My Magical System

The road leading toward the Imperial Palace was strangely quiet.

The broad stone avenue, usually reserved for nobles, officials, and military personnel, stretched far into the distance without the usual bustle of merchants or horse-drawn wagons. Only the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels rolling over polished cobblestones echoed through the chilly morning air.

It was peaceful. However, Eman knew better than to believe the capital was truly calm. The empty roads surrounding the palace represented only a tiny fraction of the city. Beyond the noble district, in the countless alleys, crowded marketplaces, and densely packed residential quarters, the atmosphere was undoubtedly very different. The common people were struggling every single day.

The greatest problem facing the empire was not just food.

But also medicine.

Ever since the empire's supply routes had been disrupted by some mysterious group of robbers, medicinal herbs, healing potions, and alchemical ingredients had become incredibly scarce. Apothecaries throughout the capital had nearly exhausted their inventories, while traveling merchants demanded outrageous prices for even the simplest remedies.

Even though no plague or deadly pandemic had spread across the kingdom, the shortage itself had become a silent disaster.

Without proper medicine, ordinary illnesses became life-threatening.

A child suffering from a common fever could easily lose their life.

A simple wound that would normally heal within days could become infected.

An elderly man with a persistent cough might never recover.

The wealthy nobles could still purchase rare medicines through private channels.

The poor…

They could only pray.

The situation had already begun creating unrest throughout the empire. Clinics turned away patients every day because they simply had nothing left to give. Long lines formed before sunrise outside every remaining pharmacy, yet most people returned home empty-handed.

Rumors spread faster than facts.

Others believed criminal organizations were hoarding supplies to manipulate prices.

There were even whispers that certain noble houses intentionally prevented medicine from reaching the commoners to increase their own influence.

Whether those rumors were true or not hardly mattered anymore.

The result remained the same.

People were suffering.

Inside the carriage, Mina quietly stared out the window.

She watched rows of elegant mansions gradually disappear as they entered the Imperial District. Compared to the lively commercial streets they had passed earlier, this place felt almost sacred.

No shouting merchants nor bargaining customers.

And no street children running the street.

Only soldiers standing guard beneath fluttering imperial banners.

The silence was heavy.

It made the magnificent surroundings feel even more imposing.

Eman also looked outside.

His expression remained calm, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

The emperor had personally summoned him.

That alone was enough to make him curious.

Although he had a rough idea of why he had been called, he could not be completely certain.

The emperor rarely wasted his time.

If His Majesty wished to meet someone personally, then the matter was undoubtedly important.

Neither of them spoke for several minutes.

The carriage continued climbing the gently sloping road leading toward the highest hill in the capital.

Eventually, the Imperial Palace came into view.

Even from a great distance, it dominated the entire skyline.

Its enormous white stone walls reflected the morning sunlight like polished marble. Dozens of elegant towers reached toward the heavens, each topped with deep blue roofs decorated with golden ornaments.

Massive banners bearing the imperial crest fluttered proudly from every tower.

The palace looked less like a fortress and more like a city built upon the highest point of the kingdom.

It overlooked everything.

As though silently watching over the entire empire.

"Something is off…" Mina suddenly whispered.

Eman also noticed.

"You also noticed?"

Hearing him, Hemina finally believed her intuition.

The people around the palace looked restless.

The carriage slowly approached the enormous front gate.

A number of soldiers guarded the entrance.

Their silver armor gleamed beneath the sunlight, while long spears stood perfectly upright like a forest of steel.

The moment the guards recognized the approaching carriage, their expressions immediately became serious.

After confirming the passengers inside…

Every single one of them stood straighter.

Then, almost simultaneously…

They saluted.

"Sir Eman!"

Their voices rang through the courtyard with perfect discipline. Their expression turned light for some reason.

Mina blinked in surprise.

She instinctively looked toward Eman before looking back at the soldiers.

They didn't seem to be pretending. Their respect appeared completely genuine.

The heavy gates slowly opened, allowing the carriage to pass without delay.

As they entered the palace grounds, more guards stationed along the road noticed them.

Just like the soldiers at the gate…

Each one saluted respectfully. Not a single person hesitated.

Mina could no longer hide her astonishment.

She knew Eman had recently been inducted as an Honorary Knight.

That title alone was already prestigious enough to attract attention.

But…

Was it truly enough for nearly every soldier stationed within the Imperial Palace to recognize him on sight? As if he was a big shot. Eman, after all, had no big backer.

In the empire, no matter how splendid your title, without big families to back you, you wouldn't get everyone's respect.

So why…

Why did every soldier seem to know exactly who he was?

Aside from that subjugation mission, what else did he accomplish that I didn't know?

Perhaps…

Mina suddenly remembered Senior Mayu's group.

Did Eman receive Senior Mayu's family support?

Because they seemed close. And Mayu was very friendly toward Eman. But was Eman's status enough to curry favor from Mayu's family?

The more Mina thought about it, the more unbelievable everything became.

Meanwhile, Eman simply acknowledged each salute with a calm nod.

There was no arrogance in his expression.

He merely returned the respect shown to him as naturally as breathing.

Watching him remain so composed somehow made the scene even more shocking.

This is insane…

Mina silently exclaimed.

She had expected Eman to become a little uncomfortable.

"What?" Eman suddenly turned toward her. "Is something wrong with my face?" He lightly touched his cheek. "You've been staring at me for quite a while."

Mina immediately looked away.

"N-No."

Her cheeks reddened slightly.

"I was just… surprised."

"About what?"

"The soldiers."

Eman glanced outside before chuckling softly.

"Oh."

"I honestly don't know why they do that."

"You don't know?"

Mina stared at him with disbelief.

"They're practically treating you like one of their commanders."

Eman shrugged.

"Maybe because of my title."

"That's all?"

"What else should I think?"

Mina was rendered speechless.

Sometimes she genuinely wondered whether Eman understood just how noble families and people in higher echelons behave.

The carriage continued deeper into the palace grounds.

Beautiful gardens filled both sides of the road.

Crystal-clear fountains sparkled beneath the sunlight while carefully trimmed hedges formed intricate patterns around colorful flowerbeds.

Everything was meticulously maintained.

Even the air somehow felt cleaner than the rest of the capital.

Eventually, several mounted Imperial Knights approached from the opposite direction.

Their captain raised a hand, signaling the carriage to stop.

The coachman immediately obeyed.

For a brief moment, Mina wondered if something had happened.

Instead…

The knight captain dismounted from his horse before respectfully approaching the carriage.

He bowed toward Eman.

"Sir Eman."

"His Majesty has been informed of your arrival."

"If you would please follow me."

"I have been ordered to escort you personally."

Eman nodded.

That was to be expected. Yesterday, he sent a letter to the palace expressing his intention of visit for today. You couldn't directly go visit the palace without prior notification, after all.

"Thank you."

The knight respectfully opened the carriage door himself.

Seeing the captain of the Imperial Knights personally acting as an escort nearly caused Mina's jaw to drop.

Before she could even ask the question that had been bothering her this entire journey, another palace attendant hurried toward them.

"Lady Hemina."

"Her Highness the Princess is waiting for you."

Mina looked between the attendant and Eman.

It seemed they would have to separate here.

"I guess this is where we part ways," she said with a gentle smile.

Eman nodded.

"Looks like it."

"We'll meet again later."

"Don't keep me waiting."

He smiled faintly.

"I'll try."

The two exchanged a brief farewell before walking in different directions.

Escorted by the Imperial Knight Captain, Eman headed toward the Emperor's audience chamber, where the ruler of the empire awaited his arrival.

Mina followed the palace attendant through a series of elegant corridors toward the princess's residence.