Chapter 59
The princess who returned from the imperial palace was accompanied by the imperial family's exclusive physician, a mage, and the grand priest.
I was surprised by the sudden grandeur of it all, but...
"He sacrificed his body for the sake of avenging my family. It's only right to treat him this way. His Majesty has approved it himself, so don't worry too much."
Thanks to her, Luna received treatment that even ducal nobles would struggle to obtain.
At first, she was wary when these impressive figures showed up for her, but when the princess explained they were there to check for any potential aftereffects, she submitted to the examination without protest.
"Hmm... Aside from her body being a bit weakened, there don't seem to be any major aftereffects. Her soul is in a normal state, so if she rests well for a few days, she should recover fully."
Fortunately, the results were positive. Since the time her body was lent out wasn't long and it was done willingly rather than by force, there was no conflict between souls, so she hadn't suffered serious damage. They added that if she had clashed directly with Jelros's soul, she might have lost part of her own soul, which would have been disastrous.
However, since her soul and body had been separated for a while, rest was essential to stabilize their reunion.
"No problems— that's a relief. I was worried I wouldn't even be able to repay the favor to my benefactor."
"Um... Your Highness. You don't need to go this far for me..."
"It's fine, Luna. Whether by intent or not, you provided great help in eliminating the imperial family's grudge. If anything, this gratitude falls short."
Even Luna, with her tough personality, seemed uncomfortable pushing back against the imperial family. She looked burdened by the princess's thanks. Or perhaps it was precisely because she knew the princess's intentions were purely good, without any ulterior motives. Luna was merciless to those with shady desires but endlessly soft toward the purely kind and gentle.
"By the way, that executive Jelros died so pathetically. If opponents this weak are all they've got, maybe we don't need to worry much about the Heaven God Cult after all?"
The princess said it lightly, but I had my doubts.
Jelros did have that unique ability to manipulate or induce others' emotions, and it was powerful, but for an executive of his rank to die so anticlimactically was a huge loss for the organization. Even if this incident was his solo act, would the Heaven God Cult really take no action over the death of one of their executives? Was that normal?
What if... they have so many at Jelros's level that losing one isn't an issue...?
The public was praising me like some Aura Lord demigod, but in truth, I was just a rookie barely stepping into the early stages of Lord rank. If the Heaven God Cult's executives were all far beyond me in strength, gauging our odds would be impossible.
"Oh, right. Mars, Luna—you two will come to the imperial palace with me soon. His Majesty wants to commend you both for your contributions and bestow rewards."
"Rewards, you say?"
Rewards... A normal reward might be money, rare treasures, or magic artifacts, but...
This time, maybe I could ask for something a bit different.
* * *
Luna and I were invited to the palace unofficially.
Normally, for such immense service to the imperial family, they'd roll out a golden carriage and throw a lavish party, but since this was a secret they didn't want publicized, we kept it simple—just us receiving commendations quietly.
"...It's been a while. Good to see you again."
Maybe it was my imagination, but why did the emperor's gaze hold a flicker of anger when he looked at me? As I racked my brain for anything I'd done to offend him, he cleared his throat and continued.
"Once again, you've done us a great service. To owe the imperial family twice over—words like 'thank you' fall short."
"Not at all. It wasn't that big a deal."
"Luna, was it? My thanks to you as well. I heard you lent your body directly, creating the chance to catch that villain. Truly brave."
"Th-thank you..."
Overwhelmed by the imperial atmosphere, Luna bowed demurely, murmuring agreements to the emperor's praise.
"I only lent my body because Mars recognized him and would handle it. What I did was just letting that bastard sneak into the academy."
"No matter. Who would think to hide a soul in a decorative item to infiltrate? Even if unaware, trusting Mars to save you in that situation without doubt—that's impressive in itself."
To trust someone so fiercely is no small feat. Despite the risk to her life, she believed in me to the end and entrusted everything to me. So yes, Luna deserved major rewards.
"That's why I've called you here to bestow them. This matter is top secret for the imperial family, so we've kept it quiet, but ask for anything—as long as it's not this throne."
What a generous man. Having avenged his beloved wife's grudge seemed to fill him with vitality; his authoritative presence screamed wise ruler.
"Nothing comes to mind right now. May I think it over and let you know later?"
"Of course. Take your time and choose what you want most. Mars, what reward do you desire?"
Luna, drawing a blank, passed the baton to me. She wasn't one for flashy adornments or power, so she probably wanted something her parents or hometown folks would love. That's why she was pondering deeply.
And I decided to voice the reward I'd been mulling since arriving.
"I'd like... authority."
"Authority...?"
It was an out-of-place word for the moment, but the emperor's eyes lit up with curiosity instead of shock.
"Yes. I assume I've been marked as a key figure by the Heaven God Cult after this. We don't know when word of Jelros's death reaches them, but it could already have."
"True enough. And?"
"So, I want to sever my ties to them directly. And block those who threaten the empire's peace. For that, I'd need independent investigative authority over the Heaven God Cult—and limited command rights in emergencies."
"......"
The emperor, expecting a simple request, eyed me with bold intrigue at my audacity. The princess and Luna, who'd come with me, stared wide-eyed like startled rabbits.
...Were their cheeks flushing from shock at my nerve?
"One question."
"Please, ask."
"From my investigations, you're just an innocent caught up in the Heaven God Cult's heresies. The duchess's kidnapping was mere coincidence for you; same for the incidents with the princess and saintess—no direct grudge tying you to them. So why go this far?"
"......"
Fair point. Back when the duchess was kidnapped, I didn't even know they existed. How would a baron's son know about villains absent from that damn trash dating sim?
Survival instinct, plus annoyance at them toying with lives—that was it. I'm no hero of justice, just an average joe craving a peaceful life.
But now...
"I... don't really know. I just want to."
"Just like that..."
"At first, I had no intention of getting involved. The empire isn't short on talent; heretics like them could be crushed with a little time."
This wasn't a lie. As the continent's hegemon, the empire had endless talent and military might. It might've taken longer, but they'd have caught the chimera doctor, Taurus, Jelros eventually.
"But thinking of my family, my territory's people, my lifelong friends Polo and Luna, the duchess, the princess, the saintess—all those close to me... I just wanted to."
Fear of loss? Rage at threats to what's mine? I couldn't pinpoint it, but I knew without doubt—they truly grated on me.
"Not yet, huh... Trading strength for instincts at this stage..."
The emperor muttered softly, then declared firmly as if resolved.
"Very well. As you wish, I'll grant you independent investigative authority over the Heaven God Cult and limited command rights. Details to be hashed out with the ministers, but since the empire wants those heretics gone too, expect good news."
The emperor approved with gusto. With open conflict looming, these powers would prove hugely advantageous.
"Ahem! But Mars Noctus... any thoughts on a marriage prospect?"
"?"
Huh? A marriage prospect, out of nowhere?