Chapter 181
Translator: uly
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Wind and Sand #6
The woman in black clothes seemed to be an errand runner from the Empress of Turki.
According to her, Empress Scheherazade was summoning me and asked that I make some time for her.
Since the afternoon after visiting the prison held no major schedule, I gladly accepted her request to accompany her.
“Very well. Lead the way.”
Was my response too straightforward? The emerald eyes peeking out from beneath her black veil narrowed thinly.
“…Even though I’m the one making the request, you’re accepting a stranger’s invitation with far too little caution.”
Following a stranger around—sure, one could scold me for being utterly careless. Yet she seemed even more wary of me.
Did she think I’d do something to her or what?
To offer one excuse, the Church city was a strict neutral zone.
Thus, even envoys or the Empress from rival nation Turki wouldn’t risk plotting to trap me, bearing the dangers.
Unless it was Liz-era Aira, that fox-like Scheherazade wouldn’t stoop to such things.
“This way, this room.”
And so, the place I arrived at was one of the special suites in this hero-training institution, the Arc, reserved for esteemed guests.
The lavish guest room where Aira had stayed before being assigned her dormitory. Who’d have thought I’d return here.
Click, creak.
Opening the firmly shut door revealed a cool-feeling hallway painted stark white and red carpets. Magical cooling devices must be on, as the chill felt pleasant.
Nothing here had changed at all.
As I glanced around with that impression, the black-clad woman who’d guided me said, “Then please wait inside this room for a moment,” before taking her leave.
Leaving me alone in the room.
Tiger hide covered the floor, velvet blankets draped the bed, and ornate pottery adorned the space, making it beautiful.
Silk garments and shoes placed here and there indicated this was a highborn lady’s quarters.
Sniff, sniff.
My sensitive half-fairy nose caught a fairly sweet, sugary scent.
By my deduction, there had to be nymph-friendly candy hidden somewhere in this room.
「Composed Situation Assessment!
Gain experience via talent 《Composed Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
I see.
Where could it be hidden? That drawer over there?
As my eyes rolled about, they soon landed on a large bear doll placed atop the bed.
A doll young girls would adore, ill-suited to this opulent room—or so I thought for a moment—.
Clunk, creak.
The locked door swung open, followed by the click-clack of high heels as someone entered the room. Turning, I saw a woman draped in cool-looking silk approaching me.
“I’ve kept you waiting long, half-fairy.”
She was unmistakably Scheherazade, the temporary mistress of this room.
Curved scimitar-wielding soldiers numbering three surrounded the room. Empress Scheherazade lightly waved her palm at them and issued a casual order.
“You may withdraw now.”
━Yes.
Thud, thud, thud.
The Empress’s soldiers exited the room without a single murmur of “How can we leave Her Majesty alone with a suspicious figure?” or the like.
They seemed well-trained. But if it were me, I wouldn’t leave Aira alone with a shady character.
Not out of worry for Aira’s safety, mind you, but concern over what might befall her interlocutor.
In that sense, Scheherazade appeared trusted by her people.
“An honor to meet you, Your Majesty Tanakh.”
I rose and offered an exaggerated yet solemn bow. Scheherazade waved her palm dismissively at my head as I bowed.
“Empress Scheherazade suffices. ‘Your Majesty Tanakh’ just reminds me too much of my father. And pardon me a moment.”
Swipe. Swipe, flop.
Scheherazade carelessly kicked off her high-heeled shoes as if discarding them.
The heels looked about 20cm high. At that point, it wasn’t walking in shoes—it was practically riding them. Beyond mere height-boosters.
「Composed Situation Assessment!
Gain experience via talent 《Composed Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
See, even the status window agrees. I’m short as a half-fairy myself, but wearing heels that tall is a bit…
Soon, Scheherazade—with her small, cat-like eyes—sat in a chair, crossed her legs, and chuckled softly.
“The reason this one summoned a half-fairy like you is simply a desire to converse. I wished to make time sooner, but recent busyness delayed it until now.”
“What sort of conversation did you wish to have?”
“Much to discuss. But how composed you are. Looking every bit the fledgling with down barely sprouted. Why the rumors of you as a monster, then?”
Scheherazade seemed curious about the bizarre rumors surrounding me.
I knew the reason, of course. Court foes and the masses who despised me had deliberately spread malicious gossip.
Even in the 21st-century world of advanced internet, celebrities and politicians swam in rumors. In this era, it went without saying.
So I gave a light reply.
“Rumors of Your Majesty’s late father, King Suleiman, are no trifling matter either. They say tiger-like fur covers his face and body, and he tears foes with pointed fangs.”
“Indeed, this one knows the tales spread in Angmar of my father. Angmar soldiers he trounced must’ve birthed those.”
“Rumors about me are much the same.”
“But—.”
Swipe.
Scheherazade elegantly extended one finger.
Now that I noticed, every finger bore a ring—deliberately ornate, like a student trying to look grown-up. It was a bit funny and cute.
“But rumors aren’t born entirely without basis. In Turki, they say no shadow falls on a spineless cactus without cause.”
“No smoke without fire, you mean?”
“Precisely. Rumors sprout from some kernel of truth. In truth, my father Suleiman is said to have bitten off Angmar’s Demon King’s ear on the battlefield.”
“I see.”
By my knowledge, Scheherazade’s father Suleiman was Turki’s hero. Renowned for brave victories in countless wars.
Angmar’s Solomon, Turki’s Suleiman—names meaning the same, yet evaluations poles apart.
“In that vein, this one knows not all rumors of you—the half-fairy called demon monk—can be false. Thus, I ask—.”
The atmosphere, light with jest moments ago, grew quite serious, putting me on edge.
This woman was a leader wholly unlike Elga or Aira in many ways.
Unlike pious Lady Mirna or cheerful Narmi, she was a cunning politician skilled in intrigue and sly schemes.
“What do you intend to ask?”
“Not all rumors false, surely. So tell me this: is it true you can see the future?”
“Hmm… well…”
I’d expected such a question. Everyone asks it upon meeting me: “So, you can see the future?”
Some go further: “Who will I marry?” or “When will my life turn around?” seeking fortunes.
Of course, I knew none of that.
The futures I saw were solely the major events from the original novel.
In the vastly diverged story now, the futures I knew offered little help, honestly.
By this point in the original, Angmar’s civil war should’ve erupted massively, walls crumbled, people dying in droves.
Yet here in the Arc, everyone chatted idly. My known story was effectively gone.
What reply here was best?
* * *
At his own question—can you truly see the future?—the half-fairy fell briefly silent. Mulling his answer, no doubt.
A more composed man than expected.
Thanks to that, Scheherazade sank into thought herself. Her unique talent 《Quick Thinking》 activated.
Scheherazade had ascended the throne quite young.
Her father, Great Emperor Suleiman, had stepped back from court politics citing age and various issues.
After clashing with her brother Kasim over succession and emerging victorious, a rose-strewn path seemed assured—yet reality differed.
One might say she’d only just cracked open the world’s door. Problems demanding attention abounded, and enemies surrounded her.
━Empress? Isn’t Prince Kasim better suited to king? His magic far outstrips hers. A leader must lead armies to battle in person…
━Hush, Scheherazade’s ears are everywhere. Mind your words.
Her brother’s faction remained unsettled.
They showed no immediate intent to defy late King Suleiman’s will, but who knew when or how they’d emerge as obstacles.
‘Not easy!’
She’d thought regency as princess little different. But the seat’s weight shifted everything.
Yet Scheherazade had her own confidence.
Tarantella’s queen, rumored a wastrel, clung to the throne as the lone royal. Surely she, superior, could do better.
No, Tarantella’s royals wouldn’t last long regardless.
Rebellions stirred everywhere, plebeian unrest pierced the heavens—furious mobs could storm the palace any moment.
At longest, a year.
That was Scheherazade’s assessment.
Yet Queen Aira’s reign dragged on unexpectedly, stirring her doubts.
‘How is she enduring?’
What Scheherazade learned was that a “demon monk” in the Angmar court directed the nation’s moves at whim.
He divined futures to ghostly uncover rebels and plotters.
━Your Majesty, by my insight arts, I’ve seen it all…! That man’s head swarms with villains, plotting revolt…! He must be exiled at once…!
Of course, Scheherazade wasn’t foolish enough to swallow such rumors wholesale.
But her spies and informants in Angmar’s court vanishing without trace suggested real issues.
She wanted to meet him once.
Thus, facing Theo Gospel in person, he was utterly unlike imagined. As a half-fairy, his true age likely exceeded appearances.
Even so, he differed from ruthless rumors.
Far from the scheming minion puppeteering a dim queen, an intellectual wisdom emanated. Only then did Scheherazade realize.
Angmar and Queen Aira endured like candles in wind thanks to this man.
‘Amusing fellow. I want him.’
Scheherazade loved collecting things. Especially exceptional talents, regardless of status or origin—she kept them close.
Thanks to crushing magically gifted Prince Kasim, she’d claimed the throne. Her methods and choices were right; she took pride in that.
Thus, Scheherazade yearned to steal this half-fairy for her court. She could seize even that witch-queen’s scant luck.
Sorry to Aira, but—
Tools belonged where best used, didn’t they? A fine sight.
Surely this man craved those who recognized his worth.
Even if not, Scheherazade trusted her wiles to lure him.
Granting this private audience already signaled half her intent.