Chapter 224: Alice Subjugation — interlude (3)

Chapter 224: Alice Subjugation — interlude (3)

Isaac chillingly glared at Emperor Carlos.

The Royal Guard, Jacule Calix, and the Imperial Knights had their hands on the hilt of their swords.

The Ice Knight, Morcan, also prepared to draw his white-silver sword at any moment.

The sound of blades moving inside their scabbards occurred almost simultaneously.

“Huh, w-wait?! Ahhh...!”

Isaac spoke in a sarcastic tone.

He did not deny what Emperor Carlos had said. Rather, he thought it was a reasonable opinion from the Emperor’s perspective.

But that was a mere farce in comparison to what truly mattered.

Here, the logic of power prevailed, and it was clearly favoring Isaac.

In terms of justification, cause, and actions, Isaac had every right to stand confidently before Emperor Carlos.

“It would be troublesome if you continued to proceed in such a manner.”

Using [Psychological Insight], Isaac read the Emperor’s psychology. Seeing Isaac’s young age and his boldness, the Emperor tried to use this attitude to steer the pace of the meeting to his advantage.

At the same time, he was wary of the strengthening power of Düpfendorf. After extracting information from Alice, he pondered how to pre-emptively manipulate her to benefit the Empire. His offer to compensate for any losses was motivated by this intention.

Isaac understood that as well.

Whether the opponent underestimated him or not, as long as their thoughts did not blatantly surface, Isaac could generously overlook them. After all, the Emperor was human, it was only natural for him to harbor such thoughts.

However, it was difficult for Isaac to accept the Emperor’s condescending and sneering attitude, which suggested that Isaac should yield.

Moreover, Emperor Carlos was someone who pursued the well-being and peace of the Empire.

Facing Isaac, who no one could oppose using force, the Emperor was certainly not a person who would wage war just because he felt offended.

As mentioned before, Isaac had been granted extraterritorial rights by an archwizard. Isaac also considered this aspect of his character.

Therefore, Isaac decided he needed to assert himself strongly to awaken the Emperor’s sense of urgency, and that was why he threw the dagger.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“What’s with the outrageous words to the Emperor?”

As Jacule questioned with a voice filled with murderous intent, Isaac glared at him fiercely.

“Who are you to intervene?”

“Jacule.”

Emperor Carlos lightly raised his hand to prevent Jacule from speaking further.

Jacule, observing the tense Emperor, frowned and took a step back.

“I apologize.”

Emperor Carlos took a breath and closed his eyes.

“My words were a bit aggressive. I’m sorry for provoking your anger.”

Opening his eyes again, Emperor Carlos looked at Isaac.

Isaac paused, then softened his voice a bit.

“I understand your point. After all, we don’t know when the Evil God will be resurrected.”

While the Heart Kingdom was in another world, Alice and the Paladins felt guilty. Therefore, it was necessary to share information about the resurrection of the Evil Got to recruit them as allies.

But that wasn’t the case with the Zelver Empire.

You’re doomed anyway if you don’t cooperate.

In the end, the Empire would have no choice but to join the fight against the Evil God. Therefore, maintaining a cooperative relationship was sufficient.

Once information had been relayed to someone, it could not be taken back, and there was always the risk that it could be misused or lead to confusion. Moreover, there wasn’t a deep trust established yet.

Isaac did not want to take such uncontrollable risks. There was still a need to be cautious with information.

“However, I have my own unyielding intentions.”

“What might those be?”

“To protect the people. As I mentioned, Alice will be used for that purpose.”

“...I truly appreciate your noble intentions.”

Emperor Carlos looked into Isaac’s eyes, admitting that he had been imprudent, and decided to take a step back.

He was facing a being capable of destroying the world at any moment and commanded an army that included great magic beasts. Such a being had protected the Empire’s valuable talents and was explicitly stating his intention to continue protecting the people.

Looking back, it almost seemed absurd.

It was already a grace that such an archwizard was negotiating with them. The mere act of throwing a dagger should be overlooked.

However, Emperor Carlos had no intention of giving up on what would benefit the Empire.

“...But, be that as it may. Our Empire is...”

“I have something I want to show you.”

Emperor Carlos stopped talking.

Isaac pulled out a pocket watch and handed it to the Ice Knight, Morcan.

“Pass this on.”

Morcan handed the pocket watch to the Royal Guard, Jacule, then returned to his position.

Jacule examined the watch to ensure it was safe before approaching Emperor Carlos and presenting the watch to him.

“...!”

Emperor Carlos’s eyes wavered.

Although part of the watch turned black, it was unmistakably Snow White’s cherished pocket watch.

The Emperor stood up abruptly, his face filled with shock.

“Why do you have this watch...?”

“I’m glad you recognized it immediately.”

“How could I not? It belongs to my daughter, Snow White...!”

Isaac pointed to the ceiling.

At the academy's gate.

As Emperor Carlos was about to leave in the Imperial carriage escorted by guards, Snow White and her escort knight, Merlin Astrea, rushed over.

I was there seeing off the Emperor with the faculty and Imperial Knights, so my eyes met with White’s.

White looked surprised when she saw me, then appeared confused. She seemed unsure of how to treat me.

White and Emperor Carlos faced each other.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you beforehand! I didn’t know you were coming...!”

“That was my intention, don’t worry about it.”

The Emperor approached the flustered White.

He was a doting father. He was worried that meeting White at an event to meet the new Elemental King might compromise the occasion’s solemnity. That was why he did not inform White of his schedule.

“Your Highness?”

Emperor Carlos embraced White.

White looked puzzled, not understanding what was happening.

“Thank you for being alive, my dear daughter.”

“...?”

After saying that, Emperor Carlos looked intently at White for a while before getting into the carriage. An escort closed the carriage door.

The Imperial carriage left the academy, accompanied by escorts, and the faculty and Imperial Knights all bowed their heads in respect.

“...?”

I considered talking to White, but then turned and walked away.

It seemed White hadn’t yet decided how to treat me, so I wanted to be considerate of her.

Not to mention, there was something else I needed to do first.

“Ah.”

White’s voice.

I could feel White and Merlin’s eyes on me, but I ignored them and continued on toward the academy detention center to see Alice and the Paladins.

It was then.

“Senior Isaac!!”

I stopped. I hadn’t expected White to call out to me so openly.

White ran towards me, Merlin following closely behind.

I turned around. White was kneeling in front of me, gasping for breath.

Ah, this situation. It seems like I need to say something, especially to ease any burden on White.

Given the events that had occurred, I decided to start with something formal...

“White, I’m glad that you’re safe...”

“Are you leaving...?”

“Hmm?”

What is she yapping about?

White’s voice was soaked in tears. She caught her breath and straightened up. Tears were about to spill from her eyes.

“Why are you walking away after seeing me...? Why are you avoiding me...?”

“No, that’s not-”

“Hicc, don’t hide it... Suddenly, you spoke less with me, was it because of this...?”

“What are you talking about?”

Confused by what “this” meant, I read White’s psychology.

The reason I had been quieter lately was due to spending all my time learning 7-star magic. It wasn’t because I was preparing to leave her after revealing my identity.

I thought I had reassured her, but White, harboring a new misunderstanding, sobbed. Her voice trembled.

“Senior Isaac, you really are an amazing person... Now that your identity is revealed, there’s no reason for you to stay at the academy, right...? I knew it... You were preparing to leave me...”

“That’s not it...”

“Don’t lieeee...! Waaaah...! I won’t let you go!”

“Hey, White?!”

Suddenly, White burst into tears and hugged me tightly, burying her head in my chest.

What do I do with such an affectionate kid?

Apparently, I had made White too dependent on me while living at the academy. I needed to maintain a proper distance.

Merlin and the Imperial Knights, along with the faculty, were shocked. It would be troublesome to be seen touching the Princess in front of them, so I cautiously raised my hands.

This was a tricky situation. I needed to diffuse this quickly.

“No, really, I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere... I still have things to teach you.”

“Whaaaa...! You’re lyingggg...!”

“I’m not lying...”

Why would I lie?

Screeeeech!

Suddenly, the Imperial carriage drifted sharply.

The carriage returned to the academy gate at an incredible speed.

Emperor Carlos frantically flung open the carriage door.

“W-what on earth is going on?!”

“Princess White, please step back! Maintain your dignity...!”

“Hicc, Senior Isaaaac...!”

...Just let it /genesisforsaken