Ch.98Aftermath – 4

“Are we… supposed to make the first offer?”

“That’s right. You should show that much sincerity at least. Am I wrong?”

“No. Everything you say is correct. You could never be wrong.”

The magicians all fell into deep contemplation. Without exception. So, among these 53 people trying to impress me, there are three Grand Magicians?

“Would unlimited money suffice?”

“Do I look like someone who needs money?”

“T-then how about the knowledge we possess?”

“It’s you who hunger for knowledge, not me.”

“Then what about power! With just one word from you, everyone here would—”

“Have you forgotten who I was just with?”

“Women—”

“Go ahead. See if that works.”

“……”

When all their best cards were blocked, they visibly deflated. I plan to reject whatever they propose anyway, so it’s pointless.

Unless someone offers to show me a ninja with a lightsaber riding a nano-tech mecha-tyrannosaurus, reciting haiku while fighting bipedal robots on a space battleship.

Honestly, that might be worth considering.

“Please give us time. We will surely think of something you need.”

“Do as you please.”

In conclusion, nothing dramatically changed after that exchange. From their perspective, they needed to learn healing magic first before worrying about anything else.

“Let’s start with the most basic healing magic.”

I began drawing the magic circle for healing magic on the mana board provided by the Magicians’ Association. Exclamations of “Ooh!” erupted from various corners as they witnessed a magical formula they’d never seen before.

Then, as they tried to creep closer for a better look and a scuffle nearly broke out, I threatened to throw out anyone who moved from their spot, which quieted them down.

“Aaah…! This is…! This is…!”

“How can it emit such a brilliant light! Truly beautiful!”

“I have finally reached the truth… This time was not wasted!”

Since it was low-tier healing magic, they all managed to learn it just by watching. Some even shed tears while gazing at the green light flowing from their palms.

A few impatient ones cut their own arms to test the healing magic, then panicked when the limbs wouldn’t reattach. I sighed and fixed them.

“It’s low-tier, remember? It can only heal wounds that haven’t significantly altered the body’s form.”

“S-sorry…”

“It’s fine. My fault for not explaining first. Let’s move on.”

I drew the magic circle for mid-low tier healing magic right beside it. The lecture hall fell silent again.

“If I could just capture that person… all that knowledge would be ours, no, mine…”

Somehow, the female magicians, all wearing considerably more revealing clothes than when I first saw them, kept muttering something while staring at me as if entranced.

I could guess their intentions, but I wasn’t going to single anyone out. What a pointless endeavor.

“Mid-tier will be a bit difficult, so take your time.”

After confirming everyone had mastered the low-tier magic, we moved on to mid-tier, and the struggling clearly increased. Some succeeded quickly while others couldn’t find any clues at all.

When I asked why some were struggling, it came down to how they normally cast magic.

The naturally gifted ones who could understand formulas just by looking were now struggling with comprehension, while the studious types who cast through calculation and knowledge were succeeding by analyzing the formulas as usual.

Of course, both types were geniuses worthy of becoming Tower Masters, but that’s the difference if I had to categorize them.

“That’s it for today. I’ll teach you the highest-tier healing magic in three days, so make sure you master everything up to this point properly.”

After writing down the magic circle for high-tier healing magic, I declared the class over. Everyone nodded with solemn faces and concentrated on drawing the magic circles.

“If you need test subjects, go to the Sword Saint first. Don’t bother random people. You’ll probably get to use it plenty there. I’m leaving now.”

“W-wait a moment!”

After firmly warning them not to use it for human experimentation, I was about to return to the imperial palace when someone raised their hand to stop me. It was the female magician who had first encountered me, now completely cured of the dragon transformation’s side effects.

“What?”

“You just mentioned there’s a highest-tier, right? C-could the highest-tier healing magic possibly revive the dead?”

“…The dead, huh.”

It wasn’t an entirely absurd question. Even in this world, magic with the “highest-tier” modifier demonstrates power beyond visual comprehension.

Highest-tier healing magic would naturally sound like something with tremendous abilities.

But.

“If such a thing existed, I would have used it myself first.”

Sadly, no such thing existed.

I returned to the imperial palace. Laura was still curled up asleep on my clothes. While absently watching her, I took out the necklace I had previously removed from my inner pocket.

It wouldn’t matter if Laura woke up and saw it. After all, Elisier is also a possessor. She’ll need to know everything eventually, so it’s fine if she finds out early.

I put on the necklace. All was quiet. No voice came through. Usually, Elisier would speak to me as soon as I put on the necklace.

Figuring she must be busy with something, I decided to wait. If nothing happened after a couple of hours, I could always try again later. Elisier must have her own duties as a Demon Lord.

With nothing else to do while waiting, I stroked Laura’s head. Even in her sleep, she smiled happily when my hand touched her and whimpered when it moved away.

She reminded me so much of Priscilla.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

After some time, Elisier’s voice finally came through.

“Were you busy? If so, I’m sorry. Should we talk later?”

“No. Things have just settled down now.”

Her saying things had “settled down” meant she had indeed been busy. Now that I noticed, her voice sounded unusually agitated compared to normal.

“What happened?”

“Beings consumed by the black energy appeared in the demon realm. The ones you encountered. They infected… hmm, perhaps ‘infected’ is the right word rather than ‘brainwashed.’ Ordinary demon beasts infected by the black energy attacked my castle.”

“…The black energy appeared in the demon realm?”

“Indeed. They suddenly invaded my castle, rampaging about how they must deliver death to the false Demon Lord. I personally eliminated them, executed the guards on duty during that time as suggested by my commanders, and spent time resolving the situation. And above all…”

Haah, Elisier let out a deep sigh.

“The demon sword has disappeared.”

“Wait. What do you mean? The demon sword disappeared?”

“It means exactly what I said. It vanished as if it had evaporated. For demons, the demon sword is equivalent to humans’ holy sword. I remain the Demon Lord without it, but it will inevitably raise suspicions among some.”

Hearing that, something came to mind.

“Hold on. There’s something I know about this.”

I explained about the Demon God—a character who had been set up as the final boss but became a mere MacGuffin when the author essentially rushed the ending.

Elisier was silent for a while.

“…Then, this ‘Demon God’ concept may have been reborn as something real. Do you believe the black energy is likely the power of the Demon God?”

“At least that’s what I think. The demon sword mentioned the Demon God too. If the holy sword was created by the Goddess, then naturally the demon sword would have been made by the Demon God. It’s just speculation, but the probability seems high.”

“I understand. I also think that’s quite possible. But tell me, how can you be so certain about what the author did? Have you discovered some arrangement left by the author in this world?”

Rather than discovering an arrangement left by the author, it’s closer to say I discovered the author herself. I briefly looked down at Laura, who was happily rubbing her cheek against my palm even in her sleep, before answering.

“Laura, the Imperial Princess, was actually the author. She says she was possessed here too. Just like you all, she repeatedly went through loops before meeting me.”

“…”

Elisier drew in a sharp breath. I deliberately didn’t mention the number of loops. That was something Laura should reveal herself, not a third party.

“T-that… that… no, that… is… is that true?”

Elisier was so shocked that she stumbled over her words several times before finally managing to ask.

“Yes. But since it’s a long story, I’ll explain properly later. Let’s deal with the demon realm issues first. We might need to move up the timeline for dealing with the commanders.”

“Y-yes. I mean, yes indeed. Let us do that.”

Once we finish the imperial matters, handling Elisier’s situation becomes the priority. While ordinary demons might not be a problem, commanders enhanced by the black energy will be extremely troublesome.

One concern is that we don’t know how powerful the Demon God might be…

“Mmm…”

Fortunately, there was someone I could ask.

“Are you sure you can handle this?”

“How many years do you think I’ve lived as Laura? I can play the role of Imperial Prince with my eyes closed.”

Laura, who woke up only after the sun was high in the sky, was very pleased about having slept well for the first time in a long while. Then she tried to strike a deal, asking me to give her the clothes I wear every day.

News that the Emperor had summoned us arrived around that time. Laura had already returned to her Imperial Prince persona. The transformation was so remarkable it was as if her personality had changed.

By the time we finished preparing and left the room, there was no trace of the person who had been lying down whining about needing my clothes.

“However, there will be clear limitations.”

“What limitations?”

“After all, what’s in my head is only the knowledge and behavior of the novel’s Laura. If we go beyond the scope of the novel, I’ll have to improvise on my own, as I’ve done until now. Haven’t you ever felt that I’m strangely reluctant to take action compared to my words?”

“Well, that’s certainly true…”

“Though I’m living Laura’s life, I’m merely a possessor inside, and that’s natural. Moreover, I was a possessor who had lost most of my memories and believed myself to be the Imperial Princess—how could such a mind take meaningful action?”

Laura looked at me with a meaningful smile.

“Therefore, I will desperately need your help going forward. Make sure you take responsibility for rescuing me from my delusion.”

“…”

I feel like I’ve heard those words before.

“If you take responsibility, I will also fulfill my duties. Now, let’s go. The Emperor is waiting.”

“Don’t we need to follow procedures? I heard it takes at least three days of preparation.”

At my words, Laura snorted.

“Preparation process when a father calls for his daughter? Anyone who demands that would incur the Emperor’s wrath. You just need to follow me.”

I followed her confident stride. The corridor leading to the Emperor’s chamber was lined with Royal Guards from the entrance. They all bowed deeply as Laura passed.

They didn’t bow to me, but they did nod respectfully. I’m not sure if it’s because they can now receive real-time healing without the Starlight Order.

“Open it.”

“Yes!”

Four Royal Guards grabbed the doors and opened them with precise movements from both sides. In the distance, I could vaguely see the Emperor sitting on his throne.

Though his face couldn’t hide the traces of age, powerful muscles that could burst through his imperial garments still lay dormant beneath. His presence was overwhelming enough to intimidate most adult men.

As I was about to observe the proper etiquette I’d picked up here and there before entering the room, Laura firmly stopped me.

“Don’t.”

“Pardon?”

“You have already sworn loyalty to me. Therefore…”

I could hear the Royal Guards gasping in shock around us. Laura continued regardless, her eyes fixed directly on the throne.

“You need only bow your head to one person.”