"…"
Hedera continued to ponder while receiving everyone's gaze.
Why did she feel sick of these announcements?
Because most of them appealed to emotions. They begged Hedera to spare
them from losing their jobs and pleaded for the sale to be postponed as if
begging for their lives.
But today's situation was the exact opposite.
The people here now were not employees on the verge of being fired, nor
were they breadwinners becoming desperate to support their families. At
this moment, they were facing the Princess as magicians.
You could tell by the look in their eyes.
They had been moving with the goal of performance, but at this moment,
their only goal was 'challenge.' The effort to succeed had now transformed
into an effort to avoid regrets.
Actions for success, actions to avoid regret.
Though they might seem similar, they had an enormous difference.
Jaekiel, and no one else, had brought about this result.
"…"
Hedera looked at the sale plan in her hand.
The 2nd Princess had confidence in herself. She was confident she could
scoff and ignore most stories.
"…"
However.
Jaekiel's presentation, regardless of her personal likes or dislikes, was
definitely not just an ordinary story. It was something she had not
anticipated at all.
"…"
The pondering continued.
Ascension Ceremony.
There was not much time left until the Ascension Ceremony, an event that
those with dragon blood must undergo in the Celestial Realm. The
performance report of the tower was scheduled even earlier than that.
Therefore, this situation was a gamble for Hedera as well.
If the tower she entrusted grew successfully, it would add another proud
achievement to Hedera's record. But if it didn't, it would remain a glaring
stain and hold her back at the Ascension Ceremony.
Then, a single phrase suddenly came to mind.
─I am sincere.
…Could it be that he knew the Ascension Ceremony was approaching?
He couldn't explain the circumstances, but his heart was sincere? Was he
trying to grow this tower for Hedera's Ascension Ceremony?
"…"
The problem was, she couldn't ask him directly.
Hedera and Jaekiel had been apart for a long time, and as a result, there was
much they didn't know about each other. Even if she asked directly, it was
still uncertain whether she would get an answer.
"…"
Hedera quietly surveyed her surroundings.
Everyone was still watching her.
With earnest eyes, they were just watching.
Just as her thoughts began to stretch endlessly…
"Princess, please, we beg you."
Someone broke the silence. Nox of the Practical Faction was bowing
politely and pleading.
"Please give us a chance."
That was the signal, and the magicians spoke in unison.
"Please, we beg you!"
"Please postpone the sale!"
"We will truly work hard!"
The same lines as before. Those words hadn't changed at all.
But unlike before, the current Hedera was contemplating.
Now, as the training ground quickly became noisy.
The 2nd Princess lowered her mask and murmured softly.
"Stop."
Then everyone stopped without any premonition. It was a strange sight, as
if time had been captured in a photo for a moment.
This was the power of a dragon blood holder. Word Command.
"…One day."
From the center of the motionless space, the 2nd Princess spoke.
"Just one day, I will think about it."
She lifted the Word Command and left the room.
The next day.
I woke up as soon as dawn broke. Checking the clock, it was 5 AM, and in
an hour, Hedera's decision would be announced.
After getting ready, I opened the dormitory door and found something
placed there—a rectangular box.
"Lunchbox?"
I opened the lid.
At the same time, an appetite-stimulating aroma wafted out. Inside were
several fresh-looking vegetables and fried items, along with a note.
[ I watched the presentation well. I'll step back first. ]
[ I'll pray for your goodbye, Teacher! ]
I understood immediately. Solana left it.
"It's 'safety,' not 'goodbye.'"
Despite her exceptional holy power, her spelling had no solution.
Meanwhile, I suddenly thought of the past.
─Teacher! Let's eat together!
─I made this!
Solana originally loved cooking, and whenever she was in a good mood,
she would offer the food she made. Receiving a lunchbox from her was
something I hadn't experienced in a long time, so it felt somewhat strange.
'First of all, it seems Solana is satisfied; that's a relief.'
An angel turns into a devil the moment they turn around.
Remember, when we had a conversation in the reception room before, she
exuded an enormous chill. It was fortunate not to see that again. Now, only
Hedera's decision remains.
"Auditor, Auditor."
At that moment, someone called me. Twice.
"Auditor."
Now three times, the voice's owner was Anes. She had a blank expression,
but somehow looked urgent.
"Anes, do you have three auditors in charge?"
"Of course not. I am an exclusive secretary. Naturally, my entire job is to
handle one person."
"Then why call three times? I'm listening."
"…It's because it's urgent. Urgent."
My gaze shifted to the cube in her hand, and Anes quickly shoved it into her
pocket. However, the suit pocket wasn't stretchy enough to hold the cube.
…It stuck out like a squirrel holding an acorn.
"Anyway, Auditor."
Anes quickly changed the subject.
"We've received a message from another tower. After checking the content,
you need to write the reply yourself."
I received a sheet of paper from Anes.
**Invitation Letter **
Greetings.
Again this year, the six towers of the empire have come together for the
magic exchange meeting through steady effort and achievement.
This year, we ask for much encouragement as it is a year of performance
reports, and we especially request the presence of the distinguished guests
of the Imperial Tower to grace the event.
Although it may be insufficient, we have prepared gifts such as artifacts and
elixirs. At the very least, we believe you will not be disappointed. We will
do our best to accommodate you just by visiting.
From the Black, Red, Blue, Purple, and Green Towers of the Empire.
The content itself was very simple.
It was an invitation for the Imperial Tower to participate in the regular
exchange meeting where the executives of each tower gather.
But, I read this invitation three times.
Because it was strange.
…The conditions were strangely good.
"Anes."
"Yes."
"They say they'll give out gifts just for visiting; isn't it usually the other
way around?"
If it was an exchange meeting where the executives of the six towers
gathered, just participating would be an enormous experience. Wasn't it
more common to offer gifts to encourage participation?
But it was strange. They were giving out precious things just for
participating.
After investigating, it turned out there was a reason for it.
Anes continued calmly.
"They say the Imperial Tower has not attended the exchange meeting more
than ten times already. Not just once or twice, and the other towers seem to
have noticed our miserable situation."
"They've been waiting for this."
The other towers were not fools.
They must have noticed long ago that something was wrong with the
Imperial Tower. They plan to somehow lure us in, reveal our weaknesses,
embarrass us, and boost their own positions.
"Visiting is bothersome. Can't we just take the gifts?"
"…Are you serious?"
"I'm not sane to begin with."
"This is not the time for jokes. Anyway, the biggest problem right now
is…"
Anes hesitated for a moment.
"They requested an immediate reply. We haven't heard the 2nd Princess's
decision on the sale yet, what do you think, Auditor? How should we
respond?"
I quietly blinked.
Not because I had many thoughts, but because there was no need to worry.
"Tell them we will attend."
I had confidence in gaining Hedera's trust. I had confidence in visiting the
exchange meeting with pride.
Anes looked at me as if she wanted to ask something, but then she nodded
and started writing something in her notebook.
"…Understood. I'm sure you have a plan, Auditor."
"Oh, tell them we don't need elixirs, but to prepare some Sun Grass."
Snap.
Anes's pen tip broke.
Inside the training grounds of the Tower.
Finally, the time Hedera promised had come.
After Hedera took her seat, only silence and immense tension filled the
room. It was natural. No matter how good Jaekiel's presentation was, the
decision ultimately belonged to the 2nd Princess.
Would it be sold as planned, or overturned and postponed?
Was this the end, or was there one more chance?
…Everyone was waiting for Hedera's answer as if their necks would
stretch.
"…"
And then, at some moment, Hedera stood up from her seat.
Just as she was about to say something…
"Excuse me, Princess."
Another person suddenly stood up.
"…?"
At the same time, questions filled the magicians' eyes.
The reason was that he was not a magician. He was the escort knight who
had always been by Hedera's side. It was he who stood up.
"I am Valcon, the knight in charge of the 2nd Princess's protection."
"Valcon, what is it?"
Even Hedera herself did not yet know his intentions.
"It's just that…"
Valcon turned his head in a specific direction.
His sharp eyes, which could not be hidden by his helmet, were directed at
Jaekiel.
"I have a request that I must make to the Princess right now."
Valcon finished his words in a heavy voice.
Still, he stared intently at Jaekiel.