I Became an Outcast in the Academy

4. Healing (2)

“Lungs, Your Majesty! Hey, what are you doing here!”

The moment I heard that voice close to Ricardo’s scream, I was startled.

So, does that mean that the identity of that dignified middle-aged man resembling a lion was none other than the emperor?

“What brought you here? It’s very meaningful to hear those words from your mouth, Ricardo.”

“… Yes?”

When the emperor said that, slightly lifting the corners of his mouth, Ricardo just blinked his eyes stupidly, as if he didn’t understand what he was saying.

“I’m walking around the imperial palace, so I have to go around reporting to you one by one, right? Ah… Come to think of it, Jim almost forgot again. You were a man with the ambition to expel Jim from the imperial palace sooner or later. So you weren’t very interested in where Jim went and what he was doing?”

“Oh no! To me, I absolutely have no such heart, Your Majesty!”

Even though Ricardo hurriedly lowered his head and made such an excuse, the emperor’s gaze toward Ricardo showed no signs of changing at all.

“Then what was the reason for you to speak freely without knowing the proper context? Do you think Jim in this position looked so funny?”

“That is… That’s not it! I just… Not knowing that it was Your Majesty who let him into the imperial palace, he made such a mistake… “

“Oh, it sounds like what you’re saying now is that the person who sent that bastard, Xian, into the imperial palace would never have let him go if it weren’t for Jim.”

“…..”

As Ricardo couldn’t bear to refute the emperor’s words, the emperor’s gaze toward him turned even colder.

“How careless. You only take your authority as a member of the imperial family as your own, but have no thought of acquiring the dignity or responsibility to match it. Without even knowing where that authority comes from.”

“… Yes?”

“Get out of here, you look pathetic. I don’t want to see your face any more.”

“… Yes. I will obey your command, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Ricardo’s face hardened and contorted at the emperor’s words, I felt refreshed as if something had been punched in my stomach.

After Ricardo disappeared into the other side, the emperor turned his head and looked at me standing next to Cartesia.

“You are Xian. Recently, a man who has been chasing after Cartesia like a puppy.”

“Your Majesty!”

Even though Cartesia screams her loudly, her emperor looks at her with a pretty relaxed expression.

“Don’t raise your voice that much. Jim is not yet deaf.”

“Ha, but!”

“What are you so ashamed of? They’re friends from the same academy, so it’s something we can get along with. You seem to think of Jim as a boring, stiff old man.”

Like that, the emperor looked at me and Cartesia alternately as if he was very interested, and then he hardened his face.

Koo Goo Goong-

Because from the other side, there was once again a faint but certain vibration.

“I want to talk a lot with you two, Cartesia and Xian, but… I guess that’s not the case. Arrieta, it seems that the child’s condition has worsened again.”

“Oh, right! Arrieta! Your Majesty, Arietta is in danger! A while ago, a loud sound came from the side of the palace where Arietta was staying… “

“Jim knows too. Because that’s why Jim came all the way here himself.”

The emperor sighs softly and looks at me blankly.

“Cartesia told Jim this. Arrieta, I think I’ve found a way to fix that poor kid. I can’t tell you the details, but Cian Neh seems to be the key, so she asked Jim for a ticket to the imperial palace.”

At those words, I inadvertently turned her head towards Cartesia.

You promised me that you should never reveal your abilities to others, and you kept your promise.

But I never imagined that I would keep my abilities a secret even to the emperor.

“Jim is… To Arrieta, he is a truly incompetent father. In recent years, she knows very well that the child is suffering so much… Because in the end, she couldn’t do anything for him.”

“…..”

“As Cartesia asked Jim, I won’t ask how you will fix Arrieta and how likely it is. Anyway, in the current situation, you are the only hope for that child. But… Jim has a favor to ask of you.”

“… Please, are you talking?”

“To see you curing Arietta… Would it be all right if Jim watched from the side?”

“No.”

The person who expressed disapproval, saying, “Absolutely not,” As soon as the emperor’s words fell out, was none other than Cartesia.

“Your Majesty, didn’t you promise me already? The process of Sian’s treatment of Arrieta, she says that she makes sure no one interferes… “

“Jim knows too. Jim, however, was not curious about the specific methods of how Cian would treat Arrieta. Jim is just… As Arrieta’s father, I just want to see that child recover her health. So please don’t ask me Bye, won’t Jim let me go with you?”

The emperor was begging for me, but at the same time he was asking me very politely.

It’s as if you’re saying that you respect my will, even though you could have enforced your will by asserting your authority if you put your mind to it.

“… All right. If so, please accompany me.”

“Cyan!”

When I nodded at the emperor’s suggestion, Cartesia screamed at me with a look of surprise on her part.

“It can’t be helped. His Majesty is talking to me like that. And… It may sound presumptuous, but I think I know how His Majesty feels.”

Because when I was taking care of my younger sisters, I also felt a deep sense of helplessness that I couldn’t do anything for her family.

I never imagined that the emperor, who could be said to be the most noble person in the empire, would feel such human emotions.

“Thank you for your understanding, Xian. Then… Let’s hurry up. Even though wizards and priests reside there, if it’s too late, you might be out of action.”

Saying that, the emperor led Cartesia and me to a place, and we soon arrived at a small palace located on the outskirts of the imperial palace.

What I felt as soon as I saw the palace was that it was not a place where people lived, but it had the atmosphere of a prison.

In the entire palace, far from feeling the warmth of being inhabited, only the gloomy and lonely feeling of an abandoned house.

Koo Goo Goong-

And outside the palace, several wizards and priests were sweating profusely, maintaining barriers to prevent shock waves from leaking out.

“Everyone back down.”

“… Your majesty?”

“I won’t say it twice. I will bear all responsibility. So, everyone step back, leaving only the minimum number of people who can maintain the barrier.”

“… I will obey your order.”

As soon as the emperor’s order is issued, the wizards and priests hurriedly bow their heads and withdraw to a place where our eyes can’t reach.

“Are you ready?”

“… Yes.”

The gates of the palace open. After stepping inside the palace, I looked around and saw that the place was a mess.

None of the items in the palace were intact. It was as if a violent storm had passed.

And then, in the middle of the palace, I see a girl floating in the air, enveloped in pure white magic resembling fog.

“Arrieta… !”

Seeing that, Cartesia tried to run towards Arietta, but I hurriedly grabbed her wrist.

“It is dangerous. Don’t approach me carelessly.”

“… What? But, but Arrieta… !”

“Right now, Princess Arietta is in a state where the magic power in her body is running out of control. It is never in a state where you can communicate rationally with others. If she takes the wrong approach, you… You could die.”

In the past, when Leticia was in that state several times, I also had the experience of almost dying several times.

And Princess Arietta in front of her… She was emitting waves of magic several times stronger than Leticia at the time.

It is dangerous to approach it hastily. That too, hugely.

“Then I will go.”

“… What?”

“You were supposed to do this from the beginning. I’m in the front, and you’re behind me. Wasn’t that the role each other played?”

As I said that, I gently grabbed Cartesia’s trembling hand.

Her hand was trembling very much.

It must be something desperate. Even if it’s because of the worry that I might lose my brother, and the feeling of helplessness that I can’t do anything in this situation.

So I have to do Cartesia’s part here.

To repay the trust of the girl who believed in me and led me to this point.

… And, so that my friend doesn’t make any more tears.

“I will definitely save your sister.”

Those words were meant to reassure Cartesia, but at the same time, they were a promise to me.

Not because of the things I carry, but for you, her friend, I come forward.

So, as of today, your nightmare ends here.

I will definitely give you a tomorrow where you can smile.