Lilia's Tale: Freyja's Endeavor

Chapter 22: Decision

"Oh, that's nice! How did it go?"

"Well, I do find the area spacious, though empty. Would there possibly be ways to make it more...lively?"

"I have no idea. Alice never said anything about it."

"It's because anything Master gives me makes me happy!"

"Yeah, right. Well, if you wish to test things out you can. I'd just rather you don't try with living creatures as they might end up trapped."

"I understand. For now, I have exited as was requested."

"Some people came to look at us earlier too, but they didn't get close," Alice added. "Were they the people who had to see us?"

"Probably, yeah. Did you hear what was said?"

"Something about refusing to believe that Jor became a familiar and wanting to find you?"

"Oh, so I should-"

Right as I was about to reply, I heard the general call me from behind. I quickly turned around and went to face him.

"The Emperor requires your presence. We're going."

He didn't even give me any time to answer as he left. I just followed him as we went back outside towards the main palace. Jor and Alice noticed me on the way but I waved at them to stay put.

"Is something wrong, Master?"

"They required my presence, as you said. It should be fine."

The general led me through the palace, surprisingly without any restraints. I took the opportunity to look around the hallways. As I expected, everything was very clean and well taken care of. The decorations were maybe not as common as I had expected, but each were of high quality.

The walk felt unbearably long. Eventually, we arrived at the throne room and the general knocked.

"General Yegor, bringing in Kouji Lilia as requested!" he yelled.

"Let her in," was answered by the emperor.

He opened the door and walked forward. I hadn't been given much of a chance to look at the room before. After further inspection, little could be said about it except that it was grandiose.

A gigantic space reminiscent of the dwarven throne room, a large and long red carpet on the ground and pillars across the room. Somehow, it felt somewhat cliché, though in the positive meaning of the term.

As I was looking around, the general stopped and kneeled. I promptly followed, figuring we were sufficiently close to the emperor.

"You may stand," he said.

So, we did. I knew I was about to be interrogated, as stress started piling up and making me tense up both physically and mentally.

"Kouji Lilia, daughter of the Great Summoner Kouji Jirou, yes?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"I have heard of what happened by the general here. Though your efforts are commendable, they are primarily expected. However, I must request an explanation. Why did you bring back not just any hydra, by the Eldest Hydra, one of the most powerful creatures to ever walk this land?"

"Ah, uh, yes. He has insisted on entering a familiar contract with me, and despite my wishes to not accept it, I was left with no choice. Thus, he is now here with me."

"Are you implying it, which could flatten this empire if its heart so desired, is now your mere familiar?"

"I-I believe so? I myself am unsure why he was so adamant on it, honestly."