It Has Been Decided That You Will Be The

In the bright and spacious great hall, Kaiske XIII sat on the highest throne, with a crowd of influential nobles below. They had no idea what this Emperor was up to; he had summoned them early in the morning only to have them stand around for over an hour. The last time they were all gathered so orderly was when the Black Dragon appeared.

"Still not here?"

His Majesty the Emperor asked the Prime Minister beside him with a wry smile. If anyone else dared to stand him up, he would have already sent people to throw them in jail. But for this person, he could only wait.

Just as Kaiske XIII finished speaking, he saw his foolish daughter rush into the great hall. As the protector of the Imperial Capital, she often reported on her work during morning meetings. She quickly found her spot and stood still.

"Apologies, Your Majesty, for keeping you waiting."

The protagonist everyone had been anticipating finally walked into the great hall at this moment. Mayona said calmly to Kaiske XIII. Her white attire and hair made her look like a princess made of snowflakes from a fairy tale, astonishing the nobles present.

"It's alright, you must have had something to do."

Kaiske XIII nodded. Based on his understanding of Mayona, she likely encountered difficulties, as she was usually very punctual. However, Tinasha, who heard this, almost burst out laughing. Mayona had simply overslept and had Ruby make her breakfast, which delayed her.

"Everyone, don't doubt your eyes. She is Mayona, our Archmage has returned!"

Kaiske XIII's voice was filled with excitement and fervor. As an emperor, he naturally knew what an Archmage meant to the empire. Once the news of Mayona's return officially spread, he could immediately make the two increasingly arrogant empires disappear.

"Is it really her? Could it be an imposter?"

"Are you doubting His Majesty the Emperor's eyes? Besides her, who else would possess such immense pressure?"

The nobles present were all influential figures in the Imperial Capital. They naturally knew of Mayona's existence and appearance. Seeing her powerful return now, they were all shocked and began discussing amongst themselves.

"I know you are all curious about how she was rescued. It was he who saved Mayona."

Facing the murmurs of the nobles below, His Majesty the Emperor generously shifted the topic to Ruby, who had entered with Mayona. However, because the Archmage girl was too eye-catching, people subconsciously ignored the spiky-haired youth.

"This youth? He healed a curse that even His Holiness the Pope couldn't do anything about?"

"I know you are surprised, but the process is not important; the result is. He saved our Sacred Empire's only Archmage. I plan to grant him Ulta as a fief."

Upon hearing the name Ulta, the nobles' expressions changed. That was a super lucrative territory. Not only was it rich in magic crystals and gems, but it also produced a precious plant called Dragon Heart Grass. It could be said that whoever obtained this territory meant infinite wealth. Although they each had their own territories, they had always been thinking about how to place their own people there.

"Ulta? That has always been a ducal fief since ancient times. If the previous Duke hadn't died without heirs, there wouldn't be no lord until now. Brother, you are truly generous."

The nobles dared not speak out of anger, but that didn't mean everyone else did. A man with ancestral light green hair spoke up. He praised with a playful smile. As he said, the territory and the title had always been linked. Although His Majesty the Emperor didn't explicitly state it, they all understood it in their hearts.

"Do you have an opinion?"

Kaiske XIII looked at his youngest brother with a headache. After he ascended the throne, his siblings had all left. He was now the only brother remaining in the Imperial Capital.

"Of course, I have no opinion on my brother's decision. However, looking at his ordinary appearance, he doesn't seem like a powerful mage. Suddenly becoming a Duke, I'm afraid many people won't be convinced... Of course! I am the first to agree. This young man is exceptionally talented and will surely bring eternal glory to Ulta. Anyone who dares to defy him is my enemy, Kellis! Hmph!"

This imperial brother rambled on to Ruby, then suddenly felt the air around him grow much colder. Seeing the Archmage girl staring at him intently with her crimson eyes, he immediately did a 180-degree turn in his attitude. The other nobles, seeing this situation, cursed him as a fair-weather friend in their hearts.

"I don't want the territory. I've never done this before, and I don't know how to govern. Your Majesty the Emperor, please find someone else."

Ruby hadn't expected to gain a fief just by tagging along with Mayona. This was the drawback of an autocratic monarchy, forcing something upon him without consulting his opinion, although most people would have joyfully accepted it.

"I can send people to assist you. I'm sure Mayona will accompany you then. You can treat it as a vacation over there."

"No, I have to go to school soon."

"School? Ulta also has good academies. But since you said so, it's up to you. I will keep the territory and title for you."

Since Ruby was unwilling, Kaiske XIII didn't force it further. Although a large part of it was due to Mayona's influence, he was now also interested in Ruby, who refused such a great fortune. He was somewhat similar to the Church's detachment from fame and fortune.

"Next, let's discuss how to maximally publicize Mayona's return. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

The rest of the matters had nothing to do with Ruby and Mayona. Led by His Majesty the Emperor, they began discussing matters as if it were a normal morning meeting, mainly revolving around Mayona.

"The return of the Archmage is naturally a cause for universal celebration. For the next month, all customers who shop at our Starlight Family stores will receive a 50% discount."

A plump noble was the first to speak. Ruby also looked at him a few extra times because of his eyes, which were like the starry eyes of the kind girl who had sponsored his education. However, such eyes on a chubby man always felt a bit incongruous.

This person was naturally the richest man on the Sacred Continent, Bard Edel Starlight. His family's shops were spread across the Four Great Empires, and the daily profits they generated could drown a person in gold coins. However, this fatty clearly didn't care about money, just like his daughter.

"Hmm, then..."

His Majesty the Emperor was very pleased with Bard's proposal. As he was about to continue speaking, he suddenly frowned and clutched his lower right abdomen, a look of pain on his face.