The Regressed SSS-Rank Water Mage Wants To Live a Calm Life-Chapter 34: Kelmont Jalozi

The sunlight trickling through the opening window outlined Kelmont’s figure.

Silver, middle-parted bangs framed an oval, pale face that most would consider handsome. Although Kelmont thought he was way past the age that anyone should consider a man handsome.

The light reflected in his clear sky-blue eyes, and he blinked.

’That’s enough rest.’

The man stretched and yawned, adjusting his nightwear, a loose, red, silky robe that barely covered his nakedness, exposing his chest and his flat stomach.

Quickly, he made his way to the other end of his room, where his study lay. A silver chair and table, filled with books and papers. He’d have to study at least two books before he proceeded with the rest of his morning schedule. A grueling daily task.

As Kelmont sat, wondering what he’d have been doing out there in the world if that man hadn’t killed the Emperor all those years ago and made him the successor.

Considering how lazy Kelmont was, he figured he’d have just blazed his life away doing nothing worthwhile. In a way, it made him grateful for the throne; at least he had a sense of purpose here, but still, it made the lazy side of him feel trapped every single day. Responsibility was tiring, really.

A knock came at Kelmont’s door. It was frantic and speedy, untypical of the maids.

He blinked, silver lashes hovering above clear blue eyes.

"Who is it?" Kelmont asked with a deep, rumbling voice. One that totally contrasted with his personality. Made people think he was a serious, stern man.

Twenty years as an Emperor would make any man adore his God-gifted voice. He couldn’t even imagine what his life would’ve been like without it. No one would’ve taken a non-mage Emperor seriously otherwise.

"Your grace, it is me. Gelru," the voice at the other end of the door replied.

Kelmont raised a brow, crossing his legs.

’The captain of the imperial Intel organization?’

"And to what do I owe the honor, Captain?"

The man at the other end of the door remained quiet for a while.

"Forgive me, your grace, but may I come in? I judge that this is a delicate matter."

Kelmont’s expression hardened.

’Do they finally want to put an end to their useless, non-mage Emperor? Want to assassinate me in front of my maidens?’

The Emperor groaned.

’They should’ve at least done it somewhere hidden or something. Well,’ he shrugged, ’it was a good life.’

"Come in."

"Gratitude, your grace."

Clack–!

The door opened, and a figure walked in.

Kelmont’s heartbeat spiked, nerves jamming and unjamming. He held his composure, wearing the brilliantly crafted mask of superiority, while within him, his soul quivered in fright.

"What is it you want to tell me, Gelru? You do know that it’s still early in the morning, right?"

Gelru was a man clad in a black robe that hid all bodily features. He wore a white mask that contrasted with his black robe, and his hair was always covered by said robe.

Entering Kelmont’s room, Gelru bowed so that his forehead touched the cold marble floor.

"My Lord, may your excellence remain, may your—"

"Skip the formalities. Raise your head."

Gelru raised his head, meeting his masked eyes with Kelmont’s sky-blue eyes.

"Forgive me, Your Grace. But I felt the need to report something unprecedented that has occurred in Ludia."

Kelmont tilted his head, narrowing his eyes.

’So he isn’t here to assassinate me, after all.’ He breathed out, relieved. ’Right. I always forget I have guards outside.’

"Ludia?"

"Yes, your grace."

’Hmm.’ Kelmont sat properly on his chair. ’The city of beginnings, huh.’

The Emperor flashed a grin, remembering that Ludia was the place where the tale of the man who had killed the previous Emperor began.

He rested his chin on his balled-up fist.

"Go on."

"The red valley in Ludia, that place filled with beasts, where no man has conquered, it... It has been cleared."

Kelmont frowned. Of course, he knew about the red valley. A lazy Emperor didn’t always equal an incapable Emperor, after all.

The Emperor removed his chin from his fist.

"You said what?"

"The valley has been rid of all beasts, your grace."

Kelmont sat upright.

"The late Archmage Linoel, the one killed by the Mercenary King Blank, couldn’t eradicate all the beasts in the valley, yes? And so he created a barrier by the order of the former Emperor, my predecessor, yes?"

Gelru, one knee on the ground and the other up high, nodded.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Kelmont hummed.

"Tell me, Gelru, who is the individual who cleared this valley? It is really unprecedented."

"The officiators of Gislow’s guild say it was cleared by two men. A 7th-circle water mage named Maxwell, and a 5th-core swordsman they called Vin."

Kelmont’s frown deepened. He almost groaned.

’Gislow.’

That damn old man. He wouldn’t be so happy to hear that the Emperor was about to poach another of his mercenaries with bright potential.

Kelmont wondered when that man would just finally die. He was above hundred if he could recall, and reports say he’d been bumming out the Empire even before Kelmont was born. Sometimes he wondered how his predecessor handled him.

Although that immortal monster had handled everything perfectly.

"Report this to the cardinal authorities. Tell the court mages to prepare for recruitment. And inform the Mage Knights that they might gain a notable ally for the incoming war against the Ananca Empire."

Gelru nodded courtly.

"You mean to recruit the mage, sire?"

"Yes."

"Then the swordsman, My Lord?"

Kelmont raised a hand, waving it as he turned to his desk to continue reading his book.

"Leave him to Gislow."

’Can’t poach all the old man’s stars.’

Gelru bowed once more.

"As you have said, so it shall be."

Gelru stood up, and he gazed at the Emperor with profound awe of his grace.

The man bowed one final time before he turned to make his way out of the room.

Clack–!

The door closed, leaving Kelmont Derianis Jalozi to his thoughts.

"Hubolt bless you, Ludia," Kelmont whispered, crossing his legs as he smiled. "For always birthing legends."