Chapter: 849
After the meeting with the Emperor, I returned to the mansion and stared blankly at the garden.
Cutting the sky in the Swordsmith’s Hall. It’s a proposal that no ordinary person would dare to imagine, and my head is still spinning. It’s clear that being the Emperor of the Empire and the king of the continent’s second-largest nation isn’t something just anyone can do. How did they even finalize such a crazy proposal?
‘Is this really a good idea?’
Downing cup after cup of tea, I tried to calm my wildly beating heart. They say tea is good for relaxing, but how many times could I have died of a heart attack without it in my life?
Anyway, I sighed, feeling the warmth of the tea flowing down my throat. Thanks to the Emperor and the King of Armein’s shenanigans, I was about to become a fool in Armein’s history. Perhaps a fool that future generations of Armein would remember too.
Cutting the sky in the Swordsmith’s Hall is like brandishing a sword in St. Peter’s Cathedral, at the Black Stone of Mecca, or in a national palace or assembly. It’s a crime worthy of immediate arrest just for resting my hand on the sword’s hilt!
“Don’t worry too much. I didn’t propose it first; it was Armein who asked. If the parties involved want it, what’s the problem?”
The Emperor, feeling a bit embarrassed for forgetting this important matter, insisted it was all good.
In that moment, I nearly blurted out, “So, can we cut the sky from the palace first?” If it were just the Emperor, they might have done it without question. But with the Empress, Crown Princess, princes, and princesses—all innocent victims residing in the palace—it was probably good sense to back off.
“And as I said before, from King Armein’s perspective, this is essentially a treaty where we hand over Trika’s Scepter for free. Shouldn’t we do them this small favor as goodwill?”
“If goodwill is the price for a treaty, then it’s not free, is it?”
“Why don’t we let such trivial matters slide? Besides, I am feeling quite wronged since the precious gem was discovered after the treaty was signed. If it was supposed to be found, it should have shown up sooner, so we could have exchanged the scepter and the gem smoothly.”
The Emperor also seemed eager to avoid the big event of cutting the sky at the Swordsmith’s Hall.
This time, it was evident that the Emperor wasn’t the mastermind but rather the bystander. He made the decision as a monarch strictly based on national interests. Given his usual demeanor, this was a rare display of remorse, and if even one part had been missing, I might have aimed my fury at him. But with all three points intact, I decided to let it slide.
“By the way, Count. It’s not like this is the first time you’ve cut the sky in another country, right?”
“No, that’s—”
“Was it when you cut the sky in Balkros? At your sudden request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hurriedly consulted with Balkros’s diplomatic department. I even had a meaningful chat with the King of Balkros then.”
In fact, there was no excuse for me to refuse.
As the Emperor mentioned, this wasn’t my first time cutting the sky in another country. For Alen, who was probably still hard at work, I once went and slashed the sky for Addy’s favorite author, who happened to be Alen.
That incident was, in fact, driven by my personal interests rather than national ones. An imperial noble on vacation had stirred up trouble in a foreign land, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been caught off guard. My personal concerns had forced the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consult with another country’s diplomatic department.
‘Was I the one who struck first?’
Realizing the truth was bitter. At least when it came to matters about the sky, I had launched the first strike against the Emperor. He’d taken my attack, and it took almost a year for him to retaliate.
The sad part is that even that retaliation was forced and not voluntary. With the sword-obsessed neighbors nearby, weird things like this were bound to happen.
‘This time, I’ll follow quietly.’
Since I had already made a protest, the notion of remaining “quiet” was a bit far-fetched. Still, when I go to Armein, I’ll just wield my sword without complaint.
Sure, this is a matter of national interest. The reclamation of the scepter for the authority of the Empire and Emperor. It’s pretty much the same thing. I slashed the sky for personal benefit, so for national benefit, I should definitely do it now.
‘Damn it.’
In the future, if I want to do something outside the borders, I’ll think at least three times about whether I should go through with it or not.
As a public servant on vacation, I am here as a private traveler, not a public figure. Perhaps due to that indomitable shield of evasion, I carried out something insane without even realizing it.
Let’s not forget. Even as a private citizen, ultimately, the burden will fall on me—public servant Carl and personal Carl are still the same Carl.
…
‘No, still, damn.’
I failed to calm myself down.
My anger toward the Emperor is now meaningless, so I can move on from that. However, I absolutely cannot forgive or understand the heinous act of Armein.
Is it natural for a country crazy about swords to want to see the sky cut? That would have been expected. If I had gone to Armein and they hadn’t asked for the sky to be cut, that would have been surprising. I might have even accepted a request for the sky cutting to happen during Rutis’s wedding.
But the specific demand to cut the sky in the Swordsmith’s Hall? That’s utterly unacceptable. To think a country that was once a potential rival is going to brandish a sword in a national holy site… I honestly can’t wrap my head around it…
‘The Fifth Empire didn’t just pop up out of nowhere.’
Now, I think I understand how the Fifth Empire came into existence.
What compelled such a crazy hardliner to emerge? It seems the essence of Armein itself is hostile and filled with lunatics. Given the soil looks like that, even if just one out of a hundred seeds sprouts abnormally, it’s bound to turn out like this.
‘Thank goodness I’m part of the Empire.’
If the Krasius family were nobles in Armein instead of the Empire, one of two things would have happened.
I would have either flipped out in a world of one-eyed people or transformed into an Armein version of myself, in a different sense.
Either way, it would be a horrific experience.
‘Ah.’
While lost in such bittersweet thoughts, I spotted a familiar shape and moved towards it.
The Crown Princess, Henrietta, and Helen—the three sisters who fulfill their roles as sisters to my kids were here.
‘Just in time.’
My heart, which had been troubled by adult issues, quickly found peace. Indeed, a heart wounded by adult matters can be healed by children.
Of course, when three sisters of different statuses gather, the term “chaotic” hardly does the noise justice, but I could endure that much.
*
The Father King called the royal family to the Swordsmith’s Hall.
Every year on the founding day, the royal family gathers at the Swordsmith’s Hall to pray for the first king and his loyal followers, but it’s not rare for the royals to gather there even when it’s not the founding day.
This Swordsmith’s Hall is Armein’s pride and the symbol of the Robens royal family. It’s a place that any royal must love and be familiar with.
“Come in, everyone. I’m sorry for calling you suddenly when you must be busy.”
“It’s fine. The Swordsmith’s Hall is not far, and it’s just right for a quick break.”
In response to the Father King’s words, my older brother smiled lightly.
Well, it makes sense. My older brother and second brother frequently come to the hall for a stroll even without the Father King calling them. Even if the Father King unexpectedly summoned us, it wouldn’t matter much.
“Your Majesty, may I ask why you called us? Particularly to the Swordsmith’s Hall?”
At my sister’s question, she, my mother, and the rest of my siblings turned their gazes toward the Father King.
In the silence of their focused attention, I smiled to myself. I already knew what the Father King was going to say.
“I’ve called you to share some joyous news. It will go down in the royal history.”
“Oh, that is such an honor to hear.”
“It’s quite a joyful tidbit, especially right before Rutis’s wedding. What a series of blessings we have!”
With that, the Father King lightly nodded at the reactions of my older and second brothers before turning his gaze toward me.
“It’s related to Rutis’s wedding. As you all know, Rutis has built connections at the Empire Academy with Count Tailglehen.”
“Has he only formed ties with Count Tailglehen? He’s built connections all over. If I may express my personal opinion, Rutis should be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“Let’s discuss Rutis’s future later. Anyway, due to that connection, Count Tailglehen will be coming to congratulate Rutis on his wedding.”
At this, the family’s attention turned toward me.
“From that perspective, I feel slightly embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? Why, your smile is huge!”
My older brother teased me, and I awkwardly smiled while fiddling with the corners of my mouth.
“And when Count Tailglehen enters Armein, he’ll be cutting the sky in the Swordsmith’s Hall.”
Of course, with the Father King redirecting attention to himself, my reaction didn’t matter at all.
“…Huh?”
“Excuse me?”
“Y-Your Majesty, what did you just say—”
“He will cut the sky at this Swordsmith’s Hall.”
The Father King’s declaration left a silence hanging in the air.
I understood. When I first heard that news from the Father King, I was so overjoyed that I couldn’t speak for a while.
“Your Majesty.”
“Speak freely.”
The first to break the long silence was my older brother.
“Are you saying Count Tailglehen intends to cut the sky in this Swordsmith’s Hall with the continent’s greatest sword?”
“That’s correct.”
“To congratulate Rutis’s wedding?”
“It’s not solely for that. As you know, there was a small treaty between the Empire and him recently. This is one of the things obtained from that treaty.”
“Ah.”
Nodding in understanding to the Father King’s explanation, my older brother said, “What a truly joyous occasion,” as he smiled widely.
“To cut the sky in this place where the spirits of our ancestors and heroes lie peacefully! As a descendant of Armein, this is the utmost courtesy we can show to our ancestors, is it not? Surely, the spirits resting here will be delighted to see the heavens being split!”
“Brother is right! It’s a pity we cannot cut it ourselves, but inviting the continent’s greatest swordsman allows us to hold our heads up high before our ancestors!”
“Indeed, I knew you all would understand immediately.”
The friendly atmosphere lifted the corners of my mouth back up.
My older brother and younger brother were right. As a martial artist of the knightly kingdom of Armein, and as part of the royal family, what could be the highest courtesy we could perform in the Swordsmith’s Hall? It’s showing the spirits what the sword can accomplish.
“B-but don’t say something absurd.”
My sister hurriedly interjected, but the Father King, older brother, and younger brother remained unbothered.
“Cutting the sky is fine! But not in the Swordsmith’s Hall! How can a foreign warrior display their might in a place that is the very heart of Armein—please listen to me!”
Ignoring my sister’s shout, I glanced at the particularly clean sword among those hanging in the hall.
The great sword that my tutor sent me as a gift. A precious treasure that contains the signature and teachings of the continent’s greatest sword.
[With knowing examples, I carry my sword, and because I hold to righteousness, I shall draw it, pledging loyalty with every swing. Carl Krasius of Tailglehen.]
Reading the inscription engraved on the great sword, I softly closed my eyes.
The thought of seeing my tutor again after a long time fill me with joy.
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