"So…"
Jaekiel rubbed his chin.
"…The three of you each have something to propose to me?"
The three messengers nodded in unison.
'Things are going better than I expected.'
Just by looking at their expressions, it was clear that they were here to bring
good news, not bad. Things seemed to be going very well.
Well, come to think of it, it was to be expected.
Recently, he had helped Hedera with the interpretation of ancient dragon
language, won the duel against Ether but suffered unfair treatment, and
even completed the portrait the Emperor wanted.
…Looking back, it's a wonder how he managed it all.
At that moment, the 1st Princess's messenger spoke up.
"From now on, I will convey the 1st Princess's message. Due to the threeday ban on approaching you after you wake up, I am delivering her words
instead."
"A ban on approaching?"
Jaekiel looked at Anes for an explanation, but she only shook her head
quietly.
The 1st Princess's messenger nodded.
"Yes. The presence of the princesses cannot be ignored, so it was a
temporary measure to prevent any influence on you, Jaekiel."
Anes tilted her head in confusion.
"So, it means the princesses are being prevented from approaching me?"
"Yes."
"…?"
Anes seemed utterly perplexed. A ban on the princesses' approach meant
that they were trying to meet Jaekiel, didn't it?
…But why?
What on earth happened during his leave?
"Now, I will deliver the 1st Princess's message. External personnel, please
leave for a moment."
Everyone left the room, leaving the two alone in the infirmary.
The 1st Princess's messenger unrolled a scroll.
"Please understand that what I am about to say are the exact words of the
1st Princess."
"Alright."
"First, I apologize."
Thus, the messenger began to deliver the message.
"I deeply regret the accident during the duel. I never expected you to
compete against me."
"Hmm."
"Of course, these are just words, and they are spoken through another's
mouth. I know this is not enough to seek forgiveness. I promise to do my
best in many other ways as well."
The messenger mimicked Ether's tone quite well.
"First of all, I completely lost the duel. As the participant, I acknowledge
that you are the clear winner."
Jaekiel nodded quietly.
"The elixir promised beforehand was already consumed for treatment, but I
do not intend to use this as an excuse. I will obtain the same amount of
elixir again and provide it."
"Hmm?"
This was an enormous gain.
Jaekiel's time was limited. Each elixir was invaluable. As a result, he would
receive twice the amount initially promised, making it a clear benefit.
"And if you wish, I will offer my body as well."
"…?"
Jaekiel furrowed his brow.
"If forgiveness can be granted with just my body, I will offer it. If you wish
for my head, I will sever it myself."
After finishing his words, the 1st Princess's messenger thought quietly.
'He must be persuaded.'
Such an unbelievably generous offer.
To offer nothing less than the 1st Princess's life, considered the hope and
pillar of the empire…
It was practically giving him the future of this continent. He must accept it.
But.
'Huh?'
The messenger, observing Jaekiel's reaction, was puzzled.
Jaekiel's expression was completely different from what the messenger had
expected.
"…"
Jaekiel quietly chewed on some Sun Grass.
"Has the 1st Princess's messenger said all he needed to?"
"…Yes?"
"I was just wondering if you've said everything."
"Well… I have completed the delivery…"
"Good."
Hoo.
Jaekiel exhaled smoke and nodded.
"Next."
The messenger's face turned pale.
After receiving Hedera's orders, Tether had resolved.
'I must succeed!'
No matter how difficult the task, the difficulty level doesn't matter.
Even though Tether had caused trouble related to the Royal Treasury
incident, Hedera had shown great generosity. She even expanded the
secretary staff and took care of welfare.
Thus, Tether had to succeed.
To make Jaekiel want the Tower and stay there for life!
But…
Hmm, but…
'Is this really the right way to do it?'
Tether tilted her head in confusion.
"Tether, I didn't really expect this kind of treatment."
"…No, it's not that! I'm doing this because I want to!"
Tether moved her hands more diligently.
She was patting Jaekiel's shoulder very vigorously.
"This is the first time I've been treated like this in my life."
"…"
Was this really working?
No, even if it was, was this the right way to do it?
"Here, please try this too."
Meanwhile, Priest Tom, sent by the 3rd Princess, had been tirelessly peeling
and placing fruit on the bed.
He wasn't just peeling them.
He was carving them so meticulously that they were almost like works of
art, making it almost a shame to eat them.
"How does it taste?"
"Well, it's not bad."
"You might have noticed, but I carved them to resemble the Sun God statue.
Please remember the church…"
Crunch.
Before Tom could finish his sentence, Jaekiel broke off and bit into the head
part of the Sun God. Of all parts…
No, maybe it was his fault for carving them like that…
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
"…No. I didn't say anything."
Jaekiel continued to eat the fruit comfortably.
"It's a rare luxury. This isn't bad either."
Meanwhile, there was someone quietly observing from a corner of the
infirmary, none other than Anes.
Anes had been very anxious for a while.
Jaekiel, making eye contact with his secretary, spoke.
"Anes, would you like some, too?"
"…"
Anes remained expressionless, but was astonished.
She quietly jotted down something in her notebook.
[ Incomprehensible. ]
Was it really okay for Jaekiel to behave like that?
Of course, it wasn't something he couldn't do.
After all, it wasn't a situation Jaekiel had forced; the messengers were
offering their goodwill on their own.
But. Even so…
Anes blinked unconsciously.
'He looks too comfortable, and it suits him too well.'
She suddenly recalled the past. The day she first met Jaekiel in a remote
village, he looked like a vagrant still suffering from a hangover.
Well, then it made sense that it suited him.
…But why was he so comfortable?
The messengers chattered breathlessly.
"The 1st Princess will spare no support for the North. So please consider it
positively."
"The church is always open. Whenever you visit, it will be a home for you."
"Au-Auditor! Did you hear that the Tower will raise your salary? And not
only that…"
Yes, what was truly incomprehensible was this scene.
'…Everyone gathered here is extraordinary.'
To meet the direct secretaries or messengers of the princesses, ordinary
people would have to bow their heads to the ground. Yet he was treating
them so casually?
Were the conditions they were offering insignificant?
No, that was definitely not it.
"There are many beautiful sights in the North. Would you like to tour them?
We'll cover all the expenses…"
"We'll assign Inquisitors to you."
"…Our Tower Master is beautiful. You know that, right?"
The proposals were all tremendous.
Thus, Anes was filled with questions. Her hand started jotting down notes
rapidly.
[ Abilities? ]
Was Jaekiel an outstanding person?
Yes, he was remarkable. But did he do something so significant that three
princesses would covet him? What could be the reason?
[ Looks? ]
[ Personality? ]
"…"
Scratch.
[ ■■■■■? ]
She completely covered the text.
Anyway, there seemed to be something she didn't know.
Even now, while Anes was busy pondering, Jaekiel was just endlessly
comfortable.
In the end, Anes communicated telepathically.
─Auditor.
Hoo…
The Auditor only exhaled Sun Grass smoke.
─Uh, Auditor.
─Yes.
His response was so calm.
Anes, breaking into a cold sweat, communicated telepathically.
─Just in case you might not know, let me explain. All the people visiting
this infirmary are nobles. Let me explain them one by one…
─I know. How could I not know?
─Huh?
Anes's head became even more confused.
Then why was he behaving like this when he knew everything?
─The proposals offered to me are just not appealing. For now, I need to
focus on the Tower's work.
─Uh…?
Was he always so upright? So principled?
Anes cleared her throat a few times and then communicated telepathically
again.
─Then at least show the minimum courtesy. Even if you are going to reject
them, you never know when you might meet them again. It would be best
not to have any discomfort then.
─Anyway, the exchange meeting is tomorrow.
─Yes.
─For today, let me rest thoroughly.
─…
Could she really push a patient who had just woken up to rest? Anes, being
human, couldn't possibly do that. The problem was that the visitors were
nobles!
In the end, Anes spoke to the messengers.
"Excuse me, 2nd Princess's Secretary Tether."
"Yes, yes. What is it?"
"Will the princesses come to the infirmary themselves?"
"Hmm, even if they do, it would be in three days."
"…I see."
What had seemed like a troublesome exchange meeting now felt very
welcome to Anes.
Anes quickly jotted down a note.
[ Depart quickly as soon as dawn breaks. ]
Since Jaekiel's condition seemed better than expected, leaving as soon as
possible seemed the best.
If the princesses saw this scene…
"…"
At least, as Anes felt, it would be the worst.
Which princess would be pleased to see their personally selected
messengers suffering like this?
But.
It was then.
Bang!
The infirmary door burst open, and a priest entered.
And upon seeing the inside, he flinched once.
"…?"
It was understandable. Where else would one find such a scene? It was
probably unique.
"Jaekiel, how is your health?"
"Well, I think I should rest thoroughly for today."
"The princesses have come to visit."
A moment of silence.
Everyone froze as if time had stopped.
"…?"
Jaekiel's expression asked, Why were the princesses here?
"Confirming that there is an exchange meeting at the Black Tower
tomorrow, the three-day ban has been reduced to one day, and they would
like to meet you now. You should prepare."
"…"
"Oh, have you made a decision?"
"Decision? What decision."
"I am just a priest, so I don't know the details. But the princesses have
come to hear your decision… Well, let's meet them first."
"…"
The tension filled the infirmary.
Anes glanced around nervously.
Surely, Jaekiel had a plan, right?
He must have been acting like this because he had a plan, right?
"…?"
But.
"…!"
Anes soon widened her eyes in surprise.
Jaekiel was frozen like a statue.