A mystical substance that had been doubted by many in the world.
It had to be something extraordinary since Jaekiel had worked so hard for it,
and indeed, it seemed to be. Just a few drops were enough to make Jaekiel
feel the heat.
"Let's take a look at your accomplishments first."
When Jaekiel pulled out the disk from his pocket, a mysterious force moved
it onto the throne.
After a brief pause, the Emperor spoke.
"You must have really desired the Sun Water."
There was a faint hint of amusement in his voice.
"I thought it was a ridiculous deal, yet here you are, having completed it
flawlessly. I can clearly see how much you wanted the Sun Water."
"If I was too obvious, I apologize."
"There's no need to apologize. It's good news for me as well."
The holy grail floating in the air rippled.
"As the Emperor, I cannot speak falsehoods. I will give you what I
promised."
Finally, at long last, the Sun Water was being bestowed.
Jaekiel took a deep breath for the first time in a long while. Even then, he
couldn't calm his heart.
"Jaekiel, I commend you for three things."
The Emperor continued speaking, but Jaekiel wasn't really listening. He
was honestly just waiting for the conversation to end.
His desire for the Sun Water was overwhelming.
"That you fulfilled all five conditions, upheld the dignity of the Imperial
family during your journey, and successfully acquired the secret techniques
of the Black Tower."
The disk spun in the air.
"Especially, this technique of 'Preservation' you brought from the Black
Tower is fascinating. It has many possible applications."
"I'm glad you acknowledge it."
The Emperor was being particularly fair today.
He didn't downplay or miss any of Jaekiel's achievements; in fact, he
pointed them all out clearly.
Perhaps it was because this journey had been a deal, not just a mission.
At that moment, the sleeve of the Emperor's robe moved.
In the next moment, something truly strange happened.
All the heat haze inside the audience room began to be drawn into the
Emperor's sleeve. To think that this was caused by just one drop—it was
surreal.
"This is what you've longed for."
Whoosh.
A burning sound filled the air…
The air in the audience room vibrated as if it were on fire. If a normal
human were standing here, they would surely have been scorched.
"This is the Sun Water."
On the Emperor's robe was a brilliant sun-like substance, glowing like
molten lava. It flowed like liquid yet had a solid strength to it.
"…"
Jaekiel silently observed it.
Suddenly, a gust of heat from the Sun Water brushed past him. It was the
most intense heat he had ever felt in his life.
Whoosh.
Even the sight of the glowing drop of Sun Water was mesmerizing. It was
something one could never grow tired of seeing.
Just looking at it made his eyes feel the heat.
He now understood why people said no elixir could compare to Sun Water.
Its appearance, its energy—everything about it was otherworldly.
"I occasionally pay attention to the rumors across the continent. Some
doubt the very existence of Sun Water, while others think it's a cure-all."
The Emperor muttered.
"None of the stories are accurate. The Sun Water is not something that can
be categorized as an elixir or medicine."
"Then, what exactly is the Sun Water…?"
"Those who haven't experienced it cannot speak of it."
At that moment, the drop of Sun Water took the form of a tiny spirit. It
began to walk toward Jaekiel, its small feet stepping on the air.
It was fascinating. This was clearly not of this world.
"Let it enter your body."
As Jaekiel quietly opened his mouth, the Emperor clicked his tongue as if
that wasn't the right move.
"You don't consume it through your mouth. You must feel it with your
heart."
Beyond the realm of reason.
With those words, Jaekiel realized that Sun Water was truly a treasure
beyond the world's laws. A mythical substance that defied all reason.
'Something that is absorbed through the heart… '
In the past, while carrying out a mission, Jaekiel had heard of something
similar.
─Captain, do you know of an elixir absorbed through the heart?
─What is that?
─They say that to transfer the life force of someone who has surpassed a
certain level, it must be done that way. I'm not sure why this came to mind
now…
It turns out the Sun Water was exactly that—something absorbed through
the heart.
Could this be a way of sharing the Emperor's immortality? Bestowing that
immense life force upon Jaekiel?
It wasn't something he dared to say aloud—it was still just his speculation.
He would come to understand more about the Sun Water in time.
The important thing now was that the Sun Water was right in front of him,
and he could finally take it.
Jaekiel stood with his chest wide open.
The small, finger-sized Sun Water spirit was about to step inside his body.
Finally, when it reached right in front of him…
"Hm?"
Jaekiel muttered in confusion. The spirit was circling around him, hesitating
to make contact.
In the end, the Emperor rose from his throne.
"Even the Sun Water seems to be encountering a constitution like yours for
the first time. It's curious and hesitant."
A faint form appeared at the end of the Emperor's sleeve, resembling the
hand of a normal human.
Tap.
The tip of the Emperor's finger gently pushed the back of the Sun Water
spirit.
The Sun Water spirit lightly passed through Jaekiel's chest and entered
inside, heading straight to his heart.
At the same time.
His consciousness faded.
"Hah…!"
It was a long time before Jaekiel opened his eyes wide and regained his
senses. It seemed he had lost consciousness for a while.
Rather than confusion, he felt relief. His instincts whispered to him that it
was a miracle he was still alive.
And that was only the beginning.
A fierce blaze ignited inside him.
Something inside him was burning intensely.
It felt as if he were being submerged in a bottomless lava pit, burning his
soul along with it. It was overwhelming.
This wasn't mere pain—it was a specific state of being.
It felt like he had fallen into a world he should never have set foot in. An
indescribable, overwhelming euphoria surged through him, pushing him
into a state of heightened awareness.
His senses became razor-sharp.
It was as if he could sense every particle of air touching his skin, and if he
let go of his focus for even a second, he feared he'd spiral into madness.
Hot. So hot. Scorching…
That moment felt like an eternity.
Even when he tried to summon cold energy, it was useless. It felt like
everything inside him was about to burn away.
The Emperor stepped forward.
"For now, let's stop here."
As the Emperor lightly tapped Jaekiel's chest with his finger, the Sun Water
spirit peeked out and jumped onto the Emperor's shoulder.
Fwoosh!
Only then did Jaekiel breathe heavily.
He tried to cool himself down with cold energy, but it didn't work. It felt
like his entire body had burned from the inside out.
Lying flat on the floor in front of the Emperor was the height of disrespect,
but he couldn't get up no matter how hard he tried.
Fortunately, the Emperor didn't seem to mind.
"Jaekiel, it seems it's not possible yet. The spirit is frightened."
Jaekiel asked while still lying down.
"Frightened? I don't understand."
"Your level isn't low, but the Sun Water finds you uncomfortable. Imagine
your body as a grand mansion for a moment."
"I have imagined it."
"Your mansion is frozen solid. Who would want to live in such a place? The
Sun Water feels the same way."
"…"
Failing at something for such a reason was a new experience for Jaekiel,
who had always excelled.
"Then what just happened?"
"The Sun Water explored your body, checking if it was livable, but it seems
it decided your body isn't suitable."
Jaekiel quietly thought to himself, 'The First Princess had such great
compatibility with the Sun Water, which is why she could absorb it so
easily.'
And another thing.
"And the true nature of Sun Water is…"
"Your guess is correct."
The Emperor immediately agreed.
"Sun Water is not an elixir that turns ordinary people into superhumans. It
transforms superhumans into transcendents, and the more Sun Water a
transcendent absorbs, the stronger they become."
It wasn't hard to understand.
Sun Water wasn't something that existed to turn the weak into the strong. It
was a stepping stone for the strong to become the ultimate.
"If you can absorb the Sun Water, you will rise to the level of a
superhuman. But that's only if you absorb it. With ordinary power, it's
impossible."
"Is there no way for me to absorb it?"
"Your case is quite unique. It's not that your power is low, but it seems that
the Sun Water is reluctant to enter you. Hm…"
There was a brief silence.
Could it be that he would never be able to absorb the Sun Water? Jaekiel
began to worry.
"There is one possible method."
Unexpected hope rang in his ears.
"Jaekiel, there is one way."
"Oh."
Jaekiel focused all his attention. Whatever the method was, he couldn't
afford to be picky.
"You could take a somewhat diluted Sun Water."
"I'm desperate. I must try it."
Jaekiel could feel it in his body.
The heat of the Sun Water could greatly help fix his constitution. He had to
absorb it by any means necessary.
"The First Princess has been holding Sun Water in her body since
childhood. If the Sun Water passes through her, it will be diluted."
"Yes."
"There is a way to unify with the First Princess."
"Unify…"
Jaekiel muttered the word absently.
And there was a brief pause.
After a long moment, Jaekiel tilted his head in confusion.
"Unify…?"
Unify? Could it mean what Jaekiel thought it did?
He looked at the Emperor with wide eyes.
The Emperor spoke as if confirming his suspicion.
"Yes, I mean yin-yang union."1
"…!"
Jaekiel's eyes widened.
So, what the Emperor was saying was…
'He's telling me to sleep with her?'
It meant he was being told to sleep with the First Princess, Ether.