Surprising Even Breathing

16 – Wine will help you live comfortably in the Empire.

“hehehe, could it be that the purpose was to test you? The reason I invited the prince was just to deepen the friendship between our royal family and the Dragonian royal family.”

The emperor, who had been calming his nerves while swallowing dry saliva, let out a chuckle.

A laugh that is quite empty.

As I continued to stare at him in silence, he added a comment.

“What just happened was lightly prepared because our Sword Master said he wanted to feel your power firsthand. Duke Heylon has a strong sense of war, and when he sees someone with great power like you, he wants to check his location, so please don’t misunderstand.”

The emperor who makes excuses with a low profile.

He tried to push me away with a defensive item, but he really had no intention of pretending to be with me.

I nodded my head at the quick change of attitude.

To be honest, I don’t get very angry when they play pranks on me.

No matter what the other person does, as long as they play with me, everything just looks fun.

First of all, it’s hard for me to find someone who will keep my mind intact in front of me.

“However, I can’t go over the rudeness I committed against you like this. Will you accept the gift we prepared as an apology?”

“gift?”

“I heard from Drake and the King that you need an item to control your magic. Coincidentally, we have something good for you, so we prepared it specially for you.”

When the emperor gestured to the waiting knight, the knight immediately brought out a golden chest containing items.

Opening the lid of the chest reveals an enchantment scroll wrapped in velvet.

“It is an item that acts as an armor for self-defense by absorbing the wearer’s magical power. Originally, it is an item that uses a magical device to charge and protect the body, but a person with high magical power like you will get automatic protection just by wearing it.”

Does that mean that he will absorb the mana flowing from my body on its own and protect me?

The emperor explained the effect of the item to me in detail.

He searched for the imperial family’s report and brought it out for me.

Even if it’s not mythical, it’s a legendary item.

“If you grant mana to the enchantment scroll, the item will work from then on. hehehe, it’s a monster that can change its shape according to the owner’s will, so please use it to your heart’s content.”

Armor, clothing, protective equipment, etc. Depending on what the owner thinks, the shape may change.

After hearing how to use it, I accepted the enchantment scroll.

I’ll have to check later to see if it works or not.

“Duke Heylon made a mistake and the atmosphere got messy. I guess I need to change seats. I will guide you to a drawing room that is quieter than here. I’ll make you a cup of my tea.”

With a friendly smile, he led me to the drawing room, not the audience room.

Originally, he was going to sit on the throne and deal with me, but he had a sad attitude as if his thoughts had completely changed.

It looks like an old raccoon.

I thought so while looking at the emperor.

Her fear of me is the same as other humans, but she doesn’t show it as much as possible.

Despite the humiliation that came down from the throne, he was responding with a smile as if he was fine.

Cool-headed reasoning and quick response.

Although the power he possessed was not strong, he was an opponent with years of experience and cunning.

“… … .”

When the emperor first moved to the drawing room with the escort knight, Duke Heylon quietly followed.

While receiving a gift as an apology, I averted my gaze and leisurely toured the imperial palace, receiving their guidance.

*

drawing room.

I sat facing the emperor at a long, wide table.

I don’t know where they got a table like this, but the distance between the emperor and me was more than 5m even when we were sitting across from each other.

He had tea time with me with a much more relaxed complexion than when he met me in the audience room.

The Duke of Heylon and the Royal Knights stood behind him and guarded him like an iron.

“Seeing my Drachna prince in person will clear up all my doubts. It seems that he had a strong energy that he could not handle as a criminal. Drake and the King must have been very happy to see you.”

The emperor was talking pleasantly, but it was not a very comfortable seat.

How can a conversation be enjoyable when you are still avoiding my eyes?

It is also hard for me to look at the person who is acting while smiling and pretending not to be afraid.

At least, the one who can last me the longest here is the sword master, Duke Heylon.

The emperor is talking loudly for the sake of face, but words without a soul hover emptyly in the air.

That’s why I’m trying to make friends.

A conversation that takes place while ignoring one’s true intentions is not that fun.

Moderately nodding my head at the emperor’s words, I waited until the main topic came out.

“I heard from the dean. The reason I applied for the Imperial Academy this time was to interact with other races my age.”

“Yes. It seemed like a good place to learn together, where different races can peacefully coexist.”

The emperor finally brought up the story of the academy.

“hehehe, it’s very fortunate that the academy supported by the imperial family matches the prince’s heart. What is the most important thing in achieving peace on the continent? That is communication and cooperation. Drake and the prince’s heart is so open, so even as a man who seeks peace, I’m very happy.”

I didn’t apply to the academy after looking at so many things.

You just wanted to make friends?

I’m bored.

I listened to the emperor and tilted my teacup.

This man puts so much meaning into ordinary things.

“I asked my dean in advance to accommodate Drake and the prince. The academy’s lack of preparation can’t make the prince uncomfortable. hahahaha.”

It sounded as if he was trying to become my guardian.

“Did you know that our 3rd prince is also entering the academy special class this time? I’ll tell my son, so if something happens to your displeasure, you can talk to him openly.”

Come to think of it, the 3rd prince of the empire also entered the school.

I remember hearing a story related to Wirekka.

“In any case, Guwain will help you live comfortably in the Empire. You should also stop by the imperial family and say hello from time to time. hehehe, the imperial family and you will be able to fully understand each other.”

understand, cooperate, help

The emperor continued to speak abstractly, but it seemed clear what he wanted.

I will take care of my convenience and help me, so please cooperate with me too.

It was like a request for a closer alliance.

I nodded.

I had nothing to lose in this relationship either.

When I was in the academy, many ordinary people would faint because of me, but if the imperial family turned a blind eye to such trivial things, it would be much easier to go around.

*

Demesis left the imperial palace after a rather friendly conversation.

The emperor, who had been making a lot of noise in the parlor, slumped against the back of the chair.

“your majesty! Are you okay?”

The commander of the guards was frightened and looked at the emperor’s safety.

Whoop whoop whoop, the emperor exhaling rough breath.

speak in a weak voice

“I just look 10 years older.”

“yes?”

“I want to rest for a while, so everyone bites. Only the Duke of Haylon remains.”

I quenched my thirst by eating a few pieces of sweet fruit at the table.

The emperor turns his head to Duke Heylon.

Following his gaze, the duke sat down next to the emperor.

“Didn’t it make me troubled because you said you would test the prince for no reason?”

“sorry. I have nothing to say. I didn’t intend to fight the prince that much, but he grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.”

“Huh, you seem to be very embarrassed too. When you, the swordsman of the continent, were captured and dragged down, I thought I was dragged too.”

Who would have imagined that the Sword Master would be helplessly captured?

Watching Duke Heylon and Demesis fight right in front of his eyes, the Emperor’s legs trembled in shock.

To be honest, I was grateful when Demesis told the emperor who was sitting on the throne to come down.

I couldn’t have been so burdened to sit higher than that.

If an ignorant person says that the Emperor is ashamed of his descent from the throne, he will be beaten by the thrush and kindly brought before Demesis.

I want you to say that even in front of this Yongin.

If you dare to look down on Demesis, you must be ready to ascend at any time.

And the emperor had no intention of leaving the world yet.

“So did you achieve what you meant? Could you tell me a little bit about his skills?”

The reason Duke Heylon activated the defense magic circle was to measure Demesis’ skill.

Even if he went through all sorts of hardships, if he had been able to properly grasp his capabilities, he hadn’t lost face in vain.

“yes.”

Duke Halon answered with a firm expression.

The Emperor asked, focusing on him.

“Tell me what you feel.”

“There is absolutely no chance of winning in a magical showdown. He played with me. Ever since I became a sword master, I thought this would never happen, but I feel ashamed of myself.”

Duke Haylon swallowed a bitter smile.

He was proud that there were only a handful of people who could compete with him on the continent.

But being treated like a toy by Demesis shattered that pride.

Although he was a little dazed, he answered honestly what he felt to the emperor.

“He was correct in judging that he was stronger than us. It seems that he lacks actual combat experience yet, but he has a perfect body and magical powers that do not require such experience. Also, its mana control ability is at a level that humans cannot reach.”

“You are a real monster.”

“If you prepare for the return of the enemy and activate all the defense magic circles in the imperial palace, you can catch it, but that is of course meaningless. There’s no reason we all die together by attacking him.”

Demesis had the feeling that everyone was watching.

There is no need to fight an opponent like that.

Is there any need to ruin the family by touching the nose hair of a peacefully yawning lion?

It was best to just leave it alone and let it do what it wanted.

“Anyway, it seemed like a good idea to invite him. It was fortunate that I knew this person beforehand, hahahaha.”

The emperor smiled broadly.

He had to fight extreme fear just by facing Demesis for a short time, but it was also successful.

“The Duffy Pope and the Cheeky Mercenary King. I can’t wait to see what they will look like when they meet the Dragonian Prince. And the owner of the Mage Tower still doesn’t know him.”

The preoccupied information will be of great help in establishing the authority of the imperial family against other forces.

Imagine. Demesis of the Imperial Academy. How many will stop him?

It was like carrying a fire-breathing dragon on its back.

If he made a mistake, the fire would go toward the imperial family, but at least he could see that the fire was insanely hot by burning it beforehand.

The royal family pledged to maintain an amicable relationship with Demesis in the future.