Too Much to Refuse (2)
Underground vault of the imperial palace. As expected, it seemed to house an impressive array of items.
The moment the emperor declared the vault open for inspection, his ministers voiced their concerns. And rightly so.
'That's the normal reaction, really.'
If the empire were in perfect shape, maybe not. But I do have a conscience. Truly, unintentionally... thanks to me parading through Antonium drenched in shame, I'd witnessed the reality with my own eyes.
The current state was such that famine could strike as early as tomorrow without surprise.
'I'm not trying to squeeze blood from a stone.'
I had no intention of ruthlessly stripping the empire's underground vault bare when it was already in dire straits. So I wasn't offended by the ministers' hesitation and opposition.
On the contrary.
"Do you truly believe Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo desires such meager recompense?"
In Grandfell's style, I firmly conveyed my refusal. Of course, I, Lee Hoyeol, swallowed my regrets...
One must know when and where to draw the line. Above all, my accumulated contributions wouldn't vanish into thin air.
So I resolved myself.
'Once the empire fully recovers its strength, then...!'
I'd claim my rewards without mercy for their plight.
But once again, my loose tongue stirred trouble.
"Hmm..."
The emperor let out a low hum, and the ministers glanced nervously between him and me. Those who'd opposed most vehemently paled.
I caught a murmur from an imperial mage.
"...No, saying that without even checking the crystal orb!"
Truly, this speech pattern of his was optimized for needless misunderstandings. Yes, better to clear it up immediately.
The moment I broke the silence to speak—
The emperor preempted me.
"By the name of the emperor, I decree. From this moment forth..."
An imperial command. It surely meant for the ministers to cease interference. But what on earth was he about to say, invoking his authority?
Curious, I soon flinched.
"Sir Lee Hoyeol is granted access to the deepest level of the imperial palace's underground vault."
...Wait, hold on a second, Your Majesty?
"And to the War Archives as well."
That's not what I meant at all!
No, anyone hearing this would think I was dissatisfied with the reward and thus invoked greater payment...!
I've just been overcome with incorruptible integrity, as always!
The emperor continued, gazing at me.
"I apologize for the needless disturbance. But please understand their generosity. They do not doubt your abilities. It stems purely from loyalty to the empire and an old man's caution."
Even the emperor offered sincere apologies. How could the ministers stay silent?
They bowed to me in unison.
Snap—
"We beg forgiveness for our actions!"
I was the one too embarrassed to lift my head...
The maw of ruin always torments me so. I wanted to bow my head too, but could I?
'No way to backpedal now, no matter how I look at it.'
Scold them further under the banner of integrity? From the emperor's reaction... he might just hand me the throne with exaggeration?
So here, I needed to show some flexibility, Hoyeol.
And.
'It's too much reward to refuse.'
I must accept, with decorum. Persistently rejecting pure goodwill ill befits decorum, no?
Besides, one phrase from the emperor begged confirmation.
War Archives.
Even the name screamed extraordinary. It reeked of something needing verification.
With earnest desire, I spoke.
"I shall accept with grace."
...
And now was the time.
You have entered the Imperial Palace's 'Underground Vault'.
I descended into the underground vault alongside the imperial mage peering into the crystal orb and a few ministers.
The emperor had seemed eager to guide me personally, but.
'That, I truly had to refuse.'
Didn't I say it before? For me not to collapse from overwork, the emperor must remain emperor as long as possible.
'Being the shadow power behind Yusra Kingdom is enough.'
To preserve his dignity, I declined his kindness and headed to the vault with the ministers.
I surveyed my surroundings. Being underground, it was pitch dark, lightless.
The imperial mage spoke proudly.
"The underground vault maintains a constant vow of magic. No force, no spell—no enemy can plunder the empire's treasures, regardless."
Like a mana-nullification zone akin to the interstice? Naturally, magic and even light couldn't manifest.
I thought they'd lit torches for atmosphere. Silly notion.
As idle thoughts flitted by, the mage clicked his tongue.
"Yet to think you'd pierce the imperial palace's underground vault... Unimaginable! But seeing you in person, it makes sense. Indeed, the Black Dark Dragon could discern it."
Sudden Black Dark Dragon...? Is he picking a fight? No, more importantly, pierce what?
'What was that about?'
It seemed related to the Galactic Milstone. They'd mistaken my request to borrow it from the vault as having seen through its nullification magic.
'...Pierce my ass.'
It was just the Map That Communes with All Things effect. Lately, I'd realized... needless misconceptions should be nipped in the bud.
You never know what small misunderstanding might return as a storm. Not I, nor anyone.
Of course, honesty wasn't an option here.
'The map evaporated, gone.'
No evidence, nothing to say. But even as I held my tongue,
The mage continued on his own.
"So guidance is unnecessary for you. You must already discern every treasure in the imperial palace's underground vault and their locations."
No, I truly knew nothing? Thanks to that, finding the real treasure trove thrilled me.
Unaware of my thoughts, he bowed politely.
"Yet as imperial procedure, I thank you for your understanding. And should you need any aid, however minor, please ask freely."
Clack—
With those earnest words, I began properly exploring the vault.
Before entering, I'd assumed it akin to the Mage Tower's Garnet Hall, storing most magitech.
Purely by force comparison, the tower outclassed the empire. So I'd figured its magitech less rare.
But...
Everywhere I looked.
Every corner I scanned.
Items brimmed in every sightline.
No surprise. Merely a difference in handled item volume. Unlike the tower's mage-exclusive magitech, the vault imposed no class limits.
I murmured.
"More akin to a department store than a specialty shop."
Someone echoed.
"...Pardon, what did you say?"
"A matter of rarities."
"...Rarities? My failure to assist pains me."
Nothing to apologize for. If anything's mixed, it's my loose tongue packaging it grandly as rarities.
Regrettably, no leisure to explain.
For my eyes beheld.
Epic
Epic
Epic
...Every item that caught my eye was no joke!
Such a volume of epic items. Variety and quantity beyond the tower's.
'Not incomprehensible, really.'
Mages boast complex, eccentric temperaments. Most in the tower shunned magitech reliance, seeking to prove strength unaided.
'Naturally less interest in magitech.'
From swords, bows, shields, armor... to monocles, ornaments, pocket watches... even sundries of unknowable effect.
My words were set.
"Indeed, treasures worthy of the empire."
In Grandfell's lexicon, utmost praise.
Truthfully, I yearned to inspect each effect. A message tempted my greed.
Over a billion accumulated points. Stacked in half a day—guilt pricks, but...
Didn't I decide shameless acceptance?
Yes, with such solid contributions, even grand items—I could snag a few at least.
'Not now, though.'
The empire's current state offered no straw to suck. Too conspicuous.
But as said, endless refusal breaches decorum.
'Need a rough gauge anyway.'
What points for what items. And...
To grasp the War Archives.
So I averted my gaze with effort.
"Continue the guidance."
"The War Archives, I presume?"
"Indeed."
War Archives. From sidelong glances, everyone but me knew it well.
So I could ask first.
I queried the leading imperial mage.
"A brief on the War Archives, if you please."
"Of course!"
Tension eased, he chattered far more than his first impression suggested. He reminded me of someone...
Anyway, summarizing his tale:
The War Archives was a search engine of sorts. Pose any question—if the answer existed on the Arcana continent, it revealed it.
In simple terms.
'An upgrade to the Map That Communes with All Things.'
The map's effect was potent but limited to objects. Unrestricted, the archives offered broader utility.
A listening minister added,
"Truthfully, the War Archives is the empire's driving force for dominion—and its greatest treasure. Past emperors sought answers there in crises, resolving them thereby."
I see. Now it clicked how the empire, militarily inferior to the tower, ruled Arcana.
Yes, with this cheat key, they'd endured unbroken.
'If I can use it...'
It might replace the Map That Communes with All Things?
Huge boon. Expectations soared.
Soon, the War Archives appeared.
It didn't betray.
War Archives
Just responded unexpectedly.
"So it seems."
Unmeasurable. Seeing that message, I'd wondered at a new grade beyond my knowledge.
Like legendary above epic.
But no.
"Do you not feel reverence from the entrance?"
Perhaps to Arcana natives. Not me.
Messages overlaid my vision.
Yes.
The War Archives was a rift.
A thud echoed in my skull.
Yet in such moments, my steadfast poise shone. Thus, same expression as ever,
I regarded the rift, the War Archives.
Understanding dawned. Its overpowered effect? Too cheat-like.
"Another rarity, it seems."
Possible only in a rarity space—a rift.
Truth known, probe deeper.
Arcana's recommended levels exist for reason. Unmeasurable meant true peril lurked.
'How did past emperors enter?'
Even sans messages, danger palpable upon entry. Must discuss with the emperor.
Timely, too.
Irreplaceable, golden teatime arrived.
...
The emperor gazed out his study window. Street folk visible.
News beyond walls reached them? Faces brightened, vibrant.
He murmured low.
"At last, a sight befitting Antonium."
He recalled his father, the previous emperor.
—"Son, remember: peace demands sacrifice."
Then, uncomprehended. But facing true crisis,
He realized. Not ministers, not people—the sacrifice was he, born emperor.
As predecessors had.
"My time to bear the crown's weight, then."
He wished to ask his father in heaven. Father, how did it feel? Living a life you'd one day end yourself.
No need to ask. He knew.
"...That's why you never spoke."
Always that lonely expression.
He thought: perhaps now, he wore the same.
But he schooled his face.
"Weak."
Cannot show. Must not. He must remain unshaken, always.
Calm, he exited the study.
To greet Hoyeol from the vault.
'Any demand, accepted.'
No treasure too great against his miracle.
Yet.
"I hope it pleased you."
Hoyeol returned not with requests.
Just words.
Words the emperor, born as such, never heard in life.
"I fathom your burdens."
"...?"
"Before me, lay down that weight."
"...!"
Comfort.
...
Up to there, splendid.
...Just accept the tea offered, eh?
The emperor shook the teabag.
"A curious steeping method."
I brazenly replied.
"Incorruptible integrity."
"Does this symbolize it?"
"It embodies greatness naturally revered."
"Oh ho..."
"Green tea."
...Truly, this overhype borders fraud!?