I frantically straightened my clothes the mont I realized who stood before .
This was soone I had to show respect to, even if I was a patient. After all, sitting right in front of was none other than the Sword Duke—one of the continent’s only three Masters and the Emperor’s own uncle.
The Empire’s Sword Duke.
His real na didn’t matter much. Everyone simply called him ‘Sword Duke’ and he himself probably knew well that he could never return to his forr life.
This was how extraordinary the realm of ‘Master’ was.
It didn’t matter whether one had lived for decades or centuries. The mont one ascends to Master, they experience an evolution that entirely uproots their previous existence.
This was neither a joke nor a taphor.
Their entire body is literally reconstructed A Master’s body, born through this process, defied common sense.
They were beings who could even control aging at will; one might even wonder if they could be classified as ‘human’ anymore.
For that reason, all Masters discarded their old nas.
They assu a new title in their stead—the glorious na bestowed upon them by all the people of the continent.
The Sword Duke had long since abandoned his past na.
Although he was still bound by his bloodline, he was more than worthy of my respect even without that
He was, after all, was the most accomplished swordsman on the continent.
As I broke out in a cold sweat, he simply burst into a hearty laugh.
“Was I too mischievous? It was just a joke—No need to be so flustered. Truth be told, I really did miss it. I can’t even rember the last ti soone spoke to so informally... Ah, right, it must have been back when my nephew was still an insolent brat.”
“That must have been at least decades ago.”
“Indeed, after I thoroughly beat him up on a set date, the brat beca quite docile. Tsk tsk, if only he had shown so backbone back then, he might’ve grown into a fine swordsman to succeed ......”
While his voice was nonchalant, the content was close to madness.
The Emperor’s bloodline is sacred.
Even if the Sword Duke was an uncle, he was still from a branch family. To beat up soone who might beco the next Emperor...
It was an act worthy of execution.
Yet, that he was still alive and breathing was a fact. That told one of two things:
First, the brotherly love of the previous Emperor was strong and he deliberately overlooked it.
And second, that the Sword Duke of the ti was so unstoppable that even the previous Emperor was reluctant to touch him.
It was an impious thought. For a noble who should be the Empire’s spear and shield to be gauging the circumstances of the Imperial family.
However, if soone told to bet my entire fortune on one of the two, I’d stake my chips on the latter.
Rumors about the Sword Duke in his youth were damn terrifying.
Fortunately, that temperant has llowed considerably now.
I inwardly sighed in relief and forced an awkward smile.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, even if only briefly. But if I may ask what brings you here, Your Excellency.....?
“Because you called for .”
My brow furrowed at his sudden remark.
What? Had I ever summoned him?
As my mind began to clear, a flood of mories crashed in like a tidal wave. From the images that invaded my brain, I managed to sift out a few key details.
Only then, startled, did I ask back.
“Perhaps you haven’t heard? I already took care of that monster—”
“I heard. But what if you failed? Soone had to be ready to clean up the ss.”
The Sword Duke’s lips curved in a faint smile as he said this.
It was a satisfied smile.
“Though it was needless worry. Well done, Ian Percus.”
“You flatter . If anything, I may have stirred up a hornet’s nest.....”
“Results are what matter.”
His words, though quiet, carried strong force.
Truly befitting the dignity of an Imperial Elder. I instantly shut my mouth.
“The cult spreading among the elves was a bomb that could explode at any ti. Even if I and the Saint had co, there would have been many casualties in the process of dealing with that monster. That’s why I hold your actions in high regard.”
It was praise that made feel embarrassed.
After considering what to say, I simply bowed my head slightly to express honest gratitude.
There was no reason to refuse such recognition.
Since it had co to this, I decided to ask all the questions I was curious about.
“Then what becos of our relationship with the elves? Does His Majesty the Emperor have any particular thoughts?”
“That’s precisely what we need to discuss gradually.”
His answer was neither a positive nor a negative.
Unlike , he was a true bearer of the ‘Dragonblood Script’. Every word he uttered carried imnse weight—so his cautious response was only natural.
Then, as if to reassure , he added a few more words:
“We’ll have to see how the elves react. If they do not act against us, the Empire has little reason to prolong this war. What’s the use of taking such barren land like the coniferous forest? Moreover, the Empire is even prepared to cede so of the Northern territory to the elves, depending on the outco of negotiations.”
“Cede territory? Are you serious?”
“Why would I lie?”
At my doubtful question, the Sword Duke slightly smiled.
It was the Empire that drove the elves out and expelled them from human lands—no nation easily parts with their territory.
Naturally, the Empire was no exception.
Yet, they would give territory away?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. The Imperial Family wasn’t one to welco even a sliver of their territory shrink.
Seeing my bewildered expression, the Sword Duke chuckled.
“Don’t overthink it. There’s still vast unexplored land in the North. What harm would it do the Empire to relocate so pitiful elves to a portion of it?”
“But the very act of ceding Empire territory to elves in the first place... Ah.”
I began to formulate a quiet retort when it suddenly struck :
The Empire wouldn’t simply hand over territory to elves who were re remnants.
There was only one target of the Empire’s rcy.
“Are you thinking of incorporating the elves as subjects of the Empire?”
“That’s also sothing we’ll have to gradually consider. The conflict between humans and elves has been going on for far too long. There are still lingering grievances on both sides that must be resolved.....”
It sounded like a negative answer at first, but there was no clear expression of intent.
They were, in other words, seriously considering it*.*
I nearly voiced my concerns about the risks, but ultimately held my tongue.
After all, the Dark Order already started its operations.
The more people on our side the better—especially now, after that Flesh Monster rampage, the elves’ forces were further weakened.
There was no way they could turn their blades against the Empire.
And it’s not like elves have an incredible reproductive rate either. By the ti they were ready to seriously turn against humanity, hundreds of years would have passed.
Hundreds of years was longer than one might think.
It took less than a few weeks for , who was once just an enemy, to be accepted in the elven village. The elves could only hope that the day when they would be accepted by humans in the sa way would co soon.
Above all, the coniferous forest was too harsh of an environnt to survive in.
Seeing my complicated expression, the Sword Duke allowed a mont of respite.
He remained silent for a few minutes.
Finally, I let out a long sigh.
“I’m grateful for His Majesty’s grace. In fact, I was also concerned about the elves.....”
“I know.”
Casually accepting my words, the Sword Duke chuckled.
“Had the results gone badly, you’d have been branded a traitor. Then your blood would have stained my sword, haha!”
It was the kind of offhand remark tossed out like a rock, but I wasn’t so naive as to miss the hidden edge behind his words.
It was a warning, or rather, advice.
A concerned reminder that if I wasn’t careful with my actions in the future, I could be cut down at any mont.
Still, I wanted to retort.
“I had no choice.”
Was it because my mind was still hazy?
The mont I spoke those words, my mind went blank. Who the heck was I arguing with?
And yet, I was speaking to soone I should have only nodded obediently to.
But surprisingly, the Sword Duke didn’t show any signs of displeasure.
He even gave a look, as if telling to go on.
Since it was already spilled milk, I had to cautiously add a reason without riling him up further.
“A certain force has been ddling in the conflict between humans and elves and there was a high possibility that the identity of that force was the Dark Order. I figured that if I didn’t throw my body into the fray to expose the truth, I’d end up regretting it later.”
“Maybe you’ll regret that choice instead.”
“I don’t regret it.”
My voice ca out low and forceful once more.
My body trembled in shock, but he still didn’t show any displeasure.
Unable to bear his gaze any longer, I blurted out my honest feelings.
“Today I realized that the world I knew was so narrow and insufficient... If I hadn’t chosen the elves that day, I would’ve been content with that miserable, limited world—I didn’t want to hate or kill enemies without even knowing why anymore.”
“Hoho, you sure know how to say so cringey things. And for soone who’s supposed to save the world, you’re too weak.”
At his scolding words, I slightly averted my gaze.
I regretted saying it. Soone as strong as the Sword Duke, strong from birth, would probably not understand how I felt.
But then, his next words took completely by surprise.
“However, as a swordsman, every experience counts. The process of learning what ‘the world’ truly is—rember that feeling. A swordsman must be able to stand tall like a sword in that world. And it’s even better if you can break it.”
“......What do you an?”
“You’ll understand soday. And when that ti cos, you just might be able to receive one of my sword strikes.”
To be at a level where I could exchange even a single blow with a Master.
It was a hell of a long road indeed.
As I burst into a wry laugh, the Sword Duke dusted off his clothes and stood up.
It was clear he was about to leave. We’d barely been talking for a few minutes, and I realized was a truly unpredictable person.
Before leaving, the Sword Duke took out a seal from his bosom as if he had just rembered sothing and handed it to .
It was an antique wooden seal, engraved with a dragon design. It was an object symbolizing the Emperor’s authority.
I already had a similar seal—a seal symbolizing the authority to oversee the Imperial Intelligence Agency’s academy branch.
So what did this seal an?
The Sword Duke casually explained.
“His Imperial Majesty has decided to grant you complete authority”
“What kind of authority......?”
“Authority over the House of Yurdina.”
My mouth instantly snapped shut.
Because I realized that the aning of the seal he had handed was far greater than I had imagined.
“I’ll be watching to see how you deal with the traitors of humanity.”
It was a test.
A trap, almost.
I instinctively understood and broke into a cold sweat. To handle a behemoth like House of Yurdina on my own was a suicidal proposition.
I would have to bear the political burden that ca with it.
Even if the Emperor appeared to trust completely on the surface, there was a more chilling aning to it beneath the surface.
He was testing ...
He’d be testing —from my loyalty to the Imperial family, to my political acun, to whether I could properly distinguish duty from personal matters.
Even though soone from the Knight Faculty like wouldn’t have such talents.
The best course of action was to politely refuse.
Having made up my mind, I stumbled to my feet and reached out to the Sword Duke, who was already holding the doorknob.
“Uh, Sword Duke sir—this is way too much for .....”
But the mont he yoinked the doorknob.
I had to shut my mouth upon seeing the flood of people streaming in.
Familiar faces: the Saintess, Senior Elsie, Emma, the Princess—and even an annoyed-looking Yuren.
The won quickly clung to . They must have been holding back because of the Sword Duke, but they must have been more anxious than anyone.
“I-Ian! Are you okay?”
“Master, are you uncomfortable anywhere? Did so shady whore from the Holy Nation try sothing—?”
I couldn’t even grab the Sword Duke in the midst of that tidal wave.
He simply smiled thinly and departed.
“Watch your luck with won, junior,”
It was truly a depressing feeling.
**
That night, my destination was set.
A room reeking of the intoxicating scent of a seductive woman awaited . From the dim lighting to the half-transparent nightgown.
Once, she told —
That she only shows this nightgown to one person. And that there was only one man who had seen even a part of her naked body.
Senior Delphine exhaled a laugh and asked .
“You ca?”
I still had unfinished business.
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