The morning of the exchange meeting.
Ezekiel visited the training ground of the Imperial Palace right after he opened his eyes. Due to inhaling a large number of elixirs during treatment, the flow within his body felt quite strange.
He observed his body.
The chill had grown stronger than before, yet remarkably, his body had slightly adapted to it. It was the first time for him.
‘Indeed.’
Is this why they call elixirs a miracle medicine?
…However, the degree was too insignificant, leaving him wanting.
If he hadn’t tasted the improvement in his health, he would have died with less regret, but experiencing even a little made him crave more. The sensation of his lifespan extending was exhilarating.
‘Indeed, it must be Sun Elixir.’
Even the elixir only managed to maintain the current state without worsening it. What he truly needed was Sun Elixir.
─ First, finish the exchange meeting.
─ The Sun Elixir will also be finished by then.
Since the Sun Elixir hadn’t been manufactured yet, the Emperor had promised three drops by the time the exchange meeting ended. Ezekiel was eagerly awaiting that moment.
As he left the training ground and walked, there were quite a few who recognized him.
“Isn’t he the Inspector who just took office at the Magic Tower?”
“He’s said to be exceptionally talented.”
“So he’s heading to the exchange meeting now? I’m looking forward to it.”
As he passed by those comments, various things naturally came to mind. First, there were the words of Solana.
─ I hope you focus solely on your work.
‘Focus solely on work, huh.’
When he thought about it, Ezekiel realized he hadn’t truly focused his all on training or work recently. The reason was obvious; it was uncertain when this short life would end.
To concentrate on work, he needed lifespan first.
‘Going forward, I’ll need to negotiate with the Emperor frequently.’
He had already utilized his artistic talent, and he needed to consider what the next item for negotiation would be. He had to think busily.
“Ah, Inspector! Here you are.”
Lost in thought, he bumped into Agnes.
“Agnes, did you come to pick me up?”
“Yes. It would be problematic if you vanished just before the exchange meeting.”
Thus, they began to walk down the corridor together.
Suddenly, Agnes let out a deep sigh.
“Inspector, are you aware that the five towers periodically report to the Imperial Magic Tower?”
“Of course, that’s normal.”
“Alright. Then do you also know this?”
Agnes fiddled with a cube and continued speaking.
“The submission cycle is three months, and it happens to be today, yet none of the towers submitted their reports.”
“That’s pretty clear in meaning.”
“Yes. It’s extremely clear.”
Agnes nodded.
“They believe that the Imperial Magic Tower will surely be humiliated at today’s exchange meeting. At the same time, it implies an alignment with the Black Tower.”
What a bunch of arrogant fools.
Ezekiel quietly chewed on Sunweed.
“There’s no need to worry too much.”
“Excuse me?”
Ezekiel chuckled.
“First, let’s sit down and talk somewhere, anywhere.”
Ezekiel and Agnes moved to a meeting room.
“So, what exactly do we have to do?”
“We’ll monitor to see if there are any suspicious towers and identify and eliminate potential threats. We’ll prune the towers so that only those working for the Empire remain.”
Agnes flipped the cube around quickly.
“Of course, we should prove the capacity of the Imperial Magic Tower before taking such actions. Otherwise, the backlash from the five towers will be quite severe.”
“Proving isn’t difficult. It’s just a bit bothersome.”
Ezekiel let out a puff of Sunweed smoke.
“So, how should we prove it?”
“As for that, I don’t know what their intention is, but the Black Tower subtly suggested something.”
Agnes handed over a piece of paper.
It was a sheet detailing information about a demonic sword.
“Inspector, didn’t you retrieve a demonic sword after defeating a high-ranking fiend in the Ruiple region?”
“Yeah.”
“They want you to move that to a shrine near the Black Tower.”
I tilted my head slightly.
Just thinking about it felt odd. The Imperial Magic Tower shouldn’t be a errand boy for the Black Tower, should it?
“Handling a demonic sword is the specialty of the Black Tower.”
“That’s why it feels like a suggestion of sorts. If you do this, they will acknowledge the capabilities of the Imperial Tower.”
“Who do they think they are…”
It was astonishing to realize how incompetent the Imperial Magic Tower had acted during the ten-year gap. Ezekiel felt the weight of that fact again.
“Understood. How many people will be out?”
“I’ll follow as your assistant.”
I stared blankly at Agnes.
“Are you voluntarily participating?”
“Yes.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought you disliked me.”
“…Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m going because the envoy from the Black Tower was extremely rude to me.”
“Unexpectedly vengeful, huh.”
“…Yes. It’s true.”
Agnes pouted silently.
I quietly nodded.
“I’ve finished checking. Let’s take a short break before we depart.”
“Yes. Then I’ll wait outside.”
So we left the meeting room.
Wandering aimlessly outside the Imperial Palace, a ruckus caught my attention. Soldiers were diligently training.
One─!
Two─!
One─!
Two─!
The sound of weapons clashing, bodies moving busily, sweat flowing incessantly…. Suddenly, he noticed it.
The sun, finally rising, shone down on Ezekiel. It was a signal marking the start of the day.
No matter how tough it looked, there was hope on the soldiers’ faces. Hope that tomorrow they would grow even stronger.
In other words, they had the premise that they could welcome tomorrow without a doubt. It was a premise that Ezekiel had never had since he was born.
“….”
His mouth, which had been chewing on Sunweed, came to a stop.
One─!
Two─!
One─!
Two─!
It had been a life without much attachment.
Yet, the loneliness he felt now might be proof that he wanted to live. He thought quietly.
‘Complete the mission of the exchange meeting, and obtain Sun Elixir.’
He didn’t worry about difficulty.
There was no need to worry.
Only.
Just before the mission’s departure, the man suddenly dreamed of longevity.
In the infirmary of the Imperial Palace.
‘This should be enough tidying up.’
Just before leaving, Ezekiel finished organizing the few belongings remaining in the infirmary. Since he had very few things, he had requested a transfer of any gifts received for the Magic Tower.
Just as he was about to leave.
“W-wait, Inspector!”
Someone frantically blocked the infirmary door.
A familiar face. It was the messenger of the 1st Princess.
“What’s up?”
“Um, well….”
The messenger struggled to continue. Ezekiel nodded, understanding.
“If you’re looking for the 1st Princess, I haven’t seen her either.”
“No, we found the 1st Princess.”
“That’s good news. But why me?”
“Uh… well….”
The messenger kept glancing sideways.
Finally, with a voice filled with fear, he spoke.
“It seems you should prepare….”
“For departure? I finished that a while ago.”
Ezekiel furrowed his brows.
“You’re blocking my way right now.”
“I wasn’t talking about the preparations for departure.”
“Then what?”
“Um….”
Ezekiel shook his head. He exhaled a long puff of Sunweed smoke and tried to pass by him.
Or rather, he tried to, but couldn’t.
Because there was someone else behind the messenger.
“….”
Ezekiel was left speechless.
It wasn’t common for him to be surprised, but the scene before his eyes was truly astonishing.
Filling his view was a woman in a pure white wedding dress. However, being quite tall, her figure was obscured by the threshold, with only her chest visible.
A beautiful figure.
If one were to sculpt a statue with the utmost perfect beauty, it would look exactly like her.
However, there was no time to merely admire the art-like figure. Because there was only one woman in the Imperial Palace who possessed such height.
What part should he be surprised by first?
That she had appeared?
That she was wearing a dress?
Ezekiel tried to calmly ask the messenger.
“…Why is she wearing a dress?”
“She said she’s going to meet her husband….”
Right now?
Why is she holding a sword in one hand?
“….”
Ezekiel pointed with his eyes to the woman’s hand, but the messenger could only shake his head in confusion.
Just then, with a bang, the wall near the door was completely destroyed. As the entrance widened forcibly, the tall woman slowly revealed herself.
It was the 1st Princess, Ether.
Ether didn’t say a word.
Smirk—
She simply smiled at Ezekiel with her teeth showing.
“….”
It was a striking hit stronger than any words.
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