The location was the Sorcerer's Dynasty of Sarion.
Within the Emperor's castle, a vast and meticulously maintained garden stretched out like a living painting. Rare and exotic animals roamed freely, their presence a testament to the Emperor's taste for splendor. The upkeep of this garden came entirely from the Emperor's personal funds—a fortune amassed through privileges few could imagine. The cost of maintaining such beauty was but a fraction of her wealth, making the garden a symbol of opulence without burdening the nation's treasury.
Indeed, the maintenance of the entire palace required no tax coin at all, proof of the unimaginable wealth possessed by the Emperor who stood unchallenged at the pinnacle of the Sorcerer's Dynasty.
In this serene haven, two figures were currently at rest. One was Duke Elalude, father of the adventurer Elen, and one of the most powerful figures in the nation. His authority ranked among the top three, a man both feared and respected.
Opposite him sat someone far greater, a presence whose weight in the nation surpassed even that of Duke Elalude. This was Emperor Elmesia El-RuSarion.
Officially, the Emperor's gender was shrouded in ambiguity, a deliberate proclamation to the outside world. In truth, she was a woman, though centuries of life and pure elven blood had left her appearance untouched by time. Her age was a forbidden topic, for she was a living witness to history itself. To question it was considered audacious and dangerous.
Her appearance combined authority and delicacy in equal measure. Petite in stature, she was often mistaken for a young girl, yet there was a presence to her that demanded respect.
Almond-shaped eyes, sharp and penetrating, glimmered jade-green—eyes that seemed capable of seeing through the layers of truth itself. Her skin was smooth and flawless, pale as freshly fallen snow, complementing the silver strands of hair that cascaded down to frame her soft, pink cheeks. Long, sharply tipped ears peeked from beneath her hair, blending seamlessly with her ethereal form. Every detail spoke of nobility and an otherworldly grace that was both intimidating and captivating.
In the stillness of the garden, the Emperor sat with a quiet authority, a figure both timeless and commanding, as if the very history of Sarion itself had condensed into her presence.
She was the most authentic of the elven race—a true High Elf, the pinnacle of their kind.
For a fleeting moment, Duke Elalude found himself captivated by her beauty, but the thought of his wife and daughter's wrath quickly snapped him back to reality. He cleared his throat and refocused on the Emperor.
Emperor Elmesia sat with perfect composure, poised upon an elegant wooden chair, radiating a calm yet unshakable authority.
"Sire," Duke Elalude began, bowing slightly, "as previously reported regarding the Monster Kingdom, I have received an invitation this time."
He carefully drew the envelope from his pocket and extended it toward her. He had already examined it to ensure no danger lurked within. The contents were clear to him, yet he stayed silent—he knew the Emperor hated being told anything before she verified it herself. Despite that, a gnawing unease remained in his chest.
I can't believe that Atem actually received formal recognition as a Demon Lord. That aside… what does he hope to achieve by calling me to his festival?
Technically, the letter wasn't addressed to the Emperor—it was meant for Elalude himself. Yet the instructions read: "If you are attending, please respond with the number of attendees."
So, who should accompany him? That was the real dilemma. Naturally, guards had to come, since he could not travel alone. Many nobles, aware of his previous diplomatic visit, expressed their own desire to attend. The discussion surrounding Eterna becoming a new trading power had captured the attention of Sarion's upper ranks.
The nobles were not the only ones intrigued. Previously, when Elalude reported the outcome of his meeting with Atem to the Emperor, her gaze had turned icy, sharp enough to pierce his very thoughts:
"—Oh. So you went to such an interesting place alone? How bold of you, Elalude. Did you enjoy yourself that much that you felt no need to bring me? And proclaiming yourself my envoy, establishing diplomatic ties with them? With matters of this magnitude, I would have wanted to witness it firsthand."
That had been her exact tone.
Elalude had his justifications. Even if he had gone under the pretense of rescuing his daughter, he had ventured into the Kingdom of Monsters, a place he could not fully predict. Using a homunculus gave him some safety, but he could not guarantee it would be free of danger. How could he have invited Emperor Elmesia to such an uncertain place?
Yet the Emperor's reprimand had been relentless. "With a creature like Atem out there, I would have wanted to see it with my own eyes. To meet a new Demon Lord… In all my years, I have never encountered one. And you, enjoying all of that alone? Do you even know what it means to 'steal credit'? Even my closest aides would hesitate to act this brazenly—what a miserable fate for an Emperor I have!"
Her complaints flowed without pause, a storm of icy words.
"—I envy you… Wait, isn't this completely unacceptable? You acted on your own! There's no telling the danger you faced. How dare you? Absolutely intolerable!"
It was less a scolding and more a tirade, a sharp blend of envy, authority, and exasperation. In front of others, her composed and emotionless mask made her seem cruel and untouchable. Only in private with Elalude—or rarely, one other confidant—did her true self show, meaning the weight of responsibility on his shoulders was immense.
Are you overplaying your innocence a bit too much, Elalude? he thought, silently chiding himself.
At present, his budget remained frozen due to the Emperor's ire, and any plans for technological collaboration with Eterna had stalled. He needed to soothe her mood, to regain her favor, so that preparations for cooperation could resume. If he attended the festival without notifying her, she would be furious, and the consequences would be far graver than a mere frozen budget.
That man… Atem… I can't fathom what he's planning this time, Elalude thought. But I must navigate this carefully, or the fallout won't end with just a reprimand.
The letter stated that Atem would be hosting a presentation, but Elalude knew better. In truth, it was likely a subtle form of intimidation—a demonstration of the raw power of Demon Lord Atem. There seemed to be a festival accompanying it, filled with carefully designed recreational programs. The exact contents were unknown, but the scale and ambition of the event appeared impressive.
Given the vibrancy of the event, there was no way Emperor Elmesia, whose life had long been trapped in monotony, would ignore it. It was inevitable that she would demand full details from start to finish, and if Elalude failed to report properly, her wrath would descend with a force beyond imagination.
Considering all this, Elalude decided honesty was the only way. He now presented the letter to her, standing rigid as she read it. When she finished, she lifted her head, her gaze locking onto him.
"So… what do you plan to do?" she asked.
"'Plan to do'… meaning?" Elalude replied, attempting to feign ignorance. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear, but speaking openly could escalate matters. The mere thought of Emperor Elmesia attending a Demon Lord's festival could make headlines; he dared not be too revealing.
I'll wait to see what she decides first, he thought.
"Oh—playing dumb, are we? Elalude, did you know that the quality of desserts imported from Yoshida-san's shop has improved drastically lately? Do you know why?" Her tone shifted suddenly, confusing him.
"I… I beg your pardon, Madam? Isn't Yoshida-san the baker you favor, whose shop opened in the kingdom of Ingracia? He may lack combat ability, but is protected as an otherworlder. This is the first I've heard of dessert imports from him. What does this have to do with Atem's invitation?"
It was always acceptable to ask when unaware. Elalude knew the Emperor's most personal moods allowed for such questions, a bond earned through trust.
"You truly didn't know, then? Elen has been buying these desserts as gifts for me over the past few years. I suppose none reached you?"
"WHAT?!" Elalude's voice cracked. His daughter had never sent him a single souvenir. The realization struck him harder than any battlefield injury.
Elmesia chuckled, the sound cool yet piercing. "Since I've witnessed such a dramatic expression on your face, I shall not hold back. Let me explain. Yoshida-san's pastries have been using new ingredients recently. The variety has expanded, and the taste improved magnificently. Most importantly, I've been providing financial backing to acquire these ingredients."
Elalude knew of Kaoru Yoshida, an otherworlder, whose presence in Ingracia's capital made him a subject of investigation. His bakery, despite lacking magical skills, produced desserts of unrivaled quality. Rumor had it even the head of the Freedom Association had visited to taste his creations, and suspicious reports suggested Saint Hinata had been spotted there as well. Business had been thriving. Still, Elmesia's passion for these desserts surpassed anything he had known.
"I personally invited Yoshida-san here," she continued, "hoping to make him the official pâtissier of our empire. Yet he refused, unyielding to all offers. I had to rely solely on the souvenirs Elen brought."
What has she been up to…? Elalude gasped silently.
"Recently, however, Yoshida-san announced he was closing his shop. Whether he opens elsewhere or relocates is unknown. Consider the consequences of not having his desserts during tea time—do you think it is acceptable?"
"I… don't understand, what is the problem?"
"Oh! How can you say that? Elen loves those desserts. If we improve accessibility, she would surely attend more frequently."
"Madam… w-what are you talking about?"
"In fact, she has been participating in all our official tea gatherings," Elmesia said, her voice calm but filled with quiet satisfaction.
It was shocking. Elalude had assumed his daughter avoided her hometown entirely. Elmesia's revelations left him both stunned and dismayed. His bodyguards had been ineffective, and those he had sent to watch over Elen had reported nothing. This was an oversight he could hardly forgive himself for.
The discussion shifted back to Atem and the festival, but now Elalude's mind spun with the implications. Atem, commanding the power of a Demon Lord and wielding intellect and charisma that rivaled any monarch, was no ordinary ally. Whatever schemes he orchestrated at the festival would be calculated, precise, and intimidating. The Emperor, naturally intrigued and unwilling to miss a thing, would undoubtedly attend, and Elalude had to navigate both the festival and her unpredictable presence.
This will not be a simple diplomatic trip, he realized. Atem does not hold events for mere celebration—every step is a statement, every display a warning or revelation of his true power.
Elalude straightened, preparing himself for what would undoubtedly be a tense, high-stakes encounter in Eterna—a meeting that could shift the balance of power in the region, and one in which the Emperor's curiosity and Atem's formidable presence would collide.
Those fools… I'll teach them a lesson later, Elalude muttered under his breath.
First, however, it was more pressing to hear what Emperor Elmesia had to say.
"Now this matter is of the utmost importance!" she declared, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
"Right? I've managed to gather some very reliable information on it, thanks to my wealth and influence," she added, her tone carrying a subtle warning.
"Do tell," Elalude replied, bracing himself.
"It's quite shocking. The place he intends to move to… is that Eterna Federation you once visited! What did you observe during your last visit there?"
The question triggered a memory. Elalude recalled the exquisite dishes served in that nation, and how his daughter, Elen, had been enchanted by one of the desserts. He remembered her exclaiming with delight, "As expected from Shuna-san! You even recreated that new dish perfectly!"
"Ah! So that's what you're hinting at!" Elalude exclaimed, a mix of realization and frustration in his voice. Elmesia merely sighed, a faint look of disbelief on her face.
"Seriously now… are you really as intelligent as everyone says?" she asked, her tone teasing yet cutting.
Elalude's confidence crumbled. "I… I'm such an embarrassment," he muttered earnestly, bowing slightly.
The source of the Emperor's earlier annoyance was now clear. She had misunderstood, assuming Elalude wanted the desserts solely for himself. In reality, it had always been for his daughter. Yet Elmesia's keen intuition had led her to suspect otherwise.
"How would I know what you might do, with a father's love for his daughter and all that?" she remarked, half-amused, half-chiding.
Slowly, Elalude felt her suspicion soften. Her mockery shifted from anger to playful rebuke at his lack of awareness of important matters. He endured the verbal blows without complaint, redirecting his focus to the matter at hand.
"By the way, Madam… returning to the topic at hand—how should we respond to Demon Lord Atem?" he asked cautiously.
Elmesia's lips curved into a sly grin. "About that…" she began, yet did not continue, keeping him in suspense.
Elalude bit back his impatience. He knew better than to interrupt. Once the Emperor involved herself, the issue would become a major state affair. If he took action independently, objections would surely arise, and the matter would become complicated.
The Sorcerer's Dynasty of Sarion had thrived under Emperor Elmesia's rule. Under her authority were thirteen noble houses, each led by their respective lord, all pledged in loyalty to her. Each house exercised executive power over their own territories, while the imperial house collected taxes from these vassal families. None of the noble houses commanded independent military forces. The entirety of military power was concentrated under the imperial house, and the Emperor herself was the supreme commander, responsible for overseeing relations among states.
Elalude hailed from one of these noble houses. His mother, Elise Grimwald, held the top position among the thirteen families. Elise was also the grandmother of Emperor Elmesia, which added another layer of respect and deference Elalude had to maintain.
A brief aside in his mind reminded him that his brother—Elmesia's father—had died tragically fighting monsters, long before Sarion was formally established, and long before Elalude was born. In other words, his niece Elmesia's lineage carried immense historical weight. She had lived far longer than he had, and had witnessed events he could only read about in records. It was no wonder he found it impossible to lift his head fully in her presence.