The holy temple located inside the imperial palace was quieter than ever.
If you consider that it’s usually teeming with visitors, this was indeed an unusual sight. It was a place that normally never saw a lull in foot traffic.
The reason? The princess had personally put a stop to all entries.
“What on earth is happening? No one’s allowed in?”
“Apparently, both the 1st Princess and the 3rd Princess are inside.”
“I heard rumors that the 1st Princess was holding a man…”
“Lower your voice! Your head might roll!”
Because the Emperor had secretly conducted the duel, no one knew the full story. Yet, people find joy in discussing uncertainties.
Everyone started passionately sharing their opinions.
But there was one topic that stood out.
It was about a single man.
“They say the man in her arms is the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower. It seems credible.”
“How can that be? There’s no one as ruthless as the 1st Princess. For her to cuddle someone like that!”
“More than that, it’s remarkable how well-connected and capable the Inspector is. He’s even helped the 2nd Princess with deciphering Ancient Dragon Language recently!”
He’d subdued the elemental of the imperial treasury, won a duel against a dragon, and helped deciphering Ancient Dragon Language. One achievement is surprising enough, but three?
The man who was already the talk of the town was now spotted in the embrace of the 1st Princess. The waves within the imperial family were bound to be massive.
It was time to acknowledge the inevitable.
The tides could not be resisted.
Ezekiel Hound was becoming famous.
In the deepest part of the holy temple, the infirmary.
“…”
The woman instinctively brought a thick cigarette to her lips, but quickly realized where she was and snapped it in half.
She resembled a wolf from the snowy plains.
The Empire’s 1st Princess, Ether.
Her silver hair flowed down to her shoulders. She looked as if she had been drenched in rain, wearing an expression of deep worry in her golden eyes.
Looking over the man lying on the bed, Ether’s feelings were incomprehensibly tangled up.
“I deeply acknowledge my responsibility.”
If she had accurately identified who he was, or at the very least properly managed the scouts, it wouldn’t have turned into such a disastrous outcome.
Of course, it wasn’t solely Ether’s fault, but it couldn’t be helped that she continued to blame herself out of regret.
Still, thankfully, if the Sun God was indeed a real entity, it seemed he hadn’t completely abandoned Ether.
Ezekiel was still alive.
He was her mentor, a man who had long been a reason for her to motivate herself, and had influenced most of the habits she possessed now…
To have such a man lying on the bed was an utter tragedy.
“…”
However, Ether was also acutely aware of another matter.
‘Energy.’
Indeed, she was troubled by the energy radiating from Ezekiel’s body.
The last time she had seen him as a child, he hadn’t emanated anything like this; now his body felt freezing and the balance was disturbingly off. It was as if his entire being was precariously on the edge.
The moment Ether reached out to his forehead.
“Don’t touch him.”
A sharp voice came from behind, causing the 1st Princess’ hand to freeze in mid-air.
“There’s absolutely no mana left in his body, and in that state, he was pierced by an arrow.”
“…”
“It’s already a catastrophic injury; it gets worse. Chill is rapidly seeping into the wound.”
In that instant, it was as if the pristine white infirmary was tinted yellow by the radiance of a charming woman.
The 3rd Princess, Solana.
If the setting sun or a sunflower were transformed into human form, perhaps that would be her appearance. However, Solana currently wore an expression devoid of any charm.
“What do you think will happen if the 1st Princess’ vibrating energy touches his glass-like body? It would shatter, right? Was that on purpose? Did you mistake this for a duel?”
Her face did not carry a smile.
It was an extremely rare serious expression.
Ether silently withdrew her hand.
“At least he still has his life; calling that a miracle… I can’t even dare to utter such words.”
“…”
“I’m endlessly relieved that he survived, but endlessly sorrowful that he’s still suffering tremendous pain.”
Ether quietly snapped her cigarette in half.
Solana didn’t hide her resentment towards Ether, and Ether was well aware of that. Usually, she would have definitely taken issue with that attitude.
But today, there was no room for that.
More precisely, there was no time for it.
She was worried about Ezekiel, and had no mind to focus on anything else. All she could do was silently gaze at the bed.
Only the 1st Princess asked differently.
“…Can we heal him?”
“I will use all the elixirs promised as compensation for the duel, but you need to know something.”
Solana sighed heavily.
“I’ve monitored his health regularly. However, I’ve never actually healed him.”
“What?!”
“I’ve never succeeded in a healing. Even with my Holy Power, it was impossible. Keeping him in stable condition was the best I could do. But, but…”
Solana bit her lower lip.
“…This time, the injury is truly severe.”
That meant that the chances were slim.
“It will be difficult without Sun Elixir.”
After that last note, Solana pulled her hood over her head. It seemed she judged that she couldn’t manage her expression at all.
No one in the Empire would know that Solana could make such a face and suffer. Even Ether felt unfamiliar with that expression.
After a while, the 1st Princess spoke.
“I will discuss the Sun Elixir with His Majesty the Emperor. This incident cannot solely be attributed to him.”
“Of course!”
Solana shouted, then was taken aback. She herself was surprised at how sharp her tone was.
Immediately, Solana apologized.
“…I’m sorry. I overreacted. This incident isn’t only the fault of the 1st Princess.”
Solana’s sun-like eyes slowly turned towards the face of Ezekiel on the bed.
“Ah, why are there so many things I despise these days?”
Solana muttered coldly.
Ether felt strange inside. The once cheerful and naive girl was now capable of such emotions.
“Regardless, 1st Princess, your energy is too strong. Just being here might be a threat, so please wait outside for a moment. I’ll call for you later.”
It was a strength cultivated to protect Ezekiel, but ironically, it was that very strength that prevented her from getting close.
With complicated feelings, Ether stood up.
“…”
Then suddenly, she felt a sense of unease.
‘My energy shouldn’t be harmful in any way.’
Ether was not only sensitive to energy but also skilled at controlling it. In other words, she had been carefully regulating it to ensure it wouldn’t harm Ezekiel.
She looked again at the 3rd Princess.
“…”
That wasn’t the demeanor of a clergyman.
It was not the compassion of a saintess, but rather that of a woman who was entirely infatuated with Ezekiel.
Could it be that she was trying to monopolize Ezekiel?
“…Hey, this is definitely for healing, right?”
“Of course. I’m a clergyman.”
Ether stared intently at Solana, but Solana had donned a calm expression, just like always.
Ether left with a somewhat uneasy heart.
Even if it felt suspicious, she couldn’t press further. Right now, Solana was the one best suited to treat him.
Haa—
Only after Ether exited the temple did she light a cigarette.
Would the treatment go well? What words should she say to him when it’s over? She couldn’t grasp any of it at all.
But at that moment…
“What on earth is happening?!”
A voice filled with shock and surprise. When Ether turned around, she saw Hedera rushing in.
“The Inspector! What happened to the Inspector?”
“Hmm.”
“Hurry!”
Ether held a moment of silence.
It was a particularly difficult part to explain.
“Never mind, I’ll see for myself.”
Just as Hedera tried to rush past Ether.
“Hedera, Your Highness!”
One of the attendants hastily called for the 2nd Princess.
Hedera’s expression twisted in irritation.
“Talk later! Right now…”
“The Imperial Magic Tower!”
At those words, Hedera’s steps froze instantly.
“The envoy from the Black Magic Tower visited the Imperial Tower. They’re looking for the Inspector. What should we do?”
“…What?”
“They said there’s an exchange meeting in exactly two days. If the Inspector doesn’t make an appearance, they’ll proceed with the exchange meeting excluding the Imperial Magic Tower…!”
“An exchange meeting? Come to think of it, it’s unfortunate that it’s scheduled now…!”
Hedera’s pupils began to shake violently.
The Imperial Magic Tower.
Ezekiel had painstakingly built it for Hedera, and now an accident had occurred just before the exchange meeting. It was terribly bad news for the 2nd Princess.
Did Ezekiel do anything wrong? Absolutely not.
Was there any fault to be placed on Ezekiel? Not at all.
The one thing Ezekiel wanted without any greedy desires was the prosperity of the Imperial Magic Tower, which was now hanging by a thread.
“No…”
Hedera staggered and felt a wave of dizziness.
The situation was taking an urgent turn.
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