Episode 103 – The Social Gathering (3)

*

Despite the party being in full swing, everyone’s gaze inside the Imperial City’s banquet hall was entirely focused on the white marble table on the terrace, separated by a thin glass door next to the banquet hall.

Considering who was sitting around that table, it was only natural.

The Emperor, the man who represents all of humanity on this continent.

Mella, from the Hero Party’s Saintess and the same family as the current hot topic of the Empire, the heretic Jennifer.

And Salvie-eo-nim Baron, the mysterious foreigner who helps the poor without expecting anything in return, possessing wealth that never runs dry like the sea.

In terms of buzzworthiness alone, they were the three most famous people in the Empire right now.

‘Fucking hell, what the hell is this Emperor thinking?’

I could feel the stares pouring down on me and was feeling uncomfortable.

No, not just the stares, but this whole situation unfolding before my eyes was nothing but uncomfortable.

When the Emperor said we should move to another location, I naturally expected a prepared room.

I mean, there’s no way he’d invite me just to chat for a few words in that noisy banquet hall.

But what actually happened was that while they couldn’t hear what we were saying, countless people were watching us have a conversation.

You could even faintly hear what we were saying if you put your ear to the door.

Of course, there’s no way there would be any crazy bastard openly eavesdropping on the Emperor and his guest’s private conversation in front of a clearly visible glass wall.

And why the hell is Mella sitting here too?

I replayed the scene I had just witnessed in my head.

The moment Mella appeared in the banquet hall, arm in arm with Robin.

I realized everything in that instant.

No, “realized” is too tame a word.

It would be more accurate to say that it mocked my struggles to turn a blind eye to what I already knew, forcibly shoved the harsh truth before my eyes, and firmly held my head and chin to prevent me from looking away.

Of course, I could still close my eyes, but having seen it so clearly, it was no longer a matter of pretending not to know.

It would be nothing more than actively running away.

I remember that expression.

That night by the lake, when the moonlight scattered silvery light in all directions.

The day I mustered my courage and shyly confessed my feelings to Mella in a barely audible voice.

Mella’s happy expression she showed me that day.

Even at this age of 40, Mella was so beautiful, and that expression she made when she was happy hadn’t changed a bit.

The only thing that had changed was that the one her sunny face was directed towards was no longer me, but Robin.

I admit it.

I have no choice but to admit it.

Mella was genuinely happy and genuinely loved Robin.

I already knew that they had two children and had maintained this marriage for 17 years,

But, funnily enough, I only truly realized it now.

Strangely enough, what I felt at that moment wasn’t anger.

It wasn’t resignation, nor was it sadness.

I found it difficult to grasp what state my emotions were in.

Regret, remorse, pain, hatred, longing, displeasure, resentment, annoyance, embarrassment, shrinking, misery, bleakness, despair, resentment, etc.,

It wasn’t any of those negative emotions either.

Perhaps all of them rushed in at once, and my heart couldn’t handle it, so it closed all the doors.

I could no longer see a happy future with Mella that might have existed somewhere.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Because that future would never have come to me anyway.

Ah, right.

I was belatedly able to find the name of my emotion.

It was emptiness.

Only now have I truly accepted that Mella is no longer my lover.

And that Mella is sitting next to me now.

Ironically, I’m clearly in a human body now, but my heart no longer beats when I look at her.

The only sensation that barely manages to occupy even a tiny space in the emptiness that fills my heart is a slight discomfort.

*

When a royal maid appeared with a tray and placed teacups and refreshments on the marble table before retreating, the Emperor slowly began to speak.

“Well, everyone, please help yourselves. The tea prepared in the Imperial City may not be as good as what you usually drink.”

The Emperor said that and brought the teacup to his lips.

The tea was definitely high-quality enough not to be ashamed of offering it in the Imperial City, but I, who had spent more time drinking tea than eating meals, could easily tell that what I usually drank was much more expensive tea leaves.

Of course, it wasn’t that the Imperial City was saving money, but rather that they didn’t feel the need to invest in tea like that.

It was easy to guess from the Emperor’s appearance, as he tossed it into his mouth like whiskey in a shot glass rather than savoring the aroma or taste of the tea.

Yeah, this is how he is.

The reason I wasn’t too nervous despite Deborah’s warning was that I had met this Emperor before and had quite a long conversation with him.

Back in my teens, when I openly invaded the royal castle and demanded to be included in the Hero Party.

I felt it back then too, but this person was more like a folksy village elder than an Emperor or King.

He was the type of person who often made jokes that didn’t suit his authority, and he was such a fool that all the vassals in the royal castle had seen him completely under his wife’s thumb.

And even before we had a proper conversation, just sitting in a chair and drinking tea, I could immediately feel that he was still that immature old man, even after 20 years of being Emperor.

He gulped down the tea and said with a “hu-” exhale.

“Well, I’d like to state my business first, is that alright?”

“Please do as you wish.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Alright, then first…”

The Emperor looked straight at me.

Making eye contact with my eyes hidden beneath the mask, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Salvie-eo-nim Baron, as the Emperor of the Empire, I sincerely thank you for using astronomical funds to provide quality food to the poor as a foreigner.”

“… No, it’s nothing.”

“Hoho, to dismiss that amount of money as nothing, is everyone so well-off in your country? I envy that.”

The Emperor laughed, showing his teeth.

He was asking probing questions about the fictitious identity of Salvie-eo-nim Baron.

It was definitely troublesome to keep digging into the identity of Salvie-eo-nim Baron, which was all lies, but I was a little relieved.

This was because the setting for Salvie-eo-nim Baron was the part I had put the most effort into during the four months I spent in Lara’s cabin, so I was prepared to answer any questions the Emperor might ask.

“How did you acquire that wealth?”

“My ship was carrying many treasures. Simple precious metals may be abundant in this Empire as well, but the unique shapes and processing techniques of our country’s jewels, different from those of this land, are rare, so that became the foundation of my funds.”

“I see, well, the price of jewels is determined by their rarity. In that case, the Baron’s wealth may only be valid in this Empire,”

“Yes, I wasn’t in dire straits even in my hometown, but I certainly didn’t have the immense wealth that I’ve acquired in this Empire.”

The Emperor stroked his beard and nodded.

“Hoho, if I ever get the chance, I’d like to visit your hometown with a ship full of the Empire’s treasures.”

“If the opportunity arises, I’ll give you a tour.”

“I’ll hold you to that. Hehehe.”

The Emperor smiled and turned his gaze to Mella.

Is this the end?

I felt a little deflated.

Was he really just trying to thank me?

While I was taken aback by the unexpectedly anticlimactic conversation, he spoke to Mella as if to prove my suspicions wrong.

“I’ve been holding you back and making you sit here like a bump on a log, I’m sorry for making you wait, former Saintess Mella.”

“… No, Your Majesty, I found your conversation interesting and wasn’t bored at all.”

The Emperor didn’t call Mella Countess or Voldiras, but deliberately used the title “former Saintess” along with her name.

Was it to check the Hero family, who are members of the noble faction?

Mella barely managed to hold onto her wavering gaze and answered.

The Emperor continued to speak with an indifferent attitude, as if he was ignoring or unaware of Mella’s discomfort.

“I’m glad to hear that. So, you have something to say to Salvie-eo-nim Baron?”

“… Yes,”

“What is it?”

At my question, Mella slowly began to open her mouth.

“… First of all, I would also like to express my gratitude. Thank you for your help with my daughter, Tess, this time.”

Mella bowed her head to me and expressed her gratitude.

I shook my head and replied.

“It’s alright. Please raise your head.”

“I’m so grateful. The thought that I might have lost my daughter if it weren’t for you still scares me, and I don’t know how to repay this kindness. I’m always receiving favors from you, Baron-nim, and I’m ashamed.”

Mella said that and slowly raised her head, then pursed her lips.

She looked like she was contemplating something.

Whatever it was, it seemed like a matter she hesitated to bring up in front of the Emperor.

I slowly rolled my eyes behind my mask and glanced at the Emperor.

He didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

Mella hesitated for a while before slowly opening her mouth.

“Baron-nim.”

“Yes?”

“… Could you help me meet that doctor again?”

“Why?”

“That’s…”

“If it’s to express your gratitude, you don’t need to. I paid the fee, so you can give it to me later.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Mella glanced at the Emperor and only twitched her lips.

The Emperor smiled and said.

“I swear to keep anything I hear in this place a secret. Tell me.”

“Ugh,”

Mella bit her lip at the Emperor’s words.

The Emperor’s words, disguised as kindness, seemed like consideration for Mella on the surface, but in reality, they meant

‘I know you’re reluctant to speak, but I have no intention of leaving this place, so don’t hide anything and speak.’

It was closer to a threat.

Mella slowly let out a sigh and began to move her lips slowly.

“… That doctor… that doctor’s power must be the Saintess’s divine power.”

“…”

“And it’s clearly the divine power that was mine.”

*

I should have realized.

It was perhaps natural that Mella would recognize the Saintess’s divine power.

Especially considering that the source of the divine power in my body was her.

But was it because I had been treating this power as my own all along?

Or was it because I had been mistaken in thinking that I was chosen by the divine power due to my meeting with the Goddess and the acquisition of the Holy Sword?

I had never imagined that Mella would be able to sense the power of divine power.

Mella gave a simple explanation to the Emperor, who was unaware of the situation.

The Emperor was surprised, saying that he didn’t know there was such a person.

I barely managed to maintain my composure.

The Emperor stroked his beard and said.

“Hoo- Saintess’s divine power, what a strange story. Why would that doctor have such power?”

“…”

“I really want to know the reason too…”

Mella looked at me.

“Baron-nim, you are the only one connected to that doctor. Please, if you know anything, tell me.”

I shook my head and replied.

“I only met him by chance. It’s true that I found him at your son’s request, but that was the result of spending a lot of money and searching every nook and cranny. Fortunately, I was able to find him again working hard on treatments near the capital, but he completely disappeared after Tess-yang’s last treatment.”

“…”

“Hmm,”

I made excuses as they came out of my mouth without even wetting my lips.

The excuses were so flimsy that even Mella seemed to find them unconvincing, and she began to look at me with suspicion.

The Emperor slowly said to Mella.

“I don’t doubt the Baron’s words. If he can’t be found, then that must be the case.”

“…”

“Does former Saintess Mella think differently?”

“… No.”

Mella lowered her gaze.

Even if she suspected the Baron, she would feel guilty about making things difficult for him, who had helped her family with all his might, and it would also be disrespectful to openly question the Baron in front of the Emperor, who had directly stated that he trusted the Baron.

The Emperor stroked his beard, paused for a moment in thought, and then closed his eyes and began to say something.

“Well, since we can’t know the whereabouts of that doctor right now, shouldn’t we try to guess who that doctor is?”

As soon as the Emperor’s words fell, I blurted out.

“… I’m sorry, but I have no idea. I’m only now learning that his ability is the Saintess’s divine power.”

“… Baron-nim, is that true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“…”

“Shamefully, I can’t think of anything either. I will send a formal letter to the Papal State and ask for their opinion. Salvie-eo-nim Baron, would you also investigate separately?”

The Emperor said that and took out a small letter envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Inside, there is a special address that only a small number of people in this Empire know. It’s a special address I use to send letters directly to me without being inspected by others. If you find out anything, send a letter to that address.”

“… Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.”

“If I find out anything, I will definitely let you know, former Saintess Mella.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

My head became complicated.

I was clearly hiding the truth, and Mella was suspicious of me.

And the Emperor… I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

He seemed to know something, but he also seemed to know nothing.

The Emperor snapped his fingers and called the maid again.

The maid, who had been waiting in the distance so as not to hear the conversation, saw the Emperor’s gesture and approached with the teapot to refill the Emperor’s cup.

“You too… huh, this is something. No one has emptied their teacup! Did it not suit your taste?”

“No, I was too engrossed in the story.”

“Me too.”

The Emperor nodded, tossed the tea back into his mouth, and said.

“Well, does the Baron have anything else to say to me or the former Saintess?”

“… I was just curious as to why you called me, but there’s nothing else.”

“Is that so? Then may I state my business again?”

“Please do,”

“Hmm,”

The Emperor wore a slightly playful smile, unlike before.

Seeing that face, Ellie’s mischievous face definitely came to mind.

The Emperor began to speak in a relatively light tone.

“Baron, there are rumors that you’re quite close to my daughter, and it seems that Elizabeth likes you.”

“…”

I could tell just by looking at that grinning face.

Ellie takes after her father a lot.

.