Chapter: 724
The Emperor’s summons dropped without any surprise now.
If I were lounging around and got summoned, I’d have cursed up a storm, but this time, I headed straight to the palace since there was a clear reason for the call.
‘Caught me.’
Seems like the fact that I’d met up with Princess Alice had reached the Emperor’s ears.
The Empire’s eyes and ears are everywhere across the continent. Sure, there were some shaky times during Kagan’s commotion and the succession struggles, but after years of patching things up and getting the Intelligence Department running, the Empire’s intelligence network was pretty much back on track. We could easily catch wind of news from our neighboring Jerano.
Besides, neither I nor Princess Alice held any clandestine meetings. If the Emperor hadn’t been aware of this, we’d really have to question the Intelligence Department’s competence.
‘Would they believe it if I said she approached me because she’s a fan?’
With that lighthearted thought, I made my way with a mix of ease and confusion. The truth—that I met up with a foreign princess because “Oh, she’s a fan and I was just stalking her lol”—seemed too bizarre to admit.
But what could I do? That’s the truth. Nobles can’t just lie in front of the Emperor.
“The Kingdom of Jerano has designated the sword signed by the Director of the Information Department as a national treasure.”
“Excuse me?”
That’s how it seemed just a few minutes ago.
“And Armein has requested a sword signed by the Director too.”
“…What?”
The Emperor’s words caught me off guard.
‘What the hell.’
It was baffling. For one, the idea that my autograph is now a national treasure in another country, and on top of that, another nation wants it… it just doesn’t compute. Sure, it might sound like a dry joke from the Emperor, but—
‘He’s dead serious.’
Looking at the mixed expression of amusement and disbelief on his face, it was clear this wasn’t a laugh.
Unfortunately, it was real. The Emperor wasn’t making unfunny jokes; he was relaying straightforward facts.
“No, but, why… as a national treasure?”
“The Director is the continent’s finest swordsman capable of even cleaving the heavens. Plus, he’s a Blessed One of the Dawn Sect, so it meets all criteria for being a national treasure.”
I couldn’t deny it, as the Emperor’s words rang true. Honestly, I could find quite a few warriors throughout history stronger than me, but I’m the only one who can cleave the heavens. Well, technically, Kagan, the original pioneer of the technique, would have been able to too—but all those wannabe copycats who learned from him are dead up north, leaving me as the only known wielder of the phenomenon.
And now, on top of that, the added religious authority from being a Blessed One? It’s only natural that another country would take notice. But I really didn’t expect it to escalate to being made a national treasure.
‘What’s up with Armein?’
Moreover, they had the gall to ask for a national treasure from another country. Even if signatures are easy to come by, it’s still a national treasure from someone else! What kind of request is that?
No, of course, they’re not asking for Jerano to hand it over; they want a new one made. But even so, to make something identical to another country’s national treasure feels ethically shaky.
‘…Is it Rutis?’
The image of the red-haired third prince popped into my head instinctively.
Only that guy would make such a bizarre request.
*
Months had passed since I married Viah.
Even though it was just months, I’d taken time off to relax at our mansion, enjoy sweet moments with my darling wife, fool around with my future fiancée, and count down the days until our child is expected during winter. So many sources of happiness.
Now I finally understood why people get married. Viah and I had basically been living together, but the moment we officially tied the knot, happiness poured in! I’m just thrilled that I’m finally able to enjoy this bliss.
Aside from the rare visits from my parents and in-laws, each day passed in calm.
“Hey, you’ve been in touch with Rutis, right?”
Out of the blue, an unexpected guest appeared.
“Rutis?”
I blinked, stunned by my brother’s surprise visit and his blunt question.
He’d been avoiding me like the plague, claiming only new newlyweds could get the hype of happiness. He would only contact me through the comms if it was necessary. I didn’t expect him to drop by like this.
“Something’s come up…”
Well, if he’s here fresh from his honeymoon, there must be a solid reason for it. Instead of questioning him, I nodded readily.
Plus, he was asking for Rutis of all people. Something huge must be going on if he’s reaching out.
“Get in touch with him. I need to confirm something.”
“…Me?”
“Should I do it then?”
I pondered for a brief moment and shook my head sourly.
I was friends with Rutis, but my brother and Rutis have become foreign nobles. Sure, it could be easy to mention their school days, but I doubt anyone would see their relationship simply as that of teacher and club member.
If word got out that my brother contacted Rutis, the nobility in both nations would start gossiping, the continent would stir, and it would inevitably affect me, Rutis’s friend. Just the thought was horrifying.
“So, what do you want to confirm?”
“Just how deep he’s involved in this national treasure mess.”
“National treasure?”
That random term had me raising an eyebrow.
What does Rutis have to do with national treasures? Did he break Armein’s national treasure or hand it to somebody? I had heard he gifted something unusual at Ainter’s wedding…
“Oh, you haven’t heard yet.”
But the moment my brother explained, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
The chance of my brother running into a foreign princess on his honeymoon trip? The odds of that princess being a fan of his? And the possibility that a sword he gifted becomes Jerano’s national treasure? How likely is that? And for Armein to stick their nose in? Insane!
‘It’s Rutis.’
And I realized instinctively: Armein’s the origin of this debacle, and it was all Rutis’s doing.
If it weren’t for him, this absurdity couldn’t possibly exist.
– National treasure? When did that happen?
“Huh?”
– I’ve been too busy training lately, so I’m out of the loop with the kingdom’s affairs.
Both my brother and I were left speechless by Rutis’s words.
Naturally, we thought he was behind this whole fiasco. Only someone as brave and shameless as Rutis would dare ask for a national treasure designated by another country. No way anyone else could pull it off. If someone else did, it’d mean multiple people in this world are just like Rutis.
‘Rutis times two.’
Even for a fleeting thought, it made my head spin.
One Rutis… two Rutises… three Rutises… chaos one… two… three…
‘Terrifying.’
What’s even scarier is that there’s proof there’s someone pulling the strings behind this national treasure debacle. It means there can be at least two Rutises out there.
– Oh! That reminds me.
As my hand shook while holding the comms device, Rutis seemed to remember something.
At that moment, hope surged within me. Yes, it was something you led, but you just forgot, right? Or you could casually mention, “I wouldn’t mind having a sword like that.”
If he says that now, I can let it slide with a laugh. Rutis causing trouble is an everyday occurrence, but having multiple of him running around? No way!
– I heard there was a swordsmith meeting gathered around Uncle recently.
“What’s that—”
“Is it the swordsmith meeting?”
My brother suddenly jumped in from outside the view of the comms.
– Oh? Looks like brothers are together! Long time no see!
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s been a while since we last greeted each other.”
– Haha! Hearing you call me “Your Highness” is quite awkward! Just speak comfortably!
My brother’s mouth twitched at that.
Seeing him shift like that, I quickly retreated out of view. His demeanor felt off, and it was best for me to remain silent for now.
“If you have good news, then I’ll congratulate you as the adviser of the club and student from that day on.”
– In that case, I can’t help it. I’ll look forward to that day then.
“By the way, Your Highness. You mentioned this swordsmith meeting earlier…”
– That’s right. I heard my uncle held a swordsmith meeting, but I don’t know the details! Is that something you’re curious about?
“No, it’s fine.”
Though I was forcing a smile, my brother’s fists started trembling.
I didn’t see anything. In fact, I’ve been going blind since yesterday.
*
After exchanging pleasantries with Rutis, I dropped back into my chair.
I had sent Erich in to avoid chatting directly. I figured I’d stay back while rumors about the Empire’s Minister and Armein’s Prince weren’t spread.
However, that resolve shattered in an instant. One mention of the swordsmith meeting tossed it all out the window.
‘Damn it.’
Swordsmith meeting. Literally a meeting held in the graveyard of swords.
Way back in the depths of the Armein palace, there’s an open space filled with the swords of the first kings of Armein and the heroes of the founding. That place is commonly referred to as the Grave of Swords. It’s a source of pride and a symbol of the Knight Kingdom.
And the meetings there involve high-ranking military commanders and key leaders of knightly orders, as well as retired military elder statesmen coming together under the Grand Marshal of Armein. It’s where Armein’s military forces converge temporarily.
‘So that’s what it is.’
It seems discussions about the national treasure have come up during the swordsmith meeting. Given the timing of this event, there really doesn’t seem to be another explanation.
‘What do I do?’
My head throbbed. The influence of the swordsmith meeting in Armein is akin to a conclave or an ecumenical council. Decisions made there can’t just be brushed aside, even by the king of Armein. Anyone defying the outcomes will instantly fall from grace, no matter how highbrow their pedigree.
Yet they’re holding a meeting… just for a sword? An Armein-style version of the council comes to ask our Empire for one sword?
‘Are they crazy?’
It seems there was a good reason for Rutis to pop up from Armein. The environment must have been perfect for someone like him to emerge.
Though Rutis is clearly one of a kind, the frenzy among Armein’s warriors seems vastly unmatched. They have been blessed with a higher average from birth…
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