"Diving gear? You mean that?" Elyshara gestured towards Hastora's scuba equipment, adrift in the ocean.
"Huh? How did it get there?"
"Maybe some sea creature carried it? Perhaps... an octopus, about a meter in size?"
"Makes sense."
Several large creatures inhabited that ocean.
But they were all fish.
It was impossible for a large fish to carry diving gear out of the cave.
The path to the underwater cave itself was extremely narrow; large fish wouldn't be able to enter.
"Oh well," Elyshara sighed. "Just use this."
She created an air bubble over Hastora's head.
"This air bubble will allow you to breathe underwater," she explained.
Hastora didn't reply, swimming out of the cave and back towards the shore, followed by Mirellia and Elyshara.
Reaching the land, Hastora removed his diving gear and stored it in the shadows.
"How were you able to swim so fast?" Elyshara asked, having just reached the shore.
"Nothing. It's just skill."
Hastora had once participated in a swimming competition and won first place.
He'd been learning to swim since he was seven years old.
This was the real reason Hastora was so skilled at swimming.
"You... were so fast..." Mirellia gasped, finally reaching the shore, breathless.
Hastora's eyes widened at the sight of Mirellia, who hadn't worn any diving equipment while swimming underwater.
How was that possible?
Was she really human? Did she have gills to breathe underwater?
This was an ability of Mirellia's that wasn't explained in the novel.
Hastora had never written Mirellia's character with the ability to hold her breath for extended periods.
Hastora sighed. "Again and again... it must be due to plot changes."
Mirellia, breathless, weakly approached Elyshara.
"Let's go," she said.
"Alright."
Elyshara smiled faintly, then urged Mirellia to lead the way.
Hastora, without saying a word, followed them from behind.
---
Hastora remained silent throughout the journey, preoccupied with the impending chaos in Eldoria.
Could he survive when the chaos erupted?
Or would he die?
He needed to become stronger before the chaos struck.
When the chaos arrived, he had to use it to his advantage and grow stronger.
Fighting high-level real monsters would be incredibly helpful.
He also hadn't figured out the runes that appeared in the grimoire he'd obtained in Fogthrone.
He'd struggled to obtain that grimoire, even risking his life.
But the grimoire's contents were beyond his expectations.
It should have contained vital information and crucial abilities that would have been extremely useful for Hastora's survival in this world.
Instead, it contained runes he didn't even recognize.
The upcoming chaos in Eldoria would be the answer to all of this.
He just had to wait, following the plot's course.
Mirellia led the way to the bullet train station.
Hastora desperately wanted to ask why they were going there.
But the answer was already in his mind before he could ask.
The imperial palace was probably very far from here; walking would exhaust all three of them, except maybe Elyshara would faint along the way.
Upon arrival, they bought tickets and boarded the bullet train.
It took them ten minutes to reach the royal palace, with only a few more minutes' walk to the palace itself.
Once there, Mirellia led them inside.
The palace was eerily quiet, with only six maids performing their duties.
In the novel, the palace was always bustling, filled with numerous servants—up to twenty.
Perhaps... they stopped working for fear of catching Valeska's disease? And only a few remained loyal?
That was possible.
In the novel, Valeska possessed a kind nature despite her coldness.
The most likely scenario was that these six maids wanted to repay their debt by caring for Valeska, who was on the verge of death.
'Too naive.'
They could have simply left the palace after earning a lot of money.
They were too kind.
Unbeknownst to them, the three had arrived at Valeska's room.
The door was made of gold and dark blue jewels.
It was unlocked; Mirellia, without hesitation, led them inside.
A girl with white hair and blue eyes lay weakly on her bed.
Her skin was pale, and she had dark circles under her eyes like a panda.
Nearby, a white-haired, blue-eyed woman sat in a wooden chair; she strongly resembled the girl lying on the bed.
'...Oh? So that's Valeska? She looks pretty bad, and the one next to her... "...probably her mother? The resemblance was undeniable." he thought, concluding.
Mirellia quickly ran towards Valeriane, who was sadly gazing at her daughter.
"Your Majesty! I've found someone who can cure the princess!" she exclaimed.
Valeriane quickly turned her head after hearing Mirellia's voice. "You found them? Where are they? Are you sure they're not trying to deceive us?"
"Yes! I'm absolutely sure, they don't look like bad people."
Mirellia smiled broadly, then turned.
"Both of you, come in!"
Elyshara and Hastora entered through the giant golden door.
They appeared like beacons of hope to Valeriane and Mirellia, their steps steady and calm.
Both bowed.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty. My name is Hastora Vallois, and I'm here to cure the princess of her illness, or should I say, curse."
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty. My name is Elyshara Vanthelis. I am Hastora's partner, and I'm here to assist him in curing the princess."
These greetings and introductions made Hastora want to vomit.
'This is so damn sickening!'
However, he had to do it to achieve his goal.
Staring straight ahead, his red eyes glowed faintly.
He continued. "And if you permit it, I will save the princess as soon as possible."
The despair that enveloped Valeriane instantly vanished, replaced by immense hope.
She smiled broadly, wiping away her tears.
"If you can truly save my daughter… then the Empire will be indebted to you, Hastora Vallois.
She closed her eyes for a moment, hiding her grief behind her composure.
"As a mother… I will not forget this. But as an Empress, allow me to ask—what do you desire in return?
"I will give you as much money as you want, I can also buy you five mansions if you want. I will give you anything. So... please save her."
Valeriane's eyes shone with hope.
For her, her daughter's safety was paramount—nothing else mattered.
Hastora had anticipated this.
His plan was proceeding perfectly.
And now, he only needed to take the final step... to demand his reward!
He didn't want money or mansions; he wanted something far more valuable.
He didn't care about their fate; whatever happened to them—it wasn't his concern.
Hastora stared with a flat expression, devoid of emotion.
"I don't ask for titles, power, or praise.
"I want you to give me the Eidolith Crystal as my reward. You don't mind, do you?"
To be continued in the next chapter…