Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: 3rd Princess, Solana (2)
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The sunlight filtering through the windows splits into hexagons—a beautiful sight.
And now, here I was, seated in the imperial reception room, a place where only the most honored guests could barely set foot. Facing the empire's 3rd Princess, no less.
"You've really changed a lot."
No, "evolved" was probably the word without any awkwardness.
She'd always stood out since her seedling days, but now she had blossomed into a sunflower, bold and radiant. The 3rd Princess across from me offered a faint smile.
"Teacher, you haven't changed at all. Sunweed suits you the same as ever."
"This'll only end when I die. Or maybe because I'm dead."
"...Don't talk about dying. You can't make jokes like that."
To me, it was just a joke, but a shadow of genuine worry crossed Solana's face. Her kind heart was as pure as ever.
"..."
And then a brief silence.
Was it because it had been so long? It felt quite awkward.
I snapped my fingers. As the ice crystal formed in the air and plopped into Solana's teacup, I parted my lips.
"Solana. I've heard stories about you from time to time."
"Really? You heard about me, Teacher?"
"People call you the face of the empire."
The empire's 3rd Princess, the face of the empire, Solana Rium.
There was solid reason for calling Solana the face of the empire. Her very visage embodied dignity, and she was the princess who appeared most publicly on the empire's behalf.
"...The face of the empire? Me?"
"Yeah. I've even heard you called the empire's angel."
She was a princess and a saint in equal measure.
Her Holy Power was rated top-tier. She might not resurrect the dead, but as long as she was near, the living wouldn't die—or so the famous tales went.
...To think such an exceptional woman had once been my student.
"I feel it's too much. This level I reached was thanks to you, Teacher. Hearing such praise makes me feel sorry instead."
"All I taught you was mid-level magic at best, and what you awakened was Holy Power. You should take pride in it."
"No. The way to channel qi flow isn't all that different for Holy Power. It's all thanks to you, no question. Don't deny it?"
Have you ever seen paint slowly spreading across a canvas? Solana began to heat up in much the same way, bit by bit.
"And that's not all. You told me stories of the world, taught me etiquette... Everything is thanks to you!"
"..."
Her sudden excitement led to another drop into silence. I quietly chewed my Sunweed, and we gazed at each other without a word.
And at some point...
"Pfft..."
"Ah ha, ah haha..."
"You're still the same. You are."
We burst into laughter, naturally, as if on cue. It perfectly recreated one of those scenes from our younger days that we'd shared countless times.
"I let my true colors slip without realizing it. And here I am, supposed to be an adult now."
"Not true colors—your antics."
"Ah, antics. Antics... That's what you said. Hehe..."
Now she felt even more like the Solana I knew.
In truth, the nickname "face of the empire" for Solana had long been a tradition within the palace walls.
—Princess Solana is so perfect, isn't she?
—As long as she keeps her mouth shut.
—As long as she doesn't trip every now and then.
—As long as she stays still.
Was it because her appearance was too flawless? She heard plenty of "surprisingly airheaded" remarks behind her back. Never to her face, of course.
"No matter how much time passes, I can't help it around you, Teacher. Do I still look like a little kid to you?"
"Not at all. There's a proper princess sitting right across from me."
"...Really?"
She blushed and straightened her bangs.
But among Solana's bangs was a slightly out-of-place hair pin. Worn and old amid the palace's elegant accessories, it stood out like a jade among pebbles.
A familiar item. I'd given it to her as a gift.
"...You still wear that hairpin?"
"Hm? Of course?"
Solana looked at me as if I'd spouted utter nonsense, like saying the moon rises in the morning.
"It's too worn out."
"Not at all? Even if it's worn, I'll keep wearing it. For life."
Did she prefer things with a bit of aged charm over sleek new ones? If she liked it, who was I to argue further?
Solana continued firmly.
"Anyway, everything my sisters and I have achieved is thanks to you, Teacher. It'd be a problem if you didn't realize that."
"Everything...? Speaking of, what about the other princesses?"
"They've all become such incredible figures. Making huge names for themselves in their respective positions. They'll return soon."
"They seem pretty amazing."
"Yes. You'll be shocked when you reunite."
Leading demon realm conquest forces, building and managing an entire Magic Tower, dominating commerce across the continent... They'd become pillars of the continent. Even overhearing snippets was staggering.
Solana smiled with a touch of bitterness.
"There's a saying: In the forest, the best trees get cut down and sold, leaving only the worthless ones behind... Looks like I was the most worthless tree. I'm the only one left in the palace."
"That's a proverb, not poetry."
"Ah, a proverb. That's what you said."
"And managing the palace is something only you can do."
"Even when I was little, you'd always comfort me like that. Hearing it again after so long warms my heart. Thank you. Well then..."
Solana nodded and set down her empty teacup.
"Now that I've relaxed, shall we get to the main topic?"
At last, the conversation turned serious.
"I'm uneasy about bringing you here in such a forceful way. If the journey was uncomfortable, let me apologize on their behalf."
"It reminded me of old times. Wasn't bad."
In the end, my letter had sparked it, and it was an imperial order. No fault in Solana.
"Uh, um... There are complicated circumstances there, but..."
"Hm?"
Yet Solana avoided my gaze. Other circumstances?
"Ahem, anyway. Give me your hand."
Solana arbitrarily took one of my hands. Moments later, she closed her eyes and channeled Holy Power to examine me.
'Reminds me of the old days.'
Back when she'd just awakened her Holy Power, Solana would grab my hand like this for "play doctor" sessions.
...The biggest difference between then and now was her expression, probably.
—All done! Teacher, you're super duper healthy today too!
She'd always shout it with a bright smile.
"...Yes. All done."
Today's Solana only offered a faint, wistful smile.
My remaining lifespan was a mere two years. She, who wielded Holy Power, knew far better than I how abnormal this body was.
"Don't worry, Teacher. There has to be a way."
"Sure."
"Alright. Now, let's talk about something else."
She pulled a rolled parchment from her bosom. Not a scroll, but a document neatly furled.
"You'll live long and happily, Teacher. I'll make sure of it. But first, let's discuss the present."
"The present."
"I've always wondered. How could I repay you for the time you devoted to the palace? How to make the continent praise and follow your talents..."
Solana tapped the parchment on the desk.
"And this is my conclusion."
"What's this?"
"An appointment letter. Want to check it?"
An appointment? For what?
[Appointment Letter]
[Zekiel Hound is appointed as Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.]
"..."
I quietly rolled up the parchment.
And a moment later, unrolled it again.
[Appointment Letter]
[Zekiel Hound is appointed as Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.]
"What is this."
"An appointment letter."
"I never applied or registered."
"I handled the application and registration myself."
As I fell silent, Solana added,
"...Do you know how heartbroken I was, imagining you holed up in some remote corner of the continent, relying only on booze and Sunweed? No more of that life."
"No, I mean."
"No. Your opinion doesn't matter."
Solana cut me off decisively.
"Starting this very moment, I will force upon you immense wealth, tremendous honor, immense love... everything."
And she flashed me her brightest smile yet.
"...You get it, right?"