When I was young, I adored the butterfly effect.
The idea that small initial conditions could lead to massive consequences? A phenomenon no mage could resist! How beautiful would it be if something world-shattering bloomed from my fingertips?
Yeah, I thought that way once.
But right now…
Seeing the massive typhoon approaching, a thought naturally occurred to me.
What happens to a butterfly caught in a storm? Does it end up torn apart, its wings and antennae shredded?
No, no.
…Should I ride the currents? Enjoy that massive flow?
Not as a butterfly, but as myself.
Inside the shop, there seemed to be a sudden extinction of the concept of sound.
“…”
I felt a chill creeping up my back and thought to myself.
It’s been a while. When was the last time I felt this way?
‘Who accepted my proposal? I really have no idea.’
Name. The most important thing was missing from the letter.
A fervent ally can become the scariest enemy the moment they turn their back. Not knowing who the party is? That’s terrifying too.
Apple, having observed my reaction, nodded knowingly.
“…Looks like it’s all over. Is this how it ends, without a sound?”
“Maybe that’s how it is.”
Not knowing who wrote the letter is a problem, and the current might of the Imperial Family is another issue. Apple’s words were quite valid.
The incorporeal Emperor Verd.
Regarded as the strongest force in the history of the Empire. A battle maniac who takes being called a tyrant as a compliment…
I touched the daughter of such an emperor. In the form of a proposal, no less.
…Not just one, but all five of them.
I quietly pulled out a petal with an attached stalk from my pocket.
Just the right size to take into my mouth. It’s a herb commonly known as Sunweed. Its effect? About as hot as the sun’s flame.
Crackle—!
There’s no need to light it up. Just chewing it will ignite it.
The chill that wrapped around me began to retreat. The warmth spread through me, and my vision started to blur. Ah, the world finally looks the way I remember it.
‘It’s spilled water. I can’t avoid it, so I must seize the opportunity.’
Finding the princess who accepted my proposal and marrying her.
In this situation, it was the only path forward.
“Hey, Apple, want one?”
“No thanks. It’s unfortunate for you because your body type causes your mana to freeze, but Sunweed is definitely a drug.”
“If I were a normal person, I would’ve done Sunweed earlier, and more of it.”
“…Do you know how that sounds? It sounds like a real drug addict!”
Smoke began to billow from inside the shop.
Yeah, the root of all this trouble was indeed this damn body type.
‘I probably only have about two years left to live.’
I reached a realm of mastering the technique of freezing but hadn’t learned how to overcome that power with a human body.
As a result, my body and mana kept freezing over.
My gaze shifted to the masked woman before me.
“Apple, have you ever heard of sacred artifacts?”
“Are you talking about the countless sacred artifacts reported in the Imperial Family?”
“Exactly.”
“Of course I’ve heard of them. I heard there are loads. They say one can even grant immortality to His Majesty the Emperor… huh?”
Disbelief washed over Apple as she looked at me with wide eyes.
“Wait, are you asking for a sacred artifact?”
“I didn’t say it outright; I was more subtle about it.”
If I marry the princess and become part of the royal family, won’t they share some sacred artifacts with me? That was my naive train of thought.
“Ugh…! So how did you phrase it? You’re being so frustrating!”
Huff—.
I exhaled the Sunweed smoke long and slow.
“Apple.”
“I proposed to all five princesses, without leaving any out.”
“What?”
“One even accepted, but I don’t know who.”
“Aha. Wait, what?”
Apple looked at me with a thoroughly bemused expression.
“…”
She contemplated something seriously for a long moment, then stomped over to snatch the Sunweed from my mouth.
“…So this person isn’t in their right mind, huh? Is this what Sunweed does?”
“I agree. I’m not in my right mind.”
Always, already, right now. It’s always been that way.
On the way home, a large crowd had already surrounded the entrance.
“Zekiel!”
“It’s Zekiel! The guy’s here!”
Those who recognized me had their eyes widened. One of them rushed towards me; he was the guy who had asked if I lit a signal before.
“Hey, Zekiel!”
“I’m listening.”
“Didn’t you just say you’ve never lit a signal? People from the Imperial Family have come looking for you!”
“It’s because of the alcohol. You should stay away from it too.”
“What the…?”
In front of the entrance was a massive carriage, guarded by two soldiers.
Its size seemed to scream “acknowledge me”, and its exterior was undeniably antique. Plus, it bore the sun insignia reserved exclusively for the Imperial Family.
As the carriage door opened, a woman with short black hair stepped down.
Expressionless. She looked like she was devoid of emotions.
Rattle, rattle.
With one hand, she expertly twirled a cube of ice. Her fingers moved with an elegance that seemed almost too graceful.
Her uniform was pitch black, with a sun-patterned pin resting on her chest. Truly someone from the Imperial Family.
“There’s never been an ordinary person in the royal family.”
“…”
She glanced my way briefly, then turned her head sharply without uttering a single word. Instead, she addressed the soldier.
“Have you verified his identity?”
“Not yet.”
“Open it.”
“Yes, Anes.”
The scroll held by the soldier fell vertically and began to unroll. At that sight, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.
‘Not a single resemblance.’
Aside from the long white hair and the general count of eyes, nose, and mouth, the woman named Anes nodded confidently.
“There’s no doubt. We’re transporting him to the Imperial Palace.”
“Yes!”
Her gaze finally fell upon me.
“Please, get in.”
Rattle. Anes, still aligning the cube, gestured toward the carriage entrance with her chin. The messy exterior was now perfectly aligned.
‘This isn’t exactly a hospitable welcome.’
Perhaps it’s more akin to dragging a criminal with them.
I chewed on my Sunweed and climbed into the carriage. The moment I closed the door, the carriage jolted and began to move.
“Still as hasty as ever. Truly, how royal.”
Just then, the curtain in front of me was swept aside, revealing Anes’ face. She opened her lips with that same expressionless demeanor.
“This is the Imperial carriage. Please refrain from smoking.”
“That’s not gonna work.”
“It will. Especially if that Sunweed is classified as a drug.”
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if she regarded me as beneath her.
“I have no intention of engaging in a power struggle with a drug addict. Spit it out.”
At once, Anes extended her palm, demanding I give it up. Is hygiene not a concern for her? Clearly, she’s focused only on work.
“Oh really? What am I going to do? I was signed off as a royal-approved drug addict.”
“I’ve never heard of that.”
“Well then, it looks like you received some faulty information. Did you possibly doze off?”
“…”
Anes’ eyes narrowed further.
She pulled out a thick notebook from her pocket and began flipping through the pages quickly. Of course, she didn’t forget to intimidate me along the way.
“If it’s a lie, there will be severe penalties. Be ready.”
But as the pages kept flipping, they suddenly halted on nearly the last page. Her golden eyes flickered slightly.
“…”
Silently, Anes stuffed the notebook back into her blazer pocket.
I tilted my head slightly and asked.
“So, will there be any severe penalties for me?”
“…”
Rattle— rattle—
Anes just kept adjusting the cube, remaining silent. Looks like her mood soured a bit. The first time she opened her mouth was much later.
“…That was my oversight. Here, take this.”
“What is this?”
“A letter from His Majesty the Emperor.”
She handed me a scroll, then sharply shut the curtain, making a thud sound. Looks like she’s a bit embarrassed for not knowing a thing.
The truth is, she’s not lacking at all. The relationship between me and the Imperial Family is simply too complicated and obscure.
Anyway, I unfolded the Emperor’s letter.
“So, he knows how to write letters too.”
“Please don’t refer to His Majesty as a commoner”— Anes’ voice echoed from beyond the curtain, but I ignored it and began reading.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Zekiel,
Let’s talk at the Empire.
Come back alive.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
It was short, but incredibly intense.
Come back alive.
In other words, it meant there were plenty of death threats on the way.
“Looks like the road ahead won’t be easy.”
I muttered that, then let my eyelids droop.
I aimed to steal a bit of sleep while I could before the journey grew tiresome.
…That was my intention.
Rattle—
Thump! Thump!
Rattle—
“…So noisy.”
I couldn’t help but snap my fingers.
Simultaneously, the raucous noise from outside came to an abrupt stop.
With a thump, the front curtain was pulled back again.
“Excuse me.”
Anes glared at me, expressionless. In her grasp was a cube frozen solid.
“What are you doing?”
“Let’s just move quietly. Quietly.”
“Do you want me to melt it? Are you out of your mind?”
“I’ve never been in my right mind.”
After a short response, I used telekinesis to thump the curtain shut.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
It seems like she wants to open it, but it’s futile. I froze the seams.
Once again, I let my eyelids droop and thought.
So, how has the Imperial Family been transformed?
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