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I sat alone in the reception room, chewing on the sunweed.

If there was one thing I’m more familiar with than anyone, it was the cold. Yet even I felt as if the world had frozen over for a moment. How is this possible?

Fortunately, Solana had so far lived up to her nickname as the Angel of the Empire, showing kindness. But angels are known to transform into the most vicious demons the moment they change their minds.

…I don’t want to witness an angel becoming a demon.

[Letter of Appointment] 

[Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector]

It seems I’ve become the Inspector of the Magic Tower.

An ordinary magic tower was impressive enough, but this was the Imperial Magic Tower we’re talking about.

Huh─

I exhale the sunweed deeply, reflecting on how I spent my days just a few days ago.

My routine was remarkably simple.

Drinking, painting, whiling away time immersed in nature…. But now, everything had changed. I’ve suddenly found myself in a position where I need to dress smartly and report for work.

“It’s a shame mind-reading isn’t my specialty.”

I still haven’t fully grasped Solana’s intentions.

She was dispatching me to resolve an issue at the Imperial Magic Tower, yet she added that it would be fine even if I did nothing.

Does she believe my mere presence will solve the problem?

Well, it was not something to dwell on right now.

I was being forced into this Inspector role anyway, and since I promised to trust her, I had no choice but to do so. Solana must have asked for my trust while harboring only the best intentions.

Now, there’s only one thing bothering me.

“…So who wrote the reply? Was it really Solana?”

While it was certain that Solana read the letter, I couldn’t confirm if she actually sent a reply due to the awkward atmosphere. Simultaneously, another thought occurs to me.

‘If it wasn’t Solana who sent the reply….’

A cold sweat broke out on my back.

Accepting Solana’s goodwill while potentially marrying another princess? It was impossible to imagine what would happen. I couldn’t even use the excuse of a ‘drunken mistake.’

…Is this what it feels like when playing with fire accidentally burns everything down?

No matter how I saw it, it was the worst-case scenario. It had been a long time since I’ve felt such fear.

‘I suppose I’ll have to meet the Emperor himself.’

Although I was not particularly fond of the Emperor, perhaps using his power could forcibly erase this whole affair?

“It’s something the Emperor has forbidden”─ that sounds plausible.

Bang─

Just then, the reception room door opened once again.

A now-familiar face. Agnes, with her short black hair and expressionless demeanor.

Click─ Click─

As usual, she entered while manipulating a cube with one hand.

Is this what it feels like to watch a skilled musician? Her long, slender white fingers moved with remarkable grace.

Lost in thought, I quietly chewed on my sunweed and met her gaze. We remained like that for a while.

“………..”

“………..”

Click─ Click─

Click….

…..….

Suddenly, Agnes hid the cube behind her back.

She seemed concerned I might freeze it again. I hadn’t been paying attention, lost in thought, but seeing her reaction oddly made me want to freeze the cube.

I snapped my fingers lightly.

Agnes immediately squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the icy chill in her palm. Her shoulders trembled as an added effect.

“…Please don’t do that.”

“How many times did I tell you in the carriage? It’s noisy.”

Surprisingly, she just let out a deep sigh without much resistance. It seemed she’d developed a strange sense of courtesy since our time at the Palace of Penance. She was not as sharp as when we first met.

“So, why do you look like you’ve lost everything?”

“If I’d only lost things, I’d be smiling. I’m in debt now too.”

“Is it hard to understand? Isn’t this more like a promotion?”

Agnes looked at me as if she’d seen something bizarre.

“You were a hopeless wastrel, but somehow you’ve made it to the imperial palace. And you weren’t even dragged here as a criminal. You seem to be treated as an honored guest, surprisingly.”

“I didn’t know you could express emotions honestly. That’s new.”

“You started the honesty first.”

Agnes held up the frozen cube as if to show me, but I stubbornly refused to thaw it. I’m sick of the noise, after all.

“Anyway, I didn’t know you were acquainted with the Third Princess.”

“Solana? We go way back.”

“…Is it okay for you to use her name so casually?”

“It’s fine for me. Not for you, though.”

Agnes slightly furrowed her brow, and this time I asked, “So what’s your business here? Your task is already done, isn’t it?”

“One thing remains. His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you.”

“…………”

This was actually welcome news to me. I’d been wondering how to get a private audience with the Emperor.

Agnes tilted her head slightly in confusion.

“…You really are strange.”

“Why?”

“Your expression darkened after meeting with the Princess, but you brighDtened at the news of meeting the Emperor. Isn’t it usually the opposite?”

“I’ve always been strange. Let’s leave right now.”

Always, already, now. It’s always been this way.

~~••~~••~~

After that, I followed Agnes’s instructions and started walking.

Or rather, I found myself walking ahead of her. After all, the layout of the imperial palace was already etched in my mind.

And as expected, whispers followed us.

“Towards His Majesty’s quarters… Who is that?”

“I heard the Emperor summoned him personally.”

“…How enviable. I’ve worked here for 20 years and never even caught a glimpse.”

My mind, however, was preoccupied with thoughts about the Emperor.

Why did the Emperor stamp the appointment letter issued by Solana? That monstrous man? The one who doesn’t know the concept of ‘dialogue’?

There seemed to be something going on between the princesses and the Emperor, and I intended to unravel it step by step from now on.

Soon, Agnes stopped at the end of the corridor.

“I can’t go any further. This is as far as I go.”

“Come to think of it, you’re still new here. Alright, I got it.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

As she departed, I sensed a strange excitement in her retreating figure. Perhaps even this expressionless woman couldn’t help but feel joy at the prospect of going home.

Upon entering the Emperor’s quarters, I was greeted by officials with their faces completely covered by veils. The officials here aren’t allowed to expose any part of their body or face.

“The changing room is to your left. Would you please change into this?”

“Sure.”

I quickly changed.

In fact, it was more like a large tablecloth covering the body, hardly deserving to be called clothes. It’s likely intended to prevent visitors from secretly carrying anything.

I had to walk for quite a while after that.

“The Four Seasons Garden, it’s been a while.”

A famous spot known for capturing the essence of each season. Only after passing through spring, summer, autumn, and winter in order could I reach the massive door.

Beyond this lies the Great Hall where the Emperor resides.

“Stop right there.”

Two enormous men blocked my way on either side of the door. Their stature was so grand they could’ve been mistaken for living pillars.

The one on the left pointed at my mouth, “Spit it out.”

Spit out the sunweed? Of course, I didn’t.

“…You won’t spit it out?”

The guy tried to step in forcefully, but the one on the right quickly restrained him. They whispered something to each other, then simultaneously nodded.

Finally, both of them bowed respectfully.

“We apologize. We’ll open the door for you right away.”

The massive door opened without a sound.

“………..”

My first impression upon entering — Majestic.

But it wasn’t due to the interior’s size or structure. It felt majestic because of the single imposing presence it contained.

At the far end, atop the stairs on the throne, sat a being.

Its body was transparent, making it look as if clothes were suspended in mid-air. Despite having no visible form, the presence on the throne exuded an overwhelming aura that colored the entire space.

This was the Empire’s Emperor, Verd, the Formless.

I paid my respects.

“I stand before Your Majesty, the Emperor.”

There was no response.

The collar of the clothes hanging in mid-air on the throne fluttered. A nearby chalice rippled, probably as the Emperor casually swirled it in his hand.

Then, silence.

I would have appreciated some words, but there was only silence, so I calmly waited for the Emperor to speak. It felt like almost a day had passed.

And when that day was nearly becoming two…

“Ezekiel Hound.”

He finally called my name.

Crash─

Simultaneously, the entire floor crumbled like puzzle pieces. Now, what existed below was something that could only be described as an abyss, a darkness of unfathomable depth.

However, I didn’t fall. An ice sheet had already formed under my feet, firmly supporting me.

“Persistent. You’re not easy to kill, are you?”

“I’ll die soon enough, though. I’m terminally ill, after all.”

“Hmm…”

The Emperor then gave a meaningful smile.

“I told you to teach my daughters just a bit of magic… and yet, you brazenly submitted a marriage proposal. What on earth were you thinking?”

I was drunk.

…That was something I couldn’t possibly say out loud.