Chapter 10 Side Story: Emperor Haisel's Contemplation
Emperor Haisel Eld Greyer Bastille let out a sigh in his office, unsure of how many times he had done so today.
"So, what happened to that girl?"
"It is reported that she disappeared after leaving the grounds of the Grand Palace. The large bag she was carrying vanished first."
The report from his trusted confidant and Minister of Internal Affairs, Balter von Linsel, fell within the expected range. There was no surprise.
However, Haisel had questions.
"Why did only the large bag disappear first?"
"I cannot say."
"What about tracking her after the disappearance?"
"We attempted aerial surveys with long-range magical devices, magical power investigations by mages, and sensory investigations by beastmen units, but all were unsuccessful."
"So, it might be instantaneous teleportation."
"Is such a thing possible?"
Balter furrowed his brow in confusion, a sentiment Haisel could understand. Such a form of magic was unheard of.
"That seems to be the only plausible explanation."
"Have you tried asking her directly?"
"She seems to be concealing something, so for now, I've decided to refrain from doing so."
Two days ago, upon receiving a report that his beloved daughter Seraphine had been visited by a spirit that dispelled a curse, Haisel immediately dispatched elite spies to the city. Kuu was easily found, and since then, she had been under surveillance.
Reports mentiond her appearances and disappearances in the city, floating through the air in the city, flying from the capital to the forest at an arrow-like speed, and suddenly vanishing in the forest. Haisel was informed of all these details.
Simultaneously, at the same time, she appeared before Seraphine.
The adventurer's guild had also been informed. Haisel ordered them not to treat her differently and to allow her to touch the magical device known as the "Eye of the Goddess" without special treatment.
"Balter, have you already seen the records of the 'Eye of the Goddess'?"
"Yes. I received permission and have seen the records for both of you."
"What do you think?"
"She is undoubtedly a spirit, and we have been granted a favor."
Haisel sighed again.
He refocused on the information recorded by the "Eye of the Goddess."
—Public Information—
Name: Kuu Maya
Race: Spirit
Origin: Divine Realm
Age: 11
Criminal Record: None
—Magical Information—
Magic Power Level: 99999
Attributes: Light, Dark, Fire, Water, Wind, Earth
—Confidential Information—
Goodness Level: 100
Titles: Spirit Princess, First Among Spirits, Goddess's Friend, Goddess's Blessing
"A Goodness Level of 100 is likely due to the blessing."
The Goodness Level decreased with evil deeds and increased with good deeds. The average value was 0, and unless extreme good or evil deeds were committed, it would not move significantly. Most people lived between 10 and -10.
"How do you interpret this Magic Power Level of approximately 1 million?"
"It may be that spirits and we measure magical power using different standards. The value might not be useful as a reference for us."
"Do you think so?"
Haisel, the chief of the empire's renowned magicians, had a magical power level of 103. A highly respected grand magician who had contributed significantly to the empire for a long time.
Kuu's magical power level was roughly ten thousand times greater.
Furthermore, she possessed all attributes. Haisel had never heard of someone having all attributes.
Most people did not possess any attributes. Having an attribute meant having the corresponding magical power. Being an attribute holder was already a rare existence, and usually, individuals had only one attribute. There were some with two, but that occurred once every ten years.
Haisel groaned inwardly. It might be possible if she were a spirit...
"Balter, what do you think of the titles 'Spirit Princess' and 'First Among Spirits'? Does it mean she is the master of all spirits?"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
"But she's also called the 'Goddess's Friend.'"
Titles were indicative of a person's essence. The criteria for assigning them were unknown, but they were never incorrect.
A rebel was a rebel. A loyal subject was a loyal subject. A murderer was a murderer.
Unlike criminal records that could be modified using the "Eye of the Goddess," titles represented the true nature of a person and couldn't be falsified.
"What do you think?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know."
"It doesn't matter. Just say what comes to mind."
"I had my chronic back pain cured, and I'm grateful."
"You too..."
Haisel sighed once more.
He knew that healing by water magic had its limitations. His wife, Ainesia, had suffered from a recurring skin condition that water magic couldn't fully resolve. It had already become a chronic issue.
The blessing of Kuu had solved it all.
She didn't make a fuss about it publicly, but Ainesia was already a devotee of Kuu.
If Kuu's status as a spirit became widely known, it would cause quite a stir even within the palace. Within the palace, only a few knew about it, and those who heard the story from Seraphine had been sworn to secrecy. Those who were permitted to enter the inner garden would likely understand without being told.
"Regarding Seraphine, what do you think?"
"It appears to be a blessing from the spirit."
The title "Cursed by the Evil God" that had tormented Seraphine for five years had disappeared. It no longer existed.
In its place, two new entries had appeared for Seraphine:
Attributes: Light
Titles: Spirit's Friend
"Light implies a saint."
"Yes. Our empire has given birth to its first saint. It is truly wonderful."
Currently, there was only one on the continent.
Yulia Or Nornmest was the only one other than Kuu.
Kuu also had it, but as she was a spirit, she could be excluded.
"Do you think we should make an announcement?"
"If we announce it, the citizens will be excited, but there's a risk of strong opposition from the Holy Kingdom. Considering the possibility of war with the neighboring country now, it could be dangerous."
"Gildoria, huh."
Haisel spat out the name of the vexing neighboring country.
"The movements of Gildoria spies in the Zanidea Mountains have become noticeably active."
"They seem eager to get their hands on the dungeon."
"It seems so."
The Zanidea Mountains serve as the border area with Gildoria, and on the empire's side, there is a massive dungeon. This dungeon produces a large quantity of high-quality magic stones, playing a crucial role in supporting the empire's prosperity.
"That place seems to be on the brink of bankruptcy due to the extravagant princess. In the kingdom, she's called the Rose Princess rather than the Extravagant Princess."
"While she may be a beauty, it seems there are issues with her character."
"If there's an attack, report it immediately, and I'll dispatch the central army. Make sure to convey this to Count Mordo, the frontier count."
"He will likely refuse the dispatch of the central army, but I'll convey the message again."
"Dealing with a family known for its martial prowess can be troublesome."
Haisel sighed once again.
"By the way, Your Majesty, there are numerous requests from central nobles seeking an audience. How would you like to handle it?"
"Refuse."
"... That might be difficult."
"I know. Handle it accordingly."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Also, Duke Rosent, who witnessed the pillar of light earlier, is causing a commotion, demanding an audience with Your Majesty."
"Refuse."
"... That might be difficult."
"I'm aware."
Seraphine and Kuu's activities in the inner garden are unknown. According to the reports from the surveillance team, Kuu cast a spell on Seraphine, and a pillar of light connecting heaven and earth appeared.
There was a knock on the door.
Accompanied by the head maid, Silera, Seraphine appeared.
"Father, I came as you summoned."
"You understand what we're talking about? The matter of the pillar of light earlier."
"I'm not aware."
She answered with a smile, and Haisel pressed his temples with his hand.
"It's important. Explain."
"I'm not aware."
"Were you nearby?"
"I was just seeing off my friend."
"What did she do?"
"Nothing."
Seraphine maintained her smiling expression.
"Did it glow?"
"I'm not aware."
"There were witnesses."
"Then please ask those witnesses."
"You were supposed to be close, right?"
"I was just seeing off my friend."
The exchange continued in a loop.
Haisel, as a father, knew his daughter's personality well. She chose to protect those who needed protection, even if cursed, and she never complained no matter how much she suffered.
"Silera, explain. It's an order."
Silera remained silent, bowed her head, and closed her eyes. Even though she could be charged with disrespect, Haisel had no intention of applying such charges. He only asked to satisfy his curiosity.
"Sigh..."
Haisel sighed once again.
"It's enough. You may leave. I won't pursue this with you or Kuu. Therefore, there won't be any investigation or action."
"Yes. Thank you, Father."
Seraphine, still wearing a smile, left the room with her head maid.
"You seem to be in good spirits."
"Completely."
"But, Your Majesty, regarding Princess Seraphine, there are already talks about a marriage proposal—"
"Reject!"
"I understand."
"...That might be difficult."
"I know."
"...By the way, about Lady Seraphine, Duke Rosent, who witnessed the pillar of light earlier, is causing a commotion, demanding an audience with Your Majesty."
"Reject."
"...That might be difficult."
"I know."
"Your Majesty, Lady Seraphine seems to be the topic of many nobles. How would you like to handle it?"
"Reject."
"...That might be difficult."
"I know."
"Your Majesty, what about the concern regarding Princess Yulia and Lady Erica, as well as the mention of the hero's name?"
"Ignore them for now. We'll observe the situation."
The reports from the Adventurer's Guild were detailed. Kuu had shown great interest in Princess Erica and Saint Yulia.
"She seems to be new to this world, and it appears she became interested after hearing the names in the public dining hall."
"That's probably it. Well..."
"It might be more concerning that she mentioned the hero's name."
"The hero, huh?"
It was a name from fairy tales.
When the Demon King, who would destroy the world, appeared—.
Guided by spirits—.
The one human born to defeat the Demon King and save the world.
The chosen one who, with the blessing of the spirits, would defeat the Demon King and save the world.
A person blessed by the spirits.
That was the hero.
However, it was just a fairy tale.
A name mentioned only in children's stories.
There had been no confirmation of the existence of a Demon King, and no human had been confirmed to carry the fate of saving the world.
"Spirits appeared, and she mentioned the hero's name. I'm somewhat curious..."
"If she continues to be friends with Kuu-chan, we will do our best to cooperate and pledge allegiance when the time comes."
Haisel, with a wry smile, had no choice but to nod at Balter, his trusted aide.
"Even so, a spirit... I'm quite troubled about how to deal with her."
After all, she was the Spirit Princess, the First Among Spirits, and the Friend of the Goddess.
Dealing with such an existence was a dilemma for Haisel. Whether to sincerely respect her as a high-ranking entity or to treat her as a friend like any other.
After much contemplation, Haisel had come to a conclusion.
Acknowledge her as a spirit, respect that fact, but otherwise treat her as a friend.
That seemed to be the best course of action for now.
However, he couldn't shake off the concern about what troubles might arise with Kuu's carefree personality. Every time she might cause mischief, Haisel would have to give her a stern lecture—such concerns lingered in his mind.
"How to handle her... Well, let's deal with it appropriately. I'm curious to see what the future holds."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. It will be interesting."
"Absolutely."
And thus, the emperor, burdened with the complexities of dealing with spirits and the uncertainties of the future, continued to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
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