“Hmm….”
A space of extreme luxury filled with expensive-looking decorations and high-class furniture. Yet, even such a lavish area seemed like a crumbling shack in the presence of the dignified woman seated at its center.
Even though she was sitting cross-legged in a somewhat careless posture, her very presence radiated unmatched grace and arrogance.
It was no surprise, for she was the sole Emperor of this continent and considered by many to be the most exceptional ruler in the history of the imperial line. Of course, this assessment also included the opinion that she was the most eccentric of all.
However, due to her extraordinary abilities, every task felt unbearably mundane to her, and each day was nothing more than a tedious routine. No matter how skilled the jesters were or how mysterious the treasures presented by wealthy merchants, none of it could stir anything but boredom in her. In a way, her brilliance was a curse rather than a blessing, not just for the empire but also for herself.
“Kuku….”
Still, when the emperor finished reading a mere piece of paper — a report — she allowed herself a rare genuine smile. Anyone familiar with the emperor would find this occurrence astonishing.
“…So, may I inquire as to why you summoned me, Your Majesty?”
Before the emperor sat a blonde girl named Selian, who was also kneeling on one knee. She was well aware of how rare it was for the emperor to display such an expression. Despite momentarily being puzzled, Selian, who cared little for the emperor herself, simply shrugged it off.
Instead, Selian directly pressed the emperor, who had been distracted, to get to the point.
Normally, such audacity could have landed her in the dungeon, but neither the emperor nor the chief mage Isis, standing silently at the emperor’s side, showed any sign of displeasure. Selian’s tone was met with calm indifference.
“Ah, forgive me. This information is among the most anticipated lately. If we weren’t in peacetime, I would have personally traveled to witness it, which is rather disappointing. Oh, by the way, would you care to read it yourself? I believe it would intrigue you.”
The emperor waved the sheet of paper towards Selian in invitation, but Selian declined, her voice remaining indifferent.
“It’s fine. Please just tell me the reason you called me.”
“Hmm… Are you sure? You might regret this later.”
But to Selian, who had lost her ability to laugh after that day, the emperor’s offer was meaningless. No matter how amusing the contents of the paper might be, nothing could make her laugh again. Only Alicia could restore her laughter, just as only Alicia had stolen it.
This audience with the emperor now felt like a waste of time.
The emperor, noting Selian’s lifeless gaze fixed on her without a word, handed the paper silently to Isis standing behind her and proceeded directly to the matter at hand.
“It’s odd to insist on refusing something when the other party desires it. Very well. Selian, the ninth recognized Sword Master of the continent and formal head of the Deretia family, I summoned you for no pressing reason.”
The emperor paused briefly, uncrossed her legs, and crossed them the other way before speaking again.
“Three years ago, do you recall a small wager between you and me?”
Upon hearing that, Selian took a moment to search her memory before recalling the summer vacation when she and Alicia visited the royal palace. At that time, she had unintentionally accepted one of the emperor’s provocations and agreed to the wager.
“Ah, judging from your face, I take it you’ve remembered. It has been three whole years, and even a simple bet cannot last forever, can it? I’ve summoned you to settle that wager.”
Although Selian faintly remembered agreeing to the wager, its details were hazy. The past three years were too painful to remember such trivial matters.
Fortunately, the emperor kindly provided the missing details.
“At that time, I claimed that you would embark with Alicia to defeat the Demon King. In contrast, you argued that you would not go with her.”
Yes, that was right. Back then, she had believed she would become a hero once again. She had planned to leave Alicia in a safe place and prepare a party to travel and defeat the Demon King.
“Three years have passed now, and it’s clear that the two of you are not together as you boasted. Selian, congratulations — you have won the wager against the emperor. If you desire anything, I shall grant it. Should you wish for treasures, we can open the royal treasury, or if honor pleases you, I can bestow upon you the title of Duke. You may ask for anything.”
With her arms wide open, the emperor’s voice rang out, generous and sincere. There was no hint of deception.
The emperor truly meant to give anything Selian wished for, even to an extreme that might cost her own life.
But giving, even with sincerity, requires someone willing to receive.
Both the giver, the emperor, and the receiver, Selian, understood this fact.
To Selian, even the emperor’s benevolent smile seemed like mockery.
Nonetheless, Selian’s eyes glimmered with a fleeting flicker of something alive. No one knew what it signified, but at this moment, her dwindled flame from the last three years began to reignite.
No amount of wealth or glory under the emperor’s promise could compare with her.
Even a trivial wager had no bearing on the truth of her dedication.
Selian slowly rose to her feet.
“No, thank you, Your Majesty. Although I may have lost, the victory is yours. Yet, no matter how distant I may be from Alicia now, I will always remain by her side.”
“Ho? How certain you are in declaring defeat! What did you expect I would demand of you? Know this, the emperor has high standards and insatiable ambitions. Don’t you feel even a hint of fear?”
Certainly. Even with her many lifetimes of experience, Selian couldn’t predict what the emperor might ask for. But it didn’t matter. The emperor meant nothing to her.
“Even if you demand my life, Your Majesty, I am unafraid. There is only one thing I fear: losing Alicia.”
Why had she spent the last three years solely focused on regaining her strength instead of searching for Alicia? Without sufficient strength, Selian could neither catch Alicia if she ran again nor protect her in times of peril.
To stand beside her once more, she had to not only restore but surpass the strength she possessed in her previous life. That was the reason for the last three years.
For Alicia alone, Selian was prepared to fight against not only the demons but also the emperor and the entire empire.
As Selian declared her defeat, the kind smile on the emperor’s face transformed into a grin filled with amusement. It wasn’t mere satisfaction for winning the bet but something deeper.
The emperor, too, had been unaware that Alicia would suddenly leave her friends. All she had known was that Selian lived her life repeatedly and that in this iteration, Alicia, not Selian, would become the hero.
The betting proposal was made with the assumption that Selian would naturally follow Alicia.
What started as a simple amusement turned into something laughable yet delightful.
What would their reunion be like? What expressions would cross Selian’s face upon learning of Alicia’s actions? Even now, things were entertaining, but imagining what awaited them both in the future made it all the more amusing.
After Selian left the audience chamber, the emperor couldn’t contain herself, clutching her stomach as she laughed.
At this sight, Isis finally spoke after quietly standing behind the emperor the entire time.
“In any case, Your Majesty is quite the villain not sharing the reports you received regarding the whereabouts of the girl she seeks.”
“Now, now, that’s unfair, Isis. Didn’t I offer the file detailing Alicia’s travels? Selian simply declined.”
At the emperor’s words, Isis reviewed the report she had received earlier. Despite some unnecessary content, it clearly documented Alicia’s recent activities, including defeating a corrupt noble allied with the demons in the southern city of Saharan and her next destination.
With the most up-to-date information, this document could have been a great help in Selian’s search for Alicia.
Instead, the emperor not only offered no assistance but subtly provoked Selian with her words — all unbeknownst to Selian herself.
“Nonetheless, since I have won the bet, I must think of something to request… I’m at a loss for what that might be.”
“…Enough with your mischief involving heroes and sword masters, Your Majesty. Do consider my position as well; I’ll have to clean up after you.”
“Isn’t that exactly why I’m thinking?”
Of course, the emperor’s “consideration” was less about concern for Isis’ position and more about how best to further torment her.
