“I haven’t met any other wyverns besides Moiya and Moni.”
I said as calmly as I could.
“So...?”
“If I’m the Wyvern Lord, the other wyverns will obey me, right?”
“Even so, that doesn’t mean there are no risks. Moiya and Moni are special wyverns. That’s why they must have served Lady Zelda as their master from the beginning.”
The magic tower master’s voice was cautious.
“Does that mean other wyverns might not obey me?”
“No. It just means it might take time. I don’t know the ins and outs of the wyvern world, so it’s right to be cautious if there’s even the slightest risk.”
“I’ve even got the Incarnation Sword and the engraving. And if the wyverns show any resentment toward me, then I’ll return immediately.”
The magic tower master, momentarily lost in thought at my words, asked me,
“Wouldn’t it be okay if you didn’t tell His Majesty?”
“In many ways, it’s better not to say anything. It won’t be too late to tell him when I get back.”
If I said I was going to the Valley of Death, Linel would obviously oppose me outright.
It was an inevitable choice.
I thought I needed to meet the wyverns beforehand, even in this way, to plan my next move.
If the Southern Continent were after me, I would need to use the wyverns to protect the Lapion Empire and my loved ones.
“Very well. In return, come with me!”
The magic tower master said to me with a determined look on his face.
“Together...?”
“Yes, we’re friends.”
“Thank you, Bellos.”
Hearing that the magic tower master would accompany me felt like a relief.
“Please take my hand. You may feel a little shaky. Please don’t open your eyes while teleporting. It won’t take more than a few minutes, so don’t be too nervous.”
“Understood.”
I clasped the magic tower master’s hands.
“Oh, and Sharon, I think it would be best if you locked the door and went back to your quarters and came back in an hour,”
Magic Tower Lord said, looking at me and Sharon.
“Can’t I wait here?”
Sharon asked.
“If you stay in this room, there will be people who come to see me sometimes, and it might cause a misunderstanding. I always lock the door when I’m out, so if anyone comes, they’ll just assume I’m out and go back.”
Magic Tower Lord added that Sharon had his room key in the nightstand drawer, so she should take it.
In fact, he almost always kept the door locked when he went out, because he kept key ingredients for various potions in his room.
“Then I’ll just stay here with the door locked.”
“Why bother?”
I said with a smile to Sharon’s worried expression.
“Today is a meeting in the Great Hall after lunch, so we won’t be running into each other. If you do see him, just tell him I’m seeing him. Told him I’d come see him after.”
I told Sharon to take the carriage back to her quarters, rest, and return in an hour.
“Yes... Then I will.”
“Should we follow too, Moiya~?”
“Wouldn’t it be a shame to leave us behind, Moni~?”
As I was about to stand facing Magic Tower Lord again, holding hands with him, two sparrows that had been harassing the Magic Tower Lord's crow by plucking its feathers with their beaks in front of the windowsill suddenly came into the room.
Moiya and Moni returned to their original forms and perched on my shoulders and the Magic Tower Lord's shoulders, respectively.
“They might be needed, so let’s go together.”
Magic Tower Lord said with a smirk.
I nodded and gave them a warning.
“Don’t go and fight again, yes?”
“Oh? Moiya loves peace, right, Moiya~?”
“Moni does too.”
“Don’t worry, Master. I won’t fight, and I’ll talk them out of it. Like~ normal people.”
Who’s going to talk whom out of it?
After 300 years in an egg, does that mean they're more mature than an adult wyvern?
I was worried, but thanks to Moiya, I laughed and relaxed a bit.
“Are you ready, my friend?”
Magic Tower Lord asked.
"Yes, let's go."
I said, closing my eyes.
"Let's go!"
With Moiya's voice, the surroundings became pitch black.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Adrian has requested to see you in the audience chamber."
Nancy, who had been waiting outside the restaurant, entered and reported to Roxana.
"When?"
Roxana was curious when Nancy mentioned the unexpected figure.
“I heard he’s already... in the audience room.”
Why had the Emperor of the Tebello Empire come to see her so suddenly, without any word?
Roxana couldn’t contain her curiosity and headed to the audience room during her meal.
Upon entering, Emperor Adrian greeted her first, paying her a courtesy visit.
Roxana, observing Emperor Adrian’s face, bowed in greeting.
“It’s an honor that Emperor Adrian is visiting the Empress’s Palace. It’s quite unexpected, too.”
“Hahaha, you’ve been very classy. I’ve always wanted to meet you, but as you know, the fire at the palace prevented the opportunity.”
“Ah, as the mistress of the Lapion Imperial Family, I’m truly sorry about that incident. I’m so glad you’ve recovered.”
Roxana gracefully offered Emperor Adrian a seat.
"Yes. I occasionally have the aftereffect of a tingling sensation in the back of my head, but thanks to the exceptional medical skills of the Lapion Imperial Court doctors, it's gotten much better."
Emperor Adrian ran his hand over the back of his head, recalling the day of his accident.
It was a night he needed blood.
While wandering the palace, looking for a vulnerable opponent, he found a servant walking alone in a secluded area and immediately subdued him from behind.
However, the servant threw him onto his back, striking the back of his head on a sharp stone protruding from the ground.
Before he could even see the servant's face, he lost blood and fainted, and he remained in a coma for a while afterward.
Emperor Adrian still couldn't imagine that the person who attacked him that day was Zelda, who had sneaked into the palace through a hole in the wall.
"I will personally instruct the doctors to continue to monitor Your Majesty Emperor Adrian's health,"
Roxana said kindly, looking directly at Emperor Adrian.
There was no way he would come to her so suddenly.
“You must not have come to the Empress’s Palace for no particular reason... Are you experiencing any inconveniences in your palace life?”
Roxana asked elegantly.
“Your Majesty, you are the one who is having difficulties in your palace life these days, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
Roxana’s expression immediately changed to one of displeasure.
“After Prince Tesla’s trial, haven’t some of the Lapion ministers who had your full support begun to draw a line against Your Majesty?”
Emperor Adrian smiled wickedly and pointed out the discomfort.
It was an undeniable fact.
Anger welled up in her, but he was the Emperor of the Tebello Empire on the southern continent.
“I didn’t realize you were concerned about my position?”
Roxana forced a smile, suppressing her anger.
Emperor Adrian laughed, then wiped the smile from his face and spoke seriously.
“I think Your Majesty, the Empress, and I could be good friends.”
“What about me do you think made you think that?”
What's the trick?
She didn't want to face the sly Emperor Adrian for long.
Roxana asked with a hint of sarcasm, and Emperor Adrian replied as if he had been waiting for it.
"We have something in common."
"What's that?"
"Perhaps we have the same person you want to get rid of, I suppose?"
Emperor Adrian asked with a sly smile.
Sharon left the Magic Tower Lord's room, locked the door, and descended the stairs, glancing around.
She went down to the lobby and deliberately avoided the main palace entrance, but someone called out to her.
"Sharon?"
Sharon wrinkled her nose at the familiar voice and slowly turned around.
Fortunately, only Raphael was there, and Emperor Linel was nowhere to be seen.
"Her Highness Zelda?"
He asked, Sharon approaching Raphael.
"Oh, Her Highness..."
She agonized over what to say, but thankfully, Raphael spoke first.
"I see she's receiving treatment in the Magic Tower Lord's room."
"Yes, that's right."
“Where are you going, anyway? An errand?”
“...The doctor told me to take a quick breather because the consultation was long, so I thought I’d take a walk in the garden.”
Sharon thought her excuse wasn’t so bad.
Zelda had just said she was seeing a doctor in the Magic Tower’s room, so it didn’t make sense for her to ride in her carriage to her quarters.
“Good. You can walk with me.”
“Why, why?!”
Sharon asked, startled.
“His Majesty is having a late lunch with his ministers right now.”
So, it was time for him to take a break.
Without a moment to refuse, Raphael stepped out the door first and stretched.
“Sharon, you’re the first.”
They had descended the main palace steps and were leisurely strolling in front of the fountain.
Raphael looked up at the sky and suddenly spoke to Sharon.
“...What are you talking about?”
“There... there were many women who lit fires, but you were the first to put them out. Hahaha!”
“Are you really okay?”
“Of course. Thankfully, I was fine this morning. Anyway, you’ve been a great benefactor to me, so I’ll repay you later.”
“I’ve repaid your kindness. I was really worried, but I’m glad you’re functioning well.”
After saying the words, something felt off.
Perhaps the nuance was a bit off?
After all, it meant she was worried about the secretary’s penis.
It was true that she was worried, but putting it into words felt like a mistake.
“I made you worry about everything. Anyway, thank you.”
Raphael scratched the back of his head, then glanced down at the area that was safe thanks to Sharon yesterday.
Sharon unconsciously followed Raphael's gaze, lowering her head and meeting his.
Raphael then cautiously folded his hands in front of him.
"Isn't it time for His Majesty to finish his meal? You should go."
Sharon asked, eager to leave Raphael quickly. Raphael pulled his pocket watch from his uniform pocket, checked the time, and shook his head.
"There's still thirty minutes left until mealtime. And lately, he's been eating slowly because of morning sickness."
"Oh, I see."
"Raphael."
The Emperor's voice echoed from behind, overshadowing the secretary's words.
Sharon felt her hair stand on end.
"His Majesty will surely ask where Her Highness Zelda is!"
It would have been a relief if he had just asked.
If he had gone to see her, things would have been very awkward.
“Your Majesty! Are you finished eating already? How did you know I was here and come out?”
“I saw a giant squid floating by the dining room window, so I thought I was hallucinating and came out to take a look.”
At his answer, Raphael’s face turned like a dried squid being roasted.
“Zelda. Is she in the Magic Tower Lord’s room right now?”
Linel asked Sharon with a snicker.
Naturally, seeing Sharon in the main palace, he assumed Zelda had come to see the Magic Tower Lord.
“Oh, yes...”
“I see. I’ll just take a quick look and head to the conference room.”
He turned and headed towards the main palace stairs.
Sharon, lost in thought, ran towards him.
“Your Majesty! I’ll go and speak to Her Highness Zelda. If you go to the office, I’ll escort her...”
“It’s okay, since we’ll have time for lunch anyway.”
He took the stairs two at a time, picking up his pace.
‘What should I do? What should I do?!’
Zelda and the Magic Tower Lord still had about 30 minutes to return from the Valley of Death.
'If I block him again here... it'll lead to a strange misunderstanding!'
Contrary to Sharon's anxious feelings, Linel's steps were lighter and more brisk than usual.
He knocked on the Magic Tower Lord's door himself, without waiting for Raphael.
Naturally, there was no sign of life inside.
Knock, knock, knock!
His second knock was forceful.
When there was no sign this time either, he pulled the doorknob repeatedly.
The clank, clank sound echoed in the silent hallway.
"Lock the door...? Why?"
Linel's eyes flashed fiercely.
I said as calmly as I could.
“So...?”
“If I’m the Wyvern Lord, the other wyverns will obey me, right?”
“Even so, that doesn’t mean there are no risks. Moiya and Moni are special wyverns. That’s why they must have served Lady Zelda as their master from the beginning.”
The magic tower master’s voice was cautious.
“Does that mean other wyverns might not obey me?”
“No. It just means it might take time. I don’t know the ins and outs of the wyvern world, so it’s right to be cautious if there’s even the slightest risk.”
“I’ve even got the Incarnation Sword and the engraving. And if the wyverns show any resentment toward me, then I’ll return immediately.”
The magic tower master, momentarily lost in thought at my words, asked me,
“Wouldn’t it be okay if you didn’t tell His Majesty?”
“In many ways, it’s better not to say anything. It won’t be too late to tell him when I get back.”
If I said I was going to the Valley of Death, Linel would obviously oppose me outright.
It was an inevitable choice.
I thought I needed to meet the wyverns beforehand, even in this way, to plan my next move.
If the Southern Continent were after me, I would need to use the wyverns to protect the Lapion Empire and my loved ones.
“Very well. In return, come with me!”
The magic tower master said to me with a determined look on his face.
“Together...?”
“Yes, we’re friends.”
“Thank you, Bellos.”
Hearing that the magic tower master would accompany me felt like a relief.
“Please take my hand. You may feel a little shaky. Please don’t open your eyes while teleporting. It won’t take more than a few minutes, so don’t be too nervous.”
“Understood.”
I clasped the magic tower master’s hands.
“Oh, and Sharon, I think it would be best if you locked the door and went back to your quarters and came back in an hour,”
Magic Tower Lord said, looking at me and Sharon.
“Can’t I wait here?”
Sharon asked.
“If you stay in this room, there will be people who come to see me sometimes, and it might cause a misunderstanding. I always lock the door when I’m out, so if anyone comes, they’ll just assume I’m out and go back.”
Magic Tower Lord added that Sharon had his room key in the nightstand drawer, so she should take it.
In fact, he almost always kept the door locked when he went out, because he kept key ingredients for various potions in his room.
“Then I’ll just stay here with the door locked.”
“Why bother?”
I said with a smile to Sharon’s worried expression.
“Today is a meeting in the Great Hall after lunch, so we won’t be running into each other. If you do see him, just tell him I’m seeing him. Told him I’d come see him after.”
I told Sharon to take the carriage back to her quarters, rest, and return in an hour.
“Yes... Then I will.”
“Should we follow too, Moiya~?”
“Wouldn’t it be a shame to leave us behind, Moni~?”
As I was about to stand facing Magic Tower Lord again, holding hands with him, two sparrows that had been harassing the Magic Tower Lord's crow by plucking its feathers with their beaks in front of the windowsill suddenly came into the room.
Moiya and Moni returned to their original forms and perched on my shoulders and the Magic Tower Lord's shoulders, respectively.
“They might be needed, so let’s go together.”
Magic Tower Lord said with a smirk.
I nodded and gave them a warning.
“Don’t go and fight again, yes?”
“Oh? Moiya loves peace, right, Moiya~?”
“Moni does too.”
“Don’t worry, Master. I won’t fight, and I’ll talk them out of it. Like~ normal people.”
Who’s going to talk whom out of it?
After 300 years in an egg, does that mean they're more mature than an adult wyvern?
I was worried, but thanks to Moiya, I laughed and relaxed a bit.
“Are you ready, my friend?”
Magic Tower Lord asked.
"Yes, let's go."
I said, closing my eyes.
"Let's go!"
With Moiya's voice, the surroundings became pitch black.
***
"Your Majesty, Emperor Adrian has requested to see you in the audience chamber."
Nancy, who had been waiting outside the restaurant, entered and reported to Roxana.
"When?"
Roxana was curious when Nancy mentioned the unexpected figure.
“I heard he’s already... in the audience room.”
Why had the Emperor of the Tebello Empire come to see her so suddenly, without any word?
Roxana couldn’t contain her curiosity and headed to the audience room during her meal.
Upon entering, Emperor Adrian greeted her first, paying her a courtesy visit.
Roxana, observing Emperor Adrian’s face, bowed in greeting.
“It’s an honor that Emperor Adrian is visiting the Empress’s Palace. It’s quite unexpected, too.”
“Hahaha, you’ve been very classy. I’ve always wanted to meet you, but as you know, the fire at the palace prevented the opportunity.”
“Ah, as the mistress of the Lapion Imperial Family, I’m truly sorry about that incident. I’m so glad you’ve recovered.”
Roxana gracefully offered Emperor Adrian a seat.
"Yes. I occasionally have the aftereffect of a tingling sensation in the back of my head, but thanks to the exceptional medical skills of the Lapion Imperial Court doctors, it's gotten much better."
Emperor Adrian ran his hand over the back of his head, recalling the day of his accident.
It was a night he needed blood.
While wandering the palace, looking for a vulnerable opponent, he found a servant walking alone in a secluded area and immediately subdued him from behind.
However, the servant threw him onto his back, striking the back of his head on a sharp stone protruding from the ground.
Before he could even see the servant's face, he lost blood and fainted, and he remained in a coma for a while afterward.
Emperor Adrian still couldn't imagine that the person who attacked him that day was Zelda, who had sneaked into the palace through a hole in the wall.
"I will personally instruct the doctors to continue to monitor Your Majesty Emperor Adrian's health,"
Roxana said kindly, looking directly at Emperor Adrian.
There was no way he would come to her so suddenly.
“You must not have come to the Empress’s Palace for no particular reason... Are you experiencing any inconveniences in your palace life?”
Roxana asked elegantly.
“Your Majesty, you are the one who is having difficulties in your palace life these days, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
Roxana’s expression immediately changed to one of displeasure.
“After Prince Tesla’s trial, haven’t some of the Lapion ministers who had your full support begun to draw a line against Your Majesty?”
Emperor Adrian smiled wickedly and pointed out the discomfort.
It was an undeniable fact.
Anger welled up in her, but he was the Emperor of the Tebello Empire on the southern continent.
“I didn’t realize you were concerned about my position?”
Roxana forced a smile, suppressing her anger.
Emperor Adrian laughed, then wiped the smile from his face and spoke seriously.
“I think Your Majesty, the Empress, and I could be good friends.”
“What about me do you think made you think that?”
What's the trick?
She didn't want to face the sly Emperor Adrian for long.
Roxana asked with a hint of sarcasm, and Emperor Adrian replied as if he had been waiting for it.
"We have something in common."
"What's that?"
"Perhaps we have the same person you want to get rid of, I suppose?"
Emperor Adrian asked with a sly smile.
***
Sharon left the Magic Tower Lord's room, locked the door, and descended the stairs, glancing around.
She went down to the lobby and deliberately avoided the main palace entrance, but someone called out to her.
"Sharon?"
Sharon wrinkled her nose at the familiar voice and slowly turned around.
Fortunately, only Raphael was there, and Emperor Linel was nowhere to be seen.
"Her Highness Zelda?"
He asked, Sharon approaching Raphael.
"Oh, Her Highness..."
She agonized over what to say, but thankfully, Raphael spoke first.
"I see she's receiving treatment in the Magic Tower Lord's room."
"Yes, that's right."
“Where are you going, anyway? An errand?”
“...The doctor told me to take a quick breather because the consultation was long, so I thought I’d take a walk in the garden.”
Sharon thought her excuse wasn’t so bad.
Zelda had just said she was seeing a doctor in the Magic Tower’s room, so it didn’t make sense for her to ride in her carriage to her quarters.
“Good. You can walk with me.”
“Why, why?!”
Sharon asked, startled.
“His Majesty is having a late lunch with his ministers right now.”
So, it was time for him to take a break.
Without a moment to refuse, Raphael stepped out the door first and stretched.
“Sharon, you’re the first.”
They had descended the main palace steps and were leisurely strolling in front of the fountain.
Raphael looked up at the sky and suddenly spoke to Sharon.
“...What are you talking about?”
“There... there were many women who lit fires, but you were the first to put them out. Hahaha!”
“Are you really okay?”
“Of course. Thankfully, I was fine this morning. Anyway, you’ve been a great benefactor to me, so I’ll repay you later.”
“I’ve repaid your kindness. I was really worried, but I’m glad you’re functioning well.”
After saying the words, something felt off.
Perhaps the nuance was a bit off?
After all, it meant she was worried about the secretary’s penis.
It was true that she was worried, but putting it into words felt like a mistake.
“I made you worry about everything. Anyway, thank you.”
Raphael scratched the back of his head, then glanced down at the area that was safe thanks to Sharon yesterday.
Sharon unconsciously followed Raphael's gaze, lowering her head and meeting his.
Raphael then cautiously folded his hands in front of him.
"Isn't it time for His Majesty to finish his meal? You should go."
Sharon asked, eager to leave Raphael quickly. Raphael pulled his pocket watch from his uniform pocket, checked the time, and shook his head.
"There's still thirty minutes left until mealtime. And lately, he's been eating slowly because of morning sickness."
"Oh, I see."
"Raphael."
The Emperor's voice echoed from behind, overshadowing the secretary's words.
Sharon felt her hair stand on end.
"His Majesty will surely ask where Her Highness Zelda is!"
It would have been a relief if he had just asked.
If he had gone to see her, things would have been very awkward.
“Your Majesty! Are you finished eating already? How did you know I was here and come out?”
“I saw a giant squid floating by the dining room window, so I thought I was hallucinating and came out to take a look.”
At his answer, Raphael’s face turned like a dried squid being roasted.
“Zelda. Is she in the Magic Tower Lord’s room right now?”
Linel asked Sharon with a snicker.
Naturally, seeing Sharon in the main palace, he assumed Zelda had come to see the Magic Tower Lord.
“Oh, yes...”
“I see. I’ll just take a quick look and head to the conference room.”
He turned and headed towards the main palace stairs.
Sharon, lost in thought, ran towards him.
“Your Majesty! I’ll go and speak to Her Highness Zelda. If you go to the office, I’ll escort her...”
“It’s okay, since we’ll have time for lunch anyway.”
He took the stairs two at a time, picking up his pace.
‘What should I do? What should I do?!’
Zelda and the Magic Tower Lord still had about 30 minutes to return from the Valley of Death.
'If I block him again here... it'll lead to a strange misunderstanding!'
Contrary to Sharon's anxious feelings, Linel's steps were lighter and more brisk than usual.
He knocked on the Magic Tower Lord's door himself, without waiting for Raphael.
Naturally, there was no sign of life inside.
Knock, knock, knock!
His second knock was forceful.
When there was no sign this time either, he pulled the doorknob repeatedly.
The clank, clank sound echoed in the silent hallway.
"Lock the door...? Why?"
Linel's eyes flashed fiercely.
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