Chapter 19 - Overcoming Poison with Poison (2)
Everything depends on one's state of mind.
Even if I'm dressed in silk robes and tasting the sweetest fruits, if my heart isn't at peace, my entire body aches and suffers.
I lay on a soft bed, surrounded by dozens of servants, biting into an apple cut into a rabbit shape by one of the maids. It had been a long time since I'd allowed myself to sink into such thoughts.
'My body is comfortable, but my heart feels anything but.'
Everyone had witnessed me confront the demon who manipulated the imperial family, cursing the Emperor with a terminal fate and causing the Empress to forget her own children.
I'd even declared The Empire won't fall to the likes of you! while killing the demon.
The truth is, I'd done almost nothing. I'd merely added my spoon to a feast that the Fifth Princess had already prepared. But no one cared about my excuses.
Instead, rumors now spread that I'd been chosen as some apostle of the Heavenly Spirit, adding my role in discovering the Princess's latent powers to my list of deeds.
And here I was, kept under close watch, receiving the highest hospitality from the Empire.
They bathed me, cooked my meals, anticipated my needs before I even voiced them. At this rate, I might just regress into an infant.
'Not that I dislike being treated this way.'
The problem, though, was the cost that came with it.
The royal family of the Empire was destined to fall.
The crystal ball had made that clear, and there was no reason to doubt it. Although killing that demon might seem to have averted the Empire's downfall, it didn't necessarily change the trajectory of their fate.
Judging by the demon's last words, it was clear their goal was to bring about the Empire's fall.
Creatures like them wouldn't leave the royal family alone. They'd keep coming, constantly threatening my life. This was no different from my situation at the academy.
Actually, this might be worse.
At least there, I had the protagonist and the Great Dragon to rely on. When enemies attacked, I just had to hold out until those two took care of things.
But here, things were far more dangerous. This place wasn't some halfway safe zone where you could get by if you weren't a mage.
"Just a little while longer. I'll make sure a title and position worthy of your accomplishments are prepared."
These were the words of the Emperor himself.
"I'm still lacking. I tried to protect you, but I ended up needing your help. I understand if you're disappointed in me, but…
One day, I'll become the kind of hero worthy of having you as my knight. When that day comes, will you be my knight again?"
These were the words the Fifth Princess had spoken to me.
She'd stammered, her tongue stumbling over the words before she fled in embarrassment. And yet, she continued to come by, asking for guidance and advice.
Of course, I had no experience with swordsmanship myself.
I merely spouted vague nonsense like, "If your heart remains steady, so too will your blade," and sent her on her way. But she seemed satisfied with that.
Watching her smile so sweetly, I worried that, at this rate, I might end up as the Empire's court mage and the Fifth Princess's sword instructor.
'…I must avoid that ending at all costs.'
After considering my situation, I made a decision.
There was no way the Emperor would let go of someone who had saved his life twice. I'd need an extraordinary measure to counteract the will of someone as powerful as him.
To break the Emperor's resolve, I'd need to summon a force even greater than his.
Thus, I chose the strategy of "fighting poison with poison."
To crush the Emperor's will, I would invoke the authority of the Great Dragon herself.
It was a gamble, with considerable risk. But without such a gambit, escaping this place would be impossible.
With that decision made, I contacted the academy and sought assistance from Sion.
…And instead of improving the situation, things became an even greater mess.
"Are you truly testing my patience?"
The ground trembled at the sound of her voice.
Standing before her was the Emperor of the Empire, who, far from showing deference, maintained an arrogant stance. No one around dared criticize her attitude.
After all, she was the Great Dragon, the being who had protected the Empire since its founding.
"Do not take my goodwill for granted. Even if you are the descendant of an old friend, that does not grant you permission to interfere with my actions."
In terms of technology, the Republic surpassed the Empire. In terms of resources, the Kingdom was superior.
Yet the Empire had become the continent's superpower because of the dragon's support.
With a mere thought, she could reduce the Empire to ruin. Even the Emperor had no choice but to back down in the face of such a threat…
But the situation took an unexpected turn.
Ignoring the Great Dragon's warning, the Emperor stood his ground and spoke.
"Forgive me, but I cannot back down this time."
Even if the Great Dragon had upheld her vows for thousands of years, nothing in this world was eternal.
If she abandoned the Empire in her anger, it would lead to irreparable consequences. Yet the Emperor seemed resolute.
The risk to national security from his actions was significant. The reason he took such a risk was…
"Because I owe that young man a debt."
He was referring to me. That stubborn old man had chosen to oppose the Great Dragon just to keep me here.
"Please, Great Dragon, I ask that you allow him to stay at the palace for a while longer."
I couldn't understand why he was doing this.
If he wished to repay me, there were other ways than holding me here. He might see me as an invaluable asset.
But even the most extraordinary talent wouldn't justify angering the Great Dragon.
Pondering the situation, I noticed him glancing frequently at the Fifth Princess.
'Even the Emperor is only human.'
Apparently, the demon had tampered with the minds of those around the would-be hero, shattering her spirit.
The scars on the young princess's body were unmistakable.
That demon must have manipulated the Emperor into harming his own daughter, committing acts that were monstrous in every sense. While it wasn't the Emperor's will, it was still his actions.
But human emotions aren't easily dismissed.
Even if it wasn't his will, how many fathers could endure the knowledge that they had harmed their beloved child?
'In such a situation, when your daughter pleads not to be separated, of course, you'd be unable to refuse.'
With a rough grasp of the situation, I made my move.
Approaching the young instigator of this grand drama, I offered my gentlest smile.
"For Your Highness, the Fifth Princess, to hold me in such regard—it is an honor beyond words."
Lucy beamed at my words.
Seeing her smile made me feel a bit guilty, but unfortunately, I couldn't remain here.
"But, Your Highness, sometimes, letting go is an act of love. Birds aren't born to live in cages; they were born to fly free."
I chose my words carefully, hoping to spare her any pain. Even if my analogy was clumsy, it was better than being blunt.
"I have students to teach, children who, like you once did, have lost their way and need guidance."
Lucy's eyes filled with tears.
I grasped her trembling hand gently and asked,
"So please, Your Highness, will you let me go?"
She began to sob harder, clinging to my hand even tighter as if unwilling to let me leave.
But she was more mature than she appeared. Despite barely being able to see through her tears, she eventually nodded her small head.
Seeing this, the Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Even as the Emperor, he must have dreaded testing the Great Dragon's patience.
"It seems I am forever indebted to you."
Apologizing to Sion for his rudeness, he gave her permission to take me.
Under normal circumstances, I'd express my gratitude and humility, but this time, the situation was different, so I spoke carefully.
"If Your Majesty will allow it, may I make one last request?"
The Emperor nodded, and I seized the chance to speak.
"I ask that you erase all memory of this incident from everyone involved."
"That's already being done. The chaos that would arise if people knew the royal family had been controlled by a demon is unimaginable."
"What I mean is to erase the memory of all those involved."
The Emperor looked taken aback.
I pressed on before he could object.
I explained that I'd admired his fairness and impartiality. If he felt indebted to me, he might feel compelled to act out of favoritism, tarnishing my idealized view of him.
For that reason, I wanted any memory of who had vanquished the demon erased from everyone's mind.
It was just an excuse I'd thought up to sever my connection to the imperial family.
Though it lacked a bit of persuasiveness, I had the Great Dragon as a trump card. With her silent endorsement, my request was granted without issue.
"If you're finished, let's go back. With another great achievement under your belt, how about riding on my back?"
The Great Dragon teased me, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
My raised reputation was already giving me a headache, but…
Well, it was a risk I could manage.
Thanks to this, I'd said a proper goodbye to Lucy and severed my connection to the royal family. Satisfied with this outcome, I boarded the carriage with the Great Dragon.
It was time to return to normal life.
The carriage bearing the honored guests departed.
However, as he watched the man within the carriage departing, the Emperor found it impossible to forget him.
How could he ever forget someone like that?
'He's worried that if I feel indebted to him, I'll act out of personal bias. That young man said as much.'
But if it were for his sake, the Emperor was willing to abandon his sense of fairness altogether.
He had been saved by him more times than he could count.
Freed from a fate of lifelong manipulation.
And most importantly, reunited with his beloved family.
To repay such a benefactor, he would willingly discard the values he had held onto for so long.
Clutching his daughter's hand tightly—his daughter who had insisted on enrolling in the academy, even if it meant bending age restrictions—the Emperor watched the carriage disappear into the distance.
The Empire would never forget this kindness. Not for eternity.