Chapter 271: Choose your price..Interlude



The imperial palace stood as the crown jewel of the empire, positioned at the very heart of its sprawling capital.

Its sheer size and grandeur dwarfed any known architecture of the current era, a marvel that left even seasoned travelers awestruck.

From the towering spires to the intricate carvings on its outer walls, every inch of the palace exuded a sense of unparalleled majesty and power, a testament to the empire’s might and legacy.

To gain entry into such a bastion of imperial pride, one needed to meet one of three stringent qualifications.

Member of the Imperial Family – Those bearing the bloodline of the empire were, of course, afforded free access.

High-Ranking Nobility – Only nobles of marquis rank or higher, actively serving within the imperial government, were allowed beyond the gates.

High-Ranking Officials – This included esteemed individuals such as senior military officers, elite knights, and powerful mages, whose roles directly supported the empire’s structure.

Even with these strict criteria, entering the palace was no trivial feat.

Designed to be utterly impenetrable, the palace was fortified by layers of magical defenses rivaling the most advanced spells an archmage could conjure.

Each barrier was calibrated to resist both physical and arcane assaults, ensuring the safety of the imperial family and its treasures.

It stood not only as a seat of governance but as an unyielding symbol of the empire’s supremacy-an image of invincibility that echoed its claim as the most powerful nation in the world.

The awe I felt while gazing at its magnificence from the outside was undeniable, but as I stood there, sunlight filtering through the morning haze, my focus shifted.

The soft, golden rays caressed the pristine marble, a stark contrast to the imposing aura of the palace.

Yet, even the grandeur of the palace couldn’t overshadow the sheer presence of what now lay before me.

The doors to the Imperial Throne Room.

Massive and intricately designed, they were more than just a portal to the seat of power- they were a statement.

Standing before them, I felt a momentary pause in my thoughts, the weight of the palace’s history and significance pressing down on me.

“Uhm…?”

Hearing the soft voice behind me, I turned to find Princess Sophiel standing there, a slightly gloomy expression clouding her features. Her nervous gaze met mine, hesitant yet searching for something.

“Was the small tour of any good, perhaps?”

“Ah, yes… it was fun and informative, Princess,”

“I-Is that so? Fuu~ Here I thought I was being a bore. Fufu~”

Relieved by my response, Princess Sophiel let out a small sigh, her lips curling into a gentle smile. She seemed genuinely comforted by my words.

That’s right—at the moment, I was being meticulously escorted around the grand imperial palace by none other than Princess Sophiel herself.

This personal tour was her way of making amends for the “incident” that had transpired yesterday.

“Princess, why are you here?”

“A-Ah, duke… it’s because Fath- I mean, His Imperial Majesty asked me to remind you about tomorrow’s preparations. And…” She hesitated, her voice softening further. “He would also like to speak with you privately.”

“I see… well, it looks like our small little talk has come to an end, son. The Emperor calls, after all. Princess, since I’m going to be a bit busy tomorrow, would you mind helping Riley get accustomed to the palace before the event?”

“B-But-“

“I’ll gladly forget everything that happened here if you do so-“

“Gladly!” Princess Sophiel exclaimed, her face flushing as she straightened herself in a swift bow.

Her enthusiasm might have seemed exaggerated to some, but I could tell she was taking this seriously.

Yesterday, I had assumed her visit was born of whimsical curiosity-a fleeting moment of interest from a sheltered princess eager to escape the monotony of palace life.

But now, learning that she had been sent on a mission by the Emperor himself added a layer of intrigue I hadn’t anticipated.

The dynamic between them was… complicated, to say the least.

Despite being close family, it was well-known within the imperial court that the Emperor and Princess Sophiel didn’t exactly see eye to eye.

Their relationship wasn’t strained in a traditional sense-there was no outright hostility or confrontation-but there was an unspoken distance that Sophiel, for all her efforts, couldn’t seem to bridge.

It wasn’t as though the Emperor openly disregarded her.

He maintained a cordial front, addressing her with the same dignity he showed the rest of the imperial family.

But beneath that polished exterior lay an impersonal, almost clinical detachment.

In the game, Princess Sophiel was always the type to act a little dumber than necessary, masking her true intentions behind an air of naivety.

Her current quiet demeanor right now wasn’t entirely out of character, but it did feel oddly subdued.

The way she seemed cautiously afraid of me was a bit nerve-wracking-especially since I had no intention of doing anything that might derail my plans again.

Dealing with another princess, let alone one as significant to the story as Sophiel, was a complication I’d rather avoid at all costs.

“I’m surprised…”

“Hm?”

Sophiel’s sudden remark pulled me from my thoughts. Her voice was soft yet carried a tinge

of intrigue.

“Although I don’t know the exact situation right now,” she continued, leaning in slightly closer. Her violet eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that belied her earlier nervousness. “I can tell you’re someone of importance to the imperial palace… but even so, I don’t see an ounce of fear in you. Not even when you’re about to meet His Majesty.”

Her observation was delivered in a tone that bordered on fascination, as though she were trying to unravel a puzzle.

For a brief moment, I considered how my demeanor must look from her perspective.

To her, I probably seemed like a low-ranking noble being ushered into a meeting with the Emperor himself—a scenario that would normally leave anyone trembling in their boots.

But for me, this wasn’t anything new.

Scenarios like this had played out countless times in the game, particularly during Snow’s

route.

Standing before the imposing doors of the throne room, where the Emperor awaited, felt less like an intimidating moment and more like an amusingly nostalgic one.

I already knew exactly what kind of person the Emperor was, thanks to my memories from the

game. This “first meeting” was little more than a formality, a scripted event I’d already played through dozens of times in another life.

Still, for Sophiel, my apparent indifference probably looked like confidence bordering on

recklessness.

She couldn’t have known that my calm wasn’t born from arrogance or bravery but from the knowledge that I was walking into a familiar scene I’d prepared for in a way no one else could

possibly understand.

“Meeting His Majesty is serious business,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and mild disapproval. “Yet you act as though it’s nothing. That kind of composure… it’s rare.”

I simply smiled, choosing not to elaborate.

‘We’re strangers to begin with…’

There was no need to explain myself to her, especially since she wouldn’t believe the truth

even if I told her. Instead, I let her words hang in the air as I turned my attention back to the

grand doors ahead.

“Let’s not keep His Majesty waiting,” I said, gesturing for her to lead the way.

CREAAACKK!!!

Ass the doors opened… I gulped.

Genuinely hoping that he wasn’t aware of my relationship with Snow….

…

“Strange reports… Shadow Knights failing… incidents in the academy… Riley Hell,” Sophiel murmured, her voice laced with frustration. “I had thought things were about to settle down now that Elder Sister went to the academy, but I guess I took the small peace I had for granted, huh? Maybe I should’ve made a few big moves while I still could. Now most of my

plans are delayed…”

The night outside was bitterly cold, but her room was warm and illuminated by a soft,

ethereal glow.

Blue lights shimmered around her, casting an almost magical hue over the intricately

furnished chamber.

Sitting at her desk, Sophiel combed through the documents laid out before her, each one meticulously detailed to her exacting standards.

They were all reports-news about the boy she had met just yesterday.

‘Riley Hell’ Her half-lidded eyes scanned the pages, narrowing slightly as she absorbed their contents.

The information painted a far more complex picture than the initial impression she’d formed.

Crossing her legs elegantly, she leaned back in her chair, the papers still in her hand.

Her expression shifted, a curious mix of calculation and unease settling on her features. The more she read, the more contradictions emerged. This boy, who seemed so unassuming during their encounters, was proving to be an enigma.

Behind her, her personal maid, Lumia, hovered silently, her posture taut.

She knew better than to disturb her mistress during moments like these.

It wasn’t the lofty elegance and carefully veiled arrogance that froze her in place-it was the

cold, purplish mana that emanated from Sophiel, subtly seeping into the air and chilling the room despite the warmth of the fire.

‘The Fool Princess’ Lumia thought, shaking her head slightly.

The irony of the title was not lost on her.

To the outside world, her mistress was dismissed as a bumbling, naive member of the

imperial family, a title she had earned-or rather, crafted-through years of deliberate misdirection.

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