At the entrance of the Imperial Treasury.
The 2nd Princess’s secretary, Tether, was sitting on the ground.
Haaahhh…
All that could be heard was the sound of deep sighs, making the surrounding area almost impossibly quiet. The guards and the guardians had all left their posts.
The reason for their departure was very simple and clear.
– I think it’s better to report to the higher-ups.
– Isn’t it Tether’s responsibility, after all?
– That would be better! We don’t want to be dragged into this…
– There’s no reason to cover for someone who lied.
A big problem had indeed occurred, but what could be more enticing than the idea that it wasn’t their responsibility?
If a fire broke out at home, that would be a big deal. But if it was at someone else’s place, it would just be a spectacle. In the end, everyone cared about their own safety, and to begin with, Tether was partly to blame.
As a result, they had all left to file their reports.
It’s all my fault… my fault…
Tether muttered with a resigned expression.
She couldn’t stop them from leaving. It was true that she had lied, and if things escalated trying to cover it up, they would all have to bear the consequences.
But there was still one person left by Tether’s side.
The inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower, Ezekiel, was right there.
Hoo…
He let out a long puff of Sunweed smoke and asked.
“Tether.”
“Y-yes?”
Her head, which had been bowed down, lifted to meet Ezekiel’s gaze. Her face was filled with fear—clearly afraid of punishment.
But what Ezekiel was really going to ask was something else.
“Are you the only secretary for the 2nd Princess?”
Given that Ezekiel had once served in the imperial court, he found it extremely strange that there were issues with the 2nd Princess’s direct business.
And then.
The answer that came back was quite unexpected.
“Yes. Just me.”
“Just you?”
“Yes….”
He thought there was no way, but it turned out he was right.
Ezekiel let out a sigh of Sunweed smoke.
The imperial family is still just the same.
With one princess, considering the influence, she could be regarded as a living institution herself.
If there were tasks to handle, they were piled up high like a mountain. The mere act of having just one secretary was indeed an odd distribution of manpower.
“As far as I know, there should be about ten secretaries?”
“It used to be so. It was like that before….”
“Get into details.”
Tether’s explanation continued for a while, but ultimately it was simple. It was also quite familiar.
The 2nd Princess, Hedera, used to have a total of ten secretaries, but she abruptly left the mortal realm to enjoy life in the Celestial Realm, which led to a reduction in personnel.
The problem was that Hedera had returned unexpectedly.
Now that the 2nd Princess had returned, work needed to resume, but the other secretaries had already vanished, leaving Tether with a heavy burden of doing the work of ten.
“Of course, I do get the salary for ten secretaries. And they do help me from time to time…”
Ezekiel gazed quietly into Tether’s eyes.
The dark circles heavily settled behind her glasses.
He felt like he understood her feelings.
– Ezekiel, I think it’s time to reduce a department.
– Could you handle that, too?
– You’re capable, right? The compensation will be generous.
– Ezekiel, this time…
– You’ve already done it before, haven’t you?
– There’s no one better than you now.
Back in the past, during a time when passion and stamina overflowed but worldly knowledge was lacking, Ezekiel had also taken on extra responsibilities beyond what was initially promised.
Initially, he would hear constant gratitude, but later, all the work was expected to be evaluated under strict standards, and eventually, even accountability would be questioned.
They would push until they broke.
It was a management style that treated people like parts.
Now that he thought about it, he had one more question.
“If the 2nd Princess had moved after thoroughly preparing, there wouldn’t have been a problem. Why did she return in such a rush? What was so urgent?”
“Um, I wonder if I should dare to speak on the princess’s circumstances…”
But Tether quickly made a decision.
“This much should be okay. It seems she received a notification. Of course, I don’t know the contents.”
“A notification?”
“Yes. It’s said she received a letter.”
…
Unconsciously, Ezekiel bit down on the Sunweed.
A single notification was the cause. And the method of contact was a letter.
…
A thought naturally arose.
Could it be that this is my fault?
The reason the 2nd Princess Hedera hurriedly descended to the mortal realm.
The source that forced her down without any preparation, creating a secretary like Tether who was struggling. Could it be that the perpetrator was…
Myself?
…
There’s no doubt about it. No matter how he thought about it, the letter was the cause.
Meanwhile, Tether bowed her head, looking embarrassed.
“Anyway, I’m nothing but sorry for you, Inspector. Out of fear of punishment, I inadvertently lied… I will gladly accept whatever punishment you might decide.”
…Well…
Ezekiel saw his past self in Tether.
The difference was that while Ezekiel had stood firm for years until he broke, Tether had bent by lying because she could no longer endure it.
There would certainly be punishment according to imperial law, but Ezekiel didn’t find her lie repulsive. If she hadn’t done that, Tether would have probably broken too.
Tether, you seem to have promising abilities.
Just by looking at the level of the teleportation magic she showcased when she first appeared, he was confident. Tether was competent.
It was a pity to see capable people wearing down.
“You said you’re in charge of managing the sacred artifacts in the report, right?”
“Y-yes, that’s right…”
“Let’s consider the treasury first. There seems to be something to take note of regarding the elemental rampage that occurred inside.”
This was the most practically helpful discussion given the current situation, and he also intended to change the topic, but it seemed Tether didn’t hear it that way.
“Ah, ah!”
Could she have taken it to mean how would they present the sacred artifacts if the treasury was in such a state? Tether had a pale face and bowed deeply in apology.
“Inspector, I’m truly sorry!”
The secretary’s body bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
“The truth is… the elemental stones inside the report shouldn’t have been left on the first floor. They should have been at least on the second floor, but I didn’t have the ability to move them.”
Ezekiel quietly chewed on the Sunweed and listened.
“Elements are sensitive and intricate beings, aren’t they? So I left them be, and I haven’t seen an elemental rampage like this before. Since it’s my first time, I don’t even know how to fix it…”
“That’s understandable.”
Naturally, it would be the first time, since Ezekiel hadn’t visited in a while.
“I’d like to take out some good sacred artifacts at once, but there’s nothing I can do…!”
Tether was hurriedly speaking but suddenly stopped. One particular phrase from what Ezekiel had said struck her hard.
Huh?
A question spread across Tether’s face.
“Inspector, did you say you had some inkling about this rampage? Did I hear that correctly?”
“Yeah.”
Ezekiel nodded quietly.
“How about hurrying? Perhaps we could resolve this before the higher-ups who received the report arrive.”
…!
Tether clenched her fist without realizing it.
But her fleeting hope wasn’t long-lived.
“But I’m already a sinner. It’d be inappropriate for me to ask for your help…”
“Don’t worry about petty matters.”
…It didn’t seem like it was entirely her fault.
But Tether, who was unaware of this, thought differently.
This inspector is truly extraordinary.
An unprecedented elemental rampage was occurring, yet could merely be labeled as a petty issue?
How broad.
Her skill and generosity felt immeasurable.
He was like an ocean of a person.
Tether quickly followed Ezekiel’s side.
“E-Inspector! Then I will do my best to assist in whatever you desire! Just say the word!”
“It’s fine.”
“No. I’m saying this of my own volition! What do you want? I may be insignificant, but—”
“No, I said it’s fine.”
Ezekiel found Tether’s reaction just burdensome.
…
That was only natural.
Both Tether’s struggles and the elemental rampage were troubling.
…Somehow, it also felt like he had some responsibility too.
Inside the guest room of the imperial palace.
The aroma of tea spread pleasantly throughout the room.
Facing the dragon rider, Hedera was gently stroking the stone tablet placed in a corner of the guest room. It was likely that this mysterious stone tablet would be the main topic of conversation during their meeting today.
With less than ten minutes remaining until the dragon rider’s arrival.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Hedera sensed something.
The unique energy sensitivity that comes with being a Dragon’s Blood user. There was no doubt about it. The source was the treasury located behind the imperial palace in the mountains.
The felt energy was incredibly ominous.
As if someone were rampaging around.
Wait, from the treasury?
…
Hedera narrowed her eyes.
It seemed she would need to go check it out directly.
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