Originally, she was a rare figure you could only find in the Celestial Realm,
but lately, she had been diligently fulfilling her role as the Tower Master.
Thanks to this, it became possible to encounter her on the continent.
That such a precious Princess was searching for just one man.
'Truly, it's a fortunate thing.'
Jaekiel himself knew it was an honor.
Whether as a human or as a man, spending time with Hedera, who
possessed dragon blood, was that remarkable.
However…
"Your Highness, what brings you here?"
"Hmm…"
Hedera hesitated for a moment.
"More than my business, the Auditor's wishes are important. You've
accomplished so much this time. Is there anything you've been wanting to
do?"
"Wasn't there a specific reason you called me?"
It didn't seem like Hedera had a specific reason for calling Jaekiel. She just
seemed to have summoned him in a hurry.
Hedera quietly avoided Jaekiel's gaze.
"Well… I wanted to acknowledge the Auditor's hard work. But I've never
really praised or looked after anyone before. I don't know what to do…"
"So, there is no set plan?"
"There's nothing set, but I can arrange something if needed. If the Auditor
has something he wants to do…"
Hedera quickly continued speaking, but Jaekiel quietly sighed.
He had stopped his steps toward the First Princess's territory, certain that
Hedera had summoned him for something important, but it was nothing of
the sort.
Of course, he was grateful for Hedera's sentiment.
Jaekiel wasn't ungrateful.
Having a scribe thoroughly examine his achievements or opening the Royal
Treasury to acknowledge him—of course, he was thankful. It was really
more than he deserved.
However.
"…"
When it came to actually stating what he wanted, Jaekiel had nothing to say.
If anything, he might ask for Sun Water, but that wasn't something Hedera
could handle.
Instead, Hedera pressed him.
"Haven't you been working endlessly all this time? Surely, there must be
some suppressed desires in your heart. Isn't it the Auditor's fault for not
speaking up about those?"
"The auditor work was something I chose to do."
Jaekiel replied calmly.
"It was fulfilling in its own way, and I've received plenty of rewards. It was
also something that helped Your Highness."
"Oh, um? Ah… Right, that's how it was."
Hedera's face slightly softened and turned red.
"Oh, I can't keep a straight face… hearing something like that…"
Hedera brushed past Jaekiel and took the lead.
"Anyway, follow me! I won't let you work hard today. I'll take care of
everything."
Jaekiel tilted his head and followed behind her.
They arrived at the Second Princess's territory.
Jaekiel had been preoccupied with matters concerning the First Princess the
whole time they walked, and understandably so—Sun Water was at stake.
"Excuse me, Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"I have something urgent I need to handle. If there isn't anything pressing,
could we meet later?"
"…What? I'm offering to spend time with you!"
"It's just that the matter is really urgent."
"N-No, just for an hour. Please?"
In the end, Jaekiel couldn't resist Hedera and followed her deep inside,
where a room resembling an operating theater greeted him. There were also
many maids present.
"We greet the Second Princess."
The maids greeted in unison, like dolls.
"Your Highness, what is this place?"
Jaekiel asked lightly, and an unexpected answer soon followed.
"This is where we carve inscriptions. Have you heard of inscriptions?"
"Inscriptions…"
Of course, Jaekiel had heard of them.
Inscriptions were magical arrays carved on horns, external or internal parts
of the body, to elevate one's level. However, not just anyone could undergo
such a process.
"I understand it's only possible among dragonborn."
Could it be that Hedera was getting an inscription today? Perhaps she
wanted him to witness her becoming more powerful.
But soon, Jaekiel's expectations were shattered.
"I thought it might be possible for you too, Auditor."
Hedera took out a brilliant, glowing stone, which, even at a glance, was no
ordinary artifact.
"If the quality of the inscription stone used as a medium is absurdly high, it
should be possible to use it on a high-level human. No, it's more than
enough."
The maids standing nearby had expressions filled with shock.
"Your Highness, this is a precious artifact bestowed from the Celestial
Realm…!"
"It's an artifact rewarded after deciphering the ancient dragon language! It
must be used personally by you…!"
"Enough."
Hedera quickly dismissed their concerns.
"…This was a feat that couldn't have been achieved without the Auditor in
the first place. If you have any objections, speak now."
"…"
And then, there was silence.
Hedera chuckled and approached Jaekiel.
"Don't question anything. Just accept it first."
In the end, Jaekiel lay down on the wide stone slab.
Soon, the inscription began, and immense pain overtook him.
.
.
.
.
.
"…It's a success."
One of the maids muttered absentmindedly.
"The quality of the inscription stone helped, but the Auditor's exceptional
level played a big part. It's a success."
There was no need for the maid to say it; Jaekiel could feel the success
throughout his entire body.
The change in his body and internal flow was unmistakable.
Hedera carefully examined him.
"Auditor, are you conscious? How do you feel?"
"…Excellent."
It was a genuinely honest answer.
It felt like the mana flow within his veins had widened slightly. Everything
was smoother and more efficient.
"It's probably an inscription that widens your veins. I inscribed it internally
because it wouldn't look good if it were on the outside… Was it painful?
Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
The pain was tolerable, given how great the effects were. Considering the
results, this really did seem like an artifact worthy of being called a
treasure, even in the Celestial Realm.
'It will even help me absorb Sun Water.'
He had unexpectedly gained a significant benefit.
But had his assurance that he was fine been a mistake?
Hedera's expression brightened immediately.
"Really? You're okay? Then let's move right away."
"…"
…Where to this time?
The next destination was a dining hall.
If the Second Princess, who usually only experienced the finest, decided to
take him somewhere, what kind of place would it be? The answer was right
in front of him—a luxurious dining hall.
"Do you want cold water? Or the opposite?"
"I'll get it myself."
"You must be really hungry, right? I already informed the chef."
Hedera's extreme hospitality felt quite awkward.
Of course, Jaekiel had accomplished great feats, but Hedera now seemed
anxious to do anything for him, which was unlike her.
'How surprised would the citizens of the empire be if they knew?'
That such a cold Princess was taking care of someone like him—it was both
fortunate and astonishing.
"…I'll make time until tonight. Please don't be too hasty, Your Highness."
Jaekiel made his decision and spoke. Since he had been given the gift of the
inscription, it was only polite to make time for her.
However, Hedera denied it.
"Who's being hasty? I'm not like that. I was just worried you might be
really hungry."
"…I see."
How much time had passed?
Dishes that could easily be called delicacies filled the table, and an
unexpectedly quiet meal followed.
'This is the complete opposite of dining with Solana.'
Unlike Solana, who spoke every time she moved her fork, Hedera was
quietly and gracefully continuing her meal.
Whenever Jaekiel glanced at the Second Princess…
"Why? Do I have something on my face?"
"No, you look the same as always."
The two women cared about such different things.
Solana prioritized 'what kind of conversation was being had,' while Hedera
clearly valued 'how she was being perceived.'
The lives they had lived were different, and so were their charms.
It seemed like the quiet meal would continue, but then…
"Auditor, I have something to say."
Hedera broke the silence, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"They're holding a banquet at the Purple Tower, and I thought it would be
nice if just the two of us attended. We're the Tower Master and the Auditor,
so we make a good pair."
Jaekiel continued chewing his food quietly.
It was unexpected.
He thought she might be assigning him a difficult task, but it seemed like
she was actually suggesting they relax and have fun together.
But perhaps Hedera felt uneasy about Jaekiel's silence.
"…Why are you like this? Is there a problem? Even if there is, you have to
accept the offer. Let's go together."
"No. I just found it interesting."
"Interesting?"
Jaekiel nodded quietly.
"I just didn't expect someone who only knows work to talk about
sightseeing. It seems you've changed a bit from before, Your Highness."
"…"
Hedera absentmindedly mulled over his words.
"…!"
Suddenly, her face turned bright red.
"Th-This is work too! Attending the banquet to cultivate an aesthetic sense
is important for developing etiquette."
"Yes."
"It's not like I'm asking you on a date or anything. I'm just saying we
should go to the banquet together. Sure, we're a man and a woman, and
things could happen, but…"
"Yes…"
As Hedera's speech dragged on, at one point…
"Auditor."
The Second Princess quietly took something out.
Inside a small box was a piece of clothing. No, rather than clothing, it was
more like…
"…Underwear?"
"That's right."
Amazingly, it was men's underwear.
"In the Celestial Realm, dragonborn wear this special attire when they come
of age and engage in relationships. So… you'll need it later. Keep it safe."
"Why would I need this…?"
"It's not far off. You'll be using the Time Check soon."
"…"
Perhaps fearing that Jaekiel might ask questions, Hedera quickly stood up
and took the initiative.
"Just to be clear, you're not going to grow and spend that special moment
with another woman after I've gone through the trouble of giving you the
attire, right?"
"Um…"
Hedera's pupils momentarily narrowed, like a dragon's.
"…A dragon never forgives a traitor."
"…"
With that warning, she turned and left abruptly.
In the end, Jaekiel was left alone in his seat.
'…What should I do with this?'
Solana had given him elixirs for vitality, and now Hedera had given him
underwear. What was he supposed to do with this Time Check…?
"This is driving me crazy. Absolutely crazy…"
Jaekiel just kept smoking his Sun Grass.
Present time.
The First Princess's territory.
"Hello, Teacher."
When Jaekiel came to his senses, he realized he was captured