Chapter 687
Epilogue - The banquet of the meritorious
As it was a banquet to gather the meritorious contributors of the Gate Incident, the scale of the arriving attendees was quite considerable.
Numerous people had gathered, and naturally, the spring palace was bustling with activity.
As it was a gathering for those who had achieved significant accomplishments, influential figures from various regions were present, and even individuals who were not influential but had accomplished great feats were invited.
Since most of the people who formed the backbone of the empire were invited, the scale of the banquet was, of course, large, and all five empresses attended after the Emperor.
The last of the five empresses to arrive was Airi.
Her mere appearance caused the people to unknowingly fall silent.
The Succubus Queen.
She was of a bloodline of great demons that ranked among the highest even within the demon race.
As she belonged to the race of great demons among succubi, who were known as the enchanting demons, it was only natural that she attracted attention.
"You have arrived?"
"Yes."
Airi, who had ascended to the second floor where the Emperor was, nodded quietly.
The people, who were momentarily enchanted, eventually regrouped and engaged in conversations or danced.
Among them, some covertly glanced at Airi.
Airi was originally a great demon who had married the Emperor as the representative of the demon race.
That's what she had thought.
In reality, Airi governed the demon race and was mainly in charge of finding the remaining demon groups in Darkland and integrating them into the empire.
Although Charlotte was also an Archdemon, she lacked the ability to manage the entire empire, leaving Airi to take on the task.
"Even after all this thinking, the fact that you're the most supported empress among others... isn't it strange?"
Airi responded to the Emperor's words with an ambiguous smile, "You never know how the world works."
Airi, who had been given the nickname "Demon Empress," had the highest recognition among humans.
The Archmage.
The last princess of the Gardias Royal Family.
The regent of Kernstadt.
The ruler of the Holy Empire.
Each of them played a significant role, but Airi was the only demon.
Humans supported Airi for one simple reason.
The most beautiful empress.
It was simply engraved in people's minds that she was a great demon of enchantment.
The change in people's perception of demons due to just that one aspect was so significant that it was impossible to know how much it would have cost to achieve the same effect through propaganda.
When Charlotte realized that such a perception was spreading among people after the demon empress revealed herself to the public, she didn't just stand idly by.
As she had done in Edina.
She mobilized succubi to provide psychological counseling and used the empress as a figurehead for activities like relief work for the poor.
The only demon among the Emperor's empresses helped people from the lowest social strata.
Of course, not only Airi but also other succubi had been doing this for a long time in the Edina Archipelago, and they enjoyed doing it.
Ironically, unlike other empresses who had many responsibilities and struggled with external activities, Airi was the empress closest to the people of the Imperial Capital.
A large-scale civil project to improve the perception of demons.
There was no one more suitable for the job than Airi.
Thus, Airi was the most famous and most supported empress, being the only demon among the empresses.
There were even people who disliked the Emperor but supported only Empress Airi.
In the simplest and most certain way, Airi had captured the hearts of the people.
"Perhaps the Shadow Walkers will join us this time."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they're a somewhat gloomy race by nature. They're good at hiding, so they must have survived well. They prefer dark places and have keen ears. Don't worry, they don't practice cannibalism. They could work in the intelligence department. It won't matter if they live in the empire."
"Sounds good."
Of course, that didn't change the fact that she was the spokesperson and protector of the demon tribes.
While the majority were humans, ultimately, it was a place where demon races had to coexist as well.
Shelter had to be provided for the demon races who couldn't survive on human lands, and a foundation had to be created where only they could live.
The Emperor looked down at the banquet hall.
There were familiar faces and unfamiliar ones.
There were faces he hadn't seen in a long time.
They greeted each other warmly, as it had been a while since they had seen one another. The Emperor watched them quietly.
The Emperor then looked in the opposite direction.
It was not Airy but Scarlett, who was always by his side.
"Go down."
"Your Majesty? But I..."
In the banquet hall where everyone was wearing dresses or suits, Scarlett still wore her armor.
"Go on, you should greet Evia after such a long time."
It wouldn't do to refuse a warm welcome and greeting from a familiar face while she vowed to protect him here.
Scarlett hesitated before descending the stairs, as the Emperor quietly watched her.
The entire Spring Palace was virtually a banquet hall, with countless people eating and drinking everywhere.
Naturally, people gathered together in groups, and there were clusters of people all around the hall.
There were many private conversations, and the content of those conversations ranged from personal to public matters.
Among the stories buried in the flowing music, there were people who rejoiced in their long-awaited reunions.
However, there were also many cases where familiar people gathered in one place.
Harriet and Adelia, who had been apart for a while but now met frequently like they did in their temple days, were an example.
The two were mumbling together at a table in the banquet hall with papers spread out in front of them.
"If we make it according to this design, I'm not sure about the efficiency, but wouldn't it lack versatility? It would be nice if it could be used in ways other than harvesting."
"No, you can do it like this. There's a joint at the front here, so when you replace it, it looks like this."
"Okay, and then?"
"Then it can also act as a plow, and you can dig as much land as you want."
"Ah... I see. By simply replacing the parts, it can be used for multiple purposes, making it efficient. Since the core is the same, it should be easy to change its functions."
"Exactly."
Watching Adelia and Harriet discuss such matters in the banquet hall, Liana, who had emptied her champagne glass, put it down with a sound as if she had lost her appetite.
-Clank!
"Damn it, do you have to talk about that stench of compost here, ruining my appetite?"
"Huh?"
"What...?"
"Do I have to listen to you talking about making farming golems all the way here? You two might not know, but it's disgusting to me."
At Liana's words, Adelia and Harriet hastily tidied up the design drawings they had carelessly laid out on the table.
It all started when Adelia began to stutter, pulling out the blueprint she had casually mentioned earlier, as Harriet responded to the topic.
It was no wonder that Liana, who had dressed up in a long time with fancy earrings, necklaces, and a splendid dress, frowned upon the subject.
Cliffman snickered beside her.
"...Is it funny?"
"Sorry..."
Naturally, without any thought, Cliffman bowed his head under Liana's sharp gaze.
It couldn't be helped that Liana had an outburst when it came to farming.
Liana was the one in charge of the vast farming district of Saint Owan, which could be called the lifeline of the empire.
She oversaw everything from agriculture to livestock, forestry to fisheries, and even the processing that came after.
Liana de Grantz was responsible for all matters concerning food.
Her supernatural power, which had wielded absolute power in war, now bore the responsibility of feeding the entire empire.
In a way, she had taken on a more important task than before the war.
The area under Liana's jurisdiction far exceeded the size of an average nation, as it produced food for the entire continent.
That was why a tremendous military force was stationed there, second only to the Emperor. And Liana was one of the few unique beings with the authority to summon the Archmage in an emergency.
Naturally, the Emperor was one of them, making Liana the only person other than the Emperor who could summon Harriet in an emergency.
Therefore, all discussions about food were extremely important to Liana, but at the same time, they were also an irritating topic that she didn't want to hear about anymore.
There was a reason why the empire's massive food warehouse was established in the Grand Duchy of Saint Owan.
And there was a reason why Adelia laid out the blueprint and Harriet showed interest in it.
"But once the automation golems are complete, not only will food production skyrocket, but we can also distribute them across the entire continent, reducing your burden. This is a good thing for you, right?"
That was what Harriet said, and Adelia nodded in agreement.
The technology used to create golems for war was now being transformed into technology for production.
They made automated machines for agriculture.
In fact, a large number of golems were being deployed in agricultural projects, and they were now dreaming of full automation.
Thanks to the golem technology of Saint Owan Duchy and Adelia's cooperation, the knowledge used to create Titans was now being partially used in agriculture and even mining.
Of course, everyone knew the uncomfortable possibility that if the production line were to be slightly altered, agricultural golems could turn into terrifying war golems.
Depending on the components installed, they could be used for production or destruction.
In the end, Liana narrowed her eyes at the mention of it being something done for her convenience.
"Who said not to do it at all?"
Liana's beautifully painted nails trembled, her carefully drawn eyebrows furrowed, and she opened her red lips.
"Just not now."
"Do you guys know what I do normally?"
"Do you think I sit in a fancy salon, talking about whether it will rain, or snow, or stop?"
"I'm in overalls, rummaging through compost bins, staring at rain falling heavily all day in the places where it's needed."
"I'm asking farmers questions all day long, not knowing why the crops are lagging."
"I'm comforting and taking measures for depressed people, wondering whether wild boars have eaten the roots, monsters have ruined the crops, or pests have become rampant, huh?"
"That was me."
"After a very long time."
"I wore a dress, put on makeup, painted my nails. I fussed about it. Huh? I came all the way to the palace, huh? That's what happened."
"Do I have to hear that story today too?"
"Let's forget about that story for today, we can listen to it tomorrow..."
"You guys who are always locked up in the lab studying don't know me..."
"You guys who only like studying don't know me..."
"You guys who say it would be nice if we could just study, do you know my heart...?"
Adelia and Harriet really said such things.
They questioned why it was bad to be able to study. They didn't think of it as work in the first place.
"You guys don't know how much I want to play..."
Eventually, with eyes empty with despair, she muttered blankly.
"Well, we can talk about this later at the Council of Magic..."
Perhaps Adelia and Harriet sensed the mood, they looked at each other and nodded.
In the end, it was Cliffman who led Liana, the novice dancer, to the dance floor.
"Did you know he could dance?"
At Harriet's question, Adelia blankly stared at Cliffman and Liana dancing together.
"Doesn't he know by now? That kid, seeing his persistence, sometimes makes me dizzy."
The one who answered wasn't Adelia, but Cayer, who had approached from afar.
"Ah, Cayer."
Cayer wasn't alone.
There was a wheelchair Cayer was sitting in, and behind it, a woman who had pushed him forward.
"It's been a long time. Adelia, and Archmage."
"Hello, senior."
"It's been a long time."
Redina was behind Cayer.
Cayer Voiden had awoken from a coma about two years ago.
Redina had taken care of Cayer, who had fallen into a coma after the war.
Naturally, since they were both war heroes, priests would visit periodically to check on Cayer's condition, providing assistance in daily life as well.
But Redina was always by his side.
In fact, Redina didn't have to take care of Cayer to that extent.
However, Redina stayed by Cayer's side for all three years he was in a coma.
There was no way to know if Cayer would regain consciousness.
She looked after Cayer, whose heart was beating but nothing more.
And one day.
Cayer opened his eyes.
From then on, the two continued to be together.
She helped with his rehabilitation and they lived together.
If his rehabilitation went well in the future, he might regain his strength and be free from the wheelchair.
Redina always told Cayer that.
"Come on, eat this."
"Is alcohol...okay? It would be better if you didn't drink."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Do you want to take a walk for a bit?"
Harriet and Adelia quietly watched them.
While it was a miraculous thing that Cayer regained consciousness, and they both visited occasionally to see how Redina took care of Cayer.
And although it seemed like Cayer actually regained consciousness due to Redina's devotion touching the heavens.
There was no limit to her persistence.
"..."
"..."
If the persistent man was Cliffman, the persistent woman was Redina.
It was good that things were going well, but in the end, they thought there was no need for such persistence.
For a while, Redina fussed over Cayer, asking if he was uncomfortable or needed anything. When Cayer excused himself for a moment to chat with his friends, Redina finally caught her breath.
Redina smiled at Harriet.
"By the way, I've read the book you wrote, Archmage."
"Ah... that one...?"
"Yes, the 'Treatise of All Creation'. Only the introduction has been released so far, right?"
"Yes."
The magic that had turned Harriet into an Archmage.
After the war, Harriet had tried to organize her enlightenment into writing.
Redina was quick with magical calculations, but her overall magical power was insufficient.
If she could only grasp the magic Harriet had discovered, she might be able to solve her chronic problem.
So, she had tried to understand the book written by Harriet, even if it was just the introduction.
"I wonder if there's anyone who can understand it? I couldn't understand anything, not even a little bit."
It wasn't a book that any mage could easily access.
Like Adelia, Redina was also a member of the Council of Magic, which allowed her to read the introduction of Harriet's book.
"As expected... I see..."
"You don't need to be disappointed. In fact, I think you should write more."
"True. Honestly, I couldn't understand it either."
But there was a reason why they said Harriet could continue writing although they couldn't understand the content of her book at all.
Only the highest-ranking mages could even have a seat in the Council of Magic. When Harriet, the leader of the council, said she would organize her greatest enlightenment into writing, everyone in the council objected.
It was because the magic was too powerful, something that shouldn't spread easily.
So, Harriet had written only the introduction for now.
She then told the people of the Council of Magic to read it if they wanted.
However, Redina and Adelia couldn't understand it at all.
So far, similar answers had come from the other members of the Council of Magic.
Harriet explained the magic she had discovered and understood.
But the mages didn't know why it was possible.
There were those who couldn't understand how the magic itself functioned.
Even if they understood how the magic functioned, they questioned whether it was something humans could achieve.
The theory existed, and it worked.
But the simple conclusion was that there was only one person in the world, Harriet, who could activate it.
"So, you should write that magic book. After all, no one else can use the magic."
No one would understand it even if they tried.
However, for the sake of future generations, the great magic must be recorded.
So, leaving behind a magic book containing magic that no one of that era could understand would have great significance.
"Speaking of which, you're not just an Archmage for nothing, writing a magic book before even turning thirty."
It wasn't even a simple magic, but rather one that could rightfully be called the greatest in the world.
At Redina's teasing words, Harriet couldn't help but blush.
"By the way, I heard Adelia is getting married soon?"
"Ah, that... Yes."
Adelia was soon to be married to the third son of the Duke of Saint Owan.
Somewhere in the distance, the Duke of Saint Owan, who was also a member of the Council of Magic, was conversing with someone, and his three sons were also in attendance.
"So, we'll be family now?"
"Ah... that, I suppose..."
Seeing Adelia blush and lower her head, Harriet couldn't help but smile warmly.
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