The carriage arrived at the imperial palace before long.
Having appeared in Roam's carriage, I naturally attracted considerable attention. I don't know if Father had given some word beforehand, but no one bold enough to approach me and prattle on about rumors of kidnapping was to be found.
That was somewhat regrettable. I had hoped to see my mother's face turn pale upon hearing rumors that Roam had committed kidnapping to monopolize the Resurrected One.
Of course, even without such troublesome measures, my mother's complexion was currently poor. Because of me, all of Roam had become a spectacle.
My mother, who would have always received gazes of envy and submission, seemed extremely displeased by the curiosity-filled eyes watching her.
However, the faint displeasure my mother displayed posed no threat to anyone.
Only Father tried to shield her from others' view.
"This way, please."
The place I was guided to was the central hall of the imperial palace. Originally, an audience chamber would have been opened, but I heard the venue had been changed midway for some reason.
"Don't worry. It will go as you wish."
When I contacted him via magic tool last night, Zenon had said that with a confident laugh.
He had assured me more than once that at least regarding magic and the Tower, I could trust him completely. His words had seemed rather groundless at first, but hearing them repeatedly, I was somewhat swayed.
'But still, the Tower's guarantee...'
I had used magic tools certified by the Tower many times, but this was my first time witnessing the certification process itself.
Probably everyone present here was the same. After hearing about the 'Tower's guarantee' from Zenon, I looked it up separately, but reading written explanations didn't really sink in.
'Will Zenon personally step forward?'
The thought that I might see his magic after a long time made my heart flutter a little.
Originally, I hadn't seen many of his spells, but those few I had witnessed were all beautiful. So it wouldn't be strange to secretly want to see more.
While I was lost in such thoughts, the gatekeeper announced the arrival of the Emperor and Heinley. Following that, Samuel in military attire appeared with several priests.
The Emperor seated on the imperial throne spoke first.
"I am pleased that you have agreed to my wish to clearly reveal the truth of this situation."
At the Emperor's words, a priest who appeared to be the Temple group's representative stepped forward. Judging by his vestments, he seemed to be a high-ranking priest.
"I am Moriko, who serves the god. The Temple prays that the god's protection may reach the anxious imperial subjects as soon as possible."
He introduced himself as Moriko and turned his head with a benevolent smile.
Was it coincidence? Without hesitation, he looked directly at me.
"Also, we believe that the Resurrected One, blessed by the god, will be able to resolve this situation."
At his quietly added words, Lilia trembled.
Lilia, who had intended to cause discord between the Temple and me, seemed bewildered that this monster attack situation was flowing in a direction that elevated the Resurrected One's prestige.
In the 'future' she knew, that probably hadn't happened, so I understood her bewilderment.
"Where is the Tower's mage?"
The Emperor changed the subject as if he didn't want to hear about the Resurrected One.
According to Heinley, the Emperor doubted my divinity almost as much as he suspected the Tower. He was thinking exactly as Lilia had intended.
'Seeing this in person, it's certainly clear.'
Heinley must have taken separate measures. Seeing Heinley standing calmly guarding the Emperor's side made that thought more certain.
"They have arrived."
Hardly had someone's report ended when the hall's doors opened and Zenon appeared.
Though we had continued communicating, it hadn't been face-to-face but through messages, so it felt like a very long time since I'd seen his face.
Perhaps because of that? His facial lines seemed sharper in just a few days. How long had it been since I last saw him, and he had already suffered more?
"Oh, you've come."
The Emperor looked somewhat uncomfortable. Since he had consistently believed this incident was caused by magic, this might be a natural reaction.
However, whether the Emperor was uncomfortable or not, Zenon stood indifferently.
He was wearing a robe revealing his Tower affiliation. It was somewhat different from the splendid one he wore at the banquet—a more practical-looking robe.
"I heard that the Tower's guarantee supports only the truth."
Moriko spoke first with a smiling voice. Zenon nodded toward him and answered.
"Yes, that's correct."
"I heard it's an oath made wagering the caster's mana, so it can never be false."
Moriko's voice carried a faint curiosity as well. Seeing his twinkling eyes, it seemed I had observed correctly.
Whether Zenon found Moriko's interest bothersome, he gave only brief answers.
"Yes."
"It's like a prayer offered to the god."
At those words, I saw Zenon's brow furrow slightly.
"Mana is a power that actually exists on this land."
"The god too is present everywhere on this land."
Moriko countering with a subtle smile made me click my tongue inwardly—he was no ordinary person. Then Moriko suddenly turned to me and spoke.
"Isn't that right, Resurrected One?"
Asking someone whose head was reattached after being severed...
"...Of course."
I had no choice but to affirm.
Besides, the god did exist. Even if that god was quite different from what was commonly known.
Zenon, though displeased, didn't press the point. Instead, he glanced toward the hall entrance.
Just then, the royal mage waiting there shouted.
"Magic reaction detected!"
"It's the Tower's mages!"
The nobles gathered in the hall murmured softly. When everyone turned their gaze to the firmly closed hall doors, I looked at Zenon.
Zenon, who had been idly watching the entrance, rolled his eyes upward toward the ceiling. Then his gaze shifted to me.
On his always indifferent face, a warmth like spring sunlight appeared. Seeing his eyes curve noticeably, my stomach fluttered for no reason.
'He really can't hide his feelings.'
The higher the noble rank, the more skilled at hiding true feelings and freely changing expressions. I had learned that way too, and everyone around me had been that way toward me.
So I couldn't help but find such openly displayed emotion unfamiliar.
In the past, I might have clicked my tongue at him as an immature person who couldn't compose himself.
But... well, seeing him unable to contain such fond feelings didn't look entirely bad.
"Oh!"
A cry of admiration from someone reached my ears as I was momentarily distracted by Zenon's smile.
I also heard Zenon frowning and muttering complaints.
"Always so theatrical."
In the center of the hall, I saw light particles swirling. It was a sight I had seen once before.
It was the warp magic I had seen when Zenon suddenly teleported to the middle of the garden.
"How can magic be used in the heart of the imperial palace...!"
The discontented voice was buried under the sound of tearing air. Strong wind whipped fiercely enough to flutter the nobles' garments, and in that instant when the surprised guards drew their swords while blocking the Emperor—
Saaah.
The air settled into stillness at once, and in the place where the light particles vanished, several shadows revealed themselves.
The first to step forward was the mage who stood at the very front.
Behind the mage surveying the surroundings to grasp the situation, another mage of slightly smaller stature and older appearance appeared.
Leaning on a staff, he wore a Tower robe similar to what Zenon wore. At his sides stood two wolves displaying sharp presence.
"We seem to have arrived properly, Tower Master."
The mage who had been looking around spoke to the staff-wielding mage. The Tower Master looked around with a displeased expression.
Just as the Emperor's guard knight was about to say something to them, one of the wolves beside the Tower Master growled low.
[Weak male! Came to rescue!]
At the familiar voice and form of address, I almost wanted to laugh. I clenched my molars hard, barely suppressing the rising laughter.
If it were up to me, I would acknowledge them right away, but regrettably I couldn't.
[My, little one. Long time no see.]
A female wolf with a somewhat smaller build than Neshi moved slowly and approached Zenon.
Zenon extended his hand toward her without any tension.
"Gamon came too?"
Apparently that wolf named Gamon was the one that was Neshi's companion.
"T, to warp into the middle of the imperial palace is one thing, but even wild beasts..."
A noble standing nearby muttered in disbelief. He seemed unable to believe that beast footprints were being imprinted on the beautiful hall of the imperial palace.
Of course, the Emperor seemed equally surprised. However, in addition to surprise, he also looked somewhat angry.
From the Emperor's position, the Tower's visit might have appeared to disregard proper procedure.
Whether unaware of this atmosphere or not, the Tower Master struck his staff against the floor with sharp cries.
"Is this the place where my disciple was imprisoned?"
"T, Tower Master. This is the imperial palace."
"Imperial palace or whatever, you confined someone else's precious disciple in a room with mana nullification! You wretched people!"
At the unchecked language even before the Emperor, I was momentarily surprised, then soon narrowed my brows and tilted my head.
Someone else's precious disciple?
"The Tower Master's disciple!"
"Heavens, then that mage is the next Tower Master?"
Amidst the surprised conversations, I looked at Zenon in bewilderment.
Zenon, who had been exchanging greetings with Gamon, felt my gaze and glanced back at me. Seeing him clear his throat with an embarrassed face, I was even more dumbfounded.
Judging by Zenon's reaction, what I understood seemed to be correct. But was this really alright?
Zenon is the Tower Master's disciple? The next Tower Master?
'...Is the Tower Master trying to ruin the Tower?'
Looking at that frail man, where exactly does he see the capability to entrust the Tower?