A Promise

The Sacred Empire, though ranked among the four great empires, had the smallest territory. Some even argued it couldn't be called an empire, as its current development was inseparable from the Church's aid.

However, this didn't mean the Sacred Empire was a puppet of the Church. The empire's founding emperor was a devout follower of the God of Light and maintained a good relationship with the Church, ultimately leading to its current standing. This was also why the Church's headquarters was established in the imperial capital.

As the God of Light's earthly representative, the Church was naturally a colossus in the eyes of ordinary people. Even other empires could at most ignore its existence. No one dared to harm the Church's people, nor could they try to win them over. Who could guarantee that bringing the Church into their fold wouldn't be inviting a wolf into the house? Who would be in charge then?

The founding emperor, Kaiske XIII, didn't have such concerns. He believed in his judgment of people and felt the warm Church couldn't possibly do such things. The facts proved his choice was correct. Emperors and Popes throughout history had good relations, and the Sacred Empire and the Church grew stronger together, mutually benefiting each other.

Just one year ago, the Sacred Continent's sole Archmage appeared, and the citizens of the Sacred Empire were ecstatic. This Archmage was born in their country. Afterward, soldiers in magic corps and commoners alike felt a sense of superiority over foreigners.

'Does your country have an Archmage? What? No? I can't hear you, speak louder!'

This was the taunt often thrown by Sacred Empire mages at rival empires. That was also the Sacred Empire's most prosperous year.

But good times don't last. This Archmage, only a year after her emergence, was tragically afflicted by a vicious curse. The most anxious among them was naturally Emperor Kaiske XIII. He sought medical help everywhere, desperately trying to cure Mayona, but was met with disappointment time and again. In the end, he could only watch as Mayona departed alone.

The news of Mayona's incurable condition quickly spread across the continent, further enraging Kaiske XIII. This was undoubtedly a man-made conspiracy. Though he didn't know how they cursed an Archmage, the culprit had to be caught. Naturally, the investigation had yielded no leads to this day.

"Mayona, did you cure yourself? Or did you use some strange magic?"

Kaiske XIII's face held a look of relieved joy. He had, in a way, watched Mayona grow up. His troublesome daughter had always been clingy and loved playing with her, which he had grown accustomed to. It wasn't until Mayona became a Saint of Magic that he began to notice the white-haired girl, never expecting she would truly become the first Archmage in history.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, hello. The magic that cured me is called IV Drip Magic."

Mayona bowed to Kaiske XIII. In truth, with her strength, such formalities were unnecessary. However, she simply placed herself in Tinasha's perspective as a friend, conveying the politeness she owed to her father.

"Is there such a magic? Can you tell me how to control the flow of Magic Power? I want the entire nation to learn this magic."

The Emperor's heart burned with excitement. A curse that even the Pope couldn't cure had been healed by an unheard-of magic. Did this mean the magic was more potent than Divine Arts? If they could acquire such a magic, wouldn't it be more useful than anything else?

"Unfortunately, only he knows this magic. No one else can learn it."

Mayona spoke while looking at Ruby, whose head was no longer glowing.

"Hello."

Seeing that he had successfully attracted the Emperor's attention, Ruby bowed to him, mimicking Mayona.

"You saved Mayona, is that right? Good, very good. What do you want? As long as it's within my power, anything is possible. Territory? Or a noble title?"

In Kaiske XIII's eyes, Ruby had likely become a prodigiously talented young mage. He smiled kindly at Ruby and promised.

"I want... Mmph!"

Just as Ruby was about to say he wanted a Resident Stone to become a citizen of their country, Mayona, with a swift pounce, covered his mouth. Struggling proved futile, so he could only let the Archmage sister have her way.

"He said he hasn't decided yet. Just remember today's promise, Your Majesty."

Mayona said to Kaiske XIII with a grin. Ruby had done a lot for her, and she remembered it all. It was only right for him to get some benefits now.

"In any case, it's good that you're back. Mayona, I hope you can attend the morning assembly tomorrow. Let everyone know you're alive. After all, your status is too special. Even if I say it, no one will believe it."

Kaiske XIII stared at Mayona's smile for a moment before speaking. Had this child always smiled so easily before? It didn't seem so. She rarely smiled in the past, and after Yula's death, her expressions became even fewer.

"This... perhaps not. I've only returned to see the Pope, and I'll be leaving soon. You know I'm not suited for politics. The world is vast, and I want to travel."

Mayona glanced at Ruby and flatly refused. The Emperor's suggestion reminded her of her past life in the imperial capital, where she had to attend various banquets and endure meaningless flattery despite her reluctance. She'd rather flick Ruby's forehead than do all that.

"It's natural for you to have this idea. I won't ask you to stay in the imperial capital forever, but just making an appearance is fine, isn't it? You don't plan to stand by during the Monster Tide, do you? Everyone will know you're alive then."

"...I still don't really want to."

"Senior Yula emptied half my national treasury to speed up her beloved disciple's training..."

Seeing Mayona's stubborn refusal, the Emperor naturally had other methods. Emotional appeals were a good thing, why not use them?

"Wuwu!"

"To speed up her beloved disciple's training, she plundered all the magic crystal mines in the country..."

"Wuwu!"

"To..."

"Wait, I accept. Stop talking."

Kaiske XIII's words were like a tightening spell, causing Mayona's head to ache. She knew her teacher wasn't someone to be trifled with, and everything she had done was for her. The debts incurred could only be repaid by her.

"That's good. I have other matters to attend to. Tinasha, please entertain your friend well."

With his objective achieved, the Emperor nodded kindly at Ruby and left. The news of Mayona's survival was something many people needed to be informed of.

"Mhm."

Tinasha turned her gaze back to Ruby, the ordinary person. Earlier, in her excitement, she had momentarily forgotten that it was this person who had saved her friend. Regardless, she had to thank him properly.

"Mayona, is the matter of the Monster Tide real?"

Ruby tugged on Mayona's hand and asked her. The Monster Tide mentioned by Kaiske XIII had caught his attention. He had heard of it, but Dris was too small and a border region. The idea of monsters pouring out of the Monster Forest was usually just a story to scare crying children at night; no one had ever seen it firsthand, and its credibility was extremely low.