After the troublesome time had finally come to an end…
Just as I was about to head back, a certain memory flickered through my mind.
[Then do come to the Akacia Palace.]
It was a message from the Crown Prince.Frankly, I didn’t really want to meet him.However, I was already in the Imperial Palace, and if I just left now, I didn’t know what kind of talk I might hear later.After all, the Crown Prince was as good as the next Emperor.
“Akacia Palace? What business could I have with where the Crown Prince resides?”
“We had an appointment to meet.”
“Ho ho, you sure are popular.”
Erias, wearing an expression of wonder, snapped their fingers.Then a soft light blossomed from the floor.
“Follow the light, and you’ll reach Akacia Palace.”
“Navigation…!”
“…? I don’t know what that means, but once you’re done with your errand, find your way back on your own. I’m busy.”
“Yes… That’s wha—”
Before I could finish my reply, Erias vanished into thin air.Given there was no trace of magical residue left behind, it was undoubtedly a decoy body.Wait a second… So he used spatial transfer with a decoy body, huh?There was no denying that he was a truly terrifying magician.
“Well then, shall I go?”
Leaving my amazement behind, I took a step following Erias’s magic.
“Convenient, isn’t it? Though… would such magic ever be widely available?”
Erias’s navigation magic was revolutionary indeed.To perfectly find my way in this vast Imperial Palace was nothing short of impressive.Even when I intentionally took a different route or looked back, the faint light emanating from the floor remained unwavering.In some aspects, it performed better than actual navigation systems.
“Is this the place…”
The light disappeared at a particular gate.Looking up slowly, I saw trees lined up like avenues, adorned with yellow flowers.Though I wasn’t well-versed in plants, if this was the Akacia Palace, then these must be acacias.The nearby guards confirmed I had arrived at the correct location.
“This is the Akacia Palace, where His Highness the Crown Prince resides. Please state your name and purpose of visit.”
A man clad in full plate armor known as field plate stood blocking the entrance with his spear held firmly.The crest of the Royal Family engraved on his armor marked him as a Guardian Knight without a doubt.Since even someone of the rank of Colonel would find it hard to suppress a Guardian Knight by rank alone, I replied respectfully.
“I am Colonel Allen, head of the Special Task Force. I’ve come here on business with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Fortunately, he seemed to recognize my name, for the Guardian Knight quickly lowered his spear.
“…! My apologies. Did you schedule an appointment?”
“His Highness summoned me to come.”
“Please wait a moment. I will confirm and return immediately.”
True to the title of Guardian Knight, the man moved with remarkable speed.
“Ooooh… fascinating.”
What amazed me wasn’t his skill but the material of the armor.It was so quiet that it was hard to believe it was full plate armor.Even a Master would find it difficult to move so silently while wearing full plate armor.This explained why Black Wolf always preferred lighter clothing.
As I marveled, the Guardian Knight returned shortly after.Taking a quick breath to compose himself, he bowed his head and spoke.
“His Highness awaits you. I will guide you to the reception room.”
“Yes.”
Giving a brief reply, I followed the man inside.Walking amidst the lushly blooming acacias evoked a strange feeling.Was this maintained through magic too?I wondered how much maintenance cost they were spending on this…
“You may enter now.”
Lost in trivial thoughts, I realized we had arrived.With a slight nod to the man, I opened the door and entered.
“Welcome, Sir Allen.”
Once again, a striking young man with dazzling golden hair greeted me warmly.Did the Emperor look like this in his youth?I bowed my head in respect.
“To the brilliant starlight of the Empire.”
“The formalities are enough. Please, take a seat.”
At Theron’s urging, I sat across from him.The palace of the Crown Prince wasn’t particularly extravagant.While the atmosphere exuded sophistication, it wasn’t much different from what a typical noble family might have.
“So, what do you think? Meeting the Crown Prince face-to-face.”
“… Well, he’s handsome?”
Setting aside my feelings, the fact that he was handsome was an objective truth.Didn’t he possess the finest bloodline in the Empire?Lux’s beauty had its reasons.
“Haha, that’s quite a refreshing impression.”
The Crown Prince laughed as if amused.
“Since we’re both busy, let’s get straight to the point.”
Well, relatively free now, but still…As I lazily regarded the Crown Prince, he suddenly bowed his head.
“Wa, what…?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected action, I flustered and stood up awkwardly.Unfazed by my reaction, the Crown Prince deeply bowed before rising and opening his mouth with a gentle smile.
“Though I conveyed my thanks at the Colosseum, I shall express it clearly now. Thank you for resolving my younger sister’s curse.”
“It was merely doing my duty; there’s no need for such formality. Besides, I couldn’t completely solve it…”
“Still, the meaning of gratitude should be properly conveyed, shouldn’t it?”
Exasperated by his stubborn attitude, I sighed lightly and sat down again.
“In this aspect, you’re no different from Lux. They say blood is thicker than water, and it’s not without reason.”
“Haha, that is indeed a glorious compliment. It seems my proud younger sister resembles me.”
Theron appeared genuinely pleased.That was a rather surprising sight.After all, Theron and Lux had different mothers.
“Now, I know you’re close with Lux, but may I inquire how close exactly?”
“Only a teacher-student relationship. Though, perhaps slightly deeper than an ordinary mentor-disciple bond…”
I couldn’t bring myself to say that his younger sister liked me.In response to my answer, Theron carefully asked.
“If so, might you and Lux possibly…”
“… I’m aware her mother is different.”
“Aha! So you’ve reached that level of relationship, have you…”
The mutter of “Perhaps you’ll become my brother-in-law…” reached my ears, but I deliberately ignored it.Reacting here would likely make me the second Leo.
“Then we can speak freely. As you know, Theron and Lux have different mothers.”
What story was he trying to tell? Taking a short breath, Theron continued.
“My sister Isis was an incredibly ideal mother. She was the sort of woman one encounters only in fairy tales.”
Listening to stories about Isis from a perspective other than Lux’s, I found myself intrigued.
“Moreover, she was also a tragic heroine from novels. Leaving her hometown to live in the cold imperial palace far from home must have been very tough.”
“I heard Isis wasn’t from nobility.”
“To be precise… No one knew her origin. Even the Information Department, which claims to know everything within the empire, failed in their background check.”
That was quite astonishing information.If even those obsessed with information to the point of knowing the measurements of princesses couldn’t figure it out, then it was highly likely that Isis was from another country.
“In any case, that’s not particularly important. What matters is that despite such hardships, she treated us brothers like her own sons. That’s when I realized what it meant to have a mother who could prepare meals.”
Of course, the taste… That part was ignored.The important thing was figuring out why Theron suddenly brought this up.Probing tentatively, Theron smiled faintly and answered.
“Just because it seemed like you were curious. Didn’t you wonder why I cherish Lux even though we have different mothers?”
Indeed.As he said, I was curious.
Objectively speaking, Isis was like a rolling stone that came in late.When there was already a proper empress, how could someone arriving later expect friendly treatment?
Setting aside the complicated reasons, it was surprising that Lux received treatment befitting an imperial princess in such a situation.In typical novels, wouldn’t she be bullied until a modern person reincarnated into her?
“Has your curiosity been satisfied?”
“Yes, thank you for answering a question that might’ve been difficult to discuss.”
Lost in useless daydreams, I missed Theron’s words.Hiding my startled expression, I bowed my head, and he waved his hand smiling.
“Not at all. Anyway, I personally wanted to give you a reward… Is there anything you desire?”
So, he called me here just to give a present.He was cuter than expected.Did this trait overlapping with Lux mean my eyes were skewed?
“Hmm, well… Not at the moment…”
Having already received the wonderful gift of Opheucus from the Emperor, I didn’t particularly desire anything.Just as I was about to shake my head, something crossed my mind.I distinctly remembered that the Crown Prince was leading the Eastern Alliance Conference.Then…
“Could you permit me to act independently whenever I wish during the Eastern Alliance Conference?”
“Hmm? Ah, so you’re also part of the envoy group. Hmm… Since it’s an official event, there will be some formalities involved, but…”
After pondering for a while, Theron nodded readily.
“A few hours should be fine. Let me know when you want. I won’t inquire about the matter.”
“Thank you for your sun-like favor.”
“Haha, that’s overly polite for such a small favor.”
Thus, I secured an emergency measure just in case.Though I don’t know what ominous seeds the World Tree spoke of…I’ll crush whatever blocks my path.
