Chapter 202
Early dawn, as the sun began to rise over the mountain ridge.
Franz checked the luggage he had packed in his bag.
‘I packed my toiletries, and I packed my clothes well…’
Normally, there would be no need to do such a bothersome task. He would have just taken a quick trip using Spatial Movement Magic.
But what could he do? He had to ride a carriage since he couldn’t use magic.
It was a situation where he had to be thankful that he had the special carriage he made before.
‘I packed everything without missing anything.’
Franz thought that and was about to get into the car.
“Magic Tower Master-!”
Suddenly, Arian’s voice rang out.
Franz turned his head toward the source of the sound.
“Please wait a moment-!”
Arian was running toward him with something in her hands.
‘She looks like she’s going to trip at this rate…’
She seemed sharp when working, but she was clumsy in odd areas.
Sure enough, Arian, who had been running hard, got her feet tangled just as she was about to arrive.
Franz let out a short sigh and moved his body. He reached out and caught Arian as she was about to fall.
“You could have just told me to wait.”
“I, I suppose so…?”
Arian, who was half-embraced in Franz’s arms, smiled awkwardly.
“So what made you run over like that?”
“To give you this.”
Slipping out of Franz’s arms, Arian held out what she had in her hands.
It was a box woven from tree vines. The kind of thing commonly taken on picnics.
Franz slightly opened the lid to check the contents.
“I packed a few things to eat. Please have them if you get hungry.”
Inside the box were sandwiches and fruit.
He had been thinking about buying a sandwich anyway, so it worked out perfectly.
“Thank you. I’ll eat it well.”
“Yes, have a safe trip.”
“Yeah, please work hard a little longer while I’m away.”
Having finished his goodbyes, Franz got into the car.
He placed the picnic box on the passenger seat instead of a person and started the engine.
The mana stone installed in place of an engine exuded power, and the Mana Circuit containing highly advanced technology began to operate throughout the system.
Soon, as the car departed, Arian bowed her head politely in greeting.
Franz waved his hand out the window and left the grounds of the Magic Tower.
* * *
The distance from the Magic Tower to the Imperial Palace took four days by a normal carriage, and easily ten days if the weather didn’t cooperate.
Of course, that was only the case for a normal carriage.
Since the special carriage Franz made was a marvel of engineering, far surpassing any other carriage of its time, the time could be drastically reduced.
‘Though it still takes half a day.’
It was because the road wasn’t straight like a highway, but winding like a country road.
Furthermore, since most of it was unpaved, it was bound to take even longer.
Franz let out a short sigh and increased the speed.
How much time had passed since then?
Before he knew it, the sun was slowly setting beyond the mountain ridge.
Since Franz had departed from the Magic Tower at early dawn, it could be said that exactly half a day had passed.
‘Finally, the Imperial Capital…’
The Imperial Capital, the capital of the Empire. The resplendent Imperial Palace visible not far away was proof of that.
Come to think of it, was this his first time driving this car into the Imperial Capital?
Beyond the windows, everyone was staring with eyes full of curiosity.
As the developer of the special carriage, he felt proud, but on the other hand, it was also burdensome.
Receiving attention from many people was always a troublesome thing.
The car, advancing while receiving everyone’s attention, came to a stop not long after.
A massive door visible out the window. He had finally arrived at the Imperial Palace.
Spotting a guard approaching, Franz rolled down the window.
“Greetings. I am Ban Radia of the Imperial Family Guard.”
The man who introduced himself as Ban Radia bowed his head politely.
“Greetings. I am Magic Tower Master Franz.”
“Magic Tower Master, it is an honor to meet you. You are riding a magnificent carriage, just as I’ve heard.”
“Thank you. But who said such a thing?”
“Rather than someone saying it, it was a rumor naturally circulating within the Guard. That the Magic Tower Master rides around in a unique and fascinating carriage.”
He had brought this car to the Imperial Palace once before, so the rumor must have spread back then.
Well, there was no need to pay it much mind. It wasn’t like they were saying anything bad.
“Then I will open the door for you right away.”
Ban bowed his head and walked away.
Soon, as the tightly closed door opened, Franz slowly started the car.
Not long after, Franz met the Emperor.
It wasn’t his first or second time visiting the Imperial Palace. Finding his way to the office was not a difficult task.
“Magic Tower Master Franz Gilbert greets the Sun of the Empire.”
“I told you there’s no need to stand on ceremony when it’s just the two of us, but you truly are inflexible.”
“As a subject of the Empire, how could I do that?”
“Well, whatever the case, come sit over here.”
The Emperor said so and stood up.
That meant he was going to brew tea, so Franz couldn’t just sit still.
“Your Majesty, I have obtained some excellent tea leaves, so if it pleases you…”
“Oho, show them to me.”
Franz took a glass bottle out of the small bag at his waist.
“These are tea leaves personally cultivated and dried by an Elf living in Ganiphus.”
“An Elf’s tea leaves… That is certainly a precious item.”
“If it’s alright, I will…”
“Just wait a moment. I will brew a wonderful tea with these leaves.”
The Emperor showed a pleased expression. Since his brow was always furrowed with various worries, it could be said to be a truly rare occurrence.
Franz couldn’t bring himself to say anything and simply accepted his fate.
Who in the world could crush the Emperor’s joy? Even if it were possible, he didn’t want to do it.
Not long after, two teacups were placed on the table.
“I apologize for making you wait.”
“How could you say such a thing? The time spent waiting for Your Majesty’s tea is also a joy to me.”
“Thank you for saying so. Then let us drink.”
Franz carefully sipped the tea personally brewed by the Emperor.
The taste of the tea was, of course, excellent.
After exchanging a few words about it as a pleasantry…
“I’ll stop here and ask. What happened that day?”
The main discussion began.
Franz explained what had happened in the meantime.
From finding Deliaspi Dyne in the Eastern Continent to him summoning the Demon God into the world, and finally subjugating it without anyone dying.
“Even as I listen, I can’t believe it. Not only did a Human win against a god, but there wasn’t even any damage…”
Franz had similar thoughts.
It was truly something that would only appear in a novel.
However, the story that followed was even more absurd.
“In the process, I absorbed the god’s power and am currently in a state of being half a god.”
The Emperor’s expression went blank for a moment.
But that was only for a moment; he soon returned to his usual demeanor.
“It’s truly unbelievable… To think the person in front of me is a god…”
He thought it might be a bit ambiguous to call him a god, but he didn’t bother voicing that thought.
“Anyway, I understand everything. What happened that day, and why you didn’t come to see me.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Then from now on, regarding future matters…”
Afterward, a constructive conversation took place between Franz and the Emperor.
Plans to completely trample the Seven Great Evils and the Cult that had lost its leader, or the disposal of the underground city left by Deliaspi Dyne.
Among them were diplomatic issues as well. Something about a delegation being dispatched from Nostra, the country that occupied most of the Eastern Continent, to discuss matters later.
As they conversed like that, darkness had fallen over the world outside the window before they knew it.
“Let’s wrap up the work talk here. May I ask one personal question?”
“Yes, as many as you like.”
“How are things going with the Hero?”
He had a feeling when he said it was a personal question, but why did ominous premonitions never miss?
Feeling uncomfortable, Franz lifted his teacup, but the cup was already completely empty.
Clatter-.
Setting the teacup down, Franz eventually thought.
‘My relationship with Yuna…’
It was certain that Yuna was a precious person to him. Both as a comrade who had faced death alongside him, and as a friend he could open his heart and talk to.
But what the Emperor was talking about definitely wouldn’t have that meaning.
‘How do I feel…’
It was when Franz was continuing to ponder like that.
The Emperor burst into laughter, going, “Hoho-.”
“It’s fine if you don’t answer. It seems I’ve already received a sufficient answer.”
“Is that so…?”
“It is. So don’t worry about it and just keep living as you are now.”
“Yes…”
Franz couldn’t understand the Emperor’s words, but he decided to just let it slide.
When had he ever lived understanding everything? Sometimes, you just had to move on even if you didn’t know.
“Your Majesty, I will take my leave now…”
“You must have had a hard time driving the carriage all the way here, so stay a few days and relieve your travel fatigue… which is just an excuse, I suppose. The truth is, my daughter misses you very much. Would you be willing to meet her tomorrow, even if just for a moment?”
“Yes, I will do so.”
It seemed it would take a little time before he could return.