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.

Actually, Rosha had no idea.

‘Everyone’s staring. Well, since this robe arrived at my mansion this morning, it’s quite exciting…’

As soon as they heard that she had woken up, the Imperial Palace scheduled a medal awarding ceremony for the very next day and sent this ceremonial robe.

It may not be like making medals by cutting them out of paper, but the work was progressing almost like roasting beans in the heat of lightning.

So she ended up here.

Hall of the Sun. The place where the coronation ceremony of the Emperor takes place.

As she passed the rows of majestic pillars and the high arched ceiling and stood in front of the large door at the end, Cedric whispered:

“Follow the procedure I told you. And don’t forget to ask for the sacred relic after the awarding ceremony.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Don’t be too nervous; Cassis and I will be watching from nearby.”

He seemed to be even more anxious, as if Rosha still seemed like the younger sister he had to teach step by step by her. 

Rosha nodded and waited for the court official’s announcement.

‘I must do well. I have a lot to do today.’

She couldn’t start her long day on the wrong foot.

“Roshanak Aper of the Count Aper family, entering.”

Soon after, the ceremonial officer in front of the entrance to the Hall of the Sun announced her arrival, and the massive door gently opened.

Rosha felt as if she was stepping into the mouth of the enemy on her own accord.

She noticed the Emperor seated at the main throne smiling faintly at her.

There was a saying that the current Emperor of the Marcia Empire was blessed by the gods and didn’t age.

Of course, the ‘god’ referred to back then wasn’t the same as the current god, but meant ‘a sacred being that looks over the earth from the sky’.

However, the Emperor’s youth was so remarkably preserved that it seemed unbelievable.

‘How can that face be 53 years old?’

The shimmering silver hair was worlds apart from the white hair of an old man, and there wasn’t a single wrinkle on his flawless white skin.

There was just one thing that seemed out of place in his youthful and handsome appearance – his blue eyes that occasionally showed hints of weariness and cruelty.

“The hero who saved the capital has arrived. Come here.”

The words weren’t sarcastic, but due to his languid voice, it sounded that way.

Rosha followed the guidance of the officer beside her, stepping forward and observing the interior.

The Hall of the Sun was the first building designed when the palace was constructed. It was old, spacious, and had an antique charm, especially the beautiful reflection of light from the glass chandeliers hanging under the round windows in the ceiling.

There were a fair number of people gathered in that vast space.

She glanced at the knights standing in attention on either side of the red carpet and the ceremonial officers stationed at various places.

Nobles from the council were also present to watch the ceremony, and near the podium was Cassis, attending on account of being her family.

‘You look at me with very anxious eyes.’

It was to be expected.

Because Rosha’s face was stiff with tension right now.

But it wasn’t the medal ceremony that made her nervous; it was standing in front of the person with those clear, glaring eyes of a madman.

‘From my experience, people with that kind of eyes get into accidents and end up suffering greatly.’

Although he hid his temperament well, but at a glance, he seemed the type to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

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.