Chapter 61

Finally, the day of the Enetoa Guild's reopening arrived.

In front of me on the International Street stood the Enetoa Guild, bustling with many customers.

"Surprising."

I didn't expect so many customers...

We hadn't run any special advertisements or tried to attract customers.

Just by hanging the Enetoa Guild's sign and opening the door, the number of customers gradually increased.

Eventually, I began to notice customers holding bouquets. Perhaps they were celebrating the reopening, or offering them to Enetoa.

In any case, these must be people who had been eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Enetoa Guild.

Elysia, seeing this, said,

"Enetoa must have been well-liked by everyone."

"Even keeping silent about Torreus until the end. He must have been a good person..."

I murmured, looking at the white crow model placed in front of the headquarters.

It was a model from the Torreus Guild, one that Torreus had gazed at with a melancholic expression.

The bottom was inscribed with "Enetoa," so we brought it back as part of our assets. Upon closer inspection, it was a small inscription celebrating Torreus's advance into the Imperial Capital. In other words, it was an opening gift from Enetoa to Torreus.

If this incident hadn't happened, what would have become of it...

However, there's no point in regretting what has passed.

I will make the Enetoa Guild flourish. And I want to be able to support people like Enetoa and Torreus, who bear the mark of darkness.

"...Anyway, it seems the shop is doing well. I need to go to the palace."

"Yes, the audience has finally been granted."

"Right, with Virtus and me... as a father, I don't want to see either of them, but if I have to see them together..."

"It's natural to want to delay it, isn't it?"

I nodded at Elysia's words.

"Not just Louis, but he will probably have his surroundings secured with heavyweights and close aides. Well, if I say I want to go to Mire, he'll probably be disappointed..."

To the emperor, whether I go to Mire or the Imperial Capital's school should be of no real concern. If it weren't for Louis's request, he wouldn't have recalled me.

If Virtus puts in a good word, it shouldn't be that difficult.

The only worry is Virtus himself. There's a possibility that the emperor might back down after one refusal.

Still, if Virtus is aiming for the throne, it would be easier for him if I were away from the Imperial Capital...

"The palace is still a place where various schemes swirl, and it's troublesome..."

"Whether it's Mire or Ars, I want to leave the Imperial Capital as soon as possible."

"Right... anyway, let's go..."

And so, I returned to the palace and entered the emperor's chamber.

Today, there were fewer nobles waiting in the emperor's chamber, but their wary gazes towards me remained unchanged.

As I approached the throne where the emperor was lounging, I first noticed Virtus.

Around him were the emperor's aides.

But Louis and Burius were not there.

...Louis isn't here?

After all, it was Louis who brought me back to the palace to attend school.

Has he lost interest in me, or is he just bored? It's not like he's feeling grateful...

In any case, this seems to be more convenient.

Virtus turned to me.

He had intended to enter the emperor's chamber with me, but perhaps he had already had an audience with the emperor... Had he already arranged things?

"I've been waiting. His Majesty is waiting for you."

I nodded at Virtus's words and stood next to him, kneeling on one knee together.

"Both of you, raise your heads."

When we raised our heads, the emperor looked irritated.

It wasn't that he found us hateful, but rather that his mind was elsewhere. It was probably due to Louis, or perhaps something else.

"So, what is it with both of you?"

The emperor said dismissively, clearly wanting to get it over with quickly.

I hesitated, wondering if I should speak or let Virtus.

But Virtus spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I have a request regarding Alex. Of course, it's not for free."

"Hmm... What do you want?"

"Actually, Alex wants to study abroad in Mire."

"Mire?"

The emperor looked somewhat disappointed, as if he had expected something else.

Virtus hadn't mentioned this to him yet.

"In other words, he wants to study at Mire University instead of the Imperial Capital's Magic Academy?"

I nodded.

Virtus continued,

"At the Imperial Capital's Magic Academy, Alex would stand out. It might tarnish Your Majesty's reputation. I believe it would be better for Alex to go to Mire."

The emperor looked a bit hesitant.

He must have expected Alex to attend the Imperial Capital's Magic Academy. Louis must have wanted that too.

But Louis wasn't here. The emperor, perhaps judging that Louis had lost interest in me, nodded.

"Fine. Let him go."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I immediately bowed my head.

I was surprised by the quick approval.

It almost seemed like it would have worked even without Virtus's recommendation.

In any case, I could now spend my time freely in Mire... I was even more pleased because I had been interested in Mire before the reset.

The emperor waved his hand.

"Is that all? Then, go."

I bowed deeply again and was about to leave.

But Virtus said,

"Your Majesty... Alex is going to Mire. Shouldn't we talk about that incident?"

"Are you saying I should let Alex be killed?"

"Of course not! Whether we talk about it or not, the ships won't leave the port!"

Virtus replied.

"Ships won't leave the port?"

When I asked, the emperor replied with a troubled expression.

"Ships have been sinking one after another in Lux Bay."

Lux Bay surrounds the Lux Peninsula where the Imperial Capital is located. From this bay, ships pass through the Lux Strait to the south and enter the Mediterranean-like Luxia Sea. Conversely, if Lux Bay is sealed off, the route between the Imperial Capital and the world is cut off.

"Ships carrying tributes from the Western Lords have also been sunk. It seems they are selectively attacking certain ships. They are too intelligent to be mere sea-dwelling monsters."

At Virtus's words, the emperor ground his teeth but then answered,

"So, no ships will leave the Imperial Capital for a while."

"I see..."

Then, I could just take a passenger ship from another port town. The journey would only be about five days longer. Besides, there were more than six months until the Mire entrance exams.

But the monsters in Lux Bay... I had heard about them before the reset.

I remember the navy searched the area for about a year but couldn't find them. Even ships carrying imperial nobles and foreign royalty were attacked. The empire was ridiculed by foreign countries for not being able to secure safety even around the capital.

The current shortage of nobles might be due to the search efforts.

In the midst of this, Virtus began to speak.

"Your Majesty, while we're at it, why not entrust Alex with the investigation and the navy inspection?"

"What?"

"The sea-dwelling monsters... they won't be found anyway. But from Your Majesty's position, you can't just ignore them. My brother and sister are also quite busy."

"That's true, but this one... no, wait."

The emperor looked at Virtus's face and seemed to realize something.

Then, with a sly smile, he said,

"I see... Fine, let's do it! ...Alex! I'm entrusting you with the investigation of the monsters in Lux Bay!"

I couldn't help but glance sideways at Virtus.

The monsters selectively attack ships.

If they know I'm a royal, they might attack. The emperor probably intends to use me as bait to lure out the monsters.

Was the promise that I wouldn't be an enemy a lie...?

I was about to question Virtus.

But the emperor continued,

"But... the navy inspection is too important to entrust to Alex alone... Virtus, you will go with him!"

"Me!? Wait a minute!"

"Originally, you were the one who made a request for Alex! Consider it the price of having your request granted! You said it wouldn't be for free, right? ...Both of you, leave for Lux Bay tomorrow!"

With that, the emperor left the chamber, looking relieved.

I stared at Virtus.

Virtus, looking guilty, averted his eyes.