Chapter 144: Winter. (1) (2/2)
“Where is he going?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He’s so dressed up, so it’s probably the Imperial Palace, right?”
“Aha…”
Epherene nodded casually, then looked sideways in surprise. The voice of the person who answered sounded unusual.
“Hehe. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
She could see the outline of his jaw under his hood, his shaggy beard and green eyes smiling.
“Rohaka—“
Rohakan covered Epherene’s mouth.
“Oh, why are you spreading rumors every time we meet? Be quiet.”
Rohakan smiled brightly at her.
“Hihi. It’s been a long time, huh?”
“…”
“Ms. Epherene. I’ll get going first…? Huh? Who’s that beside you?”
Allen tilted his head from his place beside her.
“Haha. I’m Epherene’s grandfather’s brother. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh~ I see. But, how did you suddenly appear there?”
“Hahaha. This grandpa’s feet are quite fast.”
Rohakan introduced himself to Allen, then he whispered to Epherene.
—Pretend that we’re close. You know, we haven’t even seen each other in a while.
“Ha. Haha, yes… that’s right. Grandfather.”
“Ah! Then I’m in your way! I’ll get going first~. Have a good time~!”
Allen hurried inside the tower, and Epherene waved goodbye with a bitter smile.
Tap-
Rohakan put his hand on Epherene’s shoulder.
“Ah, that was surprising. Why are you here this time?”
Then, Rohakan’s expression grew serious.
“…I came to talk about a demon named ‘Voice.’”
*****
The atmosphere of the Imperial Palace wasn’t growing poorer these days due to the conflict between Sophien and her subjects. As the Emperor’s trainer, I only visited every other week, but even I could feel the atmosphere.
“I know it, too.”
Sophien answered my concerns as we sat together in her room. She was dressed in her royal robes today.
“I can hear your thoughts churning from here. They’re so bothersome.”
Maybe it was because she was too lazy to choose her clothes, or perhaps this was also a display of political stance. Regardless, it was commendable how her clothes changed every time I saw her.
“Hm? Are you mesmerized by this beauty?”
Sophien wore a confident smile.
“That robe is wonderful. It suits you well.”
“Hmph. You’re honest. Anyway, don’t talk about my subjects in front of me. My blood pressure is already rising.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Sophien snapped her fingers like she remembered something.
“Ah. I heard rumors that you have a disciple.”
“You mean Epherene?”
“I don’t know her name, but I’m curious. A Professor as picky as you found a disciple?”
“I’ll introduce her to you some time.”
“…”
Sophien faltered like a video that was cut off briefly, no more than 0.1 seconds. A second later, a sly smile crept over her face.
“Deculein, I just went somewhere just now.”
“Somewhere?”
“Yeah. Your voice led me to that place.”
“…Towards the Voice.”
I knew immediately. The Voice, the demon that marked the middle of the main quest. If the Demon’s Mirror wished to become a world, this Voice was the world itself.
“How long have you been there?”
“Hahaha. Deculein, we think alike.”
Sophien laughed. Then, her tone switched, and she began to analyze what she had seen.
“This guy must be a high-grade demon. But I saw him at a glance and could tell he’s not yet complete. I stayed there for about five minutes.”
“Five minutes in the Voice’s world… are you sure about the time?”
“More than sure, I have a perfect biological clock.”
I nodded. The Voice had its world, entered by hearing someone speaking. When you enter the Voice’s world, your connection with the existing world will be cut off. Fortunately, five minutes was still in the safe zone.
“I didn’t even have an identity there. No, I pretended that I didn’t. They probably know my face.”
“Is that so? I’ll make preparations. Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
“…Hmm. You’re worried, aren’t you?”
Sophien narrowed her eyes, but I answered lightly.
“It’s just my duty as your subject.”
“No matter how much I think about it, it seems that it’s more than that….”
The Emperor waved her royal robe. Then, she took something out from under her desk: a sparkling box.
“Take this, Deculein.”
“…”
It was a sudden gift. I looked at Sophien without saying a word. She smirked.
“What are you looking at? You’re not opening it?”
“Then.”
I opened it to reveal a luxurious glass bottle inside. The liquid inside the bottle shone brilliantly.
──「 The Dragon’s Soul 」──
◆Information
: A miracle drug-infused with the soul of a dragon
◆Category
: Treasure ⊃ Consumable
◆Special Effect
: Mana increases by 300 when consumed.
: Helps the body circulate mana smoothly.
────────
After checking the information through [Vision], I was speechless for a moment. It was a treasure that increased mana by 300 and even improved mana circulation, thus recovery speed.
[Side Quest: Emperor’s Staff Sergeant.]
◆Complete: Receive more than one gift from the Emperor.
◆Store Currency +1
As a bonus, he also earned store currency.
“…”
I felt good. It had been a while since I felt this way, so I was confused but touched. I slowly glanced up at Sophien.
“It’s one of the items offered by the family and kingdom. It’s from the principality of Yuren.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. These treasures have been taken by those fucking bastards. Perhaps, this was the key to curing my illness before.”
I spent a moment thinking, intending to choose the best words. It was a treasure that was too perfect to create worldly desires even within this otherwise fastidious personality. It was also necessary for me that there be no side effects.
“Your royal-“
“It’s immeasurable, so don’t say such things. I hate empty words the most. Just take it with you.”
“…Yes.”
I put it away. Then, I looked to the Snow Globe on the desk.
“By the way, has Keiron still not returned yet?”
“He’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.”
“…”
I nodded as I picked up my pen again. It was time to resume class.
“Of course, the next rune.”
However, Sophien changed the subject, arching a brow with dissatisfaction.
“You’re going to the Northern region this winter, right?”
“Yes.”
“You could meet Julie there.”
“…”
I did not answer. Sophien flapped her royal robe again, causing it to cascade down around her.
“You don’t want to talk about it, huh. Then, what about this? I discovered a more interesting game than chess in the eastern archipelago.”
“How about playing with the runes?”
“Shut up. As you know, it’s mostly a draw when we play chess.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But this one is different.”
Sophien took out a woodblock from under the drawer. There was a grid pattern on the surface and a small drawer on the side containing black and white stones.
“It’s the game of go. There are usually no draws. But, there’s not a lot of people who know about it yet.”
“I see.”
“I find this interesting these days. I’m thinking of making this the national sport.”
“Sure, whatever Your Majesty desires. In the first place, a national sport is Your Majesty’s favorite game, isn’t it?”
I already knew of go. Of course, my knowledge wasn’t deep, but the difference between ‘know’ and ‘does not know’ was the difference between heaven and earth, especially for my mind. What I saw at least once remained in my consciousness, and if it remained there, it was possible to pull it out using [Understanding].
I remember watching the match between AlphaGo and Lee Se Dol.
“This is how you do it…”
Sophien, excited, explained this and that. The concept of home, the question of
existence. I didn’t think she was familiar with the rune language yet, and she was now fully immersed in the game of go, but…
“…So bothersome. You should get going now, too.”
In the end, this was the outcome. I feigned a smile.
“Yes, I’ll come back after I investigate and try this game of go.”
“Hmph. What are you going to do? You don’t know anything because you didn’t listen. Playing is fun, but it’s boring because there’s no one to play with.”
“I’m here, Your Majesty. It’ll be different after two weeks.”
“You can’t master it in two weeks, Deculein. Your arrogance is the only thing reaching the sky.”
Sophien waved her royal robe for the last time and laid down in her seat.
“Go away. You’re bothersome.”
“Yes.”
I stood. While I was moving backward in a display of courtesy, Sophien spoke again.
“By the way, there are many treasures offered outside. Take whatever you want.”
“…?”
I didn’t understand what Sophien meant. Was this also part of her suspiciousness? Or was she just trying to take care of her subject? Either way, it wasn’t polite to refuse Her Majesty’s gift.
“Yes, thank you.”
“…”
Sophien fiddled with the stones silently. Her brusque image, for some reason, looked lonely today.