By Zephyria 
Ruben obediently offered his cheek as I led him.
I didn’t bother using Sound Transmission. I did it deliberately to show that I would prioritize Ruben’s permission for whatever I did. I didn’t speak loud enough for the Imperial Knights standing ahead to hear, but someone with good Eye Force might have been able to discern what I was saying.
I whispered softly into the child’s ear.
“May I?”
“…Do you want to?”
“Yes. There are a few people I’d like to push forward. However, I don’t think it will end with one-on-one encounters, and I can’t just select a few people separately, so I’d prefer to do it all at once.”
“How many at a time is acceptable?”
“…”
Seeing my smiling face, Ruben nodded once, then turned his gaze to Mac Weaber.
“Lord Weaver. How many Knights are participating today?”
“452, Your Majesty.”
“Then let’s make it a clean 500.”
“…? Yes?”
“June 15th, 2 PM. Select 500 among the Imperial Knights who volunteer yourself, and gather them at the First Arena. You may participate yourself if you wish. There will be Knights who couldn’t attend today’s review due to missions, and many who will be returning soon.”
“You intend to… attack them all at once? No, that…”
Mac Weaber glanced at me furtively, faltering.
I knew why he was so flustered. Now that Ruben had given me permission, he seemed eager to receive even a sliver more of my teachings. He wanted me to guide him meticulously, just as the Academy professors often did.
Still, he wasn’t annoying. His desire wasn’t solely for himself, but to extend a ladder to all those beneath him, so I found it endearing and commendable, and it made me smile.
With the same smile, I straightened my body and looked directly at the Knights. Not a single one of them stirred; their tense gazes were fixed on me, unable to look away. Towards them, I declared,
“Originally, enlightenment sprouts from even the smallest seed. Guiding you step-by-step on how to do this and that is useless at this stage. I believe that the experience of clashing swords with a strong opponent alone will be of great help to you.”
“…”
“I will give you as much as I can, so please take as much as you can swallow. Then, I will see you again then.”
The response came not from Mac Weaber, but from among the Knights.
“Yes!”
Their posture, standing straight as one body, was quite a spectacle.
Even though I had dismissed them, not a single one of them thought of leaving before us. Standing rigidly, they gazed at Ikyun as if entranced. Poplar Kiadris might not have advised this, but the profound reverence in the Knights’ every breath and gesture filled me with great satisfaction.
On the way back to the Crystal Palace.
Mac Weaber rode alongside Ruben and me in the carriage, chattering incessantly.
“Wow… His Majesty, who ordered all personal matters to be reported through his aide because he was so busy, how did he end up making such a strenuous journey? I had even forgotten His Majesty’s hair color until this afternoon.”
“Since when have you wanted to see me so badly?”
“Did we want to see His Majesty the Emperor? A legendary Grand Sword Master who returned victorious against Dragons and Gods is in the same palace!”
“Hmm.”
“Why would you surround your personal training grounds with trees like that? The Mana fluctuations could be felt, but it couldn’t be seen, so there were more than a few Knights with bloodshot eyes…”
“I cannot offer my husband as your eyes’ feast.”
“Ah, that’s not what I meant!”
Watching the child bicker with his friends was always as delightful and joyful as watching newborn puppies’ first wobbly steps. I looked fondly at Ruben, who sat there with a brazen, feigning innocence, then subtly joined the conversation to stop him from scolding my child any further.
“I heard Lord Weaver has been busy lately as well.”
“Ah, I’m always busy! Busy! But isn’t all that busyness because of our Emperor?”
“Hmm?”
“Imperial Conferences are usually held at the Imperial Palace. We’re in a state of emergency preparing for the large influx of people expected in the capital, but the Captain was sent all the way to the Magic Territory.”
The Captain refers to Rosalia Piche, who departed for the Magic Territory last March. If Mac Weaber was filling in for the Captain of the Royal Guard, he must hold a fairly high position. Given his lineage and connections, it wouldn’t be strange for him to rise to a high rank at such a young age.
“Lord Weaver… are you the Vice-Captain?”
“I wish I were, but I don’t have enough experience for that yet. Strictly speaking, I’m more like a Deputy Vice-Captain or a secretary. I’m often pulled in not just for His Majesty the Emperor’s errands, but also for dealing with people. It’s because I have a bit more eloquence than others.”
“Hmm.”
“And a bit more nerve.”
Seeing him wink playfully, I simply laughed. Mac Weaber, peering in through the window, leaned his arms on the carriage window and poked his head in.
The warmth of long-standing relationships is truly good. No matter how omnipotent Ruben is as Emperor, doesn’t he need a comrade or two to joke around with? Not surprised, I watched his actions. With a sly smile on his cheerful, impudent face, he whispered conspiratorially,
“Duke Ernhardt. Do you remember Sir Elga Wilde and Sir Steve Gore?”
“…Yes?”
“You know, the friends who fought the day before or the day before that before their expedition and were scolded by Duke Ernhardt.”
“Ah. Ah, I remember. Why them suddenly?”
“They had their first child last month.”
“…Yes?”
“They say he got married right after Floyd returned from his expedition. As soon as they heard the news of Duke Ernhardt’s survival, they rushed over, and he said he wanted to meet you and express his gratitude someday, but he was worried you’d be busy, so he asked me to pass on the message.”
“Haha, really? Please convey my congratulations.”
“The child’s name is Mikael. Mikael Wilde.”
Ruben’s brow immediately furrowed in displeasure. As Ruben wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed closer, I embraced his shoulder, stroking him gently, and asked in bewilderment,
“…Why?”
“Because they firmly believe Duke Ernhardt was the one who brought them together. If anyone picks a fight in front of Duke Ernhardt during this sparring match, you can be suspicious. It’s because of them that some strange rumors have been circulating.”
“Strange rumors?”
“That Duke Ernhardt has an exceptional talent for bringing together people who secretly like each other.”
“…”
“The God of Swords and Love, Mikael Hart Sierren. Isn’t it amusing? If you have time later, please find me a good match too. Preferably someone slender and delicate.”
…Are the epithets of gods always created like this?
I am a god who remains human. I can align twisted Mana, but I know nothing about controlling others’ hearts or helping their romantic relationships. My own situation is precarious; what is this talk?
Were there people deliberately bickering in front of me? Unless one’s nerve was as large as an Ogre’s, like Mac Weaber’s, how could they dare such impudence? I was bewildered by the strangeness of it all.
❖ ❖ ❖
Thursday of the fourth week of May.
Not a single cloud drifted across the blue sky. The weather had been clear and pleasant for several days straight.
Within the capital’s walls, there were few trees centuries old, except in planned gardens or temples. But it was different outside the walls. In the distant fields, the trees stood in clusters, leaning against each other, tall with branches stretching far. In early summer, white flowers bloomed like clouds on their branches.
Through those flowering trees, carriages approached Ikyun from afar, crossing the plains.
The first and second carriages bore Valentia’s seal, while the third and fourth carriages bore Ernhardt’s seal. Seven smaller carriages followed the larger ones at regular intervals.
Mikael and Asdel, who had been looking on with hesitant curiosity, turned to me with bright faces as soon as they recognized the familiar seals. Appreciating their desire to let me go first, I nudged the horse’s flank.
Ernhardt’s Knights, escorting the carriages, waved cheerfully or performed tricks like saluting from horseback. Among Valentia’s Knights, who bowed respectfully towards Ikyun, I saw a few familiar faces.
As the carriage at the very front stopped, the door of the second carriage burst open.
“Mika! Oh, my child!”
“Grandmother.”
I was startled by my grandmother descending from the carriage as if rolling and jumped off my horse. As I quickly helped her, she pulled me into a hug, shook me, and then examined my shoulders and arms, looking me over from every angle. Tears of uncontrollable joy welled up in her wrinkled face.
Behind her, my maternal grandfather, helped down by Mikael, and my maternal grandmother, trembling as she held Asdel’s hand tightly, also approached me and reached out their arms. I willingly embraced them, receiving their affectionate scolding.
“You’re alive. You’re truly alive.”
“Of course. I apologize for causing you unnecessary worry.”
“No, no. I’m sorry, I…”
“What are you saying? I should have come to see you first. For making you travel such a long way…”
My wrinkled hands, reaching out to stroke my head, caress my cheeks, and count my fingers, made me feel awkward and embarrassed. Not unaware of their affection, I humbly bowed my head and accepted all their ministrations.
Peeking out from the carriage windows, everyone inside shone brightly with smiles whiter than flowers. Through the open windows, I saw the smiling faces of my cousins and other relatives and returned their smiles sheepishly.
My maternal uncle, who had alighted from the foremost carriage, broke up the huddle of me and my grandparents.
“Let’s not do this in the middle of the road. We can finish catching up once we’re inside. And Mikael.”
“Yes.”
“It’s good to see you.”
As his hand brushed my shoulder, I smiled back at him.