Like on their way to the Imperial Capital, a ten day journey ensued.
This time, they were coming back with more than they came with.
However, not everyone was so lucky. Skymender's intelligence had allowed him to not only prevent loss, but to gain. In the Imperial Capital, with countless hidden undercurrents, it was a truly impressive feat.
As the carriage departed, at the top of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and the Imperial Scholar looked out the window.
"You truly value him that much?" The Emperor asked.
"Indeed. If he does not become my successor, then there is less than a ten percent chance I will find someone else I am satisfied with before the end of my life." The Imperial Scholar said.
"He is indeed talented, and still young, but to value him to such a level seems excessive, no?"
The Imperial Scholar laughed. "Naturally, the talent and potential to grow make me like him more, but most importantly, he is ruthless."
The Emperor did not understand. "How exactly? He has done nothing of the sort."
The Imperial Scholar laughed again. "The fact that even you can't find a hint of it is what makes him even better. I can tell you something, but you have to promise to forget about it completely."
The Emperor nodded. "I doubt I'll care."
The Imperial Scholar did not laugh, though he could have once again.
"You don't think it was a coincidence that he saved the Duchess's daughter, do you?"
The Emperor stayed silent. His expression did not change, but deep inside, he was putting all of the pieces together.
Naturally, there was not any evidence pointing towards Skymender, but it was possible to form speculation. However, even that had been thrown out on account of his age and background. There was no reason for him to have done such a thing. He had grown up peacefully with a loving family.
However, with what the Imperial Scholar said, the Emperor could put two and two together.
"I see."
The Imperial Scholar smirked as he looked out the window, though the Emperor did not see it.
From now on, the Emperor would be wary of Skymender, just as he was wary of the Imperial Scholar.
Qualifying to make the Emperor wary at such a young age was terrifying.
In fact, even the Imperial Scholar wasn't 100% sure that Skymender had done it. Everything had simply been handled too cleanly.
He was only 10% sure, but that was enough for him. He had a feeling that Skyender had done it, and he would trust nothing more than his gut.
The Imperial Scholar muttered to himself. "You owe me a favor, brat."
He then turned to the Emperor. "If that boy matures before I die of old age and we can work together, the chances of success can be higher by at least 5%"
The Emperor's calm eyes snapped open. "You're sure?"
The Imperial Scholar nodded. "At least 5%. Maybe more."
The Emperor took a deep breath before calming himself. "I see."
His wariness had transformed into something much more important, desire. From now on, he needed Skymender to grow and become as intelligent as his potential would allow.
Because even a 5% increase could change the future of the world. For the sake of his Empire, his people, and most importantly himself, he would not even let a 0.1% increase slip by without grabbing it.
He looked into the distance, where the sun stood high.
"First, the house. Second, the kingdom. Third, the Empire. Finally, the World."
The Imperial Scholar unnoticeably shivered.
The prophecy of the current Emperor was known to very few, but those who understood it would feel fear just looking at him.
Because he was the one fated to rule the world.
Nobody knew how it came about, or where it was found, but those words seemed to take form and travel through the brains of everyone around.
First the house. Because the current Emperor was not born of the Imperial Family. He was not born of a royal family. He was not born of a noble family. He was not even born of a wealthy commoner family.
Known to less than ten in the entire Empire, the current Emperor was born the homeless child of the lowliest of commoners.
That was until he took the house. The house referred to a noble family. Then, the Kingdom. The Ergen Kingdom's king was nothing more than a subordinate at that time. Finally, the Empire. He ascended to the Imperial throne, silently and without noticeable change.
Every step was fraught with danger and the risk of failure. Every breath could have been his last. His journey was the most legendary ever confirmed to be true. Every moment marked by blood and sacrifice.
The Emperor could not be manipulated or underestimated, for anyone who truly knew him respected him, and they knew that if anyone could rule the world, it must be him.
The Emperor left the room, and the Imperial Scholar thoughtfully looked out the window.
"The sky doesn't move, but the world still rotates. Will you truly stop at the world, fated one?"
The journey back was even more boring than the one to the Imperial Capital. After all, he had once been going to a land of mysteries, but was now returning to the place he knew the best.
He wasn't sad to return, there was just not much anticipation. After all, he could have stayed in the Imperial Capital if he had truly wanted to, but hadn't.
He now had Hope in addition to Li Youcai. Honestly, he didn't care much, but he had indeed gained a new personal servant.
Looking at his bag of books, he had basically read them all. Good thing he was going back. it would have been hard to buy them if he was in the Imperial Capital, despite the fact that they should have been easier to find.
There were no interruptions or surprises on the way back. There were no bandits or passed out future servants.
The most interesting thing to happen was hearing a nearby wolf howl.