Finally, the day to receive the Sun Elixir has arrived!
‘I have to maintain my peak condition!’
Even the Imperial Family visited the Training Ground. I neatly gathered my Chill and Mana, and cleaned myself up.
─It has been delayed somewhat. I shall come when the moon rises.
While waiting, I received additional contact from the Audience Chamber.
It was disappointing that it was postponed, but considering it could have been moved to another day, it was bearable.
What to do with the floating time, I wondered.
“Teacher, do you have a moment?”
The 3rd Princess, Solana, boldly appeared.
From then on, we spent time together in the reception room.
Hours had already passed.
The weather was unusually nice today, and the light pouring through the reception room’s glass windows was dazzling.
The Empire’s 3rd Princess, Solana.
If you asked who had the brightest smile in the Empire, Solana would definitely be mentioned. Even Ezekiel thought so.
To exchange even a word with this 3rd Princess, the worshippers desperately strived to show off their Performance.
A word from Solana and the time spent with her was considered a Blessing, which is why they were pushing themselves so hard.
“Teacher, are you worried something might go wrong? I prayed all day for you. Also—”
Solana was chattering away at the front.
Right in front of Ezekiel.
And the aroma was tickling his nose.
Had her cooking skills improved?
The luxurious refreshments and tea felt too exquisite to be served in the reception room… they were all provided to Ezekiel along with Solana’s chatter.
Ezekiel wasn’t a fool.
He wasn’t so foolish as to not realize that the situation he was in was one that someone had longed for desperately. It wasn’t extravagant.
Still, he knew he was blessed.
Yet, despite this knowledge…
He couldn’t focus even a bit on Solana’s words.
‘Sun Elixir, I’m finally getting the Sun Elixir…’
His entire mind was wrapped up in the Sun Elixir.
Before long, he had to pay the price.
Bam!
He felt a slight pressure in his hand. At the same time, a bright sunflower scent rushed over him, enveloping his whole body.
Solana had a tight grip on Ezekiel’s hand.
With their noses almost touching, the 3rd Princess held tightly and gazed into Ezekiel’s eyes.
“Teacher, you’re not concentrating on what I’m saying, are you?”
She smiled brightly.
“…What on earth could you be thinking about?”
If only she could just tell him directly, it would be better. But her smile made it all the more alarming.
“I heard your companions are all women. I checked after hearing that one of the Blue Tower elders stuck to you, and she was the prettiest of them all.”
“Um….”
That wasn’t exactly what Ezekiel intended.
He thought it was slightly rude to be so lost in thought about the Sun Elixir while Solana was right there, so he couldn’t sharply deny it.
Solana tightened her grip a bit more.
“Even if you’re not particularly interested, there’s no guarantee they won’t be interested in you. Even a fox with no thoughts will wag its tail if it meets a pleasing master.”
“Enough, enough… I’ll focus on the conversation.”
But Solana’s words showed no signs of stopping.
“Now that I think about it, the 2nd Princess’s secretary has some amusing aspects. The rabbit-like girl, right? Why is she always around you even though she’s the 2nd Princess’s secretary?”
“….”
“Teacher, you really need to pay closer attention. It’s a complete flower garden all around. Of course, none of them seem all that impressive individually.”
Maybe that last remark contained her emotions subtly.
Although she spoke with a bright smile, the meaning was different. It was filled with strong warning and concern. In other words, it meant “listen when I say this with a smile.”
Ezekiel couldn’t help but feel he had to do well. He wanted to avoid any drawbacks since none of his companions had any sharp edges.
Ezekiel tried to soothe Solana.
“There’s nothing you need to worry about. Don’t fret.”
“Even if you say that, I’ll still worry. Anyway.”
Solana opened her eyes wide and asked.
“You received that check, right?”
Check.
“….”
At that mention, Ezekiel’s mind, which had been completely focused on the Sun Elixir, jolted back to reality. He remembered. It was said that news had gone out to all the princesses.
“…Check?”
“That check you received from the scribe? The incredibly impressive check that allows you to share time with one princess for five hours. Huh? Why are you avoiding my gaze?”
“…Um, I remember.”
“You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
Solana spoke calmly.
“Just think of it as having five hours to spend together with me. You’ll end up using that check on me anyway, right?”
“….”
“I cleared my schedule for this whole week.”
Seeing Solana’s certainty suddenly made him fearful. What if the other princesses were this confident too?
‘…Who on earth should I choose?’
Choosing one meant not choosing the others. How could he possibly handle the aftermath?
…No, could he even handle it at all?
At that moment, Solana placed a basket on the desk. It seemed like something she had prepared just for Ezekiel, nudging it slightly.
“Before you use the check, you can prepare in advance. I carefully selected everything, so don’t worry.”
Ezekiel opened the basket and looked inside.
Herbs, Elixirs, ginseng…. However, the energy they contained felt peculiar. It was definitely something different from what Ezekiel usually sought.
“All of these are good for stamina. You’ll feel the effects as soon as you consume them.”
“…Stamina?”
Ezekiel had a face full of disbelief, but Solana merely gazed at him as if she found him even more unbelievable. Her eyes slightly narrowed, overshadowing Ezekiel’s fighting spirit.
“…With five hours, you could do anything, right?”
She continued confidently.
“Last time, the 1st Princess wouldn’t stop talking about marriage, and the 2nd Princess barged in unexpectedly… I can’t just let things go on like that. I need to be prepared.”
That seemed a bit too daring, though.
He couldn’t quite point that out.
“Come on, first, eat one in front of me.”
Solana picked up one herb and almost forcefully shoved it into Ezekiel’s mouth. He couldn’t just refuse it bluntly.
“…”
Without a word, he chewed on the herb, and Solana smiled.
“Teacher, you clearly enjoyed that.”
“Um?”
“…This is the stamina supplement I prepared. You wouldn’t dare use it on another woman, right? That would be wrong, wouldn’t it? It’s meant for the one who prepared it.”
A radiant smile.
Why did her bright smile feel so terrifying today?
“Let’s talk about this again later. It’s time.”
Ezekiel quickly mumbled and stood up.
“I need to head to the Audience Chamber first.”
“Teacher, Teacher?”
Was there ever a day as delightful as this to be headed to the Audience Chamber? He quickly exited the reception room.
Thinking he was about to receive the Sun Elixir made him momentarily forget his worries about the check.
He could worry about that later. No way around it.
It would work out somehow!
Um.
Somehow, it would work out…?
Finally, the moon rose.
What if the Emperor postponed the schedule once more? Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Ezekiel silently entered the Audience Chamber.
As usual, the interior gave off a grand impression, and Ezekiel raised his head to look at the Throne. There was someone who colored this vast space in a special way.
“Have you come, Ezekiel?”
The Emperor of the Empire, Verd.
He was facing Ezekiel.
“You must have been eagerly waiting for this moment.”
As usual, the Chalice floated in the air. Just after it emptied, the Robe unfolded straight down. The Emperor stood up abruptly from the Throne.
Ezekiel felt an itching sensation on his forehead.
When he wiped it, surprisingly, it was a drop of sweat.
‘…Sweat?’
At the same moment, he realized.
There was something madly heating this space up. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the Emperor’s doing.
Mirage-like waves began to rise, breathing in the space as they gathered around the Emperor.
No, more precisely, towards the Emperor’s robe sleeves.
Finally, the Emperor pulled something out of his sleeve.
“Look closely with your own eyes.”
The Emperor whispered softly.
Soon, a small sun-like object emerged. It shimmered like mercury, flowing like a liquid yet solid; even watching it felt like it was searing his soul.
Having never experienced heat in his life, Ezekiel could definitely feel the heat now.
“This is the Sun Elixir.”
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