#45: Chapter 45 — I Became the Sword Saint’s Disciple

The boy had become a knight.
Now, no one could refute that fact.

“Your Majesty!”

At that moment, someone’s shout rang across the audience chamber.
Words that had slipped out without thought in their panic.
Knowing that, Kerum did not try to find who it was.

“As I stated, the boy’s right to decide belongs solely to the boy. Whether it is my will, Lars’s will, or anyone else’s will, no one can go against the decision the boy made for himself. Especially the Knight’s Oath, which must not be sworn by force. It is not a matter anyone can dispute.”

A quiet murmur rippled like a wave.

“Regret and satisfaction alike. They are all matters for the boy to concern himself with.”

Kerum continued.

“However, if you raise a rebellion against the will of the empire, you will pay the appropriate price.”

It was not a warning directed only at the boy.
It was a warning, and at the same time a plea, toward the two great beings in this place who were not on the imperial court’s side, Lars and Lucas.

There was only one archmage currently in the empire, and two Sword Masters.
Lars was the archmage, and Lucas was one of the Sword Masters.
If the empire faced them with force, victory could not be guaranteed.
No, it would surely lose.
The remaining Sword Master was Muto Mariposa.
Her skill was proven by the title ‘Master,’ but…….

‘Even if she is strong, she cannot compare to those two.’

Those two had spent more than half their lives on battlefields.
Their experience was as overwhelming as their skill.

And above all else, there was the being known as Lucas.
Kerum had not offered him the position of Great Knight Commander of the imperial court for no reason.
The right person for the position, whom no one had been able to refute.
There was no point in debating the strength of someone like that.

‘Even if we gathered everyone in the empire, I cannot be certain we could stop those two.’

Even if they gathered powerful individuals from across the empire, it was uncertain whether they could face even one of those two.
That was why he wanted to avoid fighting them.
That was Kerum’s judgment after watching them for a long time.

“I will make sure that does not happen.”

Serpens answered.
With those words, the boy turned stiffly.
As he slowly moved to Lucas’s side, the tension gradually eased.

“Hoo…….”

A brief silence fell over the audience chamber.
The one who broke that silence was Lucas.

“And I have something to say to Your Majesty.”

Kerum cast him a sidelong glance.
His eyes held worry rather than expectation.

“Will you permit me to return to the battlefield?”
“……!”

Kerum made a subtle expression.
His eyes wavered, and his lips stiffened.

‘So suddenly?’

For the past few years, Lucas had stubbornly insisted on having his own way.
And now, such a man was suddenly asking to return to the battlefield.
Of course, it was welcome news, and words he had been waiting for.
But why……?
He brings a boy of unknown origin here, makes a show of refusing the oath,
and yet he’s requesting to return to the battlefield?

‘What does it matter?’

The reason was not important.
Perhaps time had solved the problem.
What mattered now was that Lucas had changed his mind.
After that brief judgment, the corners of Kerum’s mouth began to crease.
The irritation and anger that had been building until just now melted away in an instant.

“If you desire the battlefield, I will gladly permit it. Lucas Liberator.”

Lucas’s name was spoken.
People began whispering busily.

The murmur became a wave and kept rolling in without stopping.

Lucas added wind to the wave.

“And not only me. That one will also go to the battlefield. Will you permit it?”

The one he meant was Lars.
Lars waved his hand with a face full of mischief.
Kerum looked at the magician with a face twice as bright as before.

“Of course!”

The stiff expression from just moments ago vanished from Kerum’s face, replaced by a smile like that of a bright child.

“Then I will take that as your agreement.”

Tak-!

When Lars flicked his finger, a cheerful sound rang out.
At the same time, a massive map appeared.
As the map floated in the air where everyone could see it, admiration flowed from many mouths.

“Since today’s main purpose was not a strategy meeting, I will explain only the points you should be familiar with before the next meeting.”

Lars gestured toward the map.
Oratio, Natura, Calor.
The map depicting the three empires enlarged and moved according to the magician’s gestures.

“If you wish, we can hold a strategy meeting now. If it is you and Lucas, most people will believe and follow you.”

Kerum said in a half-excited voice.
But Lars shook his head.

“Today is an important day, Your Majesty. Just as our kid became a knight, others will be waiting for the same honor.”
“That is true, but…… we are in wartime. Should a strategy meeting not naturally take priority?”
“No. As I said, I brought this up to inform you of the points to know before the next meeting. I do not want to push aside the expectations of the new knights waiting outside the audience chamber doors.”
“Is that so…….”
“You need not worry, Your Majesty. From now on, you no longer need to worry about our forces.”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Lars. I nearly hurt the new knights.”

Kerum nodded in satisfaction.

“Now, let’s see…….”

Lars’s fingertips moved the map.
The map was not the only thing moving.
Everyone watching it.
With one light gesture, he was moving all of their attention.

When the magician’s fingertip tapped the air, red dots were marked on the map.
Those gathered in the audience chamber held their breath and waited for his words.

“These are the three main regions that pose major problems for our Oratio Empire.”

Regions where dots were particularly dense.
Those familiar with the war nodded.

“The western mountain range. The eastern plains. And the area near the southern coastline. In these three regions, the concentration of monsters and the damage they cause are severe. As you know, it is at a level where all-out war is burdensome.”

His fingertip slowly moved along the dots.

“It has been several years since the war began. Do you know why we have not achieved great results?”

Several retainers exchanged opinions.
Someone also looked at Lars with sharp eyes.
If he and Lucas had participated in the war, would they not have achieved far greater results than now?

“It is simple. Because the speed at which monsters are subjugated is slower than the speed at which they multiply.”

Tak-!

He flicked his finger once again.
Three projected images rose above the map.
The western mountain range.
The eastern plains.
The southern coastline.
Within the magic were the figures of people splattered with blood and shouting.

“I am not trying to criticize, but did you not feel that there was something strange about the strategy?”

Kerum avoided Lars’s eyes.
Lars thought that was fortunate.

‘At least he knows something is wrong.’

At present, the empire was not using all its troops in the war against monsters.
Because of that, the lack of manpower brought about unnecessary damage,
and unnecessary damage became a cause that worsened the lack of manpower.
There was only one reason this vicious cycle couldn’t be broken.

“It is that you are wasting troops trying to keep the other empires in check.”

Oratio.
Natura.
Calor.

The empires of the three races were coveting one another’s territory even before the common enemy called monsters.
They had made an agreement, but that was only for outward appearances.
There was no way to know their true intentions.
The reality was that they had no choice but to keep troops behind to hold one another in check, just in case.

Distrust among allies before a common enemy.
There was nothing more foolish.

“To say this in advance, unity among the three empires comes first if we are to face the monsters.”

No one answered hastily.
Everyone was busy avoiding Lars’s eyes.
They knew as well.
The agreement was a means to reassure the people of each empire.
Of course, it was true that they had achieved various results by cooperating with one another.
But in the end, the main role of the agreement was stabilizing public sentiment.

Lars raised his hand and spread two fingers.

“First, convene a meeting of the three empires to form a firm alliance. Second, assign appropriate missions among each nation’s major forces. These are the important points you should know before the next strategy meeting.”

People looked at one another.
Some nodded, while others tilted their heads.

“As expected of Sir Lars.”

One retainer spoke carefully.

“It is true that unity is important. But even if such a meeting is held, can we expect any other effect? The contest of nerves between the empires cannot disappear, even if we want it to.”

Lars smiled gently.

“That is why I intend to personally create a forum for unity.”

People exchanged opinions in low voices.
Kerum also said nothing in particular, as if lost in thought.

At that moment, someone who had been quietly listening opened his mouth.

“That is all well and good, Lars Musica.”

The low voice of an old man added weight to the audience chamber.

“Unity. Of course, it is good. Even I knew there would be no better strategy for getting rid of the monsters.”

A white-haired old man stepped forward.
Marquis Girium Levvels.
He was the one who held influence second only to the emperor.

Seeing him, Lucas’s eyebrow twitched faintly.

“But we are not looking only at the war. We must also think of what comes after. What happens after the war ends.”

Lars gave a faint smile.
It was a reflexive smile, so it held no emotion.

“I am thinking of that as well, Marquis Levvels.”

The old man clicked his tongue.

“Let us assume we achieve unity and defeat the monsters. Then what comes after? The elves and dwarves become our enemies. We cannot sacrifice more of Oratio’s precious knights for the sake of future enemies, can we?”

The atmosphere of the audience chamber became quite heavy.
Several retainers nodded, agreeing with Girium’s opinion.

“Before they are future enemies, they are current allies.”
“A young man should not look only at the present. The present exists for the future.”
“Is it not because you are fixated only on that future that you have continued a fruitless war for years?”

Both of them spoke without any change in expression.
Neither side grew angry or frowned.
But because of that, the people held their breath even more.

“If you were so dissatisfied with this repeated war, why did you not join it earlier?”
“Everyone has their own role. I have been spending my time quite busily in my own way.”

The audience chamber began to grow noisy again.
Kerum did not want that, so he stopped the conversation between the two.

“Stop this unnecessary emotional quarrel. I would prefer you not forget that you are before me.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Understood.”

The direct conversation was cut off, but others began exchanging their opinions.
Those who wanted to solve the current problem first.
Those who wanted to think of future gains.
Lars looked around at them, then withdrew the map spread out in the air.

With that, he focused their attention once again.
Just as something appearing from nothing could draw attention, something that had been there disappearing could also draw attention.

But he was not the one who spoke.

“How long do you intend to extend a meaningless present for the sake of uncertain future gains?”

Lucas said to Girium.

“Of course, I did not think there would be no opposing opinions. That is why I brought this up so that you may take time to think until the next meeting.”

Kerum nodded.

“Good. My ministers and I will discuss it.”
“Thank you.”

Lucas and Lars exchanged glances.

“Then we will take our leave.”

Lars said, lightly brushing off his hands.

At the same time, Lucas turned around.
Serpens was startled and followed behind him.

Watching the three walk toward the audience chamber doors, Kerum let out a deep sigh.

“Lucas, Lars.”

And at his call, the two stopped.

“This is a time when your strength and wisdom are desperately needed. Please do not disappoint me.”

Lars gave a short laugh.

“You may look forward to it, Your Majesty.”