If I complain about this complicated situation, will I appear weak? It is not my habit to complain, but the situation is truly irritating. I went to my room, dragging my exhausted body, but Morgana was not there. I don't know where she is, and I don't want to think about it.
I went in to take a bath and perhaps cool myself down a bit. I began to feel steam rising from my body, and it started to suffocate me. But seriously, even the bathroom is monitored? And the room I thought was safe—the Cube said it was being watched as well.
I took out the Cube and left it near me so I could bathe, but in the end, it said its activity consumes energy. Therefore, I was only able to cool myself down slightly before stepping out.
A knock came at the door while I had barely put on light trousers. I sighed and walked out of the bathroom while holding my bathrobe. The Cube turned into a ring again, and the monitoring resumed.
I put on the robe and opened the door. "Lovely"—that was my first comment. Light clothing, black hair, violet eyes, and a gaze that was shy yet rebellious. Yes, it was Morgana.
"Come in."
Fine, I understand Morgana entering my room, but why are there two maids following her?
"Do you want to watch or something?"
"We apologize, Your Majesty. We only wanted to arrange the bed."
What an excuse. If looks could kill, I would have killed them a thousand times over. It's a good thing they realized that look and backed away. The door closed, then I looked back to find a mischievous girl smiling at the situation. Was this funny?
Damn it, my temperature rose again because of them. But look at the first question she reveals:
"You aren't the Emperor, are you?"
This fast? Have I been exposed? Isn't this supposed to be my greatest secret or something? "Let me sit down first, then ask your question."
I went inside the bed area. First, I lowered the curtains. This is the only way to escape surveillance; three layers of black, purple, and white curtains prevent spying. This place is the only spot in the room where surveillance devices cannot be placed, and the reason is the wood itself, which prevents any flow of mana from the outside.
Anyway, this bed is soft. Maybe I'll add it to my small dream room—I wonder if it would fit. I think I'll ask for a larger room or a smaller bed.
"So?"
Morgana sat down as well and looked on with curiosity. I wonder what piques her curiosity, but more importantly, how do I answer that? I don't know, and I don't want to think about it now. To be more precise, my thoughts are getting heavier.
"What makes you think that?"
"The aura of your soul is different. Also, it was destined that... nothing."
"Morgana," I asked while looking at the ceiling engraved with a strange pattern, "Are you an enemy or an ally?"
I looked to my side and saw her smiling calmly. She answered, but then she asked:
"You aren't the Emperor, right? It's the same body and soul, but something is different."
"Well, you've discovered the secret. I must get rid of you."
I wanted to stand up and scare her, but I failed. This bed is so soft that I can no longer stand. Fine, forget it; she doesn't even seem scared.
"So, who are you? Don't worry, I need you even if you are a demon, so you can consider me an ally. And how did you do it and seize the Emperor's body? Is this black magic?"
"No, just consider it the awakening of memories from a past life. I am truly the Rabbit Emperor. I have memories from my birth until the moment of my death, but this morning something happened that woke those memories."
"When did that happen?"
Morgana suddenly jumped and approached, her face frowning. Did I say something wrong? I thought I told a logical story.
"Fine, don't raise your voice; my head hurts. It was this morning. it must have been at the same time you started insisting on meeting me. Speaking of which, why did you want to meet me?"
"I wanted to prevent your death."
"I see."
"You see? You don't seem surprised?"
"I know, because my memories awakened when this Rabbit committed suicide. So, do you perhaps think the matter is related to your return in time or something similar?"
"..."
"Yes, a surprise. I know that too."
"How? Well, it doesn't matter. Since you know, this might be convenient."
"No, it is not convenient."
I couldn't take it anymore; I feel like I'm going to lose consciousness.
"Wait... you don't look well."
Cold. Her hand is small and cold. This is somewhat refreshing. I truly feel like I'm going to pass out, but I must remind her; she must not call the servants. I grabbed her hand and said that, but I wasn't sure if it actually came out of my mouth.
My plans will fail if everyone starts caring about me more than necessary now.
....
Behind the triple curtains, where the world falls silent and the eyes of spies stop, there was a dying Emperor and an Empress returned from death.
"Wait, you don't look well."
"Don't... call... anyone..."
His temperature is very high. Could it be... no, this shouldn't be the cause of his death... what guarantees that?
"Wake up! If you die, my fate will end the same way, or perhaps worse." I grit my teeth. My power has become weaker for some reason after I returned, but there is still something.
"I will help you, so hold on for a bit."
[Sharing Circle, Linked Darkness, One Heart]
A mass of darkness formed a magic circle, then split and linked Leonardo with Morgana by a dark thread that disappeared immediately afterward. Then, Leonardo's temperature began to drop, and Morgana's temperature began to rise.
َ
Silence filled the room and the darkness of night deepened. After a few minutes, Morgana lost consciousness as well. An hour later, Leonardo opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.
"How much time has passed?"
Something heavy is on my chest. Morgana? Why is she sleeping on my chest, and on top of that, her temperature is high? What happened?
"Cube."
[Do you want me to simplify the previous events while you were asleep?]
"Please." It's good that he understands what I want to ask about.
[According to the analysis, you are going through what is called an Awakening of a Special Ability. The result of an awakening differs from one person to another. Morgana's awakening symptoms were seeing a dark future. You suffered from a rise in temperature, which is a symptom of awakening the Flame trait, the Light trait, or the Brilliance trait. Since you possess the Light trait, it is logical.]
"What is logical here? Anyway, what happened?"
[Your temperature is still high and rising more. The awakening has not ended, but you are conscious because Morgana used her trait to share your suffering by 50%/50%, which saved your life, because your body would not have endured the symptoms of the awakening.]
"Did she do that?"
Why? We don't even know each other.
I looked again at the girl on my chest, then I felt it. My temperature did not disappear; it is rising, and hers is too.
[I can cut the link if you want, but you will die immediately. Or you can leave it and you will both suffer together, but there is no danger. Rather, there are advantages to enduring the awakening symptoms while conscious.]
"Why are you giving me this choice? This wasn't among your abilities."
[It is the Communication ability. I can cut the communication between you now. I am giving you a choice because I am programmed to provide available options.]
A sigh. This machine is stupid and didn't understand. It just gave me a choice between death and letting a sweet thing like this suffer with me. But I cannot choose death.
"I'm sorry, but please endure a little."
This kiss I left on your forehead will be a sign so that I don't forget this stance you are taking for me. Please endure just a little until this matter ends.
"Cube, when does this end?"
[Unknown. The awakening of an ability differs from one person to another. It may end in a second where you see a future that lasts for years like Morgana, or you approach death like my creator, or you die like most people. Special abilities are not like skills you might discover; they are special powers that transcend the laws of this world. And from my master's power, I was created.]
"So you didn't answer... how long will this take?"
[I do not know.]
Damn it. Seconds started turning into hours, and hours into days, while only minutes had passed. I feel like time is advancing and stopping every time, as if something is being written inside my body and soul, raising my temperature every time because of that... this weak body...
"Let's calm down."
I don't know, and I don't want to know the cause of this awakening. The problem is that Morgana is suffering more than me now. Her body is weaker, and I don't know if her endurance is good. I can even see hidden wounds and bruises. This is bad. She is breathing with such difficulty that I forced myself not to lose consciousness so that nothing dangerous would happen.
My conscience screamed for me to stop torturing her, but my mind screamed that my death means her death too. If I die here, she will be used in my place to bear the public's rage and be killed after an unfair trial.
To hell with this. All of this because of people who covet more than they are entitled to. I will make sure to save this anger for them, and I swear to return this pain manifold to every person who was the reason for things reaching this state. Endure!
Finally, I began to feel that the paper in my soul had been emptied, the writing stopped, and my temperature began to return to normal. But...
"She isn't breathing! Cube, do something!"
[I can resuscitate her heart, but that will take half of my energy.]
"Do it, I don't care!"
[Please place me on her heart then. The connection between you will be cut. The awakening has ended, so this will not affect you.]
"Hurry!"
Leonardo moved with difficulty, then the ring turned into a cube. He placed the cube over her heart. Could he trust the Cube? He didn't know, but this was the only solution now.
[You will be subjected to an electric shock if you remain holding the Cube, and if you leave it, the efficiency will decrease. Please endure the shock. In your current state, you will lose consciousness or your life m...]
"Shut up and do it!"
The Cube glowed, but it didn't just send an electric shock; it sent magical energy into Morgana's body. Ray grit his teeth. His body stiffened, but he did not lose consciousness. The shock stopped. He tried to take a breath, but before he could, another shock launched, and with it, Morgana's breath returned.
Ray smiled when he saw that she was breathing, then he fell unconscious.
...
The next morning, I didn't wake up because of an alarm or the sound of a rooster. I don't even know if there is a rooster or an alarm in this castle. But there is something else that wakes the dead even if they are asleep.
It was the sharp sound of heavy curtains being pulled violently, followed by cold winter sunlight that stabbed my closed eyes.
"Your Majesty... morning has come. Please wake up."
I opened my eyes with difficulty, as if my head weighed a ton of lead. I felt the cold air suddenly. Wait... aside from that, the last thing I remember is that I was an Emperor of sorts. Who dares use my mother's way of waking me up in another world?
I opened my eyes. Ah... that handsome face that you hesitate to spit on. It was the face of my close assistant, the most insolent person after the Duke.
"The important thing, Morgana."
I ignored the advisor who stepped back slightly when he saw Morgana sleeping while hugging my hand. I thought she was asleep, but she was awake, and on top of that, she was smiling at this scene the advisor created. But that smile seemed more annoyed than happy.
I know you want to curse him, and so do I. But let's endure for now. Let's see how his face will help him after he is dragged naked around the capital. Let's invent some reason later.
Something like disturbing the Emperor's bird nest.
"Leave. This is not a place you should be."
"Your Majesty, the Empire's problems will not end—"
"Just leave. This is an order, provided you are still listening to orders."
He stood there looking at me. At least pretend you hear the order and leave.
"Fine. I will wait for Your Majesty in the office."
Well, he left, but there are servants behind the curtain. This is annoying. I wanted to talk to Morgana, and I can't believe I'm going to send her to that prison again. I sat up and felt better. I looked at Morgana behind me and leaned in to whisper in her ear:
"Can I rely on you to deal with the dogs near you?"
Morgana nodded shyly then whispered in my ear as well. That tickled me. But how do I answer her?
"What about you?"
What about me? The problems from my side are in front of the execution guillotine.
"I will manage. I have some ideas. I am smarter than this Rabbit."
"Rabbit? Is that what you call yourself now?"
What a beautiful smile! Fine, add the punishment of throwing stones at that assistant while he wanders the capital—naked, of course—because he disturbed this morning that was meant to be better.
"Take care of yourself. Come tonight so we can finish our talk."
I whispered again, and she whispered back so the servants wouldn't hear.
"Fine, but... my authority is linked to yours. If you are just a puppet, I can't do anything. My father is monitoring me too. Do something about this. I'm counting on you."
Counting on me... what a motivating word. On top of that, a kiss on the cheek. Add another punishment for that assistant.
"Fine, don't get hurt."
Of course, I must return the kiss even if it's on the cheek. It's best to leave now. I took my clothes, went to the bathroom, and changed. As for the servants, their concern was the bed; maybe they'll find the lost treasure of Atlantis.
Let's add a punishment for that assistant again because I don't know the names of those servants. I'll just wait until I know exactly where to start.
"Cube, can you find out what kind of ability I obtained? Maybe something that destroys the world, considering I suffered to awaken it."
[The cause of the suffering was the weakness of your body. I can analyze your ability and identify it if it exists in my records after you use it.]
"How do I use it?"
[You will feel it instinctively, like breathing after birth. You just need a light push.]
A light push... Oh, it worked! That was easier than I expected. Something moved inside me as soon as I wanted to move it, then it became easier after that. My instinct told me something was happening, but I couldn't see it.
[You can stop to avoid consuming your energy. The ability has been identified.]
Stopping was easier, fortunately.
"What is it then?"
[Photonic Pressure. The ability to control the density of light. Rather, it can "compress" light particles into a single, tiny point so bright it is unbearable. This point possesses immense heat and energy but lacks "mass."]
"Wonderful."
Wait, is it wonderful? What is this?
"Do you mean I can create a sword of light, for example, or something of that sort?"
[The limits of your ability are bounded by your imagination. Some abilities are powerful, but in the hands of failures, they become mere garbage. This ability is one of them.]
"I feel insulted."
[You are imagining things.]
"It better be."
I put on the dazzling clothes again and walked out. I glanced at the bed; Morgana was still there. She waved her hand at me in front of the servants. The previous interaction and this one would grant her a bit of the authority I still possess. But I felt embarrassed because of these clothes.
I had sworn not to wear them again, but the wardrobe had nothing but the same style of suit in different colors. Well, I couldn't ignore her. I waved back and left. The assistant was still at the door.
Fine, let's give him another punishment because his face is annoying. How does he dare to be more handsome than the Emperor? Just wait; I will build muscle for this Rabbit and teach you how rabbits can have beards.
I accompanied him to the office while he spoke about the state of the Empire—the same broken record. The same words he said to the previous owner of this body. Was he taught this or what? Why does he repeat the exact same letters?
No, maybe I am the one seeing the future of what he will say.
Nonsense. He is truly repeating his words.
"Fine, fine, I understand. What about the response from the Duke of the West?"
"The teleportation gates were out of order due to a shortage of mana stones and crystals, so I couldn't go. I sent a messenger to him and returned to help Your Majesty because I know how bad the situation is."
In other words, you ignored the Emperor's order and did what you wanted.
Fine, add another punishment.
"So, go and arrange a meeting for me with the Master of the Blue Tower."
"Why?"
"To drink tea. Tell him that. The Emperor wants to set aside time for tea and a visit to the Blue Tower."
"The Tower Master is busy. I don't think he can set aside time for tea, especially in this crisis."
"Then what use are you?"
He stopped for a moment. This is starting to really annoy me. He asks too much, and on top of that, when he realized I didn't want to tell him the reason, he started trying to find an excuse to prevent the meeting. I know the Master of the Blue Tower is one of the most powerful mages in the Empire who doesn't interfere in political matters but is loyal to the Empire. In a way, is he afraid I'll convince him to help me or what?
Well, I plan on that, but not in the way he thinks.
"Go and send the message or don't come back."
"Your Majesty, are you serious?"
Yes, I need to take a slap from reality. I can't fire him without a reason; I'd look strange. But what do I do? I am truly surrounded on all sides, and even Morgana is in the same situation. I can only strike the weakest part while she protects my back. A mere tremor will achieve what I want. I will not back down.
"Didn't you say the situation is worse than yesterday? Why are you standing here? Hurry, we must save what we can. I just want to make sure he doesn't go to any other country."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, it's impossible for—"
"Don't say it's impossible! Didn't the rest of the assistants leave too when you said that was impossible?"
"But that was because of the salary."
"Then what is the reason that would keep him here? Loyalty? I trusted the loyalty of the Duke of the West as you said, and he betrayed me yesterday. I wouldn't have made this choice if it were just rumors, but the failure of the transport circle proves he truly betrayed me. So hurry, I am truly annoyed, so hurry before I hear news of his departure as well!"
"As you command. I will arrange the meeting."
Good. He was fooled. Half of my words were improvised, but it doesn't matter; it sounds logical. I even gave a hint as to the reason for my strange actions and threw the blame on that Duke. But how long will this last?
The advisor left, and I headed towards the vault again. I took something from the first room and hid it under my clothes, then returned to the office to review documents. The atmosphere in the palace had become colder; it seems the magic crystals inside the palace have decreased.
That's understandable. All industries and mines are distributed among the nobles. The Rabbit's father used what remained of them to please the nobles and tie them to the land, but look at the situation now.
The Imperial Treasury loses and does not recover. No one pays taxes anymore, and the wealth of the financial treasury is running out. Worthless coins enter the vault, while the gold, mana stones, and crystals that currency can be pegged to are dropping very rapidly.
It is amazing that the Empire is still standing thanks to the massive wealth it once possessed, and this shows it was not a small empire, but a great one destined to fall.
My gratitude after the vault goes to those who still hold loyalty toward this Empire until now and are still trying to lift it up. The Blue Tower and the Red Tower are among them. Despite the deteriorating condition, reports of their work still arrive every day. Some people from security and the army as well, and knights who go out every day to help suppress the chaos despite their delayed pay.
Even some of the commoners and beggars still have hope that this Empire will rise again. Perhaps darkness fills the sky, but I must not forget the beauty of these stars that shine brightly and try to burn themselves to be the Empire's only light.
"I feel like I'm going to cry."
The door opened and the assistant returned. Damn it, he even ruined this beautiful moment. At first, he sat there prattling, and finally fell silent at a nearby desk to review the reports as well. At least he carried out his mission, and I can meet the Master of the Blue Tower in the evening. Although I intended to go to him, the message requested him to come on purpose. It seems they refuse for me to meet him secretly or personally. Let's deal with that later.
At least there is still some hope and cards I can use to save this Empire. Those stars—they might not know it, but thanks to them, the speed of the Empire's collapse has decreased. I must think of something. Anything. Even if it's killing this treacherous assistant.
I truly want to save this Empire now.