Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

As the food on the table steadily disappeared without being replaced, the conversation gradually lulled. It was the peace of full stomachs of everyone around the table, Nora and the familiars included.

Nora was a servant, and the familiars were familiars. They weren't supposed to sit at the same table as their master and eat or they didn't need ordinary food. However, the Empress Dowager insisted. And as soon as they ate, the familiars became grateful.

It wasn't ordinary food. Each dish was like a separate tonic for the mind and body. It was great enough that even they could feel the effects, much less Nora and Derot.

Zach had shot Derot a couple of glances while they ate to check on him and subtly hint that they should get this kind of food for themselves. If Derot had been able to look at anything but the fork in his hand and seen Zach's hints, he would have desperately shaken his head.

Even if the guild and business took off, they would not be able to afford this kind of food and lifestyle more than a few times a year.

Fortunately, Zach wasn't obsessed with the food since he had Alzara's potions, and he didn't think much more about it. He didn't think much of anything, really. He had even temporarily forgotten what they had come for. So, they ended up sitting in a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company and the feeling of fullness in their stomachs for quite some time before Zach realized.

He glanced at Ursula to check if she was ready for a proper conversation.

Of course, she was. She was the Empress Dowager. If a mere meal had been enough to distract her, her reign would have sunk the Empire to the depths of the ocean.

"I guess I'll cut to the chase since this isn't my strong suit," Zach began.

"Mm." Ursula nodded encouragingly, curious about what Zach might have to say in such a rush that he returned to her palace the same day he left it.

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call us friends by now, would it?" Zach asked. He needed to do this as an individual—as Zach, the guildmaster, not Zacharia Evandiel. He needed a personal connection to the Empress Dowager that superseded how he had made that connection, which he had through his blood. Without being an Evandiel, he would not have met the Princess or the Empress Dowager.

"It would, but go on." Ursula was curious where Zach was going with this, even if she already had an idea. She entertained Zach.

"...As you may know already, I am running a guild of alchemists independently of my family."

"Mhm."

"So, without taking my family into account, would you be willing to help me secure a deal with the Imperial Palace?" Zach fulfilled his promise and cut to the chase. He asked it directly since he wasn't sure how to say it.

"Not even your family name would have been enough to convince me to make a deal, boy," Ursula said with a stern voice, displaying some of the dignity of an Empress Dowager.

"I see…" Zach hung his head in disappointment. But Ursula wasn't finished.

"If you had just been the son of a duke, I wouldn't even have looked at you a second time after Rienne brought you here. If you had just been the son of a duke, she wouldn't even have shown an interest in you."

"I see…?" Zach looked up hopefully without letting himself be too hopeful. Ursula continuing like this could only mean one thing.

"My granddaughter is great. She excels at spirit magic, and she has a firm mind. Yet, you managed to not only rouse her interest but also make her take action. That's not all, you have also summoned several excellent high-ranking familiars that would have made me jealous if they weren't all battle maid variants.

"You still have a long way to go as an individual, and further still for me to acknowledge you as an equal and a friend. But it is reasonable to say that you have already done more for yourself than your surname has done for you." Ursula meant every word she said.

Zach might have his…imperfections, but no one was perfect. It only made Zach's strengths shine brighter, and shine brightly he did.

Ursula had seen many promising youths in many different fields. The Imperial Palace crawled with talents from all over the Empire, not to mention everything she had seen before she settled down.

She was confident in her assessment of Zach as one of the brightest shining stars in the Empire's current generation. He still had a lot to do and prove. But he was already crouching, ready to soar upward like a dragon.

As such, there was no need for the Empress Dowager to stifle Zach's growth. In fact, as someone who once lived and breathed for the prosperity of the Empire and who still valued its future, it was her duty to help Zach grow.

Thoughtlessly showering him with treasures and gifts wouldn't do him any good, nor would unconditioned assistance. But there was no harm in helping him secure founds and establishing himself in the world outside summoning.

"Return in the morning with ample samples of your product. I'll have it verified and compared to the standards of the palace alchemists. As long as you don't disappoint, I'm sure there's something for both parties to gain."

Zach had been stunned by Ursula's compliments and affirmation of his accomplishments. It took him a moment or two to fully process what she had just said.

"Really?!" He asked excitedly.

"I can show you several potions right now—"

"Tomorrow." Ursula interrupted Zach before he could start rummaging through Alzara's dress for something to show her.

"But—"

"Tomorrow."

With Ursula, the Empress Dowager, insisting, Zach didn't stand a chance. He would have to come back tomorrow.

Although reluctant, Zach took his leave and dragged Derot with him as they returned to the hotel to sleep as well as they could. Then, in the morning, they set off toward the Imperial Palace again.