Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Sun Liquid (2)
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Stepping foot into the Imperial Palace, he was immediately greeted by someone.
"Inspector of the Imperial Tower! You've arrived!"
It was Tether, the exclusive secretary to 2nd Princess Hedera.
Joy overflowed on her small face, and the tone of her greeting as she approached was incredibly bright.
"What brings you to the palace at this early hour of the morning?"
"Your name was Tether, right?"
"I'm honored that you remember! Back then, things were so hectic I couldn't even give you a proper thank you!"
"Looks like you managed to avoid any real punishment."
Zekiel looked down at Tether quietly.
Her hair was braided on both sides, and she wore round glasses. She looked perfectly fine, like a rabbit turned human. No, her complexion was even better than when they'd met before.
Tether bowed at the waist in greeting.
"I confessed everything honestly, and luckily, it ended with just a salary cut. They're even restaffing the secretaries. It's all thanks to you, Inspector!"
"Is that so? Good for you."
"They even moved the spirit stones to the second floor! Thanks to that, the first floor of the treasury feels so much roomier! As I said before, anything you need, just ask!"
"...We'll see."
It was true that Zekiel's actions had benefited both the palace and Tether, but since the spirits had rampaged because of him in the first place, it didn't sit entirely right with him.
Just how much good could Tether really do? That had never been the main point anyway.
'I don't want to let immediate gains sour my mood.'
Someone might scold him for whining from a full belly, but of course, there was another reason besides that.
'The Sun Liquid.'
He was about to discuss the Sun Liquid with His Imperial Majesty.
It was different from anything in the treasury. The Sun Liquid's very existence was legendary, a liquid infused with power so immense it defied description.
No other reward could catch his eye.
At that moment, the door to the audience chamber opened.
Zekiel felt a sense of familiarity from the person who emerged, while Tether's eyes widened as if they might pop out.
"2nd Princess...!"
"Keep your voice down."
Hedera placed a finger over her mask and turned her gaze to Zekiel. She looked quite fatigued.
"Inspector, you're here to see His Imperial Majesty, right?"
"Yes."
"...Got it. Make sure to tell me exactly what you get. If it's something trivial, I'll raise hell about it."
With that, Hedera staggered away.
Anes had mentioned rumors that the 2nd Princess had spent a full week in the audience chamber. Seeing Hedera on the verge of collapse as she departed, it seemed the rumors were true.
Once Hedera had vanished from sight,
Tether blinked dazedly before speaking up.
"Seeing it in person is just astonishing. That confirms it! There were rumors that the 2nd Princess becomes remarkably meek around you...!"
"...The 2nd Princess does?"
When Zekiel asked in puzzlement, Tether nodded.
"I was wondering what I could do for you today, but telling you about the 2nd Princess might be a small token of gratitude! It's normally something I absolutely shouldn't reveal, but since it's about you..."
He'd been ready to stop her if she was just about to spill some personal secret of the 2nd Princess, but since it involved him too, his interest was naturally piqued.
"The 2nd Princess used to be truly terrifying. You can tell just from her punishment records. She holds everyone around her—and herself—to incredibly strict standards."
"Hmm."
Was it because he'd been her master for so long in the distant past? To Zekiel, this felt utterly unfamiliar.
Hedera still seemed childish and immature at times. Guess she couldn't help it yet.
"But things are different around you. I probably shouldn't say this, but... she becomes unusually friendly and docile."
"Well, must be because I'm competent."
"How many competent people are there on the continent?"
Tether immediately countered.
"There must be something extraordinary about you, Inspector. I even thought once... what if you're actually the 2nd Princess's betrothed...!"
Zekiel quietly patted Tether's head.
"You're sharper than you look."
"That would be a huge scandal, right? Funny story... Huh? Pardon?"
Leaving the stunned Tether behind, he entered the audience chamber.
The grand hall, His Imperial Majesty's audience chamber.
"Zekiel Hound, you've grown stronger."
Those were the emperor's first words.
His body was invisible to the naked eye, making him look like a robe hanging in midair—a sight so rare one might never see it in a lifetime. Yet Zekiel had encountered him twice already this month.
His sudden remark felt strangely unfamiliar.
"No real difference."
"Not true. You've gained a tremendous amount of power in that time."
At this unusual response, Zekiel pondered briefly.
'We've never talked beyond mission completions.'
If you named the continent's most enigmatic figure, it had to be the emperor. With neither his appearance nor his true thoughts visible, no one could fathom him.
A small chalice floated in the air, gently sloshing. Likely the emperor holding it in his hand and shaking it slowly.
"Strength isn't just about one's magical prowess. Who you keep around you, whose loyalty you've won... all that must be factored in."
"Who would be around me?"
"You've won even more of the 2nd Princess's favor."
The sound of fingernails tapping on an armrest echoed.
"A girl who doesn't even remember her father's birthday suggested preparing the Sun Liquid for you. Seeing her push for it nonstop for a week was nothing short of miraculous."
"Hmm."
"The 3rd Princess smiles more these days. I can't deny your talent and potential. How long ago was that letter fiasco? And now this already."
The emperor continued.
"Anyway, I have a proposal. There's a highly capable individual in the palace... no match for her at all, which has been troubling. What if you gave it a shot?"
"..."
The topic shifted without a word about the Sun Liquid.
Zekiel thought quietly.
So even this 'recognition' was just empty words again.
He couldn't read the emperor's mind at all.
If he truly acknowledged Zekiel's qualities, wouldn't he grant the Sun Liquid as Hedera suggested? Or at least some spirit elixirs.
Several possibilities came to mind.
Either he still didn't fully approve of Zekiel, or he wanted Zekiel to grow under the pressure of his limited lifespan more than anyone.
Too soon to conclude.
Zekiel quietly shook his head.
"...I refuse."
"Refuse? Decide after hearing the reward."
Thud—!
A massive box dropped at Zekiel's feet. The impact popped open the lid, revealing it packed full of spirit elixirs.
"The Sun Liquid won't be ready until next month. Asking for something nonexistent every day for a week—nothing could be more vexing. So instead, I've gathered every type of elixir available."
Zekiel had a poor constitution and thus great interest in all manner of elixirs. He could tell their quality at a glance.
...Every single one was top-grade.
This was stark proof of Hedera's efforts over the week. In the distant past, the emperor had never promised rewards like these.
"These elixirs will let an old man muster youthful strength. With this quantity... at least you'll survive until we discuss the Sun Liquid again."
"I'll accept the proposal."
These weren't ordinary elixirs.
They might not match the Sun Liquid's potency, but they were the sort worthy of the palace treasury's third floor. No reason for Zekiel to refuse.
Yeah, even this much was more than expected.
"Zekiel, I haven't finished yet."
The floating chalice sloshed.
"That capable one covets these elixirs greatly too. The match format isn't set, but the winner takes all. What do you say?"
"Doesn't matter who."
With elixirs like these on the line, it truly didn't.
Anything that benefited his body, he'd give his all. Even against the emperor himself.
The next day, at the palace entrance.
"W-Wow... incredible!"
One of the soldiers couldn't hold back his awe and shouted.
It was warranted. The procession of wagons entering the palace seemed endless, piled high with monster corpses.
"Making a fuss over nothing..."
The woman in the rearmost wagon muttered.
Her impression was as white as an endless snowy plain, with lavish black fur trim draping her shoulders. The decorations on her uniform bespoke her achievements.
3rd Princess Solana greeted the woman atop the wagon.
"Welcome back?"
"No time for greetings."
The wolf-like woman cut Solana off curtly.
Who would dare—who on earth?
Who could reply to the 3rd Princess so coldly?
The answer came from the soldiers lined up in perfect formation, their voices booming in unison. A tremendous roar echoed forth.
──The Empire's 1st Princess has returned!
War God.
Or Invincible Commander.
1st Princess Ether.
The woman of many titles bit down on a thick cigar.
"I hear some fool's eyeing my elixirs."
Fwoosh—
Thick smoke billowed right into the 3rd Princess's face.
"Who is it? Bring them now."