Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Visit
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Everyone except the chief researcher and the lead researchers began to move. The underground lab quickly emptied out.
"Have you heard anything?"
"Not at all. You?"
"If I had, I wouldn't be asking."
"I heard His Majesty is coming."
"If it's him coming, it's probably because of 'that thing' in Room 3."
Belluna checked the time. 2 PM. It was about time for the guest to arrive.
"Fix your attire and take your positions, everyone. His Majesty will arrive soon."
At the chief researcher's words, Belluna brushed off her lab coat. She had seen the Emperor up close a few times before. He was more interesting than she'd imagined. Not as rigid and stuffy as a stuck-up noble.
But she couldn't relax. No matter what anyone said, he was the ruler of the Empire.
A person who could change her life with a single point of his finger. Even as a Think Tank researcher, she was no different from any ordinary citizen before the Emperor.
Soon, the Emperor made his appearance. Dressed in a lab coat with a subtle blue sheen, he could have passed for a researcher who'd worked here for years.
Behind the Emperor trailed his constant companion, the guardian knight. His face was just her type, so she stole a few glances.
I wonder who the woman engaged to that man is. She knew she couldn't have him, but it still made her stomach twist for no reason.
Her gaze shifted to the left. There stood a man guarding the Emperor's rear, positioned equally with the guardian knight.
Who is that? A face she's never seen. To stand behind His Majesty like that, he couldn't be anyone ordinary.
"That child?"
The Emperor said.
"She's in Room 3."
"How is her condition?"
"Still too difficult to approach. When her mind becomes unstable, the mana density spikes to an uncontrollable level."
"The cause?"
"It's not particularly high root affinity or sensitivity. It seems like a spirit."
"Seems like? That's uncertain talk."
"We can't be certain at this stage. We consulted a spirit arts practitioner, but they couldn't provide an accurate diagnosis."
"I wanted a more definitive report."
"Time was limited."
"Isn't that a stale excuse?"
"It's simply the truth."
Belluna glanced at the chief researcher, tense just from listening.
Where does that nerve come from, not yielding an inch even before the Emperor? Truly impressive. Is that how he became chief researcher?
"When will I ever hear 'I'm sorry' from that mouth of yours?"
"If an apology produced results, I would have given one. More than that, such emotional excuses aren't something I desire, nor what Your Majesty wants."
The Emperor stared fixedly at the chief researcher, then shook his head slowly.
"Hiring purely on merit means no sycophants, so everything's bluntly straightforward."
"I apologize for that point. Next time, I'll memorize a few phrases that take Your Majesty's mood into account."
"Forget it. If I told you to, you'd claim it cost you time. More importantly, Room 3, right? Can I see it right now?"
"We'll prepare for you to meet her."
The chief researcher glanced at her. The look signaling to summon Room 3's lead.
Belluna tugged at her collar to straighten her clothes and stepped forward before the Emperor.
"I'm Belluna, lead researcher for 'Kea.'"
"I remember you. The researcher who observed Tane so fascinatingly. Even today."
She flinched inwardly. She lowered her gaze slightly.
"If time allows later, I'll arrange a meeting. That fellow needs to get engaged soon anyway."
She couldn't tell if it was a joke or serious. Should she smile or keep a straight face? Lacking finesse in such matters, she settled for a faint smile.
"I'll guide you."
She led the Emperor to Room 3. She checked the magic-blocking inscription on the wall. A familiar wavelength with a crimson-red reaction light. Operating normally.
"The room inside has magic devices installed to extremely block mana rising from the root. Those sensitive to mana or skilled in handling it might briefly lose their sense of direction. Recovery is quick, so it shouldn't be a problem."
After finishing the explanation, she opened the door. Special management subject 34 lay inside. She called the subject's name carefully.
"Charlotte."
There was no reply. She wasn't asleep. Her body curled up in response to the voice.
"Charlotte."
It was as she called again. Someone grabbed her shoulder. It was the Emperor's hand. She jolted and bowed her head slightly.
"I heard she's a child."
"Yes. We estimate around seven years old."
"My own child used to hide away like that when frightened."
The moment she confirmed the Emperor stepping forward, she moved. In two steps, she positioned herself in front of him.
"You mustn't approach carelessly."
She held the Emperor's gaze for a long moment before realizing her blunder. She'd dared to block the Emperor's path. Was this lese-majeste? Would she be in serious trouble?
As she thought to bow her head and apologize immediately—
"You're in charge here. Tell me. How can I speak with that child?"
There was no reprimand in his eyes. If anything, they seemed kindly. She let out an inward sigh of relief and opened her mouth.
"As I explained on the way here, special management subject 34 is in a dangerous state. Several researchers have actually been injured."
"Didn't you say there were safety measures?"
"Power exceeding those limits manifested, centered on the child."
"So, injuries from an unidentified power. Does that mean conversation is impossible?"
"In my opinion, yes."
The subject had shown abnormal mana density even that morning. They'd barely stabilized her with sedatives, but no one knew when the next outburst might come.
"It really has to be face-to-face, then."
"I'm sorry."
"There's no need for you to apologize. You fulfilled your duties, yet it was unavoidable."
It was then. A sound came from the bed. She turned her body. The subject was peering this way from under the covers.
"Charlotte. It's okay."
Belluna first worked to calm the subject. The subject's gaze locked onto one spot. It was Tane's sword. Was her alertness rising?
"Don't come."
The subject said.
"Don't worry. We just want to talk with you."
"Don't come close. My head hurts so much. The unfamiliar light and smell are too much. It hurts, I'm telling you."
"I'm sorry. What should we do? Would it be better if we stepped outside?"
Light and smell. The subject's vision wasn't fully intact, but she distinguished objects through other senses. They'd never had a deep conversation, so it wasn't systematized.
If she brushed off the whining child's words lightly, the injured researchers came to mind... Now was the time to withdraw.
She cautiously glanced at the Emperor's philtrum. She'd just remembered that staring into his eyes violated etiquette.
Living cooped up in the lab, she'd forgotten even the basics. Fortunately, the Emperor wasn't making an issue of it.
"Conversation looks difficult."
"Sedatives should improve things a bit."
"Sedatives, huh. That would make talking even harder. What now?"
The Emperor addressed the unidentified man. His tone was casual. Someone close to His Majesty? Curiosity made her lift her head slightly, but she quickly suppressed it.
She set aside her curiosity for now. It was time to focus on managing the isolation room.
If the subject had an outburst and injured the Emperor, her workplace would change—from the lab to some grim underground prison.
"It hurts!"
At the scream from behind, she immediately stepped in front of the Emperor.
"Please dodge!"
The mana density was rising. The magic devices in the isolation room blared a warning. Ding-ding-ding—the urgent bell rang, and wind blew in from somewhere.
Wind? In a sealed space. A mana wave swept over her body. It felt ominous. Even she, who was dull to mana, could sense it clearly.
But the Emperor, who should have retreated, didn't budge an inch. They needed to exit the isolation room to lower the barrier and evaporate the condensed mana. In her desperation, she nearly shoved him.
"Are you alright?"
The Emperor asked calmly. The cloaked man stepped forward. In shock, she grabbed his cloak with her hand.
"It's dangerous!"
"It's fine. Rather, everyone else, please leave. I need to speak with the child."
"Yes?"
Does this man not sense mana at all? She wanted to hold him there and explain the dangers of the surging power for a full hour.
"Come over here."
Belluna saw Tane gripping her arm. Why is everyone so composed?
Once out of the room, she looked to the chief researcher. Her eyes questioning if they should really lower the barrier.
"We just need to ensure our own safety. No need to worry about those inside."
The Emperor said. With no choice, she operated the controls to lower the barrier.
The magically treated door descended slowly. She peered inside through the window in the wall.
He'll obviously be torn to shreds. Even a minor wave had peeled a researcher's skin like a blister.
In a full rampage like this, protective gear was essential. No—even that would be useless. Before such overwhelming power, everything was futile.
Boom—a deafening roar erupted. A crack formed in the wall, sturdy enough to withstand the barrier or even a mana condensation rod exploding. The chaos inside went beyond any notion of emergency.
A gale was raging. The bedding tore apart. The swirling waves of power would pulverize everything.
The people inside probably wouldn't even leave a recoverable corpse. Once the subject calmed, all that would remain was blood and chunks of flesh that had once been human.
"Huh?"
She couldn't help the question that slipped from her lips. The man, who should have dissipated without form, stood right before the subject.
She had always believed that observable facts were truth. The phenomenon unfolding before her eyes was undeniable reality.
But what in the world is this situation happening right in front of me?
It was something she couldn't believe, even seeing it with her own eyes.
* * *
Charlotte was terrified. She now knew what the awful headache meant. That's why she'd told them not to come. Not to come close!
- I'll clear it away.
The voice came again. No, don't! Her pleas were futile.
Wind blew in. Far fiercer than before, incomparable. Now she understood. The wind that had battered the mansion had been just like this.
She mustn't think of anything. It was better to vanish like this. Disappearing like Daddy would help everyone.
Amid the wind shaking her body, Charlotte curled up tight. Her mind filled only with fear. Just imagining how her surroundings would look once she came to her senses made her tremble.
In a space filled only with the roar of the wind, a voice reached her. It wasn't the wind's voice. It was a human one.
"Is your name Charlotte?"
Charlotte snapped her head up to look ahead. It was blurry, but she could sense the color and scent.
A color she'd never seen before. Not the purple of Daddy, nor the white of others.
An intensely bright blue—so brilliant that nothing else around it was visible.
It was a solid-looking light. One that could embrace everything or repel it all.
The scent brushing her nose was indescribably soothing. Like the smell of a blanket dried in the sun. A scent that melted away her fear-stiffened heart.
A hand touched her shoulder. Charlotte flinched, but soon felt at ease. The fiercely raging wind was growing perfectly gentle.
- Someone who doesn't need clearing. Couldn't clear them anyway.
The 'voice' said.
"Inevil is very worried about you. Inevil and Uncle are friends—is it okay if I help you?"
It was a warm voice. Before Charlotte could say yes, she burst into sobs.
(To be continued next time.)