The room buzzed with thrill and anticipation. It was finally the turn for the next one.
"Yumina Hildseford, please step forward and introduce yourself," Gabriel announced.
A petite girl with a calm demeanor stepped forward. Yumina was the daughter of Charles Hildseford, an honest and well-respected noble. Her father had been hated by the greedy and wicked nobles, and a month ago, tragedy struck. Her entire family was slaughtered, leaving her as the sole survivor. She had escaped with her life, but not without scars.
With the culprits now arrested, Yumina had found a sense of relief—but relief was not the same as peace. She stood before the Emperor, clutching her hands nervously.
"My specialty is my Barrier Magic," she began hesitantly. "It's a type of Null Magic. With it, I can create barriers of all sorts. But… it's only useful for defense, so I'm not sure if it's of any real use."
While the reactions from others were mixed, Kaito's face lit up with excitement.
"That's amazing!" he exclaimed, leaning forward on his throne. "If you can truly create any kind of barrier, that gives you limitless possibilities! You can shape barriers into weapons or use them to trap enemies while attacking them virtually. And that's just the offensive potential! Imagine healing barriers, energy barriers—your options are endless!"
Yumina's eyes widened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a spark of hope ignite in her chest.
"Well then, Yumina, what is it that you wish for?" Kaito asked, his tone both gentle and direct.
"I… I want a place to live," she said, her voice trembling. "A place where I can have a life of my own, but still not be alone."
Kaito smiled, his expression soft. "In that case, I have an offer for you."
He paused, causing Yumina—and everyone else in the room—to look at him curiously. Then, turning briefly to Val with a grin, he declared, "Would you like to become my little sister? I've never had a sister before, and to be honest, it's been a dream of mine for a while."
The room fell silent. It wasn't every day that the Emperor of an entire realm asked someone to become his sibling.
"W-Wait… are you sure?" Yumina stammered, tears welling up in her eyes. "Do you really want someone like me? I'm useless… worthless—"
"Who told you that?" Kaito interrupted sharply. "You have a heart filled with love, a soul brimming with kindness, and a dream fueled by peace. Even without anything else, aren't those traits more important than anything material? To me, those qualities make you invaluable."
At that moment, Yumina broke down in tears. But these weren't tears of sorrow—they were tears of joy. After weeks of despair, she had finally found a new family, a new home, and a new purpose.
The paperwork would be completed after the audience, but for now, Kaito turned his attention to the next candidate.
"Richard Elfroden, please come forward."
Richard stepped forward reluctantly. He was the son of a wealthy and corrupt noble who had recently been arrested for his misdeeds. Unlike his father, Richard had a reputation for honesty and integrity. He had spent years hiding from his family while secretly providing valuable intelligence about suspicious activities across the Empire.
"I specialize in appraisal magic," Richard explained. "By simply looking at someone, I can discern their powers, personal information such as their real name, age, race, and even their physical strength. It's a type of Null Magic, and though it's helped me gather intelligence in the past, I'm not sure how useful it is beyond that."
Kaito's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "What!? That's an incredible skill!" he exclaimed. "The ability to gather detailed information instantly appraisis perfect for intelligence work. Richard, I have an important proposition for you. Please stay after the audience, and we'll discuss it further."
"Yes, sire!" Richard responded enthusiastically. Then, hesitating for a moment, he added, "By the way, sire, I accidentally used my skill in this room earlier, and there's one person here I can't appraise at all."
The room tensed. It wasn't the fact that Richard had used his skill—it was the mystery of who he couldn't read.
"Who is it?" Kaito asked, his voice steady.
"It's you, sire," Richard replied nervously. "I can't read anything about you. Not a single thing."
Kaito chuckled, understanding the situation. He sort of guessed the guessed this might have happened. "Don't stress out, I have never been properly and correctly appraised either, so it's not your fault."
With Richard's part concluded, only one person remained.
"Now, Nicol Austere," Kaito said with a smile. "It's finally your turn."
Nicol Austere stepped forward, his demeanor calm and collected despite the tension in the room.
"My name is Nicol Austere," he began. "First, I must apologize. The reason I abstained from participating earlier was so I could observe everyone. My special ability is my Null Magic, which allows me to read the minds of others. That is what I have been doing until now." He paused, bowing deeply. "I apologize for using my ability without permission."
The atmosphere in the room shifted. Curious whispers turned into murmurs of disapproval, and several people shot sharp glances his way.
Kaito raised a hand, silencing the growing unrest. "Nicol Austere, while you shouldn't use your ability without consent, your honesty is appreciated. Since you've already observed those present, are you willing to share your findings?"
Nicol nodded. "Of course, sire. Needless to say, everyone here was quite nervous before the meeting. However, your words gradually eased their fears. After you made your offers, they were overwhelmed with joy. None of them harbor malicious intent, and I believe they will serve the Empire with unwavering honesty."
'That's reassuring,' Kaito thought, though his curiosity grew as Nicol continued.
"However," Nicol added, "there was one person whose emotions I couldn't decipher. While I could faintly sense the changes in their emotions, I couldn't understand them at all."
Kaito smirked knowingly. "And if I'm not mistaken, that person is standing in front of you right now, isn't he?"
"Yes, sire," Nicol admitted, meeting Kaito's gaze. "That person is you."
"Very perceptive," Kaito remarked, his voice steady. "Am I correct in assuming that you were using your observations to judge whether or not to trust me?"
"That is true, my lord," Nicol replied. "The way your words brought relief to those around you was not something anyone could fake. Even though I couldn't decipher your emotions, the subtle changes I detected were consistent and genuine. I didn't sense even a trace of deception. It convinced me that your intentions come from the heart."
Kaito smiled. "Then I've passed your test." He leaned forward, his tone softening. "Now, Nicol, is there anything you desire? Given the hardships you've endured, I doubt you're seeking wealth or fame. So, what is it that you want?"
"Sire," Nicol began, bowing deeply, "I do not wish for riches or recognition. My sole desire is to serve you. I want to be by your side and assist you in any way I can."
Kaito's eyes softened. "That's not too much to ask at all. Given your talents, it would be an honor to have your support." He paused. "In that case, I have an important proposition for you. Please meet me in my office later, and we'll discuss it at length."
"It would be my pleasure, sire," Nicol said, his voice steady with conviction.
With Nicol's audience concluded, the ceremony was finally over. Kaito leaned back, letting out a small sigh of relief. The day had been long, but the work was far from done.
First, there was Elize.
Kaito had plans to create a new branch of the Royal Knights, one that would report directly to the Imperial Family and operate independently of other branches. This unit would possess the authority to take command of any other unit when necessary. Its name: the Intelligence Unit.
This unit would differ from Valeria's Shadow Corp. While the Shadow Corp specialized in espionage and intelligence gathering on a smaller scale, the Intelligence Unit would be a full-fledged organization, focused on both strength and information. It would also be entrusted with the safety of the Imperial Family.
Elize, with her unmatched swordsmanship, was a perfect fit for this unit. She would be its blade, its vanguard.
Richard, with his appraisal magic, was equally ideal for a key role in the unit. His ability to gather precise information about individuals made him an invaluable asset.
"Elize, Richard," Kaito began, addressing the two, "will you accept this offer and become the sword and shield of the Empire?"
Elize and Richard exchanged a glance before bowing deeply. "At your will, sire," they replied in unison.
Next, there was Yumina.
"Gabriel," Kaito called, "please ensure that the paperwork for Yumina's adoption is completed without delay." He turned to the young girl, his tone softening. "Yumina, you can go spend time with your new sister for now."
Valeria's face lit up at the mention. She had become unexpectedly cheerful since gaining a new little sister. It was almost as if she had reverted to being a playful child herself.
Finally, there was Nicol.
"Nicol," Kaito began, "you said you wished to serve me. Am I correct in assuming that you want to become my right-hand man?"
Nicol nodded solemnly.
"In that case, I will place my trust in you," Kaito said, his voice firm. "However, remember this: sometimes, neither logic nor emotion can define a person. In fact, there are moments when a person simply cannot be defined at all. Should there ever come a day when I become a tyrant—"
Kaito paused, his tone growing somber. "—you have my permission to ensure that day doesn't last long."
Nicol's expression tightened as he absorbed the weight of the Emperor's words. "I understand, sire," he said softly. "I will ensure that day never comes to pass."
With that, the long and eventful day finally came to an end. The Empire had taken yet another step toward a brighter future, but the road ahead was still long and uncertain.
For Kaito, however, it was a road he was ready to walk—with his newfound allies at his side.
A week had passed since the audience in the Valtherian Empire, and things had been progressing rather smoothly there. The Empire was enjoying a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. However, the same could not be said about other human nations.
In the Kingdom of Eldoria, King Geld II sat slumped in his office, visibly weighed down by the burden of his nation's dire state. The recent chain of events had left the once-proud kingdom teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Your Majesty, what shall we do now? We've managed to protect our borders, but..." one of his advisors began hesitantly.
"I know," Geld replied with a heavy sigh. "I know. The demon attack might not have broken our walls, but it's shattered everything else. Our military has been severely weakened, the economy is in ruins, and morale is at an all-time low. We've defended our borders, yes, but we're crumbling from within. What do we do now?"
The room fell silent for a moment until the Prime Minister stepped forward, his expression a mix of determination and trepidation. "If I may, Your Majesty, there is a way forward. A path to at least prevent the kingdom from collapsing."
Geld perked up slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Is that so? Speak. Enlighten me."
The Prime Minister nodded. "As you command, sire. But first, may I ask your opinion of the Valtherian Empire?"
Geld leaned back in his chair, furrowing his brows in thought. "The Valtherian Empire… They are the largest and wealthiest of all nations. The strongest, too, if I recall correctly. They're also the most ancient empire still standing. We have diplomatic ties with them, don't we?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. However, their recent changes make them even more intriguing," the Prime Minister replied cautiously. "I've learned that their Empress recently married, and rather unusually, the Empire transitioned into a patriarchy under her decision. This new Emperor... he's a most peculiar figure."
"Peculiar? In what way?" Geld inquired, his intrigue growing.
"People call him the 'Legendary Sage Emperor.' He is rumored to be an SSS-ranked adventurer—the greatest in the world. They say he can cure any disease or illness. Just after his coronation, he enacted sweeping reforms, brought peace to the entire Empire, and earned the adoration of the masses. Even more extraordinary is the claim that the demon spawns within their borders have stopped entirely. Not a single demon dares to cross into their lands."
Geld's eyes widened at the revelation. "Is that so? That's quite an accomplishment. But what does this have to do with our current situation?"
The Prime Minister continued, his tone measured. "Your Majesty, considering their strength, their vast resources, and their apparent ability to keep the demons at bay, I propose that we turn to them for aid. The Valtherian Empire is our ally, after all. Surely, they would not deny us in our time of need."
Geld stroked his beard thoughtfully, the idea settling in his mind. "A sound proposal. If they've achieved such prosperity, then it would be foolish not to seek their guidance—and perhaps their aid. Very well. Send word to the Valtherian Empire immediately. Inform them of our impending visit."
"As you command, sire," the Prime Minister said with a bow.
Thus began the preparations for a royal delegation from Eldoria to visit the Valtherian Empire. Unbeknownst to them, their journey would lead them to an encounter with the very man they once cast aside—the hero they summoned and banished as worthless. Now, he ruled as the Sage Emperor.