Seated on the elevation reserved for the imperial throne with Daigo and Takeshi smiling on either side, Renzou remained seated. He still felt the recent weight of death in his bones from the disease. The ceremonial robes had been hastily brought, and even though his body still showed signs of the recently defeated Kagenai, he made a point to remain firm—out of respect for the one who had saved his life, and as emperor of Tsuyokuni. In front of him, with hands modestly and respectfully clasped, stood Enrico.
"Enrico... there are no words to express what I feel. Curing me of Kagenai... something no mage, alchemist, or priest in this territory even dared to try—you gave me the chance to continue evolving."
The silence that followed was heavy with emotion. Renzou stood up with effort, his firm eyes fixed on the boy.
"Not just me. You saved the future of my people. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Enrico scratched the back of his neck lightly, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks.
"Emperor. I just... did what I thought was right..."
[Congratulations, you've earned the gratitude of one of the most powerful mages on the continent. But are you going to keep posing all embarrassed or say what you want already?]
'Tsk... Not even in front of the emperor do you shut up, huh?'
Enrico sighed mentally, without changing his expression.
[Just having my moment and watching your progress as the new "hero of a nation."]
Enrico remained respectful, but couldn't resist mentally retaliating.
'At least I have a job, unlike a talking interface that just watches.'
The system fell silent. Momentary victory. Enrico discreetly pumped his elbow in triumph.
"I imagine Daigo explained why I came."
Enrico then tried to shift the focus of the conversation. Renzou nodded slowly, returning to his seat, but without losing the imposing posture of a ruler.
"He mentioned that you need help exploring a dungeon."
"Yes, yes..."
Enrico adjusted his posture and grew serious.
"Nothing grand, of course. Just a Faizes-level Nartheis dungeon. But since I'm only a first-circle mage, I thought it wise to ask for help. Especially in unfamiliar territory."
The emperor slightly furrowed his brow, intrigued by the humility of the request.
"And even so, you came to us?"
"Only because Daigo showed confidence, and because I knew that the debt the emperor carries for being alive would make this conversation more accessible."
[Don't you think you're being a bit too direct lately?]
'Being direct with him is good.'
Renzou chuckled softly, a rough but sincere sound.
"Astute. And fair. For having healed me, even if it were a Kairom-level dungeon, I would have accepted. The truth is that now... now I can return to working for Tsuyokuni. Strengthening it—and that desire was reborn because of you."
Enrico gave a slight, serious bow of his head.
"I'm glad to hear that. I only ask that we begin soon, sir, as I must return to Astrong Academy in three days."
Renzou's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Astrong, then? An elite place... but very far from our territory. I'm considering sending my daughter there. Impressive that you came here. Which class are you in?"
The imperial family could send their children to the academy at any time they deemed necessary. At that moment, this forty-year-old man began analyzing Enrico's potential—a reason why Enrico challenged Lan, not just to serve as a wall to other characters, but because he wanted to beat Lan up at this point in the story.
"Class A, rank 31."
"Ho..."
Renzou must think Enrico has potential, and this means he might be called to the Sky Castle that he wants to enter to obtain another item—but that won't happen for another two years. So Enrico, still polite, stepped forward and pulled a sealed envelope from his mantle.
"And before I leave... I wanted to give you this."
Renzou took the envelope cautiously, broke the seal, and opened the documents. His eyes quickly scanned the first lines... then widened. Silence. His hands gripped the papers more tightly.
"...This is...?"
"A detailed plan of Tianlong's next movements. Including the strategies they're developing to expand territory through unstable borders. And more importantly, a strategic method for Tsuyokuni to recover the piece of land that was stolen from them."
The hall fell silent. Not even the guards dared breathe.
"But... how?"
Renzou stared at the boy, astonished. Daigo and Takeshi trembled slightly—they had been so excited about the emperor's return that they had forgotten to talk about Enrico and what they believed to be his unique ability.
"These notes... they seem to anticipate the future. There are too many details for it to be mere espionage."
"And they're not."
Enrico looked directly into the emperor's eyes.
"But of course, in exchange for one thing."
Renzou leaned back slowly in his seat, still absorbing the contents.
"I see... You are more than you appear to be, Enrico."
"Yes, I know."
Enrico's confidence was in peak form today. The emperor then stood again and walked over to him, placing a hand on Enrico's shoulder.
"From today on, you are a formal ally of House Akirama. Any request of yours will have my attention."
"Thank you."
Enrico responded firmly, and Renzou looked at the boy while Daigo sent away the guards who weren't informed about Enrico and cast a spell that blocked all sound from leaving the zone they were in.
"Sir..."
After Daigo spoke about Enrico having seen the future, Renzou understood better—surprised by this ability, and now had a thought about what Enrico might want in exchange for this information. He ordered his entire family—all eight children—to be summoned, and Daigo, already realizing what it was, quickly left.Renzou looked at this boy, who now held immense potential in his eyes, and thought it would be good if, among the four daughters, Enrico chose Rina to elevate her potential. It seemed the boy was close to moving up to Class S.
"And you've already done so much for our territory that I almost forgot to thank you for the dungeon you revealed. With that, our potential will increase even more."
"If you want to thank me, just call me to enter it in two years, sir."
Renzou began to laugh. He was really liking this boy. It would indeed be good if he chose Rina—but to be honest, he was confident she would be the one chosen, since if Enrico had seen the future, he must have seen her potential. And the other two were older, which wasn't ideal for the family's unique ability if he chose them.
The children, daughters, and wives entered, already knowing what would be said there based on what Daigo told them, and the four daughters stepped forward. Renzou looked at them.
"Do any of you have anything against my daughters?"
None disagreed. They were grateful to Enrico for saving their father, but somehow they suspected Rina would be chosen.
"Very well, Enrico. With whom do you want to form the connection?"
All the children and wives were confused, as he simply asked without explaining how the Akirama family's unique ability worked—but they assumed he must have already told him.
"Well..."
Enrico looked at them for a moment, and Rina stared neutrally while her father held high expectations. She was sure she would be chosen, and she was grateful her father was saved, but hoped Enrico wouldn't interfere with her potential. When she took a step forward, the words from Enrico's mouth froze everyone in the room.
"Lady Yumeha."
Everyone looked at the stunned girl in the back—lacking the confidence of the others—with short black hair that always covered her eyes, pale skin, and a fragile appearance.
The girl with the lowest potential in the family, ignored by various servants and citizens.
Akirama no Yumeha.