Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Wow, Rewards Are Pouring In! (1)
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However, the imperial messenger scroll didn't stop at just that single line.
New text, which hadn't been there before, began to engrave itself on the back of the scroll.
[Do you possess the qualifications?]
A calm question.
It seemed to be inquiring about the deal they'd discussed beyond the already promised Sun Liquid—the additional share.
In other words, it was asking if he'd truly succeeded in stealing secret techniques from the other Magic Towers.
'It's ambiguous.'
This expedition had accomplished quite a bit here and there, but he hadn't definitively stolen any standout secret techniques. The scroll conversion work was merely the starting point, after all.
The problem was...
'I really want that Sun Liquid.'
Zekiel, who knew full well how massive even a single drop's difference could be, was determined to secure the Sun Liquid no matter what.
Zekiel pondered if there was no way to obtain even one secret technique, but he quickly came up with an answer.
'The Black Magic Tower.'
Teddy Divine, whom Zekiel had beheaded with his own hands, had only been a secretary. It meant the true Black Tower Lord existed separately.
Come to think of it, he knew where she was. Didn't he have the scroll on him?
She might even be able to help. Zekiel made his decision right away.
'I should meet her once.'
Inside the Black Spire, in the massive lodging area.
"Guhhhh..."
"Grooo..."
"We're gonna die like this..."
As soon as they entered the Black Spire, most of the Imperial Tower mages were sprawled out everywhere.
They looked like corpses awaiting only their final breath, their souls seemingly drained away.
"Everyone's skin and bones."
Zekiel muttered quietly.
They were so exhausted that Zekiel wasn't even on their radar. Not a single one lifted their head to show proper respect.
Zekiel asked Anes.
Anes was barely holding on, leaning back-to-back with Ether as they slumped against each other.
"Everyone looks like hell, huh?"
"...Yes. The scroll conversion work based on the memos you commissioned before—it's finally wrapped up, more or less. That's why everyone's collapsed."
Anes's own state wasn't much better as she mumbled that. Her eyes were hollow, and she was pressing her temples, probably dizzy.
"Quit exaggerating."
Zekiel clicked his tongue.
"Well, you all worked hard."
With a snap of his fingers, fist-sized ice cubes dropped onto the foreheads of the collapsed Imperial Tower mages, one by one.
"Ahh..."
"Hoo..."
Now their voices carried a hint of relief, like they could finally breathe.
"If the scroll work's done, no reason to stick around. Anes, prep for return."
They had the promised Sun Liquid, and he'd gleaned plenty of info from the secret assembly too. No need to linger here.
He planned to head back right away, but a voice called out to detain Zekiel from somewhere.
"Excuse me, are you Inspector Zekiel?"
"Hm?"
He didn't need to ask who they were. The distinctive imperial embroidery peeking above their collars marked them as palace dispatched.
They didn't look particularly robust, but their fingertips were rough. That alone was enough to guess. Scribes.
Zekiel nodded toward them.
"What brings esteemed guests like yourselves here?"
"First, allow us to state our identities."
They showed proper courtesy first.
"We are imperial scribes, dispatched to assess the merits of the Inspector's accomplishments on this expedition and determine the appropriate rewards."
"Rewards?"
Zekiel tilted his head.
"I already got His Imperial Majesty's messenger scroll."
"His Imperial Majesty personally penned the scroll...?"
The scribe seemed shocked at the fact that the Emperor had written it himself, but he quickly regained his composure.
"The Inspector's fame seems to be spreading even faster than I imagined. However, we weren't dispatched on the Emperor's orders."
"Then?"
"On the command of the 2nd Princess."
The scribe subtly displayed a scroll. The wax seal bore the unmistakable stamp of the 2nd Princess.
"She commanded us to record every single one of the Inspector's merits without omission and to secure as many rewards as possible."
The scribes clutching brushes and scrolls had already scattered in all directions.
They meticulously documented the Magic Tower's status, the scrolls, the Black Spire's situation... leaving nothing out.
The scribe who'd just been speaking with Zekiel—the one wearing a headscarf—asked,
"We have much to discuss, so shall we move to another room?"
"Sure, why not."
As the scribes and Zekiel headed to the parlor, Ether and Anes trailed after them like baby chicks.
Anes sent Zekiel a telepathic message.
─Imperial scribes are infamous for pressuring people relentlessly. It's how they verify authenticity.
─So?
─...Isn't it strange? They're not usually this polite.
Anes recalled her memories of the scribes.
Fear came first, as always. They didn't just note merits—they caught flaws too, without a shred of mercy.
That's why the current situation felt so odd.
─Maybe the 2nd Princess added something.
─Makes sense. I recall they treat officially recognized VIPs with utmost courtesy.
So that's what she meant by taking care of it. Zekiel thought as much and felt anew how impressive she was.
The 2nd Princess's position was no joke.
And finally, the parlor.
The scribes and Zekiel finally introduced themselves.
"Zekiel, Inspector of the Imperial Tower."
"Veron. I oversee the scribes."
Unlike Zekiel, who had already settled into a seat, the scribe was still standing ramrod straight.
Zekiel chewed on a Sunweed and jerked his chin.
"Sit and let's talk comfortably."
"The 2nd Princess commanded us to serve you with utmost deference, so sitting with you feels awkward. I'm fine like this."
"I'm uncomfortable, so just sit."
"...Thank you for your consideration."
The scribe looked utterly bewildered.
"Is it that surprising?"
"My apologies. It's just so different from what I expected that I reacted without thinking."
The scribe scratched the back of his head.
"The 2nd Princess kept emphasizing how esteemed you are, so I figured you'd be as strict as she is."
It made sense, but Zekiel was the type who didn't fuss over formalities. He'd rarely been treated as precious in life anyway.
"Fair enough. So, to business?"
"Yes. Let's confirm right away."
The scribe unfurled a scroll and slowly underlined the pre-written items as he began the verification.
"Suppressing the bandits in the Black District, thwarting the Black Tower's conspiracy, punishing them decisively, and setting a fine example..."
The scribe nodded.
"Truly remarkable. It goes beyond the Magic Tower's achievements—it's upheld the imperial dignity as well."
"Glad you recognize it."
"The scrolls are extraordinary too. I'm looking forward to how they'll evolve after the Imperial Tower's research."
The scroll rolled back up with a soft rustle.
"So, as for this... hm. I've held this scribe position for quite some time, but determining rewards of this magnitude is rare. It took some deliberation."
This time, a different scroll unrolled at length. Probably the rewards list.
"First, gold coins. Then, starting from the second basement of the imperial treasury, elixirs, artifacts, and─"
"Hmm."
It was so much that it was hard to even listen.
Pop!
That was when Anes and Ether created a telepathic network for the three of them.
'Getting natural at it now.'
Zekiel thought quietly. Anes and Ether really clicked in some ways.
─Gold coins seem best, right?
Ether chimed in first.
─You can decide how to use them later, so it feels good.
─But you can't buy elixirs or holy relics like that with gold. Better to choose carefully.
─Enough, enough.
Zekiel intervened.
─Why are you worrying about what I'll take?
─...
The two women just blinked.
After a moment, Anes sent another message.
─It's my job too. For the Inspector to stay motivated, he needs the best choices, and a motivated Inspector will contribute more to the─
─I'm thinking, so stay quiet for now.
Thud! Zekiel blocked Anes's telepathy.
─Anes says unblock her?
─You want it too?
─I'll handle Anes.
Finally, silence. Zekiel exhaled a puff of Sunweed smoke and asked the scribe.
"Do I have to decide today?"
"You don't need to give an answer right now."
The scribe shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"It means we'll prepare everything thoroughly. Come whenever it's convenient to claim them."
"All of them? You mean..."
"Yes. Everything I just listed is yours, Inspector."
Zekiel was speechless for a moment.
The sheer volume had led him to assume he'd pick just one. To think it was all his portion.
And it didn't end there.
"Finally, please accept this."
What was handed to Zekiel was a white piece of paper, check-sized. Only the words '5 hours' were written small on it.
"What's this?"
"A time check. Think of it as exchangeable for a princess's time whenever you wish."
Did that mean he could summon any princess for 5 hours at will? If so, it was an astonishing check.
Zekiel examined the check again.
"No name on it. Does that mean I can take it as the 2nd Princess's time?"
"It's a blank check, so you can write in whichever princess you desire. However..."
"However?"
Why the however?
Zekiel instinctively felt a chill.
"The fact that Inspector Zekiel received a time check, and who it was used on... All of it will be reported to the Five Princesses. That's how she commanded."
Zekiel hurriedly shoved the check back.
"...Just take it back."
"Even your refusal will be reported."
Zekiel suddenly felt a prickling at the back of his head and glanced over his shoulder.
Anes and Ether were staring as if beholding the world's rarest treasure—and green with envy.
"..."
Zekiel closed his eyes tightly.
Could this even be called a reward?
This... a reward...?