Chapter 6
"How can you even think about eating now?" Eric's irritated voice echoed in the
office. From behind the video communication stone, Dante opened his mouth
nonchalantly.
[ So, should I just starve...? ] "Dante Renard." [ I was about to pass out on
the job, so I’m just having a quick bite to hold on. What good would it be if I
died before finding Elisha? ] Dante grumbled with a mock pout. Instead of
answering, Eric pressed his fingertips to his temple.
Watching him, a sudden premonition struck Dante and he asked cautiously. [ You
aren't... don't tell me. ] "......" [ You haven't been eating all this time,
have you...? ] "I just asked you how anyone could have an appetite at a time
like this." [ Are you cr—no, have you lost your mind, Your Majesty? ] Dante
asked, stunned, and the bread he was eating dropped from his hand. Ignoring him,
Eric, still scowling, tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk.
It had already been a week since Elisha's disappearance. It would be a lie to
say he hadn't eaten at all during that time, but Eric hadn't once picked up his
utensils with a calm mind. To the point that he couldn't even remember what he
ate or how it tasted.
[ You are getting some sleep, right? ] "......" [ If this drags on, you’re the
one who’s going to collapse. You need to take care of yourself, especially now.
] Besides, you are in a position where you "must be fine." Dante Renard spoke,
his voice a bit firmer than before. Eric nodded his head in a slight gesture
without another word.
Dante was absolutely right. The throne he just ascended was a position that
couldn't be shaken by anything. A position where he couldn't show anxiety even
when anxious, or reveal exhaustion even when tired. While all positions came
with responsibility, the weight Eric carried had to be several times greater
than others. In a situation like this, if news of Elisha's disappearance
leaked...
"What about Elisha?" just thinking about it sent a throb through his head. Eric
let out a short sigh and asked. Dante picked up a new piece of bread and
answered.
[ No trace. ] "......" [ Honestly, with her appearance, she's hard to forget,
but not a single witness has come forward. She's certainly not here, at least. ]
Having finished his words, Dante watched Eric's reaction and softened his
expression.
It wasn't that he was intentionally hiding Elisha's whereabouts, so he had no
idea why he had to be this cautious, but what could he do? No matter how close
they were as friends, Eric was fundamentally the Emperor high in the heavens,
and he was a subordinate who had to obey orders, no matter what.
The problem is his orders are too extreme. Immediately after Elisha's
disappearance, Dante, instead of Eric who couldn't leave his post, left the
capital and began tracing Elisha's trail. It was an exhausting schedule even for
the magic knight commander, second only to Elisha. Constant long-distance
teleportation, no proper sleep, and just a moment ago, he was even scolded for
eating.
[ Eric. ] Dante, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke with a
completely serious expression. [ When this mission is over, you’ll make sure I
get my overtime pay and travel expenses, right? ] "Dante Renard." [ And if I
manage to persuade Elisha and bring her back, I believe it is your duty as
Emperor to grant me a bonus. ] Because that is the hardest mission of all.
Having said his piece, Dante jutted out his chin as if he wouldn't back down.
Eric frowned into the communication stone before letting out a small sigh. "In
addition, I will grant you a month of paid leave." [ I will do my best. ] The
moment Eric finished speaking, Dante saluted with a bright smile.
I have to find Elisha, no matter what. Find her and bring her before Eric. Of
course, that was all dependent on Elisha's willingness to show herself to him.
"Just bring Elisha back, and I’ll give you anything you want," Eric finally
fixed his dark, sunken eyes on Dante and spoke. Dante unconsciously swallowed
hard. Eyes of a predator hunting its prey. "So, no matter what it takes, bring
her before me."
Eric spat the words as if chewing them, his gaze fixed on Elisha's letter, which
occupied a corner of his desk. Instead of answering, Dante bowed his head
slightly, indicating submission. How long has it been since he’d seen this side
of Eric? If Elisha saw this, wouldn't she have said, "That isn't Eric," and
tried to handle him?
[ I’ll contact you again if I find any trace. ] With Dante's final words, the
connection from the video stone was cut. Eric leaned back in his chair and let
out a long breath. He hadn't expected to find Elisha easily, but he couldn't
prevent the mounting anxiety. Because the longer this went on, the more damaging
it became for him. The moral responsibility of not adhering to the previous
Emperor's final wish, the pressure he’d face with the Archmage's disappearance,
the weakening of military power.
But that wasn't the only reason for his intense anxiety. Putting all that aside.
"......Elisha is."
She was someone who never once left the Imperial Palace on her own. He didn't
know what kind of life she lived before coming to the palace, but it was certain
that her entire way of life now was tailored specifically for him. Someone who
never even changed her own clothes, and only ate food prepared by the Imperial
Palace's head chef.
"She couldn't have adapted to such a sudden change in environment." Eric covered
his eyes with the back of his hand and let out another deep sigh. Was she
sleeping well? was she skipping her meals? She wouldn't fall into anything
dangerous... right? She’s the Archmage, in the end. Actually, those who truly
had to worry were anyone who might try to pick a fight with her.
"Elisha." But what can I do? My real concern isn't for people who can't touch a
hair on your head, but for you, and only you. He ran a hand through his hair,
imagining the white locks gleaming behind his closed eyelids. "......Eli. If I
can't find you, I hope you suffer enough to return to the Imperial Palace on
your own feet. Because it’s fine if you don't fulfill that damned promise."
"Does the food appeal to you?" the man asked, his eyes gleaming as he sat at
Elisha's table, resting his chin on his hand. Elisha pointedly avoided his gaze
and nodded her head in a slight gesture. His name was Jonathan, wasn't it? The
owner of this inn, and the man who tried to kick her out on the first day when
she didn't have money.
"I’ve replaced all the furnishings with new ones. The steak is made from lamb I
chose myself this morning, but if it smells gamey or is too tough, I’ll prepare
another for you." That same man was now smiling at her extremely gently.
Although even with a smile, his intimidating impression didn't change.
Again, Elisha simply nodded her head without a word. Even the maids in the
Imperial Palace weren't this cautious around her. Is this the value of a
master-level artifact on the open market? If so, it seems I won't have much
trouble managing from now on. Elisha set her fork aside and organized her
thoughts. For now, she was staying here because she hadn't decided on a
destination, but once she had a place in mind, she’d need to buy a new residence
immediately. She couldn't live as a transient forever.
"By the way," Elisha spoke lightly. At the same time, Jonathan leaned his upper
body toward her and nodded. his enthusiasm was quite overwhelming.
"Is there any decent place to live within Cardion?" "There are more than enough
places for people to live, don't you think? This is the Cardion Empire, in the
end. Wherever you settle, that is your home." Jonathan let out a booming laugh,
stroking the end of his mustache with his fingers. "It doesn't sound like you’re
asking a question with an obvious answer. If you tell me your specific
conditions, I can make a recommendation. An innkeeper's information network is
as good as any information guild, you know." Jonathan shrugged. Elisha pursed
her lips for a moment before speaking slowly.
Specific conditions. "First, a quiet place." I can't stand noise. "Then that
excludes this area." "Also, I’d prefer if there weren't many people." It was
best to eliminate the possibility of meeting someone who recognized her
beforehand. "Then you’ll have to head out of the capital." "And most
importantly, a place far from the Emperor's eyes, but where I can immediately
know if something happens in the Imperial Palace." Eric probably wouldn't
actively search for her, but just in case, it was better to be as inconspicuous
as possible. Since Eric was obligated to fulfill the previous Emperor's final
wish, he wouldn't be able to ignore his fiancée if she appeared before him. But
if she were too far, she wouldn't be able to respond in time if Cardion were in
danger...
"You, by the way." Elisha was lost in her thoughts when it happened. Jonathan
pulled back the upper body he had been leaning toward her and spoke. "Are you at
odds with the Imperial family?"
Elisha blinked slowly and answered lightly. "The Emperor doesn't like me." It
had been a long time since she had heard a proper answer from Eric, but he was
likely still the same. He had been intentionally delaying the royal wedding
since Bernard's funeral, after all.
"......You’ve incurred His Majesty the Emperor's wrath?" Jonathan asked again,
his face slightly pale. This time too, Elisha tilted her head slightly, her
expression unreadable. Incurred Eric's wrath?
"Often?" "How many times is 'often'?" "More times than can be counted." Their
first meeting must have been a nightmare for Eric, in the end. At Elisha's
words, spoken calmly as if she were stating a simple fact, Jonathan grabbed his
head with both hands.
Then, after a moment of serious thought. "Well, I’ve already sold—no, accepted
the payment, so I guess I have no choice." "......" "An innkeeper's life needs
an incident like this every once in a while." "......?" "I’ll hide you for as
long as you stay. Because that is what it means to be a man of his word." He
nodded with a look of grim determination.
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