Swish!
A path made of ice adorned the air.
Ezekiel soared along it like a bullet.
“Teacher, how long are you planning to run away?”
…Until you give up!
“Let’s stop; let’s just have a conversation!”
“What conversation…!”
Ezekiel glanced at Ether’s reflection in the ice.
A sword in her left hand, an axe in her right.
Definitely not the typical conversation one would imagine.
“There’s no need to be shy. Let’s just share a kiss today!”
…That’s absolutely not happening!
Slash!
Ether shattered all the ice as she chased him at lightning speed, but Ezekiel kept slipping away with ghostly agility.
It felt like he could be captured at any moment, yet somehow couldn’t be.
“Are you going to give up? With your current skill level, you can’t catch me.”
Though it was meant as a plea to stop, it instead made Ether’s eyes widen.
“What did you say?”
The 1st Princess whispered with a chilling voice.
“Alright, understood. If I catch you, I’ll squeeze you dry.”
“…!”
Ezekiel desperately threw himself away.
Swish—!
Running, running, running…
Slash—!
Chasing, chasing, and more chasing…
An endless pursuit that seemed like it would never end.
Finally, Ezekiel made a certain decision.
‘…It looks like there’s no other way.’
Boom—!
Without hesitation, he dove into a specific place.
None other than the Emperor’s Audience Chamber.
Inside the Imperial Palace, in the Emperor’s Audience Chamber.
“…”
“…”
A subtle atmosphere lingered between the Emperor and Ezekiel.
The Emperor, seated on the throne, broke the silence first.
“So now you come and go in the Audience Chamber like it’s your home.”
“Well, I’ve never really had a home in my life.”
“Heh. This kid has become bolder.”
The Emperor commented, indirectly pointing out that he had never provided Ezekiel with a lavish residence, yet he didn’t seem upset. He merely smiled.
An apple floated into the air.
“Would you like to have an apple?”
“No, thanks.”
Upon closer inspection, the skin of the apple was completely peeled off.
—…Who eats an apple without peeling it?
Was the Emperor perhaps recalling Solana’s words from back then?
The Emperor spoke again.
“Well then, explain. Why have you come to see me?”
“The 1st Princess is personally pursuing me.”
“Not surprised at all. That was bound to happen.”
The Emperor’s response was more nonchalant than anticipated.
Ezekiel couldn’t help but tilt his head slightly.
“…Are you allowing me to leave now?”
“Of course not.”
The Emperor scoffed.
“I still don’t want to give my daughter to you.”
A moment of silence settled in the Audience Chamber.
A chalice slowly started to spin in the air.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not because you’re capable, but rather because I’m just watching.”
The Emperor’s cold voice continued without a hitch.
“Ezekiel, you’re certainly a great mage.”
“Hmm.”
“But whether you’re a good man is still uncertain.”
Crunch!
An apple disappeared from the air.
“To propose to five women is quite unprecedented.”
“…”
Ezekiel couldn’t particularly refute that statement.
Who on earth would consider proposing to five people, let alone princesses?
“Is there any father who would want to give his daughter to a playboy? We had prior agreements, and I place more importance on being the Emperor, so I’m just watching.”
“…”
“Because of your actions. You better fulfill those conditions.”
Ezekiel suddenly recalled the five conditions.
First, he must become stronger than Ether.
Second, he must be more precious than Hedera.
Third, he must be more faithful than Solana.
Fourth, he must accumulate more wealth than Chain.
Fifth, he must reach a magical realm higher than Neo.
“…”
Recently, the three princesses had gotten tangled up, causing chaos. But now, he had to endure even bigger troubles while fulfilling those five conditions.
Crunch!
Another apple vanished into thin air.
“Ezekiel.”
“Yes?”
“I asked why you visited the Audience Chamber, but your answer was quite unsatisfactory. Normally, I should punish you, but…”
The chalice from beside the throne swirled.
“You’re lucky. I actually have something to discuss with you today, so I’ll let it slide.”
Snap!
A sound like fingers snapping.
Simultaneously, a stone tablet rose from the Audience Chamber floor. It displayed detailed maps of the continent’s major regions.
“Ezekiel, I heard the five Magic Towers didn’t submit their reports this time. Their intentions are clear. They want to secretly hide their vision techniques.”
“I believe so as well.”
“Bring back every last detail. This is a condition for overlooking today’s faux pas, and also a condition for not interfering with the issues concerning the princesses.”
In truth, it was incredibly difficult for him to speak so casually about such a challenging topic. The distrust between the Magic Towers was at an all-time high, with a security system stronger than ever.
That meant he had to penetrate all security, investigate without missing anything, and grasp every single detail upon his return.
Yet still, Ezekiel didn’t dare complain.
He merely asked in return, “So, is that all you wish for?”
“Indeed. Don’t forget that I have a generous spirit.”
A moment later, Ezekiel burst into laughter.
“Your Majesty, you truly are consistent.”
“Consistent? Your words are a bit cheeky.”
“Are you trying to deceive me again?”
Silence fell.
At the same time, the apple being eaten in the air paused.
The Emperor took a while before asking again.
“To deceive me? What do you mean?”
“I don’t deny that you’re being kind. However, it isn’t just a generous act, is it?”
Ezekiel tilted his head slightly.
“It seems that you need me as well.”
“You’re short-sighted.”
The Emperor interjected firmly.
“You’ve gained confidence from your recent achievements, but that doesn’t make you infallible. That doesn’t mean you will succeed in everything you touch.”
“Yes.”
“Given that, if this isn’t a generous act, what is it? You’re granting various conveniences simply for assigning me a mission.”
The Emperor’s tone was resolute.
However, Ezekiel showed no signs of being cowed.
“What I am or am not is of no importance.”
“Huh?”
“As I’ve said, you need me. Therefore, I require the rewards I rightly deserve.”
The apple in the air spun slightly.
The Emperor seemed to be fiddling with it.
Ezekiel, who was quietly poised, suddenly reached out toward the Emperor. He created an ice spear conspicuously and shot it without a care.
Zing—!
“Hmm?”
Whoosh—!
Immediately, part of the space distorted into a vortex. The ice spear absorbed into the Emperor’s power and vanished without a trace.
“What are you doing, Ezekiel?”
“Looks like it’s disappearing.”
“Indeed, no attack can touch me.”
“Sounds like we can consider it obliteration.”
Ezekiel casually rubbed his chin.
Step— step—
Suddenly, Ezekiel moved toward the stone tablet.
He quietly placed his palm on the area where the Magic Towers were located and destroyed that part of the tablet.
Crash—!
“This time, the hidden magic from each Magic Tower will surely vanish whenever you take action, your Majesty. And all without a trace of it reaching the world.”
Ezekiel didn’t remove his palm.
Swish—
The destroyed part of the map was once again engraved with ice.
“Someone must investigate it thoroughly, but only someone as capable as you, your Majesty, or someone equally skilled without being as powerful as you… Who could that be?”
The chalice, which was circling slowly, came to a stop.
Ezekiel smiled slyly.
“…Now isn’t that a pretty convincing argument?”
Tap, tap, tap…
A sound echoed as nails tapped on the throne.
“You’ve grown a good head; I’ll keep listening.”
“About that mission you just mentioned, I am confident.”
“Confident?”
“I will document all the hidden magic from the five Magic Towers without missing a single detail. If you wish, I can even create illustrations that your daughter can comprehend.”
Ezekiel smiled mischievously.
“Of course, that’s only if you promise me my reward.”
Like a mischievous brat one couldn’t hate.
However, the Emperor showed no immediate reaction.
“Ezekiel, you’re seriously mistaken.”
Crunch!
The Emperor resumed chewing the apple.
“Did you think those wretched spells could threaten me? Absolutely not. I wouldn’t care at all if they vanished without anyone knowing.”
“Of course, that would be true for you, your Majesty.”
Ezekiel continued calmly.
“However, it wouldn’t be for the continent. Given that they’re concealed to such an extent by the Magic Towers, they must be quite powerful and useful. Once refined, they could become a significant force.”
“…”
In fact, even in the distant past, when the Imperial Tower peaked, there were signs that each Magic Tower was hiding something tightly.
They hadn’t been able to capture it back then.
Now, the Imperial Tower had lost much power and had wasted a full decade.
That meant it was like a ticking time bomb, one that could explode at any moment.
The scale had undoubtedly escalated tremendously.
But if he could redirect the dangers into something beneficial, it would surely benefit the continent.
Crisis is just another word for opportunity, after all.
“Coincidentally, I know the most continent-focused person in the Empire. Someone who feels not an ounce of warmth and solely cares for the continent.”
“Who is that?”
“Standing right in front of me.”
With that statement, silence ensued.
No apples moved anymore.
The chalice remained still.
“For this mission, I’m still confident.”
The Emperor remained silent.
But then, at a certain moment…
Swish—
Swish—
The robe began to slowly descend the stairs.
When they were finally close enough to touch foreheads…
“Ezekiel, I have just two questions for you.”
Finally, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“When did you find out?”
“Hmm…”
Ezekiel casually popped a Sunweed into his mouth.
“Since life became desperately urgent?”
After experiencing the elixirs and obtaining three drops of the Sun Elixir, Ezekiel became even more desperate for life. He then meticulously analyzed all the actions the Emperor had shown him.
Eventually, he was able to grasp a few certainties.
That he was looking out for the continent.
And that he needed Ezekiel for that purpose.
Yes, just knowing this much was enough.
Had he not known these two things, he would never have dared to gamble in front of the Emperor.
“Fine. Now, the second question.”
The Emperor inquired closely.
“What do you wish as a reward for the successful completion of the mission?”
An overwhelming presence.
Yet Ezekiel answered calmly.
“Once again, three drops of the Sun Elixir.”
The Emperor couldn’t help but reconsider.
‘This kid, Ezekiel, has grown quite smart.’
He quietly nodded.
“Alright. I accept.”
But, surprisingly…
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Ezekiel’s words had not quite finished yet.
“…Could you just put the 1st Princess to sleep for a bit?”
“….”
The Emperor stared at Ezekiel in silence.
How strange.
A viper.
Yes, he was definitely nurtured like a viper.
…But now, wasn’t he acting more like a cunning serpent?
“Heh!”
The Emperor laughed.
That laughter was filled with both affirmation and curiosity.
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