Chapter 102: Voice Chat with His Majesty

Daiki puts on his headset. He looks terrified.

"Do I bow?" he whispers to me. "Can he see me? Should I bow?"

"Just talk to him," I hiss.

Daiki clicks the channel.

"Hello? Your Majesty-sama? Sir?"

A voice comes through the speakers. We all lean in to hear.

It is an old voice. It is deep and rough, but it sounds a little bit like Fuji's voice.

"You fight like a chaotic badger," the Emperor says.

"Thank you?" Daiki stammers.

"Why did you attack my guild, Deception? You are a professional. You do not usually waste time on petty griefing."

Daiki takes a deep breath. He looks at me.

"I am doing a quest, sir."

"A quest? I do not remember adding any new content."

"It is a custom quest," Daiki says, finding his confidence. "It is the Save the Prince quest."

There is silence on the other end.

"Explain," the Emperor commands.

"It is your grandson, sir. Fuji Kenji. He is trapped in a high-level dungeon called the Palace."

"He is being disciplined," the Emperor says, his voice colder. "He acted recklessly at the Invitational. He caused a scene."

"He acted like a human!" Daiki argues. He forgets he is talking to the Emperor. He is just arguing with another gamer now. "Look, I hated the guy. He is Mr. Perfect. He always wins. But he was finally happy. He found a party member he actually likes."

He points at me, even though the Emperor cannot see.

"And now he is being nerfed by his dad. It is not fair gameplay, sir."

I hear a rough chuckling sound.

"Nerfed. Takahito would hate that term."

"Takahito is a pay-to-win player," Daiki grumbles. "He does not grind for his stats."

Hiroto gasps. Rika covers her mouth. You cannot say that about the Crown Prince!

The Emperor laughs loudly.

"Hah! You are not wrong, boy. My son has zero chill."

THE EMPEROR SAID ZERO CHILL.

Daiki blinks. He decides to push his luck.

"Sir... the news. They said you had severe pneumonia. That you were fading. Is that... a permanent debuff?"

The Emperor laughs again. It doesn't sound weak at all. It sounds strong.

"It is a stealth mechanic, boy. I am fine. Healthy as a max-level tank."

We all gasp. The news lied?

"Then why...?" Daiki asks.

"To draw out the guild leaders," the Emperor says slyly. "I needed everyone in one place. It is time to announce the successor to the server. The real one. And I need to see who is worthy."

"So," the Emperor says, his voice serious again. "You want me to unlock the dungeon."

"Yes, sir. We have a tank ready to break him out. Well, she is more of a DPS class."

He means me.

"The Bloody Twilight girl," the Emperor muses. "I saw the kiss. It was bold. I like bold."

"She is the boldest," Daiki says. "She is currently learning how to identify forks just to crash your party."

"Is she now?"

I can hear the Emperor smiling.

"Very well, Deception. I will not unlock the dungeon. That would be too easy. There will be no free carries."

"Sir?"

"But," the Emperor continues, "if she can make it to the boss room, and if she can get past Takahito's security and stand in front of me, then I might just give her a rare drop."

"You mean?"

"The Garden Party is on Sunday. I will be waiting by the koi pond. Tell her not to wear beige. I hate beige."

Click.

He hung up.

Daiki takes off his headset. He stares at it.

"He hates beige," Daiki whispers.

I look at Hiroto.

Hiroto is already crying happy tears.

"I TOLD YOU!" Hiroto screams. "THE BLUE DRESS! IT IS DESTINY!"

We have a chance.

The Final Boss is waiting for me.