Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Patience - 2
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"...Alright, I admit it."
The Emperor quietly declared the decision he had reached.
"You're right. Baron Enel has performed a great service, so I shall commend him."
Creon's mind grew complicated.
But if he wanted to block the Emperor's retreat even later, he had to press him harder now.
"Then, shouldn't we summon him to the capital right away?"
Words of commendation alone held no real power.
The moment they publicly praised the baron's achievements according to established time and procedure, his influence would grow.
"I am a man who has committed a grave error, so I lack the face to call him here."
"Then, may I make contact with him first?"
The bearer of bad news receives poor treatment, while the bearer of good news receives good treatment.
Now that they had agreed to boost Enel's influence, it was important to cater to his moods even a little.
Creon's instincts told him something was off. There was no way this Emperor would give up so easily.
"Do as you wish."
"Then, was the commendation just empty words?"
"I shall bestow a great honor upon the Leodrín family."
It was a play that showed his true intentions. That family's territory was far away, and though they were nominally aligned with the Princess faction, their ties were practically nonexistent.
It was a family unlikely to involve itself in central politics, so even a sudden surge in fame wouldn't change much.
"Baron Enel was the eldest son of the missing Leodrín family, wasn't he?"
"Mm, that's right. Indeed he was."
Looking at Baron Enel's actions, it was hard to think of him as someone with family ties. It wasn't impossible he was a possessed Hero, but his appearance and behavior made it clear he was a summoned Hero.
But if he was content with his position as a noble of the Leodrín family, pressing the Emperor recklessly could backfire and provoke his anger.
Support for the Leodrín family was ultimately a reward for him as well. With no legitimate heir at present, he could claim everything the Leodrín family owned if he wished.
"I shall do as you command."
The negotiation was over. The Emperor had driven the Princess into a corner but then abandoned claiming any price for it. The nobles would celebrate the rise of a new hero and bury the fact that they had ignored the reinforcements.
All that had grown was Enel's value. Even if it was buried for now, the moment he wished, he could spread the truth that he was the Hero and shake the Imperial Family.
In the end, they just needed to persuade him. Creon could only regret their last unsatisfactory meeting.
It was a satisfactory outcome. But the Emperor's unchanging demeanor, devoid of any emotional shift, made Creon uneasy.
'Am I missing something...?'
He wasn't the type to show agitation or anger so clumsily on his face. But he and the Emperor had known each other for nearly twenty years.
He could instinctively tell the man was truly impassive.
'What are you thinking...'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "It's not that bad, is it?"
Ceres, now dressed in her neatly laundered maid outfit, sidled up to me slyly.
"I know..."
I was weaker than I thought.
Objectively speaking, I wasn't weak among humans. As long as the Hero's power remained, no one in that empire who wielded a sword could beat me.
But the power of a single swordsman had clear limits.
If things didn't go as planned even after reaching the World Tree, and I needed violent methods to obtain information.
Or if acquiring the phoenix's remains required hunting that spirit in some special way.
It wasn't a matter of strength versus weakness, but of coping with situations. No matter how strong I was with a sword, problems that couldn't be solved with a sword were everywhere.
If high-caliber personnel like Elenor or Pashier simply followed my orders, the options would multiply exponentially.
Returning home wouldn't be easy, so it was better to create as many ways as possible to increase the odds and shorten the time.
It was just a matter of mood.
Could I adventure with them and endure that frustration?
"How about thinking of it as revenge?"
"Revenge?"
"Wounds from a journey should be healed by another journey."
The maid said, her eyes sparkling.
"Anyway, those people have no choice but to obey you, right?"
"If they do, that would be fortunate."
"Then let's do all sorts of things we've wanted to do! Like insulting them for smelling bad, or beating them up under the guise of sparring..."
I had vented to her about what happened in that party. Every time, Ceres would grieve as if it had happened to her.
Still, I hadn't expected her to harbor vengeful thoughts too.
"That's not a bad idea."
The inn room door opened, and a girl with familiar purple hair entered.
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"I merely happened to arrive at the door and overhear."
Pashier, seated on the stiff wooden chair, lightly clenched her hand.
"Enel. Sorry, but could you send this loyal maid away for a moment?"
Ceres clung tightly to my left arm, as if she didn't want to miss this chance, glaring warily at Pashier.
"...Sure."
But the moment permission left my mouth, she stood up. She kept glancing back regretfully but ultimately opened the door and left.
"So... what is it you want to say."
I lowered my gaze briefly, feeling dizzy, then looked up at her again, unable to hide my bewilderment.
"...That's."
"It's not unsightly, is it?"
Her pure white body was completely bare.
What made her look like a mage was that hat and robe. Without them, Pashier was just a small woman.
Her breasts, thighs, and even the slight pudge on her belly were all exposed as she stood confidently before me.
"I know you're wary of me. I would be too, and you'd have built-up anger."
"..."
"Still, look. I'm just this small. You could hit me anytime, and with a little force, I'd break."
It was obvious, but a mage's weakness was the enemy right in front of them.
Having enough time, preparation, and investment meant she could do anything—but conversely, a mage without time, preparation, or materials was no different from a peasant with a staff.
Unless she was hiding something undetectable, I could kill her right now. And if we traveled together, I probably could every time.
If it wasn't a dire necessity, keeping her by my side might actually be safer.
"Hm... You're less shaken than I thought."
"I've seen you naked plenty of times."
It wasn't just Pashier. I'd seen Celia, Nerwen, and Elenor's bodies too.
"Still, no shame at all...? Do you need something like the Imperial Family's blessing too?"
"No, no, of course not! Why would I? To begin with, I don't even know why Elenor needs it..."
She shook her head vigorously. But her casually tossed-out words weren't easy to brush off.
"Wasn't it important?"
"Well, yes, the Imperial Family's blessing is important, of course. It has various magical meanings. You need it for the ascension ceremony, and succeeding that allows activation of the Imperial Family's hidden secret arts and weapons..."
"Too long."
"Uh, anyway! As long as the bloodline endures, it doesn't matter. The Hero's bloodline could substitute for the Imperial bloodline, but as the legitimate daughter of an emperor, Elenor should have the blessing too!"
My mood soured suddenly.
"Did she lie to me?"
"Who knows. She might not know herself, or since it's an Imperial secret art, my info could be wrong. But if she lied, why would she? Probably because she feels something for you too..."
"That's not it."
At best, it was to save on magic materials for the return, or because I was somehow useful to the Imperial Family.
"When fighting the Orc Lord, Elenor sent me off telling me to sow my seed in any princess. If she had feelings for me, she wouldn't say that."
"That was a blessing. Do you know how beautiful the women of the Imperial Family are? Imperial nobles take the empire's most beautiful concubines. Their daughters inherit that beauty too."
"That's not my concern..."
"It might be for you, but generally, that's a blessing. She probably didn't mean it badly."
Getting lectured by a naked little girl wasn't pleasant, but at least her experience lent her credibility.
"But what is it you want from me?"
"I've lost my way. My conviction is gone. Can a me who couldn't even complete that simple ritual create a good world?"
The anger I'd briefly forgotten surged back. But venting it on her here wouldn't end as a mere incident.
"That's why I need you. At least, I who failed to complete your return ritual have no right to do anything."
Pashier slowly bent her small body, prostrating herself toward me. Her defenseless back trembled faintly.
I left the room. For the last time, I wanted a drink.