After confessing to the Second Princess, life returned to its peaceful routine, as if nothing had ever happened.
Her last words had been cryptic, but I decided not to dwell on them.
I had no intention of making a decision before the year was up.
Thinking about sothing I didn’t understand would only give a headache, so I chose to empty my mind instead.
’Might as well relax and have fun.’
I stretched out on a bench in the garden of the White Tower, sipping on a cup of coffee and watching the clouds drift by.
With this sense of peace, a smile naturally ford on my lips.
’This is the life.’
The Imperial Family? Honor? Fa?
All of it was aningless.
True happiness ca from lying down and taking it easy—this was the best way to enjoy life.
There was a reason monks abandoned the secular world to live in the mountains.
’Yeah, this is paradise.’
.
.
.
One day, two days, three days, four days.
I lounged in the garden, sipping Let’s Be and enjoying the peace.
Whenever I got bored, I would watch the Arena broadcasts on my crystal orb—and ti flew by.
Boredom? That was sothing only amateurs struggled with.
A true pro at life could find joy in doing nothing—and by that standard, I was practically a master.
However...
"Hmm, it’s getting a bit cold."
As autumn neared its end, the once-cool breeze turned chilly.
I had managed with thicker clothes, but even that was reaching its limit.
If I stayed out any longer, I’d definitely catch a cold.
’Maybe I should go sowhere warm for a vacation...?’
A na suddenly popped into my head.
’Should I go to Carcel Kingdom?’
Carcel Kingdom.
The Empire’s only mariti ally, known for its mild climate year-round.
Most importantly, it was famous as a vacation destination.
Every winter, nobles from the Empire flocked to Carcel to escape the cold.
However...
’I don’t have a valid reason to go.’
In the past, I could have traveled freely, but now, things were different.
Because of a new restriction placed on —
The "Nationally Appointed Talent" system.
Most countries in this world took asures to prevent their top talents from defecting to other nations—and the Empire was no exception.
For example, our White Tower Master and the Twelve Tower Masters were considered walking strategic weapons.
If they wanted to travel abroad, they were required to report it to the Empire beforehand.
The sa applied to famous knights and mages, though the level of restriction varied.
If a strategic-level mage suddenly appeared unannounced in another country, it would be a serious threat—potentially sparking diplomatic conflict.
As annoying as it was, reporting our location was mandatory.
Until recently, I wasn’t affected by this policy—I was just a mage who made processed foods.
But then, out of nowhere, I got a notice.
’Who the hell put on the list?’
I had no clue who was behind it or why—it had simply been decided in the Imperial Council.
One day, a docunt arrived, stating:
"You have been classified as a Nationally Appointed Talent. You must report your location if you have plans for traveling afar."
I wasn’t particularly upset about it.
It didn’t restrict my movent, and the Empire provided more benefits in return.
In fact, many Imperial citizens considered it a great honor to be given such a status.
However, it did an that I needed an official reason to visit another country.
If I just said I was going for vacation, they’d limit my stay.
’But I want to stay for at least six months.’
There had to be a loophole.
Just as I was pondering how to extend my vacation, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"There’s a way."
Turning my head, I saw a warm can of Let’s Be held out to .
"Here."
"Oh, thanks."
Taking the can, I popped the lid and raised an eyebrow.
"You have an idea?"
"Yes. Carcel Kingdom requested a research project from the White Tower."
As she spoke, Aria pulled up a chair and sat beside .
Lately, she had been showing up around a lot more.
I wasn’t sure why, but for now, I focused on her words.
"A research project?"
"Yes. The White Tower gets a lot of developnt requests, right? Carcel Kingdom sent one a while back."
"...Now that you ntion it, I do rember sothing like that."
With the recent surge in processed food projects, I had forgotten about it.
But yes—Carcel had made a request.
I usually didn’t forget things like this, so if I had ignored it, that ant...
It must have been sothing ridiculous.
Sure enough—
"But the request is a bit... tricky."
"How tricky?"
"They want us to develop a processed food that symbolizes their guardian deity, the White Dragon."
"..."
The mont I heard it, I rembered.
I had taken one look at the request and thrown it straight into the trash.
The problem was...
I really wanted to go to Carcel for vacation.
And a product developnt project was a perfectly valid reason for long-term residency.
"Hmmm."
"...Dragon-shaped jelly?"
No, that’s too risky. If I ss this up, a real dragon might tear apart.
After filtering out dangerous ideas, I was left with nothing.
But there was no need to overthink it.
If sothing was impossible, I just wouldn’t do it.
Hearing my plan, Aria blinked in disbelief.
"...That would actually work?"
"Of course."
’When you’re famous enough, even garbage becos art.’
*
There was a carbonated milk drink that the Gold Tower had once tried to develop—
Milkis.
It was a fascinating idea, but the project had been shelved indefinitely.
The reason?
Milk supply issues.
At the ti, fresh milk was scarce, and the overall production volu was too low to support comrcialization.
But now?
The Gold Tower had perfected the formula.
And I was going to use Milkis to pull off so modern art.
First, I needed official approval to leave the country—
And as it turned out, that was incredibly easy.
"Carbonated milk? This is exactly the drink I’ve been searching for!"
’That was easy.’
The First Princess, a self-proclaid gourt, was ecstatic after tasting Milkis.
She loved unique ideas, which worked in my favor.
And if she approved, my departure was practically guaranteed.
After all, despite her deanor, she held considerable influence in the Imperial Family.
"...It’s good. Approved."
"Thank you."
Even Iberkina gave her seal of approval.
Though, considering Iberkina ate everything, I wasn’t sure her opinion counted for much.
However...
"Heresy! This is heresy!"
"Lilith?"
Lilith was visibly horrified.
"This is not milk!"
I scratched my cheek.
’I didn’t expect that reaction.’
She was acting like an Italian tasting Aricano for the first ti.
Honestly, it made sense.
Just as Italians saw adding water to coffee as a cri, Lilith saw adding carbonation to milk as blasphemy.
She wasn’t alone—many Italians secretly drink Aricano, but they won’t admit it publicly.
Likewise, Lilith couldn’t accept Milkis—
"This is an abomination!"
...But then, the First Princess whispered sothing in her ear.
"!"
Lilith’s eyes widened, and she shuddered.
Monts later—
"...Hmm. Now that I think about it, the flavor is quite unique. Not bad."
"...Lilith, you’re so indecisive."
"S-Shut up!"
With my departure secured, my Carcel vacation was on track.
***
Translator’s note: Milkis is a sweet, creamy, carbonated soft drink that combines milk and carbonated water. It’s made by Lotte Chilsung Beverage and is popular in South Korea.
***
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