A space where information reserved only for Solana was organized. Today,
an unexpected guest visited and was examining each word.
It was none other than the 2nd Princess, Hedera, the one with dragon blood.
"…"
The content itself was vast but succinctly summarized in just about 50
pages. The information pertained to the current auditor, Jaekiel.
"…Is this all?"
Hedera muttered in surprise without realizing it.
The records room attendant, wrapped entirely in white cloth, had been
watching her warily and finally nodded with difficulty.
"That should be all."
"This is crazy, are you kidding me?"
Hedera rarely spoke so harshly.
It was understandable. She had come to this records room to resolve her
inner turmoil, but the crucial parts of the information were missing.
As the 2nd Princess's mood became sharper by the minute, the attendant
standing beside her didn't know what to do.
"Well, as you know, these confidential documents were personally prepared
by the 3rd Princess. If it's not written here, then there truly is no
information available. We are not hiding anything, so please, calm your
anger…"
"Alright, just shut up."
She used dragon words to firmly close the attendant's mouth.
"What on earth…?"
Hedera began reading again from page one.
Even on the second read, goosebumps rose on her body.
Hedera's eyes widened, her pupils slit like a dragon's, as she glared at the
documents as if she would tear them apart.
─The subject is treating himself due to excessive coldness. Periodic
intensive measures are considered necessary, and the treatment duration is
unpredictable.
It was an unbelievable story.
At least, that's what Hedera thought. In the distant past, Jaekiel, her master,
was the highest authority in the field of coldness.
…That he was, instead, consumed by cold?
Hedera's fingers rapidly turned the pages.
─The internal heat-producing organs are completely paralyzed. While the
exact cause cannot be pinpointed, it is believed to be due to forced
intervention. Pending.
─Due to the deteriorated condition, only a portion of the total mana can be
utilized, and the usage efficiency is extremely poor.
"…"
The skills Jaekiel demonstrated during his presentation were astounding.
Was that ability shown with extremely poor mana efficiency? Anyone, not
just Hedera, would have missed it. His worst was better than most people's
best.
And.
The last line.
A line that was unbelievable even upon re-reading.
─His days are numbered.
Something heavy sank in Hedera's heart.
"…Is this all?"
Hedera muttered blankly again, but no answer came. It was a question that
couldn't be answered.
The 2nd Princess closed the document and started reading again from the
first page.
After reading to the last page, she started again from the first.
And again.
She repeated this several times; there was nothing more written.
Thump. Thump.
Suddenly, her heartbeat began to grow louder. Hedera, who usually
responded to everything without emotion, felt this feeling for the first time
in a long while. It was called anxiety.
Thump. Thump.
Terminally ill?
She didn't know.
No, it was something she couldn't even imagine.
Strength inherently includes health. When had he, who seemed stronger
than anyone, been carrying this burden? It was impossible to know the
timing.
'The reason my command worked… '
…Was because his body was suffering from such a serious problem. For
him, Hedera's command must have been a huge burden.
Gulp, the 2nd Princess quietly swallowed dryly.
If.
If this was the reason he left Hedera, and also the reason he kept it a
secret… It all made sense why he hid it so much.
─There are such things in the world. Things that become a sin just by
knowing, things that cause great harm just by asking…
…Yes, thinking of it as terminally ill, it made sense.
It was enough reason not to tell.
It was enough reason to try to hide it somehow.
Thump. Thump.
"…"
Dragons meant eternal life.
Hedera, who had eternal life, asked Jaekiel, who was terminally ill.
When she demanded he tell her the situation, how must he have felt
carrying all this knowledge? She, who never had to worry about lifespan,
couldn't even guess.
Thump. Thump.
Sweat began to form on her forehead.
At the same time, another question arose.
'If he's terminally ill… why did he come back?'
Suddenly, a conversation with the 3rd Princess, Solana, came to mind.
─Why are you appointing the auditor of my tower at your own will?
─It's good for him too.
Good for him too. That's what Solana said.
What could possibly be good for him?
"Could it be…?"
Did Jaekiel value Hedera's ascension more than his own life? As the letter
said, was it inevitable for him to appear for Hedera's happiness?
If.
Even if there was the slightest chance.
If Hedera's assumption was correct.
Thump. Thump.
What would it mean to Jaekiel, who Hedera had urged to test again through
the Luiple bet? What significance did it have for him?
Thump. Thump.
Still, her heart was pounding with anxiety.
Because Jaekiel showed no sign of it.
Because he never uttered any complaints.
Thump. Thump.
So the end of this anxiety was nowhere in sight.
"Ah…"
Hedera's grip tightened. Soon, the documents in her hand crumpled.
She quickly turned her head to look at the clock.
Jaekiel would have just arrived in Luiple. It would take at least a few days
for him to return. What should Hedera prepare during that time?
'…The Royal Treasury.'
If he won the bet, she promised to open the Royal Treasury. Could there be
something helpful? At least there might be an elixir to improve his health.
"…"
But she had to stop that thought soon.
She promised to open the Royal Treasury.
When he wins the bet.
…Yes, when Jaekiel wins.
Thump. Thump.
'Can he win?'
Jaekiel's health was almost at its worst. Although he seemed relatively fine
on the outside, in reality, he was like a sandcastle.
Jaekiel's opponent was the escort knight, Valcon.
Valcon's recent skills have been outstanding. Even just before departure, he
was tirelessly swinging his sword in the training ground, showing no signs
of fatigue.
The worst magician and the best knight.
Hedera felt she knew the outcome of this battle.
Thump. Thump.
Her previously steady steps finally faltered.
Her heart seemed ready to burst from the anxiety.
Sweat was trickling down her back.
Her mind had been blank for a long time.
Luiple.
Jaekiel and Tirby were walking together, just the two of them.
"The Auditor of the Imperial Tower is asking me for a drink; you can't
imagine how honored I am!"
Tirby led the way, excited.
She considered herself quite wise, so she was quick to judge which side to
align with.
Anes? Her interest waned as soon as she realized she was just a secretary.
The person Tirby needed to persuade strongly now was, of course, the
Auditor of the Tower, Jaekiel.
'This will go smoothly.'
The Auditor wanting to have a drink alone with Tirby—wasn't that proof
that everything was going well?
Luckily, the Auditor was a hypocrite.
Thus, they arrived at a somewhat suggestive place.
For reference, the atmosphere of this place was, of course, intentional. Tirby
intentionally displayed her hips while rummaging through the stored liquor.
"Since this is Luiple, I don't know if there's any liquor that would satisfy
you. It wouldn't be proper to serve lukewarm alcohol."
"It doesn't matter."
Jaekiel created a glass out of ice. It wasn't an ordinary glass, but one
intricately encircled by a frost dragon.
'Oh, so he can handle this level of magic?'
But the intention behind creating such a fancy glass was obvious. Wasn't he
trying to score points with Tirby? She inwardly mocked Jaekiel.
Thus, the drinking session began.
Tirby quietly tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I don't know if someone as lowly as me can dare to serve the Auditor's
drink. Ah, the knights were busy moving around… Are you alright,
Auditor?"
"Let them roam. It'll only tire them out."
Tirby stifled a laugh.
'Look at this guy; he's putting work completely on the back burner?'
Was he only interested in Tirby, regardless of performance? It was
laughably ridiculous.
"Auditor, I'll pour you a drink first!"
"Sure."
His brief response, his gaze was on Tirby.
"…But, why do you keep looking at me, Auditor?"
A comment filled with simple seduction.
"Didn't I say?"
But Jaekiel emptied his drink lightly and said, "I am only interested in you."
Tirby's hand, which was pouring the drink, paused.
Come to think of it, the Auditor's eyes were a bit different.
"…"
His blue eyes were as piercing as a predator's gaze at night.
Somehow, it felt like he saw through everything about Tirby.