chapter_0156

157 – The Empress’s Call

157 – The Empress’s Call

A few days ago, Tia, who caused a scene at the celebration party with me, returned to the dwarven city.

She said she would conduct research for the production of umbrellas.

Seeing her face turn bright red, Meiko tilted her head in confusion, but she couldn’t possibly think that Tia and I had mixed our bodies under the influence of alcohol.

Of course not.

Meiko still thought of Tia as a boy dwarf.

The day after Tia returned.

“…Who are all those people?”

“…I’m not sure. I don’t know either.”

Meiko and I looked at a group of people who had come to our shop.

Those clad in golden armor held shields bearing the imperial crest and had their hands resting on swords hanging from their waists.

It was clear to anyone that they were following the emperor’s orders.

Unlike the Imperial First Knights, who could intervene in any incident within the empire, they were the Imperial Guard, solely tasked with protecting the palace and the royal family.

Though they didn’t quite match the overwhelming military power of the Imperial First Knights, they were among the top three military forces in the empire.

The appearance of the Imperial Guard meant that it was closely related to the emperor, as they acted solely on the emperor’s command.

My master and I stared blankly at the unexpected visitors.

“Are you Sir Max, the Illusion magician?”

The knight at the forefront, dressed in the most splendid armor, asked me.

“Yes, that is correct. What brings you here?”

“The emperor wishes to see you.”

“……”

“……”

At the sudden and unbelievable words, I looked at Meiko.

“Master, did that person just say what I think they said? I must have misheard.”

“I think the same. Perhaps I’ve been too absorbed in my research and am hearing things.”

As we exchanged glances, the captain of the guard spoke again.

“The emperor requests Illusion magician Max. Please bring the Mana Battery you presented at this conference and prepare to come to the palace immediately. This is no joke; you must get ready to go at once.”

So it was real.

I thought it might be an April Fool’s prank.

Wondering why the emperor was suddenly involved, I immediately recalled the future value of the Mana Battery.

‘This is not something to be taken lightly.’

Even if mass production was impossible, it was an item capable of a kind of mana energy revolution, so it must have reached the emperor’s ears.

Hearing that, Meiko’s eyebrows began to furrow slightly. At the same time, her eyes became moist.

“Finally, our Max is making a name for himself. Being summoned by the emperor…”

She began to sniffle, patting my back.

“I’m so proud of you. I believed you would succeed. The item you presented at this conference was indeed remarkable.”

With a face that looked like she might cry at any moment, my younger master spoke with emotion, and I leaned in to whisper to her.

“Who knows? The emperor might suddenly decide to punish the Illusion magician for mocking the empire.”

“Th-That cannot happen!”

Meiko’s rising tears were instantly quelled.

“Then we’ll save the celebration for after the emperor rewards you.”

“Did I get ahead of myself?”

“A little.”

Meiko chuckled awkwardly.

“Ahem, quickly obey the summons and prepare to enter the palace.”

The captain of the guard, watching our little drama, said without changing his expression.

He was much more stoic than I expected.

“Understood.”

“We will escort you to the palace.”

To enter the palace under the protection of the Imperial Guard.

It was a treatment I could never have imagined when I first became an Illusion magician.

“Sniff! This is the highest output of our Illusion magician.”

Meiko seemed overwhelmed with emotion just at the thought of being invited by the emperor and began to tear up again.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Right. I should prepare a congratulatory party as well.”

“We just had one not long ago. If we do it too often, it’ll spoil the habit.”

“Who’s spoiling it? You?”

“My master!”

“You little rascal, you have no qualms about speaking to your master like that!”

I laughed at the bouncing Meiko and headed toward the palace.

The grand hall.

The wealthiest space in the empire, where the one who possesses the most wealth and power resides and conducts business.

I gazed at the twelve high steps located in the massive hall.

The white marble proved that its mere existence emitted mana subtly, making it anything but ordinary.

‘I can feel different energies of mana on each step.’

As if spells were cast on each level.

I looked up at the throne standing alone above.

On the splendid golden throne sat the Empress, with red hair and golden eyes.

Before entering this place, I recalled what the butler and the captain of the guard had told me.

– After kneeling and greeting, do not rise until the emperor permits you. Ascending the stairs is also forbidden.

I knelt before the emperor and bowed.

“I greet the sun of the empire.”

“Are you Max?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You look more ordinary than I expected.”

“Pardon?”

“Those who create remarkable inventions often have eccentric or distinctive appearances. But you…”

She scanned me as if evaluating my appearance.

“You’re surprisingly ordinary.”

Ordinary.

It had been a long time since I heard that word.

“Perhaps I had too high expectations. I thought you would possess something special.”

While I was flustered by the sudden critique of my appearance, the Empress continued.

“That’s enough. What does appearance matter? What’s important for a magician is skill.”

“Indeed.”

“Can I see that Mana Battery? I’ve become interested in this mana energy innovation.”

“Here it is.”

As I presented the battery, a glimmer of interest sparkled in her eyes.

“Ah, so it’s true that it can preserve energy permanently without mana leaking. To have brought it this far without any trace of mana…”

Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

“May I try it?”

“Of course.”

As soon as I answered, the Empress rose from her throne.

She walked down slowly with an elegant posture, her footsteps echoing softly.

As she approached, I could feel her grace.

Was it innate elegance and nobility?

With soft clicks, she descended the stairs and reached out to the Mana Battery I was holding.

And at that moment.

Whoosh!

A golden light erupted from her body, reacting with the Mana Battery.

It felt as if the mana within the battery was being absorbed into her body.

“Hmm?”

The Empress’s face lit up as she placed her hand on the Mana Battery.

For a long time, she drew upon the mana stored in the battery, not releasing her grip until it was empty.

“Truly, it has several times the efficiency. The amount of mana inside is astonishing. Now I understand why there was such a commotion at the conference.”

With her confirmation, the corners of her mouth lifted.

Seeing the soft golden glow emanating from the Empress, I asked her.

“Is that your magic, Your Majesty?”

“Similar. If I were to explain, it’s a power passed down through the royal family.”

It was a fascinating power.

It felt like it possessed an absolute strength that could not simply be classified as ordinary magic.

If that power were to be neutralized, it felt utterly impossible.

Of course, that power wasn’t overwhelmingly strong.

But at least it seemed capable of overwhelmingly subduing a few people in front of her.

“You possess a precious talent. Combining objects with opposing properties using overwhelming mana. It’s a structure that no other magician could even attempt to imitate.”

“Did you see that?”

“Of course. What do you take me for? Just by feeling the power, I can tell what kind of structure it has.”

How intriguing.

Is this the omnipotence of the Empress?

As I admired her immediate grasp of the battery’s structure, the Empress looked at the battery with interest.

“If mass production is possible, our empire could welcome a new innovation.”

“That won’t be easy.”

“Of course. It will never be easy.”

After a moment of gazing at the battery, she spoke.

“I’ll have to allocate additional funding to the Illusion School. This is something I truly don’t want to miss.”

Finishing her words, the Empress looked at me.

“Do you have plans to present this item to the emperor? I will ensure a fair price is paid.”

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

What would happen if I turned it down?

Absolutely impossible.

I nodded my head.

“Of course. I brought it for that purpose.”

“Ha ha, thank you. I will certainly repay you for that.”

A brief silence.

I wondered if it was time to withdraw and waited for the Empress’s dismissal.

However.

“Actually, I didn’t call you just for this battery.”

At the Empress’s words, I involuntarily raised my head.

No way.

“I’ve heard rumors. That the Hero and the captain of the First Knights, Yuris, are regulars at your shop.”

“……”

Here it comes.

Of course.

The emperor wouldn’t be unaware.

After all, it’s the emperor of the empire.

“Um, that is…”

How should I explain?

How do I justify running a shop that is taboo in the church and that nobles absolutely do not want to speak of publicly?

That I show illusionary, realistic adult content?

How do I explain that to the emperor?

As I pondered in my head, the Empress continued.

“I’ve heard you’re an excellent counselor. That you’ve listened to their troubles quite refreshingly?”

At those words, I looked at the Empress.

She was smiling at me.

Did she not know the true nature of our shop?

That couldn’t be.

I could sense that her smile held no light meaning.

What should I say in response?