I'm in a serious dilemma right now.
Should I dive right in headfirst? Or should I start with excuses?
Either way, my life was hanging by a thread.
A situation where I had to find and choose an option that could turn this dire mess around.
After racking my brain in that short time, I decided to take a gamble.
I pulled out the spare Elixir I'd brought and poured it straight over Princess Rosmel's head.
As if I'd planned to douse her body with it from the start.
"Ack!"
"What are you doing to Her Highness!"
The escort knight who'd been watching my actions bellowed and drew his sword.
In contrast, the Emperor remained utterly still, a stark departure from his dramatic entrance.
Those eyes calmly observing the situation made me instantly understand why he was called the Sun of the Empire.
The pressure to explain myself crushed down on my shoulders.
'He's saying no half-baked excuses will be tolerated.'
Before the knight's sword could hang over my neck, I snatched up a shard of glass from the floor.
I didn't hesitate, enduring the pain as I jammed the sharp fragment into my thigh.
The sensation of my muscles grinding apart, hot blood soaking my hand.
Finally, I pulled out the bloodied shard and dropped it to the ground.
"Kuh!"
One sudden event after another had everyone around in chaos.
The maid's blunder, the Princess's sudden lunge, the Emperor's arrival, and now my self-mutilation show.
In the bedroom filled with shock, I stared straight into the Emperor's eyes.
"Your Highness, can you see? Even if you cut the area where the medicine has soaked in, it regenerates instantly. Will you believe now that you don't have to drink it?"
"Yes...? Ah, you're right!"
"I wanted to show that for symptoms where the pain spreads through the whole body, absorbing it through the skin is far more effective than drinking it."
"So that's why you harmed yourself."
"I sincerely apologize for startling you without warning beforehand."
"No, we should be the ones apologizing—for forcing you to prove it unintentionally, both the knights and I."
"Nonsense. Weren't you preparing to receive the medicinal baptism because you trusted my words, Your Highness?"
Seemingly grasping my intent to smooth things over, Princess Rosmel played along perfectly.
She even shot the knights a glare and scolded them when they tried to protest their injustice.
Telling them not to butt in so cluelessly and to stay quiet.
Thanks to the Princess's quick wit, we navigated the situation naturally.
My sincere self-harm apology was conveyed to Emperor Kraus without awkwardness.
Whether he'd let it slide magnanimously was now up to him.
"...Knights, escort everyone out except Rosmel and Altesia right now."
"Your Majesty!"
Even the Princess's personal escorts answered to Emperor Kraus first.
His command took priority, so the knights hurriedly dragged the maid and healers away.
I was a bit disappointed we couldn't deal with the Nidhogg Cult's pawn on the spot, but there'd be plenty of chances, so I let it go for now.
Securing my own survival came first anyway.
As the extras left, silence settled in.
Princess Rosmel and I exchanged glances with Emperor Kraus, swallowing hard.
It wouldn't have been strange if he'd suddenly decided to kill me on the spot.
As my throat went bone-dry with thirst, the Emperor finally spoke.
"Rosmel, how's your condition?"
"Ah! Come to think of it, the pain stopped at some point!"
"The medicine seems to have soaked in successfully and driven out the illness. My congratulations, Your Highness."
"Young Master!"
Princess Rosmel jumped up and grabbed both my hands.
Her golden eyes, marking the imperial bloodline, began to glisten with tears.
Was it okay to let the Emperor see his daughter holding some outsider guy's hands?
I was anxious, but Rosmel ignored it and poured out her heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you, truly thank you! I don't even know how to express this...!"
"That's more than enough."
It had ended as a mishap, but Princess Rosmel had been ready to wring out and drink the potion soaked into her pants.
That showed just how desperate her will to live was.
It was heartbreaking that in the game, she'd died trapped in endless suffering.
Even if she clung to hope, anxiety wasn't something you could shake off easily.
She must have imagined her death countless times, shedding secret tears each time.
Salvation arriving amid her terminal life like hell on earth.
Could there be anything sweeter?
She'd tried to endure steadfastly, but in the end, Princess Rosmel let tears fall before me.
"As Emperor and as a father, I thank you. For curing Rosmel's illness."
"It was only my duty as a subject under the Empire's protection."
"A loyal retainer deserves a reward. Is there anything you desire from me?"
Crush the Nidhogg Cult!
That's what I wanted to say, but it was impossible.
I'd have to explain everything about the cult, and then face questions about how I knew so much.
Besides, I didn't even know the identities of all the believers, so it could spark a witch hunt across the Empire.
In the worst case, it'd breed resentment among the people and hasten the Empire's downfall.
I'd have to handle the cult on my own.
'Promoting the Elixir will spread naturally once word gets out that it cured the Princess's illness...'
A wish that would check the cult while benefiting me.
My eyes lit up at the brilliant idea flashing through my mind.
It'd probably get shot down nine times out of ten, but I decided to go for it boldly.
"Your Majesty, could you grant me the territory of Lunaria?"
"Lunaria—you mean the land that was once the capital of the Philip Kingdom?"
"Yes!"
"You have much to say, but first, tell me your reason."
"It's too wasteful to leave such vast land unused."
To be precise, it was to deliver a massive humiliation to the cult hiding somewhere in Lunaria territory.
But the Emperor, unaware of my ulterior motives, shook his head.
"It seems you don't know the history etched beneath that land."
"I apologize, but I do know it."
The Askalon Empire and Philip Kingdom had once been bound by a close alliance.
A brotherly bond of mutual aid.
Wanting to maintain that deep friendship long-term, the Empire and Kingdom arranged a marriage between the Princess and the Crown Prince.
But that marriage drove the two nations to ruin.
The Crown Prince had a notorious womanizing streak.
The Kingdom hid it and pushed forward with the wedding.
If he'd at least behaved afterward, tragedy might have been avoided.
But as the saying goes, a leopard can't change its spots—the Prince continued his debauched life with multiple women even after taking the Princess as his wife.
Shocked, the Princess fell into depression and ultimately took her own life.
The reigning Emperor, who cherished her dearly, flew into a rage upon hearing the news.
He demanded the Prince be handed over for public execution.
The King was ready to comply, but the Queen and ministers' persistent persuasion led him to ignore the Emperor's demand—a fatal mistake.
The Philip Kingdom, having incurred the Empire's wrath, naturally met its end in destruction.
To this day, the Empire harbors hatred for the Kingdom and has tried to erase all related records.
As I recounted the Empire's dark history verbatim, Emperor Kraus's face twisted.
"Knowing that past, what is your intent in demanding Lunaria? To mock me?"
"How could I? It's to catch both rabbits: revenge on the Kingdom and the Empire's prosperity."
"Explain exactly what you plan to do."
"I intend to turn Lunaria into the world's premier pleasure district!"
I declared my ambition boldly.
The Emperor showed a flicker of interest, but soon frowned again.
"How does building a pleasure district count as revenge?"
I licked my lips, spreading saliva wide.
From here on, not a single slip-up would be tolerated.
I had to sweet-talk the Emperor with my silver tongue.
"Your Majesty, the Philip Kingdom pursued an ill-fitting nobility. Just look at their palace of pure white marble to glimpse their ideals."
"Continue."
"What if we demolished that palace, built for noble aspirations, and erected a casino steeped in human desires atop it?"
"Ho?"
"It would defile the spirit they cherished and mock their souls! The world would remember Lunaria not as the old Kingdom's capital, but as the Empire's greatest pleasure hub! Isn't that the ultimate revenge on a fallen kingdom?"
"Puhaha!"
I spread my arms dramatically in explanation, and Emperor Kraus burst into roaring laughter.
It was hard to believe this was the same man who'd looked like a demon moments ago—he laughed so heartily.
Means of revenge against the long-dead are limited, after all.
But I'd shown him a perfect way to rub it in and volunteered to lead it, so he couldn't help but be pleased.
The Emperor wiped tears from his eyes and smiled contentedly.
"A true loyalist! It's been ages since anyone scratched my itch so thoroughly!"
"An honor beyond my station."
"But are you sure? The royal souls buried there might weep blood and curse you."
"What worry is that when I have a medicine that cures any curse?"
"Hah...! Makes me envy Count Altesia anew. If only my worthless princes resembled you half as much."
"You overpraise me. How could a lowly worm like me compare to the princes?"
Honey seemed to drip from the Emperor's gaze upon me.
It was only natural.
I'd cured the incurable Princess and offered a path to contribute to the Empire.
"I'd love to grant you Lunaria right now, but regrettably, it's not a decision I can make here."
"No matter how long it takes. Just give the order, and I'll shatter my bones fulfilling my duty for the Empire!"
"I'll bring you positive news soon."
Emperor Kraus approached and patted my shoulder.
I watched his satisfied departure and finally exhaled in relief.
When the Princess grabbed my pants, I'd thought I was done for.
But talking my way through it earned the Emperor's trust.
Whew, that took it out of me.
"Your Highness, the illness is cured, but just in case, stay in the capital to monitor your recovery."
"You've worked hard."
"I'll visit again tomorrow."
The Princess's treatment was done, and I'd convinced the Emperor.
All that remained was digging into the cult.
I could just toss the maid—disguised cultist—to Lena for interrogation.
As I dragged my heavy steps toward my endless tasks, Princess Rosmel suddenly called me back.
"Young Master Heinz!"
"Yes?"
"Um, once you build the pleasure district in Lunaria, do you plan to... use it yourself?"
"No, I'll only manage it. I know once you indulge in desire, there's no end."
"I see!"
Princess Rosmel sighed in relief.
Her reaction carried a strangely pink tint.
Nah, no way, right?
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