“Then what was that thing floating in the sky that looked like a phoenix?”

“The shape of the fireworks that decorated the sky was unfortunately similar to that of a phoenix.”

“That’s not a coincidence. The shape of the fireworks can’t resemble a phoenix so perfectly. Isn’t that right, Archduchess?”

At the sudden question, Laura felt embarrassed.

It was true.

There were other ways to get rid of the fireworks that rained down from the sky, such as putting up a transparent barrier over people so that they wouldn’t get hurt when the fireworks exploded, or creating a strong wind to blow the fireworks far away…

But such things were impossible with her current body.

She had no choice but to slightly change the direction of the fireworks so that they would explode safely.

The problem was that the fireworks turned into a phoenix as they exploded.

This was not what she had intended.

“Is it because I am close to a phoenix…… I must have been influenced without realizing it.”

As she muttered, the emperor cocked his head.

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure myself. I think… it might be because of my phoenix.”

“Phoenix?”

“Yes. The one I bought is a real phoenix. It’s a legendary creature, so maybe it helped me when I was in danger. And I think the fireworks turned into a phoenix shape because of its influence.”

“So the phoenix protected the Archduchess? That’s a reasonable thing to say.”

“Are you saying that the direction of the fireworks was also affected by the phoenix’s influence?”

Warren asked.

Damn, he’s so quick-witted.

If it were the emperor or anyone else, they would have just overlooked this problem, but the wizard Warren was suspicious of the strange direction of the fireworks.

“Well, I’m not sure about that. I was so busy that I didn’t even see where the fireworks were going.”

“So are you saying, Archduchess, that you jumped under the pouring fireworks without any thought?”

This kid is really something!

Warren kept asking difficult questions and kept pushing Laura to the edge of a cliff.

“That’s not what I’m saying, Lord Warren. The Archduchess acted to protect me! Thanks to the phoenix, both the Archduchess and I are safe.”

Thanks to the emperor’s help, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The emperor seriously retorted and then looked at Laura with a moved expression.

“You are truly amazing. You saved not only me, the Emperor, but also many people gathered here!”

“I’m embarrassed. I’m just glad Your Majesty wasn’t hurt.”

“Thanks to the Archduchess!”

The emperor was sincerely grateful.

The nobles surrounding them also thanked Laura sincerely.

Even those who had blatantly scorned her earlier for not selling the phoenix to the Emperor a little while ago did the same.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

In fact, she had jumped under the pouring fireworks because her life was in danger.

If she had been a little late, fireballs would have rained down on her head like rain. She couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.

And not only that.

What worried her more than her own life was Killian.

He was the embodiment of mana, an endless source of mana.

If he were injured, there would be a significant disruption in her mana supply.

She couldn’t just stand there and do nothing to protect him.

Thanks to that, she was able to save the emperor and the nobles’ lives.

Laura glanced at Killian.

“……!”

He must have been watching her all along, as their eyes met immediately.

He tilted his head as if asking why.

It was so satisfying to know that he was safe that her heart kept pounding.

“You saved my life, so I must repay you, Archduchess.”

The emperor said.

Why does he always say things like that…

Laura barely managed to suppress the corners of her mouth from rising.

“Your Majesty, I’m embarrassed. I didn’t save you with my own merits, so there’s no need for repayment. Please take care of it.”

“Archduchess, no need to be so humble. Now, if you want anything, just ask for it.”

The emperor waited for Laura’s answer with bright eyes.

If he asks like that, I guess I have to meet his expectations.

“Well, then, I’ll be shameless and make a request.”

Laura held her breath for a moment and stood straight.

“If I make an Elixir, please allow only me to use it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Emperor’s expression stiffened.

At the same time, the sound of inhaling could be heard in various places.

Soon, people around her started whispering, unable to hide their surprised expressions.

“What is the Archduchess thinking?”

“Does she even know how to make the Elixir before this?”

“Even the magician ‘Laura Tauler’ from the Phaede Kingdom couldn’t make it and died, so it’s impossible.”

“But there must be a reason why the Archduchess is saying that. Maybe she really knows how to make it…”

“Even if she made it, she should dedicate it to His Majesty.”

“Just a moment. There may not be a need to do that. His Majesty just said to ask for anything.”

“Well, it’s quite a difficult decision.”

There was a debate among the nobles.

Then.

The Emperor, who was standing with an expressionless face, raised his hand.

At that moment, the entire place fell silent.

“Archduchess.”

The Emperor spoke.

People held their breath and waited for the Emperor’s next words.

The Emperor spoke without taking his cold gaze off her.

“Do you know what the Elixir is?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is a potion that can heal any injury or disease.”

“The same goes for magic potions. But do you also know that Elixirs have a special effect?”

“I heard that it can revive the dead.”

“That’s right. Is it possible for the Archduchess to make it? Even famous magicians couldn’t complete it.”

“Of course not.”

Laura smiled brightly.

“It’s not much different from what I just said.”

The Emperor pointed out with a frown.

“I guess there was a slight misunderstanding in what I said.”

“What does that even mean?”

“The premise is that I will create the Elixir, and only then will the next condition be fulfilled.”

Laura continued to speak as she saw the Emperor tilting his head.

“First of all, I’ve already said that I can’t make an elixir. So, the condition of using it only by me doesn’t make sense.”

“In other words, it sounds like you’re saying that you can’t use it because you can’t make an elixir.”

“That’s right.”

“You’re twisting your words cleverly.”

“I apologize if I made you upset.”

Laura gracefully bowed her head.

“Well, I don’t really understand. What’s the reason for making an impossible request?”

“Just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“I thought maybe I could make an Elixir. Of course, I know it’s impossible.”

Of course, Laura could do it.

She found the phoenix feather, and she planned to find the second ingredient, ‘lizard’s eyeball,’ soon.

Although the ‘ant’s heart’ was somewhat difficult, it would also be resolved soon.

Once she had all three ingredients, the elixir could be completed quickly.

But if she made it with her current status as the Archduchess Isabella Lucendorf, she would have to hand it over to the Emperor.

So she had to prepare for a contingency plan in advance.

Laura skillfully concealed such thoughts.

“If you make an Elixir, you want me to allow only you to use it. Is this what you mean?”

“Yes. I dare to ask Your Majesty for this favor.”

Laura deeply bowed.

Would the Emperor really grant her request?

Although she appeared calm on the outside, she was anxious inside.

What if the Emperor refused her request?

When Laura was thinking hard to find the next alternative,

Finally, the Emperor spoke.

“The Archduchess is truly not greedy.”

This was followed by the Emperor’s raspy laugh.

Laura straightened her waist, perplexed.

She thought that she was being greedy, but instead, she was praised for not being greedy.

“I thought you were going to demand a fancy jewel or a mansion to spare. But you’re asking for the exclusive use of the Elixir that you can’t even make.”

The Emperor, who thought Laura was naive, even tilted his head.

“The Archduchess, who saved the lives of the nobles and everyone here, is asking for the exclusive use of the Elixir that she can’t even make… Good! I will grant your request!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Laura was thrilled.

Now, the Elixir is hers!

She can use it as she pleases!

“Archduke Lucendorf, you have a truly excellent wife. It’s not easy to save someone else’s life without any compensation.”

The Emperor turned to Killian with a happy face.

“All of this is Your Majesty’s grace.”

Killian bowed his head politely.

“Haha, is that so? Well, it was I, the Emperor, who presided over this marriage.”

Following the Emperor’s words, Duke Tormaite stepped forward.

“The Lucendorf family is truly great. Since the olden days, they have saved lives for others rather than personal gain.”

The Duke stroked his well-groomed beard and looked down at Laura.

“That’s right! Saint Maria and Saint Nicholas were also a couple. How many people in our empire were saved by them?”

“It seems that the Archducal couple resembles the couples of olden days. We, the people of our empire, should learn from the Lucendorf family.”

“That’s why we hold festivals to honor them. Now, let’s proceed with the next event!”

The Emperor raised his hand towards the main stage.

The event started after the fireworks.

Laura waited with curious eyes.

The main stage carefully carried a golden box.

Every time he took a step, the nobles gathered in front of the tent split on both sides.

When the main stage arrived by the Emperor’s side, they waited with devout faces while adjusting their clothes.

‘It doesn’t look like it’s gilded but rather that the box itself is gold?’

Laura was somewhat surprised when she saw the box.

She didn’t know what was inside that box, but it was undoubtedly something extremely valuable that couldn’t be valued by its price.

“Archduke Lucendorf, forward.”

The Emperor said.

Killian stepped forward towards the Emperor.

The silver suit, enveloping his sturdy physique, shimmered dazzlingly as it caught the light streaming out of the glass wall.

His soft silver-blond hair accentuated his noble and splendid appearance.

Sighs of admiration flowed from all around.

“Ah, the Archduke always looks magnificent.”

“A person born with heavenly looks.”

“What would it feel like to face such a person every day?”

Whispered voices carried by the wind reached their ears.

Despite the teasing words, he simply stood there with a slight lowering of his gaze.

“Our Apostol Empire has received many blessings from Saint Maria Lucendorf and Saint Nicholas Lucendorf. Therefore, I wish to honor your family.”

The Emperor continued speaking with a voice filled with strength.

“I deliver this to you, the head of the Lucendorf family.”

The Emperor turned to the chamberlain and personally opened the lid of the golden box.

Killian kneeled on one knee.

“What could be inside this time?”

“As it is a festival that occurs once every two years, it must be an exceptionally valuable item, don’t you think?”

People whispered in curiosity about the contents of the box.

Laura was extremely curious. She had to resist the urge to snatch the box and peek inside.

Finally.

“I bestow upon Archduke Lucendorf a potion of magic!”

The Emperor took out a small glass bottle from the box.

“Oh my, a magic potion!”