The only downside to soul energy was that unlike mana which could still be regenerated once completely exhausted, soul energy on the other hand couldn't be done in a similar way.
Though if a minute amount of soul energy remained in a person's body, such a person could still regenerate it but at a very slow pace when compared to how mana was being regenerated.
" Yeah. That's right. It'll also cost a lot to convince the puppeteer into having four puppets ready in a really short time." Landon continued.
The truth was that Dante and Landon had thought about all these before now but part of the conditions needed for such a plan to come into fruition would be money and an abundant supply of soul energy.
"How much would you two need to persuade such a person?" With the Empress no longer in the mood to tolerate more of their mockery, she inquired about the exact price that would be needed to convince a really good puppeteer into providing them with four really good puppets.
Rather than asking someone within the inner court for help in getting a good puppeteer, the Empress knew there was a fifty percent chance the person she asks for aid might actually be the one working with those who partook in cursing them in the first place.
And so, to ensure her own safety she would rather put up with the annoying jest of those who saved her even though one of them had explicitly seen her completely in the nude.
She would have to punish him later for that.
'No, No, No, focus on what's important for now,' The Empress shook her head to calm her nerves. She couldn't fume in rage right now due to her current condition.
Moreover he had yet to say anything about it, but before he says anything about it, she would have to put him in his place.
'Success!!' Both Landon and Dante's thoughts were in perfect sync because one of the conditions was about to be achieved.
Though Dante wasn't currently in a desperate need for money, the same couldn't be said about Landon who was desperately in need of money to take care of his wife and children back home.
And with the unexpected demise of the Emperor now, both knew they would eventually return back home empty handed if they didn't find a way to convince the Empress into paying them for all they've done for the royal family.
"Several gold coins," Landon replied to the Empress.
A Gold coin was equivalent to a hundred silver coin while a silver coin was equivalent to a hundred copper coin.
"Very well. In that case, all necessary provisions will be provided before you set off to your respective abode," The Empress declared in her authoritative tone before shifting her gaze towards the head eunuch who hadn't been granted permission to get up from his prostration.
"Rise and see to it that there demands are well accounted for,"
" Yes Your Majesty," The head eunuch rose up and bowed once more before heading towards the palace bank to get the required amounts needed for what will be used to aid the Empress and her family.
"With that out of the way, I would like to speak with you alone," The Empress uttered and though both Dante and Landon couldn't see how the Empress looked due to the cloak concealing her presence. Still they could guess who she wanted to talk to at the time.
Of course, she was clothed in a cloak to conceal her revolting appearance. But after being briefed of what had occurred before now by the head maid, the Empress thought it would be better to see her husband's current situation herself.
She had only just appeared before the entrance of the Emperor's bed chambers when she overheard Dante and Landon's conversation before she brazenly chimed in.
With Axel currently being occupied with wrapping the Emperor's corpse in a special kind of barrier to prevent it from rotting, Dante looked towards Landon and nodded before heading out of the room with the Empress and into an empty room which had a huge space with a shelf of books at the edge of the room and a huge table with two seats in opposite side of the table.
The Empress sauntered towards the window to gaze at the shining cresent shaped moon. Dante stood a few meters behind her as he covertly hoped she hurried up with whatever she had in mind to say.
The more time he had to spend here, the more ired he felt. That's because Dante currently misses Deena.
Her smile, her chuckle, her lips, her body and everything else. He couldn't stand it any longer. He wanted to hold her so tightly without letting go EVER!
'What's wrong with me? Why do I keep having these thoughts?' Dante pondered deeply by the puzzled thoughts that had been going through his mind for quite some time now.
The same thing could also be said about his sudden demeanor towards the Empress. He had never acted so brazen towards anyone else before, not to mention an Empress.
'Was it because I had a crush on the Empress before now? Or am I a little excited to know she is single once again?'
More questions kept piercing through his mind but yet he had no one to provide an answer to them. But one thing was certain within his mind.
He was currently and silently drifting away from the person he once knew. Only time could tell if this change would benefit him or if it would be detrimental to him.
"As a subject trying his best to save his Ruler, I acknowledge your act of bravery and you will surely be rewarded beyond comparison." The Empress uttered while still facing towards the moon with her rear directly facing Dante.
'Uh?' Dante was certainly short of words as he didn't expect this to be the words the Empress called him over for.
Nonetheless he decided to thank her in return.
"But before I send you off, I would like to grant you the privilege of living here in the inner court as a devoted servant of mine, "
'*Pfft* haha....' Dante couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the nonsensical words uttered by the Empress.
Of course the idea was really attractive but this just meant he'll must likely be strolling around the palace behind the Empress as a watchdog.
On that note, Dante would rather live anywhere else than to be a slave to someone who barely sees the worth in someone else. The Empress is known for caring for no one but herself. Her arrogance and selfish attitude had been experienced first hand by Dante and the former hero's party members.
Even though he knew of her vivid demeanor, Dante still wondered why he took a liking to her.
Her selfishness had no boundaries and they've been rumors she won't easily relinquish the throne to any of her heirs even though she has the power to do so.
'I guess opposite do attract,' The attraction was certainly between a young, shy and reticent 17 year old Adventurer and a mid thirties Empress whose beauty was certainly beyond comparison and her disdainfulness, arrogance and superiority complex was known world wide.
"I'm yet to receive a response from you," The Empress uttered in her weak arrogant tone.