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Emperor Alderuan asked that the mage be investigated because of only one thing.
He saw that his daughter was a bit more sensitive around the man than she was with others.
However, after the investigation, a surprising thing was revealed.
“What?”
“It’s true, Father… I went and confirmed it myself.”
The mage Antonio was an atrocious man who far exceeded his expectations.
It’s been a while since that bastard returned to the magic tower, and this meant that his mana affinity since childhood was somehow excellent.
But after this, he had no other noticeable traits.
“Apart from this, I saw that he was related to many cases of corruption related to finances.”
“Ha.”
Upon receiving the documents presented by the Crown Prince, Emperor Alderuan smiled in vain.
The documents revealed everything he had done under the guise of it being official business from the tower.
Even the most malicious sins.
“How could he do that to children?”
As a child from the slums, becoming a mage was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
This bastard was swindling these kids by saying they had mana affinity.
He gained the trust of those children first, lured them someplace else, then sold them as slaves.
“What about the children he captured?”
“I believe I’ll be able to uncover more once the storm season has passed, but… it would seem like most of them have already been sold to other kingdoms.
Slavery wasn’t legal in the Empire, and this was because of the First Emperor’s decree, everyone was equal under the laws of mana.
There was still a distinction in status between the Imperial Family, the nobility and the commoners, but though they are commoners, they were still people who shouldn’t be harmed carelessly.
Even so, slavery was rampant in other parts of the continent, and it got worse the closer you were to the south.
“Chase after their trails and save them. Everyone is precious in this Empire.”
In particular, the treatment of slaves was terrible in the southern kingdom.
It was difficult even for the prince to imagine what kind of pain the sold children were suffering under now.
“Yes. I’ll do so without fail.”
That bastard’s fraudulent actions were clever. First of all, he never kidnapped many children at once.
And apart from that, he made people around him say that the children were leaving on their own volition, that’s why it was never noticed that they had gone missing.
If it weren’t for this, he would have been caught a long time ago.
“What kind of excuse did the magic tower give?”
The Empire’s magic tower’s position was on a precarious balance between two sides.
On one hand, it was the eternal ally of the Imperial family, but on the other, it also played a role in keeping the Imperial Family in check.
This was supposedly to assure that support for their research would be given, and to prevent that power would not be gathered in only one place.
“They said that they don’t know about the matter and feigned innocence.”
Therefore, the relationship between the magic tower and the Imperial family differed from generation to generation depending on their relationship with the ruling Emperor.
The group that highly kept Emperor Alderuan in check was the magic tower’s elder council. That’s because he was the strongest mage in the entire Empire along with being the Emperor.
The Emperor would have tried to improve his relationship with the magic tower if his own magical abilities were lacking, but he did not have to do that.
“A mage under their command did this. It’s impossible for them not to know.”
Alderuan narrowed his eyes. With his elbow propped on the armrest of his throne, he looked bored as he rested his chin on the back of his hand.
However, his gaze was ferocious, as though he was staring at the magic tower in the distance.
Chancellor Hex, who was next to the Emperor while listening to the prince speak, stepped forward.
“As a result of the investigation, I knew that Antonio was making money from the nobles, but it was beyond my expectation to hear that he’s involved with human trafficking.”
“Hm.”
“This time, we had gotten the cooperation of someone proficient to open the offender’s laboratory. However, he seemed to have been very concerned about his involvement.”
It was worded as ‘concern’, but in fact, the mage who assisted Hex in opening the laboratory had actually been terribly anxious.
A laboratory was as precious as a mage’s own life, so it was easy to guess what the mage had been thinking before they even opened it.
If the allegations were proven true, it would be a felony that could not be easily overlooked.
From the standpoint of the tower, which was always at odds with the Emperor, this was the same as a crisis that must absolutely be swept away at once.
“Make sure you take care of him so he won’t stand out.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“All of those in the tower who are involved in this will not be forgiven.”
Hex bowed deeply at the Emperor’s frosty command. He tried to ignore the cold sweat flowing down his back.
It would seem that this incident would greatly affect the power dynamics between the magic tower and the Imperial Family.
“Anyhow, I’m worried that Siervy is too weak.”
The Emperor continued casually as he frowned.
Just now, he had been speaking about a huge purge that could be recorded in history.
Next to the Emperor, the Crown Prince also shook his head. Both of them looked indifferent to the orders they had just issued.
“Call the doctor.”
Hex, who was in a daze just now, followed the Emperor’s command and signaled to an attendant outside.
The Emperor’s temperament usually didn’t allow him to show or speak of his worries.
‘But His Majesty seems to be very concerned about this incident.’
Thinking this, Hex had no choice but to have a very troubled expression.
This was because he had a hunch that the Imperial Palace and all the people who served in it would soon be turned upside down.
“You called, Your Majesty?”
“How is Siervy?”
As soon as he came in, the doctor bowed down so low that his forehead was practically touching the ground, and he told the Emperor in detail about Siervian’s condition.
The Emperor, tapping on the throne as he listened, dismissed his explanation with just a short summary.
“So she still hasn’t recovered her strength.”
“I-I apologize deeply, Your Majesty.”
She had been losing weight rapidly, and at this, the Imperial Palace’s doctor just lowered his head even more.
Siervian couldn’t get up from bed. It wasn’t a matter of magic and it didn’t seem like she had any problems with her constitution, so he was about to go crazy just thinking what it’s supposed to be.
“Siervy is just lying down without any energy, but you say there’s no problem…”
The intermittent tapping on the throne was like a countdown to the remaining lifespan that the doctor had.
“I despise having useless people in my court.”
Soon after hearing the Emperor’s words, the palace doctor gulped down dryly.
It would be fortunate if he’d only be kicked out of the palace. But in this kind of horrifying atmosphere, he didn’t think he’d even be able to get out of here on his own two feet.
“I shall p-prescribe some medicine for the Princess’ body to recover.”
There was no problem with his examination. However, it was clear that the princess was still lacking strength.
As the doctor concluded earlier, it could only be presumed that the trauma she received was severe.
But it could also be attributed to how malnourished she was not too long ago.
“You don’t even know the cause, but you say you’ll feed her something bitter and terrible?”
“I-It is to improve the Princess’ condition, sire…”
For now, the best he could do was to make a prescription to boost the health of the Princess.
However, for some reason, the Emperor’s temper was just getting more intense.
Was it because he’s worried about what kind of medicinal herbs would be in the medicine?
“Do you even know what kind of taste our Siervy enjoys eating?!”
However, what he had exclaimed was very unexpected.
Whenever he made medicine, he never considered the ‘taste’, and so this made the palace doctor shout desperately.
“I shall—I shall make it delicious, Your Majesty!”
* * *
“Princess, please drink this.”
A small bowl of medicine was placed carefully in front of Siervian.
The medicine bowl itself was finely wrapped with a luxurious blue cloth, but the medicine was black inside.
Blue was the color of the Imperial family, but this was so strange because she had never been treated so preciously whenever she had to drink medicine.
‘No, but… Why does it look so grand?’
While taking a small sniff of the medicine before her, she lifted her head and looked around.
To be exact, she looked at the people surrounding her bed.
“Now, Siervian, you have to drink this. So that you can regain your strength.”
“Go ahead and drink, Siervy.”
Her father and brother were paying close attention to her, their expressions serious. Behind them, Ellie was holding another bowl with a solemn face.
However, the palace doctor’s expression was the grimmest of them all.
[ Hanta Mandersang ]
Occupation: Imperial doctor (Lv.96)
Thoughts: Princess, please, please get well soon…!
His desperate thoughts were vividly shown.
Thanks to this, much to their surprise, they saw Siervian pick up the medicine in front of her. It was a light bowl that was easy to lift, even with small hands.
‘But I don’t like medicine…’
She didn’t like it because of its strange taste, but she hated it even more because she had bad memories about it.
Because of something related to Harmin tea in her previous life, she had to take medicine regularly.
“I especially told the doctor to make sure it tastes good. Don’t worry about it and drink up now.”
Was it too obvious from her expression that she didn’t want to drink bitter medicine? Her father suddenly said something strange.
Why did he order the doctor to make medicine delicious?
“T-That’s right, Princess. Please don’t worry and drink up.”
[ Hanta Mandersang ]
Thoughts: Please—I hope you drink well…!
[ Ellie ]
Thoughts: You have to drink it well, Princess.
[ Damian Erveldote ]
Thoughts: I hope you’ll get healthier now, Siervian.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: I’ll have to find a way to revitalize you myself with magic.
The people around her said nothing and stayed silent, but their status windows were loud.
Unable to overcome this unspoken pressure, Siervian made up her mind and lifted the medicine bowl.
As expected, the medicine wasn’t delicious.
“…So it’s not delicious.”
The Emperor said this as he watched his daughter’s expression stiffen.
“Mmh…”
Siervian had only reflexively reacted honestly, but she saw how the palace doctor immediately deflated.
Even his enthusiastic thoughts had changed.
[ Hanta Mandersang ]
Thoughts: If I had added more flavors, the medicine won’t be effective anymore. I can’t do such a thing to sacrifice the Princess’ health. Even if I get kicked out.
So Siervian closed her lips that were slightly open.
Her father seemed to have placed a lot of pressure on the doctor to make the medicine ‘delicious’.
However, the doctor was truly concerned for her health and seemed to be resolute about helping her recover.
“Siervy? Are you alright?”
“Siervian, are you okay?”
“Princess!”
Those who were watching her desperately looked at her as though she had swallowed poison.
After seeing the doctor’s disposition, Siervian had steeled her resolve. She could just ignore the bitter taste of the medicine that lingered on her tongue.
“Wo…w. It’s de…wicious.”
However, contrary to her intention, a very awkward voice came out.
She’s in trouble now.