The Audience Chamber of the Imperial Palace. Princess Isolde was kneeling on one knee on the cold marble floor. She waited for her father's words.
At the end of her wait, the Emperor, seated on the throne, opened his mouth.
"Do as the princess wishes."
"Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty."
The princess bowed her head deeply to express her gratitude and cautiously withdrew from the audience chamber. She headed straight for her private office.
Click.
The moment the office door closed. The princess's lips parted.
"I did it."
Her secretary, standing by her side, said.
"So His Majesty has granted your request."
"Yes. Finally."
Now, Isaac Upperhills would have a direct audience with the Emperor on the Festival of Longevity, his birthday. And there, he would be able to make a request. The outcome of being able to petition the Emperor was the same, but there was a great difference in the process.
If he met the Emperor on the Festival of Longevity, he could announce to everyone that Isaac was receiving the Emperor's favor. This was far more valuable than the previous private audience. 'It took so long...'
The princess hadn't seen Isaac for a long time while handling this matter. Thus, Princess Isolde immediately prepared to head to the Magic Tower. The princess thought about Isaac.
'First, I should put Isaac at ease. He must be feeling pressured by the fact that he'll be meeting His Majesty.' And then, she would deliver the happy news that the audience day had been changed to the Festival of Longevity.
It was like placing a new burden on him right after lifting one, but she conveniently ignored the contradiction. The princess led her entourage and headed straight for the lab of the School of Magical Surveying. And the moment she opened the lab door, she realized.
That her prediction had been completely wrong. Isaac was laughing foolishly, making a blue stone float in the air and controlling it this way and that.
"Ooh... He can control it with such precision?"
"Amazing, Junior!"
Beside him, Giuseppe and Doloren were clapping and cheering. Watching the scene, Isolde thought. I was worried he'd be trembling at the thought of an audience with His Majesty...
'It seems he wasn't feeling any pressure.' It was a good decision to move the audience to the Festival of Longevity after all.
Uhehe.
This is really fun. I played around in the lab, moving the floating stone this way and that. To move matter by folding spacetime with magic...
It was like completing an Alcubierre drive without negative energy. It was a completely different method from the telekinesis I usually used, which made it fun. I showed off a trick, making the floating stone perform a double pendulum motion.
"Ooh! He can control it with such precision?"
"Amazing, Junior!"
It was then. Creeak- The lab door opened, and someone entered. 'It's the princess.'
In an instant, all noise in the lab ceased. I stopped controlling the floating stone and knelt on one knee. The others hastily followed suit, showing their respects.
"You've arrived, Your Highness."
"It is fine, raise your heads."
"Yes."
The princess pointed at the floating stone and asked.
"What were you doing?"
"I was conducting an experiment to amplify the universal gravitation spell through a floating stone."
"Universal gravitation and a floating stone?"
The princess continued.
"Ah... right. You asked me about floating stones a while ago."
The princess's gaze shifted to the blue stone hovering in the air.
"Surely... that stone isn't a floating stone, is it? It can't be. It's only been a few days since then..."
To the princess's question, Doloren answered.
"It is indeed a floating stone, Your Highness. Researcher Upperhills managed to control the power of the floating stone."
"... Good heavens."
A low gasp escaped the princess's lips. Her golden eyes flashed.
"Wasn't it theoretically impossible to cast magic on a floating stone?"
I answered the princess's question.
"That's what I thought as well."
"How did you do it?"
"I don't really know."
"... I see."
"You're not going to ask more?"
"You wouldn't just let a technology like this go to waste, would you? You must have thought of a way to use it."
She was just like a princess, immediately thinking about applications. She said to me.
"Could you perhaps tell me about that plan?"
"...and that's all."
And so, the impromptu 'Floating Stone-Airship' presentation for the princess came to an end. The princess carefully opened her mouth.
"So that's how it is... It seems you start something new not on a weekly basis, but a daily one now."
"How thrilling."
A smile formed on the princess's lips. I handed the princess a proposal that included the detailed plans. The princess glanced over the document and replied.
"This 'airship'... if you complete it, it will be on the level of a strategic weapon."
Strategic, not tactical. That was an adjective attached only to a Great Mage or a corps-level military force. In a world with no air force, an airship... seemed worthy of such a title.
"It's a grand vision, but..."
The princess pointed at the document and continued.
"It's a bit dangerous. For my part, I'd like to stand by and watch the airship's construction. But this is a plan that will make the regional nobles rise up."
I figured as much. Not everyone in the Empire would side with me.
"Of course, I'm not telling you to withdraw the plan. As always, I will help you."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Fufufu.
The princess let out a chuckle.
"I'm glad I changed the schedule."
"The schedule changed?"
"The day of your audience has been changed. To the Festival of Longevity of His Majesty the Emperor."
"..?"
Festival of Longevity? It was a word I'd never heard before. Just then, Senior Giuseppe quietly explained.
"The Festival of Longevity is a term for His Majesty's birthday celebration, Junior."
Aha.
My knowledge increased. ... Wait a minute. 'The current Emperor's birthday... isn't that a huge event?'
The princess said to me.
"This Festival of Longevity will be a great opportunity. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Is it because it's a chance to reduce the factions opposing the airship's construction?"
The princess nodded silently.
"Of course, you don't have to bear all the burden. I'll be making allies of my own."
Pat, pat.
She patted my shoulder.
"Take this chance to at least familiarize yourself with the faces of the regional nobles. Of course, winning His Majesty's favor would be best."
"I understand, Your Highness."
I can't let my toy be taken away by people who don't know anything. I have to protect what's mine.
For the next few days, I received special tutoring in etiquette from Laura and Gwendolyn.
"L-Like this?"
I made a gesture of 'politely' offering one hand. At this, Laura and Gwendolyn were speechless.
Gwendolyn muttered.
"Why is it so... awkward? We definitely practiced this before."
Geez.
Sorry for being clumsy! Laura answered Gwendolyn's question.
"Unfortunately... it seems the Chairman's mannerisms won't be easily corrected."
"Then we're in big trouble."
"No. It's actually for the best."
"What...?"
Laura said to Gwendolyn.
"What is our objective?"
"Is it for Mr. Upperhills to have a successful debut in high society?"
"Unfortunately, no. It doesn't matter if the Chairman's high society debut is a failure."
What?
"More important than that is securing allies without making more enemies."
"... You mean we should look at the war itself, rather than the outcome of a single battle."
Laura nodded and said.
"That's right. Therefore, we must actively utilize the Chairman's 'naivete'."
"What?"
"Think about it. What if our Chairman was also skilled in etiquette and had a keen cultural eye?"
"Hmm..."
"If he appreciated concerts and wrote reviews, or broadened his social circle by meeting new nobles at salons every week..."
"Hmm..."
Gwendolyn stared intently at my face and said.
"He would seem rather dangerous. I'd be wary."
"That's exactly it."
Laura pointed at me and continued.
"Our Chairman's greatest strength is that he appears harmless. Let's make use of that."
"You mean to make him look like a 'pure figure from the world of magic' who is ignorant of politics?"
"That's right."
"That sounds good, doesn't it?"
They made a decision between themselves before the person in question even agreed. This couldn't be happening. I raised my hand and asked.
"Isn't the premise itself wrong? I'm a pure figure from the world of magic to begin with."
"But you own a foundation and a workshop, are effectively in control of a territory, and have ties with Her Highness?"
I had nothing to say. In the eyes of others, I must no longer be a pure researcher.
Tsk.
Laura spoke to Gwendolyn again.
"And we will deploy the thusly perfected Chairman not to the front of the banquet hall, but into a corner." ...
Deploy?
Am I some kind of nuclear weapon? But Gwendolyn had already fallen for Laura's silver tongue.
"You mean you'll only put him in front of people who are tired of crowds. How thorough."
"Because I am the Chairman's secretary."
"Alright. Let's go with this."
And so, my 'nerd' concept was decided. I wasn't quite sure what nonsense this was... but I guess I should follow the expert's advice.
The day of the Festival of Longevity. No, to be precise, the eve of the festival. I kept fidgeting in the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace.
It wasn't because of motion sickness. I hadn't suffered from motion sickness since developing the suspension. I asked Laura, who was sitting across from me.
"Are we really doing this?"
"Of course."
I looked down at my clothes. Everyone else would be coming in formal attire, but I was the only one in a mage's robe. What's more, the buttons on the shirt underneath were fastened all the way to the top, and I was even wearing a pair of non-prescription glasses.
And yet, my grooming was meticulously done. My hair was fixed with a magical device to only give the 'impression' of being shaggy, and my eyebrows were trimmed sharp as a knife. 'I've never done anything to my face besides shaving in my entire life...
This is so awkward I could die.' A short while later, the carriage stopped. It seemed we had already arrived at the Imperial Palace.
Just before I got out, Laura reminded me.
"From here on, I cannot accompany you. What did I tell you to remember as the last thing?"
I recited the key instructions Laura had given me.
"Don't talk first and stay still."
"Good."
"If someone approaches, give a slight smile, and when they leave, go back to a blank expression."
"And?"
"Golden hair and golden eyes are the symbols of the imperial family, so only when you face them should you smile from beginning to end."
"Perfect."
I tilted my head.
"With such a flimsy plan... will anything really happen?"
"Yes. It will definitely work."
How resolute.
Laura smiled and continued.
"Then, I wish you the best of luck, Chairman."
For a researcher like me, the outdoor banquet hall was sensory overload. Hundreds of mana lamps lit up the night, and in their light, the nobles' accessories glittered from all directions. The light, flickering differently depending on the angle, overworked my rod cells.
And I have to go in there... I proved my identity to the guard and headed into the banquet hall. As I did, a herald shouted towards the banquet hall.
"The recipient of the First-Class Sacred Golden Lion Medal, Isaac Upperhills, is entering!"
At that, the area near the entrance of the banquet hall fell silent for a moment. Countless gazes turned towards me. 'So this is what it feels like.'
It wasn't a pleasant feeling. Following Laura's advice, I entered while maintaining a blank expression as best as I could. With every step I took, the sound of murmurs reached my ears.
"Upperhills? Where? I don't see him."
"That mage who just came in? It doesn't look like him."
People seemed to not believe that I was Isaac. It didn't matter. For now, I'll follow the protocol.
I mixed into the crowd once to erase the gazes directed at me and headed for a corner of the banquet hall. And I stood there motionlessly, doing nothing. Do not move first until someone speaks to me.
That was the core of the plan. Before long, a young lady in a splendid dress approached me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Adela of the house of Baron Fontaine."
She asked me with a face full of curiosity.
"Pardon me, but may I have your name?"
As Laura had taught me, I replied with a slight smile.
"I am Isaac Upperhills."
Puha.
The lady laughed at my words. Does my name alone make her laugh...?
She said.
"Oh, you're joking. From what I've heard, Sir Isaac Upperhills is at least seven feet tall and can chop down a spruce tree with one hand."
Seven feet?
Do they still use that unit? The previous emperor definitely declared the meter as the standard unit... No. That's not what's important right now.
First, I have to deny that ridiculous rumor. I waved my hand and said.
"I'm not that kind of person."
"Ah... so that's your persona."
"Pardon?"
"You're funny. Well, enjoy the banquet."
She didn't believe my words at all and left with a smile.
"Tell me your real name later."
Why doesn't she believe me? This wasn't the end of it.
"Isaac Upperhills? That's strange. You don't look like you could make an orc's head explode with a single gesture."
"Shall I show you myself if an orc appears?"
"Puhuhu, you're an amusing person."
Things like this repeated every few minutes. The pattern was generally the same.
"Hello. I am..."
A smiling young lady would approach.
"Oh come on... what's your real name?"
She would ask my name.
"Did your advisor tell you not to say? Next time, please..."
She would ask me to tell her my real name next time and then withdraw. It's a really good thing that I'm not making them wary... But isn't it a bit much that they don't recognize me at all?
Even the capital nobles who knew my face had doubtful expressions.
"He looks somehow much softer than usual. Is he not Mr. Upperhills?"
I wanted to go up to them and shout, 'I am Isaac!', but I held back. Because I'm not supposed to initiate conversation. That was the protocol set by the expert (Laura).
It was at that very moment. The murmuring crowd in front of me naturally parted. At the end of that path stood Princess Isolde.
She wasn't in her usual dignified formal wear, but in a navy blue dress that resembled the night sky. She was beautiful, but right now, I had a job to do. Protocol 3. First, I smiled.
The princess saw me and froze on the spot.
"You... are you truly Isaac Upperhills?"
At her voice, the surroundings grew quiet. I answered politely.
"Yes, Your Highness. I am."
"It suits you... quite well. I was right to leave it to Laura."
The princess's words caused gasps of shock from the people around.
"That person is the real Upperhills...?"
"He's completely different from the rumors."
It seemed they needed the princess's guarantee to be convinced that I was Isaac. Just then, one of the military officers muttered.
"Good heavens... if they fought, Wallowitz would win for sure."