After exchanging farewells with those around me, I first contacted the North to express my intention to visit. Then, leading my escort Frio and part of the Magic Corps—including Kraol—I headed out of the capital.

“I’ve heard that in Haon, they have gates connecting the capital to each major region, keeping them open at all times. Can’t we just do the same, Your Majesty?” Kraol grumbled.

Kraol, evidently quite displeased at having his research interrupted, had been complaining the entire way.

“That’s a very novel idea. Should the Empire ever lose most of its territory and become as small as Haon, and if by that time there are no forces threatening us, I might consider it.”

Spatial magic becomes exponentially more difficult the farther the distance. I can’t even imagine how much it would cost to maintain that constantly throughout the Empire.

In fact, it’s not like Haon wanted to create such gates; they overexerted themselves to establish ties with the Magic Tower in that way.

Besides, no spatial magic can be activated within the capital in the first place.

There’s a magic circle laid out to prevent anyone from attacking the capital using spatial magic or escaping from it.

Does it make sense to get rid of it just because it’s a bit inconvenient?

“Why don’t you think of it as getting some exercise for the first time in a while, Sir Kraol?” Frio suggested.

“Who exercises at this hour, Sir Frio? And besides, does riding in a carriage even count as exercise?”

“Still, isn’t it quite atmospheric?”

We were traveling late at night because we didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention.

Indeed, the view of the night sky outside the carriage window was quite a sight.

“Sir Frio.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have you had enough conversation with Sir Giel?”

“Ah, haha. Of course.”

“What did Sir Giel have to say?”

“Well, he said that if I handle things that way again next time, he’d kill me...”

“That’s just like Sir Giel. Please be more careful from now on.”

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Frio had better skills than the late former deputy commander of the Imperial Knights, but his work was sloppy, so I hadn’t entrusted him with significant responsibilities.

Now, as soon as I appointed him deputy commander due to a lack of personnel, this happened.

Well, what’s the harm if someone is a bit careless?

As long as he’s loyal and competent, that’s enough.

“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived.”

Before long, the coachman informed us that we had left the capital.

“Good. Sir Kraol, make your preparations.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As we stepped out of the carriage, the Magic Corps who had been following us in other carriages also disembarked and began preparing the grand spell.

“Ugh, I really detest spatial magic.”

“If you wish, Sir Frio, you’re welcome to run all the way to the North. If you give it your all, you shouldn’t be too late.”

At my words, Frio immediately closed his mouth.

After waiting a moment, I could feel mana filling the space.

Kraol was crafting the spell formula, with the Magic Corps supplying the mana.

“Your Majesty, I will now initiate the spell.”

As Kraol gestured, a small magic circle was drawn beneath Frio and me, gradually expanding until it encompassed us both.

“Then, I will see you in half a year, Your Majesty.”

Before he even finished speaking, our surroundings transformed.

————————————————

“Ugh... Your Majesty, are you alright?”

As soon as the teleportation ended, Frio, who was retching, asked me.

In response, I raised my hand to show him the ring I was wearing.

An artifact that protects the wearer from all status ailments—including poison, curses, and charms—and keeps them in optimal condition at all times.

This ring even shielded me from the nausea caused by spatial magic.

Leaving Frio, who nodded in understanding, behind me, I turned to look at our destination.

A pure white castle sculpted as if from snow—a lair.

The Grand Duke’s residence was there.

Dragon’s blood flows in the royal family of Arhan.

A rumor that anyone living in the Empire—or rather, the continent—would have heard at least once.

The fact that there have been many exceptional individuals in the royal family, the founding myth where a dragon aided the first emperor, and the use of dragon symbols in various royal emblems—all these combined into a circulating rumor. But the high officials of the Empire knew that it wasn’t just a rumor.

As I moved forward and arrived at the castle gate, the doors opened on their own as if to welcome us.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to escort you,” Frio offered.

He led the way, attending me, and I sighed softly as I followed behind.

Sigh... In the end, I’ve come back here again.

The Grand Duke who was with the founding of the Empire.

The white dragon who rules the North.

And... my master.

At Artemia’s lair.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Frio asked, perhaps noticing the noticeable frown on my face.

“I’m fine. No need to worry.”

We continued walking down the castle’s corridors for quite some time, but no matter how far we went, we couldn’t see the end of the corridor, let alone a single room.

“Your Majesty. This is...”

“Well, it seems the Grand Duke isn’t too pleased with your presence. I’ll go alone from here; you stay here and wait until the Grand Duke’s subordinate comes to guide you.”

“Your Majesty, regardless, I am your escort...”

“What need would I have for an escort here? Sir Giel probably sent you here just so you’d suffer in this cold place, not because he thought I truly needed protection.”

If I truly needed an escort, I would have brought Feltz or Giel.

Swallowing my unspoken words, I left Frio behind and walked alone.

As I began walking alone, the scenery started to change bit by bit.

If the previous corridors were barren with nothing, now they were decorated on both sides with all sorts of rare items, like a museum.

From crowns adorned with countless small jewels to masterpieces by painters who flourished in ancient times, and even magical artifacts that were only mentioned in the Chronicles of Xien.

It was as if the corridor was boasting, “I am such a magnificent dragon,” but still the Grand Duke’s room was nowhere to be seen.

Sigh…

“Grand Duke, the Emperor of the Empire has come to visit. I do not expect you to come out to greet me, but please do not treat me so coldly,” I said with a long sigh.

As if whispering in my ear, a voice replied, “I’m not ‘Grand Duke,’ am I? What did I tell you to call me?”

It was a contradictory voice—pure yet alluring, enchanting yet also innocent.

Because of that mind-shaking magical voice, I hadn’t sought out the Grand Duke until I obtained my ring, and even with the ring, it wasn’t easy to maintain my composure before I became a mage.

“...Master.”

“That’s right.”

With a satisfied tone, the door leading to the Grand Duke’s room appeared before my eyes.

As I opened the door made of ice that shone more beautifully than any jewel and entered, I saw the Grand Duke sitting in a chair in human form, and a room filled with all sorts of luxuries that did not fall short even when compared to my own chambers.

“You changed your room?” I asked.

“I did. The previous one was rather desolate,” she replied.

Indeed, the last time I came, there was nothing except for a table and bedding.

I nodded obediently.

“Well, isn’t it quite nice now? I put some effort into it.”

Given the dragon’s remarkable aesthetic sense, it was certainly not lacking compared to rooms decorated by the palace’s experts.

In fact, the level of decorations here was higher, making it even more splendid.

“So, your visit means the war has ended.”

“Yes.”

“Not long ago, the person you sent said that a traitor had arisen.”

“...I am ashamed.”

“It’s the Empire established by my brother; how can household management be so lax? I am deeply concerned about the Empire’s stability.”

“What’s going on?”

Throughout the long history of the Empire, the Grand Duke has never taken an interest in internal affairs.

This isn’t the first time a rebellion has occurred,

There were even times when the Imperial Palace was occupied and the Emperor was reduced to a mere puppet—for something like this?

“Even during wars and rebellions, you never sought me out. So why are you looking for me now?”

It was quite a blunt response, but since the Grand Duke had always behaved this way, I didn’t pay much attention and stated my purpose.

“I have something I’d like to seek your advice on. Also, I feel the need to further improve my magic, so I’d like to train under you...”

“Is that true!”

As soon as I mentioned my intentions, the Grand Duke sprang up from the chair and shouted.

“Yes. With your permission, I was thinking of staying here for about half a year to study magic...”

“Half a year! Half a year, excellent! You’ve made a wise decision.”

As if the earlier bluntness had been a lie, the Grand Duke stood up and began pacing around the room, muttering to herself.

“Half a year, half a year. First, I need to help you perfect elemental magic. Then, after teaching you barrier magic and spatial magic, once I’ve elevated your level...”

Why is she suddenly acting like this?