After confessing to the Second Princess, life returned to its peaceful routine, as if nothing had ever happened.
Her last words had been cryptic, but I decided not to dwell on them.
I had no intention of making a decision before the year was up.
Thinking about something I didn't understand would only give me a headache, so I chose to empty my mind instead.
'Might as well relax and have fun.'
I stretched out on a bench in the garden of the White Tower, sipping on a cup of coffee and watching the clouds drift by.
With this sense of peace, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
'This is the life.'
The Imperial Family? Honor? Fame?
All of it was meaningless.
True happiness came from lying down and taking it easy—this was the best way to enjoy life.
There was a reason monks abandoned the secular world to live in the mountains.
'Yeah, this is paradise.'
.
.
.
One day, two days, three days, four days.
I lounged in the garden, sipping Let's Be and enjoying the peace.
Whenever I got bored, I would watch the Arena broadcasts on my crystal orb—and time flew by.
Boredom? That was something only amateurs struggled with.
A true pro at life could find joy in doing nothing—and by that standard, I was practically a master.
However…
"Hmm, it's getting a bit cold."
As autumn neared its end, the once-cool breeze turned chilly.
I had managed with thicker clothes, but even that was reaching its limit.
If I stayed out any longer, I'd definitely catch a cold.
'Maybe I should go somewhere warm for a vacation…?'
A name suddenly popped into my head.
'Should I go to Carcel Kingdom?'
Carcel Kingdom.
The Empire's only maritime ally, known for its mild climate year-round.
Most importantly, it was famous as a vacation destination.
Every winter, nobles from the Empire flocked to Carcel to escape the cold.
However…
'I don't have a valid reason to go.'
In the past, I could have traveled freely, but now, things were different.
Because of a new restriction placed on me—
The "Nationally Appointed Talent" system.
Most countries in this world took measures to prevent their top talents from defecting to other nations—and the Empire was no exception.
For example, our White Tower Master and the Twelve Tower Masters were considered walking strategic weapons.
If they wanted to travel abroad, they were required to report it to the Empire beforehand.
The same applied to famous knights and mages, though the level of restriction varied.
If a strategic-level mage suddenly appeared unannounced in another country, it would be a serious threat—potentially sparking diplomatic conflict.
As annoying as it was, reporting our location was mandatory.
Until recently, I wasn't affected by this policy—I was just a mage who made processed foods.
But then, out of nowhere, I got a notice.
'Who the hell put me on the list?'
I had no clue who was behind it or why—it had simply been decided in the Imperial Council.
One day, a document arrived, stating:
"You have been classified as a Nationally Appointed Talent. You must report your location if you have plans for traveling afar."
I wasn't particularly upset about it.
It didn't restrict my movement, and the Empire provided more benefits in return.
In fact, many Imperial citizens considered it a great honor to be given such a status.
However, it did mean that I needed an official reason to visit another country.
If I just said I was going for vacation, they'd limit my stay.
'But I want to stay for at least six months.'
There had to be a loophole.
Just as I was pondering how to extend my vacation, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"There's a way."
Turning my head, I saw a warm can of Let's Be held out to me.
"Here."
"Oh, thanks."
Taking the can, I popped the lid and raised an eyebrow.
"You have an idea?"
"Yes. Carcel Kingdom requested a research project from the White Tower."
As she spoke, Aria pulled up a chair and sat beside me.
Lately, she had been showing up around me a lot more.
I wasn't sure why, but for now, I focused on her words.
"A research project?"
"Yes. The White Tower gets a lot of development requests, right? Carcel Kingdom sent one a while back."
"…Now that you mention it, I do remember something like that."
With the recent surge in processed food projects, I had forgotten about it.
But yes—Carcel had made a request.
I usually didn't forget things like this, so if I had ignored it, that meant…
It must have been something ridiculous.
Sure enough—
"But the request is a bit… tricky."
"How tricky?"
"They want us to develop a processed food that symbolizes their guardian deity, the White Dragon."
"..."
The moment I heard it, I remembered.
I had taken one look at the request and thrown it straight into the trash.
The problem was…
I really wanted to go to Carcel for vacation.
And a product development project was a perfectly valid reason for long-term residency.
"Hmmm."
"…Dragon-shaped jelly?"
No, that's too risky. If I mess this up, a real dragon might tear me apart.
After filtering out dangerous ideas, I was left with nothing.
But there was no need to overthink it.
If something was impossible, I just wouldn't do it.
Hearing my plan, Aria blinked in disbelief.
"…That would actually work?"
"Of course."
'When you're famous enough, even garbage becomes art.'
*
There was a carbonated milk drink that the Gold Tower had once tried to develop—
Milkis.
It was a fascinating idea, but the project had been shelved indefinitely.
The reason?
Milk supply issues.
At the time, fresh milk was scarce, and the overall production volume was too low to support commercialization.
But now?
The Gold Tower had perfected the formula.
And I was going to use Milkis to pull off some modern art.
First, I needed official approval to leave the country—
And as it turned out, that was incredibly easy.
"Carbonated milk? This is exactly the drink I've been searching for!"
'That was easy.'
The First Princess, a self-proclaimed gourmet, was ecstatic after tasting Milkis.
She loved unique ideas, which worked in my favor.
And if she approved, my departure was practically guaranteed.
After all, despite her demeanor, she held considerable influence in the Imperial Family.
"…It's good. Approved."
"Thank you."
Even Iberkina gave her seal of approval.
Though, considering Iberkina ate everything, I wasn't sure her opinion counted for much.
However…
"Heresy! This is heresy!"
"Lilith?"
Lilith was visibly horrified.
"This is not milk!"
I scratched my cheek.
'I didn't expect that reaction.'
She was acting like an Italian tasting Americano for the first time.
Honestly, it made sense.
Just as Italians saw adding water to coffee as a crime, Lilith saw adding carbonation to milk as blasphemy.
She wasn't alone—many Italians secretly drink Americano, but they won't admit it publicly.
Likewise, Lilith couldn't accept Milkis—
"This is an abomination!"
…But then, the First Princess whispered something in her ear.
"!"
Lilith's eyes widened, and she shuddered.
Moments later—
"…Hmm. Now that I think about it, the flavor is quite unique. Not bad."
"...Lilith, you're so indecisive."
"S-Shut up!"
With my departure secured, my Carcel vacation was on track.
***
Translator's note: Milkis is a sweet, creamy, carbonated soft drink that combines milk and carbonated water. It's made by Lotte Chilsung Beverage and is popular in South Korea.
***
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