Chapter 157

“Of course, I’m not saying it will be for free.”

“Hooh…?”

The Emperor’s eyes glittered with anticipation.

“Could it be… you intend to become the sword of the Empire? If so, I swear upon my name, I shall promise you a position no less honorable than that of Duke Orléans.”

This time, I shook my head.

“I am Lumina’s champion and her hidden blade. As such, I cannot simply transfer my allegiance as I please.”

At my refusal, the Emperor smacked his lips in blatant regret.

“The Lumina Church. Hmm… I suppose so.”

For the record, this was precisely why I had brought up the title of Rule Executioner in the first place. Doing so effectively prevented the Emperor from clinging to me persistently. The gods had already claimed me as their own, so no matter how powerful the Emperor was, what could he possibly do about it?

“Instead, if you ever have a request, contact me through the White King of Carmen. I will assist you, provided it is ‘within reasonable bounds.’”

To translate my response literally, it meant this:

—Hey. Treat the Kiadran Countdom well. If you do, I might throw you a bone every now and then if I’m in the mood.

The Emperor’s gaze turned deep and calculating. He had caught the hidden implication behind my words without much difficulty.

“It is truly a shame that I cannot bind you to my side… but even that much fills this absolute ruler with immense joy. Then, if I may ask… provided it is not an unjust matter, would you be willing to swing your sword occasionally ‘for my sake’?”

—That alone is more than enough to be grateful for. So, you’re saying you’re on my side for now, right? I can sell your name to suppress the nobles, right? And you’ll help me if a rebellion breaks out, right?

‘For my sake’ instead of ‘for the Empire’s sake’… I had heard that the Imperial Capital was divided into the Imperialists and the Autonomists, but the power struggle seemed even more intense than I had imagined.

“Well, as I said, as long as it is ‘within reasonable bounds,’ and if there is a ‘fitting price,’ this Grand Master Gildong will gladly swing his sword for you.”

—We’ll see. If I feel like it. Of course, you’ll have to pay the price. Oh, and feel free to use my name.

At my words, a brilliant, sun-like smile spread across the Emperor’s face as he leaped up from his seat.

“Is that true? You promise!?”

“In exchange….”

“Hahat! If it is the Kiadran Countdom, I shall personally guarantee its backing. Ah, do not misunderstand; providing backing does not mean I intend to interfere. I promise that the Kiadran Countdom shall enjoy freedom ‘under the shadow of the Empire.’ In fact, I believe it would be perfectly fine for them to grow a bit larger. Say, to the size of the Kesala March.”

This could be translated as something like this:

—The Kiadran Countdom? Sure, whatever! Do whatever you want! I won’t touch them at all!

—They can even swallow up the neighboring territories. I don’t mind if they grow to the size of the Kesala March.

—Just don’t break away from the Empire and declare independence. That would put me in a tough spot after giving the approval. OK?

Mm, at this point, it was basically a free pass. Then again, what I had offered in return was quite substantial.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And… while we are at it, I would be grateful if you could accept a title, even if it is merely an honorary one….”

Mmm, the old man really wants to seal the deal with an official stamp. Talk about greedy.

Well, the one making the promise to help and accepting the title was Grand Master Gildong, not me. It had nothing to do with me.

“Sure, if you wish.”

“Excellent! Splendid! Chancellor! What vacant titles do we have available right now!?”

The ministers, who had been momentarily dazed by the conversation progressing without giving them a chance to intervene, began to clamor among themselves once more. Amidst the noise, the man addressed as the Chancellor quickly spoke up.

“Ahem… the Dukedom of Drygon is currently vacant. Since it was originally a title granted only to a Grand Master or a 9th Circle Archmage, I believe it would be the most fitting title for Sir Gildong.”

“Ah, of course! There was that! Wonderful. From this moment forth, you shall be known as the Duke of Drygon within this Empire. Though it is an honorary position, I guarantee that no citizen of the Empire will be able to show you anything less than the utmost respect.”

“Of course, as this is not a title that can be officially bestowed right now through mere words, you will need to grace this place with your presence one more time in the future… How does that sound?”

“I shall gladly do so. Thank you.”

The Emperor spoke with a flushed face, looking just like a little boy who had received a Christmas present.

“Not at all. I am the one who should be thankful that you accepted it, Sir Gildong”

It was right then.

One of the nobles standing at the very front of the line to the left of the Emperor stepped forward and shouted loudly.

He stood a massive two meters tall. Folded behind his back were giant, red, leathery wings. He possessed long crimson hair that matched the color of his wings and a heavily built, rugged skeletal structure.

At a glance, it was obvious he was a dragonkin male of the same race as Carmen.

‘Oh. His build is no joke. Give him a sword, and he looks like the type who could rip through dozens of monsters right now.’

“Your Majesty! That cannot be allowed!”

At the booming shout, the Emperor frowned openly.

“…Is it you again? Duke Theodore?”

“The Empire’s ducal titles are not something to be treated so lightly! Bestowing it so readily upon a first-time acquaintance—especially an unidentified individual hiding their face behind a mask—will bring dishonor upon the authority of the Imperial Family!”

“Hooh… for you to worry about the authority of the Imperial Family, the sun must be rising from the west tomorrow. Aren’t you the very person who despises that authority the most, Duke?”

“I have no idea what you are speaking of, Your Majesty! My loyalty has always been directed solely toward the Imperial Family and Your Majesty!!”

“And of course, that Emperor must be a hollow shell, an Emperor in name only? Why don’t you just mobilize the Wind-Cleaving Knights that your Theodore domain prides itself on and violate the Imperial Castle right now?”

“Your Majesty! The only reason this subject stands here is due to the grace of the Emperor who has looked upon me with high regard. How could I ever harbor such treasonous intentions!? Please look favorably upon the loyalty of this humble servant and clear away your misunderstandings!”

Despite the rather blood-chilling conversation taking place, the surrounding ministers didn’t show much agitation. It meant this kind of exchange wasn’t a rare occurrence.

The Emperor stared down at the kneeling Duke Theodore for a long while before finally clicking his tongue and speaking again.

“I get it, so stop the act and rise.”

“An act? This subject was merely….”

“Rise. Unless you truly wish to see me pour out the flames of my wrath. If that happens, even if the Empire is split in half, I will wipe away everything that stands in my way.”

“…Your benevolence is boundless.”

Judging by how things were playing out, it seemed this Duke Theodore was the head of the Noble Council and the leader of the Autonomists.

And his stepping forward at this timing… was obviously because he hated the idea of a Grand Master being added to the roster of the Imperialists.

At this point, the only way for him to stop it was to prove that I was a fraud.

Even if I turned out to be the real deal, he wouldn’t lose anything anyway. And if I got offended and flipped the table, that would also be a win for him.

And, true to form.

The Duke didn’t even bat an eye at the Emperor’s chilling reprimand as he smoothly continued what he wanted to say.

“In the first place, where is the proof that he is truly a Grand Master?”

“Stop beating around the bush and say what you want to say, Duke.”

“…If he truly wishes to receive the Dukedom of Drygon, he must prove by his own hand that his words are not a lie.”

“Sir Gildong has sworn before me upon the names of all the heavenly gods that his words are not false. Duke, do you mean to say you disregard even the gods of heaven? Your insolence never fails to amaze even me.”

“…That and this are separate matters.”

“Ha….”

At that, the murmuring around the room grew louder once more. Voices began to rise in agreement with Duke Theodore. Of course, most of those voices were coming from the left line where the Duke had been standing.

‘The left is the Autonomists. The right is the Imperialists. Hmm. The arrangement is a bit too blatant.’

“…Then what do you propose we do? Do you intend to take up your sword for the first time in a while and punish Sir Gildong yourself?”

“How could my lacking skills dare to entertain Your Majesty? It just so happens that I have a knight under my command who is no less capable than Sir Carmen.”

“Under your command… Do you mean Sir Lucian? The one who holds the alias ‘Flash Lightning’?”

“Indeed. Let us have him test himself against that man.”

“Huu….”

The Emperor turned back to look at me with a troubled expression. For better or worse, it seemed this Theodore guy’s political standing was something even the Emperor couldn’t easily ignore.

I let out a light chuckle toward the Emperor, then spoke directly to Duke Theodore.

“Bring him out. A Master, is it… Let us see if his skills are actually worth anything.”

As Duke Theodore’s brow furrowed, the air inside the Audience Chamber instantly grew stiflingly hot.

With a rigid expression, Duke Theodore spoke.

“Then let us move to a more suitable location for a battle—”

I smirked, cutting the Duke off.

“Is there any need for that? Just bring him right here.”

“…You had better watch your mouth, sir. You are not a duke, nor are you anything yet.”

“Are you throwing your rank as an imperial duke around? If we are going by that logic, I am not a citizen of the Empire, nor am I even a native of the Northern Continent to begin with. The only thing that remains is my standing as a Grand Master. In that case, a mere Blaster like you wouldn’t even be entitled to casual speech from me. Are you fine with that?”

“…Arrogant beyond belief.”

“Only because I have the right to be.”

“…Fine. I cannot tell if you are truly a Grand Master, but you are certainly no ordinary man.”

The Duke took a step back and questioned me again.

“Even so, this is hardly a fitting place for Master-class powerhouses to trade blows. Do you intend to demolish the Audience Chamber?”

“Controlling that is also a matter of skill.”

‘And of course, staying right here is much more convenient for me anyway.’

Immediately after, the Emperor’s voice echoed down from above, ringing through the chamber.

“I do not care if the entire Audience Chamber is smashed to pieces.”

“But Your Majesty….”

“The Imperial Castle belongs to me. If I, its master, say it is fine, what could possibly dissatisfy you, Duke?”

“…Understood.”

Ten minutes later.

As the ministers in the Audience Chamber split to the left and right, a clear space roughly 50 meters in diameter was created.

While the Court Knights and the Royal Guards stood watch around them, a heavily built, red-haired dragonkin who bore a striking resemblance to Duke Theodore drew his sword in front of me.

“Lucian Valiant.”

“What is your relationship to the Duke?”

At my question, his thick, bushy eyebrows twitched.

“You have a sharp eye. We are distant relatives. So distant that it is embarrassing to even call us a branch family, so you need not pay it any mind.”

I drew Astraphe as well, offering a casual sword salute.

“I am Go Geom… no, Go Gildong. A Grand Master.”

“Hmph. A Grand Master… You truly claim to be at the same peak as Duke Orléans?”

“We aren’t the same. I don’t care much for splitting the sky.”

“…Farcical. You cannot deceive my eyes. I shall strip that ridiculous mask right off your face, Gohn Sihin Go-u.”

Now it’s Gohn Sihin Go-u? Fine. Call me whatever the hell you want.

He leveled his sword horizontally.

“Here I come.”

“Sure. Come at me, kid.”

And then—

Flash!

A single streak of green light erupted, and—

Crack! Thud-clatter!!

Immediately after, that Lucian-whatever guy went rolling across the floor, his cheek caved in and his neck violently twisted halfway around.

“Cough…!”

“And here you called yourself ‘Flash Lightning.’ You’re incredibly slow, kid.”

The man quickly executed a breakfall and scrambled back to his feet.

“…W-What kind of sorcery is this?”

Every single one of these bastards calls it sorcery the moment they can’t understand it.

“I simply dodged and slapped your cheek. If it looks like sorcery to you, it’s only because your own level is too pathetic to comprehend the movement.”

His face flushed red with humiliation as he leveled his sword once more.

“…So you possess a trick or two.”

“A trick? Aren’t you embarrassed? If I had swung my sword instead of using my bare hand, your head would be rolling on the floor right now.”

“…That was only because I was suppressing my aura.”

“Fascinating, a corpse that can still speak.”

After casting a swift glance toward Duke Theodore and the Emperor, a turbulent green flame erupted across his body and weapon.

‘Given the location, it looks like he can’t use the Master-exclusive aura conversion after all. He probably can’t control the collateral damage. Which means this is strictly a contest of pure swordsmanship.’

And in that scenario, it didn’t matter if a Master, or the grandfather of a Master’s grandfather showed up—they couldn’t even touch the tips of my toes.

In short:

‘This is a total cakewalk.’

“I shall take your head…!”

Swish!

Vanishing from his spot as if using Blink, he instantaneously materialized at my flank, swinging his blade.

“Oh.”

As time seemed to slow down around me, I reached out my hand toward his green-burning sword.

The old me would have dodged and exploited his blind spot… but the current me had absolutely no reason to bother.

My hand, thoroughly infused with pure spiritual power, collided directly with the green blade. A brilliant white light tore through the green flames as my fingers locked around the steel.

Boom!!

Simultaneously, I redirected the absorbed kinetic energy straight down into the floor. A violent shockwave rippled through the ground.

Crack!!

The weapon, which appeared to be an artifact, snapped like a piece of brittle straw. The hand that shattered the blade didn’t stop there; it slammed right through his armor, striking his solar plexus.

Crash!!

“Kehooh…!”

Uh-oh. Are you passing out already? That won’t do. It won’t leave much of an impact if you go down this easily.

I hastily cast a minor healing miracle on his chest just as his consciousness began to fade, and then I proceeded to beat him down systematically.

With his breathing restored by the miracle, the man desperately flailed with his bare hands, left with no time to even draw his backup shortsword.

‘As if that’s going to work.’

I parried his extended fist, locked his joint, and snapped his elbow.

Crack!

I slammed down on his advancing shoulder to disrupt his balance, then shattered both of his knees.

Crunch!

Finally, as he dropped to his knees, I dislocated both of his shoulders, completely neutralizing him.

Pop!!

Driven mad by the pain and sheer humiliation, he tried to detonate his own aura as a last-resort suicide tactic…

But I reached straight through his swelling aura, grabbed him by the throat, and snapped his neck backward.

Crack!!

As the surging aura slowly dissipated… his mangled body collapsed limply to the floor.

Thud.

“……!”

“……!!”

“……!!!”

I flashed a bright, clear smile toward the Duke, whose face was completely frozen in sheer horror.

“He’s still breathing. If you have a decent priest on hand, he should make a full recovery, so take him away. In the future, Duke, I suggest you train him on how to watch his mouth rather than how to wield a sword.”

…A heavy silence settled over the Audience Chamber.