Chapter 106: Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (6)

✦ Chapter 106 – Wow, Rewards Pour In Aplenty! (6) ✦「Translator – Creator」

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The day had finally arrived – the day he would receive the Sun Elixir.

‘I must be in peak condition.’

Even within the Imperial Palace, he’d sought out a training ground, diligently refining his mana control and honing his icy mana. He’d meticulously cleansed his body, every aspect of his being prepared for this momentous occasion.

— There has been a slight delay. Come at dusk.

In the meantime, an additional message arrived from the audience chamber.

Although it was regrettable that there was a delay, it wasn’t being pushed to another day, so it was still manageable.

Wondering what to do with the free time he had, he heard a voice.

“Master, do you have a moment?”

The 3rd Princess, Solana, appeared before him, a radiant smile gracing her lips.

And he found himself ushered into a lavish reception room, where they spent the next few hours… together.

The weather was exceptionally beautiful that day. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow.

Solana, the 3rd Princess of the Empire.

If anyone were to ask who possessed the most radiant smile in the empire, Solana’s name would undoubtedly be mentioned. Even Zekiel couldn’t deny her captivating charm.

It was said that devotees would go to extraordinary lengths, striving for achievements and recognition, just to earn a moment of her attention, a single word from their beloved princess.

A single word from Solana, and time spent with her, were regarded as blessings, hence the zeal of those who worked tirelessly to achieve it.

“I prayed all day, worried that something might go wrong… and…”

Solana was chattering away animatedly.

To none other than Ezekiel.

And the fragrant scent tickling his nose.

Had her culinary skills improved yet again?

The elegant refreshments and tea offered to Ezekiel, befitting a reception room, were luxurious enough to think they belonged elsewhere. They were accompanied by Solana’s lively chatter.

Ezekiel wasn’t a fool.

He was well aware that the situation he was currently enjoying was something that many had desperately hoped for. It was not about indulging in luxury.

But even though he recognized the privilege, the honor bestowed upon him…

Even though he knew he was currently blessed…

Nevertheless…

He couldn’t focus on Solana’s words at all.

‘The Sun Sun Elixir, I’m finally receiving the Sun Elixir…’

His mind was consumed by a single thought.

And soon, he paid the price for his distraction.

*Squeeze!*

He felt pressure on his hand, a sudden, firm grip. The scent of sunflowers, heady and intoxicating, enveloped him.

Solana was holding his hand, her grip surprisingly strong.

Their faces were inches apart. Her bright, captivating eyes held his gaze, unwavering.

“Master, you’re not listening to me, are you?”

She smiled sweetly.

“…What could you possibly be thinking about?”

If only she would just reprimand him outright, it would be better, but her smiling words made it all the more frightening.

“Every time you expand your group, Master, it seems… the new members are always women. When I heard the Elder of the Blue Tower had joined your ranks, I made some inquiries… and she’s quite the beauty, isn’t she?”

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It wasn’t something he had intentionally planned.

And considering he had been immersed in thoughts of the Sun Elixir and had been rude to Solana in the process, he couldn’t exactly deny it either.

Solana tightened her grip slightly.

“Even if you’re not interested, there’s no guarantee that they won’t take an interest in you. Even a fox that initially has no thoughts might wag its tail if it finds its master appealing.”

“Okay, okay… I’ll pay better attention to our conversation.”

But Solana’s words didn’t stop.

“Think about it, the 2nd Princess’s secretary is quite amusing too. That girl who looks like a rabbit. Why is she always around you when she’s supposed to be the 2nd Princess’s secretary?”

“

“You need to stay alert, Master. It’s like a flower garden all around you. Though, it doesn’t seem like they are all that impressive individually.”

Perhaps there was a hint of her own feelings in that final remark.

Her words, though delivered with a smile, carried a different meaning. They were filled with strong caution and concern. In other words, she wanted him to really listen to what she was saying.

For Ezekiel, it was a situation that made him resolve to handle things well. He did not want any of his companions to suffer disadvantages.

He tried to soothe Solana.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about. Trust me.”

“Even if you say that, I will still worry. Anyway.”

Solana asked with a teasing tone.

“You received a check, didn’t you?”

A Check?

“

Her question snapped him out of his Sun Elixir-induced daze. Now that she mentioned it… hadn’t she said something about all the princesses being informed?

“…Check?”

“You know, the one you received from Imperial scribes? The one that grants you five hours with a princess of your choosing? Hmm? Why are you avoiding my gaze?”

“…I-I remember now.”



“There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

Solana said calmly.

“Just think of it as having five hours to spend with me, Master. You’re going to use that check to choose me anyway, aren’t you?”

“……

“I’ve cleared my whole schedule for this week.”

​Solana’s unwavering confidence filled him with a sudden sense of dread. Were the other princesses just as… assured?

‘…Who am I supposed to choose?’

Choosing one meant rejecting the other four. The potential fallout was terrifying.

Could he even… handle the consequences?

At that moment, Solana placed a basket on the table. She subtly pushed it towards him, indicating it was something she had prepared just for him.

“You can have these before using the check. I personally selected them, so don’t worry.”

He opened the basket, peering inside.

Herbs, elixirs, ginseng… but the energy they emitted was strange, almost… unfamiliar. Definitely not something he’d normally consume.

“Each of these is excellent for vitality. They are said to be effective almost immediately.”

“…Vitality?”

He stared at her, dumbfounded.

Solana, however, stared back at him as if she were the one who couldn’t believe it, her narrowed, determined eyes almost overbearing.

“…You can do anything in five hours, right?”

She continued boldly.

“First Princess mentioned marriage, and the Second Princess suddenly barged in… I can’t just stand by and do nothing. I need to be prepared.”

Her preparation seemed rather bold.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

“Now, have one in front of me.”

Solana picked up one of the herbs and, almost forcefully, pushed it into Ezekiel’s mouth. He couldn’t refuse her unceremoniously.

He popped the herb into his mouth, chewing it slowly. She watched him, a satisfied smile on her face.

“My, my, Master, you’re so obedient.”

“Hmm?”

“…I prepared these vitality supplements for you. You won’t use them with other women, right? That wouldn’t be proper. It’s only right to use them with the person who prepared them.”

A radiant smile.

Why did her radiant smile feel so terrifying today?

“We’ll talk more later. It’s time.”

He quickly mumbled and stood up.

“I need to head to the audience chamber.”

“Master, Master?”

Could there ever be another day when he was as grateful for having to go to the audience chamber? He quickly left the reception room.

The promise of the Sun Elixir momentarily eclipsed his worries about the check and its potential consequences.

He would deal with it later. There was no other way.

It will work out somehow!

Yes.

Somehow, it will work out…?

It will….wouldn’t it…?

• • •

​

The moon had finally risen.

He’d been worried that the Emperor might postpone the meeting once again, but fortunately, that hadn’t happened.

He entered the audience chamber, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floor.

The grandeur of the room never failed to impress him.

He raised his gaze towards the throne, where the Emperor sat, his presence filling the vast space with an almost tangible aura of power.

“You have arrived, Ezekiel.”

Verd, the Emperor.

He was facing Ezekiel.

“You must have been eagerly awaiting this moment.”

As always, a chalice shimmered in the air. Once it was emptied, a long cloth unfurled vertically. The Emperor stood up from the throne.

Ezekiel felt a tingling sensation on his forehead.

Wiping his brow with his hand, he realized, to his surprise, that it was sweat.

‘…Sweat?’

At the same time, he realized something.

There was something in this space that was heating it up intensely. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the Emperor’s doing.

Now, something like a heat haze began to rise and gather, converging towards the Emperor.

No, more precisely, towards the Emperor’s sleeve.

The Emperor finally took something out from his sleeve.



“Watch closely with your own eyes.”

The Emperor murmured softly.

Soon, something resembling a small sun appeared. It shimmered like a liquid mercury, neither fully solid nor fully liquid, yet just looking at it made one feel as if their soul was being scorched.

Ezekiel, who had never truly experienced heat in his life, definitely felt the sensation of warmth now.

“This is the Sun Elixir.”