JASPER Hawthorne let out a deep breath, grabbing Miss Dahlia's wand tightly.
He could see his knuckles turn white, but he didn't let go.
The wand was draining his Mana fast. Even so, he endured and let it do its thing in order to control the weather.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before the rain poured heavily.
[What a relief.]
"Are you alright, Duke Hawthorne?"
Jasper turned to Miss Dahlia.
It was embarrassing how a young miss younger than him didn't even break a sweat while doing the same thing he did.
Yes, Miss Dahlia was also holding the wand that belonged to her.
The wand required their Mana in order to have enough power to control the weather and make it rain.
[Just like what Princess Neoma wanted.]
That was exactly why Jasper was away from the crowd with Miss Dahlia.
"I'm alright, Miss Dahlia," Jasper said, and then he paused for a moment. "I'd like to ask you the same thing, but I can tell you're doing well. It's embarrassing that I'm about to pass out from having my Mana drained."
"You're doing well, Your Grace," Miss Dahlia said politely. "Moreover, Your Grace has nothing to be ashamed of. Even an above-average Mana user would have fainted already the moment my wand absorbed their Mana. The fact that Your Grace is standing still is a testament to how much Mana your Core contains."
Oh.
That helped restore his broken ego.
To be honest, when Jasper was young, he took pride in being the youngest duke in the Great Moonasterion Empire. Thanks to his exceptional talent, he was able to protect his inheritance from his greedy relatives.
Even the former emperor was impressed by his talent.
However, Jasper realized that he was just an ordinary person after meeting Princess Neoma.
The young princess humbled him pretty quickly.
[Then Princess Neoma began to 'adopt' individuals who are way more talented and powerful than I am.]
Hence, he never dared to think of his existence as special again.
[I'm satisfied as long as I can serve Princess Neoma. I don't need to be recognized as someone exceptional or talented— I just wanted to be useful to Her Royal Highness.]
That was why he was grateful when he was chosen by Duckie as its new master.
After gaining an Elemental Guardian, he got an ego boost. But, of course, he quickly humbled himself because the other Elemental Guardian owners were Princess Neoma, Commander Ruto, and Miss Dahlia.
[I'm obviously the weakest among us.]
And the fact that Jasper was the only one who struggled while trying to control the weather with Miss Dahlia was proof of his inferiority.
But he didn't have time for a little self-pity party.
[And it helps that Miss Dahlia was kind enough to say encouraging words.]
"Thank you, Miss Dahlia," Jasper said, bowing to the young miss. "I'll work harder."
Miss Dahlia smiled and nodded. "You're already working hard, Your Grace. I'm sure Princess Neoma knows that."
He smiled and was about to say something when, all of a sudden, he heard a voice in his head.
["Jasper Oppa, Dahlia, can you both hear me?"]
It was Princess Neoma.
The Imperial Princess was using telepathy.
And, yes, Jasper and Miss Dahlia were both aware of the 'switch.'
[We don't know why she has to, but Princess Neoma told us in advance that she'll switch souls with Emperor Nero. The fact that we can hear her voice even though Princess Neoma and Commander Ruto already disappeared must mean that Princess Neoma has possessed His Majesty's body now.]
Jasper and Miss Dahlia exchanged glances, and then they both nodded and answered politely at the same time. "Yes, Princess Neoma— we can hear you."
[It's not easy to create a mind link in order to communicate with another person through telepathy, but it's something that comes easy for 'monsters' like Princess Neoma. Since she's a strong person— physically and mentally— she can easily break into our consciousness.]
"What can we do for you, Princess Neoma?" Jasper asked worriedly. "Is everything alright?"
["Yeah, but I feel bad for lying to our people. That rain isn't Holy Water, but look at them."]
Jasper and Miss Dahlia both turned to the crowd.
The people who were almost crying in fear earlier were now dancing happily in the rain— the elderly, the youth, and even the little ones.
["I know the Elemental Guardians aren't meant to be used as entertainment, but can you ask Duckie and Lapiz to entertain the people by showing up?"]
"That's fine with us, Princess Neoma," Dahlia said politely. "However, the forms of our Elemental Guardians are a bit intimidating for most people. Will it be okay?"
Oh, right.
Jasper almost forgot that Duckie was a Sea Serpent and not a duck.
[Speaking of which, where are Duckie and Miss Dahlia's Blue Whale?]
The two Elemental Guardians disappeared earlier, saying that they would help control the weather.
["It will be alright. But, to be safe, go to Hanna and ask for her help. The people trust her, so they'll definitely believe her if she says that your Elemental Guardians won't hurt them. Can you do that for me? I need to go and kick some ass now."]
Pfft.
Jasper and Miss Dahlia both smiled widely after hearing Princess Neoma talk vulgar again.
[Some things really never change.]
"We understand, Princess Neoma," Miss Dahlia said, bowing politely. "Your wish is our command."
Jasper also bowed his head towards Princess Neoma's direction. "We won't disappoint you, Princess Neoma."
***
HANNA received the message well.
After it poured heavily, Dahlia and Duke Jasper Hawthorne approached her and informed her about Princess Neoma's order.
[We just have to entertain the people, right?]
"Everyone, I apologize for interrupting your fun," Hanna said calmly, her voice amplified by magic. Hence, everyone there stopped and listened to her. Even though she was no longer the Crown Princess, the people of the Great Moonasterion Empire still listened to her well.
"His Imperial Majesty Emperor Nero has a present for all of us— and it's the honor to witness the greatness of three of the Elemental Guardians alive."
A loud murmur occurred as a result of her announcement.
Some were thrilled, the others not so much.
"Don't be afraid, everyone. The Elemental Guardians might have the form of magical beasts that look intimidating, but please trust me when I say this: the Elemental Guardians are our friends and allies," Hanna said, smiling. Her smile was the best weapon she could mobilize at the moment. After all, it was her duty to calm the people of their empire. "Now, let me introduce these giant friends to you."
Just like that, the White Lion, the Sea Serpent, and the Blue Whale appeared behind and above Hanna as if she was the owner of those great Elemental Guardians.
***
"THIS RAIN is blessed— the Moon God has blessed us with Holy Water!" Neoma said in a calm and firm voice. She actually wanted to scream and laugh like a villainess, but that would only ruin Nero's reputation. Hence, she acted like the calm leader that she wasn't. "It's a sign that we have successfully driven away the curse and the misfortune that has befallen the Great Moonasterion Empire!"
Of course, that was bullshit.
She felt bad, but what could she do?
[I need to lie to give the people a reason to calm down.]
Anyway, fortunately, she was smart enough to contact Jasper Oppa and Dahlia in advance. She asked the two to use their Elemental Guardians to distract the people. And she also asked the two to ask for Hanna's help.
[Because, right now, the people trust Hanna more than the Imperial Family.]
Anyway, now that the problem regarding the people's panic was solved, it was time for her to do her job.
"Calypso," Neoma said, raising her hand. "Come here."
And, just like a boomerang, the Holy Sword returned to her hand as if it was thrown back to her by an invisible hand.
Heh.
[It reminds me of Thor's— no, I can't say the name.]
"Now, it's time for judgment," Neoma said, and then she looked down at Calyx de Luca and smirked. "Come here, crow bastard."
Calyx looked at her coldly. "You're Princess Neoma, aren't you?"
Ah, the crow bastard grew a brain during the time she hadn't seen him, huh?
***
"ARE YOU alright, Your Imperial Majesty?"
Nero rolled his eyes at Commander Ruto's worried question. "I'm alright."
He wasn't, but he had to pretend that he almost didn't vomit after the teleportation spell that the commander used to bring him there.
By there, he meant the Upper World.
And the two of them didn't come alone.
The Goddess of Misfortune was also there, and…
Nero let out a sigh when the Goddess of Misfortune finally opened her eyes. "You're finally awake."
It was time to execute Neoma's scam.
***
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