Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 2nd Princess, Hedera (8)
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The Magic Tower's training ground was shrouded in silence.
"…."
Hedera continued her deliberation amid everyone's stares.
Why had she grown so weary of these presentations?
Because most of them appealed to her emotions. People desperate not to lose their jobs, groveling to Hedera, begging her to at least hold off on the sale like their lives depended on it—that was all they ever did.
But today's gathering was the complete opposite.
Those present here weren't employees on the brink of dismissal, nor heads of families groveling to provide for their kin. In this moment, they faced the princess as mages.
Their eyes told the story.
They had moved for achievements before, but now they aimed solely for the thrill of the challenge. What was once effort for success had transformed into effort to harbor no regrets.
Movement for success. Movement to avoid regrets.
They seemed similar at a glance, but the difference was vast.
It was the result Zekiel—no one else—had wrought.
"…."
Hedera gazed at the sale proposal clutched in her hand.
The 2nd Princess possessed unshakable confidence in herself. Confidence that she could scoff and dismiss most pleas without a second thought.
"…."
However.
Zekiel's presentation—even setting aside her personal tastes—was undoubtedly far beyond "most pleas." It was something she hadn't anticipated in the slightest.
"…."
Her deliberation dragged on.
The Ascension Ceremony.
The event that Dragon Blood holders were required to hold in the Heavenly Realm was fast approaching. And the Magic Tower's performance review was scheduled even sooner.
Thus, this situation was a gamble for Hedera as well.
If the Magic Tower she had entrusted flourished, it would add a proud achievement to her record. But if it failed, it would become a glaring stain, tripping her up at the Ascension Ceremony.
Then, a phrase suddenly surfaced in her mind.
—It's sincere.
...Did he know the Ascension Ceremony was drawing near?
He couldn't speak of the circumstances, but his heart was true? Was he trying to grow this Magic Tower for Hedera's Ascension Ceremony?
"…."
The problem was, she couldn't just ask him outright.
The gap between Hedera and Zekiel had grown long without meeting, leaving much they didn't know about each other. Even if she asked directly, it was uncertain if he'd answer.
"…."
Hedera quietly surveyed her surroundings.
Everyone was still watching her.
With desperate eyes, they simply gazed.
As her hesitation stretched endlessly,
"Your Highness, please, we beg you."
Someone shattered the silence. Knox of the Practical Faction bowed politely, making his plea.
"Give us a chance."
That sparked it, and the mages chimed in unison.
"Please, we beg you!"
"Hold off on the sale, at least!"
"We'll work harder than ever!"
The same lines as always. Not a word had changed.
Yet unlike before, Hedera was now deliberating.
As the training ground erupted into clamor in an instant,
The 2nd Princess lowered her mask and murmured softly.
"Stop."
⟨ Word Command ⟩
At once, everyone froze without warning. It was an eerie scene, like a photograph snapped in a split second, time itself halted.
This was the authority of a Dragon Blood holder. Word Command.
"...One day."
From the center of the motionless space, the 2nd Princess spoke.
"I'll think on it for exactly one day."
She released the Word Command and departed.
The next day.
I rose at dawn. Checking the clock, it was 5 a.m.—one hour until Hedera's decision announcement.
After getting ready, I opened the dormitory door and spotted something waiting: a rectangular lunchbox.
"A lunchbox?"
I flipped open the lid.
A mouthwatering aroma wafted up immediately. Inside were fresh vegetables, several fried items, and a note.
[Saw your presentation. Heading out first.]
[Praying for Teacher's well-be~ing!]
I understood at once. Solana had left it.
"It's 'well-being,' not 'well-be~ing.'"
Despite her exceptional Holy Power, her spelling remained hopeless. On another note, it stirred old memories.
—Teacher! Eat with me!
—I made it myself!
Solana had always loved cooking and would offer her creations whenever she was in high spirits. Receiving a lunchbox from her felt strangely nostalgic after so long.
'Looks like Solana's satisfied at least. Good.'
Angels turn to devils in an instant.
Why, hadn't she unleashed a terrifying chill just the other day in the reception room? Relieved not to see that side again. Now, only Hedera's decision remained.
"Inspector, Inspector."
Someone called me then. Twice, even.
"Inspector."
Now three times. The voice belonged to Anes. Her face was expressionless as ever, but she seemed unusually hurried.
"Anes, don't you have three inspectors to handle?"
"Of course not. I'm an exclusive secretary. My sole duty is managing one from your side."
"Then why call me three times? I'm listening."
"...Because it's urgent. Urgent."
My gaze drifted to the cube in her hand, and Anes swiftly shoved it into her pocket. But the suit pocket lacked the stretch to hold it properly.
...It poked out like a squirrel clutching an acorn.
"Anyway, Inspector."
Anes quickly changed the subject.
"We received contact from another Magic Tower. You need to review the contents and draft a reply yourself."
I took the paper from Anes.
==＊== == [Invitation Letter] == ==＊==
We hope this finds you well.
This year, as always, the Empire's six Magic Towers have gathered for the Magic Exchange through steady effort and achievement.
With this being a performance review year, we ask for your encouragement, and especially request the honored guests from the Imperial Magic Tower to attend and grace the event.
Though modest, we have prepared gifts befitting the occasion: artifacts, elixirs... We trust you won't be disappointed. A mere visit will be met with our utmost hospitality.
From the Empire's Black, Red, Blue, Purple, and Green Magic Towers.
==＊== == = ==＊== = == ==＊==
The content was straightforward.
The executives from each Magic Tower held regular exchanges and hoped the Imperial Magic Tower would join.
Yet I read the invitation three times over.
Because it was suspicious.
...Suspiciously generous terms.
"Anes."
"Yes."
"They say they'll shower us just for showing up. Isn't it usually the other way around?"
A gathering of the six Magic Towers' executives would be invaluable experience in itself. Normally, you'd bribe your way in with gifts, right?
But this? Gifts just for attending? Odd.
"I looked into it, and there's a reason."
Anes continued calmly.
"The Imperial Magic Tower has skipped the exchange over ten times now. Not once or twice—they've caught on to our dire state."
"They've been itching for this."
The other Magic Towers weren't fools.
They'd long sensed something off about the Imperial Magic Tower. Lure them in, expose the flaws, humiliate them, and boost their own standing—that seemed to be the plan.
"Visiting sounds like a hassle. Can we just take the gifts?"
"...Are you sane?"
"I've never been."
"This isn't the time for jokes. Anyway, the biggest issue right now is..."
Anes hesitated briefly.
"They requested an immediate reply. We haven't heard the 2nd Princess's decision on the sale yet—what do you think, Inspector? How should we respond?"
I blinked slowly.
Not from overthinking, but because there was no need to.
"Say we'll attend."
I had confidence in earning Hedera's trust.
Confidence in facing the exchange head-on.
Anes looked like she wanted to ask something but nodded and jotted notes.
"...Understood. You must have a plan, Inspector."
"Oh, and skip the elixirs—ask for some Sunweed instead."
Snap—
Anes's pen nib broke.
The training ground inside the Magic Tower.
Hedera's promised time had finally arrived.
After she took her seat, an immense tension hung in the air, broken only by silence. It was inevitable. No matter how stellar Zekiel's presentation, the decision rested with the 2nd Princess.
Proceed with the sale as planned, or overturn and postpone?
End it here, or grant one more chance?
...Everyone awaited her answer with bated breath.
"…."
Then, suddenly, Hedera rose from her seat.
The instant she opened her mouth to speak,
"Pardon the interruption, Your Highness."
Another stood abruptly.
"…?"
Doubt flickered in the mages' eyes.
The reason? He wasn't a mage. It was the guard knight who had shadowed Hedera the whole time.
"Knight Balton, at the service of the 2nd Princess."
"Balton, what is it?"
Even Hedera didn't yet know his intent.
"It's just..."
Balton turned his head toward a specific direction.
His piercing gaze, unmasked by the helmet, pierced straight at Zekiel.
"...There's something I must request of Your Highness right now."
Balton concluded in a heavy voice.
His eyes still fixed unwaveringly on Zekiel.