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Chapter 1 — Worse Than an Enemy
“Is that all you mages have to say to those who have come back fighting ready to die?”
The Emperor’s mocking voice was as sharp as a blade.
But I, standing before him and glaring coldly, was no pushover either.
“Mind your manners, Your Majesty.”
I lazily brushed back my flaming red hair and lifted my gaze.
The eyes of both the Emperor and myself were filled with nothing but sharp loathing as we stared at each other.
I opened my mouth.
“In this world, there is no need for beasts that have slipped their leashes in the first place. So isn’t it only right to tame and train them?”
I saw the Emperor’s well-shaped lips twist dangerously. His deep blue eyes, growing cold, seemed like they would freeze me solid where I stood.
“Ha. You dare call me, the Emperor, a beast that’s slipped its leash?”
The Emperor certainly had the power to back up his anger, but I showed no sign of fear and calmly raised an eyebrow.
I then scanned my surroundings.
Dully dismissing the murderous glares aimed at me, I habitually spewed cold venom in the lazy, slow drawl that fit my character.
“Oh dear. I wasn’t referring to Your Majesty, so it’s a pity you took it that way.”
“…….”
“How astonishing your unconsciousness is.”
My words were ultimately a clear mockery.
I was taking a dig at the Awakeners who occasionally lost control of their powers and caused destruction around them – namely, the Emperor and his knights.
Naturally, those listening took offense.
“Duke, isn’t that too harsh on His Majesty!”
As the Emperor’s knights barged in, the people huddled behind me like chicks eagerly interjected.
“You’re the ones interrupting while the Tower Master is speaking!”
“Excuse me?”
“Have you forgotten that according to the covenant of the 3rd Emperor, the authority of the Emperor and the Tower Master is equal within this meeting chamber!”
“But there’s a limit to decency!”
“The Tower Master hasn’t raised her voice once; it’s you who are being rude!”
“Ha, grasping at straws like that. Just how much of an inferiority complex do you mages have?”
“What? Did you say inferiority complex?”
The sharp bickering continued.
It was a frigid atmosphere where it was hard to even swallow, but it wasn’t anything particularly special.
After all, gathered here were the strongest individuals in the empire—the Awakeners—and the mages who stood in opposition to them.
Because of this, the scene at the Imperial Council Chamber of the Deharok Empire, where major state affairs were decided, was typically like this.
Especially.
“Duke, bear in mind that the level of your mockery has long since reached the limit of my patience.”
The strongest Awakener in the empire, the man who rules over all Awakeners.
The Emperor, Kaiysis Kizel de Baroha Deharok, was like that.
And.
“Who else but I would dare offer Your Majesty such frank advice? Especially in front of Awakeners who could run wild at any moment.”
The head of the mages, who looked unfavorably upon the current flow of affairs centered around the Awakeners.
The master of the Magic Tower, the young head of the Ariel Duchy, leading the noble house—namely, me.
Hilaria Daen La Ariel, Duchess of Ariel, was like this.
As representatives of groups who were practically enemies, our relationship was, without a doubt, the worst.
The tense atmosphere of mutual glares cracked when someone made a scraping sound by pushing back their chair with a suppressed noise.
*Crash!*
My gaze and the Emperor’s both turned towards the source.
“Ugh… S-sorry, ugh!”
The power emanating from the collapsed figure was clear.
A distinct sneer formed on my face.
How could they create an incident with such perfect timing?
“Oh my.”
“…….”
He was one of the Emperor’s knights.
An air of victor’s leisure settled over my fierce eyes.
My eyes said: Look at that! Your Awakener has lost control of their power yet again!
The Emperor’s face crumpled in apparent dismay.
“I apologize, Your Majesty, but if the agenda is concluded, I’d prefer not to waste any more time. Especially since Your Majesty’s noble Awakener appears to be on the verge of losing his reason. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Duke.”
“If left alone, he might burn down the council chamber. Ah, or is it dissolving? I recall that man was an Awakener who dealt with poison, wasn’t he?”
“How… thoughtful of you to be concerned.”
“Don’t mention it.”
A dry, chilling sound came from the Emperor’s jaw.
I glanced at the knight bowing his head to the Emperor in apology, then, with the arrogance befitting the head of the mages, I pushed back my chair and stood up.
“Very well, I shall take that as permission to conclude the meeting.”
As I strode out, the mages, barely concealing their delight, followed in a line like chicks following their mother.
Just before I was completely out of earshot, sharp words from the knights flew at the back of my head.
“How can she be so rude!”
Ah, that’s the Emperor’s right-hand man.
“Water-type abilities belong to His Majesty; I believe that is a mistake. How can that woman be a mage with fire-type mana?”
I’d love to go back in right now and freeze that bastard from head to toe with ice magic.
“Exactly! She acts as if her blood itself is made of ice!”
Didn’t that man have the ability to summon plants? I recalled the man who had acted like a mad dog towards me ever since I, startled by the leaves suddenly in my face, had torn them all to pieces.
Regardless, the Emperor said nothing.
Confirming that, I moved completely away from the meeting room.
And once we were at a sufficient distance, beyond the hearing range of the ability users, the mages trailing behind me like quacking ducks began to speak.
“That was incredible today! It’s been so long since I’ve seen the Emperor speechless!”
“The day they can ignore us mages is not far off. Once our research is complete, the Gate problem will no longer be their exclusive domain!”
“It’s all thanks to the Head of the House….”
“…….”
Ah, really.
Listening to the mages chattering excitedly, I silently lifted my gaze.
Immediately, their mouths snapped shut.
Hmm, if there’s one thing I’m most satisfied with in this damned possessed life, it’s the character of this body I’ve taken over.
My notoriously nasty temper was so well-known that just lifting my eyes was usually enough to set the mood.
Separate from the fact that my heart felt like it was about to burst, that is.
I lowered my voice and spat out the cold words I had grown accustomed to over the past few days.
“How much longer do I have to listen to this obvious drivel?”
“…….”
The surroundings turned chilly. I didn’t forget to lift my chin either.
“Is there anything else you wish to say?”
“……W-well, no! Nothing at all!”
They’re probably inwardly panicking, thinking they’ve angered the Head. That is precisely what I wanted.
“S-sorry! Then please, rest well, Head of the House!”
Finally granted peace, I entered my bedchamber alone.
After making absolutely sure no one was around.
And slowly.
“Ugh….”
I slid down against the door.
To be precise, my legs gave way and I collapsed.
A groan involuntarily escaped me.
Just thinking about the Emperor’s piercing gaze still made my fingertips tremble.
“I barely survived again today.”
Just how long do I have to live like this?
I buried my face in my hands, feeling utterly defeated.
“Why does that Emperor have to be so terrifying….”
Listening to my pounding heart, I looked at the full-length mirror leaning against the wall.
It reflected the beautiful face of a woman sitting gracelessly on the floor.
The people in the council chamber would never even imagine this sight.
Yeah, of course they wouldn’t.
Because I was the same way!
‘What’s the point of being this pretty?’
That face, still dreadfully unfamiliar even after a week.
‘It’s not even my face!’
It certainly wasn’t my face.
Just a week ago, I was merely an ordinary, well, perhaps a slightly special civil servant in the Republic of Korea.
Just a week ago, I was an ordinary A-rank Guide belonging to the 20XX Republic of Korea Association.
Even though I wasn’t exactly blessed with good luck with colleagues.
“Y-you bastard! Hey, get your filthy hands off me!”
The reason I, an A-rank Guide who was at least capable enough to hold my own, was treated this way was simple.
“How many times do I have to tell you your guiding is disgusting?!”
The Espers found my guiding repulsive.
Because of that, my reputation was rock bottom.
I was treated as an object of aversion—dirty filth, trash, a pest.
“Pfft, it’s laughable seeing you act like a Guide with that face. Hey, why don’t you get lost?”
I was a worthless backdrop to them.
On the other hand.
“Ah, Haeun! Why did you come here, huh? Why come to such a dangerous site when she’s already here? You’re making this hyung worried!”
“It’s okay, oppa. Accompanying to the Gate is mandatory twice a month. We can’t leave it all to that person.”
“Who said anything? Hey, A-rank. You’re not badmouthing Haeun, are you?”
“Oppa, I’m fine!”
An S-rank Guide was treated so differently.
