studiobondurri Chapter 39
Chapter 39
But it was at that moment.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a burst of light emanated from somewhere in the bookshelf on the wall.
Rosha, with her eyes barely open, noticed a small ‘temple’ made of stone placed there.
The ‘Guide God’ asked to make such a temple too.
The temple serves as a medium that connects the god and this world more closely, and as long as the material is natural, the size didn’t matter.
‘Did he also have a god with him?’
Well, it would be strange if he didn’t, with such an ability. Gods usually want to bond with possessors of powerful talents who won’t die even if they’re swept up in trials.
Then, unexpectedly, a quest window appeared before her eyes.
Ding!
The ‘God of Prophecy’, upon confirming that you are standing in front of another god’s temple, pleads desperately while offering a huge reward. Will you accept?
Content: Free Princess Illien Marcia, who is brainwashed and imprisoned in the summer castle of the imperial palace.
Reward: A satisfying reward related to the upcoming trials.
*It’s a choice quest, so there’s no death penalty.
...What’s suddenly going on?
Confused, Rosha suddenly made eye contact with Froy.
Judging by his expression, he seemed to have received a similar quest.
* * *
Roshanak Aper.
News that the hero who defeated the trials woke up in three days took the capital by storm.
Her first schedule after a day of recuperation in her mansion was to visit the Imperial Palace and receive a medal from the Emperor. Therefore, those working in the palace repeatedly cleaned the corridor in front of the ‘Hall of the Sun.’
“When can we see her? I heard she’s coming today.”
“Just wait a little longer. I just heard that the carriage of the Count Aper family has passed the main gate of the palace.”
“I hope we get to see her magic, even if it’s for a moment.”
Most of them had young faces of curiosity and anticipation, but there were also those who occasionally looked skeptical.
“Do you really think the seventeen-year-old lady performed such tremendous magic?”
“Why not? You saw it too.”
“What I mean is, maybe someone else cast the magic and just put Lady Aper forward because they didn’t want the attention? I heard she’s very timid young lady.”
Everyone had witnessed the ‘Golden Shield’ and ‘Sea of Fire’ magic, but only a few had seen Rosha cast it directly. It was a point of debate.
At that moment, two figures appeared from a distance.
One was Cedric Aper, one of the key powerholders in the imperial family, and the other was the talked-about Roshanak Aper.
Everyone lowered their heads upon seeing them, sneaking glances at Rosha.
Despite being a noble lady, she wasn’t wearing a dress. Instead, she wore a beautiful knight’s ceremonial robe adorned with gold, draped in a cape, with her light-colored hair tied up high.
People who immediately recognized what kind of clothes that were started whispering quietly.
“Isn’t that... the ceremonial robe that the imperial knights wear only on special occasions?”
Little did they know, it wasn’t an ordinary knight’s ceremonial robe.
Based on the shoulder emblem, the robe Rosha wore was that of a Guardian Knights, granted only to those who had performed significant services to the Empire.
However, contrary to her concerns, the Emperor, looking down at her, spoke kindly.
“We seem to have prepared hastily, but fortunately, the formal attire fits you well.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
“I already asked my assistant Cedric that I wanted to meet you once. I’m glad it happened this way.”
The Emperor speaking to her seemed unplanned, as the ceremonial officer holding the medal looked slightly flustered.
Seeing this, the Emperor chuckled and said:
“Alright. Let’s finish the ceremony.”
The Emperor, holding the ceremonial sword, lightly touched her shoulders with it.
Perhaps because the one holding the sword was the Emperor, it was done gently, and of course, he didn’t cut her.
She nodded a few times as directed by the ceremonial officer, listened to the Emperor’s brief commendation, and after the Emperor himself pinned the First Class Guardian Medal onto her collar, the ceremony concluded.
“With this, Lady Roshanak Aper is declared the Guardian Knight, the first in this Empire in 100 years.”
The ceremonial officer announced loudly, and the attendees clapped in unison.
Hearing the applause, the Emperor tilted his head and asked:
“Do you have any specific reward in mind?”
Roshanak replied as Cedric had instructed her.
“During the first trial, I happened to acquire a sacred relic that I used. I remember it suited me well. Would it be possible for me to use it in the future, Your Majesty?”
If he was unwilling to give it, she had even thought of asking for its location later.
However, the Emperor nodded as if he had anticipated this, and soon an officer brought a gun placed on a cushion.
“I thought you’d say that, so I prepared it. Check it out.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Politely bowing her head, Rosha didn’t hesitate and picked up the gun.
Its appearance was still old-fashioned, but having seen its upgraded form, she was now okay with it.
However, as she quickly picked up the gun, the officer holding the cushion looked at her with wide eyes.
Why?
The Emperor answered her silent question.
He approached with a smile, raised her hand for a greeting, and whispered so only she could hear:
“That object becomes extremely hot to the touch for others, making it nearly impossible to lift with bare hands. We had quite a time moving it.”
“...Oh.”
The ‘Guide God’ seems to be subtly coughing for recognition of its efforts.
Recognition for what! It just made things more suspicious!
As expected.
“It’s strange. That such an object was hidden in the relic storage. If it was an object that no one could touch and thus verify, I would surely remember.”
Holding her hand, the Emperor mumbled coldly, making her extremely tense.
He made it clear that he knew a lot even before the trial began.
And then.
“Yet... there’s a reason I’m willingly giving you this object.”
Suddenly, a cold aura began to envelop the vast hall.