Morris Dmitry (2)
The Sun Palace, where the emperor resided. I set foot in the massive, ornate imperial residence built of marble to symbolize the empire's majesty. No matter how many times I came here, it always left a bad taste in my mouth. When I first transmigrated into this world, it had been a place full of excitement and novelty.
But after surviving several near-death experiences from court intrigues, visits here were merely to check the main storyline.
"His Majesty the Emperor awaits you."
The guard saluted upon seeing me. I waved my hand in lieu of a formal reply and entered the Sun Palace.
"Minister, this way, please."
Following the butler, I passed through the courtyard meticulously tended by gardeners and headed to the emperor's private audience chamber in the Sun Palace.
"Your Majesty, Minister of the Magic Department Dmitry has arrived."
"Let him enter."
The doors opened, revealing the emperor, who had been lounging leisurely in the audience chamber, sipping wine.
He's really handsome.
Platinum blond hair and blue eyes. The emperor of the Vermut Empire possessed a near-perfect appearance that never failed to impress. The male lead of the novel Finding a Happy Ending in Evil. Ryuclid von Vermut. The ruler of the empire looked down at me.
"I pay respects to the Sun of the Empire."
I greeted him with impeccable imperial etiquette. It was the result of grueling practice to avoid needless quarrels with the nobles.
"Your etiquette is always a sight to behold."
The emperor's brief comment ended there.
"It's been since the appointment ceremony, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Already a week has passed. Does the work suit you?"
"It's not much different from my vice minister days, so I'm adapting without issue."
"I've heard it's demanding."
"Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I work without worry."
"Nothing to report?"
"Aside from the barbarians eyeing our weakened borders since the coronation, nothing noteworthy."
"Those southern barbarians—quite the headache."
"Deploying forces to the border would resolve it."
"I'll discuss it with the Minister of National Defense."
The emperor nodded and set down his wine.
"Her Majesty the Empress is absent."
"No need for her in matters of state. She's likely resting in her chambers."
"I see."
I noticed it. The emperor's eyes had turned icy cold as he spoke of the empress—the heroine of this world.
The emperor waved his hand dismissively and adjusted his posture.
"Well, I didn't summon you for trivial state affairs."
Finally, the main topic.
"Did my gift please you?"
It was about Seria, who had lost her Siegfried backing.
"I received it yesterday via the knight order."
"And?"
"What about her, specifically?"
"The girl herself. She's a beauty second to none in the empire."
I fell silent.
"How could I find fault with a gift from Your Majesty?"
The emperor shook his head at my words.
"Minister, that's not the reaction I wanted."
"What did you want?"
"Must I spell it out? I thought you'd understand."
"How could a mere human fathom the heart of the Sun?"
"Haha, the war hero who shattered the traitorous former minister with magic is far too humble."
After a chuckle, the emperor spoke slowly.
"War Maniac Morris—they say the nickname stuck because your methods of killing and tormenting enemies were so brutal."
His blue eyes gleamed as he regarded me. Before becoming vice minister, I'd dealt harshly with Magic Department foes who tried to block me. That's when the moniker was born: War Maniac Morris. I'd thought it forgotten.
Who knew I'd hear it from the male lead's mouth?
"I want her to suffer. As much pain as she caused me. Not just physical torment, but something that tears at the soul. That's why I sent her to you."
So that's how it was. This man was like that. Beneath his handsome, refined exterior lurked a cruel nature.
I thought meeting the heroine had softened him.
Apparently not. I bowed my head wordlessly.
"I trust you understand. I hope you won't disappoint me in the future."
Damn it. Looked like I'd gotten dragged into something troublesome.
"What did you talk about?"
Back at the office, Jane bombarded me excitedly.
"Quiet and focus on work. You know today's tasks are piled up..."
Thud!
The red-haired Jane slammed down the stack of documents she'd been holding.
"All done. So spill—what did you discuss with His Majesty?"
"Nothing much. Just state affairs."
"Liar."
Couldn't fool her, huh?
"It was about Seria Siegfried, right?"
"Be careful with that name."
"That only works on humans."
Jane grinned mischievously. She wouldn't let up unless I nodded, so I did.
"Really? What did he say? Something like, 'Protect my woman'? Or 'Her status is dead, but she's still my love...'?"
"Jane."
I cut off her chattering.
"It wasn't as romantic as you think."
The emperor wanted the pitiful, wretched end for his ex-fiancée who'd tormented him. I'd stumbled into the post-finale romantic squabbles. This was going to be a hassle.
"So what will you do with her, Minister?"
As I clutched my head, Jane asked.
"Do with her?"
"Yeah, she's yours now."
What to do, huh?
"Haven't decided yet."
That's when it happened.
"Minister, it's Cedric."
Suspect number one, Cedric, had arrived.
"Come in."
"This month's Magic Department budget and the new papers from the Magic Tower."
"That's a mountain."
"It's the start of change. Plenty want to impress the new minister."
Cedric laughed heartily after speaking.
"Keep it down. My head hurts."
Another day buried in work.
I finished all my duties and returned home. My head throbbed from the deluge of tasks. Even for Morris, whose intelligence and mental fortitude far exceeded ordinary humans, the Magic Department's workload was burdensome.
Having a home to rest in—that always brought me relief. I gazed at the vast Dmitry estate, its expansive garden sprawling before the grand mansion.
Three years. That's how long it took to elevate a declining house to this level. My masterpiece in this world. Whenever work overwhelmed me after buying this place, I'd soothe my stress by admiring it.
Entry into the Ranks of the Great, Performance-Oriented, Perfectionist—these traits formed the core of Morris's personality.
Of course, there were other reasons. To remind myself of my past low position versus now. Don't get complacent. One slip, and you'd plummet back to the bottom in the Vermut Empire's political arena.
Today, like any other day, I expected the mansion to grant me ample rest. At least, until I opened the front gate.
"What the hell is this?"
I stared at the wrecked living room. Expensive porcelain on display lay shattered. The carpet was crumpled and torn everywhere. Neatly arranged artworks hung haphazardly, without order.
Ah.
Dizziness hit me. My home. The mansion that brought peace to my mind. It had become a trash heap.
I didn't need to ask who did it. Only one person had been home while I was away: Seria, stripped of all status just yesterday.
Cold rage seeped into my body. Don't lose control. I took deep breaths to steady myself.
Calm down. Calm.
Inhale, exhale. Composed, I flicked my hand. Twisting the formula for time magic, I restored the shattered porcelain on the floor. Like rewinding a film, the fragments reassembled piece by piece into their original forms.
I reset the rumpled carpet with magic. The artworks flew from the walls back to their proper spots.
I quickly traced formulas in the air and chanted spells. Casting five magics simultaneously wasn't easy, even for me, nearing Grand Mage status.
My head pounded like it might split. I'd pushed too hard to clean this disaster.
"Seria."
I called her name softly, infusing it with mana. If she was in the mansion, she'd hear.
No response.
"Come out now, and stripping you will be the end of it."
Still nothing. I headed upstairs. The second floor was much the same. Gritting my teeth against the vertigo, I tidied it with magic again. Items flew back into place.
For things too damaged for time magic, I incinerated them on the spot.
Whoosh!
That was my favorite porcelain.
It resembled Joseon whiteware from my original world as Choi Yoo-jun. I'd cherished it. And she broke it?
A vein bulged on my forehead. Still hasn't come to her senses, huh? Credit where due for that stubbornness. But gentle words wouldn't cut it anymore.
I stirred the mana in the air. It began to vibrate. Starting from my feet, the mana waves spread rapidly through the mansion and garden.
Eyes closed, I scanned every corner as if seeing with my mind. It was a search spell using ultrasonic principles.
Sweeping the mana-illuminated interior, I found her.
Seria, hiding breathlessly in a guest room on the third floor.