By Zephyria 
80 people were gathered in this place. Despite that, an absolute silence, as if not a single insect was present, continued. The loudest sound among them was an elderly Mage in the back who, trying to cough, covered his mouth with both hands.
Mac Weaber’s gaze shifted to Steve Gore.
“Did you think Elga Wilds’ advice was inappropriate?”
“…Yes.”
“Why?”
“Elga Wilds has never once sparred directly with me and won. Yet today, she suddenly came to me and said I had developed bad habits that should be corrected, that even a blind monster wouldn’t be hit by such a sword….”
“You didn’t say that much!”
As Elga bristled and lifted her head, Mac Weaber replied coldly.
“Elga Wilds. I did not grant permission for you to interrupt.”
“…I am sorry.”
Having heard the stories of both individuals, Mac Weaber immediately turned towards me with a disciplined posture.
As she bowed deeply, her fluffy hair cascaded forward like a weeping willow, swaying gently. Mac Weaber, without revealing her expression, apologized in a clear voice as if all of it were her responsibility.
“I am sorry, Lord Ernhardt.”
“…For what?”
“I failed to foresee and prevent the knights’ quarrel. If you give me just one hour…”
It would be fine to leave it as it is, in her own way.
Mac Weaber knew their names, their families, their personalities, and their dispositions. She could likely understand their interpersonal dynamics even better and persuade them effectively.
However, I needed them urgently, as soon as the day after tomorrow. More precisely, I needed knights who would trust and rely on each other, knights who would fight desperately, vowing to bring back even one more person alive.
Mac Weaber shouldn’t be bowing her head. I patted her shoulder once to help her up.
“It’s alright. I think I can resolve this.”
“….”
Mac Weaber slightly lifted her head, casting a suspicious glance that others wouldn’t notice.
Of course, among those standing here, I was the youngest in apparent age. Furthermore, I didn’t know their names, personalities, or factions. That’s why Mac Weaber had been struggling so hard, putting on such a performance to establish my authority, wasn’t it?
But I knew how to handle those obsessed with the sword.
“Steve Gore.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t doubt my skill, do you? Draw your sword.”
“…What?”
“I will see for myself if I have any bad habits left and give you instruction.”
“Gasp, yes!”
“I’d like everyone to watch, for good measure. To see if I have any bad habits remaining.”
Starting with Steve Gore, I intended to face all sixty-nine knights present.
My current skill surpassed Maelo Sanson. I wouldn’t tire even if I faced everyone here sequentially. There was a clear difference between merely glancing at their techniques and clashing swords directly. I saw several habits they had developed while climbing to their current positions.
Most primarily used the Imperial Swordsmanship, but a few also employed unique and unconventional sword arts. Steve Gore was one of those who used unconventional sword arts.
Generally, swordsmen who used one-handed swords tended to swing their swords in a fixed direction to apply more force. For myself, rather than cutting from the upper left to the lower right, I preferred to cut from the upper right to the lower left and then immediately lower my body to slash upwards from the lower left to the upper right.
However, Steve, while still standing, flowed his sword tip in a circular motion. It seemed to be a mix of Siren sword technique and a few other elements, likely to use centrifugal force for greater power. Yet, the timing of his occasional thrusts was quite good.
The only issue was that when he thrust forward and then retracted his sword, his vision became exposed.
I didn’t tell Steve Gore anything. I simply set him aside for a moment to think, and then I sparred with the others one by one, offering them guidance.
The knights attacked with all their might. They poured their entire selves into me in a short time, striving to receive valuable instruction.
While leisurely parrying, blocking, and deflecting their swords, I often pointed out areas for improvement.
“Your lower body is a bit exposed. To the left. Yes. Lower your right shoulder slightly and widen your stance.”
“Being fast is good, but your sword lacks power. The force at the beginning and end is excessively different. You should do more strength training.”
“Your feet aren’t moving. If I were standing behind you like this, wouldn’t it be difficult to respond? Maintain your balance. No, you should pivot on your left foot, not your right. Yes, like that.”
Even the youngest among the knights was five or six years older than me. Yet, not a single one was disrespectful.
I didn’t know if it was because I was a Grand Sword Master, or because I was the Second Prince’s closest confidant. I just hoped that if they liked me after seeing my skills, they would clap with smiling faces when I married Ruben.
Surprisingly, Mac Weaber possessed quite high-level skills among these knights.
She fundamentally had good combat sense. I had been concerned that her constantly loose hair might interfere with combat, but seeing her actions, she seemed like she could fight quite well even with her eyes closed.
In the Central Plains, those who wore their long hair neatly were all confident in their skills, ensuring their hair wouldn’t be grabbed… If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be fine to comb it a little?
Hugh Benson’s attitude was somewhat unexpected. He had always sparred with me, and had never asked me for instruction. I thought he would spar casually and move on, but I didn’t expect him to attack as if disregarding his own life.
I parried all thirty of his Flying Daggers and returned them, and had to block the final thrust with my hand. His weakness was that his vision from the side of his covered eye was darker than expected, but he seemed to have noticed it before I could mention it, so I didn’t.
Elvin Brooks hadn’t changed much from the day he taught me. Only the amount of Mana he handled had increased. He was clean without any particular habits, but he had a tendency to push through with brute force when in danger.
After completing a round with Elvin Brooks, I adjusted my posture.
With the panting knights before me, I asked in the most gentle tone,
“How is it?”
No one could answer.
However, the doubt that appeared on the knights’ faces was evident. Since I knew the names of only a few, I pointed to a green-haired knight from before and asked.
“Lord Lancaster. Please speak.”
“Um… perhaps, this is presumptuous, but…”
“Yes.”
“Is your left chest, perhaps, injured…?”
“Did it look that way?”
He nodded with a somewhat hesitant expression, looking around at the surrounding knights, unsure. It was understandable, as I hadn’t faltered even once while they were sweating profusely and attacking. It was natural to find it hard to believe I had a weakness.
“Everyone who saw the same thing, please raise your right hand.”
“….”
“….”
Cautiously, several of them raised their hands to shoulder height. Once one or two raised their hands, it became easier. Except for a couple of knights who squeezed their eyes shut, everyone else raised their hands.
“Lord Weaber. Please spar with me one more time.”
“…Yes.”
Mac Weaber smiled slightly, as if she had guessed something.
After clashing for exactly fifty moves, I gently pushed Weaber’s sword away and stopped.
Now, the knights looking at me had wide eyes. Some among the bewildered ones had their mouths agape. I smiled again and acted kindly.
“That’s right. In the previous spars, I consistently showed defensive movements for my left chest. For just a fraction of a second in each spar, I hesitated. But what about now? Most of you seem to have noticed the difference from just now.”
“…Ah…”
“My sword was fast and fierce, and I was calm throughout. Yet, you all found my weakness.”
“….”
“A sword attacking from the front is very different from a sword attacking from the side. Just as a close-up view allows for a more detailed and vivid picture, a distant view first presents the overall shape.”
This was something learned from the first semester at the Academy.
However, it was also something difficult to realize without being taught by someone with overwhelming skill. These were knights from noble families protecting their respective territories. They would have been trained by masters in their own regions, so it was natural for them to have received different education than mine.
I looked at Elga Wilds again. She looked at me with moist eyes, as if she had already understood what I was about to say.
Was it a mistake to not know that the First Prince was a wicked person early on? Now that I’ve found the right path and came to help Ruben.
“You said you never won against Steve Gore in your spar, Wilds?”
“…Yes. It’s embarrassing, but…”
“Then you must have studied his sword art intensely.”
“…!”
“Why did you specifically point out something that you knew would make Steve Gore uncomfortable this time?”
Elga Wilds wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Then, with a face flushed red up to her neck, she mumbled in a small voice,
“The place we are going from now on… I heard it is dangerous. I wanted to know his weakness and use it in a spar to win… In case, against the monsters…”
“Were you worried Gore might be injured or killed?”
“….”
Elga did not answer.
This time, I looked at Steve Gore. He had a face even redder than Elga’s, his hands clasped behind his back, his head bowed low. He was so embarrassed that his scalp was flushed red, making his silver hair look pink.
“Gore’s sword art is exceptional, but when he extends and retracts his sword forward, his vision is fixed. If he looks left and right, not just straight ahead, he can make significant progress.”
“….”
“This time, Gore was rude.”
“…I, I am sorry.”
“It is not something you need to apologize to me for.”
Steve Gore immediately turned towards Elga Wilds. Like Mac Weaber earlier, he bowed deeply, his voice filled with embarrassment, yet loud and clear as he apologized.
“I was wrong, Wilds. Thank you for your concern.”
“…I, I accept your apology. It’s alright…”
Elga Wilds waited for Steve to lift his head before offering her hand for a handshake. Seeing the two of them shake hands, Mac Weaber discreetly gave me a thumbs-up.
Since the afternoon training session was almost over, I excused myself, saying I would rest separately. I was concerned that if I stayed, they wouldn’t have time to talk amongst themselves.
I truly hoped that this incident could mend the rift between the First Prince Faction and the Second Prince Faction.
I should not be greedy, as I have only taken the first step.
Deep into the night, Mage Boulder informed me that all the knights, even those who were originally uninterested in new Mind methods, had come to learn the Hip-Circle Light Cultivation Method. Seeing his beaming smile, I told him, “Well done, keep up the good work,” and sent him away with kind words.
❖ ❖ ❖
And so, finally, the day before departure.
From early morning, the entire sky was dyed a deep purple.
501 – 501.
If the end of the world were to be painted, this would be its exact depiction.
Clouds gathered around a single point, writhing like snakes. The backs of the clouds were red, and their bellies were deep purple. By this time, the sun that should have been peeking from the east was nowhere to be seen, and the entire sky gleamed with a cruelty akin to Sagall.
It was a distant sight that made even me, who had consistently trained my body and mind, gasp for breath.
If this same sight had appeared in the Central Plains, the King would have offered sacrifices, and all the people, from the highest to the lowest, would have come out into the streets and bowed their heads. On such a day, I too would have been terrified, thinking the heavens were angry, and would have been lost in anxious thought, which made me let out a hollow laugh.
Not only I, but everyone in sight had stopped and was looking up at the sky.
Some peered out through the windows, while others stood in the Martial arts training ground, gazing upwards. The servants and maids, holding each other’s hands tightly and reciting prayers, kept glancing at me. Their faces clearly showed they hoped I would explain something.
How many times had I seen faces like these, seeking reliance on someone stronger than themselves?
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t bewildered by an event that occurred just one day before the planned operation, but I forced a smile and simply exchanged a glance with them. The anxious and impatient faces of those around me grew a little lighter. As they parted their lips as if to ask something, I merely shrugged my shoulders and moved on.
Where is the Dragon?
Now I knew very well that blindly chasing the enemy without understanding the cause was not the only way.
The Dragon Spiritus was said to be able to pull down stars from the sky and embed them in the ground. He might be able to explain the reason for the sky opening up like this to some extent. First, I needed to understand why the sky was writhing like this and find out what I could do.
My impatience made walking difficult. Soon, I cut through the wind and flew.
Running like this within the Imperial Palace was improper, but no one was blocking me now.
“N-now…!”
Instead, one of the passersby, seeing me from a distance, waved both arms high and opened his mouth. I only realized he was calling me after I had passed him by and stopped. Turning back, I saw it was a servant. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly.
“Your Highness is in his office!”
“Ah… Thank you.”
Though it was unnecessary help for me, who could sense Ruben’s presence, I was grateful and relieved that it felt like I had received permission to go quickly. I bowed my head in thanks to the servant, who had a proud look on his face, and took flight again.
I stopped before the office, where a familiar presence buzzed. I knocked twice, observing the final courtesy, and the bell hanging by the door rang once. It was permission to enter.
Indeed, the room was filled with familiar faces. Ruben sat in the master’s seat with a grave expression, Hestia Yeldidus was looking at a map with Ruben, a Nereid hanging from her shoulder, Justin Barret smiled silently at me, and Kelly Hawkins, also with a serious expression.
And… Matt Nico?
“Wow. It’s been a while, Mikael. Do you remember me?”
“…”
“Gasp. You don’t remember? But I’m quite… No, it’s okay. It can happen. It’s me, me. Matt Nico. We took swordsmanship classes together back at the Academy. You even helped hide Wendy, no, Vivian Grimbswein…”
Even if I were a scatterbrain, would I have forgotten this guy?
Matt Nico was not only Ruben’s close friend but also a boisterous and friendly senior to me. I had heard that he had been running around protecting the Grimsvain succession and had recently been hiding with his mother, protecting Lucilla who had gone into hiding with a Divine object.
He paused his rambling and asked again.
“I heard you were with Senior Lucilla recently.”
“Uh, yeah. I was… but now I’ve been captured.”
Captured?
I looked back at Ruben, curious about where he came from, how he was brought here, and why. Ruben was busy with his hands, filling in numbers on a chart in a document, and couldn’t explain calmly. Instead, with a serious expression, he briefly looked up, met my eyes, and declared,
“We’re deploying in three hours, Mika. I’ve ordered the Knights’ building to prepare the attack and defense Artifacts, so you should hurry and get ready too.”
“…Now? But.”
“I’m going with you, so I’ll explain later.”
“Yes?”
Later, when?
No, more importantly, Ruben is going with me? To where? Floyd?
Today, I had planned to share a heartfelt farewell with Ruben. Wouldn’t it be right for only those who knew how to fight to engage in war, leaving Ruben in the relatively safe capital? As I flustered and tried to step forward to say something, Matt Nico grabbed my forearm and pulled me.
“First, come with me to Mac Weaber. When Rubel is like this, it’s better to just listen to him.”
“…”
Hearing that, Ruben looked up and met my gaze.
“Sorry.” After receiving the apology forming on the child’s lips, I finally came to my senses. Right, he said there were only three hours left. The child would return to me shortly. I forced down my anxious feelings.
Taking Matt Nico with me, I headed towards the building where the Knights were stationed.
Fortunately, Matt Nico had always been a chatterbox. Without me asking, he started talking about his efforts to hide their whereabouts while moving around with Lucilla.
“At first, I was really surprised. Not many people climb through my bedroom window in the middle of the night. Lucilla must have been quite desperate…”
“Was that… Emperor Veneto’s… that day?”
“Yeah. On the former Emperor’s death anniversary.”
Normally, people don’t enter other people’s rooms through the window, do they?
Lucilla Anti Sieron had been ordered to swap the Divine object with an identical one. That was all Emperor Veneto had said. The Emperor had been extremely urgent, so Lucilla swapped the Divine object without knowing why and went into hiding.
To evade the First Prince’s pursuit, Lucilla sought out Matt Nico first, and his mother, Viscountess Nico, ordered all household staff to evacuate to a safe place and hid with Lucilla.
“How could you possibly do that?”
“Well…”
Matt Nico ran his messy hair through his fingers and grinned mischievously.
“Actually, my mother used to work in the Nobility Yearbook administration department.”
“…Ah.”
“She knows well how ‘they’ operate, so it’s not hard to evade them. They use different methods each time. This time, she had all the servants and maids in the household disguise themselves as us and sent them on vacation simultaneously. A viscountcy usually only has eight to fifteen people from the intelligence department, so if you scatter them all at an unpredictable moment, it’s hard to track them. My mother had also already investigated the people who had infiltrated the family beforehand.”
“Hmm.”
“Then, we mostly moved through underground passages. We stayed and ate at commercial buildings prepared as safe houses and contacted messengers.”
“Hmm…”
“Immediately after Emperor Veneto’s death, the First Prince tried to get his hands on the Divine object first. Of course, he found nothing, and the First Prince issued a nationwide warrant for Lucilla’s arrest. She fled to Floyd as soon as Rubel returned.”
I could vaguely understand why the Ninth God hadn’t killed Rubel directly.
Souls killed by a god are absorbed by the god and disappear. Ruben resembled the first human greatly. The Ninth God likely didn’t want to scatter his soul meaninglessly before the grand operation.
Even if Richard alone tried to kill Ruben by human hands, the problem remained.
Ruben was intelligent, and his Knights were formidable. The evidence Ruben held was compiled into reports according to Sierren’s law and distributed. If Richard intended to become Emperor through assassination, he would have to harm both Rubel and Lucilla simultaneously, and Lucilla was in hiding, her whereabouts unknown.
Therefore, Richard had no choice but to flee. Whether he was backed by Floyd, the Ninth God, or those damned Demonic Cult bastards as his external forces, I couldn’t tell. I could only guess that with his Magic Power at a mere thousand, he wouldn’t be holed up in Dunmel Canyon…
“The First Prince is in Floyd and gone, and Ruben is guarding the Imperial Palace, so why is Senior Lucilla still…”
“They thought if it seemed like Rubel possessed the Divine object, she might be attacked and put in danger, so they hid Lucilla to make it appear as if they didn’t know the Divine object’s whereabouts. They believed it was more important to secure proper evidence and hold the coronation ceremony. If they engaged in armed conflict with the First Prince’s faction, the Empire would falter due to the many people involved.”
“Then why now?”
“Why?”
“You said she was captured. So the reason Senior came here is…”
“She wasn’t supposed to need the Divine object until the coronation. But she suddenly needed it, so she rushed here this morning. If Lucilla appeared at the Imperial Palace, she would naturally be suspected of knowing the Divine object’s whereabouts, so I brought it.”
Is it related to the sky becoming strange?
Matt Nico said his role was simply to deliver a package prepared by Lucilla to Ruben. He suspected the Divine object was inside the package, but he explained that he wasn’t sure what he had carried because he hadn’t seen its form.
He said that since he was here anyway, he would just help prepare the Artifacts needed for attack and defense, just in case, and do his job well.
Seven in the morning.
Knights and Wizards alike were already gathered in the Martial arts training ground. While Mac Weaber and Matt Nico clasped hands, sharing a moment of camaraderie, Hugh Benson, who was inspecting the Knights, approached me and opened a box of Artifacts, showing me the contents.
“I’ve set aside the Artifacts prepared by the Valentia family that you might find useful. Tell me if there’s anything you don’t need. I’ll give it to someone else.”
“Hmm… What is what?”
“This here is the Type 7 Instant Accelerator. You wear it on your wrist, and it allows you to use Blink with a specific signal input. It’s a one-time use. Next to it is the Type 5 Localized Shield. When you take a heavy blow, a small, solid shield appears around the brooch pendant, about 50cm in width and height. I figured a full-body shield would just get in your way and be useless.”
“…Thank you. But is this last one perhaps the Type 2 emergency signal transmitter?”
“Ah, an emergency flare. Use it if you want to lure monsters, or if we get lost.”
I put the bracelet on my wrist and the brooch on my chest. The emergency flare was clipped to my waist.
Wearable Artifacts, even with many Mana Stones attached, were generally not heavy and were small in volume. Yet, somehow, it felt heavy and overwhelming, as if I had attached a giant stone to my chest.