✦ Chapter 109 – Wedding Night(?) (3) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
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.
“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!” ℝ
“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—a 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…”
“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.