Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Want to Marry Me After I Rip Off Your Limbs? (4)
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The next day.
Inside the temple within the imperial palace, a solemn space for worship.
The 3rd Princess Solana was deeply engrossed in her prayers. At her side stood Priest Tom, who was essentially her secretary.
"…She will surely become a woman who brings hope to the empire."
"Indeed! O Sun God, art Thou listening?!"
Solana would pray, and Tom would echo her words.
"Is there another woman who possesses such overwhelming status and prowess like the 1st Princess? Every time a crisis arises on the continent, her reputation will only grow even more renowned."
"Indeed! O Sun God, art Thou listening?!"
"That reputation will probably be known as the continent's greatest vixen…."
"Indeed… Hm? Pardon?"
Tom unwittingly opened his closed eyes and glanced at Solana's profile. She seemed to be praying fervently, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"Ahem! Ahem, ahem!"
Solana cleared her throat awkwardly.
Did I mishear that?
Nah, must've been my imagination.
The continent's greatest vixen for the 1st Princess…?
"Ahem…."
Solana asked the priest in her usual tone.
"Tom, what prayer were we offering just now?"
"You were praying for the other princesses, and now it was the 1st Princess's turn."
"Right. That's correct."
Solana resumed her prayers.
"War God, King of All Diseases… Her value defies imagination. Her mere existence threatens our enemies and justifies enforcing peace. That's why His Imperial Majesty poured so much Sunweed into raising her."
"Indeed! O Sun God, art Thou listening?!"
"But why invest in a vixen like that…."
"Indeed… Pardon? Yes?"
"Ah, these pesky demons keep clinging to me."
As Solana steadied her breathing, Tom began to doubt his own ears. The occasional slips from the 3rd Princess were simply too unbelievable.
Finally, Solana opened her eyes.
"Brother Tom, bringing peace to the world is the will and desire of the Sun God, is it not?"
"It is."
"Then what is blasphemy? Anything that threatens the world's peace is blasphemy. Isn't that right?"
"Yes."
"Good. We will never tolerate blasphemy. The 1st Princess is about to engage in actions that threaten world peace, so we must stop her."
Priest Tom nodded quietly.
Of course, some doubts still lingered.
"Um, 3rd Princess."
A hint of puzzlement colored Tom's voice.
"This is the 1st Princess, for whom nothing seems impossible. The Sun God's doctrine even encourages childbirth, so wouldn't marriage be a good thing?"
"Blasphemy!"
Solana declared firmly.
"No one doubts the 1st Princess's power. But marriage creates weaknesses. She could protect herself alone before, but what happens if she has a family?"
"Ah."
"The 1st Princess must have as few weaknesses as possible. Until all the evils threatening the continent are eradicated."
"I understand."
"So, until the day we can declare complete peace has arrived, it wouldn't be so bad to keep Zekiel confined to the temple. While ensuring his safety, of course."
Tom nodded.
"Think about it. What if Zekiel stayed here for life?"
"Ah, Princess…."
Tom clasped his hands politely.
Guaranteeing absolute safety and care for a specific person indefinitely was an enormous undertaking.
Wouldn't people target Zekiel simply because the 1st Princess showed interest? Yet the temple would bear all that risk.
To eradicate all blasphemy from the world, for a beautiful world, the 3rd Princess was faithfully….
"…If only it could really be that way!"
"Pardon?"
Solana no longer bothered with excuses about slips of the tongue or possessing demons.
"Complete peace? As if the world has such a thing. Better to lock him in the temple than let the 1st Princess take him, make him spend his life only with me…."
Denying complete peace?
Oh no, that's not good….
The Sun God's doctrine proclaims complete peace….
"Right, if complete peace seems to be coming, then the Sun God will bring calamity instead. Even for the sake of someone like me who's prayed so diligently until then…."
Solana's body was trembling.
Which made Tom's body start trembling too.
"Tom!"
Suddenly, Solana whipped her head around.
"Y-Yes!"
The empire's smile, 3rd Princess Solana.
Yes, the empire's smile….
Even if her eyes were currently bloodshot….
"Fortunately, Zekiel himself has no interest in marrying the 1st Princess."
Tom's eyes widened.
"Really? It's a life-changing opportunity."
"Think about it."
"Pardon?"
"The weight of becoming the 1st Princess's man—how heavy would that be? Just thinking about it is troubling."
"Ah!"
Tom nodded.
If Zekiel, who had nothing, married the empire's 1st Princess Ether, even if the parties involved were fine with it, those around them wouldn't leave it alone.
"Zekiel is upright enough to consider even the continent's peace. He sees far ahead, so he'll refuse."
"I didn't realize. He truly is remarkable."
"Of course. His steadfast heart has stayed true since youth, leading him to write a marriage proposal letter to the woman he's always loved…. Ah, so romantic!"
"That woman must be thrilled."
"Absolutely! And above all, he has good taste. He wouldn't fall for a bear-like vixen…."
"…."
Tom swallowed dryly.
He couldn't shake the suspicion that the vicious demons inquisitors exorcise had possessed the 3rd Princess.
A long while later, the now-composed Solana finally spoke.
"Tom, you're up for promotion to high priest, right?"
"Yes."
"Gathering faithful people for the competition won't be easy. You'll need significant achievements."
"I'll do my utmost regardless."
"That's a good attitude. I want to offer a brother with such an attitude a chance for tremendous merit."
Solana looked at Tom.
"After Zekiel awakens, the princesses can't approach the sickroom for three days, but there's no clause blocking others. Get the idea?"
"…."
"You stick by Zekiel's side and let him know the temple is always open to him, ready to be his home anytime."
Tom hesitated for a moment.
After much deliberation, he made his decision.
"This seems too important for me to handle…."
"…Ha?"
Her eyes narrowed into a deadly glare.
"I'll make it succeed, no matter what."
Tom replied resolutely.
Imperial palace, Hedera's office.
Flip—flip—
As always, the room was filled with the sound of turning document pages. Hedera, true to form, was meticulously reviewing the towering stack of reports.
"…."
Her secretary, Tether, watched the scene quietly.
Just being able to witness this was a great honor.
The 2nd Princess handling work with such focus and speed was a sight that served as an exemplary model for anyone.
Yes, that's right.
Normally, it would be an exemplary sight….
"…?"
Flip—flip—
Tether, with his rabbit-like eyes, blinked involuntarily.
She's keeps looking at the same page?
It was like she was stuck on a certain section, repeating the action. This was something never before seen in Hedera, making it feel utterly awkward.
At one point, Hedera added sugar cubes to her tea.
This too was an epitome of elegance. Who in the empire could embody etiquette with such grace and poise?
"…."
But Tether tilted his head again.
How many is that now?
Already over ten, it seemed….
"Um…."
Tether cautiously opened his mouth.
"Princess, do you have some worries, by any chance?"
"Worries?"
Hedera, mask on her chin, elegantly sipped her tea. Seeing her unperturbed by the taste of at least ten sugar cubes, Tether was convinced.
She's deeply troubled by something.
"I wouldn't have worries. No matter the task, I handle it effortlessly and swiftly."
"Yes, that's true."
"Well, perhaps something nagging at me."
Tether immediately composed himself.
"May I humbly hear it?"
"It's nothing much. The continent is vast, people numerous, so apparently there are fools with insect-level intellect who think I'm overworking the Inspector."
Hedera sighed deeply.
"Tether. I have a mission for you."
"A mission?"
"Yes. The Inspector will soon awaken in the sickroom. Make it so he has no choice but to serve the Magic Tower for life, so he can't help but feel affection for it. Persuade him somehow."
Hedera and Solana had created the three-day grace period with this in mind. Block Ether's access, then proceed with other forms of persuasion.
"Um… Persuasion, you say…."
"The other princesses will send people too, but that's fine, right?"
"…."
Truthfully, it wasn't fine. He lacked confidence in his eloquence.
Tether tried to deflect slightly.
"I don't have much authority in the Magic Tower. I can only spout sweet words…."
"I'll give you temporary authority. Explain the Magic Tower's advantages to the max, and what we can offer to the max."
"I'll try my best, but…."
"It's fine. The Inspector is already head over heels for me."
How can she be so sure?
Yet Hedera's expression brimmed with confidence.
"There's one advantage you must emphasize."
"What advantage?"
"That the Magic Tower Lord is beautiful. Pretty. Wouldn't lose to any princess."
"Hm…."
Tether groaned inwardly.
The princesses' beauties were impossible to rank; it was purely a matter of taste.
Meanwhile, Hedera furrowed her brow.
"Among the princesses, I'm the most beautiful, right?"
Her elegant brow kept narrowing further.
"…Aren't I?"
"O-Of course you're the most beautiful!"
Tether said, averting his gaze to the curtains.
"Even the sun hid its face in shame before your beauty! But this moon wretch is sly! To rise so boldly with impure intentions!"
"…Mm, yes. Indeed."
Hedera finally nodded.
Tether sweated profusely, thinking to himself.
This mission.
Would be the most difficult one yet….
Deep within the temple inside the imperial palace, the sickroom.
"…."
Finally, the man awoke.
'Ah, feels so refreshing.'
Zekiel opened his eyes in a refreshed mood.
…Strange. Why do I feel so refreshed?