“Hmm….”

A luxurious space filled with expensive decorations and exquisite furniture. However, even such a space felt more like a crumbling shack in the presence of the woman sitting in the center.

Even with her legs crossed and sitting in a posture that could be seen as rebellious, she exuded an air of unmatched dignity simply by being there.

It’s no wonder. She is the only Emperor of this continent, acclaimed as the greatest ruler among all the past Emperors. Of course, that evaluation includes her being the most eccentric as well.

“Cough….”

Yet, due to her outstanding abilities, everything she did was simply mundane for her, making each day just another boring routine. Even when the various jesters of the continent performed before her, or when affluent merchants presented mysterious items, they merely bored her. In a way, her extraordinary talents were a blessing for the Empire, but a curse for herself.

So it was surprising that, despite reading a mere paper, she managed to let out a genuine smile, albeit a small one. Anyone who knew the Emperor would find it quite astonishing.

“… So, what is the reason you called for me?”

The golden-haired girl, Selian, who was kneeling before the Emperor, was well aware of this fact. So, while she found it a bit odd, she didn’t pay it much mind, as her interest in the Emperor was minimal.

Instead, Selian demanded that the Emperor get straight to the point, as she had been summoned but saw the Emperor preoccupied with other matters.

Under normal circumstances, merely speaking such words to the Emperor would have been enough to land her in the dungeon, yet both the Emperor and Chief Wizard Isis standing behind him were completely unfazed by Selian’s boldness.

“Aah, forgive me. This is one of the news I am most eager to hear these days. If it weren’t during a time of turmoil, I would have come to visit directly. What a pity. Ah, would you care to read it too? I think you might find it interesting.”

The Emperor waved the paper he was holding in front of Selian, encouraging her to take a look. However, Selian bluntly declined the Emperor’s offer in her usual curt tone.

“I’m fine. Please just state the reason for summoning me.”

“Hmm…. Are you sure it’s alright? You might regret it later.”

But to Selian, who had lost her smile since that day, the Emperor’s invitation held no value. No matter how amusing the contents of that paper might be, it wouldn’t make her smile. Just like how she lost her laughter because of Elysia, the only one who could bring her back her smile was Elysia alone.

In fact, even the time spent here in the audience room felt like a waste to her.

Seeing Selian staring blankly with lifeless eyes and offering no response, the Emperor passed the paper he held to Isis, who stood quietly behind him, and got to the crux of the matter.

“It’s a bit silly to keep pressing when the other party adamantly refuses. Very well. Selian of House Deretia, the continent’s official ninth Sword Master, I did not call you for any particular reason.”

The Emperor paused for a moment, then slowly uncrossed his legs, crossed them the other way, and resumed speaking.

“Do you remember the small bet we had three years ago?”

At the Emperor’s question, Selian took a moment to recall before finally piecing it together. It was during the summer vacation when she visited the royal palace with Elysia. Back then, she had accepted the Emperor’s provocation and agreed to a bet.

“Seeing your face, it seems you remember. Yes. It’s already been three years, and it wouldn’t be right to drag a simple bet on forever. I called you to settle that bet.”

What was the bet about again?

She vaguely remembered that they had placed a wager, but the details were hazy. Three years had been far too harsh for her to keep precise memories of a trivial bet.

However, there was no need to struggle to recall, as the Emperor kindly elaborated on the bet’s contents.

“Back then, I argued that you would go with Elysia to subdue the Demon King, while you claimed you would not accompany Elysia.”

Ah, that’s right. At that time, she had believed she would become a hero once again. If things had gone according to plan, Elysia would have stayed somewhere safe while she set out on a journey with a separate party to defeat the Demon King.

“Well, it’s been three years, and contrary to your assertion, the two are not together. Selian, congratulations. The bet with me is a victory for you. If you desire anything, ask for it. If you wish for treasure, I will open the royal treasury for you. If you want honor, I will grant you a title of Duke. Whatever you ask for, I shall give.”

The Emperor, spreading his arms wide and speaking with a generous voice, showed no trace of falsehood in his demeanor.

He meant it when he said he would give Selian whatever she wanted, even if she desired his own head.

However, even if one offers something with sincerity, it cannot be given if the recipient does not wish for it.

Both the Emperor and Selian were well aware of this fact.

Thus, even the Emperor’s benevolent smile seemed merely a smirk in Selian’s eyes.

A spark of life returned, even if just slightly, to Selian’s gaze. This life, of whatever significance it may hold, felt as if the flickering flame of Selian, barely surviving over the last three years, was beginning to blaze anew.

No amount of wealth guaranteed by the Emperor could change that.

Regardless of how brief a gamble it may have been, she couldn’t deny that they shared a connection.

Selian slowly rose from her seat.

“No. I will decline Your Majesty’s offer. It is your victory. Even if we are temporarily apart, I will always be by Elysia’s side.”

“Oh? You dare to speak so easily of defeat without knowing what I might ask of you? I have high expectations, and I’m quite greedy. Aren’t you afraid of what I might require?”

Indeed. Even Selian, who had experienced life multiple times, could not predict what the Emperor might ask of her. But it didn’t matter. The Emperor was no source of fear for her.

“Even if you were to demand my life, I wouldn’t fear it. The only thing I fear is losing Elysia.”

What had she been doing for the past three years, unable to search for Elysia, focusing solely on regaining her strength? If she couldn’t recover her strength, she might not be able to catch Elysia if she tried to flee again, nor could she protect her if she fell into danger.

To stand by her side once more, she needed to fully restore… no, exceed the power of her past life. That was what these three years had been for.

In order to protect Elysia alone, Selian could wage war against not just the demons but also the Emperor and the Empire.

At her declaration of defeat, the Emperor’s previously benevolent smile shifted to an amused grin, revealing his delight. He wasn’t simply happy about winning a bet.

Even the Emperor did not know that Elysia would suddenly abandon her friends. What he only perceived was that Selian had repeatedly lived her life and that this round’s hero was not Selian but Elysia.

Naturally, since Selian had no intention of giving up on Elysia, he thought she would follow her without hesitation, and thus proposed the bet.

The bet, initially suggested for a bit of fun, had turned into something absurdly amusing and delightful.

What kind of relationship would the two have when they reunite? How would Selian react when she learns about Elysia’s past? It was already quite funny, and the thought of what would happen to the two in the future only made it even more amusing.

As Selian left the audience room, the Emperor doubled over, laughing uproariously.

In that moment, Isis, who had quietly stood behind the Emperor, finally spoke up.

“Your Majesty, you really are a piece of work. You not only know Elysia’s trail but even receive reports about her and keep your mouth shut.”

“Don’t say such things, Isis. I did offer her a report on Elysia’s trail, did I not? She simply refused.”

At the Emperor’s words, Isis examined the report she had received from him earlier. It contained some unnecessary details but also included information that Elysia had dealt with a Count colluding with the demonic race in the city of Sahalan and was moving to her next destination.

Since this was the latest information, if Selian had seen it, it surely would have helped her in finding Elysia.

However, the Emperor had done nothing but toy with her, offering no assistance. Of course, Selian herself was unaware of this.

“Now then, I must think of something to ask for since we won the bet…. What should I request?”

“… Your Majesty, please refrain from playing games with the Hero and Sword Master. Consider my position where I have to clean up after this.”

“Is that why I’m contemplating?!”

Of course, when the Emperor thought this over, it wasn’t out of concern for Isis’ predicament but rather on how to further amuse himself at her expense.