After passing through the outer gate, I lost count of how many inner gates we went through. In the game, I had no idea the scale was this massive, but seeing it in person was breathtaking. Soon, the golden palace came into view, and armed men approached us as if they had been waiting.
"Are you Zed Aruhan?" one asked.
"Yes."
"And are you Nunez Colt, the reserve investigator?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Show me your identification."
I wondered why they asked for our names when they could have just asked for our IDs from the start. The tall man checked our IDs and handed them back.
"There must be no deceit or ill intent before His Majesty. Do you agree to wear the oath ring and use latent magic?"
He spoke with proper respect, but his tone was somewhat condescending. I nodded, and Nunez moved her head with a gloomy expression, struggling as if she was scared.
Why was she acting like this? Was she afraid?
"Very well," the man said.
The white armor with the sun emblem indicated that he was part of the elite guard. The golden helmet suggested he was the captain. "Captain, proceed immediately."
The captain was stern and serious, but the one who appeared from behind was the opposite—a magician in a white robe with long black hair. She smiled at me and extended her hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Versha Martin, the captain of the elite guard."
"Uh?!"
She chuckled. "Surprised, aren't you?"
Versha Martin? I was taken aback by the unexpected name, and she smiled mischievously.
"I met your brother before coming here," she said.
"So, you're...?"
"I'm the only sister of the head of the Martin family. We don't kill our siblings; it would be too lonely if we didn't have any family. Though we rarely meet."
She bowed slightly and matched her eyes with mine. I had no idea she was from the Martin family, despite all the conversations we had. Why didn't they tell me this information?
"I guess you imagined my reaction and were amused by it," I thought.
It was a bit betraying that they knew I was coming to the palace but didn't reveal this information. Still, I was glad to meet someone from a familiar family, especially since Versha and I had a friendly relationship.
"Versha, stop chatting and do your job," the captain said.
"Isn't it interesting that Aruhan is coming to the palace? It's not a common occurrence," Versha replied.
"Hmph! It doesn't matter how great Aruhan is; before His Majesty, he's just a member of a family."
"Hey! Watch your mouth. You understand, don't you? Our captain is a typical, stubborn knight," Versha said, pouting at the captain.
Her gaze then fixed on me.
"You're quite bold to think of coming to the palace," she whispered softly.
"Is there a problem?"
"Well, you're young, so maybe you don't know better."
Versha glanced at the captain and whispered to me, "This is the last time. Don't come to the palace again."
"...Okay?"
"Shh, this is just between us."
"Versha! What are you whispering to him about? Do your job!" the captain shouted.
Versha shrugged and gestured as if to say she understood.
Despite being a knight and a magician, and being captain and vice-captain, they didn't seem very close.
"Now, we will cast latent magic. It's a spell that prevents lying, and it won't hurt much. We'll remove it before you leave, so don't worry."
"Understood."
"Huh, most people are terrified, but you seem fine," Versha said.
"There's nothing to fear. We wouldn't deceive His Majesty, nor do we have the luxury to do so."
Versha approached me, but her first target was Nunez. She placed her hand on Nunez's head, and magic began to flow into her mind.
"Uh, uh..."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen," Versha reassured.
Nunez had been scared stiff, her face pale and her legs trembling visibly. It seemed she was terrified of latent magic.
"How strange. She was fine yesterday."
Soon, Nunez's turn was over, and I was next. Versha placed her hand on my head, and the magic began to flow.
—Whoosh!
I looked at Versha with the same expression as a triumphant general. It seemed my trait, "Champion's Noble Soul (S)," resisted her magic, "Pure White Voice."
"Uh?!"
Versha's face began to crack as she realized her spell wasn't working. This put me in a difficult position.
Her playful face turned rigid.
"Damn... She must have noticed. What can I say now?"
Considering the elite guard requires at least an 8-circle mage, the captain and vice-captain must be 9-circle mages. If their magic doesn't work, it will raise suspicion.
Feeling uneasy and tense, Versha looked at the captain.
"It's done. Take them to His Majesty."
"?!"
What was going on? Were they just going to let us pass? Did they not know the magic hadn't worked?
No, that was impossible. Versha's expression made it clear she knew.
"Follow me," the captain said.
"Ah... Yes."
I felt uneasy. Looking back, Versha just had a mysterious expression on her face.
------
What if this becomes a problem later? Should I report it to the Emperor?
As I was overwhelmed with worries, the captain stopped in front of the door.
"In the presence of His Majesty, you must kneel on both knees and avoid looking at or glancing at His face. Answer all questions within three seconds, and do not embellish your words."
"Yes."
"...Yes."
I gulped.
The captain grasped the door handle. For some reason, cold sweat began to flow as if something was holding me back.
Is it okay to meet the Emperor like this?
Creak!
The captain pushed the door open with force. The room was filled with dazzling objects, and the subtle fragrance made my head spin. Once my vision adjusted, I saw a long red carpet on the floor.
"...!"
The imperial ministers stood in a line on either side of the carpet, with a golden chair at the far end. The ceiling was so high that even if I jumped with all my might, I couldn't reach it, and the room was spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people.
Thud, thud.
I swallowed dryly and followed the captain. We stopped about halfway down the carpet.
Click!
"Captain of the Guard, Ades Colt, I have brought those involved as ordered by Your Majesty."
Wait, what? Is the Captain from the Colt family?
Could this be why Nunez remained frozen?
"Good work."
"?!"
My mind grew more confused as a low, resonant voice echoed through the room. My shoulders trembled at that moment.
The captain gave me a signal, and we both knelt simultaneously.
"Are you Jed Arhan?"
The Emperor asked.
My head almost jerked up, but I remembered the captain's words and kept it still.
From now on, I must not make any mistakes. Even a small mistake could escalate into something big.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am Jed, the seventh heir of the Arhan family."
A brief silence followed.
Silence before the jaws of a lion is unbearable.
I couldn't see the Emperor, but he was looking down at me. The pressure from his gaze stirred turmoil within me.
"I've wanted to see you. I'm glad you came."
"…Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I have a report regarding the Acting Commander."
"Yes."
I kept my eyes on the floor. However, I could feel the piercing gazes of the ministers from both sides.
They must know why I'm here.
I continued without hesitation.
"My second mission was to suppress the bandits in the city of Le Mans. However, during the mission, I discovered that they were driven by the city's corruption. I have brought witnesses and evidence and humbly request Your Majesty's fair judgment."
"Hmm."
The ministers looked uncomfortable, whispering to each other and clearing their throats.
The atmosphere, which had been somewhat chaotic, became eerily quiet as the Emperor spoke.
"Was your first mission also involved in corruption? And now, again?"
"According to my foolish judgment, yes."
The Emperor sighed deeply.
The ministers recoiled, indicating that the Emperor's gaze was on them. The situation wasn't bad... yet.
"Ministers, all of you withdraw."
"?!"
This was an unexpected reaction.
The local military and mayor of Le Mans were corrupt and didn't fear Nunez. Even as a probationary investigator, they didn't hesitate to cross the line.
This meant that there was someone among the high officials who was in cahoots with them. Without a powerful backer, this would be impossible.
I expected to find the culprit through the mayor's confession, but instead, the ministers were told to leave.
As I stood there in confusion, the ministers departed, leaving only the Captain of the Guard by the Emperor's side.
"Jed Arhan."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor's voice had subtly changed.
I realized that something was going wrong.
"Did you think I was unaware of the truth?"
"…?"
"I am the supreme ruler of the Empire, the embodiment of balance and harmony. I know that even the clearest water cannot sustain fish."
What does this mean?
Could it be that he knew but chose to ignore it?
"Those who follow me, those who pretend to be loyal, those who commit corruption behind my back, and those who are necessary or unnecessary. Embracing all of them is harmony, and allowing those who oppose me to exist is balance."
"...."
Allowing those who oppose him to exist is balance? This must be a warning or threat aimed at me.
The real intention is probably to tell me to keep quiet.
Just like maintaining balance by sparing me, it means not to disturb harmony by addressing corruption.
"I see. The Emperor is indeed the one I know."
Even without seeing his face, I was certain.
Under the guise of balance and harmony, he's slowly devouring the Empire like a parasite.
Eventually, he'll shed his respected ruler persona and become the ultimate villain of this world.
"The Demon King, Izar."
I raised my head for the first time to look at the Emperor.
The captain immediately scolded me, but it didn't matter.
It was unfair and infuriating that the Emperor was looking at me while I couldn't see him.
I had to see his face, even if just for a moment, to feel some relief.
"Hmph."
Then, I saw a face I had seen hundreds of times before.
A sneer with a bitter smile and arrogant eyes.
And.
[Recovery Rate: 52.3]
Just like in the game, his recovery rate was visible.
He was already past the halfway mark.
This meant he was recovering faster than expected, and the time left for me was dwindling.
As I was about to lower my head again.
Right then.
[The trait 'Great Mage's Blessing (S)' is activated.] [The 'Unknown Being' is enraged.]