‘What is this…?’

The surreal sight momentarily took her breath away.

Elixirs were items that could only be purchased from secret shops.

Even if Rosha exchanged all her ‘passes’ for elixirs, this quantity would be possible only within the confines of a rift.

‘But this is impossible. Even combining all the passes possessed by the entire raiding party active in my previous world wouldn’t amount to this much…’

And her next thought:

‘…Well, whatever. It’s fortunate, really.’

Gaping in awe at the brilliant radiance emanating from the elixirs, Rosha desperately fought back a smile.

Her hand instinctively reached for the small crystal pendant hanging from her neck.

Earned as a reward from the third trial, this ‘Ice Queen’s Pendant’ allowed her to store and utilize another’s ability once.

And at the time she received this pendant, there was only one person who would readily grant permission to copy his ability.

That’s right.

Rosha could now utilize Froy’s ability, but only once.

Ding!

[‘Ice Queen’s Pendant’ ability activated.]

Unbeknownst to the Emperor, she had registered a new ‘exit’ linked to Froy’s mansion.

As he continued onwards, the Emperor spoke:

“I thought you would immediately recognize them, young lady. You were the one who revealed the existence of elixirs to the council, after all.”

“…It seems Your Majesty was already aware.”

“Indeed. I simply refrained from publicizing it to avoid societal unrest.”

While the Emperor’s tone carried a hint of admonishment, Rosha didn’t take it negatively given the circumstances.

As they conversed while walking, various objects came into view beside them.

Beyond the elixir displays were potions and items reminiscent of secret shops, as well as some rather extraordinary ancient relics.

‘Good heavens, what is all this?’

Catching glimpses through sidelong glances, Rosha had to forcefully suppress the urge to grin.

While ordinary infiltration methods would prove challenging due to the high-level spells warding the entrance, Froy’s ‘exit’ ability bypassed such limitations. How could any magic obstruct an ability that traversed the spatial interstices?

Upon reaching the empty chamber at the underground’s far end, the Emperor abruptly halted and turned to face her as he inquired:

“So, have you given it thought? The proposal I extended to you during the medal ceremony?”

“…”

“I was a bit disappointed when you fled last time. Of course, given the special circumstances of being the trial’s target, I won’t fault you for it now…”

If faulting anyone, it would be the Emperor who had audaciously made the first move. Yet he didn’t seem to view it that way.

“In hindsight, I may have been too forceful, so I wished to show you this place to aid your ‘decision’, as it were.”

“This decision…”

“This world cannot be helped, so you at least must survive, must you not? You’ve likely realized by now that there is no hope in this world.”

A world without hope.

Perhaps it could be seen that way.

Rosha couldn’t begin to fathom how this capital would have fared if she hadn’t been present when the first trial struck.

Yet ultimately, people would have still banded together somehow in an attempt to overcome the trial.

Hope-filled individuals persisting in a hopeless world.

In most cases, such individuals were the ones sustaining their world. Thus, Rosha didn’t agree with the Emperor’s assessment.

‘Moreover… what kind of choice is this?’

Upon closer inspection, the space she currently occupied was no mere vacant area left without purpose.

She could sense the powerful magic arrays etched into the floor, walls, and ceiling – all aimed squarely at her.

‘If I hadn’t come prepared, this could have ended disastrously.’

Clearing her throat, Rosha asked slowly:

“What is it you wish for me to do, Your Majesty?”

“Those words sound like an agreement to cooperate. Am I correct?”

“If there is something I can do.”

She carefully chose her words. Of course, she had no intention of genuinely cooperating, but she couldn’t reveal open hostility to the Emperor just yet.

She still didn’t know his goals, and there were things she wanted as well.

“…That’s a relief.”

Staring intently at Rosha’s face, the Emperor broke into a broad smile as the menacing force of the magic arrays dissipated.

No doubt the Emperor had realized she had noticed their presence as well.

Yet acting as if nothing had transpired, he continued speaking:

“Indeed. There is actually a task I would like your assistance with. It may be difficult presently, but if an opportunity arises later, I would appreciate your aid in dealing with those who defy my will.”

“Those who defy, you say…?”

“Ah, not Duke Echerzen, nor your family members. They are likely unknown to you, probably residing within the rifts.”

…Within the rifts.

So the Emperor coveted the woman who survived and emerged from the rifts.

But who were these ‘defiers’ he had just mentioned?

“It may be too early still, so I will inform you in due time. As for the Duke… I shall leave him be for now.”

The Emperor seemed rather pleased. This felt like the opportune moment.

With a respectful bow, Rosha politely ventured in a measured tone:

“Your Majesty, if I may, there is a favor I wish to request as well?”

“Ah, so you had desires of your own as well. Let’s hear it.”

“It’s nothing major, but for the past few years, my family has endured continuous suffering due to the outrageous misdeeds of another house. So I humbly ask… if it would be permissible for Your Majesty, could I politically obliterate the Lycaon Marquis family?”

* * *

“So he said I can obliterate them?”

“Yes. He can’t provide direct aid but will turn a blind eye.”

“Heh, how fortuitous. Though from the Emperor’s perspective, the long-established magician family likely held little remaining value to retain them.”

Accompanied by the clacking of hooves, Froy’s voice drifted through as the passing scenery rushed by the carriage window – the familiar scenery of her territory after so long away.

‘Nearly three weeks, wasn’t it?’

Leaning her arm against the window frame, Rosha gazed at the approaching Count Aper mansion as she mused.

Fortunately, despite her extended absence, the mansion appeared unscathed.

‘I should spend a few days reorganizing and resting.’

She needed to reunite with her family, undergo physical training, and advance to the 6th stage. After that, she planned to gradually increase the pressure on Marquis Lycaon.

Previously, the Guide God had instructed her to close the oldest rift.

Since one candidate was located within the Lycaon Marquisate, she had to deal with them first to investigate that rift.

“For now, I’ve made contact with Duke Feriel in the capital, so news should arrive shortly. Given it’s the Heres Lycaon, it may even prove relatively straightforward.”

Froy remarked from the opposite seat. With his legs crossed, he had somehow begun fixatedly observing Rosha.

“…Why are you looking at me like that? I was planning to rest anyway.”

“I’m just concerned you might go wandering off again. By any chance, did the Emperor’s secret vault contain any stamina-enhancing elixirs?”

“If such things existed, I wouldn’t be in this state.”

Froy referred to the underground relic storage as the ‘Emperor’s secret vault’ – a more intuitive label that Rosha had also adopted.

‘While an ‘exit’ is now linked to that location…’

Given its meticulously organized state akin to an obsessive-compulsive’s domain, any theft would be glaringly evident. It seemed advisable to only appropriate critical items at the decisive moment.

As she contemplated this, an elderly man undergoing rehabilitation with a physician’s aid came into view before the mansion. His movements appeared considerably more natural now.

“Grandfather!”

Leaning out the carriage window, Rosha waved enthusiastically, prompting the gratifying sight of her grandfather waving back with a warm smile.

Carefully monitoring to ensure she didn’t fall out, Froy’s lips curved into a faint smile as well.

A rather peaceful scene, indeed.

Of course, neither could have foreseen the earth-shattering news that would arrive just two days later:

Marquis Lycaon, driven into a political corner, had fled like a rat deserting a sinking ship, leading to the colossal rift beneath his territory being exposed to the world!