Chapter: 869
The warm welcome that began at the border didn’t stop until we reached Radus, the capital of Ainter.
Every city we stopped in, fresh crowds gathered to greet us as soon as we stepped off the carriage for meals. More specifically, these were the (work) liberated slaves from the Ainter Foreign Affairs Department.
Their expressions looked a bit serious, but their eyes sparkled and their smiles were full, making it feel like they were genuinely welcoming us. I couldn’t help but chuckle; I knew I wasn’t receiving this level of welcome even from the Empire’s diplomats.
‘Though there weren’t any knights, that was a surprise.’
It was only after passing through the gates of Radus that I felt something was off. I hadn’t realized it at first with the diplomatic staff showing off their bravado, but now that I thought about it, there weren’t any knights among those who greeted me.
That’s astonishing. Sure, there were guards, but knights and soldiers are a different breed. The knights of Ainter are sword experts—no, sword fanatics. Yet here they were, completely clueless about the visit of the Continent’s Greatest Sword? Frankly, it was unexpected. You’d think the knights would have been the ones rolling out the red carpet, letting the diplomats take a back seat. Why did it happen the other way around?
‘Are they shy or something?’
For a moment, that thought crossed my mind. Maybe they were too embarrassed to come and face me.
But they likely weren’t shunning me out of pride. The knights had already let go of power games on a national scale, and my reputation as number one in the swordsmanship field was already acknowledged. Acting up and sulking now would only ruin their own image.
So, could it really be that Ainter’s knights were just shy? Like a fan unable to speak in front of their idol?
‘Knight fan club.’
Just imagining it made my head spin. I pictured brawny men twisting their bodies awkwardly like shy fans. What a hellish scene!
‘There must be another reason.’
Finally, I shook off that terrifying thought rapidly.
Logically speaking, it couldn’t be a rejection of me. The knights were the very heart and foundation of Ainter. If they were to avoid me, the Foreign Affairs Department would have found it hard to extend their welcome as well.
And considering Ainter’s boisterous and direct personalities, being shy made no sense either. It’d be more believable if they were fighting each other to come out and greet me, causing a traffic accident! There could even be dozens of overturned carriages somewhere that I hadn’t learned about.
Yeah, there had to be something else I wasn’t aware of. That’s why their faces weren’t visible. I’d eventually see them whether I liked it or not while staying in Ainter, so I shouldn’t stress too much.
“Towards the Continent’s Greatest Sword! Sword greeting!”
However, I didn’t expect to see them this quickly.
I certainly didn’t expect to face over a hundred of them at once.
‘What is this?’
I was completely taken aback by the sight of knights all performing a sword salute in unison at the entrance to the palace.
Here I was, meant to congratulate Rutis on his wedding and end up needing to split the sky with my sword. So naturally, I planned to swing by the palace for a quick greeting with the King of Ainter before diving into my honeymoon. Honestly, it wasn’t exactly exciting meeting the ruler of another nation who wasn’t my own emperor, but how could I refuse the king’s request?
So I was just trying to finish my business quickly and get back when a gigantic bombshell awaited me in this unavoidable space. So that’s why I had the feeling I wasn’t seeing something!
“My juniors pursuing the sword would like to meet the Continent’s Greatest Sword!”
“””We would like to meet the Greatest Sword!”””
Amongst it all, a bizarre greeting continued, and I couldn’t say a word in response.
‘Juniors…?’
This was truly peculiar. I had come just to greet the king but suddenly became a senior among Ainter’s knights. It was clear to see that many were older than me, yet just like that, I had become a senior.
Crazy folks. I don’t know your juniors. I’m an uncultivated adult with no seniors or juniors! If you’re claiming me as your senior, it means you’d have to give up your graduation certificates. Can you handle that at all?
“Of course.”
Yet amidst all this chaos, my wife, Fine, nodded as if she were satisfied or even thought it was natural.
“I was puzzled about why only diplomats were coming out to welcome you, but it seems they were preparing this. It’s a fitting reception for the Greatest Sword of the Continent.”
‘Ah.’
I almost facepalmed at Fine’s words.
My beloved wife and first loyal follower, Fine. In a way, she was a pioneer who made the knight fan club I had whimsically imagined come to life. Overflowing with love and respect, Fine was feeling pride, not flinching at this spectacle.
My husband deserves this kind of treatment. Someone being honored with a sword salute from the knights of the Kingdom of Knights at its heart.
Meanwhile, the husband is just dying inside.
“Welcome, Greatest Sword! It’s been a long time since we’ve met!”
Before long, a voice that ignited my insides even hotter reached me.
Turning my head, I was greeted with the familiar sight of red hair and red eyes. The flames that were burning inside me must be just as red, too.
“Rutis, my lord, I see you!”
“Haha! Well, it’s quite embarrassing to be honored in front of the Greatest Sword!”
I suppressed my bitter smile and bowed my head to the root cause that had brought me to Ainter, and Rutis burst out laughing, striding toward me.
“I also send my regards to your lady! Unfortunately, I couldn’t personally celebrate your wedding, but I’m glad I can congratulate you like this! To think I could do so right before my wedding! It feels like the gods have led us together!”
He then gave a courteous nod to Fine, displaying unexpected politeness for royalty.
Even if it was just a nod, royalty—especially a king’s direct bloodline—bowing to a foreign noble was quite the shock for me. Yet…
‘Why are you all chilling?’
The Ainter folks watching us were utterly silent, even more confused than I was.
What is this? Do they think that this is what you naturally owe to my wife? If that’s the case, I’m both thankful and terrified. That kind of madness and solidarity is frightening.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, my lord. I also think I ought to congratulate you on your joys, though I feel it might be a bit too early. I’ll congratulate you properly at the wedding!”
“Haha, that sounds good! Then we’ll see each other then!”
Rutis chuckled again at Fine’s words and turned his gaze towards me.
“Well then, let’s head inside together. His Majesty is waiting for you.”
“I didn’t expect you to guide me personally.”
“We must treat such a guest this way, after all. Besides, I also want to witness the Greatest Sword’s arrival myself! Honestly, I wish I could join in the sword salute too!”
He nonchalantly spoke those horrifying words, making me close my eyes in despair.
Yet fortunately, at least those words remained as words. There was no way they would actually become actions.
I had long wondered where Rutis’s personality had come from.
Was he an unexpected mutation? Or was he just the natural product that emerged from where beans were planted? Or worse, did he start as a red bean but somehow turn into a soy bean as he grew? For years, I was deeply curious.
And now, after all these years, my questions were answered today.
“Welcome, Count Tailglehen. You must have had quite the journey, and I wonder if you’re feeling fatigued after such a vigorous reception right after arriving.”
‘Ah.’
A kind-faced middle-aged man welcomed me with a gentle smile. Like Rutis, his striking red hair and eyes are impressive, but the strength and warmth in his face was a king indeed.
At the same time, he displayed a sense of delicacy, subtly showing regret with an expression that seemed to say, ‘The formalities outside may have been overdone. I apologize for that.’
‘So Rutis really is the odd one out.’
I realized right then. The current king of Ainter is utterly normal, but Rutis inherited some weird genes.
I was moved. Honestly, when the King of Ainter asked for the sky-splitting sword salute, I genuinely worried that both Ainter and the Robens royal family had completely lost their senses. Yes, Rutis was rather distinctive, but how could such twisted soil give birth to such a strange tree?
But no, at least the appearance of the King of Ainter was perfectly normal and peaceful. Even if he’s hiding his true nature, that’s fine. Rutis isn’t even acting.
“It’s not tiring at all. There is no greater honor than being welcomed by knights at the heart of the Kingdom of Knights. I’m deeply grateful for the grace your Majesty has shown me, allowing such an honor as a foreign servant.”
“Thank you for understanding. The yearning and admiration in this land symbolizes our identity and essence. Even a king must not meddle in it—no, it’s even more so because of our royal status.”
I instinctively nodded at the persuasive reasoning. The symbol of a nation, identity, and driving force are things even a king shouldn’t mess with.
Right, if you say it like that, it’s wonderful. If one explains the outlandish behavior as a part of policy rather than pure insanity, then it’s no longer mere madness; it becomes part of state policy! Being an official, I understand enough about the implementation of a foreign country’s policies.
“However, Count. Is it true that your lady accompanying you is the head of the special department in the Prosecutor’s Office?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That would be correct.”
I didn’t ask how he knew; it was a common question for a high-ranking official visiting from a foreign nation.
Fine had even been known as the fierce captain of the Mukgwangdae during her time in the Ministry of Intelligence, and now that she’s one of my wives, she’s become famous in social circles as well. If the King didn’t know Fine, that would rather raise doubts about his capability.
“Indeed. Your lady is also a remarkable martial artist.”
Anyway, as the King quickly surveyed Fine, he seemed to grasp her prowess and let out a small exclamation of admiration.
As expected, the King of the Kingdom of Knights is on a different level. He only needs one look to figure out a warrior’s level.
“Are we going to have to adjust our plans now?”
‘…Plans?’
A surge of anxiety began to rise in me at the King’s mutterings.
My instincts whispered to me. The plans he just mentioned are definitely not ordinary and peaceful. They are most likely loud plans that directly involve me and Fine.
“Count.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please go ahead.”
“A country’s knights consider it an honor just to have met you, known as the Greatest Sword, yet some would love to encounter you in battle.”
“Yes?”
“They don’t aim to defeat you. For them, sharing blades with a master is a great fortune.”
My anxiety sharpened more clearly.
“Count, would you be willing to teach our knights? Or perhaps your lady could take the lead.”
“Teaching? You mean?”
“Indeed. Of course, this isn’t a demand, and I will consider proper compensation.”
I nearly sighed out loud at those words.
I thought he might be normal, but it seems he’s indeed Rutis’s biological father.
‘Why is Fine part of this?’
However, why bring Fine into this? Is it that you’d have to defeat not just the count but also the line of guards below him to challenge the Continent’s Greatest Sword? What kind of twisted logic is that?
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