[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
Chapter 364
Grand Duchy of Rodrian.
He had returned to the Imperial Capital and was now seated in his office, handling official duties.
Bzzzz—
The communicator on his desk vibrated with a high-pitched signal tone.
Grand Duke Rodrian set down his docunts and reached out to the communicator, channeling mana into it.
At that, the communicator glowed and displayed the face of Duke Alpheor.
“What is it?”
He asked in a dry tone. Duke Alpheor cleared his throat once and got straight to the point.
The Imperial Knights.
Grand Duke Rodrian furrowed his brow.
“The Imperial Knights? Are you preparing for war or sothing?”
“If it’s not a matter of utmost importance, the Imperial Knights do not move. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”
The one who led that order was none other than Grand Duke Rodrian himself—and even the Emperor of the Empire could not casually command the Imperial Knights.
They were not loyal to any individual, but wholly devoted to the Empire itself.
“Swallowed?”
Duke Alpheor then began explaining the quest that had descended upon the Empire.
He also reported that the 1st to 3rd Knight Divisions had been completely annihilated.
Grand Duke Rodrian let out a heavy sigh, his expression dark.
“How… just what kind of judgnt could lead to deploying the Empire’s main forces on such a scale only for them to be wiped out?”
“…Hah. I refuse.”
“Duke, I have no interest in such rewards.”
“No. Our Imperial Knights are ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the Empire.”
“Isn’t this crisis the result of the Emperor’s own greed?”
Grand Duke Rodrian had returned to his emotionless expression as he posed the question to Alpheor.
“Tell him this: that he should clean up his own ss.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? If an invasion does occur due to the loss of forces, then call again at that ti.”
Alpheor’s words were cut off.
Rodrian had forcefully severed the mana link, terminating the transmission.
Bzzzz—
The communicator began to ring and vibrate once more, but Grand Duke Rodrian simply shoved it aside.
“Your Grace, Count Iandorf is here to see you.”
As soon as the transmission cut off, the butler entered the office as if he had been waiting for the mont and gave his report.
“They sure ca well-prepared.”
Grand Duke Rodrian’s lips twitched slightly.
Duke Alpheor, likely anticipating that the communication wouldn’t work, had organized an envoy led by Count Iandorf and sent them directly to the Grand Duchy via teleportation.
“What shall we do?”
“Send them back.”
He had no intention of granting them an audience.
“Well… they’ve said they won’t leave until they’re let in.”
“They knew I would refuse?”
“That seems to be the case.”
“Let them do as they please. Whether they freeze to death or not, show them no concern.”
“Understood.”
The butler exited the office.
Shouting and yelling could be heard from outside, but Grand Duke Rodrian ignored it entirely and returned to reviewing his docunts.
“You can’t enter! Unauthorized outsiders are not allowed inside!”
“It’ll only take a mont. Step aside.”
“I said no—agh!”
Thunk.
Along with the butler’s scream, the door burst open violently.
Grand Duke Rodrian pressed the bridge of his nose and rose from his seat.
An uninvited guest had arrived—he wouldn't be leaving unscathed.
Fastening his cherished sword to his waist, Rodrian began to step outside.
But the intruder was quicker.
The office door swung wide, and in the blink of an eye, a man was standing directly in front of Grand Duke Rodrian.
“I couldn’t read him.”
Rodrian’s face stiffened.
Who in the world is this man?
[Information cannot be read.]
Can’t be read?
Rodrian’s pupils quivered slightly.
“Would you hand over the key?”
“…The key?”
“I’m trying to get to the dungeon, but the path is blocked. I considered forcing my way through, but that didn’t seem polite.”
“And barging in here like this is what you call polite?”
“I made an effort to be courteous. Seems it didn’t go over well.”
The man’s cold eyes scanned Rodrian from head to toe.
“Damn it… I can’t move.”
He wanted to draw the sword at his waist, but his body wouldn’t respond—like it had broken down.
“…Just who are you?”
Rodrian bit down on his lip as he asked.
He’d never heard of soone with this level of power in the Empire.
Which could only an—he was from another nation.
“No need to know. Just hand over the key.”
“…And if I say no?”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to break through by force.”
“Not kill instead?”
“I’d rather avoid bloodshed.”
The man gave a faint smile.
What a truly beautiful face he has.
Without a smile, his expression seed cold and aloof—but once he smiled, that chill vanished, replaced by an air of mystery.
What should I do…
But in truth, the answer was already clear.
The man standing before him was not soone he could handle, no matter how hard he tried.
If this man truly wished it, he could reduce the entire Grand Duchy to ashes without effort.
And yet, the fact that he was offering a chance—it ant he had no desire to kill.
“Then promise one thing.”
“A promise?”
“I’ll hand over the key, but once you're done using it, you must return it. Also, do not destroy the surrounding barrier.”
“I promise.”
Pleased with the answer, the man shifted his gaze away from Grand Duke Rodrian.
Only then did the stiffness in Rodrian’s body vanish, and he regained control of himself.
Cold sweat…
Though the exchange had been brief, his entire body was drenched in sweat just from being under that man’s gaze.
Rodrian opened a drawer in his desk and took out a blue box.
Inside was a red key.
This key temporarily disabled the barrier that blocked the path.
Without it, one couldn’t enter the dungeon—and it was also required to deactivate the barrier when leaving.
“Thank you for your wise decision.”
The man accepted the key and imdiately turned to leave.
“Wait! That key only needs to be turned once. Never turn it twice.”
“Because the barrier will be fully deactivated?”
“…A clever one, aren’t you.”
“Don’t worry. Since you’ve resolved this peacefully, I will do the sa.”
With those parting words, the man vanished.
Left alone, Grand Duke Rodrian’s legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed into his chair.
His body still trembled uncontrollably.
“…What kind of monster is that man, and where did he co from…?”
Rodrian muttered to himself over and over again, a dazed look in his eyes.
* * *
Jeong-hoon, holding the key, used Heavenly Demon Lord’s Dominion to instantly arrive at the barrier.
There was a small hole at chest height in the barrier.
[A ‘Key’ is required to disable the barrier.]
A ssage floated up as he approached.
That was why Jeong-hoon had turned around and gone to et Grand Duke Rodrian in the first place.
===
[Player Information]
- Nickna: Khazix von Rodrian
- Level: 1,520
- Class: Sword Master (5th Advancent), Lord of the Rodrian Grand Duchy, Commander of the Kalderean Imperial Knights
===
He was a fully advanced 5th-tier Sword Master—a master refined to perfection.
At the sa ti, he was the lord of this Grand Duchy and the sword that guarded the Empire.
In terms of dinsional standards, he was undoubtedly a top-tier powerhouse.
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