The sunlight filtering through the spear, creating a hexagonal spectacle – it’s beautiful.
Currently, I was sitting in the imperial reception room where only esteemed guests could barely enter. And I was facing none other than the Empire’s 3rd Princess.
“You’ve really changed a lot.”
No, it was more of an evolution that couldn’t be understated.
She had always had an outstanding appearance since her childhood, but now she had blossomed like a showy sunflower. The 3rd Princess across from me flashed a fleeting smile.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Teacher. Just like the Sunweed.”
“This will only end when I’m dead. Or perhaps it’s due to death that it will end.”
“Dying? Such jokes are inappropriate.”
To me, it was merely a jest, but a serious concern etched on Solana’s face. She still had a beautiful heart.
…
And then a moment of silence.
Maybe it was because it had been so long since we met, but it felt quite awkward.
I snapped my fingers. Just as the ice formed in the air plopped into Solana’s teacup, I parted my lips.
“Solana. I’ve heard stories about you now and then.”
“Really? You, Teacher?”
“People call you the Face of the Empire.”
The 3rd Princess of the Empire, the Face of the Empire, Solana Rium.
There was a reasonable explanation for calling Solana the Face of the Empire. Her very appearance embodied grace, and she was the princess most often seen in public.
“The Face of the Empire? Me?”
“Yeah, I’ve also heard you called the angel of the Empire.”
She was a princess, but also known as a saintess.
Her Holy Power was regarded as supreme. Though she couldn’t bring the dead back to life, at least those living wouldn’t die around her. It was a famous tale.
…To think such an amazing woman was once my student.
“I think it’s too much. It’s all thanks to you, Teacher; I was able to reach such a realm, so I feel sorry hearing such things.”
“All I taught you was just intermediate-level magic, and what you manifested was Holy Power. You should be proud.”
“No, the way to control the flow of energy isn’t much different from Holy Power. It’s all thanks to you, Teacher. Please don’t deny it.”
Have you ever seen paint slowly spreading on canvas? Solana began to get more and more excited in a manner similar to that.
“And it’s not just that. You told me about the world, taught me etiquette… it’s all thanks to you!”
…
It was a rather unexpected excitement, leading to a stillness. I silently chewed on Sunweed as we looked at each other in silence.
And at some point…
“Pfft…”
“Ah-hah, ah-hah…”
“You’re still the same.”
We burst into laughter without hesitation. It was as if a scene from our childhood had just been reenacted.
“I accidentally showed my childish side; I’m an adult now.”
“Not childish, but foolish.”
“Ah, foolish. Foolish… That’s what I said. Hehe…”
Now, she looked even more like the Solana I knew.
In fact, Solana being called the Face of the Empire had become a tradition within the palace.
─Princess Solana, truly perfect, isn’t she?
─As long as she keeps her mouth shut.
─If only she doesn’t trip occasionally…
─If she just stays still…
Perhaps because of her magnificent appearance, people frequently remarked, “She’s unexpectedly clumsy,” but those words should never be said in front of her.
“Indeed, no matter how much time passes, I can’t help but act like a child in front of you, Teacher.”
“Not at all, there’s a proper princess sitting across from me.”
“Really?”
She blushed and tidied her bangs.
However, in her bangs was a somewhat out-of-place hairpin. Among the imperial palace’s exquisite adornments, it stood out as particularly old. A blemish on a jewel.
It was a familiar object; I had given it to her as a gift.
“Are you still wearing that hairpin?”
“Hmm? Of course!”
Solana looked at me as if I had spouted something outrageous, as if I had claimed, “The moon rises in the morning.”
“It’s too old.”
“Not at all! Even if it is old, I will wear it for life!”
Surprisingly, she seemed to have a preference for items that had a touch of age over overly refined ones. If she liked it, there was no need for me to persuade her otherwise.
Solana continued with a serious expression.
“Anyway, everything my sisters and I could achieve is all thanks to you, Teacher. It would be a problem if you didn’t know that.”
“Everything, huh… speaking of which, what about the other princesses?”
“They have all become amazing figures. Each is making a huge name for themselves in their respective places. They will return soon.”
“They seem quite formidable.”
“Yes. You’ll be surprised when you meet them again.”
Leading the Demon Subjugation Forces, establishing a Magic Tower to manage things, dominating the trade across the continent… They had become major pillars of the continent. Just hearing about them was astonishing.
Solana wore a bittersweet smile.
“There’s a saying: The tall trees in the forest are all sold off while the ugly trees remain… I must have been the ugliest tree. I ended up staying in the imperial palace alone.”
“It’s a saying, not a proverb.”
“Ah, it’s a proverb. That’s what they said.”
“And managing the imperial palace is something only you can do.”
“You always comforted me like that when I was young. Hearing it again warms my heart. Thank you. Now, let’s…”
Solana nodded and placed her empty teacup down.
“Since I’ve relaxed, shall we get to the main topic?”
Now the conversation was getting to the point.
“I feel uncomfortable having received you so violently to the imperial palace. If your journey here was uncomfortable, I apologize on behalf of that.”
“It reminded me of old times and wasn’t bad at all.”
In retrospect, the letter I had written was the cause, and it was also the Emperor’s orders. There was no reason to blame Solana.
“Uh, well… there are complicated circumstances surrounding it…”
“Hmm?”
But Solana averted her gaze. Was there some other circumstance?
“Ahem, more than that, please extend a hand.”
Solana abruptly grabbed one of my hands. After a moment, she closed her eyes and channeled her Holy Power to examine me.
‘It reminds me of old times.’
When she had just mastered her Holy Power, Solana had often pulled my hand without permission, claiming it was for her childhood games in the infirmary.
…The most significant difference between then and now must be the expressions.
─All done! Teacher is super healthy today too!
She would always shout brightly while smiling.
“…Yes, it’s done.”
Now, Solana only smiled faintly with a rather sorrowful expression.
I only had about two years left to live. She, who wielded Holy Power, must have known far better than I that this body was not in good shape.
“Teacher, don’t worry. There must be a way.”
“Sure.”
“Now, good. Let’s talk about something else.”
From her robe, she pulled out a scroll. It didn’t look like a scroll but a neatly rolled-up document.
“You will live happily for a long time, so I will make sure of that. For now, let me share the immediate story.”
“The immediate story, huh.”
“I have always pondered. Is there a way to repay the time you dedicated to the imperial family, a way for people across the continent to praise and follow your talents…?”
Solana tapped the scroll she placed on the desk.
“And this is my conclusion.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a Letter of Appointment. Would you like to check it out?”
Letter of Appointment? What kind of appointment?
[ Letter of Appointment ]
[ Appointing Ezekiel Hound as Inspector of the Magic Tower of the Empire. ]
…
I quietly rolled up the scroll.
Then a moment later, I unfurled it again.
[ Letter of Appointment ]
[ Appointing Ezekiel Hound as Inspector of the Magic Tower of the Empire. ]
“What is this?”
“It’s a Letter of Appointment.”
“But I didn’t apply or register.”
“I did all the application and registration myself.”
As I remained silent, Solana added.
“Do you understand how much it pained me whenever I thought of you, cooped up in the corner of the continent, relying only on alcohol and Sunweed? No more living like that.”
“No, I mean…”
“No. Your opinion doesn’t matter.”
Solana firmly interrupted me.
“As of this moment, I will forcibly provide you with tremendous wealth, great honor, and immense love… everything.”
And she directed her brightest smile at me.
“…Understood?”
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