As pollen signaling the start of the New Years Eve celebration blanketed the entirety of Bariel, Barsabe returned to the palace in a sorry state. The small downtown mansion without her father had lost its aning, so now her only abode was the lodging prepared for soldiers next to the training ground.
Bang!
Barsabe, what the hell!
Shut up. Be quiet.
Did you get into an accident sowhere?
No. Mind your business.
Barsabe roughly took off her tattered clothes and searched for her uniform. The Guard Corps tattoo on her left shoulder was still clear, despite the heat rash that had erupted all over her body due to her mishandling of magic.
I dont have gloves. Lend yours.
Uniform? Why are you suddenly taking out your uniform? The New Years Eve event hasnt started yet. The pollen signal has only just gone off.
Although she didnt know what Ians intentions were, there was only one thing she could do right now.
Go along with him.
Since he said he would hand over her fathers belongings if she ca formally dressed, she had no choice but to comply. With the body not even recovered yet, it was truly the last trace of her father.
You didnt go looking for that guy Ian, did you?
I did. And I ca back empty-handed.
Her colleague facepald at her response. The news of Petreios death had spread rapidly within the Imperial Guard. Although he was a retired senior, Barsabe had joined the sa order after him, and since the knights actively interacted with each other, it was natural that everyone would find out.
It probably started when Morlin returned to the administrative office in a near-dead state. That Ian guy chopped off Morlins arms and legs in the process of usurping the lordship.
Of course, while the gossips mostly talked about Erica, it was clear that Petreios na was also mixed in.
What about my father?
Im sorry, Barsabe. Petreio fulfilled his knightly duty to protect from Ian.
But why? Sir Morlin is clearly the administrative officer of the palace
To that despicable traitor, that didnt matter. Barsabe, while I was imprisoned in the dungeon, I heard your fathers agonizing screams day and night.
Barsabe grimaced as she recalled her conversation with Morlin. Morlin had clearly told her that Ian had killed her father in a painful manner. However, the problem was that after eting him, he didnt seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing at all.
I know you shouldnt judge people by their appearance, but still, the feeling is a bit
Barsabe! Are you listening to ?
Her rambling thoughts ca to an abrupt halt. Her colleague was holding her arm with a worried expression. To be precise, he was holding her left shoulder, where the tattoo was.
If you get hurt during training, youll be expelled without warning. You know that, right? I understand your feelings, but that man is going to be a noble by order of His Majesty the Emperor. It ans hes not soone we should point our swords at.
Except for Marivs faction, it was natural that no one in the palace welcod Ian. After all, even the neutral Imperial Guard had negatively labeled Ians first impression with Petreios death.
I understand. But even if I get expelled, dont I have no father to scold ?
T-thats not important! And why did you recklessly attack a magic user? Hes the man who pacified the savages in the borderlands! Even Sir Morlin and Ericas central army were defeated by him, what were you thinking?
The palace was a hotbed of rumors. Those who had heard of Ians exploits focused on different aspects depending on their own perspectives. The Ministry of Magic was particularly interested in Ians status as a magic user, while the Imperial Guard was particularly interested in the fact that Ian had driven out the central army.
Thats right. And that one escort Ian always brings with him is crazy. Whats different about the food in the borderlands? Hes just a brute with no brains.
Barsabe muttered nonchalantly, but she ant it. The fact that she had unknowingly released her magic was proof of that. Even taking into account the tension of the situation, where she was about to avenge her fathers death, it was a clear mistake.
Ill let it go for now. Ill let it go and take a good look at him.
Whether Ian was responsible for her fathers death or not. Since she had already fought him once, she would be able to approach the next battle with more ease. It was at that mont that Barsabe picked up her sword case.
Weeeeeeng.
A loud assembly call rang out from outside. It was a signal for all the knights in the barracks, except those who had gone out on duty, to put on their uniforms and co out.
Her colleague glanced outside and then looked back at Barsabe with a sly smile. The knights who had remained in the palace were lazily wandering back to their rooms.
Take off your gloves.
Ah.
I only have one pair too.
If she had known this would happen, she would have just grabbed her clothes and left. Barsabe frowned and put down the sword case.
***
Wow.
Beric exclaid as he looked around the devastated blacksmiths workshop. It was already a ss with dirty dust and ashes, but the floor was now charred black from the traces of an unknown explosion. The blacksmiths long beard also appeared to be scorched and blackened.
My lord! You didnt tell about this!
Calm down and let explain the situation.
No, how could you not tell about this when you entrusted with this? Its just a silver coin for a special sword! Its much cheaper than the cost of the damage!
Ian ca here thinking that soone might be pulling a fast one, but it turned out to be true. Ian kept telling him to calm down, but the blacksmith didnt lower his voice easily.
No wonder, because the sword exploded!
To be precise.
I heated it up, but the heat wouldnt go away.
I heated the blade to flatten the curved blade. I thought it was heated enough to start hamring, but the temperature didnt drop over ti. I was embarrassed and quenched it, but it exploded with trendous heat and ruined everything! The blacksmith complained.
Hehe, its my sword. Its so sharp!
I almost got blown away because of that!
But a craftsman is a craftsman. Despite the shock, he finished the job perfectly. The client is guilty, but the sword is not. Beric quickly ran over to grab the sword and swung it. His eyes widened and he smiled in satisfaction.
Its gotten lighter. This is crazy! The blade is even straighter now!
Youll have to pay for the compensation and the life insurance! Oh my, what are you doing carrying sothing like this around? Excuse , but did you by any chance steal it?
I stole it, what els-!
I apologize. He didnt steal it, but in fact, he received it secretly from his family, right? Please understand the situation.
Romandro quickly covered Berics mouth, and Ian fumbled to get a checkbook. It was a situation that he understood all too well.
How much do you want?
Give at least one gold coin.
Thats too little for life insurance. I heard from Lady Viviana that you are the best blacksmith in the capital.
Ian asked innocently as he picked up the pen. The blacksmiths raised eyebrows softened slightly. The craftsn of the rough blacksmiths workshop were n of great pride. It seed that Ians complint had hit the spot quite well.
Ill give you two gold coins. Think of it as a reward for a result that is even better than expected.
Ahem. No, well, if you say so, Ill gratefully accept it. Im glad nothing was seriously injured or broken.
Thank you for saying so. Beric. Do you like it?
Absolutely! I love it! Its the best!
Beric continued to swing the sword around here and there, testing it out. Romandro clicked his tongue as he watched him.
Tsk tsk. That ans theres no dinner tonight, you brat!
Huh? What are you talking about? Ian said he would buy at.
That guy, that guy! Hes a pig who gobbles up money.
Romandro whispered to Ian, but his voice was too loud. Beric, who had overheard him, jumped up and ran towards Romandro, and Ian calmly finished the calculation.
Youve worked hard.
Yes. Next ti, please leave it to an ordinary guy. Ill do it better.
Beric! Stop pestering Sir Romandro and co out.
Squeak.
As they went outside, Viviana, who had been waiting in the carriage, leaned out her head with a worried look.
Whats wrong? Are you okay?
Yes, my lady. Its nothing. Its cold, so please stay inside. It would be better to finish here today and go ho.
Ian looked around again as he spoke. He didnt know if it was because he knew that the pursuer was Barsabe, or if it was just his imagination, but he couldnt feel any more strange energy around him.
Beric. That thing will explode if it gets hot, so handle it carefully. Okay? Dont just put it in a fireplace for no reason.
Romandro pulled Beric aside and warned him again and again. After all, this was no longer the borderlands where Ian was the ruler, but the capital. It was difficult to predict the consequences of even a single incident.
Do you think Im an idiot? Why would I put this in a fireplace? You put food in a fireplace!
Ian glanced at the slted sword.
It was definitely not an ordinary sword. Whether it was made from magic stones, dragons teeth, or even teorite fragnts, there were too many possibilities to guess. But one thing was for sure, it was no ordinary object.
Beric, swear to that you will take good care of it. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to confiscate the sword for everyones safety.
Master? What are you talking about? We ca here all the way from Karenna without any problems. I just have to not let it get hot. Seriously!
Just dont let it get hot?
Ians gaze suddenly lingered on Berics red hair and eyes.
Co to think of it, magic is also a kind of heat and energy.
What if he releases his magic through the sword?
It would be the sa as applying heat.
Beric, you mustnt let your magic flow through the sword when youre holding it.
Yes, yes. Ill do whatever you say. Dont I always listen to you?
It was sothing he could try at any ti, but now was not the ti. The location was not ideal, and he didnt have the capacity to deal with the situation if sothing went wrong.
Ian. What are you thinking?
When Ian didnt answer, Beric asked him cautiously. Ian got into the carriage and threw out a playful joke. It wouldnt feel like a joke to Beric at all, though.
I was calculating how much at I can buy with two gold coins.
No, is this my fault?
You brat, if you hadnt picked up that thing, would this have happened? And what are you going to say when you tell them how you picked it up? Do you have sothing to investigate?
Romandro also threw in a word and got into the carriage. Beric, who felt wronged, hurriedly followed up the steps, and their noisy outing ca to an end.
***
And finally.
Ian woke up earlier than usual and watched the sun rise. A luxurious uniform and new shoes hung on the wall. Gloves and accessories were also perfectly set up. The servant, Minnie, had been preparing since dawn.
Knock knock.
Lord Ian. Are you awake?
Yes. Just now.
You have a lot to prepare. Hurry up and get dressed and co out.
At Minnies urging, Ian got out of bed. Today was a special day, and the day when the pollen that covered Bariel was in full bloom.
Today is the day to attend the New Years party.
The day Ian ets the emperor of this era.
And it was the day he would start a new family and rise to the position of head of the family.
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