Ch. 108 - The Culprit of the Natural Disaster

While I was having a pointless conversation with the dazed Gem, I was informed that a messenger from the imperial palace had arrived.

“What is it about?”

“I’m sure it’s about Aoi-dono’s magic, but…”

After this exchange with Alabarta, we decided to head to the imperial palace. It seemed Gem wasn’t summoned, but since we had unfinished business, we took him to the palace with us.

We were escorted into the audience chamber, where we found Emperor Diageo of Maple Leaf, who looked exhausted. Around him, fully armed knights and mages stood waiting in line.

I took the lead to walk to the center of the audience chamber and kneeled on one knee.

“Is there anything you require?” I asked, looking up at him.

The prime minister standing in front of the emperor trembled slightly.

Diageo glanced at him, sighed, and raised his hand. “No, I just wanted to confirm something. A while ago, there was a strange flash of lightning, which was described in mythology as the Divine Thunder God’s lightning. A rare phenomenon where lightning spreads in all directions in the sky over the Holy City is sometimes seen, but what I’ve heard today isn’t of that nature. Without any warning, lightning streaked west across the sky with a thunderous roar. Was it your magic?”

“Yes, I was just teaching Shenley about lightning magic. I apologize. I didn’t realize it would cause such a stir,” I sincerely apologized.

Diageo looked at the prime minister and said with a sigh, “See? I told you. If you were so scared, you should have confirmed it with Aoi-dono before bringing her here.”

Then he turned back to me and said with a wry smile, “It was so sudden. This fellow was making a fuss about it being a natural disaster. I thought it must be your magic from the start and told them to call you here. But I was surprised. I’d like you to let me know in advance next time.”

I nodded in response. “I understand.”

After confirming this, Diageo turned his attention to the people standing behind me. “… Still, this is an unusual combination. Alabarta is, of course, here, but Shenley and Viscount Rosentiel are too. Oh, I see. Were you observing Aoi-dono’s magic together as a family? But why is Deputy Chief Magician Gem accompanying you?”

At the mention of his name, Gem stiffened. I looked at him and noticed he was sweating profusely with his head bowed. His hands shaking, he raised his head.

“… Your Majesty, I-I…” he mumbled softly in a hoarse voice, looking as if he had suddenly aged.

Diageo frowned.

Seeing how pitiful Gem was, despite knowing it was disrepectful, I said, “… Your Majesty.”

The moment I spoke, Gem took a short breath.

“Hmm? Is it related to you, Aoi-dono?” Diageo’s expression became slightly severe as he sensed the atmosphere between me and Gem.

I nodded. “Yes. Actually, when Gem heard I would be going back to Fiddiq Academy with Shenley, he requested that I teach him magic… It just so happened that Shenley’s family, Viscount Rosentiel and Kathy, were in the Holy City, so we held a magic demonstration at Gem’s mansion.”

I blurted out a lie on the spur of the moment. Gem and Aldo looked at me.

Diageo tilted his head and looked at Gem and Aldo. “Hmm… I thought you two had angered Aoi-dono and were literally struck by lightning, but it seems that wasn’t the case.”

“… Yes.”

Gem couldn’t answer, and only Aldo barely managed to respond.

Seeing this, Alabarta pulled his chin down with a troubled look and bowed to Diageo. “Your Majesty, with all due respect, the Holy City’s nobles have already been informed that Aoi-dono has been granted the highest level of VIP treatment. Furthermore, although it is not official, a message has also been added that any actions that could be considered hostile towards Aoi-dono should be strictly avoided. Under such circumstances, angering Aoi-dono is defying the imperial decree, an act that could result in exile. Would these two people who have served the imperial family for so many years do such a thing?”

Alabarta grandly protected the two of them. As expected of a high-ranking member of the Imperial Guard, his excuse sounded very persuasive.

Diageo and the prime minister could only look at each other and nod in agreement.

“That's right. Well, I’m sure you know, but let me remind you once again. Alide.”

Hearing his name called, the prime minister cleared his throat, looked down at Gem and Aldo from the top of the stairs, and said solemnly, “By imperial decree, Aoi Konominato, senior teacher at Fiddiq Academy, is a crucial figure who will greatly contribute to the magical development of the Maple Leaf Holy Empire from now on. In order to establish the greatest possible cooperation, not only the imperial family but also the nobles affiliated with the Holy Empire will provide assistance to Aoi-dono. It goes without saying, this is an imperial decree, and defying it will be considered treason. Do both of you understand?”

Gem and Aldo, still kneeling, gave an affirmative response.

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