Silence…
The calmness settled in the Magic Tower Training Ground.
“….”
Hedera continued her deliberation under everyone’s gaze.
Why did she feel fed up with presentations?
It was mostly because people appealed to their emotions. They were all begging her not to sell, as if clinging to their lives to avoid losing their jobs.
But today’s situation was the complete opposite.
Those present here weren’t workers on the verge of being fired, nor were they breadwinners in desperate straits. At this moment, they were facing the Princess as mages.
Seeing their eyes spoke volumes.
These individuals had been moving with performance as their goal, yet now, their only aim was ‘challenge.’ The efforts for success had transformed into efforts to avoid regret.
Efforts for success, efforts to avoid regret.
Though they seemed similar, the difference was immense.
It was none other than Ezekiel, the very person who had changed the outcome.
“….”
Hedera looked at the Sale Plan Document in her hand.
The 2nd Princess had confidence in herself. She was confident that she could easily dismiss most discussions with a scoff.
“….”
However.
Ezekiel’s presentation was undeniably not at the level of ‘just a story,’ regardless of how she felt about it. It was something she hadn’t anticipated at all.
“….”
Her worry grew.
Ascension Ceremony.
It was just a short while before the event that must be held in the Celestial Realm for the owner of Dragon’s Blood. The Magic Tower’s performance evaluation was already scheduled to take place even earlier.
Thus, this situation was a gamble for Hedera as well.
Should the Magic Tower, which she entrusted, thrive, it would add a proud achievement to Hedera. However, if it didn’t, it would remain a glaring flaw, hindering her during the Ascension Ceremony.
Then, a single thought suddenly crossed her mind.
──It’s sincerity.
…Could it be that he knows the Ascension Ceremony is just around the corner?
Though she couldn’t discuss the circumstances, could it be that his heart was sincere regarding her Ascension Ceremony and he wished to grow this Magic Tower?
“….”
The problem was that she couldn’t ask the concerned party outright.
Hedera and Ezekiel had not met for a long time, resulting in much they didn’t know about each other. Even if she dared to ask, whether she could get an answer was still uncertain.
“….”
Hedera quietly surveyed her surroundings.
Everyone was still watching her.
With earnest gazes, they were just waiting.
Just then, as her contemplation began to stretch infinitely…
“Your Highness, please…”
Someone broke the silence. Nox from the Practical Faction was bowing respectfully, pleading earnestly.
“Please give us a chance.”
This was the signal for the mages to speak in unison.
“Please, we beg you!”
“Just postpone the sale!”
“We’ll really try our best!”
The lines were the same as before. Those words hadn’t changed at all.
But unlike before, Hedera was truly pondering the matter.
Now, the training ground began to buzz with noise.
The 2nd Princess lowered her mask and whispered softly.
“Halt.”
Suddenly, everyone stopped without any warning, a strange sight as if time had been caught like a snapshot in a fleeting moment.
This was the power of the Dragon’s Blood owner: Dragon Speech.
“…A day.”
In the center of the stillness, the 2nd Princess spoke.
“I’ll think for exactly one day.”
She released her Dragon Speech and exited the room.
The next day.
I woke up at dawn. Checking the clock, it was 5 AM; in an hour, Hedera’s decision would be announced.
After preparing adequately, I opened the dormitory door and found something waiting for me—a rectangular box.
“Lunch box?”
I flipped the lid open.
A delicious aroma wafted through the air, teasing my appetite. Inside were fresh-looking vegetables and fried items, along with a note.
[ I saw your presentation. I’m taking my leave. ]
[ I’ll pray for your good health! ]
I understood immediately. Solana had left it behind.
“Not ‘good health,’ but ‘farewell,’ huh?”
Even with her outstanding Holy Power, her spelling was hopeless. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but recall old memories.
──Teacher! Let’s eat together!
──I made this!
Solana loved cooking, often offering me her creations whenever she felt good. Receiving a lunch box from her was a long-awaited experience, a bit strange, to say the least.
‘Looks like Solana is satisfied, thank goodness.’
Angels turn into demons the moment they turn their backs.
Wasn’t it back in the reception room that she also exuded an overwhelming chill? I was grateful not to see that side of her again. Now, all that remained was Hedera’s decision.
“Inspector, Inspector.”
Just then, someone called my name—twice.
“Inspector.”
Now the third call, the voice belonged to Agnes. She had an expressionless face, yet there was an urgency to her demeanor.
“Agnes, do you have three inspectors assigned to you?”
“Of course not. I’m a personal secretary. Naturally, I’ve only been handling one of them.”
“Then why are you calling me three times? I can hear you just fine.”
“…Because I’m in a hurry. Very much so.”
As my gaze shifted to the cube in her hand, Agnes quickly shoved it into her pocket. But the suit jacket was too rigid to properly conceal the cube.
…It was sticking out like a squirrel with an acorn.
“Anyway, Inspector.”
Agnes quickly redirected the conversation.
“I have received a message from another Magic Tower. After you review the contents, you’ll need to draft a reply yourself.”
I took a piece of paper from Agnes.
==＊== == [ Invitation Letter ] == ==＊==
Greetings.
Once again, the Empire’s six Magic Towers have worked together to host a Magic Exchange Meeting through consistent effort and achievement.
Since this year is one where performance evaluations will occur, we kindly ask for your encouragement, particularly from our esteemed guests from the Imperial Magic Tower. Your presence is crucial to brighten the occasion.
Though it may be humble, I’ve prepared some gifts. Artifacts, elixirs… I believe you won’t be disappointed. Just by visiting, we will do our utmost to cater to you.
From the black, red, blue, purple, and green Magic Towers of the Empire.
==＊== == = ==＊== = == ==＊==
The content itself was very straightforward.
It merely stated there would be a meeting of the leaders of each Magic Tower, and they hoped the Imperial Magic Tower would participate.
Still, I read this invitation letter three times.
Strangely.
…It was strangely favorable.
“Agnes.”
“Yes.”
“They say you get something just for visiting; isn’t that usually the opposite?”
A meeting of the leaders of the six Magic Towers would provide a tremendous experience just by attending. Usually, it would be common for gifts to be presented in the effort to join the meeting rather than just offering gifts for attendance.
But this was odd. Why offer rare items just for visiting?
“There’s a reason for it, as I found out.”
Agnes continued calmly.
“It seems the Imperial Magic Tower hasn’t attended the meeting for over ten times. Not once or twice, but the other Magic Towers seem to have caught on to our grim situation.”
“They’ve been waiting in ambush, it seems.”
The other Magic Towers weren’t simply foolish. They must have noticed that something wasn’t quite right with the Imperial Magic Tower long ago. They likely meant to lure us in, expose our flaws, and embarrass us to boost their own standing.
“Visiting sounds bothersome. Can’t we just accept the gifts?”
“…Are you out of your mind?”
“I’ve never been sane.”
“This is no time for jokes. The biggest problem is…”
Agnes hesitated momentarily.
“They’ve requested an immediate reply. We haven’t yet heard 2nd Princess’s decision on the sale, what are your thoughts, Inspector? How should we respond?”
I blinked slowly.
Not because I was thinking too much, but because there wasn’t a need to ponder.
“Tell them we’ll attend.”
I have the confidence to earn Hedera’s trust.
I have the confidence to stand proud at the exchange meeting.
Agnes looked at me with a face that wanted to ask something but nodded nonetheless, beginning to write something in her notebook.
“…Understood. I’m sure the inspector knows best.”
“Oh, and tell them to skip the elixirs and to get some Sunweed instead.”
Snap!
Agnes’s pen broke.
Inside the Magic Tower Training Ground.
At last, the promised time had come for Hedera.
Ever since Hedera had taken her seat, an immense tension and silence lingered. This was only natural—no matter how good Ezekiel’s presentation was, the decision ultimately rested with the 2nd Princess.
Would it be a sale as planned, or would she reverse and postpone it?
Would it end here, or would there be an additional opportunity?
…Everyone waited, necks stretched like giraffes, for Hedera’s response.
“….”
And then, at a certain moment, Hedera stood up.
Just as she was about to utter something…
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
Another person suddenly rose from their seat.
“…?”
At the same time, suspicion filled the eyes of the mages.
It was because his identity was not a mage. It was the knight who had been guarding Hedera all along.
“Knight Valken, in charge of protecting the 2nd Princess.”
“Valken, what is it?”
Even Hedera herself didn’t yet know his intentions.
“Actually…”
Valken turned his head in a specific direction.
His piercing gaze, unmasked by his helmet, fixed on Ezekiel.
“…There’s something very important I must request from you, Princess.”
Valken concluded in a heavy voice, still staring intently at Ezekiel.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.