Chapter 120
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Private Audience
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Getting straight to the point, Jun was convinced that the Celestial Cult was behind this incident.
After all, they were the force that would later plunge the crumbling empire into chaos.
So, how exactly had the Celestial Cult brought down the empire?
'A few missing puzzle pieces have fallen into place.'
It all started with Javier's fall from grace.
Javier, who had lost his close friends and fallen into profound grief.
That much could still be brushed off, more or less.
His friends had died, but it wasn't enough to shatter his mind completely.
However, if it aligned with the future Jun knew from the game, the story changed.
'The execution of the traitor Venes.'
That's right.
In the game's history, Venes—Javier's mother—would later get entangled with the Celestial Cult and be branded a traitor.
Of course, as a consort, she wouldn't be executed immediately... but the problem was her mysterious death in exile.
And Javier would witness another illusion from the "Despairflower" placed before his mother's corpse. That's how his thirst for revenge would begin.
'But in the game, the Despairflower's effect didn't fully manifest.'
In the game's cutscene, it had only been interpreted as a symbolic image.
Only after asking Maya did Jun realize that this flower was one of the triggers that turned Javier into the game's villain.
'Venes. That woman was ultimately used by the Celestial Cult and met her end as they pleased.'
His own knowledge, the information from Aden, the coachman disguised assailant found at the crash site, and the Despairflower.
With all those puzzle pieces fitting together, Jun finally felt the fog lift from his vision.
And now.
Jun selected his words carefully for Dexter.
"At present, there are two leads we can pursue."
"Two, you say. What are they?"
"One is the origin of this flower. It's a bloom that can only be obtained from the 5th floor of Blackout."
"I see."
"However, I've agreed to investigate that with Captain Terdin."
"...Wait. Captain Terdin? Does the Blackguard Knight Order know about this incident?"
"Not exactly. But Captain Terdin is currently pursuing smugglers who have surfaced from Blackout. Given their handling of narcotics and high-risk herbs, we'll approach that angle cautiously first."
Dexter's eyes wavered at Jun's explanation.
In a situation where they hadn't even grasped the full picture, this mage before him had pieced together most of the truth and was already preparing his next moves. It was hard to believe.
The greed he had barely suppressed earlier threatened to resurface.
But there was something he needed to confirm first.
"I don't know how this will sound, but... did you have a particular reason to dig this deeply into the incident?"
"Yes, I do."
"What is it?"
"Aiden... no, Arshio."
"...!"
Adrian von Wybone Arshio.
The forsaken prince now living under the alias Aiden.
Jun hadn't mastered every story detail in the game.
But he knew the various route endings.
Among them, the most horrific bad ending began when Aiden started dreaming of the throne.
'As the empire crumbled and countless citizens suffered oppression.'
Aiden would begin to aspire to the emperorship.
Yet that path always ended in tragedy, a grueling ordeal.
Even if he claimed the throne in the end.
All Aiden would behold was a ravaged empire.
'Even among players, opinions were divided. Whether Aiden becoming emperor was truly a happy ending or not.'
Jun leaned toward the latter.
Such a heavy mantle didn't suit Aiden.
"I have only one wish."
May the empire stand firm.
May the imperial family not fall.
And thus, the world he would live in henceforth, he and those around him, might be spared suffering.
That was all he hoped for.
"Is that so."
Jun, the mage and captain of the White Whale Mercenary Corps.
The emperor nodded at Dexter's report after meeting him.
"He seems like someone worth coveting."
"I cannot lie before Your Majesty. To be frank, yes, I do covet him."
If that mage stood by his side.
How reassuring it would be to have such a wise and courageous man at his flank.
Dexter hid none of his desire.
However...
"I'll set that thought aside for now."
"Why is that?"
At his father's question, Dexter gave a wry smile.
"...I've never once acted like an older brother in my life. Maybe it's time I tried it, just once."
His forsaken younger brother, Arshio.
A child he'd only glimpsed briefly in his youth.
In truth, Dexter had never truly paid Arshio any proper attention.
It wasn't due to his own prickly nature; it was simply the imperial upbringing.
Indoctrinated never to show even a shred of interest, lest such a child emerge to challenge his reign.
Yet.
As the White Whale Mercenary Corps gained fame, Dexter naturally gathered intel on them... and for the first time, acknowledged his discarded brother.
And for the first time, he questioned the first emperor's decree.
...A thought no imperial scion dreaming of the throne should ever entertain.
"You think so too, do you?"
"...!"
Dexter involuntarily gazed at his veiled father.
Though shrouded in thin fabric, he could vividly imagine his father's expression beyond it.
Looking in a mirror now, it would mirror his own face exactly.
"But you must be cautious—ever cautious, Dexter."
"...You're speaking of the nobles."
"Indeed. I've granted much for the empire's people, but it bred resentment among the nobility."
Those of gentle disposition often appeared like herbivores.
And hyenas don't leave prey that irks them be.
Even if it's an elephant—as long as it seems vulnerable, the wilds dictate they pounce.
"In any case, thanks to that mage, we averted a potential crisis early."
"...What shall we do?"
"We'll gather more intel for now and watch. The Celestial Cult doesn't show their faces easily."
Touch them rashly, and they might shrink back entirely.
Thus, the emperor grew even more intrigued by this mage named Jun.
'Did he predict even that far and coordinate with the Blackguard Knights?'
Moving under the Blackguard Knights' banner would leave even the Celestial Cult uncertain of true imperial involvement.
Yet withdrawing all prior incursions would be too great an opportunity lost.
"Our imperial family has never been prey, Dexter."
"...I shall remember, Your Majesty."
Once the banquet ended, the Sun Order departed first.
Already pressed for time to purify the Merdein trade city, the emperor personally saw them off.
Next came the Altas Adventurer Group.
Captain Ron Kyler bid farewell, promising to meet again someday.
"Then, contact us once you're ready."
"Of course."
As the Blackguard Knights pursuing criminals also left the hall, only Jun and his crew—and Sword Soul Aden—remained.
"Lord Aden."
"What is it?"
"If possible, may I request a private audience with His Majesty before departing?"
"Oh?"
Aden had heard from Dexter and the emperor during the night about this mage's audacious deeds.
Yet after such weighty discussions, requesting a solo audience?
'One thing's certain—his heart's forged of steel.'
Naturally, Aden nodded.
"I'll inform His Majesty at once."
"Thank you."
Though pushed back by Prince Javier's situation... there was still a matter that demanded resolution.
It concerned the mana fluid business rights.
At Aden's words, the emperor regarded the mage with considerable interest.
Non-imperials rarely sought audiences with him in such quick succession.
"Very well. What business do you have with Us?"
"Your Majesty, during our disappearance, my mercenary corps and I fell into an uncharted 5th floor."
"Mm. I've heard as much. The lost city of alchemists, was it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Might I show you what I retrieved from there?"
"Proceed."
Cautious of using subspace before the emperor, Jun opened his dimensional bracelet upon permission and produced the mana fluid.
"A profound mana scent emanates from it."
"Indeed."
"On par with high-grade mana stones... yet liquid?"
"It's called 'mana fluid,' discovered by me, my comrades, and Mushar—disciple of King Shailock of Puyol."
"Ho. Mana of this purity liquefied. Fascinating. But what of it?"
Even a busy emperor like him couldn't instantly grasp the mana fluid's potential.
Jun licked his lips and explained in detail.
Its production difficulty.
How much simpler it was to manage than mana stones.
And finally, its dangers.
"I see."
Only then did the emperor understand why this clever mage had brought it directly to him.
"You wish to commercialize it."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hoo..."
A thorny issue.
He'd have gladly nodded if they'd asked to open the imperial treasury... but.
'Far too dangerous.'
The emperor fully appreciated the value of the mana fluid in Jun's hands.
Especially as one who cared for the populace, he could scarcely imagine how many would benefit from its utility once released.
'Even now, regions lag in progress due to mana shortages.'
Distributing mana fluid could quench such disparities to some degree.
Frankly speaking.
'I want it.'
But the risks were immense.
And a safe handling method needed development.
"I hear King Shailock and his disciple are with the Gilenoi Merchant Guild. Do you seek their aid?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Shailock, that fellow..."
The emperor had personally granted Shailock the title of 'king,' maintaining close ties.
Hearing he lived had lifted a weight from his chest.
He'd have loved to appoint him imperial mage... but Shailock declined, wishing only a quiet life.
'Still, his hands must itch.'
With mana fluid, what artifacts could he craft? How much would they aid the people?
Honestly, the moment it emerged, the emperor knew his name would echo through history.
"Exceedingly risky, yet equally useful. No firm answer yet. Instead, I shall speak directly with the Gilenoi Merchant Guild."
"...Your benevolence overwhelms me!"
That alone sufficed.
The emperor had keenly sensed his ambition.
Now, it hinged on how well the Gilenoi Merchant Guild, Shailock, and Mushar overcame the obstacles.
And Jun trusted them.
Each at the pinnacle of their fields.
'If the mana fluid commercializes as planned...'
Money worries would be a thing of the past.
"Moreover."
"...?"
"Beyond your feats in Blackout, there's still the matter of uncovering the shadow over Havier and our imperial family first."
"..."
He hadn't anticipated that.
No—he'd hoped, but couldn't voice it.
Jun wasn't so tactless as to demand rewards with the third prince's life at stake.
He'd planned to broach it delicately with Aden post-resolution...
"Yet this was your solo achievement, Jun. Speak. What do you desire?"
"I..."
A sudden opportunity.
But Jun's mind already brimmed with imperial rewards he could claim.