Golden Empire, Imperium.
The one and only supreme nation of humanity, swallowing up 70% of the continent, is a powerhouse with no less than eight strong individuals capable of toppling an entire country.
Strategic weaponry? Eight, to be exact.
To put it in modern terms, it’s like having eight reusable nuclear weapons that can move around at will.
While other kingdoms may possess one or fewer weapons, this kingdom hoards all eight for itself, but it has a significant drawback.
The weapons possess a strong sense of ‘self’ that is unparalleled.
The Imperium belongs to the Emperor and the royal family, and all eight swords are fully devoted to the royal house and operate on its behalf.
But if you ask whether they have a strictly divided hierarchy, the answer is a resounding no.
Duke Huangyeol, the strongest among the eight swords and a direct descendant of the Emperor, is practically on equal footing with the Magic Lord and the Spirit Lord.
Even though he can issue commands in the name of the Empire, he cannot control them.
The other eight swords are somewhat controllable but can’t be treated as mere subordinates either.
The term “eight swords” ultimately refers to those holding the title of Grand Duke.
It signifies the pinnacle of the Empire.
“This shouldn’t be a problem…”
The Sword Saint spotted a massive ogre on the road to the Empire.
It looked just like the ogres commonly seen on the continent, but this one was at least 50 meters tall.
The ogre, exhaling with great force, swung a club the size of a castle, and part of the village was obliterated.
─Save me!
─Uuaaaaa!!
─Knight! Where are the knights?!
The villagers’ screams echoed from a distance.
If it were someone else in this situation, they’d charge in without a moment’s hesitation, but the Sword Saint strolled leisurely, observing the ogre as usual.
A field boss of about level 90.
Since it was almost in the territory of the Empire, there probably weren’t many users around.
Moreover, the closest kingdom city, Debra, was several kilometers away.
In other words, there was no one to save the village in its current crisis.
Step. Step.
─Save me!!
‘…But.’
Is this the ‘inside’ of the Empire?
Click.
“A bit ambiguous.”
If they were the subjects of the Empire, I would have rescued them in a heartbeat, but since they aren’t, there’s no reason for me to exert myself.
The reward for defeating a level 90 field boss isn’t bad, but I just finished slaughtering level 110 monsters a moment ago.
Given the amount of experience and resources involved, I might easily let this one slide given the circumstances.
“To save… huh?”
“Yeah?”
“Huh?”
Ska-gak…
A violet line begins to form over the ogre’s body.
A beam of light is drawn.
A vertical line drawn from the crown to the groin with no margin for error.
At last, the ogre’s body was split in two and rolled on the floor.
Puhwaaaak!
Late-burst particles of green blood covered most of the village.
“Kyahhhh!!”
“He, he’s dead!”
“Alive…”
“Tsk.”
It’s just not enough time.
Making all this noise for nothing.
This is why I don’t help.
The Sword Saint, dissatisfied with having caught a chicken with a dragon-slaying sword, sheathed his sword and moved on.
“Hey, hey there!”
“?”
The one grabbing him was a man who was on the brink of middle age to old age.
In an instant, the Sword Saint’s purple eyes pierced through the man.
The village chief, perhaps.
He quickly lowered his head, covered in green blood.
“Thank you! I don’t know where you came from, but thanks to you, I’m alive. Since it’s fate, let me treat you to a meal…”
“It’s nothing. Forget it.”
“But how can I…”
“Do I need to chop you down before you let me go?”
As the Sword Saint flatly stated the worst-case future, the chief hurriedly shook his head.
He didn’t feel any killing intent or anything, but he recalled the nonsensical tragedy that had just occurred.
An ogre of towering size and overwhelming strength, like a castle.
Every time that ogre swung its arm, the village was destroyed and people died.
In that moment, half-ready to give up against an unconquerable disaster…
The ogre was split in two.
What made that possible was the Black-haired Swordsman with Purple Eyes.
The chief really couldn’t have imagined such a genius, thinking it would just be city knights coming to support.
“W-well then, please take care.”
“…Soon enough.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
If a war starts, this place will be the first to be occupied.
It may be inside the territory of the Kingdom of Debra, but it’s too close to the imperial lands.
‘Maybe it’s better that way.’
Being under the Empire would be preferable to the Kingdom of Debra.
The Sword Saint left like that.
Ziiiiiing…
“Incredible.”
Unbeknownst to him, a user hiding among the residents was filming everything.
■
[The Sword Saint has appeared LOL]
Author: Sword Saint Return Day 388.
(Ogre Field Boss getting split in half video)
Wow, the Sword Saint comes back and instantly splits the Field Boss in half, LOL!
What is this slick move that just bisects it? So cool!
As expected, ranking number one is on another level, haha!
—
– Wow!
– This is what the Sword Saint is all about, LOL!
– Sword Saint appears! Sword Saint appears! Sword Saint appears! Sword Saint appears! Sword Saint appears!
– This chilling sensation…
– Leo doesn’t stand a chance now, LOL. The Sword Saint looks super strong!
– For real, haha!
– Everyone is equal before the Sword Saint, LOL!
– But wait, isn’t Leo also pretty strong?
– Ignoring Leo, huh?
– What’s this? Leo taking on a Devil? LOL!
– Nah, that’s just because Lily is holding him back. If it’s a pure 1v1, he’d trash him!
– But almost losing to the Devil is a little shameful, LOL!
– You think the Sword Saint wouldn’t lose?
– Yeah, probably!
– LOL!
– But looking at his stance, he seems like he wouldn’t lose at all. The Sword Saint’s skills are insane!
Anyway, Lily makes Leo and the Sword Saint look weak. That’s a fact.
– For real, haha!
– Agreed!
– This is indisputable.
—
[Okay, let’s hold a vote to celebrate the Sword Saint’s return!]
Author: Lily’s No. 1 Sword.
(A picture featuring Lily and the Sword Saint)
The emerging powerhouse, Lily, who wiped Leo like a cake, is stronger. Major upvote.
Nah. Do you think the number one in ranking is weak? The Sword Saint is stronger. Dislike.
Okay, I’m definitely upvoting this, LOL!
—
– This is totally Lily’s win, LOL!
– Isn’t it obviously Lily? No one can beat her right now!
– For real, is the Sword Saint even relevant anymore?
– It’s Lily’s era now; the Sword Saint is nothing in comparison, LOL!
– Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!
– But the Sword Saint still has class, wouldn’t win?
– Nope, can’t win!
– I think the Sword Saint would win; he’s almost undefeated from the start!
– Almost undefeated vs. just undefeated.
– LOL!
– Surprisingly close, huh? I thought the Sword Saint would win easily.
– Close?
– 16,000 and 10,000 are close? Can you do simple math?
– LOL!
– I think the Sword Saint wins. Even if Lily uses her spear, hammer, and magic, it’ll just be chaotic. Meanwhile, the Sword Saint focuses on one thing.
– Chaotic? LOL!
– Turn on your home heating instead of making nonsense arguments!
– It’s a fact; why are the Lily fans having a meltdown?
– For real, LOL! So can the Sword Saint take a hit from the focused attack?
– Fact: Even if Lily swings her hammer once, it blocks it.
– Fact: Lily can just dig her nose while sealing and still block it.
– LOL!
—
– But where is the Sword Saint headed?
– No idea?
– He’s part of the Empire, so he’ll probably go there. That’s near the Empire too!
Near the Empire,
└What’s the matter?
■
“Welcome. Sword Saint.”
The Sword Saint entered the capital of the Empire, Imperidium, warmly welcomed by Duke Huangyeol.
True to its moniker of the Golden Empire, everywhere in the capital were golden-hued buildings and attendants.
However, the design wasn’t excessive or lacking in form, making it easy on the eyes.
“Thank you for the hospitality, Duke Huangyeol.”
“You look troubled. Is something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing much. Just attracted a bit too much attention.”
Though he spoke nonchalantly, the Sword Saint was feeling quite uncomfortable.
He had prepared himself for the moment he returned to the continent, knowing that news of his return would inevitably spread.
With a user like Deoen not being just any user but ranked number one, it was entirely unsurprising that eyes were on him from any direction.
Still, he wished that if anyone were to find out, it would be at the moment he chose to reveal himself.
[Unread chat messages: 2681…]
[Unread important chat messages: 171…]
‘This isn’t how I envisioned it, being revealed against my will.’
“…Perhaps I should have let it go.”
“Let what go?”
“The Sword Saint… has slain a massive ogre at the far end of the Empire… It seems it caught the attention of some Outsiders…”
Just then, a White-robed Saintess named Nea entered the audience room of Duke Huangyeol, where only the two had been present.
As she sat down, her glasses gleamed in the reflected light, and maids rushed to place an array of delicacies on the table meant for her.
Duke Huangyeol picked up a knife.
“Where was it, Saintess?”
“Oh, it was in the territory of the kingdom city of Debra… There was a village that was being slaughtered by the ogre…”
“Debra… Quite resilient to have survived as a city.”
“Are you planning to wipe it out?”
“Wipe it out? What do you mean, Sword Saint?”
The Empire does not engage in such acts.
‘Unless they become our allies.’
Clink.
“You’re quite an unusual person. Your cold demeanor suits this place, yet you also carry that strange trait of the Outsider.”
“……”
“Leo is the same, and so are you…”
Clink.
“What about Lily Elbrite?”
“…Yes.”
Lily Elbrite. She is indeed the same.
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