Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Not an Aura Clash, But a Heartwarming Aura Fest (2)
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The Imperial Magic Tower group took their seats before Second Princess Hedera.
They still didn't know exactly why she'd summoned them. But all three instinctively understood one thing: the atmosphere was subtly off.
─Why have we been called here?
Teder sent a telepathic message, sweat beading on his brow.
─Did I do something wrong...?
Whatever it was, this didn't feel like a safe spot.
Teder had served Hedera for quite some time, so he knew well. Her mood was off right now.
Teder's head snapped toward Zekiel.
As always, in moments of crisis, Zekiel was the one who proved most helpful. Simple as that.
"…."
And just like that, he was at a loss for words. The inspector's expression wasn't much different.
─Inspector, sir. Any idea what's going on?
─What could this be about?
─...She probably just wants to hear our report.
─Aha!
But what on earth could it be? This intimidating aura?
...What was the source of this utterly ominous vibe?
Just as Teder was about to add something—
"That's rude. Cut the telepathy."
Piiiieeeee—!
Hedera's single word severed their telepathic link entirely. The power of her Word Command far outstripped ordinary magic.
"Hmmm."
Hedera drummed her nails on the armrest, eyeing each member of the Imperial Magic Tower group standing in a row before her.
"Where should I start?"
She pondered for a moment.
"You've all worked hard."
"We merely did our duty as inspectors."
Zekiel bowed quietly.
"Is there anything more impressive than carrying out one's responsibilities so flawlessly? You deserve praise."
Hedera knew full well this incident hadn't resolved by mere lucky coincidence.
The Imperial Magic Tower group—especially Zekiel—had performed exceptionally.
Hedera lifted a teacup and spoke.
"Teder."
"Yes, Princess."
"Even as my secretary, you joined the inspector on this outing. Tell me what you felt."
"Well, now that you ask me to explain..."
At that moment, Hedera and Teder's eyes met.
"Yes. I felt so much. Where should I begin? I'll tell you everything."
"Go on."
"I came to truly understand what the Imperial Magic Tower—Your Highness's tower—is meant to do. From now on, it will be Your Highness's wings."
Hedera nodded quietly.
"That's it?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, is that all?"
"Uh..."
In that brief instant, Teder's mind spun wildly.
He quickly pieced it together and found the answer.
"...Of course not!"
Teder flashed a hasty grin, baring his teeth.
"I felt how deeply the inspector's feelings run for Your Highness. He said it's because it's Your Highness's Magic Tower that he could go to such lengths! Yes!"
"...Is that so?"
All three caught it—a faint shift.
Hedera's demeanor brightened ever so slightly.
The princess's gaze turned to Zekiel.
"Inspector, did you really say that?"
"...Yes."
Zekiel averted his eyes a touch.
The princess's gaze shifted next to Anes.
"Inspector's secretary."
"Yes, Princess."
"What did you feel?"
"Quite a lot."
Anes's face grew deadly serious.
"Princess."
"I'm listening."
"The Imperial Magic Tower can no longer be as it was."
"No longer the same as before—what do you mean?"
Hedera stared steadily at Anes.
"First off, what we accomplished this time was extraordinary."
"Are you saying the Imperial Magic Tower was impressive?"
"That's part of it, but what I want to tell Your Highness is something a bit different."
Anes took a measured breath.
"Truth be told, the Imperial Magic Tower should have collapsed today."
Hedera slowly closed and opened her eyelids.
"Should have collapsed?"
"Yes. When we felt like slacking, we slacked. When we wanted to put things off, we did. Living easy days took priority over any real results."
"Well, that was the case."
"So, it was only natural that today's exchange reveal would expose our pitiful state and bring us down. That's the position we deserved."
"...You're right."
Hedera gave a slight nod.
The mediocre get treated as mediocre, and the excellent as excellent—that's the way of the world, isn't it? The Imperial Magic Tower was always meant to fail.
"But the inspector prevented that."
"Mm."
"The problem is, it was essentially his achievement alone. Not the tower's."
Anes continued methodically.
"Now that suspicions about the Imperial Magic Tower are gone, crowds with sky-high expectations will come visiting."
"Indeed."
"If the inspector can't attend to everything, or has to handle two things at once, it'll inevitably cause issues."
Tok. Tok. Tok.
Hedera quietly tapped the armrest.
"I feel like from now on, the Imperial Magic Tower will need to put in soul-crushing effort. It'll be tough, but as secretary, I intend to give my all."
Anes's statement ended there.
Hedera's expression remained unreadable. Half her face was masked anyway.
But then.
"I'm pleased."
Hedera gave an unexpected response.
Teder's eyes widened in surprise, but she continued in a perfectly calm tone.
"I never imagined a mage would care for my Magic Tower this much. And you've only just started—you must have deep loyalty."
"Is that so."
Anes nodded.
"Though the secretary role is new, I was once part of the Imperial Magic Tower. I've long hoped it would thrive, but back then, there was no princess like Your Highness, nor an inspector of such caliber."
Hedera let out a light laugh at the sharp reply.
"Sounds like you're blaming me. I was the one absent, and the one who didn't appoint a capable inspector. Well... it is my responsibility."
Anes bowed her head hastily.
"That was never my intent. I was just happy things have changed now, and misspoke."
"Joking, joking. Can't even tease you."
Hedera rummaged in her bosom and quietly offered something. Anes stepped forward swiftly and received it carefully with both hands.
The item was a thin gold bar.
"Take it. A gold day-bonus."
Teder's jaw dropped.
"Ugh...!"
He even let out a sound involuntarily. It was on a whole different level from a standard gold bonus—the amount Hedera handed Anes was staggeringly huge.
"How could I not reward a mage who thinks so deeply for my Magic Tower? Keep giving your best."
"This is too much."
Anes spoke cautiously.
"Might I humbly return this gold bar?"
"No. Take it."
Hedera waved it off casually.
"It's a lot, sure. Enough to quit on the spot if you wanted."
Hedera's eyes curved slightly.
"If the work gets too tough, don't hesitate to take a break. Even a long one. Now you've got plenty of money, right? You must have places you've wanted to travel."
"There may be exhausting days, but I won't slack off. I've learned how vital responsibility is."
"How do you always say such straightforward things."
As Hedera lifted her teacup, everyone hurriedly bowed their heads. The sight of the second princess lowering her mask to sip tea was not for their eyes.
"Anes."
"Yes, Princess."
"As you say, the current Imperial Magic Tower has holes everywhere that need filling. You don't have to stay as secretary. If a better spot opens up later, I'll move you."
"My skills are too lacking for anything else. If transferred, I'd just be a burden. I'd prefer to stay as secretary, if possible."
Anes kept her head bowed politely.
Hedera gazed steadily at her.
"…."
Teder side-eyed the two women alternately.
'What's with this atmosphere?'
The words alone suggested a healthy, warm conversation, but the vibe felt razor-sharp, subtly sticky and cloying...
Zekiel seemed to be at the center of it.
Both the princess and Anes had glanced at his face once or twice since earlier. Teder wasn't blind to the undercurrents.
Suddenly, a strong thought struck him.
Eh?
Ehhh?
Teder blinked, dismissing it as unlikely.
...Could this be an aura clash?