Chapter 238
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 238
Chapter Title: Family
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Jun knew that well enough.
Lanes wouldn't target his heart like other mages would.
But their meeting had come far too late.
'What if I'd awakened not in this body, but as a disciple under Lanes at the Mage Tower?'
It was a meaningless thought.
He didn't particularly desire such a life anyway.
He never would have met his current comrades otherwise.
"We're short on time."
"Time, you say..."
"Isn't this the point where the Heavenly Firmament Sect has started moving in earnest?"
Just take the recent disaster in the north, for example.
Their schemes kept failing, but each time, they came back even more radical.
To survive amid that, he needed to grow faster.
There was no time to leisurely learn magic from the ground up at the Mage Tower.
"It's urgent, I see. But a mage of your caliber wouldn't act without reason."
The Heavenly Firmament Sect.
Even she had only recently become fully aware of their existence.
Still, letting Jun go just like this felt like too great a loss.
But that was the way of the world.
The one who regretted it more had to yield, didn't they?
Even after reaching the 8th circle, the principles of the world remained so simple.
"Then, for the next fortnight... would you accept my guidance?"
"A fortnight..."
"Until we arrive at the Imperial City."
"...I can only be grateful."
Someday, if the chance arose, Jun wanted to leisurely study her magic.
But not now.
For the moment, he had to be content with the fortnight he'd been given.
Both mages felt the same.
* * *
"Does our captain ever get tired of it?"
"Haha... you're right."
A man who'd just gotten out of bed after a fortnight's injury was already practicing magic again after a single day.
And with an 8th-circle mage, no less. Every now and then, waves of mana strong enough for everyone on the airship to feel rippled out.
The helmsman screamed each time, but the two mages acted like every minute and second was precious, refusing to step outside their cabin.
"How much stronger does he plan to get...?"
"That's why he's survived this long."
Always thinking ahead, preparing for the worst that could happen now and the worst that might come later.
No one there could fathom how mentally draining that must be.
The thought made their own blood heat up inexplicably.
Just sitting there felt uncomfortable.
Elenoa, sensing it first, let out a light sigh.
"Whew. With the captain like that, how are we supposed to rest?"
"Haha... yeah."
"Guess I should go loosen up."
"I'll come too, Maya."
Aiden and Maya headed to the airship's deck, leaving Elenoa alone to review her own divine magic.
It hadn't been long since their last major battle, but they were all pushing forward.
It was possible because their captain prepared for the future more than anyone.
* * *
The fortnight felt long yet short.
At least, that's how it was for Jun.
"We're here."
The Imperial City loomed in the distance.
Soon, the airship landed on a vast open field near the city, where members of the Heavenly Dragon Knights—bearing their insignia—greeted them, as if waiting in advance.
"Welcome."
The Heavenly Dragon Knights received them with crisp precision.
Among them, the vice-captain and the man beside him...
"It's been a while, everyone."
It was the Third Prince, Javier.
Dressed in neat imperial robes, he welcomed them with a soft smile.
It was a genuine smile, without the shadows or mask-like feel from before.
"Good to see you."
And beside Javier stood the First Princess Natalie, looking sleepy.
"We're honored by such a warm reception."
"It's only fitting for the heroes who defended the north."
"I'm sleepy, so let's... get moving..."
"Sister..."
"Would it be all right if we offer our greetings to those in the back afterward?"
"Of course."
Those who had officially renounced their imperial names could not enter the Imperial City.
So, they had to part with Lanes here. She'd already gone out of her way to travel with them and impart her teachings. A farewell was the least they owed her.
"Lady Lanes."
"Yes, Jun. Safe travels. We'll meet again when time allows."
"Thank you for everything."
"No need. I've benefited greatly from you as well. Your insights have influenced the magic I've been preparing lately. Someday... I might even teach that child."
Lanes's gaze turned to Javier in the back.
Javier noticed and gave a small bow.
"Well then."
"Yes. Until next time."
Lanes and her companions boarded their airship and departed.
After watching them go for a moment, Jun and the others followed the two royals and the Heavenly Dragon Knights.
The Imperial City soon came into view.
It exuded its usual majesty.
"You've been well."
"Haha, I always think this, but your formal speech feels so awkward."
"Strange. Whenever I show respect to superiors, I get reactions like yours, Lord Javier."
"It's probably because it contrasts so sharply with how you speak when you're really getting into it."
Jun pondered the meaning of those words.
'Well, when I had business with them, I'd approach without hesitation.'
It hadn't hurt the other side, and most times it was urgent with no room for hierarchy.
"Anyway, Jun, as you said, I've been well. Free enough to reflect on whether my life has ever felt this liberated."
"...Is that so?"
"Quite a few things happened. My mother... finally heard my plea."
"...Lady Benes?"
"Yes."
Honestly, it was shocking news.
Jun knew Benes's actions well from the game.
Her obsession with the throne was beyond ruthless.
For such a woman to listen to Javier...
'Because of me, Benes noticed the Heavenly Firmament Sect earlier than planned. Maybe that's the influence.'
In the game, Benes did catch on to their schemes.
But too late, she sank too deep into their trap.
With no retreat, she took all the blame herself, delivering the final blow to Javier's fall.
'Who'd have thought that choice would lead here... No, honestly, I hoped for it. But I never imagined it'd go this smoothly.'
After his feats in the first-year Blackout, he'd received an imperial invitation.
On the way to the banquet, he'd found Javier fallen off a cliff.
The suspicions from that incident had led to this, and it still felt surreal.
It was like a vague picture he'd sketched long ago had fully materialized before his eyes.
'The Heavenly Firmament Sect must be grinding their teeth.'
This all but erased Javier's future fall.
Jun's heart felt lighter.
"Thus, my eldest brother has officially become Crown Prince. Soon, I'll leave the Imperial City as well. This may be the last time you see me here."
"That's a momentous decision."
"Haha... it wasn't easy."
Convincing Benes had been no simple task for Javier.
The reason he and Benes had held their own against First Prince Dexter politically was the support from nobles who backed Javier.
He'd effectively betrayed them all. The upheaval in the imperial court was unimaginable.
'That explains the prickling at the back of my neck.'
Countless gazes stabbed at them the moment they entered the city.
Plenty carried enmity and malice.
"Captain..."
"I've expected this since I got involved in imperial politics."
Still, Jun felt justified in his neutrality.
Count Mordaine's offers continued.
'It's not taking the imperial side... just bracing for the storm.'
Unfortunately, the nobles stood on the opposite path from his.
'They don't want the empire's fall, either...'
But if things went their way, it could lead there anyway.
Amid those stares, they reached their destination.
It was the room they'd use while staying in the Imperial City.
"No special pass, no entry to this floor. Rest and recover from your long journey."
"My thanks for your consideration."
"It's nothing. Well, I'll be off."
As Javier turned to leave,
Natalie—who'd normally head straight to her room—gazed steadily at Aiden.
"Sister?"
Ignoring Javier's call, Natalie slowly approached Aiden.
"The painting?"
"Pardon?"
"The painting."
The one she'd passed to Aiden through Jun long ago.
When Aiden first received it, his expression had been complicated for a while.
It depicted him, Javier, Dexter, and Natalie together on a blue field.
A future he'd thought impossible.
But was it still just a dream?
Maybe not anymore.
All these changes had come after meeting Jun.
The first person to become his comrade, when he'd expected to wander alone forever.
"Ah... Yes, I'm keeping it safe. Sorry for the delay in saying so. The painting... thank you."
"...Good. You look happier. I'm glad."
"..."
With that, she walked past Javier as if her business was done.
"Good grief."
Javier scratched the back of his head awkwardly and followed Natalie.
"The word 'family' still feels foreign to me, Captain."
"Same here."
"Me too."
"Is there anyone here with living parents...?"
Somehow, they'd all gathered as the lonely ones. They exchanged glances and chuckled.
"Anyway! So, boss, what do we do now?"
To Elenoa's question, Jun pointed upward.
"First, we pay respects to the Emperor. Then..."
Maya and Elenoa's eyes sparkled.
They realized the moment they'd been waiting for had arrived.
"Time to raid the Imperial Treasury."
"Yahoo!"
"Can we pick any sword we want?"
The famed Imperial Treasury, known only by rumor.
What treasures lay within? The two looked thrilled already.
"Pick anything you want? I'll decide what you pick."
"...?"
"Like in the holy site?"
"Yeah. I know exactly what you two need."
In the game, the treasury was half-destroyed and picked clean by then.
Even so, Jun knew roughly what was there.
He'd grab what was needed.
'Time to get Aiden a new sword soon, too.'
They'd soon head to the 7th layer.
Time to upgrade the team's gear.
'The Imperial City has that sword, so give it to Aiden. Maya and Elenoa get their set pieces.'
As he planned,
Aiden raised a hand.
"Um, Captain."
"Yeah?"
"If it's okay... could I skip the treasury?"