Chapter 89

"Let's return to the capital. Get ready, Zoe."

"Understood."

Zoe nodded.

Together with Zoe, I left the room.

With this 25 million, we can move again, even after being stationary.

Since the main goal, the salt tax issue, has already been resolved, there's no need to stay in Dussel any longer.

As we exited the building, I saw Zoe, who had left a step ahead, leading a carriage toward us.

Zoe acted as usual, trying to return to me.

From right beside her—

Something suddenly appeared from the shadows and leaped at Zoe.

A dull light described an arc.

It slashed Zoe's throat.

Zoe dropped to her knees, heavily.

"Who are you?"

I kicked off the ground and instantly stepped forward, thrusting the drawn Leviathan at the man's throat.

He was a middle-aged man with a haggard look and bloodshot eyes.

The man held a short knife.

That must have been the weapon that just slashed Zoe's throat.

"..."

The man glared at me with eyes full of anger, not answering.

"I've seen this person before."

"...Huh?"

But when I saw Zoe speaking normally—though with a hint of surprise—the man's expression changed to one of shock.

"Why...?"

"Do you know this person, Zoe?"

"Yes. I saw his face when I went as a spy."

"So, you're one of their people... I see, you're taking revenge on Zoe for fooling you all."

"...Damn."

From his reaction, I understood that my guess was correct.

With that, I used Leviathan to knock him unconscious.

He rolled his eyes and collapsed on the spot.

On the other hand, Zoe, who was touching her neck, was surprised to find no blood—despite being slashed.

"Why isn't there a wound...?"

"Feel around your chest."

"My chest...? There's something. This... is a gem?"

Zoe, surprised, pulled out a shattered red gem, a ruby.

"It's a substitute ruby. I've had you carry it casually since the last time."

"Really?"

"I'm sending you as a spy; I can't send you without any insurance, can I?"

"Your Majesty..."

Zoe's eyes welled up, and she looked at me with a deeply moved expression.

"Your Majesty is truly amazing... to have thought that far ahead."

"You're an important maid to me."

"Your Majesty..."

Zoe's face became even more moved.

☆

The day after we returned to the capital, in the study of the palace.

I summoned the Tenth Prince, Dustin.

This man, who is also my brother, knelt on one knee and gave a perfunctory bow.

"What is it, Your Majesty? Why did you call me?"

Dustin asked in a frank tone, different from the other princes.

"Have you heard about the Dussel incident?"

"Sure, I've heard about it."

"They say those people sent a woman to you as well. Do you have any explanation for that?"

"I accepted them. They were pretty good women, so I enjoyed them every day."

Dustin answered casually, with a "So what?" look on his face.

"Does that mean you accepted a bribe?"

I glared at Dustin.

"If you accepted a bribe and provided favors, I can't protect you, even if you're my brother."

"Huh? Why would I do favors for those guys?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm a prince, right? Just because I received a few women from commoners, why should I work for them?"

"..."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Dustin's words.

"They gave me the women because they were top-notch. That's all."

"You can't be unaware that they were falsifying the salt tax, can you?"

"What are you talking about, Your Majesty? I'm not the emperor; I'm just a prince with no official duties. Can I really be bothered with such things?"

"..."

"Besides, Your Majesty, if you put it that way, does that mean those people won't be sending women anymore? Oh, the women from there were of high quality, so if they stop coming—"

"Got it, got it. That's enough."

I chuckled again.

This guy is really something.

"I understand that you weren't involved. However, the fact remains that you accepted a bribe in form. A light punishment is necessary."

I thought for a moment and then announced:

"A year's salary deduction and a month of house arrest."

"Got it, got it. Oh, can I still call courtesans to the house during the house arrest?"

"Do as you please."

I said with a chuckle, and Dustin left the study with a casual "Understood."

"Really..."

"Your Majesty, is that alright?"

Zoe, who had been waiting in the corner of the study, asked.

Because of the follow-up to this incident, I had her in the study to provide immediate input, as she was well-informed about the situation.

She looked at the door Dustin had just exited with a rare expression of displeasure and asked me.

"What is it?"

"Prince Dustin. Isn't that too disrespectful?"

"I chuckled.

"That's Dustin's way of being discreet."

"Discreet...?"

"Meaning to hide his talents and true intentions. It's a statement that 'I just want to enjoy women; I have no greater ambitions.'"

"...Who has ambitions, then?"

"..."

I was surprised.

I looked at Zoe, amazed.

In the brief exchange, she had instantly understood.

Her intelligence is so sharp that it feels almost criminal to keep her as just a maid.

"That's fine. I have a good grasp of it."

"Understood."

"Zoe, there's a place I need you to go."

"Yes, please tell me. What should I do?"

Zoe composed herself and bowed slightly.

I addressed her with a serious face.

"Go and serve as a magistrate for a while."

"---!"

Zoe was taken aback, thinking it was a simple errand.

"Me, as a magistrate?"

"Don't be surprised. You've done it before."

"Well, that's true, but—"

"You're the best person for the job."

"......Dussel, then?"

Despite the lingering surprise, Zoe accurately gauged my intentions.

"That's right. I've appointed Phil Mome as the governor of Gabel, but such a major promotion is a heavy burden for a young, inexperienced person. I need you to go to Dussel, watch over him closely, and report to me immediately if anything happens."

"Understood. If that's the case, I'll take care of it."

Unlike before, Zoe was now determined.

On the spot, I created a box of Fwawa and handed it to her along with the imperial edict.

Zoe left the room with a determined look.

After a while, the maid Jiji burst in.

"M-Master—no, Your Majesty. It's an emergency!"

"Calm down. Report slowly and accurately."

I lightly scolded Jiji, who was still "in training," and urged her to report.

"T-The former emperor has arrived."

"What!?"

I was genuinely surprised.

"Show him in—"

"Hahaha, I'm already here."

With a hearty laugh, the former emperor—my father—entered the study.

Father appeared in casual attire, looking more like a local landlord than a former emperor.

His entrance was so casual that it felt like he had been invited for dinner.

Still, he is my father and the former emperor.

I stood up and hurriedly bowed.

"What brings you here, Father? If there's anything, you could have sent a messenger."

"It's fine, fine. I was just bored and came to visit. Still—"

Father laughed with a delighted expression.

"You're impressive, Noah."

He said.

"What for?"

While I answered, I suspected it was about the salt tax issue.

"That girl. A simple farmer's daughter, yet you've trained her to be so wise."

"...You still have those keen ears, Father."

I chuckled at the unexpected topic.

I had just decided on Zoe's new role, but Father already knew.

People are treasures.

"Indeed."

"Still, why are you here, Father?"

"Oh, right. You did well with the Gabel incident."

"Thank you."

I wasn't surprised, as I expected he would know.

"I've heard the details. I thought you were ready to handle it."

"What for?"

"The seal of Leviathan."

"...Ah, as I thought."

"You knew?"

I nodded deeply.

"I suspected something was up. You and Bahamut were clashing so intensely, and the seal kept almost breaking but never did. From the feel of it, there were several times it should have awakened, but it didn't. It's natural to think there's something more."

"Indeed."

Father laughed and raised his hand.

The door to the study opened, and Father's confidant, the eunuch Cruise, entered with a long, narrow box in both hands.

He came to me, still holding the box, and opened it.

"This is...?"

I looked at Father, surprised by the contents of the box.

There was Leviathan.

I took out the Leviathan stored in my bracelet.

This means there is another Leviathan.

"You know that the water magic sword Leviathan has a soul, right?"

"Yes."

"But it's not complete. When I sealed Leviathan, I split the soul into two and sealed them."

"...I see. If the soul isn't complete, there's nothing to unseal, right?"

"Exactly."

Father's expression turned serious.

"There's a saying that the true seal of Leviathan must not be broken... but I think you'll be fine, Noah."

"Thank you."

"But—"

His expression changed back to a cheerful smile.

"I don't know how to break the seal. The method doesn't exist anymore."

"Like a poison user who can't make an antidote, that's the worst."

"Hahaha, exactly."

Father looked up and laughed heartily.

I took the other Leviathan from the box Cruise was holding.

I compared the two Leviathans.

I thought.

Both contain the soul of Leviathan.

Originally one, the soul was split into two.

To reunite them...

I thought, and continued to think.

After a while, I struck the two Leviathans together.

Crack!

A beautiful sound rang out, and both swords shattered into pieces.

"What are you doing?"

"This."

I took out the ruby.

The substitute ruby that saved Zoe's life when she was nearly assassinated in Dussel.

"It has a soul, and it creates a substitute every time it shatters. I'm doing the same thing."

"Hmm."

"Fwawa."

I called Fwawa and borrowed its power.

Fwawa, skilled in creating and forming shapes, gathered the scattered fragments in the air and formed them into the shape of a sword.

Then, the soul.

I pushed the souls of the two Leviathans into it.

I pushed them with the image of the two souls fusing into one.

Eventually, the sword returned to its original form.

'For a long time...'

What was previously only an emotion now resonated clearly in my mind.

Leviathan—rather, Leviathan's voice echoed in my mind.

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Imperial Emperor

Gender: Male

Level: 17 + 1 / ∞

HP: C + B Fire: E + S + S

MP: D + C Water: C + SSS

Strength: C + S Wind: E + C

Stamina: D + C Earth: E + C

Intelligence: D + B Light: E + B

Spirit: E + C Darkness: E + B

Speed: E + C

Dexterity: E + C

Luck: D + C

---

The water attribute in my status, which I always saw in the corner of my vision, increased further.

Seeing this, I, and Father, who sensed what I saw, said:

"Indeed, you're impressive, Noah."

With a proud smile.

The magic sword, Leviathan.

The moment of its awakening.