still twitching with life, was trapped within the ice, unable to escape. Whispers spread like wildfire among the people. ¡°To imprison demonic mana as is? I¡¯ve never seen such ice in my life. Never even heard of it!¡± ¡°Not just the monsters. Even the fiends so easily¡­ Just how high is this level of mastery?¡± ¡°Who on earth could have done this?¡± Among those present, only Belka and Agnes remained silent; this Ice was undoubtedly Ezekiel¡¯s handiwork. Of course, they too were equally bewildered. As everyone was marveling at the situation, suddenly¡ª ¡°Your attention, please.¡± A man who had appeared atop the estate wall spoke. The Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, Ezekiel, was more than enough to draw all eyes. In his hand was a cubic block of ice. Inside the transparent ice box was Tirbi¡¯s head, her eye whites tinged a deep purple. Even without deep contemplation, it was clear evidence of a fiend. ¡°This one was the cause of Ruiple¡¯s erosion phenomenon, which I¡¯ve just eliminated. Not too difficult to understand, is it?¡± People could only blink in bewilderment. Tirbi. The name of the woman who had reigned like a deity in the Ruiple region, called the Envoy of the Sun God. She who had held the hearts of the people in her grasp was now conspicuously decapitated and encased in ice, wearing the face of a fiend. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The shock was so profound that no one could utter a word; everyone just stood there frozen like ice statues. ¡°How could this be¡­ Of all people, Lady Tirbi?¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible. The Envoy of the Sun God¡­¡± Here and there, people began to sink to the ground. It seemed that despair outweighed anger for most. Understandable, given how deep their trust in Tirbi had been. At that moment, Ezekiel spoke again, ¡°Well, I understand you¡¯re all shocked.¡± He pulled out a single leaf from his breast pocket, ¡°But that aside, there¡¯s something you all need to do right now.¡± A long, slender leaf resembling a willow¡ªyet no one failed to recognize its true identity. After all, this region, Ruiple, was the primary producer of this plant. ¡°¡­Sunweed?¡± Someone murmured. And Ezekiel nodded. Indeed, it was Sunweed. ¡°Bring me all of this you have. Every last piece, without exception.¡± ? ~~??~~??~~ The situation in Ruiple was quickly being brought under control. ¡°The Inspector of Imperial Magic Tower has truly accomplished something remarkable.¡± ¡°I shudder to think what might have happened if he hadn¡¯t visited¡­¡± ¡°We would have lived our entire lives deceived. It¡¯s horrifying to even consider.¡± The shock of Tirbi¡¯s revelation was already transforming into fame for Ezekiel; substantial fame, at that. Of course, Ezekiel merely continued to smoke sunweed. With true evil defeated and eliminated, it was only right that the festivities should continue. He leaned against the mountain of sunweed, piled high behind him¡­ Whoosh¡ª ¡­And exhaled a long stream of smoke. Perhaps due to smoking a large quantity after so long, his mind felt somewhat hazy. The wavering of his vision was oddly pleasant. It was then that Agnes approached. ¡°Inspector, how long have you known?¡± ¡°From the beginning.¡± ¡°I had no idea at all.¡± ¡°That¡¯s due to your current level. Still dull.¡± ¡°¡­Did you say dull? Me?¡± Ezekiel deliberately used provocative language. This expedition should also serve as a lesson for Agnes, and such words would be effective for her. ¡®Agnes has always been a top student, never missing first place.¡¯ He had already reviewed the data on his secretary. She was exceptionally talented. Admitted to the academy at a young age, she had consistently ranked first among her peers. No wonder she could serve as an imperial administrator. A promising talent worth nurturing. Just as Ezekiel thought this¡ª ¡°I won¡¯t deny it. It¡¯s true that I¡¯m still dull compared to your skills, Inspector.¡± Agnes continued, ¡°I can vaguely guess why you didn¡¯t even give me a hint. It would have been easier to carry out the mission without telling me.¡± Her response was unusual; there was almost no anger or resentment, just a pure question. She stuffed the cube into her pocket and continued, ¡°Your name will now become incredibly famous here, Inspector. Perhaps even beyond Ruiple.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you brought me along. If you just needed to fill a headcount, wouldn¡¯t it have been more efficient for me to remain at the Magic Tower and work?¡± Always expressionless. Always emotionless. Even now, what she was asking about was merely ¡®efficiency¡¯. However, at this rate, Agnes would forever remain just a top student. Ezekiel intended to guide her beyond that, to reach the realm of genius. Just like in the distant past when he taught his precious disciples. ¡°Agnes, you need inefficiency.¡± The sense of powerlessness, anxiety, perhaps even inferiority felt when closely observing someone far more extraordinary than oneself¡­ These things, though somewhat painful, were exactly what she needed. Truly essential. Agnes blinked twice rapidly, ¡°Are you playing with words again?¡± ¡°I said you need what you need. Now, off you go.¡± As if to say he wanted to devote time to savoring the sunweed without interruption, Ezekiel waved her away. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Agnes blinked at regular intervals. Staring at the Inspector with that same expressionless face. ¡¾Occasionally says completely incomprehensible things.¡¿ ¡¾Seems to spout nonsense when intoxicated by sunweed.¡¿ She added these two lines to her notebook. ~~??~~??~~ ¡°Ha¡­ This should be enough. That pathetic Inspector.¡± Valken, the guard knight of the Second Imperial Princess Hedera, gazed with satisfaction at the monster corpses lined up on the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll make him realize that chasing immediate pleasures ultimately kicks away life¡¯s long-term happiness.¡± If Valken had been blinded by something right in front of him, he too might have sought a way to immediately defeat Ezekiel. For instance, through a duel. While he could have defeated him outright that way, it wouldn¡¯t have been a wise choice. He needed a method that would gradually tighten the noose while exposing as much of Ezekiel¡¯s hand as possible. After all, that was how this wager had begun. Moreover, this was Ruiple. A place where unexpected peace had arrived. Contrary to expectations, monster sightings were rare; to win the wager, he had to move quickly. ¡®Considering the circumstances, 30 monsters isn¡¯t bad.¡¯ Valken nodded quietly. His eyes, hidden behind his helmet, glowed like lights. ¡°The Inspector is probably still drinking.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll regret it when he¡¯s forcibly dismissed.¡± The three knights entered the estate, smiling. The scene that unfolded was exactly as they had anticipated. The ongoing festivities, the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower indulging only in alcohol and sunweed¡­ Except for a light dusting of snow inside the estate, it was precisely as expected. Valken raised his chin and called out¡ª ¡°Inspector! Have you accomplished anything today?¡± However, there was no answer. It was understandable. It was obvious that he¡¯d been playing all day; pretending not to hear out of shame was probably his best option. So, Valken turned his gaze to Ezekiel¡¯s companions. ¡°It seems your Inspector at least knows shame. Will you answer on his behalf to save face? Was there any achievement today?¡± However¡­ Something was off. ¡®Why are those fellows reacting like that?¡¯ By now, they should have been blushing furiously, unable to handle the embarrassment, but the attitudes of Ezekiel¡¯s two female mage companions were utterly nonchalant. No, they weren¡¯t even paying attention to Valken. ¡°Oh, sunweed senior¡­! Hello¡­!¡± ¡°Show some restraint. Aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡± ¡°Lady Agnes, are you also shy¡­? Embarrassed¡­?¡± ¡°Obviously, that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± ¡°Anyway, it means you¡¯re not very close, right¡­? Come on, say hello. It¡¯s what the Inspector ordered, after all¡­¡± ¡°¡­Please stop lowering your own value.¡± Beyond nonchalance, their response was indifferent. They were engaged in an incomprehensible, bizarre conversation. ¡°How much have these rascals overindulged¡­¡± Just as Valken was about to berate them. Snap©¤! Someone snapped their fingers as if to draw attention. It was Ezekiel, the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. S?a??h th? N?v?lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Still with his back turned, he raised his hand; holding something, slowly. Very slowly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Immediately, the three knights¡¯ mouths clamped shut. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± A moment later, their mouths gaped wide open again. What Ezekiel held in his hand. It was unmistakably the head of a high-ranking fiend. Chapter 36: Embers of Regret (2) ? Chapter 36 ¨C Embers of Regret (2) ?¡°So then¡­¡± Despite his face being concealed by a helmet, Valkan, Hedera¡¯s guard knight, couldn¡¯t hide his bewilderment. And he wasn¡¯t alone; the nearby knights shared his sentiment. Within the estate, only two individuals remained composed¡ª Ezekiel, leaning against a mountain of sunweed, and Agnes, standing expressionlessly by his side. ¡°Are you saying that the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower not only uncovered the high-ranking fiend responsible for the erosion phenomenon but also managed to eliminate it?¡± ¡°As you can see, that¡¯s correct,¡± Agnes nodded, her face devoid of emotion. ¡°Huh.¡± Valken¡¯s gaze alternated between Ezekiel and his hand. Inside a cubic block of ice was Tirbi¡¯s severed head; it was utterly unbelievable. While Ezekiel¡¯s magic prowess had been evident from his initial presentation, he was, above all, of common birth and a novice inspector without a shred of experience. In other words, Ezekiel lacked practical experience. This dispatch to Ruiple was his first field assignment, meant to be the inaugural entry in his career record. Yet, how could one easily believe that such a Ezekiel had managed to identify a high-ranking fiend from the outset? Moreover, he had reportedly eliminated it single-handedly, without any assistance. Eliminating a high-ranking fiend was quite an impressive feat; it was incomparable to disposing of a low-level demonic beast. A nearby apprentice knight interjected, ¡°Is this truly factual?¡± Agnes met his gaze impassively. ¡°Yes. Are you implying that the Imperial Magic Tower is reporting falsely?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, but¡­¡± The apprentice knight¡¯s voice trailed off. Regardless of the internal affairs of the Imperial Magic Tower, its reputation remained formidable. They wouldn¡¯t dare to falsify information, especially with the name of Hedera, the Tower Master, at stake. It was then that Ezekiel exhaled a long stream of smoke, ¡°I¡¯m not idle enough to waste time on lies.¡± A peculiar silence descended upon the knights and mages, while the village chief, caught awkwardly in the middle, could only read the room. Eventually, the old man spoke with a smile, ¡°Ho ho ho¡­ In the end, things have turned out well, and with such distinguished guests gathered, is there any reason for this tension? We barely have enough time to enjoy the festivities properly.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°In any case, it¡¯s undeniable that the Inspector has been of great help. He even recovered the demonic sword.¡± ¡°Demonic sword?¡± ¡°Yes. Sir Knight, please look here.¡± On the ground lay the enormous greatsword Tirbi had wielded. A sinister dark mana seeped from it like a mirage, its appearance clearly malevolent at a glance. ¡°Are you saying the Inspector retrieved this?¡± ¡°Indeed. It¡¯s said to be a sword that burrows into human fears and shatters the mind. While we couldn¡¯t even approach it, the inspector moved it with ease.¡± At that moment, another apprentice knight spoke up, ¡°I simply cannot understand this.¡± It was then that Agnes heaved a deep sigh at those words, ¡°Do you still not accept it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of understanding or acceptance, but a fundamental question. Didn¡¯t you just explain that this demonic sword burrows into human fears?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. That¡¯s how it was assessed.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re saying the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector held it without any issue. Isn¡¯t it suspicious that a human could wield a demonic sword without any adverse effects?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m suggesting that he might be closer to a fiend than a human.¡± Surprisingly, it was a logical argument; not a mere quibble, but a reasonable doubt. Everyone suddenly gazed at Ezekiel with fear in their eyes; they had already been greatly deceived by Tirbi. It was only natural for them to fear a repeat of such an incident. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Agnes too silently observed Ezekiel. It wasn¡¯t that she doubted him; she simply knew that only Ezekiel himself could explain this situation. However, Ezekiel crunched on a new sunweed, ¡°It¡¯s not particularly difficult. I merely tamed it.¡± ¡°Tamed it? Could you explain that?¡± Valken asked calmly. ¡°This sword burrows into human fears, right?¡± ¡°That is correct.¡± ¡°I abandoned fear long ago. Pain has its limits, but fear does not.¡± ¡°That is an absurd claim. No human can have complete control over their emotions.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m standing right in front of you,¡± Ezekiel responded confidently. And Valken was left speechless by such a bold declaration. Just then. ¡°Sir Valken,¡± a nearby apprentice knight whispered quietly. ¡°A human devoid of fear is suspicious. Shouldn¡¯t we verify this somehow?¡± Valken nodded silently. Regardless of Ezekiel¡¯s confident demeanor, the Inspector certainly didn¡¯t appear to be an ordinary human. If anything, he seemed more akin to some type of fiend. ¡°Sir Valken, I have an idea.¡± But before Valken could issue any command, the apprentice knight lunged forward; his charge was aimed directly at Ezekiel¡¯s secretary. In that brief moment, Valken understood the apprentice¡¯s intention. ¡®He plans to feign a lethal attack to gauge the reaction.¡¯ It was reckless, but not without merit. Even the strongest individual would feel a flicker of fear when a cherished companion faced mortal danger. However, at the same time. The instant Valken met Ezekiel¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.?¡± A peculiar vision began to unfold before Valken. It was akin to foresight, something only extremely skilled knights could experience¡ªa premonition piecing together all surrounding clues to predict imminent events. From all directions. Blue trajectories extended towards the apprentice knight; they likely represented the paths of Ezekiel¡¯s impending magic. S?a??h the N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Valken understood. This couldn¡¯t be allowed to continue. The only future awaiting the apprentice was becoming a corpse resembling a porcupine, impaled by ice. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Startled, Valken drew his sword. Shraaak©¤! Just as the apprentice¡¯s blade was about to touch Agnes¡¯s chin, Valken sliced through his own ally¡¯s wrist with lightning speed; it was a blindingly fast upward strike. And all this sequence unfolded in less than a second. ¡°¡­Huh, huh?¡± As the severed wrist flew high through the air, blood spurted like a fountain; the apprentice knight¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He had only intended to threaten, but to lose his wrist¡ªhe could never have imagined such an outcome. The shock must have been immense. ¡°My wrist, my wrist¡­! Aaaargh!¡± As he collapsed, writhing in pain and shock. ¡°Ah.¡± That was the extent of Ezekiel¡¯s reaction. The Inspector nodded, exhaling smoke. ¡°Valken, your quick judgment saved the apprentice knight.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Ensure you focus more on his training from now on.¡± Valken clenched his jaw tightly. There wasn¡¯t much to say. Ezekiel was far more impressive than expected, and it was also true that the apprentice knight had acted recklessly. It was a relief that it had only ended with a severed wrist. Crrrck©¤! Suddenly, the demonic sword began to writhe, emitting an eerie sound. It was attempting to devour the apprentice knight¡¯s fear. ¡°Th-that thing¡¯s going berserk!¡± ¡°What should we do? Should we run? It¡¯s dangerous!¡± Just as the dark mana surged upwards, Ezekiel casually stepped on the greatsword, as if treading on a fallen leaf. ¡°Stay still.¡± Clang¡­ The greatsword immediately fell silent, as if it were a mouse caught by a cat. With so many eyes fixed upon it, everyone was greatly astonished. ¡°He subdued a demonic sword¡­?¡± ¡°How could he do it so effortlessly!¡± Ezekiel merely furrowed his brow at the commotion, ¡°Didn¡¯t I already say? I tamed it.¡± As if it was too easy to explain, as if there was no need to explain at all. . . . . . Ezekiel¡¯s group was the first to return to the capital first. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Valken stared blankly at their retreating figures. Ezekiel, who had been given a week to complete the bet in Ruiple, left for the capital in just one day. Moreover, he had even identified and resolved the cause of the erosion phenomenon. Even so, the reason Valken remained behind was¡­ ¡­naturally, because he found it difficult to accept his defeat in the wager. ¡°Sir Valken, what should we do now?¡± ¡°We still have six days. We must try something.¡± With the root cause gone, it would be challenging to reverse the outcome even with six days of effort. Valken felt nothing but dejection. ¡®That Ezekiel is far from ordinary.¡¯ The more he observed, the more astonishing Ezekiel¡¯s abilities seemed. Truly remarkable. Come to think of it, even though he was a commoner, the fact that he had no experience was so suspicious that it was unbelievable; there was an urgent need to investigate and gather more information. And another matter. His liege, the Second Imperial Princess Hedera. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Because Valken lost the wager, Hedera would have to grant Ezekiel access to the first floor of the Imperial Treasury. It was Valken¡¯s mistake; no one else¡¯s but Valken¡¯s. Yes, Valken¡¯s mistake. Valken¡¯s fault. That was the cause. ¡°Damn it all¡­¡± Crunch¡ª Inside his helmet, Valken gritted his teeth. ~~??~~??~~ A week had passed. And finally the day to announce the Ruiple results had dawned. The Second Imperial Princess of the Empire, Hedera. She greeted the morning with weary eyes. ¡°Hah¡­¡± She took a deep breath, trying to calm her troubled mind. ¡­Ezekiel, did he truly win the wager? That was the woman¡¯s sole concern. Chapter 37: Embers of Regret (3) ? Chapter 37 ¨C Embers of Regret (3) ?In a dimly lit chamber, rows of purple candles cast an eerie glow. A goat¡¯s head mounted on the wall contributed to the sinister atmosphere, reminiscent of a secret hideout for a criminal organization. Black-hooded mages strode purposefully through this space, which was, in fact, the Black Magic Tower¡ªthe northernmost of the Empire¡¯s six Magical Towers and the epitome of black magic. ¡°Madam Tower Master~¡± a playful voice called out. The speaker was a petite girl with a devilish appearance, sporting horns and clutching a teddy bear. In contrast, the woman addressed as the Tower Master bore a striking resemblance to a witch; donning a pointed hat pulled low over her face and a black dress, she seemed unbothered, merely stirring a bubbling cauldron with telekinesis. ¡°Tower Master~ Are you listening?¡± The Tower Master continued to meticulously study a book suspended in midair by telekinesis, as various strange ingredients were poured into the boiling cauldron. ¡°Madam Tower Master! The Ruiple region has been purified!¡± the girl exclaimed. Only then did the witch-like woman¡¯s gestures halted. She slightly raised her pointed hat, fixing her gaze on the small girl; despite the gloomy surroundings, her emerald eyes glowed like torches. ¡°The Ruiple region has been purified, you say?¡± ¡°Yes~ Without a doubt. I confirmed it myself.¡± ¡°By whom?¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower. Oh, and they took the demonic sword too!¡± ¡°¡­The Imperial Magic Tower?¡± The Black Tower Master abruptly closed the floating book with a sharp snap. Meanwhile, the girl hugged her teddy bear tightly, peering into the bubbling cauldron. ¡°That¡¯s what I said~ Why would I lie? More importantly, are you making that thing again? The Flowing Ice Waterfall?¡± The Black Tower Master nodded silently. The Flowing Ice Waterfall¡ªan extremely challenging ice magic technique that created a spectacular cascade of flowing ice and the Black Tower Master coveted this intricate, decorative piece However, its extreme difficulty was not without reason¡­ ¡­Indeed, its creation proved to be no simple task; even the recipe remained a mystery. ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re always obsessed with interior decorations. Madam Tower Master, is it really that important? Do you want it that badly?¡± ¡°It is important.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible. We specialize in black magic, after all. And we can¡¯t lower ourselves to ask the Blue Tower for help! Just give up~ What¡¯s wrong with not having such a decoration?¡± At this, the Black Tower Master¡¯s hair rippled slightly, as if she had heard something utterly unacceptable; the girl quickly corrected herself. ¡°Ah, my mistake. It¡¯s important. Very important.¡± Only then did the Black Tower Master click her tongue, as if to say she¡¯d let it slide. ¡°So, Madam Tower Master, what are we going to do? That demonic sword was something we had our eyes on! They beat us to it!¡± The girl¡¯s words rang true. The Black Magic Tower prioritized the study of black magic above all else; hence, they had deliberately neglected the Ruiple region. Their plan was to allow the demonic sword to grow significantly before capturing it for research¡ªa typical approach for those who valued exploration above all else. After all, that was the nature of the Black Magic Tower. Yet someone had brazenly snatched away that demonic sword; and of all places, it was the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Who would have thought the Imperial Tower could pull this off? Are they hiding some incredible achievements?¡± ¡°That¡¯s unlikely. Their internal affairs are surely in disarray.¡± The Black Tower Master was confident in her assessment. ¡°So, what should we do now?¡± ¡°For now, we focus solely on the exchange meeting. Forget everything else.¡± ¡°The exchange meeting! It¡¯s incredibly important this time! It¡¯s being held at the Black Magic Tower, after all! Finally, it¡¯s our turn!¡± The exchange meeting was hosted by the six Magic Towers in rotation, and this time it was the Black Magic Tower¡¯s turn. In other words, it presented a prime opportunity for the Black Magic Tower to make significant strides.; the fact that the exchange meeting was to be held at their own Magic Tower meant benefits beyond imagination. ¡°Madam Tower Master, I¡¯m curious about something. The Imperial Magic Tower¡ªare you going to let them arrive peacefully?¡± ¡°We must. If we intimidate them, they¡¯ll abstain again. They¡¯ve already skipped over ten times. We have no choice but to coax them carefully.¡± ¡°Huh? No, no! Madam Tower Master, what are you talking about?¡± The girl shook her head vigorously, as if to contradict the Tower Master¡¯s assumption. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower is incredibly arrogant this time! They¡¯ve sent a reply stating they¡¯ll definitely participate. And that¡¯s not all¡ªthey even wrote that the other Towers should absolutely not be late!¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s not like the Imperial Magic Tower. What¡¯s gotten into them?¡± ¡°Madam Tower Master! So, are you really going to let them arrive peacefully?¡± ¡°Why do you keep asking?¡± ¡°Because I want to play a prank~ I want to play a prank!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°They stole our demonic sword! That was supposed to be our Black Magic Tower¡¯s toy! I want to play a prank with them!¡± ¡°Do as you please. It¡¯s up to you.¡± The Tower Master responded as if thoroughly exasperated. She knew that this troublemaker would act regardless of any warnings, so it was better to give her free rein. ¡°Ah, really? But Madam Tower Master! Madam Tower Master~!¡± ¡°Stop calling me so incessantly. Am I your friend?¡± A vein throbbing visibly on the Tower Master¡¯s forehead, ¡°¡­If this isn¡¯t important, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± ¡°It is important! Extremely important!¡± The girl giggled and pointed her finger, ¡°That!¡± Her fingertip was directed at the bubbling cauldron. ¡°Is it okay to leave it like that? Hm?¡± Ah. That¡¯s right. It should have been stirred continuously. ¡°¡­No, it¡¯s not okay.¡± The next moment. BOOM! The cauldron exploded, sending frogs flying in all directions. ~~??~~??~~ Imperial Magic Tower, Grand Hall ¡°¡­Widro, I still don¡¯t have a good feeling about this,¡± said Nox, the leader of the theoretical faction, adjusting his glasses. Recently, the atmosphere in the Imperial Magic Tower was tense, as if it could snap at any moment. The reason was obvious ¡ª the performance wager that had taken place in Ruiple. ¡°Let¡¯s not speak ill omens; words have a way of coming true,¡± Widro retorted, though he felt the same anxiety. The Ruiple performance wager had a one-week time limit. However, Inspector Ezekiel had returned to the Tower on the very day of his departure. According to the wager¡¯s rules, the results were to be kept secret until the official announcement, leaving everyone in suspense and on edge. ¡°Is it possible he won and returned in just one day¡­?¡± Widro¡¯s words were met with a heavy sigh from Nox. ¡°Widro, do you even realize what you¡¯re saying?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying it because I¡¯m frustrated. We have no way of knowing the results until we hear directly from them, and it is driving the mages here insane.¡± ¡°I¡¯m worried. Truly worried. If we lose badly in this wager, the princess might change her mind again¡­¡± Widro and Nox¡¯s gaze turned to the other side of the room; three knights stood there in silence. In fact, they had just returned to the capital. In other words, it means that they have been working on their achievements until today. Meanwhile, Ezekiel hadn¡¯t shown himself in public even once since his return on the first day. Not once. ¡­Only the occasional wisp of sunweed smoke escaped from his office. ¡°Why isn¡¯t the Inspector coming out? Were the results that shocking? How big was the difference¡­?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. The more we talk about it, the more disheartened I feel.¡± Not only was the wager suggested by the princess herself, but she even offered a substantial reward, so countless speculations about the results were circulating among the mages. At that moment¡ª BOOM! ¡ªthe massive doors swung open, followed by the sound of footsteps. Click-clack, Click-clack The distinctive sound of high heels. The noble resonance that only the princess could possess. The mages who had been sitting and chatting all stood up at once and even adjusted their breathing to be polite. The Second Princess strode past everyone and took her place at the front of the Grand Hall. Thump, Thump And then there was a man who arrived later than Hedera. His snow-white hair fell to his shoulders, and his piercing blue eyes stood out against his white skin. Ezekiel entered, still chewing on his sunweed. Valken, the guard knight, immediately reacted, ¡°¡­Inspector, couldn¡¯t you walk a bit faster?¡± But Ezekiel remained nonchalant, maintaining his proud demeanor as he retorted, ¡°One might think I was late or something.¡± He wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. He had arrived after Hedera, but he wasn¡¯t actually late. Once everyone had gathered, the announcement began. ¡°The agreed-upon period has ended. I¡¯ll hear the reports now,¡± Princess Hedera stated. Knowing that the fate of the Imperial Magic Tower hung on her mood, all the mages could do was bow their heads in silence. ¡°Hmm.¡± However, the princess hesitated for a moment. Upon closer inspection, the Second Princess looked far more exhausted than usual, almost haggard. s?a??h th? n0v?l(?)ire.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Observing her appearance, the mages all had one thought¡ª ¡ª Did we lose? ¡ª Has the princess already heard the results? ¡ª We must have lost! But Hedera was just as unaware of the results as everyone else. ¡°Hmm.¡± And then the words the Second Princess uttered after a while were quite different from the mages¡¯ expectations¡ª ¡°Before hearing the results, I¡¯d like to offer both sides an opportunity.¡± ¡°¡­An opportunity?¡± ¡°What kind of opportunity?¡± As the mages whispered among themselves, eyeing each other nervously, the princess continued¡ª ¡°With the exchange meeting right around the corner, I can¡¯t shake the feeling that this wager was pushed through somewhat recklessly. So, I¡¯m considering giving an opportunity right before we confirm the results.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°The opportunity is simple. Since both sides were sent to Ruiple with good intentions, how about we reward both sides and conclude this matter?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± The mages¡¯ eyes widened in surprise. Not just the mages, but the three knights as well. ¡°However, since both sides will be receiving rewards, there should be no more competition between you. What do you think?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± It was a shocking and yet surprising proposal. Who was it who treated this wager more interestingly than anyone else and strongly suggested it? It was none other than the Second Princess herself. For her to now offer an opportunity to reward both sides was completely unexpected. No one could predict what had happened or what change of heart she had experienced. ¡­¡­Why is she hesitating to hear the results? As the mages stood frozen in bewilderment, a voice emerged, shattering the silence. ¡°Your Highness, that is absolutely unacceptable.¡± It was none other than Valken who stepped forward, his voice firm and resolute. ¡°After all, this was a fair and square competition, and everyone has the right to know the outcome. Moreover¡­¡± ¡°Enough. I¡¯ve made my decision.¡± However, Hedera abruptly cut off Valken¡¯s words, her voice laced with an unusual urgency. A sense of unease settled over the crowd. Today¡¯s Second Princess seemed uncharacteristically hasty, her gaze darting towards Ezekiel at regular intervals. In any case, Valken¡¯s reaction confirmed what everyone suspected¡ª ¡­There was no doubt that the Knights had emerged victorious. Viewed from that perspective, this offer was extraordinary. All eyes quickly turned to Ezekiel. If he simply accepted, it would result in a draw. Moreover, it would allow them access to the Imperial Treasury. There seemed to be no reason to refuse such a favorable offer. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± However¡­ The Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower was utterly indifferent, his response eliciting widespread astonishment. ¡°Hmm.¡± His nonchalance was almost perplexing. ¡°This wager was not unreasonable in the slightest.¡± Phew¡ª He exhaled a long stream of smoke. ¡°I would prefer it if we adhered to our original agreement.¡± His words sent shockwaves through the gathering. Chapter 38: Embers of Regret (4) ? Chapter 38 ¨C Embers of Regret (4) ?A deafening silence descended upon the grand hall of the Imperial Magic Tower; it was a silence that spoke volumes, a silence that was filled with unspoken tension and anxiety. The seeds of this unrest had been sown a week ago, with the wager that had taken place in Ruiple. But now, the simmering discontent had reached a boiling point, and the mages were no longer able to contain their frustration. And so began the silent clamor from all corners; an incalculable number of telepathic messages began to erupt. ¡ª Are we really sticking to the original agreement? ¡ª Why not? Maybe we won? Is that why he¡¯s so confident? ¡ª That¡¯s impossible! I think the princess was trying to be fair to the tower, so why is this happening? ¡ª That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m saying! Amidst the commotion, someone offered a plausible conjecture¡ª s?a??h th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª Could it be a matter of his pride? This suggestion wasn¡¯t entirely baseless. After all, hadn¡¯t Ezekiel consistently displayed an attitude brimming with confidence since his appearance at the Magic Tower? ¡ª No, surely not just for the sake of pride¡­! ¡ª We¡¯re doomed. ¡ª How did it come to this so soon after the cancellation of the sale? ¡°¡ª The stakes of the wager were raised too high from the start. A performance competition against the Imperial Princess¡¯s guard knight! While no one could know for sure what was going on in Ezekiel¡¯s mind, for the mages of the Magic Tower, this news was nothing short of devastating, especially now that defeat seemed all but certain. Ezekiel had spent half a day in Ruiple, while Valken had stayed for a week¡­ It was obvious which one of them would have a higher achievement record, even without checking. Even when fortune smiled upon them and the Imperial Princess showed mercy¡­ ¡­He outright rejected it? Just like that? It was enough to drive one to madness. Of course, they couldn¡¯t send a telepathic message directly to Ezekiel, so the mages¡¯ messages turned towards someone else. ¡ª Agnes! ¡ª Hey, Agnes! ¡ª Lady Agnes! Naturally, they turned to Agnes, Ezekiel¡¯s direct secretary. ¡ª Agnes, can¡¯t you talk some sense into him? ¡ª Isn¡¯t this going too far, even for him? ¡ª There¡¯s a limit to how much one should stand on pride! ¡ª Given the circumstances, at least tell us the results. ¡ª Say something, anything!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Agnes quietly closed her eyes; her head felt like it was about to explode. So many telepathic messages were pouring in that she wondered if her ears might fall off. ¡ª Agnes! Do something about this! ¡ª Our Inspector has lost his mind! She could understand their feelings. Had she remained at the Magic Tower, had she not witnessed events firsthand in Ruiple, she too would have shared their concerns. Most of Ezekiel¡¯s accomplishments were indeed hard to believe without seeing them in person. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± After a long moment, Agnes opened her eyes. ¡ª You think he¡¯s not in his right mind? ¡ª Agnes, do you see it differently? ¡ª No. He¡¯s certainly not in his right mind. The telepathic messages that had been pouring in on Agnes stopped abruptly. They were all taken aback by her response, unable to comprehend her meaning. ¡ª However. In that moment of silence, Agnes completed her telepathic message. ¡ª The Inspector of this Magic Tower is by no means incompetent. And with that, there were no more telepathic messages coming back. But then. Realizing she might have praised him too much; feeling slightly embarrassed about it. ¡ª¡­For the record, I don¡¯t particularly like the Inspector. Agnes hastily added. ~~??~~??~~ For a week, Second Imperial Princess Hedera had been consumed by countless worries. Ever since she learned about Ezekiel¡¯s health condition, she hadn¡¯t been able to shake off the nagging sense of unease. And it was even worse because she had been the one who suggested the wager. She was plagued by guilt, wondering if she had done the wrong thing. ¡ª The Inspector has returned, Your Highness. As if to confirm her fears, Ezekiel, who had left for Ruiple, returned after only half a day. Could his health have deteriorated so quickly? A half-day return was tantamount to leaving work early. Hedera was inwardly certain of Valken¡¯s victory. There was no need to even consider it. The performance difference between someone who stayed in Ruiple for a day versus a week was obvious. ¡­She didn¡¯t want Ezekiel to suffer any disadvantages; to prevent Ezekiel from facing the worst-case scenario, Hedera had spent sleepless nights wracking her brain. She pondered, deliberated, and contemplated endlessly. Fortunately, the agony of squeezing her thoughts didn¡¯t last long. An brilliant idea dawned on her, like a light bulb illuminating in her mind. ¡®A draw.¡¯ Yes, let¡¯s make it a draw. As the Second Imperial Princess, Hedera had some degree of freedom in accessing the first floor of the Imperial Treasury. She could create a draw by offering rewards to both sides. Once this thought occurred to her, her worries vanished completely. How could they not? With no loser and two winners, both parties would reap only benefits without any losses. No matter how one looked at it, there seemed to be no reason for rejection. With this approach, Hedera was certain her plan would proceed without fail. There would absolutely be no margin for error. At least, that¡¯s what she had firmly believed. However, when Ezekiel entered the grand hall moments ago, Hedera experienced an unfamiliar sensation. She couldn¡¯t help it. He wasn¡¯t defeated; his gaze was simply indifferent. Or perhaps, he was completely apathetic to everything. He seemed uninterested in anything, chewing on sunweed as if they were nothing more than a pastime. It was the first time in a long while that she felt a sense of unease. Could he be tired of everything, apathetic towards everything, and have lost all motivation? She was worried. His disregard for his own health, even for Hedera¡¯s happiness, struck her with a complex mix of emotions. Out of guilt, she quickly offered him an opportunity. ¡ª Your Highness, that is absolutely unacceptable. Valken¡¯s reaction was as expected, but that didn¡¯t matter. As Hedera¡¯s guard knight, he could be persuaded and pacified with some effort. However. The truly surprising event unfolded right before Hedera¡¯s eyes. As if to make a point. ¡°I would prefer it if we adhered to our original agreement.¡± A thud, as if something heavy had dropped. Why would he answer like that? Hedera prided herself on her intelligence, and the opportunity she had just provided was a meticulously calculated move. But among all the possibilities she had considered, Ezekiel openly rejecting this proposal was not one of them. Of course not. Wasn¡¯t Ezekiel¡¯s health in critical condition? While it might not be a cure-all, the first floor of the Imperial Treasury contained a wealth of items that could potentially help him. Did he not need them? Wasn¡¯t this the perfect opportunity to ask? Could he be playing hard to get, saying things he didn¡¯t mean? Hedera¡¯s eyes filled with questions. But she soon realized that wasn¡¯t the case. What showed on Ezekiel¡¯s face was pure sincerity. Regardless of Hedera¡¯s thoughts, he simply continued chewing his sunweed, waiting for the announcement. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Should she turn the opportunity into an order? It was an option she had to abandon. Even to her, it seemed unreasonable. There was nothing left for Hedera to do. ¡°¡­I understand.¡± All that remained was to hear the results of their performance. Her only concern now was how to console Ezekiel if he became disheartened by this defeat. ¡°Yes. Then we shall announce first.¡± Valken observed proper etiquette. ¡°We subjugated 104 low-level monsters.¡± The number was lower than expected, and everyone was puzzled. ¡°In Ruiple, the circumstances were as follows¡ª¡± After listening to Valken¡¯s detailed explanation, it was clear that things were as they had expected. Ruiple, which was so different from what they had imagined, had resulted in this number after a week of being left behind. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Hedera grew anxious. It was already predicted and obvious that Valken would have the upper hand. Even though she had known it all along, Hedera couldn¡¯t shake off her unease. Was Ezekiel going to step down from his position as Inspector? Or would he disappear again? She was consumed by such thoughts. Ezekiel seemed determined, as if he had made up his mind about something. Somehow, she feared hearing what that decision might be. ¡°Now it¡¯s our turn.¡± Finally, Ezekiel spoke. Thump, Hedera¡¯s heart trembled. ¡­How should she react when his defeat became certain? Should she show disappointment and lose interest as usual? But how could she do that, knowing his circumstances? Should she comfort him, saying it¡¯s alright? But was that appropriate for someone in her position who needed to be impartial? Thump, thump, thump¡­ Her heart pounded harder amidst her continued deliberation. However, the standoff didn¡¯t last long. Ezekiel nodded at Agnes, and the secretary produced something. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Silence fell over the grand hall. Unable to identify the object yet, everyone simply stared at what Agnes held up. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± And moments later. When everyone had visually confirmed its identity. ¡°Performance report: elimination of one high-level fiend.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s report was remarkably simple. ¡°At the same time, the Ruiple region has been purified.¡± Hedera¡¯s assumptions had been wrong from the start. Chapter 39: Embers of Regret (5) ? Chapter 39 ¨C Embers of Regret (5) ?What Agnes held in her hand was unmistakably the head of a high-level fiend. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The sudden turn of events required time to process, so Hedera reviewed the situation from the beginning. Valken¡¯s achievement ¡ª elimination of about 100 monsters. Ezekiel¡¯s achievement ¡ª identifying the cause of erosion and purifying the area. Ezekiel had won by an overwhelming margin. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The unexpected result left Hedera momentarily speechless. However, she knew what she had to do as the Second Imperial Princess. To maintain fairness, she first needed to compose herself as best she could. Never before had she felt so unfamiliar with herself. ¡®Was I¡­ rooting for him this much?¡¯ For Hedera, whose heart was usually calm, this sense of relief felt incredibly strange. Unlike the princess, the mages didn¡¯t hide their shock. The grand hall instantly erupted into commotion. ¡°The Inspector¡­ The Inspector has won!¡± ¡°Im-impossible! Are you saying he accomplished all this and returned on the same day he left? How on earth?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a genius. Truly, a genius has taken the position of Inspector.¡± Until just a moment ago, they had been filled with worry, so the joy of unexpected news was even greater. Everyone began to express the shock they felt. ¡°Oh, my¡­¡± ¡°Master Widro! Pull yourself together!¡± Widro shook his head vigorously. The worries that had been so great were relieved in an instant, and he felt like his soul was leaving his body, but that wasn¡¯t what was important now. What mattered was that they had won. ¡°What I¡¯m experiencing now, it¡¯s really reality, right?¡± ¡°Even illusion magic couldn¡¯t be this absurd!¡± ¡°Indeed. It¡¯s truly unbelievable¡­¡± Widro stared blankly at Ezekiel. In the past, when they thought of an Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, they had mostly seen people who only cared about their own interests, passing off work to Widro and Nox. No, that had been all of them. This was the first time Widro had seen an Inspector who was so active and competent. He could only marvel. ¡°This Magic Tower¡­ We were indeed the ones in the wrong.¡± He and the others had been incompetent all this time. It was also true that they had not believed in Ezekiel, the new Inspector. It was understandable that they had a hard time understanding him with their ordinary eyes, but they had been overly suspicious. ¡°Everyone, we should apologize to the Inspector later.¡± Widro stroked his beard as he looked around. The mages¡¯ faces were alight with joy. It had been so long since the entire Imperial Magic Tower had shared good news and rejoiced together that they couldn¡¯t remember the last time it happened. ¡°Will the Inspector now visit the Imperial Treasury?¡± ¡°What will he bring back to the Magic Tower? What indeed!¡± As excitement mixed with anticipation, the place grew increasingly boisterous. Second Imperial Princess Hedera allowed this scene to continue for a while before slowly parting her lips with a measured voice. ¡°Enough.¡± Though not a royal command, it had the same effect. The commotion ceased instantly, and everyone turned their attention to the princess. ¡°Imperial Magic Tower Inspector.¡± The Second Princess gazed steadily at the Inspector. ¡°¡­Well done.¡± Ezekiel smiled slightly. ¡°It was nothing.¡± ~~??~~??~~ Helplessness. The feeling of wanting to do something, yet being unable to do anything. Or the realization that no matter what you do, it¡¯s all futile. Valken knew all too well the tragedy of helplessness. It had been with him since his early childhood, when he was brutally beaten in an alleyway simply for being a beast-kin. ¡ª Filthy beastkin brat. ¡ª Why don¡¯t you get out of our village? His parents, victims of discrimination and power struggles, died while young Valken could only hide in a closet, helpless to do anything. If his life were a book, this would always be the first chapter. Having suffered due to weakness, he resolved never to live weakly again. Yes, if he became strong, wouldn¡¯t everything change? Of course, there was a vast gulf between intention and achievement. An enormous disparity. Just recalling those events made Valken¡¯s hands tremble. He often woke up in the middle of the night, his body drenched in sweat. Eventually, Valken chose the sword. He didn¡¯t have the money to learn magic, and above all, he liked that he could hide his beastkin-like animal ears by wearing a helmet. He wielded the sword with manic dedication. Of course, it wasn¡¯t a smooth process. Valken unfortunately had no talent for swordsmanship, and he was so used to losing that he would despair even at the slightest setback. So, he created fuel to burn himself. Inferiority and anger. These were the fuels Valken adopted. To trample those who trampled him, to stand above those who looked down on him, he burned his very soul. Fortunately for him, his sweat did not betray him. ¡ª Congratulations on joining. You¡¯re now an imperial knight. He bore fruit by spectacularly joining the Imperial Knights. That day, Valken was able to sleep peacefully for the first time in a long time. Yes, just for that one day. From the next day onward, Valken thought of only one thing. ¡­Now, what should I do now? Trapped by this thought, he couldn¡¯t do anything. He had always compared himself to others, fueling his life with inferiority and anger to reach this point, but now what should drive him? It wasn¡¯t as fulfilling as he had imagined. This was a fix, not a solution. It¡¯s not as if his family would come back to life now. He lost his goal. He became listless again. In the midst of this, there was one opportunity that came his way. ¡ª It seems they¡¯re recruiting for the Imperial princess¡¯s personal guard. This chance encounter became a turning point in Valken¡¯s life. Second Princess Hedera. The moment he first met her, he trembled. Unlike Valken, she was a perfect individual. From her lineage and bloodline to her abilities. She was the complete opposite of Valken¡¯s life, which had been ignoble in both origin and talent. And Valken quickly reached a conclusion. Yes, let¡¯s make Hedera the goal of my life. Let loyalty to my lord be my motivation. ¡ª The ascension ceremony will be soon. ¡ª A mere human, challenging the position of a dragon. Valken could never be perfect. Never. However. If he, who was nothing but full of inferiority and flaws, could contribute to making Hedera, who was perfection itself, even more perfect? If he, who was so humble, could remain by the side of perfection? Just thinking about it made Valken¡¯s heart swell. It was a powerful life motivation. ¡ª Report. ¡ª I understand. ¡ª Wait. Of course, Hedera¡¯s treatment of Valken was strictly professional, and she showed little interest in her personal guard. But Valken wasn¡¯t disappointed in the least. For Valken, born a beastkin, neglect and contempt were all too familiar. Hedera¡¯s purely professional attitude towards him felt almost warm in comparison. Certainly, there were times when he felt greedy. Valken both assisted and depended on Hedera. There were times he wished she would pay more attention, times he yearned for even one more word from her. But even that he could endure well. Her Royal Highness, the Second Princess, was supposedly devoid of emotions. Her Royal Highness, the Second Princess, treated everything professionally. This premise was so firmly established. How could one feel slighted when she treated everyone the same way? Yes, until recently, that premise had been solid. ¡ª Shall we talk? On that day, facing Ezekiel, cracks began to form. ¡­What on earth was happening? Valken knew well. Even when facing various crises in the celestial realm, Hedera¡¯s heart had never wavered. She remained calm in any crisis, a calculating individual who never trusted others and thus never suffered losses. The Second Princess whom Valken served was synonymous with perfection. It must have been that way. In the face of that crisis, Valken volunteered for the wager. He tried to make sure that Ezekiel was completely defeated and that he would never appear before Hedera again. Defeat. But Valken was defeated. It was a defeat without excuse. He had underestimated Ezekiel, and Ezekiel had won completely. So began the performance report with a devastated heart. But then. ¡ª I¡¯ll give you an opportunity. For some reason, Hedera offered them an unprecedented opportunity right before he was about to give his performance report. The content was very absurd. ¡ª Let¡¯s conclude by rewarding both sides. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Valken was elated. He couldn¡¯t help but feel deeply moved; he thought he understood why Hedera was offering this chance. She must have already known the result of the wager. The Second Princess didn¡¯t want her personal guard to be embarrassed. She was actually showing consideration. For someone as lowly as Valken. The Second Princess herself had shown concern. She had, in her heart, been mindful of Valken¡­! Valken immediately raised his voice with all his might. ¡ª Your Highness, that is absolutely unacceptable. Valken was fine with anything as long as Hedera was there. If he could just remain as her personal guard, he was confident that he could endure any insult, and he was confident he could overcome even the most colossal failures. Yes, thinking that Hedera was concerned about him made him feel as if strength was surging through him. As if he had been reborn. But then. However. ¡ª The Ruiple region has been purified. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± When the results were announced, an unbelievable scene unfolded before Valken, making his head spin. The Second Princess, Hedera, was showing emotion. A gaze directed solely at Ezekiel. The nature of that emotion. It was clearly relief. ¡°How¡­¡± His teeth clenched. His body trembled violently. It wasn¡¯t a concern for him. Hedera had been worried about Ezekiel. ¡°Why¡­ Why?¡± Valken couldn¡¯t understand. Wasn¡¯t Hedera supposed to be a perfect being devoid of emotions? Why was she displaying such clear emotions? But what truly surprised Valken about himself was the realization that the emotion he felt towards Hedera at that moment was not betrayal. Envy. This was undoubtedly overwhelming envy. He was envious of Ezekiel, who could so easily and simply elicit the princess¡¯s emotions, even though he couldn¡¯t even catch a glimpse of Hedera¡¯s emotions after countless years of dedication and service. He was envious. Oh, how truly envious he was. He wished he could experience Hedera¡¯s emotions too. Even if just faintly, even if just once. No matter how hard he tried, how much he admired her, how loyally he served, he couldn¡¯t even imagine it¡­ Why was it so easy for someone else? Why was it so unfair? ¡°Well done.¡± Hedera¡¯s single remark to Ezekiel. At the same time. Valken felt pain as if his body was shattering into pieces. His world collapsed entirely. ~~??~~??~~ The next day, I prepared to depart for the imperial palace. ¡°Shall we go?¡± S?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. It was time to visit the Imperial Treasury with Hedera. However, unexpectedly, it was Solana who came to see me. Chapter 40: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (1) ? Chapter 40 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (1) ?Dawn. The Imperial Magic Tower was bustling with activity from early in the morning. ¡°The¡­ The Angel of the Empire?¡± ¡°The Third Princess has visited the Magic Tower again!¡± ¡°You fools! Instead of being flustered, show some respect! How dare you speak so brazenly about the Princess!¡± The reason for the uproar was simple. Solana had once again made an unannounced visit to the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Please, carry on as usual. Just as you normally would.¡± Ironically, the Third Princess herself was gently smiling, attempting to soothe the agitated mages. After all, she had a specific reason for visiting the Imperial Magic Tower. The Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector, Ezekiel, was naturally her target. ¡°¡­Solana?¡± As it happened, Ezekiel had just appeared in the corridor. He had a scheduled visit to the Imperial Palace today. ¡°Ah, found you!¡± The Third Princess¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. Upon seeing Ezekiel, Solana beamed and held up the basket she was carrying in one hand. ¡°You haven¡¯t had breakfast yet, have you?¡± . . . . . Clattering ¡ª Clattering¡ª The carriage rattled as it made its way towards the Imperial Palace. It was designed for comfort rather than speed, with an interior that resembled a reception room. Inside, Ezekiel and Solana sat facing each other. This was an unplanned ride, and on the table between them was a spread of lunch boxes that Solana had made herself. ¡°I hope it¡¯s to your liking,¡± Solana said. ¡°It¡¯s delicious. You¡¯ve always been good at cooking.¡± Solana smiled at Ezekiel¡¯s compliment, ¡°Really? You¡¯re not just saying that, are you? I¡¯m so glad to hear it.¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± As he ate, Ezekiel marveled at how drastically his life had changed. Here he was, sharing breakfast with an Imperial Princess on the way to the palace. They continued eating in silence for a while. Solana, who had been silently eating her food, suddenly stopped and blinked rapidly. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Ezekiel shook his head. ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect to be traveling with you to the Imperial Palace.¡± ¡°Ah, it wasn¡¯t scheduled, but I had it prepared quickly,¡± Solana explained with a faint smile. ¡°As soon as I heard the Second Princess was rushing to the palace, I prepared these lunchboxes. I couldn¡¯t miss the chance to ride alone with you, Master.¡± She placed a finger on her lips, considering her words. ¡°But if we met in a place where there were many eyes, it would be a scandal¡­. So I had to be clever. Cultured people would call this a secret¡­ secret meeting¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a secret meeting, it¡¯s a rendezvous.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, rendezvous. Rendezvous. I¡¯m still a bit sleepy this morning¡­¡± Solana covered her mouth with her hand and turned her gaze away, laughing. As usual, she was her usual self today. Ezekiel reached into his pocket for a sunweed. He habitually brought it to his lips but hesitated upon seeing Solana. However, Solana waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I understand your circumstances.¡± ¡°¡­Excuse me, then but tell me if the smell bothers you.¡± The sunweed made a small crackling sound in his mouth. ¡°So, why did Hedera rush to the palace?¡± ¡°I heard she has something urgent to prepare. Maybe it¡¯s about the ascension ceremony? Well, even if it¡¯s not the ascension ceremony, she¡¯s always busy, isn¡¯t she? The Second Princess.¡± ¡°I hope the Imperial Treasury is well-prepared too.¡± ¡°Hehe, I heard you won the wager?¡± Solana chuckled warmly and produced something. ¡°Ta-da! I have something for you as well.¡± Ezekiel received a single sheet of paper from her; though small, it was ornately decorated. ¡ºEzekiel¡» ¡ºYou are to show your face once a month/¡» ¡ºI will check on the progress of the five conditions.¡» Like the sun needing no introduction, the sender¡¯s identity was clear even without a signature. It was a letter from the Emperor. Solana¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. ¡°How is it? What does it say?¡± ¡°He wants to see me. Regularly.¡± ¡°Hmm, he likes fruit. That might be helpful,¡± Solana suggested. Ezekiel almost blurted out, ¡°That old man?¡± but he managed to swallow the words. Anyway, it was a rather surprising fact. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± he said instead. Phew¡ª As he exhaled a puff of sunweed smoke, Solana quietly held out her palm, upside down, towards the ceiling. ¡°Master, the same goes for me.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You must show me your hands regularly. We used to do it often when we were young, remember? Playing doctor.¡± Indeed, they had. Countless times, but the roles never changed. Ezekiel was always the patient, Solana the Saintess. It remained the same. After a moment, Solana¡¯s expression became complex as she examined his condition. ¡°Master.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°¡­Surprisingly, you¡¯ve grown even stronger in such a short time.¡± For an ordinary person, this would have been the best news, but for Ezekiel, it was a little different. It also meant that the cold that his body struggled to endure had intensified. ¡°Is that so? Then my days are numbered,¡± Ezekiel remarked dryly. ¡°No, that¡¯s not true. I¡¯ll find a way, no matter what. And His Majesty will change his mind too,¡± Solana said, flashing a bright smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Let¡¯s talk about something else. How¡¯s your life as an Inspector? Are you satisfied?¡± ¡°Whether I¡¯m satisfied or not, I have to do it. I brought this upon myself.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do! You should be satisfied!¡± Solana puffed out one cheek in protest. ¡°About the letter you sent me¡­ You remember every word, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°What was the last character?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The man chewing on sunweed paused briefly; he couldn¡¯t remember for the life of him. It was something he wrote while drunk. He couldn¡¯t just not answer, so he came up with a plausible guess. He figured that if he were himself, he wouldn¡¯t have written many sentences that ended with ¡®©¤da¡¯. Not sure, though. ¡°Da,¡± he replied. ¡°¡­Da?¡± Her radiant holy power, reminiscent of a sunflower, cooled slightly. A moment of silence passed. ¡ª We have arrived! As it happened, the coachman informed them that they had reached their destination. ¡°We¡¯ll¡­ continue this conversation another time when we¡¯re not rushed.¡± ¡°Alright. But then, I¡¯ll ask you the entire contents of the last line. You can go if you want.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± From one character to one line. It was an outrageous demand. ¡°Of course it¡¯s okay.¡± With that, Ezekiel got out of the carriage. Left alone in the carriage, Solana elegantly sipped her tea. S~?a??h the ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Haah.¡± And only then did she relax and let out a long breath. No matter how many times she tried, she always ended up getting flustered or nervous in front of her teacher. This was always the case. ¡°¡­I see you do remember, Master,¡± Solana smiled faintly. Ending with ¡®da¡¯, he had said. It was correct. The last character of that letter did end with ¡®da¡¯. The Third Princess began to slowly revisit the past. ¡ª Solana, I have nothing left to teach you. ¡ª Holy power is a field you must awaken to on your own. When she heard those words, it felt as if she had been struck by lightning. From Solana¡¯s point of view, who had always wanted to stay close to her teacher, could there be anything more despairing? She cried and begged, tried everything she could, but to no avail. ¡ª Teacher, it¡¯s the power you guided me to¡­! ¡ª Your holy power is remarkable. ¡ª You might even become the best. The best. When she heard that word, Solana thought to herself inwardly. Isn¡¯t ¡°the best¡± a term reserved for you, Master? From that day on, Solana harbored a single goal and plan, and she moved with desperate determination to achieve it. ¡ª What remarkable holy power¡­! ¡ª She might even become a saint. Is this all it takes to be considered remarkable? No, my master was far more extraordinary. ¡ª Third Princess, this time in the Kratie region¡­! ¡ª We need the Third Princess¡¯s power! Events that shook the continent. None of it seemed remarkable. None of it compared to her master. At least, that¡¯s how Solana felt. ¡ª Look at her appearance! Truly the face of the Empire! ¡ª An angel! She¡¯s an angel! The Empire¡¯s angel! ¡ª Ah, the Saintess¡­! This isn¡¯t the fame I should receive. Master. This is the fame you should receive. ¡ª Solana. I acknowledge your abilities. ¡ª As Emperor, I grant you this much authority. And so she moved tirelessly, and finally achieved it. She needed authority first for her plan. To ensure Ezekiel received the recognition he deserved. To ensure Ezekiel obtained the happiness he deserved. For Ezekiel to finally find his rightful place. Yes, that was Solana¡¯s plan all along. ¡®Master, am I being too presumptuous?¡¯ However, Solana wasn¡¯t as devout as others believed. Since embarking on the path of Sainthood, she had never once prayed for the Sun God. ¡ª Please, let my teacher find his rightful place. Ezekiel. Her prayers were solely for him. Everything was for him. This world was far too unfair. So, she would create a stage for Ezekiel. That was the mission Solana held deep in her heart. Recently, there had been a string of good news. He had already made waves at the Imperial Magic Tower, and now he had even won a performance competition against the knights. Solana suddenly took out the letter from her bosom. She read the last line, then read it again. ?Sometimes, I think¡­? ?I want to become the best, recognized by everyone, in a way that can¡¯t be ignored.? ¡°Yes, Master.¡± Solana nodded quietly. ¡°Soon, it will be so. In a way that can¡¯t be ignored.¡± Inside the carriage, a radiant smile bloomed. Chapter 41: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (2) ? Chapter 41 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (2) ?Before long, Ezekiel found himself standing before the entrance to the Imperial Treasury. Originally, he was supposed to visit with Hedera, but circumstances had led him to arrive alone. ¡®It seems the situation was quite serious.¡¯ Hedera, being a Lingual Mage, rarely uttered falsehoods. The fact that she couldn¡¯t join him now meant that the situation was extremely urgent. The Imperial Treasury, a vault housing countless sacred artifacts or relics, wasn¡¯t located within the palace as one might expect, but rather in a nearby mountain. This was because the mana contained within each relic was so vast that it required a specially treated location to contain them. ¡°It¡¯s been a while,¡± Ezekiel muttered to himself as he chewed on a blade of sunweed. Of course, the phrase ¡°it¡¯s been a while¡± was only half-true. ¡ª Ezekiel, we recognize your exceptional abilities. ¡ª Surely you can complete the task without sacred artifacts? ¡ª This is a testament to our trust in you. ¡ª Yes, but please, at least allow me to bring my team. ¡®Come to think of it, I¡¯ve never actually been inside.¡¯ While he was familiar with the exterior, he had yet to set foot within the Treasury itself. Such was the gravity of this place. Even during his tenure as the leader of a secret organization, access had been forbidden¡ªa clear indication of the extraordinary items contained within. As he crossed the halfway point, he noticed soldiers; there were quite a few of them, a testament to the importance of the place. As he approached, two soldiers stepped forward. ¡°State your profession, name, and purpose.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ezekiel was momentarily taken aback. ¡®Hedera, just how urgent was your matter?¡¯ he wondered. It seemed unlikely that she would play such an ill-conceived prank, which meant she must not have had time to inform her subordinates of his arrival. He found himself curious about the nature of her pressing business. Regardless, he had no choice but to comply with the guard¡¯s request. ¡°I am Ezekiel, Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°An Inspector¡­!¡± ¡°What brings an Inspector here?¡± The guards¡¯ expressions softened noticeably. The sordid history of the Imperial Magic Tower had not yet been made public. Therefore, the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower was still considered a high-ranking position among the people. Ezekiel gestured towards the entrance with his chin. ¡°I¡¯m here to visit the Imperial Treasury.¡± ¡°Visit?¡± ¡°Yes, I have an appointment with the Second Imperial Princess.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Whether it was the mention of entering the treasury or the reference to the princess that shocked them, the guards exchanged glances. Perhaps it was both. This interaction further underscored the sanctity of the place. After a long pause, one guard asked sharply, ¡°That thing in your mouth¡­ is it a sunweed?¡± ¡°Indeed it is.¡± And the soldiers¡¯ eyes widened at his concise answer. ¡°¡­Are you planning to prove your identity with just words?¡± Instead of answering, Ezekiel took out his golden pin. This pin, worn by Magic Tower members when accepting yellow-grade missions, should have been sufficient proof of his identity. S?a??h the N?v?lFir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. However, the guards remained skeptical. ¡°Anyone who goes on a mission from the tower can wear this, can¡¯t they? For an inspector¡­¡± ¡°He looks too young. Considering the average age of Inspectors, this doesn¡¯t add up at all.¡± ¡°And why do you possess sunweed?¡± The guards¡¯ suspicious gazes hardened as they voiced their doubts one by one. Their suspicion was rapidly turning into certainty.? Just then, a commanding voice rang out¡ª ¡°Everyone, stand back.¡± A figure emerged, pushing the soldiers back with a single gesture. It was the captain of the guard, with his imposing physique. He glared at Ezekiel, eyes wide with suspicion. Memories of the past suddenly flooded Ezekiel¡¯s mind¡ª ¡ª Y-y-y-your Excellency Ezekiel, is that you! ¡ª Oh my¡­ I¡¯m so sorry every time I see you¡­! ¡ª It¡¯s not a sacred artifact, but please accept this! ¡ª Please, I insist! It¡¯s a token of our appreciation! There were times when he had retrieved stolen relics from the vault. Despite handling various tasks impeccably, the emperor never took out a relic for him, so the guard captain used to offer other items to Ezekiel as tokens of gratitude. ¡®¡­The world has changed. It has changed a lot,¡¯ Ezekiel thought, unconsciously clicking his tongue. The current captain of the guard spoke¡ª ¡°The movement of the Demon Realm has been erratic lately, and the value of relics has skyrocketed, so naturally, there are more people after them. Please don¡¯t take offense.¡± ¡°Offense, you say.¡± ¡°The Imperial Treasury will remain here forever, never to be moved. Perhaps you could consider visiting again when you have something to prove yourself with?¡± ¡°No,¡± Ezekiel replied, tilting his head slightly, ¡°It¡¯s not about taking offense.¡± It wasn¡¯t about offense, but time. Ezekiel¡¯s minute was not equal to anyone else¡¯s. With a predetermined short lifespan, he despised wasting time. ¡°¡­It¡¯s about time.¡± Whoosh! As he spoke, Ezekiel released a wave of cold mana in the form of his aura. The chilling aura swept around in a circle; though not overly powerful, it was enough to demonstrate his inner strength. Surprise spread across the guards¡¯ faces. ¡°Such deep mana!¡± ¡°Could he really be an Inspector?¡± The regular soldiers quickly backed down. ¡°How dare©¤!¡± However, the captain of the guard burst out in anger. ¡°In this sacred place, the imperial treasury, you dare to unleash your magic without fear? How dare you!¡± However, Ezekiel was dumbfounded and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°¡­You¡¯re saying the same thing as the old guards.¡± He thought that there was no other being with as much endless potential as humans, but at the same time, there was no other being as predictable as humans. This always happened when he displayed his abilities. Earning trust was never easy. Fear, caution, doubt. It always started this way. The other guards grew increasingly agitated. ¡°Not only does he have sunweed without permission, but he chews it without fear, and now he¡¯s seeing hallucinations.¡± ¡°Impersonating an Inspector and invoking the Second Princess? That is a serious crime!¡± The situation was escalating. Protecting the imperial treasury was incredibly important, but the irony was that the important figures of the imperial family were not always around to oversee it. This paradox had led to the current predicament. But then, a soldier spoke up¡ª ¡°If this scoundrel truly is an Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, isn¡¯t that an even bigger problem? The Princess must have appointed him. It seems Her Highness¡¯s judgment has severely deteriorated.¡± Ezekiel stopped chewing the seaweed; this wasn¡¯t just an insult directed at him. It was a slight against Solana, who had appointed him. ¡°¡­You do realize that insulting the Princess is a grave offense, don¡¯t you?¡± His tone grew cold. ¡°Accept your punishment gracefully.¡± But it wasn¡¯t just his tone that changed. The surrounding area began to be enveloped in a genuine chill. ~~??~~??~~ ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯m so sleepy.¡± Tether, the secretary to the Second Princess Hedera, was known for her drowsiness. The Second Princess couldn¡¯t possibly handle all the mountains of work that piled up, so it was up to Tether to handle the menial tasks. It was no wonder she was tired. As she stretched, Tether recalled recent events. ¡ª The Dragon-people have come to the Imperial Palace. ¡ª It¡¯s about the Ascension Ceremony, so attendance is mandatory. ¡°Dragon-people visiting¡­ It¡¯s truly astonishing.¡± The fact that dragon-people from the celestial realm were visiting the imperial palace in person made her realize that the ascension ceremony was not far off. Hedera had rushed off to greet the dragon-people, but she didn¡¯t forget to give Tether some instructions and advice. ¡ª An Inspector will visit the Imperial Treasury. ¡ª Receive him with the utmost courtesy. ¡ª Also¡­ There were various details, but the essence was simple¡ª Treat the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower with the highest possible honor. Even provide a sacred artifact or relic. ¡°How strange. It¡¯s truly a sight to behold!¡± Despite having been Hedera¡¯s secretary for a long time, it was not common for the second princess to give an order to treat someone with such extreme hospitality. No, it was the first time ever. It was like hearing that the sun had risen in the night. Almost that surprising. ¡°Just who could this person be?¡± ¡­Did the person save the continent in a past life? Or perhaps that person played a crucial role in the war against the demon realm? Or could that person be the Princess¡¯s secret lover? It had to be something of that magnitude to make sense. ¡°Come on.¡± Tether then burst out laughing. Even to her, it seemed like an incredible fantasy. But there was nothing like a wild imagination to wake her up from her sleep. She deliberately indulged in her fantasies as she made her way to the Imperial Treasury. ¡°Now that I think about it¡­¡± The Second Princess had issued multiple warnings¡ª ¡ª If I hear that the Inspector was displeased¡­ ¡ª Tether, you¡¯ll be held responsible. ¡ª I¡¯ll warn you once more, Tether. Keep this in mind. Her demeanor had been even more severe than usual. At the time, Tether could only bow her head profusely, breaking out in a cold sweat. ¡­I woke up a bit late, but it should be fine, right? Just as Tether had this thought¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The entrance to the Imperial Treasury came into view. ¡°Huh?¡± And the sight that greeted her eyes was shocking. ¡°Uh¡­ uh-uh? Uuuuuuu!¡± A massive man with white hair flowing to his shoulders stood before the entrance. In front of him, the soldiers were half-frozen, trembling violently. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The chill in the air was palpable, seeming to cut into one¡¯s flesh just by looking. Tether stood dumbfounded for a moment. ¡°Eek¡­¡± Then she began to move towards the entrance. ¡°Eeeeeeeek!¡± Her steps quickly turned into a sprint. ¡ª End of Chapter ¡ª ? ? ? Chapter 42: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (3) ? Chapter 42 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (3) ?By now, the lower bodies of the guards were already frozen; the chill crept upwards from below, the freezing sensation rising from their feet to just below their chins. At that moment¡ª ¡°Eeeeeek!¡± An unusually shrill scream pierced the air. ¡°Stop! Stooop! Pleeease stooop!¡± Pop! In an instant, the space shimmered like a mirage, and a small-framed mage dropped from thin air. With her hair braided into two pigtails and round glasses, she looked like a rabbit reborn as a human. The female mage¡¯s name was Tether. Ezekiel observed Tether, who had appeared out of nowhere. ¡®Surprisingly, for such a noisy one, she¡¯s got some skills.¡¯ There was a saying that empty vessels made the most noise; just like small dogs barking desperately, usually the noisiest ones have the least ability. However, this woman was not one of them. Her actions were comical and noisy, but she actually seemed competent; her capabilities were not ordinary. She must be a high-ranking mage. The small-framed mage shouted at Ezekiel. ¡°I, I will! I¡¯ll explain everything!¡± However, perhaps because she had rushed in without any countermeasures, Tether¡¯s body was also beginning to freeze from the cold. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s cold! Please do something about this cold first! I¡¯m on your side! I¡¯m definitely not your enemy!¡± At this, the imperial guards stared at Tether with widened eyes. She belatedly began waving her hands frantically. ¡°¡­That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ve betrayed the Imperial family! I¡¯m Tether! I¡¯m still loyal to the Empire!¡± This time, Ezekiel calmly gazed at Tether. Tether, her face now on the verge of tears, cried out¡ª ¡°Ah, I¡¯ll explain everything! I¡¯ll explain, so¡­!¡± . ?. . ?. ?. ¡°¡­Yes, that¡¯s how it happened.¡± Tether¡¯s explanation was simple and clear. She introduced herself as the Second Princess¡¯s secretary and stated that Ezekiel was undoubtedly an honored guest designated by the Princess, so the dispute should cease. ¡°Come on! Everyone, apologize to the Inspector immediately!¡± She then produced something from her pocket. It was a gold coin engraved with a black dragon, a token indicating she was acting on Princess Hedera¡¯s orders. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Only then did the soldiers begin to bow their heads one by one. ¡°Inspector, we¡¯re sorry.¡± ¡°Our rudeness was inexcusable.¡± After confirming their response, she then turned to face Ezekiel, wearing a friendly smile, ¡°Ahem, we¡¯re truly mortified by this situation.¡± She bowed politely; though a simple gesture, it was deeply respectful, betraying her long experience serving distinguished individuals. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself properly once more. I am Tether, secretary to the Second Princess.¡± ¡°Ezekiel, Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± However, his brief response carried an overwhelming presence. She clearly sensed it. From the cold aura that had effortlessly frozen the soldiers, this man was far from ordinary. Of course, there were many other surprising aspects. ¡®An Inspector at such a young age¡­?¡¯ The position of Inspector was said to be attainable only after significant academic achievements and reaching a certain age. Yet here was this young man at the pinnacle of the Magic Tower. ¡®Either his abilities are extraordinary, or his connections are¡­¡¯ ¡­Perhaps both? Tether was certain¡ª If she had been even a little later, it would have been a disaster. Her attitude naturally became even more respectful. S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It would be rude to keep an honored guest waiting, wouldn¡¯t it? I¡¯ll guide you right away!¡± ¡°Before that.¡± Ezekiel abruptly cut off Tether¡¯s words, ¡°It seems the soldiers here weren¡¯t informed of anything. Couldn¡¯t this have been communicated earlier?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± A cold sweat ran down Tether¡¯s spine. It seemed that this man¡¯s sharp senses were not limited to magic. He was accurately grasping the essence of why this situation had arisen, the core of it. What should I do? Should I just tell the truth? No, I can¡¯t do that. If I do, it¡¯s definitely going to be a big deal! ¡°In-indeed! I can see why you might think that!¡± She struggled to maintain a facade of calmness, ¡°It¡¯s because I received the order not long ago. This is how quickly I arrived after receiving the Second Princess¡¯s command, without any delay¡­¡± ¡°I see.¡± Ezekiel nodded unexpectedly easily, somewhat relieving Tether. Was this enough? She felt a pang of conscience for lying, but surely this much was acceptable. Yes, this much¡­ However. Tether soon realized her assumption was wrong. ¡°So, the Second Princess is in the vicinity, then.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± She involuntarily swallowed hard. ¡®Where is the Second Princess right now?¡¯ The guess that the Second Princess was nearby was correct. She would be around the palace with the dragon-people. What if the Second Princess were to run into Ezekiel? What if she mentioned the task she had entrusted to Tether? ¡­No. That absolutely cannot happen. ¡°¡­Ahaha! Of course, it wasn¡¯t an order given face-to-face. She merely left a brief letter for me to confirm!¡± Lying is wrong, but¡­ Somehow, one lie keeps leading to another¡­ Ezekiel nodded, and Tether felt relieved for now. After all, shouldn¡¯t she prioritize saving her own life first? She then took a deep breath and quickly continued, ¡°Now then, let¡¯s move swiftly. Sacred artifacts have been prepared for you, Inspector. You must see them right away!¡± Her hurried urging was disguised as enthusiasm. She had no choice. From Tether¡¯s perspective, sending Ezekiel away as quickly as possible was the best course of action. If they lingered too long, there was a chance the Princess might make a late appearance¡­ But just then¡ª ¡°Miss Tether! Miss Tether!¡± A group was running towards this place quickly; the only thing they had in common was that they were desperately looking for Tether. Tether also easily recognized the identities of the group. ¡°¡­The guardians of the Imperial Treasury?¡± Their identities were the guardians who protected the interior of the Imperial Treasury. Tether called out, her eyes wide, ¡°What¡¯s going on? How could you leave your posts!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the issue right now¡­!¡± However, the guardians¡¯ expressions were extremely urgent. ¡°The elemental stones inside the treasury have started to go berserk! Especially the fire elemental stone! It¡¯s severe!¡± ¡°This is a serious problem. If any relics get damaged¡­ We need to resolve this quickly!¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± The treasury contained not only relics but all manner of precious items. Among them, the elemental stones were extraordinary objects containing elemental spirits. For them to go berserk was unprecedented. In the midst of this chaos, a thought flashed through Tether¡¯s mind, turning her hair white¡ª ¡ª Check the interior of the treasury countless times. ¡ª The relics must be in the best possible condition when presented. ¡­Oh no. If this goes wrong, is it my responsibility too? ¡°¡­Gasp!¡± Tether jumped on the spot. Among the Princess¡¯s orders was an instruction to thoroughly check the treasury¡¯s condition for the soon-to-arrive Inspector. This was bad. Truly bad. ¡°No¡­ No! Why now of all times?¡± However, even Tether felt this was quite unfair. ¡®It was perfectly fine until last night!¡¯ Tether might be sleepy, but she always did her best with her assigned tasks. She had checked the treasury¡¯s condition right before falling asleep, so why now! Why now of all times! ¡°What on earth¡­ What have the guardians been doing?!¡± She shouted in frustration. Of course, she was met with incredulous responses. ¡°We are literally just guardians. We don¡¯t know anything about the principles or effects of relics and elemental stones! Isn¡¯t that entirely your domain, Miss Tether?¡± One of the guardians began to argue point by point¡ª ¡°Why are you still here anyway? From what I heard, you should have already escorted the honored guest into the treasury, right?¡± ¡°Hm?¡± Tether¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The Second Princess told us guardians that Miss Tether would bring the guest in the morning, so we should be careful with the handover.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± So the Princess gave you detailed instructions too? Hmm. But if I mention that¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you overslept again? Again?¡± ¡°Overslept¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve already checked the attendance log. There are signs of time alteration again. Did you try to cheat once more?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°We¡¯ve had enough! Figure it out yourself, Miss Tether!¡± By now, everyone was staring at Tether. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± She chewed her lip for a moment, then¡ª ¡°Wait, wait!¡± She carefully raised one hand. ¡°I understand. I know you¡¯re all angry, but¡­¡± She continued, gauging the reactions around her, ¡°What¡¯s our best move right now? Let¡¯s all calm down first and think of a way to soothe the rampaging elemental spirits©¤¡± ~~??~~??~~ ? At the entrance of the Imperial Treasury, chaos had already erupted. ¡°What should we do now?¡± ¡°If the Princess finds out, we¡¯ll be in serious trouble!¡± The guardians and guards began to speak frantically, all gripped by fear and confusion. ¡°First, we need to do something about the rampaging elemental stones! Isn¡¯t there a way? Ah, you said the fire elemental is going berserk, right? Maybe if we request help from the Red Magic Tower¡­!¡± ¡°Are you out of your mind?!¡± However, one of the guardians shouted angrily. ¡°We¡¯re not here to brag about problems in the Imperial Treasury. Are you joking? We absolutely can¡¯t let anyone know!¡± ¡°But this is unprecedented. We don¡¯t know how to handle it. There¡¯s no way we can resolve this on our own¡­!¡± ¡°If we can¡¯t, we can¡¯t! It¡¯s not just the fire elemental acting up. The fire one is just the most agitated.¡± As the commotion continued endlessly, Tether could only observe cautiously. With everything in such disarray, she didn¡¯t know where to begin. In the midst of all this¡ª ¡°That¡¯s enough, everyone.¡± With just those few words, everyone fell silent. Ezekiel had finally spoken. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°We apologize. We dared to¡­¡± Everyone cleared their throats and averted their gaze. No matter how urgent the matter, causing a disturbance in front of an honored guest was undeniably rude; they all expected words of concern about the state of the relics or admonishments about proper etiquette. They quietly waited for the rebuke that was sure to come. However, after a moment¡ª Ezekiel asked something unexpected. ¡°Guardian, you said the elementals are going berserk, correct?¡± ¡°Huh? Ah, yes. They¡¯re rampaging¡­¡± ¡°Does that include the ice elemental?¡± ¡°The ice elemental? Well, the ice elemental¡­¡± The guardian¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Huh? No. The ice elemental is as quiet as a mouse.¡± They answered to the best of their ability, but no one understood why the Inspector was suddenly asking about this. Meanwhile, Ezekiel was pondering something else. The sudden rampage of the elementals. He had an inkling. A memory from the past suddenly surfaced. Long ago, when he had encountered elemental spirits¡ª ¡ª H-human! I get it, so please stay away for now! ¡ª It¡¯s cold! It¡¯s unbearably cold! ¡ª Is this really a human? ¡ª What¡¯s this, a chill colder than even the ice elemental Glacia¡­! The reactions of each elemental, shuddering. The ice elemental was fine, but the fire elemental was raging. It was certain. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡­This rampage, no matter how he thought about it, was caused by him. Chapter 43: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (4) ? Chapter 43 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (4) ?At the entrance to the Imperial Treasury. Tether, the secretary of the Second Imperial Princess, sat slumped on the floor. ¡°Haaaaaah¡­¡± Occasionally, the only sound that broke the silence, which was almost unbelievable, was Tether¡¯s sigh as if wishing the ground would swallow her whole. This was because the guards and the guardians had all left at once. The reason for their departure was simple and clear¡ª ¡ª It¡¯s better to report this to higher-ups. ¡ª This is Miss Tether¡¯s jurisdiction and responsibility, isn¡¯t it? ¡ª That would be better! Rather than getting ourselves involved¡­ ¡ª There¡¯s no reason to cover for someone who lied. When a major incident occurs, what could be more enticing than the notion that one bears no responsibility? A fire in one¡¯s own home is a catastrophe, but in another¡¯s, it¡¯s mere spectacle. In the end, everyone prioritized their own well-being and safety, and it was Tether¡¯s fault in the first place. As a result, they had all left to file their reports. ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡­ It¡¯s all my fault¡­¡± Tether muttered with a resigned expression. She couldn¡¯t stop them from leaving. It was true that she had lied, and if they tried to cover it up and the situation escalated, they would all have to bear the responsibility together. However, beside such a dejected Tether, one person still remained ¡ª it was Ezekiel, the Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower. Phew©¤!!! He exhaled a long plume of sunweed smoke and asked, ¡°Tether.¡± ¡°Y-yes?¡± The head that had been bowed deeply raised to face Ezekiel. Her face was filled with fear, clearly dreading the punishment to come. However, Ezekiel¡¯s question was about something else entirely. ¡°Are you the only secretary for the Second Imperial Princess?¡± As someone who had once served in the imperial court, Ezekiel found it particularly perplexing that there could be a disruption in imperial business, especially in matters directly related to a princess. And then¡­ The answer he received was quite unexpected. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s just me.¡± ¡°Alone?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right¡­¡± It seemed his suspicions were correct. Ezekiel exhaled the sunweed smoke like a sigh. ¡®The Imperial Court, still the same as ever.¡¯ A single Imperial Princess, considering her influence, could be regarded as a living, breathing institution in her own right. With mountains of work piling up to the sky, it was truly bizarre to allocate only one secretary from the start. ¡°As far as I know, there should be nearly ten secretaries.¡± ¡°That used to be the case. In the past, but¡­¡± ¡°Explain in detail.¡± Tether¡¯s explanation continued for a while, but the gist was simple and all too familiar. The Second Imperial Princess Hedera¡¯s secretarial staff originally consisted of ten people. However, when she suddenly left the mortal world for the celestial realm to enjoy life there, the staff was reduced. The problem arose when Hedera returned without warning. Since the Second Princess had returned, the work needed to be resumed, but the other secretaries had already been reassigned. As a result, Tether was left to handle the workload of ten people. ¡°Of course, they do pay me the salary of ten secretaries. And occasionally, they offer some conveniences¡­¡± S?a?ch* Th? N???lFire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel silently gazed into Tether¡¯s eyes; the dark circles prominently visible behind her glasses. Somehow, he felt he understood her situation. ¡ª Ezekiel, I¡¯m thinking of downsizing an organization this time. ¡ª Could you handle that work as well? ¡ª You¡¯re capable, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯ll pay you generously. ¡ª Ezekiel, this time¡­ ¡ª You¡¯ve already done it before. ¡ª There¡¯s no one as good as you anymore. ¡ª See, I told you you could do it. So this time¡­ In the distant past, when Ezekiel was full of passion and energy but naive about the ways of the world, he too had often taken on additional tasks beyond what he was initially promised. At first, you hear words of gratitude repeatedly, but later, everything is evaluated by strict standards as if it is taken for granted, and even later, you are asked to take responsibility. They keep pushing and pushing, until you break down. It¡¯s a way of handling people as if they were mere parts in a machine. Come to think of it, there was one more thing he was curious about. ¡°The Second Imperial Princess, if she had thoroughly prepared before moving, there wouldn¡¯t have been a problem. Why did she return in such a hurry? What was so urgent?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure if I should speak about Her Highness¡¯s circumstances¡­¡± But Tether soon made a decision, ¡°I suppose this much should be fine. She said she received a communication. Of course, I don¡¯t know the contents.¡± ¡°A communication?¡± ¡°Yes. She mentioned receiving a letter.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel unconsciously gnawed on his sunweed. A single communication was the cause. And the means of communication was a letter. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± And a thought naturally occurred to him. ¡®Could it be because of me?¡¯ The reason why the Second Imperial Princess Hedera rushed down to the mortal world; the culprit who caused her to descend without any preparation, resulting in an overworked secretary like Tether. Could that person be¡­ Himself. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡­There was no doubt. No matter how he thought about it, the letter was the cause. Meanwhile, Tether bowed her head, seemingly ashamed. ¡°In any case, I feel nothing but apologetic towards you, Inspector. Out of fear of punishment, I unintentionally lied¡­ I¡¯ll accept whatever punishment you deem fit.¡± ¡°¡­Well.¡± Ezekiel saw his past self in Tether; the difference was that Ezekiel had endured for years before breaking, while Tether had bent under the pressure and resorted to lying. There would likely be punishment according to imperial law later, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t entirely resent the lie. If she hadn¡¯t done so, Tether might have broken as well. ¡®Tether, was it? She seems to have promising abilities.¡¯ Just considering the level of the instantaneous teleportation magic she had demonstrated earlier, he could be certain. Tether was capable. Watching a capable person wear down was not a pleasant sight. ¡°You said the management of the relics of the Imperial Treasury was your responsibility, right?¡± ¡°Y-yes, but¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s first think about the treasury. I have some insights about the elemental stone rampage that occurred inside.¡± It was the most practically helpful story for the current situation, and he was also trying to change the subject, but it seemed that Tether didn¡¯t perceive it that way. ¡°Ah, ah!¡± Did she interpret it as a question of how she would present the relics with the treasury in such disarray? Tether¡¯s face turned pale as she bowed deeply, looking utterly mortified. ¡°Inspector, I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± The secretary¡¯s waist bent at a ninety-degree angle. ¡°Actually¡­ the elemental stones inside the Imperial Treasury shouldn¡¯t have been on the first floor to begin with. They should be at least on the second floor, but I lacked the ability to move them.¡± Ezekiel listened quietly while chewing on his sunweed. ¡°Elementals are such sensitive and delicate beings, aren¡¯t they? So I left them as they were, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen them rampage like this. It¡¯s my first time, so I don¡¯t know how to resolve it¡­¡± ¡°I see.¡± Of course, it would be her first time. ¡­Because Ezekiel hadn¡¯t visited until now. ¡°I¡¯d like to bring out the good relics for you right away, but there¡¯s nothing I can do¡­!¡± She continued to speak quickly and then stopped talking at one point. A particular word from what Ezekiel had said earlier seemed to have struck her, causing quite a shock. ¡°Ah?¡± And a look of confusion spread across her face. ¡°Inspector, did you say you have an idea about this rampage? Did I hear that correctly?¡± ¡°Yes, you did,¡± Ezekiel nodded quietly. ¡°Why don¡¯t we hurry? We might be able to resolve this before the superiors who received the report arrive.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Tether unconsciously clenched her fists. However, the hope that enveloped her was short-lived. ¡°But I¡¯m already a criminal. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to ask for your help¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry about such trivial matters.¡± ¡­Especially since it doesn¡¯t seem to be entirely your fault. However, Tether, unaware of the circumstances, had a different thought. ¡®This Inspector is truly extraordinary.¡¯ To call it a trivial matter when elementals were rampaging in an unprecedented situation? His breadth of mind was immeasurable. And both his ability and his magnanimity were unfathomable. He was a man simply like the ocean. Tether immediately followed beside Ezekiel. ¡°A-Inspector! Then I¡¯ll do whatever you need me to do. I¡¯ll give you anything you want!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessary.¡± ¡°No, I mean I¡¯m volunteering! What do you want? I¡¯m humble, but still¡­¡± ¡°No, really, it¡¯s fine.¡± Ezekiel found Tether¡¯s reaction rather burdensome. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± It was understandable. Both Tether¡¯s hardships and the elemental rampage. ¡­Somehow, it felt like he bore some personal responsibility. ~~??~~??~~ In a VIP guest room within the Imperial Palace. The aroma of incense filled the air, enveloping everything. In anticipation of meeting the dragon-people, Hedera was stroking a stone slab placed in one corner of the VIP guest room. This mysterious slab would probably be the main topic of today¡¯s meeting. There were less than 10 minutes left until the dragon-people arrived when¡ª ¡°¡­Hm?¡± ¡ªHedera suddenly sensed something. The heightened spiritual perception unique to those with Dragon Blood. There was no doubt. The source was the Imperial Treasury located in the mountains behind the Imperial Palace. The energy detected was truly ominous. As if something was running amok. ¡­Wait, in the Imperial Treasury? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Hedera furrowed her brow slightly. It seemed she would need to go and see for herself. Chapter 44: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (5) ? Chapter 44 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (5) ?In a VIP guest room within the Imperial Palace. A meeting with the dragon-people was in full swing. S~?a??h the ??v?l_Fir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. And of course, the topic of discussion was a stone tablet engraved with ancient dragon language. With her ascension ceremony approaching, Hedera had suddenly decided to descend to the mortal realm and was given the task of deciphering this tablet. ¡®Is it a failure?¡¯ The Second Imperial Princess Hedera still had her hand on the tablet. In the past, she felt that her mana was responding and that the decoding was progressing, but recently there was no more response. ¡®¡­Am I unable to concentrate? Me?¡¯ Surprisingly, it seemed so. The cause was likely the ominous mana she had sensed from the Imperial Treasury. No, if the Imperial Treasury had been the usual treasury, she wouldn¡¯t have cared at all. What was rising to the point of interfering with Hedera¡¯s concentration was a person. The Inspector, Ezekiel. He was probably in the Imperial Treasury now. And Hedera was probably unable to focus on interpreting the ancient dragon language because of him; to be distracted from concentration due to thoughts of someone. ¡­It was an astonishing thing. Even in the presence of three dragon-people watching her intently, the failure was evident. No movement was seen on the stone slab, and disappointment flashed across the dragon-people¡¯s faces. ¡°¡­The interpretation seems to be difficult.¡± At Hedera¡¯s words, the three dragon-people sighed. ¡°Your dragon language skills are excellent, but ancient dragon language is the problem, it seems.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± The difference between the ordinary dragon language and the ancient dragon language was enormous, from the difficulty level to the power it possessed. Even real dragons needed to master it before they could use it. ¡°Didn¡¯t the tablet respond last time?¡± ¡°It did.¡± ¡°Your power hasn¡¯t weakened, has it?¡± ¡°Absolutely not. My condition is not good today.¡± Though she answered calmly, Hedera was also frustrated. ¡®This is bad.¡¯ In Hedera¡¯s life, there had never been an event she had prepared for as meticulously as the ascension ceremony. Yet now, with little time left, this was happening. It made her uneasy. Ancient dragon language. She needed to master this perfectly to pass the ascension ceremony without any opposition¡­ Clank©¤ Just then, someone put down their teacup with a loud clunk. There were three-dragon people who had come to visit Hedera today. And among them, the one who was the center, the one with a noticeable white beard ¡ª the name of this elderly dragon-person was Gromon. ¡°Second Imperial Princess, your progress with the ancient dragon language is slow.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ashamed.¡± ¡°There is no need for shame. Rather, it¡¯s time to take swift action. It seems the only way for you to pass the ascension ceremony is through a soul trade.¡± Hedera slightly furrowed her brow. ¡°I appreciate your advice, but I don¡¯t want to rely on a soul trade yet. I¡¯ll try with my own power.¡± Soul trade. A deal where one sells their soul to a dragon in exchange for power, but in return, must labor as a spirit in the celestial realm after death. Hedera had absolutely no intention of trading her soul. To be tempted by easy power for a while and then spend the rest of her life polishing dragon scales and serving them as a maid after death? It was something that her pride and beliefs would never allow. Gromon heaved a deep sigh, ¡°Princess, haven¡¯t I emphasized this over and over again? The more you struggle with human strength, the further you¡¯ll be from becoming a dragon. Just make one trade and you¡¯ll never have to worry about the ascension ceremony again.¡± The other dragon-people began to chime in one by one. ¡°Gromon¡¯s soul trades are already well-renowned. Haven¡¯t they produced countless successful candidates? Such an opportunity doesn¡¯t come very often. You should seize it.¡± ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯d like to think about it a little more.¡± ¡°Think about it? You¡¯re just wasting precious time¡­¡± One of the dragon-people sighed; it was an outright expression of contempt. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Behind her mask, the princess clenched her jaw; the reasons she had to endure such reactions were clear. First, there was little time left until the ascension ceremony, and any disturbance or delay would be disadvantageous to Hedera. Second, since she hadn¡¯t passed the ascension ceremony yet, the dragon-people¡¯s status in the celestial realm was higher than Hedera¡¯s. Dragon-people were, as the name suggested, hybrids born between dragons and humans. Until Hedera passes the ascension ceremony and becomes a true dragon, she could never look down on them. The problem was that their demands were quite unreasonable. ¡®They¡¯ll probably demand something outrageous in exchange for the soul trade.¡¯ Hedera wasn¡¯t a fool. While it was true that Gromon had produced successful ascension ceremony candidates, those who entrusted their souls to him were still wandering the celestial realm as tormented spirits. She had no intention of meeting such an end, so why should she offer ridiculous treasures for such a fate? ¡°There¡¯s still time before the ascension ceremony. I¡¯ll dedicate myself day and night to push my own limits.¡± ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. Why don¡¯t you understand that it will be too late once you¡¯ve pushed yourself to the limit? Also, Gromon is not a man who has the time to meet whenever you want.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen or heard of a case where a human has achieved something through their own strength. Even if there were such cases, I wouldn¡¯t believe it until I saw it. Just make the trade.¡± Hedera struggled to maintain her composure. Was she not the Second Imperial Princess of the human world? Didn¡¯t their words just imply that the human race itself was inferior? Their behavior had already gone far beyond the bounds of courtesy. But regrettably, she couldn¡¯t point out such behavior now. If it led to any disadvantages in the ascension ceremony, it would ultimately be Hedera¡¯s loss. For any being, the ascension ceremony was a one-time event. Just once. There were no second chances. Therefore, she had to pass it on the first try. ¡°I¡¯ll get back to you after my training.¡± ¡°No, today is the last day for this offer. Every time we meet, we go back for the same reason, so I think it¡¯s time to put an end to this conversation today.¡± Gromon stepped in firmly. ¡°Princess, you¡¯ve always sent us away saying you¡¯ll try with your own power, that is, with human strength.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then this time, at least show us the possibility of human potential. If not, consider the letter of recommendation we discussed earlier off the table.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..!¡± Hedera clenched her fist on her thigh. The letter of recommendation was an additional point in the ascension ceremony. This was blackmail, holding it hostage, and it was clear that they were determined to close the deal today. ¡°It doesn¡¯t necessarily have to be you personally, Princess, but you must at least show potential that we dragon people can acknowledge. That¡¯s what it would take for us to be convinced.¡± Just as Hedera was about to say something¡ª ¡°Second Imperial Princess! Second Imperial Princess!¡± Suddenly, an urgent voice rang out. And Hedera immediately opened the reception room door. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°The Imperial Treasury! There¡¯s a problem in the Imperial Treasury!¡± ¡°The Imperial Treasury¡­?¡± Hedera¡¯s voice trailed off. She had sensed an unusual mana earlier, and sure enough, it seemed an incident had occurred. What worried her was that Ezekiel was there. ¡°The elemental stones inside the Imperial Treasury, that¡¯s the problem! The elementals are suddenly rampaging en masse!¡± Hedera was about to give calm instructions, but¡ª A voice cut in even faster. ¡°¡­Elemental rampage?¡± It was Gromon. He didn¡¯t seem at all displeased that the conversation had been interrupted. Rather, he stroked his beard with interest. ¡°Princess, it seems we should go there immediately. If elementals are rampaging, it must be a serious matter.¡± Hedera nodded as well. ¡°Yes. Then let¡¯s continue our discussion later.¡± Since it was a conversation she wanted to avoid anyway, this seemed preferable. With that thought, she was about to leave, but¡ª ¡°Princess.¡± Gromon stopped her, as if unwilling to let the matter drop. ¡°I¡¯m curious about your recent progress with Dragon Speech. I believe a good opportunity has just presented itself.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Hedera¡¯s eyebrows twitched momentarily. To casually disclose Hedera¡¯s level of skill in front of the person who had just reported the incident was extremely rude. Despite sensing Hedera¡¯s obvious discomfort, Gromon continued nonchalantly. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you subdue the elementals with Dragon Speech. Wouldn¡¯t that be one way to demonstrate human potential?¡± No, Dragon Speech cannot control emotions. It might be possible to subdue the elementals by making them rigid with commands like ¡®Stop¡¯, but winning their hearts and calming them was an entirely different matter. The dragon-people gathered here were well aware of this fact. They were simply making an unreasonable demand despite knowing it. Hedera calmly suppressed her anger before speaking. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s move for now.¡± ~~??~~??~~ Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Imperial Treasury. ¡°Can you really subdue them like this¡­?¡± Tether looked at Ezekiel with bewildered eyes. ¡ª End of Chapter ¡ª Translator¡¯s Note :- I have changed the word ¡®dragons¡¯ with ¡®dragon-people¡¯ to fit the context more. I believe Dragon/s will be used only to refer to True Dragons. Lets see. ? ? ? Chapter 45: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (6) ? Chapter 45 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (6) ?Just as the Imperial Treasury began to come into view, Ezekiel abruptly halted in his tracks. ¡°Stop,¡± he commanded. ¡°Oh? Yes! Understood, sir!¡± Tether responded, her enthusiasm burning brightly at the moment. In her current predicament, Tether felt as if she had grabbed a lifeline after falling off a cliff. That lifeline was named Ezekiel, and Tether¡¯s fate now hung in the balance depending on his actions. ¡°Hmm,¡± Ezekiel mused, tilting his head slightly. ¡®It¡¯s certain. I seem to be the cause,¡¯ he thought to himself. The closer they approached the Imperial Treasury, the stronger the elemental stones¡¯ mana became. There was no need for further deliberation; Ezekiel was undoubtedly the source of their agitation. Their current position was likely the final safe zone. The inability to advance any further was proving to be quite troublesome. ¡®We¡¯re so close, yet we can¡¯t move forward,¡¯ Ezekiel pondered. As he drew nearer, the elementals seemed to respond by amplifying their mana. In other words, by the time they set foot in the Treasury, all the sacred artifacts and relics would likely be damaged. Elemental stones were ethereal objects that should rightfully reside on the second floor. If they were to unleash their elemental mana at full force, the relics on the first floor would certainly suffer. Then¡­ ¡®I¡¯ll need to take action from this position.¡¯ The urgent task at hand was to find a way to calm the elementals without advancing any further. ¡°I need to concentrate for a moment.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Ezekiel slowly closed his eyes. Not spreading, but rather receiving the flow. He slowly absorbed the mana that the elementals were emitting. ¡ª ¡­! ¡­! ¡ª Eze¡­ki¡­el¡­! ¡ª ¡­¡­! ©¤©¤©¤©¤! Their voices began to reach him. He focused even more. Now was the time to push forward. ¡ª Ezekiel! No doubt about it, it¡¯s that bastard Ezekiel! ¡ª Don¡¯t come any closer! Someone go stop him! ¡ª Salamander, raise the heat! ¡ª You fools, I¡¯m freezing to death here¡­! ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel felt the full weight of responsibility for the entire situation; he truly was the cause of their distress. Meanwhile, Tether couldn¡¯t remain still as she watched Ezekiel, her lifeline, becoming increasingly pensive. It was natural to feel anxious when the person holding your fate in their hands seemed troubled. Finally, Tether couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and asked, ¡°In-Inspector! How does it look?¡± ¡°Hmmm,¡± the Inspector responded, lighting a sunweed leaf instead of answering directly. ¡°Are the elementals in a dire state?¡± Tether pressed. ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡± ¡°Aha~ It¡¯s not serious! Um? What do you mean?¡± Tether blinked in disbelief. ¡°Are you saying that¡­ that this situation isn¡¯t serious?¡± she stammered. S?a?ch* Th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°That¡¯s right. The elementals are just a bit excited, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Excited? But why would they be excited?¡± ¡°Who knows? It seems they¡¯ve encountered something that pleases them.¡± Hoo¡ª Ezekiel exhaled a plume of sunweed smoke. ¡°In any case, I¡¯ve figured out a solution. Let¡¯s get started.¡± ~~??~~??~~ Sssss Hoo¡ª ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Sssss Hoo¡ª From his vantage point where the Imperial Treasury was visible, Ezekiel made a chair out of ice and proceeded to continuously smoke sunweed. Tether watched him, bewildered by this behavior. ¡®What kind of herb was sunweed again?¡¯ she pondered. It was difficult to obtain, and only tiny amounts were occasionally used for medicinal purposes. To smoke it raw¡­ ¡®¡­is something people usually do when they want to die. That herb.¡¯ But Ezekiel was different. Hoo¡ª As if he couldn¡¯t get enough of it, or as if he was smoking a therapeutic herb, he continued to puff away at the sunweed right in front of Tether. ¡°The sunweed from Ruiple is quite good, indeed,¡± Ezekiel remarked. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Tether mumbled. What kind of person was she dealing with? It was astonishing enough that he could smoke such a potent herb raw, but what truly puzzled her was why they weren¡¯t immediately entering the Imperial Treasury. And so Tether cautiously broached the subject. ¡°Um, Inspector¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Ezekiel replied nonchalantly, inhaling an entire sunweed leaf in one breath. His lung capacity was unbelievable. Tether¡¯s expression became one of near terror. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just that¡­ the elementals¡¯ rampage¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m calming them down right now.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Wait. That¡¯s your job.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ezekiel rummaged through his left inner pocket. Finding nothing, he withdrew his empty hand ¨C a considerable relief to Tether. ¡°H-Have you finally finished smoking?¡± ¡°No.¡± Ezekiel searched his right breast pocket with his other hand. Soon, he pulled out a handful of sunweed leaves. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Is he trying to commit s*****e? Tether wondered. ¡°You¡¯re smoking an awful lot of sunweed¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t usually smoke this much.¡± ¡°Then why now, of all times¡­¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be helped.¡± Tether¡¯s face contorted as if she might cry at any moment. ¡°Inspector! I truly apologize for my wrongdoings!¡± A moment later, she prostrated herself, ¡°I¡¯m fully aware that I¡¯ve made a grave mistake! But this false hope is too much to bear¡­! Please, punish me right now instead!¡± ¡°The Imperial Treasury is fine.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°I said it¡¯s fine.¡± Ezekiel added, along with a puff of smoke, ¡°Stand up. You¡¯re a secretary of the Imperial family. Don¡¯t lower their dignity.¡± ¡°Ah, yes.¡± Tether rose hesitantly. ¡°If you¡¯re worried, go check for yourself.¡± ¡°Oh¡­?¡± Tether dashed into the Imperial Treasury. And a moment later, she returned with eyes as wide as saucers. ¡°The elementals seem much calmer than before! In-Inspector! How did you do it?¡± ¡°What you see is all there is to it.¡± He had smoked the sunweed to lower his own ice mana. ¡­He couldn¡¯t quite bring himself to say that. Instead, he offered something else. ¡°Would you like to smoke one?¡± ¡°No, thank you¡­¡± Tether sat down quietly as she accepted the offered sunweed leaf nonetheless. She had served many distinguished guests at the Imperial palace, but she had never encountered someone quite like this ¡ª a man whose thoughts were impossible to read, who seemed utterly carefree yet maintained an air of dignity. Truly mysterious. ¡®He¡¯s so relaxed. As if he¡¯s confident about everything.¡¯ Although Tether felt she shouldn¡¯t trust him, there was something strangely appealing about this man. No, she must trust him. Hadn¡¯t she just witnessed firsthand the improved state of the insides of the Imperial Treasury? While Tether was still deeply lost in thought, Ezekiel spoke casually. ¡°Hey, Tether.¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector!¡± Tether responded enthusiastically, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. The news about the Second Princess being far away was also false, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, but yes, it was¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize.¡± Ezekiel continued nonchalantly, as if the matter was of no consequence, ¡°If the Princess finds out about your actions, what kind of punishment will you face?¡± ¡°Punishment, you say? Punishment¡­ um¡­¡± Tether paused, pondering the question. ¡°Given how strict she is, any punishment wouldn¡¯t be surprising. Though I doubt it would be light¡­ Why do you ask?¡± ¡°The Second Princess is on her way here.¡± ¡°Eeeeeeek!¡± Tether¡¯s tightly clenched fist involuntarily loosened, causing the sunweed leaf to snap in half. The excruciating pain sent Tether hopping around, clutching her hand. ¡°What should we do now? What can be done?!¡± ¡°What do you mean, ¡®what can be done?¡¯¡± At last, Ezekiel exhaled the last of his sunweed; his ice mana had subsided significantly, albeit temporarily. ¡°Let¡¯s head into the Imperial Treasury.¡± The corners of his mouth slowly curved upward. The man¡¯s expression exuded nothing but an air of nonchalance. ~~??~~??~~ On the path to the Imperial Treasury. Hedera led the way, followed by three dragon-people. ¡ª But is it really possible to soothe elementals with Dragon Speech? One of the dragon-people transmitted telepathically. Gromon, hearing the question, naturally scoffed. ¡ª Not at all. Dragon Speech can¡¯t control emotions. ¡ª Then just as we thought¡­ ¡ª Your guess is correct. If the Princess fails miserably, we can simply continue encouraging soul trade as before. ¡ª Understood. Gromon and the dragon-people smiled maliciously. Elementals were extremely sensitive beings. If dragons were notoriously stubborn due to their immense pride, elementals were hard to deal with because they were very timid. ¡ª I have no idea why they started acting up, but calming them is impossible unless she summons an elemental guardian. We¡¯re in for quite a show. ¡ª I¡¯m really looking forward to it. And since she¡¯s a Princess, we¡¯ll gain a lot if the deal goes through. But then. When they finally arrived at the Imperial Treasury. Hedera, who had been leading the way, came to an abrupt halt. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Tension suddenly permeated the air among the dragon-people. ¡ª Did our telepathic communication leak? ¡ª That¡¯s impossible. Amidst this, someone sensed something amiss. ¡ª But are the elementals really rampaging? ¡ª I don¡¯t sense any malevolent mana at all. Indeed, the source of unease was the unexpectedly calm atmosphere surrounding them. Far from running amok, there was an air of peacefulness instead. Finally, unable to contain himself, Gromon stepped forward. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± In an instant, a bizarre scene filled his view. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± It was the sight of a man with his arm draped around an elemental stone. As if using it as an arm pillow, as if the massive elemental stone were a friend, he had his arm casually draped around it. And a moment later, they couldn¡¯t believe their ears. ¡°Why are you so tense?¡± The man chewing on sunweed spoke thus. ¡°Come on, loosen up a bit.¡± Hoo¡ª He blew out a long stream of smoke. ¡°You and me, we¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t we?¡± Chapter 46: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (7) ? Chapter 46 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (7) ?WE HAVE COMPLETED 60 RATINGS ON NU¡­.HERE IS A BONUS CHAPTER ¡ª You said that without an elemental guardian, it¡¯s nearly impossible for a mere human to soothe elementals. ¡ª That is correct. Moreover, elemental guardians are mostly referred to as the elves of the Great Forest, and they are never human. ¡ª Then, what is this man before us? The three dragon-people exchanged telepathic messages rapidly. The elementals¡¯ rampage had been quelled by a human male. No matter how hard they tried to remain composed, they couldn¡¯t help but feel perplexed. As their confusion grew with each passing second, one of the dragon-people finally broached the subject telepathically. ¡ª Is it possible that the elementals weren¡¯t actually rampaging? ¡ª Foolish notion. You can sense it in the flow. Traces of their frenzy still linger. ¡ª But Gromon, a human? ¡ª I¡¯ve heard that rarely, humans with a high affinity for elementals do exist. However, even a human with high affinity should only be able to communicate with elementals at best. ¡ª¡­. For a moment, there was silence among the dragon-people. Speaking the same language didn¡¯t necessarily mean two parties were close. In fact, it could lead to discovering differences in opinion and growing further apart. Yet, this man had gone beyond mere communication to actually pacify the elementals? It was truly an astonishing feat. ¡ª Perhaps the Second Princess deliberately prepared this individual? It was a reasonable guess. The dragon-people had demanded that the princess demonstrate ¡°human potential,¡± and wasn¡¯t the scene before them an unexpected manifestation of that very potential? After a moment of silence, Gromon slowly transmitted his thoughts. ¡ª It is certain that such humans are rare on the continent. By the looks of it, his abilities seem quite remarkable. ¡ª So what should we do now? The Second Princess¡¯s soul would fetch an extremely high price if we could obtain it. ¡ª Hmm¡­. Gromon¡¯s group had consistently exploited the desperation of those on the verge of the Ascension Ceremony, reaping immeasurable benefits by leveraging the cost of soul trades. Hedera, despite her human birth, was a rare species who suddenly gained dragon powers. If they could obtain her soul, it would yield enormous profits. Gromon quickly finished his calculations. ¡ª Instead, we should use that man. A resolute telepathic message. ¡ª Use him? I don¡¯t yet understand the plan. ¡ª Exactly three days ago, Rekon completed a soul trade. Rekon was the dragon-people positioned furthest to the left among the three. ¡ª That utterly incompetent fellow achieved significant progress in just three days after the trade. If Rekon overwhelmingly defeats this human, the princess will also feel the need for a trade. ¡ª Understood. A simple and straightforward plan; they all nodded in agreement. Their course of action was set. ~~??~~??~~ Inside the Imperial Treasury, the elementals were docile. ¡ª Ezekiel, be more careful next time. ¡ª That¡¯s right. We were all frozen and on the verge of annihilation. ¡ª Anyway, it¡¯s a chill that never feels human, no matter when I feel it. ¡ª I¡¯m not an arm pillow! Get away from me! The elementals, having regained their calm, began to chatter incessantly; though they were extremely timid beings, but once their mouths were opened, they never stopped talking. ¡®It¡¯s always like this with the elementals,¡¯ Ezekiel thought. It wasn¡¯t something he had intended. Usually, when humans handle elements, they leave traces of their distinctly artificial flow. However, Ezekiel¡¯s Ice mana was closer to a raw force that even his human body struggled to contain; this resulted in the elementals initially fearing Ezekiel¡¯s ice mana, but once they became slightly accustomed to it, they welcomed it enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Tether was the first to pay her respects to Hedera. ¡°Your Highness! It¡¯s an honor to see you¡­!¡± However, Hedera¡¯s gaze was fixed solely on Ezekiel. While everyone else found this encounter awkward, only Ezekiel remained composed. Hedera glanced at the pile of sunweed. ¡°¡­It seems you¡¯ve forcibly lowered your ice mana.¡± The princess was concerned about this. His health was already poor, and he had undoubtedly smoked an excessive amount of sunweed to pacify the elementals; the thought of this made her uncomfortable. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just enjoyed chewing on the sunweed.¡± In response to the man¡¯s nonchalant reply, Hedera surveyed her surroundings ¡ª the relics were all intact, without a single one damaged. ¡­Once again, she had received his help. She began to wonder inwardly if there were any more relics she could offer him. ¡°You worked hard to look after the relics. It could have easily damaged the entire first floor, and I¡¯ll compensate you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m satisfied with having made friends with the elementals.¡± ¡­Was it her imagination? She thought she saw the elemental stone tremble for a moment; it was then that the dragon-people suddenly stepped forward in front of Hedera. ¡°We encounter an unusual human. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡± ¡°D-dragon-people!¡± Tether quickly bowed her head. On the other hand, Ezekiel merely offered appropriate courtesy. ¡®Tether¡¯s reaction is correct. They really are dragon-people.¡¯ Dragon-people, beings born between dragons and humans. They were a race innately gifted with tremendous magical talent. It was rare for them to leave the celestial realm, yet here they were, descending to the human world. ¡®¡­Suspicious.¡¯ Suspicious. That was the only impression Ezekiel had. Come to think of it, it was quite natural. Those who were satisfied with life in the Celestial Realm would not try to leave, even in death. There must be a reason why they visited the human world, which they so despised. Either they were truly great, or they were the scum of the Celestial Realm. Just as there were admirable humans and incompetent ones, the same applied to dragon-people. While it was true that dragon-people were born with high magical aptitude, those who have lived lazily stood out. ¡°There is no need to go into lengthy introductions, is there? If you know where we came from, that should be enough.¡± The dragon-people stared at Ezekiel with wide eyes, but he simply remained nonchalant. Having experienced all sorts of situations, even if an actual dragon had appeared, he likely wouldn¡¯t have been intimidated. ¡°You seem to be close to the Princess. What¡¯s your relationship?¡± ¡°He¡¯s just an Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower,¡± Hedera quickly stepped forward and replied. She seemed to have more to say, but Gromon didn¡¯t give her a chance. ¡°So, that means the princess appointed you based on her judgment. You must be quite capable. As it happens, we have a dragon-people here who has just begun his training.¡± Gromon gestured with his chin towards the leftmost dragon-people. It was Rekon, who had completed a soul trade just three days ago. ¡°How about arranging a magical exchange between a dragon-people who completed a soul trade under my guidance, and a human chosen by the princess? It would be a great learning experience for both.¡± ¡°This wasn¡¯t on the schedule at all¡­¡± ¡°Princess, surely you don¡¯t know? We will be able to confirm the potential of humans through this exchange.¡± Gromon cut off Hedera¡¯s words. This was blatant disrespect, and Ezekiel¡¯s expression turned subtle. ¡®They want to embarrass the princess.¡¯ In fact, it was clear that they had ill intentions, as he was pushing for them to have a magical exchange without even knowing the exact nature of their relationship; they had even thought it through cleverly. A confrontation between subordinates rather than the principals could easily be disguised as an ¡°exchange¡± later on. ¡®I¡¯ll watch a little longer.¡¯ While it was true that the Princess had appointed Ezekiel as an Inspector, that princess was Solana, not Hedera. Ezekiel chose not to clarify this fact, curious about the reason for their suspicious behavior. ¡°A-A magical exchange? It¡¯s practically a duel¡­!¡± Tether muttered in disbelief. As expressions of awkwardness spread across Hedera and Tether¡¯s faces, only Ezekiel, the actual party involved, remained impassive. ¡®Well, it¡¯s because I smoked too much sunweed.¡¯ With his ice mana at such a low level, they probably thought it was worth a try. Ezekiel spoke with composure. ¡°Your Highness.¡± When Hedera turned her head, Ezekiel quietly nodded. It was a sign that he would agree to this exchange. Meanwhile, the conversation on the dragon-people side was clearly audible. ¡°Lord Gromon, is it alright to finish it in one go?¡± It seemed that he had no intention of lowering his voice. Maybe he was sure of his victory. Ezekiel looked at his opponent. He seemed simple-minded, but the aura he felt was fierce. Gromon nodded. ¡°It would be impolite to arbitrarily control your power. Rekon, give it your all.¡± ¡°Then, with all due respect, I¡¯ll finish it in one go.¡± Finally, Ezekiel and Rekon stood facing each other. The wide space at the entrance of the Imperial Treasury unexpectedly became a temporary arena. A duel with a dragon-people, no less. ¡®It¡¯s been a while.¡¯ Among the numerous experiences that had shaped the current Ezekiel, encounters with dragon-people were included. He wondered how these ones would measure up. The guards and guardians who had gone to report to their superiors also returned and began to watch. Somehow, a circle of spectators had formed around the participants.? ¡°What¡¯s going on? What about the elementals?¡± ¡°Quiet! There are important people here!¡± ¡°Really? From the princess to even dragon-people?¡± ¡°I heard they¡¯re having a magical exchange¡­ I wonder how it¡¯ll turn out!¡± In the midst of the growing commotion, Ezekiel slowly spoke. For once, he didn¡¯t have sunweed in his mouth. S?a?ch* Th? n0v?l(?)ire.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You were confident about finishing me in one move.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t take it personally. I¡¯m not joking, I really can¡¯t control my power well right now.¡± The other two dragon-people quietly moved closer to Hedera. ¡°Rekon completed a soul trade just three days ago. His power is increasing at an unbelievable rate, making it hard to control. Please understand if the Inspector gets hurt.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll soon realize the greatness of the soul trade.¡± With his developed hearing, Ezekiel, who had heard the conversation, smiled. So, their goal was soul trading. Now that he knew their unsavory intentions, there was no reason to go easy on them. Whoosh©¤! In the next moment, the air distorted. No, it wasn¡¯t the air that distorted. It was Rekon¡¯s preemptive strike, an invisible wave of mana rushing fiercely. Kagagagagak! And a violent sound echoed as the atmosphere tore. Tremendous power. With just one trade, he had gained such strength in only three days. Could someone who just started learning magic achieve such power in three days? Absolutely impossible. Moreover, he would likely grow even stronger in a week, or a month. Indeed, many would be tempted by soul trading. However. ¡®He¡¯s clumsy. He can¡¯t control his own power.¡¯ Power that couldn¡¯t be handled would often become a poison. Ssss©¤! Ezekiel quickly raised his ice mana. ¡°¡­Hm?¡± Was Rekon surprised that Ezekiel had manifested something before the strike hit, or was he shocked by the unexpectedly intense cold? Probably both. Confusion spread across Rekon¡¯s face. ¡°Restraint¡­? You were hiding such ice mana!¡± Kaaaaang! Rekon¡¯s mana wave clashed with the ice barrier. While the defense was successful, Ezekiel had no intention of ending this duel with a mere ordinary victory. An overwhelming victory. A profitable victory. Desiring this, he dared to touch the mana wave with his bare hand. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± ¡°How reckless! Touching the raging mana wave with his hand!¡± It was an incredibly reckless action. Everyone¡¯s eyes widened, but¡­ Jjeojeojeojeojeojeojeok©¤! Ezekiel¡¯s hand froze the entire mana wave. Rekon¡¯s invisible wave instantly froze, revealing its shape. A swirling ice sculpture frozen in mid-air. It was so beautiful it could be mistaken for a work of art. ¡°You dared to mention ¡®one move¡¯.¡± As astonished gazes fell upon Ezekiel and Rekon, Ezekiel finally put a sunweed leaf in his mouth. ¡°Continue. I¡¯m curious to see how many attempts it will take before you give up.¡± The dragon-people¡¯s mouth remained agape. Chapter 47: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (8) ? Chapter 47 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (8) ?Rekon¡¯s attacks continued relentlessly thereafter. However, none of them reached Ezekiel. Each strike froze without fail, naturally creating countless ice sculptures in the air. ¡°Let¡¯s end this. I¡¯m getting tired of going easy on you.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s terse statement. Ssssss©¤! And ice mana surged around Ezekiel. Even those who were unfamiliar with magic could vaguely sense its grandeur. It was already a higher level than Rekon¡¯s. Shwack! A large ice arrow tore through the air. Thud©¤! ¡°Ugh, ahk!¡± At the same time, the arrow pierced Rekon¡¯s shoulder without losing any momentum, carrying him all the way to the distant wall, and pinning him there. A crack formed in the wall near Rekon¡¯s body with a thud. Ezekiel tilted his head, lost in thought. ¡®A guy who didn¡¯t know magic at all, in just three days¡­¡¯ Even for a dragon-people, Rekon was merely a novice who had just started dabbling in magic. Yet to achieve such power in only 3 days, if experienced practitioners were to trade their souls, they would gain strength incomparably greater than this. ¡®The Imperial Magic Tower has a long way to go. We need to provide training that will raise the level of mages to a very high level.¡¯ To achieve the conditions set by the Emperor, it would not be enough for the Imperial Magic Tower to merely stand out among humans. They need to reach further and higher. As they might one day face dragon-people, a more systematic education would be necessary from now on. Ezekiel was already thinking like an Inspector. ¡®Time is short. As fast as possible.¡¯ Moreover, Ezekiel¡¯s lifespan wasn¡¯t long. ¡­There was only one way. It had to be done quickly, even faster. Ezekiel gestured with his chin towards the ice sculptures remaining in the air. They were Rekon¡¯s frozen strikes. ¡°I¡¯ve preserved them as intact as possible. Take them and use them as magical study materials. They should be of great help.¡± Not just an ordinary victory, but a profitable one. For Ezekiel, a profitable victory meant this ¨C something that could contribute to the magical studies of the human realm. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Silence still permeated the surroundings. A human, an Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, had faced off against a dragon-people. While Ezekiel had predicted his victory from the start, those around him hadn¡¯t. Their wide-eyed faces were filled with undisguisable astonishment. Ezekiel now gestured towards Rekon with his chin, ¡°Someone should probably tend to him. It¡¯s unsightly to see a noble dragon-people dangling so conspicuously in the humble human realm.¡± Only then did one of the dragon-people step forward to handle the situation. Rekon was still hanging from the wall. Those who had been watching the situation finally opened their mouths. ¡°What¡­ What on earth just happened?¡± ¡°A human against a dragon-people¡­? Without a scratch?¡± ¡°Indeed, the princess¡¯s judgment is truly remarkable!¡± ¡°He even thought to preserve the dragon-people¡¯s magic. A true educator. How incredible¡­!¡± An extremely boisterous commotion ensued. Of course, the Second Princess Hedera was equally surprised. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Having witnessed Ezekiel¡¯s abilities since childhood, it wasn¡¯t difficult for her to predict his victory. From the start, she wasn¡¯t showing courtesy to Gromon¡¯s group due to her own lack of strength. She was confident she could win in a confrontation. However. ¡®There¡¯s only one chance at the ascension ceremony. I must be absolutely prepared.¡¯ Because there are no second chances for the ascension ceremony, and if any issues arise, Hedera would be the one most troubled. Moreover, Gromon was known as a somewhat renowned elder among the dragon-people. Until the ascension ceremony was over, it would be best to maintain good relations. And so, Ezekiel¡¯s victory was a foregone conclusion from the start. However, what truly surprised her was¡­ His attitude as an Inspector. ¡®This is eating away at his lifespan. There was no reason for him to get involved, but he¡¯s giving it his all.¡¯ A man who prioritized his duty over his own life. In truth, he could have avoided criticism by simply explaining that it was Solana, not Hedera, who appointed him, and then glossing over the rest. But Ezekiel willingly stepped forward. Perhaps, it was for Hedera¡¯s sake. His disregard for his own life for Hedera¡¯s benefit was unsettling. A complex emotion, tinged with gratitude, welled up within her. Just then, Ezekiel pressed his hand to his forehead as if dizzy. Unable to ignore it any longer, Hedera quickly approached and spoke, ¡°You didn¡¯t need to involve yourself. You don¡¯t look well; you should be taking care of your own health.¡± Perhaps it was because her words of gratitude sounded awkward, but her concern took precedence, and harsh words inadvertently spilled out of her mouth. Ezekiel glanced at Hedera, rolling his eyes. ¡°My health, you say?¡± ¡°Yes, your health.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like pouring water on a bottomless pot. No matter how much you pour, my constitution is such that I can¡¯t fill up my health. There¡¯s nothing I can do. I have no choice but to do one more meaningful thing.¡± One more good deed. Those words struck a chord in Hedera¡¯s heart. ¡®Doing things for my happiness.¡¯ Until the day he breathed his last, he would disregard his own health and do whatever he could for Hedera¡¯s happiness. That¡¯s how it sounded to her. And so, finally. Hedera made a big decision. ¡®I still haven¡¯t heard what circumstances led you to leave me, or what happened during your absence, but¡­¡¯ It was likely due to his terminal condition. If Ezekiel were to die, she¡¯d lose any chance of hearing his story, and she couldn¡¯t bear to watch his efforts for her go to waste¡­ ¡°About that promise I made to give you the relic from the first floor.¡± Hedera took a deep breath before continuing. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about it. Instead, I¡¯ll give you Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°¡­Sun Elixir?¡± ¡°You know what the Sun Elixir is, don¡¯t you? It¡¯s an elixir that can transform any being into a supreme constitution. Only the Emperor and the First Princess have ever come into contact with it.¡± Ezekiel hadn¡¯t asked because he didn¡¯t know what it was. ¡°You¡¯d give that to me?¡± What Ezekiel had originally been promised to receive was the artifact on the first floor of the vault. But hadn¡¯t the level of reward skyrocketed to an unprecedented degree compared to before? Even the relics from the third floor, the highest level of the Imperial Treasury, couldn¡¯t compare to Sun Elixir. In fact, nothing in existence could be compared to Sun Elixir. Hedera cleared her throat a couple of times. ¡°¡­..I¡¯ll propose it to the Emperor first. Maybe I can get even a single drop. Just one drop is incredible. Beyond imagination.¡± ¡°Young Lady, are you serious about this?¡± Ezekiel reacted without thinking. Sun Elixir was that unbelievable. More than half of the continent¡¯s population didn¡¯t believe in the existence of the Sun Elixir. It was something so precious that even during his days of serving the imperial family, he couldn¡¯t dare to dream of it. ¡®I¡¯m meeting the Emperor soon anyway.¡¯ He had said to see Ezekiel once a month. If he could absorb even a single drop, his body would noticeably improve. Of course, he regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. Unusually surprised, he inadvertently used the form of address from his days as her tutor long ago. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Silence fell between them. ¡°Oh¡­ did you just call me ¡®young lady¡¯?¡± Hedera¡¯s expression momentarily turned blank; her cheeks flushed slightly, and she mumbled foolishly, but it was truly fortunate that she was wearing a mask. She hurriedly glanced around, but thankfully, no one had overheard their conversation. This was also fortunate. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Hedera pulled her mask up, nearly covering her eyes. On top of that, she cleared her throat, ¡°I¡¯m rewarding you for your dedication as an Inspector. Don¡¯t misunderstand¡­ Anyway¡­¡± As they were about to resume their awkward conversation, one of the dragon-persons approached them. It was Gromon. ¡°I always thought your excuses about stepping aside while citing the potential of humans were just that ¨C excuses. But it seems you¡¯ve been nurturing such a talented mage behind the scenes.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t nurture him.¡± ¡°Modesty too? As expected of the Second Princess.¡± Gromon turned to look at Ezekiel. ¡°You said you¡¯re an Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± Ezekiel hesitated for a moment. Should he speak casually? Or politely? ¡­Though he wasn¡¯t accustomed to speaking formally, he felt he should endure it. Many eyes were watching, after all. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Thank you for showing me such an uncommon spectacle. Your affinity for elementals, your mastery of ice¡­ They were all of an astonishing level. They will also serve as great motivation for Rekon.¡± However, his words didn¡¯t end with mere praise. ¡°But remember this. Rekon, who had no knowledge of magic at all, reached that level in just three days. If someone as skilled as you were to make a soul trade, a true masterpiece would be born.¡± ¡°Another soul trade talk? Please stop.¡± Hedera, having lost her patience, finally stepped in. ¡°Gromon, even my patience has its limits.¡± ¡°I admit that I made a crude suggestion. But with such an unpolished gem sparkling before my eyes¡­ I couldn¡¯t help myself.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that to mean you¡¯ve witnessed the potential of humans? Now, please refrain from talking about soul trades.¡± However. Gromon shook his head firmly. ¡°Princess, that¡¯s not it,¡± the dragon-person calmly continued, ¡°I¡¯ll write the recommendation letter as promised, having confirmed human potential. However, that doesn¡¯t mean you, Princess, have reason to refuse a soul trade.¡± ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you need the bonus points from the ancient dragon language? You just witnessed Rekon with your own eyes. If you were to make a trade, imagine what heights you could reach.¡± Gromon snapped his fingers, and a stone tablet appeared in the air. Ezekiel examined it as well. ¡®Ancient dragon language, huh.¡¯ Ancient dragon language, true to its name, was a way of communication from ¡®ancient times¡¯, so it was not even considered a language in the true sense. It was more like hieroglyphs that left traces of mana. It was from a time before written characters existed, and in the end, they communicated with each other by leaving mana remnants on walls. In modern terms, it would be like the traces left by an ice needle or saw-toothed wind¡­ Of course, the power of ancient magic was overwhelming. Could this even be called magic? It felt more like traces left by divine judgment. ¡°At the last Ascension Ceremony, there was a very promising dragon-person. Chromu, you must have heard the name. But in the end, didn¡¯t they fail?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡± ¡°It was because they couldn¡¯t master this ancient dragon language. The Ascension Ceremony is that fierce. Near-perfection cannot defeat perfection.¡± Among countless competitors, only one could pass the Ascension Ceremony and become a dragon. Yet, there was only one reason why they challenged it. Despite all the hardships, the moment one becomes a dragon, one becomes a transcendent being looking down upon the entire continent. And that is what Hedera yearned for. Gromon set the stone tablet on the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the tablet here. Think it over. You have exactly one day from now.¡± As Gromon was about to leave, ¡°Wait.¡± Ezekiel stopped him; he thought to himself. It was true that Hedera must solve the ancient dragon language puzzle to pass the Ascension Ceremony. However, at the same time. She must not dabble in dark magic. The moment Gromon turned to face him, Ezekiel made his decision inwardly. ¡°The Princess couldn¡¯t decipher this tablet? That sounds absurd. Perhaps she was just being modest about her abilities.¡± Hedera¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Ezekiel¡¯s words were, of course, a lie. This was different from the Princess downplaying her combat skills out of courtesy to the dragon-person, despite her high level of ability. This tablet was truly something Hedera hadn¡¯t yet deciphered. Gromon¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°¡­Are you saying she¡¯s already deciphered it but pretended not to? To avoid embarrassing me? Is that what you¡¯re claiming, Inspector?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Hedera questioned his intentions with her eyes, but Ezekiel casually avoided her gaze. Could it be? Had he already seen something in the tablet? Something that even Hedera hadn¡¯t yet noticed. Already. ¡°Then can you show me right now? I¡¯ll only believe it if I see the Princess decipher the tablet.¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t respond to Gromon¡¯s words. Instead, he simply put a sunweed in his mouth. ¡°Of course.¡± At the same time, Hedera read something in the man¡¯s eyes. Those blue eyes she had seen years ago. ¡­They were undoubtedly the eyes of her former Master. Chapter 48: The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (9) ? Chapter 48 ¨C The One More Precious Than A Sacred Relic Has Arrived! (9) ?¡°An-an-ancient dragon language interpretation¡­?!¡± Tether muttered in disbelief; her eyes widened to the size of glasses, showing how surprised she was. Of course, it wasn¡¯t just her. The entire surroundings were in an uproar. ¡°They¡¯re going to activate a tablet inscribed with ancient dragon language?¡± ¡°They say it¡¯s a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle if it¡¯s activated!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see it!¡± The rampaging elementals was already a major event, and now the Princess and even a dragon-person had appeared on top of that. Chaos after chaos. But it showed no signs of stopping. Not content with just challenging and defeating the dragon-person, now they were going to activate an ancient tablet right here and now¡­ ¡°The spectacles today are endless, aren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°We¡¯re so lucky! I¡¯m glad we came!¡± With one sensational sight following another, the crowd wasn¡¯t diminishing at all. If anything, it had grown even larger with more people rushing in. Meanwhile, Hedera asked Ezekiel, ¡°Inspector, what on earth are you thinking?¡± The princess¡¯s two eyes, visible above her mask, were filled with an uncharacteristic sense of bewilderment, ¡°I haven¡¯t mastered the ancient dragon language yet. It¡¯s a challenge that needs to be learned slowly and with great effort.¡± ¡°No need to take it slow. Let¡¯s graduate today.¡± Hedera¡¯s eyes widened even further, ¡°¡­Are you serious right now?¡± ¡°What could be impossible for the Second Princess?¡± Ezekiel closed his mouth tightly after that, leaving Hedera alone with her bewilderment. Just then, ¡°Inspector, and Princess.¡± One of the dragon-person approached them. ¡°Are you ready to begin?¡± It was Gromon, the dragon-person with the thick white mustache, ¡°The crowd has grown too large to back out now. When do you plan to proceed?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s start right away. However, we can¡¯t casually reveal the Princess¡¯s power. I¡¯ll set up a barrier so the interior isn¡¯t visible until just before the tablet is activated.¡± Ezekiel answered calmly, but the dragon-person scoffed. ¡°A barrier¡­ A barrier, you say¡­¡± It seemed he was certain of their failure, given the need for a barrier. ¡°Well, a human mage¡¯s barrier can last three hours at most, right? It doesn¡¯t matter. Just make sure you decipher it properly.¡± Gromon¡¯s tone was laced with blatant disrespect. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± And Hedera¡¯s face, trying hard to hide her anxiety. Huff©¤ Ezekiel leisurely exhaled sunweed smoke. And so, the tablet interpretation began. ~~??~~??~~ Hedera and Ezekiel stood near the tablet. ¡°There¡¯s no time limit. Just focus calmly and demonstrate your skills to the fullest.¡± Hedera felt a dizzying sense of disorientation. Time wasn¡¯t the issue now. Deciphering ancient dragon language required not the time of the person involved, but their ability. ¡°¡­What on earth are you thinking?¡± She repeated the question she had already asked. She still couldn¡¯t understand Ezekiel¡¯s intentions. ¡°Princess, you should focus on this part.¡± Ezekiel drew a thin ice line across the tablet, dividing it precisely into five sections. ¡°Inspector, what are you saying¡­¡± ¡°Then, let¡¯s begin.¡± Swoosh©¤! Ezekiel created a cubic ice barrier enclosing only Hedera and the tablet. The interior and exterior were completely cut off, obscuring the outside view. Hedera hurriedly communicated telepathically. ¡ª Are you serious? Suddenly asking me to decipher this? ¡ª It¡¯s too late to back out now. Please hurry. ¡°How dare you do something so reckless¡­¡± Hedera muttered softly as she summoned her magical power. The die was cast. Hedera wasn¡¯t stupid enough to cling to an unchangeable past and prolong the situation, so now she had no choice but to decipher it. First, she tried the same method she had used before. In the past, the tablet had responded when she focused her mind and infused it with her mana. Hedera was hoping to use the same method to get out of this crisis. But. Was this the amount of power she had poured in back then¡­? No, she had to clear her mind¡­ ¡°I wonder if the Princess is doing well?¡± At that moment, someone¡¯s voice leaked in from outside the barrier. It was a single word that flew like an arrow and pierced her ears. Whoosh©¤! Instantly, the mana she had been channeling into the tablet scattered; in fact, the recoil even caused some mana to bounce back, making Hedera frown as she felt a tingling in her hands. ¡°¡­Damn it.¡± Come to think of it, that¡¯s right. This barrier doesn¡¯t block sound. Hedera tried to focus again. Or rather, she tried but failed to concentrate. ¡°To think the Princess is inside this small barrier!¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious! I want to see her!¡± ¡°Maybe if we put our ears to it, we could hear something?¡± Hedera suddenly felt suffocated ¨C the cubic barrier wasn¡¯t very large and only served as a screen. In reality, weren¡¯t a lot of people practically pressed up against her? Her head gradually began to throb. For the first time in a long while, she had felt such tension. Even so, she tried her best to concentrate. But then. ¡°Strange, it¡¯s already been two hours¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± Hedera was startled. It¡¯s been two hours already? According to Gromon, the time a human could maintain a barrier that consumed so much mana was not long; and this was especially true for such an intricate barrier. Moreover, Ezekiel, the barrier¡¯s caster, was in terrible physical condition. Naturally, she became anxious. Whoosh©¤! But again, another failure. The tablet seemed to reject Hedera¡¯s mana, pushing it back, and her concentration began to waver. Her breathing quickened with urgency, and her confidence gradually dwindled. ¡°How much longer do we have to wait?¡± ¡°Is this going to fail?¡± S?a?ch* Th? ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I¡¯m starting to get worried.¡± Each word drilled into her ears. She needed to focus, but there was no way she could concentrate. Her mana began to dissipate without being properly gathered, and suddenly everything became confusing. Suddenly. A voice within her mind began to whisper. ¡­Hedera, you¡¯ve always known, haven¡¯t you? ¡­You don¡¯t have the talent to tackle ancient dragon language, do you? You¡¯ve already tried, already hit your limit and given up, right? You¡¯ve just been avoiding it all this time, haven¡¯t you? Just putting it off? Now that you¡¯re facing it head-on, how does it feel? As each word tormented Hedera, the Princess¡¯s once-ironclad expression gradually crumbled. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± And the Second Princess clutched her head. Come to think of it, it was true. Had Hedera obtained dragon blood through effort? Had Hedera awakened the Dragon Speech through effort? No. She had simply lived behind, accepting her lack of talent, and then one day, it had just appeared. In other words, if she hadn¡¯t been given the talent, Hedera had never accomplished anything. She had no talent whatsoever for ancient dragon language. ¡°No. I don¡¯t have the talent¡­.¡± Hedera clutched her head. ~~??~~??~~ How much time had passed? It was impossible to tell. The voices coming from outside had gradually diminished. From a hundred words to fifty, from fifty to ten, from ten to one¡­ Of course, Hedera had still not achieved anything. Finally. All sounds faded away. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Hedera rubbed her face with a dejected feeling. ¡­. ¡­. The inside of the barrier was completely silent. Suddenly, Hedera felt as if she had fallen into some isolated world. She even thought she¡¯d rather be trapped here forever than go outside. It was fear and self-loathing. In truth, she had known. She knew she shouldn¡¯t make a soul trade, but at the same time, she also knew that she couldn¡¯t decipher the ancient dragon language through her own efforts alone. ¡°Ah¡­¡± That was the last sound, close to giving up. She simply couldn¡¯t decipher this. From the very beginning, from the moment she had no talent, it had been this way. The Second Princess communicated telepathically with Ezekiel. ¡ª I¡¯ve failed after all. It¡¯s impossible. ¡ª Take it slowly. It¡¯s possible. ¡ª It¡¯s not. It¡¯s not possible¡­ Come to think of it, Ezekiel hadn¡¯t rushed her at all. Or rather, since this was Ezekiel¡¯s doing, was that natural? It was not Hedera¡¯s fault. It was Ezekiel¡¯s fault for forcing her to decipher it when she didn¡¯t want to. Hedera was blameless¡­ ¡°Ugh¡­¡± It truly felt like laying her head on the executioner¡¯s block. Hedera feared how people would react when they learned of her failure. ¡ª How many people are gathered out there now? ¡ª No one. You can relax. ¡­No one? Well, it did seem like quite a bit of time had passed. Wait, then how is the barrier being maintained? ¡ª Release the barrier. The mana consumption must be enormous. ¡ª I¡¯ll release it when you finish deciphering. ¡°¡­I told you it¡¯s impossible.¡± But Ezekiel wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡­. In the silence, Hedera tried again. Her entire arm felt numb; even lifting it was difficult. ¡­. Thud! Out of anger, she slammed her fist on the tablet. It felt like someone was strangling her. She just felt suffocated. ¡­. And so, more time passed like this. ¡ª How much time has passed? ¡ª Only 10 minutes since your last communication. ¡­10 minutes? ¡ª Time isn¡¯t passing as quickly as you feel. Try at your leisure. You can definitely do it. ¡­. In the silence, Hedera tried again. She tried and tried again. ¡­. ¡ª How long has it been now? ¡ª 5 minutes. You¡¯re communicating too frequently. ¡­Am I really just being impatient? The moment Hedera thought that. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..?¡± Suddenly, she seemed to understand what Ezekiel meant by dividing the tablet. It was a sudden understanding, like a light bulb had gone off. Stroke. Technique. Series. Attribute. Harmony. ¡ª Inspector, I think I might be able to do it. This time, there was no response to her telepathic message. Instead. The barrier melted away. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± It was the moment Hedera¡¯s eyes wandered aimlessly¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Hedera¡¯s eyes widened. Her mouth, hidden behind her mask, opened involuntarily. The moon hung prominently in the sky; it was nighttime. ¡®Night? When did it become¡­¡¯ She understood. Ezekiel had lied. At the same time, Hedera felt another sense of dissonance. A large crowd filled the surrounding area. Countless eyes were fixed on her. ¡°Shh¡­¡± It was Ezekiel. With a finger on his lips, he was quietly shushing the crowd. Looking as if he might collapse at any moment, with traces of blood at the corners of his mouth, he had maintained the barrier all this time, even deceiving her about the passage of time. And even now, he merely wore a relaxed expression as he turned his gaze towards Hedera. ¡°What¡­¡± ¡­Hedera had seen this situation before. A familiar sight. She had definitely experienced it. In the distant past, Hedera often couldn¡¯t even start the tasks Ezekiel assigned her. They were just too difficult. ¡ª Master¡­ It¡¯s too hard, I can¡¯t do it¡­ ¡ª No. You can do it. When she had to demonstrate them in front of His Majesty the Emperor without any progress. Yes, this was undoubtedly very similar to that day. Ezekiel turned towards the audience. ¡ª Your Majesty, you have waited a long time. ¡°Everyone has indeed waited a long time.¡± A hoarse voice, yet tinged with joy. ¡ª Once again, the Princess has achieved something remarkable. You can look forward to it. ¡°I see that the Princess is finally ready. It would be best for everyone to wake up the person next to them and pay close attention.¡± The time was different, the place was different. The people before the Princess were completely different as well. However. One man who had unwavering faith in Hedera. That one thing alone was the same as years ago. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Suddenly, her heart began to beat loudly. Hedera¡¯s assignments. The result was always success, wasn¡¯t it? ¡ª Princess, let¡¯s surprise His Majesty. ¡°Princess, let¡¯s surprise everyone.¡± Though many years had passed, Ezekiel¡¯s back remained the same. Like a spot-the-difference game. The moment that scene overlapped with a scene from the past. Hedera¡¯s heart ceased to waver. ¡ª Right now. ¡°Right now.¡± At this moment. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Something that had been frozen all this time began to thaw. It was regeneration, or perhaps birth. Thump©¤ Thump©¤ Hedera¡¯s time, which had been at a standstill, finally began to flow again. As always, or already, And now. Chapter 49: Sun Elixir (1) ? Chapter 49 ¨C Sun Elixir (1) ? Hedera¡¯s gaze swept across the faces of the dragon-people. A mixture of suspicion, doubt, and all sorts of negativity were swirling on their faces. After all, they were the ones who didn¡¯t want Hedera to succeed in the first place. But Ezekiel was different. Ezekiel¡¯s gaze was devoid of even a hint of negativity; his eyes were filled with boundless trust, as if Hedera¡¯s success was a foregone conclusion. ¡­Hedera suddenly looked back at herself. Hedera, who had lived her life accepting that she was a slow learner, suddenly had an incredible talent bestowed upon her one day. Since then, she had only honed her talent, nothing more. In other words, she had never truly pushed beyond her limits. But there was one person who consistently challenged her. Only Ezekiel pushed Hedera to her limits, compelling her to grow step by step. Always. Dragons were transcendent beings who looked down upon the entire continent. Their immense power needed no explanation; they were embodiments of wisdom, guided solely by reason and intuition. Just as a Dragon breaks free from the small world of its egg to greet the larger world, Hedera too had to break out of the small worlds she had confined herself to in order to pass the ascension ceremony. And today, Ezekiel had once again assumed the role of Hedera¡¯s Master, much like he had years ago. Hedera had been skillfully avoiding this reality. She had been neglecting the development of the ancient dragon language, pacifying herself with vague, ambiguous reasons. She was afraid to face her own lack of talent. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Once more, she surveyed her surroundings. She saw Ezekiel, radiating infinite trust in her, and the others, brimming with expectation. As she watched this scene¡­ Ssssss¡ª A warmth began to rise from the depths of Hedera¡¯s heart. It quickly transformed into a distinct energy. After a long time, her passion had reignited. Time passed by, and dawn was soon approaching. Hedera, who had wrapped herself in moonlight like a robe, finally placed her hand on the stone tablet. It was an ordinary gesture, devoid of any special meaning. However. Hum¡ª Hum¡ª The ancient tablet began to resonate and respond. The eyes of those watching widened in amazement. ¡°Resonance!¡± ¡°The stone tablet is reacting!¡± As tension and anticipation intensified, Hedera¡¯s energy stalled, unable to progress further. ¡°Hah¡­¡± Her breathing was labored. Indeed, this was the ancient dragon language. It was clear why it was known for its extreme difficulty. Everyone looked at the Second Princess with anxious expressions. After a moment, Gromon spoke up. ¡°Princess, is something wrong?¡± The dragon-person smiled meaningfully and continued, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the ancient dragon language isn¡¯t something that can be mastered through effort alone. Talent plays a crucial role. It would be a shame to leave things as they are, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Instead of answering, Hedera closed her eyes slightly. ¡°With so many eyes watching, we can¡¯t disappoint and send them away. Let¡¯s make a soul trade immediately. It won¡¯t take long, and you¡¯ll be able to achieve instant success.¡± Hedera opened her eyes very slowly. Hedera¡¯s pupils, vertically slit and inhuman, were revealed; the corners of her mouth, hidden behind her mask, curled upwards. It was a sneer directed at Gromon, and a confirmation of her own resolve. ¡°Princess, please make a decision quickly¡­¡± ¡°Silence.¡± Her response was devoid of any honorifics. Gromon closed his mouth. He furrowed his brow, as if a human had never addressed a dragon-person in such a manner before, but Hedera remained focused. She now knew with utmost clarity¡ª What needed to be done for her own sake. What she must do. Who was hindering her, and who was helping her. Rumble¡ª! The stone tablet beneath her hand began to shake violently. Crack¡ª! And the stone tablet shattered. What had been imprisoned within was an illusion spell. A long, serpentine form, bathed in moonlight, soared skyward, its end lost in the heavens; a dragon coiled around the moon in a single revolution, then gazed down with eyes brighter than moonlight. Everyone understood the significance of this vision. Ascension. It was an illusion depicting the act of ascension. Though not reality, it was a breathtaking spectacle precisely because it was an illusion. A small vision of ascension, brought forth by Hedera¡¯s hand. As everyone stood slack-jawed¡­ The dragon-people swiftly prostrated themselves. ¡°We witness the dragon¡¯s potential, the future of ascension¡­!¡± ~~??~~??~~ One week later. At the Imperial Magic Tower, I finished my personal training early in the morning. Even though I had only dealt with the ice magic all my life, its charm lay in discovering new aspects with each use. There was still room for improvement, which is why I had been diligently working. ¡°You¡¯ve been training since dawn again.¡± It was Agnes, my personal secretary, whom I met in the hallway. Her sharp, bob-cut hair, the cube in her hand, and the notebook she occasionally glanced at¡ªeverything about her was as usual. ¡°Were you looking for me?¡± ¡°Yes. I have something to report.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it in the office.¡± The path to the office was exceptionally noisy. The incident at the Imperial Treasury entrance a week ago¡ªwith so many witnesses, it was inevitable that rumors would spread. As a result, today too, there was an abundance of chatter about me. ¡°It¡¯s the Inspector! I heard he did something incredible!¡± ¡°They say he subdued an elemental effortlessly.¡± ¡°I heard he helped the Second Princess achieve enlightenment!¡± ¡°The news that the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector is extraordinary has spread throughout the capital! It¡¯s causing quite a stir!¡± The reaction was vastly different from when I had just assumed office. Perhaps because it was an incident within the Imperial family, involving the Princess and dragon-people, the impact was truly immense. The number of mages trying to curry favor had increased significantly. ¡°In-Inspector, I have a question¡­¡± ¡°Could you please take a look at this scroll?¡± ¡°I want to learn ice magic too. Please¡­!¡± It was beyond the level where I could respond to each request individually. ¡°Later. I have a lot to do right now.¡± I sent them away with a brief response. It wasn¡¯t a lie or an excuse. I was genuinely very busy. Of course, I also felt a sense of novelty. ¡ª Ezekiel, you must not reveal your existence. ¡ª You are the shadow of the Imperial family. Remember that. In the distant past, hadn¡¯t I rather tried my best to hide my identity? It felt truly peculiar that I could now openly gain fame. Lost in these thoughts, I found myself at the office door. S~?a??h the N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Agnes immediately set down a stack of documents. ¡°First of all, congratulations. The Tower¡¯s reputation can change based on the Inspector¡¯s standing, and thanks to this recent incident, the Imperial Tower¡¯s prestige seems to have risen considerably.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were capable of praise. That¡¯s new.¡± ¡°I¡¯m simply stating facts. It¡¯s not out of personal interest.¡± Agnes cleared her throat and gestured to the documents. ¡°Anyway, perhaps because of that influence, an unexpected development has occurred, with only three days left until the inter-tower exchange meeting.¡± ¡°Unexpected? Go on.¡± ¡°The Black Tower is sending an envoy. Whether it¡¯s due to their newfound interest in the Imperial Tower after the Imperial Treasury incident, or if they have other motives, I¡¯m not certain.¡± ¡°Is sending an envoy a common occurrence?¡± ¡°An envoy from the Black Tower is exceptionally rare.¡± I nodded. There was no reason to be intimidated or afraid, and consequently, no reason to decline. ¡°Next, we¡¯ve received a message from the Ruiple region. They wish to express their gratitude but are unsure what you desire. They¡¯ve asked us to inquire on their behalf.¡± ¡°Tell them to focus on cultivating their sunweed well.¡± ¡°Shall I relay that message exactly?¡± Instead of answering, I stared at Agnes intently. ¡°¡­Understood.¡± She telekinetically organized the documents. ¡°Now for the final item. This isn¡¯t confirmed information, just a rumor, but¡­¡± ¡°You must have a reason for mentioning it. Let¡¯s hear it.¡± ¡°The Second Princess hasn¡¯t been seen for a week. I¡¯ve heard whispers that she entered the Emperor¡¯s palace and hasn¡¯t emerged since.¡± ¡°In the Emperor¡¯s palace for an entire week?¡± I wondered if there could be that much to discuss for an entire week. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Then something clicked in my mind. ¡ª Sun Elixir. I said I¡¯d propose it. Sun Elixir. The moment I recalled it, my mind snapped to attention. At the same time, I thought back over the conditions that the Emperor had set. ? First, become stronger than Ether. ? Second, become more noble than Hedera. ? Third, become more devout than Solana. ? Fourth, acquire more wealth than Chain. ? Fifth, reach a higher magic realm than Neo. Fortunately, I was not lacking in skill and talent, so I had made some progress, but the one thought I had the most while trying to achieve the conditions was¡ª ¡®This demands a long-term strategy.¡¯ These conditions were not something that could be achieved in a short time. For Ezekiel, who wasn¡¯t granted a long life, this was truly a vexing problem. If only the time issue could be resolved, the chances of success would greatly increase. ¡­But what if I could get my hands on the Sun Elixir? Even during my days of toiling like a dog in the Imperial family, Sun Elixir was something I couldn¡¯t even dream of tasting or hoping for. It was that precious¡ªan elixir said to grant immortality to humans. Was Hedera discussing Sun Elixir as well? If so, what would the Emperor¡¯s decision be? Come to think of it, the impetus for writing the letter was the resentment of death, and I had written it hoping for Sun Elixir in my heart. Could it truly change my life in the end? ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± I quietly put a sunweed leaf in my mouth. ¡°I need to be alone for a while.¡± ¡°Certainly. I¡¯ll withdraw immediately.¡± After Agnes left, I exhaled a puff of smoke. Something long worn out within me began to stir. It was a feeling I hadn¡¯t experienced in a very long time¡ªdesperation. ~~??~~??~~ That night. I received a letter with shocking contents. ¡¸Come see me at once.¡¹ ¡¸We will discuss Sun Elixir.¡¹ It was none other than a missive from the Emperor himself. Chapter 50: Sun Elixir (2) ? Chapter 50 ¨C Sun Elixir (2) ? As soon as Ezekiel stepped into the Imperial palace, there was someone to greet him. ¡°Inspector of the Imperial Tower! You¡¯ve arrived!¡± It was Tether, the personal secretary of the Second Princess Hedera. Her small face was brimming with delight, and her greeting was exceptionally cheerful as she approached. ¡°What brings you to the palace at this early hour?¡± ¡°Your name was Tether, correct?¡± ¡°I¡¯m honored you remember! I was so flustered before that I couldn¡¯t properly thank you!¡± ¡°It seems you managed to avoid punishment well.¡± Ezekiel gazed down at Tether quietly. With her hair braided on both sides and round glasses, she looked like a rabbit transformed into a human. She appeared perfectly fine, if not better than when he had last seen her. Tether bowed deeply, ¡°I confessed my wrongdoings truthfully, and fortunately, it only resulted in a salary reduction. They¡¯re even planning to increase the secretary staff. It¡¯s all thanks to you, Inspector!¡± ¡°Is that so? That¡¯s good to hear.¡± ¡°You even moved the elemental stones to the second floor, didn¡¯t you? Thanks to that, the first floor of the Imperial Treasury has become much more spacious! As I said before, I¡¯ll do anything for you!¡± ¡°¡­Well.¡± While it was true that Ezekiel¡¯s actions had benefited the Imperial family and Tether, he wasn¡¯t particularly pleased, given that he was the original cause of the elementals¡¯ rampage. How much good could Tether actually do for him? That was a secondary concern from the start. ¡®I¡¯d rather not feel uncomfortable over immediate benefits.¡¯ Some might criticize this as the words of someone already well-off, but of course, there was another reason. ¡®Sun Elixir.¡¯ He was about to discuss Sun Elixir with the Emperor. It was unlike anything else in the Imperial Treasury. The Sun Elixir was said to be a liquid that contained a powerful force so great that it was impossible to describe, and its existence was a legend in itself. Other rewards simply paled in comparison. At that moment, the door to the Emperor¡¯s audience chamber opened. Ezekiel felt a sense of familiarity from the person coming out, and Tether¡¯s eyes, who was standing next to him, widened as if they were about to pop out. ¡°Second Princess¡­!¡± ¡°Lower your voice.¡± Hedera¡¯s gaze, with her index finger raised to her mask, turned towards Ezekiel. She looked quite fatigued. ¡°Inspector, you¡¯re here to see His Majesty the Emperor, right?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± ¡°¡­I see. Make sure to report what you receive. If the reward turns out to be trivial, I¡¯ll have words about it.¡± Having said this, Hedera staggered away. Agnes had mentioned rumors of the Second Princess spending a week in the audience chamber. Seeing Hedera stumble away as if on the verge of collapse, it seemed the rumors weren¡¯t unfounded. As Hedera disappeared from view, Tether, who had been blinking in bewilderment, spoke up, ¡°Seeing it in person is truly astonishing. This confirms it! There were rumors that the Second Princess becomes quite docile when facing the Inspector¡­!¡± ¡°¡­The Second Princess?¡± When he inquired with surprise, Tether nodded. ¡°I was wondering what I could do for you today, but sharing this story about the Second Princess might serve as a small token of gratitude! It¡¯s something I absolutely shouldn¡¯t disclose, but since it involves you as well, Inspector¡­¡± He was about to stop her if it was merely about divulging the Princess¡¯s private matters, but learning it was related to him naturally piqued his interest. ¡°The Second Princess was truly a fearsome person. Just looking at her punishment records would tell you that. She applied extremely strict standards to herself and everyone around her.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Perhaps due to having been her master for a long time in the distant past, this description felt unfamiliar to Ezekiel. Hedera still occasionally seemed young and immature. It seemed this was still unavoidable. ¡°But in front of you, Inspector, she¡¯s different. I¡¯m not sure if I should say this, but¡­ she becomes notably affectionate and docile.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s probably because of my competence.¡± ¡°How many competent people are there on the continent?¡± Tether immediately retorted, ¡°There must be something extraordinary about you, Inspector. I even wondered if you might be the Second Princess¡¯s betrothed at some point!¡± Ezekiel quietly patted Tether¡¯s head. ¡°You have a good intuition.¡± ¡°What a crazy thought, right? A funny story¡­ Huh? What?¡± Leaving the bewildered Tether behind, Ezekiel entered the audience chamber. ~~??~~??~~ The Great Hall, the Emperor¡¯s audience chamber. ¡°Ezekiel Hound, you¡¯ve grown stronger.¡± These were the Emperor¡¯s first words. His presence, almost invisible to the naked eye, made it seem like a cloak was draped over empty air. Meeting him twice in one month, someone rarely seen even once in a lifetime, was remarkable. Yet, the words the Emperor suddenly uttered were somewhat unfamiliar. ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much difference.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true. You¡¯ve grown much stronger in this short time.¡± Puzzled by this unusual response, Ezekiel pondered for a moment. ¡®We¡¯ve never conversed about anything other than mission completion.¡¯ If one were to name the most mysterious entity on the continent, it would undoubtedly be the Emperor. With both his exterior and interior hidden from view, it was impossible to discern his appearance or true intentions. A small chalice in the air rippled slightly. The Emperor seemed to be holding it, gently swirling its contents. ¡°One¡¯s magical prowess alone cannot be the sole measure of strength. Who one surrounds oneself with, whose hearts one has won¡­ All of these factors must be considered.¡± ¡°Well, who could possibly be around me?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve further won the heart of the Second Princess.¡± The sound of fingernails tapping on an armrest echoed. ¡°That child, who wouldn¡¯t even remember her father¡¯s birthday, advocated for you to receive Sun Elixir. It¡¯s simply astonishing to see her behave this way for an entire week.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°The Third Princess has been smiling more. I can¡¯t help but acknowledge your qualities and potential. How long has it been since that letter caused an uproar? And you¡¯ve already achieved this much.¡± The Emperor continued. ¡°Anyway, I have a proposal. There¡¯s a capable individual in the Imperial family¡­ We¡¯ve been troubled by the lack of a suitable rival. I wonder if you might be up for the challenge.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The subject had shifted without any mention of Sun Elixir. Ezekiel pondered quietly. Was this acknowledgment once again just empty words? He couldn¡¯t fathom the Emperor¡¯s thoughts at all. If the Emperor truly recognized his qualities and potential, couldn¡¯t he grant Sun Elixir as Hedera had suggested? Or at least some kind of elixir? There were a few possible conjectures. Either the Emperor still didn¡¯t fully approve of Ezekiel, or perhaps he desired, more than anyone, to see Ezekiel grow while constrained by his limited lifespan. It was a matter that couldn¡¯t be decided immediately. Ezekiel quietly shook his head. ¡°¡­I must decline.¡± ¡°Decline? Hear about the reward before you decide.¡± Thud©¤! An enormous box fell at Ezekiel¡¯s feet; the impact caused the lid to open, revealing an array of elixirs inside. ¡°The Sun Elixir won¡¯t be ready until next month. It was quite troublesome to have someone demand something non-existent for an entire week. Instead, I¡¯ve gathered every type of elixir here.¡± Ezekiel, due to his poor constitution, had always been interested in various elixirs. He could assess their quality at a glance. ¡­These were all of the highest quality. It was a clear indication of Hedera¡¯s week-long efforts. In the distant past, the Emperor had never promised such a substantial reward. ¡°These elixirs can make even an old man as vigorous as a youth. With this quantity¡­ At least you should live until we discuss Sun Elixir again.¡± ¡°I accept your proposal.¡± These were no ordinary elixirs. While not as potent as Sun Elixir, they were of a caliber worthy of the third floor of the Imperial Treasury. Ezekiel had no reason to refuse. Yes, obtaining this much was already beyond expectations. ¡°Ezekiel, I¡¯m not finished speaking yet.¡± The chalice floating in the air rippled. ¡°That capable individual I mentioned also greatly desires these elixirs. Though the method of competition hasn¡¯t been decided yet, I intend to give everything to the victor. What do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind who it is.¡± S?a?ch* Th? N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. With such a quantity of elixirs at stake, it no longer mattered. Since it would benefit his body, he was confident in giving his all. Even if his opponent were the Emperor himself. ~~??~~??~~ The next day, at the entrance of the Imperial palace. ¡°Wow¡­ This is incredible!¡± One of the soldiers couldn¡¯t contain his surprise and shouted. It was understandable. An endless procession of carriages entered the palace, loaded with the carcasses of monsters. ¡°To make a fuss over nothing¡­¡± A woman seated in the last carriage muttered; her visage, as pristine as an endless snowfield, and adorned with luxurious black fur over her shoulders. The numerous decorations on her uniform spoke of her achievements. The Third Princess, Solana, greeted the woman on the carriage. ¡°You¡¯ve returned?¡± ¡°I have no time for greetings.¡± The wolf-like woman curtly cut off Solana¡¯s words. Who would dare, who could possibly¡­ Indeed, who could respond so coldly to the Third Princess¡¯s words? The answer resounded as the soldiers, lined up in rows, shouted in unison. Soon, a tremendous roar echoed. ¡ª The First Princess of the Empire has returned! The Goddess of War. Or the Queen of All Cures. The First Princess, Ether. The woman of many names clenched a thick cigarette in her mouth. ¡°I hear there¡¯s someone who dares to covet my elixir.¡± Puff©¤ A cloud of smoke was exhaled in front of the Third Princess¡¯s face. ¡°Who is it? Bring them to me at once.¡± Chapter 51: Sun Elixir (3) ? Chapter 51 ¨C Sun Elixir (3) ? On the day of the duel, he finally faced the truth. ¡°You¡¯re taking a vacation, but why do you look like that?¡± Secretary Agnes asked, seemingly puzzled. ¡°I tend to be busier on my days off.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡± Ezekiel exhaled a long stream of sunweed smoke. Of course, to Agnes¡¯s eyes, he must appear rather peculiar. This duel was to be held in secret, so he had no choice but to take a vacation from the Imperial Magic Tower. Of course, taking part in the duel and taking a vacation were not issues in themselves. It was just the content of the duel he received today that was the real problem. [I will oversee a contest of armband-snatching between you and the First Imperial Princess.] [Come to Dominen Valley.] The betting method of deciding the winner by snatching the armband was fine, but the opponent being none other than the First Imperial Princess was cause for concern. ¡®One with a keen interest in Elixirs. So this is what it meant.¡¯ The First Imperial Princess, Ether. Madness. Whenever Ezekiel thought of the First Princess, this was the word that came to mind first. Ether had been obsessed with strength since she was a child, to the point of madness. In fact, the Emperor had also raised the First Princess for that purpose. The anecdote came to mind that as a newborn baby, the First Princess had been bathed in the precious Sun Elixir. Of course, there was one more thing to worry about. ¡®¡­Oversee? The Emperor himself?¡¯ It was rare for the Emperor to leave the audience chamber under any circumstances. For him to personally attend a duel, even one involving the First Princess, was extraordinary. It was then that Agnes spoke up. ¡°Are you heading somewhere far instead of your quarters?¡± ¡°I¡¯m likely going to Dominen Valley.¡± ¡°Another jest? Very well, I¡¯ll drop it.¡± Agnes sighed deeply as she organized her documents. ¡°Why do you say that? It¡¯s possible I might go.¡± ¡°Are you unaware of how dense the fog is in Dominen Valley? The mana is thick, the terrain treacherous. The survival rate is so low that not even requests come in for that area.¡± Ezekiel was not oblivious to these facts. Indeed, obtaining an elixir would not be easy, he thought, taking another drag from his sunweed. ¡°Ensure the Magic Tower is well-guarded in my absence.¡± ¡°I would have come to the Tower today even if it were my day off.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize your loyalty ran so deep.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the reason.¡± Agnes shook her head firmly, elegantly manipulating a cube in one hand as usual. ¡°The First Imperial Princess has returned to the capital. You never know¡­ she might pass by the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°Ah, you wish to catch a glimpse?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. The Goddess of War, the Queen of All Cures, the Strongest¡­ I¡¯d like to see her in person, just once.¡± Agnes¡¯ gaze drifted towards the window; though her expression remained as impassive as ever, her anticipation was palpable. She was hoping that the First Princess might wander near the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°The Goddess of War, the Queen of All Cures, the Strongest¡­ Quite a collection of titles.¡± Ezekiel exhaled another puff of sunweed smoke before asking, ¡°Agnes, what kind of person do you think would propose marriage to such a First Princess?¡± ¡°A madman. One who has completely lost his mind.¡± Agnes clicked her tongue disapprovingly as she withdrew from the office. Left alone, Ezekiel quietly nodded to himself. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve never been in my right mind to begin with.¡± Why wasn¡¯t he in his right mind? Why indeed. ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? Inside the Imperial Palace. ¡®A duel, huh? Well, this is better than I expected.¡¯ Hedera reflected on this thought after confirming Ezekiel¡¯s report. Although the Sun Elixir couldn¡¯t be offered until it was brewed next month, the list of elixirs provided was reassuring. It contained nothing but rare and precious items. ¡°Has something pleasant occurred, Your Highness?¡± Solana approached Hedera discreetly. Hedera shrugged nonchalantly, hiding her true feelings, ¡°Hardly. I¡¯m constantly swamped with work.¡± ¡°I see. Then you must be busy today as well. I presume you¡¯ll be spending time at the Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Is that even a question? Of course I will.¡± Hedera responded curtly, hoping to dismiss Solana. It wasn¡¯t entirely untrue that she would be busy today. Hedera planned to make preparations and then personally observe the duel between the First Imperial Princess and Ezekiel. Of course, she was somewhat disappointed that the elixirs wouldn¡¯t be provided outright. The format of a duel was less than ideal, but¡­ ¡®His Imperial Majesty has partially granted my request. This has never happened before in my entire life.¡¯ Hedera briefly reflected on the past. It was commonplace for the Emperor to refuse most requests, not even opening the doors to the audience chamber. Even on the rare occasions when a dialogue was possible, requests were often rejected with instructions to rely on one¡¯s own strength. ¡­Yes, even this much was an extraordinary turn of events. ¡°Well, then, I wish the Second Princess shadowy peace,¡± Solana said with a sly smile. ¡°It¡¯s not ¡®shadowy peace,¡¯ it¡¯s ¡®peace¡¯¡­ wait a moment.¡± Hedera furrowed her brow, ¡°You deliberately used the wrong word just now, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡®Shadowy peace¡¯ implied an ill omen, like a gloomy specter. It couldn¡¯t have been a simple mistake, given that ¡®Shadowy peace¡¯ and ¡®peace¡¯ had precisely opposite meanings. However, Solana merely smiled as usual. ¡°Heh heh, could that be? You must truly be busy today to be so sensitive.¡± Only then did Hedera properly observe Solana¡¯s appearance. Compared to her usual demeanor, she seemed unusually excited, even carrying a picnic basket. ¡°Let me ask you one thing: why are you so elated?¡± ¡°The blessings of the Sun God are overflowing in the world today. How could I not be elated?¡± Hedera frowned at the rote response; it seemed the other party was also intent on concealing her true motives. ¡°Then you must be busy offering prayers today, right? And here I thought you might be going on a picnic. Imagine that, the esteemed Third Imperial Princess, who should never have a moment of leisure.¡± ¡°You need not worry. I will be at the temple.¡± . ?. . ?. ?. Several hours later. At the entrance of Dominen Valley. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Hedera and Solana found themselves face to face. ¡°Is this the Imperial Magic Tower? I had no idea,¡± Solana remarked sarcastically. ¡°Is this the temple? How surprising,¡± Hedera retorted in kind. S?a?ch* Th? N0??F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Both princesses muttered simultaneously, their tones dripping with disbelief. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The journey into the valley alongside the Emperor was rather peculiar. In fact, ¡®peculiar¡¯ barely scratched the surface; the sensation of walking beside a formless, transcendent being was profoundly surreal. ¡®There¡¯s no sound of footsteps.¡¯ The Emperor¡¯s steps were still soundless. Only his regal robe, suspended in mid-air, swayed with dignified grace. ¡°The fog is quite thick, isn¡¯t it?¡± the Emperor commented. ¡°Yes, indeed,¡± Ezekiel replied. Dominen Valley. While the name ¡®Dominen¡¯ might not be universally recognized, most would understand if it were referred to as the ¡®Valley of Death¡¯s Mist.¡¯ The fog was so dense that taking even a single step forward was challenging. The Emperor advanced without hesitation, as if he could see through it all. ¡°This place was often used for exiles. Come to think of it, Ezekiel, your competence spared you from ever having to experience this place. It¡¯s quite fascinating, you know.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Indeed. I promised freedom to anyone who could escape, yet not a single soul ever managed it.¡± Ezekiel wondered why the Emperor had summoned him to such a place. ¡®He even called me here an hour early.¡¯ Despite the duel with the First Imperial Princess being a full hour away, Emperor Verd had summoned Ezekiel in advance. Could there be some hidden agenda? Were all those precious elixirs merely bait? Just as this thought crossed his mind, the Emperor halted. Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa¡ª! Suddenly, three monsters burst through the fog. At the same time, the air distorted into a vortex. Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa¡ª! With a sickening crunch, the monsters¡¯ bodies twisted spirally, spilling blood as if they were being wrung out like wet laundry. Thud¡ª What fell to the ground could hardly be called corpses. They more closely resembled crumpled tissues. ¡®As expected, it¡¯s not magic.¡¯ Ezekiel attempted to analyze the Emperor¡¯s abilities. It certainly wasn¡¯t magic, at least. The Emperor¡¯s true nature and the source of his power remained frustratingly vague. ¡°To hold someone¡¯s life in your hands, to decide between life and death,¡± the Emperor spoke leisurely, ¡°For me, it¡¯s as simple as this.¡± His gaze suddenly shifted to Ezekiel¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh, are those fruits?¡± In Ezekiel¡¯s hand was an oddly timed fruit basket. Ezekiel respectfully offered it instead of answering. ¡ª He likes fruit. It might be helpful. Solana¡¯s words had prompted him to bring it, just in case. Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª To his surprise, it worked. The surreal sight of an apple gradually being consumed and disappearing into thin air was fascinating, made all the more extraordinary by the fact that it was the Emperor doing so. ¡°Quite tasty,¡± the Emperor remarked. ¡°I¡¯m glad you enjoy them. I brought them on a whim.¡± In fact, it was Solana who had chosen them, but that was confidential information. Perhaps because the Emperor liked the fruit, the atmosphere was not as bleak as before. ¡°There are no prying ears here, so let me continue our earlier conversation. While taking or sparing lives is a simple matter for me, winning hearts is an entirely different affair.¡± Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Another apple vanished from mid-air, and one more disappeared from the fruit basket. ¡°Ezekiel, how did you win the hearts of my daughters?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Ezekiel pondered quietly. ¡®Could this be why he summoned me here?¡¯ Even the almighty Emperor was concerned about his daughters. Or was he? Ezekiel couldn¡¯t quite discern which interpretation was correct. Was the Emperor uncomfortable with Ezekiel having won the princesses¡¯ affections, or did he desire to win their hearts himself? Ezekiel knew he needed to figure out which it was.? ¡®If it¡¯s the former¡­¡¯ Aware that Dominen Valley could potentially become his grave, Ezekiel carefully probed the Emperor¡¯s intentions, subtly redirecting the conversation. ¡°I pale in comparison to Your Majesty. Reflecting on our conversations, there has been much praise directed towards Your Majesty.¡± Crunch¡ªcrunch¡ªcrunch¡ª The apple began to disappear more rapidly. This, too, was perplexing. Was it a sign of the Emperor¡¯s pleasure or discomfort? ¡°This dates back to when I served as their master¡­¡± Crunch¡ª The apple suspended in mid-air abruptly halted. ¡­Understood. Him rapidly eating the apples meant he was in a good mood. Ezekiel hastily added, ¡°Even recently, the respect towards Your Majesty remains unwavering.¡± Crunch¡ªcrunch¡ªcrunch¡ªcrunch¡ª The apples disappeared in quick succession. Just as Ezekiel felt his understanding of the Emperor growing, familiar voices pierced the air. ¡°Ah, there they are!¡± ¡°I know. I can see them with my own eyes.¡± When he looked up, Ezekiel saw two precious women cutting through the mist. The Second Imperial Princess Hedera and the Third Imperial Princess Solana had arrived. ¡°My daughters,¡± the Emperor¡¯s voice softened, perhaps due to Ezekiel¡¯s recent words about their reverence. After all, hearing of one¡¯s children¡¯s respect would naturally evoke affection. However¡ª A problem immediately arose. ¡°Inspector, how is your health?¡± ¡°Master, have you eaten?¡± The issue was their destination. The women ignored the Emperor and clung to Ezekiel. Both of them. ¡°Master, is the First Princess not here yet? It¡¯s not good to stay in such a place for too long. I am worried.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point of this duel anyway? She should just give it to you outright.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± As they openly criticized the Emperor, Ezekiel suddenly felt as if he were standing barefoot on a bed of needles. ¡°I¡­ would like to be alone until the duel begins,¡± Ezekiel attempted a diplomatic solution. But his efforts were in vain. ¡°Then I shall offer prayers nearby.¡± ¡°Who are you to decide? I¡¯ll set up a protective barrier instead.¡± Ezekiel glanced sideways. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The apple hung motionless in mid-air. Chapter 52: Sun Elixir (4) ? Chapter 52 ¨C Sun Elixir (4) ? On the opposite side of Dominen Valley, Cullinan Valley. An attendant stood by Ether¡¯s side as she gazed into the distance. The First Imperial Princess, as always, showed no sign of fear; however, there was a hint of curiosity in her demeanor. ¡°Is there anything troubling you, Your Highness?¡± Ether¡¯s gaze turned to the attendant. Standing at an impressive two meters tall, with snow-white hair and golden eyes that shone beneath, the First Princess exuded an overwhelming aura; the attendant barely managed to remain standing in her presence. Unable to meet her eyes, the attendant asked, ¡°Are you concerned about this duel? Surely you will emerge victorious, Your Highness. What could there be to worry about?¡± ¡°Victory? That¡¯s a given for me, as always.¡± Ether examined the armband on her left arm. The objective of this duel ¡ª to snatch the opponent¡¯s armband. However, this was far from an ordinary armband-snatching game. For one, the contestants were positioned at a great distance from each other. ¡°It seems my opponent doesn¡¯t fear me,¡± Ether remarked. ¡°Pardon? How could that be possible?¡± Ether silently nodded. From this moment, both contestants would unleash long-range attacks from their respective positions from here in Cullinan Valley and there in Dominen Valley. The victory conditions were simple¡ª Destroy the opponent¡¯s armband or force their surrender. Yet, each location had its unique characteristics. ¡°Cullinan Valley is at a higher elevation. Are you aware of this?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s much higher than Dominen Valley.¡± ¡°In contrast, Dominen Valley is shrouded in thick fog.¡± While Cullinan Valley, where Ether stood, had the advantage of higher ground, Dominen Valley was shrouded in fog, making evasion easier. ¡°But the fog could be a double-edged sword for the opponent.¡± This aspect bothered Ether. While the fog would provide good cover, it would also hinder one¡¯s own visibility. It couldn¡¯t be considered an outright advantage. This duel, was it actually set up to favor Ether? Like giving the first move to a novice in chess, as if implying Ether was the underdog and needed the advantage. ¡°He must be aware of all this, yet it¡¯s intriguing.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°My opponent knows who I am and surely recognizes that he¡¯s starting at a disadvantage. Yet he still dares to face me in this duel¡­¡± ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s lost his mind?¡± The attendant furrowed their brow in disbelief. Ether, the First Imperial Princess, had already achieved remarkable feats in subjugation. Her titles grew by the day. Who would dare challenge such a figure? ¡°He must know that coveting the imperial elixirs means coveting my elixirs¡­¡± The attendant grimaced. ¡°It must be one of two things ¨C either he doesn¡¯t know his place, or he¡¯s desperate for the elixirs¡­¡± ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter anymore.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°As I said before, I will win, of course.¡± Ether assumed her stance; though the First Princess had been empty-handed moments ago, a powerful energy had now coalesced into the form of a bow. The attendant watched the scene in a daze. The energy was so powerful that it resonated with the surroundings, and the power was so great that it was hard to believe that they were the same human being. Slowly, Ether nocked an arrow to the bowstring. ¡°I¡¯ll end this quickly with a single strike.¡± Chii-eek¡ª! With a soft hiss, the thick cigarette between Ether¡¯s lips flared up. ¡°I¡¯m a busy woman, you know. I just received an important letter.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? In Dominen Valley, they had settled down. Hedera and Solana were still clinging to Ezekiel¡¯s side, while the apple still hung suspended in mid-air. Perhaps the Emperor was watching them intently. Ezekiel found this situation awkward. Solana, who was sitting on his left, simply patted Ezekiel¡¯s arm gently, oblivious to his feelings, ¡°Master, were you planning to eat the apple without peeling it? I¡¯ll peel it all for you. Just eat it.¡± Solana¡¯s apple-peeling skills were impeccable. just a few movements of her skilled hands, the apple revealed its white flesh. Hedera clicked her tongue disapprovingly, ¡°Making a show of such a trivial skill.¡± ¡°A show? I simply want Master to enjoy it more comfortably. You seem unusually anxious¡­ Ah, I think I know why.¡± Solana smiled sweetly, ¡°Unpeeled fruit, undercooked meat, half-baked bread¡­ You used to eat everything indiscriminately, didn¡¯t you? More pig than dragon, perhaps?¡± ¡°¡­That was a long time ago. I don¡¯t do that anymore.¡± Ezekiel quietly turned his head to the right; the apple in mid-air was unpeeled. At least the Emperor preferred to eat it whole. Sagu-sagu-sagu¡ª Then, part of the apple¡¯s skin was suddenly peeled off. It seemed the Emperor was contemplating whether to peel it or not. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel took quick action. He snatched the apple from Solana¡¯s hand in an instant, ¡°I¡¯m just more comfortable eating it like this.¡± ¡°Oh, is that so? I should always respect your opinion, Master. Then I¡¯ll just cut it into a size that¡¯s easy to eat.¡± Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Only then did the apple on the right finally disappear. ¡®This is more challenging than the actual duel,¡¯ Ezekiel thought. Would he be able to gain the Emperor¡¯s favor? It would be nice if he could. Maybe he would get two drops of Sun Elixir instead of one. But at this point, avoiding disfavor would be fortunate enough. He decided it would be best to send the princesses away; their presence was only making things more uncomfortable. ¡°Your Majesty, has the duel already begun?¡± ¡°It has already begun. Each of you has five attack opportunities. If you cannot decide the outcome within that time, it will be considered a draw and neither side will receive the elixir.¡± Ezekiel nodded, ¡°Then I think it would be better for the princesses to step back now, as I plan to use the entire valley as the battlefield.¡± At that, the movement of eating the apple stopped abruptly. ¡®Don¡¯t send them away? What does he want?¡¯ Ezekiel quickly added something to the end of his sentence, ¡°¡­It would be enough if you just moved a little away from me. Just enough to be the same distance between me and the Emperor.¡± A subtle suggestion for them to move closer to the Emperor. Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª The speed at which the apple disappeared increased; that seemed promising, but what followed was disheartening. ¡°Is this far enough?¡± ¡°I can offer my prayers from here.¡± The princesses did move away, but they moved to the opposite side of the Emperor. Ezekiel was now standing in the middle of the space between the distant Emperor and the princesses. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ezekiel quietly wiped his face with his palm. When was the last time he had broken a sweat like this? The apple, frozen in mid-air; the Emperor¡¯s apparent discomfort. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel suddenly had an idea. ¡°This kind of gathering is not something that happens often.¡± He created an easel out of ice, took out a scroll from his pocket and spread it out on it, and made a suggestion. ¡°I¡¯ll paint a portrait for you.¡± ¡°¡­A portrait?¡± ¡°Yes. Please gather together.¡± This was a way to use his talent and get the princesses to go near the Emperor. Yes, no matter how he thought about it, this was the best thing he could do right now. The two princesses showed great interest, quickly moving to sit beside the Emperor. ¡°A portrait? My, what a precious gift! Does this mean you can observe my features cleerly even in this dense fog?¡± Solana exclaimed. ¡°It probably means your appearance is so insignificant he doesn¡¯t need to look to draw it. And it¡¯s ¡®clearly,¡¯ not ¡®cleerly,¡¯¡± Hedera retorted. ¡°Clearly, clearly¡­ That¡¯s what I said,¡± Solana countered with a gentle smile. ¡°More importantly, why are you subtly pushing me with your behind? I¡¯ve always wondered what use those pig-like fat reserves of yours had. So this is how you use them.¡± It seemed like it could turn into a fight, so he had no choice but to stop them. ¡°Usually, the one who stays still is drawn more beautifully.¡± The commotion ceased as if time had stopped. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± An intense aura of determination emanated from both women; a fierce resolve to appear more beautiful than the other. Ezekiel glanced at the fruit basket ¡ª there were only three apples left. Now he could only gauge the Emperor¡¯s mood in real time with only three left. Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª The Emperor, seemingly in a good mood, spoke, ¡°Will this be alright? The duel has already begun. You might be attacked at any moment while focusing on the painting.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, but the portrait might remain unfinished.¡± Crunch¡­ The speed at which he chewed the apple slowed down a bit. ¡°I¡¯ll try to finish it as quickly as possible.¡± Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Crunch¡ª Now that the Emperor was in a good mood, the key was how to draw his transparent figure. He would never be satisfied with just a rough sketch of his robe. ¡®It must be impressive enough to amaze him. Without fail.¡¯ Both magic and art were Ezekiel¡¯s passions. Therefore, Ezekiel aimed for more than just an ordinary completion. If he could create a portrait captivating enough to gain the Emperor¡¯s interest, he might surely gain something in return. ¡®At the same time, it might help in discerning his true nature.¡¯ In other words, he intended to exploit this situation to its fullest. ¡°Your Majesty, how would you like to be portrayed?¡± ¡°What you see is all there is. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± As expected, he didn¡¯t offer an easy answer. ¡®Since he likes apples, perhaps I¡¯ll try this¡­¡¯ Deformation ¨C exaggeration in artistic terms. Ezekiel employed this technique. He drew an apple for the head atop the elaborately embroidered robe. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡®He¡¯s observing everything.¡¯ Since entering the misty Valley, Ezekiel had sensed that the Emperor¡¯s vision was different from mere broad sight. ¡°¡­Just warming up my hand.¡± He subtly moved the apple drawing, as if it had been intended to depict the floating apple all along, not the Emperor¡¯s head. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. 30 minutes. Time flowed like water. Surprisingly, it was the Emperor who broke the silence first. S~?a??h the ?0velF?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It¡¯s not an unpleasant experience. Come to think of it, I¡¯ve never had a group portrait done. Even the mothers of the princesses only left behind posthumous portraits.¡± ¡°I see. I¡¯ll put even more effort into it.¡± Solana and Hedera¡¯s portraits were already complete. Though he had simply drawn them as they were, their beauty rivaled that of goddesses from myths; their appearances were of such a level that it was impossible to determine which was superior. Now there was only one apple left in the basket. And there was only one person left to draw ¡ª the Emperor. But then it happened. KWAAAAAA©¤! A tremendous roar tore through the air, growing closer and closer. Ezekiel instantly gauged the projectile¡¯s direction, origin, speed, and power. It was the First Princess, as he had expected. Ezekiel bit down hard on his sunweed. ¡®Ether¡¯s strike.¡¯ ¡­The problem was its power. Ether¡¯s arrow carried enough force to erase this place from the map. Safety couldn¡¯t be guaranteed. ¡°That¡¯s a shame, Ezekiel.¡± The Emperor had somehow drawn near, ¡°I was quite looking forward to seeing the finished portrait. I suppose completing it quickly was too much to ask.¡± Still holding the last apple, the Emperor asked as Ether¡¯s devastating attack approached, ¡°It¡¯s a force too powerful for everyone to survive. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± KUGUUUGUUGUUGUUU©¤! A thunderous roar shook the heavens. A strike capable of overturning the entire land was descending upon them. Yet, the Emperor¡¯s voice remained eerily clear, ¡°I wonder, what do you truly think of my daughters?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s gaze shifted behind the Emperor; the two princesses were sleeping soundly. The Emperor must have forcibly put them to sleep in an instant. KUGUUUU©¤ KUGUUGUUGUUGUUGUUU©¤! An attack powerful enough to turn this place into scorched earth. The Emperor, who had no intention of doing anything. Time was running out. Ezekiel could only manifest one spell, and there was no time for lengthy preparations. ¡°I really want to hear your answer.¡± Was this what the Emperor had been curious about from the beginning? In a brief moment, a spark of intuition. Ezekiel made a decision. ¡°The well-being of the princesses is more important than my own life.¡± And in the next instant. KWAAAAAAAAAAA©¤! The area was obliterated. The entire Dominen Valley was completely turned upside down. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Crack¡­ Crackle¡­ The Dominen Valley lay in ruins, filled only with the ominous sound of rocks splintering in the aftermath of the impact. Emperor Verd, the Formless. He calmly surveyed his surroundings. It was true that the title of ¡®Goddess of War¡¯ that often preceded Ether¡¯s name was not for naught, as a single attack from her had upended the earth and dispelled all the mist in an instant. The Emperor quietly observed the Second and Third Princesses. ¡°Oh, so this is your answer.¡± The two women were safely protected, encased in an ice barrier. In the short moment when Ezekiel could only manifest magic once, he had chosen to protect the princesses. ¡°It¡¯s admirable that you value the princesses¡¯ lives more than your own. But this is somewhat disappointing.¡± The Emperor casually tossed an apple in the air and caught it, ¡°There¡¯s no shortage of those willing to risk their lives for the princesses. Your task was to protect them while also claiming victory. You must have known that.¡± The answer was good, but it seemed that was as far as it went. Ezekiel was dead. Probably for sure. ¡°Indeed, the princesses¡¯ lives are more important than mine.¡± But then¡­ ¡°However, that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m throwing away my own life.¡± These were not the words he had spoken himself; it was a voice that should never have been heard. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The Emperor slowly scanned the area again. There was one thing that could be called unexpected. A man who was clearly sensed as dead, yet there he was, painting in front of the easel, seemingly not dead at all. His appearance was bizarre. His face was smeared with blood that had trickled down from his forehead, and his body showed signs of severe injury. He should have been a corpse on the verge of collapse, yet he calmly went about his task, smoking a sunweed. The art of making one¡¯s presence appear as that of the dead. Ezekiel had managed to accomplish this. ¡°You¡¯ve learned an odd trick. When did that happen?¡± ¡°Please stay still.¡± Ezekiel dared to interrupt the Emperor¡¯s words and movements. ¡°The portrait , it will look prettier if you stay still.¡± ¡°Hm¡­¡± The Emperor¡¯s breath was intriguing. ¡°Your Imperial Majesty.¡± Ezekiel addressed the highest authority in the empire; his gaze was still fixed on the scroll atop the easel. ¡°If I win, would you purchase this painting?¡± ¡°At what price do you hope to sell it?¡± ¡°I desire the Sun Elixir.¡± Whoosh©¤! The Emperor tossed the apple into the air and caught it again. ¡°Hmm.¡± His breath became even more peculiar. A moment of silence. In the center of the overturned Valley. ¡°The completion of the portrait, victory in the duel.¡± The Emperor inquired quietly. ¡°Are you saying you can effortlessly achieve these two goals, on top of protecting the two princesses?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A mischievous smile spread across his blood-smeared face. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡± A smile impossible to despise. Crunch! The bitten apple made a crisp sound. At the same time, it served as the Emperor¡¯s response. The acceptance had been granted. Chapter 53: Sun Elixir (5) ? Chapter 53 ¨C Sun Elixir (5) ?¡°Not difficult, you say.¡± The Emperor addressed Ezekiel. The crisply bitten apple disappeared in an instant, his voice tinged with considerable interest. ¡°I¡¯ve had far more challenging tasks than this.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± In the past, he had been forced to do impossibly difficult missions without offering any significant rewards. Naturally, it was the Emperor who had assigned such tasks. The Emperor seemed to grasp the meaning immediately. ¡°You¡¯ve grown bold enough to say such things now.¡± His robe rustled slightly; he was probably smiling. ¡°In any case, your opponent still has four chances to attack. Yet you¡¯re willing to proceed?¡± Ezekiel nodded without hesitation. In the first place, the situation itself was awkward, as he was deciding whether or not to accept the mission after hearing about it. In the past, it had been commonplace to be forced to accept missions before even knowing their contents. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Was he pleased with the answer? The Emperor sat down on a large boulder. ¡°Then let¡¯s discuss the detailed conditions. Specifically, how you can sell this painting for the highest price possible.¡± Ezekiel focused intently on the Emperor¡¯s words. Even a single drop of Sun Elixir could make an enormous difference. ¡°The First Princess Ether is strong. I¡¯ve invested considerable effort in her myself. She was even bathed in Sun Elixir as a child, if that gives you any idea.¡± The world was indeed unfair; a single drop he desperately yearned for had once been someone else¡¯s bathwater. ¡°Ezekiel, there¡¯s a concept in this world called a worthy opponent.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°When levels are well-matched, it leads to good battles that leave experiences and create a desire to achieve. Everyone grows most significantly when they have a worthy opponent.¡± ¡°That is correct.¡± ¡°However¡­ Ether is too strong. She has no worthy opponents.¡± At some point, a chalice appeared in mid-air, its contents sloshing. The scent was familiar ¨C it was apple wine again. ¡°I hope this fight will be a good experience for the First Princess. The more beneficial it is, the more I will raise the value of the painting.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± If he wins with the painting completed, he will get at least one drop. If he can even help Edea grow, even more. Naturally, Ezekiel was aiming for more than the minimum. The Emperor suddenly handed him a crystal ball. ¡°If you speak to the crystal ball, your words will appear as text on another crystal ball on the opposite side of the valley. In other words, you may communicate with each other until the duel is over.¡± ¡°Communicate¡­¡± The Emperor used telekinesis to tend to the princesses. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the princesses. Do you have any questions?¡± Ezekiel pondered. Not only did he have to win and paint, but he also had to act as a tutor to help Ether grow. These were the conditions to obtain the maximum amount of Sun Elixir. However, as before, he didn¡¯t feel it was impossible. ¡°No questions. However¡­¡± The man simply put the sunweed in his mouth as usual. ¡°You should prepare quite a lot of Sun Elixir, it seems.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Cullinan Valley. Hooo¡ª Ether exhaled a thick plume of smoke from her cheroot, her gaze fixed on the opposite side of the valley where her opponent was. Those who followed her gaze swallowed hard. No matter how far away they were, there was one thing they could see very clearly. The other side was completely scorched. ¡°Scout Captain.¡± From behind the First Princess, the scouts were observing the fight at a certain distance, and one of the members who had been watching silently carefully opened his mouth. ¡°As expected, the First Princess seems incredibly strong.¡± ¡°Naturally.¡± ¡°Just how powerful is she, I wonder?¡± The Scout Captain hesitated for a moment before answering. How strong is she? That was quite a difficult question. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly, even if I include the entire continent and the Demon Realm, but I think the First Princess would definitely be included if we were to select the five strongest people in the Empire.¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± The scout nodded, seemingly impressed. ¡°The opponent on the other side of the valley must be dead, right?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way they could have survived.¡± In reality, absolutes don¡¯t exist in this world. However, in the scouts¡¯ eyes, the First Princess was strong enough to warrant the use of the word ¡°absolute.¡± By their humble standards, it was impossible to accurately measure Ether¡¯s power. Meanwhile, First Princess Ether quietly furrowed her brow. ¡®¡­A failure?¡¯ She was certain. The bastard was still breathing. ¡®But that one lacks a consistent identity.¡¯ No matter how great the distance between the valley, Ether was confident in her ability to read her opponent¡¯s presence, at least in terms of strength, if not in detail. However, her current opponent lacked a consistent identity. Or more precisely, they had far too many identities. One moment she sensed the presence of a dead person, the next they were clearly alive, and their strength levels kept fluctuating. ¡®Is it deliberate concealment, or their true nature?¡¯ If it was intentional concealment, it would mean they were skilled, which was intriguing. If it was their natural state, it would be even more fascinating as she had never encountered such a being before. Ether unconsciously bit down on her cheroot. Unable to withstand her bite force, the cheroot snapped in two. ¡°Oh my, I¡¯ve bitten through it again.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll prepare a new one immediately!¡± An attendant moved swiftly. It was Ether¡¯s old habit to chew on thick cigarettes from time to time. She had picked up this habit from someone she admired, and it had become a part of her own. Holding a new cigarette in her mouth, she felt a strange sense of appreciation. ¡°Hmm.¡± Chewing on a cigarette, a habit that came out when she was excited. ¡®Does this mean I¡¯m looking forward to this duel?¡¯ It was really strange. She had not had a worthy opponent recently, and her fighting spirit had waned, but now it was somewhat rekindled. Just then, The crystal ball at her feet projected a window-like screen in mid-air. ¡¸First Princess, not quite as impressive as I¡¯d hoped.¡¹ ¡¸Weren¡¯t you aiming for the elixir?¡¹ ¡¸Seems you¡¯ll need to try a bit harder.¡¹ Ether couldn¡¯t help but smile. Not because the cheap provocation was amusing. But because there was an opponent who could speak so casually after receiving a blow that had overturned the valley; that brought her joy. The First Princess kicked the crystal ball up with her toe and caught it. ¡°You bastard, it¡¯s your turn. When are you going to attack?¡± ¡¸I¡¯ve checked your level and I don¡¯t see the need.¡¹ ¡¸Even if I took four more hits, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference.¡¹ ¡°Oh?¡± A smile played on Ether¡¯s lips. ¡°For a bastard, you¡¯re quite something.¡± Ether was not a woman who took disrespect lightly. However, perhaps because she found her opponent¡¯s audacity to be quite impressive, she felt a sense of delight instead.? This was even better. An entertaining match was always welcome. ¡°You bastard. Then let¡¯s do this.¡± ¡¸Speak¡¹ ¡°Just defend yourself. I¡¯m going to shoot you four times in a row.¡± Ether took a breath before continuing, trying to calm her excitement. Her face was flushed and her mouth was sticky. ¡°If you can withstand it, I¡¯ll surrender immediately.¡± ¡¸Easy enough. Let¡¯s go with that.¡¹ Ether stretched her arm towards the sky. As she slowly lowered her hand, a bow formed of powerful energy appeared. The air currents grew ominous. ¡°For a bastard, you know how to excite this noble body. Consider it an honor; none of my recent expeditions have stirred me like this.¡± Ether eagerly nocked an arrow to her bowstring. It was really strange. This was her first encounter with this opponent; she didn¡¯t even know their name or appearance. Yet they seemed to understand exactly how to please Ether. ¡¸You¡¯re too easily aroused. Easy women aren¡¯t appealing.¡¹ ¡°Easy woman?¡± KWAAAAAAAA¡ª! A sound that tore through the atmosphere erupted. An arrow of light shot forth, threatening to devour the Dominen Valley. KWAAAAANG¡ª! The light arrow plunged into the valley once, splitting into countless fragments, then exploded again; the explosions seemed endless. BOOM©¤! BOOM©¤! BOOM©¤! Ether quietly dusted off her hands. ¡°Insolent words. This body already has a Master.¡± As she was about to turn away without hesitation©¤ ¡¸Three shots left, then?¡¹ ¡°¡­¡­.?¡± ¡¸You¡¯re still relaxed.¡¹ ¡°Hmm?¡± Ether raised an eyebrow as she looked at the crystal ball. This was quite unexpected. Her second shot was designed to produce numerous residual explosions. Not only for sheer power but to instill fear in the recipient. S?a??h th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Yet the opponent showed no fear. ¡­If anything, they seemed to be waiting for the next strike. ¡°You¡¯re a peculiar one.¡± Ether tightened her grip on the bow. The opponent¡¯s presence remained erratic, but its intensity had weakened compared to earlier. A sign of impact. ¡°It seems you can alter your presence. If you had played dead, you might have at least saved your life.¡± ¡¸You should have given it your all just now.¡¹ ¡¸You¡¯ll regret holding back.¡¹ ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re not just a bastard after all. You¡¯ve been promoted to a toy.¡± Something stirred in Ether¡¯s heart. ¡®It¡¯s been so long since I felt this. This is surely¡­¡¯ Fighting spirit. Fighting spirit was an emotion that was basically born when there was no guarantee of victory. Could it be that Ether was not sure of victory in this fight? ¡®That¡¯s impossible.¡¯ She never intended to lose from the start. ¡®I am who I am. The First Princess. Ether.¡¯ With that thought, Ether fired another energy arrow. This time, two simultaneously. TING©¤! But strangely, their trajectory bent; the arrows that could have devastated the valley soared skyward, as if to make a point. Ether¡¯s eyebrows twitched significantly. ¡®They deflected it?¡¯ Ether¡¯s light arrows, two of them no less? She had imbued them with an enormous amount of energy. If there had been even a slight error in the defensive barrier, the entire valley would have been pierced through. It was truly a remarkable feat. As the creator of the light arrows, the First Princess understood better than anyone. This opponent was no ordinary being. ¡°You toy, you¡¯re more than I thought.¡± Ether¡¯s energy surged. ¡¸Again, you didn¡¯t give it your all? How pathetic.¡¹ ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll show you my full power as you wish.¡± In an instant, Ether¡¯s bow swelled with immense energy. It grew several times larger, transforming into a colossal ballista. Ether loaded an arrow the size of three carriages. ¡°Make sure you survive. As soon as this duel ends, I¡¯ll personally come to see your face.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dominen Valley. No, this place could no longer be called a valley. Dominen Ruins. ¡¸Very well. I¡¯ll show you my full power as you wish.¡¹ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel clenched five sunweed leaves between his teeth. ¡®This is insane. She¡¯s become far stronger than before.¡¯ The sheer magnitude of Ether¡¯s power was causing extreme fatigue. Without the sunweed, he would have lost consciousness long ago. ¡¸Make sure you survive. As soon as this duel ends, I¡¯ll personally come to see your face.¡¹ ¡­At this rate, wouldn¡¯t drinking the Sun Elixir barely break even? When someone as hot as Ether says ¡°This body already has a Master¡± ¨C you are bound to feel something. Chapter 54: Sun Elixir (6) ? Chapter 54 ¨C Sun Elixir (6) ? ¡ª Teacher! ¡ª Look at this, I¡¯ve gathered energy to create an arrow! The memory of the First Princess from the past was still vivid in Ezekiel¡¯s mind. Her height barely reaching his waist, proudly showing off a light arrow barely the size of a fork. ¡ª Well done. Your future looks promising. Ezekiel now gazed directly at the present. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± KWAAAAAAAA©¤! What remained in his memory as fork-sized was now flying towards him as a building-sized light arrow. ¡°This wasn¡¯t quite the future I had in mind.¡± Speed, size, energy density¡­ everything was evenly distributed. It was no wonder that it was incredibly powerful. Wasn¡¯t this the crystallization of energy that had earned Ether so many titles and names? Indeed, it was worthy of being called the Hope of the Empire¡­ ¡­And now, the Hope of the Empire was aiming at Ezekiel. ¡®One mistake, and I¡¯m truly dead.¡¯ The sunweed in his mouth burst with a crunch; there was no helping it. This was the gamble he had chosen. It would have been much easier if they had taken turns attacking and defending, but he had provoked Ether to get more Sun Elixir from the Emperor. Now he had no choice but to endure. The intention behind such a large light arrow was clear. This time, it was meant to be impossible to deflect. However, the one standing here now was Ezekiel. He certainly had a plan. Hoooo¡ª As Ezekiel exhaled the sunweed smoke, he simultaneously coated his eyes with refined mana. With enhanced eyesight, he could see everything ¡ª the size, shape, and composition of the light arrow rushing towards the Dominen Valley¡­ He grasped it all in an instant. Next was creation. Pop©¤! Ice walls were created on both sides. They were shaped to perfectly match the light arrow without the slightest error. As Ezekiel brought his palms together, the walls enveloped the arrow. BOOM! The first ice wall was immediately shattered. ¡°As expected, once isn¡¯t enough.¡± However. The light arrow that broke through the ice wall had lost a small amount of power. Now, all that remained was to repeat the same process until the arrow stopped. Ezekiel brought his palms together once more. Thump! The walls clapped around the light arrow like applause. KWANG! He could feel the speed decreasing significantly. KWAANG! Both the speed and size had diminished. ¡®It¡¯s close.¡¯ The arrow of light, which had not yet lost all of its power, was already right in front of Ezekiel. He summoned all the mana he could muster. THUD! Ezekiel lifted one foot and stomped the ground. WHOOSH! At the same time, towering ice spikes rose up and struck the arrow of light with all their might, forcefully deflecting the light arrow upward. WHOOSH©¤! The light arrow grazed just above Ezekiel¡¯s crown before flying off and slammed into the wall far away. ¡°Haa, haa¡­¡± Ezekiel took a moment to steady his rough breathing. ¡°Two more.¡± Then he grasped his brush and began to move his wrist; the completion of the portrait was now within sight. ¡°Just two more left.¡± They say inspiration strikes suddenly. It wasn¡¯t a lie. He now had an idea of how to depict the Emperor¡¯s appearance.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Cullinan Valley. ¡°¡­He blocked it?¡± Ether looked at the valley on the opposite side with a look of bewilderment. No, if the opponent had merely blocked it, she wouldn¡¯t have been this perplexed. However, the explosive sound that should have destroyed the valley was barely audible. It had vanished almost silently. ¡®Did he essentially annihilate it? My light arrow?¡¯ At first, she thought he was lucky. Then, she assumed he had some clever trick to deflect it. But now, she had to acknowledge that he possessed true skill. Had such a talent appeared in the Empire without her knowledge? Or perhaps, he wasn¡¯t from the Empire at all. ¡®Is he from the Great Forest?¡¯ Ether herself was aware that the Emperor had been searching for a worthy opponent for her. They said that among the elves of the Great Forest, there were those who excelled in long-distance combat. ¡¸Just two more left.¡¹ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ether calmly gathered her energy. As the First Princess flicked her finger, the giant ballista formed of energy slowly swept across her body again. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The woman pondered, ¡°Only two chances left.¡± It wasn¡¯t that she was hesitating because of the limited number of attempts. Nor was she worried that she might not win. ¡®I can only taste this opponent two more times?¡¯ It had been so long since she¡¯d encountered someone this intriguing. Even when she was craving subjugation for the sake of fun, it was not uncommon for monsters to be overwhelmed. However, she never expected to encounter such unexpected fun in a fight she had never imagined. She was curious. ¡®I want to see how he counters all of my techniques.¡¯ Why were there only two attempts left? She wanted to unleash every technique she knew. She wanted to make him defend against them all, to observe meticulously how he countered and evaded each one. Then she would study how to counter his counters. Wouldn¡¯t that ultimately lead to her becoming stronger? ¡®With him around, I could become even more perfect.¡¯ Ether was no longer a girl, but a woman of enormous stature. She wasn¡¯t young enough to ask for a change in the rules. ¡°For the last two attempts, this is indeed the only way.¡± If there were only two chances left, she had no choice but to use the techniques she cherished the most. Then wouldn¡¯t she be able to refine those techniques a little more? Even if the entire surrounding area were reduced to ruins. ¡®It doesn¡¯t matter at all.¡¯ The imperial family had already evacuated everyone in the vicinity. It would be a pity for the Empire to see a lush forest reduced to ashes, but that¡¯s okay. Because the First Princess, not the forest, was the future of the Empire. Ether once again gathered energy in her hand. But this time, it wasn¡¯t in the shape of a bow. It was a large throwing spear. Crack¡ª A chilling sound emerged as she clenched it tightly in her fist. Ether took her stance, put all her strength into her movement, and then threw it perfectly. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she launched it. Huuuwuuuuuuuuuuuuuuung¡ª! And the spear advanced, tearing through space. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡ª Master! Master! ¡ª I¡¯ve finally created a spear, can you see? ¡ª How is it? Isn¡¯t it truly powerful? ¡ª ¡­Yes. It¡¯s strong. Ezekiel spat out his sunweed as soon as he saw the throwing spear. ¡®That¡¯s not something I can block in place.¡¯ He coated his feet with mana and leapt into the air. Some might call it s*****e, but for this spear, rushing closer rather than retreating was the best way to counter it. ¡ª My spear is quite unique, you know. ¡ª It devours everything. The further it flies, the stronger it becomes! ¡ª Should I gobble you up too, Master? How about it? Typically, projectiles lose power the further they travel due to various resistances. But Ether¡¯s spear was different. It had the absurd characteristic of consuming all the subtle energy around it as it advanced. Therefore, quickly approaching and defending was the best counter-strategy. Sussusussus¡ª! Ezekiel created a barrier to contain the spear; it was a regular icosahedron ice barrier, no less. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The spear bounced off the side of the barrier in the opposite direction. It was trapped inside the barrier until it was completely exhausted of its power. BOOM©¤! BOOM©¤! BOOM©¤! The tremendous explosions occurred with each collision. At the same time, agonizing pain, as if his entire body might break, welled up. Absorbing damage with a barrier essentially meant absorbing the collision with the mana connected to the barrier. In the end, Ezekiel was taking most of the impact. It might be shortening his lifespan, but¡­ ¡®I must endure.¡¯ Ezekiel swallowed the blood that welled up in his throat. This was a gamble. A gamble he started by betting his life. A gamble where he could triple his life if he won! BOOM! At that moment, the spear inside the dodecahedron barrier split, shooting out something like a small orb. ¡®That¡¯s the core.¡¯ The core where the energy that Ether¡¯s spear had absorbed was gathered. ¡ª Master~ It¡¯s a surprise gift. ¡ª Hurry and open it! Quick! How many imperial pillars had collapsed from the explosion of such surprise gifts? Those pillars alone could build a separate palace. And that was based on her power as a child. Now, it must have grown incomparably stronger. Sussus¡ª! Ezekiel immediately withdrew the barrier; absorbing that power with a barrier would be insane. It would be no different from a human swallowing a bomb. ¡®¡­I need to prevent the explosion itself.¡¯ The more he observed, the more its power exceeded his imagination. It had enough force to blow away not just the valley where Ezekiel stood, but the entire surrounding area. Ezekiel immediately drew out ice. SWOOSH©¤! The ice, as intricate and delicate as a spider¡¯s web, formed a curved path for the core to roll along, like a custom-made road for a carriage wheel. Sssut¡ª! Sussussuut¡ª! The core began to precariously roll along the ice path. ¡°Fortunately, I¡¯ve seen countless ¡®surprise gifts.¡¯¡± His knowledge of Ether, combined with his extraordinary ice manipulation skills. Only these two factors together made this counter possible. Sussussuut¡ª! The core gradually changed direction as it rolled along the curved ice path. If the ice was even slightly rough, it would explode. If the width wasn¡¯t custom-fit, it would explode. If the curve was too steep, it would explode. ¡­Ezekiel focused with all his might. Although the power was incomparably different from when she was young, the basic principle remained unchanged. Clink, clink, clink©¤! Ice continued to form at the end of the path, and eventually, it began to create a path back to Ether. An ice railway began to weave through the air. Sussussuut¡ª! Smoothness beyond a certain point possessed strength greater than hardness. Ether¡¯s core simply entrusted itself to the elegant curves of the ice and began to race along. S?a?ch* Th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Cough©¤! Ezekiel coughed up blood as he raised the corner of his mouth. ¡°Ether, take it back. It¡¯s being returned.¡± . . . . . ?The distance between the canyons was vast. However, Ether saw it at some point. Ssssssssssss©¤! Something cool reaching out towards her. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Rumble rumble rumble©¤! A sphere of energy was rushing toward her at an incredible speed, but such things were of no importance. A flower of the chilly element, simultaneously a collection of intricate precision. ¡°¡­Ice?¡± A tremendous ice-crafting technique. For a moment, someone came to the woman¡¯s mind. Chapter 55: Sun Elixir (7) ? Chapter 55 ¨C Sun Elixir (7) ? Tak¡ª! With a swift motion, Ether effortlessly caught the sphere of concentrated energy with one hand, not even blinking. Sussus¡ª! And the sphere was naturally absorbed into her body, easily accepted as it was originally her own emanated energy. ¡°Hmm,¡± Ether mused quietly. Her gaze, however, wasn¡¯t on her palm but fixed on the ice bridge that had begun to crumble in mid-air. ¡®Manipulating the ice element, and to this extent?¡¯ In the Empire, few had reached such extreme mastery over a specific element. It was indeed unexpected. ¡°So you wield the ice element. I wasn¡¯t aware,¡± Ether remarked. It wasn¡¯t just deflecting, blocking, or dissipating anymore; now it even involved guiding the direction. ¡°Your ice mastery is impressive. I¡¯ll give you that much credit.¡± This naturally brought to mind a certain man¡ªthe one who had shaped Ether into who she was now. But it couldn¡¯t possibly be him. ¡®He¡¯s probably still in the Ruben neighborhood.¡¯ That is where Ether would rush to once this duel was over. The First Imperial Princess recalled the contents of the letter. He had mentioned living a quiet life in the Ruben neighborhood, far from the imperial capital. Moreover, there was something else: ¡ª A duel? Forget it. I¡¯m heading straight to Ruben. ¡ª Go ahead. I¡¯ve invited someone more interesting anyway. Those were the Emperor¡¯s words when he suggested the duel to Ether. Didn¡¯t that imply it wasn¡¯t Ezekiel? ¡¸One more.¡¹ The crystal ball at her feet displayed the text. The clarity of the letters was determined by the state of the person handling the crystal ball, but now the letters were quite blurred. It means that even if he pretended otherwise, he was very tired. ¡¸You have just one attack left.¡¹ ¡°I see.¡± The smile had vanished from Ether¡¯s face. She could readily acknowledge that her opponent was exceptionally skilled. However, now there was a more pressing issue. ¡°Little toy, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first? I¡¯ll grant your request.¡± ¡¸What is the good news?¡¹ ¡°You are indeed a skilled individual. I acknowledge that.¡± ¡¸That¡¯s obvious. What¡¯s the bad news?¡¹ ¡°The fact that you handled the ice element among the overflowing elements you have. Do you know what it means to use ice magic in front of me?¡± Kugugugugugu¡ª! A rumbling sound filled the air as Ether began to summon her power. Even the earth seemed to tremble in fear. ¡°Of course you don¡¯t. There¡¯s no way you could know, but it can¡¯t be helped. Just consider yourself unlucky. After all, things in this world rarely go as planned.¡± Ice magic. The element wielded by the man who had shaped Ether into who she was now. Perhaps because of that influence, Ether refused to acknowledge any ice user other than him. No, she despised even the thought of it. ¡¸What do you intend to do?¡¹ ¡°Every ice user who has crossed my path has perished. All of them.¡± Kugugugugugu¡ª! The pebbles on the ground began to rise into the air. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll keep my promise to see your face. That is, if there¡¯s anything left of your corpse.¡± Swiiiii¡ª! With a sharp sound, Ether shot a beam of light into the sky. And moments later¡­ Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaang¡ª! With a deafening explosion, it transformed into a massive cross-shaped formation, raining down countless beams of light.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡®Damn it.¡¯ Ezekiel¡¯s mana reserves were nearly depleted. Casting high-level spells and sustaining prolonged combat were entirely different matters. It wasn¡¯t about skill proficiency, but rather one¡¯s physical constitution and stamina. Huu¡ª He took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. At the same time¡ª Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! ¡ª the sky erupted with a deluge of light arrows, each possessing tremendous power. He had already done the calculations instantly. As it was, frontal defense was impossible in his current state. Nevertheless, he shook his head. ¡®Abandon all reason.¡¯ A mage was, after all, an existence that progressed through reason and intuition. However, there were times when he had to throw away everything and draw out only his instincts. This was one such moment. A time to surpass limits and achieve the impossible. ¡°Make a decision, then turn that decision into reality.¡± This self-affirmation served as a form of incantation. Ezekiel swiftly brought his palms together. Sussus¡ª! A bone-chilling cold surged through him, heightening his senses to an extreme degree. At the same time, everything around him seemed to slow to a crawl. In this suspended moment, Ezekiel observed everything; the number of falling light arrows, countless. And Yet, he began calculating each one individually. Pabababababak¡ª Instantly, icy spikes erupted from the ground. As if not allowing even an inch of error, one spike blocked and stopped one arrow of light head-on. But that wasn¡¯t the end. ¡°Hah¡­!¡± The explosions resulting from the collisions between ice spikes and light arrows froze solid. Huaak! The explosion froze completely ¨C its shape; exactly like a snowflake As it absorbed the explosions that were erupting all around it and began to freeze, the volume of the snowflake gradually increased. Soon, an ice flower covered the sky and created a barrier. Kwaguaguaguaguagwa¡ª! However, the rain of arrows of light continued relentlessly; as if to crush the snowflake itself to the ground, an overwhelming number of arrows of light continued to rain down. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± Countless amounts. The strain on Ezekiel¡¯s body intensified with each passing moment. But even so, new ice spikes continued to form and rise to meet the onslaught. ¡°¡­This is nothing,¡± Ezekiel muttered, swallowing blood. This trial was insignificant compared to what he had already endured. He had lived through worse than this rain of light; the feeling of living each day after realizing that he was on a time limit was already like being hit by a hail of arrows. Every time he tried to set a goal or accomplish something, the arrow of his mortality would strike, obstructing his path again and again. And so¡­ This was the culmination of his struggles against his fate; this was something that only a time-limited person can bloom. At some point, it was the flower bud that would bloom most beautifully. Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaa¡ª! The fully blossomed snowflake surged upward. Ezekiel exhaled sharply. It seemed like he had succeeded in defending the last blow. But then¡­ Crack! Crunch! An eerie sound resonated as fissures appeared in the snowflake. The embedded light arrows were the cause; they began to rotate furiously, boring deeper into the structure. ¡°Ether, you¡¯ve grown well. Should I praise you?¡± Crash! The light arrows shattered the ice barrier and began plummeting vertically, rotating at an incredible speed. Even a single hit would be fatal. The arrows¡¯ rapid rotation would pierce through his entire body. The remnants of his mana were nearly exhausted. ¡®However.¡¯ There was no other choice. He was already coughing blood, holding on by sheer willpower, but it was all he had left. He could do this. He had to survive. In the mist-filled Dominen Valley. Huuuuuuuuuuuuuu¨C! An intense chill enveloped Ezekiel¡¯s body and began to spread out in all directions. Ezekiel pushed his body¡¯s cold to the extreme, infusing it into the surrounding mist. Much of it turned blue instantly, with some parts freezing and falling. Just as the falling light arrows were about to graze his head. ¡ºCrystallize¡» Ezekiel uttered a single word. Zzzzzzrrrrrrrk¡ª! In an instant, all the mist in the area froze solid; at the same time, the light arrows penetrating the mist were caught mid-flight. Crunch! Crack! Crackle¡­ The arrows tried to continue their rotating descent, but it was futile. They couldn¡¯t break through the completely frozen mist. However, there was no time to hesitate. ¡°Hah!¡± Ezekiel used the frozen mist as footholds, leaping upward with all his might. Since he couldn¡¯t keep the rotating arrows trapped forever, escaping the Dominen Valley was his only path to survival. So he reached the highest point in the air. Shwooooorrrrk¡ª! He spread out the ice like a wave in the air. The ice sloped down towards the opposite valley, as if one were looking at a very wide and steep ice slide. Ezekiel planted his feet on it and let gravity take over. Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak¡ª! He was more adept at moving on ice than he was at walking on the ground. He lowered his body slightly and gained speed as he approached his opponent. Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak¡ª! 10 seconds. He escaped the rain of arrows of light. Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak¡ª! 20 seconds. The opposite Cullinan valley came into view. Swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak¡ª! 25 seconds. Finally, they caught sight of each other. Ether narrowed her eyes as she observed Ezekiel intently, then widened them to four times their size in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ether.¡± Though his mana was completely depleted now, it didn¡¯t matter. Ezekiel kicked the ice and charged at Ether. Slash! With a sound of something tearing, Ezekiel¡¯s swift form brushed past the still-dazed Ether. Thud! Ezekiel then landed. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The two stood motionless, their backs to each other; time seemed to freeze as they caught their breath. ¡°Haa¡­ Haa¡­¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Labored breathing on the verge of collapse intermingled with shocked gasps. A peculiar atmosphere. Ezekiel tossed something behind him, allowing it to fall at Ether¡¯s feet. It was the armband that had been on Ether¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve won this match.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°However.¡± Ezekiel staggered. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize¡­ this wasn¡¯t a one-on-one duel.¡± Thud! Ezekiel finally collapsed. ¡°Master¡­¡± Ether murmured in a daze. ¡°Master, were you¡­ my opponent all along?¡± The First Imperial Princess quickly turned to check on Ezekiel¡¯s condition. And she couldn¡¯t help but be horrified by what she saw. ¡°¡­¡­..!¡± Ezekiel¡¯s body was riddled with arrows. ¡°What¡­ What is this¡­?¡± The woman¡¯s gaze turned towards her scout team. In her field of vision, she saw the scout team members trembling, bows in hand, as they stared at the First Imperial Princess. Ether¡¯s expression contorted beyond words, ¡°You worthless dogs¡­ How dare you overstep your bounds!¡± The scout captain opened his mouth as quickly as he could. ¡°Your Highness, we had good intentions¡­!¡± ¡°Does that give you the right to interfere in my duel?¡± ¡°We, we, we prioritize your safety above all else, Your Highness. Regardless of the outcome, when we saw the opponent rushing towards you with such a terrifying aura¡­!¡± ¡°You mongrel, you filthy cur!¡± The princess approached and grabbed the scout captain by the head. ¡°Your Highness, Your Highness! Ugh, AAAARGH!¡± A sickening pop followed as his head exploded. Ether didn¡¯t seem to have calmed down at all; instead, she seemed even more agitated. Her hair kept soaring into the air as an immense aura emanated from her. The fact that the scouts had interfered meant that at least in their eyes, the First Princess was being threatened to the point where they felt the need to intervene. In other words, they had momentarily considered Ezekiel to be the stronger one. ¡®Which means I lost in terms of skill as well¡­¡¯ Violation of the rules. She had broken the rules of a one-on-one duel. Skill and rules. She had been defeated in all aspects. It was a devastating defeat that cost her both her elixir and her honor. However. What truly made Ether grit her teeth was¡­ ¡°Master¡­!¡± The fact that her opponent was none other than her teacher. The man she respected most. The man she adored. ¡­It was Ezekiel. It was undoubtedly him, and this realization made her body tremble. ¡®Why on earth?¡¯ He was supposed to be in the Ruben neighborhood, and even the Emperor had implied the opponent wasn¡¯t Ezekiel¡­! ¡®Did the Emperor deceive me?¡¯ For what purpose? ¡°Rami.¡± ¡°Y-yes!¡± The only member of the scout team not holding a bow stepped forward. She was the swiftest among them. ¡°Take him to the infirmary. Use all available medicines, regardless of their rarity. He must survive at all costs.¡± ¡°I will obey your command!¡± ¡°If anything happens to this man, I will reduce the entire imperial palace to ruins. No, that¡¯s not all.¡± Ether¡¯s teeth gnashed savagely. ¡°¡­I will attempt a regicide (??).¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± S?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Before even considering the likelihood of success, who would dare speak of regicide? Sweat poured down the face of the one who received the order. ¡°I¡¯ll depart immediately.¡± ¡°No, wait. I think I should take care of this personally.¡± Ether, suddenly feeling uneasy, stopped the scout team member and picked up Ezekiel herself. ¡°Out of my way!¡± Ether stomped the ground; her lips quivered as she spoke. Chapter 56: Sun Elixir (8) ? Chapter 56 ¨C Sun Elixir (8) ? The Past. ¡ª This is your final mission. Get everything ready and prepare. I thought I¡¯d be overjoyed to face my last mission, but instead, I felt numb. Will I truly be free once this is over? What should I do after gaining freedom? It¡¯s all pointless anyway, given my limited time left. ¡°Master!¡± The wooden staff flew through the air with impressive force, striking Ezekiel¡¯s right shoulder with precision. Thwack¡ª! And a dull sound echoed. However, the one who received the blow seemed unfazed. If anything, it was the First Imperial Princess who wielded the staff who appeared startled. ¡°What¡¯s this? You weren¡¯t concentrating just now, were you? You were thinking about something else!¡± Ezekiel slowly blinked, snapping out of his reverie. Before him stood Ether, a girl barely reaching his waist¡ªthe First Imperial Princess of the Empire, her cheeks puffed out in indignation. ¡°¡­That¡¯s not the case,¡± Ezekiel said, shaking his head and pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. Perhaps it was the looming final mission, or the fact that this was their last lesson, but he kept falling into contemplation. ¡°It¡¯s because Your Highness has grown remarkably strong,¡± Ezekiel offered a polite white lie. Ether, resting the wooden staff on her shoulder, shot him a skeptical look. ¡°¡­Is that really the reason? You¡¯re not just going easy on me, are you?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t possibly do that. If I didn¡¯t give it my all when facing Your Highness, I¡¯d end up severely injured.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°I was truly taken aback. You continue to improve with each session.¡± ¡°Hmm! Ahem¡­!¡± Ether¡¯s face flushed as she cleared her throat a couple of times. She seemed ready to puff up with pride, her shoulders nearly touching the sky, ¡°¡­It seems I¡¯ve genuinely defeated you through sheer skill. Perhaps I should have held back a bit? I must have been too harsh.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°That was my secret technique, so your injuries must be severe. I¡¯m thinking of offering you an elixir¡ªwhat do you say?¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡°Master, your reaction is most peculiar. Most people would be ready to lick my feet at the mention of an elixir. Perhaps you don¡¯t know what an elixir is? E¡ªlix¡ªir.¡± ¡°I understand perfectly well.¡± ¡°And yet?¡± ¡°It¡¯s something I dare not covet.¡± ¡°Shall I speak to His Majesty the Emperor about it? Nothing would be impossible then. I might even bring out some Sun Elixir. We have more than enough of that stuff¡ªour bathtubs are full of it.¡± At this, Ezekiel could only offer a bitter smile. ¡°¡­I¡¯m grateful for your words alone.¡± Ether still didn¡¯t understand. Because she had easy access to elixirs, and because Sun Elixir wasn¡¯t particularly rare in her world, she thought it was natural for others to be the same. She didn¡¯t know that it was an elixir that no one had ever been able to obtain, even though countless people had applied for it and been rejected, and that they had never even seen a single drop despite wishing for it for their entire lives. The Emperor had not granted Ezekiel permission to use Sun Elixir. Just one word about offering an elixir, just the question of whether he wanted one¡­ Ether didn¡¯t realize how these words could make Ezekiel¡¯s heart ache. The young girl casually plopped down beside Ezekiel. ¡°Master, I¡¯ll become even stronger in the future, won¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Of course, Your Highness.¡± As Ether sat with her legs stretched out, gazing at the sky, she suddenly felt a cool sensation near her calves. Ezekiel was applying an elixir to her wounds. Soon, the small scratches on her calves were covered with the elixir. ¡°First aid should be administered promptly.¡± Ether furrowed her brow. ¡°Why bother treating such minor injuries?¡± S?a??h th? N?v?lFir?.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Even small things can become significant when they accumulate. It¡¯s best to treat what we can when we have the chance.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s large hands were surprisingly gentle. ¡°The wounds aren¡¯t shallow, but how fortunate that the Imperial family has such precious elixirs. It¡¯s truly a blessing.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even take what I give you, but you use it generously on me. You¡¯re really strange, Master. Why don¡¯t you take one yourself?¡± ¡°How could I possibly compare myself to Your Highness?¡± Ezekiel continued slowly, ¡°Your Highness will become a pillar of the Empire in the future. You must regard your health as the Empire¡¯s strength and take utmost care of it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know about all that. It sounds bothersome,¡± Ether stuck out her tongue. ¡°So, can we play together today?¡± She gestured with her eyes towards the pile of weapons nearby. Spears, one-handed swords, two-handed swords, daggers, bows¡­ An assortment of various types was gathered. ¡°I want to try all of those with you, Master.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that won¡¯t be possible today.¡± ¡°Hmm, you must be busy as usual.¡± The young princess nodded nonchalantly, but couldn¡¯t quite hide the slight disappointment that flitted across her face. After a moment, Princess Ether spoke again. ¡°Master, I¡¯ve been thinking about this lately.¡± ¡°What about, Your Highness?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking that if I become stronger, infinitely stronger, I can share some of the work that you have to do. Then you¡¯d have more free time, and we could play together, couldn¡¯t we?¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t say such things. The work I have to do and the work Your Highness has to do are clearly different.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Ether looked at Ezekiel with a slightly embarrassed expression. Her Master seemed different today. He appeared lost in thought more than usual, and he wasn¡¯t indulging in her playful banter as he normally would, instead maintaining an uncharacteristically serious demeanor. ¡°The weather is particularly nice today,¡± the First Imperial Princess said, awkwardly scratching her cheek. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll continue to grow stronger. I¡¯ll grow up quickly and become your spear and shield.¡± ¡°I should be your shield, Your Highness. How could it be the other way around?¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough for the rebuttal. You have to keep getting stronger too, so that you can be my rival no matter what my martial arts are, so that we can spend time together and get stronger while having fun.¡± Ezekiel nodded slowly. Looking back on his life, there were very few times he had been properly rewarded, but if the kindness that the princess occasionally showed him was a kind of reward, then it was a precious recompense. ¡®If the final mission ends safely¡­¡¯ And if his body remained healthy¡­ Perhaps they could spend time together again. ¡°First Imperial Princess.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± There was something in this world called intuition. Even though he had only called her name, she immediately sensed that whatever he was about to say would be ominous. The First Imperial Princess Ether¡¯s intuition instantly kicked in. It was a very bad feeling. ¡°Would you make a promise with me?¡± ¡°What kind of promise?¡± ¡°Please continue your diligent training, even without me.¡± ¡°¡­What nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?¡± Ether¡¯s voice instinctively grew sharp; anxiety was the cause. ¡°I¡¯m not always by your side even now, am I? I¡¯m simply asking you to continue as you have been doing all along.¡± ¡°If I¡¯ve already been doing it, why do we need to make a promise about it?¡± ¡°Because it¡¯s not a difficult promise to keep.¡± ¡°No. I won¡¯t do it. Something feels off.¡± Ether instinctively rejected the proposal, ¡°Master, you¡¯re strange today. Really strange.¡± The princess deliberately stood up from her seat. To shake off her unease, she began swinging her wooden staff. Of course, Ezekiel was still smiling. ¡°So, you¡¯re making the promise?¡± ¡°I did not.¡± ¡°To think that the great First Imperial Princess would hesitate over a mere promise.¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Ether aimed at Ezekiel irritably. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Ether tried to steady her ragged breathing. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Eventually, she lowered the tip of her wooden staff, utterly drained of strength. ¡°¡­Master, you¡¯re going away somewhere, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°That is correct.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the reason? Is it because your health is poor?¡± Ether¡¯s intuition was unparalleled. Her ability to absorb and manipulate energy made it trivially easy to read others¡¯ energy. She had long known something was amiss with Ezekiel¡¯s health. ¡°It¡¯s just a mission I must complete.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± ¡°I must. But I promise to return once it¡¯s finished.¡± The First Imperial Princess instinctively knew she couldn¡¯t stop him. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll become stronger. I¡¯ll destroy everything in my path, becoming so powerful that you won¡¯t need to go on missions anymore.¡± ¡°Haha, if Your Highness goes around destroying everything, it might create more work instead. Please focus on your training.¡± ¡°Hush.¡± Ether cut off Ezekiel¡¯s words abruptly. ¡°I¡¯ll work hard, so you¡­¡± The princess struggled to continue speaking. ¡°Make sure to rest well. And take care of your health, without fail.¡± However, no answer came. ¡°That¡¯s a promise, right?¡± Ether pressed, but Ezekiel only offered an impossibly kind smile. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°My words are imperial decrees.¡± ¡°But Your Highness rejected my promise earlier.¡± Ezekiel extended his pinky finger once more. ¡°Then, shall we each make a promise to the other?¡± ¡°¡­Forget it. You¡¯re an idiot, Master.¡± Was it pride? Ether turned her back abruptly. ¡°Fine, do as you please.¡± The promise remained unsealed. And afterward, Ether never heard news of her Master again. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Bang! Ether¡¯s feet struck the ground with terrifying force. She was carrying Ezekiel¡¯s body. Despite the considerable distance to the Imperial Palace, space seemed to compress in an instant as she ran. As she continued to run, she stole a glance at Ezekiel¡¯s condition. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± It was dreadful. He was in a defenseless state with all his mana depleted and had been hit by an arrow. It was natural that his condition would not be good. However, what was more concerning than the external injuries was¡­.. ¡®Why is his energy so chaotic?¡¯ She had no way of knowing how Ezekiel had been doing. However, just by holding his body, she could tell that he was in a very bad state. His energy was as unstable as a candle that could go out at any moment. ¡®I¡¯m sure I told him to take care of his health¡­¡¯ How did it come to this? If only they had made a definite promise back then, would things have been different? Ether was very happy when she received his letter. She thought that he was just doing well, having gone through so much. But the reality was devastatingly grim. Whoosh! Ether leapt over the palace wall in one bound and bounded across rooftops. Moving like a flash of light, her final destination was the temple. Despite the First Imperial Princess¡¯s clamorous arrival, a woman stood with her back turned, offering prayers. ¡°First, I was defeated,¡± Ether announced. ¡°As expected. Your opponent was quite extraordinary.¡± Ether pulled Ezekiel closer to her. ¡°I lost miserably. The problem is, Master is gravely injured. This too is my fault, of course. I failed to anticipate how the scout unit would be affected.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.?¡± Only then did the Third Imperial Princess, Solana, turn around. ¡°Save Master. Please, I beg you.¡± The sunflower-like face blinked a couple of times. ¡°Wh-wh-what¡­!¡± Solana¡¯s expression turned to one of shock. 70,000 views. And it still has 70 ratings on NU. Kinda saddening. I hope we at least reach 100 ratings on NU before September 01. Chapter 57: Sun Elixir (9) ? Chapter 57 ¨C Sun Elixir (9) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ s?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Dragons are solitary creatures. You, who face the dragon, This truth you must know. . . . ¡­Then what of something that is neither dragon nor human? Something that is not even a dragon-people born between dragon and human, but is simply a human, yet has gained the power of a dragon? The Empire¡¯s Second Imperial Princess, Hedera, was precisely that ¡®something¡¯. As a child, she was simply labeled as a ¡®dullard¡¯. She must have received all sorts of investment because she was born a princess, but being a dullard was enough of a reason for those around her to ignore her. Then one day, by chance, she obtained Dragon Blood and the power of Dragon Speech; though she gained tremendous power afterward and her reputation soared, Hedera was far from happy. After all, power and happiness were entirely separate matters. A being that is neither a dragon nor a human. It didn¡¯t take long for the girl to become lonely. At least when she was a dullard, there was no one who envied Hedera. No matter what they thought or what they said behind her back, they would at least give her encouragement to work hard in front of her. But after gaining power¡­ ¡ª Seeing that, it seems all my efforts were meaningless. ¡ª Indeed, in the end it¡¯s all decided by heaven. ¡ª I won¡¯t bother anymore. Things will work out somehow¡­. Rather than motivating them, Hedera¡¯s power caused those around her to lose their reason to strive. Her power gradually became not a motivation but a disaster that made them lose the will to go on. ¡ª How amazing! ¡ª As expected of the Princess! She¡¯s divine! Even those who deified Hedera couldn¡¯t bring her happiness. On the contrary, they simply considered the girl to be too great and only poured out ignorant praise. Those who truly understood the girl gradually disappeared. Most of those who faced her bowed down in front of her, but behind her back they showed jealousy and fear. It was a burden too heavy to bear at a young age. Yet all of this was just the beginning. The connections drawn by power were no better. ¡ª Follow my advice completely. ¡ª I am dragonborn by nature. Would I lie to you? Because Hedera was human-born, dragon-people seeking to exploit her for their own gain began to appear one by one. Watching their demands escalate to unreasonable levels, Hedera finally realized¡ª ¡®They all just want something from me.¡¯ Every kindness shown to Hedera had ulterior motives. From then on, the girl became obsessed with ¡®wanting¡¯. Was there no one who wanted nothing from her? Someone who would stay by her side even if she lost her power, someone who would remain even if she lost her status as princess and all her wealth, someone who would treat the girl normally. ¡­There was no one. Of course such a person couldn¡¯t exist. Hedera eventually came to trust no one. Her ambiguous identity as a hybrid or anomaly had finally gifted her with this painfully lonely existence. Ezekiel Hound. Even that Master was no different. At first, the fact that he had left was shocking and infuriating, but soon enough she could easily understand. He too was human after all. Surely he must have desired gold coins, and left once he had amassed enough. Therefore, when she first received his letter, she was exasperated. A message arriving belatedly after an unconscionable period of neglect. Hedera was now an adult, and well aware of what such communications implied. When one belatedly feels regret, when something suddenly becomes urgent, when one desires something too late¡­ The height of patheticness. That¡¯s what she thought as she scoffed. However, when she met him on the rooftop, she was slightly shaken. He claimed he would do his best as an inspector to ensure the magic tower¡¯s success? Of course, she couldn¡¯t believe it. Hedera completely rejected his intentions, assuming it was merely an act to gain something greater. Trust always led to betrayal. The jealousy, fear, and slander from those she had trusted. What seemed like a good opportunity turned into forced soul contracts. Didn¡¯t the pain of betrayal grow stronger the more trust was given? Was it because she was so worn out? Hedera now knew how not to get hurt herself. But after learning of his health condition in the temple¡¯s archives¡­ She reread the letter and was deeply shocked. ¡ª Happiness. Yes, Ezekiel too wanted something. However, what he wanted was Hedera¡¯s happiness. ¡­Why on earth? Was such a thing even possible? Could a human truly desire another¡¯s happiness alone? Without asking for anything in return, without caring about his own body that seemed like it would collapse at any moment, could he only wish for Hedera¡¯s happiness? And finally, on the day she succeeded in deciphering the ancient dragon language¡­ ¡®¡­He¡¯s sincere. Undoubtedly sincere.¡¯ Hedera at last understood Ezekiel¡¯s true intentions. He was maintaining the barrier by sacrificing his lifespan, and he was telling her a white lie so that she could concentrate comfortably. There was no ulterior motive in his actions. He was truly, only wishing for Hedera¡¯s happiness. Of course, the process of accepting this was incredibly difficult. She had to face all of her past actions. She doubted all of Ezekiel¡¯s intentions, and even went so far as to block his way. And on top of that, she even recklessly provoked him into making a wager. In truth, it now took courage just to meet Ezekiel¡¯s gaze. It was hard to know what expression to wear when looking at him. Speaking to him was even harder. So Hedera pondered deeply, again and again. And finally came to a conclusion. Equivalent exchange. So far, Ezekiel had worked for Hedera¡¯s happiness without any compensation, and Hedera had not been able to do anything for Ezekiel in return. But if they could continue to face each other in the future, she could start doing something for him from now on. Give, and give, and give again. So that one day, the relationship between the two would become an equivalent exchange. Currently, Hedera had sought out the Imperial Treasury as her first step. ¡°Tether.¡± ¡°Princess! We¡¯ve been awaiting your arrival!¡± Though the Emperor had forcibly dragged Hedera and Solana out of the valley, Hedera was a proper lady. She wasn¡¯t childish enough to throw a tantrum insisting on going back in. So she decided to use her time efficiently and immediately called for Tether to find the Imperial Treasury. ¡°Princess, hasn¡¯t the first floor become much more spacious? It¡¯s thanks to the Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector. He moved all those troublesome elemental stones to the second floor!¡± ¡°¡­Yes. I heard.¡± Hedera nodded, feeling newly grateful. Like this, even his small actions were helping her. In this world overflowing with pretense and lies, he was the only sincerity and truth. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the third floor.¡± ¡°The third floor, did you say the third floor?¡± ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡± ¡°No, no! It¡¯s just been so long¡­!¡± Opening the Imperial Treasury itself was a rare event, but visiting the highest third floor was even rarer. ¡°Are you here to look around? Or perhaps to withdraw something¡­?¡± ¡°To withdraw.¡± ¡°Withdraw! Relics from the third floor, no less!¡± However, Hedera had already made up her mind. She intended to take everything that could be of help to Ezekiel. ¡°I am but a lowly servant, unable to enter the third floor. I shall wait at the entrance!¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The Second Imperial Princess slowly looked around the treasure vault. Indeed, an abundance of relics worthy of being called rare treasures overflowed in various forms. Jewels, ornaments, weapons, clothing¡­ ¡®This is¡­ a branch of the World Tree.¡¯ Her gaze swept only over items related to health. Currently displayed before her was a branch from the World Tree of the Great Forest. A staff imbued with tremendous life force. ¡®No good. It doesn¡¯t actually have healing effects.¡¯ Literally, it only contained immense life force but had no curative properties. Perhaps that¡¯s why, to Hedera¡¯s eyes as she thought of Ezekiel, it suddenly looked like mere trash. The woman¡¯s footsteps hurriedly traversed the third floor. ¡®Dragon¡¯s Tear.¡¯ A relics said to break all curses. However, it couldn¡¯t actually change one¡¯s constitution. ¡®The Sun¡¯s Regret.¡¯ A necklace that constantly provided a holy barrier. But again, it had no healing effect. One by one, they were relics that could have a great impact on the continent, but Hedera didn¡¯t want any of them. It had to be something that could help Ezekiel¡­ Then, in the midst of it all. Something finally caught her eye. ¡°¡­Fusion Rings.¡± A pair of rings that made up a set, if two people wore them, they could check each other¡¯s condition in real time. ¡®I¡¯ll take these for now. To know immediately if there¡¯s an emergency.¡¯ Just as Hedera picked up the Fusion Rings¡­ ¡°Pr-Princess! Princess!¡± An urgent voice came from the lower floor. Hedera furrowed her brow at the noise, but¡­ ¡°The Inspector! The Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector has been injured!¡± Her displeasure quickly turned to shock. ¡°¡­What?¡± Hedera descended to the lower floor. Such was her urgency that she lowered her mask and even used her dragon speech. ¡°Speak. What exactly has happened?¡± Under the influence of the dragon speech, Tether began to explain. ¡°I heard that during the match, the Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector was gravely injured. He¡¯s currently in the Imperial Palace¡¯s temple¡ª¡± ¡°¡­Damn it all!¡± Hedera didn¡¯t even listen anymore and started moving; her hurried steps soon became a full sprint. ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­!¡± It was an undignified act, but she didn¡¯t have time to care. Ezekiel is in critical condition? Why on earth? What if something terrible were to happen¡­? No. That absolutely could not be allowed. He was the only man who had shown her true sincerity, the only one who had wished for her happiness. She couldn¡¯t afford for him to get hurt before she could make an equivalent exchange. No. Absolutely, absolutely not¡­ Hedera ran towards the temple like a madman. Truly like a woman possessed. Chapter 58: Sun Elixir (10) ? Chapter 58 ¨C Sun Elixir (10) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The temple located within the Imperial Palace was quieter than ever before. It was a rather unusual sight considering that it was usually crowded with visitors. This place was originally a place where people¡¯s footsteps never stopped. It was because the princess herself had taken the initiative to control the entry and exit. ¡°What on earth is happening? Access being restricted?¡± ¡°Both the First and Third Princesses are inside, no less.¡± ¡°There are rumors that the 1st Princess was holding a man in her arms¡­¡± ¡°Keep your voice down! Your neck might get chopped off.¡± Since it was a duel that the emperor had secretly arranged, naturally no one knew the details of the story. However, people tend to find pleasure in discussing uncertainties. Everyone began eagerly voicing their own opinions. However, there was one topic that overlapped more than others. It was a story about a single man. ¡°I heard that the man she was holding was the inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. Apparently, it¡¯s quite certain.¡± ¡°How could that be? There is no one as ruthless as the 1st Princess. How could such a person hold someone in her arms and take care of them!¡± ¡°Rather than that, the inspector¡¯s connections and abilities are amazing. Didn¡¯t he also help the 2nd Princess decipher the ancient dragon language recently?¡± This was a man who had not only subdued the Imperial Treasury¡¯s elemental stones and emerged victorious in a duel with a dragon-people, but also assisted in deciphering ancient dragon language. Any one of these feats would be remarkable, but he had accomplished three. An already central figure of discussion was now reportedly seen in the First Princess¡¯s arms. It was bound to cause significant ripples within the Imperial family. It was time to admit it. It was also an irresistible trend. Ezekiel Hound was becoming famous. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The innermost room of the temple. ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± The woman habitually brought a thick cigarette to her lips, but realizing she was in an infirmary room, she abruptly snapped it in half. She was a woman like a wolf from the snowfield. The Empire¡¯s First Imperial Princess, Ether. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders; her demeanor was as deflated as if she¡¯d been drenched in rain, and her golden eyes were uncharacteristically filled with worry. Looking down at the man lying on the bed, Ether¡¯s emotions were indescribably complex. ¡°¡­I deeply regret my responsibility in this.¡± If she had accurately gauged her opponent, or at the very least properly managed the scout unit, things might not have turned out so disastrously. Of course, it wasn¡¯t entirely Ether¡¯s fault, but she couldn¡¯t help blaming herself out of regret. Still, fortunately, it seemed that the Sun God was not completely abandoning Ether if He truly existed. Ezekiel, his breath was still in him. This man who had been Ether¡¯s Master, who for a long time had been her reason for self-motivation, who had directly influenced most of her current habits¡­ It was simply heartbreaking to see such a man bedridden. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± However, another thing deeply troubled Ether. ¡®His energy.¡¯ Yes, she was concerned about the energy that Ezekiel¡¯s body held. It wasn¡¯t like this when she last saw him as a child, but now Ezekiel¡¯s body was extremely cold and out of balance. To the point where his whole body was in danger. The moment Ether reached out her hand to his forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t touch him.¡± A sharp voice came from behind. Naturally, the First Princess¡¯s hand stopped in mid-air. ¡°He¡¯s exhausted all his mana, and in that state, his body was pierced by arrows.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°It¡¯s already a catastrophic injury, but that¡¯s not all. The cold is seeping into his wounds at an alarming rate.¡± Suddenly, a woman so radiant appeared that the stark white hospital room seemed to take on a yellow hue. The Third Imperial Princess, Solana. If twilight or a sunflower were to take human form, would it look like this? Yet Solana¡¯s expression currently lacked any trace of radiance. ¡°What do you think would happen if hands vibrating with energy touched a body as fragile as glass? It would shatter. Was that intentional? Did you mistake this for the continuation of your duel?¡± Her face bore no smile. It was an extremely rare serious expression. Ether quietly withdrew her hand. ¡°To say it¡¯s a miracle that he survived¡­ I¡¯m not even sure if I dare utter such words.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°While I¡¯m infinitely relieved and overjoyed that Master survived, the fact is that because he survived, he¡¯s now enduring tremendous pain.¡± S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lFir?(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Ether silently snapped the cigarette with her fingers. Solana made no attempt to hide her resentment towards Ether, and Ether was well aware of it. Normally, she would have certainly taken issue with such an attitude. But today, she didn¡¯t bother. More precisely, she had no time for it. She was so worried about Ezekiel that she didn¡¯t have the time to care about anything else. She just kept silent and looked at the bed. The First Princess did, however, ask a different question. ¡°¡­Can you heal him?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll use all the elixirs promised as rewards for the duel, but there¡¯s something you should know.¡± Solana heaved a deep sigh, ¡°I¡¯ve been regularly monitoring Master¡¯s health all this time. But not once have I successfully treated him.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°To be precise, I¡¯ve never succeeded in healing him. Even with my holy power, it¡¯s impossible. Just maintaining his current state was the best outcome. But now, but now¡­¡± Solana bit her lower lip hard, ¡°¡­He¡¯s suffered such a grave, critical injury this time.¡± She meant the chances were slim. ¡°Without Sun Elixir, it will be difficult.¡± After uttering those words, Solana pulled the priest¡¯s hood over her head. It seemed she judged her expression to be completely unmanageable.? No one in the empire would have imagined that Solana could wear such an expression or be in such anguish. Even Ether found her countenance unfamiliar. After a long pause, the First Princess spoke. ¡°I will discuss the matter of the Sun Elixir with His Majesty the Emperor. He cannot be absolved of responsibility for this incident.¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Solana exclaimed, then startled herself; her tone had been unexpectedly sharp, even to her own ears. She quickly apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I got carried away. This situation isn¡¯t solely your fault, First Princess.¡± Her sun-like eyes slowly turned to Ezekiel¡¯s face on the bed. ¡°Ah, why have I come to harbor so much resentment lately?¡± Solana muttered coldly. Ether found it intriguing. The once carefree and naive girl had now become capable of such emotions. ¡°Anyway, First Princess, your energy is too strong. The fact that you are here is itself a threat, so please wait outside for a while. I will call you later.¡± It was the strength she had cultivated to protect Ezekiel, but it was ironic that she couldn¡¯t get close to him because of that strength. Ether rose from her seat with a complicated heart. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± As she did so, she suddenly felt something odd. ¡®My energy shouldn¡¯t be harmful at all.¡¯ Ether was not only sensitive to energy but she was also adept at controlling it. In other words, she had been carefully controlling it so that it would not harm Ezekiel. She observed the Third Princess once more. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Her demeanor was not that of a priestess. Rather than the benevolence of a Saintess, she appeared every bit a woman deeply in love with Ezekiel. Could she be trying to monopolize him? ¡°¡­Hey, you¡¯re definitely going to cure him, right?¡± ¡°Of course. I am a priestess, after all.¡± Solana replied, her face now a mask of serenity. Ether stared at Solana intently but couldn¡¯t shake off her unease as she headed for the exit. Despite her suspicions, she couldn¡¯t press further. After all, Solana was currently the most capable of treating the man. Phew¡ª Once outside the temple, Ether lit a cigarette. She couldn¡¯t quite grasp how the treatment would progress or what she should say to Ezekiel afterward. Just then, a voice filled with shock and surprise rang out. ¡°What on earth happened?!¡± Ether turned her gaze and saw Hedera arriving in a hurry. ¡°The Inspector, what happened to the Inspector?¡± she demanded. ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°Hurry up!¡± Ether remained silent for a moment. It was a difficult situation to explain. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll see for myself,¡± Hedera said, about to brush past Ether. At that moment, one of her attendants called out urgently, ¡°Princess Hedera!¡± Hedera¡¯s face contorted with frustration. ¡°Talk to me later. Right now¡­¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower!¡± Those words stopped Hedera in her tracks. ¡°An envoy from the Black Magic Tower has visited the Imperial Tower. They¡¯re looking for the Inspector. What should we do?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°To be precise, they say there¡¯s an exchange meeting in exactly two days. If the Inspector doesn¡¯t show up, they¡¯ll proceed with the meeting without the Imperial Magic Tower!¡± ¡°Exchange meeting? Come to think of it, the meeting is¡­¡± Hedera¡¯s pupils trembled violently. The Imperial Magic Tower. The tower Ezekiel had painstakingly built for Hedera. And now, just before the exchange meeting, this accident had occurred. It was the worst possible news for the Second Princess. Had Ezekiel done anything wrong? Not at all. Was Ezekiel at fault in any way? Not at all. The one thing Ezekiel had hoped for, without any selfish motives, was for the Imperial Magic Tower to prosper. And right now, the prosperity of the Imperial Magic Tower was now in jeopardy. ¡°No¡­¡± Hedera stumbled, feeling dizzy. The situation had suddenly become extremely urgent. Chapter 59: Sun Elixir (11) ? Chapter 59 ¨C Sun Elixir (11) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The reception room of the Imperial Magic Tower. In the room that hadn¡¯t welcomed guests for a long time, a small-sized girl sat down with a teddy bear in her arms. Tea and refreshments were lined up in front of her. ¡°Hm hm hmm~¡± A delicate humming filled the air. She looked like a young girl without a doubt, but any mage here would know that it was not true at all. She was a mage known as the secretary of the Black Magic Tower¡¯s Towermaster. Teddy. That was the name of the Black Tower¡¯s Towermaster¡¯s secretary. ¡°Hm hm hmm~ hmm~¡± Teddy had been humming and nibbling on refreshments since her arrival, occasionally scrutinizing every detail of the reception room. ¡°Excuse me~ Pretty miss~ When is the Inspector coming?¡± Teddy asked Agnes, waving her teddy bear¡¯s arm. Agnes blinked silently. Though Teddy had called her ¡°miss,¡± she was clearly older than Teddy. ¡®Of all people, why her?¡¯ Agnes thought, maintaining an expressionless facade despite feeling quite perplexed. Among mages often criticized for being rigid, Teddy was notorious for being a troublemaker. ¡°As we¡¯ve informed you, the Imperial Tower¡¯s Inspector is on leave today. Meeting him today won¡¯t be possible.¡± ¡°Ah~ I see~¡± Teddy nodded, her eyes sparkling, ¡°Taking a leave on the exact day of my visit¡­ How did this happen? Huh? What did you say?¡± Then she started talking to the teddy bear she was holding. ¡°You think he took a day off because he¡¯s uncomfortable meeting me? Oh no, don¡¯t think such bad thoughts! The Inspector must have been particularly tired and wanted to rest!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Teddy was openly mocking the Imperial Tower¡¯s Inspector. The situation did lend itself to such interpretation. Coincidentally, the Imperial Tower¡¯s Inspector had taken leave on the day the Black Magic Tower¡¯s envoy visited, which could be seen as deliberate avoidance. The problem was, it was such an arrogant attitude. Agnes also knew that Teddy was being rude, but she couldn¡¯t openly scold her right away. She could only feel that the times had changed a lot. ¡®So this is how the Imperial Magic Tower is perceived now.¡¯ S?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Other magic towers treating the Imperial Magic Tower so casually? It should have been unthinkable. But Agnes understood why Teddy could display such a brazen attitude with confidence. How had the Imperial Magic Tower spent the last decade? Whenever talk of performance came up, they would change the subject, and whenever there was an exchange meeting, they would come up with an excuse to avoid participating. For a whole 10 years. And that wasn¡¯t all. They couldn¡¯t even give a decent explanation to the many questions about the current state of the Imperial Magic Tower. It was inevitable that other Magic Tower would not know the current state of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡®It feels like the Imperial Tower is on the chopping block,¡¯ Agnes thought, convinced by Teddy¡¯s attitude. ¡®The Black Magic Tower is overflowing with confidence.¡¯ It seemed the other towers had sharpened their knives. The Imperial Magic Tower, having failed to build any real strength for a decade while pretending to be powerful, was now clearly in the crosshairs of those seeking to bring it down. ¡°It would be best to arrange for another day,¡± Agnes suggested. ¡°Yes~ Yes~¡± Teddy replied dismissively. ¡°Your concern about the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s absence from the exchange meeting is unfounded. Recently, the Imperial Magic Tower has been performing quite well¡ª¡± Teddy didn¡¯t seem to be paying much attention. Perhaps news of Ezekiel¡¯s recent activities assisting the Second Princess hadn¡¯t reached the other towers yet. Agnes absently brushed back her hair. ¡°Surely you¡¯ve heard about our recent achievements in the Ruiple region. There¡¯s no need for concern.¡± ¡°I see~ You really like using the word ¡®recent,¡¯¡± Teddy remarked, looking at Agnes with innocent eyes. Meeting Agnes¡¯ gaze, she suddenly grinned. ¡°Oh, wait a minute~ Saying things are good ¡®recently¡¯ implies they weren¡¯t good before! It must have been really serious, but thanks to this new Inspector, you¡¯re finally starting to breathe again!¡± Agnes felt a chill run down her spine. She realized she had just made a verbal misstep. Teddy sprang up from her seat, visibly delighted; the girl, as if dancing with her teddy bear, grasped its paws and slowly twirled while continuing to speak, ¡°This new Inspector~ How extraordinary must he be? Not just ordinary extraordinary, but incredibly so!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has a ten-year gap. A whole decade. Does this person truly possess the ability to fill that void in one go?¡± Agnes briefly pondered how to respond but quickly made her decision. Having lived a life by the book, she wasn¡¯t easily flustered. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re implying. However,¡± Agnes¡¯s voice took on a resolute tone, ¡°I understand perfectly well that the Black Magic Tower¡¯s rudeness has crossed a line. You must be aware that this institution was established under the Second Princess¡¯s directive.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°The exchange meeting is just around the corner. Isn¡¯t it enough to answer your questions then? The Imperial Magic Tower will not forget the rudeness you have shown by not being patient.¡± ¡°Oh my¡­ Why so scary all of a sudden? Oh no¡­¡± Like a kitten pleading with its expression, Teddy hugged her teddy bear and put on a pitiable face. Of course, she quickly grinned again. ¡°Okay, okay. It¡¯s just a joke! A joke!¡± Teddy reached for more refreshments. ¡°About the Inspector~ Where did he go on leave? He¡¯ll probably be quite exhausted when the exchange meeting starts. He should have rested well today!¡± ¡°He went to Dominan Valley.¡± ¡°Dominan Valley? Hmm¡­? What, for s*****e¡­?¡± Teddy abruptly slapped her own mouth mid-sentence. ¡°¡­Choose your words carefully. This is a warning.¡± ¡°Ahem~ Sorry~ It¡¯s just that Dominan Valley is known for exiles and suicides, right? I was just wondering! Perhaps the Inspector couldn¡¯t handle the immense pressure and went there¡­¡± Teddy¡¯s hand grasped at empty air as she reached for the plate. She had already consumed all the refreshments, ¡°But you know~ Secretary of the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector~¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Is the Imperial Magic Tower confident about this upcoming exchange meeting?¡± ¡°Confident?¡± ¡°Yes. You said you wouldn¡¯t forget my rudeness, right?¡± Teddy smiled like an innocent little girl. ¡°We, the other five Magic Towers, have excellent memories too, you know? We remember how the Imperial Magic Tower kept postponing announcements, avoiding exchange meetings¡­ We remember it all!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll show us something to explain it all this time, right?¡± It was a challenge disguised as an innocent question. At the same time, it was a declaration of war against the Imperial Magic Tower. Click©¤ Click©¤ Agnes quietly turned a cube in her hands as she pondered. ¡®What on earth have they prepared¡­¡¯ While it was true that the Imperial Magic Tower hadn¡¯t solidified its foundations over the past decade, Teddy¡¯s brazen attitude suggested that the Black Magic Tower had something up its sleeve. The Black Tower must be confident in their ability to vastly outperform the Imperial Magic Tower at the exchange meeting, to not fall behind any other tower¡­ Perhaps they even believe they could dominate the entire landscape. In contrast, the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s only hope rested on Ezekiel. Certainly, Ezekiel¡¯s actions so far have been groundbreaking and impressive. He¡¯s already begun to reshape the mindset of the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s members and create waves. But could he truly fill a decade-long void in one fell swoop? The other towers have spent ten years preparing, grinding their teeth to seize control. Could Ezekiel really overturn all that in a single stroke? ¡°Hm hm hmm~¡± Teddy stood directly in front of Agnes, their toes nearly touching. She looked up quietly, ¡°Your eyes betray your doubts. Secretary of the Imperial Magic Tower~ It seems you¡¯re not as confident as you claim?¡± Agnes realized what she needed to do. ¡°¡­Not at all.¡± The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s unfavorable situation was no reason to grovel before other Magic Towers. If she bowed now, it would be as if the entire Imperial Tower was bowing. It would be better to break, but not to bend. ¡°¡­I saw no need to respond verbally. The Imperial Magic Tower will let results speak for themselves.¡± Agnes continued with a razor-sharp gaze. ¡°Teddy of the Black Magic Tower, I will remember you.¡± ¡°Eek~ So scary~¡± Teddy scampered towards the door; though pretending to be frightened, a smile still played on her lips. ¡°The exchange meeting is in exactly two days! Don¡¯t be late! If you take another day off, we¡¯ll consider it running away!¡± ¡°¡­Please leave. There¡¯s a limit to maintaining courtesy.¡± After Teddy¡¯s departure¡­ ¡°Haa.¡± Agnes let out a quiet, deep sigh. She had failed to endure Teddy¡¯s provocation and ended up making a bold claim. ¡°¡­Inspector Ezekiel.¡± Ezekiel. ©¤ I¡¯m not in my right mind to begin with. Yes, that¡¯s what Inspector Ezekiel used to say. Now, Inspector Ezekiel truly was their only hope. Agnes quietly took out a notebook and wrote a single line. ¡ºSometimes I wonder if I¡¯m in my right mind either.¡» ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The Imperial Palace, Emperor¡¯s Audience Chamber. The massive doors opened without a sound. A single woman. She stood in the doorway, her back still to the light. Swish¡­. As the chamber gradually brightened, her identity was revealed. The Empire¡¯s First Princess, Ether. The Goddess of War stared directly at the Emperor on his throne. ¡°¡­Your Majesty, the Emperor, it¡¯s me.¡± Her eyes were like those of a wolf starved for days in a snowy wilderness; the aura emanating from her was indescribably fierce. Chapter 60: Sun Elixir (Conclusion) ? Chapter 60 ¨C Sun Elixir (Conclusion) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The woman resembled a wolf from the snowy wilderness; her towering stature, capable of intimidating most grown men, spoke volumes of her spirit. Her eyes, seemingly forged from pure gold, gleamed with a golden light. The Empire¡¯s First Princess, Ether. Ether silently gazed at the figure on the throne. Even in the audience chamber, where most would tremble before the feared Emperor, Ether showed no sign of intimidation. Instead, her expression suggested she had much to say. ¡°First Princess, I¡¯m certain I taught you manners.¡± The reply came swiftly. ¡°Manners. Of course, I¡¯ve learned those too.¡± The First Princess slightly raised her chin. ¡°That¡¯s why I know exactly to whom manners should be extended. There¡¯s no need for courtesy towards a fraud.¡± A chalice suspended in mid-air quietly rippled. Who would dare address the Emperor in such a manner? ¡°Hm.¡± Yet the Emperor seemed pleased, chuckling as if enjoying this side of the First Princess. ¡°So, what brings you here? Come to show some filial piety after so long? I wouldn¡¯t mind that.¡± ¡°I wonder what would constitute filial piety. Perhaps ending your tedious existence? Would that be considered filial?¡± Ether smiled as she gazed at the throne. Perhaps, the Emperor also seemed to smile as he looked at Ether. ¡°Still as unyielding as ever. Now, get to the point.¡± ¡°Your Majesty the Emperor, I have a warning for you.¡± ¡°A warning?¡± The floating chalice tilted even more. The Emperor appeared intrigued, ¡°I¡¯ve never received a warning before.¡± ¡°How curious. I¡¯ve never seen anyone disregard my warnings either.¡± The Emperor laughed softly. ¡°First Princess, you¡¯ve grown a lot since I last saw you. Go ahead, speak your mind. I¡¯m listening.¡± Ether spoke with unwavering confidence. ¡°The Emperor must not interfere with my Master.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The rippling chalice in the air momentarily stilled. A brief silence fell. It was unprecedented for the First Princess to speak on behalf of another. ¡°¡­Ezekiel?¡± ¡°Yes, my Master.¡± The liquid from the chalice flowed into the air. ¡°So, the First Princess¡­¡± The Emperor continued slowly, ¡°Makes an unannounced visit to the Emperor¡¯s audience chamber, only to issue a warning about not touching her Master?¡± ¡°You understand correctly. Now, see that you heed it.¡± ¡°First Princess, your childhood days are long past. Surely you¡¯re not here to jest with me¡­¡± At the same time, an indescribable force began to emanate from the Emperor¡¯s throne; the entire audience chamber seemed to warp, as if a heat haze was rising. However, Ether stood her ground, emanating her own aura. Rumble rumble rumble©¤ The entire space began to shake violently. ¡ª What, what¡¯s happening! ¡ª The whole ground is shaking! The commotion wasn¡¯t confined to the audience chamber; panicked voices could be heard from outside. ¡ª Everything! Everything is collapsing! ¡ª Aaaargh! Just as it seemed the people outside might be seriously injured¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Surprisingly, the Emperor was the first to withdraw his power. ¡°I wonder why the First Princess would issue such a warning. Let¡¯s hear it.¡± Ether snorted. ¡°I speak not as the First Princess, but as Ether. If you persecute my Master again, you¡¯ll have to face me after I¡¯ve cast aside all my titles.¡± ¡°First Princess, are you confident you can win?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a coward who only fights battles I¡¯m sure to win. It just happens that I¡¯ve won every fight I¡¯ve engaged in. But I never enter a fight with the mindset of defeat. That¡¯s who I am.¡± ¡°Hm¡­¡± The Emperor chuckled softly. ¡°The First Princess, hailed as the Goddess of War and the Queen of all Cures, is willing to face death for a mere man? Have you lost your mind, or have I underestimated you?¡± ¡°Both are incorrect.¡± ¡°Then?¡± ¡°You lied to me. Didn¡¯t you say you had found a better match than my Master, a worthy opponent?¡± Ether grasped a beam of light and aimed it at the throne. ¡°Your lie. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here today.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be. I¡¯ve never told a lie.¡± An apple thrown into the air vanished with a crisp sound. ¡°I transformed an idle man from the countryside into a respectable Inspector. Isn¡¯t the current Master a far better match than before?¡± ¡°To think the Emperor of this empire indulges in such wordplay. It¡¯s deplorable.¡± Ether created a bow and nocked the light beam. ¡°Emperor, hand over the Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± The Emperor looked at Ether with an enigmatic expression; though faceless, the impression was undeniable. ¡°So, because I essentially deceived the First Princess, you demand the Sun Elixir as compensation? Is that it?¡± ¡°Your comprehension is quick indeed. Then, is it stubbornness that prevents you from acting despite understanding?¡± ¡°Interesting. Truly interesting. For none other than you to demand the empire¡¯s most precious Sun Elixir from me, the First Princess has finally lost all fear.¡± A moment of silence followed these words. Ether quietly drew the bowstring taut. How much time passed after that? Just as Ether¡¯s fingertips were about to release the bowstring¡­ ¡°I will bestow the Sun Elixir upon Ezekiel.¡± Confusion spread across Ether¡¯s face. Unlike before, Ether now knew how precious the Sun Elixir was. And as far as she knew, the Emperor was not one to give it away frivolously. She hadn¡¯t expected it to be surrendered so easily. The First Princess looked at the Emperor with a puzzled expression, but the Emperor merely swirled the chalice nonchalantly. ¡°First Princess, don¡¯t misunderstand. The Sun Elixir isn¡¯t being given due to your demand.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Explain.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already made a deal with Ezekiel. The condition was to purchase the portrait with Sun Elixir. In other words¡­¡± The Emperor¡¯s teeth appeared in the air; a grinning set of white teeth. ¡°This isn¡¯t in compliance with your warning not to touch Ezekiel, so I will continue to interfere countless times in the future. Don¡¯t misunderstand.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve finally lost your mind.¡± The next moment. BOOM©¤! Ether¡¯s spear exploded at the throne. No, as it was about to explode, space itself distorted. WHOOSH©¤! The warped space, like a vortex, swallowed the spear. The Emperor, chuckling softly, began descending the stairs connected to the throne. His long, ornate robe dragged on the floor. ¡°First Princess, what I¡¯m about to say is crucial. Shall we discuss it over some fruit?¡± ¡°Emperor, I ordered you not to touch Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Hm¡­ Listen to me first.¡± At the same time, an apple thrown into the air disappeared with a crunch. ¡°As someone at the forefront of battling monsters, you must already know. The movements in the demon realm are unsettling. It¡¯s clear that a tremendous calamity will soon engulf the entire continent.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°Does the First Princess know this flower?¡± The Emperor abruptly presented a flower. Though it appeared withered, it contained more mana than any other flower. Ether was very familiar with this unique bloom. ¡°¡­Ezekiella?¡± ¡°Yes, in the distant past, there was a boy who survived to the end in the Palace of Penance. I named this flower after that tiny human weapon. Because they resembled each other.¡± The Ezekiella flower was placed in the floating chalice. POOF©¤! Instantly, it crumbled into powder and settled at the bottom.? ¡°It¡¯s not only rare but also incredibly difficult to cultivate. You must give it precisely one drop of water just before it¡¯s about to die. Otherwise, it perishes.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°But if nurtured properly, the results are astounding. A single bloom contains as much mana as an entire mountain.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just ¡®and¡¯.¡± The long robe swirled as the Emperor turned, slowly ascending the stairs back to the throne. ¡°With the demon realm in such an unsettling state, the continent needs a weapon. Ezekiel is a human who must be cultivated through such painful means. There¡¯s a prescribed method for his use.¡± ¡°Emperor, you truly¡­¡± ¡°Emperor, well said. Why do you think I¡¯m the Emperor?¡± The robe settled once more on the throne at the top. ¡°Because I¡¯m the strongest? No, that¡¯s not it.¡± ¡°Then?¡± ¡°Because I care for the continent the most. With the demon realm in turmoil, Ezekiel is the continent¡¯s hope. Thus, I must raise him using the appropriate method.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ether remained silent for a moment. She seemed at a loss for words. All this torment, all this suffering inflicted on Ezekiel, justified as being for his own good and for the sake of the continent. Pushing him to the brink of death, making him endure pain, torturing him with hope, letting him taste despair. ¡°Ha¡­¡± Ether let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Hahaha! Hahahaha!¡± The chuckle soon turned into uproarious laughter. Ether looked at the throne, beaming. ¡°Emperor, I finally understand your intention.¡± s?a??h th? Nov?lF?re .??t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Indeed. You¡¯ve at last grasped my profound purpose.¡± Another chalice was tossed towards Ether. It was filled with apple wine. ¡°Let¡¯s have a drink to commemorate the First Princess¡¯s enlightenment today. You won¡¯t be throwing any more tantrums from now on, will you?¡± Ether nodded readily. ¡°Correct. I have gained enlightenment today.¡± However, the next moment. The movements of the two chalices diverged. While the Emperor¡¯s chalice merely tilted, Ether¡¯s was hurled forcefully to the ground. CRASH©¤! ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The Emperor seemed to be looking at the spilled apple wine on the floor. ¡°First Princess, what are you doing?¡± ¡°The continent¡¯s peace is your concern. Peace, justice¡­ Did you think I became strong for such trivial matters?¡± ¡°Then?¡± ¡°Emperor, I think it¡¯s time I got married.¡± Ether snorted loudly, ¡°I, whom you¡¯ve raised most preciously, will marry the man you¡¯ve cultivated most harshly. Could there be a more fitting retribution in this world?¡± ¡°¡­You, what are you¡­¡± ¡°Silence. If you want to stop me, kill me now.¡± Ether turned without hesitation. As her foot stepped outside the audience chamber and the massive doors began to close silently, the First Princess paused. ¡°Ah, one last thing.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± With her back turned, Ether slowly raised one hand. And slowly. Very slowly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± She folded all her fingers except the middle one. Until the moment the door was completely closed. Chapter 61: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (1) ? Chapter 61 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (1) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The Emperor¡¯s Audience Chamber. After the departure of the First Princess, the space was filled with an even greater silence. The chalice in the air simply tilted without a word, and the apple wine that had spilled outside soon disappeared without a trace. At the same time, part of the space was drawn back like a curtain. A figure wearing a mask that expressed nothing of their facial features, Ilaref, an aide to the Emperor, knelt down on one side very slowly and saluted. ¡°Your Imperial Majesty.¡± ¡°Speak,¡± the emperor commanded. ¡°I struggle to comprehend your decision to let the First Princess leave unchallenged. While she may have been raised with a certain¡­ inclination, surely there are limits to acceptable behavior?¡± ¡°Inclination?¡± ¡°Yes. Though she was indeed nurtured in an atmosphere of freedom and ambition, it seems she has overstepped boundaries. Perhaps some correction is necessary before¡ª¡± ¡°Hm.¡± The emperor scoffed. ¡°Ilaref, are you still half-asleep? Or have you grown dull?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Even though the face was hidden by the mask, Ilaref¡¯s bewilderment was palpable. An apple materialized, hurled through the air. Crunch¡ª! ¡°My loyal Ilaref,¡± the emperor began. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Am I a weak emperor?¡± ¡°Certainly not, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Or am I perhaps¡­ an incompetent one?¡± ¡°You are the most capable ruler in all the land. No matter where you look on the continent, the Emperor will be the most fine leader.¡± ¡°Mm, I concur.¡± The emperor paused. ¡°Then why do you¡­¡± ¡°Stand aside,¡± As the Emperor so ordered, the entire floor of the audience chamber began to shake, and Ilaref hastily retreated. ¡°Now, observe carefully.¡± What emerged from the floor was a massive, slate-like boulder. Its smooth surface cracked and shifted, forming intricate patterns in real-time. ¡­¡­..Ilaref realized. It was taking the shape of a map. ¡°First, behold the layout of our continent.¡± Shhhhh¡ª! The surface was gilded to show the power structure of the continent. ¡°The empire I rule, the snowfields in the north, the deserts in the south, the rainforests in the central region¡­ Let¡¯s start with this much.¡± The chalice in the air swirled pensively. ¡°Well, I suppose we can¡¯t leave out the Demon Realm and the Celestial Realm.¡± The Emperor laughed as he looked at the stone map, which showed not only the continent but also other worlds in detail. ¡°Hm.¡± ¡°Your Majesty?¡± ¡°Ilaref.¡± ¡°Yes, sire.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really strange that there will be a day when I have to explain this to someone. It¡¯s proof that the world is getting more fun.¡± Drrrdddd¡ª! The section representing the demon realm suddenly protruded, drawing attention. ¡°Surely you¡¯re aware of the ominous stirrings in the demon realm. They may return with such might that even a united continent might struggle to claim victory. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°And yet, at a time when even a united front is not enough¡­ the continent remains fractured. In fact, even the empire itself is divided. Even the Magic Towers are divided into six and competing.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°In this empire, on this continent, are there not festering corners? Elements that hinder perfect unity?¡± Ilaref nodded solemnly. ¡°There must be countless ones. Right now, the most important thing is their immediate interests and survival, and how many people have as great an ambition as Your Majesty, Emperor?¡± ¡°Precisely.¡± The emperor drained his chalice. ¡°We can hardly blame them. They were born to mediocrity; what can be done? Yes, resolving such matters is the true calling of the great.¡± ¡°As you say, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Excellent. Then we must address all these rotten elements. Who shall accomplish this task?¡± ¡°Surely you don¡¯t mean¡­¡± Ilaref tilted her head quizzically. ¡°Are you suggesting Ezekiel could eliminate them all?¡± ¡°Eliminate? Tsk, Ilaref. You misunderstand.¡± The floating chalice traced a circle in the air with its rim. ¡°You still don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m saying. One must see the forest, not just the trees.¡± ¡°I apologize, Your Majesty. My shortcomings are boundless.¡± ¡°Ilaref, resolve this flower¡¯s issue.¡± The emperor¡¯s robe fluttered as he tossed a flower beneath the throne. Even at a glance, its condition was poor, with visibly decaying stems. ¡°I shall obey, Your Majesty.¡± Ilaref promptly set about her task. Her method was straightforward ¡ª she simply cut away the rotting parts, including petals and stems. ¡°As expected,¡± the emperor mused, examining the flower presented to him. ¡°Most equate resolution with elimination. It¡¯s not entirely wrong. How simple and convenient it is to just remove the problematic elements.¡± ¡°I apologize, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°No need. Even I employ this method at times. But the world is something that turns by many gears meshing together. If you just get rid of it, it will cause problems.¡± The suspended flower was suddenly flung away. ¡°Now, observe what happens when I resolve the issue myself.¡± Drrrrr¡ª! With a rumble, part of the stone map¡¯s surface distorted, and soon after, part of the map disappeared altogether. ¡°Ah, I see¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s very easy to get rid of, but you can¡¯t say you¡¯ve fixed it. The continent will just lose that part altogether.¡± Another apple appeared, tossed into the air. Crunch¡ª! ¡°Admittedly, the chaos that unfolds when something vanishes can be entertaining. There¡¯s nothing quite like watching a fire spread.¡± ¡°Indeed, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s precisely what the demon realm desires. We mustn¡¯t resort to elimination and excision. We must mend.¡± ¡°Is Ezekiel different?¡± ¡°He is. Watch this.¡± Another decaying flower was tossed beneath the throne, followed by a Ezekiella flower. Sssssss¡ª! The Ezekiella gradually purified the rotting flower. ¡°Destruction and erasure are surprisingly easy. But purification¡ªwho could achieve that?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The emperor¡¯s voice held a peculiar excitement. ¡°The savages in the north who only cultivate strength? The proud elves of the Great Forest? No, none of them can!¡± Crash¡ª! The stone map shattered completely. ¡°But Ezekiel¡ªhe can purify. I¡¯ve seen in him a potential unmatched anywhere else.¡± Ilaref bowed respectfully. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for your profound insights, Your Majesty. My limited understanding had completely missed your intent.¡± She then raised her head slightly. ¡°But may I ask two questions, if I may? There are parts I still don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°You have my permission.¡± ¡°¡­In that case, shouldn¡¯t you have sent the First Princess away even more? If Ezekiel is such a crucial asset, is it wise to allow him a romantic entanglement?¡± ¡°It¡¯s amusing, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Crunch¡ª! Another apple vanished with a crunch. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m just letting it be for the sake of fun. It¡¯s something Ezekiel did to himself. You have to understand that it¡¯s karma he has to bear.¡± ¡°Karma?¡± ¡°This man proposed to all five princesses.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.?¡± At first, Ilaref couldn¡¯t comprehend the emperor¡¯s words. Then, in the next moment¡ª ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± She was shocked. No, beyond shocked¡ªshe was astounded. ¡°The princesses will discover this truth eventually.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ilaref immediately understood the concept of karma that the Emperor was talking about. How swiftly happiness could transform into calamity with just a sliver of truth revealed. ¡°Ilaref, observe these flowerpots.¡± The emperor tossed two pots containing Ezekiella flowers; they tumbled down the steep steps beneath the throne, shattering on the floor with a resounding crack. Though the two Ezekiella flowers shared the same appearance, the difference was stark. The frail Ezekiella writhed like an insect before perishing, while the more robust one began to gather soil around itself. It amassed not only its own earth but also that which the weaker Ezekiella had lost. Consequently, it grew several times stronger. ¡°Who knows? This might be an opportunity for greater improvement.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ilaref could only break out in a cold sweat. An opportunity for improvement. If he doesn¡¯t end up in the crossfire of the princesses¡¯ conflict, he has a great chance to become even more magnificent¡­. In fact, it means he has to tame all the princesses. ¡­Was such a feat even possible? She quickly dismissed the thought. It was a matter of wait and watch. ¡°Your Imperial Majesty, I have one final question.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t providing three drops of the Sun Elixir somewhat excessive? It seems to deviate from the conventional nurturing method¡­¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a separate matter entirely,¡± the Emperor interjected; his long robe unfurled, revealing a painting. ¡°This is a reward for presenting me with a satisfying artwork.¡± The Emperor¡¯s form, indiscernible to the naked eye, had been rendered by Ezekiel¡¯s own interpretation. A handsome visage combining the eyes of the first, the mouth of the second, the nose of the third, the hands of the fourth, and the ears of the fifth. Of course, this wasn¡¯t the Emperor¡¯s true appearance. What impressed him wasn¡¯t Ezekiel¡¯s deductive skills. Blood. Crimson blood. Throughout the contest, Ezekiel had painted the Emperor with blood. ¡°¡­It signifies an Emperor forged from one¡¯s own blood.¡± S?a??h th? N?v?l(F)ire.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°The meaning is clear. It harbors the intention to challenge me someday.¡± Ilaref broke into a cold sweat once more. Whenever the Emperor heard of someone intending to challenge him, he had always shown annoyance, never a welcoming attitude. However, now¡­ The Emperor appeared more pleased than ever before. ¡°Hahaha©¤!¡± The Emperor¡¯s laughter rang out loudly. Even for Ilaref, his loyal servant, this was an unprecedented sight. Chapter 62: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (2) ? Chapter 62 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (2) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Inside the imperial palace¡¯s temple, within the infirmary¡¯s reception room, an uncomfortable atmosphere prevailed. In life, there exist situations of acute discomfort¡ªmoments where every action feels awkward, uneasy, and suffocating. While one might wish to avoid such circumstances, they often prove inescapable. This was precisely how Solana, the Third Princess, felt at that moment. It was rare for her to experience such tension. After all, wasn¡¯t she the one who could smile naturally before countless believers and imperial citizens without feeling intimidated? And yet¡­ She observed the women before her ¡ª Ether, the First Princess; Hedera, the Second Princess; and herself, Solana, the Third Princess. The presence of even one would be astonishing, but all three had gathered at the same time, seated around a circular table in the reception room adjacent to Ezekiel¡¯s sickroom. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± An awkward silence hung in the air. While the princesses weren¡¯t exactly hostile towards one another, they certainly weren¡¯t on friendly terms either; they had only seen each other a handful of times before. ¡ª First Princess, report on your growth. ¡ª Second Princess, report on your growth. ¡ª Third Princess, report on your growth¡­ It was when they were children, reporting their growth and progress to the Emperor ¨C even that was only once every six months. Despite being blood-related, the princesses had lived their lives in isolation, only aware of each other¡¯s existence. Even the situation in which they were gathered was different from that time. In the past, didn¡¯t they just quickly report their own achievements and then leave? However, now, the princesses were gathered with a clear purpose ¡ª Ezekiel. When you think about it, it was almost unbelievable that a single man could bring together three princesses. ¡°May the blessings of the Sun God be with us,¡± Solana, the Third Princess, was the first to break the silence. ¡°Fortunately, luck was on our side. Thanks to the use of various elixirs, we¡¯ve managed to overcome the crisis. I hear he¡¯ll even be receiving Sun Elixir soon.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard,¡± Ether nodded. ¡°Oh, not at all. You¡¯ve endured far more, First Princess. You even managed to obtain Sun Elixir from His Majesty the Emperor,¡± Solana responded with a gentle smile. ¡°Anyway, I feel much more at ease now that you¡¯ve acknowledged it, First Princess. To be honest, I was completely overwhelmed until just a moment ago.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you mean ¡®at peace¡¯ rather than ¡®at ease¡¯?¡± ¡°Haha, you¡¯re right. At peace, at peace.¡± ¡°Hahaha! I¡¯m glad my encouragement was worthwhile!¡± The laughter of the two princesses intermingled, creating an apparently warm atmosphere. However, this was merely a facade. ¡®Wolf of the snow fields? More like a fox,¡¯ Solana clearly remembered. She recalled Ether¡¯s piercing gaze, reminiscent of a beast, as she watched Solana administer treatment; the implication was clear ¡ª if anything went wrong with Ezekiel, Solana would pay dearly. ¡­¡­How can you call that encouragement? Meanwhile, Ether quietly thought to herself, ¡°Does this girl think my memory is as short as a goldfish¡¯s?¡± Ahhh, she just accidentally spoke aloud. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Ether, too, remembered clearly. After arriving at the infirmary with the injured Ezekiel, Solana had looked at Ether with resentful eyes, even muttering to herself. Solana¡¯s attitude changed with a single mention of Ezekiel¡¯s improved condition and the acquisition of Sun Elixir. The two women faced each other, smiling. ¡°The Third Princess¡¯s eyes are truly beautiful. If I recall correctly, they were sharp rather than round before.¡± ¡°It seems the First Princess has made progress in controlling her energy. As I remember, you used to struggle to suppress your killing intent, hmm.¡± Solana steered the conversation in a new direction. ¡°Anyway, I believe everyone here is aware of the current situation. The atmosphere on the continent is unsettling, particularly due to the demon realm.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°Is there anyone as talented as the First and Second Princesses? I hope you¡¯ll leave soon to utilize your abilities elsewhere. Time is of the essence.¡± ¡°What about you?¡± At that, Solana placed a hand on her chest, ¡°In any case, this is my duty. No matter how difficult it is, I must care for patients to the end with responsibility and a sense of mission. While staying by their side.¡± She didn¡¯t forget to emphasize the phrase ¡®no matter how difficult.¡¯ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± However, the other two princesses were displeased with this. Didn¡¯t it sound like she was saying that she didn¡¯t want to do it, but that she had to because it was her job?Such blatant pretense! In the first place, the bond between the princesses had never been strong. In other words, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if conflicts arose as they pursued their individual desires. The princesses were in a position higher than anyone else, and they were even adults. No one could stop them. As a strange tension filled the reception room, Solana once again invoked the Sun God¡¯s blessing. ¡°I think we should conclude the meeting here for today. I hope everyone fares well and makes a name for themselves far from the capital¡­¡± But then, at that moment¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the Inspector from now on.¡± Ether and Solana¡¯s heads turned simultaneously. Hedera, who had remained silent until now, had spoken. ¡°Although I¡¯m reluctant due to my busy schedule, as the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s master, it¡¯s my responsibility. This naturally includes looking after the Tower¡¯s Inspector. I¡¯ll take him with me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Solana and Ether¡¯s eyes narrowed simultaneously. ¡®This woman has lost her mind too.¡¯ ¡°Crazy bitch.¡± ¡°¡­Excuse me, you spoke out loud again.¡± However, regardless of what Ether and Solana said, Hedera continued to savor her tea with closed eyes. ¡°It¡¯s only logical for the Tower Master to retrieve and return with the Tower¡¯s Inspector. I don¡¯t know why the three of us are occupying the reception room and having a meeting.¡± ¡°Common sense isn¡¯t the issue here¡­¡± ¡­Why are you suddenly acting like this? Solana barely managed to swallow that question. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± S?a?ch* Th? N?v?lF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Soon, only the sound of groans could be heard in the reception room; these women were far from ordinary. They were princesses, after all. Old enough to be responsible for their words and actions, with extraordinary backgrounds from birth. Their power had grown formidable; a single dispute could have far-reaching consequences. Even a slight touch could be fatal. Aware of their immense influence, they all hesitated to make the first move. At that moment, Ether swept her bangs across her forehead. ¡°The Second Princess¡¯s ascension ceremony is approaching. You won¡¯t have time to worry about Imperial Magic Tower affairs. Wouldn¡¯t that naturally lead to Master being overworked? That¡¯s unacceptable.¡± Hedera immediately furrowed her brow. ¡°I¡¯ve been steadily preparing for the ascension ceremony, and it¡¯s progressing smoothly. I can easily manage his welfare at my discretion. You know my work style, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Indeed, I do. Your style of abandoning the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± A brief silence fell. Hedera set down her teacup with a clunk. ¡°But why is the First Princess so confident?¡± She looked directly at Ether. ¡°You¡¯re the one who injured my Tower¡¯s Inspector in an absurd duel. Thanks to you, my Tower has suffered tremendous losses.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ether too narrowed her eyes. ¡­See that? ¡­She¡¯s speaking as if she¡¯s angry because of the Magic Tower? Ether remembered Hedera¡¯s expression at the entrance. It clearly wasn¡¯t the face of a woman worried solely about the Magic Tower¡¯s losses. It was a face of genuine concern for Ezekiel. ¡°I know I was somewhat deceived, but still. Your power is dangerous, so it¡¯s best if you stay away from the Inspector. What do you think, Third Princess?¡± Hedera had lobbed the ball, and Solana caught it swiftly. ¡°I don¡¯t entirely agree with the Second Princess. Telling someone to stay away outright is rather harsh, isn¡¯t it? However, I do agree to some extent that the First Princess should withdraw soon. The North desperately needs her power.¡± Solana cleverly used Hedera¡¯s words to push Ether away while simultaneously not aligning herself with Hedera. The battle of wits between the three was already fierce. ¡°The First Princess must leave precisely because she¡¯s too extraordinary. No one else can protect the North.¡± ¡°Hmm, that does make sense,¡± Hedera nodded, glancing sideways at Solana. It was easier to deal with Solana one-on-one after pushing Ether out first. She was confident in a direct confrontation with Solana. Another moment of silence filled the reception room, tension so thick it could snap at any moment. ¡°I understand,¡± Ether finally broke the silence, nodding her head, ¡°I completely comprehend what you¡¯re both saying.¡± ¡°Finally, you understand.¡± ¡°Yes, that my sin against the Master is too great. So I should just get out of here. That¡¯s what you mean, right?¡± Ether¡¯s lips twisted strangely. ¡°Oh, surely not? We meant it with good intentions.¡± ¡°Abandon your emotions. This is logical advice.¡± Solana and Hedera each addressed Ether; they were both certain they had successfully driven one person away. Just as they thought this, Ether spoke, ¡°Since I¡¯ve committed a sin that would take a lifetime to repay, I should atone by marrying Master.¡± A shocking statement entered the conversation. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..!¡± Various emotions flashed across Hedera and Solana¡¯s faces. ¡°I, the First Imperial Princess, shall offer my status and body to my Master who has nothing. I¡¯ll wash his feet daily and even bear and devotedly raise his children.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°Ah~ How empty my life is~ I¡¯ve committed such a grave sin that I must be bound as one man¡¯s wife for life~¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Solana and Hedera simultaneously licked their lower lips; this monster, appearing infinitely unintelligent, was far from ordinary. Chapter 63: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (3) ? Chapter 63 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (3) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Marriage. A contract that formally establishes a relationship between a man and a woman as a married couple; through marriage, the smallest unit of society, the family, is formed , and through childbirth, the workforce that will lead the future is born. However, These aspects alone are not the sole reasons why marriage is held in such high regard. Is it because it¡¯s considered the most significant event in a person¡¯s life? Not quite. Exclusivity. The ability to have exclusive rights to the one you love is what¡¯s truly important. The exchange of human emotions is akin to tending to a potted plant. It is a two-way communication, where it¡¯s impossible to distribute love equally, and the approach to each person is different. Marriage simplifies all of this. By sweeping away a considerable portion of human relationships, it binds a person to share love only with one individual for a lifetime. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± And that is why Solana and Hedera couldn¡¯t help but react sensitively. After all, marriage had been mentioned. Both princesses thought at the same time. ¡®She¡¯s out of her mind.¡¯ However, they couldn¡¯t bring themselves to voice it aloud. Though they had somewhat expected it, they hadn¡¯t imagined she would come out with such a reckless and straightforward attitude. It was an unexpected development. They needed to prevent this first and foremost. While there were many stubborn people in the world, Ether was a woman who could actually follow through, which made the situation troublesome. She wouldn¡¯t just stop at conceiving outrageous ideas; she¡¯d bring them to fruition. ¡®¡­Is she going to kidnap him and take him to the North?¡¯ Because they couldn¡¯t predict what kind of antics she might pull, receiving a letter was not enough to put them at ease. Naturally, Hedera and Solana¡¯s minds were spinning rapidly. ¡°May the grace of the Sun God be with us¡­.¡± In the end, it was Solana who broke the silence again, ¡°How beautiful it is when two people with aligned hearts come together to form a family. But an unwanted marriage can turn into the seed of disaster instead. That¡¯s why we can¡¯t simply congratulate you.¡± Ether furrowed her brows slightly at this. ¡°Of course, I will do my utmost. The seed of disaster you mentioned¡­. You need not worry. I am confident in being exceedingly devoted to my family.¡± ¡°No? That in itself is also problematic,¡± Solana replied, looking directly at Ether. ¡°For the First Princess, who is virtually the Empire¡¯s greatest military asset, to declare that she will devote herself solely to family affairs¡ªisn¡¯t that tantamount to saying you¡¯ll stand idly by even if a crisis befalls the continent?¡± ¡°You, you seem to have impeccable grammar when it comes to situations like this. There were quite a few difficult words in there, I believe.¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t change the subject. In any case, isn¡¯t that what being devoted to family means? Are you not using marriage as an excuse to neglect your duties as the First Princess?¡± After saying this much, Solana clasped her hands together and offered a short prayer; then, she resumed her benevolent smile.? ¡°The reason the imperial princesses can strive so diligently is that we believe each will remain faithful to her role. It seems the First Princess has made an unwise decision, so I feel compelled to intervene.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that what sisterly love is about? We have to stop each other if we are on the wrong path.¡± At this, Ether grinned broadly. ¡°You two are acting awfully cute today.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the only problem,¡± Hedera said, joining in agreement. ¡°Order, once disrupted, can shatter in an instant. As the First Princess, who commands numerous soldiers in the North, you should understand this well.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°Initially, the other princesses wouldn¡¯t think much of it. But gradually, they might come to consider marriage too. By then, the losses would already be substantial.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Ether quietly rubbed her chin. ¡°There are five imperial princesses in total, you know.¡± ¡°Technically, there are six¡­ No, you¡¯re right. For now, there are five. Yes, let¡¯s go with five.¡± ¡°As the leading princess, you should set an example.¡± A moment of silence descended in the reception room. Hedera and Solana silently stared at Ether, waiting for her response. However, unexpectedly, Ether smiled once again. ¡°Firstly, there¡¯s no need for you two to worry so much.¡± ¡°¡­Why?¡± A confident expression spread across Ether¡¯s face. ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered, your concern is that if I become a man¡¯s wife, I won¡¯t be able to fulfill my duties as the First Princess.¡± The First Princess slightly raised her chin arrogantly, ¡°It seems you underestimate me due to your limited abilities, but I am a woman capable of managing both a family and my responsibilities as the First Princess. You underestimate me.¡± ¡°What does that mean¡­?¡± Solana and Hedera¡¯s eyebrows twitched. ¡°First Princess, you¡¯re speaking out of line.¡± ¡°Speaking out of line? Me?¡± Ether scoffed. ¡°You ambush and conceal your intentions while attacking me, and that¡¯s not excessive? But when I point out your flaws, it¡¯s excessive?¡± Ether exuded a menacing aura while still smiling. ¡°Care to answer that? Either of you.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Solana bit her lip. ¡°And, weakening the continent¡¯s strength?¡± A mocking smile formed at Ether¡¯s lips. ¡°No, no. The continent¡¯s strength will actually grow. I¡¯ll give birth to about twenty children and raise them into a battalion.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Hedera and Solana thought simultaneously. ?¡¯She¡¯s serious. She really plans to have that many children.¡¯ ¡®¡­Does she think giving birth is like going on a hunt?¡¯ It was then that Ether shrugged her shoulders. ¡°From the start, when were we ever on such good terms that we¡¯d worry about each other? What difference does it make who marries whom? We have no interest in each other¡¯s lives at all.¡± A twisted smile appeared at the corner of Ether¡¯s lips. ¡°If you are displeased with me getting married, the rest of you princesses can simply find your own partners and get married as well. The fact that you hesitate and beat around the bush despite knowing this¡­¡± She lightly slapped the table with her palm. ¡°Ah, I see. You all have other motives, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± In power struggles like this, logic often takes a back seat. What mattered here was that Ether was the only one directly discussing marriage and pushing it forward. Hedera cited the operations of the Magic Tower as her reason, And Solana pointed to the peace of the continent as hers. Since their reasons were false to begin with, it was challenging to outright deny Ether¡¯s statements. ¡ª It¡¯s not because of Ezekiel. They couldn¡¯t confidently assert that. It was a lie from the start, and claiming otherwise could backfire later. ¡°I¡¯m not a woman who cares much for duty or decorum. What I learned in the North is one thing ¡ª if you want something, you hunt for it and claim it.¡± It was essentially a declaration that she intended to claim Ezekiel. ¡°Do not forget that I have never once failed in a hunt. Even if the target is Master, if there¡¯s competition, I will win.¡± However, no one dared to easily refute her words. Hedera and Solana exchanged quiet glances. ¡®You slipped up.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s because you were being so frustratingly vague.¡¯ Starting with lies, there was no way to fault Ether, who was so confidently asserting herself. Solana and Hedera furrowed their brows simultaneously. At this point, there was only one solution¡ª ¡­End today¡¯s meeting and revisit the discussion later. Hmm¡­ yes, that seemed to be the only way. ¡°May the grace of the Sun God be with us.¡± Solana took a deep breath and recited the chant. ¡°It seems the First Princess is somewhat agitated. Since the infirmary is nearby, let us all calm down.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re quick to call it quits when things get unfavorable~?¡± Ether shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Acting like a hunting dog baring its teeth to intimidate, now you want to roll over like a pet dog and show your belly~?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never bitten you, but if the First Princess feels offended, I¡¯ll simply apologize. Please be magnanimous like the snowy plains of the North and forgive my rudeness.¡± I will never admit to having bitten you, but out of my immense kindness, I will take the first step to acknowledge and apologize. You should be grateful. ¡­Was it a misunderstanding? It sounded that way to Ether. ¡°For now, let¡¯s lower our voices. Master is trying to rest. It¡¯s bad for the patient.¡± Hedera quickly intervened. ¡°I agree. The patient¡¯s safety is paramount.¡± ¡°I can see right through your ploy. Now that things are unfavourable, you use the patient¡¯s health as a leverage? How adorable.¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re saying, but anyway.¡± Hedera, with her mask perched on her chin, elegantly sipped her tea. ¡°Until the inspector awakens and regains his senses, let¡¯s not have any direct contact. It¡¯s a matter we can discuss once he regains consciousness.¡± ¡°Of course. The will of the person involved is important. Meeting immediately after he wakes up is risky. We should wait at least three days.¡± Solana nodded fervently. Then, Ether burst into hearty laughter. ¡°Such desperation. Fine, I¡¯ll do as you wish. But know this ¡ª Master will end up marrying me. We¡¯ll meet again three days after he wakes up.¡± Ether rose from her seat, and the conversation in the reception room concluded. The differences in their opinions remained unbridged. Completely different thoughts. Lives lived in profoundly different ways. However, At this moment, for once, their thoughts converged. s?a??h th? ???el F?re.n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡®I received the marriage proposal, these uncivilized brats.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m the one who got proposed to. If this turns into a long-term battle, I¡¯ll win.¡¯ ¡®I already have the marriage proposal letter, anyway~¡¯ All three women smiled confidently. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The sleeping Ezekiel was completely unaware. He had no inkling that an unforeseen storm, something no one could have predicted, was heading straight for him. ¡ª End of Chapter ? ? ? Chapter 64: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (4) ? Chapter 64 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (4) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?Inside the sacred temple of the imperial palace, a solemn place of worship. The third princess, Solana, was deeply immersed in prayer. Beside her was the priest Tom, who essentially acted as her secretary. ¡°¡­She will undoubtedly become the hope of the empire.¡± ¡°Absolutely. O Sun God, hearken to our voices!¡± Where Solana offered fervent prayers, Tom responded with loud affirmations. ¡°Is there another woman like the first princess who possesses both overwhelming status and martial prowess? Her title will become even more renowned whenever the continent faces a crisis.¡± ¡°Absolutely. O Sun God, hearken to our voices!¡± ¡°That title is probably the continent¡¯s greatest fox¡­.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ Huh? What?¡± Tom, initially with eyes closed, suddenly opened them and discreetly observed Solana¡¯s side profile. She seemed to struggle with her intense supplications, beads of sweat dotting her brow. ¡°Ahem! Ahem, ahem!¡± Solana coughed awkwardly. Perhaps my ears deceived me? It must have been a mishearing. Surely, calling the first princess the continent¡¯s greatest fox¡­. ¡°Ahem, ahem¡­.¡± Solana asked the priest in her usual tone. ¡°Tom, what were we praying for?¡± ¡°You were praying for the other princesses, and now it¡¯s the first princess¡¯s turn.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Indeed.¡± Solana refocused on her prayer. ¡°The Goddess of War, the Queen of all Cures¡­ Such unimaginable worth. Her very existence is a threat to our enemies and a justification for enforcing peace. There¡¯s a reason the emperor poured so much Sun Elixir into her upbringing.¡± ¡°Yes! O Sun God, hearken to our voices!¡± ¡°But why invest in such a fox¡­.¡± ¡°Yes¡­Huh? What?¡± ¡°Ah, the devil must be whispering in my ear.¡± While Solana composed herself, Tom doubted his own hearing. The words that the third princess had muttered intermittently were incredibly hard to believe. Solana finally opened her eyes. ¡°Brother Tom, making the world peaceful is the will and aspiration of the Sun God, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± ¡°Then, what constitutes blasphemy? Any act that imperils world peace is unequivocally sacrilegious, would you agree?¡± ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± ¡°Good. We will not overlook unholy deeds. Since the first princess is attempting to disrupt world peace, we must be prepared to counter her actions.¡± Priest Tom quietly nodded his assent; though questions lingered in his mind. ¡°Third Princess, if I may.¡± Tom¡¯s voice carried a hint of curiosity. ¡°The first princess is truly one who seems capable of anything. The Sun God¡¯s doctrine encourages childbirth, and wouldn¡¯t marriage be a good thing?¡± ¡°Blasphemous words!¡± Solana exclaimed very firmly, ?¡°There¡¯s no doubt about the power of the first princess. But marriage can become a vulnerability. What do you think will happen when the first princess, who only had to protect herself, suddenly has a family?¡± ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°The first princess should have the least number of weaknesses. Until all the evil threatening the continent is eradicated.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s acceptable to keep Ezekiel in the temple until we can truly say complete peace has arrived. While ensuring his safety, of course.¡± Tom nodded his head. ¡°Imagine if Ezekiel stayed here for his entire life?¡± ¡°Oh, princess¡­.¡± Tom clasped his hands together politely. To promise absolute safety and take care of a specific person for an indefinite period is a formidable task indeed. Would there not be those who would target Ezekiel simply because he had gained the first princess¡¯s interest? And this temple would take on such a significant risk. To eliminate all unholy things in the world, for a beautiful world, the third princess was faithfully¡­. ¡°¡­How wonderful it would be if just that could happen!¡± ¡°What?¡± Solana no longer made excuses like misspeaking or the devil whispering to her. ¡°Complete peace? Is there really such a thing? Rather than let the first princess have him, it would be better to confine him in the temple and have him spend her life only with me¡­.¡± Denying complete peace? That, she shouldn¡¯t be doing¡­. The doctrine of the Sun God calls for complete peace¡­. ¡°Yes, if complete peace is imminent, then the Sun God might as well become a calamity. For the sake of all my fervent prayers, at least that much¡­.¡± Solana¡¯s body was trembling. Because of this, Tom¡¯s body also began to shake. ¡°Tom!¡± At some point, Solana sharply turned her head. ¡°Yes, yes!¡± The Angel of the Empire, Third Princess Solana. Yes, the Angel of the Empire¡­. Although currently, her eyes had a fierce gleam¡­. ¡°If there¡¯s one fortunate thing, it¡¯s that Ezekiel isn¡¯t interested in marrying the first princess.¡± Tom¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Is that so? It¡¯s a life-changing opportunity.¡± ¡°Think about it.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Imagine the weight one would have to bear as the first princess¡¯s husband. Just thinking about it is daunting.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Tom nodded his head. If Ezekiel, who had nothing, were to marry the first princess, Ether, even if the couples themselves were fine with it, those around them would never leave them in peace. ¡°Ezekiel is so righteous that he even considers the peace of the continent. He will reject it because he can see the bigger picture.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know. He truly is an amazing person.¡± ¡°Of course. His steadfast heart, steadily writing love letters to the woman he liked since his youth¡­ Ah, it¡¯s so romantic!¡± ¡°The woman must be delighted.¡± ¡°Indeed! And above all, he has a good eye. He wouldn¡¯t fall for a large, bear-like fox¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Tom swallowed nervously. The thought that the malicious spirits, usually exorcised by Inquisitors, might currently be haunting the Third Princess was a suspicion Tom couldn¡¯t entirely shake off. A while later, the true Solana finally spoke up. ¡°Tom, you¡¯re about to be promoted to a high priest, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy, given that pious individuals are competing. You¡¯ll need a lot of accomplishments.¡± ¡°I intend to do my best.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the right attitude. To a brother with such a good attitude, I propose an opportunity for a significant merit.¡± Solana looked at Tom. ¡°Though the princesses cannot approach Ezekiel for three days after she awakens, there¡¯s no clause that prevents others from doing so. Do you understand?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Brother Tom, you will stay by Ezekiel¡¯s side to inform him. Let him know that the temple is always open to him and that it can be his sanctuary anytime.¡± Tom hesitated for a moment. After considerable deliberation, he made his decision. ¡°This seems to be too important a task for me to handle¡­.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Solana¡¯s eyes narrowed with intense focus. ¡°I will succeed, no matter what!¡± Tom responded confidently. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? At the Imperial Palace, in Hedera¡¯s office. Rustle©¤ Rustle©¤ As usual, the sound of pages turning filled the room. Hedera was meticulously reviewing the stack of reports piled high before her as always. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Her secretary, Tether, quietly observed. To be able to witness this sight was a great honor in itself. To behold the second princess handling her work with such focused efficiency would serve as an exemplary model for anyone. Indeed, that¡¯s correct. Under normal circumstances, it would certainly be an inspirational sight¡­. ¡°¡­¡­.¡­?¡± Rustle©¤ Rustle©¤ However, Tether¡¯s rabbit-like eyes blinked. ¡®She keeps looking at the same page.¡¯ Repeatedly stuck on the same section, her behavior was uncharacteristically awkward, something never observed in Hedera before. At some point, Hedera added a sugar cube to her tea. Even this act was a display of elegance, worthy of being a model of grace. Who in the Empire could exhibit manners with such poise and dignity? ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± But again, Tether tilted his head. ¡®How many has she added already?¡¯ It seemed like at least ten cubes by now¡­. ¡°Um¡­.¡± Tether cautiously spoke up. ¡°Princess, are you perhaps troubled by something?¡± ¡°Troubled?¡± Hedera, with a mask elegantly draped over her chin, took a sip of her tea. Completely disregarding the overwhelming sweetness of at least ten sugar cubes confirmed Tether¡¯s suspicion. She must really be deeply troubled by something. ¡°Could I possibly have anything to worry about? Handling any task quickly and with ease is my forte.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s more like there¡¯s just something on my mind.¡± Tether immediately showed her respect. ¡°May I humbly hear it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing much. This continent is vast and teeming with people, yet there exists someone of insect-like intelligence who believes I am overworking the Inspector.¡± Hedera sighed deeply, ¡°Tether, I have a mission for you.¡± ¡°A mission, you say?¡± ¡°Yes, the inspector will soon wake up in the infirmary. You need to make sure he is genuinely fond of and committed to the Imperial Magic Tower. Persuade him in any way necessary.¡± From the beginning, Hedera and Solana had intended to create a three-day grace period to execute this very plan ¡ª to prevent Ether¡¯s approach and proceed with persuasion through other means. ¡°Um¡­ by persuasion, do you mean¡­.¡± ¡°Other princesses will also send people, but it¡¯s okay, right?¡± ¡°¡­..¡­.¡± Actually, it wasn¡¯t okay. Tether wasn¡¯t confident in her speaking skills. She tried to avoid the topic slightly. S?a??h th? N0v?lFire(.)n?t website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I don¡¯t have much authority in the Imperial Magic Tower . All I can do is sweet-talk him¡­¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you temporary authority. Explain all the advantages of the Magic Tower, as well as everything we can offer.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try my best¡­.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The inspector is already deeply infatuated with me.¡± How could she be so sure? However, Hedera¡¯s expression was full of confidence. ¡°There¡¯s one major advantage you need to emphasize.¡± ¡°And what advantage would that be?¡± ¡°That the Tower Master is beautiful. That she¡¯s pretty. That her beauty doesn¡¯t lose out to any princess.¡± ¡°Um¡­.¡± Tether gulped. The beauty among the princesses was hard to distinguish. It was really a matter of preference. Meanwhile, Hedera furrowed her brows. ¡°I¡¯m the most beautiful among the princesses, right?¡± Her elegant brows continued to furrow tighter. ¡°¡­Aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Of course, you are the most beautiful!¡± Tether turned her gaze toward the curtain. ¡°Even the sun hides its face in shyness before your beauty, Princess! Yet, the moon is shameless! Rising so boldly with ulterior motives!¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re right. Indeed.¡± Hedera finally nodded. On the other hand, Tether, sweating profusely, thought inwardly. This mission. It would be the hardest task she had ever taken. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Deep within the temple in the Imperial Palace, the infirmary. ¡°¡­..¡­.¡± A man finally awoke. ¡®Ah, so refreshing.¡¯ Ezekiel opened his eyes feeling refreshed. ¡­Something¡¯s wrong. Why do I feel so refreshed? Chapter 65: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (5) ?? Chapter 65 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (5) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The Black Tower could be succinctly described as a manifestation of a demonic fortress within the human empire. It was also the sole place within the empire where demons were legally accepted and where black magic could be researched. Some demons who had completed their integration into society lived in the Black Magic Tower, but they lived while enduring various entry restrictions and behavioral constraints. While the research of black magic was indispensable for the empire, any misconduct was strictly unforgiven. And now, with one day remaining until the exchange meeting, Teddy, the secretary of the Black Magic¡¯s Tower Master, who had the appearance of a young girl, was passing time idly while holding a doll. ¡°Hmmm~¡± It was boring. Once the exchange meeting commenced, the day would be brimming with exciting events, but the immense anticipation made the current waiting unbearably dull and draining. Teddy was someone who could hardly stay still. However, the reason she was currently waiting quietly was¡ª ¡°¡­The Imperial Magic Tower.¡± Indeed, it was the Imperial Magic Tower. Truthfully, Teddy was incredibly excited to see what kind of presence the Imperial Magic Tower would show at the exchange meeting. Surely, she wasn¡¯t alone in feeling this way. The Imperial Magic Tower, which claimed it would never forget the attitude of the Black Magic Tower. Was that attitude born out of real confidence? If not, perhaps it was merely an empty show of bravado? So far, it seemed like nothing more than bravado. ¡°Teddy, some of the attendees have already arrived.¡± A mage from the Black Magic Tower reported, wearing a hood to cover the demon¡¯s characteristic horns. ¡°Who are the key figures from the main towers that have arrived?¡± ¡°All four of the towers have arrived, except for the Imperial Magic Tower. Also, as per your instructions, a festival has been set up in the area to attract as many spectators as possible.¡± ¡°Well done. The more eyes watching, the better~¡± The Black Magic Tower was more than just a single building; it was an entire region. Due to the nature of the exchange meeting, most events were conducted informally among key figures, but some announcements were made in front of the crowd. Teddy aimed to attract a large number of spectators through the festival. To proudly showcase the Black Magic Tower¡¯s achievements. To openly reveal the shortcomings of the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡­In any case, the gathered masses would soon learn the results. However, there was one thing that caught her attention upon reflection. ¡°So, everyone¡¯s gathered, except the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Yes, that is correct. The Imperial Magic Tower had issued a public proclamation not to be late for this exchange meeting. It seems to have had quite an impact.¡± ¡°They made such a proclamation and yet they are taking their time¡­.¡± Whether the challenge from the Inspector of Imperial Magic Tower had a solid backing or was simply bravado, it would all become clear by tomorrow. Teddy stepped outside to greet the distinguished guests. Well, it was just a simple greeting, though. ¡°How harshly has the Imperial Magic Tower treated us all this time?¡± ¡°Indeed. They have hindered the progress of other magic towers!¡± ¡°Still, no other tower suffered as much damage as the Black Magic Tower. The significant projects we prepared tirelessly were either dismantled or rejected midway.¡± Wherever one went, there was talk about the Imperial Magic Tower; thus, everyone was keenly watching the developments regarding the Imperial Magic Tower this time. ¡°They impose all sorts of sanctions, yet they keep their own announcements secret and don¡¯t even attend the exchange meetings!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see this time around. How impressive they are.¡± Of course, most sentiments toward the Imperial Magic Tower were filled with resentment. The primary role of the Imperial Magic Tower was to monitor, restrict, and punish other towers. Whether they did their job well or poorly, it was tough to earn the favor of the other towers. ¡­But. What if the Imperial Magic Tower that watched over and restricted other towers hadn¡¯t even maintained its own internal integrity? Wouldn¡¯t that be truly disgraceful? While walking, someone gave Teddy a friendly smile. ¡°The Black Tower has had the toughest time.¡± ¡°Hmm~ It¡¯s nice to be acknowledged~¡± Teddy responded lightly as she passed by. Considering the presence of demons and the study of black magic¡­ naturally, the Black Magic Tower had been treated the harshest and oppressed the most by the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°I hope the Imperial Magic Tower is well-prepared~¡± Teddy muttered quietly to himself. ¡°My pranks can be pretty harsh, so don¡¯t expect any mercy if you cry?¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Ezekiel slowly sat up. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± A sharp pain radiated from his shoulder and chest, and he noticed white bandages wrapped tightly around him. ¡®There¡¯s pain, but my body feels much better than before.¡¯ That was his first thought about his own condition. The injuries from the arrows were mere external wounds caused by his mana being exhausted. The important thing was that the flow of ice mana inside his body was better than before. ¡­It felt more like he had received a refreshing treatment. ¡®By the way, where am I¡­ Ah, this is the infirmary inside the temple.¡¯ It was familiar. He remembered collapsing during his duel with Ether, and now he was in a familiar place. The infirmary inside the Imperial Palace temple. He had been brought here countless times in the past. ¡°Hmm?¡± But soon, his brows furrowed. In the midst of familiar scenery, there was something unfamiliar. His eyes took in the objects filling the infirmary. Potted plants, baskets of fruit, herbs that looked like medicinal plants¡­ The quantity was overwhelming. It was hard to tell if he was lying in an infirmary or a storage room. ?Ezekiel was just about to get out of bed. ¡°You were instructed to stay in bed until today.¡± His head turned swiftly. A woman stood at the now-open door. ¡°Are you awake?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± The woman, entering the room and casually tucking her hair behind her ear as usual, was Agnes, a telekinetic and Ezekiel¡¯s personal secretary. ¡°Are you allowed in here?¡± ¡°I heard the news today after receiving no word from you for several days. I also got permission to visit. As your personal secretary, it¡¯s only natural, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Several days? I¡¯ve been out that long?¡± ¡°Yes. The exchange meeting between the towers is tomorrow.¡± Ezekiel slowly furrowed his brow. ¡®That long? I¡¯m still lacking in skill.¡¯ If his body had been a bit better, and his level a bit higher, that match would have been nothing¡­. A sense of determination was kindled within him. He soon nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s set off as soon as I¡¯m discharged.¡± Meanwhile, Agnes tilted her head in puzzlement. ¡°¡­As expected, there¡¯s something unusual about you, Inspector.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You suffered such a huge injury and were hospitalized, narrowly escaping death¡­. Yet, you don¡¯t seem the least bit surprised. As if it were just another ordinary event.¡± ¡°Well¡­.¡± It was true; he had experienced it countless times. His past missions were extraordinarily challenging, constantly teetering on the brink of life and death, with hospitalization being a regular part of the job once a mission was completed. Ezekiel gestured with his chin to the items before him. ¡°¡­Never mind. Is all this stuff from you?¡± ¡°These are gifts for you, Inspector. From the staff of the Magic Tower, residents of Ruiple, and even guards from the imperial treasury¡­ So many people sent them that they piled up like this.¡± ¡°Hmmm.¡± Get-well gifts were a first for him. It felt strange. Ezekiel¡¯s missions had always required him to hide his identity, so no one ever acknowledged him. Each time he was hospitalized, his room had always been empty. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen the Magic Tower staff unite like this. The guards said this is the first time they¡¯ve sent gifts as well. It seems you are quite respected.¡± ¡°Respect, huh?¡± Ezekiel dismissed it with a wave of his hand. However¡­. A strange emotion swept through his heart. After writing that proposal letter and getting involved in various matters, he felt that he was experiencing things he never had before. Being famous wouldn¡¯t be so bad, and he could indeed become famous. That thought was quite peculiar. Agnes elegantly rotated a cube. ¡°So, should I start with my report? If you¡¯re still feeling unwell, I can wait.¡± ¡°Do as you please. My condition is quite good right now.¡± ¡°Yes, then¡­.¡± Agnes handed him a few documents. ¡°First of all, it seems the Black Magic Tower is quite confident. They haven¡¯t hesitated to provoke the Imperial Magic Tower, and they¡¯ve even taken on a new commission.¡± ¡°Quite brazen, aren¡¯t they? What¡¯s the commission about?¡± ¡°You know the demonic sword we retrieved from Ruiple.¡± Demonic sword, it took him a moment to remember. Yes, they had recovered the demonic sword that absorbed fear. ¡°Yes, there was that.¡± ¡°They¡¯re asking us to bring it to the Black Magic Tower.¡± Agnes¡¯ expression showed her disapproval as she spoke. ¡°They claim it¡¯s for research to contribute to the empire, but who knows what they¡¯re really thinking. The Black Magic Tower has always been like this.¡± ¡°In what way?¡± ¡°They regularly attempt dangerous activities and test their limits against the Imperial Magic Tower. They commit acts first, and if the Imperial Magic Tower reprimands them, they pretend to back off.¡± ¡°They¡¯re just itching to cross the line.¡± ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve been stopping them for the past 10 years¡­.¡± Agnes sighed deeply. ¡°The problem is, the Black Magic Tower always acts like a perpetual victim. If we don¡¯t display the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s true strength at this exchange, it¡¯s clear how they¡¯ll take advantage.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll conveniently leave out their dangerous attempts and only highlight our restrictions without justification.¡± ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s the issue. Someone must stop the Black Magic Tower, but the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s poor image makes it difficult¡­.¡± S?a??h th? N?velF?re.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel quietly stroked his chin. The Imperial Magic Tower reminded him of his past self. The task of monitoring and restraining others, even if justified, inevitably breeds resentment. They could never win the favor of those they were watching. ¡®But it¡¯s obvious what would happen if we let them loose.¡¯ He knew well what would happen if such behavior was unchecked. They¡¯d shout that they deserved freedom, having been wrongfully oppressed by the Imperial Magic Tower, only to pose significant threats to the continent afterward. ¡­Indeed, the only option was to suppress them thoroughly at this exchange. ¡°We need strong allies going forward.¡± Given the isolation of the Imperial Magic Tower, Ezekiel couldn¡¯t be certain that he alone could handle everything. Allies who would support the Imperial Magic Tower were essential. ¡°¡­Allies, you say?¡± ¡°Yes, people who will stand by the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± Coincidentally, at that very moment. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re awake?¡± A voice was heard from the door once more. Initially, it was one person, but soon they became three. ¡°Inspector! Are you awake?¡± ¡°Excuse me¡­!¡± The three began to speak urgently. ¡°I¡¯m the messenger from the First Princess¡­.¡± ¡°It¡¯s me, Tether, the Second Princess¡¯s secretary!¡± ¡°I am here on behalf of the Third Princess¡­.¡± ¡°¡­..¡­.¡± Agnes blinked, bewildered by the sight. On the other hand, Ezekiel observed the commotion quietly. Rather than furrowing his brow, he smiled. ¡°All of you, you¡¯ve come at the perfect time.¡± Reflecting upon it, he realized that he had more allies than he could count. Chapter 66: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (6) ?? Chapter 66 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (6) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Inside the temple of the imperial palace, in the infirmary. ¡°So¡­.¡± Ezekiel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°¡­the three of you each have a proposal for me?¡± All three messengers nodded simultaneously. ¡®Things are going even better than I thought.¡¯ He could tell just by looking at their faces. They seemed to have good news, not bad, which meant everything had gone quite well. Well, it was only natural if he thought about it. He had recently assisted in interpreting the ancient language for Hedera, won a match against Ether despite being unjustly treated, and even completed the portrait the Emperor wanted. ¡­Looking back, it was a wonder how he managed to accomplish all that. At that moment, the First Princess¡¯s messenger spoke up. ¡°From this point on, I will deliver the First Princess¡¯s message on her behalf. Since there is a three-day no-contact order after you wake up, I hope you understand.¡± ¡°No-contact order?¡± Ezekiel looked at Agnes with a face that sought an explanation, but she only shook her head silently. The First Princess¡¯s messenger nodded. ¡°Yes. The presence of the princesses is not something that can be ignored, and there were concerns that it might affect you, the patient, which is why this temporary measure was put in place.¡± Agnes tilted her head in confusion. ¡°So, it means the princesses are forbidden from approaching?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°¡­?¡± Agnes seemed completely baffled. A no-contact order for the princesses meant they had attempted to meet Ezekiel. ¡­But why? What on earth happened during his break? ¡°From now on, I will convey the First Princess¡¯s message. All outsiders, please step out for a moment.¡± Everyone left the room, leaving only the two of them. The first princess¡¯s messenger unfurled a scroll and began to read. ¡°Please understand that the following words are from the First Princess herself.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± S?a??h th? N0v?lFir?.?et website on G??gl? to access chapters of n?vels early and in the highest quality. ¡°First, I apologize.¡± The messenger began relaying the message. ¡°I deeply regret the accident that occurred during the match. It was a significant oversight on my part. I had not anticipated that my opponent would be Master.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Of course, words alone, especially spoken through another, cannot suffice as an apology. I am fully aware this cannot absolve me. I promise to do my utmost in many areas beyond this apology.¡± The messenger did a commendable job mimicking Ether¡¯s tone. ¡°Firstly, I fully accept that I lost the contest. As the participant, I acknowledge the Master¡¯s clear victory.¡± Ezekiel nodded quietly. The agreed-upon elixir was used for treatment. However, I will not use this as an excuse to forgo its compensation. I will procure the same quantity of elixir and deliver it once more.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± This was an incredible gain. ?Ezekiel was terminally ill. Each elixir was immensely precious. As a result, he would be receiving twice the originally promised amount, making it incredibly beneficial to him. ¡°And if you wish, I will even offer my body.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­?¡± Ezekiel furrowed his brow. ¡°If mere flesh could atone, I would gladly offer it. If you desire my head, I will sever it myself.¡± The First Princess¡¯s messenger paused after delivering the message, contemplating in silence. ¡®He has to accept this.¡¯ It was an unbelievably generous offer. To propose the death of none other than the First Princess herself, who was deemed the hope and pillar of the empire, was¡­ Essentially, it was like handing over the future of the continent. Acceptance was the only option. However. ¡®Huh?¡¯ The messenger, observing Ezekiel¡¯s reaction, found it perplexing. Ezekiel showed an expression entirely different from what the messenger had anticipated. ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Ezekiel silently chewed on a piece of sunweed. ¡°Has the First Princess¡¯s messenger finished speaking?¡± ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± ¡°No, I was just wondering if you were done.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ technically, yes, the message has been delivered.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Hoo¡ª! Ezekiel exhaled smoke and nodded. ¡°Next.¡± The messenger¡¯s face turned pale. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? After receiving the command from Hedera, Tether had resolved herself. ¡®I must succeed!¡¯ No matter how difficult the mission, it wasn¡¯t important. Even though Tether had caused a disturbance related to the Imperial treasury incident, Hedera had generously pardoned her. Additionally, she had even reinforced the number of secretaries to ensure her well-being. Therefore, Tether had to succeed. To make Ezekiel want the Magic Tower, to bind him to it for life! But¡­. Um, but¡­. ¡®Is this really the right way to do it?¡¯ Tether tilted her head in confusion. ¡°Tether, I didn¡¯t particularly expect this kind of treatment,¡± ¡°¡­Oh no! This is something I wanted to do!¡± Tether intensified her efforts. She vigorously massaged Ezekiel¡¯s shoulders. ¡°This is the first time in my life I¡¯ve been treated like this.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Am I making a good impression? Or even if I am, is this the right way to do it? ¡°Here, try some of this as well.¡± Meanwhile, Tom, the priest under the Third Princess¡¯s command, had been tirelessly peeling fruit and placing it on Ezekiel¡¯s bed. He wasn¡¯t just peeling the fruit; he was carving each piece with so much care that they looked like works of art, making them almost too precious to eat. ¡°How does it taste?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not bad.¡± ¡°You might have noticed, but I carved it in the likeness of the Sun God statue. Please remember the temple¡­.¡± Crunch¡ª Before Tom could finish his sentence, Ezekiel snapped off the Sun God¡¯s head and started chewing it. Of all places, it had to be that part¡­. ?Or perhaps the fault lay with himself for carving it this way in the first place¡­ ¡°Huh? Did you just say something?¡± ¡°¡­No, nothing at all.¡± Ezekiel continued munching on the fruit comfortably. ¡°This is a rare indulgence. Not bad at all.¡± Meanwhile, someone was quietly observing the situation from a corner of the infirmary¡ªit was none other than Agnes. She had been feeling quite anxious for a while now. On the other hand, Ezekiel, noticing his secretary, called out to her. ¡°Agnes, would you like to have some as well?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Agnes remained expressionless but was taken aback. She quietly scribbled something in her notebook. [Incomprehensible.] Was it really okay for Ezekiel to behave like this? Of course, it wasn¡¯t like he was doing anything wrong. After all, Ezekiel hadn¡¯t forcibly created this situation; the messengers themselves were offering their goodwill. But even so¡­. Agnes couldn¡¯t help but blink. ¡®He looks far too comfortable, and it suits him far too well.¡¯ She suddenly recalled the past. The day she first met Ezekel in a rural village, he had looked like a drunken lout who hadn¡¯t fully recovered from a hangover. Alright, it makes sense why this suits him. ¡­But why is he so comfortable? The messengers were chattering breathlessly. ¡°The first princess will spare no support for the North. So please, consider the proposal positively¡ª¡± ¡°The temple will always have its doors open. Whenever you visit, it will serve as a safe haven for you.¡± ¡°I-Inspector! Did you hear that the Magic Tower is increasing your salary? Not only that¡ª¡± Indeed, what Agnes truly couldn¡¯t understand was this scene. ¡®¡­Everyone here is exceptionally prominent.¡¯ Being secretaries or messengers directly under the princesses, ordinarily people would be bowing their heads to the ground just to meet them. And yet, why were they treating him this casually? Were their offers trivial? No, that was definitely not the case. ¡°The North has many beautiful sights. Would you like to take a trip there? We¡¯ll cover all the expenses¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll assign you some inquisitors for protection.¡± ¡°¡­Our Tower Master is quite beautiful, you know that, right?¡± Each proposal was remarkably substantial. Thus, Agnes¡¯s curiosity only grew further. With her pen working furiously, she started jotting down notes. [Capabilities?] Was Ezekiel really that remarkable? He was indeed an exceptional individual. But had he done something to attract the attention of three princesses to this extent? What could it possibly be? [Appearance?] [Personality?] ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Scritch¡ª! Scratch¡ª! [¡ö¡ö?] [¡ö¡ö?] She erased her scribbles entirely. At any rate, there must be something she didn¡¯t know about. Even now, while Agnes was racking her brain, Ezekiel remained utterly at ease. In the end, Agnes communicated telepathically. ¡ª Inspector. Hoo¡­. The Inspector merely exhaled a puff of smoke from his sunweed. ¡ª Excuse me, Inspector. ¡ª What? His response was so nonchalant that it left Agnes sweating nervously as she continued her telepathic message. ¡ª Just in case you might not be aware, all the visitors in the infirmary are distinguished individuals. Let me explain them to you one by one¡­ ¡ª I know. How could I not? ¡ª Pardon¡­? Agnes¡¯s mind became even more tangled. If he knew this well, then why was he just sitting there? ¡ª The proposals directed at me are just not appealing. For the time being, I need to focus on the tower¡¯s affairs. ¡ª Oh¡­? Was he always this principled? Was he always this resolute? Agnes cleared her throat a few times before speaking telepathically again. ¡ª At the very least, please show some basic courtesy. Even if you plan on rejecting their proposals, you never know when you might meet them again. It¡¯d be best to avoid any awkwardness later. ¡ª There¡¯s the exchange meeting tomorrow anyway. ¡ª Yes. ¡ª Just for today, let me rest thoroughly. ¡ª ¡­. Could she really push a newly awakened patient to do something? Agnes, being human as well, couldn¡¯t bring herself to do that. The real issue was that the visitors were important dignitaries! In the end, Agnes spoke to the messengers. ¡°Excuse me, Ms. Tether, the Second Princess¡¯s personal secretary.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. What can I do for you?¡± ¡°Is there any chance the princesses will visit the infirmary themselves?¡± ¡°Hmm, even if they do, it will probably be three days from now.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± What once felt like an impending ordeal, the magic tower exchange meeting now seemed quite welcome to Agnes. She quickly jotted down a note. [Depart as soon as dawn breaks.] Since Ezekiel¡¯s condition seemed better than expected, leaving as quickly as possible seemed the best option. If the princesses were to see this scene¡­. ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± At least in Agnes¡¯s view, it would be disastrous. Which princess would be happy to see her carefully selected messengers struggling like this? However. At that moment. Slam¡ª! The door to the infirmary burst open, and a priest stepped in. His reaction upon seeing the scene inside was a visible flinch. ¡°¡­.¡­?¡± Of course, it was natural. What other infirmary could present such a scene? Probably none. ¡°Mr. Ezekiel, how are you feeling?¡± ¡°Well, I think I should rest thoroughly, at least for today.¡± ¡°The princesses have arrived.¡± A brief silence ensued. Everyone seemed frozen, as if time had stopped. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s expression silently questioned. Why are the princesses here? ¡°They confirmed the exchange meeting at the Black Magic Tower tomorrow, decided to shorten the three-day no-contact order to one day, and want to meet you now. You should prepare yourself.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Oh, have you made your decision?¡± ¡°Decision? What decision?¡± ¡°I am just a lowly priest, naturally, I don¡¯t know the details. However, the princesses are here to hear your decision¡­. Well, let¡¯s meet them first.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± The tension in the infirmary was palpable. Agnes¡¯s gaze darted nervously. Surely, Ezekiel had a plan? He must have had a plan, which is why he acted this way, right? ¡°¡­¡­¡­?¡± However. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­!¡± Agnes¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Because Ezekiel stood frozen like a statue. Chapter 67: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (7) ?? Chapter 67 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (7) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Inside the Imperial Palace, in the dining hall. While dining itself wasn¡¯t inherently special, it could become a memorable experience when shared with someone¡ªlike at this very moment. ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you here. Last time it was in the carriage, right?¡± Solana smiled warmly at me from across the table. Sea??h the ¦ÇovelFire .net website on G00gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sitting opposite me, gracefully handling her fork and knife, was none other than the Third Princess, Solana. We were in an opulent dining space reserved for private meetings with distinguished guests. ¡°Being able to share a meal with you is such a great happiness for me. I hope it¡¯s a peacefall time for you as well.¡± ¡°Solana, it¡¯s peaceful, not ¡®peacefall¡¯.¡± ¡°Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful¡­ Ah, that¡¯s right!¡± Solana blushed and avoided my gaze. It was as if a sunflower were feeling shy. ¡°Anyway, the food is incredibly delicious. Almost too much.¡± ¡°I¡¯m delighted to hear that.¡± While often overshadowed by her status as the Saintess, Solana was also an exceptional cook. From soup to salad, freshly baked bread, and juicy meat, the table was laden with a feast so extravagant that I worried it might collapse under the weight. ¡°By the way, Solana.¡± At some point during the meal, I broached the topic that had been on my mind the most. And at the same time, the topic I was most worried about. ¡°¡­I heard the other princesses came today as well.¡± ¡°Ah, that was a lie.¡± Solana daintily wiped her mouth with a napkin. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for such a lie, the other messengers wouldn¡¯t have left. It wouldn¡¯t do to have a crowd around a patient who needs rest, right?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s what happened.¡± Only then did I feel relieved. Thinking of all the princesses gathering here¡­ No, I cut off the thought halfway. Just the idea made me dizzy. ¡°Yes, I much prefer this too.¡± Hearing that, Solana paused her hand movement, then smiled brightly, truly joyous. ¡°Fufu, is that so? It seems that you also enjoy spending time with just me.¡± Although it was a slight misunderstanding, it wasn¡¯t entirely wrong, so I didn¡¯t bother correcting her. The meal continued pleasantly. Each bite was a delight. From the appetizer to the dessert, everything was meticulously planned by Solana, making each dish a pleasure to savor. It was Solana who first broke the silence. ¡°So, Master, how¡¯s life these days?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been manageable. Much better than living idly day by day.¡± ¡°Is that so? I¡¯m glad to hear you say that.¡± Solana seemed somewhat relieved by my answer. ¡°In truth, I was worried because I unilaterally assigned you as the inspector. I got so frustrated that you hadn¡¯t achieved wealth or fame that I just couldn¡¯t stand it¡­.¡± ¡°It all started with the letter I sent, didn¡¯t it? There¡¯s no need for you to blame yourself at all. If anything, I¡¯m grateful.¡± ¡°R-really¡­?¡± Solana averted her gaze from mine, but she seemed genuinely happy. We resumed our meal, and the conversation picked up again when we were having dessert. ¡°Speaking of which, Solana, a priest from the temple has been making several proposals to me.¡± At this, Solana paused her eating for a moment, then slowly nodded; her movements were filled with a sense of regret. ¡°Yes, I sent him. After the accident during the last duel and out of concern for you¡­.¡± She stifled a bitter smile, ¡°I am such a headstrong woman. I placed you in the inspector¡¯s role for your benefit, but now that I feel uneasy, I try to draw you back to the temple¡­.¡± ¡°That¡¯s understandable. Don¡¯t worry too much about it.¡± That was the best response I could manage at the moment. Truth be told, I had already suspected as much. Solana had a tender heart since childhood, staying up all night worried whenever I returned injured from a mission. But now that same tender heart was conflicted with the idea that I should be known to the world. She must have been struggling with these thoughts. So telling her not to worry was the best thing I could say. Suddenly Solana asked me, ¡°So, what do you think, Master?¡± Her question made me pause, and I couldn¡¯t help but meet her gaze. Her expression was incredibly serious. ¡°Between getting involved in various incidents and progressing as you are now, or living leisurely as you did before¡­ which do you prefer? I can¡¯t continue making decisions for you.¡± ¡°I prefer things as they are now,¡± I answered without hesitation. ¡°I have no regrets. Even if I could turn back time, I¡¯d still send that letter.¡± Receiving Sun Elixir and rare elixirs from the Emperor, and being free to become famous, felt incredibly rewarding. Gaining health, surrounding myself with more people, and being able to focus on improving my abilities with peace of mind¡­ It was all unfamiliar but certainly not bad. ¡°Master, you really don¡¯t know the meaning of regret, do you?¡± ¡°¡­Well, I suppose not.¡± Of course, I might revise the content of that proposal a bit. And I wouldn¡¯t send letters to all five of them¡­. ¡°Now, I have a clear goal to strive for.¡± ¡°A goal¡­!¡± Solana¡¯s face flushed red at that moment. ¡°A-and by goal, you mean the part in your letter about that, right? It makes me a bit embarrassed.¡± It seemed she thought my goal was solely about marriage. ?I cleared my throat awkwardly. ¡°Well, that¡¯s part of it¡­¡± ¡°The woman you wrote to¡­ you must like her a lot.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­¡± I felt a sudden cold sweat break out. A simple question, but for someone like me who sent letters to five different women, it was anything but simple. It felt like walking barefoot on a razor¡¯s edge. ¡°You seem so deeply in love that you didn¡¯t even hesitate despite the dangers. Your feelings for her come across as very profound.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­¡± Was she hoping to hear that I liked her? Or had she discovered that I sent letters to five different women? ¡­No, the answer was already clear. In any case, I couldn¡¯t say I didn¡¯t like her. ¡°Yes, it was a heartfelt letter.¡± Solana nodded slowly; her expression turned so serious, it was now impossible to read her thoughts. ¡°I still learn a lot from you, Master. From your brief words, your small actions, countless little things.¡± ¡°There¡¯s not much left for me to teach you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true. Even now, there¡¯s something I want to ask.¡± Her eyes, bright as the sun, stared directly at me. ¡°When met with sincerity, one should respond with sincerity, right?¡± ¡°¡­That is right.¡± I was somewhat afraid of what Solana might mean by sincerity, but she seemed to be thinking deeply about something. She slowly blinked her eyes and then drew a gentle smile. ¡°Thank you, Master. Prayers often go unanswered, but today I¡¯ve received a response right away.¡± ¡°An answer? What answer?¡± I still couldn¡¯t grasp Solana¡¯s intentions. ¡°Sincerity should be met with sincerity. Yes. Master, I know now what I should say.¡± Did our conversation really contain something so profound? Solana now appeared like a sage who had found the answer, clasping her hands together respectfully. ¡°From now on, I will continue to support you, Master. And I am confident I can lend you my strength, whatever it may be.¡± Solana stood up slowly. She then leaned forward with her hands on the table, bringing her face very close to mine. ¡°But from now on¡­¡± Before I knew it, our breaths were nearly mingling. Our gazes met in mid-air. Then, with a smile slightly different from before¡ª ¡°¡­Please distance yourself from all women except me.¡± ¡ª she said, with a soft but determined voice. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Had three days always felt this long? The Second Princess, Hedera, pondered this frequently these days. In the past, time would fly by as she was engrossed in her work, hardly noticing its passage. But now, the three days she awaited felt interminably long. ¡­She was eager to hear Ezekiel¡¯s decision soon. Hedera, who usually valued efficient use of time, found herself feeling quite the opposite today. She was unconsciously pacing in front of the temple¡¯s infirmary. Just then, ¡°I saw the Third Princess¡¯s face! What a stroke of luck!¡± The excited chatter of the priests reached Hedera¡¯s ears, causing her to pause her steps. ¡°Seeing the face of the third princess is almost like carrying a good luck charm! What a fortunate morning!¡± ¡°Come to think of it, we¡¯ve been seeing the princesses more often than usual. People who were hard to meet once a year are now frequently visiting the imperial palace. Why is that?¡± Hedera unconsciously furrowed her brows. The fact that Solana had shown up here in the morning was particularly bothersome. At the same time, she had a sudden intuition. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± An intuition that Solana had secretly taken Ezekiel away ¡°¡­You two, come here.¡± Hedera muttered in a chilling voice. Chapter 68: Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (8) ?? Chapter 68 ¨C Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (8) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ¡°¡­You two, come closer.¡± While Hedera didn¡¯t use any Dragon Speech, the chilly edge in her voice had the same effect. The priests who had been chatting immediately halted. As they realized Hedera¡¯s presence, their eyes widened in shock. Hedera issued the command again, ¡°Come closer, I said.¡± The command from the princess was absolute. The priests, visibly frightened, started to approach her, still clueless as to why they were being summoned. ¡°You were just talking about the Third Princess, weren¡¯t you?¡± At this, the priests quickly recalled their recent conversation. Luckily, they hadn¡¯t said anything disrespectful about the Third Princess, but it was still a potential issue. One of the priests quickly spoke up. ¡°We apologize for our reckless comments¡­.¡± ¡°No. Your conversation was quite enlightening.¡± Had it not been for their chatter, Hedera wouldn¡¯t have known that Solana had visited. She thought to herself. She swiftly moved to her next question. ¡°Was there a man with the Third Princess?¡± The priests exchanged troubled glances. ¡°We¡­ We didn¡¯t notice. We were just so surprised to see the third princess that we weren¡¯t paying attention¡­.¡± Well, there¡¯s an old saying that loyalty lies with one¡¯s kind. These priests served within the imperial palace temple. Naturally, their structure leaned towards supporting Solana. Thus, Hedera asked differently. ¡°Has the Inspector been discharged?¡± The priests exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do, but it was Hedera, the second princess, who was asking. Not responding to such a question was simply not an option. Eventually, one of the priests answered in a quiet, trembling voice. ¡°Yes¡­. If we¡¯ve caused you any displeasure, Second Princess, we apologize. We were only¡­.¡± ¡°Enough.¡± The priests looked worried they might be interrogated further, but Hedera listened no more. Her current concern was solely Ezekiel. ¡°Carry on with your duties.¡± Hedera began walking briskly. The problem was, her destination wasn¡¯t clear yet. ¡®¡­Where could they be?¡¯ The imperial palace was vast, almost like a small town. The thought of Solana spending every moment whimsically with Ezekiel made her anxious. ¡°With the Inspector¡¯s body still recovering, and with him needing to visit the Black Magic Tower tomorrow¡­.¡± Thoughts about Ezekiel¡¯s health, his duties as Inspector, the future of the Imperial Magic Tower, and the tasks Hedera herself had to accomplish ¡ª all swirled around her head before they were blanketed in white. Yes, in truth, those things didn¡¯t matter now. What made Hedera anxious wasn¡¯t those superficial reasons. It was the fact that Solana had broken her promise and was spending time with Ezekiel on her terms. That alone made her furious. ¡­What could they be talking about? There wasn¡¯t much need to think deeply about the matter. The secretive nature of their meeting implied they were discussing something private. ?The First Princess, Ether, had even proposed marriage. So what could Solana possibly say? Something equally shocking, perhaps. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­¡± Hedera intensified her focus. The heightened senses unique to a dragon-blooded being quickly scanned the entire palace interior. Her anxiety heightened her sensitivity and speed, allowing her to search thoroughly. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­!¡± And soon enough, she sensed Solana¡¯s holy power. It was deep within the dining room. Swish©¤! Hedera moved swiftly. There were many stories she wanted to share with Ezekiel and many things she needed to hear from him. The first conversation when Ezekiel regained consciousness should have been hers. But Solana had taken away that moment. What could be so important that it justified such behavior? Hedera couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Finally, she arrived. The door to the dining room was slightly ajar, and Hedera peeked inside through the gap. Plates indicating a finished meal sat between the two individuals at the table. ¡®¡­How dare she.¡¯ The mere fact that Solana had taken the first meal with Ezekiel made anger rise, but she suppressed it with difficulty. ¡­If she interrupted now, she wouldn¡¯t be able to eavesdrop on their conversation. Hedera strained her ears to listen. And soon, Ezekiel¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Well, I think I need to focus on my work for the time being.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why you need to distance yourself even more. It will help you concentrate solely on your work.¡± What does she want him to distance himself from? Solana, who had stood up, was leaning her upper body towards Ezekiel. The close proximity was enough to make Hedera¡¯s brow furrow. ¡°As a flower attracts all sorts of insects, the more famous you become, the more women will flock to you. But you must firmly reject them. Understood?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± ¡°Focus solely on your work and distance yourself from all women except me. They¡¯re all filled with ulterior motives.¡± Hedera couldn¡¯t believe her ears. At this moment, doesn¡¯t Solana have the most ulterior motives? Her words felt unbearably hypocritical. ¡°I¡¯ll wait patiently for you. Until the day you¡¯ve gained enough fame and happiness, and have rid yourself of all other women.¡± So, in the end, she¡¯s saying she¡¯ll place Ezekiel in her grasp. Hedera unconsciously bit her lower lip. ¡°¡­So please, reassure me in this way. Ensure that you stay as unscathed as possible and keep off other women.¡± Hedera closed her eyes tightly and pressed her temples. She needed time to organize her thoughts on where exactly to interject and counter. But as soon as she opened her eyes again, ¡°¡­¡­..¡­!¡± Her eyes widened in shock. Solana had overlapped her hands gently over Ezekiel¡¯s fist, appearing incredibly tender. ¡°Well then, let me offer a prayer for you, Master.¡± Bam©¤! Hedera couldn¡¯t contain herself and flung the door open forcefully. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± And an immediate silence fell over the dining room. Solana, recognizing Hedera, briefly widened her eyes before her expression subtly twisted. It was clear she felt the hostility emanating from Hedera. ¡°How amusing, considering you were the one who first mentioned the three days.¡± ¡°What brings you here? Were you hungry?¡± ¡°They call the daughter of the Sun God a Saintess, right? I heard being pious is a requirement, but judging by your behavior, there¡¯s not a single part of you that fits that description. What do you think you¡¯re doing to the patient here?¡± Though Solana¡¯s expression twisted slightly, she didn¡¯t remove her hands from Ezekiel¡¯s fist. It was more than enough to make Hedera feel uncomfortable. ¡°The messengers were clinging too much and repeatedly bothering the patient, so I took appropriate measures. I even fed him healthy food. Isn¡¯t that better?¡± ¡°Then you should have reported it. Since when do you act as you please?¡± ¡°Within the temple, the only authority higher than mine is His Majesty the Emperor. I have never reported to the second princess on such matters.¡± The verbal sparring was sharp. A heavy silence fell once more. It was then that Ezekiel carefully spoke. ¡°First, both of you, calm down©¤¡± ¡°Master, please stay quiet.¡± ¡°Inspector, stay out of this.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel quietly bit his sunweed. No, he wanted to, but he couldn¡¯t. Solana was gripping his hand tightly. It was Hedera who broke the silence again. ¡°Solana.¡± Hedera called out to the third princess indifferently; her tone was devoid of earlier agitation and irritation, now carrying a hint of mockery. ¡°¡­You must have been very anxious, huh?¡± For the first time, Solana¡¯s eyebrows twitched at those words. That reaction only cemented Hedera¡¯s certainty. ¡°You made this decision out of fear, didn¡¯t you? Afraid because you couldn¡¯t handle the competition among the three of us. You even broke the rules of the proposal you suggested.¡± Her voice was calm. ¡°¡­But do you think that will work?¡± Hedera smiled faintly. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, you think that if all other women are cast aside, you¡¯ll be the only one left to choose. That won¡¯t work. You simply lack appeal.¡± Of course, even Hedera had felt uneasy knowing Ezekiel and Solana were alone together. But now, she intentionally scoffed to further press Solana. ¡°If it were me, I would have allowed him to meet other women. Because I¡¯m confident in my own charm.¡± Solana was left speechless. She must have crushed her, Hedera thought, confident. She began to make her way toward the inspector but then stopped abruptly. One phrase struck her ears like a bolt. ¡°¡­a woman who never cared about the Master.¡± At first, Hedera thought she had misheard. Her eyes, visible above her mask, quickly filled with bewilderment. Solana was merely smiling benignly as usual. Perhaps that¡¯s why the cognitive dissonance felt even more intense. With a contorted expression, Hedera asked again. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Then Solana, as if reciting a prayer, softly murmured. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t it true? You never cared about the Master¡¯s condition and never showed your face when he was brought to the temple.¡± And the final blow. ¡°Yet now, suddenly, you dare to come?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡­¡± Those words marked the end of their exchange. For a moment, the two princesses stared at each other in silence. Sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on G00gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Ha.¡± Eventually, Hedera let out a hollow laugh. ¡°Ha ha¡­ Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha©¤!¡± The hollow laugh soon turned into hysterical laughter. The conversation between the princesses was now growing increasingly intense. Chapter 69: ?? Chapter 69 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?¡°Ha ha ha¡­ Hahahahaha!¡± If one were to choose the most esteemed location in the Imperial capital, it would undoubtedly be the Imperial Palace. After all, it was the Emperor¡¯s residence and where all matters of the empire were handled. However, today was unusual, with not one but two princesses, highly regarded by the citizens, gathered there. What made the situation more intense was their mutual hostility. ¡°Solana, have you finally lost your mind?¡± Hedera spat, wiping at the corner of her eye with her index finger. Her question was met with silence. Hedera was forced to repeat herself. ¡°Answer me. Have you gone mad?¡± An average person would have collapsed under Hedera¡¯s sharp questioning, but Solana maintained a serene expression as if nothing was wrong. ¡°Second Princess, I assure you I am in my right mind,¡± she replied calmly, her tone impeccably composed. It seemed like Solana was trying to diffuse the situation, but Hedera¡¯s hostility hadn¡¯t lessened in the least. Solana appeared determined to see things through to the very end. ¡­As if dousing a fire with oil and fanning the flames. ¡°After all, it¡¯s not as if I¡¯ve said anything untrue.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Hedera blurted, caught off guard. The situation was so unexpected that it took her a moment to process what was happening. Before she could demand clarification, Solana continued, her voice as sweet as honey. ¡°The one who consistently showed interest in the Master, the one who brought him all the way from that rural village to the capital, the one who arranged for him to be appointed as the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower ¡ªthat was none other than me.¡± The truth was that Solana had been in a foul mood ever since the duel. Ezekiel was not only her esteemed master but also the man she loved. However, the moment he was gravely injured, terrifying memories from her past resurfaced. ¡ª There¡¯s no guarantee we can heal him. ¡ª At this point, even the Third Princess¡¯s holy power may not suffice¡­ An uncertain future, her own lack of ability, her master¡¯s precarious state¡­ The buried anxiety from that day welled up once more. Ultimately, she developed a defensive mindset. It¡¯s not the teacher¡¯s fault. That¡¯s right, it¡¯s those sly foxes who are to blame. The ones who clung to him without a second thought, only to bring him misfortune. I¡¯ll get rid of them all and keep him safe. Whether those thoughts were logical or righteous was irrelevant. Solana simply couldn¡¯t bear it if she didn¡¯t do something, anything, to regain a sense of control. Her lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°You¡¯re awfully concerned about Master all of a sudden, Second Princess. Why is that? Have you finally done your calculations and decided that the Imperial Magic Tower, which you once considered a garbage dump, is actually a honey pot ripe for the taking?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯m not interested in the Magic Tower. I¡¯m simply trying to repay the Inspector¡¯s kindness towards me¡­¡± Hedera struggled to find the right words, unsure of where to even begin, when suddenly, a horrifying realization struck her. The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place in Hedera¡¯s mind. Wasn¡¯t Ezekiel¡¯s true desire Hedera¡¯s happiness? There was no shortage of evidence to support that conclusion¡ªfrom the Inspector¡¯s every action to the words he had written in his letters. ¡­Solana went to such great lengths, yet Ezekiel is only concerned with my well-being. Perhaps that¡¯s why Solana is so enraged. At least, that was how Hedera made sense of the situation. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The moment the thought crossed her mind, all her anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of amusement. She was now able to look at Solana with a newfound sense of superiority¡ªas if she were observing something insignificant. Was it the smug satisfaction of knowing that she held Ezekiel¡¯s affections? Or a sadistic desire to see the arrogant Solana brought to her knees? Or perhaps a yearning for revenge against someone who dared to overstep their boundaries? Perhaps it was all three. A cold smile spread across Hedera¡¯s face. ¡°Oh, Solana. Now I understand.¡± Her tone, however, was far from empathetic; her mask hid nothing but derision. ¡°You¡¯re anxious and afraid, aren¡¯t you? Now that he¡¯s finally here?¡± Solana shook her head slowly. ¡°You really should stop with these absurd assumptions. I simply find your opportunistic behavior distasteful¡­¡± ¡°The one who seizes every opportunity, who changes her tune depending on the circumstances, who clings to what she wants¡­ That¡¯s you, Solana, through and through.¡± Her composure seemed to crack ever so slightly at Hedera¡¯s words. Her previously benevolent expression hardened into an icy mask. She glared at Hedera, but Hedera continued, unfazed. ¡°You thought that making him the Inspector would bring only good things, but seeing him work solely for me has made you impatient? Your jealousy getting the best of you?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Admit it.¡± The corners of Hedera¡¯s lips curled upwards. ¡°You want things to work out for the Inspector, but you also don¡¯t want him to get hurt. And on top of that, you don¡¯t want other women anywhere near him¡­ Why are you so indecisive?¡± ¡°Is it so wrong to have all those desires simultaneously? They may not be ideal, but I hardly think they¡¯re abnormal.¡± ¡°You misunderstand. Those feelings aren¡¯t wrong in and of themselves.¡± The expressions of the two women contrasted starkly. Solana¡¯s face continued to harden, while a mocking smile played at the corners of Hedera¡¯s eyes. ¡°But here¡¯s the thing.¡± Hedera pronounced each word as if laying down a verdict. ¡°Thinking that merely waiting will earn you a rightful reward. That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong.¡± ¡°Patience is also a virtue. You may not understand.¡± ¡°Is waiting really that great? Not at all.¡± Hedera shook her head firmly. ¡°You can¡¯t achieve anything. You¡¯re not remarkable, so all you can do is wait. It¡¯s your helplessness.¡± Hedera, abandoned because she waited as a child. Solana, rewarded because she waited as a child. Their paths in life had diverged, as had their beliefs about the very nature of patience. ?Hedera muttered as if spitting the words out. ¡°If you just wait passively, it¡¯s natural that things will be taken from you.¡± Sea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on G00gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°¡­Thief.¡± Solana¡¯s hostility was palpable, but Hedera no longer felt displeased. In fact, the more Solana reacted this way, the better Hedera felt. ¡°Why? Was my explanation too blunt? And don¡¯t think of the inspector as something to be merely taken away. This is ultimately for the greater good as well.¡± Solana let out a scoff of disbelief. ¡°The greater good? How is this in any way pursuing the greater good?¡± ¡°The more I take care of the Inspector, the more the Imperial Magic Tower will prosper, and the preparations for the Ascension Ceremony are progressing smoothly. If that¡¯s not pursuing the greater good, then what is it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re always like this, aren¡¯t you, Second Princess? Dressing your own selfish desires as acts of magnanimity.¡± Solana¡¯s voice trembled slightly, betraying her barely-contained rage. ¡°If you become the Dragon, you¡¯ll be the one who benefits the most, won¡¯t you? You¡¯re not doing this for the greater good. You¡¯re doing this to hoard even more power for yourself!¡± ¡°Hoard power? No, I¡¯m merely preventing others from taking what¡¯s rightfully mine.¡± ¡°Excuses, justifications, pretending to be virtuous¡­ I see right through you. You¡¯re not a thief, Second Princess. You¡¯re a shameless robber.¡± It was the first time Solana had expressed her emotions so candidly, but Hedera could face all of it and still maintain her composure; Solana losing her benevolent expression bit by bit meant that Hedera was gaining the upper hand. ¡°Solana, don¡¯t flatter yourself by thinking you ¡®created¡¯ the Inspector. He was always destined to shine, with or without your help.¡± ¡°Is that why you ignored him for so long? Does that little lie make you feel better about your past behavior?¡± ¡°What¡¯s important isn¡¯t how I treated the Inspector in the past, but what I can offer him now.¡± Solana, who had loved and supported him unconditionally. And Hedera, who was finally ready to give him everything he could ever want. Their stances were so different, their convictions clashing like thunder. Neither believed for a moment that they were in the wrong. They were convinced that their own beliefs were absolute. ¡°You, stuck here¡­ and I, destined for the Celestial Realm¡­ It¡¯s obvious who would be of more benefit to him. So¡­¡± Hedera began. ¡°¡­Enough with the rationalizations.¡± At some point, Solana interrupted Hedera¡¯s speech. At the same time, she seized the opportunity. ¡°Second Princess, if you¡¯re really so incredible, so capable of offering him everything he could ever want, then why is it that you¡¯re always the one on the receiving end?¡± ¡°What?¡± For a moment, confusion flickered in Hedera¡¯s eyes, but Solana continued in a calm, low tone. ¡°You received help during the Imperial Treasury elemental rampage, for translating the ancient dragon language¡­ The so-called great and capable Second Princess, why do you constantly rely on help?¡± Hedera found herself at a loss for words. ¡°You justify your actions by claiming you¡¯ll reward him later. But you¡¯ve never actually done anything for him, have you? You¡¯re just putting up a facade to exploit the teacher.¡± In retrospect, Solana¡¯s words were not entirely wrong. We live in the present, not in the future. Even when the future arrives, it takes the form of the present. Hedera was so caught up in promising grand gestures in some distant future. Meanwhile, she hadn¡¯t offered so much as a kind word or a gesture of support in the here and now. ¡­What exactly have I done for him? Solana clicked her tongue in disgust. ¡°Just back off already, you parasite.¡± A finishing blow. The tide turned once more. The composure that Hedera had so carefully maintained crumbled away, leaving behind a gaping maw of shock and fury. ¡°You, calling yourself a Saintess, can¡¯t even distinguish between words that should and shouldn¡¯t be said?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only natural for the impious to hear harsh words.¡± ¡°¡­Do you really want to take this to the end?¡± Hedera¡¯s pupils turned into vertical slits. Her imposing aura began to fill the space, causing the entire room to tremble, but Solana didn¡¯t back down. She too exuded a strangely sharp golden aura. Crack¡ªcrackle¡ª! Cracks began to form on the dining hall floor. Clang¡ª! Plates on the table slid off one by one, falling to the floor. ¡°Solana, you truly¡­¡± ¡°The Second Princess is finally showing her true colors.¡± Just when it seemed like they would clash at any moment, Hedera blurted out a clever suggestion. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s ask the person involved.¡± Both women¡¯s gazes snapped toward a certain man. ¡°Inspector, you choose.¡± The question he had desperately tried to avoid¡ª ¡°¡­Me, or Solana?¡±¡ªhad finally arrived. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Had he ever faced such a difficult challenge in his life? He¡¯d been through countless harrowing missions, but none quite like this. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel silently chewed on sunweed. ¡­Why wasn¡¯t I in my right mind? He wondered, bewildered by his own past actions. Chapter 70: ?? Chapter 70 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?Clatter¡ª! Suddenly, the sound of a plate shattering echoed throughout the room. And both women¡¯s gazes snapped toward the source of the noise. ¡°¡­.¡­.¡± And the two overheated women couldn¡¯t help but be greatly taken aback. It was none other than Ezekiel who had thrown the shattered plate to the floor. But that wasn¡¯t all. His face bore a very cold expression. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice laced with displeasure. ¡°¡­How disappointing. Truly disappointing.¡± His words, sharp as icicles, sent a shiver down their spines; they stood frozen, at a loss for words. Past memories often influence the present. ¡ª You lied to me about your assignment, again. ¡ª I¡¯m so disappointed in you. They both recalled being scolded by their Master, the sting of his disapproval leaving an indelible mark on their young hearts. Reality crashed back down on them. They finally understood where they had gone wrong. Their argument, their back-and-forth, shouldn¡¯t have taken place in front of Ezekiel. Ezekiel sighed, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯d rather go back to that rural village than stay here and listen to this.¡± Just one sentence. ¡°¡­.¡­!¡± Just that one sentence. But it was enough to make the women¡¯s hearts sink. Hedera¡¯s eyes widened in horror, while Solana fidgeted nervously. They were both utterly fixated on one man. Ezekiel, their master. Their world revolved around him. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? With my face buried in my hands, I struggled to come up with a solution. ¡­What should I do now? I prided myself on having faced numerous high-difficulty missions, but I had never encountered anything like this. It was shocking enough that both princesses were upset, but to make matters worse, they had openly expressed their hostility towards each other. And the reason for their argument was me. Of all people, me. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Fortunately, Solana and Hedera had temporarily subdued the auras they had unleashed moments earlier. In truth, if they thoroughly examined the situation, I had my reasons to be angry. I am not an object but a human being. Yet they were arguing over ownership of me right in front of me? Yes, that¡¯s right. But the reason I couldn¡¯t bring myself to be truly angry¡ª ¡­was that this was my fault. Since the origin of this was the letters I had written, I felt a sense of guilt. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± For now, I kept my mouth shut. In this situation, with everyone watching me closely, staying silent was advantageous. The more I hastily spoke, the more likely I would lose this upper hand. Of course, even amid this, a sense of amazement welled up inside me. ¡®The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.¡¯ Confessing one¡¯s feelings to another. Such an act itself was fraught with risk; there was the possibility of being rejected, and in the worst cases, it could even lead to being hated. Yet I had written them a marriage proposal. Not to an ordinary woman, but to a princess of the Empire, and I hadn¡¯t been rejected yet. In fact, the subjects of the letter were now arguing over me. I¡¯m only human; it wasn¡¯t as if I was unhappy about being the center of their attention. However, the thought of resolving this situation was giving me a headache. How was I supposed to appease two princesses with bruised egos? ¡®Or is it three princesses?¡¯ ¡­The princess who wrote back, I still didn¡¯t know who it was. Anyway, when a conflict arose over a man, the man in question was never truly innocent. I had to defuse the situation before they turned their anger on me. ¡°We didn¡¯t mean anything by it. We just wanted to know what the Inspector thought¡­ out of pure curiosity¡­¡± Hedera stammered. ¡°¡­I have a headache.¡± I interrupted Hedera, rubbing my temples. Having collapsed recently and being generally unwell was quite helpful in this situation. ¡°S-Sorry,¡± Hedera blurted out. The Second Princess had apologized! The Second Princess! It seemed to be working even better than I had anticipated. Both of them fell silent, their gazes fixed anxiously on me. I decided to drive the point home. ¡°¡­With the exchange meeting coming up, I don¡¯t have the energy for this.¡± At this, Hedera quietly averted her gaze while Solana let out a deep sigh. At least I had managed to stop the two princesses from clashing head-on. After a long silence, both princesses finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I made you angry.¡± ¡°Inspector, please understand that I meant no harm.¡± I took a deep breath and nodded, still playing the part of the frail, sickly man. ¡°I¡¯m not upset. It¡¯s just that¡­ my health hasn¡¯t been very good lately¡­¡± It seemed as though those words alone offered them immense comfort; relief washed over their faces. Hedera quickly interjected, ¡°No, you have every right to be upset. We acted shamefully, arguing like that in front of you.¡± It was rare for a princess, especially the proud Second Princess, to refer to her own actions as shameful. It showed just how much she cared about me. ¡°Master, I apologize. A devout believer should be able to maintain their composure under any circumstances¡­ But it was the first time someone had barged in during a conversation, so¡­¡± Solana¡¯s apology, on the other hand, held a barb. Her apology was genuine, but she also seemed to subtly blame Hedera for interrupting the conversation. It would be challenging to make them reconcile immediately. The best approach in this situation was to make a promise rather than offer an explanation. I first directed my gaze to Hedera. ¡°¡­Tower Master, I have no intention of betraying the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± I deliberately used the title ¡°Tower Master¡± instead of ¡°Second Princess,¡± as a sign of my loyalty to the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Yes. I mean to say that as an Inspector, my priority is to fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities.¡± I nodded and pressed further, ¡°But the question you asked me¡­ it wasn¡¯t simply about whether I would choose you as the Tower Master, was it?¡± Hedera¡¯s question. It had been a question about whether, as a man, I would choose her as a woman. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°No matter how I answer, the relationship will change. It could affect the Magic Tower, and even influence the Ascension Ceremony.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m just curious¡­¡± Hedera mumbled softly. Of course, she still couldn¡¯t meet my gaze. ¡°Such a change in our relationship wouldn¡¯t necessarily be a positive one. What if I were to refuse to choose you and resign as Inspector? What would you do then?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t choose me¡­.¡± Hedera seemed to want to say something, her lips quivering, but then she closed them tightly and shook her head, ¡°¡­No. That must not happen.¡± At times like these, Hedera¡¯s past childish demeanor emerged, reminding me of the girl she once was. I nodded silently. ¡°And above all, the exchange meeting is urgent.¡± This time, my gaze shifted to Solana. But surprisingly, Solana spoke first. ¡°Anything is fine with me.¡± She had already clasped her hands together as if in prayer, her eyes squeezed shut, a semblance of calm restored to her face. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t choose me, it¡¯s alright,¡± she continued, her voice steady. ¡°Anyway, if it means you can succeed more, it¡¯s okay. If choosing another means you can focus more on your work, I have to accept that. I can wait.¡± ¡°How long are you willing to wait? It might never end.¡± ¡°When it ends doesn¡¯t matter.¡± She finally opened her eyes, her gaze unwavering. ¡°¡­As long as you don¡¯t fool around with other women while focusing on your work. As long as that¡¯s kept, I don¡¯t mind.¡± She was always clear about what she wanted. ¡°Solana, calm down first.¡± ¡°Master, I¡¯m calmer than ever.¡± A dazzling smile spread across her face. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? Any woman besides me is just a sly fix. So, you need to be careful.¡± But her tone was exceptionally firm; there wasn¡¯t a hint of wavering left. ¡°The moment I sense that your resolve is weakening, that another woman has enchanted you¡­ I¡¯ll have no choice but to punish them. To bring down divine judgment upon them.¡± ¡°¡­Punish them?¡± ¡°Not you, Master. But them. All of them.¡± ¡­I wonder what kind of punishment she has in mind. It couldn¡¯t be anything pleasant. With those words, Solana stood up first. ¡°Then I will take my leave. The exchange meeting is soon.¡± Before long, only Hedera and I were left in the dining room. I felt a sense of temporary relief and lightly greeted Hedera. ¡°I should be going as well.¡± I intended to focus on the imminent exchange meeting. But. Hedera¡¯s words stopped me in my tracks. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t you have anything to say to me?¡± I popped another sunweed into my mouth, stalling for time. ¡°Something to say?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Hedera took the initiative to speak first. ¡°I¡¯ll be accompanying you to this exchange meeting.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m going purely as the Tower Master. Nothing will happen that would concern you.¡± She continued speaking, ignoring my attempts to interject, her tone as firm as a declaration of war. ¡°However¡ª¡± Hedera¡¯s gaze locked onto mine¡ª ¡°After the exchange meeting, you have to give me an answer.¡± Her eyes held an unyielding determination. ¡°That¡¯s the condition for me to remain as the Tower Master and not approach you as Hedera during the event.¡± With that proposal, Hedera turned and left. Hooo¡ª! I sighed, the smoke from the sunweed swirling around me. ¡­Is this a blessing or a curse? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The night before the exchange meeting. Also, the last night I would be sleeping in the infirmary. Just before drifting off to sleep, a thought crossed my mind. ¡®¡­Thank goodness the First Princess wasn¡¯t there.¡¯ If I had to choose the most unpredictable of the three princesses, it would undoubtedly be her. How much more chaotic would it have been if she had been in the dining room with the other two? ¡­It was a terrifying thought just to imagine. Knock¡ª! Knock¡ª! ¡°Inspector! Inspector!¡± Someone was urgently knocking on the door. The voice was familiar, it belonged to the First Princess¡¯s messenger. ¡­Could it be? The First Princess wouldn¡¯t be looking for me, would she? Suppressing a sense of dread, I opened the infirmary door. Thankfully, my fears proved unfounded; the messenger was alone. ¡°Ah, Inspector!¡± he exclaimed, sweat dripping down his forehead. Sea??h the N??elFire.net website on G00gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Have you seen the First Princess anywhere?¡± I felt a great sense of relief at that question. For this moment, not seeing the First Princess was good news. ¡°Unfortunately, I have no idea where she is.¡± I thought that would be the end of the conversation. However. The messenger¡¯s next words filled me with dread. ¡°¡­That¡¯s odd? She said she was coming to see you, Inspector Ezekiel.¡± Chapter 71: ?? Chapter 71 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ On the morning of the exchange meeting. As soon as Ezekiel woke up, he visited the training grounds within the Imperial Palace. During his treatment, he had consumed a large quantity of elixirs at once, leaving his body in a rather peculiar state. He observed his body closely. The coldness within him had grown stronger than before, yet to his surprise, his body had adapted slightly, accepting the change. It was a first for him. ¡®Indeed.¡¯ So this was why elixirs were revered as divine treasures. ¡­However, the effect was minimal, which was somewhat disappointing. If he hadn¡¯t tasted even a sliver of vitality, he might have accepted his impending death with less regret. But now, having experienced a hint of improvement, he yearned for more. The sensation of his life being extended, however briefly, was exhilarating. ¡®It has to be Sun Elixir.¡¯ Even the elixirs had only managed to slow down the deterioration of his body. What he truly needed was the Sun Elixir. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ª Focus on the exchange meeting for now. ¡ª The Sun Elixir should be ready by then. Since the Sun Elixir was not yet ready, the Emperor had promised him three drops once the exchange meeting concluded. Ezekiel couldn¡¯t wait. As he left the training grounds, several people recognized him. ¡°Isn¡¯t he the new Inspector at the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± ¡°They say he¡¯s incredibly skilled.¡± ¡°He¡¯s going to the exchange meeting? I¡¯m excited to see what he can do.¡± As he walked past those remarks, certain memories came to mind, particularly what Solana had mentioned. ¡ª I hope you will focus solely on your work, Master. Focus solely on my work, huh¡­ Now that he thought about it, he hadn¡¯t truly dedicated himself to anything, whether it be training or his duties as Inspector, in a long time. And there was one reason for that ¡ª he didn¡¯t know when his short life would come to an end. To focus on his work, he needed the luxury of time. He needed to prolong his life. ¡®I¡¯ll have to make more deals with the Emperor.¡¯ He¡¯d already used his painting talent. What would be the next bargaining chip? He¡¯d have to give that some thought. ¡°Ah, Inspector. There you are.¡± Lost in thought, he hadn¡¯t noticed Agnes approaching. ¡°Were you waiting for me, Agnes?¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector. It would be quite troublesome if you were to disappear right before the exchange meeting.¡± As they walked side-by-side down the corridor, Agnes suddenly let out a deep sigh. ¡°Inspector, did you know that the Five Magic Towers are required to submit progress reports to the Imperial Magic Tower periodically?¡± ¡°That is common knowledge.¡± ¡°Very well. Then, are you also aware of this?¡± Agnes fiddled with her cube as she continued, ¡°The reports are due every three months, and today happens to be the deadline. However, not a single tower has submitted a report.¡± ¡°The implications are quite clear.¡± ¡°Indeed. Painfully clear,¡± Agnes nodded. ¡°They believe the Imperial Magic Tower will be utterly humiliated at today¡¯s exchange meeting. They¡¯re also making it clear that they stand with the Black Tower.¡± What arrogant fools. Ezekiel popped another sunweed into his mouth. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry excessively.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± A knowing smile spread across his face. ¡°For now, let¡¯s sit down somewhere and talk.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Ezekiel and Agnes moved to a meeting room. ¡°So, what exactly are we supposed to do?¡± Agnes asked. ¡°Keep an eye on the Magic Towers that are acting suspiciously, identify any threats, and eliminate them. We¡¯re going to prune the branches so that only the Magic Towers that serve the Empire remain.¡± Agnes spun her cube. ¡°Of course, before we can do that, we need to prove that the Imperial Magic Tower is still capable. Otherwise, we¡¯ll face significant opposition from the Five Towers.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be difficult to prove our capabilities. Just tedious.¡± Ezekiel exhaled a plume of smoke from his sunweed. ¡°So, how do you propose we prove it?¡± ¡°In that regard, I¡¯m not sure what they¡¯re up to, but the Black Tower made a rather¡­ interesting suggestion.¡± Agnes handed him a document. It was a single sheet of paper containing information about the Demonic Sword. ¡°Didn¡¯t you retrieve a demonic sword after defeating a high-ranking fiend in the Ruiple region recently, Inspector?¡± ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°They want us to deliver it to an altar near the Black Tower.¡± Ezekiel tilted his head; this was strange. The Imperial Magic Tower wasn¡¯t the Black Tower¡¯s errand boy. ¡°The Black Tower specializes in handling demonic objects.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why it feels more like a challenge. A test of our competence. As if they¡¯re saying that they¡¯ll only acknowledge our abilities if we can complete this task.¡± ¡°What makes them think they can make such demands¡­¡± A decade of neglect. For ten years, the Imperial Magic Tower had demonstrated such incompetence that it was treated with such disrespect. The realization stung. ¡°Alright, I understand. What about the personnel going with us?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be accompanying you as your secretary, Inspector.¡± Ezekiel looked directly at Agnes. ¡°You¡¯re coming voluntarily?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s unexpected. I thought you hated me.¡± ¡°¡­Don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m going because the Black Tower¡¯s envoy was extremely rude.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re the type to hold grudges.¡± ¡°¡­Indeed. I am.¡± Agnes pouted, her expression as impassive as ever. He nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it. Let¡¯s rest for a while before we depart.¡± ¡°Alright. I will wait outside.¡± With that, they left the meeting room. As they wandered aimlessly through the palace grounds, they were met with the clamor of training soldiers. One©¤! Two©¤! One©¤! Two©¤! The clash of weapons, the vigorous movement of bodies, the relentless dripping of sweat¡­ Ezekiel paused, his gaze drawn to the spectacle before him; the sun, having finally risen above the horizon, bathed him in its light, marking the start of a new day. Despite the strenuous training, a flicker of hope shone in the soldiers¡¯ eyes ¡ª the hope that they would be stronger tomorrow. In short, for them, the exchange meeting tomorrow was an unquestioned certainty. It was a luxury that Ezekiel, ever since his birth, had never been able to afford. In other words, they had the luxury of taking tomorrow for granted. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± His mouth, which had been chewing on the sunweed, paused. One©¤! Two©¤! One©¤! Two©¤! Life had held little meaning for him. But the unexpected pang of melancholy he felt now ¡ª could it be a sign that he finally wanted to live? He pondered this quietly. ¡®Complete the exchange meeting mission, and then get the Sun Elixir.¡¯ He wasn¡¯t concerned about the difficulty of the mission. There was no need to be. However, right before he was about to depart, the man momentarily dared to dream of a long life. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Inside a room in the Imperial Palace infirmary¡­ ¡®This should be enough for tidying up.¡¯ Standing in his room, Ezekiel finished packing his belongings. He didn¡¯t own much, and the gifts visitors had brought him, he had requested to be moved to the Imperial Magic Tower. Just as he was about to leave¡ª ¡°I-I-Inspector!¡± A figure blocked his path, their voice frantic. It was the First Princess¡¯ messenger. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s¡­¡± He struggled to find the words. Ezekiel nodded, anticipating his question. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for the First Princess, I haven¡¯t seen her.¡± ¡°No, sir, we found the First Princess.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s good news. But why are you telling me this?¡± ¡°Um¡­ that is¡­¡± The messenger kept glancing nervously to the side. His voice trembled as he finally spoke. ¡°It seems¡­ you may need to¡­ make some preparations¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m already prepared for our departure.¡± Ezekiel frowned, ¡°You¡¯re the one delaying me right now.¡± ¡°Not for departure¡­ not that kind of preparation, sir¡­¡± ¡°What other preparations are there?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Ezekiel shook his head and tried to push past him, exhaling another plume of sunweed smoke. Or at least, he attempted to, but he couldn¡¯t. Because there was someone standing behind the messenger. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel was utterly speechless. Rarely was he taken aback, but the sight before him was indeed astonishing. The first thing he saw was a pair of slender legs clad in a pristine white wedding gown. But the figure was so tall that the doorframe obscured everything above the chest. A stunningly beautiful figure. It was as if someone had taken the concept of perfect beauty, sculpted it into a female form, and then carved it into a colossal statue. But he didn¡¯t have the luxury of simply admiring this work of art. There was only one woman in the entire Imperial Palace who was this tall. Where should the shock begin? There were far too many things about this situation that warranted his shock. The fact that she had appeared? The fact that she was wearing a wedding dress? He managed to force out a question, his voice surprisingly steady. ¡°¡­Why is she wearing a dress?¡± ¡°She said¡­ she¡¯s going to meet her husband¡­¡± the messenger stammered. Now? And why is she holding a sword? ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel gestured with his eyes to the sword in the woman¡¯s hand, but the messenger merely shook his head, looking just as confused as he was. Then, with a deafening crash, the wall near the door exploded outwards. The tall woman stepped through the newly enlarged entrance, her presence commanding attention. It was Ether, the First Princess. She didn¡¯t utter a single word. Grin©¤! She simply smiled, baring her teeth as she looked at Ezekiel. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± It was as powerful as any words could be. Chapter 72: ?? Chapter 72 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Before the carriage destined for the Black Magic Tower, a pallor touched Ezekiel¡¯s face. Agnes, her brow furrowed in confusion, queried, ¡°Pardon? What do you mean I should precede you to the Black Tower alone?¡± ¡°You heard correctly,¡± he replied, his voice edged with strain, his face pale. ¡°Just do so for now.¡± Just when he thought he could finally depart for the Black Magic Tower, an unexpected disaster had befallen him. It was the First Princess, Ether, who was the cause. Wearing a dress as if it were battle gear, the princess, appearing as an elegant bride, had been haunting Ezekiel like a ghost. Though he had managed to evade her so far. If she were to catch him, well. ¡­He couldn¡¯t guarantee what might happen. Of course, Agnes had no way of knowing all this. ¡°I¡¯d rather wait too. Let¡¯s go together.¡± ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m not joking. Go now.¡± At that, someone poked their head out from inside the carriage. It was Tether, the personal secretary of the Second Princess, Hedera. ¡°Oh? Are you saying to depart separately at a later time?¡± she asked, her head tilted like a curious rabbit. ¡°It seems like news that the Second Princess will be quite disappointed by. She was hoping that you, the Inspector, would arrive as soon as possible!¡± Agnes nodded in agreement. ¡°That is true. She left after repeatedly emphasizing that I bring you without any issues.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± Ezekiel chewed on a sunweed leaf and thought. ¡®¡­That¡¯s exactly the problem.¡¯ Both Hedera and Solana had presented their own conditions just before leaving. The common point was that they wanted to talk again when the exchange meeting was over. But what would happen if he were caught and taken as Ether¡¯s husband now? It would lead to the worst possible outcome. ¡°Agnes, you should depart quickly. Who knows, the Second Princess might take a liking to you as well.¡± ¡°As if someone like me would catch her eye.¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re right about that.¡± ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± Agnes¡¯ eyebrow twitched, but Ezekiel was already moving away quickly. Watching his retreating figure, Tether quietly murmured. ¡°He¡¯s quite remarkable.¡± ¡°In what way?¡± ¡°Have you ever seen anyone who remains unconcerned despite a princess expressing the wish for them to arrive quickly? This is a first for me.¡± Come to think of it, that was true. Agnes nodded. ¡°Usually, no matter what someone is doing, the moment they hear a princess is waiting, they drop everything and hurry to her side.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it¡­ you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°¡­..I think his abilities must be extraordinary. He easily captures the interest of the princesses and seems to take it for granted.¡± Agnes couldn¡¯t help but tilt her head in confusion. ¡°¡­Wait a moment.¡± Tether had said ¡°princesses,¡± not ¡°princess.¡± ¡°Do you mean other princesses are also interested in him?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? No less than three princesses visited his infirmary. It¡¯s quite a remarkable occurrence.¡± Agnes could only tilt her head in bewilderment. Interpreting ancient dragon languages and helping the Second Princess was certainly noteworthy for Ezekiel, but why would the other two princesses be interested in him? ¡°Do you perhaps know why they are interested?¡± ¡°Well? His looks? His personality?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Agnes¡¯s expressionless face, Tether quickly corrected herself. ¡°Ah, perhaps not.¡± Tether cleared her throat. ¡°In any case, isn¡¯t it you, Secretary, who has spent the most time with the Inspector? You should know better than to ask me!¡± ¡°¡­Me, of all people?¡± Agnes suddenly opened her notepad. [You¡¯re not my type either.] [He¡¯s out of his mind.] [I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s like that.] ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± She hurriedly closed the notepad silently. ¡°In any case¡­.¡± In the end, there was only one clear fact she could state. ¡°Whether it is praise or criticism, he¡¯s definitely not normal.¡± ¡­Yes, that much was absolutely certain. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡°¡­Hmm, he¡¯s completely disappeared.¡± Ether muttered as she swept back her hair with her hand. The messenger beside her spoke cautiously, ¡°Your Highness, it doesn¡¯t seem like a good time.¡± ¡°Silence.¡± She clicked her tongue in annoyance. ¡°Well, I suppose I understand why he¡¯s hiding.¡± ¡°Yes. The Inspector has the exchange meeting¡­¡± ¡°He must be terribly shy.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The messenger closed his eyes quietly. ¡®Yes, it¡¯s understandable you¡¯d think that¡­.¡¯ And indeed, thinking back on Ether¡¯s life, it was logical and natural for her to think that way. A woman with beauty often draws in capable men, yet Ether was a woman who also possessed capability. She lived a life taking whatever she fancied. From the distant past, everyone who ever faced Ether had been respectful and submissive. There were no exceptions. Failure, defeat, heartbreak¡­ Ether had lived a life that was far removed from all of that. It was only natural for her to think that way. ¡°Perhaps he is not happy with this situation?¡± ¡°A man who dislikes me? Such a man could not exist.¡± Ether chuckled. ¡°He may fear me, but he cannot dislike me. That¡¯s who I am.¡± The messenger sighed and thought. ¡®Something feels off.¡¯ At a glance, she seemed impulsive and single-minded, but the Ether he knew was always a princess who made wise moves. Why would she insist on this particular moment? ¡°Does the Inspector truly pique your interest that much?¡± ¡°Messenger.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Have you ever seen a wild beast that hates the fields?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The messenger thought quietly. The term ¡®messenger.¡¯ Messenger, soldier, Emperor¡­. Even though she appeared to treat those around her with endless familiarity, Ida always maintained a certain distance. There was a boundary set. Indeed, Ether likening herself to a wild beast and Ezekiel to a field suggested that her interest in him was immense. Its magnitude was hardly conceivable. ¡°Your Highness, I remain puzzled.¡± There were still elements that eluded understanding. ¡°If your interest in the Inspector is so profound, should you not approach with prudence and caution?¡± ¡°How naive.¡± Thwack¡ª! Ether struck the messenger on the head with her sword hilt. ¡°When is the best time to succeed in a hunt?¡± ¡­When accompanying the First Princess? The messenger nearly said this but refrained at the last moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Thwack¡ª! Ether struck the messenger¡¯s head again with the hilt of her sword. ¡°¡­It¡¯s when the target lets its guard down.¡± ¡°So, you plan to exploit the moment when the Inspector is unguarded?¡± ¡°No, the Inspector is never unguarded.¡± Ether smiled subtly. ¡°It¡¯s the others being off guard that I plan to exploit. A hunt must occur at an unexpected moment. Love, much like hunting, operates under similar principles.¡± ¡°Love is akin to hunting¡­¡± ¡°Yes, just capture and kiss, and the rest follows.¡± ¡°¡­ Well, you¡¯re quite the expert.¡± He then hesitated briefly before asking. ¡°Princess, have you yourself experienced love?¡± Ether silently tightened her grip on her sword. However, this time, not the hilt but the blade was pointed towards the messenger. ¡°I haven¡¯t. So, are you suggesting I give it a try?¡± A vein popped up on Ether¡¯s forehead. ¡°¡­You insolent fool, am I not permitted to love the Inspector?¡± Her gaze was blazing. The earth beneath them vibrated slightly. And the messengers¡¯ legs trembled involuntarily. ¡°¡­I-I apologize. I did not mean to offend.¡± The messenger quickly corrected his statement. ¡°Anyway, if love is no different from hunting, waiting for others to lower their guard might seem unnecessary. You could seize any opportunity anytime.¡± ¡°I need to hurry. Because of the Emperor.¡± Ether¡¯s tone became grave. ¡°Messenger, have you ever seen the Emperor care about anyone who isn¡¯t his own blood?¡± ¡°Um, not at all.¡± The messenger recalled the events in the North. Even if important figures in the North were sick and pleaded, nothing came down, but if it was related to Ether, he would send supplies without hesitation. That was the Emperor. The meaning was very clear. While others might ignore the significance others place on someone, the Emperor ensures to look after Ether. ¡°It¡¯s true that the Emperor listens to my requests quite well, but it¡¯s only as an Emperor. It¡¯s more of an Emperor¡¯s heart than a father¡¯s.¡± ¡°Indeed, he prioritizes public matters over personal ones.¡± ¡°But what if the Inspector becomes my man?¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± The messenger finally understood something. ¡°You mean to make the inspector a member of the royal family as soon as possible, and then have His Majesty take care of him directly¡­?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Ether nodded. ¡°The mission for this exchange meeting is dangerous. However, I cannot directly involve myself in matters concerning the Black Magic Tower. I must make sure the Emperor is concerned about the Inspector¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± The messenger suddenly felt ashamed and fell silent. Ether¡¯s actions weren¡¯t for her own selfish desires, but for the other person. She had already thought very carefully. ¡®So there was such a deep meaning.¡¯ After a moment, the messenger nodded and said. ¡°¡­I hope the Inspector understands the depth of your intentions. He ought to reciprocate your love.¡± Thwack¡ª! Ether struck the messenger on the head with her sword hilt again. ¡°Ouch!¡± Since he tried to dodge, he got another hit. Thwack¡ª! ¡°You fool, what nonsense are you spouting?¡± ¡°No, but¡­!¡± ¡°I told you, it¡¯s impossible not to love me?¡± Ether continued. ¡°Who am I?¡± ¡°The First Princess of the Empire, the Goddess of War, the Queen of all Cures¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. The Queen of all Cures.¡± The Queen of all Cures. In other words, the ruler of all armaments. ¡°¡­I am still a woman. I am confident I can use my charms to make him love only me.¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± What could that be? Could she possibly mean¡­cuteness? ¡­Cuteness? From the First Princess? The messenger shuddered at the horrifying thought. ¡°Messenger.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The messenger replied, wrapping a bandage around his head. ¡°You understand now, right? Do your best.¡± ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± At that moment, Ezekiel appeared in their sightlines. And Ether¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°There he is! Now, catch¡­.!¡± ¡°Catch him~!¡± The two of them jumped off the ground. Chapter 73: ?? Chapter 73 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?Sscccchhhhiiiing¡ª! A path of ice materialized in midair and Ezekiel shot across it like a bolt of lightning. ¡°Master, how long do you plan on running away?¡± ¡­Until you give up! ¡°Stop now, let¡¯s just have a chat!¡± ¡°Chat? As if¡­!¡± Ezekiel glanced at Ether¡¯s reflection in the ice. In her left hand, she held a sword; in her right, an axe¡­ This was definitely not what most people would consider a prelude to a civil conversation. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. Just a little kiss is all I ask!¡± ¡­¡­that¡¯s precisely what I¡¯m trying to avoid! Craaaack¡ª! Ether shattered the ice path, hot on Ezekiel¡¯s heels. But Ezekiel, with almost acrobatic grace, weaved and dodged, a phantom slipping through Ether¡¯s grasp time and time again. ¡­Just out of reach¡­.and yet almost within grasp. ¡°Just give up already. You can¡¯t catch me at your current level.¡± He meant it as a plea for her to stop. ¡°¡­What?¡± But Ether¡¯s eyes only narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths. ¡°Very well,¡± the First Princess hissed, her voice chillingly calm. ¡°If I catch you, I¡¯ll wring everything out of you.¡± ¡°¡­..¡­!¡± Panic flared in Ezekiel¡¯s chest, sending a jolt of adrenaline through his limbs. He pushed himself harder, fleeing with renewed urgency. Sscccchhhhiiiing¡ª! Running and running, again and again. Craaaack¡ª! Chasing and chasing, over and over. The relentless pursuit seemed never-ending. And eventually, Ezekiel made a decision. ¡®¡­I have no choice but that method.¡¯ BOOOM¡ª! After much deliberation, he concluded there was only one solution. And without hesitation, Ezekiel darted into a location¡­ ¡­it was none other than the Emperor¡¯s Audience Chamber. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??Inside the imperial palace, in the Emperor¡¯s Audience Chamber. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± A strange tension hung between the Emperor and Ezekiel. It was the Emperor, seated upon his throne, who broke the silence. ¡°So, now you come and go from the Audience Chamber as if it were your home.¡± ¡°Perhaps,¡± Ezekiel replied wryly. ¡°I¡¯ve never had a proper home, after all.¡± ¡°Hmph. You¡¯ve grown bolder.¡± The Emperor chuckled, unfazed by Ezekiel¡¯s bold retort. It was a subtle jab, a reminder that the Emperor hadn¡¯t exactly provided Ezekiel with lavish accommodations. Yet, the Emperor didn¡¯t seem displeased, merely amused. An apple materialized in midair, hovering before Ezekiel. ¡°Care for an apple?¡± ¡°No, thank you.¡± He noticed that the apple had been meticulously peeled. ¡ª ¡­Who eats an apple without peeling it? Could it be that the Emperor remembered Solana¡¯s remark from before? The Emperor spoke again. ¡°Now then, explain yourself. Why have you sought me out?¡± ¡°The First Princess is currently¡­ in pursuit of me.¡± The Emperor¡¯s expression barely changed. ¡°Not surprising in the least. It was bound to happen.¡± His reaction was even calmer than Ezekiel had expected. Meanwhile, Ezekiel tilted his head, a touch of confusion creeping into his tone. ¡°¡­So, will you allow it now?¡± ¡°Not a chance.¡± The Emperor scoffed. ¡°I still have no intention of giving you my daughters.¡± Silence descended upon the Audience Chamber once more. The chalice, suspended in midair, began to rotate slowly. ¡°Don¡¯t be mistaken. This is not consent; it¡¯s mere¡­..indifference,¡± the Emperor¡¯s voice was cold, devoid of warmth. He continued, ¡°Ezekiel, you are, without a doubt, a gifted mage.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°However¡­¡± The Emperor paused, his gaze piercing. ¡°I¡¯m not yet convinced that you¡¯re a good man.¡± Crunch¡ª! The apple vanished from midair. ¡°Five proposals? That¡¯s a first.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Ezekiel couldn¡¯t argue with that. Who in their right mind would propose to five women at once? And princesses, no less. ¡°Do you think any father would willingly hand over his daughters to a philanderer?¡± the Emperor continued, his voice laced with disapproval. ¡°I¡¯m only observing because of our previous agreement and because¡­ well, I am the Emperor, and certain decorum must be maintained.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve made your bed. Now lie in it. And see to it that you fulfill our agreement.¡± The Emperor¡¯s words sent Ezekiel¡¯s mind back to the five conditions he¡¯d been tasked with fulfilling¡­ sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ? First, become stronger than Ether. ? Second, become more noble than Hedera. ? Third, become more devout than Solana. ? Fourth, acquire more wealth than Chain. ? Fifth, reach a higher magic realm than Neo. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Even with just three princesses involved, it had been utter chaos. And now, he had to face even greater challenges while striving to fulfill these five conditions. Crunch¡ª! Another apple vanished from midair. ¡°Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°I asked why you sought the Audience Chamber, but your answer was less than satisfactory. Ordinarily, I¡¯d punish you for such impudence¡­¡± The chalice, floating near the throne, rippled gently. ¡°You¡¯re in luck,¡± the Emperor continued. ¡°I happen to have something to discuss with you. I¡¯ll let your transgression slide¡­ for now.¡± Click¡ª! With a snap of his fingers, an audible click echoed through the chamber. At the same time, a stone slab rose from the floor of the audience chamber, detailed with the major regions of the continent. ¡°Ezekiel, I¡¯ve heard that five Magic Towers have failed to submit their reports. Their intentions are clear. They¡¯re trying to conceal their secret techniques.¡± ¡°I believe so too.¡± ¡°Obtain every bit of their information. This is the condition for overlooking today¡¯s breach and for refraining from interfering in the issues involving the princesses.¡± It was a daunting mission, even to speak of so casually. Tensions between the magic towers were at an all-time high, and their security was tighter than ever. He was being asked to infiltrate each tower, investigate their secrets, and return with a complete understanding of their hidden techniques. Despite the challenge, Ezekiel didn¡¯t protest. Instead, he asked¡ª ¡°Investigate them¡­ Is that all you desire?¡± ¡°Yes, remember the extent of my patience.¡± A moment of silence. Then, Ezekiel let out a low chuckle. ¡°Your Majesty, you are as consistent as ever.¡± ¡°Consistent?¡± The Emperor raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re testing my patience with your insolence.¡± ¡°Are you not¡­ deceiving me once more?¡± Silence fell again. The apple, which had been steadily shrinking, stopped disappearing. After a long pause, the Emperor finally responded. ¡°Deceiving you? Whatever do you mean?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not denying your benevolence, Your Majesty,¡± Ezekiel said, inclining his head slightly. ¡°But¡­ this isn¡¯t simply an act of generosity, is it? It seems, Your Majesty needs me as well.¡± ¡°Your thoughts are shallow,¡± the Emperor interjected firmly, his voice sharp. ¡°It seems your recent achievements have inflated your ego,¡± the Emperor said, his tone laced with disapproval. ¡°But don¡¯t mistake yourself for being infallible. Not everything you touch turns to gold.¡± ¡°Of course, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°So tell me, if this isn¡¯t generosity, what is it?¡± the Emperor pressed, his voice unwavering. ¡°Why am I going out of my way to accommodate someone who¡¯s not even guaranteed to succeed?¡± The Emperor¡¯s firm tone echoed through the chamber. But Ezekiel wasn¡¯t intimidated in the least. ¡°Whether I¡¯m infallible or not is¡­ irrelevant,¡± he stated calmly. ¡°Hmm?¡± The Emperor leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°As I said, Your Majesty, you have need of me,¡± Ezekiel continued, meeting the Emperor¡¯s gaze directly. ¡°And for my services¡­ I require adequate compensation.¡± The apple in midair began to rotate again, as if being toyed with. Ezekiel, who had been standing respectfully, suddenly extended a hand toward the Emperor. An ice spear materialized in his grasp, and then, without hesitation, he hurled it towards the throne. Swish¡ª! ¡°Hmm?¡± Whoosh¡ª! The space around the throne warped, distorting into a swirling vortex; the ice spear, absorbed by the Emperor¡¯s power, vanished without a trace. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Just as I thought. It disappears.¡± ¡°Of course, it disappears. Nothing can harm me.¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s best to think of it as annihilation.¡± Ezekiel stroked his chin thoughtfully. Step¡ª! Step¡ª! He strode towards the stone slab, stopping before the map of the continent. Then he placed his palm over the region where the Magic Towers were located, and then, with a surge of power, he shattered that section of the map. Crash¡ª! ¡°The magic concealed within each tower¡­ it would surely be annihilated if Your Majesty were to intervene directly. Gone without a trace, without the world ever knowing.¡± He kept his hand pressed against the shattered map. Sssscchhhh¡ª! The destroyed portion of the map began to reform, the fragmented stone replaced by ice. ¡°Someone has to investigate, someone capable¡­ someone precise, even if they¡¯re not as powerful as Your Majesty¡­ I wonder who that could be.¡± The swirling motion of the chalice ceased. A sly grin spread across Ezekiel¡¯s face. ¡°¡­Does that sound a bit more¡­ convincing?¡± Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! The sound of fingernails tapping against the armrest of the throne echoed through the chamber. ¡°You¡¯ve grown bold, Ezekiel. Continue.¡± ¡°I¡¯m confident I can handle this mission, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Confident?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll preserve and document every single magic hidden within those five towers,¡± Ezekiel promised. ¡°I can even create illustrated diagrams, simple enough for a child to understand, if you wish.¡± He smiled again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°Of course, with the promised reward.¡± He looked like a mischievous child who couldn¡¯t be hated, no matter how much he pushed the boundaries. ?The Emperor, however, remained unconvinced. ¡°You¡¯re sorely mistaken, Ezekiel.¡± Crunch¡ª! He took another bite of his apple. ¡°You think the existence of these petty magic spells poses any threat to me?¡± he said, his voice laced with amusement. ¡°Not at all. Even if they vanished without a trace, it wouldn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Of course, to Your Majesty, it wouldn¡¯t,¡± Ezekiel conceded, his tone respectful yet firm. ¡°But it¡¯s not true for the continent.¡± He continued, his gaze unwavering, ¡°If these magic spells are significant enough for the Magic Towers to conceal them, then surely, harnessed properly, they could become a valuable asset.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± In truth, even during the Golden Age of the Imperial Magic Tower, there had always been a lingering suspicion, a sense that the other Magic Towers were holding something back. The Imperial Magic Tower hadn¡¯t been able to uncover their secrets then, and now, after a decade of waning influence¡­ It was a ticking time bomb, the magnitude of which could only be imagined. But¡­ if those dangerous powers could be steered in a different direction, they could benefit the entire continent. After all, every crisis was an opportunity in disguise. ¡°As it so happens,¡± Ezekiel continued, a smile playing on his lips. ¡°I know someone who cares deeply for this continent. Someone who has cast aside all personal attachments and devoted themselves entirely to its well-being.¡± ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°You¡¯re looking at him, Your Majesty.¡± With those words, silence enveloped the room. The apple remained still, and the chalice no longer glowed. ¡°I¡¯m confident I can handle this mission, Your Majesty,¡± Ezekiel repeated, his voice steady. The Emperor remained silent. But. At some point. Rustle©¤! Rustle©¤! Rustle©¤! Rustle©¤! A set of robes began to descend the steps leading to the throne, moving slowly, deliberately¡­ Finally, when they were within arm¡¯s reach of each other. ¡°¡­I have but two questions for you, Ezekiel.¡± The Emperor finally spoke, his voice low and steady. ¡°When did you start figuring it out?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ezekiel calmly placed a sunweed in his mouth. ¡°When my life became¡­ exceptionally precious?¡± After obtaining the Elixirs and the three drops of Sun Elixir, Ezekiel¡¯s desire to live had intensified tenfold. He¡¯d carefully analyzed the Emperor¡¯s every move, every word, every gesture¡­ Until a few undeniable truths had revealed themselves. That the Emperor cared for the continent¡­ And that for the continent¡¯s sake, the Emperor needed Ezekiel. Yes, knowing this much was enough. Without this knowledge, he would never have dared to gamble so boldly before the Emperor. ¡°Good,¡± the Emperor said simply. ¡°Now for my second question¡­¡± He leaned closer, his gaze intense. ¡°What is it you desire as a reward for this mission?¡± Despite the immense pressure emanating from the Emperor, Ezekiel¡¯s demeanor remained unchanged. ¡°Three drops of Sun Elixir,¡± he replied calmly. ¡°As always.¡± The Emperor couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. ¡®That cunning fox has grown quite bold.¡¯ Quietly, the Emperor nodded. ¡°Very well. I accept.¡± However. Surprisingly. ¡°Ah, and one more thing.¡± Ezekiel wasn¡¯t finished yet. ¡°¡­Could you¡­ put the First Princess to sleep for a while?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± The Emperor stared at Ezekiel, utterly speechless. Something was different. A viper¡­ yes, I raised him to be a viper¡­ But has he become¡­ a serpent? ¡°Hmph!¡± A low chuckle escaped the Emperor¡¯s lips, tinged with both amusement and intrigue. Chapter 74: ??? Chapter 74 ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ As the robed figure came to a stop before Ezekiel¡­ ¡°Heh¡­!¡± The Emperor let out another chuckle, this one edged with genuine amusement. ¡°It seems¡­¡± His tone shifted, becoming more serious. ¡°I¡¯ve only just now realized your transformation. It appears I¡¯ve completely misjudged you.¡± ¡°And what were your thoughts of me until now?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The Emperor studied Ezekiel in silence. A man without emotions, speechless, a mere tool for his bidding. Wasn¡¯t that how Ezekiel had always been in the past? He had to be that way because the Emperor himself had molded him so, right from when he was first unearthed from the Palace of Penance for that specific purpose. Pouring all his time into training and missions, losing those around him one by one, as his emotions eroded¡­ In the end, he became a precise puppet. It was only natural that, upon retirement, he¡¯d chosen the life of a recluse. No one had ever taught him how to find happiness, or enjoy leisure, or seek peace. And yet¡­ this same man had suddenly proposed to not one, but five princesses! At first, the Emperor had dismissed it as reckless folly. But now¡­ now he saw that Ezekiel had changed. He was no longer the same man. ¡®To think such a transformation occurred just from encountering the elixir¡­¡¯ Was this what happened when a puppet, barely beginning to grasp the complexities of human emotion, suddenly developed a thirst for life? The Emperor reassessed his opinion of Ezekiel, and found himself¡­ intrigued. ¡®What if he were to obtain the Sun Elixir as well¡­?¡¯ What kind of transformation would occur then? Even the Emperor couldn¡¯t easily predict the possibilities. Ezekiel, however, did not press for an immediate answer. He simply waited, patient and composed. ¡°Three drops of Sun Elixir, and¡­ for me to deal with the First Princess,¡± the Emperor finally said, his voice laced with amusement. ¡°Those are your only demands?¡± He paused. ¡°Very well. I accept.¡± There was no point in dancing around the truth, not with someone who had already begun to see through his facade. It was best to acknowledge it openly and move on to a mutually beneficial agreement. ¡°But know this, Ezekiel.¡± The Emperor¡¯s tone turned serious. ¡°You¡¯ll receive your reward¡­ only after you have completed the mission.¡± The robed figure shifted slightly, shoulders moving as if the Emperor was shrugging. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll grant your request regarding the First Princess upfront¡­¡± The Emperor¡¯s tone was laced with amusement. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, should you fail the mission¡­ you¡¯ll repay it twice over.¡± ¡°Repay it twice over?¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­Perhaps I¡¯ll lock you in a room with the First Princess¡­ alone.¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel suddenly recalled the First Princess¡¯s threat. ¡ª If I catch you, I¡¯ll wring every last drop out of you. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Yes¡­ failure was not an option. ?He had to succeed. There was no other option. ¡°This mission will be fraught with peril.¡± The Emperor recreated the map on the stone slab, the Imperial Magic Tower depicted as three times larger than the other towers. ¡°Even during the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Golden Age, attempts were made to uncover the other towers¡¯ secret techniques,¡± the Emperor continued, his voice low and steady. ¡°All of them failed. Why do you think that is?¡± ¡°Because they, too, staked their lives on it.¡± ¡°Indeed. They would sooner see their towers destroyed than allow their secrets to be leaked. And those secrets¡­ they are undoubtedly far more potent now than they were then.¡± Crunch¡ª! The Emperor bit into the apple, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has weakened, while the others have only grown stronger. You¡¯ll be on your own for this mission. Do you still believe you can succeed?¡± ¡°The difficulty of the mission is of no consequence.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s gaze was unwavering. ¡°Success or failure¡­ those are the only outcomes that matter.¡± He was no longer driven solely by duty. He clung to life, to his desires, and that made him fearless. The Emperor nodded slowly. ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll await the results of your mission.¡± ¡°However, Your Majesty.¡± Ezekiel surprised the Emperor by speaking again, his tone serious. ¡°To call this a ¡®mission¡¯ seems¡­ inaccurate. Shouldn¡¯t we clarify our arrangement? This is more akin to a mutually beneficial trade, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± A heavy silence fell upon the chamber. The Emperor remained standing before Ezekiel. One second¡­ One minute¡­ Five minutes¡­ Time itself seemed to stretch, each tick of the clock amplified by the tension. ¡°Ho?¡± That single word was the Emperor¡¯s only response. ¡°A trade,¡± he murmured, testing the word on his tongue. ¡°A trade¡­indeed¡± An apple materialized out of thin air and was tossed casually into the air. ¡°Interesting. Are you suggesting we are equals, Ezekiel?¡± ¡°Only in the context of this¡­ trade, Your Majesty,¡± Ezekiel replied. It was an audacious statement, bordering on treasonous. But he was not so foolish as to stage a rebellion. The Emperor¡¯s sleeve shifted, the fabric rustling as if he were stroking his chin in thought. The more he thought about it, the bolder it seemed. By reframing the mission as a trade, Ezekiel had not only secured the right to hold the Emperor accountable for his end of the bargain but also preemptively protected himself from being cheated. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the Emperor spoke. ¡°¡­This is a first.¡± Crunch¡ª! The apple vanished from midair. ¡°Very well. For the sake of this trade¡­..I shall treat you as an equal.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± The Emperor was certain now ¡ª Ezekiel had changed. ?But perhaps the most significant change was the spark that had ignited within Ezekiel. A spark that the Emperor recognized as¡­ ambition. The Emperor slowly ascended the steps to his throne. ¡°Let us set aside this talk of trades, Ezekiel.¡± His tone shifted, becoming more authoritative. ¡°I have matters to discuss as¡­ the father of the princesses.¡± They had barely established themselves as equals, and yet, the Emperor was already maneuvering to regain the upper hand. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ezekiel swallowed, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. This was it, the progress check the Emperor had alluded to, the regular assessment of the five conditions he had been tasked with fulfilling. ¡°So, how are those five conditions coming along? Any progress?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made advancements in certain areas, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Only ¡®certain¡¯ areas?¡± The chalice, which the Emperor had been swirling idly in his hand, came to a sudden stop. Ezekiel¡¯s expression, however, remained carefully neutral. ¡°Indeed. After all, I have yet to meet with two of the princesses.¡± ¡°¡­Very well, let¡¯s hear it.¡± Ezekiel began to mentally review each condition. ? First, become stronger than Ether. ¡°I¡¯ve been diligently honing my strength.¡± The Emperor let out a low hum, clearly unimpressed. ¡°You know, do you not? Simply increasing your strength won¡¯t be enough,¡± he pointed out. ¡°Ether possesses immense power, but her rate of growth is even more alarming.¡± ¡°My goal is not simply to increase my strength, Your Majesty.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice remained steady, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m combining it.¡± ¡°Combining it? With what?¡± Ezekiel calmly withdrew a piece of parchment from his pocket. The Emperor gestured with a flick of his wrist, and the parchment shot towards him. Swoosh¡ª! It wasn¡¯t telekinesis. The space between them had simply¡­ folded. ¡°This appears to be a list, Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Indeed, Your Majesty. A list of those who came to visit me. Those who wished me well.¡± ¡°Quite extensive.¡± The list included not only the princesses who had visited Ezekiel in person but also those who had sent gifts and well wishes, their names meticulously recorded. ¡°All those who are now indebted to me,¡± Ezekiel clarified. ¡°All those whose strength I can call upon.¡± ¡°So that is what you meant by ¡®combining your strength¡¯¡­¡± The Emperor¡¯s gaze swept over the list, his expression unreadable. ¡°However, Ezekiel¡­¡± He flicked the parchment back towards Ezekiel. ¡°Aside from the princesses, this list is filled with¡­ insignificant names.¡± ¡°What matters isn¡¯t the names themselves, Your Majesty, but the fact that they¡¯re growing.¡± A confident glint appeared in Ezekiel¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be traveling far and wide across the continent for a while, so this is just the beginning.¡± ¡°If you think you¡¯ll only gain goodwill, you¡¯re mistaken. The number of those who resent you will also grow.¡± ¡°Their animosity doesn¡¯t concern me, Your Majesty. I can handle them.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The Emperor considered Ezekiel¡¯s words for a moment. ¡°Yes, perhaps you have a point¡­¡± ?The Emperor made another apple disappear with a snap. ¡°Very well, Ezekiel. I acknowledge your progress in this area.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Now, tell me about your progress with the other conditions.¡± ¡°The Second Princess is continually progressing towards becoming a true noble, Your Majesty.¡± ? Second, become more noble than Hedera. ¡°I am aware,¡± the Emperor stated, his voice edged with skepticism. ¡°However, her progress does not directly contribute to yours. In fact, the more noble she becomes, the harder it will be for you to fulfill this particular condition. Are you not aware of this?¡± ¡°I am, Your Majesty. But my efforts aren¡¯t solely focused on the second condition.¡± He shook his head. ¡°They are also geared towards fulfilling the fourth.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ? Fourth, acquire more wealth than Chain. ¡°When the Second Princess rises to prominence within the Celestial Realm, wouldn¡¯t that provide opportunities to access its treasures?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The Emperor¡¯s interest was piqued. ¡°I believe those treasures extend far beyond the confines of this continent. And if necessary, I will acquire those as well.¡± The Fourth Princess¡¯s vast wealth was undeniable. However, that was only by the standards of the human world. Ezekiel¡¯s ambitions extended far beyond that. ¡°You¡¯re playing a dangerous gamble, Ezekiel.¡± That was the Emperor¡¯s only response. ¡°Competing with the Fourth Princess for wealth within the continent would suffice. The more powerful Hedera becomes, the more difficult it will be to achieve your objective. You know this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a matter of¡­ fair competition.¡± ¡°¡­Fair?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Ezekiel nodded firmly. Proposing to five princesses out of the blue had certainly been a mistake, but the intentions behind those letters¡­ those were genuine. These were his former students, women he had once cared for. He had inadvertently thrown their lives into disarray with a few pieces of parchment; harming them further was the last thing on his mind. He had already made his decision. He would fulfill those conditions, no matter how arduous the path, while ensuring the princesses¡¯ success. ¡°You make it sound so simple, Ezekiel.¡± The Emperor spoke, his voice laced with a chilling calm. ¡°Remember, these conditions¡­ they¡¯re a competition. And there are no ¡®fair¡¯ competitions. They are fierce battles for survival.¡± Crunch¡ª! Another apple vanished. ¡°¡­Only the victor grows stronger.¡± ¡°I believe a competition can be both challenging and fair, Your Majesty.¡± Ezekiel stood firm, refusing to back down. The Emperor might only believe in ruthless competition, in pushing others to their absolute limit, but Ezekiel was not wired that way. ¡°That¡­ is how I¡¯ve always approached teaching.¡± ¡°Hmm. This won¡¯t be easy.¡± ¡°¡±As I said before?¡± ?Ezekiel chuckled softly. ¡°Difficulty is of no consequence, Your Majesty.¡± The Emperor finally nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. ¡°Very well. I suppose I understand. I¡¯m curious to see what you have planned. Do you intend to elevate all five princesses to their full potential¡­ and then marry them all at once, perhaps?¡± A heavy silence descended upon the chamber. ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± ¡°Are you¡­ actually serious?¡± the Emperor finally asked, his voice a low murmur. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll let my results speak for themselves, Your Majesty.¡± The Emperor¡¯s guess was half right, half wrong. He was correct about Ezekiel¡¯s intent to guide the princesses towards greatness. However, simultaneous marriage? That had never even crossed Ezekiel¡¯s mind. Was such a thing even possible? ¡­The very thought was absurd. All five of them? As these thoughts swirled in his mind¡­ ¡°In any case, I¡¯ll acknowledge your progress on that front.¡± The Emperor¡¯s voice broke through Ezekiel¡¯s contemplation. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Ezekiel bowed his head respectfully. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve presented my progress, I have a small request, if I may.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The chalice spun lazily in midair. ¡°This is where you disappoint me, Ezekiel.¡± The Emperor¡¯s voice turned cold. ¡°You present two measly advancements and then dare to make a request. Your intentions are transparent. There are limits to my generosity, even when it comes to Sun Elixir. This is¡­ unbecoming.¡± ¡°This has nothing to do with the Sun Elixir, Your Majesty,¡± Ezekiel stated calmly. ¡°¡­Oh? Then what is it?¡± Just as the Emperor¡¯s curiosity peaked¡­ ¡°Please¡­ cherish your daughters.¡± It was not at all what the Emperor had been expecting. He stopped chewing his apple, his jaw going slack with astonishment. ¡°What do you mean by that? Of course, I cherish them.¡± ¡°Not as assets to the Empire¡­ but as¡­ your flesh and blood.¡± A chill settled over the room as the Emperor¡¯s irritation grew palpable. But Ezekiel continued, undeterred. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to consider their contributions to the continent. I¡¯m asking you to simply¡­ cherish them as your daughters.¡± He knew these were abstract concepts, difficult to promise and even more difficult to ensure. He knew this all too well. And yet¡­ he had to say it. ¡°You speak in riddles.¡± The Emperor quietly muttered. ¡°Are you implying I haven¡¯t cared for them properly? Or perhaps, you dare try to teach me how to treat my own daughters. Your intention is unclear.¡± ¡°Neither, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Then why utter such meaningless words?¡± ¡°It¡¯s enough that Your Majesty remembers my words. Someday¡­ you might find them useful.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s intentions ran deep. ¡®It would be problematic if the Emperor became an obstacle for the princesses.¡¯ There would be countless challenges for him and the princesses to overcome. But if the Emperor became an adversary, it would be like facing an insurmountable wall. And so¡­ Ezekiel had taken this small step, attempting to turn a potential obstacle into an ally. After all, even the smallest act could have unforeseen consequences. A simple letter, like a butterfly¡¯s wings, had set off a hurricane. This, too, could be the catalyst for a storm. ¡°Of course, I will remember. Whether you¡¯ve said something wise or arrogant, I¡¯ll keep this statement in mind to judge later.¡± Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! The sound of fingernails drumming against the throne echoed through the chamber. ¡°And there¡¯s something else you should know.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard anyone say such a thing. I¡¯ve never even considered it. I see no need¡­ no value¡­ in viewing my daughters solely as¡­ ¡®flesh and blood.¡¯¡± Instead of answering, Ezekiel rummaged through his bag and carefully placed three items on the floor. A bouquet of flowers, a bag of sweets, and a handkerchief. ¡°Ezekiel, what is all this?¡± ¡°Please give each item to the three princesses in order of age, Your Majesty. This is my response to what you just said.¡± ¡°I asked what these things are.¡± ¡°Each one holds significance for the princesses. They are¡­ things they cherish.¡± Ezekiel bowed respectfully. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, Your Majesty.¡± The Emperor did not stop him as he turned to leave. He simply stared at the items on the floor, lost in thought. ¡°To cherish them¡­ not for their usefulness¡­ but simply¡­ as my daughters¡­¡± he murmured, the words unfamiliar on his tongue. The First Princess¡­ flowers. The Second Princess¡­ sweets. The Third¡­ a handkerchief. He hadn¡¯t known. Suddenly¡­ a memory surfaced. The day he¡¯d journeyed to the canyon with Ezekiel and Ether for their duel. He recalled how the princesses had flocked to Ezekiel, never once approaching him. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Verd, the Emperor of the Empire, felt a strange sensation stirring within him. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? As he was on his way back to his carriage¡­ ¡°¡­ Finally, a moment of peace.¡± Ezekiel popped a sunweed into his mouth and sighed contentedly. He¡¯d successfully evaded the First Princess and passed the Emperor¡¯s progress check. Two seemingly insurmountable obstacles overcome in a single day! Could things get any better than this? Yes! It could be even better! He had secured three drops of Sun Elixir as well! And the deal with the Emperor was sealed. The difficulty of the upcoming mission was inconsequential. ¡­ As these empowering thoughts filled Ezekiel¡¯s mind, he suddenly paused, his gaze drawn to a¡­ perplexing sight. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­?¡± ¡°What is it, Agnes?¡± Agnes, Ezekiel¡¯s personal secretary¡­ It was definitely her. But she should have been almost at the Black Tower by now. What was she doing here, standing by his carriage? ¡°¡­Why are you still here?¡± But the truly baffling event was yet to come. ¡°I-Inspector¡­!¡± Agnes, always the picture of stoicism, was¡­ beaming at Ezekiel? What in the world was going on? Confused, Ezekiel approached the carriage, every instinct screaming that something was amiss. Chapter 75: Suspicious Couple (1) ?? Chapter 75 ¨C Suspicious Couple (1) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ¡°¡­ Acquire the secret magic of each Magic Tower?¡± Agnes stared at Ezekiel, her eyes wide with disbelief. She¡¯d always known he wasn¡¯t your average mage, but¡­ S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡®¡­ To think he¡¯d attempt something this ambitious?¡¯ She had a feeling he¡¯d come back with something significant, but she never expected it to be this immense. How did the conversation even lead to acquiring those closely guarded secrets? Their original mission for Agnes and Ezekiel, the reason they were on this journey, was simply to have a successful exchange meeting. Even that was a daunting task, considering the decade-long gap in communication they had to bridge. But¡­ ¡®¡­ Now our original objective seems mundane in comparison.¡¯ To acquire complete records of each Magic Tower¡¯s secret magic spells? A wave of anxiety washed over Agnes. This was far too reckless, even for Ezekiel. ¡°Whaaaaaat?!¡± Tether, who had been inside the carriage, popped her head out, her jaw practically unhinged. ¡°You couldn¡¯t possibly have contacted our Tower Master, Her Highness the Second Princess, already! Where in the world did you get such an outrageous order?!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Ezekiel said calmly. ¡°I spoke with the Emperor himself.¡± ¡°Huh? H-H-His Majesty the Emperor?¡±!¡± Tether¡¯s voice squeaked. Well, that¡¯s even more worrisome! It was clear who held more authority¡ªthe Second Princess, their Tower Master, or the Emperor. If this was the result of Ezekiel¡¯s private conversation with the Emperor¡­ well, Agnes and Tether had every right to be alarmed. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re overreaching, Inspector?¡± Agnes asked, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°What if you fail? The Emperor will be furious.¡± ¡°I volunteered for this mission,¡± Ezekiel replied, his gaze steady. ¡°I want to do this.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes couldn¡¯t help but massage her temples. What had gotten into him? How did he plan to manage this? She was his personal secretary, and yet, his actions continued to baffle her. Who in their right mind would attempt something like this¡­ right before embarking on a crucial mission to the Black Tower? But Agnes was nothing if not pragmatic. She couldn¡¯t very well demand he return to the Emperor and beg for a change of plans. So, she did what she did best ¡ª she assessed the situation, coldly and rationally. [Success] She wrote those two words on her notepad, her mind racing. If he succeeds¡­ it¡¯ll be a monumental achievement. It wouldn¡¯t just be good, it would be a game-changer. The Imperial Magic Tower, currently languishing in mediocrity, would soar back to its former glory. ¡®The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s resurgence, the Emperor¡¯s approval¡­ both are stepping stones to reclaiming our former glory.¡¯ ?Agnes couldn¡¯t comprehend why the Emperor would entrust such a critical mission to the lackluster Imperial Magic Tower. But she continued her analysis, jotting down her thoughts in her notepad. [Failure] Those two words now stared back at her. ¡®¡­ What if the Emperor didn¡¯t entrust this to us because he has faith in the Imperial Magic Tower? What if he simply needs an excuse to punish us?¡¯ In simpler terms, it seemed like a mission designed for failure. Maybe it was a trap. After all, what better way to dispose of a disappointing Imperial Magic Tower than to give them an impossible mission and then use their inevitable failure as justification for their dismantling? At least, that¡¯s how it seemed to Agnes. Every element of the situation pointed towards that conclusion. After her calculations, Anes finally spoke. She was also idly spinning the cube in her hand. ¡°Inspector, first of all¡­ you are quite remarkable.¡± ¡°I know, right?¡± Ezekiel replied smugly. Agnes¡¯s eyebrow twitched at his immediate self-praise, but she continued, maintaining her composure. ¡°I can¡¯t fathom how you managed to secure a private audience with the Emperor, but¡­¡± She paused. ¡°It¡¯s quite rare for His Majesty to personally assign a solo mission.¡± ¡°Well, technically, it wasn¡¯t a mission. It was more of a¡­ trade.¡± ¡°¡­Yes, yes. Please, no jokes.¡± Agnes let out a weary sigh, then tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with practiced elegance. ¡°Regardless, there are several¡­ concerns. Firstly, the sheer impossibility of the mission.¡± ¡°The difficulty isn¡¯t really that important.¡± ¡°Of course you would say that.¡± Agnes sighed again. ¡°But my second concern¡­ is the impact this will have on the relationships between the Magic Towers.¡± Click¡ª! Click¡ª! Click¡ª! Agnes¡¯s cube spun in her hand. ¡°If we acquire those magic spells, it would certainly prevent any potential¡­ mishaps, and it would be a tremendous boon to the Imperial Magic Tower. However¡­¡± ¡°However?¡± ¡°It would irrevocably damage relations with the other magic towers, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Ah.¡± ¡°The other Magic Towers would band together, seeing the Imperial Magic Tower as a common enemy. Am I not correct?¡± Agnes stared intently at Ezekiel, waiting for his response. ¡°Surely you considered this before accepting the mission, Inspector. Didn¡¯t you? Please¡­.¡± ¡°Agnes.¡± Ezekiel said her name calmly. ¡°Yes, Inspector?¡± ¡°Since when has the Imperial Magic Tower ever had good relations with the other Magic Towers? As far as I know, there¡¯s never been a time when things were¡­ amicable.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Agnes tilted her head, confused. ¡°What exactly are our relations like with the other Magic Towers?¡± he asked, his tone casual, almost conversational. ¡°Well, as things currently stand¡­ naturally¡­¡± ?Agnes hesitated, unsure how to respond. ¡°They¡­ acknowledge the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s position as the supreme tower. And we¡­ extend them a certain level of courtesy,¡± she said, choosing her words carefully. ¡°It¡¯s all just a facade,¡± Ezekiel scoffed. ¡°Forced smiles and empty gestures. They¡¯re just waiting for the right moment to strike us down. And this exchange meeting¡­ that¡¯s their opportunity.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes had no argument. He was right. ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector?¡± ¡°Why are you so¡­ subservient?¡± Agnes blinked, taken aback. ¡°Subservient? You think I¡¯m being subservient?¡± Ezekiel nodded, his expression serious. ¡°Look around. Who¡¯s the one threatening us?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± The five other magic towers, of course. For some time now, they had been ignoring the established reporting system, sharpening their blades in the shadows. And those blades were aimed directly at the Empire¡­ and the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°They might smile to our faces, but they¡¯re hiding daggers behind their backs.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice was laced with frustration. ¡°You really think they¡¯ll disarm themselves just because we¡¯re nice to them? Because we bow and scrape?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°No. That¡¯s practically begging them to stab us in the back.¡± He exhaled a plume of smoke from his sunweed. ¡°We don¡¯t need to be friendly or subservient. We need to be strong. Strong enough to make them think twice before drawing those hidden daggers.¡± Agnes fell silent, unable to refute his logic. She¡¯d become accustomed to defeat, to accepting their diminished status. She hadn¡¯t even allowed herself to imagine the Imperial Magic Tower as a force to be reckoned with. But¡­ what if they were that formidable? What if the other magic towers were too afraid to use their weapons, even if they kept them hidden? ¡°Are you saying, Inspector, that you intend to use the overwhelming might of the Imperial family to preemptively deter future attacks?¡± she asked, finally grasping the full scope of his plan. ¡°Precisely.¡± Ezekiel nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not even that complicated, is it?¡± he continued, a hint of exasperation in his voice. ¡°We¡¯re the Imperial Magic Tower, for heaven¡¯s sake! We should at least act the part.¡± Agnes nodded slowly, beginning to understand. But she still had one more question. ¡°There¡¯s still something I don¡¯t understand, Inspector.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°Even if the Imperial Magic Tower regains its former prestige, won¡¯t that simply make the other towers even more secretive about their magic spells? It¡¯s only natural for them to protect their knowledge even more fiercely.¡± ¡°True.¡± ¡°So, while we might become safer, actually acquiring those magic spells will become even more challenging. Wouldn¡¯t trying to force them to hand over their secrets¡­ lead to all-out war?¡± Ezekiel stared at Agnes, his expression unreadable. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± He observed her for a long moment, and then¡­ He paused, picking at the sunweed stem with his fingers. ¡°¡­Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector?¡± ¡°Are you¡­ an idiot?¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Why would we steal them outright? We need a different approach.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°Imagine this.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice took on a sardonic edge. ¡°You¡¯re standing before a ferocious beast, desperately protecting its young. And you try to snatch one of its cubs¡­ right in front of it.¡± He shook his head, as if exasperated by Agnes¡¯s perceived naivet¨¦. ¡°What do you think will happen? Of course, it¡¯ll attack. Why would we give them a reason to retaliate? My secretary is such an idiot.¡±¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Agnes gritted her teeth, her forehead vein standing out. It wasn¡¯t as if she wasn¡¯t aware of the concept of ¡®stealing¡¯ the secrets. It was just¡­ impossibly difficult, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°So you¡¯re saying we¡¯ll¡­ take them secretly?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not thieves. So disgracefully?¡± ¡°But then, how¡­?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry.¡± Ezekiel brushed aside her concerns. ¡°I have a plan.¡± ¡°What plan? Do enlighten us, Inspector.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ how to explain this simply¡­¡± Puff¡ª! He blew out a plume of smoke, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ¡°We¡¯re going to relieve them of their treasures¡­ without them even realizing it. That¡¯s the art of it all.¡± . . . . . . Just then¡­ Tether spoke up, her voice laced with panic. ¡°B-But¡­ what are we going to do?!¡± She frantically glanced at her wristwatch. ¡°We should have reached at least the village near the Black Tower by now! We only have ten minutes left¡­!¡± ¡°¡­¡­..?¡± That¡¯s right. Departure and arrival. Ezekiel had completely forgotten about those minor details. He stared at Agnes, his brow furrowing with confusion. ¡­Wait, why hadn¡¯t Agnes set off yet? ¡°Agnes, why haven¡¯t you left?¡± ¡°Well¡­ about that¡­¡± A rare look of distress crossed Agnes¡¯s normally composed features. She bit her lip, hesitant. ¡°It¡¯s not that we hadn¡¯t left, Inspector,¡± she finally admitted. ¡°It¡¯s that we¡­ couldn¡¯t.¡± ¡­What? Why couldn¡¯t they depart? Chapter 76: Suspicious Couple (2) ?? Chapter 76 ¨C Suspicious Couple (2) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Beside the carriage, with Ezekiel having momentarily stepped away to survey the surroundings, Agnes nodded at Tether. ¡°I suppose we have no choice but to follow his lead.¡± ¡°Agnes?¡± Tether¡¯s rabbit-like eyes widened. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Her reaction was understandable, given that she was both the Second Princess¡¯s personal secretary and a representative of Hedera¡¯s Magic Tower. It was true that Ezekiel had spoken to the Emperor, but it was equally undeniable that the Second Princess hadn¡¯t been consulted about this new objective. However, Agnes seemed resolute. ¡°This news might have been sudden, but it could very well be a valuable opportunity. Think about it¡ª the Imperial Tower hadn¡¯t even received a chance to undertake an imperial command.¡± She was right. The Imperial Magic Tower had been practically begging for the Emperor¡¯s attention, and now they finally had it, even though the mission was far more daunting than anything they¡¯d ever encountered, even the infamous Red Request. ¡°If we¡¯re being optimistic,¡± Agnes continued, ¡°this means the Emperor is finally taking an interest in the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ I suppose that¡¯s true¡­¡± Tether was still hesitant. She couldn¡¯t deny that this could be a great opportunity for the tower, but there was something else that troubled her. ¡°But we haven¡¯t spoken to the Second Princess about this. Are you certain it¡¯s alright for us to proceed without her consent?¡± Her apprehension was understandable. Recently, she¡¯d made a series of blunders¡ªoversleeping, lying to the Second Princess¡ªwhich had resulted in severe consequences. She had learned her lesson the hard way. ¡°Tether,¡± Agnes began, addressing Hedera¡¯s secretary directly. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I worry every single time. Every time the Inspector brings back a new mission, I think it¡¯s outrageous, impossible, completely out of our reach.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, I understand.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s not all,¡± Agnes continued, her voice filled with a strange conviction. ¡°I question his actions every step of the way. I can¡¯t even begin to describe the bizarre situations he gets us into.¡± ¡°S-So, wouldn¡¯t it be¡­ better if we didn¡¯t do this?¡± ¡°However¡­¡± She paused, her tone growing serious. ¡°What ultimately matters is the outcome. And the truth is, no matter how outlandish his actions, the Inspector always manages to pull it off.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Always?¡± ¡°Always.¡± Agnes nodded, her gaze unwavering. ¡°Without exception.¡± Even if we tried to stop him, he wouldn¡¯t listen, would he?¡± Agnes added, resignation edging into her voice. ¡°You know him as well as I do, Tether.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s for sure¡­¡± Tether shuddered, remembering the incident with the Imperial Treasury. Ezekiel had been unwavering in his determination, accomplishing things that left Tether utterly speechless. Even if she had protested, Ezekiel would have gone ahead with his plan regardless. Click¡ª! Click¡ª! Click¡ª! Agnes¡¯s cube spun in her hand. ¡°Every time we try to stop him, it only causes unnecessary fuss and delays. It¡¯s better to ask questions to satisfy our curiosity while following his intent.¡± ¡°Yes, I wholeheartedly agree.¡± Ezekiel¡­ he was a genius. A force to be reckoned with. What was the point of constantly questioning and doubting someone who possessed such undeniable talent? It was time to trust him, to support him. Tether finally clenched her fists, a spark of determination lighting up her eyes. ¡°Alright, then! Let¡¯s trust him!¡± ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do that.¡± As Agnes and Tether shook hands, a single thought echoed in their minds¡ª ¡ª The Second Princess¡¯s personal secretary has agreed. Even if things go wrong, at least I won¡¯t be the only ones facing Her Highness¡¯s wrath. ¡ª Agnes brought it up first. They can¡¯t possibly blame it all on me if it backfires. Please, please, please¡­! Their personalities were as different as night and day, but their instincts as secretaries were perfectly aligned. ¡®Let¡¯s share the responsibility!¡¯ ¡®We will share the responsibility.¡¯ It was then that Ezekiel, having surveyed the surroundings, returned. Chewing on his sunweed, he spoke. ¡°The other carriages seem to be in perfect working order,¡± he observed, glancing around the courtyard. ¡°Indeed, Inspector. There¡¯s nothing wrong with the carriage itself.¡± Ezekiel tilted his head, confused. ¡°Well then, we should be leaving. What are we waiting for?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Agnes¡¯s carefully composed expression faltered, a hint of unease creeping in. Tether was already sweating profusely. ¡°W-Well¡­ Inspector¡­ you see¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Um¡­ you see¡­¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Ezekiel nodded in understanding. ¡°You haven¡¯t¡­ confused the dates, have you?¡± The mistake of thinking something scheduled for tomorrow was happening today. It seemed like an absurdly simple error, yet it was one of those calamities that occurred surprisingly often. ?¡°N-No, it¡¯s not that, Inspector¡­ It¡¯s¡­ gone.¡± ¡°Gone?¡± ¡°Y-Yes¡­ gone¡­¡± ¡°¡­ What are you talking about? You mean the exchange meeting is¡­ canceled?¡± Tether¡¯s vague answers were frustratingly unhelpful. As Ezekiel¡¯s frown deepened, Agnes stepped in, sensing his growing impatience. ¡°Inspector, you¡¯re aware that the Black Tower¡¯s territory is surrounded by a wide moat, correct?¡± ¡°Yes, I am. Quite fond of those demonic aesthetics, aren¡¯t they?¡± Sharp spires, a wide moat, dark magic, a gloomy atmosphere¡­ the Black Magic Tower had a penchant for all things demonic. ¡°Well, all the bridges leading to the Black Tower¡¯s territory have been¡­ destroyed.¡± Agnes paused for dramatic effect. ¡°In other words¡­¡± ¡°Every single access point is gone?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± She sighed. ¡°They¡¯re claiming that it was an accidental side effect from some grand spell they¡¯re preparing,¡± Agnes continued, her tone laced with skepticism. ¡°But it¡¯s a little hard to believe that¡¯s the real reason, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the other towers have already arrived? It¡¯s obvious what¡¯s going on. They want us to arrive late.¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± Agnes and Tether exchanged nervous glances, watching Ezekiel carefully. They had no other choice. They were officially late, and if they¡¯d departed sooner, they might have crossed before the bridges were destroyed. In other words, while the Black Magic Tower had undoubtedly pulled a dirty trick, the blame could easily be shifted to Ezekiel¡¯s secretaries for not pushing for an earlier departure. But¡­ Unexpectedly¡­ Crunch¡ª! Ezekiel simply popped another sunweed into his mouth, seemingly unfazed. ¡°They really are laying it on thick, aren¡¯t they? Not content with withholding their reports, now they¡¯ve gone and destroyed the access routes.¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector.¡± ¡°How¡­ amusing.¡± ¡­Amusing? ¡­Was this really something to be amused about? ¡°Looks like my little provocation worked a treat.¡± Ezekiel chuckled. ¡°They¡¯re desperate for the Imperial Magic Tower to be the only one late to the party.¡± Puff¡ª! He exhaled a plume of smoke. ¡°So, we can¡¯t reach the Black Tower by carriage now?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve assured us they¡¯ll repair the bridges as soon as possible,¡± Agnes replied. ¡°However¡­ the estimated completion date is¡­ a week from now.¡± ¡°A week¡­¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Conveniently, right after the exchange meeting ends.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve assured us it can¡¯t be expedited, Inspector.¡± ¡°Talented mages, yet so childish.¡± Ezekiel stroked his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Should I freeze the moat?¡± He mused out loud, as if it were a perfectly reasonable solution. The idea of him actually implementing such a feat of ice magic wasn¡¯t entirely outlandish, given his abilities. But even if he froze the entire moat, it wouldn¡¯t solve their problem. ?Agnes shook her head. ¡°Even if you froze the entire moat, Inspector, it would still take time to cross,¡± she pointed out. ¡°And we only have five minutes left.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Ezekiel nodded, agreeing with her far too readily. Agnes and Tether exchanged puzzled glances. ¡°Well then, it seems we have no choice.¡± Their anxiety spiked. Had he simply¡­ given up? ¡°I-Inspector, what are you going to do?¡± Tether stammered, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have a solution.¡± ¡°A solution?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ezekiel turned and began to walk away, his stride leisurely. ¡°Make sure our luggage is secured,¡± he called over his shoulder. And with that, he was gone. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± They stared after him, stunned by his nonchalance. Neither of them could muster the courage to stop him. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Inside the Imperial Palace, Emperor¡¯s Audience Chamber. The chamber was in a state of disarray. Walls were cracked, furniture was overturned, and debris littered the floor. It looked more like a battlefield than the heart of the Imperial Palace. Of course, the damage didn¡¯t last long. Swooooosh¡ª! Space warped and twisted, and the Audience Chamber was restored to its former glory¡ªopulent, imposing, and utterly pristine. The Emperor looked down at his feet, where the First Princess, Ether, lay fast asleep. ¡°¡­ Remarkable. Her growth rate is truly astounding.¡± Subduing the First Princess had not been without its challenges, and the Emperor was both impressed and slightly alarmed by her progress. She hadn¡¯t been this powerful before¡­ ¡­Could Ezekiel be responsible for this sudden surge in her abilities? Just then¡­ BAM¡ª! Someone threw open the doors to the Audience Chamber. It was unthinkable. This was the Emperor¡¯s private sanctum, his personal domain. Who would dare barge in unannounced? ¡°Your Majesty,¡± a familiar voice called out, ¡°may I make another request?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Ezekiel. Of course, it was Ezekiel. ¡°¡­This is my Audience Chamber, Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Could you open a dimensional portal to the Black Tower¡¯s territory, Your Majesty? It¡¯s essential for the successful completion of our¡­ trade.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± ¡°A successful trade benefits us both, does it not?¡± The Emperor let out a long, tired sigh. ¡°¡­As long as it¡¯s within the Black Tower¡¯s territory, I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pinpoint the location on a map for you, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± This man really was pushing his luck. A sudden realization dawned on the Emperor. Ezekiel¡¯s insistence on calling it a ¡®trade¡¯¡­ ¡­Had this been his plan all along? ¡°Time is of the essence, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± The Emperor flung the apple he¡¯d been holding to the floor. ¡°Anyhow, do as you seem fit,¡± the Emperor said, his tone laced with a mixture of exasperation and reluctant amusement. Just try and fail this time. He thought to himself, a wicked glimmer in his eye. Chapter 77: Suspicious Couple (3) ?? Chapter 77 ¨C Suspicious Couple (3) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Meanwhile, at the Black Magic Tower¡­ a storm was brewing. ¡°Tower Master~ Just what are you thinking?¡± The one openly criticizing the Black Tower Master was none other than her secretary, Teddy Divine. The girl, with her youthful appearance, clutched a teddy bear as always. The Black Tower Master tried to maintain her composure, but her annoyance was evident. ¡®Has she lost her mind?¡¯ The Black Tower was different from typical magic towers in terms of hierarchy. With its mix of mages and demons, and its embrace of demonic culture, it was perhaps the most rigidly hierarchical tower in the entire world. It was to be expected. Bloodlines, lineage, race¡­ Demon society was built on a foundation of strict social strata, and those rules were enforced with an iron fist. Thus, insubordination was unthinkable. Yet, here was Teddy Divine, outright reprimanding the Black Tower Master, despite her rank as just a secretary. One of the other senior members voiced out. ¡°You opposed the destruction of the bridge till the end and even suggested bringing them here! What are you thinking, Black Tower Master?¡± Other voices joined the chorus of dissent. ¡°Exactly! Are you planning to hand over the entire Black Tower to them?¡± The insults and disrespect were becoming unbearable. Wearing a tall witch-like hat, the Black Tower Master was about to rebuke them, but someone beat him to it. ¡°Now, now, everyone! Calm down! Let¡¯s hear her out, shall we?¡± ¡°But¡­ Even you must see how absurd this is, Teddy!¡± ¡°This is the Black Tower. We must respect the hierarchy, right?¡± The scene of everyone surprisingly complying with Teddy¡¯s words was peculiar; the Black Tower Master watched the scene unfold, a flicker of unease in her eyes. Teddy¡¯s intervention, at least, had restored a semblance of order. She turned to the Black Tower Master, her gaze sharp. ¡°So, Tower Master~ What exactly are you thinking?¡± ¡°Ultimately, the Imperial Magic Tower is the most prestigious.¡± Teddy burst into laughter at the reply. ¡°Wow~ That¡¯s rich!¡± Hugging her teddy bear tightly, she continued, ¡°You haven¡¯t suddenly gone senile, have you? Why the change of heart? You¡¯re behaving like a toothless beast. Or is it something else, hmm?¡± Teddy suddenly held the teddy bear¡¯s mouth close to her ear, her eyes widening in mock surprise. ¡°Oh my! Are you saying that the Black Tower Master is colluding with the Imperial Magic Tower?! No, no, no! We can¡¯t be saying such things!¡± She playfully smacked the teddy bear¡¯s head, her tone dripping with sarcasm. But the Black Tower Master, unfazed, continued. ¡°My children, the situation at the Imperial Magic Tower¡­ it¡¯s not as simple as it seems.¡± Ribbit¡ª! A frog perched atop the Black Tower Master¡¯s hat croaked ominously. ¡°The Second Princess, who¡¯d been in the Celestial Realm, has suddenly returned, and the Inspector has been visiting the Imperial Palace quite often. He also played a significant role in the recent Ruiple incident. So¡­¡± The Black Tower Master nodded slightly. ¡°Do try to understand. Now is not the time to act rashly.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve waited years for this!¡± ¡°Are you suddenly getting cold feet, right before the execution?¡± ¡°Coward! The Black Tower Master is a coward!¡± The meeting room erupted into chaos; the room was now divided. On one side stood the Black Tower Master. On the other side¡­ stood everyone else. ¡°Now, now~ Let¡¯s all calm down~¡± Teddy tried to placate the agitated crowd. ¡°Alright, alright. I understand being cautious. It¡¯s like¡­ checking the bridge before you cross it~¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± the Black Tower Master agreed. ¡°But you also opposed asking the Imperial Magic Tower to place the demonic sword on the altar? Why?¡± Teddy shrugged. ¡°You were the only one who opposed it. You do realize that, right~?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, I¡¯m aware.¡± The Black Tower Master nodded calmly. ¡°I allowed Teddy¡¯s¡­ pranks at the beginning, but I didn¡¯t expect things to go this far. You know what will happen when the demonic sword is placed on the altar.¡± When the demonic sword is placed on the altar, purification would begin. Purification. While it sounded positive, even righteous. But the reality was far from pleasant. Once the purification starts, the demonic sword would release all the fear it had absorbed. Simply put, anyone from the Imperial Magic Tower nearby would undoubtedly find themselves in grave danger. Teddy widened her eyes, feigning innocence. ¡°Ooh, Black Tower Master, saying it like that makes it sound like I¡¯m playing pranks just for fun and to vent my frustration. But that¡¯s not the case at all!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± ¡°Of course not! I just want the Imperial Magic Tower, which has oppressed the Black Tower for so long, to finally get what they deserve! And for our tower to rise above them! Yes, yes!¡± The Black Tower Master remained silent, but her mind was deep in thought. ¡®This is troublesome. They¡¯re all consumed by fury.¡¯ She didn¡¯t deny that they genuinely cared about the Black Magic Tower. But their feelings had become twisted, corrupted by years of resentment. Discriminated against for their use of dark magic, for the presence of demons among them¡­ They¡¯d been oppressed for so long that they wanted others to experience the same pain, even if it meant unleashing a catastrophic disaster. Teddy Divine spoke again. ?¡°So, why are you so eager to invite the Imperial Magic Tower here?¡± Teddy asked, her tone mocking. ¡°To adhere to the spirit of the exchange meeting, it¡¯s imperative that the Imperial Magic Tower participates smoothly.¡± ¡°The spirit of the exchange meeting?¡± ¡°Precisely.¡± The Black Tower Master nodded. ¡°Once they participate, we can present the magic we¡¯ve prepared and gain recognition at the exchange meeting. It¡¯s an ideal way to elevate our status.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still clinging to such naive ideals~¡± Teddy Divine scoffed openly. ¡°So, if the Imperial Magic Tower changes its mind, you¡¯ll just¡­ obey them? Follow their orders like an obedient dog?¡± ¡°¡­If we¡¯re honest, it¡¯s not entirely unreasonable. We did dabble in dark magic, which is forbidden across the continent. And our¡­ research on corpses¡­ we went too far.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? Even thinking like that proves you¡¯ve become the Empire¡¯s lapdog! Why should we, who have mastered dark magic, care about what others think?!¡± Teddy¡¯s grip on her teddy bear tightened. ¡®You¡¯re too soft.¡¯ It had been over ten years since the Black Tower had begun to meekly obey the Imperial Magic Tower, even though the Imperial Magic Tower was clearly losing its edge, stalling for time, making excuses. Everyone in the Black Tower, except the Tower Master, was tired of this charade. It was time to act. ¡°Black Tower Master, we¡¯ve waited long enough, haven¡¯t we?¡± The Black Tower Master shook her head. ¡°This isn¡¯t about waiting. We need time until the Empire truly trusts our Black Tower.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°If it were the past, I might have agreed with this¡­ aggressive approach. But you know as well as I do¡­¡± The Black Tower Master¡¯s voice lowered. ¡°Things are different now. We¡¯re on the verge of completing our secret technique, and I have something worth protecting. We can¡¯t afford to start something so dangerous indiscriminately. It¡¯s rejected.¡± ¡°Ah! The secret technique you won¡¯t tell us about~¡± Teddy sneered, her eyes narrowed. ¡°¡­That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°You keep telling us it¡¯s being developed, but you refuse to share any details¡­ that sounds awfully familiar¡­ doesn¡¯t it? You¡¯re acting just like the Imperial Magic Tower!¡± The Black Tower Master silently fiddled with her tall hat. ¡®I can¡¯t tell you, not when you¡¯re consumed by anger.¡¯ If she were to share it now, and they used it solely to vent their anger, who could predict the disaster that would follow? For now, focusing on its completion quietly was the best course of action. ¡°It¡¯s nearing completion. I¡¯ll share it with you all as soon as it¡¯s finished. There¡¯s no need to be¡ª¡° ¡°Oh, forget it! I¡¯m done with this nonsense!¡± Teddy grinned mischievously. ?¡±The first principle of the Black Tower¡­ the one with the most support becomes the Tower Master. That still holds true, right?¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s correct, but¡ª¡° ¡°Oh~ In that case~!¡± Teddy grinned mischievously. ¡°It seems the Black Tower might have a new master very soon~ Because everyone, except for one person, seems to agree with me!¡± The Black Tower Master¡¯s eye twitched. Teddy¡¯s statement was an open challenge. But a direct confrontation¡­ was out of the question. If she¡¯d been at full strength, she¡¯d have easily defeated Teddy. But she¡¯d poured all her energy into completing the secret technique. ¡°It seems our current Tower Master is too afraid of the Imperial Magic Tower to act! But the Black Tower doesn¡¯t tolerate cowards! We have plenty of brave souls¡­ like me~¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the Imperial Magic Tower I fear. It¡¯s just that the new Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower seems unusual¡­.¡± ¡°The Inspector? Yes! He¡¯s the cause of all this!¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Teddy clapped her hands together, a sharp, almost manic, glee in her eyes. ¡°Great! Then let¡¯s focus on this Inspector. If someone can defeat the Inspector, whom even the Black Tower Master fears, they¡¯d certainly gain support and be seen as more competent than the Tower Master!¡± ¡°Ha¡­¡± The Black Tower Master could only laugh bitterly. At this point, logic held no sway. They were blinded by rage, consumed by the desire for revenge. The Black Tower Master¡¯s attempt to reason appeared as nothing more than a thorn in their side. They no longer cared about right or wrong. All they needed was a reason¡­ an excuse¡­ to depose her and unleash their fury on the Imperial Magic Tower. Teddy grinned wider. ¡°It seems our dear Tower Master has become a bit too¡­ timid after spending so much time stirring cauldrons in her little workshop~¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! It¡¯s time for you to retire! We¡¯ve become much stronger, much bolder, in your absence~¡± ¡°Just get to the point,¡± the Black Tower Master said, her voice dangerously sharp. ¡°Fine, fine. It¡¯s simple~ As soon as the Imperial Magic Tower folks enter the Black Tower¡¯s domain, I¡¯ll take care of them myself!¡± ¡°You will?¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be struggling with that demonic sword¡­ so I¡¯ll just offer them a helping hand! Think of the prestige it would bring the Black Tower!¡± Teddy grinned, her eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°Of course~ a few of them might¡­ die along the way! I can¡¯t promise to save everyone!¡± The Black Tower Master shook her head in exasperation. ¡°You say you want the Black Tower to prosper, yet you¡¯re willing to trigger a war between Magic Towers? You lack foresight!¡± ¡°How far ahead did you see to behave like the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s lackey for over ten years? Hmm?¡± ¡°Even if you get what you want, it won¡¯t bring happiness to the Black Tower.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wrong. No matter what happens, it can¡¯t be more miserable than this~¡± Their opinions clashed, an impasse of opposing wills. Ribbit¡ª The frog perched on the Black Tower Master¡¯s hat croaked once more. And just then¡­ ¡°Then let¡¯s do this,¡± the Black Tower Master declared, her voice firm. ¡°Neither of us is going to back down, so it¡¯s pointless to try and reach a compromise. It¡¯s better to set conditions.¡± ¡°What conditions?¡± ¡°Do as you wish. I will step down as the Tower Master.¡± The Black Tower Master stated this plainly. ¡°But in exchange,¡± she continued, ¡°even if things go wrong for you, I will not share my secret technique with you. Don¡¯t expect any help from me.¡± A shocking declaration. The senior members quickly voiced their opinions. ¡°But¡­ we¡¯ve waited for so long¡ª¡° ¡°Perhaps the current Tower Master doesn¡¯t need to completely go¡ª¡° Just then, a single voice cut through the whispers. ¡°Sure~ Fine! Get lost immediately!¡± Teddy shouted gleefully. ¡°T-Teddy!¡± ¡°Lady Teddy Divine!¡± But Teddy ignored all the protests. ¡°Get out~ get out~ move along~¡± She even shoved the Black Tower Master towards the exit, hurrying her out of the meeting room. It was an act of unimaginable disrespect, unthinkable just moments ago. Naturally, the other senior members voiced their concerns. ¡°Teddy Divine, are you sure about this?¡± ¡°We should have at least gotten the secret technique¡ª¡° ¡°That thing nobody knows anything about? The one that might not even be real?¡± Teddy turned to face them, her gaze cold. ¡°Are you still buying into her lies? Hmm?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just¡­¡± ¡°Pathetic~ Pathetic~ You¡¯re all so pathetic!¡± Standing in the center of the meeting room, Teddy addressed them. ¡°Remember all the years you¡¯ve been oppressed, discriminated against because you¡¯re not human, and punished because you practiced dark magic¡­ every single day!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°For how long are you going to live like this? Is it wrong for us to rise up? Is it so terrible?!¡± Gradually, their eyes began to burn with a feverish intensity. Confusion and worry¡­ they were fleeting emotions. Yes, how long had they endured such harsh times? ¡­Now was the time to unleash their anger. ¡°Now, now~ There¡¯s no need to worry~ I¡¯ll teach those Imperial Magic Tower folks a lesson they won¡¯t forget.¡± They probably wouldn¡¯t even make it to the Black Tower. They¡¯d be stuck struggling to cross the ravaged landscape, all the bridges destroyed. They wouldn¡¯t even set foot in the surrounding domain. That was what Teddy thought¡­ until¡­ ¡ªLady Teddy Divine!¡ª A frantic voice called out to her through telepathy. ¡°Hmm?¡± Teddy replied, listening intently. ¡ªWhat is it? Don¡¯t shout, you¡¯re hurting my ears!¡ª ¡ªThe Imperial¡ªthe Imperial Magic Tower!¡ª ¡ªYeah? What about them?¡ª What was all the fuss about? Teddy yawned. The Imperial Magic Tower being unable to arrive? That was a given. But¡­ The message she received¡­ was the opposite of what she expected. ¡ªThey¡¯ve entered our domain!¡ª ¡°¡­¡­.¡­?¡± It was¡­ impossible. Teddy¡¯s head tilted in confusion. Chapter 78: Suspicious Couple (4) ?? Chapter 78 ¨C Suspicious Couple (4) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?¡°3, 2, 1¡­!¡± Everyone remaining in the Black Tower meeting room chanted in unison, their voices buzzing with anticipation; they were counting down the time when the Imperial Magic Tower was supposed to arrive. And finally, the hour struck¡­ ¡°It¡¯s time! Activate the barrier!¡± WOOOOOOSH¡ª! A resonant hum filled the air. And an immense surge of energy rippled outwards, enveloping the Black Tower¡¯s entire domain in a shimmering, violet, hemispherical barrier. It was not only massive but also incredibly intricate, a masterpiece of magic engineering. Originally, the barrier was intended to control access and protect VIPs during the exchange meeting. However, it was now being used in a different way ¡ª it was a blatant act of mockery, a deliberate obstacle designed to make the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s already delayed arrival even more difficult. Everyone burst into hearty laughter, celebrating. ¡°That¡¯ll teach those Imperial Magic Tower snobs!¡± ¡°They dared to provoke us! Now they¡¯re going to suffer!¡± ¡°They would have been late anyway, even without the barrier. There haven¡¯t been any reports of them even approaching the moat!¡± Amidst the celebratory mood, only one person¡­ Teddy Divine¡­ wore a grave expression. Clutching her teddy bear, she confirmed the report one last time. ¡ª You¡¯re saying the Imperial Magic Tower has entered our domain?¡ª ¡ª Y-yes, that¡¯s correct¡­! Strange. It was truly strange. Teddy didn¡¯t underestimate the Imperial Magic Tower. They had some skilled mages among them. It was possible they¡¯d found a way to arrive quickly. But what was truly baffling¡­ ¡®They weren¡¯t detected anywhere, and yet they appeared so suddenly?¡¯ To monitor the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s movements, Teddy had planted spies along every possible route from the Imperial Magic Tower to the Black Tower. If the Imperial Magic Tower group had shown themselves even once, there was no way they could have gone unnoticed. ¡®They bypassed all that and just appeared out of nowhere?¡¯ It was preposterous¡­ yet it seemed to be true. ¡ª Any regions they passed through? ¡ª None. There¡¯s no record of them leaving the Imperial Magic Tower grounds.¡ª ¡ª How many are there?¡ª ¡ª We estimate a group of three. ¡®Did they use teleportation?¡¯ But considering the distance from the Imperial Magic Tower to the Black Tower, it was hard to believe. Who could meticulously teleport three people over such a long distance? Could it be¡­ the Inspector? ¡°Ha¡­¡± Teddy Divine laughed, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. An Inspector with no background, and a commoner at that, using such advanced teleportation magic? It made no sense no matter how you looked at it. The Ruiple incident? It had already been investigated thoroughly. She¡¯d learned that he was an Ice mage. Someone specializing in elemental magic using spatial teleportation? It was utterly preposterous. ¡ª Lady Teddy, what do we do now?¡ª ¡ª What do you mean, ¡®what do we do¡¯?¡ª Teddy replied through telepathy, her voice regaining its usual confidence. ¡ª Just because they arrived doesn¡¯t mean our plans are ruined~ We still have the rest to carry out, don¡¯t we? Yes, the important thing was that their main plans hadn¡¯t failed. Delaying their arrival had been¡­ a mere greeting, a taste of what was to come. ¡ª Keep a close eye on the path to the altar. Make sure everything¡¯s ready.¡ª ¡ª Understood !¡ª A cruel smile spread across Teddy¡¯s face as she ended the telepathic conversation. ¡°Oh~ How pitiful. If they¡¯d just been fashionably late, they might have lived. But no, they just had to arrive! They¡¯re going to regret being so punctual!¡± She twirled, spinning in a circle, still clutching her teddy bear. ¡°Now they¡¯re all as good as dead~ What will the Imperial Magic Tower do~?¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Within the Black Tower¡¯s domain¡­ The term ¡°Black Tower¡± was a bit misleading. It referred not only to the black spire itself, but also to the sprawling town surrounding it. The Imperial Magic Tower looked around, taking in their surroundings. ¡°A barrier? How arrogant of them,¡± Ezekiel muttered, his expression grim. Agnes nodded in agreement. ¡°It seems they intended to prevent our entry if we were late. Another display of their utter disrespect.¡± ¡°Well, that can be dealt with later. Where is Her Highness?¡± Tether, who¡¯d been listening attentively, perked up. ¡°She¡¯ll be in the VIP room inside the spire. Now that we¡¯ve arrived, we can meet her after we¡¯ve taken care of the demonic sword.¡± ¡°Good. Let¡¯s take a look around first.¡± However, the surroundings were quite different from what they expected. ¡°¡­Desolate.¡± That was Ezekiel¡¯s succinct observation. The area was¡­ eerily empty. Agnes, her face impassive, rotated her cube thoughtfully. ¡°This isn¡¯t right. According to our reports, this area should be bustling with activity.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed. This area is usually bustling.¡± Tether nodded in agreement. ¡°This domain shares many similarities with the Demon Realm. Just as the Demon Realm is devoted to pleasure and indulgence, this place is usually filled with a festive atmosphere. And with the influx of visitors for the exchange meeting¡­ it shouldn¡¯t be this quiet.¡± ¡°Oh, there are people over there.¡± Agnes pointed to a figure in the distance, but¡­ SLAM¡ª! A window slammed shut, the curtains drawn tight ¡ª the same thing happened again and again. People avoided Ezekiel and his companions, slamming doors shut, scurrying away from monsters. Ezekiel popped a sunweed into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°They¡¯re not exactly giving us a warm welcome.¡± ¡°Indeed, they are not¡­.¡± Agnes blinked a few times, her gaze sharp. ¡°The fleeting expressions of displeasure¡­ the animosity directed towards us¡­ it¡¯s quite strong. It seems they have something planned. It wouldn¡¯t be wise to proceed as is.¡± ¡°How are they recognizing us?¡± ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s rather obvious, isn¡¯t it? The clothes.¡± Their gazes fell to their attire. The three of them were dressed in conspicuously expensive clothing. Fine fabrics that screamed wealth and status, intricate embroidery denoting their affiliations¡­ Tether even had the Imperial emblem emblazoned on his chest. Tether coughed awkwardly. ¡°Ahem¡­ perhaps we should¡­ change clothes. I know a place where we can get different ones.¡± ¡°Not a store. We don¡¯t want to be tracked.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a store. You¡¯ll see when we get there. Follow me!¡± . . . . . ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Silence fell among the three of them. ¡°These clothes¡­.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with these outfits¡­.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel and Agnes stared at their new clothes, somewhat dumbfounded. However, Tether merely cleared her throat as if nothing was amiss. ¡°Ahem! Well, at least they fit!¡± They did fit, but¡­ the style¡­ was something else entirely. Agnes and Ezekiel now looked like a perfect couple, while the small-framed Tether was dressed in frilly clothes that a daughter might wear. From a distance, they could be mistaken for a family¡ªa newlywed couple with a bunny-like daughter. Tether pushed up her round glasses, her expression bewildered. ¡°¡­Why were these the only clothes available?¡± ¡°Long ago, when the Black Tower domain was going through hard times, the Empire sent them supplies, including clothes.¡± ¡°These must be the leftovers from that time.¡± ¡°¡­Yes. That¡¯s¡­ probably what happened.¡± Tether casually observed their reactions. She had experience serving VIPs, and had she presented such clothes under ordinary circumstances, she would¡¯ve been punished for hurting their pride. But the Imperial Magic Tower¡­ they were surprisingly¡­ gracious. ¡®As expected, the Imperial Magic Tower indeed has many generous people.¡¯ Relieved, she said, ¡°But¡­ you two look quite good. Handsome and beautiful¡­ you almost look like a real couple.¡± And just as she said those words¡­ Tether suddenly shivered. ¡®Huh?¡¯ Ezekiel and Agnes¡­ who had never displayed any hostility towards each other before¡­ were suddenly radiating a bone-chilling murderous aura. ?¡­Was ¡®couple¡¯ too¡­ old-fashioned a term? ¡°Um¡­ maybe like¡­ lovers?¡± ¡°¡­¡­..¡­¡± ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s like kids playing house¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°I apologize. I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± She wilted like a discarded tissue. ¡°Well, anyway.¡± After a pause, Ezekiel spoke up. ¡°We went through the trouble of bringing the demonic sword, but the Black Tower didn¡¯t provide the exact location of the altar?¡± Agnes nodded. ¡°Yes. Surprisingly, they only mentioned that it¡¯s somewhere in this area and didn¡¯t provide any more details.¡± ¡°They expect us to find out and move on our own.¡± ¡°¡­I have a feeling there¡¯s some sinister plot in motion. Should we just ignore their demands about the demonic sword?¡± ¡°No, there¡¯s no need for that.¡± Ezekiel responded firmly. Realizing that his usual sunweed might draw unwanted attention in his new attire, he¡¯d switched to a long lollipop. ¡°None of you are too tired, right? Let¡¯s move out.¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°We need to gather information.¡± ¡°So you¡­ have a plan?¡± ¡°A plan, a plan¡­¡± Ezekiel grinned, his lollipop bobbing up and down. It was his usual mischievous, almost impish, smile. ¡°I¡¯ll do it my usual way.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? And so, they began hopping from restaurant to restaurant. Was it thanks to their change of attire? No one fled as soon as they saw them. Agnes absentmindedly twisted her fingers in the air. With the cube she always fiddled with absent, her hands felt strangely idle. ¡°Since we changed our outfits, people are no longer avoiding us. This suggests they weren¡¯t avoiding us specifically, but rather had a resistance towards the Imperial Magic Tower and the Imperial family.¡± ¡°¡­Why is that? What could be the reason?¡± ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll just have to find out.¡± Just then. Conversations from a restaurant they were passing by filtered out. ¡°I heard the Imperial Magic Tower folks couldn¡¯t even set foot in this territory. Must be quite amusing, seeing them become a laughing stock. Once they fall, we can¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a shame they didn¡¯t show up. I wanted to crush them beneath my heel.¡± ¡°Maybe we should pay them a visit? Hahahaha!¡± It was clear, even from these snippets of conversation, that the animosity towards the Imperial Magic Tower was¡­ intense. Ezekiel furrowed his brow. ¡®This is beyond arrogance.¡¯ It was a stark reminder of how severely the Imperial Magic Tower had neglected its duties. Their authority was being trampled upon. ¡°Let¡¯s go in.¡± Ezekiel jerked his chin toward the entrance. BAM¡ª! He kicked the door open, and for a moment, there was silence. The restaurant was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Every table was occupied. Rough-looking thugs, mages radiating a sinister aura¡­ Ezekiel took it all in with a single glance. ¡°Did I mistake this for a library?¡± CRUNCH¡ª! Ezekiel bit down on his lollipop, his voice sharp. ¡°Why¡¯s it so quiet?¡± At the same time, he gestured to one of them with his chin. ¡°You there, finish what you were saying.¡± ¡°¡­What? You fish-headed freak, are you crazy?¡± A hulking figure rose from his seat, his imposing frame towering over Ezekiel. He cracked his knuckles, his voice a low growl. ¡°Who the hell are you to barge in here and boss us around?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Just as Ezekiel was about to respond, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Simultaneously, Agnes¡¯s telepathic message rang in his mind. It was a three-way communication including Tether. ¡ªInspector, you can¡¯t reveal your identity.¡ª ¡ªDon¡¯t worry, I know what I¡¯m doing.¡ª ¡ªThen, let¡¯s go with our pre-arranged story¡­! ¡ª In truth, there was no prearranged story, but with their current disguises, the lie was obvious. There was no chance of it going wrong. The three of them believed this as they spoke in unison. ¡°We¡¯re just a couple who happened to fall in love.¡± ¡°We¡¯re just a normal married couple.¡± ¡°They adopted me!¡± An icy silence descended upon the restaurant. And Ezekiel hadn¡¯t even used his ice magic yet. Chapter 79: Suspicious Couple (5) ?? Chapter 79 ¨C Suspicious Couple (5) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Inside the restaurant, the thugs whispered amongst themselves. ¡°Love at first sight?¡± ¡°But¡­ already a couple?¡± ¡°¡­And adoption?¡± It was a ridiculous story, but¡­ it somehow¡­ made sense. And then¡­ they burst into laughter. ¡°BWAHAHAHAHAHA¡ª!¡± The restaurant echoed with their boisterous amusement. ¡°Even pathetic worms like these try to eat at a restaurant?¡± ¡°Good. Now I won¡¯t feel guilty robbing them!¡± ¡°Consider this your punishment, wretches! Wahahaha!¡± As the room filled with mocking laughter, a frantic conversation unfolded between the Imperial Magic Tower companions via telepathy. ¡ª Love at first sight? Honestly!¡ª ¡ª We all shouted different things!¡ª ¡ª Well, at least it hid our identities. Ezekiel had a point; the thugs didn¡¯t seem to even consider the possibility that they were from the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡ª Anyway, Inspector, it seems they¡¯re all robbers. What are your orders?¡ª ¡ª Do I really need to spell it out?¡ª Just then¡­ One of the thugs grabbed a dagger, a predatory gleam in his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s start by killing the little girl! That¡¯ll be fun!¡± He hurled the dagger towards Tether with surprising speed and force; this wasn¡¯t his first rodeo. SWISH¡ª! ¡ª By the way, Agnes, I didn¡¯t expect you to call us a couple.¡ª ¡ª Don¡¯t misunderstand. I was merely doing my best to conceal our affiliation with the Imperial Magic Tower and the Imperial Family.¡ª ¡ª Who said I didn¡¯t understand? I¡¯m just surprised.¡ª ¡ª By ¡°doing my best,¡± I meant that I acted purely out of a sense of duty. Acting purely out of duty means that I excluded all personal feelings. Excluding all personal feelings means that I would never¡­ towards the Inspector¡­¡ª ¡ª KYAAAAAA! The dagger! Aren¡¯t you going to block it?!¡ª Tether screamed through the telepathic link. But before she could finish her sentence¡­ CLANG¡ª! An ice spike shot out, intercepting the dagger mid-flight. And then, with a sickening thud, it embedded itself in the forehead of the thug who¡¯d thrown it. ¡°How did he deflect the dagger so quickly?!¡± The thugs stared in horror. It wasn¡¯t surprising. Ezekiel¡¯s ice creation magic was far too fast for their eyes to follow. ¡®¡­My skills are improving.¡¯ Ezekiel, too, sensed his own growth, the refinement of his Ice Magic and his overall mastery of ice magic. If this was achievable with mere medicinal herbs, he anticipated even greater results with the Sun Elixir. His resolve hardened. He popped another lollipop into his mouth. ¡°Threatening a family with a dagger¡­ you¡¯re lower than animals. Robbers are worse than beasts.¡± The ground began to freeze over, spreading outwards from his feet, ensnaring the thugs in a chilling embrace; terror filled their eyes. Ezekiel continued to unleash his power, unflinching, unmerciful.? ?Tossing a dagger at Tether without hesitation¡­ it meant they were used to killing, even young girls. There was no way Ezekiel could let them live. ¡°H-Hold on a sec¡ª!¡± One of the thugs tried to plead for mercy, but¡­ FWOOSH¡ª! The entire restaurant was encased in a thick layer of ice. Except for the one who¡¯d cried out, that is. ¡°Agnes, paper and pen.¡± Agnes, without a word, handed him the requested items. Ezekiel conjured a table and chair out of ice and forced the remaining thug to sit down. He placed a hand on the man¡¯s shoulder, his grip firm. ¡°Write down everything you know about this domain.¡± CRACK¡ª! He shattered one of the frozen thugs into a million icy shards. ¡°The more detailed you are, the better chance you have of a clean death.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The restaurant was now a frozen tomb, its occupants encased in ice. Agnes reviewed the information scrawled on the paper. ¡°It seems the area around our arrival point is¡­ a dumping ground for criminals. The Black Tower has been herding bandits and other undesirables here. According to this, they¡¯ve completely taken over this entire district.¡± Tether¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Instead of arresting them, they simply¡­ herded them into a single location? What kind of logic is that?!¡± ¡°It seems they intend to use them to¡­ inconvenience us,¡± Agnes replied dryly. Tether clenched her fists, her usually cheerful, rabbit-like face contorted with rage. ¡°Those scoundrels!¡± She could no longer contain her anger. ¡°Inspector! Demonic sword or not, why should we play along with their demands? We should march straight to the spire and punish them!¡± Agnes nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes. It seems they¡¯ve crossed the line. It¡¯s clear we need to come up with a plan.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t just stand here and take this! The Imperial Magic Tower exists to monitor and punish other magic towers! So, right now¡ª¡° ¡°Stop.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s single word silenced Tether. He nodded, his lollipop bobbing up and down, his eyes filled with understanding. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We will punish the Black Tower for their disrespect.¡± ¡°So we¡¯re heading straight to the spire¡­¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice turned serious. ¡°Barging in and indiscriminately destroying everything and killing everyone¡­ that¡¯s not how the Imperial Magic Tower operates.¡± His gaze fell on Tether. ¡°Tether.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Inspector?¡± ¡°Why has the Imperial Family neglected its duty to oversee the magic towers?¡± ¡°Well¡­ because¡­ it¡¯s¡­ a matter for the magic towers to handle themselves?¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has been failing to fulfill its responsibilities for over a decade. The Imperial Family could have intervened.¡± ?¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯re right. Huh¡­ why didn¡¯t I think of that¡­?!¡± Instead of answering, Ezekiel created two crude ice spikes on the table; his fist clenched . ¡°Observe.¡± CRASH¡ª! He slammed his fist down, shattering one of the ice spikes. ¡°If the Imperial Family intervened directly, this is what would happen. The Black Tower would be crushed, but it wouldn¡¯t be a true solution. They would simply disappear¡­ on the surface.¡± His hand moved to the other ice spike. ¡°But¡­¡± S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. SCRATCH¡ª! SCRATCH¡ª! Instead of shattering it, he began to carefully shape the remaining spike, refining its form. Slowly, it began to resemble¡­ a spire. ¡°We will excise the rot, nothing more. That¡¯s what the Imperial Family truly desires, and that¡¯s what the Imperial Magic Tower is meant to do.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°What we must do is what we call purification.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Tether and Agnes watched silently, captivated by Ezekiel¡¯s words. Ezekiel thought to himself. ¡®Strictly speaking, it¡¯s not the royal family, but the emperor¡¯s stance.¡¯ But¡­ it didn¡¯t really matter. The Emperor¡¯s stance was the Imperial Family¡¯s stance. The Emperor¡¯s power, as far as Ezekiel could tell, was¡­ annihilation. That was why their deal had been struck¡ªbecause Ezekiel could offer a different approach. But if Ezekiel started acting like the Emperor¡­ His usefulness would disappear. The Emperor would no longer have any reason to trade with him. And Ezekiel would never get his hands on the Sun Elixir. Coincidentally, Ezekiel¡¯s own goals now aligned with the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s true purpose. He would dedicate himself fully to the purification of the Black Tower. Good. He had made his decision. ¡°Tether.¡± ¡°Y-Yes?¡± ¡°When do the presentations begin?¡± ¡°Today is just the opening ceremony. The presentations start tomorrow, at the spire.¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± Ezekiel nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll gather all the information we need, and then, on the day of the presentations, we¡¯ll expose their crimes, one by one, and punish them accordingly.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Agnes and Tether blinked in unison. ¡°What? Is there a problem?¡± They both shook their heads. ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­¡± Agnes blinked rapidly. ¡°I never realized you were so¡­ thoughtful, Inspector. To consider the true purpose of the Imperial Magic Tower¡­ I must have misjudged you.¡± Was that¡­ a compliment? It had to be, right? Tether scratched the back of her head. ¡°I¡­ acted rashly. I let my anger get the better of me. I should know better than to¡­¡± Ezekiel calmly munched on his lollipop. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has neglected its duties for over a decade. It¡¯s understandable that you¡¯re a bit¡­ rusty. We¡¯ll get back into the swing of things.¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector! You can count on me!¡± Tether raised her fist in the air, her enthusiasm returning. She was, despite her¡­ eccentricities, a surprisingly righteous individual. ¡°Tether, you can head to the spire ahead of us. Since you¡¯re a secretary, it wouldn¡¯t be strange for you to be by Her Highness¡¯s side.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a member of the Imperial Family! I can¡¯t stand idly by while such wickedness unfolds! I¡¯ll do everything in my power to uphold justice!¡± Tether¡¯s small frame seemed to swell with determination as she declared this. Ezekiel smiled inwardly. Agnes tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll depart immediately. The note from the robber¡­ it includes information about the altar where they want us to place the demonic sword.¡± ¡°Is it far?¡± ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s quite close.¡± The three of them nodded, leaving the frozen restaurant behind. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Two figures stopped in their tracks in front of the restaurant. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The entire building was encased in ice. It was a sight they couldn¡¯t simply ignore, especially since they, too, were masters of ice. ¡°Such precise control over ice¡­ who could it be?¡± ¡°There were no reports of anyone from our tower being in this area.¡± Cloaked in blue robes, they were mages from the Blue Tower, specializing in ice magic. They were¡­ intrigued, to say the least. Such mastery over ice¡­ who could it be? Just then¡­ A family strolled out of the restaurant. A young couple, and their adorable, rabbit-like daughter. One of the mages pointed at them. ¡°That family. I think they might be the ones responsible.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s follow them.¡± He started to walk, then stopped abruptly. ¡°No, we need to stop them right now! Hey, you there¡ª!¡± His booming voice echoed through the streets. And the family stopped in their tracks. Chapter 80: Suspicious Couple (6) ?? Chapter 80 ¨C Suspicious Couple (6) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?¡°Hold¡ª!¡± A booming voice called out, and Ezekiel¡¯s group stopped in their tracks. The source of the voice was two mages clad in blue robes. The snowflake embroidery emblazoned on their chests clearly indicated that they were from the Blue Tower and had no intention of hiding their affiliation. One was an elderly man, the other a young woman. ¡°Your auras suggest you are a group of mages,¡± the old man began. ¡°Would you mind telling us who you are?¡± ¡ª I will speak for our group. Agnes stepped forward. She couldn¡¯t risk the three of them giving away their true identities. ¡°As you can see, we¡¯re just an ordinary couple. And this is our adopted daughter.¡± But just then¡­ ¡°Hmm¡­ Aren¡¯t you the Second Princess¡¯s personal secretary?¡± the young woman from the Blue Tower interjected, recognizing Tether. It wasn¡¯t unusual for those affiliated with the towers to have had interactions with the imperial family at some point. It seemed she remembered Tether, the representative of the Second Princess. ¡°Secretary? Now that I think about it, you¡¯re the Second Princess¡¯s secretary!¡± ¡°Secretary¡­ adoption? What do you mean?¡± ¡°Um¡­ ¡± Tether stammered, trying to regain her composure. ¡°M-more importantly¡­ why are you here, if you don¡¯t mind my asking?¡± ¡°As you know, the official presentation doesn¡¯t begin until tomorrow. We usually arrive just before the announcement, but this time, we couldn¡¯t ignore the provocations from the Imperial Magic Tower Inspector and came a bit early.¡± Tether glanced at Ezekiel. ¡ªYou provoked them? ¡ªI told them not to be late. That¡¯s hardly a provocation. ¡°Provocation aside, we¡¯re also here to keep an eye on the Black Tower,¡± the young woman from the Blue Tower spoke up. ¡°They¡¯re acting suspicious.¡± This was a significant revelation, implying that not all the towers were aligned with the Black Tower. It was welcome news for the Imperial Magic Tower group. ¡°So, who are the two people with you, Secretary?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­¡± As Tether stammered, a telepathic conversation ensued. ¡ª These mages are from the Blue Tower. They don¡¯t seem hostile, and our disguises have been blown. Should we reveal our true identities? ¡ª Yes. With Ezekiel¡¯s approval, Tether nodded. ¡°Alright. Allow me to explain.¡± . . .? . . ?They moved to a secluded clearing to continue their conversation. ¡°That¡¯s how it happened,¡± Tether concluded. She had recounted all that transpired¡ªfrom the Black Tower¡¯s hostility towards the Imperial Magic Tower delegation, to their demand for Ezekiel¡¯s sword, to the influx of thugs into the town. ¡°¡­How could they? Treat the Imperial Magic Tower with such disrespect!¡± The two Blue Tower mages were flabbergasted, their eyes wide with disbelief. Agnes bowed her head slightly. ¡°We appreciate your understanding.¡± ¡°Of course. And forgive us for our delayed introductions. Now that we know you are the Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower, allow us to greet you properly.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s group and the Blue Tower mages exchanged respectful greetings. During the introductions, the old man burst into laughter. ¡°Ho ho ho! We should be the ones offering you respect!¡± He stepped back, motioning towards the younger woman. It seemed she was the one with higher standing. ¡°I am Seina, an elder of the Blue Tower.¡± She introduced herself with the esteemed title of ¡®Elder.¡¯ Her white hair was neatly braided to one side, cascading over her shoulder. Her blue eyes bore a striking resemblance to Ezekiel¡¯s, though hers were gentler, less intense. Ezekiel sent a telepathic message to his companions. ¡ª Is she famous? ¡ª She¡¯s an Elder of the Blue Tower, and she¡¯s considered their future. She¡¯s extremely talented. ¡ª I¡¯ve heard of her as well. She¡¯s the one who¡¯s been boosting the Blue Tower¡¯s reputation lately. Agnes quickly bowed. ¡°Agnes, from the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± The old mage responded immediately. ¡°You¡¯re the inspector who sent that provocative invitation? I never would have guessed you were such a charming young woman! Ho ho ho!¡± ¡°You flatter me. But¡­¡± Agnes said, gesturing towards Ezekiel. ¡°The Inspector¡­ is actually this gentleman.¡± ¡°Hmm? ¡± The old mage blinked. For the first time, he focused on Ezekiel. ¡°¡­S-so¡­¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°¡­This¡­ gentleman? Is the Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower? ¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel, casually sucking on a lollipop, projected an air of casual elegance, more like a wealthy idler than a formidable Inspector. They hadn¡¯t expected him to be the one in charge. The elixir had played a part in this. As Ezekiel¡¯s power had grown, so had his ability to conceal his chilling aura. ¡®Even the Blue Tower mage couldn¡¯t sense my true power.¡¯ I¡¯m getting stronger. He was certain of it. His power was increasing at an unprecedented pace; the future was full of possibilities.? ¡°Ho ho ho¡­ Forgive my rudeness, Inspector,¡± the old mage chuckled, recovering from his surprise. ¡°Hold on.¡± Seina stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Ezekiel¡¯s piercing blue eyes. ¡°Inspector¡­ you¡¯re concealing quite a chilling aura. You were the one who froze the dining hall, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I was.¡± ¡°Did you attend the academy?¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Never as a student.¡± He had only been to the academy a handful of times, on official business. ¡°¡­ You didn¡¯t receive a formal magical education? ¡± Seina¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯m mostly self-taught.¡± ¡°May I ask which noble house you hail from? ¡± ¡°I have no house. I¡¯m a commoner.¡± ¡°A commoner? ¡± The word seemed to catch Seina off guard. She exchanged a quick look with the old mage before continuing. ¡°Have you ever studied ice magic at the Blue Tower? Or perhaps learned from one of our mages?¡± ¡°Never.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ unusual. If you had achieved this level of mastery through conventional means, the Blue Tower would surely know of you.¡± The old mage stroked his beard thoughtfully. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quite strange. The Blue Tower is the foremost authority on ice magic in the entire Empire. Yet, you claim to have achieved such mastery without any connection to us?¡± ¡°And your position as Inspector¡­ well, that¡¯s unusual too,¡± Seina added. A palpable tension filled the air. Ezekiel¡¯s group exchanged a telepathic message. ¡ª I thought we were supposed to be fellow ice mages, but they don¡¯t seem too happy to see me. ¡ª I understand their reaction. Agnes answered calmly. ¡ª The towers, apart from the Imperial Magic Tower, specialize in one element each. They are very sensitive about their knowledge being leaked or stolen. ¡ª And being an Inspector probably doesn¡¯t help. Tether cautiously interjected. ¡ª As you know, the true power of the towers lies with the Elders and the Tower Masters, not the Inspectors. Inspectors are¡­ well¡­ it¡¯s hard to explain¡­ ¡ª Why mince words? Most Inspectors are just figureheads, coasting on their connections. They¡¯re usually appointed for their social standing, not their magical talent. ¡ª Exactly. So, you can imagine how confusing it is for them to meet Ezekiel¡ªa commoner, a self-taught mage, an inspector¡­ who also happens to be a master of ice magic. The situation itself was easy to understand. In fact, the Blue Tower mages were being surprisingly polite. Given their emphasis on lineage and tradition, they could have easily dismissed Ezekiel outright, just like the Imperial Magic Tower mages had done initially. Seina spoke up again. ¡°The teachings of the Seolgwi, which form the foundation of our knowledge, are carefully guarded. For now, we will take your word for it that you are self-taught, Inspector. ¡± ¡ªSeolgwi? ¡ª He¡¯s a legendary figure revered by the Blue Tower. They believe he laid the foundation for all ice magic. No one knows his true identity, though. ¡®The demons called me the Seolgwi, too,¡¯ Ezekiel thought to himself. What a strange coincidence.? ¡°However¡­¡± Seina¡¯ tone hardened at that moment. ¡°A mage who isn¡¯t from the Blue Tower wielding such a dangerous level of ice magic¡­ As an Elder of the Blue Tower, this situation gives me great concern.¡± ¡°Concern?¡± ¡°Yes. Even the most beautiful ice can become a disaster if wielded improperly.¡± ¡°We¡¯re busy. Could you get to the point?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s have a duel, using only ice magic. The losing side must unconditionally comply with the winner¡¯s demand.¡± Seina¡¯s expression was resolute. ¡ª Is she always like this? ¡ª Let¡¯s just say she¡¯s very passionate about the Blue Tower and Ice magic. It¡¯s part of her reputation. ¡ª She¡¯s also probably trying to undermine the Imperial Magic Tower before tomorrow¡¯s presentation. ¡°I can¡¯t think of anything to demand.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll grant you one wish, to use whenever you like. If that doesn¡¯t interest you¡­ well, I think I know what Ice mages like.¡± She reached into her belongings and produced something. It was a flask filled with a blue liquid. Icicles clung to its base, evidence of the intense cold it contained. ¡°This is Frost Elixir.¡± ¡°What? Frost Elixir?!¡± Tether¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª That¡¯s incredibly valuable! The last time I saw Frost Elixir in the imperial treasury, it was locked away on the second floor! It was a rare and valuable potion that could greatly enhance one¡¯s ability to control ice magic. But Ezekiel was more curious about something else. ¡°And if I lose? What will you ask of me? ¡± ¡°You must visit the Blue Tower twice a week.¡± The response was quite unexpected. ¡°For three hours each time, you will receive moral education, including lessons on the mindset of an ice mage.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the unexpected answer. Seina tilted her head slightly. ¡°¡­What¡¯s so funny, Inspector? ¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just¡­ not what I was expecting.¡± ¡°Did you think I was going to demand your life? Or all your possessions? Not at all. I simply want all ice mages to wield their powers with a pure heart and create beautiful ice.¡± Seina¡¯s earnestness was almost¡­ disarming. ¡®She pities me, ¡¯ Ezekiel thought wryly. It wasn¡¯t that she wanted to humiliate him or expose him as a fraud; it was as if she saw him as lost puppy, a talented but misguided soul in need of guidance. He¡¯d never met anyone like her. ¡®Well, I suppose it¡¯s true that I had a¡­ unconventional upbringing. ¡¯ Ezekiel popped another lollipop into his mouth. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re letting me have the first move? Very well.¡± Fwooosh¡ª! As the duel commenced, Seina¡¯s ice swirled like multiple whips. She wielded the hard ice with the grace and fluidity of a whip. Ezekiel wasn¡¯t interested in counterattacking. He was focused solely on defense. Crack¡ª! Slap¡ª! Boooom¡ª! Ice whips slammed into the ground, sending shards of rock flying. Seina¡¯s relentless assault continued, and Ezekiel, unfazed, simply deflected each attack. ¡°This is getting tedious. Shall we wrap this up?¡± Seina smiled, confident in her impending victory. Agnes and Tether exchanged worried glances. ¡ª Write this down. ¡ª Element: ice, four vertical strokes, three horizontal strokes. Suddenly, Ezekiel¡¯s telepathic instructions echoed in Agnes¡¯s mind. ¡ª Remove all output from the termination circuit. ¡ª Real-time ice control calibration, minimum interval. It was almost like a spell formula being written on a scroll. What was he doing? But then¡­ it dawned on Agnes. ¡®Could he be¡­?¡¯ Yes. He was doing exactly that. When she had asked how he planned to steal the secrets of the other towers, he had given a simple answer. ¡ª I¡¯ll take them right from under their noses. Agnes felt a chill run down her spine. She had dismissed his words as impossible, but he was doing it¡ªdeconstructing the Blue Tower¡¯s magic right in front of them. All while the opponent remained completely oblivious. Boooom¡ª! A massive ice rope, thick as a tree trunk, slammed into the ground like a battering ram, sending up a cloud of dust that obscured their vision. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± But the moment the dust settled, Seina gasped, her hand suddenly feeling strangely light. The ice rope, which she had been wielding with all her might, had snapped in two. ¡°Blue Tower, huh.¡± As the dust settled, Ezekiel dusted off his shoulders. ¡°Surely this isn¡¯t all you¡¯ve got?¡± He posed a single question, accompanied by a mischievous grin. Deconstructing secret techniques. Punishing the Black Tower¡¯s transgressions. Growing stronger. All these tasks began to intersect like the teeth of gears¡­ And Ezekiel, the driving force, was moving forward once more. What had seemed like the slow progress of the Imperial Magic Tower team¡­ Was now unfolding with newfound wings. Chapter 81: Suspicious Couple (7) ?? Chapter 81 ¨C Suspicious Couple (7) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?Seina. The young Elder of the Blue Tower. The title itself felt incongruous. Judging by her appearance, she looked like she could be a first-year student at the academy. Crack¡ª! Crack¡ª! Crack¡ª! Her ice magic was imbued with liveliness. That was what Ezekiel focused on. ¡®Her sheltered life is reflected in her ice.¡¯ He had once said something similar to Agnes. Ice was inherently talkative. Even though it appeared to be nothing more than frozen water, it carried traces of the caster¡¯s life, their experiences, their essence. From Seina¡¯s ice, one could sense brightness, liveliness, and cheerfulness. It was a reflection of a life lived with privilege, a path free of hardship and suffering. In many ways, she was the opposite of Ezekiel. ¡ª Fast mana manipulation. ¡ª This technique relies on speed. Maintain a quick tempo. ¡ª Understood. I¡¯ve transcribed everything. Agnes confirmed she had recorded everything. Ezekiel nodded, satisfied. He had deciphered all of Seina¡¯s techniques. It was time to strike. ¡®I could show her something truly spectacular.¡¯ But he hesitated. How far should I push her? How much of her true potential could I draw out? He was no longer concerned with winning or losing. He was simply enjoying the challenge. He drew upon his chilling aura, unleashing a fraction of its power. He had been abstaining from sun crystals lately, and his aura had grown even stronger. He channeled his mana, mimicking Ether¡¯s movements when he drew back his bow. Only this time, instead of shooting an arrow of energy, he fired a concentrated blast of ice. Kaboom¡ª! The ice projectile shattered Seina¡¯s whips and grazed her shoulder; her eyes widened, surprised. ¡°You are indeed¡­ no ordinary mage!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we just introduce ourselves? I am an Inspector, after all.¡± ¡°Well, most inspectors aren¡¯t¡­ quite so impressive.¡± Seina grinned, conjuring new ice whips. Crack¡ª! Boom¡ª! And the duel escalated, turning into a chaotic dance of ice and frost. Ezekiel gradually increased his aura¡¯s intensity, pushing Seina to retaliate with increasingly powerful techniques. It was exhilarating, drawing out every ounce of her potential. ¡®¡­Is this how the Emperor feels when he spars with me? ¡¯ Ezekiel wondered. But he quickly forgot his worries, lost in the joy of the battle. It had been so long since he had faced another ice mage. Perhaps, in his excitement, he had overdone it. Bang¡ª! ¡°Ugh! ¡± Seina stumbled back, her shoulder struck by a blunt ice projectile. Ezekiel immediately dialed back his power. He needed to be more careful. Meanwhile, The old Blue Tower mage watched the scene and muttered to himself. ¡°¡­Is this truly the level of a self-taught mage?¡± he murmured. ¡°No¡­ he¡¯s definitely self-taught. There¡¯s no trace of any specific school of magic in his style. How can he be so¡­ free? It¡¯s as if he¡¯s inventing these techniques on the fly!¡± Agnes and Tether exchanged telepathic messages. ¡ª He seems to have made quite an impression. ¡ª It¡¯s to be expected. The Blue Tower has dedicated itself to the study of ice magic for centuries. And now they¡¯ve met Ezekiel. Agnes reviewed her notes as she said this. ¡®So detailed¡­ I could practice these techniques right now.¡¯ Of course, what Ezekiel had gleaned from Seina wasn¡¯t the secretive magic techniques of the Blue Tower, but that wasn¡¯t the point. The ease of his understanding was what mattered. ¡®Just by observing her a few times? He learned this much?¡¯ The mere ability and fact of learning techniques by merely witnessing them was astounding. It was a pathway to unlocking the secrets of even the most forbidden techniques. Agnes thought back to the sheer number of mages gathered here. Mages from five towers, all with their own unique skills and knowledge. ¡­If I observed all their presentations¡­ ¡­If I could analyze them all, just like Ezekiel¡­ Her goal, once considered impossible, suddenly felt within reach. As she pondered, the duel came to an end. Swishhh©¤! Seina withdrew, her ice whips dissolving into mist. ¡°Inspector, your skill is far greater than I anticipated. If we continue, there won¡¯t be anything left of this clearing.¡± ¡°Then I concede. I forfeit.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± Seina blinked. She was confused. The situation had never been in her favor. At best, it could have been considered a draw. But from Ezekiel¡¯s perspective, it was a calculated decision. ¡®A connection to the Blue Tower, an opportunity to visit¡­ these are valuable assets.¡¯ He had already gained a great deal from this duel, but a visit to the Blue Tower would yield even greater rewards. He could acquire new techniques and forge a relationship with the Blue Tower, strengthening his own forces. There was no need to insist on a meaningless victory. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ visit the Blue Tower sometime. For your ¡®moral instruction¡¯.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Seina stared at him, her silver braid still draped over her shoulder. And then¡­ her eyes widened, sparkling with excitement. ¡°¡­Inspector! You are¡­ far more impressive than I initially thought! ¡± ¡°What exactly were you expecting?¡± ¡°When I received your¡­ rather provocative invitation, I assumed you were arrogant and overconfident. But your mastery of ice magic¡­ your mindset¡­ it¡¯s truly remarkable! ¡± ?Seina pulled out the flask of Frost Elixir. ¡°You acknowledged your defeat, and with that simple act¡­ you¡¯ve made me realize that I¡¯ve lost as well, in terms of character. Please, take the Frost Elixir. Consider it a token of my gratitude for accepting my challenge.¡± ¡°Um¡­ ¡± ¡°Go on, take it!¡± ¡°¡­Thank you. I appreciate it.¡± Ezekiel took the flask, still feeling slightly bewildered. Was it really okay for him to accept this? He had already analyzed her magic and obtained a valuable potion¡­ He felt a twinge of guilt. He then quickly reviewed everything that had happened. The Blue Tower¡¯s magic, the Frost Elixir, the Black Tower¡¯s suspicious activities¡­ Each one of these things was significant on its own, and he had managed to gain all three in one fell swoop. And he¡¯d even made a valuable connection with the Blue Tower. ¡®I never expected to build relationships like this.¡¯ He had always been so focused on concealing his true identity that he had never allowed himself to form any meaningful connections. This¡­ felt different. ¡°We must share a meal together, to truly mark the end of our duel. Shall we move on and continue our conversation over lunch? Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s on me!¡± Seina chirped, her earlier seriousness replaced with a cheerful enthusiasm. Ezekiel¡¯s group nodded in agreement. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? On their way to the restaurant, they took a detour to¡­ clear out a few bandit camps. It didn¡¯t take long for the entire area to be rid of them, leaving it much cleaner. The restaurant owners, grateful for getting rid of the troublemakers, brought out a plethora of additional dishes for Ezekiel and his group as a token of appreciation, even though they hadn¡¯t ordered them. However, there was one person more focused on talking than eating. That person was, of course, Seina. ¡°The ice element is the most noble and powerful element,¡± Seina declared, her voice ringing with conviction. ¡°Therefore, ice mages must carry out the will of the Seolgwi with a sense of duty and responsibility. We must¡ª¡± She launched into a lecture on the proper mindset of the Seolgwi, espousing the Blue Tower¡¯s unique philosophy. It seemed to have no end. Tether, her mouth full of food, sent a telepathic message to her companions. ¡ª So, who exactly is this Seolgwi they keep mentioning? ¡ª I¡¯ve been curious about that too. It might be good to ask since we have the opportunity. ¡ª But isn¡¯t Seolgwi a sensitive topic for the Blue Tower? I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s appropriate for me to ask¡­ The two women turned their gaze towards Ezekiel. Their intention was clear ¡ª they wanted him to ask on their behalf. ¡°So, who exactly is this Seolgwi?¡± he said, giving in to their silent pleas. He had to admit, he was curious, too. ¡°Ah, typically, it¡¯s forbidden for non-Blue Tower members to discuss that figure. But¡­¡± Seina smiled. ¡°You wield the power of the ice element, and you¡¯ve already agreed to visit our tower. I think it¡¯s fair to consider you part of the Blue Tower. Very well, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The story that followed was simple. During a past war with the Demon Realm, there had been an Ice mage who made a name for themself, striking fear into the hearts of the demons. They had become known as the Seolgwi. ¡°¡­And we, the Blue Tower, follow that person¡¯s will.¡± Tether and Agnes exchanged telepathic messages again, seemingly in perfect sync now. ¡ª It¡¯s fascinating. We humans didn¡¯t know about this person, but records of them exist among the demons, passed down based on those records? ¡ª Perhaps Seolgwi never actually existed. Maybe they¡¯re just a mythical figure created to inspire ice mages. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Ezekiel, however, was having a very different thought. ¡®¡­That¡¯s me, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ It seemed too good to be true, but it was. The Seolgwi the Blue Tower revered¡­ was none other than Ezekiel himself. Chapter 82: The Truth (1) ?? Chapter 82 ¨C The Truth (1) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Ezekiel felt a strange sense of¡­ validation. ¡®To think that there are people in this world who¡­ remember me. ¡¯ He had lived a life shrouded in secrecy, his accomplishments erased from history. And yet, here they were ¡ª the Blue Tower, keeping his memory alive. Of course, they didn¡¯t know the real Ezekiel. They only knew the legend of Soelgiw. But even so, the thought that someone, somewhere, was honoring his legacy brought a warmth to his heart that he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. But one question lingered in his mind. ¡®I¡¯ve never¡­ espoused any kind of philosophy. What ¡°will¡± are they following?¡¯ ¡°You said you follow Seolgwi¡¯s will. Where did you learn about this will?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never met Seolgwi personally, but¡­ it¡¯s as if I can hear their voice guiding me, clear as day.¡± Seina smiled sheepishly. ¡°Hehe¡­ perhaps I sound a bit strange?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a little¡­ hard to understand.¡± ¡°Well, you know how Ice is always chattering? ¡± ¡°Every ice mage knows that.¡± Seina nodded, pleased that he understood. ¡°You see¡­ the Blue Tower¡­ we have a piece of a cliff face from the Demon Realm. We brought it back after the war.¡± ¡°¡­A cliff face? ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just any cliff face. It bears the marks of Seolgwi¡¯s battles¡­ their ice magic. It¡¯s so vivid, so powerful.¡± Seina clasped her hands together, her gaze drifting upwards, as if lost in a daydream. ¡°You can feel it just by looking at the ice. The precision, the sense of justice, and yet¡­ a hint of¡­ kindness. That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s what the Blue Tower strives to embody. That¡¯s Seolgwi¡¯s will.¡± She clenched her fist. ¡°I want to meet Seolgwi one day! To tell them how I feel¡­ to hear them praise my ice magic! ¡± Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with admiration. She looked like a schoolgirl with a crush. The feeling grew more peculiar for Ezekiel. If he¡¯d lived a normal life, if he¡¯d never been caught up in the affairs of the imperial family, would he have become a Blue Tower mage, teaching students and wielding ice magic for the greater good? He quickly brushed aside the thought. The past was the past, and he couldn¡¯t change it. ¡°But you know,¡± Seina¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, You remind me¡­ a lot¡­ of Seolgwi.¡± She had noticed the similarities. It wasn¡¯t surprising. She was an elder of the Blue Tower, a master of ice magic. And it explained her newfound respect for him. Thinking she had found someone similar to Seolgwi, it was no wonder Seina felt inclined to talk to him and offer various gifts. ¡°In what way?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something about your ice that feels very free? It¡¯s not bound by anything. It¡¯s as if it whispers, ¡®I want to be free. I want to be free¡­¡¯¡± Ezekiel felt a strange sense of¡­ exposure. As if his innermost thoughts had been laid bare. He awkwardly changed the subject. ¡°Tomorrow is the presentation, and half the day is already gone. We should probably wrap things up.¡± ¡°Ah, let¡¯s do that. But wait a moment¡­¡± Seina rummaged through her pouch. ¡°I have something that might be¡­ helpful to you, Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± The old mage beside her gasped. ¡°Elder Seina, you¡¯re not¡­ giving him that?¡± ¡°I believe it¡¯s the right thing to do.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s¡­ unacceptable! We need to keep it as leverage against the Black Tower¡­!¡± Before he could finish his protest, Seina handed Ezekiel a paper envelope. ¡°This evidence proves that the Black Tower has been conducting forbidden experiments on corpses, in violation of the accords. The Imperial Magic Tower is responsible for dispensing punishment, so I believe this will¡­ be of use to you.¡± Tether and Agnes stared at the envelope, their eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°This is¡­!¡± ¡°Experiments on corpses? This is exactly what we need! This is more than enough to justify disciplinary action! ¡± Ezekiel nodded. He could tell, just by looking at it, that this was valuable information. He couldn¡¯t believe she was giving it to him so easily. ¡°Thank you.¡± He reached for the envelope, but Seina stopped him. ¡°There is¡­ one condition.¡± Her sudden declaration surprised Ezekiel, but Tether and Agnes looked like they¡¯d been expecting this. To present such a precious document and then mention a condition¡ªthere was no predicting what she might demand. However. Surprisingly. ¡°I¡¯d like you to be my mentor.¡± What Saena asked for was quite unexpected. ¡°¡­Your mentor? ¡± ¡°Yes! Your¡­ your ice magic¡­ it¡¯s so free, so unlike anything I¡¯ve ever seen. I¡­ I want to learn from you. Even if it¡¯s just a few lessons, occasionally¡­¡± Her blue eyes were filled with an earnest desire to learn, a sincere admiration for his skill. There was no malice, no hidden agenda. She was a strong woman, but in a way that was not threatening or overbearing. Ezekiel nodded. ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll teach you.¡± Thus, his first encounter with the Blue Tower turned out to be quite heartwarming. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Night fell. After politely, but firmly declining the Blue Tower¡¯s invitation to join them for the rest of the evening, Ezekiel¡¯s group set out for the altar. ¡°Are we going the right way, Lady Agnes?¡± Tether asked, her voice trembling. ¡°Yes, we are.¡± ¡°This place is creepy! ¡± It was true. The forest was dark and oppressive, the branches of the trees reaching out like grasping claws. Agnes, however, seemed unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be creepy,¡± she said. ¡°The altar hasn¡¯t been used in centuries. It¡¯s only natural for it to have a¡­ certain atmosphere.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ right¡­¡± But Tether noticed something different about Agnes¡¯s demeanor. She was¡­ happy. Or as happy as someone with a perpetually stoic expression could be. Ezekiel, sucking on a lollipop, turned to Agnes. ¡°You look¡­ pleased. ¡± ¡°I am. I¡¯m¡­ excited.¡± ¡°You enjoy creepy forests?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯m excited about our progress, not the scenery. Think about everything we accomplished today.¡± ¡°We confirmed that we can acquire the Blue Tower¡¯s magic. We obtained a valuable potion. And we have proof of the Black Tower¡¯s wrongdoing. It¡¯s¡­ perfect. ¡± Ezekiel couldn¡¯t argue with that. The Blue Tower¡¯s contributions had been particularly significant. He would have to find a way to repay their kindness. ¡°You¡¯re right. Now, all we have to do is deal with the demonic sword.¡± ¡°Yes! Get rid of the sword, expose the Black Tower, and then¡­ justice will be served! Let¡¯s go! ¡± Tether said, pumping her fist in the air. Indeed, the demonic sword was all that remained. ¡°Ah, I see it. There¡¯s the altar.¡± They had reached their destination. In the heart of the dense forest, there was a clearing, an unnatural patch of green amidst the gloom. In the center stood the altar ¡ª a flat, stone platform shaped like a sacrificial bed. ¡°Remember what we discussed?¡± Ezekiel asked, carefully removing the demonic sword from its case. The sword, which would have filled most people with terror, seemed as harmless as a fork in his hands. Tether and Agnes nodded. ¡°Yes. I will stay still! I know, I know!¡± ¡°I will record everything that happens, using the cube¡¯s magic recording function.¡± Agnes¡¯s cube could record very short scenes in video format using magical preservation. Ezekiel planned to make use of that now. ¡°The Black Tower wouldn¡¯t ask us to purify this sword unless they had an ulterior motive. Something is bound to happen the moment we place it on the altar.¡± Ezekiel snapped his fingers, and two ice barriers materialized, encasing Tether and Agnes. ?¡°Try to capture as much as you can, even if it¡¯s just a few seconds. We need proof that the Black Tower was trying to frame the Imperial Magic Tower. I would do it myself, but¡­¡± ¡°¡­It has to be me. This cube only responds to my mana.¡± Agnes nodded. ¡°I will record appropriately and give you a signal. When that happens, please rescue me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get you out before that, if anything seems amiss.¡± ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s begin.¡± Ezekiel gently placed the demonic sword on the altar. Ssssssssss¡ª! A black mist began to rise from the blade, like smoke from a dying fire. Grooooan¡­ Save me¡­ Save me¡­ Woooooo¡­ Suddenly, a chorus of voices, the whispers of tormented souls, filled the air. Agnes focused her mana, activating the cube¡¯s recording function. And then¡­ Kaboom¡ª! The demonic sword erupted, spewing black smoke like a volcano. Darkness enveloped them, and Agnes felt a bone-chilling dread seep into her very core. Fear. It was everywhere. The entire mist was fear itself, given form. ¡ª Whyareyoualive? Whyareyoualive? Whyareyoualive? Whyareyoualive? Whyareyoualive? Whyareyoualive? ¡ª CutyourfingerandI¡¯llspareyou¡­ Snap¡ª! ¡ª Don¡¯thitmeplease¡­ gasp! Don¡¯thitmeplease¡­ S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­! ¡± Visions of terror, a flash of humanity¡¯s darkest fears, assaulted her senses. Some of the spirits even lunged at her, their voices filled with hatred and despair. ¡ª Youmustdieyoumustjoinus The Black Tower¡­ what were they thinking? Agnes¡¯s mind reeled. This¡­ this was supposed to be a purification? It was a purification, but only for the demonic sword. The darkness that had clung to the blade was now free, infecting everything around it. And anyone who absorbed that darkness¡­ ¡®They would die. There¡¯s no other outcome. ¡¯ The Black Tower had set them up. They¡¯d intended to kill them all along. Agnes activated the recording, her movements swift and precise. She dodged the spectral attacks, capturing every terrifying detail. ¡ª Helpme! Spareme! ¡ª Ihaveadaughterathome! ¡ª Motherrr! The cacophony of screams and pleas threatened to overwhelm her. And then¡­ Agnes spotted a figure in the swirling mist. ¡°Is everyone alright? Please¡­ respond¡­ ¡± A man knelt on the ground, blood pouring from a wound on his shoulder. But even as he struggled to breathe, he was more concerned about the well-being of others. Agnes blinked, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. It was Ezekiel. But¡­ she knew immediately that it wasn¡¯t the real Ezekiel. It was an illusion, a phantom conjured by the demonic sword. She was stunned. Ezekiel was immune to the demonic sword¡¯s influence. He had no fear¡­ or so she thought. Could it be that he had a deeply buried trauma, a hidden fear that the sword had unearthed? Was this an illusion, or was it based on a real memory? There was an easy way to find out. She reached out, placing her hand on the phantom¡¯s shoulder. ¡°¡­Inspector?¡± There was nothing there. No resistance, no response. It was a real memory. Not some random fear conjured by the demonic sword, but a memory that existed within Ezekiel¡¯s mind. ¡°Are you alright? You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re barely breathing¡­ ¡± The phantom Ezekiel looked frantic. He was severely injured, but he was more worried about the person lying on the ground in front of him. Agnes remembered the stories she¡¯d heard about the demonic sword. Fear wasn¡¯t just about being startled or threatened. It could also be the crushing despair of losing something precious, of watching someone you cared about suffer. This was Ezekiel¡¯s fear¡ªa fear of loss, a fear for someone else¡¯s safety. She cautiously approached, wanting to see who had caused him such pain. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­! ¡± She gasped, her normally stoic expression crumbling as she clapped a hand over her mouth. The shock was so great that she sank to her knees. ¡°Stay with me, please¡­ stay with me¡­!¡± The two figures lying at the phantom Ezekiel¡¯s feet¡­ ¡°Your Highnesses¡­!¡± ¡­were the imperial princesses. Agnes struggled to catch her breath, her hand still pressed against her lips. The cube¡¯s recording function was still active. Chapter 83: The Truth (2) ? Chapter 83 ¨C The Truth (2) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?The scene before Agnes¡¯s eyes¡­ ¡­was a frozen hellscape. Everything was¡­ frozen. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? In the distant past. Towering icebergs jutting out from the shattered earth, countless demon corpses scattered across the landscape, a colossal fortress reduced to rubble. ¡­All frozen. Ezekiel¡¯s handiwork. ¡°Rise.¡± His voice was a whisper. His gaze was fixed on five bodies. They were all members who had once followed Ezekiel. Laid out like chess pieces, their feet barely protruded from the shrouds covering them, making them look quite pitiful. It was a fitting end, much like the lives they had led. Nameless, faceless, voiceless. They had left no legacy, no trace of their existence, except for these five pairs of feet poking out from beneath the white cloth. ¡°¡­Rise.¡± He repeated the command, his voice hollow. He was the leader of the imperial secret organization, Balance. But there was no response. His comrades were gone. They had drawn their last breath long ago. His entire team, wiped out, except for him. The price of sealing the gate to the Demon Realm. They had lived their lives as shadows, sacrificing their identities, their desires, their very humanity, to serve the Empire. And this¡­ this was how it ended. ¡°Pathetic, aren¡¯t you? The Empire¡¯s loyal lapdogs,¡± a voice said from across the battlefield. ¡°The hunt is over, and all that awaits the hounds is the cooking pot. You should have known better.¡± The words struck Ezekiel like a physical blow, igniting a rage he couldn¡¯t contain. He trembled, his body wracked with fury. He slowly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto the source of the voice. The source of the continent¡¯s woes. Simultaneously, the master of the Demon Realm. The Demon King, Valletta. It looked¡­ strangely serene. Its entire fortress was in ruins, its legions slaughtered¡­ and yet¡­ it bore an expression of utmost tranquility. And it was injured ¡ª its left arm was missing, torn from its body. But the Demon King was still holding something in its remaining arm¡ªa small child. It was Valletta who broke the silence first. ¡°Balance¡­ ¡± The Demon King uttered the name of Ezekiel¡¯s organization. Balance. The organization that served the Empire from the shadows. ¡°It¡¯s a fitting name, now that I think about it. With this temporary truce between the Demon Realm and the continent, balance has been somewhat restored, just as you wished.¡± Valletta¡¯s eyes curved like a crescent moon. ¡°Don¡¯t you agree, Commander of Balance, Ezekiel, the Seolgwi?¡± ¡°¡­Take your filthy hands off Her Highness.¡± But Valletta only tightened its grip on the sleeping child in its arms. The child¡¯s face was blurred, obscured by a strange distortion in the air. ¡°Poor, deluded fool. You still don¡¯t understand, do you?¡± Valletta sneered. ¡° Ezekiel, allow me to enlighten you on the terms of this truce.¡± ¡°¡­ Terms?¡± ¡°We get to keep the First Princess. So, I¡¯m afraid I cannot return her to you. What a shame.¡± Ezekiel stared at Valletta, his mind reeling. It made sense now ¡ª the lack of reinforcements, the silence from the capital¡­ The First Princess had been traded for a truce. ¡°The Emperor, however, has specifically mentioned sparing your life. You should consider yourself fortunate. There¡¯s nothing you can do about this.¡± Valletta¡¯s sneer turned into a mocking laugh. ¡°Who would believe you, anyway? You¡¯ve spent your entire life serving the Empire, but your low birth condemned you to a life as a puppet. A disposable pawn.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°And who will remember you? Though your name, Seolgwi, struck terror in the Demon Realm, no one on the continent will remember it. Don¡¯t you see that yet?¡± ¡°¡­I said, release Her Highness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not possible, my dear Seolgwi. You¡¯ve worked hard to bring about this truce. I¡¯ll raise the First Princess well. It¡¯ll be quite amusing when the war resumes.¡± Valletta continued to laugh, its voice echoing across the frozen wasteland. ¡°The Demon Realm will recover, and in the meantime, the human continent will rot from within. Humans¡­ such fragile creatures. They can never overcome the ravages of time.¡± Thud¡ª! Ezekiel couldn¡¯t listen any longer and dashed forward, pushing off the ground. He swiftly advanced, spreading ice in his path, but no matter how he ran, he could not close the distance between him and the Demon King. It was bizarre. The Demon King merely stood there, yet Ezekiel could not reach it. ¡°Farewell, Seolgwi.¡± Valletta¡¯s voice was cold, dismissive. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve acquired a¡­ terminal condition. I doubt we¡¯ll meet again.¡± Boom¡ª! And then¡­ He was flung back, expelled from the Demon Realm. The dimensional rift swallowed him whole, and Ezekiel felt as if he were drowning, his body floating through a sea of swirling colors and distorted shapes. ¡°Damn it¡­!¡± he muttered, his eyes wide with despair. It was worse than death. He had failed to defeat the Demon King. He had failed to save his comrades, failed to protect the princess. He had even failed in his attempt to die a warrior¡¯s death. Thump¡ª! His heart pounded as if it would explode. He had pushed his cold abilities to the extreme during this mission. His body, once thrown off balance, would never return to its original state. Sssss¨C! The dimensional current swept him along, his consciousness fading. Ezekiel closed his eyes and focused, not to survive but to remember the names and faces of his fallen comrades, leaving no detail forgotten; their faces, their names, their voices¡­ he clung to them desperately. ¡°They said they had dreams¡­¡± Dreams of living a normal life, dreams of opening an orphanage to live with children, dreams of a good night¡¯s sleep¡­ none of them had come true. He had hoped for his comrades¡¯ wishes to be fulfilled. ¡­But their wishes remained unattainable. Had he ever truly achieved balance in his own life? He had lived as a shadow, an ornament of the Empire. He had striven so hard, but what had it all been for? Commander. The title felt like a mockery now. He couldn¡¯t save his comrades, nor could he protect himself. He hadn¡¯t even managed to save the precious princess. ¡°Idiots¡­¡± he croaked, his voice a raspy whisper. Your commander is so weak that he couldn¡¯t achieve even blind revenge. If you had known this, you might have abandoned your foolish loyalty. If you had, maybe you could have lived a better life than Ezekiel¡­ ¡°Cough©¤!¡± He coughed, a torrent of blood erupting from his lips. He was too weak to swallow, too weak to spit it out. His throat clogged, his lungs burning. His consciousness slowly faded away. . . . . . Agnes had vividly witnessed Ezekiel¡¯s past, felt his pain, his anger, his despair. BEEEEEP¡ª! A high-pitched ringing filled her ears. Her vision blurred, fading to white. The prolonged exposure to the demonic sword¡¯s aura was taking its toll. Then, as if her view had turned into a blank canvas, various scenes flashed before her eyes like a streak of falling stars. ¡ª This is our last mission! What are we going to do after this is over? ¡ª Hey, Commander, don¡¯t you have any dreams? ¡ª I want to have a hundred cats. ¡ª You know, I¡¯ve never seen the Commander smile. ¡­What is this? ¡ª Teacher! Look! ¡ª Where are you going, Teacher? ¡ª Teacher! ¡­How? How is this possible¡­? Truths that the world would never know, truths she had no right to know¡­ glimpses of Ezekiel¡¯s past, his hidden life, his buried pain, assaulted her senses. Some of Ezekiel¡¯s memories haphazardly streamed into Agnes¡¯s mind and mixed together. His childhood in the Palace of Penance, the brutal training that pushed him to his limits, his days as a tutor to the imperial princesses¡­ her head throbbed, her mind felt like it was on fire. Blood trickled from her nose. She was paralyzed, trapped in a nightmare she couldn¡¯t escape. And then¡­ just as she thought her head would explode¡­ ¡°Ugh¡­¡± A jolt of pain brought her back to reality. The black mist that had enveloped her dissipated, but she was still dizzy, disoriented. ¡°¡­Nes!¡± A voice called her name. A hand shook her shoulder. ¡°Lady Agnes! Lady Agnes! ¡± That¡¯s when her vision cleared. Tether was kneeling beside her, her face etched with worry. Ezekiel stood nearby, the black mist completely gone. ¡°Lady Agnes, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t answer. Her head was spinning, and words failed her. Yet, her gaze instinctively turned towards Ezekiel. Now, perfectly fine, he stood as the Inspector. ¡°¡­Why do you always push yourself so hard? You need to know your limits.¡± He met her gaze, his expression calm, a lollipop still in his mouth. ¡°You seem to have been quite frightened. You¡¯re even crying.¡± Agnes looked at her reflection in the ice. Though her expression was as impassive as usual, it looked ghastly. She hadn¡¯t realized the streams of tears that had traced down her cheeks. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± After a while, she quietly nodded. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± For now, that was all she could muster to say. ¡°I was very scared.¡± Dawn was breaking. It was time to head to the Black Tower. Chapter 84: The ?Punishment (1) ?? Chapter 84 ¨C The ?Punishment (1) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ At last, it was the day of the exchange meeting. The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s delegation had left the outskirts of the Black Tower¡¯s territory and was making their way toward the central spire. Sssss¨C! They traveled at a dizzying speed, gliding along an icy path created by Ezekiel. Meanwhile, Agnes stole a glance at Ezekiel. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Even a simple glance was enough to trigger a cascade of memories, visions of his tormented past. The fear she had experienced was still too raw, too vivid. ¡°Excuse me, Inspector.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There are¡­ five imperial princesses, correct?¡± However, Ezekiel responded with a question, ¡°Why do you ask all of a sudden?¡± He didn¡¯t answer her question, instead choosing to question her motives. It seemed he was suspicious. ¡°Just¡­ curious.¡± ¡°Yes, there are five.¡± Agnes recalled the scene from Ezekiel¡¯s past¡ªthe scene where he¡¯d tried to save the princesses. Five princesses, rescued, but one taken by the Demon King. Which meant there should have been six princesses. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Agnes continued to gaze at Ezekiel. Though the man standing before her was undeniably Ezekiel, it felt as if he wasn¡¯t entirely the same. The disparity between his passionate past self and his present self was too stark. ¡°Inspector.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Did you ever¡­ have a dream?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Ezekiel looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s unusual. Asking about things that aren¡¯t related to the mission.¡± Agnes had to come up with a good excuse. For her, this was a challenging task. She had never really engaged in casual conversation before. ¡°¡­It¡¯s a rather¡­ long journey.¡± This was the best excuse she could come up with. ¡°I never realized you were capable of experiencing boredom. You learn something new every day.¡± His gaze returned to the path ahead. ¡°¡­Dreams? There were times when¡­ I longed for certain things.¡± Agnes quietly studied his profile. ¡°But I lacked the ability to make those dreams¡­ a reality.¡± She focused on his eyes, a shade of blue that had once been vibrant, but was now dulled, clouded with regret. It wasn¡¯t alcohol or age that had caused the change, she realized, but the weight of his past. ¡°Then, do you have no dreams now?¡± ¡°Not many.¡± His voice was flat, emotionless. ¡°Just¡­ to live a little longer, I suppose.¡± When someone else might say it, it would seem like an ordinary wish. But Agnes remembered what Valletta had said. ¡ªIt seems you¡¯ve acquired¡­ a terminal condition. I doubt we¡¯ll meet again. ¡­She understood now. ?How desperately he must have wished for that¡­ How much he must have yearned¡­ How much he must have suffered¡­ Agnes frowned, her heart heavy with newfound empathy. ¡°Have you ever¡­ wanted to quit being an inspector?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Ezekiel shrugged. ¡°There have been times, sure. It can be quite a hassle.¡± He had switched from the lollipop to a sunweed in his mouth. With all the data collection completed, there was no longer a need to maintain his disguise. ¡°But there are certain things¡­ that I can only obtain by doing this job. That¡¯s why I continue.¡± He exhaled a plume of smoke. Agnes now found herself preoccupied with the sunweed too. She had always wondered why he chewed on them so casually, considering they were a rare and potent medicinal herb. She¡¯d never imagined it was because of a¡­ terminal condition. How much pain was he in? How long could he possibly hold on? ¡°This incompetent secretary is one of those things I gained.¡± He smiled faintly. ¡°I told you to signal me if you were in trouble, but you waited until you were on the verge of death to even shed a tear. Such an incompetent secretary¡­ where else would I find one like you?¡± He turned to face her, his gaze intense. ¡°Don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡­This was bad. Everything had changed. She couldn¡¯t look at him the same way ever again, knowing what she knew now about his past. Of course, she didn¡¯t know everything, but knowing just a part was enough to change her stance. No, maybe it was better she only knew a part. She wasn¡¯t sure she could face the whole truth. Agnes had always lived by the manual. What wasn¡¯t in the manual, she didn¡¯t know. She had no idea how to react to this situation, what to say, what to do. Should she try to forget? If that were possible, she would have already forgotten. It was already too late for that. Should she feel sympathy, then? But did she have the right to feel that way? No one could truly understand his pain. It was a burden he carried alone, a deep, unyielding sorrow that had settled over his heart like ashes. ¡­And yet¡­ S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She made a decision. ¡°Inspector.¡± The urge to help him¡­ ¡­it came not from the manual, but from somewhere deep within her. ¡°Those things¡­ that you can only obtain by doing this job¡­ will you continue to be an Inspector¡­ until you obtain them all?¡± ?¡°Well¡­¡± Ezekiel¡¯s hesitant response struck Agnes as an admission that nothing in his life was certain. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do.¡± ¡°In that case¡­¡± Agnes seized the opportunity. ¡°If I fulfill my duties as your secretary¡­ will it help you achieve your goals?¡± ¡°You¡¯re acting very¡­ uncharacteristically today.¡± He chewed on his sunweed, his gaze fixed on her. And then¡­ he smiled. A genuine, heartfelt smile. ¡°That¡¯s quite an¡­ admirable sentiment.¡± It slightly shook Agnes. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± She quickly looked away, unable to meet his gaze. His smile¡­ it was too much for her to bear. How much courage must it have taken for a man so burdened by pain, so haunted by loss, to summon even a flicker of joy? ¡°Agnes, just¡­ do what you want to do.¡± As they journeyed towards the Black Tower, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place for Agnes. The extraordinary skill he displayed at the Imperial Magic Tower. Agnes prided herself on being able to categorize most people into manuals, but Ezekiel was someone who never fit into any of those categories. He was always an unpredictable mage. His talents were too extraordinary to be considered mere accidents, and the way he effortlessly performed near-impossible tasks now made sense in light of his past. The image of their first meeting flashed through her mind. A seemingly indolent figure, barely out of a drunken stupor. When everything was broken, and no hope remained, alcohol must have been his only refuge. Surviving was a miracle in itself. She understood that now, too. ¡°What I want to do¡­¡± she murmured, repeating his words. He, who had been denied even the simplest of dreams, was encouraging her to pursue her own desires. How ironic. How poignant. ¡°Oh! I can see the spire!¡± Tether shouted as she pointed ahead. Agnes looked up as well. There it was¡ªthe Black Tower, its spire rising above the landscape. ¡°What I want to do¡­¡± She knew now. She had always been content with a simple life, a stable job, a comfortable routine. She had never aspired to greatness. And yet¡­ Perhaps¡­ for the first time in her life¡­ ¡­she had a goal. Agnes chose her next words carefully. ¡°Let¡¯s¡­ destroy the Black Tower.¡± Her priority was to ensure the success of this mission, to help Ezekiel achieve his goals. That¡­ was what she wanted most. ¡°My, my. I never realized you had such a ruthless streak.¡± Thankfully, Ezekiel laughed. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Ten minutes before the start of the presentations. Hedera made her way to the observation gallery. She was attending the exchange meeting as an observer. The event was strictly for mages, a tradition that even a princess couldn¡¯t break. Not that she had any intention of doing so. She held the title of Tower Master, but her involvement with the Imperial Magic Tower had mostly been limited to financial support. ¡°Your seat is this way, Your Highness.¡± An attendant guided Hedera to a special VIP seat. It was positioned at an immense height, allowing her to look down at the conference hall below. ¡°Good job. You may go.¡± Hedera quietly dismissed her attendant. Below, she could see the circular conference hall. It resembled an arena more than a conference hall, with the main figures conducting their meetings in the center, surrounded by thick spectator stands. The seats were packed, every single one occupied. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± But the structure didn¡¯t matter. The number of spectators didn¡¯t matter either. Her attention was focused on a single, glaring detail. ¡®¡­The Imperial Magic Tower is still absent.¡¯ All the key figures from the other Magic Towers filled the seats, yet the seats reserved for the Imperial Magic Tower remained vacant. ¡ªThe presentations will begin in five minutes. ¡ªTower representatives, please gather at the center stage. Hedera took a deep breath, steeling herself. She had faith in Ezekiel, believing that he would accomplish his mission. ¡­And then, after the exchange meeting was over, she would demand answers. Chapter 85: The ?Punishment (2) ?? Chapter 85 ¨C The ?Punishment (2) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ?With only five minutes left until the presentation¡­ Hedera was tapping her fingernails against the armrest. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The sheer number of mages gathered here, including those in the audience, created a cacophony of voices. As a dragon-blood bearer, she possessed exceptionally keen senses, and every single word, whether she wanted to or not, reached her ears. ¡°What are the Blue Tower¡¯s prospects this time?¡± ¡°As always, we¡¯re confident.¡± Given the long intervals and the rarity of such gatherings, the voices of the mages affiliated with the magic towers were filled with determination. Yes, the exchange meeting was an opportunity¡ª ¡­a chance for the mages who stood beneath the Imperial Magic Tower to rise in rank and prove their worth. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then, a particular comment caught her ear. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower still hasn¡¯t arrived.¡± Hedera listened intently. It was the Purple Tower¡¯s representative, twirling his mustache as he spoke. ¡°If they actually back out again at the last minute¡­ the repercussions would be significant. No one would trust the Imperial Magic Tower anymore.¡± ¡°Trust in the Imperial Magic Tower? There wasn¡¯t much to begin with. They¡¯ve been dragging this out for over a decade, and there¡¯s no evidence they¡¯ve actually accomplished anything worthwhile during that time.¡± This response came from the representative of the Black Tower, who was hugging a teddy bear tightly. Hedera remained silent, listening to their conversation. The exchange meeting was a long-standing tradition in the world of magic. Fairness and impartiality had to be upheld at all costs. ¡°Lady Teddy Divine, we have a report.¡± Just then, someone approached the Black Tower Master with news. ¡°It seems a thick fog of dread has formed around the altar in the southern region. We believe the Imperial Magic Tower has failed in their attempt to purify the demonic sword.¡± ¡°What?! Hahaha¡­ hahahahaha!¡± The Black Tower Master burst into laughter, tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°A-HAHAHAHAHAHA¡ª!¡± ¡°Purifying demonic swords is child¡¯s play for the Black Tower. But for the Imperial Magic Tower, the supposedly most prestigious of all towers, to struggle¡­ what a predicament! Truly concerning, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± It wasn¡¯t just the Black Tower Master; the other mages around them began murmuring amongst themselves, having overheard the report. It seemed all but confirmed that the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s reputation had been dragged through the mud, and their whispers now carried a hint of mockery. ¡ª Four minutes until the presentation. A voice announced, and the entire hall fell silent. With only four minutes remaining, it was considered improper for anyone, except the Black Tower Master, who was presiding over the event, to speak. The Tower Masters, seated around the large, round table in the center of the hall, stood, as did the mages in the audience. ?There was one empty seat that stood out amongst the others¡­ The seat reserved for the Imperial Magic Tower. There was still no sign of those who were supposed to be seated at the very center of the hall. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Hedera tapped her fingernails against the armrest, the four minutes suddenly feeling far too short. Snap¡ª! The Black Tower Master snapped her fingers, and her teddy bear, expanding rapidly, floated into the air. It grew until it was the size of three warehouses. On the teddy bear¡¯s belly, something black was inscribed. A perfect circle, twelve markings, three hands. A clock. GONG¡ª GONG¡ª GONG¡ª GONG¡ª The teddy bear resonated with a deep, sonorous sound. Four minutes remained until the presentations were to begin. Hedera quietly took a deep breath. Could something have gone wrong? Would she need to step in? If she did, she¡¯d be violating the exchange meeting¡¯s rules, resulting in severe penalties for the Imperial Magic Tower. And yet, Hedera was prepared to intervene if necessary. If anything untoward had happened to Ezekiel, she was ready to act without any hesitation. It was at that moment that the Black Tower Master raised her arms. ¡°Now then, noble and esteemed mages,¡± Her voice, laced with mana, echoed throughout the hall. She bowed gracefully, her elegant movements drawing attention¡ª ¡ªInclining her upper body and gathering the fabric of her gothic lolita skirt to one side with a delicate hand. ¡°The time you have all been waiting for has arrived,¡± Teddy Divine. The one who effectively held the reins of the Black Tower. She¡¯d achieved a high level of mastery in black magic, granting her eternal youth. Even Hedera, a Second Imperial Princess, recognized her formidable power. It seemed the Black Tower had indeed made good use of the last decade. ¡°Before we witness the brilliant achievements of each tower, I will now call the roll to ensure everyone is present.¡± The childish tone in her voice had vanished. As if she had aged a century in a few moments, Teddy Divine¡¯s voice now resonated with a captivating feminine allure. ¡°Red Tower.¡± ¡°Present, burning bright with unyielding flames!¡± A booming voice echoed through the hall, a testament to the Red Tower¡¯s fiery passion and spirit. ¡°Green Tower.¡± ¡°Present, rooted firmly like an ancient tree.¡± This time, the voice was calm and steady. The Blue and Purple Towers were called next, each responding with confidence, showcasing their respective elemental prowess. Only one tower remained to be called¡­ ?The one seat that remained empty¡­ ¡°Imperial Magic Tower~¡± The second the Black Tower Master announced their name¡­ ¡­silence answered her. ¡°Oh dear, has the Imperial Magic Tower truly failed to arrive?¡± A fact confirmed. The attendees gasped, a wave of tension rolling through the hall like a dense fog. The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s absence. It was expected, yet desired. They had wielded their authority with an iron fist, asserting their dominance over the other towers while neglecting their own internal affairs. There was little love for the Imperial Magic Tower, a tower that demanded respect without proving its worth. Their downfall, their humiliation, was something most of the other towers secretly craved. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower representative is still absent. When the clock strikes the hour, they will be excluded from the exchange meeting.¡± Teddy¡¯s voice was laced with amusement. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about this one meeting. As punishment for concealing their incompetence for so long while holding the other towers to impossible standards, the Imperial Magic Tower will be permanently stripped of their participation rights.¡± Stripping the most prestigious tower of their exchange meeting rights? The consequences would be catastrophic. ¡°Well then, we now have three minutes remaining.¡± Every gaze in the hall turned to the clock on the teddy bear¡¯s belly, riveted by the movement of the second and minute hands. GONG¡ª GONG¡ª Two minutes left. If the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s seat remained vacant¡­ The tower that had long stood at the top, the one responsible for mediating conflicts and overseeing the affairs of the other towers, would lose all its prestige and tumble from grace. It would be xa direct stain on the honor of the Imperial Family. GONG¡ª One minute. Hedera could fully sense the shift in the audience, their anticipation palpable. There was barely concealed schadenfreude in the air, a palpable sense of glee. No, this won¡¯t do. Something was amiss. Hedera had to intervene. GO¡ªO¡ªO¡ª As the clock began to chime, signaling the passage of time¡­ O¡ªO¡ªO¡ª As the teddy bear was supposed to burst like a firework, marking the grand beginning of the exchange meeting¡­ Crack¡­ Crack¡­ Craaaack¡­ The teddy bear, already riddled with cracks, began to freeze over, its movements halting abruptly. Hedera¡¯s eyebrows twitched, and everyone¡¯s eyes widened in unison. GO¡ªO¡ªO¡ª GO¡ªO¡ªO¡ª GO¡ªO¡ªO¡ª The teddy bear was completely frozen in place. Thanks to this, the teddy bear continued to rotate within a certain range. Crack¡ª Something white fell to the floor. ¡°¡­Ice?¡± Someone murmured in disbelief. All eyes immediately darted towards the Blue Tower, but¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡­it quickly became apparent that the ice wasn¡¯t coming from them. Crack¡ª Crack¡ª Crack¡ª The sound echoed from above, growing louder. A staircase, crafted entirely of ice, began to descend from the ceiling. A man, flanked by two women, walked down the icy steps. They were dressed simply, like a common family, yet the aura they exuded was unmistakably regal. Hedera¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­!¡± It was him! The person she had been waiting for. Ezekiel, the Inspector of Imperial Magic Tower, had arrived. And at the same time, silence descended upon the hall. No one dared to breathe, mesmerized by the spectacle before them. ¡°Everyone, listen.¡± It was Ezekiel, the Imperial Magic Tower Inspector, who broke the silence. He descended the stairs, his steps measured and deliberate. The sunweed tucked between his lips continued to smolder. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower Inspector¡­¡± One step. Another step. ¡°Ezekiel¡­¡± He passed Hedera, his gaze fixed on the center of the hall. ¡°Announces his arrival.¡± His tone was unlike anything they¡¯d heard from the other tower representatives¡ªan air of authority, an almost arrogant assertion of dominance. The audience remained speechless, completely captivated. However, the Black Tower Master frowned. ¡°Inspector? You¡¯re late. You¡¯ve forfeited your right to participate¡­¡± ¡°Who said I was late?¡± Ezekiel cut Teddy Divine off, his voice sharp. ¡°The clock has yet to strike the hour.¡± GO¡ªO¡ªO¡­ GO¡ªO¡ªO¡­ It was true. The frozen teddy bear remained fixed in time. ¡°It seems the Imperial Magic Tower has no concept of time or place. Have you come here to play word games?¡± ¡°To begin with¡­¡± Ezekiel chuckled. ¡°I haven¡¯t come to participate in this exchange meeting.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Teddy Divine¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Then what have you come for?¡± Instead of answering, he gestured with his chin. Agnes, who¡¯d been flanking him, tossed a scroll towards the center of the hall. ¡°For the crime of delving into forbidden necromantic research¡­¡± Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­ The scroll unfurled as it tumbled down the icy steps, its length seemingly endless. ¡°For the crime of neglecting to intervene in bandit activity, for the crime of deceiving the other towers, for the crime of twisting the purpose of the exchange meeting¡ª¡± The list of crimes went on and on. ¡°¡­And for the crime of¡­ insulting the authority of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± The list finally ended. Crack! Crack! Crack!¡ª! The giant teddy bear shattered; frozen shards exploded outwards. Like a bomb about to detonate. ¡°I have come here with the authority to punish the traitors.¡± As Ezekiel¡¯s foot left the final step and touched the ground¡­ ¡­he finally spat out the sunweed. ¡°¡­Mercy. Exceptions. You will find neither here.¡± Chapter 86: The ?Punishment (3) ?? Chapter 86 ¨C The ?Punishment (3) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ The exchange meeting hall, nestled within the spire at the heart of the Black Territory¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.!¡± The attendees were still reeling from the shock. They stared in stunned silence at the staircase that had descended from the sky¡ªat the giant teddy bear, frozen mid-air like a celestial sculpture; the sheer power displayed was awe-inspiring, almost beautiful in its execution. All gazes eventually settled on the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. Despite having thousands of eyes on him, the Inspector showed no signs of being intimidated. He calmly chewed on the sunweed in his mouth. The Imperial Magic Tower is actually attending the exchange meeting? Is that really the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector? How can an Inspector possess such power? What in the world is going on? Countless questions filled their minds, but¡­ ¡°Mages, bear witness to the Black Tower¡¯s crimes.¡± With a single command, the Inspector silenced their doubts. Indeed, the most pressing matter at hand was the Black Tower¡¯s transgression. Agnes, at a gesture from Ezekiel, unleashed her telekinetic powers. Whoosh¡ª! Whoosh¡ª! Scrolls, prepared in abundance, flew through the air, landing at the feet of attendees and representatives alike; their proximity allowed mages to easily peruse their contents. ¡°What?!¡± ¡°Goodness¡­!¡± At the same time, cries of shock and disbelief filled the air. ¡°This is insane¡­!¡± Each of the Black Tower¡¯s documented crimes was egregious on its own, but to see so many listed, one after another, was truly appalling. ¡°Black Tower Master¡ª!¡± The Red Tower Master was the first to speak out, his eyes blazing with an intensity that reflected his fiery nature. ¡°To think you would dabble in forbidden necromancy, a practice outlawed by the Empire¡­ How could you stoop so low?! You¡¯ve betrayed the very principles of magic!¡± Teddy Divine, however, remained impassive, her face an unreadable mask. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Tsk. Typical Red Tower. So dramatic. You¡¯re hurting my ears.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t the Black Tower constantly complain about being oppressed by the Imperial Magic Tower? But all this time, you were engaging in forbidden practices behind our backs?! How dare you!¡± ¡°Forbidden?¡± Teddy Divine scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t be so naive, Red Tower Master. The Black Tower¡¯s purpose is to explore the depths of black magic. Why should dabbling in necromancy be a problem?¡± ¡°You¡­!¡± The Red Tower Master¡¯s face flushed red with anger, his temper flaring. ¡°You used bandits to procure bodies for your research! Innocent lives were lost because of you! Don¡¯t even try to deny it! I thought the Black Tower shared our commitment to upholding justice!¡± ¡°Justice is a word we¡¯re rather fond of too, you know~¡± Teddy Devine smiled leisurely. ?¡°We¡¯ll gladly uphold your precious ¡®justice¡¯ once the Black Tower reigns supreme. If that¡¯s our goal, wouldn¡¯t you call it a righteous cause? Or am I wrong?¡± ¡°Can you say the same to the souls who died unjustly, turned into lab rats for your twisted experiments?!¡± ¡°Of course! Their insignificant lives were used for something far greater¡ªthe advancement of the Black Tower! They should consider it an honor!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve gone mad! You will face divine retribution for your sins!¡± However, Teddy simply shrugged. ¡°I thought you¡¯d applaud us for our dedication, but your reactions are rather¡­ disappointing. Perhaps the other towers lack ambition?¡± ¡°We have no desire to gain strength by sacrificing innocent lives! We fuel our flames with our own passion!¡± The Red Tower Master gritted his teeth, his voice laced with disdain. ¡°Black Tower¡­ You¡¯re no longer a collective of mages! You¡¯re a den of depraved fiends and criminals!¡± ¡°Oh~ My ears are hurting from all this noise¡­.¡± Teddy yawned, picking at her ear with a bored expression.. ¡°The other towers get praised for anything they do. If they focus on magical research, they receive accolades and support¡­ But us? We can¡¯t even breathe without being accused of wrongdoing!¡± Teddy let out a hollow laugh. ¡°We get discriminated against just because demons are among us, and suspicion for merely studying magic? Do you know how gruesome a time we¡¯ve endured?¡± ¡°Stop with your absurd justifications! Have you learned nothing about reaping what you sow?! You¡¯re treated with suspicion and prejudice because of these very atrocities! You will be brought to justice this day!¡± ¡°Who gets punished¡­.¡± Teddy¡¯s eyes darkened ominously. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll decide. You insolent old man.¡± Thump¡ª Thump¡ª Suddenly, the sound of a heartbeat echoed throughout the hall. Thump¡ª Thump¡ª The ground and walls vibrated, the sound far too loud to have originated from a human body. The mages exchanged shocked glances, finally realizing what they were hearing. ¡°Black Tower Master¡­! Is finally showing her true form¡­!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right~ This tower itself¡­ is one gigantic corpse.¡± Teddy grinned. ¡°What, did you think we made no preparations at all?¡± Her small chuckle grew into maniacal laughter. ¡°We¡¯ve perfected our corpse explosion research long ago! The walls of this tower are packed with uncountable corpses! Just imagine the carnage once they all detonate!¡± The Red Tower Master felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn¡¯t just malice¡­ Teddy was consumed by pure, unadulterated evil. ¡°¡­Black Tower Master, why? What is the meaning of this?!¡± ¡°Such a silly question~ What better ingredient is there than the corpses of mages? The more of you who die here today, the better! It¡¯ll only strengthen the Black Tower!¡±? The representatives of each magic tower fell silent. They were not afraid of battle. Confident in their abilities, they were willing to welcome any necessary fight. However¡­ The Red Tower Master¡¯s gaze swept across the audience. The hall was packed with mages. These individuals, who¡¯d gathered to witness the advancements in the world of magic, were now hostages. That was the real problem. ¡®If the entire spire were to explode, the scale of the damage would be¡­¡¯ Immeasurable. Any scenario, even the least devastating one, would still be catastrophic. ¡°Black Tower Master, you have desecrated this sacred exchange meeting,¡± the Red Tower Master growled. ¡°Nonsense. No one here embodies the spirit of the exchange meeting more than I do.¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°The exchange meeting was designed to weed out the weak and elevate the strong. Well, to put it simply¡­¡± Teddy, her eyes pitch black, smirked. ¡°Consider this¡­ a purification of the magical world!¡± The Tower Masters were speechless. ¡®How can someone harbor such profound malice¡­?¡¯ Each tower had spent the last decade diligently pursuing progress. But what the Black Tower had prepared was not progress but revenge. Their ambition and greed were solely to turn all towers into corpses and absorb them entirely. ¡°Now then~¡± At that moment, Teddy raised a single finger. ¡°I have a proposition for you esteemed Tower Masters. An opportunity to save the mages in the audience!¡± An opportunity to save the audience? The Tower Master¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°All you have to do is stay out of our way while the Black Tower punishes the arrogant Imperial Magic Tower. That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡­!¡± ¡°Witness the true power of the Black Tower! You¡¯ll be begging to join us soon enough! You¡¯ll come crawling on your knees, pleading for our alliance!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± A shocking declaration; a preposterous proposition. Teddy, essentially, wanted to usurp the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s authority¡ªto take their place as the dominant power in the magical world. The Tower Masters fell into a tense silence, each weighing their options. The Black Tower¡¯s crimes were undeniable, but with nearly a thousand mages held hostage, the stakes were incredibly high. As they hesitated, unsure of how to proceed¡­ ¡°That¡¯s preposterous!¡± A young Elder from the Blue Tower stepped forward. It was Seina, a skilled ice magic user, her white hair neatly braided and resting on her shoulder. ¡°If we give in to their demands, it¡¯ll never end. We cannot stand idly by.¡± Teddy scoffed at her defiance. ¡°Ooh~ our esteemed Blue Tower elder! I see we have many Blue Tower mages in the audience as well! I do hope your decision doesn¡¯t lead to too many of them losing their lives today!¡± ¡°¡­Fear not death,¡± Seina replied calmly. ¡°It is by the will of Seolgwi that we stand. No Blue mage here today will die with shame.¡± ¡°Oh~ so the Blue Tower is the only one siding with the Imperial Magic Tower?¡± Seina bit her lower lip tightly. ¡®I never expected such a proposal.¡¯ It was a blatant manipulation, but terrifyingly effective. Logically, she should follow the lead of the other Tower Masters and prioritize the safety of her own mages. Even the Red Tower Master, who¡¯d been so vocal just a moment ago, had fallen silent. No matter the circumstance, their own mages always came first. ¡®If the Black Tower gains the upper hand today, it¡¯ll only lead to disaster. The Imperial Magic Tower did a commendable job gathering evidence, so if the Blue Tower can help turn the tide¡­¡¯ As Seina weighed her options¡­ ¡°Black Tower Master, have you finished writing your will?¡± The chilling voice cut through the tension like an icicle. A voice laced with frost. Every gaze in the hall swiveled away from the Black Tower Master. Ezekiel. The Imperial Magic Tower Inspector had finally spoken. Agnes, standing by his side, recalled what Ezekiel had murmured to her on their way here. ¡ªWe cannot resort to force immediately. ¡ªEvery tower must understand the situation. ¡ªWe need to create an atmosphere of support for the Imperial Magic Tower first. And¡­ ¡­he¡¯d done just that. The representatives from each Magic Tower were now solely focused on the Imperial Magic Tower, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Half of them wanted to see what he would do, the other half desperately hoped he¡¯d offer a solution. Agnes could read their emotions clearly. The time for the Inspector to act had come. Had he moved to punishment right away, chaos would have surely ensued, with mages who hadn¡¯t fully grasped the situation causing disorder. However, Ezekiel had been incredibly astute. ¡®¡­Did the Inspector foresee all of this?¡¯ Agnes was overcome with a new wave of respect for Ezekiel¡¯s foresight. Meanwhile, Teddy simply smirked. ¡°Imperial Magic Tower Inspector, you seem quite confident?¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t respond to the taunt. Instead, he focused on the chill he¡¯d been subtly channeling through his feet into the ground. He¡¯d managed to freeze all of the corpses hidden within the tower walls without anyone noticing. It had been a meticulous task to freeze only the insides of the corpses without leaving any visible signs. In other words, this spire wouldn¡¯t be exploding today. The preparations for punishment were complete. ¡°You said the exchange meeting weeds out weak magic.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Ice spears began to materialize around him, their tips glittering menacingly. ¡°Today¡­¡± Finally, Ezekiel took a step forward. ¡°We will be weeding out the Black Tower from the world of magic.¡± Chapter 87: The ?Punishment (4) ?? Chapter 87 ¨C The ?Punishment (4) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ?Teddy Divine, who had claimed the position of Black Tower Master, felt a shiver run down her spine. ¡®What is this?¡¯ Her gaze was fixed on a single person. Just one man. Yes, he was merely an Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower. And his magic involved ice element, which was quite ordinary. But despite all this, the moment Ezekiel took a step forward, she felt a surge of tension course through her body. ¡®¡­Is the Tower trembling?¡¯ No, it wasn¡¯t that. It was her own body that was trembling; the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Teddy¡¯s deep dive into black magic had exposed her to all sorts of horrors¡ªhorrors she¡¯d come to see as mere entertainment. In other words, she no longer saw other mages as equals; they were simply subjects for her black magic research. At a glance, she could tell whether someone was low-quality, inferior material, or something more¡­ valuable. Something that could be of use to her. She¡¯d never worried about an opponent being stronger than her. It was simply an impossibility. Teddy always won. That was a given. And yet¡­ ¡®What¡­ what is this?¡¯ Her instincts screamed a warning. This inspector is dangerous! It took her a moment to regain her composure, to force her trembling limbs to obey. Her muscles were stiff, resistant to her commands. Her mind couldn¡¯t grasp the situation. She mentally reviewed Ezekiel¡¯s profile: ¡®Commoner, no formal magical education, no prior experience¡­¡¯ By all accounts, he was a greenhorn, lacking in practical experience. His only notable achievement was his recent performance in Ruiple¡ªhis first real mission. He was just a novice, and yet¡­ Her every instinct screamed otherwise. This is no child¡­ her instincts whispered. He is a seasoned veteran, far more experienced than you. He was dangerous, someone who could dissect her, analyze her, and turn her into a research subject. ¡­How is this possible? How could a mage make her, Teddy Divine, feel like prey? ¡®¡®Could the Imperial Tower have concealed information? To facilitate this mission?¡¯ But that was highly unlikely. Teddy had her own sources, her own ways of gathering information. And Ezekiel¡¯s background was clean ¨C a commoner with no magical training, no prior experience. She raised a hand to wipe the sweat from her brow, then froze. The sweat¡­ it had already frozen on her skin. ¡®Just a moment ago, it wasn¡¯t this cold.¡¯ Teddy took a deep, silent breath, trying to calm her racing heart. ?One couldn¡¯t survive long in this world relying solely on logic. Sometimes, it was necessary to trust one¡¯s instincts. Snap¡ª! Teddy snapped her fingers, and three large, rock-like objects materialized out of thin air. Thud¡ª! Thud¡ª !THUD¡ª! But these were no ordinary rocks; three colossal men crashed down onto the floor, their bodies impacting with the force of a landslide. Teddy sent a telepathic message to her creations. ¡ª Kill him. And don¡¯t underestimate him. The men chuckled, cracking their knuckles. ¡ª Teddy, why the warning? He¡¯s just one mage with a single soul. As their words implied, these weren¡¯t ordinary beings, each possessing a single soul. They were grotesque amalgamations of flesh and magic, multiple souls crammed into a single, powerful body. Stitches, like crude needlework, covered their bodies, their faces a patchwork of different skin tones¡ªa testament to Teddy¡¯s macabre artistry. One of them spoke, his voice a jarring blend of different tones. ¡ª Lady Teddy¡¯s not scared. She¡¯s just worried we¡¯ll crush him into a pulp. A gentle reminder to keep the body intact. ¡ª He¡¯s right! Let¡¯s have some fun before we finish him! The three creations advanced towards Ezekiel, the one in the center taking the lead. ¡°Hey, did you say the Black Tower would fall today?¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t spare a glance at the creations. He was looking at Teddy beyond them. ¡°Inspector, why are you acting so foolishly? Do you not grasp the situation? If your arrogance causes this Tower to collapse, we all die. And I doubt you can handle the consequences.¡± Ezekiel finally clicked his tongue. ¡°Is that some kind of black magic chant?¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°So long-winded¡­ when will you actually cast a spell?¡± The creations¡¯ eyes narrowed. ¡°You still don¡¯t understand your place, do you¡­? Still trying to provoke us¡­?¡± They continued to mutter threats, but Ezekiel, unfazed, started walking towards them. For a mage, who generally preferred long-range combat, to close the distance like this¡­ it was a display of immense confidence. ¡°¡­Inspector, which part of you should we tear off first?¡± Ezekiel replied casually, ¡°You¡¯re just following orders, right?¡± His voice was calm, chillingly so, and the words seemed to freeze the creations in place. ¡°Just do your job. Why are you hesitating?¡± Hesitating? Were they¡­ hesitating? ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­¡± The creations paused, suddenly questioning their own actions. Ezekiel was right. Teddy had only given them the order to kill. They were the ones who¡¯d decided to tear him limb from limb, eager for the bloodbath to begin. Nothing was stopping them from carrying out that order. Whether the Inspector begged for his life or not, they were to kill him. It didn¡¯t matter what he did. They were to kill him. ¡®¡­Why didn¡¯t we attack first?¡¯ Had they hesitated? Could it be true? They, Teddy¡¯s creations, hesitated? It was improbable. ¡ª He¡¯s strange. Let¡¯s tear him apart. ¡ª Agreed. ¡ª Let¡¯s go. They exchanged telepathic messages, then began gathering their dark mana, the shadows around them thickening until they were nearly visible to the naked eye. Though there were many oddities to consider, none of these cobbled-together monstrosities realized that something was amiss. Would a human be angered by the provocation of an ant? No, they would find it curious. Amusing, even. It would be entertaining to witness such a lowly creature display such behavior before it was stomped to death. However, the creations had already been rattled by Ezekiel¡¯s words, a fact they were completely oblivious to. Shhhhrrrrkkk¡ª The moment a massive ice spear materialized before them, aimed directly at their hearts¡­ ¡°Haa¡ª!¡± ¡­the creations unleashed their black magic first. The colossal dark mana in the shape of a serpent, formed from the combined power of the three, extended upwards, its jaws wide open, attempting to swallow Ezekiel whole. CRACK¡ª! But the serpent¡¯s jaws never closed. Crack!¡ªCrack¡­ Crack¡­ A towering ice pillar had sprung up within its maw, forcing its jaws apart. The creations¡¯ eyes widened in shock. ¡®He¡­ he blocked it?¡¯ Their combined attack, the power of three souls¡­ blocked? Confusion and rage simultaneously surged through them. But they were not stupid enough to stop and reconsider in the middle of a fight. They unleashed another barrage of attacks. BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! Blasts of dark mana slammed against the Serpent¡¯s snout, trying to force its jaws closed. Crack! Crack¡­ Crack¡­! But they couldn¡¯t break through the single ice pillar. Gaping at the scene, the creations murmured. ¡ª How is it withstanding our attacks? ¡ª It doesn¡¯t matter! There¡¯s something else¡­ Yes, something far more troubling was at play. ¡ª ¡­Our energy¡­ it¡¯s not affecting him! Their dark mana, unlike regular mana, should have been able to seep into their target, corrupting and weakening it. But it wasn¡¯t working. Neither Ezekiel nor his ice seemed affected. The dark mana just slid off, as though touching an inanimate object, making follow-up attacks impossible. ¡ª What¡¯s going on? ¡ª Why isn¡¯t it working¡­! There were three of them, not just one. And they weren¡¯t just three individuals; they were weapons forged from dozens of souls. It was as if dozens of mages were attacking simultaneously. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And yet, they couldn¡¯t even overpower a single Inspector? It was an unthinkable situation. ¡°Haaaa¡ª!¡± ¡°Hyaaa¡ª!¡± In the end, the creations began shouting as they exerted all their might. But Ezekiel remained calm, almost detached from the chaos unfolding around him. The creations then switched their strategy and started causing explosions all around. The dark mana was brutal and destructive, indifferent to whoever might be nearby. BOOM¡ª! BOOM¡ª! BOOM¡ª! But none of the explosions connected with their target. Whenever a dark mana sphere burst, ice would cover it like a plastic wrap. No matter how many times they exploded, they couldn¡¯t penetrate the ice barrier. The creations¡¯ eyes were bloodshot. ¡°Stop hiding behind your defenses, you arrogant bastard¡ª!¡± The three creations bit their tongues in unison. They had to accept that conventional black magic wouldn¡¯t work. They channeled their dark mana inwards, reversing the flow. Self-destruction. They intended to take the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower down with them. ¡°Grrrrrrrr¡ª!¡± ¡°Groaaaaar¡ª!¡± Their entire bodies began to glow, heat radiating from their flesh; they stomped their feet, creating craters in the floor, and charged towards Ezekiel. BWOOOSH¡ª! Their speed was incredible, like massive boulders hurtling through the air, aimed directly at the Inspector. Whooooooooosh¡ª! The air screamed as they cut through it. And then, faintly, they heard it. A single word, uttered by the inspector. ¡°Conclude.¡± And at the same time, they saw it. In a moment that seemed to stretch out into an eternity, a single ice spear, spinning like a disc, hurtled towards them. The spin was so fast, so furious, that it no longer resembled a spear, but a disc, a pale blue full moon. Shhhk¡ª! Something was sliced. But what? They didn¡¯t know. Whooooooooosh¡ª! They continued hurtling towards Ezekiel. And now, he was right in front of them. All they had to do was grab him, hold him tight, and explode. But as they steeled themselves for the final impact¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­?¡± ¡­their charging bodies suddenly veered off course. No magic had touched them, they hadn¡¯t consciously changed their course, and yet they were suddenly sailing past the inspector, their bodies arcing through the air in a graceful parabola. The horizon tilted. Slowly. Excruciatingly slowly, the ground and the ceiling switched places. What¡¯s happening? Their telepathic link was severed. The world spun, gravity seemed to shift, physics itself seemed to warp around them. The creations, disoriented and confused, finally focused on a single, horrifying image. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡­¡± A sight they should never have seen. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­!¡± Their own upper bodies, severed cleanly at the waist, tumbling through the air, pieces of discarded flesh. The world hadn¡¯t flipped; they had been flipped, sliced in two. Over their dismembered shoulders, they saw their lower bodies, still standing upright, staring blankly at their new master. ¡®¡­He cut us¡­ before we even reached him?¡¯ ¡°What¡­ how¡­?¡± ¡°When¡­ how¡­!¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Their questions died in their throats, unanswered. Shatter¡ª! When the three upper bodies collapsed to the floor, it sounded like blocks of ice shattering. Ezekiel hadn¡¯t allowed them the luxury of self-destruction. There were no screams, no cries of pain. Their mouths were frozen shut, denying them even a final word. Their bodies were frozen solid, no blood gushed from their wounds. All that remained was the chilling silence of their demise. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Someone couldn¡¯t help but marvel and opened their mouth, but then¡­ Click¡ª! ¡­their lips were swiftly sealed shut by a thin layer of ice. ¡°Silence,¡± the Inspector hissed. ¡°The princess is watching. Show some respect.¡± It was only now that the real curtain of destruction had risen. Chapter 88: The ?Punishment (5) ?? Chapter 88 ¨C The ?Punishment (5) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ?Silence descended upon the exchange meeting hall. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± Even Seina, the young Elder of the Blue Tower, remained speechless. ¡®Teddy¡¯s subordinates¡­ there were so many souls¡­¡¯ They¡¯d even launched a coordinated attack. Even Seina, a seasoned mage, couldn¡¯t have guaranteed an easy victory. It would¡¯ve been a battle fought with her life on the line. And yet, the Imperial Magic Tower inspector had won effortlessly, as if swatting away a fly. It hardly felt real. This couldn¡¯t be happening. Not now, not when the lives of so many mages hung in the balance; they couldn¡¯t afford to lose their grip on reality. But the scene unfolding before her was so surreal, so utterly unbelievable, that it defied all logic. In her heart, Seina reaffirmed her belief. This man¡­ he was worthy of her respect, worthy of being her mentor. ¡°Seolgwi¡­¡± She¡¯d muttered the word unconsciously, then quickly clamped her mouth shut, realizing the heavy silence in the room. Ezekiel¡­ he embodied the true meaning of ¡°Seolgwi¡± more than any other ice mage she¡¯d ever encountered. The leader of the Red Tower didn¡¯t think much differently. ¡®¡­Indeed.¡¯ Something incomprehensible had just transpired. But in life, there were moments when one had to quickly accept the inexplicable ¡ª this was one of those moments. This was no ordinary Inspector. He was more like a judge, a dispenser of justice. He carried himself with an air of authority, as if this¡ªpassing judgment, executing punishment¡ªwas something he was intimately familiar with. ¡®This is not the skill of someone who has administered justice once or twice.¡¯ The leader of the Red Tower narrowed their eyes quietly. The Imperial Magic Tower¡­ they¡¯ve been sharpening their blades for ten years¡­ The thought that such strength had been honed behind an outwardly feeble facade was indeed chilling. Soon after, the leader of the Red Tower made a swift decision. ¡°Let us all withdraw from our positions.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°What do you mean, ¡®withdraw¡¯?¡± The representatives of the other mage towers were astounded, their faces clearly displaying surprise. ¡°Yes, I said withdraw. All of us.¡± ¡°You want us to move to the spectator seats?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been preparing for this exchange for ten years¡­!¡± The representatives understood the implications of their actions. Relinquishing their seats wasn¡¯t just a simple act of withdrawal. It was a symbolic gesture, a clear acknowledgment of the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s dominance. They were stepping aside, allowing the Imperial Magic Tower to take center stage, to carry out its judgment unimpeded. It was natural for the Purple and Green Towers to be taken aback. While they hadn¡¯t resorted to the Black Tower¡¯s extreme methods, they¡¯d all put in significant effort to claim the top spot. It was ironic, almost comical, that the Red Tower, the most ambitious of them all, was the first to suggest a retreat. ?The Red Tower Master, however, remained calm. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how many years we¡¯ve spent preparing. What matters is whether we can survive in the magical world. And right now, the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s inspector¡­¡± The leader of the Red Tower trailed off, struggling to find the right words. ¡­How should one describe the Inspector? There was no precise word to encapsulate them. They had never encountered an inspector like this before. ¡°In any case, it¡¯s best to let the Imperial Magic Tower handle this situation and observe from a safe distance. Any Tower that interferes will face consequences.¡± It was an uncommon and startling statement. However, the other tower representatives were well aware that the leader of the Red Tower¡¯s words were not completely unfounded. They were all masters of magic, highly skilled individuals who had earned their positions as Tower representatives. Therefore, even if they had just witnessed the event, they could easily infer the Inspector¡¯s prowess. ¡®It was a single attack¡­¡¯ One precise, calculated attack. He hadn¡¯t even allowed his opponents, who were attacking him simultaneously, to land a single blow. The difference in their abilities was¡­ staggering. Although everyone was equally bewildered, there was no dispute about one single fact. ¡°¡­He¡¯s no ordinary mage.¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower has been secretly honing their skills¡­¡± Finally, the Green Tower Master, the calmest of them all, spoke. ¡°Very well. We withdraw.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± It was well known that once she made a decision, the Green Tower Master, who always kept her eyes closed, never changed her mind. The others remained silent, accepting her decision. ¡°Friendly competition is only possible if we remain within the magical world. And it¡¯s clear who holds the upper hand now.¡± The death of Teddy Devine would not immediately conclude the exchange meeting. In other words, they would still have to face the inspector afterward. The conclusion was obvious. The Tower representatives retreated to the spectator seats, leaving the center of the exchange meeting hall empty; they had chosen to submit to the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s authority. Ezekiel observed them silently. Was he disgusted by their fickle loyalty, their willingness to shift allegiances at the drop of a hat? Not at all. Their pragmatism was beneficial to him. He had secured this position of power, and he would never relinquish it. He had a reason for presenting the scroll first. He had a reason for waiting patiently for Teddy to summon her creations and issue her commands. ¡®I needed them to understand the situation first.¡¯ That was the reason; to make them truly grasp his power, to make it sink in. Ezekiel reflected on his past life. He¡¯d assassinated countless targets, always killing them swiftly and silently. And yet, despite his skills, his notoriety never spread. He¡¯d taken great pains to conceal his identity, but there was more to it than that. ¡ª He must have been caught off guard. ¡ª He was probably assassinated with some cheap trick. ¡ª That¡¯s just a baseless rumor¡­ People wouldn¡¯t believe what they hadn¡¯t seen with their own eyes. Even if they did see it, they wouldn¡¯t believe it if they didn¡¯t understand it. Acceptance required time. Ezekiel had spent a lifetime hiding in the shadows, suppressing his true power. He understood how to reveal himself, how to make his presence known. It was simply a matter of doing the opposite of what he¡¯d done before. He had to execute his judgment slowly, methodically, savoring every moment. He would make sure everyone witnessed his power, that they fully comprehended his capabilities. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He would leave no room for doubt, no room for dismissal as mere rumors. He would make them acknowledge the true might of the Imperial Magic Tower. Shhhk¡ª! He retrieved his ice spear. Only Teddy remained. Thud¡ª! Thud¡ª! He walked towards the Black Tower Master, his footsteps heavy, purposeful. ¡°I gave you ten years,¡± he spoke quietly. ¡°And this is all you could manage?¡± ¡°Well~ What can I say? It¡¯s not my fault that my incompetent predecessor ran the Black Tower into the ground.¡± Come to think of it¡­ Teddy Devine was not originally the Black Tower Master, was she? ¡°¡­Where is the previous Tower master?¡± This was a somewhat critical issue for Ezekiel. His deal with the emperor required him to investigate the secret techniques of each magical tower, and for that, he needed the former Black Tower Master. ¡°Why are you asking me? She¡¯s a traitor who abandoned the Black Tower and its purpose. Why should I care about the whereabouts of that trash?¡± Teddy, despite the beads of sweat forming on her brow, smirked. She was about to add another insult when¡­ Thud¡ª! ¡­Suddenly, a long ice spike impaled Teddy¡¯s body, near her plump thigh. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­!¡± Her eyes widened in shock. And it didn¡¯t stop there. Shhhk¡ª! Shhhk!¡ªShhhk¡ª! From the spike, more spikes branched out like thorns, and then from those spikes, even more spikes emerged, resembling wedges, digging deeper. ¡°Agh, AGHHHHHH!¡± Teddy collapsed, unable to withstand the unbearable pain. ¡°Gah, Gah¡­ Gaaaaahh¡ª!¡± ¡°This should be obvious, but don¡¯t give me sarcastic answers. My patience is wearing thin.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± The pain was excruciating, unbearable. Teddy looked up at him, her body trembling. She couldn¡¯t comprehend Ezekiel¡¯s confidence, his utter lack of fear. ¡®Why? Why is he so calm?¡¯ She¡¯d warned him! The Tower itself was a ticking time bomb! How could he be so nonchalant? ¡°Imperial Magic Tower Inspector, you¡­¡± Teddy stammered, her jaw trembling with pain. ¡°Are¡­ are you saying you don¡¯t care if all these mages die? That it doesn¡¯t matter if this place explodes?!¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t answer. ¡°Ha¡­ Haha¡­ HAHAHAHA!¡± Teddy burst into laughter; the pain was gone, replaced by a numb, hysterical glee. Maybe she¡¯d finally gone mad. ¡°HAHAHA¡ª! HAHAHAHAHA¡ª!¡± She pointed a finger at Ezekiel. ¡°It¡¯s your fault! All of this¡­ it¡¯s your fault! You¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to make this place explode!¡± She channeled all the power she could muster, unleashing a wave of dark mana. BOOM¡ª! But¡­ One second. Ten seconds. Thirty seconds¡­ Nothing happened. ¡°Huh¡­?¡± BOOM¡ª! She unleashed another wave, but the Tower remained silent; the laughter died on her lips, replaced by confusion. ¡°Why? Why isn¡¯t it¡­ why¡­?¡± BOOM¡ª! BOOM¡ª! BOOM¡ª! She continued bombarding the Tower with waves of dark mana. Finally, a crack appeared in the wall, and¡­ Thud¡ª! ¡­a corpse tumbled out. ¡°Why¡­ why won¡¯t it explode¡­? Why¡­?¡± Teddy crawled towards the corpse, her fingers digging into the flesh, desperately searching for an explanation. ¡°The mana core, the mana core¡­¡±. She found it, pried it loose¡­ ¡­and that¡¯s when she knew. A chill touched her palm; the mana core was frozen solid, perfectly preserved. ¡°Frozen¡­? It¡¯s¡­ frozen¡­?¡± Her face was a mask of horror. Slowly, she turned her head, her gaze travelling¡­ ¡°This¡­ this¡­ can¡¯t be¡­¡± ¡­towards Ezekiel. ¡°All of them¡­? You froze the mana cores of all these corpses¡­?¡± Ezekiel offered no explanation. Instead, he simply flicked his wrist, sending an ice spear flying towards her. Clang¡ª! It landed at her feet, point down, embedded in the floor. ¡°Teddy Devine, end yourself.¡± Chapter 89: The ?Punishment (6) ?? Chapter 89 ¨C The ?Punishment (6) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Teddy Divine gulped, her throat bobbing. Ezekiel had ordered her to take her own life. It was a demand that forced her to acknowledge her guilt, her insignificance, while simultaneously elevating the authority of the Imperial Magic Towers. Could there be anything more shameful? Teddy Divine, the Black Tower Master, had moments ago worn a confident smirk. Now, her face was slick with sweat, her composure shattered. ¡°W-Wait! Please, just wait¡­!¡± Still kneeling, she scooted back, her fear palpable; the once haughty Black Tower Master had become a pathetic, groveling mess. ¡°I was mistaken! I got it all wrong! Please, just give me another chance! We¡¯re a Magic Tower too. We would never do anything truly evil!¡± Her eyes darted around frantically, searching Ezekiel¡¯s face for any sign of leniency, desperately seeking an escape from this predicament. But the Inspector¡¯s expression remained impassive. ¡°¡­N-No!¡± She desperately glanced at the spectators, but a wave of despair washed over her. There was no one to come to her aid. No one to defend her. This was the consequence of her actions, the price she had to pay. Teddy Divine clasped her hands together, rubbing them together in a pathetic display of supplication. ¡°¡­The Black Tower has been oppressed for far too long. We needed results, achievements, to prove our worth, to ensure we weren¡¯t left behind! We had no choice but to turn to¡­ to research on the deceased! Right?¡± ¡°You call that an excuse?¡± Ezekiel scoffed. ¡°Previous Black Tower Masters achieved great things without crossing the line. You were simply too greedy.¡± ¡°Please, I beg you! Spare my life! Surely, even with the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s authority, you can¡¯t¡­ you shouldn¡¯t¡­ ¡± She pointed a trembling finger at Ezekiel, her pathetic expression twisting into one of anger. ¡°You¡­ You¡­ Inspector¡­!¡± Tears welled up in her fear-filled eyes. ¡°If you kill all these innocent Black Tower mages, you¡¯ll be cursed! You know why? Because I¡­ I will curse you, even in death! I¡¯ll haunt you as a ghost, I¡¯ll use necromancy to torment you!¡± Suddenly, her anger dissipated, replaced by desperation. Dragging her impaled leg, she crawled towards Ezekiel¡¯s feet, clutching his calf. ¡°No, no! Please, Inspector! Imperial Magic Tower Inspector! Please, have mercy!¡± ¡°I was foolish and arrogant! I¡¯ve lost my mind! Inspector! Please, I don¡¯t ask for anything else¡­ Just spare my life¡­!¡± Desperation, a primal fear of death, filled her voice. ¡°You¡¯re an Inspector! You can¡¯t just ignore a Magic Tower in need! There¡¯s no Tower more pitiful than the Black Tower! None!¡± However, Ezekiel¡¯s expression remained cold, unmoved. Was it because of this unyielding demeanor that Teddy¡¯s desperation escalated, her voice growing louder? ¡°Inspector! I¡¯ll become a slave to the Imperial Magic Tower! I¡¯ll do anything you ask, anything but die! I can still be of use to you¡­!¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he pressed his other foot onto her head, pushing her down, grinding her into the floor like a bug. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± He nudged the ice spear towards her with his foot. Clang¡ª! The metallic sound resonated through the hall, a clear and chilling messag ¡ª pick it up and end your own life. ¡°There are no exceptions, no second chances. Haven¡¯t I made that clear?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Tears streamed down Teddy¡¯s face, her expression a mixture of despair and disbelief. ¡°How could this¡­¡±. Her trembling hand flew to her face. ¡°How¡­ how could this be happening¡­?¡± She dug her nails into her cheeks, drawing blood, leaving deep, red welts. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I¡¯m begging you, laying everything down, and you still want me to die! How could you¡­? How could you?!¡± Suddenly, she went silent, her hand falling limply to her side. The Black Tower Master was no longer crying, no longer whimpering. She simply stared at the floor, her eyes vacant, hollow. ¡°¡­Fine.¡± She slowly raised her head, her eyes devoid of emotion, their gaze fixed on Ezekiel at an unnatural angle. ¡°If you¡¯re determined to kill me, then so be it¡­¡± Rumble¡ª! At that moment, corpses began pouring out from the walls of the Tower, their mana cores spewing dark mana that Teddy absorbed into her own body. It was a terrifying spectacle, the speed and intensity of the absorption beyond anything she¡¯d ever attempted before. Gulp¡ª! Gulp¡ª! Her body contorted, unable to contain the immense influx of power. Dark veins bulged beneath her skin, her muscles twitching spasmodically. ¡°Gasp¡­! Pant¡­! Gasp¡­! Hehehe¡ª!¡± A twisted smile spread across her face. Her eyes rolled back, completely white. ¡°Grooo¡ª! Raaaaaaagh¡ª!¡± She roared, a torrent of black mana erupting from her body. And the world around Ezekiel transformed. . ?. ?. ?. ?. ?¡±¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel quietly surveyed his surroundings. The exchange meeting hall had vanished, replaced by something¡­ different. He stood on a vast stage, concealed by a heavy curtain. Tiered seating rose before him, a single spotlight illuminating the curtain. It resembled a grand opera house. In this sudden and strange opera house, there were only two occupants¡ª ¡ªJust Ezekiel and Teddy Divine. ¡®It¡¯s illusion magic.¡¯ Easily, he assessed the situation. It appeared that Teddy had cast an illusion on Ezekiel in a final act of desperation. Shhhhk¡ª! The curtain was drawn back, and the lights illuminated the stage. At the center of the stage, under the spotlight, stood Teddy, gracefully posed. She was dressed extravagantly, much like an opera diva, complete with a flowing dress and a wide-brimmed hat. She slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Who would have thought it would be like this¡­ To absorb the mana cores of the corpses collected over ten years is so exhilarating? I can feel such immense power, almost too much to bear¡­.¡± A melting expression, as if reaching an apex of sensation, spread across her face. ¡°¡­At this moment, I am finally complete!¡± Her gaze turned towards Ezekiel, intense, almost manic. ¡°Inspector, have you heard of the term ¡®Transcendent Realm¡¯?¡± The Transcendent Realm, a state of being visible only to those who had reached the pinnacle of magical power; it was the unique, profound secret technique, the ultimate expression of a mage¡¯s power, attained only after reaching the peak of their abilities. ¡°Thanks to you, pushing me to the brink of death, I was able to absorb all of them! A proper thank you is in order! This is the true secret of the Black Tower!¡± Snap¡ª! Teddy snapped her fingers. Growl¡ª! Growl¡ª! Growl¡ª! At the same time, corpses began to appear from all directions, shuffling towards them. It was an illusion, so their numbers were practically infinite. ¡°This is my Transcendent Realm,¡± Teddy declared, placing one hand on her chest and raising the other towards the ceiling, as if she were about to conduct an orchestra. ¡°Consider yourself lucky. You have front-row seats to my premiere.¡± Groooaaaaar¡ª! The horde of corpses surged forward like a tidal wave. However, Ezekiel¡¯s reaction remained indifferent. ¡°Quite the audience you have.¡± He murmured quietly as he formed ice in thin air, its shape almost rivaling the theatre¡¯s ceiling¡ªa giant bell.? In the next instant, Ezekiel channeled his mana, gathering all his strength, and slammed his fist into the ice bell. The timing was perfect; the horde of corpses had just leaped into the air, mere inches away. DONG¡ª The ice bell resonated with a deafening sound; the shockwave was so powerful that it visibly rippled through space, sweeping across the area in an instant. ¡°Groan¡­¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± And that was it. Every single corpse collapsed, like puppets with their strings cut; the only sound that filled the vast opera house was the thud of bodies hitting the floor. But it wasn¡¯t just the corpses that were affected. The illusionary space itself began to crack and crumble, like a shattered mirror, pieces of the fabricated reality breaking off, dissolving into nothingness. Teddy¡¯s grand illusion, fueled by the very essence of her being, was falling apart, completely and utterly undone by a single, devastating blow. ¡°¡­What¡­?¡± Teddy¡¯s face contorted in disbelief. ¡°This¡­ This can¡¯t be¡­¡± she stammered, unable to comprehend what had just transpired. ¡°Ten years¡­ Ten years¡¯ worth of corpses¡­ Ten years of preparation¡­ Why¡­?¡± With a flick, Ezekiel kicked up an ice spear from the ground. Whoosh¡ª! And the next moment¡­ Thud¡ª! ¡­it impaled Teddy¡¯s throat with a clear purpose. The Black Tower Master was now dead. Her head, severed cleanly from her body, rolled across the stage, her eyes still wide with shock, unable to grasp the suddenness of her demise. Ezekiel stood over her corpse, his voice a low, chilling whisper. ¡°Your performance seemed to be rather dull,¡± he said. ¡°The audience has fallen asleep, and none seem to be waking up.¡± Chapter 90: Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (1) ?? Chapter 90 ¨C Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (1) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Second Princess, Hedera. She carefully observed the situation with great focus. ¡®¡­It doesn¡¯t feel real.¡¯ The Black Magic Tower had conceived a plot more sinister than she had imagined. Hence, Hedera was even prepared to step forward herself. Even if it meant breaching the inviolability of the ¡®Exchange Meeting, which was exclusively a celebration for mages,¡¯ and causing the Imperial Magic Tower to face disadvantages, she was not going to stand by and let Ezekiel be slandered. Yes, she¡¯d been determined¡­ but¡­ But in the end, there was no need for Hedera to step up personally. All thanks to the Inspector¡¯s outstanding abilities. ¡°What¡¯s that¡­? A barrier¡­?¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening in there?¡± The mages in the spectator seats murmured anxiously. They had reason to be worried. A black, hemispherical barrier had enveloped Ezekiel and Teddy Divine, trapping them in the center of the exchange meeting hall. An ominous aura radiated from it. ¡°She absorbed all those corpses¡­!¡± ¡°Could it be¡­ the Black Tower has actually prepared a Transcendent Realm?¡± Hedera silently shook her head. ¡®It¡¯s not a Transcendent Realm.¡¯ The Transcendent Realm was, by definition, a landscape revealed by a transcendent. However, the Black Tower Master¡¯s showed all the signs of being hastily concocted. It might have been powerful, but it lacked finesse. It was nothing more than a crude, unrefined blast of raw mana. That¡¯s why she wasn¡¯t worried about Ezekiel¡¯s safety. The other Tower representatives had probably sensed it too, but Hedera could feel it with absolute certainty¡ª Ezekiel¡¯s aura, his icy presence, was growing stronger, more pervasive, as if asserting its dominance. And then¡­ Crackle¡ª! Crack¡ª! The pitch-black hemispherical barrier began to crack, and through the fissures, the blue chill started to gush out incessantly. ¡®The Inspector has only been in his position for a short time¡­¡¯ The Imperial Magic Tower had been a persistent thorn in Hedera¡¯s side. But that weakness had now transformed into a sharp, piercing fang, striking down a corrupt Tower and asserting its authority over the entire magic world. And all of this¡­ it was all thanks to Ezekiel. ¡®He has barely taken the elixir yet.¡¯ After this incident, Ezekiel was promised the Sun Elixir. How much more would he achieve then? Hedera found it difficult to predict. Could it be¡­? Would she, one day, bear witness to Ezekiel¡¯s own Transcendent Realm? Shatter¡ª! At that moment, the hemispherical barrier finally shattered completely. It was a clear indication to everyone that Teddy Devine¡¯s final desperate struggle had ended in failure. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­!¡± ¡°Gasp¡ª!¡± ¡°Incredible! The Imperial Magic Tower Inspector!¡± Gasps of amazement and awe echoed through the hall, but Hedera was lost in thought. She suddenly remembered Solana¡¯s words:? ¡ªSo, what have you done for him? How much further Ezekiel¡¯s achievements would go? Whether Ezekiel would one day reach the Transcendent Realm? What Ezekiel would do? Those things didn¡¯t matter. ¡°What can I do for him¡­?¡± she murmured. Yes, this was what mattered now. Whatever Ezekiel chose to do, Hedera would be by his side, offering her unwavering support. She would be his ally, his confidante. But what could she offer, specifically? What unique contribution could she make? ¡°¡­Because he¡¯s my Inspector, I will take care of him.¡± Hedera quietly murmured. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The Imperial Magic Tower inspector¡¯s complete victory sent shockwaves through the exchange meeting hall. The atmosphere shifted dramatically. ¡°Seize the Black Tower mages!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let a single one escape!¡± The other Towers joined forces to apprehend the Black Tower mages. ¡°Aaaargh!¡± Screams echoed through the hall as the Black Tower mages, scattered throughout the space, were swiftly subdued. Those who surrendered were merely restrained, but those who dared resist were executed without hesitation. ¡®¡­No, the Black Tower has no chance here.¡¯ A Black Tower spy, concealed under a cloak of invisibility, made a decision. Boom¡ª! Crash¡ª! Crack¡ª! He scanned the chaotic scene, searching for an escape route. Survival was his top priority. He¡¯d been fortunate enough to have cast an invisibility spell before the chaos erupted. The spy clutched a scroll hidden beneath his cloak. ¡®I must protect this. Where should I flee to first? The Demon Realm? Yes, that would be better.¡¯ The scroll contained a wealth of confidential information ¡ª the location where the former Black Tower Master was being held, the gruesome details of the Black Tower¡¯s necromantic experiments¡­ It would surely be valued, even in the Demon Realm. ¡°Help! Someone, help!¡± ¡°Aaaaagh!¡± The attendees had been divided into three distinct groups¡­ ¡­the Imperial Magic Tower; ¡­those condemned by the Imperial Magic Tower; and ¡­those who sided with the Imperial Magic Tower. Yes, the most critical point was that the Imperial Magic Tower had firmly taken the center stage. The scales of importance had tipped overwhelmingly. The other Mage Towers weren¡¯t fools. They quickly calculated their options, assessing the situation and determining the best course of action. ¡°Capture everyone you can!¡± ¡°Show no mercy!¡± They chose to align themselves with the Imperial Magic Tower. Swoosh¡ª! The spy, shrouded in invisibility, moved swiftly through the hall. He couldn¡¯t remember the last time he¡¯d felt this desperate to escape. But an even greater sense of unease gnawed at him, overriding the fear. It was unsettling, seeing all the Magic Towers united under the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s banner.?? Today, it was assumed that it would be the Imperial Magic Tower that would be trampled upon¡­ ¡°Just save your life, there will definitely be opportunities if you live!¡± The spy had nearly reached the exit. Just as he was about to cross the threshold. ¡°Where are you going in such a hurry, to the bathroom?¡± Whack¡ª! Something struck the spy right on the forehead. ¡°Ugh!¡± If he had been even slightly off, his neck would¡¯ve snapped. With a tremendous amount of force, the spy flew through the air and crashed to the floor in an ungainly heap. Thud! Thud! Thud! He was pushed so hard that he repeatedly bounced on the ground, hitting his head multiple times before he stopped ¡°Grrr¡­ my head, my head¡­¡± Twisting in pain, the spy barely managed to raise his head. A man was looking down at him. Ezekiel. The Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, that was him. He flipped through the scroll, commenting, ¡°I expected it, but to think they wouldn¡¯t even treat the former Black Tower Master with respect. Imprisoning an innocent mage? What a bunch of clowns.¡± ¡°¡­¡­..?¡± The spy¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Huh?¡± He began to frantically search through his belongings. Empty. The scroll has already been taken. ¡®When did he¡­?¡¯ The spy didn¡¯t even notice when Ezekiel had appeared or how he had snatched the scroll. The Inspector¡¯s power was beyond his ability to even comprehend. ¡°¡­.¡± His astonishment was so great that he forgot about the pain for a moment. He could only stare blankly at the Inspector. ¡°Hey.¡± Finally, Ezekiel spoke. He tossed a pair of ice-wrought handcuffs at the spy. ¡°If you¡¯re going to leech off the continent, at least fulfill your duty as a mage. Don¡¯t even think about going to the Demon Realm.¡± ¡°W-We have our reasons!¡± The spy protested. ¡°You were the ones who discriminated against and ostracized us first!¡± ¡°Wow¡­.¡± Ezekiel nodded as if greatly impressed. ¡°Just like I¡¯d expect, saying the exact same things.¡± ¡°¡­What? The same as who?¡± ¡°Who else? Teddy Devine.¡± Ezekiel lit a sunweed. ¡°What do you think happened to her?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­.¡± The spy¡¯s gaze drifted towards Ezekiel¡¯s shoulder. An ice spear was resting there, impaled through the chest of a young girl¡¯s corpse. She dangled limply from the spearhead. ¡°¡­¡­..¡­.¡± The moment he recognized her as Teddy Devine, The spy silently picked up the ice handcuffs. Click¡ª! Without a word, he fastened them onto his own wrists. They were a perfect fit. ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ¡°Indeed, truly amazing¡­¡± Agnes murmured quietly. She hadn¡¯t fully grasped the gravity of the situation until now. But with the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s judgment nearing its end, a sense of awe washed over her, sending shivers down her spine. ¡°So this is what ¡®punishment¡¯ and ¡®judgment¡¯ truly mean.¡± It was completely different from simply issuing warnings and fines on paper. This was about extinguishing the very life of those who committed grave sins. It was truly terrifying. Meanwhile, Tether sat there in a daze. Agnes quietly approached her and spoke. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s almost over. You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± ¡°What did I really do?¡± Tether replied, her voice slightly subdued. ¡°I thought I trained diligently enough, but today, I felt utterly powerless. It makes me wonder how pathetic I am, and how much I need to reflect on myself¡­.¡± Pathetic was not the right word. Both Tether and Agnes had faithfully carried out their assigned duties. They might not have accomplished extraordinary feats, but they hadn¡¯t shirked their responsibilities either. However, Agnes could also understand Tether¡¯s feelings. ¡®It¡¯s because the standard has become impossibly high.¡¯ The sin of witnessing Ezekiel¡¯s power firsthand¡ª there was no other explanation. When one witnesses true excellence, it initially inspires admiration. But soon after comes the realization of one¡¯s own shortcomings, leading to despair. Agnes herself had experienced a similar sentiment, so she understood Tether¡¯s feelings well. Furthermore, Tether had no idea about Ezekiel¡¯s past. He must have seemed like a genius who appeared out of thin air, leaving her to wonder about the source of his extraordinary abilities. ¡°Tether, do not let yourself become dispirited.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­¡± ¡°The Inspector might be exceptionally amazing, and compared to him, our current level might seem insignificant. But that doesn¡¯t mean we should fall into despair.¡± ¡°Uh¡­.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s work harder. To be the best versions of ourselves.¡± ¡°Agnessssss!¡± Tether¡¯s face was filled with gratitude. She sprang up and hugged Agnes tightly. ¡°I always thought you were scary because of your stoic expression, but you¡¯re such a warm person! Agnessss!¡± ¡°No, but suddenly clinging to me like this¡­.¡± Just as Agnes was about to push Tether away¡ª ¡°Agnes, so you know how to give compliments? I wasn¡¯t aware.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice suddenly rang out. Agnes jumped in surprise, like a startled frog. ¡°Were you listening this whole time? Since when?¡± ¡°Well, I think I heard almost everything.¡± ¡°Oh¡­!¡± Agnes¡¯s face turned as red as a matchstick. It felt like the slightest breeze would set her aflame. ¡°Aha, to think you held such admiration for me deep down.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not admiration! Well, it is, but¡­.¡± Agnes hastily added.. ¡°Comforting Lady Tether was my top priority. In other words, what I said was a necessary lie for the mission. Low morale leads to decreased combat effectiveness¡­.¡± sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As she was speaking, Agnes suddenly stopped. It was as if time itself had frozen. Ezekiel, who had been playfully listening, tilted his head slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Was it that unpleasant to hear?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that¡­.¡± Agnes thought carefully. She was the only one who knew Ezekiel¡¯s past. In other words, no one else had ever acknowledged his past struggles. ¡­Shouldn¡¯t at least she, of all people, offer him some words of praise? And wouldn¡¯t that be something only she could do? ¡°Ahem¡­.¡± Agnes cleared her throat and stood in front of Ezekiel. ¡°Excuse me, Inspector.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°About this mission, good¡­.¡± ¡°Good?¡± Agnes nodded. ¡°Yes, good¡­.¡± The problem was that Agnes had absolutely no experience expressing such sentiments. She may have uttered empty pleasantries in the past, but never had she spoken from the heart. Her face felt like it was about to burst into flames. ¡°Good¡­ good¡­ good¡­¡± ¡°Ooh~ Do you have a problem?¡± At that moment, Tether intervened. Her eyes twinkled with an awareness of the subtle atmosphere between the young man and woman. It was as if her gossip radar had detected something interesting. ¡°I do have a problem, but it¡¯s not that kind of ¡®good¡¯. It¡¯s ¡®good¡¯¡­.¡± ¡°Good? Are you hungry?¡± ¡°¡­No. Please be quiet for a moment.¡± ¡°Then is it ¡®good¡¯ as in pain? Broken? Chili pepper? Lonely?¡± Tether¡¯s rambling seemed endless. Agnes could practically feel her eagerness to stoke the flames. ¡°Just what could it be? ¡®Good¡¯ as in employment? Frustrating? High-quality? Advice? Unique? Headstrong? Extreme? Connection? Bread? Pulse? High score? High performance? High income? Exclusive edition? High-altitude herb? High yield?¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°Do you mean ¡®good¡¯ as in stale? Clothes dryer? High-yield bond? Dry socket? Proprioceptor? Basilar membrane? Primary ovarian insufficiency? High-angle fire? Fixed support? Anchor symbol? Fine finishing? Thermophilic plant? High-pressure opening and closing? High Commissioner? Usury? Eardrum groove¡ª¡± ¡°¡­Stop it, just stop!¡± Flick¡ª! Finally, Agnes thrust something towards Ezekiel. It was her own right hand, held out stiffly in a handshake. ¡°Good¡­ good¡­ good work¡­! Inspector!¡± Her face was bright red, as if it were about to explode. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± A moment of silence fell. Ezekiel blinked in surprise, and Tether let out a sudden, ¡°Woohoo!¡± But that was when it happened. Whoooosh¡ª! ¡°¡­.¡­.!¡± Agnes shuddered involuntarily. An ominous, bloodthirsty mana washed over her. ¡®¡­What is this?¡¯ The source of the mana was above them. Where the Second Imperial Princess resided. And that wasn¡¯t all. ¡ªThe three of you. Come see me for a moment. A sudden, thunderous voice echoed in their minds. Chapter 91: Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (2) ? Chapter 91 ¨C Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (2) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? Before the Second Princess Hedera, the Imperial Magic Tower delegation stood. They were unsure of the exact reason for Hedera¡¯s summons. However, all three instinctively understood one thing¡ª the atmosphere was delicate. ¡ª Why have we been called here? Tether sent a nervous telepathic message. ¡ª Did I do something wrong¡­? Whatever the reason, this did not feel like a safe space. Tether had known Hedera long enough to recognize her current mood; the princess was not pleased. Tether¡¯s gaze darted towards Ezekiel. As always, wasn¡¯t Ezekiel the most reliable person in times of crisis? Or so she thought. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± She quickly realized she¡¯d placed her hopes in the wrong person. The Inspector¡¯s expression was just as unreadable as ever. ¡ª Um, Inspector. Do you have any insights? ¡ª What in the world is going on? ¡ª ¡­ Well, she probably called us because she wants to hear a report. ¡ª Aha! But what was with this oppressive atmosphere? ¡­Just what was the source of this foreboding feeling? Just as Tether was about to speak up again¡ª ¡°Have some manners. That¡¯s enough telepathic chatter.¡± BEEEEEEP¡ª! With a single word from Hedera, the telepathic communication was completely severed. The power of her command easily surpassed any ordinary magic. ¡°Hmm.¡± Hedera tapped her fingernails against the armrest, her gaze sweeping over each member of the Imperial Magic Tower personnel standing before her. ¡°Now, where should I begin?¡± She paused for a moment, as if in thought. ¡°You¡¯ve all worked hard.¡± ¡°I was merely doing my duty as an Inspector.¡± Ezekiel bowed his head respectfully. ¡°Is there anything more admirable than carrying out one¡¯s duties with such unwavering diligence? You deserve to be commended.¡± Hedera knew very well that this was not a simple matter that had been resolved by chance. The Imperial Magic Tower personnel, especially Ezekiel, had performed exceptionally well. Lifting a teacup to her lips, Hedera spoke. ¡°Tether.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Despite being my secretary, you accompanied the Inspector on this mission. Tell me, what are your reflections on this experience?¡± ¡°Well, now that you ask me to explain¡­¡± At that moment, Hedera¡¯s and Tether¡¯s eyes met. ¡°Yes. I learned a great deal. Where should I even begin? Allow me to elaborate on everything.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve come to truly understand the indispensable role the Imperial Magic Tower plays in serving Your Highness. Rest assured, the Imperial Magic Tower will continue to be your unwavering support.¡± Hedera nodded silently. ¡°The end?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it? That¡¯s all you¡¯ve learned?¡± ¡°Oh¡­.¡± For a brief moment, Tether¡¯s mind raced. Then, a realization struck her, and she found the ¡®correct¡¯ answer. ¡°¡­Of course, there¡¯s more!¡± Tether quickly flashed a bright smile. ¡°I was deeply moved by the Inspector¡¯s unwavering devotion to Your Highness! He poured his heart and soul into this mission because it was for Your Highness¡¯s tower, you see!¡± ¡°¡­Is that so?¡± It was subtle, but all three of them noticed it. Hedera¡¯s demeanor brightened, just slightly. The princess¡¯s gaze shifted to Ezekiel. ¡°Inspector, did you really say such a thing?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Ezekiel averted his gaze, a faint blush creeping up his neck. Now it was Agnes¡¯s turn to be subjected to the princess¡¯s scrutiny. ¡°The Inspector¡¯s secretary.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± ¡°And what are your thoughts?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made a number of observations.¡± Agnes¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Your Highness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower can no longer afford to be what it once was.¡± ¡°What exactly do you mean by that?¡± Hedera fixed her gaze on Agnes. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°First and foremost, the success of this mission was truly remarkable.¡± ¡°Are you saying you wanted to express how remarkable the Imperial Magic Tower is?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct, but what I want to convey to you, Your Highness, is a slightly different matter.¡± Agnes paused, taking a deep breath. ¡°Truth be told, the Imperial Magic Tower should have collapsed today.¡± Hedera slowly closed and opened her eyes. ¡°It should have collapsed?¡± ¡°Yes. Prioritizing leisure over duty, postponing tasks¡ªsuch laxity had become the norm, with little regard for productivity or tangible results.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s certainly true.¡± ¡°As a result, today¡¯s exchange was meant to be our downfall, a public spectacle of our incompetence. In a way, it was only fitting.¡± ¡°¡­You speak the truth.¡± Hedera nodded slightly in agreement. What is unremarkable receives the treatment it deserves, and what is beautiful is considered beautiful ¡ª isn¡¯t that the way of the world? The Imperial Magic Tower was naturally destined to fail. ¡°However, the Inspector averted that outcome.¡± ¡°Hmmm.¡± ¡°The problem is that this accomplishment was solely due to the Inspector¡¯s efforts. It was not a testament to the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s capabilities.¡± Agnes continued, her tone measured and calm. ¡°With suspicions surrounding the Imperial Magic Tower now dispelled, a wave of individuals harboring high expectations will soon come knocking at our door.¡± ¡°That is to be expected.¡± ¡°Should the Inspector find himself preoccupied or burdened with multiple tasks, it will undoubtedly create a difficult situation.¡± Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Tap¡ª! Hedera drummed her fingers against the armrest thoughtfully.? ¡°It has become clear to me that the Imperial Magic Tower must now strive for excellence, even if it means pushing ourselves to our very limits. It will be a challenging endeavor, but as the secretary, I am prepared to give it my all.¡± With that, Agnes concluded her report. Hedera¡¯s expression remained unreadable. Not that it was easy to decipher, with half of her face concealed behind a mask. And yet¡ª ¡°I¡¯m pleased.¡± Hedera¡¯s words came as a surprise. Tether¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment, but Hedera continued speaking in an even, measured tone. ¡°I never expected to find a mage who cares so deeply for the Imperial Magic Tower. And you¡¯re relatively new to the position, if I¡¯m not mistaken. Your loyalty is admirable.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Agnes nodded curtly, accepting the compliment without a trace of arrogance. ¡°Though my tenure as a secretary has been short, I have a history with the Imperial Magic Tower. I¡¯ve always wished for its success, but until now, Your Highness was absent, and a capable Inspector was nowhere to be found.¡± Hedera chuckled lightly at Agnes¡¯s straightforward answer. ¡°Those words sound almost like an accusation. It¡¯s true I was absent, and it¡¯s my fault for not appointing a capable inspector. Well, it is my responsibility.¡± Agnes quickly lowered her head in a gesture of respect. ¡°Those were not my intentions at all, Your Highness. It seems my excitement over the current circumstances has led to a slip of the tongue.¡± ¡°I¡¯m only teasing, Agnes. Relax, there¡¯s no need to be so formal.¡± Hedera reached into her robes and retrieved a small object. Agnes stepped forward and received it with both hands, her movements cautious and respectful. It was a thin, gleaming gold bar. ¡°Here. Consider this a token of my appreciation.¡± Tether gasped audibly. ¡°Whoa¡­!¡± She even made a sound without realizing it. The amount Hedera gave to Agnes was so staggering that it far exceeded the usual rewards. ¡°It is only fitting that I reward such thoughtfulness towards my beloved tower. I trust you will continue to serve with the utmost dedication.¡± ¡°This is far too much.¡± Agnes began cautiously. ¡°Would it be presumptuous of me to perhaps, return this gold bar?¡± ¡°Nonsense. Keep it.¡± Hedera waved a dismissive hand. ¡°It¡¯s a modest sum, all things considered. Enough to last you until you retire, perhaps.¡± Hedera¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. ¡°Should you ever feel overwhelmed, don¡¯t hesitate to take a break. Whether it¡¯s a few days or a few months, don¡¯t feel pressured to rush back. You¡¯re a wealthy woman now; surely there are places you¡¯d like to visit, things you¡¯d like to see.¡± ¡°There may be tiring days, but I will never take a rest, Your Highness. I have been taught that responsibility is of utmost importance.¡± ¡°You always say the right things.¡± When Hedera lifted her teacup, everyone quickly lowered their heads. It was considered disrespectful to look directly upon the Second Princess as she took her tea, especially with her mask lowered. ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± ¡°As you pointed out, the Imperial Magic Tower is currently¡­ lacking in many areas. There¡¯s no need for you to remain confined to a secretarial role, if that¡¯s not your true calling. Should a more suitable position arise, I¡¯ll gladly offer it to you.¡± ¡°My abilities are insufficient for anything other than the secretary role, Your Highness. Should I be moved, it would undoubtedly cause significant inconvenience. I wish to remain in the secretary position if possible.¡± Agnes kept her gaze lowered, her demeanor the picture of respect and decorum. Hedera observed her for a moment, her expression unreadable. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Tether, meanwhile, glanced between the two women, trying to decipher the strange atmosphere that had settled over them. ¡®What¡¯s this atmosphere?¡¯ On the surface, their conversation seemed perfectly pleasant, even encouraging. But something about it felt¡­ off. An undercurrent of tension, subtle but undeniable. Almost¡­ flirtatious. And at the center of it all¡ª Ezekiel. Both the Princess and Agnes had been glancing at Ezekiel from time to time since earlier. Tether was not ignorant of this tension. Then, a sudden, strong thought hit her. Wait. Could it be? Tether blinked rapidly, trying to dismiss the idea as ridiculous. ¡­Are they¡­ fighting over him? Chapter 92: Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (3) ? Chapter 93 ¨C Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (3) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? The conversation, which had continued for a while, ended with Second Princess Hedera briefly asking after their well-being. Tether and Agnes were then sent down below. Thus, Ezekiel and Hedera were left alone. ¡®Honestly, Agnes can be so clueless sometimes.¡¯ Ezekiel thought quietly to himself. Agnes had somewhat irked Hedera, leaving a less than favorable atmosphere. However, it wasn¡¯t entirely unexpected; Agnes had always been rigidly formal and strictly by the book. Which, to put it simply, meant that she often lacked social awareness. It was at that moment that Hedera spoke. ¡°Now, there¡¯s only the Inspector left to inquire.¡± ¡°I will do my best to answer anything, Your Highness.¡± ¡°I heard you performed your duties while dressed in family attire during this outing.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± This was an unexpected, and somewhat awkward, line of questioning. He had anticipated a certain tension, given the circumstances, but he hadn¡¯t expected her to be concerned about something like this. ¡®Or perhaps¡­ I should consider myself fortunate.¡¯ Recalling the dynamics of the Imperial family, Ezekiel knew that this was a detail that wouldn¡¯t have escaped the attention of the other princesses either. It was a relief, in a way, that Hedera was the only one who had brought it up. ¡°Could it be that you and your secretary¡ª?¡± ¡°Tether urgently brought the clothes, and they were family garments left over from a previous relief distribution. We had no choice but to wear them.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°We had to conceal our identities, so it was necessary.¡± Ezekiel placed extra emphasis on the word ¡®necessity,¡¯ driving home the point that he¡¯d had no other choice. It wasn¡¯t technically a lie, which eased his conscience. And perhaps sensing his sincerity, Hedera nodded in understanding. ¡°Well¡­ I suppose that could be the case.¡± The tension in the air seemed to dissipate. Was this aspect more concerning to her than the performance of the Imperial Magic Tower? Considering that even the Third Princess would have her eyes wide open, he resolved to be even more cautious in the future. The misunderstanding, at least, seemed to be cleared. However, Hedera wasn¡¯t finished speaking. ¡°Inspector,¡± she began again. ¡°Yes, Your Highness?¡± ¡°Is it alright if I give you a simple task?¡± ¡°Of course, Your Highness. Anything.¡± Hedera blinked slowly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t even ask what it is before agreeing. Such loyalty¡­ my Inspector.¡± ¡°Because it is your command, Princess.¡± ¡°¡­I am truly grateful.¡± Her voice softened slightly. ¡°It¡¯s quite simple, really. All you have to do is speak. I¡¯ll say a word, and you¡¯ll respond with the first thing that comes to mind. Just a simple word association game.¡± At a glance, it certainly didn¡¯t seem like a difficult task. But then, Hedera added cautiously, ¡°If I may, might I employ Dragon Speech?¡± ¡°Of course, Your Highness. It should pose no problem.¡± Although the thought of being controlled by Dragon Speech might be uncomfortable, he had no reason to feel guilty. Better to gain Hedera¡¯s trust than raise unnecessary suspicion. With a slow, deliberate movement, Hedera lowered her mask. ¡°My inspector, from now on, after hearing a word, you are to speak the first word that comes to mind.¡± At the same time, the telltale pressure of Dragon Speech settled over him, a sensation both familiar and unsettling. ¡®She¡¯s gotten stronger.¡¯ The power behind Hedera¡¯s Dragon Speech was significantly greater than before. Clearly, Ezekiel wasn¡¯t the only one who had grown stronger in the intervening years. ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s begin.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ezekiel nodded, bracing himself for whatever probing questions she might ask. If a truly concerning question arose, he would try to resist the Dragon Speech as much as possible. That was the resolve¡ªor something akin to it. But¡­ ¡­His worries proved unfounded. Her questions, at least initially, were disarmingly mundane. ¡°Tether?¡± ¡°The Second Princess¡¯s secretary.¡± ¡°Agnes?¡± ¡°My secretary.¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower?¡± ¡°Work.¡± ¡°The First Princess?¡± ¡°Fear.¡± ¡°¡­Good. One last question,¡± Hedera said, her expression turning serious. She took a deep breath, and Ezekiel felt a surge of apprehension. What could she possibly ask that would warrant this level of intensity? Finally, Hedera spoke. ¡°Me. Hedera.¡± Whoooosh¡ª! The pressure of her Dragon Speech intensified tenfold, squeezing him in a vice-like grip. He hadn¡¯t expected her to amplify it to such a degree. ¡®¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡¯ Caught off guard, Ezekiel was powerless to resist. His mouth moved, uttering the first word that sprang into his mind. ¡°¡­Happiness?¡± The moment the word left his lips, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The coldness that had been present in Hedera¡¯s eyes only moments ago vanished entirely, replaced by a warmth that made Ezekiel¡¯s heart skip a beat. ¡°You see? I knew it. My Inspector.¡± A genuine smile spread across Hedera¡¯s face¡ªa rare and breathtaking sight. ¡°¡­You¡¯ve done well. My Inspector.¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? Downstairs, on a lower floor of the exchange meeting hall¡­ ¡®I managed to get through it somehow.¡¯ As Ezekiel breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had overcome the biggest hurdle of this outing, Agnes suddenly bowed her head in apology. ¡°Inspector, I¡¯m sorry. I seem to have inadvertently disconcerted the Second Princess.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°It was my first time in the presence of such an esteemed individual. I fear my inexperience reflected poorly on you, and for that, I am truly sorry.¡± Ezekiel waved his hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal. ¡°I¡¯m fine. If it really bothers you, you can make up for it by doing better the next time you face the Princess.¡± A strange sense of dissonance settled over Agnes. ¡®¡­Why am I apologizing to the Inspector again?¡¯ The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Agnes had disconcerted the Second Princess, so it would be more appropriate to apologize to her, not Ezekiel. No, she needed to think further back. ¡®Why did I act that way in the first place?¡¯ Agnes was a woman who strictly followed manuals. She knew better than anyone what kind of status Hedera held and was well-versed in the proper etiquettes due to someone of her stature. She had a plethora of guidelines to follow. Yet, she had just defied them all. Erase oneself, follow the will, maintain decorum¡­. Agnes had flagrantly violated all of these. She had failed to erase her own ego. Why? Agnes¡¯s question was simply, why. Why had she, who prized and loved following manuals above all else, violated them? ¡®¡­Could it be because of the Inspector?¡¯ The cause soon dawned on her. It was because of Ezekiel. She, who lived her life strictly following the responses written in manuals, had for the first time, begun to act according to her own feelings. Her life had started to change. Could the Inspector be the catalyst for this newfound spontaneity? ¡­Unfamiliar. It felt incredibly unfamiliar. Regardless, setting aside these distracting thoughts, Agnes asked, ¡°Inspector, what should we do now?¡± ¡°Well¡­ honestly, we can return immediately without any issue.¡± ¡°Pardon? But what about the rest of the exchange meeting? We haven¡¯t even given our presentation yet.¡± Agnes tilted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit odd to leave before participating? Then again, even if we did participate, it would be problematic. Aside from your recent accomplishment, the Imperial Magic Tower doesn¡¯t have much to offer this year.¡± She looked at Ezekiel expectantly, as if awaiting an explanation. He, in turn, looked back at her with an equally puzzled expression. ¡°Where could you find a better presentation material than that?¡± Ezekiel jerked his chin towards a darkened corner of the room. There, impaled upon the end of his ice spear, hung the corpse of Teddy Devine. Beside her lay the purified demonic sword, pulsing faintly in the dim light. ¡°We¡¯ll just present that.¡± ¡°Ah¡­.¡± ¡­Come to think of it, he was right! ¡°I suppose that solves the issue of our presentation. So, are we to return to the Imperial Magic Tower immediately?¡± ¡°Agnes. What do you think we should do?¡± ¡°Well¡­.¡± Agnes spun her data cube between her fingers, her brow furrowed in thought. ¡°We¡¯ve secured a significant victory and even managed to turn our lackluster presentation into an advantage. Logically, the most prudent course of action would be to return to the Imperial Magic Tower swiftly to avoid any unforeseen complications.¡± ¡°Oh, Agnes, you¡¯re thinking too small!¡± Ezekiel shook his head, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°Return, satisfied with just this? No way.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Agnes blinked, her expression carefully blank. ¡°¡­Are you saying there¡¯s more to gain?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± Ezekiel nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve already forgotten about the forbidden magic?¡± ¡°Ah, the forbidden magic¡­!¡± Agnes rarely showed such excitement. However, she still seemed puzzled as she continued to tilt her head in confusion. ¡°Um, Inspector.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°When you¡­ acquired the spell from the Blue Magic Tower, wasn¡¯t it through a duel?¡± ¡°Indeed. Though it wasn¡¯t a duel we¡¯d initiated.¡± ¡°Back then, everyone held the Imperial Magic Tower in low regard. There was no trust, only suspicion.¡± A thoughtful frown creased Agnes¡¯s brow as she spun her data cube once more. ¡°But things are different now, are they not?¡± ¡°I swear, my secretary can be so frustratingly obtuse sometimes.¡± With a sigh of exasperation, Ezekiel reached out and pressed his ice-cold hand against the back of Agnes¡¯s neck. She yelped in surprise, her body trembling slightly at the unexpected contact. ¡°What, what, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Magic, it¡¯s not something you can only see in a fight, right?¡± With that cryptic statement, Ezekiel strode confidently towards the center of the hall. ¡°Listen up, everyone!¡± He slammed the end of his ice spear against the floor, the sound echoing through the stunned silence that followed. ¡°We will take a ten-minute recess, after which I expect to hear presentations from each of the towers. I advise you to use this time to prepare accordingly.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± ¡­He can do that? Had Agnes been overthinking things this entire time? No. Impossible. ¡­It was simply that the Inspector had a knack for making even the most improbable feats seem effortless¡­. And he did it so effortlessly, too. Agnes quietly observed the atmosphere of the other magic towers. And she was astonished. Their faces, troubled and tense, were expressions she had seen before. It was the same expression she used to see on the faces of her fellow students back in the academy when confronted with a particularly daunting group project. ¡°¡­Incredible. Simply incredible.¡± Words failed her. It was the only appropriate response to the unfolding spectacle. Chapter 93: Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (4) ? Chapter 93 ¨C Not A Battle of Wits, But A Warm Celebration of Spirit (4) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ????????????????????? After the presentations from the Magic Towers, two days flew by quickly. Conventionally, the remaining days of the exchange meeting were dedicated to socializing. It wasn¡¯t uncommon for young mages to find love amidst the bustling environment. However, the Imperial Magic Tower was an exception. Hedera swiftly issued orders, summoning all the mages back to their quarters in the Black Tower. The notes taken by the inspector during the other towers¡¯ presentations needed to be meticulously reviewed, transcribed, and compiled into scrolls. As a result, the situation quickly became urgent. ¡°Are we really going to turn each tower¡¯s advanced technologies into scrolls?¡± ¡°The Green Tower¡¯s high-level magic? I¡­ I¡¯m not sure we have scrolls large enough to contain it. What do we do?¡± ¡°What do we do? We record as much of the formula as we can, of course!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the one I was using?¡± ¡°Hey! That¡¯s not mine! Ugh, they¡¯re all mixed up again!¡± Creating even one scroll perfectly would be an immense benefit to the Imperial Magic Tower. But turning dozens into scrolls all at once¡­ ¡°Everyone, please calm down,¡± Agnes said, attempting to soothe the agitated mages. ¡°Precision takes precedence over speed. It won¡¯t reflect well on us if we appear too flustered.¡± ¡°No! This is too exhilarating to stay calm!¡± Nox, a specialist in scroll creation from the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s practical faction, exclaimed, pushing up his spectacles. ¡°Stealing the advanced techniques of each tower and turning them into scrolls? Has there ever been a more significant accomplishment? We¡¯ve never experienced anything like this before!¡± ¡°¡­Yes, well, that¡¯s true.¡± The idea wasn¡¯t about selling these scrolls for profit. It was about significantly broadening the scope of magical research within the Imperial Magic Tower by retaining this information. Nox continued, his voice brimming with excitement, ¡°To put it bluntly, if our research based on these scrolls progresses exceptionally well? We could potentially see secret techniques from other towers being developed right here in the Imperial Magic Tower!¡± The other mages gasped, marvelling at the possibilities. ¡°How did the Imperial Magic Tower get so lucky?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it! It¡¯s incredible!¡± Agnes nodded quietly. ¡°Well, we haven¡¯t had an inspector before.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The other Imperial Magic Tower mages blinked in surprise. Agnes, complimenting the Inspector? The Agnes who always had something negative to say about him? ¡°In the future, even more amazing things might happen. Let¡¯s all give our best effort.¡± Although the members of the Imperial Magic Tower didn¡¯t know the full details, it was undeniably a remarkable event. There was no reason not to work hard. Just then, the door to their quarters opened. A Imperial Magic Tower mage entered, carrying a bulging sack. ¡°Agnes, I brought them.¡± ¡°Ah, good work.¡± Agnes hurriedly took the sack, the glass containers within clinking as they shifted. Several flask necks protruded awkwardly from the opening. ¡°Agnes, is that¡­?¡± ¡°A collection of elixirs, one or two from each tower. I thought it would be a good idea to offer them all to the inspector.¡± ¡°One looks like frost, the other like lava¡­ Aren¡¯t those elixirs with opposing properties?¡± ¡°I intend to give him all of them.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡­The inspector wasn¡¯t a cauldron, was he? ¡­Even a cauldron couldn¡¯t withstand such a concoction. ¡­Was it even safe for a human to consume such a thing? In the end, no one voiced their concerns. Tether, the second princess¡¯s aide, was assisting the Imperial Magic Tower mages. She observed the scene, a pleased smile gracing her lips. ¡®The atmosphere has changed so much.¡¯ She recalled the former state of the Imperial Magic Tower. Hedera¡¯s past expressions alone were enough to illustrate the dramatic shift. Whenever the second princess reviewed documents related to the Imperial Magic Tower, she¡¯d always let out a heavy sigh. Of course, the situation was the same during her visits. The mages of the Imperial Magic Tower always seemed indifferent and stressed, with sunken eyes. ¡°What the¡ª! I put it in correctly, so why isn¡¯t it activating!¡± ¡°Huh? Wait, why is it working when I put it in wrong?¡± And yet, now it was bustling with energy. Even if it was somewhat comical, it didn¡¯t matter. Just seeing everyone vibrant and united in their efforts was heartwarming. And it was all thanks to¡­ ¡®Inspector Ezekiel.¡¯ Amazingly, he had accomplished this transformation single-handedly. That was why no one objected to giving all those precious elixirs to the inspector. Everyone knew very well. There was something only Ezekiel could accomplish, and he was bringing tremendous benefits to the Imperial Magic Tower. So, the work continued for quite some time. ?Naturally, there were obstacles to face. ¡°Agnes, I don¡¯t understand this at all,¡± one mage confessed. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to replicate this,¡± another added. Agnes, faced with a room full of confused mages, offered words of encouragement. ¡°We have to try our best. What else can we do?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should ask the inspector himself?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t exaggerate,¡± Agnes scolded. ¡°It¡¯s not an exaggeration! Look at this¡­¡± A mage thrust a crumpled note into Agnes¡¯s hand, his voice trembling. [3, 4, 213. It¡¯s easy, no explanation needed.] ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Agnes stared at the note, speechless. ¡®What is this?¡¯ It seemed like Ezekiel had jotted down notes after observing the magic from other towers, but the problem was that even Agnes couldn¡¯t understand any of it. And the final line was the real kicker. [It¡¯s easy, no explanation needed.] ¡°¡­Easy? What exactly is easy?¡± She muttered to herself, bewildered. Agnes looked around the room, finally noticing the stark contrast. The mages who were working with her notes and Tether¡¯s notes were making progress, busily constructing replicas of the demonstrated techniques. The mages huddled around Ezekiel¡¯s notes, on the other hand, were tearing their hair out in frustration. ¡°Here, give me some more notes.¡± She gathered a handful of Ezekiel¡¯s notes and began to examine them. [For the Red Tower¡¯s ¡®Flowing Flame¡¯ spell manual] Raise your internal energy as shown in the diagram, then firmly grasp the circuit and prepare to manifest the fire element. Manifest the fire element, but keep the water element in mind. Slowly, reverse the flow of your internal energy¡ª Agnes¡¯s notes were¡­ thorough, to say the least. She knew so little, she had to write down everything. On the other hand, Ezekiel¡¯s notes¡­ [324, 135, 1333. Weakly.] ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± [¡û¡ü¡ú¡ý¨J¨L¡ú¡ú¡ü Manifest ] ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­?¡± What even was this? sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His notes were the complete opposite of hers. Ezekiel knew so much that he didn¡¯t need to waste time writing lengthy explanations. The problem was¡­ the other Imperial Magic Tower mages couldn¡¯t understand his shorthand. Agnes sighed, massaging her temples. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll have to ask him later.¡± The inspector, even after meticulously documenting all the presentations, had left for the social gathering, muttering something about not being satisfied with the amount of information he¡¯d gathered. Which meant he wasn¡¯t currently available. Just then¡­ ¡°You¡¯re all working hard.¡± Hedera, the second princess and master of the Imperial Magic Tower, entered the room, her characteristic elegant aura preceding her. ¡°Greetings, Master of the Imperial Magic Tower, Second Princess!¡± All the mages paused their work and rose to their feet, bowing respectfully. Hedera, seemingly unfazed by the chaotic state of the spacious quarters, nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°You¡¯ve all been working diligently. Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± The mages averted their gazes at her words. ¡­It was already her tenth visit today. And judging by the current trend¡ª a visit roughly every hour¡ª they anticipated many more to come. ¡®Why don¡¯t you just stay here?¡¯ The mages couldn¡¯t help but think, silently, of course. Having to interrupt their concentration every hour to rush over and greet the princess was more taxing than they¡¯d anticipated. ¡°Hmm.¡± Hedera glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the sack of elixirs. ¡°Are those¡­ elixirs?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± Agnes answered on behalf of the group. ¡°Hmm, storing them like that could be problematic¡­ Their potency might deteriorate.¡± ¡°Ah, we¡¯re planning to deliver them shortly¡­¡± ¡°And the scrolls shouldn¡¯t be exposed to contaminants. The quarters seem a bit¡­ untidy.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness. We¡¯ll be more mindful.¡± ¡°Has the inspector been here yet?¡± Agnes fiddled with her cube, a sense of frustration rising within her. It was the same scenario ¡ª the tenth time today ¡ª Hedera inquiring about the inspector, fussing over every detail. Understanding the 2nd Princess¡¯s deep concern for the inspector was one thing, but having to stop work, show formalities, and answer various questions each time was causing significant delays. Finally, Agnes spoke up. ¡°Your Highness.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Agnes¡¯s words came out slowly, carefully chosen. ¡°I will¡­ take care of it.¡± Silence descended upon the room. Tether, observing the exchange from the sidelines, swallowed nervously. This subtle power struggle¡­ Or rather¡­ this bizarre display of courtesy¡­ was far from over. Chapter 94: Ezekiel 223.38 (1) ? Chapter 94 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (1) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ????????????????????? ¡°I will¡­ take care of it, Your Highness.¡± Silence fell upon the room. Everyone anxiously watched Hedera¡¯s reaction, but fortunately, she didn¡¯t seem overly displeased, at least outwardly. ¡°I¡¯m not doubting your abilities. It¡¯s just that this¡­ project is of the utmost importance. As master of the Imperial Magic Tower, I must monitor the situation periodically.¡± Agnes sighed internally. She¡¯d rather be subjected to grueling physical training. The princess¡¯s constant visits ¡ª every hour, on the dot ¡ª her anxious voice, her incessant questions¡­ It was driving Agnes mad. ¡°Your Highness, there¡¯s no need for you to trouble yourself with these matters. I will personally provide you with hourly reports.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± ¡°Your constant visits must be tiresome.¡± ¡°Not really.¡± ¡°Knowing that we¡¯re causing you, someone of great importance, to waste time because we haven¡¯t earned your trust makes me uncomfortable. Please, allow me to prove myself.¡± Agnes kept her head bowed, while Hedera stared intently at the back of her head. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The silence stretched on, the air thick with an uncomfortable tension. The other mages exchanged nervous glances. Finally, Hedera broke the silence. ¡°So, how long until completion?¡± ¡°At least a month, Your Highness.¡± ¡°A month? That¡¯s far too long.¡± Hedera had her reasons for being impatient. The sooner they achieved results, the sooner the emperor would reward Ezekiel. Of course, the others weren¡¯t privy to this information. Agnes responded calmly, ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower, starting from scratch, is struggling to comprehend the refined spells of the other towers. This project would¡¯ve been impossible without the inspector¡¯s assistance.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Hedera bit her lip, her expression hidden behind her mask. ¡°The progress will be much faster once the inspector returns. Please be patient until then.¡± Finally, the 2nd Princess nodded reluctantly. ¡°Very well. Let me know if you need anything.¡± ¡°All we need is the Inspector.¡± ¡°¡­That statement is¡­ rather suggestive.¡± All we need is the Inspector¡­ The exact intention behind Agnes¡¯s words was known only to her. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Hedera didn¡¯t press the matter, and Agnes didn¡¯t offer an explanation. The atmosphere grew awkward once more, but Hedera eventually turned to leave. ¡°Everyone, you¡¯ve worked hard. I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± ¡°Your Highness, please have a safe journey!¡± The magicians all bowed in unison. Only after the door was completely closed did they collectively exhale in relief. ¡°Phew, she has high expectations.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not every day we get such a golden opportunity. It¡¯s understandable.¡± Their anxiety was understandable. The Imperial Magic Tower, long neglected, was finally on the cusp of greatness. This unprecedented opportunity¡­ they had to succeed. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s all focus.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± Agnes spoke, her voice firm, ¡°We cannot afford to fail. The inspector worked tirelessly to obtain these records.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°If we can¡¯t even handle the tasks we¡¯ve been entrusted with, the Inspector will be very disappointed in the Imperial Magic Tower¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°¡­He might even resign from his position.¡± A chill settled over the room. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Can the Imperial Magic Tower even have a future¡­ without the inspector?¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± Those words were a catalyst. They all rededicated themselves to the task, working with renewed intensity. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Meanwhile, at the social gathering in the Black Tower¡­ Ezekiel found himself accompanied by Seina. Or rather, tormented by Seina, as she was clinging to his side. She didn¡¯t seem like a bad person, but¡­ ¡®Why won¡¯t she leave my side for even a second?¡¯ Ezekiel, hoping to glean some useful information from the social gathering, was finding her constant presence to be an impediment. Although, after listening to her, he could understand her perspective. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m so excited, I¡¯m rambling. But¡­ I was hoping you could share your thoughts on the ice spell I demonstrated at the Blue Tower. I worked so hard preparing for it¡­¡± Her eyes sparkled with eager anticipation. ¡°It¡¯s not every day I get to meet an ice mage of your caliber outside the Blue Tower. And now you¡¯re my master! I want to hear your opinion, I really do!¡± Seina¡¯s ice magic? Of course, Ezekiel remembered it. He¡¯d even taken notes. [ ¡û¡ü¡ú¡ý¨J¨L¡ú¡ú¡ü Manifest ] Rotate the ice mana according to the arrows, then manifest. Simple. ¡®Lying would only make things worse.¡¯ Ezekiel decided to be honest. ¡°It wasn¡¯t as impressive as I¡¯d hoped.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Her eyes widened, sparkling even brighter. ¡°As expected of my master! You saw through it!¡± ¡°Saw through what?¡± ¡°Well, now that it¡¯s clear the Imperial Magic Tower is going to win, the other towers are just¡­ throwing in the towel. They¡¯re deliberately presenting inferior spells. You¡¯re so perceptive, Master!¡± So that was why the presentations had been¡­ lackluster. Ezekiel had sensed that the other towers were holding back, presenting mediocre spells. It seemed they¡¯d resigned themselves to their inevitable defeat. ¡°You can look forward to it. One day, I¡¯ll show you my full-power ice magic. So, when will you tell me about your constitution, Master?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ordinary.¡± ¡°¡®Ordinary¡¯? I need to know every detail, down to the tiniest blood vessels and meridians, so I can learn from you! There are no secrets between master and disciple, especially in ice magic!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± A mage¡¯s meridians and blood vessels were conduits for mana. Sharing such information was akin to revealing every detail of one¡¯s magical abilities and weaknesses. Think of it as¡­ a mage¡¯s instruction manual. Knowing someone¡¯s meridian chart allowed you to deduce their strengths and weaknesses, making such a request incredibly rude and intrusive in mage society. It was like demanding to see someone¡¯s naked body. ¡°Let¡¯s take our time getting to know each other.¡± ¡°I like to move quickly.¡± Even if he wanted to share his constitution¡­ he couldn¡¯t. Ezekiel¡¯s constitution was already incredibly complex, and it was constantly changing as he absorbed more elixirs. ¡°Would you be willing to share your entire meridian chart with me?¡± ¡°Of course, if you need it. I¡¯ll even take off my clothes.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± It seemed her zeal for ice magic was far more¡­ intense than Ezekiel had anticipated. ¡°Master, shall we move on to the next gathering?¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to get tired. I was thinking of heading back.¡± ¡°Oh, are you tired? Would you like some Frost Elixir?¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re talking about Frost Elixir like it¡¯s a snack. I¡¯m fine.¡± It was absurd. Frost Elixir was an incredibly precious elixir, even within the Blue Tower. But she was dead serious. ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ There¡¯s nothing I can do for you then.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to do anything for me.¡± Even though she hadn¡¯t personally given him anything¡­ he¡¯d already received more than enough. The Frost Elixir, and her unintentional disclosure of the Blue Tower¡¯s techniques, would be immensely beneficial to the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°But, as your disciple, I must do my utmost¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not necessary. Focus on your training.¡± ¡°¡­Master!¡± To Ezekiel¡¯s surprise, she seemed genuinely touched. ¡°Your ice magic is incredible, and you¡¯re such a kind person¡­ I¡¯m so grateful to be your disciple. If you ever need anything, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. I¡¯ll do anything to help.¡± Anything¡­ Anything, huh¡­ Well, there was one thing¡­ ¡°I need to be able to access information from the other towers in real time.¡± Yes, that was why he was attending this social gathering. This particular exchange had gone well, but generally, these gatherings were infrequent. He needed to stay informed about the other towers¡ªtheir political climate, the rumors circulating, any important developments. Such information could be invaluable to the Imperial Magic Tower. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmm¡­ It¡¯s not entirely impossible. There¡¯s actually a secret online community where members from the different Mage Towers share information anonymously.¡± ¡°An anonymous community?¡± ¡°Yes. Everyone¡¯s identity is kept secret. You need a recommendation from a current member to join. I can provide that for you¡­ but the problem is¡­¡± She looked at me intently. And then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. ¡°Members of the Imperial Magic Tower are strictly prohibited from joining. But¡­ I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll figure something out, right? Just make sure you don¡¯t get caught.¡± It sounded straightforward. There was a secret online community for the five Mage Towers. And because of the sensitive nature of the information shared, members of the Imperial Magic Tower¡ª the overseers¡ªwere forbidden from participating. I couldn¡¯t help but be surprised by her willingness to help me. ¡°¡­Are you sure it¡¯s okay for you to do this for me?¡± ¡°Of course it is.¡± She raised a fist. ¡°Under the will of the great Seolgwi, we are one.¡± She winked, a playful glint in her eye. ¡°Right?¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? An hour later, I was ready to infiltrate the anonymous online community. As I entered, a rectangular window of blue mana projected before me, displaying a prompt in white text. [Please enter an alias.] ¡°¡­So it¡¯s not just anonymous.¡± This was more¡­ organized than I¡¯d anticipated. They used alias, indicating a level of seriousness and commitment. ¡°But¡­¡± This was harder than I¡¯d expected. Choosing a name. What to choose¡­ I couldn¡¯t just pick something random. And I couldn¡¯t use anything that could reveal my identity. But I also couldn¡¯t use something outlandish and unintelligible. ¡®Something that will draw attention¡­ but not too much attention. Something¡­ respectable.¡¯ A name came to mind. ¡°¡­Verd?¡± I muttered the name, testing it out. Verd, the Formless. The name of the emperor. I shook my head. It was too much. Too risky. I couldn¡¯t handle the potential fallout¡­ I quickly amended my choice. ¡°North. I¡¯ll go with North.¡± North. An unremarkable, forgettable name. But something was wrong¡­ The prompt window wasn¡¯t responding. ¡°¡­What¡¯s going on? I said North. N-O-R-T-H.¡± And then, I realized the horrifying truth. The prompt window wasn¡¯t malfunctioning. It had simply¡­ completed its task. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Before my eyes, the prompt window displayed a shocking message. [Your alias is Verd.] Huh? ¡­Huh? Chapter 95: Ezekiel 223.38 (2) ? Chapter 95 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (2) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ??[Your alias is Verd.] ¨C change in prev chap ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± For a moment, it felt like my mind went blank. Logically, such an alias should be forbidden. But then I realized how foolish that thought was. ¡®¡­No one would ever think to use that name.¡¯ There was no need to prohibit it. ¡°Cancel, redo, reset¡­¡± I frantically tried to change my alias, but¡­ ¡°Start over, begin again¡­¡± ¡­But there was no opportunity to reconfigure the alias. I had no choice but to proceed as is. [Initiating full entry into the virtual society¡­] [This virtual society is based on large-scale illusion magic.] [Please disable your illusion resistance.] *Swoosh¡ª* I disabled my resistance, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. My soul felt as if it were being pulled from my body. ¡®The Black Tower really loves its illusions.¡¯ Teddy¡¯s Transcendent Realm, her desperate attempt to break free from reality¡­ that had been illusion magic, too. This virtual society seemed to be a large-scale illusion magic-based spirit world. And the one responsible for creating it was¡­ ¡®The former Black Tower Master.¡¯ After gathering information here, I decided I had to meet with the former Black Tower master. She would undoubtedly have much useful information. Before long, my soul landed in some sort of waiting room. [Welcome to the virtual society, the ¡®Black World.¡¯] [The Black World is evaluating your constitution.] ¡ªConstitution: Low-rank Mage. ¡°Low-rank¡± I couldn¡¯t help but scoff. My constitution was so complex, so chaotic¡­ it seemed the Black World system had misinterpreted it as belonging to a low-rank mage. [Your constitution is abnormal.] [Error detected¡­] [Correcting to a standard constitution.] Now it was just insulting. [Please enter an invitation code if you have one.] Ah, yes. The invitation code. ¡ª Master, here¡¯s my invitation code. ¡ª You have to use it! You must! You absolutely must! I channeled my mana into the code, and it was automatically entered. [Authentication successful.] [Both you and the inviter have received 100 points.] ¡°Points?¡± Why were there points? The answer became clear a moment later. [Choose a Class] Warrior (10 points)Archer (10 points)Bard (30 points) ¡­. [Choose an appearance] Sharp nose (50 points)Piercing gaze (50 points)Full lips (50 points) ?[Choose a race] Human (10 points)Demon (10 points) Elf (10 points).¡­. [You have 10 minutes to complete your selection.] ¡®This is basically like being reborn.¡¯ This ¡®Black World¡¯¡­ it allowed you to customize every aspect of your virtual self, living up to its description as a ¡®virtual society.¡¯ Class, appearance, race¡­ But every choice cost points; the more appealing your appearance or prestigious your class, the more points you needed. Which meant¡­ more agonizing decisions. ¡®What would be the best choice?¡¯ My purpose for being here was to gather information. ¡­To blend in with the mages using this Black World and extract information from them¡­ Given that I¡¯d already accidentally chosen the emperor¡¯s name as my alias¡­ I needed to choose my class and appearance carefully to facilitate my information-gathering efforts. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± This was a dilemma. Choosing an appealing appearance resulted in a very lackluster class, while opting for a decent class made my appearance rather unremarkable. Balancing the two was extraordinarily difficult. And then, at one moment¡­ [10 minutes have elapsed.] [Your virtual self will be randomly generated.] ¡°Huh?¡± A blinding white light engulfed me, and my mind went blank. . ?. ?. ?. ?. ?I opened my eyes and found myself in a room with a mirror. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The first thing I did was check my reflection. ¡°¡­How¡­ ordinary.¡± My height was average, and while I wasn¡¯t ugly, I wasn¡¯t particularly handsome either. This was my persona in the Black World. As I was marveling at the intricate illusion magic¡­ ¡°Ah, Master!¡± Someone called out to me. I turned to see a young woman standing in the doorway. She was¡­ flamboyant, to say the least. Pink hair, heavy makeup, star-shaped stickers under her eyes, a sparkling outfit¡­ ¡°It¡¯s me, your disciple Seina! I get a notification whenever someone I¡¯ve invited logs in. I came as soon as I could!¡± ¡°¡­What¡¯s with¡­ that look?¡± ¡°Oh, this¡­¡± She sheepishly scratched her head. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve always dreamed of being a singer. Since this is a virtual society and not reality, I¡¯m living my dream here as a singer¡­ ha ha ha¡­¡± Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. ¡°So, what¡¯s your Class, Master?¡± ¡°My Class¡­¡± I hesitantly checked the notification window. I was curious myself. I hadn¡¯t chosen a Class, so it had been randomly assigned. [Your Class: Idler] An idler¡­ Even in a virtual world¡­ ¡°It says¡­ Idler.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± Her shoulders slumped. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ well¡­ an Idler? Why an Idler¡­?¡± She seemed genuinely troubled. ¡°Being an Idler¡­ it¡¯s a bit¡­ well¡­ it gives off a decadent, lazy vibe, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t choose in time, so it was randomly assigned.¡± ¡°You mentioned wanting to gather live information from the other mage towers, right? If your profession is an idler, people might not take you seriously.¡± She sighed dramatically. ¡°Ugh¡­ I was hoping for something like a manager. Imagine, a popular singer like me and my ordinary manager, Master ¡ª such a forbidden and thrilling romance¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡­.¡± Just what kind of role-playing scenario had she concocted? ¡°Anyway, this is a place where people interact, and¡­ well¡­ people with impressive appearances or prestigious classes are more popular.¡± She scrutinized my face. ¡°You¡¯re much less handsome in this virtual world¡­ And what about skills? What skills do you have?¡± I checked the notification window. And I had exactly three skills. ¡°Playing, Sleeping, and Relaxing.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± She gulped, looking at me as if she was staring at something beyond salvation. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡°¡­No other skills?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± That short sigh carried a lot of weight. She seemed genuinely amazed, as if she¡¯d never seen a more pitiful persona before. She quickly shook her head, regaining her composure. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Master. I¡¯ll guide you properly here. I¡¯m a pretty famous singer in this world, you know. I have so many fans!¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯ve invested so much time in this virtual world! I¡¯ve perfected my appearance¡ª¡± ¡°¡­Yes, yes.¡± It seemed Seina had been quite lonely in reality. She was the only young mage in the Blue Tower, so she had no friends. As an Elder, she had to maintain a dignified demeanor at all times. And she was so busy with her duties that she had no time for leisure. This Black World¡­ it was her only escape. ¡°Shall we take a look around?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Do you want to hold hands so you don¡¯t get lost?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s fine.¡± As we explored Black World, I was struck by two things¡ª First, the sheer number of virtual selves inhabiting this world. It was far more populated than I¡¯d imagined; people were gambling, discussing adventures, forming parties¡­ It truly was a society. ¡°Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.¡± ¡°It¡¯s relaxing,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s much simpler than training in reality. You can change your appearance as much as you want if you have the points¡­ That¡¯s why it¡¯s so popular. The Black Tower makes a tremendous amount of income from this every year.¡± After we¡¯d explored the main town¡­ A curious look crossed Seina¡¯s face. ¡°Oh, right. What¡¯s your alias, Master?¡± ¡°¡­Alias?¡± ¡°Yes, your alias. Let¡¯s add each other as friends!¡± Her bright gaze fixed on me. I had planned to collect information and never log in again, but Seina seemed to believe that I would be enjoying the Black World regularly with her. [Seina has sent you a friend request.] Accept. And a few moments later¡­ ¡°Okay, Master¡¯s alias is¡­¡± She froze. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Her blue eyes widened gradually. ¡°Uh¡­ uh oh¡­¡± And then, her face drained of all color. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? After she recovered from her initial shock¡­ We headed to a training ground. ¡°Master, how could you¡­?¡± she mumbled, her face pale. ¡°You can change your class and appearance later by spending more points. But you can¡¯t change your alias¡­ Why¡­ why did you choose that name¡­?¡± She was trembling, her teeth chattering, as if she were genuinely frightened. ¡°It¡¯s a miracle you haven¡¯t been permanently banned already! An Idler with the emperor¡¯s name¡­ Even the most notorious users in Black World wouldn¡¯t dare do something like that.¡± Seina¡¯s explanation was simple. Though anonymous personas ran this society, there were still troublemakers. However, they were permanently banned as soon as they were caught by the moderators. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Seina held her throbbing head, sighing heavily, and then pointed to a wooden dummy. ¡°Master, this is our only option now.¡± ¡°What option?¡± ¡°When you hit this dummy, the damage you inflict is recorded, and a real-time ranking is displayed. If you don¡¯t distinguish yourself here, you¡¯ll be ostracized wherever you go.¡± Indeed, there was something resembling a leaderboard. [1st Place: MountainWind 103,403] [2nd Place: FireFire 99,343] [3rd Place: ¡­] S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The ranking is based on your highest damage out of three attempts. Think of the first one as a practice run. Try using a spell, lightly.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± I casually conjured a shard of ice. But the process was¡­ effortless. ¡®Is this because my constitution has been normalized?¡¯ Unlike in the real world, there was no resistance. The ice shard struck the training dummy. And then¡­ BOOM¡ª!! The dummy exploded. CRASH! BOOM¡ª!! The ice shard shattered, sending fragments flying in all directions, obliterating not only the target dummy but also several nearby dummies. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± We stared at the destruction in stunned silence. [Damage ranking has been updated.] [Congratulations. You are now ranked 1st.] ¡°¡­It says I¡¯m ranked 1st.¡± However, there was no response. Chapter 96: Ezekiel 223.38 (3) ? Chapter 96 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (3) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???????????????????? ?[Congratulations. You are ranked first.] I glanced at the shattered training dummy and the notification window declaring my victory. ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± A long silence hung over the training ground. ¡°¡­Master,¡± Seina finally spoke, her gaze fixed on the wreckage. ¡°How did you do that?¡± ¡°What you saw is all there is. I just used magic.¡± [1st Place: Verd.] At least I¡¯d managed to prevent the catastrophe of the Emperor¡¯s name landing at the bottom of the rankings. Even with a mediocre Class and appearance, this achievement should boost his stats considerably. Seina still sounded incredulous. ¡°That much power¡­ with the ¡® Idler¡¯ job? It shouldn¡¯t be possible¡­ there are no bonuses for mana manifestation or elemental manipulation with that job, your power should be significantly reduced¡­.¡± She scrutinized me from head to toe. ¡°Did you perhaps obtain a hidden Class?¡± ¡°A hidden Class? What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Think of it as a special perk. A Class that¡¯s incomparably better than even the highest-tier Class. You get tons of bonuses for various actions.¡± It was a plausible guess, but it turned out to be the opposite. [Idler] ©¤ You dislike physical activity. ©¤ You lack motivation in all things. ©¤ 40% reduction in the power of all actions. Despite suffering from all sorts of curses, I¡¯d achieved the remarkable feat of securing first place. I had a hunch as to why. ¡®Physical constitution adjustment ?¡¯ The Black World had identified my physique as an error and modified it arbitrarily. Since it was a virtual world, it could be healed. Perhaps that was the key factor. At the same time, a possibility dawned on me. ¡®Then, if I can correct this constitution in the real world¡­.¡¯ When the time came for me to break free from the shackles of my terminal illness by obtaining Sun Elixir¡­ wouldn¡¯t Ezekiel reach an unimaginably high level of power? Surely, that would be the case. The mere thought of it filled me with joy. My resolve to acquire Sun Elixir grew even stronger. Meanwhile, Seina still seemed deeply shaken. ¡°It must be a hidden Class, right? Right?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been in the Black World for years, and it¡¯s absurd for you, who just started today, to be stronger. It has to be a hidden Class, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± There was a faint trace of desperation on her face. Perhaps it was her pride as a veteran Black World player. The unwillingness to be surpassed by a newbie, the desire to maintain her seniority¡­ I could clearly see those complex emotions in her gaze. ?As I hesitated , unsure how to respond ¡­ Cawwww cawwww¡ª! A flock of crows descended towards us. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s the administrators .¡± Seina¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Administrators?¡± ¡°They probably want to investigate since a new consciousness suddenly took first place. Because this is a virtual world, sometimes there are entities that distort and misuse the environment.¡± ¡°What happens to those bad entities?¡± ¡°Permanent ban, of course.¡± Caw! Caw! Five or six crows surrounded me, examining me thoroughly , starting with my pupils. ¡°Master, did you perhaps¡­?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t exploit anything.¡± ¡°Whew~ To go through such elaborate lengths to play a prank ¡­ were you that determined to defeat your disciple?¡± Seina seemed relieved. She looked less like a respected Elder of the Blue Tower and more like a young girl in moments like this¡­ It was rather endearing. Unfortunately for her, I really hadn¡¯t exploited anything. [Examining ¡­] [No irregularities detected.] [No signs of unauthorized interference or exploitation.] Cawwww cawwww¡ª! After finishing their business, the administrator crows quickly dispersed. ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Seina stared at their retreating forms, looking despondent. ¡°How is this possible¡­? I¡¯ve invested so much¡­¡± ¡°You said your Class is a singer. You¡¯re allowed to be weak.¡± ¡°Master, your job is an ¡®Idler¡¯¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± Her arms and head drooped, like a ghoul rising from the dead. I was pondering how to console her when¡­ ¡°¡­Master!¡± She suddenly grabbed my hand. ¡°You can¡¯t abandon me! You have to stay with me until I become a powerful Ice Mage!¡± ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not ¡®suddenly¡¯¡­ The fact that you achieved first place without any exploitation means¡­ your ice is so powerful that it transcends all the negative factors!¡± Seina¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Overcoming adversity is also part of the Seolgwi¡¯s spirit!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± ¡°Stay with me! Forever!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you with your training, so calm down first.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Really? For real?!¡± ¡°Ask me one more time, and I¡¯ll leave you here.¡± ¡°Gulp¡­!¡± She quickly shut her mouth and cleared her throat. ¡°Anyway, Master, now that you¡¯ve achieved first place, you won¡¯t be randomly kicked out anymore, no matter where you go. What wonderful news.¡± ¡°Right. So what should we do now?¡± ¡°Well, all that¡¯s left is the thing you¡¯ve been so eager to do.¡± Seina winked, a playful glint in her eye. ¡°Shall we go then? To gather information about the Magic Towers!¡± ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? The place we arrived at was the front of a social club building. Seina turned to me and smiled brightly. ¡°Ta-da! We¡¯re going to gather information here.¡± She gestured, and two mountainous gatekeepers approached us. It seemed they were familiar with Seina, as they immediately recognized her. ¡°Seina, same as usual ?¡± ¡°Yep. I want to attend the Secret Gathering.¡± ¡°The Secret Gathering, eh¡­? You¡¯re not alone today.¡± One of the guards narrowed his eyes. ¡°Seina, you know the rules, right? You can¡¯t attend the Secret Gathering with someone else.¡± ¡°Of course, I know the rules. I¡¯m not attending with him.¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± Just as the gatekeepers were about to push me away, ¡°I¡¯m transferring my Secret Gathering ticket to him.¡± ¡°¡­Transferring?¡± The gatekeepers¡¯ eyes widened in unison. ¡°You¡¯re transferring it? Your Secret Gathering ticket?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the first person to suggest a transfer. You, of all people, should understand that being able to attend the Secret Gathering is a significant privilege.¡± ¡°Why so many words? Just transfer it, already .¡± Seina¡¯s tone was unyielding. ¡°Hmm, alright. Let¡¯s proceed then.¡± The gatekeepers¡¯ attention finally shifted to me. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Verd.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡­.¡± There was a moment of silence. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± The two guards exchanged glances, then looked back and forth between me and Seina; their eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. ¡°¡­What¡¯s your name again?¡± ¡°It¡¯s exactly what you just heard.¡± As if they couldn¡¯t believe it, they sent me a friend request to verify. Seeing the same three characters as the Emperor¡¯s name, they clicked their tongues in disbelief. ¡°Huh, you¡¯re serious.¡± ¡°It would be a thousand times better if it were a joke. What on earth were you thinking using that name?¡± The gatekeepers, visibly intimidated by the name alone, shifted their demeanor dramatically. They became both wary and excessively polite¡­ ¡­But it didn¡¯t last long. ¡°Your Class?¡± ¡°Idler.¡± ¡°Days logged in, level?¡± ¡°First day, level one.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Their attitude changed abruptly once more. This time, it wasn¡¯t fear, but rather a look of disdain, as if they were facing a troublesome ego. ¡°Seina, what kind of scum did you bring here?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a malicious ego. We need to report him¡­¡± S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Fortunately, Seina intervened. ¡°Bear with me. He has a hidden Class, so his record is a bit unusual. Take a look at the training dummy damage rankings. My companion is ranked first in the entire Black World.¡± At the same time, Seina sent me a telepathic message: ©¤ Master, can I just tell them you have a hidden Class? It¡¯ll be difficult to explain everything. The gatekeepers quickly checked the damage rankings. One second. Five seconds. Ten seconds. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Their expressions shifted rapidly, then settled into solemn nods, as if everything suddenly made sense. ¡°¡­It¡¯s true. He really is first.¡± ¡°First place in damage on his first day¡­ what kind of amazing hidden Class did you get? Did you stumble upon some Archmage class?¡± Archmage. Ezekiel repeated the word silently. It had a nice ring to it. A goal he aspired to reach someday. It didn¡¯t seem entirely impossible . ¡°To what extent should we transfer the information?¡± ¡°As detailed as possible, please.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The gatekeepers nodded. ¡°See the top floor of that social club?¡± His index finger pointed to the fourth floor. ¡°There¡¯s actually another floor above the fourth. It¡¯s a space reserved for VIPs, and that¡¯s where the Secret Gathering takes place.¡± ¡°What exactly is the Secret Gathering?¡± The gatekeepers glanced at Seina. ¡°What? You really don¡¯t know anything?¡± Seina simply shrugged, as if to dismiss him and tell him to focus on his task. The guard, slightly irked, continued¡ª ¡°I don¡¯t know their specific details, but it¡¯s a gathering exclusively for mages who hold high positions in reality. Incredibly valuable information is exchanged there.¡± ¡°Is the information that valuable?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s a gathering of influential individuals. And there¡¯s no oversight from the Imperial Magic Tower. It¡¯s a place where they can freely discuss anything, without fear of repercussions.¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s a completely Imperial Magic Tower-free environment.¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± The gatekeepers frowned at Ezekiel¡¯s words, as if he¡¯d asked something incredibly obvious. ¡°Most of the information is sensitive. In other words, the kind of stuff the Imperial Magic Tower would love to get their hands on. Does it make sense for them to be involved ?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Ezekiel nodded slowly . He hadn¡¯t asked out of ignorance. He simply wanted to reconfirm the nature of the place before entering. ¡°Hey, you.¡± The gatekeepers stopped Ezekiel as he was about to enter. ?¡°You just happen to know Seina and lucked out with a good Class¡­ Be very careful. There are more VIPs here than you can imagine.¡± ¡°VIPs, huh.¡± Well, I doubt there¡¯s anyone more important than me. Ezekiel murmured to himself as he ascended the stairs. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Creak¡ª Ezekiel finally reached the fifth floor. The room was smaller than he expected, with only a massive round table in the center. There weren¡¯t many people either¡ª only five were visible . ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°And then, you see, I¡­¡± Thump¡ª Thump¡ª The chatter stopped abruptly as Ezekiel¡¯s footsteps echoed through the room; the heads of those chatting turned in unison to face him. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡­.¡± Observing, scrutinizing gazes. ¡°¡­Wasn¡¯t it Seina¡¯s turn to come today?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this face before.¡± Their tone was laced with hostility. As expected of an extremely exclusive gathering, the atmosphere was thick with suspicion towards newcomers. ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll check.¡± One of them stepped forward ¡ª a mage with elf ears and antlers protruding from her head. She quickly scanned him from head to toe. ¡°¡­A ¡®Idler¡¯ with a level of one?¡± Her words, though brief, carried weight. And doubt clouded the faces of the others. ¡°There¡¯s no way Seina would transfer her ticket to this weakling. How did he even get in here?¡± She muttered to herself, then her eyes widened in sudden realization. ¡°Uh, uh¡­? ¡± She blinked repeatedly, as if unable to believe her eyes. ¡°His alias, his alias¡­? Everyone, look at this¡­!¡± The five members quickly gathered around, examining his alias displayed in her notification window; the look of shock spread across their faces like spilled paint. ¡°Is it even allowed to use an alias like that?¡± ¡°¡­Of course not.¡± ¡°Then what is he?¡± A moment later, the antlered mage¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Hey, weakling. Tell me the truth. How did you manage to find this place?¡± She strode towards Ezekiel menacingly. ¡°You¡¯d better be honest. There¡¯s an Imperial Magic Tower mage present. We could expose your identity and have you punished ¡­. What are you going to do?¡± Ezekiel scoffed internally. ¡®An Imperial Magic Tower mage, my foot.¡¯ Well, she might not be lying now. After all, Ezekiel was standing right here in the Secret Gathering chamber. However, the behavior of the antlered girl was extremely irritating. Pretending to be from the Imperial Magic Tower to intimidate newcomers and pry into their backgrounds ¡ª this was the very definition of a vile entity. ¡°You think this is the first time I¡¯ve seen a malicious ego like you? This is your last chance to be honest.¡± ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower, you say? I¡¯m so scared, my voice is trembling.¡± My voice really did shake. Not from fear, but from laughter. Ezekiel casually raised his hands. ¡°I earned this opportunity by being recognized for my damage ranking. Seina herself transferred her entry ticket to me.¡± ¡°Damage ranking? How could you possibly¡­ on just your first day¡­¡± The Antlered Mage trailed off. Ezekiel¡¯s ranking, proudly displayed as first place, spoke for itself. ¡°¡­W-What, what, what? First place? How is that¡­?¡± The Antlered Mage¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°What? Did he exploit the system? How is he¡­!¡± She glared at Ezekiel, incredulous. ¡°Hey, weakling! I asked you how you did it!¡± Ezekiel merely shrugged. ¡°I hit it like it was your mother.¡± Even with a virtual body in a virtual world, Ezekiel¡¯s mischievous nature remained intact. The person standing here was Ezekiel. That was all that mattered. ¡°¡­It shattered quite easily.¡± Chapter 97: Ezekiel 223.38 (4) ? Chapter 97 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (4) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ?Hierarchy. The natural outcome when people with emotions gather was the creation of a hierarchy. The higher one¡¯s position in this cruel food chain, the greater the benefits ¡­ that went without saying. It was simply the natural order of things. Therefore¡­ Ezekiel intended to climb to the top of this hierarchy. This place was not welcoming to new members. On the contrary, newcomers were thoroughly suppressed and excluded, so one had to climb up to be respected. Benefits or disadvantages. The choice was crystal clear. ¡°Wha-, wha-, what¡­?¡± A look of bewilderment crossed the face of the creature with green hair, elf ears, and reindeer antlers growing from its head. ¡°What did you just say to me¡­?¡± While the incident was already unfolding, the other members merely observed the situation; they intended to gauge the abilities of the new member before determining their own actions. Ezekiel welcomed this attitude. The more they assessed his abilities, the more likely they were to side with him. The Antlered Mage ran her hand through her bangs. ¡°Weakling, repeat what you just said.¡± Her fury radiated like a ticking time bomb, but Ezekiel remained unfazed. ¡°I told you, it was just a light tap. Like, um¡­¡± ¡°You little¡­!¡± Sparks of rage flew from her eyes. She was genuinely angry, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t mind. It was better than seeing her strutting around with that smug look. But then it happened. ¡°Hey, malicious ego.¡± The Antlered Mage released a wave of immense mana. Whoosh!¡ª An overwhelming pressure began to crush Ezekiel. Was this what it would feel like if gravity suddenly intensified? The mana was unimaginably heavy. ¡®However, it¡¯s slightly different from the sensation of real mana.¡¯ There was an unpleasant sensation, like the weight had been artificially increased. Ezekiel understood. This must be the effect of ¡° adjustments ¡± within the virtual world. ?? ¡®So that¡¯s how it works.¡¯ He marveled, once again, at the intricate illusions of the Black World. Ordinary magic, amplified through illusions, inflicted upon the opponent. Ezekiel checked the opponent¡¯s status. [Name: ???] [Class: Mage, Specialized in Mana Manipulation.] A mage enhanced by Mana Manipulation Specialization¡­ a far superior Class compared to Ezekiel¡¯s ¡°Idler¡±. The other members finally relaxed, starting to snack on whatever they had brought. They likely viewed this scene as just another overconfident newcomer getting put in their place. ¡°You were all talk just now, weren¡¯t you, weakling? Oh, was I too harsh? Did I almost kill you? I should ease up a bit.¡± It was a lie. In fact, she was actually increasing the pressure. Perhaps Ezekiel¡¯s earlier remark had wounded her pride, because the Antlered Mage was exerting all her might to keep him pinned down. Of course, Ezekiel remained completely fine. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Why do you want to hear it so many times?¡± ¡°Scared to say it again? Can¡¯t handle the consequences?¡± ¡°I told you, I thought of your mother and gave it a light tap.¡± Shock washed over the Antlered Mage¡¯s face. ¡°W-What? But I increased the intensity¡­?¡± She was so stunned that she revealed her lie; a stark contrast to Ezekiel¡¯s composure. ¡®At least she won¡¯t think I¡¯m from the Imperial Magic Tower now.¡¯ There were many things Ezekiel could say to rile her up, but he deliberately chose aggressive language. The more he acted in a manner disassociated from the dignity of the Imperial Magic Tower, the better he could conceal his identity. It felt good. Refreshing, even. Meanwhile, the other members began to murmur among themselves. ¡°This is strange. She did apply pressure.¡± ¡°Could it be that the newcomer is just stronger?¡± ¡°In any case, drawing attention right from the start isn¡¯t a good idea. Nothing good comes from standing out in a Secret Gathering.¡± Some were confused, while others began to show interest. Ezekiel¡¯s plan to establish himself was progressing smoothly. ¡°You malicious ego! You¡¯re clearly exploiting something, and you dare to act like this?! How dare you, how dare you¡­!¡± The Antlered Mage¡¯s fists trembled with fury, but¡­ Ezekiel shifted his focus. Suddenly, he recalled the words of Seina, the Elder of the Blue Tower. ¡ª A waste, a waste? Absolutely not! This virtual world can be beneficial to reality as well. Training here can have an impact on reality, you see. What Seina had told him was simple. For example, if a low-ranking mage practiced intermediate-level magic in the virtual world¡­ that experience would linger even after returning to reality . ¡ª In this virtual world, even a low-ranking mage can experience intermediate-level magic. That¡¯ll be immensely helpful when they try to break through their limits. How would it work for Ezekiel? Perhaps experiencing magic with a healed constitution could be immensely beneficial in reality ? There was no harm in trying. And as luck would have it¡­ he had an eager opponent. ¡ª So, Master, why don¡¯t you try the ¡°Duel¡± function with me later? It¡¯s a one-on-one duel feature, and it¡¯s incredibly realistic. Seina had added¡ª ¡ª There¡¯s practice mode and serious mode in ¡°Duel¡±. If you lose in serious mode, your Black World persona gets reset ¡­. A huge penalty, huh? Well, then serious mode it is. He quickly scanned the notification window. It seemed like merely thinking about using the ¡°Duel¡± function was enough. A notification automatically appeared before his opponent. The Antlered Mage carefully examined the notification, then scoffed in disbelief. ¡°¡­ ¡®Duel¡¯? Serious mode? Are you kidding me?¡± ¡°You seemed to want it.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°This is childish, but fine. I¡¯ll humor you.¡± The Antlered Mage immediately accepted the challenge. ¡°A cornered rat will bite a cat, as they say. It¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? If you¡¯d just begged, you might¡¯ve gotten some scraps of information.¡± ¡°¡­Why do you talk so much?¡± ¡°Shut up, weakling. No, you¡¯ll be silenced soon enough.¡± Swoosh¡ª As the surroundings transformed, the duel began. The setting was an expansive plain with just the two of them. ¡®Let¡¯s start by gently drawing out my ice mana.¡¯ He focused on manipulating his ice mana. Shhhk¡ª ¡°Even though this is a virtual world, the pain is just as real, you know? You insolent ¡ª¡± The Antlered Mage, who¡¯d been ranting non-stop, suddenly froze. She stood motionless. But not completely still. Her body was trembling rapidly, almost imperceptibly. ¡°¡­Ugh.¡± A single sound escaped her lips. A sound Ezekiel was all too familiar with; the sound he¡¯d heard countless times throughout his life. Cold. People tormented by an unnatural, extreme cold made that kind of sound as they writhed in agony. ¡°¡­What, that¡¯s all you got? Just a bit of frost?¡± Ezekiel muttered, incredulous. He approached quietly and patted her on the shoulder. The Antlered Mage continued to shiver, but there was no other reaction. ¡°She¡¯s enveloped in mana, but she¡¯s still out of it.¡± Ordinary people could easily freeze from a slight chill, but mages were inherently protected by their rapidly rotating mana; they shouldn¡¯t freeze so easily. Well, that¡¯s how it should be¡­ But the Antlered Mage was frozen solid before his eyes. An ego with the Mage Class and Mana Manipulation Specialization ¡­ completely incapacitated by Ezekiel¡¯s Ice. ¡°Wha-, wha-, what¡­? What in the¡­?¡± The Antlered Mage mumbled, bewildered. Her HP bar, displayed above her head, was rapidly depleting. Ezekiel pressed his middle finger against his thumb and flicked it towards her forehead¡ª a gesture commonly known as a ¡°flick¡±. ¡°What else could it be?¡± Flick¡ª! Her head shattered with a cracking sound. ¡°Your persona is hopeless. Start over.¡± A landslide victory. However, his tone carried no particular emotion. ? ? ? The other members¡¯ eyes widened as Ezekiel returned to the Secret Gathering chamber, having defeated the Antlered Mage. It was an understandable reaction. Ezekiel¡¯s HP bar was still full, even after the duel. The atmosphere shifted instantly. And people averted their gazes. ¡°Ahem¡­.¡± ¡°Hmm! A worthy new member has joined us.¡± The rapid change in the attitudes of those who had looked down on him was all too familiar to Ezekiel. He waved his hand dismissively, not wanting to waste time. ¡°Enough with the formalities, let¡¯s share some information.¡± ¡°Not yet¡­.¡± ¡°Not yet?¡± When Ezekiel quickly turned his head, a beastman with a human body and a cat¡¯s head took a few steps backward. ¡°Wh-Why are you looking at me like that? We can¡¯t start yet. The host hasn¡¯t arrived.¡± His way of speaking was peculiar. But what bothered Ezekiel more was the word ¡°host ¡±. ¡°Host?¡± ¡°Th-That¡¯s right.¡± The beastman¡¯s persona nodded. The other members chimed in, confirming his statement. ¡°There¡¯s someone who leads this Secret Gathering.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°We obviously don¡¯t know their true identity, but they¡¯re assumed to be a highly influential figure in reality as well. The information they handle here is on a different level.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right¡­! It doesn¡¯t work without them¡­!¡± ¡°It¡¯s amazing. They have deep knowledge of magic, and they even share information about the imperial family sometimes.¡± Who was this host? And when would they arrive? Time was precious. As these thoughts swirled in Ezekiel¡¯s mind¡­ Creak¡ª The door opened. And the members¡¯ faces lit up. ¡°Oh, they¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Host-nim, you¡¯ve arrived!¡± ¡°Greetings, Host-nim.¡± And¡­ Ezekiel himself was taken aback. It was a rare occurrence. Ezekiel, surprised ? ¡° But he couldn¡¯t help it; the sight before him was too shocking. ¡®Is that¡­ me?¡¯ [¡® Ezekiel¡¯ has entered the Secret Gathering. ] The person who entered as the host of the Secret Gathering¡­ ¡­Had not only taken the alias ¡°Ezekiel¡±, but also had an appearance identical to Ezekiel¡¯s. Chapter 98: Ezekiel 223.38 (5) ? Chapter 98 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (5) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? A Doppelganger. A being that looked exactly like the original, an omen of misfortune. It was a well-known superstition that encountering one brought bad luck. I slowly furrowed my brow. Even if I couldn¡¯t be sure about misfortune, discomfort was certain. Was this how it felt to discover a mirror image of yourself roaming free in the world? It was unfamiliar and bizarre. But soon, I noticed a peculiar difference. ¡®It¡¯s a little different from how I am now.¡¯ The first feeling of unease was about the timeframe. The fake Ezekiel did not perfectly match my current appearance. To be precise, it resembled me from about ten years ago? The face definitely held a youthful air. *Thud¡ª Thud¡ª* I observed the fake Ezekiel¡¯s movements as it entered the room. Just like looking into a mirror, the similarity in mannerisms, the precision of its movements, was uncanny. ¡®It¡¯s highly probable this person knows me very well.¡¯ Meanwhile, the other members began to chatter amongst themselves. ¡°The host has arrived. It seems things are about to begin.¡± ¡°Antlered Mage was bound to end up like this. She was way too arrogant! This isn¡¯t just a casual gathering place for friends.¡± Among them, a person approached me. One woman, her face veiled in opaque fabric, leaned in and whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. ¡°Hey, how did you do it?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Come on, you know exactly what I mean.¡± The veiled woman glanced around before leaning in even closer, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Did you meddle with the world? Exploit something? ¡­ You must have used some kind of unfair advantage, right? I¡¯m quite interested in that kind of thing too. Tell me how. I¡¯ll pay you handsomely.¡± ¡°What nonsense.¡± I was flabbergasted. No matter how squeaky clean they pretended to be, beneath the surface lurked a desperate desire to walk the path of darkness. ¡°I can do things beyond your wildest imagination. So¡ª¡± she pressed. ¡°Just live an honest life. Honestly.¡± I clicked my tongue in disappointment and tuned her out. And at that moment¡­ ¡°Silence.¡± *Click¡ª!* The fake Ezekiel snapped its fingers. The door slammed shut as the room plunged into darkness, save for a single spotlight illuminating the round table. ¡°Let us begin. The Secret Gathering.¡± ¡°With just the six of us? Seems about right.¡± Six figures, myself included, stood around the table, maintaining an equal distance from one another. The fake Ezekiel fixed his gaze on the cat-headed member, then gestured towards me with his chin, as if asking for my identity. ¡°Ah, he¡¯s a new member. We had a bit of a disagreement with Antlered Mage, and he won the duel, and drove her out¡ª¡° The cat-face rambled on, but the fake Ezekiel shook its head, seemingly unconvinced. ¡°The rules of the gathering. Did you explain them?¡± ¡°Oh, right! I¡¯ll explain them right away!¡± As cat-face scurried over to me, I fell into thought. ¡®Its way of speaking doesn¡¯t resemble mine in the slightest.¡¯ It was strange. The fake Ezekiel could imitate my appearance and mannerisms perfectly, yet its speech patterns were completely different. There were two possibilities. First, it might be intentionally speaking differently because it had no intention of fully impersonating me. Second, my way of speaking might be so unique and ingrained that it was simply unable to replicate it. ¡°Hey, new member.¡± Cat-face addressed me. ¡°You¡¯re probably unaware since it¡¯s your first time¡­.But every Secret Gathering has a theme. No matter how knowledgeable you are, you won¡¯t be able to participate if you don¡¯t have information related to the theme.¡± It tapped the round table with a claw. ¡°Pretending to know is also forbidden, meow. The virtual world interferes with every part of our brain, so if you lie, it¡¯ll show up on the round table and expose you¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t just a free-for-all of random information. They decided on a theme beforehand, gathered information related to it, and then shared their findings. It was far more organized and intriguing than I had initially imagined. ¡®This is surprisingly elaborate¡­¡¯ In any case, if that was how it worked, then the most important thing was the theme. ¡°What is the theme for this gathering then?¡± ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s a bit tricky this time¡­¡± Cat Face scratched its head. ¡°This time, the theme is¡­ the Imperial Princesses, meow.¡± ¡°¡­Princesses?¡± It was a completely unexpected topic. I had assumed they¡¯d be discussing magic or the situation in the Demon Realm, considering the exchange of information between Magic Towers. Never did it cross my mind that the topic would be the princesses. Perhaps interpreting my silence as a sign of disapproval, Cat Face nodded as if understanding. ¡°Too tough for you? It¡¯s alright. You can come back another time.¡± ¡°No. He knows. He knows a lot about them.¡± At that moment, someone else interjected. It was the fake Ezekiel. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Our eyes met across the table; a bizarre sensation, to be sure. Having a conversation while staring directly at my own face¡­ Surreal didn¡¯t even begin to describe it. ¡°Why do you think I would know them well?¡± ¡°Your alias. The Emperor¡¯s name.¡± The fake Ezekiel gestured towards my alias with his chin. ¡°Impersonation is a grave offense in itself. But if you can¡¯t live up to the name¡­the consequences will be far more severe.¡± He shrugged at me as if to challenge me. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡± I shrugged back once in response. ¡°Well, I suppose so. Fortunately, it¡¯s a topic I¡¯m well-versed in.¡± Though I replied with a smirk, it was not a lie. Within the Empire, no one knew the princesses as well as I did. Such a person simply did not exist. And so, the meeting began. ¡°As always, I shall go first.¡± The one who volunteered to go first was a man with a massive compass where his head should be. Such was the beauty of virtual reality; anything was possible. ¡°The Fourth Princess has been on a winning streak lately.¡± The Fourth Princess, Chain. The richest individual on the continent. The round table shimmered, bathed in a faint golden glow. Instinctively, I understood. It was a mechanism that indicated the validity of a statement, whether true or false. The members¡¯ reactions were predictably negative. ¡°¡­It¡¯s not exactly news that the Fourth Princess is rolling in dough. Even a stray dog could¡¯ve told us that, meow.¡± ¡°Seriously? This is what you¡¯re going with?¡± ¡°Everyone, calm down and listen until the end, please.¡± There was a calm confidence in the Compass¡¯ voice. As if he were certain he had something truly remarkable to reveal. ¡°Did you not hear me say ¡®winning streak¡¯? I¡¯m not talking about her business ventures. The Fourth Princess, who used to spend her days swimming in mountains of gold acquired through shrewd business deals, has shifted her focus to¡­gambling. And she¡¯s been sweeping the gambling dens clean,¡± he declared. The members merely blinked, still unimpressed. I, too, didn¡¯t think much of it yet. ¡°So¡­your valuable information is¡­ to avoid gambling dens?¡± ¡°I guess so, though I¡¯d been thinking of visiting one soon.¡± Compass smirked at their reactions. ¡°My, my¡­ It seems you¡¯re all sorely lacking in the information department.¡± He then confidently raised a single finger. ¡°The question isn¡¯t how much she¡¯s won. It¡¯s why she¡¯s suddenly obsessed with amassing wealth through gambling. And I¡¯ve acquired information regarding her motives!¡± It was at that moment the fake Ezekiel finally showed a flicker of emotion; annoyance. ¡°Get to the point. We don¡¯t have all day.¡± ¡°Ahaha, understood. It seems a certain individual who was present at the scene overheard the Fourth Princess muttering something under her breath. A single phrase, but oh-so-valuable.¡± ¡°¡­Quickly.¡± ¡°Dowry! She said she¡¯s preparing a dowry!¡± A deep silence descended. It was only after a long moment that the members began to murmur. ¡°Dowry?¡± ¡°A dowry? Is the Fourth Princess preparing for marriage?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a However, those doubts didn¡¯t last long. *Shaaaaaaaa¡ª!* The round table erupted in a brilliant golden light. ¡° ¡°Impossible!¡± Compass, shoulders shaking with barely suppressed glee, drank in their stunned reactions. ¡°She¡¯s been hitting every gambling den, regardless of their reputation or betting limits. She¡¯s been sweeping them all clean. You¡¯d think she was trying to buy the entire continent as a dowry¡­¡± he mused. I, on the other hand, didn¡¯t react at all. Or rather, I couldn¡¯t muster any reaction. The truth revealed by the round table was simply too shocking. ¡®The Fourth Princess is preparing a dowry?¡¯ The question was, for whom? It wasn¡¯t even a question worth pondering. I had sent letters of proposal to all five princesses. Thus, it could only mean¡­ ¡®Me.¡¯ She was preparing for a marriage with me. Of course. Why she was desperately amassing all that wealth remained a mystery. Such a marriage should have been feasible with her current fortune. ¡­It meant she wasn¡¯t preparing for an ordinary marriage. My head began to ache already. ¡°It seems the Magic Towers will need to be on their toes.¡± ¡°Indeed. There¡¯s no telling what kind of excuse she¡¯ll use to pressure them for funds. You all know how tenacious she can be.¡± Their words barely registered in my mind. And then¡­ ¡°It¡¯s my turn, meow.¡± Cat-face cleared its throat. ¡°Good thing our information doesn¡¯t overlap. Mine¡¯s pretty big, meow.¡± I straightened up, focusing all my attention on it. ¡®Thank goodness I decided to participate in this Secret Gathering.¡¯ A thought I repeated to myself a hundred times over. Chapter 99: Ezekiel 223.38 (6) ? Chapter 99 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (6) ? ¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? Cat-face cleared its throat, a confident smirk spreading across its face. ¡°The First Princess has postponed her return to the North, meow.¡± A wave of murmurs rippled through the room. ¡°¡­The First Princess? The one who loves the North more than anything?¡± ¡°Who will defend the front lines then?¡± Cat-face, unfazed by the flurry of questions, calmly replied. ¡°It appears she has something more pressing to hunt in the Imperial Capital than mere monsters, meow. This should be of great interest to the Magic Towers.¡± The members nodded in unison. ¡°Does this mean a powerful monster is hiding somewhere within the Capital? Finding it quickly will be crucial. It might even be an opportunity for us to gain a foothold¡­¡± one mused. ¡°Imagine the uproar if we were to subtly imply that we aided the First Princess in her hunt. We should definitely investigate this further.¡± Excitement crackled in the air as they delved into a lively discussion. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel, however, remained silent. Because he knew. He knew exactly what they were talking about. ¡®The prey is me. It has to be me.¡¯ There was no doubt in his mind; the First Princess¡¯s target was him. Her words from their last encounter, their last chase, echoed vividly in his mind. ¡ª ¡­Very well. If I catch you, I will wring everything out of you. Should he flee the capital? Or should he wait and face her wrath? Neither option was particularly appealing. ¡®¡­This secret gathering is surprisingly useful.¡¯ No, it surpassed mere usefulness. While other mages considered how to utilize this information for the benefit of the Magic Towers, Ezekiel was deep in thought about something far more primal. ¡­Survival. The simple, desperate need to survive. ¡°It¡¯s rather peculiar, isn¡¯t it? That all of our information is completely unrelated. I suppose it¡¯s my turn. I have some information regarding the Third Princess.¡± It was the veiled woman¡¯s turn next. ¡°It seems the Inquisitors have begun specialized training.¡± ¡°Specialized training¡­!¡± A collective gasp echoed throughout the room. The implications were clear as day. The Inquisitors were preparing for something. Something big. Worry tinged their voices. ¡°Why would the Inquisitors suddenly¡­? Does this mean a large-scale inquisition and purge is imminent?¡± ¡°Yes, it seems so. The Magic Towers need to be careful¡­.¡± ¡°I suggest you keep a close eye on the mages under your command. There¡¯s no telling where a demon might be hiding.¡± They all seemed to be worried about demons. But Ezekiel¡­ he had other concerns. ¡®¡­Surely, she doesn¡¯t have other intentions?¡¯ He suddenly recalled Solana¡¯s warning. ¡ª Stay away from other women. ¡ª If not¡­ ¡ª I¡¯ll be forced to punish them myself. Several women flashed through Ezekiel¡¯s mind ¡ª Tether, Agnes, Seina¡­ He had spent a lot of time with them during this trip. He hoped nothing bad would happen. ¡­He¡¯d have to make sure he kept Solana happy. And at that moment¡­ ¡°Huh? Wha¡­?!¡± Cat-face sputtered, its eyes wide with surprise. It stared, dumbfounded, at the fake Ezekiel. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice it before, but now that I see it¡­ the Host looks exactly like the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector! You know, the one who caused such a stir at the exchange meeting!¡± The realization spread through the members like wildfire. ¡°You¡¯re right!¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, it is the Inspector¡¯s appearance.¡± ¡°Is it actually him¡­?¡± The fake Ezekiel quietly shook its head. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯re acquainted. That¡¯s all.¡± Ezekiel narrowed his eyes at the word ¡°acquainted.¡± It confirmed they at least knew each other, but who could it be? Someone who knew him well enough to imitate not only his appearance but also his mannerisms. He started narrowing down the possibilities. ¡®Could it be¡­?¡¯ There was one princess whose way of speaking felt somewhat similar. ¡ª Teacher, it¡¯s time for bed. ¡ª I can¡¯t sleep alone. We have to sleep together. ¡ª Teacher, Teacher¡­. He shook his head. Surely a princess wouldn¡¯t be here, right? ¡°Hmm, it would be rude to pry further¡­¡± Ezekiel inwardly hoped more information about the fake Ezekiel would be uncovered, but the members refrained from asking further questions. Virtual reality was a complicated place. While some might model their virtual selves after people they admired, far more chose to use it for¡­less noble purposes. For example, creating an avatar that looked exactly like their enemy. That way, any misdeeds committed in the virtual world would tarnish the reputation of their real-world counterpart. Perhaps that was why they refrained from asking about their connection. They simply continued praising the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector. ¡°He was truly amazing, wasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Absolutely incredible. To call it a landslide victory would be an understatement.¡± It felt strange, hearing them discuss him so openly. Ezekiel feigned ignorance, asking, ¡°Was the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s Inspector that good?¡± ¡°Not just good, meow. He caused a complete upheaval.¡± ¡°An upheaval in the magic world? As busy as things may seem, this industry is usually quite dull and predictable.¡± ¡°¡­Did you sleep through the entire exchange? No, I¡¯m certain you¡¯ve completed the Specialization! You¡¯re not a mage, meow!¡± The faces of the other members were not much different. He had inadvertently deepened the concealment of his identity. After that, he had to endure listening to praises about himself for quite a while. ¡°What makes this Imperial Magic Tower Inspector so special is¡­ well, usually Inspectors are all about barking orders but never actually lifting a finger themselves. But this one¡­ he personally dealt with every single instance of wrongdoing. It¡¯s been ages since we¡¯ve seen such decisive action.¡± ¡°Is that so impressive?¡± Wasn¡¯t it just common sense? Maybe the other Inspectors were just lazy? That was the only explanation that made sense to him. Compass beside him nodded in agreement. ¡°It truly is an extraordinary feat. It seems the rumors that he¡¯d been inactive for the past 10 years were just a smokescreen, a carefully crafted deception. He was simply biding his time, sharpening his blades.¡± ¡°Well¡­I suppose you could see it that way.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of ¡®seeing it that way,¡¯ it¡¯s the plain truth.¡± Ezekiel scratched his head. ¡®It seems these guys were at the exchange meeting too.¡¯ He decided he might as well take advantage of their enthusiasm and extract some information. ¡°So¡­ most of the Magic Towers didn¡¯t take their presentations seriously, did they? What was the point, with the Imperial Magic Tower dominating everything?¡± ¡°Exactly! That¡¯s why we all hid our most groundbreaking research. We knew we couldn¡¯t win, so we just went through the motions.¡± ¡°Smart move. Very smart.¡± Ezekiel nodded, his mind racing with a scheme of his own. ¡°These guys need to be thoroughly investigated someday.¡± He was starting to understand why the Secret Gathering had such strict rules against anyone associated with the Imperial Magic Tower; they were spilling valuable information left and right, practically begging to be exploited. It was a gold mine for any Inspector worth their salt. Achievements, all ripe for the taking, lay scattered around him like juicy, low-hanging fruit. *Tap* At that moment, the fake Ezekiel tapped the round table. ¡°That¡¯s enough chatter. We¡¯re running out of time.¡± Silence immediately descended upon the room. ¡°The information I brought today, there are two pieces.¡± ¡°¡­Two?¡± A collective gasp echoed through the room. It was no surprise. Each piece of intelligence the Host brought was incredibly valuable, and now he was offering two? They were practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°A-Are you serious? Two pieces of information?¡± ¡°Yes. Since the Inspector¡¯s been mentioned, I thought I¡¯d add one more.¡± The fake Ezekiel nodded. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower Inspector¡­ he has a particular fondness for the Fifth Princess.¡± It was an odd choice for a first piece of information. Confusion was etched on every face, but the fake Ezekiel, unfazed, doubled down on his statement. ¡°No. It¡¯s more than that. He adores the Fifth Princess. More than anything. Everything he does, he does for her.¡± As the person in question, it was bewildering. ¡®Did I really care for the Fifth Princess that much?¡¯ The Fifth Princess, Neo. The continent¡¯s leading scroll researcher. It was true that he cared a lot about her as a student, but he cared about all the princesses equally. There was no favoritism. Even the round table¡¯s light didn¡¯t react this time. *Whoosh¡­ sizzle¡­* A faint glow¡­ No¡­ Well, it was glowing, but the light was unusually weak. Most members looked hesitant, but since the information came from the Host, they couldn¡¯t directly challenge it. They just reluctantly nodded. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s something to keep in mind if we ever need to curry favor with the Imperial Magic Tower. Knowing his preferences is crucial.¡± ¡°¡­Y-Yes, meow. To think you¡¯ve investigated the Inspector¡¯s personal preferences¡­ As expected of the Host.¡± The fake Ezekiel nodded silently. ¡°Consider that last bit¡­ a bonus.¡± A serious expression settled on its face. ¡°The second piece of information¡­ is the truly important one.¡± The weight of his words hung in the air, intensifying their focus. Ezekiel was no exception. And then¡­ The fake Ezekiel spoke. ¡°The Fifth Princess¡­ she¡¯s plotting treason.¡± ¡°©¤!¡± Jaws dropped. ¡°W-Wh-What?!¡± ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Shock. Disbelief. Utter astonishment. They couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t believe it. In this atmosphere of disbelief, *Shaaaaaaaaaaa¡ª!* The round table blazed with an intense, blinding light. Chapter 100: Ezekiel 223.38 (7) ? Chapter 100 ¨C ?Ezekiel 223.38 (7) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? *Shaaaaaaaaaa¡ª!* The round table blazed with a golden light, confirming the truth of the fake Ezekiel¡¯s words. Treason. The Fifth Princess was plotting treason. For Ezekiel, it was nothing less than astonishing. Back when he lived in the Imperial Palace, what kind of person was the Fifth Princess? ¡®I don¡¯t think I ever saw her leave the library.¡¯ She was rather introverted, but more importantly, she had no interest in anything other than magic scroll research. She was content with her secluded life. Which was why this piece of information was so shocking. What kind of treason could someone who never even left the library be plotting? He couldn¡¯t even begin to fathom it. ¡°The round table is glowing! It¡¯s not a lie!¡± shrieked Cat-face. ¡°¡­The Fifth Princess? Treason?¡± ¡°What exactly is she planning?¡± It wasn¡¯t just Cat-face. Every member was reeling from the shock. ¡®I need to know what kind of treason she¡¯s plotting.¡¯ Ezekiel fell into thought. It was necessary to understand the nature of the treason. Was she simply after the throne, coveting the Emperor¡¯s power? Or was it something more sinister, something that threatened the peace of the entire continent? The two were vastly different. ¡°Well, before we get ahead of ourselves¡­¡± The fake Ezekiel turned its gaze to the real Ezekiel. ¡°The new member¡¯s information. That comes first.¡± Suddenly, all eyes were on him, as though they¡¯d just remembered something important. Compass was the first to speak up. ¡°It¡¯s only natural for the new member to reveal his information first, but I must have forgotten in all the excitement. Forgive me. My mind¡¯s a bit fuzzy today.¡± ? ¡°Indeed. You¡¯re right.¡± Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their gazes were filled with anticipation. It was only natural. The information they had heard today was earth-shattering. They were expecting Ezekiel to deliver something equally shocking. Ezekiel thought for a moment. ¡®The topic was about the princesses, right?¡¯ It was somewhat tricky to think of something to share on the spot. Something shocking, but not already mentioned, and wouldn¡¯t reveal his own identity¡­ But surprisingly, the contemplation didn¡¯t last long. A piece of information came to mind immediately. It was uncertain if it was appropriate to share, but it was crucial to take the upper hand in this council of secrets. It could be a useful leverage for the future. ¡°There used to be¡­ six princesses.¡± *Shaaaaaaaaaa¡ª!* The round table gleaming gold was the start. That much was expected. However¡­ ¡°Wh-What?!¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± The magnitude of shock received by everyone was far beyond what Ezekiel had anticipated. ? ? ? Originally, there were six princesses in the Imperial family. There was an eldest daughter, born before Ether, but the Emperor had given her up as part of a pact with the Demon King. Ezekiel chose to use this piece of information deliberately. Though she was once a princess, her whereabouts were now completely unknown, and there was no practical way to use this information. ¡®Even if they knew this, there¡¯s nothing they could do about it.¡¯ This was the key point. His goal was to reveal something shocking that would leave the members stunned, but also something they couldn¡¯t possibly exploit. It was a gamble that had paid off handsomely. ¡°There was another princess¡­?¡± Cat-face, unable to hide its astonishment, gaped at him. The others were equally bewildered. ¡°¡­So there were actually six princesses in the Empire?¡± ¡°Where is this princess now?¡± Questions were thrown at Ezekiel from every direction, but he remained firm. ¡°I believe that¡¯s enough for now.¡± He needed to hold on to some of his cards. It would make things easier when he had to deal with them later. ¡°¡­Very well.¡± The fake Ezekiel nodded. ¡°Then let¡¯s return to our previous topic. The Fifth Princess.¡± All eyes were back on the fake Ezekiel. Perhaps due to the barrage of shocking revelations, no one objected to the abrupt change in topic. ¡°¡­What exactly is she planning?¡± ¡°The Fifth Princess who rarely shows her face?¡± Ezekiel focused on that particular point. If it wasn¡¯t a simple power grab, but something that threatened the peace and stability of the Empire itself¡­things would be far more complicated. It had the potential to plunge the entire Empire into chaos. Finally, the fake Ezekiel spoke. ¡°The Green Tower¡­ It has a barrier that prevents demonic energy from leaking into the human realm. It was created by the Fifth Princess.¡± ¡°You mean the intricate barrier? The one with thousands of smaller barriers interwoven together?¡± ¡°The Green Tower partially overlaps with the Demon Realm. We would¡¯ve been in deep trouble if it weren¡¯t for the Fifth Princess, meow.¡± The fake Ezekiel nodded solemnly. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± The Green Tower¡­and the Fifth Princess¡¯s renowned barrier. It was called a barrier, but it wasn¡¯t a single entity. It was a complex web of countless interlinked barriers, woven together like a puzzle, resulting in an impenetrable defense. ¡°Actually, there have been issues with some of the barrier fragments for a while now. But the Fifth Princess¡­she hasn¡¯t done anything to fix them.¡± A heavy silence fell over the room once more. The fake Ezekiel¡¯s statement, though brief, carried significant weight. It implied that the Fifth Princess wasn¡¯t simply aiming for a power grab; she was a threat to the entire Empire, to its very peace and stability. ¡°Th-Then what should we do, meow?! If the barrier falls, the damage would be unimaginable¡­!¡± ¡°The Green Tower¡¯s in deep trouble. Of course, if we look at the bigger picture¡­we¡¯re all screwed.¡± Questions and concerns were thrown about, but the fake Ezekiel remained silent, only blinking with a certain intensity. He then added a single sentence. ¡°That concludes today¡¯s meeting. We¡¯re done here.¡± And with that, he abruptly left the meeting. ¡°Ugh¡­ leaving us with nothing but earth-shattering news and no answers¡­ I don¡¯t even know where to begin, meow.¡± It was true. Information was only valuable if it could be utilized, but the fake Ezekiel¡¯s revelations were like scorching embers, burning with potential but offering no immediate solution. Cat-face clutched its head in distress. ¡°What¡­what should we do, meow? Should we exchange an additional piece of information each? I don¡¯t want to end things like this¡­!¡± Every member had already shared their piece of information. It seemed they could choose to remain and continue exchanging intel if they so desired, but¡­ The response was lukewarm at best. One of the members shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m going to call it a night. After hearing those bombshells, I can¡¯t even begin to think of what to share¡­¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, I feel the same way. Ugh¡­ guess that¡¯s that, meow.¡± As the general consensus swayed towards ending the meeting, Compass was the only one who remained relatively composed. He turned to Ezekiel. ¡°It seems everyone¡¯s ready to call it a night. What about you, new member? Are you leaving as well?¡± ¡°Why? Hoping for some overtime?¡± ¡°Hahaha, it¡¯s more like¡­begging, really.¡± Compass rubbed his hands together. ¡°You seem to be quite knowledgeable¡­ Perhaps you even have an idea of how to deal with the Fifth Princess¡¯s treason. If you wouldn¡¯t mind sharing your thoughts¡­¡± That¡¯s when Ezekiel felt a prickle of unease. ¡°Ahem¡­¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± They all averted their gazes, coughing awkwardly. Except for the fake Ezekiel, no one had actually left. It clicked. They were desperate for any scrap of information he might have. It was all thanks to the impact of his revelation. If it had been something ordinary, he wouldn¡¯t have received such a request, let alone be treated with such deference. He could sense he¡¯d already secured a relatively high standing within this gathering. However¡­ ¡®The problem is¡­I have no idea either.¡¯ The news about the Fifth Princess plotting treason was a complete surprise to him as well. He needed time to organize his thoughts. He couldn¡¯t possibly come up with a solution on the spot. But he couldn¡¯t just admit he had no answers. ¡°This gathering¡­rather dull without the Host.¡± With those words, he stood up and left. Why was the Fifth Princess planning treason? How should he deal with it? What should he do next? His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. ? ? ? Immediately after leaving the virtual world, better known as the ¡®Black World,¡¯ Ezekiel received a carrier pigeon bearing a message from the Imperial Palace. ¡®Not the scribe¡­ but the Emperor himself?¡¯ This was practically unheard of. To think he¡¯d receive a message personally written by the Emperor¡­ ¡®What could it be about?¡¯ He hesitated a moment before unsealing the message. Was it another mission? Considering how the Emperor usually treated him, that was the most likely scenario. But high expectations led to bitter disappointment. He reminded himself not to get his hopes up, but a flicker of anticipation stubbornly refused to be extinguished. And then, he read the message. Ezekiel stared at the message, stunned. [The Sun Elixir is ready.] Just a single line, but its implications were earth-shattering. ¡ª End of Chapter ¡ª Translator¡¯s Notes :- We finally reached the 100 chapter mark!!! ? ? ? Chapter 101: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (1) ? Chapter 101 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (1) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? But the message didn¡¯t end there. New text, which hadn¡¯t been there before, began to appear on the back of the carrier pigeon. [Have you earned your reward?] A straightforward question. It seemed to be asking about the other deal they had discussed, the one that offered rewards beyond the promised Sun Elixir. In other words, it was asking if he had succeeded in stealing secret techniques from other Magic Towers. ¡®This is tricky¡­¡¯ While he had accomplished a lot on this trip, he hadn¡¯t managed to steal any definitive secret techniques. Even the progress he¡¯d made in understanding the scroll-making process was merely a first step. The problem was¡­ ¡®I really need that Sun Elixir.¡¯ He knew, better than anyone, how significant a single drop of Sun Elixir could be. He had to get his hands on it. So he racked his brain, trying to come up with a way to present at least one secret technique¡­ and it didn¡¯t take long for a solution to present itself. ¡®The Black Magic Tower.¡¯ Teddy Devine, whom he had personally beheaded, had been nothing more than an assistant. That meant the true Black Tower Master was still out there, somewhere. And, as he recalled, he knew where to find her. The scroll was in his possession, wasn¡¯t it? Perhaps the Black Tower Master would be willing to help him. He made up his mind. ¡®I need to meet with her.¡¯ ? ? ? ? Inside the Black Magic Tower, in a large dormitory¡­ ¡°Ugggh¡­¡± ¡°Gah¡­¡± ¡°I¡­ I think I¡¯m dying¡­¡± As he entered the Black Tower, he found most of the Imperial Magic Tower mages sprawled across the floor, exhausted and barely clinging to life. They resembled walking corpses, merely breathing, their souls seemingly drained from their bodies. ¡°They look like they¡¯ve lost a lot of weight.¡± Ezekiel muttered quietly. They were so exhausted that they didn¡¯t even acknowledge his presence. No one bothered to lift their heads or offer a greeting. He turned to Agnes, who was slumped against Tether, their backs supporting each other. ¡°They all look terrible, don¡¯t they?¡± ¡°¡­Yes. The task you assigned, converting your notes into scrolls, has been completed, somehow. But everyone collapsed as a result.¡± Even Agnes, normally so composed and efficient, looked terrible. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was massaging her temples as if trying to ward off a headache. ¡°Don¡¯t exaggerate.¡± Ezekiel clicked his tongue. ¡°Well, you all did well.¡± He snapped his fingers, and fist-sized chunks of ice materialized, one for each of the collapsed mages, landing gently on their foreheads. ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Their groans now carried a tone of relief. ¡°Now that the scrolls are complete, there¡¯s no reason to stay here any longer. Agnes, prepare for our return.¡± He had the promised Sun Elixir, and the secret meeting had yielded a wealth of information. There was no need to linger here. Just as they were preparing to leave, a voice called out to Ezekiel. ¡°Excuse me¡­ Are you Master Ezekiel?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± He didn¡¯t need to ask who they were; their clothes, emblazoned with the Imperial emblem, identified them as agents of the Imperial family. While their physiques weren¡¯t particularly imposing, their hands were rough and calloused. That was all I needed to know. They were scribes. Ezekiel signaled them with his eyes. ¡°What brings you to this humble abode?¡± ¡°First, allow us to introduce ourselves,¡± one of them said, bowing respectfully. ¡°We are Imperial scribes, dispatched to assess your accomplishments and determine the appropriate rewards for your service during this expedition.¡± ¡°Rewards?¡± Ezekiel tilted his head. ¡°I already received a message from His Majesty the Emperor.¡± ¡°A message directly from His Majesty the Emperor¡­?¡± They seemed astonished to learn that the Emperor himself had sent the message but soon regained their composure. ?¡±It seems word of your accomplishments has spread faster than we anticipated, Inspector. However, we were not sent by His Majesty.¡± ¡°Then¡­?¡± ¡°We are here at the behest of the Second Imperial Princess.¡± The scribe discreetly revealed a scroll, its wax seal bearing the unmistakable imprint of the Second Imperial Princess. ¡°Her Highness instructed us to meticulously document every detail of your achievements and to ensure that you are generously compensated.¡± Scribes, armed with brushes and scrolls, had already dispersed throughout the Magic Tower, diligently recording every detail; the state of the Magic Tower, the scrolls, the condition of the Black Magic Tower. Nothing escaped their notice. The head scribe, distinguished by a traditional head covering, addressed him directly. ¡°As there is much to discuss, Inspector, perhaps we could relocate to a more suitable setting?¡± ¡°Very well.¡± . . . . . As Ezekiel and the head scribe made their way to the reception room, Tether and Agnes trailed behind them like obedient ducklings. Agnes sent Ezekiel a telepathic message. ¡ª Imperial scribes are known for their¡­ rigorous interrogation methods, Inspector. They believe it¡¯s the only way to ascertain the truth. ¡ª And¡­ what¡¯s your point? ¡ª ¡­Don¡¯t you find it strange? They¡¯re usually not so¡­ polite. Agnes searched her memories, recalling her past encounters with Imperial scribes. They had always instilled a sense of fear in her. They were relentless in their pursuit of both accomplishments and flaws, and they showed no mercy to those who fell short of their expectations. This¡­ this unusual display of courtesy¡­ it was unsettling. ¡ª Perhaps the Second Imperial Princess gave them¡­ specific instructions? ¡ª That seems likely. They are known to be¡­ exceedingly deferential to esteemed guests, especially those favored by the Imperial family. So, this was what the Second Princess meant when she promised to take care of him. Ezekiel felt a surge of¡­ gratitude. She was truly a formidable ally. Her influence within the Imperial court was clearly¡­ significant. They arrived at the reception room. And soon, formal introductions were exchanged. ¡°Ezekiel, Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower,¡± he said. ¡°Veron. Head Scribe.¡± Unlike Ezekiel, who had already taken a seat, the head scribe remained standing rigidly. With a nod of his head, Ezekiel indicated for him to sit. ¡°Why don¡¯t you have a seat? It¡¯ll be more comfortable for our conversation.¡± ¡°Her Highness instructed us to treat you with the utmost respect, Inspector. Sharing a table¡­ would be inappropriate. I am perfectly comfortable standing.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be more comfortable if you just sat.¡± ¡°¡­Thank you for your consideration, Inspector.¡± The head scribe seemed quite taken aback. ¡°Is such a thing really that surprising?¡± ¡°Apologies. This is very different from what I expected, and I reacted instinctively.¡± The head scribe scratched the back of his head, looking rather sheepish. ¡°Given how the Second Princess emphasized repeatedly that we were to treat you as a distinguished guest, I assumed you would be as strict as she is.¡± Ezekiel understood, but he was not a person bound by formalities, having rarely experienced lavish treatment in his life. ¡°That¡¯s understandable. How about we get to the point?¡± ¡°Yes, let us proceed immediately.¡± The head scribe unfurled a scroll and began underlining the already written notes as he verified them. ¡°Eliminating the bandits in the Black Territory, thwarting the Black Tower¡¯s conspiracy, and setting a firm example with your decisive actions¡­¡± The head scribe nodded approvingly. ¡°These are indeed remarkable accomplishments. Beyond mere achievements for the Magic Tower, you¡¯ve upheld the imperial family¡¯s honor.¡± ¡°I¡¯m pleased to be recognized.¡± ¡°The scrolls are also quite notable. It will be interesting to see how they advance after the Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s research.¡± The scroll was rolled up again smoothly. ¡°That said, determining appropriate rewards for such deeds has been quite challenging. As a longstanding scribe, I rarely encountered cases warranting such compensation.¡± Another, longer scroll was unfurled, likely detailing the rewards. ¡°Firstly, there is gold. Then, starting from at least the second floor of the Imperial Treasury, we have potions, armaments, and¡ª¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The list was so extensive that it was almost tedious to listen to. *Snap!* Agnes and Tether created a three-way telepathic connection. ¡®They¡¯ve become quite efficient at this,¡¯ Ezekiel thought quietly. Agnes and Tether, as a team, indeed had a good synergy. ¡ª I think gold would be the best option, wouldn¡¯t it? Tether murmured first. ¡ª I agree. We can decide how to use it later. ¡ª But we could never acquire such valuable elixirs and artifacts with mere gold. We should choose wisely. ¡ª Enough. Enough. Ezekiel intervened. ¡ª Why are you both debating over what I should receive? ¡ª ¡­ The two women blinked in silence. After a moment of silence, Agnes communicated again. ¡ª This is also part of my job, Inspector. You need to make the best possible choices to stay motivated, and a motivated Inspector will bring further success to the Imperial Magic Tower¡­ ¡ª I¡¯m thinking it over, so just hold on. *Click.* He mentally cut off the telepathic connection with Agnes. ¡ª Master, Agnes says to reconnect. ¡ª Do you want to be cut off too? ¡ª I will explain it to Agnes. Ah, peace and quiet at last. Ezkiel exhaled a plume of sunweed smoke and asked the scribe.? ¡°Do I really need to decide today?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to give an answer right now,¡± the scribe replied, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m somewhat confused by your meaning.¡± ¡°It means that everything will be prepared for you. You can come and collect it whenever it suits you.¡± ¡°All of it? That means¡­¡± ¡°Yes, all the items listed just now are yours, Inspector.¡± Ezekiel was momentarily speechless. He had assumed he would need to choose just one item due to the enormity of the list. But to think everything was rewarded to him. And yet there was more. ¡°Finally, please accept this.¡± What was handed to Ezekiel was a piece of white paper, the size of a cheque, but only the words ¡®5 hours¡¯ were delicately written on it. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°This is a time cheque. Think of it as a way to exchange for the Princess¡¯s time whenever you wish.¡± Five hours¡­ with an Imperial Princess, on demand? If that¡¯s what it meant, then this was an extraordinary reward. Ezekiel examined the cheque again. ¡°There¡¯s no name on this. Should I assume this is for the Second Princess¡¯s time?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a blank cheque, so you can write in whichever Princess you wish. However¡­¡± ¡°However¡­?¡± However? What was he about to say? He instinctively felt a sense of foreboding. ¡°The fact that you¡¯ve received a time cheque, and whoever it will be used on¡­ All of this will be reported to the Five Princesses. That was her command.¡± Ezekiel quickly extended the cheque back. ¡°¡­Just take it back.¡± ¡°Your refusal will also be reported, Inspector.¡± Ezekiel suddenly felt a chill at the back of his neck and glanced behind. Agnes and Tether were looking at him as if they had witnessed the most extraordinary thing, their faces filled with admiration and envy. Ezekiel closed his eyes tightly. Could this really be considered a reward? This¡­ as a reward¡­? Chapter 102: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (2) ? Chapter 102 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (2) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ¡°Why¡­ Why would she even create such a check?¡± Ezekiel muttered, bewildered. Although his thoughts were filled with concern, the scribe interpreted it as humility. ¡°Hahaha! There¡¯s no need to be so modest, Inspector! You¡¯ve earned it!¡± ¡°That He trailed off, unable to articulate his true feelings. This wasn¡¯t something he could easily confide in anyone. He let out a sigh, running a hand over his face. The time check. To Ezekiel, it felt like a ticking time bomb. The problem was that there was no way to defuse it, and he would have to set it off eventually. He asked the scribe once more. ¡°So, regardless of how I choose to use this Time Check, all the Princesses will be informed?¡± ¡°Yes, Inspector. Those were the conditions set forth for its issuance. There¡¯s nothing we can do about it.¡± ¡°And this was the Second Princess¡¯s idea?¡± The head scribe nodded with a smile. ¡°The Second Princess was the most fervent supporter of this measure; that¡¯s why it¡¯s been communicated this way.¡± It was obvious why she¡¯d been so enthusiastic. She was confident that she would be the chosen one. He lit a sunweed, taking a long drag, his mind racing. A conversation with Hedera flashed through his mind. ¡ª Inspector, you have to give me an answer when you return. ¡®And this is how she chose to force my hand¡­¡¯ Not only did she intend for Ezekiel to use the cheque on her, but she also planned to flaunt it to the other princesses. While he could understand her intentions¡­ ¡®The other princesses won¡¯t sit idly by.¡¯ Starting with this one cheque, it would undoubtedly end in ashes. He tried to imagine the ensuing chaos. ¡­He quickly abandoned the thought, scared of what he envisioned. The best he could do was ask the scribe one more question. ¡°Can I take my time using this cheque?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± That was reassuring. Between his dealings with the Emperor and his duties as the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, he was busy. He figured he could use the excuse of having no time to use the check for quite a while. Or so he thought. ¡°Please use it by the end of this week.¡± ¡°¡­This week?¡± There truly was no escape. ? ? ? The next day¡­ While the Imperial Magic Tower mages departed straight for the Imperial capital, Ezekiel¡¯s party lingered at the edge of the Black Territory. Stealing secret techniques¡­ Tracking down the whereabouts of the Black Tower Master ¡­ That was his objective ¡ª to earn the Sun Elixir. ¡°Wow¡­ this is fascinating¡­¡± ¡°Incredible. Five hours with an Imperial Princess?¡± Currently, Seina, Tether, and Agnes were accompanying Ezekiel, everyone marveling at the time cheque he held. ¡°I want to see it up close!¡± ¡°Oh my? Why are you gripping it so tightly?¡± Ezekiel quietly observed the scene, thinking inwardly. ¡®If only they could accidentally tear it.¡¯ But he quickly realized it was a futile thought. ¡®¡­Actually, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference, would it?¡¯ Would the cheque be invalidated if ripped? No, it would likely be reissued as an indestructible steel cheque. Seina¡¯s eyes sparkled as she spoke. ¡°To receive something like this from the imperial family, truly, Master, you are the treasure of Ice Magic. Congratulations.¡± ¡°¡­Thanks.¡± ¡°Hm? You don¡¯t seem very happy.¡± Ezekiel merely waved his hand lightly, indicating she shouldn¡¯t worry. Instead, he asked about something else. ¡°There was no need for you to come along.¡± ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s a joyful occasion, isn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s celebrate together.¡± Seina was an Elder as kind as she was wise. She had volunteered to join this outing and had not requested a share of the credit. Agnes and Tether looked at the two of them in amazement. ¡°¡­It¡¯s incredible that you have an Elder of the Green Tower as your disciple.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Amid this atmosphere, they continued walking until they reached the edge of the Thorny Forest. It was a desolate expanse of twisted, blackened trees, devoid of any leaves, their branches covered in wickedly sharp thorns. The Black Tower Master¡­ she was in there, somewhere. Tether blinked. ¡°So, we¡¯re supposed to search this entire Thorny Forest to find the Black Tower Master?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the plan.¡± ¡°I thought it would be easy since the scroll specified the Thorny Forest, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be this vast and eerie¡­¡± Seina interjected from the side. ¡°It¡¯s vast, but we can¡¯t scatter. The Thorny Forest is thick with miasma. There¡¯s no telling when a fiend might jump out.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to enter the Thorny Forest.¡± Ezekiel cut off their conversation. He slowly knelt on one knee and placed his hand on the ground, focusing intently.? ¡°Agnes.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°The Black Tower Master, are you sure she¡¯s here?¡± ¡°According to the information, absolutely.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ezekiel silently nodded. *Shhhhh¡ª* Taking a deep breath in, ¡°Kyul.¡± ? ? ? Greta was born a witch. Until recently, she held the title of Black Tower Master, but that was no longer the case. Now, she simply wore a pitch-black robe topped with a large pointed hat. Perched on it was a single frog. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lately, she found herself often reflecting on how she ended up in this situation. The blame, she knew, largely rested on Teddy Divine. She had been swept up in that child¡¯s greed and ambition, but it wasn¡¯t as if she had committed any crimes of her own. Nonetheless, Greta engaged in self-reflection, as she was magnanimous by nature, seeking to find fault within herself. ¡°Leaving the forest in the first place was my mistake. The Black Tower¡­ all of it¡­¡± she muttered to herself. *Croak¡ª* She was in the heart of the Thorny Forest. Though known for its gloomy atmosphere, to Greta, who had lived and grown there, it was the most comfortable place. The scenery before her was serene. A crackling bonfire, a cauldron bubbling over a steady flame, a magically built hut nearby¡­ and of course, her frogs. It was enough. Yes, this was a witch¡¯s life. As her eyelids began to flutter closed¡­ *Croak, croak, croak.* A frog suddenly leaped onto Greta¡¯s face. ¡°Gah!¡± She brushed the frog away and opened her eyes. A group of frogs sat before her, offering a collection of herbs and berries. ¡°These are good for me, you know.¡± *Croak, croak.* ¡°That¡¯s sweet of you all, but I¡¯ll be fine. It¡¯s not something that can be cured with this.¡± To perfect the forbidden techniques of the Black Tower, she had poured her very life force into her work. Mere herbs and berries were useless. Perhaps a legendary elixir would do the trick, but even that was a long shot. ¡°An ice waterfall¡­ I want to try making one. I want to install one in plain sight.¡± *Croak¡­* The frog stirring the cauldron shook its head. Another failure, it seemed. Greta knew her limits. How could she, with no talent in ice magic, create something as difficult as an ice waterfall? Even the Blue Tower Mages struggled with such a feat. It was mere stubbornness on her part; a foolish attachment. *Croak, croak! Croak, croak!* The frogs croaked urgently. Greta¡¯s face hardened slightly. ¡°¡­The Forest Guardian is here.¡± A figure approached, each step echoing. Dressed in rags, they looked like a beggar. The figure wore a crown of thorny branches and leaned on a long wooden staff like a scepter. The Guardian of the Thorny Forest, also known as the Thornwood Sprite, was approaching. Wherever it settled, the area turned into a bramble field. For Greta, this was far from a pleasant reunion. With her vitality significantly diminished, she wasn¡¯t in the best condition to confront him. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Greta. What brings the former Black Tower Master here?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just say things happened¡­ However¡­¡± Greta quietly took a step back. ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like you¡¯ve come just to welcome me.¡± ¡°How rude! You wound me! I assure you, my welcome is as warm as ever. It¡¯s simply taken a¡­ different form.¡± The Forest Guardian grinned broadly. ¡°¡­Different?¡± ¡°You were once a revered witch, a force to be reckoned with that anyone would acknowledge. Back then, it was only fitting to welcome you as the mistress of this forest.¡± ¡°And now?¡± ¡°But now¡­ you seem¡­ frail. So, it¡¯s only fitting that I welcome you with the nourishment this forest provides. Don¡¯t you agree? ¡± *Rustle¡ª rustle¡ª* Several thorny trees began to lower their branches slowly, like ropes ready to ensnare Greta¡¯s limbs and neck. ¡®This is bad.¡¯ Her energy depleted, her body exhausted. This was a dire situation. *Croak¡­! Croak¡­!* As the frogs croaked plaintively¡­ *Whoosh! Whoosh!* A deafening sound, like a fierce gale, suddenly erupted. But it wasn¡¯t quite the wind; it was something cooler. ¡°What¡¯s with this annoying noise¡­¡± The Forest Guardian¡¯s words were cut short. The next moment¡­ ¡° *Shhhhaaaa¡ª!* What happened next was nothing short of astonishing. *Crrraaaack¡ª!* With a loud crack, the entire Thorny Forest, the very air around them, froze instantly. The Forest Guardian now stood as nothing more than a frozen statue. ¡®¡­Neither I nor the frogs were affected.¡¯ That was what Greta found strange. *Tap.* Greta lightly tapped the frozen Forest Guardian between the eyes. *Swoosh¡ª!* And immediately, a path of ice formed before her. Something or someone was rapidly approaching her. Chapter 103: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (3) ? Chapter 103 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (3) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ?A phenomenon where the entire forest freezes over was truly unusual. It was just as Greta was preparing for battle. ¡°Aaah!¡± Something tumbled gracelessly from the sky, landing with a soft thud on the frozen ground. It wasn¡¯t an object, but a person. A young woman, to be more precise, her features vaguely resembling a rabbit. *Thud!* Three more figures descended from above, landing gracefully on the ice. ¡°Remember, the closer you feel to falling, the more you should lean into the descent. I told you about this technique,¡± one of the women said, shaking her head. Yes, yes¡­ My body just doesn¡¯t seem to cooperate¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you didn¡¯t get seriously hurt.¡± Greta¡¯s gaze, however, focused not on the women, but on the man at the center. He seemed to be the key figure. ¡®Strong.¡¯ An overwhelming aura of cold surrounded him, meticulously controlled and refined. Even standing still, he emanated a sense of power that sent shivers down her spine. With a sunweed in his mouth, he spoke. ¡°Freezing everything is quite exhausting.¡± ¡°¡­You¡­ you searched for me by freezing the entire forest?¡± Greta asked, incredulous. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have imagined such a method¡­ it¡¯s almost unbelievable.¡± ¡°Well, what matters is that we found you unharmed.¡± Finally, all eyes, including those of the man, turned to Greta. *Crack, crack, crack¨D!* As if it had never been frozen, the forest rapidly thawed, the ice retreating. To freeze and then unfreeze the entire forest¡ªit was an impressive feat, even to Greta. ¡°Are you the Black Tower¡¯s master?¡± The man approached Greta. ¡°I am Ezekiel, inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a witch. I used to be the master of the Black Tower.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ve found the right person.¡± Ezekiel gestured towards the frozen forest guardian. ¡°Is that a friend? Should I thaw him out?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± Greta¡¯s reply was calm, but internally, she couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. ¡®To find me by covering the entire forest in ice?¡¯ After spreading his enchanted ice indefinitely, he must have created a path as soon as he detected my presence. That¡¯s the method he seems to have used. ?? ¡­This was theoretically possible. ¡®And this forest is filled with mana.¡¯ To freeze even the constantly fluctuating mana? The extent of his ice manipulation was unfathomable. Even in the Blue Tower, she had never heard of anything like it. It was then that the woman next to Ezekiel paid her respects. ¡°I am Seina, elder of the Blue Tower.¡± ¡°¡­Even an elder of the Blue Tower?¡± Greta couldn¡¯t possibly not know who Seina was. Despite her young age, her achievements were remarkable, and her mastery over ice was sharp and cold, just like her personality. Yet, by Ezekiel¡¯s side, she seemed quite mild. ¡®Incredible magic¡­ and remarkable connections¡­¡¯ As that thought crossed Greta¡¯s mind¡­ ¡°It is an honor to meet the Black Tower Master.¡± ¡°We are privileged to meet you.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s party, without exception, showed their respect. This naturally eased Greta¡¯s guard. Ezekiel himself also displayed proper etiquette. ¡°I used magic that may have been rude. I seek your understanding.¡± ¡°Without that magic, I would have been in far greater danger. I should be the one thanking you.¡± Perhaps it was their respectful demeanor, or maybe it was simply Greta¡¯s own fatigue, but the conversation flowed smoothly, without a hint of tension. ¡°I¡¯d like to talk with the Black Tower Master.¡± ¡°Very well. My home is humble, but you¡¯re welcome to join me.¡± Led by Greta, they made their way toward a massive log cabin nestled amidst the trees. ? ? ? Inside Greta¡¯s cabin¡­ ¡°¡­Teddy was¡­executed?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true. As unbelievable as it may sound.¡± Seina offered a reassuring smile, but Greta was still reeling from the news. ¡®She didn¡¯t even¡­ resist?¡¯ Given Teddy Divine¡¯s personality, her downfall had been inevitable. But to be killed without putting up a fight¡­ that was unexpected. As Seina recounted the events that had transpired at the Black Tower, Greta¡¯s gaze kept shifting toward Ezekiel. It was only natural. ¡°When I heard about your success in the Ruiple region, I knew the Imperial Magic Tower must have sent a formidable inspector. But I never imagined¡­ someone of this caliber.¡± ¡°You flatter me. I still have much to learn,¡± Ezekiel replied with a modest smile. But perhaps he wasn¡¯t being modest. Perhaps he truly believed that he could achieve even greater heights. The conversation continued. They discussed Ezekiel¡¯s various accomplishments and eventually got to the main topic of secret techniques. Hearing about these secret techniques, Greta asked, ¡°You want the secret technique I¡¯ve been researching?¡± ¡°It¡¯s essential.¡± ¡°Giving it isn¡¯t difficult, but¡­ Hmm¡­¡± Greta fished something out of a cauldron. What appeared was a disc. It was divided into segments like a pizza, with various elements embedded on it. *Ribbit?* *Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit!* Suddenly, frogs covered Greta, vehemently trying to stop her.? A telepathic channel quickly opened between Ezekiel and his companions. ¡ª Master, what are those frogs saying? ¡ª How should I know? ¡ª But Master, you¡¯re all-knowing! ¡ª I¡¯m¡­ somewhat proficient in interpreting non-human vocal patterns. Perhaps I could¡­ apply a translation filter to our eardrums? They all stared at Tether, their expressions conveying a silent, ¡®You?¡¯ Tether sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. ¡ª You must think very little of me¡­. She proceeded to weave a thin layer of mana over their eardrums, acting as a real-time translator for the frogs¡¯ croaking. ¡°What are you telling the outsider? This disc has been Greta¡¯s long-held aspiration!¡± ¡°It¡¯s true that it¡¯s my aspiration, but keeping it in my hands is futile. There¡¯s no way forward.¡± ¡°But¡­ to give it away to¡­?¡± Greta gently hushed the chorus of concerned croaking. ¡°I don¡¯t have much time left. My only wish is to see it completed. To cling to it any longer¡­ would be stubbornness, even selfishness.¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed Greta had already made up her mind. ¡°We don¡¯t understand. Giving it to these¡­ strangers¡­?¡± ¡°Greta! Please reconsider!¡± ¡°Do not worry too much. I¡¯m merely showing it.¡± Ignoring the frogs¡¯ continued protests, Greta turned toward Ezekiel, holding out the disc. ¡°Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, do you see a way to fill this?¡± She asked the question casually, but then gasped in surprise. The intensity in Ezekiel¡¯s eyes was startling. As if he¡¯d been transported to another world. ¡®Taxidermy Magic¡­¡¯ Ezekiel immediately recognized the nature of the disc. Within its sections, flames danced, darkness swirled, winds howled. Pure, unadulterated elemental energies, preserved within the disc. This was no simple channeling of elemental power. This was something far more complex, far more intricate. Greta had captured a specific moment in time, preserving these elemental essences in their purest form. Taxidermy magic, preserving not life, but the very essence of elemental energy. Greta had evidently poured a lot of effort into this. The craftsmanship was beyond what a high-difficulty technique could describe. ¡°Ice is the only element I couldn¡¯t capture,¡± Greta muttered. Seina¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Why is that? Capturing the ice element should be the easiest task.¡± ¡°Ordinary ice just melts away. Simply capturing ice that doesn¡¯t melt wasn¡¯t enough. I believed there was a more exquisite form of freezing.¡± Ice that doesn¡¯t melt is just that: it doesn¡¯t melt. Visually, it¡¯s indistinguishable from ordinary ice.? Greta¡¯s words conveyed her regret. Seina, who had a deep affinity for ice, also roughly understood her sentiment. It was then that Ezekiel spoke. ¡°Black Tower Master, what kind of ice did you have in mind?¡± Greta nodded slowly. ¡°I envisioned¡­ a frozen waterfall.¡± As if wanting to picture the image she had in mind in detail, the Black Tower Master closed her eyes briefly. ¡°Ice is inherently static, unchanging. It cannot move or flow. But what if the ice could flow? What could be more beautiful than that?¡± Ezekiel quietly rubbed his chin, pondering the concept of flowing ice. Flowing¡­ ice? It was Seina who broke the silence first. ¡°Incorporating a flowing element into ice is a nearly impossible feat even in the Blue Tower. For it to be on the scale of a waterfall, the difficulty would be exponentially higher.¡± ¡°I know very well that it¡¯s almost impossible. That¡¯s why I called it stubbornness.¡± ¡°It¡¯s challenging. No, it¡¯s unattainable.¡± Tether and Agnes also wore conflicted expressions. The more they thought about it, the more they realized just how absurdly high the difficulty was. Fire burns, wind spreads, ice remains frozen. These were the basics. But how could one make ice flow? At that moment, Ezekiel returned the disc. Greta nodded, as if she understood. ¡°¡­So, it¡¯s impossible after all?¡± Ezekiel did not answer with words. Instead, he focused his will, drawing upon his mana, and unleashed a wave of icy energy¡­ Chapter 104: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (4) ? Chapter 104 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (4) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ?As Ezekiel slowly closed his eyes¡­ *Rumble¡­* ¡­suddenly, the entire Thornwood Forest began to tremble violently. Black, thorny trees twisted and contorted, morphing into grotesque demonic forms, with thick misama, thick and suffocating, billowed out from the ground. Ezekiel¡¯s companions reacted instantly, their expressions turning grim. ¡°D-demons, Master!¡± ¡°There are so many of them!¡± Even though they uttered urgent words, their bodies quickly assumed a battle formation, showing they weren¡¯t novices. Black Tower Master Greta also silently prepared for combat. Agnes turned to her and asked, Though still young, they were far from inexperienced. Despite their initial shock, they quickly formed a defensive circle, their weapons drawn. ¡°¡­You don¡¯t seem surprised. Is this a common occurrence here? Is the Thornwood Forest usually like this?¡± ¡°While encountering demons is common, the sheer number is unusual. I¡¯ve never seen the forest react so violently before.¡± Her words were clearly not an exaggeration. Everyone could feel it ¨C the forest¡¯s energy had shifted, become chaotic, almost¡­ sentient. The sheer number of demons was overwhelming. Tether¡¯s shoulders shook. ¡°Could it be that the inspector¡¯s earlier freezing of the forest caused this? Is the Thornwood Forest furious because of it?¡± ¡°No.¡± Greta shook her head firmly. ¡°If you listen closely, you can hear the forest¡¯s whispers. This¡­ this isn¡¯t anger. It¡¯s¡­.¡± Greta tilted her head, bewildered. Her expression suggested she couldn¡¯t believe what she was sensing. ¡°¡­The forest seems joyous. It¡¯s reacting as if it has finally found something it has long been searching for. That¡¯s what it feels like to me.¡± Ezekiel clicked his tongue in irritation. ¡°I intended to do this peacefully, but it seems we¡¯re forced into this again.¡± ¡°¡­Inspector, what do we do now?¡± ¡°What else can we do? We fight.¡± . . . *?Crash! Boom!* The battle raged on. *Kaboom! Thud!* Explosions of mana illuminated the Thornwood Forest, turning the forest into a chaotic battlefield. Though Ezekiel and his companions were individually stronger, they were outnumbered. ?? ¡°I¡¯ll handle this. You three, go assist the Black Tower Master,¡± Ezekiel ordered, nodding towards Greta. ¡°It seems necessary. I¡¯ve heard she was immensely powerful, but she looks quite worn out. I¡¯ll go assist her.¡± Agnes nodded calmly. ¡°¡­Who are you to be speaking of the Great Witch?¡± A voice, unfamiliar and suddenly present. Without them noticing, girls with light-green hair were staring at them. It wasn¡¯t hard to figure out. These were the frogs that had been near Greta, transformed into human form. ¡®I knew those frogs were¡­ unusual¡­¡¯ What surprised Ezekiel was the sheer amount of mana each of them possessed. They were far stronger than ordinary mages. ¡°Don¡¯t take it personally. We just wanted to help,¡± Ezekiel said, trying to diffuse the situation. ¡°The Imperial Magic Tower is obsessed with oppressing the Black Tower. You expect us to believe you? You¡¯re just trying to find her weaknesses!¡± one of the women spat back. *Crash! Boom!* The battle raged on. The frog-women, despite being pushed back by the sheer number of demons, fiercely refused any assistance from Ezekiel¡¯s companions. ¡®I suppose this is the¡­ reputation the Imperial Magic Tower has,¡¯ Ezekiel thought grimly. The Imperial Magic Tower¡¯s involvement often meant that something was amiss, something that required investigation, perhaps even punishment. No wonder most mages viewed their intervention with suspicion and resentment. The frog-women continued to grumble as they fought. ¡°They¡¯re after Greta¡¯s secret technique.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll take it under the guise of inspecting it, and then use it to pressure Greta, claiming some baseless flaw. They have no conscience.¡± Seina, overhearing their accusations, scowled. ¡°¡­Those frogs are more annoying than the demons. Master, should I¡­ teach them some manners? With my fists, of course?¡± ¡°Hold yourself.¡± ¡°Agnes, while you say that, you¡¯re pushing me forward?¡± The already tense situation was further aggravated by this petty squabbling. Just as it seemed things couldn¡¯t get any worse¡­ Then, a long figure approached. There were three in total. Cloaked in black, miasma swirling around them, their bodies adorned with an assortment of weapons. They were demons, but their movements, their postures¡­ they mimicked elite assassins. ?The demon in the center spoke, his voice a grating rasp. ¡°Leave only the targets, sweep everything else.¡± As if on cue, the two demons flanking him shot forward. *Whoosh!* Their movements were too fast for the eye to follow. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ strong¡­!¡± ¡°Be careful!¡± The addition of just two assassins had shifted the tide of battle. Even the frog-women, known for their strength and resilience, were struggling. The assassin in the center drew his twin demonic blades, their edges shimmering with miasma, and began walking towards Ezekiel, his every step filled with purpose, as if guided by an unseen force. ¡°I¡¯ve found you. Finally found you. Hehehe¡­¡± Ezekiel turned to Greta, his expression curious. ¡°Have you ever seen them before?¡± ¡°No, they seem to be beyond even the level of high-ranking demons. What could be the reason for coming all the way to Thornwood Forest?¡± ¡°Reason?¡± Ezekiel chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll find out from here.¡± *Thud!* He launched himself forward, his legs surging with mana, propelling him towards the assassin like a bolt of lightning. ¡° The assassin¡¯s head snapped up, his gaze finally focusing on Ezekiel, but his body was too slow to react. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± *Slash!* Ezekiel¡¯s hand, encased in a blade of ice, sliced through the assassin¡¯s neck, ending his life in an instant; the remaining assassins lunged at Ezekiel, unleashing a barrage of demonic projectiles. However, Ezekiel didn¡¯t bother dodging. He formed a massive cube of ice, then smashed it with his fist. *KABOOM!* The shattered shards of ice erupted outward, shredding one assassin¡¯s body into a bloody pulp; the other assassin was left with a gaping hole in his torso. He stared down at the wound, his eyes wide with disbelief, then slowly collapsed, kneeling on the ground before slumping forward, lifeless. ¡°In¡­ cred¡­ ible¡­ Seol¡­ Gwi¡­¡± he gasped, his voice a raspy whisper. Seolgwi? The word registered in Ezekiel¡¯s mind. The battle was now over; the area clear. The miasma had dissipated, and aside from a few battered frog-women, everyone was unscathed. The frog-women, their previous hostility forgotten, approached Ezekiel, their gazes filled with respect. ¡°We were rude¡­¡± ¡°We did not recognize the noble one.¡± ¡°Thank you for saving us.¡± The frogs changed their attitude and showed respect, but Ezekiel wasn¡¯t particularly interested in that. Yes, the problem lies with this high-ranking demon¡¯s mouth. He grabbed the assassin by the neck, channeled his mana into his legs, and launched himself into the air. *Whoosh!* He swiftly distanced himself from his companions, carrying the assassin¡¯s limp body. He intended to interrogate the demon before returning. He tossed the creature onto the ground and pressed his boot against its chest. ¡°Tell me who you are.¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± The demon just grinned, a chilling sound. ¡°Heh¡­ Hehehe¡­ Hehehe! Hahahaha!¡± Just as Ezekiel lost his patience and raised his hand to crush the demon¡¯s skull, the assassin spoke, his voice laced with fanaticism. ¡°Seolgwi¡­ we found the Seolgwi¡­ How delighted will the Goddess be? Ah, my Goddess¡­¡± He laughed, his teeth bared in a grotesque smile. ¡°You! You haven¡¯t sent a letter to the Goddess, have you? How could you commit such sacrilege? To shun the Goddess, whom you should love the most! How dare you!¡± ¡°¡­What¡­ are you talking about?¡± The assassin¡¯s face, a swirling mass of black miasma, was made even more unsettling by his manic grin. But Ezekiel maintained his composure, watching the demon intently. ¡°The Goddess has been searching for you. She wants to know why you haven¡¯t written. Finding you alone fulfills our mission. The Goddess will soon come for you herself!¡± ¡°Goddess?¡± ¡°Yes! The Goddess desires Seolgwi! She wants to bear your child! So accept it! Accept! ACCEPT!¡± The assassin suddenly lurched upright, throwing his arms into the air; its hands raised in worship. ¡°The Goddess will descend! Ah, the Goddess©¤!¡± *Thwack©¤!* Ezekiel crushed the assassin¡¯s skull, silencing his ravings. The demon remained standing, frozen in a posture of worship, a macabre statue. Ezekiel stared at the corpse, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°¡­Goddess?¡± Nothing came to mind. While there were plenty of demons in the Demon Realm who held grudges against him. But the assassin¡¯s words¡­ they were strange, unsettling. Why hadn¡¯t he written? The Goddess descending personally? Bearing his child? What did it all mean? Eventually, his companions, drawn by the commotion, rushed to his side. ¡°Master, what happened?¡± ¡°Inspector, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡° Ezekiel was silent for a moment. Then he shook his head. ¡°I wanted to glean some information but I couldn¡¯t.¡± He kept the information about the Goddess to himself. Goddess¡­ Goddess¡­ Goddess¡­ Who was this Goddess? ¡®Could it be¡­?¡¯ A face flashed through his mind. The 0th Princess, the one who had been sent to the Demon Realm¡­ But he quickly dismissed the thought. ¡®No.¡¯ That was impossible. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 105: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (5) ? Chapter 105 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (5) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ¡®The 0th Princess¡­¡¯ For some reason, the thought wouldn¡¯t leave him. The princess he¡¯d desperately tried to protect. The one he¡¯d ultimately failed to save. The Emperor had turned a blind eye to her fate, and the Demon King himself had taken a strange interest in her. The memories were painful, sharp shards of regret piercing his heart. Could he have done more? Could he have saved her? ¡° He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. The past was the past. And besides, the ¡°Goddess¡± the assassins spoke of couldn¡¯t possibly be the 0th Princess. He wasn¡¯t a fool. He wouldn¡¯t allow baseless assumptions to distract him from his duty. He needed to focus on the present. Meanwhile, the situation had calmed down. ¡°Oh, he was the one who helped us.¡± ¡°A wizard of the Imperial Magic Tower who uses ice?¡± ¡°We will never forget this kindness.¡± The frog girls had an endearing quality to them. They looked like young girls and spoke with formal politeness, which made them even more charming. Greta, the Black Tower Master, quietly nodded. ¡°It seems the Inspector is indeed a noble person.¡± As everyone gathered around Ezekiel, eager to express their thanks, he raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks. ¡°Thank you, but please step back. Something has come to mind.¡± The battle, despite its brevity, had ignited something within him. His body felt invigorated, his control over his ice magic sharper, more refined. He felt an overwhelming urge to unleash his power, to give form to the inspiration that surged within him. ? ¡°Has he¡­ gained an epiphany?¡± Greta asked, surprise evident in her voice. She placed the disc on the ground and gestured for the frog-women to move back. *Ssssss¡ª* Ezekiel focused his will, drawing upon his mana, unleashing tendrils of icy energy. ¡®Those assassins¡¯ words¡­ I need to forget them, for now¡­¡¯ It wasn¡¯t difficult. He was a master of focus, of control. He directed his attention to the disc, to the empty section meant for ice. He needed to create something worthy of filling that space. Something beautiful. He closed his eyes, dissecting his own ice magic, exploring its depths, pushing its boundaries. He wasn¡¯t concerned with power or destructive force. He hadn¡¯t even fully visualized the final form. Right now, all that mattered was the process, the exploration. *Srrrk©¤ Srrrrk©¤* His icy mana, responding to his will, began to writhe, to take shape. It shimmered, pulsated, a living entity dancing before his closed eyes. The mana, fused with his ice energy, began to take form, guided by his intent. Then, as if a veil had been lifted, he saw it. ¡°¡­Flow,¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible. The blueprints and imagery in his mind aligned. He struggled to retain that image in his mind. He was in the process of combining mana and the ice energy. ¡®¡­Just how many magic circles will I need?¡¯ Ezekiel pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. If he needed more, he¡¯d create more. The sheer number of magic circles was inconsequential to someone of his level. Over twenty intricate magic circles shimmered around him, their patterns complex and precise. ¡°Haa¡­¡± A single breath. He channeled his mana, activating the intricate network of runes and symbols he¡¯d woven into existence. *Whoosh!* Like a fuse ignited, his mana coursed through the magic circles, transforming their ethereal forms from colorless outlines to vibrant shades of blue; the air hummed with power, a symphony. *Humm©¤!* *Humm©¤!* A resonating hum, tangible, almost audible, filled the air, a sensation that any mage would recognize. His mana reserves were depleted, but he didn¡¯t care. He could feel it. He knew he¡¯d succeeded. *Rumble¡­ Rumble¡­ Rumble¡­* In front of everyone¡¯s eyes, something blue surged upward with grand force. It was so large it was hard to believe it was made with magic, resembling terrain that had always been there. A wave of cold air swept through. *Crack©¤ Crick, Crack, Crack©¤ Crack, Crack, Crack, Crack©¤!* A frozen waterfall. A towering wall of ice, shimmering under the sunlight, cascaded endlessly downward, each crystalline shard crashing against the frozen ground below, creating a mesmerizing display of frozen beauty. It was magnificent, breathtakingly beautiful, yet strangely¡­ gentle. The shattered ice fragments, swirling around the base of the waterfall like a fine mist, added to its ethereal beauty, captivating their senses. ¡°¡­ Everyone stood in silent awe, captivated by the spectacle. It was inevitable. A waterfall¡­ of ice¡­ flowing endlessly, defying the very nature of its element. A frozen torrent, a perpetual cascade. It was a masterpiece of unparalleled perfection that could only induce awe. ¡°Greta.¡± At some point, he called out to the Black Tower Master. She had been entranced but now looked at him. ¡°What do you think? Is this worthy of being stored in the disc?¡± Greta did not respond verbally. Instead, she activated the disc. ¡­Ever since becoming the Black Tower Master, Greta, the witch who¡¯d suffered persecution for her very nature, had harbored a deep, burning desire. She¡¯d been ostracized, vilified for her affinity for dark magic. But through it all, she¡¯d clung to a dream, a vision that had sustained her, that had fueled her relentless pursuit of knowledge, even at the cost of her own life force. She¡¯d yearned to create something beautiful, something that would transcend the prejudice, the hatred she¡¯d endured. A landscape of endless desire. And this vision¡­ it was anything but ordinary¡­ She had always wished for a world where all mages lived in harmony, where a landscape showcasing the distinct elements in unity exemplified ¡®harmony.¡¯ Thus, she had gathered her dreams. The fiery mountain range, frozen in time, its peaks ablaze with eternal flames. The lake of darkness, its depths reflecting the starry sky above. The wind spirit, a wisp of condensed air, dancing gracefully amidst the trees¡­ And now, completing the scene, the flowing frozen waterfall. The landscape Greta had dreamed of, yearned for, was finally complete. It was the moment her dream became reality. The sight of all the elements shining brilliantly together was nothing short of mesmerizing. Words couldn¡¯t do it justice. All one could do was shiver in awe. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Greta closed her eyes, savoring the moment. It was inevitable. With her eyes closed, the scenery was even more vivid, something she could feel with her entire being. The vortex of elements enveloped her. The entire world was made of elements. Happiness slowly seeped into her. The flame mountain range was warm, the ice waterfall cool. The dark lake seemed ready to reflect the sky like a mirror. When Greta finally reopened her eyes, tears were streaming down her face. ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± Those were her first words. Greta gazed at Ezekiel. She had not expected success, but the outcome was a resounding triumph. Thus, she was more grateful now than at any other moment in her life. ¡°Inspector, this disc¡­ it¡¯s yours.¡± The landscape she could have never completed with her own power, but one she had always wished to witness alive. Now that her wish had been fulfilled, ownership no longer mattered. ¡°Make it the property of the Black Tower. I¡¯ll just keep it in my custody.¡± At his words, Greta quietly nodded. She slowly raised her arms, surrendering herself to the landscape. Feeling the embrace of the five elements, she pressed her pointed hat down and basked in the joy. Tears continued to stream down her face, but they were tears of joy, tears of gratitude. Someday¡­ Someday¡­ She hoped all mages could coexist in harmony. Just like the elements in this magnificent, impossible landscape. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ? ? ? Afterward¡­ They swiftly returned to the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡°The landscape on the disk was truly moving! How wonderful it would be if Lady Greta was the Master of the Black Tower! Everyone would view the Black Tower with kinder eyes!¡± ¡°Indeed. At least we¡¯ve seen its potential. The Black Tower will become happier.¡± It seemed Agnes and Tether had grown a bit closer. They discussed the impressive landscape on the disc all the way back, and it was no idle talk. Greta was bound to become happier from now on. ¡®Because she agreed to become the Black Tower Master once more.¡¯ Ezekiel trusted Greta. He believed she would not only rebuild the Black Tower, but also become a valuable ally. He looked forward to the future, to the prospect of working alongside her. But for now, he had much to do. Time seemed to fly by. . . . . . ¡°Inspector, it¡¯s a modest gift, but¡­!¡± ¡°May I have a moment of your time, Inspector?¡± There were many rewards and gifts, but due to his rising fame, many more people were coming to the Magic Tower just to meet him. It was unlike the previous aftermath of his achievements in the Ruipel region. This time, having accomplished something at the presentation had caused a large ripple effect. However, Ezekiel wasn¡¯t at the Imperial Magic Tower. ¡®Today¡¯s the day.¡¯ He set foot on the imperial grounds at dawn. Even he didn¡¯t know how much he had been looking forward to this day. He¡¯d meticulously inspected Greta¡¯s disc, making sure the elemental landscape within remained stable. He¡¯d also spent countless hours refining his mana control, preparing his body for what was to come. All for one purpose. To receive the Sun Elixir. ¡®Finally¡­ today¡­¡¯ He gazed at the audience chamber in the distance. The highest authority in the Empire, the Emperor. The day had finally come for him to receive the Sun Elixir from the Emperor. And to his surprise¡­ Solana was there to greet him. Chapter 106: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (6) ? Chapter 106 ¨C Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (6) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? The day had finally arrived ¨C the day he would receive the Sun Elixir. ¡®I must be in peak condition.¡¯ Even within the Imperial Palace, he¡¯d sought out a training ground, diligently refining his mana control and honing his icy mana. He¡¯d meticulously cleansed his body, every aspect of his being prepared for this momentous occasion. ¡ª There has been a slight delay. Come at dusk. In the meantime, an additional message arrived from the audience chamber. Although it was regrettable that there was a delay, it wasn¡¯t being pushed to another day, so it was still manageable. Wondering what to do with the free time he had, he heard a voice. ¡°Master, do you have a moment?¡± The 3rd Princess, Solana, appeared before him, a radiant smile gracing her lips. And he found himself ushered into a lavish reception room, where they spent the next few hours¡­ together. The weather was exceptionally beautiful that day. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Solana, the 3rd Princess of the Empire. If anyone were to ask who possessed the most radiant smile in the empire, Solana¡¯s name would undoubtedly be mentioned. Even Zekiel couldn¡¯t deny her captivating charm. It was said that devotees would go to extraordinary lengths, striving for achievements and recognition, just to earn a moment of her attention, a single word from their beloved princess. A single word from Solana, and time spent with her, were regarded as blessings, hence the zeal of those who worked tirelessly to achieve it. ¡°I prayed all day, worried that something might go wrong¡­ and¡­¡± Solana was chattering away animatedly. To none other than Ezekiel. And the fragrant scent tickling his nose. Had her culinary skills improved yet again? The elegant refreshments and tea offered to Ezekiel, befitting a reception room, were luxurious enough to think they belonged elsewhere. They were accompanied by Solana¡¯s lively chatter. Ezekiel wasn¡¯t a fool. He was well aware that the situation he was currently enjoying was something that many had desperately hoped for. It was not about indulging in luxury. But even though he recognized the privilege, the honor bestowed upon him¡­ Even though he knew he was currently blessed¡­ Nevertheless¡­ He couldn¡¯t focus on Solana¡¯s words at all. ¡®The Sun Sun Elixir, I¡¯m finally receiving the Sun Elixir¡­¡¯ His mind was consumed by a single thought. And soon, he paid the price for his distraction. *Squeeze!* He felt pressure on his hand, a sudden, firm grip. The scent of sunflowers, heady and intoxicating, enveloped him. Solana was holding his hand, her grip surprisingly strong. Their faces were inches apart. Her bright, captivating eyes held his gaze, unwavering. ¡°Master, you¡¯re not listening to me, are you?¡± She smiled sweetly. ¡°¡­What could you possibly be thinking about?¡± If only she would just reprimand him outright, it would be better, but her smiling words made it all the more frightening. ¡°Every time you expand your group, Master, it seems¡­ the new members are always women. When I heard the Elder of the Blue Tower had joined your ranks, I made some inquiries¡­ and she¡¯s quite the beauty, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wasn¡¯t something he had intentionally planned. And considering he had been immersed in thoughts of the Sun Elixir and had been rude to Solana in the process, he couldn¡¯t exactly deny it either. Solana tightened her grip slightly. ¡°Even if you¡¯re not interested, there¡¯s no guarantee that they won¡¯t take an interest in you. Even a fox that initially has no thoughts might wag its tail if it finds its master appealing.¡± ¡°Okay, okay¡­ I¡¯ll pay better attention to our conversation.¡± But Solana¡¯s words didn¡¯t stop. ¡°Think about it, the 2nd Princess¡¯s secretary is quite amusing too. That girl who looks like a rabbit. Why is she always around you when she¡¯s supposed to be the 2nd Princess¡¯s secretary?¡± ¡° ¡°You need to stay alert, Master. It¡¯s like a flower garden all around you. Though, it doesn¡¯t seem like they are all that impressive individually.¡± Perhaps there was a hint of her own feelings in that final remark. Her words, though delivered with a smile, carried a different meaning. They were filled with strong caution and concern. In other words, she wanted him to really listen to what she was saying. For Ezekiel, it was a situation that made him resolve to handle things well. He did not want any of his companions to suffer disadvantages. He tried to soothe Solana. ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to worry about. Trust me.¡± ¡°Even if you say that, I will still worry. Anyway.¡± Solana asked with a teasing tone. ¡°You received a check, didn¡¯t you?¡± A Check? ¡° Her question snapped him out of his Sun Elixir-induced daze. Now that she mentioned it¡­ hadn¡¯t she said something about all the princesses being informed? ¡°¡­Check?¡± ¡°You know, the one you received from Imperial scribes? The one that grants you five hours with a princess of your choosing? Hmm? Why are you avoiding my gaze?¡± ¡°¡­I-I remember now.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be nervous about.¡± Solana said calmly. ¡°Just think of it as having five hours to spend with me, Master. You¡¯re going to use that check to choose me anyway, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve cleared my whole schedule for this week.¡± ?Solana¡¯s unwavering confidence filled him with a sudden sense of dread. Were the other princesses just as¡­ assured? ¡®¡­Who am I supposed to choose?¡¯ Choosing one meant rejecting the other four. The potential fallout was terrifying. Could he even¡­ handle the consequences? At that moment, Solana placed a basket on the table. She subtly pushed it towards him, indicating it was something she had prepared just for him. ¡°You can have these before using the check. I personally selected them, so don¡¯t worry.¡± He opened the basket, peering inside. Herbs, elixirs, ginseng¡­ but the energy they emitted was strange, almost¡­ unfamiliar. Definitely not something he¡¯d normally consume. ¡°Each of these is excellent for vitality. They are said to be effective almost immediately.¡± ¡°¡­Vitality?¡± He stared at her, dumbfounded. Solana, however, stared back at him as if she were the one who couldn¡¯t believe it, her narrowed, determined eyes almost overbearing. ¡°¡­You can do anything in five hours, right?¡± She continued boldly. ¡°First Princess mentioned marriage, and the Second Princess suddenly barged in¡­ I can¡¯t just stand by and do nothing. I need to be prepared.¡± Her preparation seemed rather bold. But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say anything. ¡°Now, have one in front of me.¡± Solana picked up one of the herbs and, almost forcefully, pushed it into Ezekiel¡¯s mouth. He couldn¡¯t refuse her unceremoniously. He popped the herb into his mouth, chewing it slowly. She watched him, a satisfied smile on her face. ¡°My, my, Master, you¡¯re so obedient.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°¡­I prepared these vitality supplements for you. You won¡¯t use them with other women, right? That wouldn¡¯t be proper. It¡¯s only right to use them with the person who prepared them.¡± A radiant smile. Why did her radiant smile feel so terrifying today? ¡°We¡¯ll talk more later. It¡¯s time.¡± He quickly mumbled and stood up. ¡°I need to head to the audience chamber.¡± ¡°Master, Master?¡± Could there ever be another day when he was as grateful for having to go to the audience chamber? He quickly left the reception room. The promise of the Sun Elixir momentarily eclipsed his worries about the check and its potential consequences. He would deal with it later. There was no other way. It will work out somehow! Yes. Somehow, it will work out¡­? It will¡­.wouldn¡¯t it¡­? ? ? ? ? The moon had finally risen. He¡¯d been worried that the Emperor might postpone the meeting once again, but fortunately, that hadn¡¯t happened. He entered the audience chamber, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floor. The grandeur of the room never failed to impress him. He raised his gaze towards the throne, where the Emperor sat, his presence filling the vast space with an almost tangible aura of power. ¡°You have arrived, Ezekiel.¡± Verd, the Emperor. He was facing Ezekiel. ¡°You must have been eagerly awaiting this moment.¡± As always, a chalice shimmered in the air. Once it was emptied, a long cloth unfurled vertically. The Emperor stood up from the throne. Ezekiel felt a tingling sensation on his forehead. Wiping his brow with his hand, he realized, to his surprise, that it was sweat. ¡®¡­Sweat?¡¯ At the same time, he realized something. There was something in this space that was heating it up intensely. Surprisingly, it wasn¡¯t the Emperor¡¯s doing. Now, something like a heat haze began to rise and gather, converging towards the Emperor. No, more precisely, towards the Emperor¡¯s sleeve. The Emperor finally took something out from his sleeve. ¡°Watch closely with your own eyes.¡± The Emperor murmured softly. Soon, something resembling a small sun appeared. It shimmered like a liquid mercury, neither fully solid nor fully liquid, yet just looking at it made one feel as if their soul was being scorched. Ezekiel, who had never truly experienced heat in his life, definitely felt the sensation of warmth now. ¡°This is the Sun Elixir.¡± Chapter 107: Wedding Night (?) (1) ? Chapter 107 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (1) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ¡®So that¡¯s¡­ the Sun Elixir¡­¡¯ Its existence had been doubted by many. But for Ezekiel, who had dedicated years of his life to obtaining it, the Sun Elixir had to be something truly extraordinary. And it seemed it was. Just a few drops of its essence were enough to make him sweat profusely. Unthinkable. ¡°First, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve accomplished,¡± the Emperor said, his gaze fixed on Ezekiel. As Ezekiel retrieved the disc from within his robes, an unseen force lifted it from his grasp, gently depositing it upon the throne. The Emperor examined it for a moment, then chuckled softly. ¡°You really were desperate to obtain the Sun Elixir, weren¡¯t you?¡± There was a subtle hint of amusement in his voice. ¡°I thought it was an absurd deal, yet after completing it so perfectly and returning intact, I can truly feel how much you desired the Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°I apologize if it was overly obvious.¡± ¡°There is no need for an apology. It is a welcome event for me as well.¡± The chalice in the air shimmered. ¡°I, as Emperor, cannot break my word. You have fulfilled your part of the bargain. Now, I shall fulfill mine.¡± The moment had finally arrived. The Sun Elixir was within his grasp. Ezekiel took a deep breath for the first time in a long while. Despite doing so, his heart would not calm. ¡°Ezekiel, I commend you for three things.¡± The Emperor began speaking again, but Ezekiel couldn¡¯t hear him clearly. He was just waiting for the speech to end quickly, as his longing for the Sun Elixir was overwhelming. ¡°You have diligently met all five conditions. You have brought honor to the empire through your actions. And you have successfully obtained the forbidden technique from the Black Tower.¡± The disc hovered in the air, slowly rotating. ¡°This¡­ ¡®taxidermy¡¯ magic¡­ it¡¯s quite intriguing. I foresee many¡­ interesting applications,¡± the Emperor mused. ¡°I¡¯m glad it meets with your approval, Your Majesty.¡± Today, the Emperor was quite fair. He did not diminish or overlook Ezekiel¡¯s achievements. Instead, he acknowledged them point by point. Perhaps because this was a negotiation, not just a mission. It was then that the sleeve of the Emperor¡¯s robe moved. In the next moment, something truly remarkable happened. All the heat waves within the audience chamber began to be sucked into the Emperor¡¯s sleeve. That this was the scene produced by just one drop was surreal. ¡°This is what you have desired so fervently.¡± *Whoosh©¤!* The air inside the audience chamber vibrated as if it were burning. If an ordinary human were standing there, they would surely have suffered burns. ¡°It is the Sun Elixir.¡± On the Emperor¡¯s sleeve, there was a radiant molten solar light. It flowed like a liquid but had the solidity of a strong substance at the same time. ?¡° Ezekiel stared at the Sun Elixir, speechless. A wave of scorching heat washed over him, the most intense he¡¯d ever experienced. *Crackle¡­* The blazing drop of the Sun Elixir was truly mystical. Its mesmerizing appearance did not tire no matter how long he looked at it. Just looking at it filled his eyes with warmth. He now understood why no other elixir could compare to the Sun Elixir. Its appearance and aura were entirely different; it was something out of this world. ¡°Sometimes I take an interest in the rumors across the continent. Some doubt the existence of the Sun Elixir entirely, while others consider it a panacea,¡± the Emperor murmured. ¡°They¡¯re all wrong. The Sun Elixir¡­ is not a mere elixir, nor is it a simple medicinal herb.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then what exactly is the Sun Elixir¡­?¡± ¡°Those who haven¡¯t experienced it¡­ cannot comprehend it.¡± At that moment, the drop of Sun Elixir took on the shape of a tiny spirit. It stepped into the air and began to walk briskly towards Ezekiel. It was¡­ fascinating. Truly otherworldly. ¡°Try absorbing it with your body.¡± As Ezekiel began to open his mouth, the Emperor clicked his tongue, indicating that wasn¡¯t the way. ¡°It¡¯s not something you consume with your mouth. Feel it with your heart.¡± Beyond the world. The realization struck him: the Sun Elixir was a treasure that defied the laws of nature, a legendary artifact, an object of pure, unadulterated power. Its very acquisition defied logic. ¡®Something absorbed by the heart¡­.¡¯ He remembered a conversation he¡¯d had with a fellow knight during a previous mission. ¡ª Captain, have you ever heard of¡­ an elixir you absorb with your heart? ¡ª What are you talking about? ¡ª They say¡­ that if you want to forcefully transfer the life essence of someone¡­ who¡¯s surpassed a certain level¡­ it can only be done through the heart. I don¡¯t know why that popped into my head¡­ The Sun Elixir had to be absorbed through the heart¡­ Could it be that the Emperor was bestowing a portion of his eternal life? That immense life force, to Ezekiel. It was not something he dared to voice out. It was merely a speculation of his, after all. He¡¯d learn more about the Sun Elixir in time. What mattered now was the fact that the Sun Elixir was right before his eyes, and he could finally obtain it. He stood tall, his chest open, ready to receive the Sun Elixir. He awaited the moment when the finger-sized Sun Elixir spirit would walk into his body. And just as it was about to step into his chest¡­ ¡°Hmm?¡± Ezekiel let out a confused sound. The radiant being, despite being so close, seemed hesitant, circling him but not making contact. Eventually the Emperor descended from his throne, approaching Ezekiel. ¡°It appears even the Sun Elixir finds your constitution¡­ unique. It hesitates, filled with¡­ curiosity and uncertainty.¡± A faint outline of a hand, identical to a human¡¯s, formed at the edge of the Emperor¡¯s sleeve. *Tap.* With a quick push of its fingertip, the Emperor nudged the Sun Elixir forward. The miniature sun being passed through Ezekiel¡¯s chest as if it were air, merging with his heart. Simultaneously, Consciousness faded away. . . . . . ¡°Gasp!¡± Ezekiel gasped as he finally regained consciousness. It seemed he had been out for a while. Instead of feeling bewildered, he felt a sense of relief. His instincts whispered to him that his current state of being alive was a miracle. And then it truly began. *Fwoooosh!* An inferno erupted within him, consuming his entire being. It felt like being submerged in molten lava, while at the same time, it was as though his very soul was being incinerated. It was overwhelming. It wasn¡¯t just agony. It was¡­ transcendence. It felt like he had fallen into a world he should never have stepped into. An indescribable surge of euphoria rose within him, putting him into a state of heightened awareness. His senses became extremely acute. He felt like he could deconstruct and perceive every particle of air touching his skin, and if he let his mind slip for even a fraction of a second, he feared he might lose himself entirely. *Hot¡­ Hot¡­ Hot¡­* The pain was endless, an eternity of searing agony. He tried to summon his ice mana, to quell the inferno, but it was useless. It seemed as if everything within him was about to burn up completely. Then the Emperor intervened. ¡°Let¡¯s stop here, for now.¡± He tapped Ezekiel¡¯s chest with a finger, and the miniature sun being, as if on cue, emerged from Ezekiel¡¯s heart, returning to the Emperor¡¯s shoulder. *Pssssss!* He gasped for air, his body drenched in sweat. He tried again to summon his ice mana, to cool his burning body, but it was futile. He could feel the afterglow of the Sun Elixir, his entire being still ablaze. To lie sprawled before the Emperor¡­ what could be more disrespectful? He tried to get up, but his body refused to obey. Fortunately, the Emperor didn¡¯t seem to mind. ¡°It seems you¡¯re not ready yet, Ezekiel. The spirit¡­ is frightened.¡± Ezekiel, still lying down, asked. ¡°¡­Frightened? I don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that your level is low, but the Sun Elixir finds you uncomfortable. Think of your body as a grand mansion for a moment.¡± ¡°I have thought of it.¡± ¡°Your body¡­ it¡¯s like a mansion¡­ encased in ice. Who would want to live in such a place? The Sun Elixir feels the same way,¡± the Emperor explained. To be thwarted by something like this¡­ it was an entirely new experience for Ezekiel. He¡¯d always excelled, always overcome challenges. This¡­ was unsettling. ¡°Then¡­ what just happened?¡± ¡°The Sun Elixir was exploring your body, checking to see if it was a suitable place to reside, but concluded it wasn¡¯t.¡± He quietly pondered that the 1st Princess had a perfect compatibility with the Sun Elixir, which was why she could absorb it so well. And then, another thought occurred to him. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°And the nature of the Sun Elixir¡­?¡± ¡°Your assumption is correct,¡± the Emperor replied, nodding. ¡°The Sun Elixir¡­ it doesn¡¯t transform ordinary individuals into superhumans. It elevates superhumans to transcendents, and transcendents¡­ they can absorb even more of the Sun Elixir, becoming even stronger.¡± It made sense. The Sun Elixir wasn¡¯t meant to elevate the weak. It was a stepping stone for the strong, a catalyst for those who had already reached the pinnacle of human potential. ¡°Even simply absorbing a small amount of the Sun Elixir¡­ can elevate one to the realm of superhumans. But that¡¯s only if¡­ they can absorb it. Ordinary individuals¡­ they can¡¯t even handle the initial contact.¡± ¡°Is there no way for me to absorb it?¡± ¡°Your case is very unique. Your level isn¡¯t low, but it seems the Sun Elixir is hesitant, even afraid to enter you. Hmm¡­.¡± A moment of silence ensued. What if he could never absorb the Sun Elixir? As Ezekiel entertained such fears, the Emperor spoke. ¡°There is a way, just one.¡± A glimmer of hope. ¡°Ezekiel¡­ there is one method.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Ezekiel hung on to the Emperor¡¯s every word, his desperation growing. ¡°You could¡­ absorb a¡­ diluted version of the Sun Elixir,¡± the Emperor explained. ¡°I am desperate. I must try.¡± Ezekiel felt it in his body. The heat of the Sun Elixir was crucial to transforming his constitution. He had to ingest it by any means necessary. ¡°The 1st Princess has had the Sun Elixir within her since she was young. As it passes through her body, the Elixir becomes partially diluted.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°There is a way to unify with the 1st Princess.¡± ¡°Unify¡­¡± Ezekiel murmured the word blankly. There was a moment of silence. After quite some time, he tilted his head in confusion. ¡°Unify¡­?¡± Unify? Could it be the kind of unification he was thinking of? With wide eyes, he looked at the Emperor. And the Emperor spoke, affirming his speculation. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m suggesting¡­ a union of Yin and Yang.¡± Ezekiel stared at the Emperor, his eyes widened in shock. So, what the Emperor was implying was¡­ ¡®To have a sexual union?¡¯ He was suggesting that Ezekiel should consummate with the 1st Princess, Ether. Chapter 108: Wedding Night (?) (2) ? Chapter 108 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (2) ? Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ¡°What¡­¡± That was Ezekiel¡¯s initial reaction, the words escaping his lips before he could even process what he¡¯d just heard. The Emperor¡¯s words were that shocking. When the Emperor mentioned there was a way, Ezekiel expected it to involve preparing dilute Sun Elixir. However, what followed was beyond his imagination. ¡®Union? With the First Princess?¡¯ He couldn¡¯t believe what he heard. ¡°So, to dilute the Sun Elixir¡­ the 1st Princess would consume it first. And then, after she has absorbed it, I am to bed her. Is that correct?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve understood it correctly.¡± ¡°¡­But why all of a sudden?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s mind was filled with nothing but questions. The desire to obtain the Sun Elixir momentarily paled in comparison to his bewilderment. The Emperor¡¯s behavior was utterly perplexing. ¡®The Emperor cherishes the Princess above all others.¡¯ The Emperor had always been fiercely protective of his daughters, displeased even by the mere suggestion of Ezekiel spending time with them, or even just exchanging words. And yet, now he was suddenly suggesting that he bed the First Princess? Asking him to take her purity? It was too outrageous. ¡°The First Princess¡¯s purity¡­ all of a sudden?¡± He knew it was disrespectful to bring up such a delicate topic, but he couldn¡¯t help but question the Emperor¡¯s motives. The Emperor let out a peculiar noise, which sounded like a significant chuckle. ¡°I am just presenting an option.¡± The golden chalice chimed softly. ¡°I am merely informing you that such a method exists.¡± With those words, the heat in the room dissipated, returning to the temperature Ezekiel was familiar with in the audience chamber. But the sensation of the Sun Elixir¡­ that remained, seared into his very soul. Although the Emperor claimed to just be presenting a method, for Ezekiel, who was living on borrowed time, it was a desperate option. However, the fact that it involved bedding the First Princess required serious contemplation. ? The First Princess of the Empire was no ordinary woman. There were many aspects to consider carefully. ¡°I will inform the 1st Princess. And I will entrust the Sun Elixir to her as well. Work out the details¡­ between yourselves.¡± The Emperor muttered softly. The fact that he would personally speak to the First Princess and leave the Sun Elixir with her indicated an unusual level of enthusiasm. Could it be that the Emperor had finally changed his attitude toward Ezekiel? Everything remained ambiguous and unclear. *Creak¡ª* Finally, the door to the audience chamber opened. It was time for him to leave. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll consider it. Thank you.¡± ?Ezekiel silently paid his respects. *Ssshhk¡ª* The long robe atop the throne draped comfortably. It seemed the Emperor had leaned back on the throne to rest. Ezekiel maintained his composure and respect until the door to the audience chamber was completely closed. With so many thoughts swirling in his head, he found it hard to leave the spot immediately. ¡®I never imagined the Sun Elixir would be something like that.¡¯ A privilege reserved only for the strong. Not a panacea for the weak. The knowledge, newly acquired, left him feeling¡­ unsettled. It also ignited a fierce determination within him. He would push himself harder, further, to reach a level where he could accept the Sun Elixir without hesitation. ¡®But to actually receive it¡­¡¯ He would have to take the purity of the First Princess. Was that a privilege? An honor? He wasn¡¯t sure. The 1st Princess¡¯s feelings on the matter were paramount. Then, he suddenly recalled a statement from the First Princess. ¡ª Very well. When I catch you¡­ I¡¯ll squeeze you dry. ¡­Perhaps her feelings weren¡¯t that different from what he heard? Maybe this was about more than just his own survival. *Step¡ª Step¡ª* He began to walk quietly. He needed to head to the First Princess immediately; there was no time to waste. But¡­ ¡°My dear Inspector¡­ found you here.¡± He stopped, his path blocked by the 2nd Princess. *** The Imperial Palace, within the domain of the 1st Princess. The palace, a testament to the wonders of the four seasons, was divided into several domains. The 1st Princess resided within the domain of winter, surrounded by a perfectly crafted snowy landscape. *Swoosh¡­* A flurry of snow danced in the air, as a booming voice echoed through the wintry domain. ¡°What is the First Princess thinking©¤!¡± Shouting at the First Princess, no less? It was unthinkable. A group of burly, muscle-bound Northern warriors stood impatiently before the massive gates. They¡¯d been there for a week, their leader bellowing his frustration to the heavens. The herald, caught in the middle, was at his wit¡¯s end. ¡®This is a nightmare¡­¡¯ The First Princess¡¯s herald thought as he rubbed his head. The bruise he¡¯d received from the 1st Princess¡¯s sword hilt still throbbing painfully. ¡°First Princess! At least answer! First Princess©¤!¡± Despite the absurdity of the situation, the herald understood. This was not entirely unexpected. ¡®In the North, we speak only with muscle and blood.¡¯ That saying perfectly encapsulated the Northern way of life. The North had its own set of rules. A harsh and unforgiving land, bordering the Demon Realm, where constant battles were a way of life. Bravery and battlefield achievements were valued above all else. Etiquette¡­ not so much. So, this¡­ this wasn¡¯t entirely out of place. ?Hierarchy meant little in the North. What truly mattered was the support of the warriors. The one who displayed the greatest valor, earned the most respect, held the most sway. ¡°The First Princess should answer as a warrior! Right now!¡± Brolka, the warrior currently shouting at the 1st Princess, was a prime example. His countless achievements on the battlefield had earned him the unwavering support of his fellow warriors, granting him the right¡­ to speak his mind. Even if it meant challenging the 1st Princess herself. And his reason for doing so was actually quite valid. ¡°Why do you hesitate to return to the North! Have you lost your pride as a warrior?! Explain yourself!¡± The herald who heard the shouting sighed deeply. Yes, the problem was the First Princess¡¯s refusal to return. ¡®¡­I can¡¯t tell them it¡¯s because of a man.¡¯ He was the only one who knew the truth. And the Northern warriors, left in the dark, had every right to be furious. They loved and respected their leader, the 1st Princess. And he understood their frustration. Caught in the middle, understanding both the First Princess¡¯s feelings for Ezekiel and the northern warriors¡¯ sentiments, the herald was nearly driven mad. ¡°First Princess! Answer as a warrior! Answer us now!¡± This had been going on for a week. Buried beneath a thick layer of snow, the Northern warriors, their muscles rippling beneath their furs, resembled giant snowmen. They hadn¡¯t slept, refusing to leave until they received an answer from their leader. In the end, the First Princess¡¯s herald cautiously spoke up. ¡°Everyone, please calm down. Let¡¯s wait patiently for the 1st Princess¡¯s response.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for a week!¡± ¡°We¡¯re not fools! We know how to tell time!¡± The herald forced a smile. ¡°Still, let¡¯s try to stay calm¡­.¡± ¡°Herald Rizolta! Then let¡¯s settle it with a life-and-death duel!¡± Reason and logic had no place in the North. They were a people of action, quick to resort to axes and fangs, their muscles always ready for a fight. There was no reasoning with them. And then¡­ he heard it. The 1st Princess¡¯s voice. ¡ª Why all the commotion? ¡°It¡¯s the 1st Princess!¡± ¡°Our leader warrior! The First Princess!¡± All the warriors reacted fervently. ¡°1st Princess! Answer us! Are you abandoning the North?! Why are you delaying your return?!¡± ¡ª I already gave you my answer. Even though the gate remained closed, making it impossible to see what expression the First Princess Ider had or what she was doing, her voice was clear and imbued with true energy. ¡ª I have¡­ something I must hunt. ¡°What could possibly be more important than the North?!¡± ¡°Tell us!¡± ¡°Are you saying this¡­ prey¡­ is more important than your people?!¡± They bombarded her with questions, but Ether remained unfazed. ¡ª This hunt is of the utmost importance to me. ¡ª I will not return until it is finished. A tense standoff, separated by the massive gates. On one side, Ether, the 1st Princess. On the other side, Brolka, a respected warrior of the North. Two of the most powerful figures in the North, locked in a fierce battle of wills. ¡°The North is in turmoil! We need our leader!¡± ¡°The 1st Princess must return to her duties!¡± ¡°Have you abandoned us?!¡± The herald, unable to contain himself any longer, interjected cautiously. ¡°Your Highness¡­ perhaps the fact that you made this decision alone is why they¡¯re reacting so strongly¡­¡± In the North, where the respect and support of the warriors was paramount, making unilateral decisions was practically unheard of. The 1st Princess had known this, and yet she¡¯d done it anyway. ¡ª Return to the North. I will be back soon. ¡°Tell us what you¡¯re hunting!¡± ¡°Speak!¡± ¡ª It¡¯s none of your concern. Now¡­ But at that moment¡­ ¡°¡­What¡¯s all this commotion?¡± Someone entered the 1st Princess¡¯s domain. In the intensely cold territory, he showed no signs of being affected by the cold. Neither did he seem intimidated by the murderous glares and formidable builds of the northern warriors. The man, with a sunweed in his mouth, spoke. ¡°I have some business with the First Princess.¡± It was Ezekiel, the Inspector from the Imperial Magic Tower. And at that moment¡­ *Crash!* The gates, which had remained firmly shut, burst open. The 1st Princess, clad in her nightgown, stood there. And pointing her index finger directly at Ezekiel, she shouted¡­ ¡°¡­Catch him! Capture him!¡± Chapter 109: Wedding Night (?) (3) ? Chapter 109 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (3) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ Hedera, the Second Princess of the Empire. Originally a noble figure only found in celestial realm, she now diligently played the role of the Magic Tower Master, allowing her presence to be felt across the continent. And for her, a princess of such noble lineage, to be searching for a single man¡­ ¡®Truly, I¡¯m a fortunate person.¡¯ Ezekiel knew how fortunate he was. Whether he thought of himself as a human or a man, spending time with Hedera, who possessed dragon blood, was an incredible honor. But¡­ ¡°Your Highness, what can I do for you?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°Before we discuss my purpose¡­ I¡¯m more interested in your desires. You¡¯ve accomplished so much. Is there anything you wish for?¡± ¡°You summoned me without a specific purpose?¡± It didn¡¯t seem like she had a specific reason for calling him. She must have called him in a hurry. She averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. ¡°Well¡­ I wanted to commend you for your hard work. But I¡¯ve never really praised anyone or taken care of them before. I don¡¯t know what to do¡­.¡± ¡°So there¡¯s no set agenda?¡± ¡°Not exactly but we can certainly create one. If there¡¯s anything you desire¡­¡± She continued speaking, her words tumbling out in a rush, but Ezekiel cut her off with a sigh. He¡¯d stopped on his way to the First Princess¡¯s domain, convinced that Hedera had summoned him for something urgent. It appeared he¡¯d been mistaken. He appreciated her sentiment, truly. He wasn¡¯t ungrateful. To have scholars meticulously document his accomplishments, or to be granted access to the Imperial Treasury¡­ it was a generous offer, truly humbling. But¡­ He couldn¡¯t think of anything he truly desired. The only thing that came to mind was¡­ the Sun Elixir. But that was something Hedera couldn¡¯t provide. She pressed him further. ¡°No, haven¡¯t you been working non-stop? Surely you have some suppressed desires in your heart. If you can¡¯t even voice those, isn¡¯t that your fault as an Inspector!¡± ? ¡°I volunteered for this position, Your Highness.¡± He replied calmly, his tone unwavering. ¡°I find it fulfilling. And I¡¯ve been well compensated. Besides, it was all for your benefit.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh¡­ um¡­ yes, I guess it was.¡± Her cheeks flushed red, her expression flustered. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s hard to keep my expression neutral¡­ with those words¡­.¡± She trailed off, then hurried past him, leading the way. ¡°Come along anyway! I won¡¯t let you work busily today. I¡¯ll take care of various things for you.¡± Ezekiel followed her, tilting his head curiously. ? ? ? Having arrived at the domain of the Second Princess, Ezekiel couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of unease as he walked. The thought of the Sun Elixir, and what he had to do to obtain it weighed heavily on his mind. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something urgent I need to attend to. If you don¡¯t have anything specific in mind perhaps we could meet again later?¡± ¡°What? Even though I¡¯m offering to spend time with you?¡± ¡°The matter is truly urgent.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do that. Just an hour or so. Okay?¡± In the end, he couldn¡¯t refuse her insistent pleading. He followed her deeper into her domain, and was surprised to find himself in a room that resembled an operating room. Several maids were waiting inside. ¡°Greetings, Your Highness!¡± They bowed in unison, their movements precise and synchronized. ¡°Your Highness, what is this place?¡± Asking casually, he received an unexpected answer. ¡°It¡¯s a place for engraving marks. Have you heard of engravings?¡± ¡°Engravings¡­?¡± He¡¯d heard of them, of course. Engravings were magical inscriptions carved onto the body, either externally, on horns or skin, or internally, onto bones or organs. They were a means of enhancing one¡¯s power but they were incredibly dangerous, and not everyone could withstand the process. ¡°It¡¯s said to be only possible among the dragon-people.¡± Was she planning on getting an engraving today? Was she asking him to witness her becoming even more powerful? ¡°I believe it might be possible for you to receive one as well,¡± she said, interrupting his thoughts. She held up a glowing stone, clearly a rare and valuable treasure. ¡°If the quality of the engraving stone used as a medium is exceptionally high, it might be possible to use it on a human with a high level of power. No, definitely possible.¡± The surrounding maids gasped in horror. ¡°Your Highness, to use a treasure handed down from the celestial realm¡­!¡± ¡°This is a treasure received as a reward after translating the ancient dragon language! It must be used by you¡­!¡± ¡°Enough.¡± She silenced them with a single word. ¡°¡­If it weren¡¯t for the inspector, this achievement would have been impossible. If you want to argue, go ahead.¡± The maids fell silent, their protests dying on their lips. Hedera chuckled softly and approached Ezekiel. ¡°Don¡¯t question anything. Just receive it.¡± She guided him towards a wide stone slab, and he lay down. Soon, the engraving process began, and waves of excruciating pain washed over him. . ?. ?. ?. ?. ?¡±¡­It¡¯s a success.¡± One of the maids muttered blankly. ¡°Although the engraving stone is excellent, it¡¯s also because the Inspector is of an extraordinary caliber. It¡¯s a success.¡± He didn¡¯t need the maid¡¯s confirmation to know that the engraving had been successful. He could feel it, coursing through his veins, transforming his very being. The changes in his body and internal flow were palpable. Hedera examined him meticulously. ¡°Inspector, are you alright? How are you feeling?¡± ¡°¡­Magnificent.¡± It was a sincere response. It felt as if the meridians through which his mana flowed had widened, allowing for a smoother, more efficient flow of mana. ¡°The engraving likely has the effect of expanding the mana meridians. Engraving it externally would look unsightly, so I had it engraved on your organs¡­ Was it very painful? Are you alright?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine.¡± The pain was bearable, especially considering the remarkable effects. The engraving stone was a treasure from the celestial realm for a reason. ¡®I should also be able to absorb the Sun Elixir more effectively.¡¯ It was an unexpected benefit, greatly welcomed. However, did his assurance inadvertently lead to this? Hedera¡¯s face brightened immediately. ¡°Really? You¡¯re sure? Excellent! Then let¡¯s move on to the next step!¡± ¡­The next step? Where were they going now? ? ? ? The next destination was the dining hall. What kind of establishment would a princess, accustomed to the finest luxuries, choose to visit? The answer was breathtaking. The answer lay before him¡ªa most opulent dining hall. ¡°Would you like cold water? Or the opposite?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get it myself.¡± ¡°Are you very hungry? I¡¯ve informed the chef.¡± Hedera¡¯s overly attentive behavior felt rather strange. While it was true that he had achieved commendable feats, Hedera¡¯s eagerness to attend to him seemed out of character, as if she was desperate to do something for him. ¡®If the citizens of the Empire saw her now¡­¡¯ Their icy princess, fawning over a man¡­ it was both astonishing and heartwarming. ¡°¡­I will make time until tonight. Please don¡¯t be too hasty, Your Highness.¡± Having made up his mind, he spoke. He had received the gift of an Engraving, so it was only polite to spend some time with her in gratitude. However, Hedera disagreed. ¡°Who says I¡¯m being hasty? I don¡¯t feel that way. I was just concerned that you might be very hungry.¡± ¡°¡­I see.¡± Time passed. The table gradually filled with dishes that could well be called delicacies, and the meal continued in unexpected silence. ¡®It¡¯s the complete opposite of dining with Solana.¡¯ Unlike Solana, who would say something with every forkful, Hedera continued to eat quietly and elegantly. Occasionally, when he glanced at the Second Princess, ¡°Why do you keep looking at me? Do I have something on my face?¡± ¡°No, Your Highness. You look as lovely as ever.¡± The two princesses were so different. Solana valued conversation, while Hedera was more concerned with appearances. He could sense their different priorities, shaped by their vastly different upbringings. While it seemed the meal would continue quietly, ¡°Inspector, I need to say something.¡± Just as he thought the meal would end in comfortable silence, Hedera broke it, dabbing her lips with a napkin. ¡°Yes, Your Highness?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a banquet at the Purple Mage Tower and I thought it would be nice for just the two of us to attend and have some sightseeing. As the Tower Master and the Inspector, it would also fit well with our roles.¡± Ezekiel continued eating, his expression thoughtful. This was unexpected. He thought she might assign him a difficult task, but in reality, she was suggesting they enjoy some leisure time together. However, perhaps his silence made her uneasy. ¡°¡­What¡¯s wrong? Is there a problem? Even if there is, this is a proposal you must accept. Come with me.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just surprising.¡± ¡°Surprising?¡± He nodded slowly. ¡°I never expected someone who only knew work would mention sightseeing. It seems you¡¯ve changed a bit from before, Your Highness.¡± She pondered his words for a moment, then¡­ Her face flushed crimson. ¡°T-this is also work. Attending a banquet to develop an aesthetic sense is necessary to cultivate one¡¯s qualities.¡± ¡°Of course, Your Highness.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m asking you out on a date or anything. Just two people attending a banquet together. Of course, we are a man and a woman, and various things might happen ¡­.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Her words seemed to be getting tangled. ¡°Inspector¡­¡± She reached into her bag and retrieved a small box. Inside, folded neatly, was an article of clothing. Well, it was more like a scrap of fabric. It looked like¡­ ¡°¡­Underwear?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Amazingly, it was male underwear. ¡°In the celestial realm, dragon-people have a special attire when they reach adulthood through intimate relations. So¡­ you might find use for it later. Keep it well.¡± ¡°Why would I need¡­¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It¡¯s not that distant a matter. You¡¯ll soon need to use the check.¡± Perhaps fearing he might question her, Hedera stood up first to preempt him. ¡°Just to be clear, don¡¯t you dare become an adult with another woman after receiving this attire from me.¡± ¡°Um¡­.¡± Her eyes narrowed, their pupils momentarily resembling those of a dragon. ¡°¡­Dragons¡­ never forgive¡­ betrayal¡­¡± With that ominous warning, she turned and left. Ezekiel sat there, alone, staring at the gift in his hand. ¡®¡­What am I supposed to do with this?¡¯ He had received a potent vitality herb from Solana, and now an underwear from Hedera. What was he supposed to do with this ¡°check¡±? ¡°This is maddening. Absolutely maddening¡­.¡± He took a long drag from his sunweed, his mind racing. ? ? ? Time passed, and now. The 1st Princess¡¯s domain. ¡°Hello, Master.¡± When he came to his senses, Ezekiel found himself restrained. Chapter 110: Wedding Night (?) (4) ? Chapter 110 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (4) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? The 1st Princess¡¯s domain. The Northern warriors were confused. ¡°So the prey the 1st Princess mentioned was a man?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ Should we take it as a joyful occasion?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s the First Princess¡¯s will, I support it! That¡¯s what being a warrior is about!¡± Many warriors, including Brolka, voiced their support once they learned the true nature of the prey. Even in the North, they understood love. However, unanimity was never guaranteed. ¡°I don¡¯t understand this at all,¡± a deep voice boomed. The speaker was Brogar, a massive warrior, his entire body, including his face, covered in intricate blue tattoos. His thick neck was adorned with a necklace of animal bones, and a menacing-looking axe was strapped to his back. His most striking feature, however, was the eyepatch covering his right eye. He hefted his axe, his gaze sweeping across the assembled warriors. ¡°I hope my words won¡¯t be taken the wrong way. I speak for the good of the North.¡± The herald, listening attentively, thought to himself, ¡®For the good of the North? Don¡¯t make me laugh.¡¯ The North was a land where strength dictated order. In other words, those who were weaker had to keep their thoughts and desires to themselves. Brogar had always resented the First Princess¡¯s leadership, and had aspired to claim her position. He was using this opportunity to challenge her authority. ¡°I want to know the reason. Why hunt that man?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because the First Princess desires that man.¡± ¡°Desires him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The herald replied calmly, his voice unwavering. ¡°The First Princess also has feelings. She very carefully chose that man, and he is our Inspector.¡± ¡°So, she¡¯s considering marrying that man¡­.¡± ¡°Of course, she is considering marriage as well.¡± This caused a stir among those present. ¡°The First Princess has feelings for someone?¡± ¡°Our 1st Princess? Our 1st Princess?!¡± In the North, where power takes precedence over common sense, ¡®love¡¯ had a different connotation compared to how other regions of the empire might describe it. They too enjoyed romance and marriage, but¡­ ¡­their criteria for attraction were different. They were drawn to those who were stronger than themselves, and their love often manifested as a desire to protect and support their chosen partner. ¡°So the 1st Princess acknowledges this man¡¯s strength?!¡± ¡°Her acknowledgment? But he¡¯s not even from the North!¡± The fact that the First Princess had acknowledged that man¡¯s strength shocked them. ¡°I can¡¯t understand this. I simply can¡¯t understand it.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The herald frowned as he watched Brogar shake his head, the blade of his axe glinting menacingly in the flickering torchlight. ¡®Brogar used to admire the First Princess.¡¯ He had once challenged the First Princess to a duel for marriage and lost an eye in the process; though nothing was stated outright, the herald sensed it was jealousy driving Brogar¡¯s actions. The herald asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t the inspector qualified enough?¡± But Brogar shook his head vehemently. ¡°Preposterous! What makes you think so?¡± ¡°The Inspector¡­¡± ¡°Of course, the inspector might be exceptional. However!¡± Brogar¡¯s voice boomed. ¡°Evaluating through physical confrontation is the tradition and way of the North. Have you completely forgotten that, herald?¡± ¡°The circumstances are different.¡± ¡°The man the First Princess brought differs that much?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± A sly smile appeared on Brogar¡¯s face. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that make it all the more necessary to evaluate him by the North¡¯s standards? Is there anyone fairer than I? I don¡¯t care about the inspector¡¯s origin or status!¡± The herald swallowed nervously. There was some truth in his words. The Northern way ¨C judging a person¡¯s worth based on their strength and abilities, regardless of their background ¨C was inherently fair. But Brogar¡¯s intentions were less than honorable. Clearly, he aimed to harm the inspector. ¡­However, it was difficult to outright deny the Northern tradition. ¡°Anyone wishing to become a member of the North must be evaluated by Northern standards. There is indeed such a tradition.¡± ¡°So your mind isn¡¯t completely addled. Good, Herald. You¡¯re no traitor. I¡¯ll attest to that!¡± Brogar grinned and patted the herald¡¯s shoulder. Yet the herald understood well. This was no genuine compliment. ¡°I trust you won¡¯t object if we reject the Inspector should he fail to meet our standards?¡± Brogar finally revealed his true intentions. ¡°The inspector is already here, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s even less reason to hesitate or delay. Does he qualify to be a member of the North? That should be assessed by Northern methods!¡± ¡°Hah¡­¡± The herald couldn¡¯t help but laugh. It was unusual for warriors to mock each other during a serious discussion, but he couldn¡¯t contain his amusement. ¡°¡­Laughing? Are you mocking me, herald?¡± ¡°Warrior Brogar, you¡¯re mistaken.¡± The herald shook his head. ¡°The First Princess has made the best possible decision, and regardless of how harsh Northern standards are, the inspector will easily meet them.¡± As if this explanation wasn¡¯t sufficient, he drove the point home. ?¡°Which means you can¡¯t stop him.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± But Brogar just laughed even louder. ¡°I heard that you scouts including the herald made a grave mistake recently. You led the 1st Princess to defeat.¡± ¡°How inept your support must have been for that to happen. It seems your judgment has also become clouded. But keep watching. The North needs a change.¡± The herald clicked his tongue. ¡°Spare me the insults. What¡¯s your point?¡± ¡°I will personally duel the inspector.¡± ¡°¡­You¡­ personally?¡± ¡°Yes, could there be anything fairer? If he¡¯s stronger than me, he deserves a place in the North.¡± The herald couldn¡¯t hide his disdain. ¡°It seems your unrequited feelings for the 1st Princess have turned into an obsession. You¡¯re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.¡± ¡°Emotions? What emotions? This is about tradition.¡± His use of the word ¡®tradition¡¯ disgusted the herald. How many gallant and respectful warriors were in the North? Many appeared gentle yet intelligent, fierce yet compassionate¡­ ¡­but it was always warriors like Brogar that posed a problem. ¡°You will lose to the Inspector.¡± ¡°Now it seems the herald wishes for a northern warrior to be defeated? Could this too be betrayal?¡± Sharp words, like daggers, flung back and forth. ¡°You can push your narrative all you want. However.¡± The herald paused. In truth, what he was about to say was his own decision. He didn¡¯t know if he should even mention it without the First Princess¡¯s permission¡­. ¡­But he didn¡¯t care. His heart compelled him to act. ¡°Brogar, how about we add a condition to this duel?¡± ¡°A condition?¡± ¡°In the North, we respect every warrior¡¯s opinion. But since you want to push through despite differing opinions, let¡¯s at least set some conditions.¡± He took a deep breath, then continued. ¡°If you win, I will resign from my position as herald. And I will transfer all my authority to you.¡± The warriors gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief. The First Princess¡¯s herald held immense privileges. Not only did he convey the 1st Princess¡¯s will, but he could also add his own thoughts and suggestions. He was her closest advisor, and in her absence, he acted as her strategist. He was offering to give all that up. ¡°But if you lose, Brogar, you and all who support you will leave the North.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I await your answer.¡± What had started as a simple disagreement had escalated into something much bigger. The warriors exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring amongst themselves. ¡°Is this really okay¡­?¡± ¡°It¡¯s too complicated for my mind!¡± ¡°I just wanted the First Princess to be happy¡­ Has this gotten too big? I¡¯m not sure.¡± It was at that moment that Brogar spoke. ¡°Very well. I accept.¡± ¡°Brogar!¡± Several warriors gasped in shock, but Brogar¡¯s resolve was unshakeable. As was the Herald¡¯s. ¡°Understood. Then the duel¡­¡± ¡°Will happen today.¡± ¡°Today? Very well. I¡¯ll inform the 1st Princess immediately.¡± The herald turned and hurried away. As he disappeared from sight, the warriors turned to Brogar. ¡°Brogar, are you sure about this?¡± ¡°Yes! Regardless, it¡¯s the First Princess¡¯s choice¡­¡± ¡°Everyone, shut up!¡± Brogar roared, his voice silencing their concerns. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll lose? Or are you saying the northern evaluation method is flawed?¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s not it, but¡­¡± ¡°You brain-dead fools.¡± He clicked his tongue, his expression scornful. ¡°The situation in the Demon Realm is unstable. The 1st Princess¡¯s heart may no longer be with the North. In times like these, who else but a warrior like me will step up and protect our people? When will we seize this opportunity if not now?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Brogar was aware, of course. ¡®I can¡¯t guarantee my victory.¡¯ But life¡¯s perfect opportunities were nonexistent. He had learned through experience that what¡¯s crucial is the desperation to seize even the slightest chance and make something happen. ¡®This is my last chance to claim the First Princess.¡¯ If he could prove he was stronger than the man the First Princess had her eye on, wouldn¡¯t she finally take an interest in him? It was a distinct possibility. ¡®I must win!¡¯ Brogar silently vowed to himself again and again. Chapter 111: Wedding Night (?) (5) ? Chapter 110 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (5) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? In the First Princess¡¯s domain, a mansion larger than most castles, An unexpected game of tag was unfolding within its walls. ¡°Teacher, it would be best if you stopped soon, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°¡­You said you wanted to talk. Just talk!¡± *Swaaak©¤!* Ezekiel hurriedly laid down an icy path as he fled. Of course, Ether was chasing him from behind. ¡°You have to stop first if you want to talk, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°You laid hands on me!¡± ¡°I did it incidentally. Talking alone is boring, isn¡¯t it?¡± *Shuaaa©¤!* The speed of the First Princess, Ether, was truly terrifying. But it wasn¡¯t entirely surprising. After all, Ether had been immersed in the Sun Elixir since childhood, and possessed extraordinary talent. But¡­ ¡­Her speed wasn¡¯t the issue. ¡®Why has Ether¡¯s movement become so precise?¡¯ The mansion was filled with priceless vases and delicate ornaments, but she wasn¡¯t crashing through them like she used to. She was weaving through them, her movements fluid and controlled. It was a clear sign that her energy control had improved significantly. ¡°¡­Ether, you¡¯ve grown even more.¡± ¡°Master¡¯s movements were very instructive. I reviewed and refined my techniques, thinking of you. Could this be another sign of my love?¡± Please only learn as much as I taught you. He thought as he desperately dodged around. ¡°Master, why don¡¯t you stop now?¡± ¡°Alright. From now on, for every step you take to run away, I will have one more child. Keep on running if you dare.¡± He glanced back at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. And then he saw it. The vein throbbing on her forehead. The look in her eyes¡­that unwavering determination¡­ It was a look he¡¯d only seen when she was absolutely serious. ¡°Hah¡­¡± He stopped, resignation settling over him. ¡°Good. You¡¯ve finally come to your senses.¡± She effortlessly pulled a chair and table towards them, then gently pushed him down onto the chair. She poured him a drink, a fiery orange liquid that shimmered in the flickering candlelight. ¡°Drink this, Master.¡± ¡°¡­What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s lava wine, and it¡¯s quite beneficial for you.¡± He¡¯d heard of Lava Wine, of course. It was said that a single cup could keep you warm even in the harshest Northern winters. To offer him such a potent drink after chasing him through her mansion¡­ ¡­she was unpredictable, to say the least. ¡®But¡­¡¯ Was this really Lava Wine? A fleeting image flashed through his mind. Him¡­ falling asleep after drinking something¡­ then waking up next to Ether in her bed¡­ His mind conjured up all sorts of unthinkable scenarios. ¡°¡­Aren¡¯t you going to drink it? It loses its taste when it gets cold.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He had no choice but to drink the Lava Wine. The temperature was hot, but it left him feeling both warm and refreshed. It was difficult to describe the sense of comfort it brought. Ether smiled, pleased with his reaction. ¡°How is it? Calming, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It certainly lives up to its name.¡± ¡°Good. Now let¡¯s talk. Tell me, Master, what do you find lacking in me that you would run from me so?¡± ¡° He frowned. ¡®Lacking? You¡¯re too perfect, if anything.¡¯ She was the Goddess of War, one of the strongest beings in existence. Her titles alone were enough to intimidate most men. ¡°Is it my appearance?¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± ¡°Then is it my power? My authority?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± ¡°Then it stands to reason that you should welcome me with open arms, so why do you keep behaving irrationally?¡± Yes, he should be overjoyed. It was a blessing, a stroke of luck¡­ If only he¡¯d sent the letter to her alone. If only he¡¯d only proposed to the First Princess¡­ ¡­What had possessed him to send those letters to all the princesses? He still couldn¡¯t understand his own actions. ¡°Ether.¡± ¡°Yes, Master. I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°I have a lot on my plate right now.¡± ¡°You make time for what matters. Even in the midst of war, children are born.¡± ¡°This is really urgent.¡± She nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. ¡°I understand what urgent matter you are dealing with.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You¡¯re searching for a way to absorb the Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± The Emperor had promised to speak with her. It seemed he¡¯d already done so. When he didn¡¯t deny it, her expression became assured as she slightly lifted her chin, a subtle smile forming on her lips. She reached out and gently took his hand in hers. Her hand, calloused from years of wielding a sword, was surprisingly soft. ¡°Am I correct, Master?¡± ¡°¡­Ye ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about my purity. It was never meant for anyone else¡­ Only you¡­ That¡¯s what matters¡­ Trust me.¡± ¡° ¡°Every night, I will show you my charms.¡± He was trapped¡­ with no escape. But there was something else bothering him. ¡°Ether, even if we were to marry, you need to return to the North. Your warriors¡­ they¡¯re waiting for you, standing out there in the snow. It¡¯s not responsible to abandon them like this.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± She nodded as if she understood. ¡°Do I seem like a woman who irresponsibly abandoned everything for love? It seems I appeared incapable in your eyes as well.¡± ¡°Are you saying there¡¯s another reason?¡± ¡°Indeed. I have a plan.¡± Her expression turned serious. ¡°The current North relies too much on me.¡± She poured another glass of lava wine. Both Ezekiel and Ether silently downed another drink. ¡°It may seem like I¡¯m just enduring under the pretext of marriage, but I wanted to foster the warriors¡¯ independence. And simultaneously weed out those with ill intentions.¡± I see. So, she had that deep of an intention. ¡°¡­But why are you taking off my shirt?¡± He attempted to resist with his hands, but he couldn¡¯t withstand her considerable strength. A moment later, there was a ripping sound as his shirt was torn to shreds. Ether¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I plan to seclude myself in the mansion for a while. Let¡¯s kill time by being physically close. I¡¯ve heard that affection deepens with repeated skin contact.¡± ¡°¡­Wait, what conclusion is this.¡± With a thud, the chair broke. As Ether bore down on Ezekiel who had fallen to the floor, she pressed down on his abdomen. ¡°¡­Your Highness.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She turned her head, her gaze sharp. The herald stood there, not knowing where to rest his gaze. ¡°I have something urgent to discuss with the Inspector.¡± ¡°Now?¡± Her gaze bored into him. It was a look that would send most men running, but the herald stood his ground. He wouldn¡¯t have dared to interrupt unless it was truly important. ¡°It¡¯s extremely urgent.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She glanced down at Ezekiel, who was trapped beneath her. She licked her lips, her gaze predatory. ¡°You¡¯re saying it¡¯s that urgent?¡± ¡°It concerns the warriors, Your Highness. It¡¯s critical.¡± ¡°Fine. There¡¯s a time for everything. Even the sweetest fruit tastes best when it¡¯s ripe.¡± Still straddling him, she leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear. ¡°Master¡­¡± ¡°¡­Yes?¡± ¡°After you¡¯re done with the herald, return to my mansion without delay. Otherwise, the Sun Elixir you obtained might completely disappear.¡± ¡°Understood? Even when it¡¯s being spoon-fed to you.¡± ¡°¡­Understood.¡± He left the mansion, his face pale. ? ? ? Upon arriving at the reception room, the herald gauged Ezekiel¡¯s mood cautiously. ¡°¡­It seems you¡¯ve been through a lot.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ I brought this upon myself.¡± ¡°What exactly did you do?¡± Instead of explaining, Ezekiel let out a deep sigh. He¡¯d proposed to five princesses, at once. It was a long story, and one that wouldn¡¯t make him look good, no matter how he explained it. ¡°Anyway, I will get straight to the point.¡± The herald thoroughly explained the situation involving the warrior Brogar to Ezekiel. The account was quite detailed, but fortunately, the inspector understood it well. After a long while, Having finished his explanation, the herald exhaled deeply. ¡°¡­And that¡¯s what happened.¡± The herald gauged Ezekiel¡¯s reaction. He wasn¡¯t sure how Ezekiel would respond and the truth was, even if Ezekiel declared he would not participate, the herald had no grounds to argue. But¡­ Ezekiel¡¯s expression was grave. More serious than he¡¯d anticipated. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. ¡°What you¡¯re saying is, such problems have always existed in the North, and because I have been chosen by the First Princess, it¡¯s my situation to resolve.¡± ¡°¡­Yes. Essentially.¡± ¡°Is he insane?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s blunt response made the herald¡¯s shoulders flinch. To be fair, there wasn¡¯t much to say in return. Ezekiel had been caught up in this unilaterally¡­ However, Ezekiel¡¯s remark was directed towards the Emperor. ¡®You old fool¡­¡¯ The Emperor must have known exactly what he was doing. No wonder he seemed so willing to hand over the purity of the First Princess; he must have been plotting to entangle Ezekiel in all this in order to resolve the situation. *Thud!* Ezekiel stood up abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor. ¡°I-Inspector?¡± The herald stammered, taken aback by his sudden outburst. ¡°Wait here.¡± Ezekiel strode towards the door, his expression resolute. ¡°Inspector! Where are you going?!¡± ¡°The audience chamber.¡± He was a different man now. There was no hesitation in his steps. ? ? ? The Emperor¡¯s audience chamber. The Emperor stared at the floor, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. ¡°¡­What are you doing?¡± The sight before him was unexpected, to say the least. Ezekiel lay prostrate on the floor, his hands clasped together in a gesture of supplication. A sword, its blade carved from ice, lay beside him. ¡°It¡¯s no use. Just kill me,¡± Ezekiel said, his voice flat. ¡°¡­What?¡± The Emperor¡¯s reaction was one of dumbfounded amusement. ¡°Just kill me. I¡¯ve decided not to do anything anymore.¡± The Emperor silently fiddled with an apple. Chapter 112: Wedding Night (?) (6) ? Chapter 112 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (6) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ???? ?¡°Ezekiel¡­ what do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± ¡°As you can see, Your Majesty¡­ I¡¯ve come to die.¡± The Emperor was momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°Have you mistaken the audience chamber for a grave?¡± It was already shocking enough that an outsider could freely enter his audience chamber. But to barge in and demand to be killed ¡ª this was a first. ¡°¡­If you truly wished to die, you could have ended your life elsewhere. Why come here?¡± ¡°I figured Your Majesty would be eager to get rid of me. So to save you the trouble, I came here myself.¡± He continued speaking, his voice calm and measured, despite lying flat on the floor. ¡°You conveniently omitted the fact that the 1st Princess was involved in this scheme to neutralize the Sun Elixir. You might as well have just told me to kill myself.¡± ¡°Ahem¡­¡± The Emperor coughed awkwardly. In truth, Ezekiel¡¯s words were spot on in every detail. He had intended to use Ezekiel, to manipulate him into resolving the situation in the North, without making any promises or guarantees. ¡°Ezekiel, there seems to be a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ there has.¡± The Emperor was briefly silent as he swirled the chalice. ¡°Very well. I apologize for not being completely forthcoming.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ezekiel finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. ¡°I trust this isn¡¯t just an empty apology, Your Majesty.¡± The Emperor stared at him, lying there on the floor, his expression unreadable. ¡®He¡¯s come prepared this time¡­¡¯ It was shocking yet somewhat understandable. Ezekiel, who had always dutifully followed orders without complaint, was now demanding compensation. He¡¯d tasted the sweetness of reward. ¡°Ezekiel, it seems you have something in mind.¡± ¡°Indeed, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate. I have nothing more to give. Maybe it¡¯s time for you to step aside from this matter.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Ezekiel nodded readily and stood up. His instant agreement, without any hesitation, left the Emperor speechless. ¡®What¡¯s he up to?¡¯ Should he have at least inquired about Ezekiel¡¯s demands? As the Emperor pondered this, Ezekiel asked, ¡°I heard the Ministry of Scholars has moved recently. Where is it now?¡± ¡°Why? What business do you have with them?¡± ¡°Yes. I plan to draft my will and entrust it to them.¡± The Emperor couldn¡¯t believe his ears. So Ezekiel wasn¡¯t accepting his suggestion. His intentions were clear. ¡°And what exactly do you plan to write in your will?¡± ¡°That I chose to end my life because of Your Majesty¡¯s actions. And then I¡¯ll send a copy to each of the princesses. I¡¯ve already proposed them, sending them my will shouldn¡¯t be too much of a stretch.¡± R ¡°¡­Calm yourself¡­¡± *?Thud!* The Emperor slammed the stone doors shut with a wave of his hand, but Ezekiel remained unfazed. ¡°I was looking forward to future good deals, but it seems you¡¯re only trying to exploit me for free with the Sun Elixir. It¡¯s quite disheartening.¡± To speak to the Emperor in such a manner? Once, it would have been unthinkable. But circumstances had changed. One crucial element had shifted the balance of power. Ezekiel was now aware of his own importance. He knew that the Emperor needed him to maintain peace in the continent and to achieve his grand ambitions. ¡°Ezekiel, let¡¯s sit down and talk.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not particularly inclined to.¡± ¡°Come now¡­ take a seat.¡± With a few deft movements, the Emperor conjured a table and chairs from the floor of the audience chamber. Aromatic tea appeared as a bonus, seemingly prepared in advance. ¡°Let¡¯s share some apple wine and discuss.¡± ¡°No apple wine, I request an elixir.¡± The Emperor stared at him, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. It was true that Ezekiel had encountered the Sun Elixir, a treasure far more potent than any elixir. But that didn¡¯t mean elixirs were suddenly worthless. Was he seriously asking for one so casually? ¡°Did I hear you correctly?¡± ¡°I wish for an elixir.¡± ¡°Very well¡­ Fine.¡± Sighing, the Emperor retrieved several elixirs from his storage ring and placed them on the table. ¡°Tell me, Ezekiel, what is it that you want?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made a list.¡± ¡°¡­A list?¡± He actually wrote it down? When Ezekiel unfurled a scroll onto the table, the Emperor involuntarily furrowed his brows. The extensive list was staggering. ¡®¡­That¡¯s a lot.¡¯ Gold, elixirs, relics, clothing, supplies¡­ The variety was staggering, as was the quantity. It was astounding that he¡¯d managed to calculate such a comprehensive list of demands. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What is all this?¡± ¡°I know I can¡¯t expect full compensation for all my past efforts. But I¡¯d like at least a portion of what I¡¯m owed. All that unpaid labor¡­ it¡¯s unfair.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The Emperor was momentarily speechless, pondering. ¡®How did he come to think like this?¡¯ Ezekiel, who once seemed like a mere puppet, now vividly pursued his own benefit and happiness; this transformation was shocking. But it wasn¡¯t entirely bad. If he were to stay with his daughter, a man who could secure benefits and take care of those around him would be much preferred. ?¡®His power¡­ his mindset¡­ he¡¯s changing every day¡­¡¯ Thinking this, the Emperor glanced at the scroll again. ¡°The amount you¡¯re requesting is immense.¡± ¡°Please tell me whether it¡¯s possible or not.¡± ¡°In regards to your past deeds, I can offer compensation. However, I cannot give everything listed on the scroll verbatim. We¡¯ll need to renegotiate.¡± ¡°Then¡­ let¡¯s negotiate. To what extent can it be compensated?¡± An estimate? The Emperor knew the answer. Ezekiel had been involved in massive covert operations across both the continent and the Demon Realm. Rarely had he been excluded from major missions, and even rarer were his failures. Therefore, In essence¡­ ¡®The level is almost incalculable.¡¯ He could attempt to calculate it but the final sum would be astronomical, far exceeding the wealth of most nations. That was how remarkable the weapon known as Ezekiel was. The issue was that Ezekiel had much more to offer in the future. Thus, the Emperor couldn¡¯t dismiss him as useless and cast him aside. ¡°Can¡¯t ignore and not reward you, hmm¡­¡± The Emperor fidgeted with the surface of an apple. ¡°Ezekiel, do you really need to receive this?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why now, all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Is that a question you need to ask me?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡­Why has he become so resolute? Yet, it wasn¡¯t entirely unpleasant. ¡®He¡¯s become more astute. By looking at the items he¡¯s requested, many of them seem intended for the princesses. He isn¡¯t purely self-centered¡­¡¯ It meant he was striving to meet the five conditions for marriage and thoughtfully considering the princesses. ¡®¡­Perhaps he really could be a suitable husband for one of my daughters¡­¡¯ As he pondered this, Ezekiel spoke again. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like an answer.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He swirled the wine in his chalice, his gaze unreadable. ¡°Ezekiel, your excellence is well recognized.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But there are many factors to consider.¡± He took a bite of his apple, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°Firstly, remember that your very life owes its existence to the imperial family. Have you forgotten living in the Palace of Penance? Without me, you would have perished.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± ¡°And secondly, in the past, all these tasks were part of your duties. To demand compensation now is rather unbecoming, to say the least.¡± ¡°So, what¡¯s the conclusion, Your Majesty?¡± ¡°Although your demands are outrageous, I will extend my generosity and grant you a reward. But never again ask for compensation for past services.¡± The Emperor raised his hand, and¡­ *Clang!* A heavy chest filled with gold coins materialized before them. ¡°I will start with 100,000 gold coins. With this amount, you will never have to worry about gold for the rest of your life.¡± ¡°¡­One hundred thousand?¡± ¡°Yes. The amount is precise.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ one hundred thousand¡­¡± ¡°Quite a sum, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m not surprised that you¡¯re impressed.¡± Ezekiel chuckled, and the Emperor couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡®He was hoping for the Sun Elixir, wasn¡¯t he?¡¯ Even though he was willing to part with a large sum of gold, the Emperor had no intention of giving up the Sun Elixir, as it was incredibly precious to him. Moreover, it was a compensation that would have to be addressed at some point. If he could settle it with 100,000 gold coins, it would be advantageous. Later on, he could dismiss any further demands with, ¡®We settled it with the 100,000 gold coins, didn¡¯t we?¡¯ He even considered drafting a contract. As the Emperor pondered this, Ezekiel spoke up. ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to the Ministry of Scholars.¡± ¡°Farewell.¡± ¡°Ezekiel, what do you mean by this?¡± Wasn¡¯t he satisfied? Why was he acting so strangely? Ezekiel turned and glared at him. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You offered me one hundred thousand gold coins.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. If you want, I can add a little more¡­.¡± ¡°¡­A little more?¡± Ezekiel laughed, a humorless, bitter laugh. ¡°Forget it! I won¡¯t do it! I won¡¯t live like this!¡± He bit down on five pieces of sunweed at once and strode out of the audience chamber. ¡°¡­Really, always being used. I¡¯ll just die instead.¡± For the first time in a long while, the Emperor felt genuinely flustered. ¡°Alright. Alright, let¡¯s recalculate¡­!¡± The Emperor had no choice but to realize it urgently. Seems I can¡¯t afford to withhold the Sun Elixir after all. Chapter 113: Wedding Night (?) (7) ? Chapter 113 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (7) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ? ?? ? ? The conversation between the Emperor and Ezekiel resumed. ¡°Would double the amount of gold be sufficient?¡± ¡°No, thank you.¡± ¡°Perhaps triple?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not interested in it, Your Majesty¡± Verd was the master of the Imperial family, holding the title of Emperor. No matter how essential Ezekiel was as the key to his plans, he couldn¡¯t just be led around by him. He swirled the wine in his chalice, his expression unreadable. Ezekiel seemed to have come with a firm resolution, and the Emperor decided to be just as serious. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake the audience chamber for a pawnshop. There are limits to the treasures I can give out immediately. If you fix the amount of gold coins, I can gradually provide them¡± ¡°I want Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°I want the Sun Elixir. That¡¯s all I want.¡± The Emperor stared at him, speechless. The audacity to ask for the Sun Elixir so casually. It was a treasure so rare that even he, the Emperor, could only obtain a few drops each month. But what surprised him even more ¡®Has he finally grasped his own worth?¡¯ The Emperor had a vague idea of Ezekiel¡¯s worth internally. It was significant that Ezekiel knew his exact worth. Moreover, he had no choice but to give it to him. Ezekiel¡¯s blue eyes shone with determination, his entire demeanor reflecting an unwavering resolve to obtain it. ¡°Listen Ezekiel¡± The Emperor sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I¡¯ve already given all my remaining Sun Elixir to the 1st Princess. I have none left to give.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I know how precious the Sun Elixir is. Even for Your Majesty, it must be difficult to acquire.¡± ¡°Indeed. Your understanding is correct.¡± ¡°But I have something in mind.¡± ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± Then Ezekiel answered confidently. ¡°Give me one drop per month. That way, you¡¯ll be giving me a total of two drops. That¡¯s reasonable, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice was firm, confident. ¡°I believe it is a very simple solution.¡± Simple indeed. Extremely simple. Would I not have thought of that? It wasn¡¯t something the Emperor was unaware of either. ¡°Upstarts easily forget the value of gold. You¡¯re the same, Ezekiel. Have you already forgotten the value of Sun Elixir after experiencing it just once?¡± ? ¡°I understand its worth. But I am valuable too.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± That was true. He wasn¡¯t wrong. Nevertheless, the Emperor shook his head. Beyond the value, he was worried about the precedent it would set for Ezekiel. ¡°Let go of your attachment to the Sun Elixir. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say it¡¯s the most precious thing in the world. Yet, you keep asking for it every time you do something? That¡¯s not happening.¡± And he meant every word. The Sun Elixir, a sacred liquid promising immortality. It was without a doubt the most valuable treasure in existence. ¡°Then I have no choice,¡± Ezekiel said as he started taking a step toward the door. ¡°That childish tantrum won¡¯t work a second time,¡± the Emperor muttered, picking up an apple and examining it. Seeing Ezekiel, who had been like a doll, showing such unexpected behavior was strange, but he had adapted to it by now. In the end, wasn¡¯t it the Emperor who held sway over this continent? There was no reason to lose his composure. ¡°Planning to write a will and just die? Leaving a huge wound for the princesses to bear, isn¡¯t that an utterly irresponsible act? So full of selfishness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to the Ministry of Scholars,¡± Ezekiel said, stopping at the door. The Emperor tilted his head slightly. ¡°Then where are you headed?¡± ¡°I plan to wander the world, frequenting places that are hard to track. I was a vagabond from the beginning anyway.¡± ¡°Why the sudden talk of wandering?¡± ¡°I¡¯m living on borrowed time. If they witness my death, it would shock the princesses greatly. It¡¯d be better to disappear without a trace and meet a lonely end.¡± The Emperor¡¯s grip tightened around the apple; his knuckles turning white. ¡°Disappear without a trace?¡± ¡°Yes. You called me selfish but this would be the least selfish thing I could do for them. It¡¯s better to believe I¡¯m missing than to watch me die.¡± The Emperor took a slow, deep breath. ¡®This insolent¡¯ For Ezekiel to disappear now? It would be a disaster. A huge loss for the Imperial Family. Why had he agreed to those five conditions in the first place? The Emperor had strongly opposed the marriage, but the five princesses had eagerly accepted Ezekiel¡¯s proposal. He couldn¡¯t withstand their overwhelming approval; this meant they had opened their hearts to Ezekiel, and if he disappeared, they would surely go astray. ¡®All that effort raising those girls¡¯ If the Imperial family was a grand mansion on the continent, the five princesses were its pillars. Whether those pillars remained standing depended on Ezekiel. ¡°Consider the matter concerning the First Princess a failure. I will live simply for the rest of my days.¡± ¡° ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I commanded you to wait.¡± The Emperor sighed, resignation in his voice. If he disappeared, not only would a great talent be lost, but there would also be the issue of the princesses beginning to investigate why Ezekiel had vanished. His daughters wouldn¡¯t simply blame the Emperor; they would drop everything and search the entire continent for him. They might even resort to unconventional methods It would be a colossal waste of time and resources. ¡°Very well. You will receive two drops.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Ezekiel tilted his head, his expression unreadable. ¡°Why only two drops?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Your Majesty I believe three drops is a more appropriate number.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention two drops yourself?¡± ¡°Upon reflection, it seems right to receive a greater quantity. I¡¯m obtaining a diluted version through the First Princess.¡± ¡°Actually three drops is still not enough. With my health failing and the next expedition to prepare for, five drops are necessary.¡± ¡°Three drops Take it or leave it.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± *Crack!* The apple in the Emperor¡¯s hand couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure and burst. Under normal circumstances, instead of an apple, it should have been Ezekiel¡¯s head. What could this mean? ¡®To think I¡¯d end up treating him like a son-in-law¡¯ The Emperor was fundamentally indifferent to almost everything. When he discovered Ezekiel in the Palace of Penance, he felt nothing more than having dredged up the most sophisticated puppet weapon; like a part that would eventually be replaced. That was all. However, Ezekiel was changing many things. He changed himself, transformed the princesses, and now, perhaps, he even had an influence on the Emperor. The Emperor glanced down at his own robes, a thoughtful expression on his face. ¡®Am I truly being affected? Me?¡¯ It was unprecedented. A truly novel experience. But there was no turning back now. ¡°Illaref show yourself.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± The audience chamber rippled like a mirage, and a tall man appeared. It was Ilaref, who quietly performed the role of the Emperor¡¯s silent shadow. ¡°Prepare a contract. It should state that over the course of three months, a total of three drops of Sun Elixir will be delivered.¡± ¡°Three drops? You¡¯re granting as many as three drops?¡± ¡°Do not harbor any questions.¡± ¡°My apologies. I will heed your command.¡± Illaref vanished as quickly as he¡¯d appeared, and Ezekiel nodded his satisfaction evident. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Who would have thought your cunning would run so deep.¡± As humans acquire honor and power, they tend to maintain their dignity. Eventually, dignity becomes a shackle, and they avoid actions that could damage it. But Eekiel, who had nothing to lose and was living on borrowed time, was rather formidable with his confidence. ¡°The Sun Elixir will undoubtedly lengthen your life, but prepare to work tirelessly.¡± ¡°With the Sun Elixir I¡¯m ready for anything.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The Emperor slowly sipped from the chalice. ¡®Indeed, three drops seem quite a bargain.¡¯ Attempts were made to create another weapon like Ezekiel after him, but a masterpiece on par with him never emerged again on the continent; the Sun Elixir was undeniably precious but so was Ezekiel¡¯s potential. A longer lifespan would ensure years of service. It was a worthwhile investment. ¡®Perhaps this isn¡¯t such a bad deal¡¯ As he pondered this, Illaref reappeared. ¡°Your Majesty, the contract has been prepared.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± ¡°In addition, here is the elixir you promised earlier.¡± The Emperor¡¯s hand, which was playing with the apple, momentarily paused. ¡®Elixir? Especially those on the third floor of the Imperial Treasury?¡¯ Illaref had chosen the finest elixirs from his vast collection. Should he commend him for his efficiency or reprimand him for his extravagance? ¡°I see no need to bestow the elixirs as well since the Sun Elixir is already promised. Return them.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Before the Emperor could finish his words, Ezekiel snatched the elixirs from Illaref¡¯s grip. Gulp, gulp©¤ He downed them all in one go without a word as if he were a thirsty traveler gulping down water. ¡°I feel invigorated. Thank you.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Right.¡± The Emperor now just wanted to send Ezekiel away. His robes fluttered in the air, gesturing for Ezekiel to leave the audience chamber. ¡°Having received the contract, go. Let¡¯s not see each other for a while.¡± The grand stone doors of the audience chamber opened. ¡°Looking back, it wasn¡¯t such a bad deal. However, there is one thing you must remember. Along with the extended lifespan, bear the responsibility heavily.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Strive diligently to fulfill the five conditions, and think deeply of the princesses. Disappear, you say? There¡¯s no place on the continent where my gaze doesn¡¯t reach. I¡¯m indulging your whims just for today.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± But¡­ Even though the doors were open, Ezekiel didn¡¯t move. ¡°But, there is just one more thing I ask of you, Your Majesty¡± ¡°?¡± He held up the princess¡¯s time check. ¡°After receiving elixirs and the Sun Elixir, you still want something else?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like four more of these checks.¡± Poof! The Emperor snapped his fingers, and four more checks appeared, fluttering down onto Ezekiel¡¯s outstretched hand. Ezekiel was curious about such a swift affirmation. ¡°You¡¯re not even going to ask why, Your Majesty?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Ezekiel took this as good news. Having originally had only one note, which was a headache, having five meant one could be used for each princess, right? Things would be much easier. The Emperor as if reading his mind chuckled softly. ¡°Ezekiel your naivete is endearing. You believe that if you use one note per person, there would be no issue.¡± ¡°Yes, thanks to Your Majesty, it has become possible.¡± ¡°You know so little of a woman¡¯s heart.¡± The Emperor began to smile faintly. Ezekiel, who had so far only reaped great benefits since visiting the audience chamber, felt a sudden sense of unease. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°When one check becomes five, a woman¡¯s heart expects all five to be used for herself. It won¡¯t go as you expect.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Now, whether you¡¯re wrung out to death or cut into pieces and thrown away, deal with it yourself. It¡¯s your karma.¡± In haste, Ezekiel extended the four notes back. ¡°Your Majesty, let¡¯s pretend these never existed.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± *Boom©¤!* With a resounding noise, the audience chamber doors shut. And Ezekiel dazedly looked at the five notes in his hand. Oh. Hmm? While everything had been going so well, it seemed he had made a mistake at the end. And a colossal one at that. ?¦Ç? ¦Ò? ? ? ? Chapter 114: Wedding Night (?) (8) ? Chapter 114 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (8) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ? ?? ? ? ¡°Master Ezekiel.¡± ¡°Master Ezekie?¡± ¡°Master Ezekiel!¡± Ezekiel came to his senses only after his name was called more than three times. He had been lost in thought. Once he collected himself, he noticed the First Princess¡¯s messenger by his side. ¡°¡­Master Ezekiel, are you alright?¡± The messenger still thought Ezekiel was dazed because of the excessive request he had made, but Ezekiel was troubled by something else entirely. The check. Yes, it was the five checks that were causing the problem. Not one, but five checks. Five. ¡®¡­Why didn¡¯t I think of this?¡¯ It had all started with a simple thought that had popped into his head when the deal with the Emperor was about to end. What if there were five checks? Wouldn¡¯t everyone be happy? He soon realized it was a shallow thought. ¡ª Five checks? That means five times more time together. ¡ª Inspector, you¡¯ll spend all of it with me, right? ¡ª I¡¯m so happy we can spend five times more time together. He could already hear the three princesses whispering these words in his ear. It wasn¡¯t difficult to imagine. Given their personalities, wouldn¡¯t they all want all five checks? They say that your mind goes blank when you¡¯re too shocked. And it was true. Ezekiel ¡®s mind was blank. ¡°This is¡­?¡± Meanwhile, the messenger had belatedly noticed the pile of potions elixirs had amassed and was aghast. ¡°You visited the audience chamber and received all of this from His Majesty?¡± His mouth hung open in shock. ¡°I expected your value to skyrocket soon, but¡­ it¡¯s much faster than I thought. If this is how it starts, later¡­¡± The messenger continued to express his amazement, but Ezekiel wasn¡¯t listening. He was still engrossed in wrestling with the dilemma of the checks. ¡°Five The messenger hastily latched onto Ezekiel¡¯s murmuring. ¡°Five? Ah, I apologize for my inadequacy!¡± The messenger quickly nodded with a determined expression. ¡°I don¡¯t know what five you speak of, but I will definitely prepare a reward that matches them. So please, just help us this one time¡­!¡± The messenger prostrated himself. ¡°There have been numerous issues in the North for some time now, and it¡¯s such a sensitive matter that even the First Princess has found it difficult to intervene directly.¡± His voice was filled with desperation. ¡°I can¡¯t think of anyone else who can resolve this situation except for you, Inspector Ezekiel! Please!¡± 1 second 30 seconds. 1 minute. And 5 minutes passed. The messenger trembled as he lay prostrate, lost in thought. Alright, my request was too much. Since I didn¡¯t prepare a proper reward, there¡¯s no way he¡¯d agree. As the messenger lay prostrate, on the verge of tears¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Ezekiel murmured. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± The messenger raised his head, disbelief etched on his face. However, Ezekiel quietly nodded towards the messenger. ¡°A promise is a promise.¡± He led the way, with the messenger following. ¡°Inspector, truly¡­ truly¡­! Thank you¡­!¡± While walking, Ezekiel quietly contemplated. ¡®Let¡¯s focus on ingesting the Sun Elixir first.¡¯ Yes, that should be dealt with first, before thinking of anything else. Since there was already a promise with the Emperor about the First Princess, the checks were a subsequent concern. ¡°Inspector! Sniff¡­! How will I ever repay this kindness¡­!¡± Of course, the messenger had no inkling of these thoughts. ? ? ? The domain of the First Princess. The air was taut with tension. Warriors stood divided on either side as if a line had been drawn. There were two factions ¡ª those supporting Warrior Brolka, who were completely aligned with the First Princess¡¯s wishes, and those following Warrior Brogar, who wished to test the Inspector¡¯s resolve. ¡°I never imagined we¡¯d be so disunified.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you held such views.¡± ¡°Traitors!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the traitors!¡± It was a scene with great significance. Although there were many warriors guarding the North, if divided opinions prevented unity, the advantage of numbers couldn¡¯t be effectively utilized. Simply put, they were not united at all, but were being controlled solely by the First Princess¡¯s power. The issue without the First Princess present was clearly visible. Then, at that moment¡­ *Step¡ª Step¡ª* First Princess Ether appeared. She surveyed the warriors divided on either side, and that was all. Silence stretched long. All the warriors waited for the First Princess¡¯s reaction. It was only when they were almost anxious that she spoke. ¡°To speak frankly.¡± Her voice was emotionless. ¡°I used to take pride in the Northern warriors¡­¡± She shook her head slowly. ¡°Seeing you today, I¡¯ve realized you couldn¡¯t be more disgraceful.¡± The warriors¡¯ expressions varied widely; there was no group with more pride than the Northern warriors, so this candid disdain stung deeply. ¡°There¡¯s no need to look at me with such shocked expressions. Don¡¯t you already know it yourselves?¡± She gestured at them. ¡°Look at yourselves. You are divided.¡± Everyone fell silent. ?The reason they had been able to overcome the harsh cold and the monsters was because they were united as one. But now, weren¡¯t they pathetically divided? ¡°Before heading into battle, securing trustworthy comrades is the most basic of basics. But today, I see the warriors can¡¯t even manage that,¡± she remarked with a disdainful smile. Though Brogar¡¯s faction naturally felt a surge of anger at her scorn, they couldn¡¯t express it; they couldn¡¯t because it was Brogar¡¯s faction that had caused the rift, exploiting the chaos when she showed interest in a certain man to deliberately create a confrontation. ¡°I thought I¡¯d given enough trust to the North. I always led battles from the front and tackled the strongest foes¡­ Or so I believed.¡± Her expression became earnest. ¡°I have just one question for you, warriors of the North.¡± The princess slowly surveyed the warriors. ¡°Who caused such an absurd rift because they still do not trust me? I¡¯m curious.¡± Naturally, the warriors¡¯ gazes shifted. No one spoke, but all their eyes pointed to one warrior. Brogar. He was the sole focus of their stares. ¡°Hmm.¡± Brogar¡¯s face twisted in a frown. Yet he didn¡¯t say anything; there was a natural reason for that. ¡®I can¡¯t very well say it with my own mouth.¡¯ How could he openly declare his desire to marry the First Princess and express dissatisfaction with some scoundrel taking her away? That was impossible. Ether quietly observed Brogar. ¡°Oh, Brogar. Was it you?¡± The princess wore a faint mocking smile. ¡°Have you forgotten the pain of losing your eye when you proposed to me? Knowing full well my strength, advising me seems laughable.¡± ¡°Stop talking nonsense, First Princess!¡± Struck to the heart, Brogar¡¯s voice rose. ¡°From the start, you should understand that it was you who caused this internal strife!¡± His face contorted as he continued. ¡°When you threw away the responsibility of the North and sought only personal comfort in marriage, isn¡¯t that why this happened? An irresponsible leader!¡± ¡°Brogar, then let me ask you one thing.¡± Ether murmured softly. ¡°Do you intend to depend on me forever?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± ¡°Without me, you can¡¯t do anything, you don¡¯t even try to do anything¡­ How is that a warrior? You pretend to be brave but in reality, you¡¯re so dependent.¡± Brogar¡¯s face twisted with frustration. Ether had hit the nail on the head. Warriors like Brogar, who harbored desires for the First Princess herself, had long since stopped thinking for themselves. The First Princess herself had become their goal. Her body, mind, strength¡­ they coveted these things. With a small laugh, Ether continued, ¡°The words ¡®for the North¡¯ sound so lovely. But Brogar, if you truly cared for the North, there¡¯d be no need to blame me. You should have pioneered the North yourself.¡± ¡°Stop spewing sophistry! You chose a worthless man, and to cover up that mistake, you go on and on!¡± Brogar didn¡¯t back down easily. He had no more room to retreat anyway. ¡°A worthless man¡­¡± Ether crossed her arms. ¡°I finally found the mold eating away at the North. Just seeing this proves how poor your discernment is, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°Do you know why this happened, and why I acted this way even knowing it would happen?¡± Ether asked all the warriors present. But no one dared to answer. Those who had guesses didn¡¯t dare speak, and those unaware couldn¡¯t say anything. ¡°It¡¯s a very simple reason.¡± She fixed her gaze on Brogar. ¡°It was to weed out the weak. Pathetic trash like you, Brogar.¡± Brogar¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Just building muscles, but immature and fragile inside. You don¡¯t even know how strong your opponent is, you¡¯re clueless about your limits, and have no idea how to act.¡± She clicked her tongue in disdain. ¡°There¡¯s a future for the North only when things like you are gone.¡± ¡°First Princess!¡± Brogar shouted, but in response, the First Princess questioned him. ¡°Warrior Brogar, can you prove it? Whether there¡¯s merit to the evaluations and challenges you claimed.¡± ¡°Prove it¡­¡± Brogar originally intended to boast, ¡®Proving it is easy. All I have to do is win.¡¯ But then he realized something significant and fell silent. ¡­Isn¡¯t it typically the lesser who must prove themselves? In other words, Ether was convinced, deep down, that the Inspector would undoubtedly defeat Brogar; and this enraged him. ¡°First Princess©¤!¡± Brogar shouted with veins bulging on his neck. ¡°¡­Given your current stance, should I kill the Inspector during our duel, you must understand!¡± However, Ether scoffed, as if finding it absurd. ¡°The North respects the will of all warriors.¡± ¡°If you choose to end your own life, I won¡¯t stop you.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Brogar let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Huh¡­ Hahaha! Hahahaha!¡± He was utterly exasperated. ¡°Hahaha! Hahahaha©¤! How ridiculous must I seem!¡± Brogar¡¯s face twisted like that of a demon. ¡°Would I, who have faced the monsters of the North, fear a mere Inspector? If the Imperial Magic Tower loses its Inspector today, it¡¯s because of your provocation, First Princess!¡± But then. It was then. *Smack©¤!* A burst of blue flames erupted from Brogar¡¯s forehead. No, it was ice, glowing so brilliantly it was confusing. ¡°Ugh?¡± Brogar rolled violently across the ground. *Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!* He rolled and rolled, crashing loudly until he was flung into a wall, ending up embedded in it like a giant muscle-bound statue. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± While Brogar struggled to recover, a man stood unnoticed on the top of the wall. His blue-glowing eyes gave away his identity immediately. It was Ezekiel. ¡°The Inspector! The Inspector is here!¡± Someone cried out as Ezekiel leapt gracefully from the high wall to the ground. He landed softly, like a shadow moving without sound. ¡°You dared to question my qualifications,¡± Ezekiel spoke coldly. ¡°I will allow it, so Northern warriors need not worry about tarnishing their pride. Use any means necessary, fight with all your might for victory.¡± Subsequently, he drove the nail in. ¡°For those who disdain me, come at me all at once. I¡¯ll take you all on.¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was confidence that spoke of a one-against-many fight. And shock rippled across the faces of the warriors following Brogar. ¡°The First Princess¡¯s choice was not wrong.¡± Ezekiel created a long ice spear. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll show you with the lives of the foolish.¡± END ¦Ò? CHAPTER ? ? ? Chapter 115: Wedding Night (?) (9) ? Chapter 115 ¨C Wedding Night(?) (9) ?¡¸Translator ¨C Creator¡¹ ? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? The sight of Brogar slammed in the wall brought a moment of silence. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± The blow had struck him right between the eyes, and it seemed to have been a perfect hit. Brogar¡¯s eyes rolled back into his head, leaving only whites visible; the impact to his head must have been enormous. A sense of defeat spread among his followers. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± In the heavy silence, Ezekiel withdrew his gaze from the wall-slammed Brogar and began to speak; he held a gleaming ice spear. ¡°So, who will die and become the next example?¡± ¡°Wha- what just happened?¡± ¡°Brogar, with his incredible toughness, taken down in one blow¡­!¡± The followers hesitated, each muttering in disbelief. They all shared a common sentiment; they were all astonished by Ezekiel¡¯s unexpected prowess, some even praising his cold aura as greater than the ice of the North. Being so accustomed to the cold themselves, they could easily sense the extraordinary power of Ezekiel¡¯s ice. Ezekiel exchanged a glance with the First Princess, Ether. And she signaled for him to proceed without her interference. ¡°Come closer.¡± *Step* As he took a step forward, Brogar¡¯s followers retreated; they were starkly different from the rumors of them being fearless even in the face of death. The rumors were likely not completely unfounded. There were indeed brave and respectable warriors in the North. It was just that the trembling ones in front of Ezekiel were pathetic cowards. ¡°Step up! Take the lead!¡± ¡°You do it!¡± ¡°He reminds me of Seolgwi¡­!¡± ¡°His cold aura is even more intense than the north. How is that possible¡­?¡± Ezekiel looked at the warriors who supported Ether; they all bore faces that showed no fear of death. They were clearly different from the cowardly followers. ???§à?§¦? ¡®I need to clean this up.¡¯ He had already heard the circumstances from the messenger, and since these men would definitely become a source of trouble if left alive. *Swoosh©¤!* Without hesitation, Ezekiel unleashed his ice magic. ?In the first princess¡¯s domain, snow fell heavily. It was an ideal setting for Ezekiel to move freely like a fish in water. ¡°Aaaargh!¡± ¡°Spare us! Spare our lives!¡± ¡°First Princess! Are you going to abandon us like this?¡± ¡°Brogar! Didn¡¯t you guarantee that your plan would succeed? You said you had a way from the Demon Realm!¡± However, what the last person shouted made everyone pause; Ezekiel was no exception. He had dared to mention the Demon Realm. A warrior of the North, in cahoots with the Demon Realm? ¡°Repeat what you just said. Is there any evidence that Brogar has colluded with the Demon Realm? Be honest if you want to live.¡± As he froze the limbs, he pressed an ice spear tip beneath the man¡¯s neck. The follower shouted desperately. ¡°Y-yes, that¡¯s right! Brogar said he gained power from the Demon Realm and couldn¡¯t possibly lose. All the followers heard it!¡± ¡°And you merely stood by upon hearing that? Your sin is just as great.¡± They had conspired with Brogar, who borrowed power from the Demon Realm, instead of reporting him; this couldn¡¯t be overlooked. ¡°Spare me, please¡­!¡± But the follower¡¯s plea was cut short, as Ezekiel swiftly sliced through his neck with his ice-coated hand . Even the blood froze, unable to splatter, at that moment. *Bang©¤!* ¡°¡­¡­¡­.!¡± Something akin to a cannonball targeted Ezekiel¡¯s side with immense force. *Crash©¤!* The force was overwhelming, enough to shatter the makeshift ice barrier he had encased himself with. The projectile? None other than Brogar himself. ¡°Brogar, did you sell your soul?¡± ¡°You withstood it? Inspector, you¡¯re not just a title!¡± ¡°You sold your soul to demons for such pitiful power? Truly, both your power and soul are pathetic.¡± Ezekiel replied calmly while inspecting the state of his opponent. Brogar¡¯s body, which should have succumbed to unconsciousness, was fueled by dark mana, keeping him forcibly upright. A familiar sight¡ªpower exchanged for a soul to the Demon Realm. It was known as demonic mana. ¡°Demons? You¡¯re wrong. The goddess who took my soul was human¡­ a supremely pure maiden, she said. She only gathers souls for one man!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re going to spout nonsense, then just¡­¡± Just die. As Ezekiel was about to utter his final judgment, he hesitated. The tale was unusual enough to give him pause. ¡®Could this be something to trade with the Emperor?¡¯ He had come merely to address the First Princess¡¯s matters, but now here was someone connected to the Demon Realm, spouting rare information. ¡®A human-born executive in the Demon Realm?¡¯ A human-born being, called a goddess, as an executive. This was high-level information. If brought to the audience chamber, the Emperor might value it highly. Ezekiel then broke into a satisfied smile. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Well, I suppose I ought to thank you.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Your life may be worthless, but the information was valuable.¡± Ezekiel then immediately summoned his ice magic. *Swish! Swish! Swish!* Six spears of ice rapidly formed above his shoulder; they were launched almost simultaneously. The projectiles, tracing various paths, crashed into Brogar¡¯s body. *Clang! Clang! Clang!* Even though the attack was swift, the demonic barrier was quite formidable, successfully blocking the ice spears. ¡®That goddess, her rank must be exceptional.¡¯ Though he didn¡¯t know her exact identity, the goddess who granted Brogar power was clearly not a mere low-ranking official; the dense demonic mana was proof of that. For such a small portion of power to be this potent, she must be incredibly strong. However. Taking on Brogar, who had only received a fraction of this power, was an easy task. Ezekiel still held a significant advantage. ¡®I see it.¡¯ As he infused his retinas with ice mana, his vision turned blue, revealing the weak points in Brogar¡¯s demonic mana. He crafted an ice spike and targeted the weak spot precisely. *Stab¡ª!* The area was small, but the strike hit its mark perfectly; the target was the center of the forehead. ¡°Ugh, ugh¡­!¡± The demonic mana dissipated into nothingness in an instant. Ordinarily, this would have been fatal, but perhaps due to him already having pledged his soul, Brogar did not die immediately. He had offered his soul to a well-regarded goddess from the Demon Realm and gained power. Accepting defeat would be hard for him. Ezekiel could feel the depth of Brogar¡¯s resentment. It was written all over his face. Filled with questions, Brogar stammered. ¡°Why, how¡­ can a mere Inspector¡­?¡± ¡°Shut your mouth.¡± *Swoosh¡ª* In that moment, he severed Brogar¡¯s head with a swift chop. From the severed head, something resembling a black mist eerily rose and whispered into Ezekiel¡¯s ear. ¡ª My man, I¡¯ll come get you soon. ¡ª You must quietly wait! ¡°¡­¡­¡­.?¡± Ezekiel scrutinized the enemy again, but Brogar was already lifeless. Looking around, he realized that only he could hear the voice. Everyone was puzzled, wondering why he had suddenly paused. ¡®¡­My man?¡¯ No, for now, he shook his head. There was no time to dwell on other thoughts with Brogar¡¯s followers still alive. ¡°There¡¯s no point in running.¡± Ezekiel declared as he unleashed more ice. Now, the annihilation of those who had plagued the North was imminent. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?In the First Princess¡¯s domain, a grand celebration was taking place. Although the deaths of those who were once comrades were mournful, the brighter future for the North was certainly a positive outcome. Moreover, they had gained Ezekiel as an ally. ¡°Drink up! Drink!¡± ¡°A truly great benefactor is among us!¡± ¡°As expected, the First Princess has excellent judgment! A true warrior!¡± The clinking of glasses, the joyous chatter, and the sound of cutlery clashing filled the air. The atmosphere was lively and bright. It was indeed a day of celebration for them. Perhaps it was due to Ezekiel¡¯s specialty in ice magic. ¡°Inspector! Show us the ice one more time!¡± ¡°Such beautiful ice! It¡¯s dazzling!¡± ¡°Ooh! Ice! Ice!¡± ¡°He isn¡¯t just the Inspector anymore. What should we call him¡­ He¡¯s both the First Princess¡¯s man and our leader!¡± Ezekiel¡¯s popularity soared. Possessing great power, ice colder than the North, and the favor of the First Princess¡­ To the Northern warriors, Ezekiel was a perfect combination of everything they admired. Of course, he himself was not entirely thrilled. ¡®At least I¡¯ve completed the task I promised the Emperor regarding the First Princess.¡¯ Now, he had to neutralize the Sun Elixir and deal with the five checks. Having crossed one mountain, he felt as if he faced two even larger mountains ahead. ¡°¡­¡­¡­..¡± He kept drinking for some time afterward. What should he do? No, it wasn¡¯t a matter of what to do. To acquire the Sun Elixir, he had no choice but to be intimate with the First Princess; the other tasks could be dealt with later; it was a matter of survival. *Gulp¡ª* And another drink. Then another. Eventually, he lost count of how many drinks he had drunk. By the time Ezekiel¡¯s face was completely flushed, the First Princess had approached and draped an arm over his shoulder. Leaning in, pressing her chest against him, she whispered softly. ¡°Master, shall we go and acquire that Sun Elixir?¡± Normally, he would have left immediately. But whether it was the desire to live, the influence of alcohol, or some long-suppressed desire as a man, he wasn¡¯t sure. ¡°¡­Alright. I understand.¡± Finally, the man nodded calmly. His composure surprised even the First Princess. Yet Ezekiel had a feeling. He knew he could no longer escape this now. END ¦Ò? CHAPTER ? ? ? Chapter 116: Wedding Night (?) (10) ? Ezekiel was not completely drunk.His agreement wasn¡¯t a drunken blur. He simply realized there was no other way to obtain the Sun Elixir. As someone with a limited lifespan, he needed to consume the Sun Elixir to survive, and the only way was through intimacy. And since the First Princess agreed, what was the problem? ¡°I thought of you as just a teacher, but it seems I was wrong.¡± The First Princess, Ether, smiled enigmatically. ¡°However, I feel a bit hurt that you¡¯re only embracing me to obtain the Sun Elixir. It would be more touching if you were yearning for me, desperate to hold me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just about the Sun Elixir.¡± Ezekiel shook his head. Perhaps due to the alcohol, his feelings and words were quite sincere. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Ether, who could possibly hate you? In fact, the time I spend with you¡­¡± ¡°Haha, I never thought I¡¯d hear such words from you, Teacher.¡± Ether laughed heartily, interrupting Ezekiel¡¯s words. In truth, she found it difficult to hear him out because she was not used to receiving such praise from him. After sitting down together, she refilled their glasses. ¡°Isn¡¯t it true that a warrior should also put their all into their emotions? What do you say? Shall we finish this glass together and then head to our chambers?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ezekiel didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he gazed at Ether, his eyes fixed on hers. He noticed that her voice was slightly trembling, and her face was faintly flushed, which didn¡¯t seem entirely due to the effects of the alcohol; her expression was vastly different from the stern demeanor she usually displayed on the battlefield ¡ª it was a look that no one had ever seen before. R?¨¤?¨°£Â§§? Just as they clinked their glasses together, a faint vibration began. It started as a minor tremor, but soon grew in intensity, causing the table and wine bottles to shake; the epicenter of the disturbance seemed to be quite deep; the ground began to rumble as the vibrations grew stronger. ¡°Hmm?¡± Ether furrowed her brow. ?Ezekiel also sensed that something was off. Just then, a loud noise echoed from the distance. The sound of clashing steel and shouting was unlike anything they had ever heard before. ¡°Undead! The undead are moving!¡± ¡°Necromancy¡­! These guys aren¡¯t just Brogar¡¯s minions. They¡¯ve all sold their souls for power!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t back down! Crush them all!¡± The urgent cries of the Northern warriors filled the air. Ether was still drinking from the wine bottle. ¡°¡­Death itself is trivial and noisy. How annoying.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s muttering was the beginning. A messenger quickly approached her and Ezekiel. First, he bowed respectfully and began to speak. ¡°Brogar and his followers have sold their souls, so they¡¯re being controlled by dark magic, and the Undead are going berserk. The warriors are doing their best to hold their ground, but¡­¡± A loud explosion cut off the messenger¡¯s words. ¡°¡­As you just heard, the Undead are exploding, and it¡¯s quite troublesome. The scale of the explosions suggests that the power of the Goddess is not ordinary.¡± The situation was chaotic. The entire domain of the First Princess had become a battlefield, with the sound of explosions and shouting filling the air. As the Undead continued to explode, a single voice echoed, eerie and distinct. ¡ª Bring the First Princess! ¡ª The First Princess is weak, you¡¯re all being deceived! The messenger muttered in disbelief. ¡°¡­The Undead can talk?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the Undead speaking, it¡¯s the Goddess of the Demon Realm using their bodies to communicate.¡± Ezekiel took the news in stride. ¡°Once the First Princess makes an appearance, it should be over. Ether¡¯s aura is capable of repelling demonic mana.¡± ¡°Ah, about that¡­¡± The messenger trailed off. Ezekiel couldn¡¯t understand why the messenger seemed hesitant. This was the easiest solution, wasn¡¯t it? There was no reason to hesitate. But why did it seem like¡­ The First Princess¡¯s condition was off. It wasn¡¯t just the effects of the alcohol. Her body seemed dull and sluggish, as if she was in pain. Considering Ether¡¯s strength, it was hard to believe that she was not in top condition. Ezekiel could sense it with his body. Ether¡¯s energy flow was abnormal. Normally, her energy would be refined and neat, but now it was like a tangled thread, scattered and disorganized. ¡°Cough!¡± The First Princess spat up a mouthful of blood, and Ezekiel and the messenger¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°¡­Ether?¡± ¡°Your, Your Highness!¡± Ether waved a hand dismissively, but her appearance told a different story. ¡°Cough, cough!¡± Her forehead was hot to the touch, like a burning flame. The messenger and Ezekiel quickly moved her to the inner chambers of the mansion. And what they saw was shocking. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!¡± They had only removed her outer robes to help reduce her fever, but her body was wrapped in bandages. And even through the bandages, strange wounds were visible. Ether¡¯s skin was burning, like it was being flayed alive, and new skin was growing back immediately; this process repeated several times in a short span. ¡®This is a pain that no human can endure.¡¯ The sensation of new skin growing, only to be burned again, was unimaginable. It was a pain that no one could bear with a clear mind. ¡°What¡­¡± Ezekiel¡¯s words trailed off, and the messenger spoke up. ¡°To be honest, this happens every time she receives the Sun Elixir. Her body can¡¯t handle it, but she never shows any signs of weakness.¡± It was something even Ezekiel didn¡¯t know. He thought back to the imperial family¡¯s history. He felt the weight of her title, the First Princess, anew. Goddess of War, Sovereign, the Strongest¡­ She could never show weakness. If she were to show any signs of pain, others would doubt her, and challenges would arise. ¡°Your Highness, we¡¯re deeply concerned. Are you alright?¡± The messenger asked, his voice filled with worry. Ezekiel too felt a heavy sense of responsibility. It was the Sun Elixir he had received from the Emperor that was causing Ether¡¯s suffering. ¡°Ether, you shouldn¡¯t have consumed the Sun Elixir.¡± ¡°¡­How could I not? It was for my teacher¡¯s sake.¡± Ether smiled weakly, her eyes filled with pain. It was a smile that said she knew the risks, but she had done it anyway, for Ezekiel¡¯s sake. Ezekiel felt both grateful and guilty. Meanwhile, the Undead continued their taunts. ¡ª Witness the weakness of the First Princess! ¡ª Face the truth! ¡ª Khakhakh¡­ you¡¯re all being deceived! ¡ª Return my man to me! Even the ¡®Goddess¡¯ who had taken Brogar¡¯s soul seemed to have noticed the First Princess¡¯s condition, and the Undead began to spew out words that doubted her strength. Naturally, the faces of the warriors began to show signs of unease; they would occasionally glance towards the mansion where the First Princess was, a sign that they were beginning to doubt her. Suspicion had begun to creep in. ¡°¡­I suppose I have to take matters into my own hands.¡± Ether muttered, struggling to get up. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it quickly and come back. Wait here.¡± However, as soon as she stood up, she stumbled weakly; her spirit was willing, but her body was not cooperating. It was only now that the First Princess¡¯s actions made sense. Perhaps she had been drinking the wine to numb the pain, which was too great to bear. ¡°The First Princess¡¯s body is not suited for the Sun Elixir. She¡¯s been forcing herself to overcome it every time, but why is her condition so severe today¡­?¡± The messenger¡¯s expression was more serious than ever. ¡°¡­If only someone could calm her down¡­¡± The messenger said, biting his lip. He knew that it was impossible, but he couldn¡¯t help but say it. Ether chuckled wryly. ¡°Calm down the Sun Elixir? You know it¡¯s impossible, too.¡± There was a hint of sadness in the First Princess¡¯s voice. ¡°When I was young, the doctors who tried to treat me all ended up burning to a crisp. It¡¯s a pain that only I can understand and bear. There¡¯s nothing that can be done.¡± But then, a low whisper was heard. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Both the First Princess and the messenger turned towards the source of the voice. It was Ezekiel, his aura radiating a chilling cold. ¡°No, it¡¯s not safe for you. Your body will burn.¡± Ether immediately refused, but Ezekiel was calm. ¡°I spoke of my safety.¡± And before she could reply, he placed his hand on Ether¡¯s back. ¡°Ether, is your safety is not more important than mine?¡± A thick fog filled the chamber as an intense clash of heat and cold erupted. ? ? ? Chapter 117: Wedding Night (?) (11) ? In an instant, the interior of the mansion was shrouded in steam.The residual heat of the Sun Elixir within Ether clashed head-on with Ezekiel¡¯s intense cold. It was a fierce battle of elements. ¡®Luckily, it¡¯s just steam. Quiet, the warriors outside won¡¯t notice.¡¯ There were only three witnesses ¡ª Ether, Ezekiel, and the messenger. The warriors must not find out. The sound of explosions was getting closer. It meant that the front line had been pushed back, which was only natural. Ezekiel took a moment to glance through the window and observe the warriors¡¯ expressions. Indeed, their faces had lost a lot of their composure; they were worried about the First Princess, and it was no wonder. ¡®I must not let their suspicion become conviction.¡¯ If the warriors¡¯ confidence in the First Princess was shaken, the situation would quickly spiral out of control and lead to defeat. Moreover, there was another problem. If Ether¡¯s weakness were to be revealed, there would be no end to those who would challenge her. Chaos was the last thing he wanted. Ezekiel had to succeed. The messenger exclaimed, his eyes wide. ¡°Inspector Ezekiel! What are you doing?!¡± Not just the messenger, but Ether also looked surprised. ¡°Teacher, I warned you that I was in danger¡­¡± ¡°You and the First Princess are both crucial assets. With the current situation in the Demon Realm being so volatile, if something were to happen to either of you¡­!¡± The messenger¡¯s voice was filled with urgency. Such a desperate moment was rare. But it was too late to turn back now. The heat of the Sun Elixir held him fast. Ether asked, her voice laced with a hint of sharpness. ¡°Teacher.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ezekiel replied calmly, trying not to show the pain from the Sun Elixir¡¯s heat. ¡°You said my life was more important than yours. Did you truly mean that?¡± Ether¡¯s question was sharp. Of course, Ezekiel, being human, had a natural desire to live. But Ezekiel did not waver. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± He would rather die than see Ether die before his eyes and spend the rest of his life regretting it. That was even more unbearable. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Ether was silent for a moment, her eyes fluttering closed. She seemed to be both moved and shocked by Ezekiel¡¯s sincerity. After a moment, she spoke up. ¡°The heat from the Sun Elixir is unimaginable. It¡¯s even more chaotic now that it¡¯s mixed with my own energy. It won¡¯t be easy to inject your ice mana into me.¡± ??¦­?????§§¡ì ¡°I¡¯ve never done anything easy in my life.¡± Ezekiel replied calmly. ¡°But I¡¯ve always managed to do it, no matter how difficult it was.¡± Ether¡¯s expression was skeptical. ¡°Truly?¡± Time seemed to stand still. Finally, the First Princess nodded her head. ¡°Teacher, you have my permission to touch my body.¡± It was a clear sign of trust, granting him complete permission. The messenger¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious! If you make even the slightest mistake, it could cost both of your lives! Not just the First Princess¡¯, but yours as well!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already made up my mind. As my vassal, you will respect my decision.¡± Ether¡¯s voice was firm, and she leaned forward, exposing her back to Ezekiel. It was a shocking sight. The First Princess was exposing her bare skin, and a warrior was turning her back on him. Both actions spoke volumes about their trust in each other. Ether slowly closed her eyes. ¡°Teacher, my words just now were almost a confession. You must be prepared to take responsibility for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always been prepared.¡± ¡°You have a remarkable control over your ice mana¡­ I trust no one else but you. From now on, do as you see fit, without hesitation.¡± Ether¡¯s tone was almost casual, but Ezekiel knew that she was placing her trust in him. It was a truly grateful moment. ¡°A¡­ ah¡­ ¡° The messenger was on edge, unable to calm down. Ether¡¯s gaze turned to him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Putting both of your lives on the line like this is¡­ it¡¯s unacceptable! I¡¯m deeply worried¡­¡± ¡°In other words, our lives are tied together now.¡± Ether smiled wryly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a romantic notion?¡± But despite her words, her ragged breathing betrayed her worsening condition. At the same time, a voice shouted from outside the mansion. ¡°Your Highness, the enemies¡¯ momentum is getting out of control! If you could just¡­!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t keep dealing with these Undead! They just keep coming back to life in strange ways!¡± Everyone¡¯s words conveyed the same message: the situation was not looking good. It was truly desperate. Ezekiel also knew this, which was why¡­ He placed his hand on the nape of Ether¡¯s neck, where her skin was exposed. He could feel the softness of her skin and the firmness of her back muscles at the same time; the soft skin immediately began to burn, and the process of healing and repeating itself began. ¡®I can end this chain of pain with my own hands.¡¯ Ezekiel thought, as he poured all his ice mana into his hand. He had always wanted the Sun Elixir, but could never get it. Ether, on the other hand, had never wanted it, but was forced to endure the pain it brought. Neither of them had been truly happy. ¡®Now, I want us all to be happy.¡¯ Ezekiel wished, and to make this happen, he first needed to calm down the heat within Ether¡¯s body. The ice mana poured out of Ezekiel¡¯s hand like a snowy cave. Ezekiel shut out all distractions. . . . It was unbelievable. The First Princess, who was like a goddess, had allowed him to touch her bare skin. The Unmatched, the Invincible¡­ she was the one with the most powerful titles. Ezekiel¡¯s hand was on the very top of her back, almost at the base of her neck. The neck. It was a vital spot, where the blood vessels converged, and at the same time, it was a place where the energy flowed strongly. For Ether, who controlled her energy, this was a crucial spot. Now, everything was in Ezekiel¡¯s hands. His hand was burning, as if it was on fire. He had never felt such heat before in his life, and the Sun Elixir still seemed like a mystery to him. ¡°The Sun Elixir is blocking my blood vessels and causing me pain. You need to use ice mana to break through.¡± Ether whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°The meridians for energy are already open, so if you just pour in the ice mana, it will flow naturally. Just push it in strongly, and it will take care of itself.¡± Indeed, Ether¡¯s meridians for energy were incredibly wide, a testament to her incredible spiritual power. The meridians for energy are affected by one¡¯s spiritual power. ?How much training would it take to reach this level of mastery? It was no wonder, considering she had to endure the pain of her skin burning every moment. Just then, the sound of the mansion¡¯s gate crashing into something echoed through the air. ¡°Don¡¯t let this gate open under any circumstances!¡± ¡°Defend it! We must defend it!¡± ¡°Push forward as much as possible! If the Undead explode here, it will be a disaster! This is the First Princess¡¯s mansion, after all!¡± The sounds coming from outside conveyed the desperation of the situation; the Goddess of the Demon Realm was hoping for the First Princess¡¯s downfall. It was easy to understand why. If the First Princess were defeated, it would make it much easier for the Demon Realm to conquer the continent. Crisis. Ezekiel slowly closed his eyes. ¡°Ah, I¡¯ll join the battle too. Please, take care of yourself, Your Highness and Inspector!¡± The messenger¡¯s voice faded into the distance as he rushed outside. As Ezekiel¡¯s eyes closed, a vivid scene unfolded before him. In the darkness, he saw two branches, one blue and one red, stretching out like a tree. He saw the First Princess¡¯s blood vessels and meridians for energy, all of them visible to him. Suddenly, he remembered a phrase the Emperor had once said. ¡ª The Sun Elixir seems to be afraid of your ice mana. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before. It meant that the Sun Elixir was inferior to him. Perhaps, he could overcome it. No, perhaps he could control the Sun Elixir spirit. With newfound confidence, Ezekiel poured all his concentration into his ice mana, which had grown stronger from all the battles he had fought. Ether¡¯s coughing fit echoed in his mind a few times, but soon faded away. And then, at some point. Ezekiel felt like he was in a vast world. The First Princess¡¯s energy meridians were so wide that they felt like a world unto themselves. Her mastery was on a completely different level, truly unmatched. However, her internal world was also incredibly unstable, as if it was being affected by the Sun Elixir¡¯s side effects. Ezekiel poured all his ice mana into her body. He remembered the First Princess¡¯s advice. She had said that her energy meridian were wide, so he just needed to pour in the ice mana without worrying. He did just that. As a result, Ezekiel felt the heat from the Sun Elixir entering his body. His head spun with fever, and he could even smell the scent of burning. But still. He refused to give up. As he continued to pour in his ice mana, he heard the First Princess¡¯s dazed voice. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± At the same time, Ezekiel was certain. He had a chance to control the Sun Elixir spirit. ? ? ? Chapter 118: Wedding Night (?) (12) ? Once he broke through, there was no stopping him. Ezekiel poured his ice mana into Ether¡¯s energy meridians without hesitation; the level of mastery he had achieved through his training in the ice technique was evident.¡°¡­The heat is subsiding. How is this possible?¡± First Princess Ether¡¯s bewildered mutter reached Ezeiel¡¯s ears. ¡°It¡¯s as if¡­ as if it trembles before Teacher¡¯s ice mana and seeks refuge within the deepest corners of my being. Does this mean Teacher¡¯s ice mana is stronger than the Sun Elixir itself?¡± Her voice was heavy with disbelief. Ezekiel focused, pouring all his will into the task; he had no other choice. The moment his concentration wavered, the searing heat of the Sun Elixir threatened to incinerate his mind. Meanwhile, Ether¡¯s energy meridians were on a completely different level. Not only were they incredibly wide, but the speed at which her energy flowed was also incredibly fast. It was as if she had already reached the level of a superhuman. ¡®No wonder she can withstand the pain of the Sun Elixir. Her energy meridians are so well-developed that her strength and recovery abilities are on a completely different level.¡¯ Only then did he truly grasp how she could endure, even as she writhed in agony from the Sun Elixir. Even he, who had carved his own path to strength, found himself humbled. Ether¡¯s energy meridians dwarfed his own ¡ª the title of Goddess of War was hers for a reason. Ezekiel had a sudden epiphany. ¡®Perhaps this is how the energy meridians can be expanded. Maybe I can apply this principle to myself.¡¯ Ether¡¯s body had become an invaluable source of knowledge. Even amidst the urgency of the situation, he found an opportunity for growth. But the revelation didn¡¯t stop there. Ether¡¯s body was a treasure trove of secrets. ¡®The underlying principle.¡¯ Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ezekiel combined his keen observation skills with his understanding of Ether¡¯s body. He began to discern patterns within her, a specific rhythm in the way her body used energy to absorb the Sun Elixir. ¡®Just a moment¡­ this method¡­¡¯ He calculated instinctively, and soon, the answer dawned on him like a light bulb turning on. The answer to digesting the Sun Elixir was right there. ¡®If I apply this flow of energy to my ice mana¡­¡¯ He wouldn¡¯t need to rely on Ether anymore. Ezekiel could digest the Sun Elixir on his own using his ice mana. This meant that Ether wouldn¡¯t have to suffer the pain of the Sun Elixir, and Ezekiel could finally achieve his goal. Just then¡­ ¡°Indeed, you are not a doctor, but a teacher.¡± Ether murmured, a hint of a smile on her lips. ¡°And yet you study my body amidst all this. Impressive. Ether, the Goddess of War, was a warrior who had mastered the art of manipulating her energy. She must have felt Ezekiel¡¯s gaze as he examined her body. ?????????????????¨º? ¡°Observe as much as you need. It matters not.¡± Ether quickly assuaged Ezekiel¡¯s unspoken concern. Typically, analyzing another person¡¯s energy flow without their permission was an unforgivable offense. It was considered tantamount to stealing and often resulted in fatal consequences. And yet, the First Princess granted her permission freely. It was clear how much she valued Ezekiel. Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the mansion gates. ¡ª Show yourself, First Princess! ¡ª You¡¯re a coward, hiding behind your men! ¡ª Give me back my man! The voice of the Undead reverberated with unsettling clarity. Its spectral cries, amplified by the sheer density of demonic mana, seemed to claw at Ezekiel¡¯s eardrums. But Ether remained calm. ¡°A goddess from the Demon Realm, they said? I fail to grasp the reason for her envy. What connection does she have with you, Teacher?¡± Even he himself was bewildered by the situation. ¡ª Your Highness, are you okay! ¡ª We¡¯ll hold them off with our lives! The warriors¡¯ shouts continued from the gate. The sound of clashing steel and the warriors¡¯ battle cries were intense, indicating a fierce battle. Just as the gate was about to collapse¡­ ¡°Thank you, Teacher.¡± Ether whispered, slowly getting up from her seat. She adjusted her bandages and put on her uniform, looking elegant as ever. And then, she began to walk towards the gate. Her footsteps were strong and confident. The warriors felt her energy first. ¡ª This energy¡­! ¡ª It¡¯s the First Princess¡¯s energy! Let¡¯s go! Even Ezekiel was surprised by Ether¡¯s transformation. She clenched her fists and looked ready for battle. ¡°Hmm, I feel surprisingly good. My body feels so light and refreshed, it¡¯s a new sensation for me. Maybe the answer was always you, Teacher.¡± She smiled at Ezekiel, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Thank you. You¡¯ve taught me another lesson today, Teacher. I¡¯ll make sure to repay you.¡± And with those words, she leaned in, to kiss him on the forehead. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Involuntarily, he flinched, pulling his head back to avoid the kiss. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to; rather, he feared his body wouldn¡¯t be able to handle even a moment¡¯s exposure to her intense heat. Of course, Ether smiled as if she didn¡¯t mind Ezekiel¡¯s reaction. She had fully regained her composure, and her strength as the Goddess of War had returned. She spoke to the messenger, who was outside the gate. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say that just showing my face would be enough?¡± The messenger¡¯s urgent voice replied. ¡ª That¡¯s not enough anymore! We need you to take charge and clear out the undead!¡± ¡ª And, and¡­ are you feeling better?¡± ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. I¡¯ll take care of it myself.¡± The gate burst open, and Ether charged out. Her recovered appearance, or rather, her even stronger appearance, turned the tide of the battle in an instant; the warriors¡¯ faces lit up with hope, and the Undead, who had been advancing under the goddess of the Demon Realm¡¯s spell, faltered. It was only natural. Ether¡¯s power was overwhelming. ¡°Turn them all to ashes. You wretches.¡± She released a beam of light, which didn¡¯t even need to be focused, and it still had a devastating effect. Just as she had said, the Undead turned to ashes. Her energy was the exact opposite of the dark mana, and its fundamental nature was different. It was only natural that she could absorb the Sun Elixir perfectly. It felt like a miracle, and Ether was its name. ¡®I think the First Princess¡¯s health is resolved now¡­¡¯ Ezekiel felt a strong sense of dizziness. At the same time, he felt a great sense of discomfort. His body, which had always been filled with ice mana, now had something warm circulating in his heart. Suddenly, the Emperor¡¯s words came to mind. ¡ª If you think of your body as a mansion, it¡¯s easy. The Sun Elixir will judge whether it¡¯s a livable place and settle in. Those words were true. Now, a spirit in the shape of a girl had taken residence in Ezekiel¡¯s heart. ¡®Are you¡­ the Sun Elixir spirit?¡¯ The girl nodded gruffly, still wary of Ezekiel. ¡®Do you not like my body? Is it too cold?¡¯ The spirit nodded again, and then began to create a warm, cozy space. It seemed to have accepted the reality of living in Ezekiel¡¯s body. But¡­ Perhaps it was because the spirit¡¯s warmth was still unfamiliar to him; the dizziness was intense, and Ezekiel felt his body lose its balance. ¡°Inspector, Inspector?¡± The messenger¡¯s urgent voice was heard. ¡°Inspector, please snap out of it!¡± The voice grew fainter and fainter, and Ezekiel¡¯s eyes closed. ¡­and with that, he lost consciousness. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? How much time had passed? Ezekiel regained his senses in a dark, unfamiliar space. His body rested upon a bed, vast and luxuriously soft. It seemed to be dawn, yet he couldn¡¯t discern how many days had drifted by. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± He tried to sit up, but his body refused to obey. He couldn¡¯t even twitch a finger. The Sun Elixir, its power not yet fully assimilated, pulsed within him; the spirit had taken root, seemingly building a miniature palace around his very heart. Just as he was about to talk to the Sun Elixir spirit¡­ ¡°Finally, you¡¯re awake.¡± A familiar voice spoke, and a gentle hand caressed Ezekiel¡¯s face. The darkness concealed the speaker¡¯s form, revealing only a silhouette. Even so, the curves of a voluptuous, exquisitely sculpted female figure were unmistakable. If a body were ever crafted to ignite desire, it was this. Silky strands of hair, softer than any silk he had known, brushed against his skin. Understanding dawned. ¡°¡­Ether?¡± ¡°Indeed. As expected, you recognize me.¡± She continued to caress his face, her touch unbelievably tender for someone said to be the Goddess of War. ¡°You remember the two promises I made to you, don¡¯t you, Teacher?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± ¡°First, I promised to repay you¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°And¡­¡± The sound of a match being lit, and the room was filled with a soft, warm light. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± Ezekiel blinked, momentarily stunned. The First Princess stood before him clad only in her undergarments. There were no elaborate adornments, no attempt at modesty. Just sheer, barely-there fabric that clung to her curves, doing little to conceal the generous swell of her breasts and the enticing curve of her hips. ¡®¡­My body won¡¯t move.¡¯ As if reading his thoughts, she straddled his immobile form, a knowing smile gracing her lips. ¡°¡­I said I¡¯d wrung you dry if I caught you, didn¡¯t you?¡± And then¡­, ¡­slowly, deliberately¡­ She released the straps of her undergarments, letting the fabric cascade down her body. ¡°From this moment forward, I shall fulfill both my promises to you.¡± ????????????????????????????????????????¡¯???? ???????????????????? :- Technically, what she¡¯s doing to him counts as r*pe!!! ? ? ?