Chapter: 19
The Emperor of Rilberg
Ritain’s golden eyes shifted between Jusielia’s small body and the birthday card.
The birthday card, a constant reminder of what had brought Jusielia to this state, ought to be torn to shreds.
But Ritain couldn’t bring himself to do it.
If he tore up the card…
Just in case, if by some one-in-a-million chance…
…Jusielia didn’t make it, he feared he would have nothing left to remember her by.
The mere thought was so vile and heart-wrenching that Ritain scowled and forced himself to stop.
It wouldn’t happen.
He would save her.
His golden eyes, which had been gazing down at the limp, pure-white tiger cub on the bed, shifted toward the door.
After staring at the door for a moment, Ritain swallowed a sigh and spoke.
“Ijeten.”
But no answer came.
“I know you’re out there. Come in.”
A moment later, the door to the emperor’s bedroom creaked open.
The boy who hesitantly appeared was indeed Ijeten.
Ijeten entered the bedroom, closed the door, and bowed respectfully to Ritain, a look of embarrassment on his face.
At the emperor’s gesture to come closer, Ijeten hesitated before cautiously approaching the bed.
But he froze upon seeing his sister, lying limp and asleep.
“Hah…”
He let out a long sigh, clenching his jaw as he checked Jusielia over, looking for any other signs of pain.
“…Has she been in any more pain since then?”
“No. She’s been sleeping just like this.”
“…I see.”
Ritain pretended not to notice the redness rimming Ijeten’s eyes.
His son, who always tried to appear so mature, was still just a young boy, unskilled at hiding his emotions.
But Ritain didn’t think that was a bad thing.
Ijeten sidled up to the bed, nestled close to Jusielia, and gently wiped her mouth and eyes with a damp cloth the maids had left.
Ritain thought Ijeten’s small hands were far better suited for caring for Jusielia than his own large ones.
He wanted her to be cared for by close family rather than maids until she fully recovered.
Besides, Ijeten was a member of the Penterin imperial family, strong enough to cherish and protect Jusielia as much as he did.
“Ijeten.”
As Ritain stood up, Ijeten looked at him.
“Stay here and look after Jusielia. I am going to the Grand Temple.”
“Is it for Jusielia?”
“Yes.”
Ijeten had guessed immediately. Ritain nodded, turned, and walked toward the door.
“There are priests waiting outside. If Jusielia’s condition worsens, tell them immediately. And send word to me. At the Grand Temple.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ritain felt that Ijeten was quite reliable.
He organized his thoughts on what to discuss with the High Priest as he reached for the bedroom doorknob.
Before heading to the Grand Temple, he had to retrieve the Penterin imperial family’s one and only sacred artifact.
Sacred artifacts were rare and precious items imbued with the blessings of the Divine Beasts.
Most had specific functions, but many contained only a general ‘blessing’.
Such artifacts could amplify one’s supernatural ability when worn in battle, or, if worn by a healing priest, increase their healing power according to their skill.
Naturally, each artifact had a different grade, and the Penterin family’s was of the highest grade, but it had never been used.
The Penterin royals’ own abilities were sufficient in battle, and they were naturally so healthy that none had ever fallen ill.
Ritain lifted the sacred artifact: a thick, pentagonal pendant engraved with a sun, a Golden Tiger, and a White Tiger.
Gazing at the Penterin artifact, which glowed even in the dark, Ritain silently wrapped it in a white velvet cloth and tucked it into his clothes.
*The Penterin artifact is of the highest grade. With the High Priest’s divine power and this, we should be able to heal Jusielia.*
It might shatter in the process, but he had to try, didn’t he?
*It’s for Jusielia, after all. For the princess of this nation. For the reincarnation of Anash, for the future of this world.*
Ritain left the room with a look of grim determination, his golden eyes instantly flashing with a sharp light.
In the emperor’s grand living room connected to the bedroom, the knights, attendants, and priests who should have been on standby were all collapsed in sleep.
Ritain swiftly drew his sword, his gaze fixed on a lone, unfamiliar figure in black standing in the distance.
*What is this?!*
He should have sensed someone this skilled while he was in the bedroom with Ijeten.
To think something of this magnitude had occurred without him noticing.
Ritain was even more bewildered. The knights guarding the door were elite.
To put so many people to sleep at once, without a sound… and all by himself?!
Ritain’s golden eyes glinted fiercely, like a predator stalking its prey.
Just as he was about to charge the intruder and cut him down, preparing to ignite his sword with the flames of his supernatural ability…
“Forgive my rudeness.”
The voice was that of a child, offering a polite apology.
Ritain furrowed his brow.
It could be an illusion spell, one that changed the voice to a child’s.
Ritain collected himself and faced the stranger who had addressed him.
The silhouette, faintly visible in the moonlight, wore a hood.
The figure was incredibly small, truly like a child.
“A child wandering around at night is certainly rude, I’ll give you that.”
“Why is it rude?”
As the hooded child tilted their head, Ritain smiled faintly and tightened his grip on his sword’s hilt.
“Your parents will worry.”
*Clang—!*
Ritain swung his sword the instant the words left his mouth.
But before it reached the child, it struck a transparent barrier, letting out a sharp ring.
Stunned, Ritain’s eyes widened, and he leaped back.
It wasn’t an illusion; it really was a child.
Moreover, the reflexes that had so swiftly blocked his sword and the powerful lightning defense surrounding the child were anything but ordinary.
*Swoosh.*
“Hah.”
Ritain’s lips curled into a smirk.
The hood of the child’s crimson-black robe had fallen back, fully revealing jet-black hair and a pale face.
He was a boy with delicate features and beautiful, flower-like crimson eyes, but in stark contrast, his gaze shone with a sharp intensity.
At most, he looked to be eight years old.
Ritain pointed his sword fiercely at the young boy and demanded.
“You’re quite skilled. Are you a mage from Rilberg? You’re not a beastman. Why have you invaded my home?”
The child, who had been standing expressionlessly, smiled for the first time.
“It seemed the Emperor of Penterin might need my help. So I came.”
A strange sense of authority emanated from the calmly speaking child.
He was just a child.
It was a different kind of presence from that of someone who simply possessed great power.
Ritain instinctively recognized it as a form of authority similar to his own and raised an eyebrow, growling.
“Stop playing games. You should know who I am.”
“Of course, I know very well.”
“Reveal your identity.”
The boy met Ritain’s gaze and opened his mouth.
“I am the Emperor of the Rilberg Empire, Ekiel Isles Rilberg.”
The golden mana that had been swirling like wind around Ekiel’s hands stretched out into vines.
The mana took root in the ceiling, spreading everywhere to bloom into flowers and leaves, bringing forth life.
“And also, Archmage Ekiel.”
Ritain looked around at his surroundings, which had been transformed into a beautiful garden in an instant.
This was different from the supernatural abilities of beastmen. Mana that could create life in an instant was not something just anyone could possess.
Ritain slowly sheathed his drawn sword and looked the little emperor up and down.
He was trying to control his expression, but honestly, he was still astonished.
This was the first time he had ever witnessed such incredible magic with his own eyes.
Ritain had always been interested in magic.
That was why he had secretly contacted a magitech engineer, a mage, several times to research magical tools that would allow beastmen to use magic.
He had thought that magitech engineer was impressive, but this was on a completely different level.
The greatest mage, an emperor’s magic.
And yet, to think that Rilberg’s greatest archmage was such a young child.
*Incredible. He’s on a different level from the mages I’ve seen.*
Ritain stared intently at the little emperor.
His mana levels must be immense.
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
*Perhaps… he can use healing magic. Then he might be able to save Jusielia.*
