Ch.6Dangerous Element

“Hmm. Another clear day today.”

I stretch lazily as I notice the sun high in the sky. Then I roughly fix my bedhead and change from my lab coat into my formal uniform.

Today marks one month since I began living in the grand mansion in Eldrion.

I expected my days to be quite busy, but the Emperor hasn’t requested anything of me since the day of our audience. Thanks to that, my questions have only grown day by day, which is frustrating, but I’ve been living comfortably enough to put up with it.

“It should be about time for her to arrive.”

Sure enough, she’s no gentleman. There was a knock, and then she entered without hesitation.

A woman with striking snow-white hair that reaches her waist—to me, she’s trauma personified.

It was Irefi Justitia.

“You’re being lazy again today.”

“I’m just being considerate so you can work comfortably.”

I responded shamelessly.

Irefi and I have been living in the same mansion since our audience with the Emperor. Though she was initially irritable, she seems to have adapted and softened considerably.

“Do you know I’m making breakfast every morning because of you, Nepy? Something I never signed up for?”

“If I’d known, I would have asked you to do it sooner.”

“Really? I’m happy to oblige.”

Irefi perked up with some inexplicable expectation. I ignored her words and darted into the hallway.

“Don’t ignore me!”

The fact that Irefi’s cooking skills were terrible was something only she didn’t know. Perhaps because she’d spent her life wielding only a sword, her cooking always reeked of metal.

I vividly remember once passing by the kitchen while she was cooking and being so horrified by the smell that I pretended not to notice and walked right past.

The servants couldn’t dare offer advice to the universally feared Marquess Justitia, so the mansion’s daily routine involved everyone tiptoeing around her.

“…Let’s just eat out.”

“Seriously? Whose fault is this?”

“If you’re upset, become immortal like me.”

“Kuh…”

This time, I was the one being wronged. On the day of our audience with the Emperor, we moved into a grand mansion that had belonged to a Founding Noble.

Many servants were already residing in the mansion, and shortly after moving in, I told them:

“Just keep the place clean. Feel free to use the mansion as your own home, and don’t worry about preparing meals.”

At the time, all the servants were astonished.

“You don’t want me to speak formally? No, really, it’s fine. And just consider the mansion an employee benefit—use it however you like. Have parties, invite guests…”

That’s when Irefi poured cold water on my suggestion.

“Wait, what about my meals?”

“Ah… Well, if it’s not too much trouble for you servants, could you just serve meals for the Marquess here? Oh, no, I’m fine, really! I don’t want to create more work for people who are already working hard!”

As she listened to me, Irefi’s face grew redder and redder until she finally exploded.

“What is this? You’re making me look like the bad person! Fine. I don’t need it either. I’ll just cook my own meals!”

In truth, Irefi had nothing to feel guilty about. I was the abnormal one, telling hired servants not to do their jobs.

Perhaps at that time, Irefi had lost her reason due to the uncomfortable cohabitation that had just begun, leading her to make such a declaration.

‘I think I’m starting to understand how to handle Irefi.’

Though our living arrangement was forced upon us, it had been enough time to grasp Irefi’s tendencies.

“Today we’re going to the strawberry cake shop.”

“You know we’ve had cake for lunch and dinner for the past two days, right?”

“It’s delicious. You won’t eat anything anyway, no matter where we go.”

“Ugh.”

Seeing my disgusted expression, Irefi offered a dramatic compromise.

“Haa, fine. Then starting from lunch today, let’s switch to chocolate. Strawberry chocolate for lunch, and chocolate chocolate for dinner.”

“Tell me the truth. Do you have regenerative abilities like me? Or are all your teeth still baby teeth? What about nutritional balance?”

“Are you actually worried about me?”

I genuinely scrunched my face.

“What?”

“If that’s the case, don’t worry. Cake and chocolate are perfect foods.”

As if even talking was a waste of time, she turned and left. She was truly an extraordinary dessert enthusiast and bizarre eater.

Indeed, Irefi is not a normal person.

‘Is it really okay for the world’s strongest to be like this?’

Thinking she must have some protective spell on her teeth, I followed behind Irefi.

◇

In a certain shop at blazing noon, there was a strange person drawing attention. She monopolized the gazes of everyone around. The murmurs of people constantly mentioned us.

How nice it would be if this were the result of Irefi’s strikingly beautiful appearance… I sat across from Irefi, but it was impossible to see her through my field of vision.

All I could see were mountains of strawberry chocolate and carbonated drinks piled on the table. The sweetness was so intense that the entire shop seemed filled with strawberry scent.

For someone like me with superhuman senses, this was like torture.

“…Enjoying yourself?”

“The taste and quantity are just adequate.”

At her comment about the quantity being “adequate,” I decided to keep my mouth shut. Though I’ve shared dozens of meals with Irefi by now, I still can’t get used to this amount of food.

Surprisingly, the neatly stacked chocolates disappeared somewhere, gradually diminishing until I could finally meet Irefi’s eyes.

“Nepy should feel sorry for me.”

“Me? The one who has to accompany you to meals against my will?”

“I have to monitor you closely day and night, so it can’t be helped. And spreading my spiritual perception throughout the entire mansion while sleeping is quite bothersome, you know.”

This woman is saying she can sense every living being’s movements in the mansion even while sleeping. And she’s not tired—just annoyed.

Since sharing a bed was out of the question, this must have been her next best option. The real monster here isn’t me but Irefi.

“…Afraid I might do something unnecessary?”

“Yes. That’s why I need to eat this much to keep up my strength.”

Irefi quickly added:

“I don’t usually eat this much.”

‘Ah… right…’

“And if we were at my manor, I could eat more without feeling self-conscious.”

“More than this?”

Irefi clasped her hands to her chest like a tragic heroine. If not for the red syrup at the corners of her mouth, she might have actually looked the part.

“I’ve sacrificed all that because of having to monitor you. You should always be grateful to me.”

“Thank you for cutting off my waist, arms, and legs.”

“Mwhat.”

My unexpected counterattack silenced her. She was merely executing the Emperor’s orders, but the result was that she was now sitting across from and talking with a man she had dismembered.

Considering my unjust infamy, Irefi probably wouldn’t feel guilty, but…

“…Thank the self-willed Emperor for that.”

“Is that okay for you to say as a knight?”

“It’s fine. Who would know if you keep quiet? Besides, for His Majesty’s safety, I have the right to restrain even His Majesty himself if necessary. But because it was you, things ended up like this…”

While Irefi was getting worked up, a troubled-looking man interrupted from beside us.

“Excuse me, but I can hear you.”

“I’m sorry, but who are you?”

“I’ve come with a message from His Imperial Majesty… I was planning to speak after your meal was finished.”

The man slightly revealed a golden chain emblem from his breast pocket. And then I saw it—Irefi’s pupils trembling as if an earthquake had struck.

I opened my eyes wide and said:

“My goodness… As His Majesty’s messenger, you’ll have to report everything you’ve seen and heard.”

“Nepy?”

“I hope you’ll be sure to tell him how I scolded Marquess Justitia for speaking ill of His Majesty.”

“W-wait a minute. Nepy is also complicit…”

The man chuckled and looked at me. Then he joined our table and spoke:

“Why don’t you tell him yourself? His Imperial Majesty wishes to see Marquess Alteon.”

Alteon was the new title bestowed upon me after my audience with the Emperor. I was now making a fresh start under the name “Nepy Alteon.”

“That works out perfectly. I’ll report everything, adding whatever embellishments necessary!”

“N-Nepy? You can’t make things up!”

The Emperor’s messenger laughed cheerfully, then lowered his voice and spoke carefully:

“His Majesty wishes for a private audience with Marquess Alteon. So Marquess Justitia should return to the mansion—”

“Denied.”

Irefi’s demeanor, which had seemed dumbfounded, reversed in an instant. Even when addressing the Emperor’s messenger, she was resolute and cold.

Her aura was so intense that the chattering people around us fell silent at once. The man didn’t dare continue and looked anxiously at Irefi.

“Marquess, I…”

“Based on my duty and rights, I refuse the imperial order. I will accompany him to the imperial palace.”

The man swallowed hard, his lips trembling. Unable to watch any longer, I stepped in to intervene.

“Alright, I get it. I’ll go with you, so could you please calm down? You’re disrupting business here.”

“I’m not particularly upset…”

Ignoring Irefi’s words, I grabbed the messenger’s hand.

“Come on, let’s go. Hey, did you prepare a carriage or something?”

“Y-yes! It’s right in front of the shop, ready for you.”

“Great, let’s get in quickly.”

And just like that, the situation was resolved in the blink of an eye. Irefi and I got into the carriage, while the messenger reluctantly declined to join us, saying he would stay outside with the coachman.

Not long after we departed, I could hear the conversation between the messenger and the coachman.

“…This happened, and I think I’ve gotten on Marquess Justitia’s bad side.”

“Don’t worry, my lord. Those high-ranking folks don’t even remember our faces. You’ll be fine.”

“You should have seen how angry the Marquess was… Oh my, oh my. Wife… I’m sorry.”

Of course, this conversation was only audible to me with my superhuman hearing. Irefi was still sulking, staring out the window.

‘Even here, there’s the bitterness of power dynamics.’

With such a gloomy thought, I set foot in the imperial palace.

◇

“Welcome, Marquess Alteon… And Marquess Justitia.”

The Emperor was surprised by the uninvited guest I had brought along. However, judging from my exasperated expression, he seemed to understand the situation and nodded.

“I hope Your Majesty has been well?”

“I am honored to be in Your Majesty’s presence.”

Irefi and I greeted him in turn. Unlike Irefi, who knelt on one knee, I remained standing straight.

The Emperor gestured to me, as I was unfamiliar with protocol and had missed the timing to kneel.

“I’ve been too busy with public and private affairs to summon Marquess Alteon. Let’s continue our conversation inside.”

We were currently standing in front of a massive glass greenhouse. The Emperor, Irefi, and I were about to enter. The Emperor stopped Irefi.

“Marquess Justitia, please wait outside.”

“Your Majesty, that is unacceptable…”

“I deliberately chose this glass greenhouse for our private conversation because of you. If anything unusual happens here, everyone will know immediately.”

The Emperor had compromised as much as he could. In other words, this was also a testament to his trust in Irefi’s abilities.

He was confident that even if I suddenly turned violent, Irefi would be able to save him.

“…I obey.”

Irefi, understanding this, accepted and stepped back.

Upon entering the greenhouse, the Emperor personally locked the door. Irefi flinched at this action, but as soon as the greenhouse was sealed, the Emperor laughed heartily.

“In truth, that’s half an excuse—this greenhouse is my favorite place.”

“It does have a certain charm to it.”

“I’m glad you think so!”

The Emperor sat at a table where refreshments were prepared and offered me a seat as well. As soon as I sat down, the Emperor formed a steeple with his hands and spoke:

“Actually, I don’t particularly want the knowledge of the Founding Noble Cou— no, Marquess.”

I was a bit taken aback by how quickly he got to the point.

“Why is that?”

“To be precise, it’s not yet time for me to want it. Rather, I called you here because I wanted to hear your views.”

“I’m not sure if my opinions will be helpful.”

“Hoho, speak freely.”

“…Please ask.”

The Emperor’s gaze deepened. Meeting his eyes, I once again experienced that mysterious feeling I had during our first audience.

‘It feels like he can see right through me.’

Finally, the Emperor spoke:

“What do you think is the greatest threat to the security of the Eld Empire at present?”

After thinking for a moment, I carefully answered:

“Well, there are the steadily growing neighboring countries, and phenomena like the ‘Chainlich’…”

The Emperor then asked me with great interest:

“Is that truly what you think? Do you have no other opinion?”

“Well… hmm.”

I looked directly into the Emperor’s eyes. He undoubtedly knew I wasn’t showing my true thoughts. I was now certain that the feeling of being seen through wasn’t just a simple impression.

This was less a logical deduction and more like an animal instinct latent in Netionpiece’s body. The Emperor had asked for my “views” rather than my “knowledge,” but I had chosen to answer with knowledge.

The Emperor let out a soft exclamation at the answer that came after my deliberation.

“Irefi Justitia. She is both the Eld Empire’s greatest strength and its greatest threat.”