✦ Chapter 50 – 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.”
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.”
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.
— 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.”