Chapter 49

Of course, the cold froze the body, but it did not stop the activation of the magic.

Even if he was weakened compared to the original, he had used forbidden magic, so he could not be underestimated.

That was why the Sword Saint himself had to intervene, and yet now Brillie had dealt with it first.

'She cut him down in a single stroke. It felt a bit unfamiliar, too . . .'

Even Alter did not fully perceive that moment.

He only noticed that Brillie had infused tremendous magic power into her blade.

Moreover, the atmosphere was so quiet that, for a moment, she almost felt like a different person.

'Wasn't it too fast? She still shouldn't be able to defeat Lang yet, should she?'

Certainly, Brillie's swordsmanship was outstanding, but she had not yet reached the level equal to the Sword Saint's successor.

That was why she had continued to be part of the Setinos Knight Order, repeatedly sparring with Lang.

Could someone suddenly become strong for no reason?

'Did she perhaps inherit some secret technique without my knowledge . . .'

"Are you alright? You're not feeling overwhelmed or anything, are you?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't have to do everything on your own. So don't push yourself."

Brillie took Alter's hand and looked him over.

His body had felt cold for a moment, but he had soon regained his warmth.

She was also a little reassured that, unlike last time, he didn't cough up any blood.

"... I think we should apologize to His Majesty the Emperor first. We didn't do anything wrong, but a fight did break out, right?"

"Yes. I understand."

Alter followed Brillie towards the emperor.

He knelt on one knee and looked up at the emperor, seated at the head table.

"I am sorry to have committed a discourtesy in the presence of Your Majesty. I humbly beg your forgiveness."

"Apologize? Nonsense! If you had not stepped in, a great disaster would have occurred. Normally, the Royal Knights' weapons may not be given to anyone, but wasn't it an urgent situation? As Emperor, I declare that your service shall be rewarded."

"... I am most honored, Your Majesty."

Only then did Brillie bow her head and modestly reply.

Indeed, she had rendered great service, but the manner in which it was done went against imperial etiquette.

That was why, as a subject loyal to the emperor, she first asked for his leniency.

"I may have laid down my sword long ago, but I have not lost my discernment. I had only heard of you by reputation; how could I have known you were this exceptional?"

"I am most honored, Your Majesty."

"I wish I could induct you into the Royal Knights immediately . . . but that is not possible. You cannot neglect your fiancé, can you?"

"... That is correct, Your Majesty."

Vanderas descended from the head table and stopped in front of the two.

Though an unexpected incident had occurred, it had been resolved swiftly.

He had considered deploying the captain of the Royal Knights, but someone of matching strength had settled the matter instead.

Moreover, a distinguished mage had intervened, so not even a single casualty had occurred.

"Alter Radiant, you are remarkable as well. Truly, you are worthy of being the Great Mage's disciple!"

"I am honored, Your Majesty."

"... The Grand Duke of the North has a most excellent child. The loyalty of the northern grand duke evidently reaches the throne as well."

Vanderas gazed down at Alter, immersed for a moment in recollections of the past.

When Alter had manifested his magic, it perfectly evoked the image of Uriel.

He wondered if he had indulged a fleeting confusion, but he could not conceal the sensation he had felt at that time.

'For the child of the northern grand duke, how is it that he so resembles Uriel?'

With his heart troubled, Vanderas forced his gaze away.

He must not be ensnared in the past, which he strove so hard to forget.

Uriel was already dead, and she had been the legitimate wife of the northern grand duke.

If he could not move past even that, he would disgrace the throne passed down by his forebears.

"Rise now. I will bestow proper rewards upon you both at a later date. The banquet shall end here tonight."

With only those words, Vanderas withdrew from the banquet hall with the Royal Knights.

The guests looked at each other warily, then began to hurry out.

Alter and Brillie stood for a while, then belatedly began to walk away.

'... Did he perhaps receive some blessing from the Great Mage?'

Velder watched them, moving slowly toward the exit.

His previous ambition seemed to be growing ever larger.

He had thought about giving up at one point, but after seeing that scene, he found himself harboring lingering attachment.

'There's no way he can remain as an imperial attendant now.'

When one's capability was proven, it could be used as a pretext to refuse the post of imperial attendant.

Moreover, after achieving a merit in front of the emperor, his position as a mage was secure.

Maybe it would be better to appoint him as a direct mage of the imperial household.

'The lady is even more appealing than I expected.'

Harboring twisted desires, Velder stepped out the door.

Originally, he had planned to have her join the Royal Knights and serve as his bodyguard.

But her form wielding a sword was so beautiful that his emotions had been shaken.

'His Majesty will never allow it.'

The emperor—his own father—had never abused power after ascending the throne.

Thus, he had maintained proper checks on the nobility without causing conflict.

If Velder acted on his own whim, that balance would inevitably collapse.

'How could I touch the lady promised to the Grand Duke's son . . . and that too, a duke's daughter . . .'

The second daughter of the Duke of Illenat was already engaged to the youngest son of the grand duke.

If he merely displayed impure intentions, it would offend both the ducal house and the grand ducal house.

And considering his status as the crown prince, not even the emperor would stand by idly.

'I know I shouldn't, but I can't give up. Should I try speaking to the Duke of Illenat?'

* * *

Karaf, having finished urgent business, was taking a brief rest.

Even as the captain of the Royal Knights, he could not remain in that position forever.

That was why the Royal Knights as an organization existed, with the gaps filled by their members.

"... You once said this to me. The Sword Saint guards outside the palace, and the Royal Knight commander guards within. Did I mishear you?"

Megarexor spoke serenely as he approached Karaf.

Karaf gave a wry chuckle, then responded slowly.

"I appreciate you remembering my words, but why bring that up now?"

"Just making conversation. Wanted to let you know I live an easier life than you."

"Ha! How bland . . ."

Though exasperated, Karaf welcomed the joke.

At first, he had seen him as an adversary to overcome, but now treated him without reserve.

Not exactly friends, but something close to it.

As both still felt awkward about one another, an ambiguous relationship had formed.

"I only came by for a visit, but to think there'd be an incident. I'll never come again."

"Said like that, it almost sounds like you orchestrated it."

"Why would I bother? If I wanted trouble, I'd just draw my sword and have at it."

"Hmm . . . should I take that as an alibi to clear yourself of suspicion?"

"I'd never do such a thing—especially because of you. I can't even best you—how would I deal with all those knights behind you?"

"..."

Of course, Karaf was not speaking sincerely.

He merely wondered who would dare threaten the imperial family when even the famed Sword Saint led a quiet life.

Even Megarexor would never do such a thing.

"Before you go, there's something I want to ask."

"... Is it about the duke's daughter?"

"I already know the basics. They say she runs the knights together with the Sword Saint's successor."

"If the Sword Saint's successor approved her, she's at least above average."

"Do you think I'd ask you if I didn't know that? That sword strike . . . what did you think?"

Megarexor kept recalling the blow struck by the duke's second daughter.

It seemed plain on the surface, but in reality, the foundation of swordsmanship was present in it.

She was, as far as he knew, quite young—who would have expected her to already wield such weight in her technique?

"It was neat . . . and resolute. I'd love to have her in the Royal Knights."

"Ha! I didn't know you could praise someone."

"Is there any reason I can't?"

"Isn't your job to look stern and point out faults?"

"If there's nothing to criticize, is there a point in being stern?"

"I admit, there was nothing superfluous. So . . . are you just going to let things be?"

With a stern gaze, Megarexor glanced sideways at Karaf.

He intended to transfer the Sword Saint's title to Lang in a few years.

However, now that such a fitting swordsman had appeared, he had to take appropriate measures.

"His Majesty has already recognized her. I'm sure it won't end with just a reward."

"What more could there be besides a reward?"

"How about a title equivalent to Sword Saint?"

Megarexor was suspicious at those words, but soon was convinced.

There was no reason there could only be one sword-related title.

In fact, the more there were, the more people might aspire to them—perhaps that would produce more outstanding swordsmen.

" . . . Equivalent, but not the same, I suppose. Out of respect for the current Sword Saint, it will be a bit less, won't it?"

"Once the title is handed down, they'll become similar. To reach that level as a woman is no easy feat."

"Is it really so hard? She just needs to handle magic power cleverly."

"If raw magic power alone could reach the level of Sword Saint, learning magic would be better."

"Speaking of magic . . . was the grand ducal child, right? He used something terrifying."

"Terrifying, indeed. Yes, that's an apt word."

Karaf, a swordsman before being the Royal Knight commander, couldn't help but be interested in Brillie.

But he hadn't forgotten Alter—on the contrary, he thought more carefully about him.

It wasn't ordinary elemental magic; it was deeply entangled with the emperor's past.

"If he learns it properly and fights me . . . approaching would be tough."

"You were thinking of engaging him up close? It's not easy to escape that cold."

"I'd have to neutralize it with my magic power and finish it in one blow."

"It might be hard even to neutralize it . . . But let's say you close the distance—do you think that's all there is?"

"I can only hope that's all. If there's more, we'd have to overwhelm him with numbers."

"So you're saying he's a tough opponent—even for someone called Sword Saint?"

"If the Sword Saint can't use a sword, his life as Sword Saint is over. And he can't just recklessly unleash sword aura either."

"So . . . he has to be seen as the next Great Mage."

"At that level, he has to become a Great Mage. There's no other way."

Megarexor, estimating Alter's power roughly, agreed with Karaf's opinion.

He'd simultaneously frozen multiple undead and incapacitated even a dark mage.

Of course, the dark mage had transformed his own body, but that was something no one could have predicted.

In fact, it had been Alter Radiant alone who had defeated the enemies.

"If so, then the titles equivalent to Sword Saint and next Great Mage would be united through marriage . . . Is such a marriage even possible?"

"I'm more interested in the children they'd produce. Don't children usually inherit their parents' talents?"

"By then, the territory might be expanded. The more talented people, the more the empire will prosper . . ."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=I like the emperor...He is flawed... But he's trying to be a good person...Or good emperor at least...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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