Published: January 4, 2026
Night, in the detached palace’s living quarters.
I sat cross-legged on the bed, my right palm facing upward, extended out around the height of my solar plexus.
I focused my magic power on it.
Using the power of apophis, I altered the concentrated magic power.
“Your Majesty.”
Suddenly, a voice called to me from beside.
I looked up and saw Audrey, accompanied by several servants.
Even in the harem—in other words, one’s own home—the empress always walked surrounded by many eunuchs and servants.
To avoid causing the empress any inconvenience, to shield her if something happened, and for various subtle reasons.
For these overlapping reasons, the empress always traveled with such a needless entourage.
Incidentally, the emperor is similar, but in the empire—the “land of warriors”—an active emperor often travels alone incognito or otherwise to display strength.
Audrey waved her hand lightly.
The servants all bowed deeply and then left the room.
Audrey remained, climbed onto the bed, and leaned against me.
“What are you doing, Your Majesty?”
“I was making potions.”
“Potions... the ones you gave to Jessica, right?”
“Yes.”
“You are the one who invented them, if I recall correctly. Oh?”
Audrey trailed off, tilting her head in puzzlement.
“What’s wrong?”
“I know you invented them, but why are you making them yourself again? I heard you’re mass-producing them in Almeria.”
“That’s a good question. I’m not satisfied with the current potions.”
“Not satisfied?”
I nodded slightly.
“The current ones only heal minor injuries. They aren’t effective enough for the battlefield. I’m developing something with stronger effects.”
“I see. Is that possible?”
“It’s already done.”
“Already?”
I picked up a small vial from the side table next to the bed and handed it to Audrey.
“This is the new one. I named it simply ‘High Potion’ for clarity.”
“High Potion...”
“Watch this.”
I drew the demonic sword Leviathan from my bracelet.
In the night’s living quarters, the demonic sword gleamed with a beautiful pale blue light as I thrust its tip into my palm—it pierced through.
“Your Majesty!?”
“Don’t make a fuss.”
I sheathed Leviathan back into the bracelet.
At the same time, I poured the High Potion onto the pierced palm.
Instantly, the wound closed up and completely disappeared.
“It’s like this.”
“Wow...”
“If you use this, wounds close instantly... but—”
“But?”
“If a body part is lost—for example, a finger is torn off or an arm is severed—the wound will close, but the missing part remains gone.”
“...So the arm stays detached.”
“Exactly. Well, it’s still more effective than a regular potion, so it’s useful.”
“This is amazing, Your Majesty.”
“Hm?”
I looked at Audrey.
She stared at me with eyes shining like a young girl’s, filled with admiration.
“To think you could make something so incredible.”
“It’s just an extension of the potion. It’s not perfect yet, and while making it, it might turn into something completely different.”
“Still, it’s amazing. Healing magic and remedies only existed in ancient legends for hundreds of years. Not only did you revive them, but you improved upon them.”
“Hmm.”
“I... feel like I’m witnessing a moment when history changes. It’s incredible, Your Majesty!”
Her gaze was full of pure admiration, like a village girl meeting a famous bard.
Being told that much didn’t feel bad at all.
“Ah.”
“What is it?”
“Well... Your Majesty. I have a favor to ask...”
Audrey moved slightly away from me and shyly fiddled as she spoke.
“What is it? Do you want something? Are you planning to build a detached palace soon?”
“No, it’s not that. I... want you to deliver this High Potion to Jessica.”
I was a bit surprised.
Audrey’s “request” came from a direction I hadn’t expected.
“To Jessica?”
“Yes, I think she really needs it right now.”
“You care about her?”
“As women who serve Your Majesty together, I hope she can become like a ‘younger sister’ to me.”