The procession had finally arrived at the central lobby of the palace annex.

“Wow! This is truly amazing!”

“Incredible! The stairs are moving!”

“We won’t need to climb the high stairs ourselves!”

The mouths of those seeing the giant magical device of moving stairs installed in the palace annex for the first time couldn’t stop gaping.

Veronia was equally surprised. Though she had used such devices daily in her past life, seeing it here for the first time filled her with a new sense of wonder.

“We can’t just stand here looking. Come, let’s all get on the stairs together.”

Jonathan, seemingly excited in front of the huge and wondrous magical device, raised his voice. Then Judith, the director of the Magic Tower Research Institute and the host of this event, took the lead and guided Jonathan.

“This way, Your Majesty.”

Following Judith, Jonathan stepped onto the stairs, and behind him, the royal family, nobles, and newspaper reporters ascended the stairs in order. Killian and Veronia followed at the very end of the procession.

“After stepping onto the stairs, please try not to move and hold onto the handrails tightly.”

Judith delivered the precautions in a booming voice. Those stepping onto the moving stairs for the first time seemed tense, furrowing their brows and gripping the handrails tightly as Judith had instructed.

“Oh! It’s moving, it’s moving!”

“It feels very stable!”

As they became somewhat accustomed to the moving stairs, people smiled and exclaimed in admiration. The sharp-eyed newspaper reporters quickly opened their notebooks to jot down their impressions.

Jonathan also seemed quite pleased.

“Without wasting unnecessary energy climbing up and down stairs, this will be a very useful magical device for the administrative staff working in the palace annex. It’s an excellent project.”

“Your words are most wise, Your Majesty.”

Everyone nodded repeatedly at Jonathan’s generous praise. As they arrived at the second floor, people busily shared their impressions and added words of praise for Killian and Veronia.

Jonathan approached Veronia with a smile.

“I heard that the origin of this outstanding magical device was Lady Nia’s conception. How did you come up with such an excellent idea?”

At Jonathan’s question, everyone’s gaze turned to Veronia.

Though feeling nervous, Veronia took a deep breath and opened her mouth. Instead of saying she had simply recreated something she saw every day in her past life, she smoothly delivered a more believable lie.

“I’ve always enjoyed daydreaming since I was young. Whenever I climbed hills or stairs and found it too tiring, I would let my imagination run wild. Given a good opportunity, those fantasies were able to become reality like this. I’m also extremely pleased.”

Her attitude was humble, and her words were articulate. Pleased with her answer, not only Jonathan but everyone listening had satisfied smiles deeply etched on their faces.

“What do you think of this, Prime Minister?”

Jonathan called out to Killian in an excited voice.

“Wouldn’t it be good to install this excellent magical device not just in the palace annex but throughout the imperial palace? What are your thoughts, Prime Minister?”

“It seems like an excellent idea, Your Majesty. I believe it will hold great significance as a collection of the Empire of Asnerdeum’s outstanding technological prowess.”

“Then will the Prime Minister continue to oversee this project?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I will humbly obey your command.”

“As expected, the Prime Minister is the only one I can truly rely on!”

Ha ha ha, a pleased laugh flowed from Jonathan’s mouth. As the emperor laughed, the nearby royals, nobles, and newspaper reporters laughed along. Though Veronia and Killian were the only ones in the procession not laughing, no one seemed to mind.

To proceed with the next schedule, they had to leave the imperial palace. As everyone was waiting to board their carriages,

Veronia and Killian had planned to ride in a carriage with Judith, the director of the Magic Tower Research Institute. But suddenly, Jonathan called out to Killian.

“Prime Minister, how about riding in the carriage with me? I have many things I’d like to hear about regarding future plans for installing magical devices.”

“Yes, I shall do so.”

Unable to refuse the emperor’s suggestion, Killian nodded readily.

However, the numbers didn’t match up. The carriage capacity was four people, but Killian’s group had three people, and Jonathan was planning to ride with Tate.

The quick-witted Judith took a step back and spoke.

“Please go ahead. I will follow shortly.”

“No, that won’t do. We must hear the director’s thoughts on the magical device installation plans as well… What should we do…”

After hesitating for a moment, Jonathan spoke to Tate.

“Tate, I’m afraid you’ll have to come separately.”

“Ah… Of course, Your Majesty. I shall do so.”

Though he seemed quite flustered for a moment, Tate’s skill at managing his expression was top-notch. He quickly erased any sign of dismay and turned to head towards another carriage.

The expression management skills of those who closely observed this scene were not as advanced as Tate’s. Their shocked expressions were transparently visible, agitating Veronia’s nerves.

‘That must have hurt his pride a bit?’

Standing by the emperor’s side at official events held great significance. It meant being the emperor’s most trusted and relied-upon confidant.

Tate had been by the emperor’s side from the start of today’s event until now. Naturally, the gazes of those looking at him were full of envy.

But the situation began to change little by little once Killian and Veronia arrived.

As Jonathan welcomed Veronia very warmly and showered Killian with various questions and suggestions, Tate gradually drifted away from the center of conversation. In the end, he even lost his carriage seat.

“My… Prince Tate’s dignity is in tatters, isn’t it?”

“Shh, be quiet! What if someone hears you?”

Someone’s whisper was clearly audible to Veronia’s ears, but it seemed not to have reached Jonathan’s ears. He still wore a pleased expression as he boarded the carriage.

Jonathan showed interest in various magical devices and bombarded them with questions. Judith, overwhelmed by the emperor’s attention, answered the questions with all sincerity. Thanks to this, the conversation inside the carriage heading to the next destination continued endlessly.

“Through the moving stairs, we’ve shown the empire’s technological prowess, and through the fire suppression device, we’ve shown that the imperial family prioritizes the safety of the people. Now then, what would you recommend for the next magical device project?”

Jonathan asked, looking not only at Judith but also at Veronia and Killian. Veronia was quite surprised to see the fairly diligent aspect of the emperor seeking advice for imperial administration.

‘He seems to be trying to properly fulfill his role as emperor. That’s unexpected.’

While Veronia quietly hid her surprise behind her veil, Judith spoke first.

“I believe it’s still not enough to show the empire’s technological prowess and that the imperial family prioritizes the safety of the people, Your Majesty. We’ve only just taken our first step.”

“Well… I suppose one isn’t enough.”

Jonathan nodded in agreement as he listened to Judith. Encouraged by this, Judith continued with an even more excited voice.

“Yes, that’s right. In my humble opinion, it would be efficient to continue planning and managing future magical device installation projects divided into two areas as we’ve done now.”

Hmm… Jonathan slowly stroked his chin as he took in Judith’s advice. Then he immediately looked at Killian and asked for his opinion.

“What are your thoughts, Prime Minister?”

“I also agree with the director’s opinion. Showing continuous effort in any endeavor is the most effective way to demonstrate sincerity.”

“Oh… Sincerity! The Prime Minister’s words seem correct.”

Having made his decision, Jonathan spoke firmly.

“Prime Minister, form a department for the commercialization of magical devices in collaboration with the Magic Tower Research Institute.”

“…”

Taken aback by the sudden order, Killian was momentarily speechless. Jonathan, waiting for his response, slowly nodded and spoke again.

“I remember well that the Prime Minister expressed his desire to return to his local territory half a year after getting married. So, it’s only until then. I’d like you to focus on this matter for the next half year.”

“I shall obey your command, Your Majesty.”

In the end, Killian bowed his head and accepted Jonathan’s order. Jonathan then looked at Judith and Veronia and said,

“I hope the director will also actively participate in this project. I believe it will be of great help to the Empire of Asnerdeum. I also trust that Lady Nia will support the Prime Minister and the director well.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to assist the project led by Prime Minister. I will surely show you results that will satisfy you as much as you’ve trusted us.”

Judith, seemingly unable to believe the current situation, widened her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. She looked as if she wanted to dance with joy right then and there.

Jonathan’s gaze turned to Veronia, who had not yet given any answer. She also nodded slightly and replied.

“I will do my best to be of help to the Prime Minister and the director with my limited abilities.”

“Thank you. The Prime Minister must feel very reassured to have so many people assisting him by his side.”

Ha ha ha, as Jonathan laughed good-naturedly, Killian added respectfully.

“Please remember that rather than assisting me, everyone wishes to serve Your Majesty’s will. We will do our best to stand firmly by Your Majesty’s side.”

“The Prime Minister’s words are correct. Since the Prime Minister is my man, assisting him is ultimately assisting me.”

Jonathan, in an even better mood, laughed even more loudly. Judith, elated at being of use to the emperor, also kept grinning widely with her lips curled up.

Veronia, who had been sitting quietly the whole time, glanced at Jonathan’s expression. Though he was laughing out loud, his eyes were a bit different. Rather than just a pleased look, there was another emotion reflected in his eyes.

‘What is it? A fake laugh? What is he trying to hide?’

For a moment, his expression and laughter all seemed false, sending chills down her spine. Suddenly, Jonathan’s pretense of being a benevolent emperor while ordering the commercialization of magical devices seemed to have some other ulterior motive.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’