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And currently, I was seated in the royal reception room that only privileged guests could barely set foot in. Facing none other than the Empire’s Third Princess.

“You’ve really changed a lot.”

No, it was at a level where ‘evolved’ would be a more fitting expression.

She had always been strikingly beautiful even as a child, but now she had blossomed spectacularly into a sunflower in full bloom. The Third Princess across from me flashed a faint smile.

“You, on the other hand, haven’t changed at all, Master. Neither has your love for the sunweed.”

“I suppose I’ll quit it only in death. Or because of it.”

“…Die? You mustn’t joke about such things.”

Though it was merely a joke to me, a somber concern crossed Solana’s face. She still possessed a graceful spirit.

“………..”

And a brief silence fell between us.

Perhaps it was because we hadn’t seen each other in so long that it felt somewhat awkward. I snapped my fingers, and just as the ice formed in midair and plopped into Solana’s teacup, I began to speak.

“Solana. I’ve often heard tell of your stories.”

“Really? You’ve heard stories about me, Master?”

“People call you the Face of the Empire.”

The Third Princess of the Empire, the face of the Empire — Solana Rium.

There were quite rational reasons to call Solana the Face of the Empire. Her very face exuded grace, and she was simultaneously the princess who made the most public appearances.

“…The Face of the Empire? Me?”

“Yes, I’ve also heard you called the ‘Angel of the Empire’.”

She was revered as both a princess and a saintess.

The holy power she possessed was evaluated as paramount. Though she could not resurrect the dead, it was said that at least those still living would not die in her presence — a famous tale.

…To think such an extraordinary woman was once my student.

“I find it too generous a description. It is a level I could only reach thanks to your teachings, Master. I feel almost ashamed to hear such words.”

“I merely taught you intermediate magic. The holy power you manifested was your own doing. You should take pride in that, it seems.”

“Not at all. The flow of spirit is not so different for holy power. It was entirely thanks to your teachings, Master. Do not deny it.”

Have you ever witnessed the sight of paint gradually spreading across drawing paper? Solana began growing increasingly excited in a similar fashion.

“And that’s not all. You told me stories of the world, taught me etiquette… Everything was thanks to you, Master!”

“………….”

Her sudden burst of excitement brought on a descending silence. I silently chewed the sunseed, and we gazed at each other wordlessly. 

And then, at some point.

“Pffft…”

“Haha, ahahaha…”

“Just like old times with you.”

We burst into laughter, unreservedly. A situation we had experienced countless times in our youth had just been reenacted.

“I showed my true colors again, didn’t I? And here I am, supposed to be an adult.”

“Not true colors, but a bit of a blunder.”

“A blunder… Yes, that’s what you called it. Haha…”

Only now did she truly seem like the Solana I knew.

In truth, Solana’s nickname as the Face of the Empire had been a palace tradition from within for quite some time.

— Princess Solana, isn’t she just perfect?

— As long as she keeps her mouth shut.

— As long as she doesn’t trip over herself occasionally. 

— As long as she just stays still.

Perhaps due to her exceedingly graceful appearance. She was often called “surprisingly clumsy” behind her back. Though never to her face, of course.

“I suppose no matter how much time passes, I’m still just a child in your eyes, Master?”

“Not at all, I have a full-fledged Princess seated across from me.”

“…Really?” 

She blushed and smoothed her bangs.

However, nestled among Solana’s bangs was a rather out-of-place, noticeably worn hairpin. A jade hairpiece that clashed with the empire’s lavish accessories; a blemish among gems.

It was a familiar object, since I had given it to her as a reward. 

“…You’re still wearing that hairpin?”

“Hm? Of course.”

She looked at me with an expression as if I had said something utterly bizarre — as though I had spouted nonsense like ‘the moon rises in the morning.’

“But it’s so worn out.”

“Not at all? Even if worn, I will wear it. For life.”

Perhaps she had a preference for reasonably aged items with a sense of history over excessively refined objects. If she liked it, there was nothing I could do to dissuade her further.

She continued with a resolute expression, “In any case, everything the imperial sisters including myself have achieved is all thanks to you, Master. It would be problematic if you yourself did not know that.”

“Everything…? Now that you mention it, what about the other princesses?”

“They’ve all become truly remarkable individuals. Making great names for themselves in their respective roles, no? They’ll be returning soon.”

“It sounds quite impressive.”

“Yes, you’ll be surprised when you see them again.”

Whether commanding the demon subjugation forces, outright establishing and overseeing their own magic towers, or controlling trade across the entire continent… They had become pillars propping up the realm. Just hearing tales secondhand painted awe-inspiring pictures.

Solana smiled wryly.

“There’s a proverb that goes: In the forest, all the outstanding trees get cut down, leaving only the poor trees behind… It seems I was the poorest tree of all. The only one left in the palace.”

“Not proverb, but a saying.”

“Ah, saying. That’s what I meant.”

“And managing the imperial palace is a duty only you can handle.”

“You used to comfort me like that when I was little. Hearing it again after so long warms my heart. Thank you. Now then…” Solana nodded and set down her empty teacup, “With the tension dispelled, shall we proceed to the main subject?”

At last, the conversation turned to the main issue at hand.

“I feel ill at ease having summoned you here to the palace in such an aggressive manner. If the journey was unpleasant, allow me to apologize on their behalf.”

“It brought back old memories – it wasn’t so bad.”

Come to think of it, the letter I wrote was the catalyst, simultaneously an imperial decree. There was no reason to blame Solana.

“Ah, well… There are complicated circumstances surrounding that…”

“Hm?”

But Solana averted her gaze. Other circumstances, she said?

“Ahem, but first. Please extend your hand to me.”

She took my hand of her own accord. After a moment, she closed her eyes and channeled her holy power to examine my condition.

‘This does bring back memories.’

Back when she had just awakened to her holy power, Solana would also arbitrarily grab my hand like this under the pretense of ‘healing practice.’

…The biggest difference between then and now was likely her expression.

— All done! You’re incredibly healthy today too, Master!

She would cheerfully exclaim with a bright smile back then.

“…Yes. I’m finished.”

Now, Solana merely gave a faint, rather melancholic smile.

The time I have left is a mere 2 years. This body was in poor condition. As one who wields holy power, she likely knows this better than I do.

“Don’t worry, Master. There will surely be a way.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, good. Then let’s discuss something else for now.”

She took out a scroll from her robe. Not a true scroll, but rather what appeared to be a single document rolled up.

“Since you will live a long, happy life – because I will make it so – let’s first talk about the matter at hand.”

“The matter at hand?”

“I’ve always wondered – is there no way to compensate you for the time you’ve devoted to the imperial family? No way for all the people of the continent to acclaim and follow the talents you possess…”

Solana tapped the rolled document she had placed on the table.

“And this is the conclusion I’ve reached.”

“What is it?”

“A letter of appointment. Would you like to examine it?”

A letter of appointment? For what appointment?

[Letter of Appointment]

[Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector]

“……..”

I silently rolled up the document. 

Then, after a moment, unrolled it again.

[Letter of Appointment] 

[Ezekiel Hound is hereby appointed Imperial Magic Tower Inspector]

“What is this?”

“A letter of appointment.”

“But I never applied or registered for anything.”

“I took care of the application and registration process entirely.”

When I remained silent, Solana added “…Do you know how pained I felt whenever I imagined you, secluded in some remote corner of the continent, subsisting only on alcohol and  sunweed? You cannot continue living like that any longer.”

“No, listen…” 

“No. Your opinion is immaterial.” Solana firmly cut me off, “From this very moment, I will forcibly bestow upon you immense wealth, great honor, tremendous adoration… everything.”

Then she showed me the brightest smile I had ever seen from her.

“…You understand, don’t you?”