Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Marry Me Before I Tear Your Limbs Off? (9)
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The morning of the Exchange Conference.
Zekiel headed straight to the training grounds inside the Imperial Palace after waking up. During his treatment, he had absorbed a massive number of spirit medicines all at once, leaving the energy flow within his body feeling rather peculiar.
He examined his body.
The chill had grown stronger than before, yet surprisingly, his body had slightly adapted to it. This was a first.
'Indeed.'
This must be why spirit medicines were called divine treasures.
...Still, the effect was so minimal that it felt disappointing.
If he hadn't tasted the thrill of recovery, he might have let go with less regret, but now that he had felt even a little, the thirst was immense. The sensation of his lifespan extending was that exhilarating.
'Only Sunwater will do.'
Even spirit medicines merely maintained the worsening condition without aggravating it. What he truly needed was Sunwater.
─Finish the Exchange Conference first.
─The Sunwater should be ready by then as well.
Since the Sunwater hadn't been produced yet, the Emperor had promised three drops around the time the conference ended. Zekiel couldn't wait for that moment.
As he left the training grounds and walked, quite a few people recognized him.
"He's the new Inspector who just took over at the Magic Tower, right?"
"I hear he's exceptionally capable."
"Now he's heading out for the Exchange Conference delegation? Looking forward to it."
Passing by such chatter one by one, certain thoughts naturally surfaced. First, what Solana had said.
─I hope Teacher focuses only on work.
'Focus only on work.'
Come to think of it, Zekiel rarely threw himself fully into training or work lately. The reason was simple: he never knew when this short life might end.
To focus on work, he needed lifespan first.
'I need to strike deals with the Emperor more often going forward.'
He had already used up his drawing talent, so what would be the next bargaining chip? He had to rack his brain busily.
"Ah, Inspector. So this is where you were."
Amid those thoughts, he ran into Anes.
"Anes, come to see me off?"
"Yes. It would be troublesome if you vanished right before the Exchange Conference."
They began walking down the corridor together.
Anes suddenly let out a deep sigh.
"Inspector, do you know this? The five Magic Towers periodically submit reports to the Imperial Magic Tower."
"That's a given."
"Very well. Then do you know this too?"
Anes fiddled with her cube as she continued.
"The submission cycle is every three months, and it's due today, but not a single Magic Tower has submitted their report."
"That's clear enough."
"Yes. Crystal clear."
Anes nodded.
"They believe the Imperial Magic Tower will be utterly humiliated at today's Exchange Conference. It's also a show of solidarity with the Black Tower."
What arrogant bastards.
Zekiel quietly placed a Sunweed in his mouth.
"No need to worry too much."
"Pardon?"
Zekiel chuckled softly.
"First, let's sit down somewhere and talk."
Zekiel and Anes moved to a conference room.
"So, what's our exact job?"
"We monitor the Magic Towers for any suspicious activity, identify and eliminate risks. Prune it down so only those serving the Empire remain."
Anes spun her cube with a flick.
"Of course, before that, we need to prove the Imperial Magic Tower's capabilities. Otherwise, the backlash from the five Magic Towers will be severe."
"Proof shouldn't be hard. Just a bit tedious."
Zekiel exhaled a puff of Sunweed smoke.
"So, how do we prove it?"
"On that note, regardless of their scheme, the Black Tower has made a subtle proposal."
Anes handed over a single sheet of paper.
It was a document detailing information on a demon sword.
"Inspector, didn't you slay a high-ranking demon in the Ruiple region recently and recover a demon sword?"
"I did."
"They want it transported to an altar near the Black Tower."
I tilted my head slightly.
It was odd even with a moment's thought. The Imperial Magic Tower wasn't a errand runner for the Black Magic Tower.
"Handling demon swords is the Black Tower's specialty, isn't it?"
"That's why it feels like a kind of challenge. If we succeed, they'll acknowledge the Imperial Tower's abilities."
"Who do those punks think they are..."
After ten years of absence, how incompetent had the Imperial Magic Tower been to deserve this treatment? Zekiel felt it anew.
"Got it for now. Who's coming along?"
"I'll accompany you as your assistant."
I stared at Anes steadily.
"Volunteering?"
"Yes."
"Surprising. I thought you hated me."
"...Don't get the wrong idea. The Black Tower's envoy was incredibly rude to me, that's why I'm going."
"You've got a vindictive streak, huh."
"...Yes. I do."
Anes pouted expressionlessly.
I nodded quietly in acknowledgment.
"Confirmed. Rest up a bit, then let's head out."
"Yes. I'll wait outside."
With that, we left the conference room.
Wandering aimlessly outside the palace, a clamor reached their ears. Soldiers were training vigorously.
One—!
Two—!
One—!
Two—!
The clash of weapons, the hurried movements of bodies, the sweat pouring endlessly... Zekiel watched it all.
The sun, as if on cue, rose to shine upon him, signaling the start of the day.
No matter how grueling it looked, hope lit the soldiers' faces. Hope that tomorrow they would be even stronger.
In other words, they took tomorrow for granted. A premise Zekiel had never once known since birth.
"... "
The mouth chewing Sunweed stopped.
One—!
Two—!
One—!
Two—!
It had been a life with little attachment.
But this loneliness he felt now—was it proof that he wanted to live? He pondered quietly.
'Complete the Exchange Conference mission, and get the Sunwater.'
He had no concerns about the difficulty.
No need to worry.
However.
Right before departing on the mission, the man dreamed of immortality for a moment.
Inside the palace ward.
'This should be enough tidying up.'
Right before heading out, Zekiel finished sorting the belongings left in the ward. He hadn't had much to begin with, and he'd asked for the gifts from well-wishers to be moved to the Magic Tower.
As he turned to leave.
"I-In-Inspector!"
Someone urgently blocked the ward door.
A familiar face. The 1st Princess's herald.
"What."
"Um, well..."
The herald struggled to continue. Zekiel nodded as if understanding.
"If you're looking for the 1st Princess, I haven't seen her either."
"No. We've found 1st Princess."
"Good news. But why me?"
"Um... that is..."
The herald kept glancing sideways.
Finally, he spoke in a fearful voice.
"It seems... you might need to prepare yourself..."
"I've already finished preparing for departure."
Zekiel furrowed his brow.
"You're blocking my way right now."
"N-Not preparations for departure."
"Then?"
"Um..."
Zekiel shook his head. He exhaled a long trail of Sunweed smoke and tried to pass by.
No, he tried to, but couldn't.
There was one more person behind the herald.
"... "
Zekiel's eyes widened in bewilderment.
He rarely showed surprise, but the scene before him was truly shocking.
First, his view was filled by a female form in a pure white wedding dress. But she was so tall that the doorframe hid everything below her chest.
A stunning figure.
If one sculpted a woman's body to the ultimate standard of beauty and made a giant statue, it would feel exactly like this.
Yet there was no time to simply admire the almost artisanal beauty. There was only one woman in the palace with such height.
Where to even begin being shocked.
There were too many astonishing parts.
Her appearance?
Her wearing a dress?
Zekiel forced himself to stay calm and asked the herald.
"...Why is she in a dress?"
"To meet her husband..."
Now?
And why was she holding a black sword in one hand?
"... "
Zekiel pointed at the woman's hand with his eyes, but the herald just shook his head, equally clueless.
Then, with a boom, the wall near the door crumbled entirely. The tall woman stepped slowly through the forcibly widened entrance.
It was the 1st Princess, Ether.
Ether said not a word.
Creak—
She simply bared her teeth in a grin at Zekiel.
"... "
It hit harder than any words could.