Ding-dong
In the Holy Temple Archives, Zone F, in the classified document archive,
information solely for Solana was neatly arranged in this space. Today, an unexpected guest was diligently examining the papers one by one.
None other than the 2nd Princess, Hedera, the one who possessed the Dragon’s Blood.
“….”
The content was vast, but summarized into a mere fifty-something pages. It contained various tidbits about the current Inspector, Ezekiel.
“…Is this it?”
Hedera mumbled, taken aback without realizing it.
The record keeper, wrapped in white cloth from head to toe, had been nervously monitoring her since earlier, finally nodding in difficulty.
“Probably so.”
“What the hell, are you joking with me?”
Hedera spat out rare profanity.
It was only natural. She had come to this archive to untangle all the knots in her heart, but the crucial parts of the information were missing!
As the mood of the 2nd Princess grew tense, the record keeper could only fumble awkwardly at her side.
“W-Well, as you know, the classified documents here were personally written by the 3rd Princess. If it’s not written here, there really is no information available. Please don’t be angry…”
“I got it, so just shut up.”
With a flick of her wrist, she sealed the record keeper’s lips with Dragon Speech.
“What on earth….”
Hedera began rereading from page one.
Even for the second time, chills ran down her spine.
Hedera’s eyes widened. With slit pupils like a dragon, she glared at the papers, as if she could tear them apart.
─ The subject is currently undergoing treatment due to excessive chill. It is believed that periodic high-intensity interventions will be required, and the duration of treatment is beyond guess.
Unbelievable story.
At least in Hedera’s mind, that was the case. Long ago, her master, Ezekiel, was the one with the highest prowess in the field of chill!
…And now he was overpowered by it?
Hedera’s fingertips hurriedly flipped the page.
─ All internal heat-producing organs are in a paralyzed state. Although the exact cause cannot be pinpointed, it is judged to have been closed off due to forced intervention. Pending.
─ Due to the deteriorated condition, only a portion of total mana can be utilized, and its efficiency has declined drastically.
“….!”
The prowess Ezekiel displayed during the presentation was astounding.
Was that prowess achieved with the worst mana efficiency? Anyone could have noticed that. His worst was better than others’ best!
And then,
the final line.
Even rereading it, it was an unbelievable line.
─ His days alive will not be long.
Something heavy settled in Hedera’s heart.
“…Is this it?”
Hedera mumbled again, lost in thought, but no answer came back. It was a question that couldn’t be answered.
The 2nd Princess closed the documents and began reading from the first page again.
Then she read it again after finishing the last line.
Again.
Even after repeating several times, there was nothing more written.
Thump—thump—
Suddenly, her heartbeat began to quicken. The usually emotionless Hedera felt a hint of something she hadn’t for a long time. It was called anxiety.
Thump—thump—
A terminal illness?
She didn’t know.
No, it was unimaginable.
Strength necessarily includes health. Ezekiel, who seemed stronger than anyone, had been carrying such a burden for who knows how long.
‘The Dragon Speech worked because….’
Because he was suffering from such a serious problem. For him, Hedera’s Dragon Speech must have been a huge burden.
Swallow, the 2nd Princess quietly gulped down her dry throat.
What if.
What if the reason he distanced himself from Hedera was this? If the hidden circumstance was also this, then why hide it so much made sense.
─ There are such things in the world. Things that become a sin just by wanting to know, things that leave a deep wound just by asking….
…Yeah, thinking of terminal illness made it understandable.
It was understandable enough to not be able to speak.
It was understandable enough that he would have tried to hide it at all costs.
Thump—thump—
“….”
Dragons are eternal.
Eternal Hedera, questioned the terminal Ezekiel.
When she had shouted to him to explain, what was he feeling while carrying this whole fact? She, who never worried about her lifespan, couldn’t even begin to imagine.
Thump—thump—
Sweat began to bead on her forehead.
At the same time, a question popped up.
‘A terminal illness and… why did he appear again?’
Suddenly, her conversation with the 3rd Princess, Solana, resurfaced.
─ Why are you unilaterally placing my Magic Tower Inspector?
─ It’s a good thing for him too.
A good thing for him. Solana had said that.
What on earth could be good for him?
“Could it be….”
Was Ezekiel valuing Hedera’s Ascension Ceremony more than his own life? Like the words in the letter wishing for Hedera’s happiness, was he simply bound to show up?
What if.
If, by any chance, Hedera’s family was right?
Thump—thump—
What of Hedera’s behavior, who had eagerly offered him a duel just to test him? What kind of meaning did it hold for him?
Thump—thump—
Still, her heart raced with anxiety.
Because Ezekiel showed no signs of anything,
Because he did not utter a single complaint.
Thump—thump—
So, the end of this anxiety seemed nowhere in sight.
“Ah….”
Hedera’s grip on the documents tightened. Not long after, the papers in her grasp crumpled.
She quickly turned her head to glance at the clock.
Ezekiel must have just arrived at Ruiple. It would take at least a few days for him to return. What should she prepare in the meantime?
‘…The Imperial Report.’
She had promised to open the Imperial Report if she won the bet. Was there something that could be of help? At the very least, an elixir that could improve his health could exist.
“….”
But she soon had to stop that train of thought.
She had promised to open the Imperial Report.
When she won the bet.
…Yes, when Ezekiel won.
Thump—thump—
‘Can he win?’
Ezekiel’s health was as bad as it could get. He appeared to be perfectly fine, but it was like a castle built of sand.
Zecahiel’s opponent was the knight, Valken.
Valken had recently shown exceptional prowess. He had wielded his sword tirelessly right up to the moment of departure and had not looked fatigued at all.
The worst mage against the best knight.
Hedera could guess the outcome of this duel.
Thump—thump—
The once steady steps began to falter.
Her heart couldn’t contain its anxiety and felt as if it would burst.
Sweat beads trickled down the woman’s back.
Her mind had been white for a long time.
Ruiple.
Ezekiel and Tirbi were walking side by side.
“To think the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower is requesting a great work, you don’t know how much of an honor this is for me!”
Tirbi exclaimed with excitement, leading the way.
She prided herself on being somewhat wise, thus was quick to determine which strings to pull.
Agnes? Once she realized she was just a secretary, her interest had completely faded. Now she absolutely had to persuade Ezekiel, the Inspector of the Magic Tower.
‘This is gonna go smoothly.’
The Inspector was hoping to have a drink with Tirbi alone. Was there any better sign that things were going well?
Thank goodness. It was fortunate that the Inspector was superficial.
Eventually, they arrived at a somewhat quaint atmosphere.
By the way, the atmosphere here was naturally intended. Tirbi deliberately emphasized her hip while rummaging through the stored alcohol.
“It’s Ruiple, but I’m not sure we have any fine liquor that would satisfy the Inspector. It wouldn’t be polite to serve lukewarm alcohol.”
“I don’t care.”
Ezekiel conjured a glass out of ice. Not just an ordinary glass, but one shaped like a curled frost dragon.
‘Oh, he can handle magic at this level?’
But it was obvious why he had made such a fancy glass. Wasn’t he just trying to flatter Tirbi? She internally scoffed at Ezekiel.
And so began the drinking session.
Tirbi quietly brushed her hair behind her ear.
“I’m not sure if someone as insignificant as me can properly serve the Inspector. Oh, the knights seem to be busy running around… Are you alright, Inspector?”
“Let them run around. It’s just gonna hurt their feet.”
Tirbi struggled to suppress a laugh.
‘Look at this guy, he’s completely disregarding work, huh?’
Could it be that he only craves Tirbi, ignoring efficiency? It was ridiculous enough to be comical.
“Inspector, let me pour you a drink first!”
“Sure.”
His brief reply was directed at Tirbi.
“…But Inspector, you keep looking at me?”
It was a casually suggestive comment.
“Didn’t I say?”
However, Ezekiel lightheartedly emptied his glass and replied,
“I’m only interested in you.”
Tirbi’s hand, pouring the drink, paused abruptly.
Now that she thought about it, the Inspector’s gaze was somewhat different.
“….”
His icy blue eyes appeared sharp, like a predator spotted in the night.
Somehow, they seemed to penetrate through every part of Tirbi.
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