NOVEL NEXT Chapter 197
The imperial wizards quickly cast protection spells to prevent the spread of magical energy. They also reorganized the evacuation routes to ensure the safety of non-wizards. However, the process was not smooth.
“We must scout the surroundings before moving.”
“Even with powerful protection spells, we cannot risk exposing His Majesty to magical energy.”
While the imperial wizards were arguing, I surveyed the area.
The scouts are disappearing one by one.
This meant that someone was deliberately identifying and attacking even the magically camouflaged birds.
I approached the imperial wizards to inform them of this. “There seems to be something nearby. All the scouts I sent out have been destroyed.”
The imperial wizards did not immediately trust my words. “Are you certain? We have yet to receive any reports on our end. Could it be that the birds ran out of magical energy to sustain them?”
“What? I did not need to continuously supply magic to the scouts.”
“What?”
“Yes?”
“…Excuse me?”
We kept misunderstanding each other and asking questions.
If they had been the imperial wizards I had met in the Sudoku Dungeon, they would have understood me.
“Why do I need to keep supplying magic for the scouts when infusing them once is sufficient?”
“Well, they need to move with intent, that’s why…”
I had developed the magic circuit design for the scouts myself. This was something I had even submitted as a report, and I believe it was shared with the Wizard Association. Therefore, this meant the imperial wizards had not kept up with reading new magical research.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Fact Is Violence’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Many people stop studying the moment they think they’re experts in their field.]
“If you had seen what I did, you would understand how absurd your assumption is.”
“…”
The imperial wizards found it difficult to accept that they were being outperformed by a mere student, and instead of apologizing, they bristled with pride.
I couldn’t understand why they were being so hostile towards me. What was the reason for their rejection? I quickly found the cause.
The most elaborately dressed imperial wizard, who had been giving me uneasy looks from the back, was the one I had scolded earlier in the carriage for yelling at Euges.
It seems he’s the one leading this atmosphere.
Thinking it was best to clear up the misunderstanding, I approached him directly.
“I apologize for speaking to you in that manner earlier. It seemed like His Majesty couldn’t control his emotions, and I thought something had to be done before a serious incident occurred.”
“…!”
The idea of continuing to our destination despite the unknown dangers seemed almost like a suicide mission. The imperial wizard’s suggestion to return to the imperial palace was the rational choice, but unfortunately, the person involved was difficult. Euges was the problem for being so unorthodox.
The imperial wizards, who had maintained a stiff expression, were all surprised. Especially the wizard who had received harsh words from me had noticeably softened his expression.
“…No, it is I who should apologize to Princess. I vaguely understood that you were trying to help, but I let my emotions get the better of me and did not consider resolving the misunderstanding. I am sorry.”
Although I had acted in a way that might be misunderstood, it was true that they had been hostile due to their prejudices against me. The imperial wizard extended his hand towards me, seeking reconciliation, and I accepted it.
“I accept your apology.”
“Thank you for generously forgiving this old man’s stubbornness, and I am sorry once again.”
At the imperial wizard’s gesture, other wizards who had been unnecessarily hostile also awkwardly apologized.
“We are sorry, Princess.”
“We misunderstood and thought you were persecuting us. We are sorry.”
Creating internal division instead of uniting in a crisis would only delight the unknown enemy attacking us.
“I was also harsh. I apologize.”
We exchanged faint smiles.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Take the initiative to protect those below you, show mercy by understanding their hearts, and eventually earn their respect. If this isn’t a quality of an empress, what is?]
It seems more like basic human relations than specifically empress qualities. Anyway, with our misunderstandings resolved, the real problem emerged.
“Could it be possible that we are surrounded?”
I shook my head. “The scouts were destroyed far from here. It’s likely that only a demon contractor was planted in this area.”
“Then, which traitors could be behind this…”
At that moment,
“
Growl
!”
Growls and cries of beasts from the dense forest caught everyone’s attention. Soon, gigantic wolves, emitting golden magical energy, leisurely revealed themselves.
“
Oh
?”
I recognized these wolves at a glance.
Aren’t these the wolves from the Tuberose village?
They seemed much larger than I remembered.
“Have you been well?” As I approached and petted them without hesitation, the wolves crowded around me.
“
Woof, woof, woof!
” The wolves seemed pleased, wagging their tails.
“I’m glad you look healthy.”
Meanwhile, the apparent leader of the pack approached me and dropped something it was carrying in its mouth.
Thud
. It was a wooden doll.
“This is…”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Detective’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[The craftsmanship is similar to the dolls seen when entering the ‘Delve Dungeon’ in the past.]
I knew the identity of this doll. “It’s a Heart Doll.”
This meant that Stigmata created the dungeon here.
Damian has been out of sight for a while… Could it be?
Damian’s likeability affected Stigmata’s activities. The lower the likeability, the more severe the terrorism, which meant there were at least three black hearts by this point.
I approached the imperial wizards with the doll in hand. They looked at me dumbfounded as if witnessing something surreal, then furrowed their brows upon examining the doll.
“Isn’t this the Heart Doll that’s been popular among the nobility lately?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Crack!
I squeezed the doll with my magically charged hand, breaking its seams and revealing its contents. Inside were dark purple magical formulas packed tightly.
“This is a summoning spell for demons.” As I explained, one of the imperial wizards sighed. “Nobles who became demon contractors also possessed these Heart Dolls. The origin of the dolls is unknown.”
“Could it be… the work of Stigmata?”
The mention of Stigmata brought a heavy silence.
“It’s likely. No, everything from attacking His Majesty to creating dungeons for terrorism is characteristic of that group.”
“We must report this to His Majesty immediately.”
The imperial wizards left to report to Euges, and a magical bird flew to me, asking if it could accompany me to our destination.
“
Kiruru!
”
“I appreciate the thought, but it’s not just me here…”
“
Woof
,
woof!
”
“More friends are coming?”
I looked around in surprise. As the wolves said, magical energy began to envelop the area like fog, visible to the naked eye. The number of magical animals was increasing.
The affectionate magic filled my lungs with every breath. It felt like a soft wave filled with bubbles, soothing the mess within me and making my heart twinge with a tender feeling.
“If you all escort me, it will be reassuring.” My joyful expression seemed to make the animals happy as well. They appeared to be greatly influenced by my emotions.
“But I must ask His Majesty first, so please wait a moment.”
After petting the wolf on its head, I turned to approach the carriage where the Euges was. As I did so, I realized that everyone was looking at me.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Haha Boss’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I’m trying to leave here. I can no longer bear to look at Theresa. Theresa appears as a woman to me. And I have fallen in love with that woman. Knowing that it can never be, I am trying to rip out my heart that loves Theresa. Constellations, please cherish Theresa. But be careful. If you fall in love as deeply as I have, you will experience the agony of a torn heart. Knowing it can’t be, I will only shed tears and eventually sink into that pit.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Sharp Commentator’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[You’re not going to leave.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Haha Boss’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Shush.]
I turned off the bothersome sponsorship window that blocked my view and finally reached Euges, who had stepped down from the carriage to stand in front of me.
“I was just about to speak with Your Majesty. These animals wish to escort us to our destination. Would it be alright if they accompanied us?”
“I was about to discuss our destination with Princess as well.”
From his tone, I instinctively knew he wouldn’t say we were returning. Whether Stigmata was causing trouble or not, the emperor wasn’t the type to be frightened or intimidated by such matters. Only his subordinates looked as though they were facing their doom.
“My intention is to proceed to the magical farm with the lady.”
“In that case, it would be much better to have these magical animals accompany us. They are much more sensitive to demons or dungeons than humans and will undoubtedly be a great help.”
“That may be the case.” His voice agreed with my suggestion, but it was full of sarcasm. Euges, with a twisted sense of amusement, added, “It seems the gods greatly favor Princess.”
“Seems God loves you terribly.”
It was the same thing he said when the Squire Butterfly suddenly took me to his bedroom.
“I’m not keen on relying on creatures, but if that’s what the Princess wishes, so be it.” After saying that, Euges swiftly turned and re-entered the carriage.