Chapter 31
“That’s correct. Then—”
“But know this.”
Bathilda extended her hand. Her fingers lifted Baeksan’s chin.
“You’ll become mine eventually. I’ll make sure of it.”
Bathilda said with a playful smile.
[Bathilda Rohik Schröder]
Trust level: 31%
Baeksan answered calmly.
“I pray the working conditions will be tempting enough.”
* * *
Naturally, even a princess couldn’t freely meet the Emperor, especially when he was ill.
Since both Bathilda and Baeksan needed time, this wasn’t a bad thing.
Fortunately, Bathilda summoned Baeksan a few days later.
“Father’s condition has suddenly worsened again. He’s currently recuperating in the Grand Temple. Soon, nobles will gather there to pay their respects, and you’ll infiltrate as my lady-in-waiting.”
“Won’t anyone recognize me?”
“Your face isn’t well-known. Besides, since no one knows the Emperor’s illness, everyone will cover their faces with masks or cloth during the visit.”
Bathilda gestured to draw a bird-beak mask.
‘If that’s the case.’
As Baeksan nodded, Bathilda suddenly sighed.
“Of course, there’s something we must do first.”
“Pardon?”
Bathilda crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand.
“Etiquette, of course. I can’t bring just anyone before the Emperor.”
“…”
It seems her lack of noble etiquette was showing.
‘Since I might need it in the future, maybe I should learn it now.’
Baeksan nodded.
“I apologize. If you teach me, I will learn diligently.”
“As you should. Why have you changed so much since the previous Sage verification?”
Baeksan calmly delivered her prepared answer.
“My memories are hazy, perhaps due to the shock of my family’s downfall, my father’s death, and separation from my mother.”
“…I’ll arrange a private tutor.”
After etiquette came attire.
Behind a partition, she donned a long dress with a maid’s help.
Bathilda, lounging on the sofa, asked:
“By the way, how did you come to know my cousin?”
Thud.
Baeksan was so startled she dropped the silk sash she was holding.
Seeing the fallen sash, Bathilda chuckled.
“Why so surprised? It’s clearly a deliberately spread rumor.”
“Why would that mean Grand Duke…”
“How many people in this country could pressure me like that?”
Baeksan sighed and picked up the sash.
“I happened to help him catch the fugitive Magdala.”
“Ah. That incident?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
She seemed to be contemplating something.
“You haven’t formed a master-servant contract yet, right?”
“No.”
Baeksan said firmly.
“I have no intention of involving myself in imperial political battles. That’s why I joined Sophs.”
“I understand your meaning.”
Bathilda was indifferent.
“But if you believe that’s truly possible with your abilities, you’re living in a dream.”
“If I can avoid waking up, that becomes reality, doesn’t it?”
“Dreaming of impossibilities.”
Bathilda smiled wryly.
“You really are like my cousin.”
“You mean Grand Duke Zahig?”
“Yes. He too… only wishes for peace.”
Bathilda muttered.
Baeksan recalled Exarch’s information window.
A hegemon and virtuous ruler material. A man who could become a monarch for the history books.
Yet such a man only wished for peace.
‘That’ll be difficult.’
A bitter taste filled her mouth.
But Baeksan quickly erased the image of the man with his snow-like tranquil impression from her mind.
* * *
Baeksan continued working at Sophs. Fortunately, the quest had no time limit.
Finally, the day to visit the Emperor arrived.
‘While I’m there, I should try praying to this so-called goddess too.’
Baeksan secretly entered the princess’s palace to meet with Bathilda.
She wore maid’s clothing with a cloth covering her nose and mouth. With a nun-like veil on her head, only her rose-pink eyes were visible.
“Ready?”
Asked Bathilda, wearing a black bird-beak mask unlike Baeksan.
“Yes.”
They took a carriage to the Grand Temple.
The visitation was to be held in Dmitri’s Hall within the Grand Temple.
When Bathilda arrived, nobles already packed the place.
“Princess Bathilda Rohik Schröder!”
With the herald’s announcement as background, Bathilda proudly took her seat at the high table.
Following behind, Baeksan observed her surroundings.
‘The Crown Prince isn’t here?’
She’d wanted to at least see the face of such a controversial figure.
‘Bathilda and the nobles seem to take it for granted…’
But a Crown Prince who doesn’t even attend official functions? The Emperor seemed to be projecting quite a bit onto his eldest son.
‘Anyway, it’s not my business.’
Baeksan stood quietly behind Bathilda, waiting for the Emperor. She didn’t forget to carefully observe several nobles.
‘It might help someday.’
Duke Cardinale, Marquis Zucarini, Marquis Lille…
All the prominent nobles were present.
But the Emperor, who was supposed to receive their respects, hadn’t appeared for over 30 minutes.
“Ahem…”
“Well…”
Sighs rippled through the nobles.
Then Bathilda, who had been tapping the armrest, suddenly widened her eyes.
“…Something’s wrong. He wouldn’t be this late.”
She muttered before abruptly standing up. Her steps headed deeper into the Grand Temple.
Baeksan hurriedly followed.
Bathilda and Baeksan met a priest running urgently in the middle of the corridor.
Upon seeing Bathilda, he shouted with a pale face:
“Your Highness! His Majesty’s condition…!”
“…!”
Guessing the situation, Bathilda nearly flew after the priest.
They soon reached a massive door, and the voices Baeksan heard from inside were urgent.
“…critical!”
“Why when the High Priest is away…!”
Bathilda flung open the door. Shouts mixed with fear and confusion poured out.
“His body is too hot!”
“Pour in sacred power! Quickly!”
The Emperor was hidden behind curtains. Still, the emergency of the situation was clear.
Bathilda quickly rushed to near the Emperor’s bed.
“What’s the situation!”
Thanks to her drawing attention, Baeksan could see the Emperor through the panicked priests.
His skin was bright red all over, with vomit staining his mouth.
‘Information window!’
[Anton Tarnak Schröder]
Emperor of Orquenina. Has an inferiority complex toward his dead brother Lars and nephew Exarch.
Suffering from ‘autoimmune disease.’ Complications include fluid in lungs, inflammation spread to muscles, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas throughout the body.
Letting him die might make Orquenina fall faster…
You’re joking about letting him die now!
‘Autoimmune disease!’
[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus]
When the immune system causes abnormalities…
Not the dictionary definition! Treatment!
[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus]
…In severe cases, ‘steroids’ are administered systemically. Requires long-term observation due to many side effects.
Where would you find steroids in a game!
[Steroids]
Can be substituted with flowers, stems, leaves, and roots of ‘Haniel.’
“…There is one?”
Baeksan muttered blankly while looking at the golden text.
Bathilda urged the dazed Baeksan.
“Mine!”
“Ah, yes! I found it! Haniel! Do you have Haniel flowers?”
Baeksan shouted to those around.
The priests paused their sacred power channeling and looked at Baeksan dubiously. Some frowned.
“Who let a maid in here!”
“Since that someone is me, shut up and tell us if there’s Haniel!”
At Bathilda’s shout, the priest immediately backed down.
“Y-Your Highness. But what would Haniel…”
[Anton Tarnak Schröder]
4 minutes until death.
“No time! 3 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds…”
Only Bathilda understood the meaning.
She drew the sword from Dominic’s waist behind her.
The blade gleamed dangerously blue as it aimed at the priest’s neck.
“You have 5 seconds to tell me whether Haniel can be found or not. Don’t answer and you die.”
