✦ Chapter 76 – Suspicious Couple (2) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
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— the Imperial Tower hadn’t even received a chance to undertake an imperial command.”
“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—oversleeping, lying to the Second Princess—which 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.”
“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—! Click—! Click—!
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—
— 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.
— 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—!
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—!
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—!
Space warped and twisted, and the Audience Chamber was restored to its former glory—opulent, 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—!
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.