episode_0216

Episode 216. Imperial Council (1)

[You have purchased ‘Doppelganger’s Skin’]

[You have purchased ‘Mask of Disguise’]

[You have purchased ‘Moonlight-Infused Carving Knife’]

[Purchased ……]

I browsed the store and purchased useful items one by one. Points were consumed each time, but it wasn’t much compared to the points I had accumulated.

I roughly got what I needed. I headed to the workshop. I made one while remodeling the dormitory, like building a kitchen.

Arriving at the workshop, I took out the materials on the workbench and immediately started working. It’s a simple task of connecting each material, so it doesn’t take long.

Cut the leather to fit my body shape and attach the mask. This is the first stage. Next, I refine it little by little with a carving knife, and melt the remaining materials with mana to adhere them well inside.

Now all that’s left is the stabilization process. Of course, I can use it right away, but I plan to use it for a while, so it’s a necessary step.

I drew up mana and put it on the leather suit….

Boom!

The loud noise that rang out then. The sound of a building collapsing can be heard from here. Soon after, their shouts were heard between the sounds.

“Hey! Stop right there! I told you not to take my things!”

“It’s something Oppa gave me anyway!”

“So why are you using something your senior gave me!”

“Don’t you know what sharing is? People living together can share things!”

“If I catch you, you’re dead!”

After that, destruction sounds were heard in succession. Later, the aftermath of the shock was conveyed even here.

“…I’m going crazy.”

I laid down over 10 kinds of magic, including shock absorption, but it’s this much. I don’t know what kind of mess they’re making this time to be like this.

“…….”

I stopped what I was doing and went outside. Then, as usual, a dormitory that was partially collapsed greeted me.

A sight that only makes me sigh. Especially the sight of the garden, which I had restored not long ago, being destroyed, pained me even more. This is already the 4th time.

I approached the two who were still arguing, unaware that I had arrived.

“Give it to me before Senior comes out!”

“I don’t want to! And you used my stuff too! Have some conscience….”

“Stop talking nonsense and give it back!”

Chloe casting magic. Her attack is directed at Estella. Of course, Estella wouldn’t be defeated by that, so she defended with divine power as always.

The two huge energies collide, and the earth and sky roar. The environment that was restored with great effort begins to be destroyed again.

Eventually, I called them.

“Hey.”

“…….”

“…….”

As soon as they heard my voice, they became quiet and quickly withdrew their powers. And without anyone saying anything, they ran away at the same time.

I called again. This time with threats.

“Try running away like that. I’ll tell Lana everything when she gets back.”

Chloe and Estella stop at that moment. As if they had promised, they came to me and said.

“Tch, that’s so unfair! Threatening with unnie…!”

“…No, Senior. If I get caught this time, I might be kicked out for life.”

“Then stay quiet. You know that.”

Since Chloe joined, the dormitory hasn’t had a quiet day. It was only natural. Their personalities didn’t match, and there were many things to argue about as they used the same space. They fought every time, big and small.

But it was too much. Lana, who had been mediating well at first, eventually exploded.

She was so angry at that time. On that day, her emotions affected the summoned beasts, which rampaged throughout the academy. I also felt a chill down my spine.

Anyway, due to Lana’s anger, the two couldn’t even come near the dormitory. It’s safe to say they were almost kicked out. And that state lasted for over a week.

Eventually, the two begged and begged Lana and barely managed to return to the dormitory. Of course, they showed a reconciled appearance in front of Lana and even promised to fight only occasionally.

But how could it go as promised? The two fought when Lana was out, just like now. Even with a barrier so Lana wouldn’t hear.

If they had that much sincerity, they shouldn’t fight in the first place. But what can I do? Their personalities don’t match. So I try to let it go as much as possible. As long as it doesn’t interfere too much.

“Anyway, let’s stay quiet today. I’m busy. If you disturb me one more time, I’ll really tell Lana.”

“…Yes.”

“…Okay.”

The two, pouting their lips, silently began to clean up the mess.

Looking at that appearance alone, the two looked really good. Of course, it would be better if they didn’t fight, but I know it’s impossible.

“I should finish my work.”

After that, I returned to the workshop and continued the finishing touches.

***

A few days after the end of Trianis’ semester. The Empire’s capital, even before the founding festival began, was bustling.

The reason is the numerous carriages lined up on the street. It was noisy because they were all waiting to enter the Imperial Palace.

Of course, even if it wasn’t a carriage, people who looked like nobles entered the Imperial Palace. For that reason, the people of the capital also gathered to see them, which made it even noisier.

Anyway, there is one reason why the nobles came to the capital. It was because of the upcoming Imperial Council.

The Tyran Empire is a powerful country, and as such, it is overflowing with agendas. Even a small country has a huge amount, so how much would the Empire have? To put it a little exaggeratedly, it comes out like a mountain.

Therefore, the Empire gathers people in this way to hold a council. Mainly gathering problems that require long discussions and cannot be easily resolved.

So why am I talking about this… it’s because I’m participating in this council as a Saint.

It might sound like nonsense. The Saint belongs to the Ustia Holy Kingdom. There is no reason to interfere with the affairs of the Empire.

But there’s no choice. I was born in the Empire and am of the Arden family lineage. In the meantime, the status of the Saint, who is equal to the Emperor, is intertwined, and I was invited to the Imperial Palace. Even if I have the status of a foreign country, my current position cannot be ignored.

Actually, this was not in the plan, but I did not refuse because I had a legitimate reason to go to the Imperial Palace.

“So I can’t see you this week?”

“Yeah, because I have to stay at the Imperial Palace.”

The Imperial Council stays in the Imperial Palace until the discussion is over.

“If it ends early, I can come out quickly.”

The council will be held all week, but it doesn’t mean I’ll keep staying even after it’s all over. If it ends early, I’ll finish the council as soon as it ends.

“Can’t I go with you?”

Then Estella, who was walking side by side, asked. But it was impossible.

“You weren’t invited. And you’re not from the Empire either.”

As I just said, I was invited because I was born in the Empire. Even if she is a Saintess, she was not invited because she was born in the Holy Kingdom.

“Hing, to think I have to be apart from Oppa….”

“It won’t take long. I’ll be out soon.”

In the first place, this council itself is not long. It is scheduled to end in about 3 days. Of course, it’s not certain.

In the meantime, we arrived at a restaurant in the capital. It was the place to meet Ariel.

Entering the restaurant, I saw Ariel having lunch. Imperial knights were standing beside her, guarding her. She is now out here as a princess.

As soon as she found us, she stopped eating and stood up.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Greetings to the Princess.”

I greeted her on behalf of everyone. Ariel dismissed the bodyguards after receiving my greeting. Only then was a place created where it was easy to talk.

“Kyle, thank you for listening to my request.”

“It’s nothing, Princess.”

It’s not a huge request, and I could do this much.

“The clothes… that should be enough.”

Ariel looked at my attire and nodded. Since it was a place where the nobles of the Empire gathered, I couldn’t wear just anything. So I came properly dressed today.

After that, Ariel said to Lana.

“Lana, it won’t take long. I’ll send your lover back soon. And the Saintess too.”

“Yes, Princess!”

“I hope it ends as soon as possible, Princess Ariel.”

With that, we finished our short meeting and conversation. It was now time to enter the Imperial Palace.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes, Princess.”

I headed to the Imperial Palace with the guidance of the 4th Princess, Ariel Trianis.

***

In fact, even if I’m being guided, there’s nothing special. It’s just that I’m entering the Imperial Palace quickly.

That’s because she’s the Emperor’s bloodline, so who would stop her from returning to her house. Even the Imperial Knights cannot stop her.

Moreover, I am a Saint, so this was passed immediately without even checking.

I was guided by a servant to the assigned room. Not all the people had arrived yet, and it wasn’t time for the council yet.

I had time to spare. I checked the production hidden in the subspace. Fortunately, there were no problems.

As I was waiting for a while, someone knocked on the door. The person who would come to find me was obvious, so I opened the door right away. Ariel came in.

“Kyle, are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

I showed her the item I had taken out.

“Is this the tool you were talking about?”

“That’s right. It’s much better than polymorph magic.”

“Can I see it once?”

After nodding in response, I immediately put on the leather suit. The leather clung to my body, and I remembered the servant I had seen on the way. Then my appearance changed to that servant.

“How is it?”

“Ah, indeed….”

The appearance and voice, as well as everything visible, will look exactly like the target. Even to her, who has the ability of [Sensory Transcendence].

“No one will know with this.”

“Because I made it.”

Ariel, who confirmed the ability of the clothes in front of her eyes, nodded as if satisfied. But unlike her words and actions, she seemed to have something to say.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, that’s….”

Ariel hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“As you know, this plan is to stay by my side and sneak out to explore the Imperial Palace….”

“That’s right.”

“But… I don’t know if you know this, but the attendants of the imperial family are mainly of the same gender. Of course, it doesn’t have to be, but that’s what I’m doing.”

“Are you saying….”

“What I mean is… when Kyle, you are next to me, in that, female form….”

At that moment, my head went blank. At the same time, past traumas came to mind and tormented me. I let out a long sigh and said.

“Ah, fuck….”

Why are you doing this to me, really.