✦ Chapter 66 – Would You Rather Marry Than Have Your Limbs Torn Off? (6) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
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.
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.”
“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—!
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—
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—it 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—”
“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—”
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—! Scratch—!
[■■?]
[■■?]
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.
— Inspector.
Hoo….
The Inspector merely exhaled a puff of smoke from his sunweed.
— Excuse me, Inspector.
— What?
His response was so nonchalant that it left Agnes sweating nervously as she continued her telepathic message.
— 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…
— I know. How could I not?
— Pardon…?
Agnes’s mind became even more tangled.
If he knew this well, then why was he just sitting there?
— The proposals directed at me are just not appealing. For the time being, I need to focus on the tower’s affairs.
— Oh…?
Was he always this principled? Was he always this resolute?
Agnes cleared her throat a few times before speaking telepathically again.
— 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.
— There’s the exchange meeting tomorrow anyway.
— Yes.
— Just for today, let me rest thoroughly.
— ….
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—!
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.