Chapter 64: Banquet (3)

"How did you know?"

This was the first thing the emperor said. It felt quite significant to me.

Perhaps it was because I was suspicious of the emperor, but it sounded as if he was displeased with something.

"I saw the maid's eyes waver."

I repeated the same words I had said to Erendil. The emperor, who had been listening silently, laughed.

"Erendil has quite a capable man."

"You flatter me."

"Put away your modesty. I dislike modesty."

In response to the emperor's words, I only bowed my head.

"Is there anything you desire? After all, you saved my wife, so I should give you something."

"Nothing."

"A man who desires nothing is the most terrifying kind."

The emperor's words were very sharp. In such a situation, it's best to remain silent. I kept my head bowed and maintained my silence.

"An orphan turned mercenary, knighted and now a royal guard, meeting the emperor, and you desire nothing?"

"That alone is more than I deserve."

I heard the emperor's hollow laugh.

"Come to think of it, you've climbed quite high. A man from the bottom of the continent meeting the summit."

"It is a great honor."

"Cut the flattery. I find it tedious. Didn't I say that before?"

The emperor turned his head and asked Luedern.

"Your Majesty, you are the emperor of the Kayan Empire, ruling the continent. Anyone would have to flatter you. And you told me not to be modest earlier."

"So, is that a problem?"

"It's not that you are a problem, but sitting on the throne, it's not an incorrect statement. You will continue to hear it tediously in the future."

"Luedern, get lost. You're sentenced to death."

The emperor waved his hand as if annoyed, and the Sword Master smiled slightly. It was a joke between friends.

To me, it was just perplexing. The emperor turned his gaze back to me.

"I'll give you another chance. This is the last one. Do you have anything you desire...?"

Suddenly, the emperor covered his mouth and coughed violently. It was a cough that suggested a lung disease.

I felt the atmosphere change between the two Sword Masters. The emperor waved his hand backward.

"...Is there anything you desire?"

"Nothing."

Tsk, the sound of the emperor's tongue clicking was clear. It was intentional. If I asked for something valuable, he would give it to me, but...

"You're quite a sly one. Usually, what comes out of someone else's mouth is cheaper."

This is how it works. The one waiting to receive is more likely to get something valuable than the one who speaks.

Since I have earned merit, a reward is natural. It's a matter of face, so he can't refuse.

"Luedern, what would you like?"

The Sword Master glanced at me.

"From what I saw earlier, a sword would be good. It's a fine sword, but it's not enough to protect the royal bloodline."

He saw the sword in the meantime?

It was an incredible eye for detail. He must be a true Sword Master. I need to be more careful with my movements.

For me, it was a welcome development. I had a bit of regret for leaving the sword I received from the dwarf.

If it's from the emperor, it won't be an ordinary sword.

"Alright. You take one. You can leave now."

The emperor dismissed me. As I bowed and stepped back, I heard a voice from behind.

"Take good care of Erendil, as you have been."

"Yes, I will keep it in mind."

The emperor's gaze on me was intense.

"I'm not just saying this. He is the one who most resembles me."

From the emperor's eyes, I was convinced that he had orchestrated the empress's assassination.

It's a hunch. A hunch, but it feels too certain.

'The emperor doesn't seem to dislike the princess.'

It was one of the concerns I had, but now I have another thought.

Perhaps the emperor was trying to provoke the princess, just as he did with the empress. In the process, he might have aimed for two rabbits, including Egne.

This thought lingered.

* * *

"What are you thinking?"

Erendil's words.

His direct questioning was similar to the emperor's, which immediately brought to mind the statement that I most resembled him.

"I can't understand any of your words and actions. Why do you have such high expectations of me?"

"..."

"Or do you like me?"

"Excuse me? How could I?"

I was so flustered that my response came out immediately. My usually unshakeable composure wavered.

"Answer me. From what I've considered, there's no other answer. If you were insane, Haisen wouldn't have sent you, and you can't see the future."

"In a rational sense, no."

"I'm frustrated. I've told you this a dozen times, but I can't understand. If I ask again, will you still say you can't tell me?"

"..."

"Alright. I can't expel you."

In response to my silence, Erendil sighed.

"I'm curious about your thoughts on this matter. Do you really think the Egne family is behind it? And that the second brother was a bystander?"

Does the princess have similar doubts? Hmm. I'm not sure. It could just be curiosity.

After a brief moment of consideration, I had to tell the truth in front of the princess.

"To be honest, I think it might be the emperor."

"...Father?"

Erendil frowned. He seemed to be debating whether to be angry with me or not.

It was due to a moment of confusion. I quickly continued.

"I know it's a great impertinence, but from the perspective of eliminating the princes' in-laws, it fits."

"I understand what you mean. But I'm curious if it's just your opinion or something you felt directly from Father."

"The latter. After meeting the emperor, I felt he might be capable of it."

The princess paused. Her eyes seemed to be evaluating the validity of my words.

"Father wants me to participate in this war."

Did she deduce that so quickly? It was a bit surprising.

I had a vague idea, so perhaps she knows her father better.

"I also felt something similar, albeit faintly."

"Yes. Father despises fleeing without a fight, so he wouldn't be pleased with me."

Silence fell again. The princess turned her gaze to the window and remained silent for a while.

"Schurtaffen, you said it should be my decision whether to participate in this war."

"Yes."

"That won't do. For Father's sake, I must participate in this war."

I sighed inwardly. I didn't want things to go this way.

Should I tell her about the princes' secret now?

I shook my head. It was a hasty thought. I need to calm down.

I can tell her later. It would be strange for her to know I already know.

"How do you see the possibility?"

"Yes. It will be difficult, but higher than what the princess thinks."

"Is that your judgment or Haisen's?"

The question was sharp. My approach to the princess was indeed a bit unusual.

"It's my judgment."

"Do you have any evidence?"

Erendil waved his hand.

"Alright. You'll say you can't tell me yet."

Erendil stood up and walked to the window. His golden hair glowed blue in the moonlight.

"Let's see how it goes. If I do nothing, Father will step in again. Even if it's not Mother, I don't want to let my people die."

The princess turned to face me, her back to the moonlight.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I do, but not yet. There are many eyes watching me. We need to adapt to the situation as it unfolds."

"Time is on the brothers' side."

"It's not."

Erendil's eyes asked the question. I had brought it up but couldn't explain it immediately.

I could only hint at it.

"Because the princess is the princess. She is fundamentally different from the princes. And I'm here with her..."

Erendil chuckled.

"You're making a joke. You can leave now."

I bowed and turned. Suddenly, a voice came from behind, just like the emperor's.

"...You did well today."

"Thank you."

"Do you have anything you desire?"

I almost laughed. It was the same question I had just heard. The emperor's words about our resemblance were not just a casual remark.

Well, what should I say? I had no material desires from Erendil.

"Nothing."

Erendil chuckled.

"...What did Father say he would give you?"

"A sword."

"Hmm. You wouldn't desire treasures. The current me can't offer anything that would satisfy you."

"I don't need anything."

It was sincere. My goal is for the princess to become the emperor and drive out the demon followers.

"That won't do. I don't have anything to offer immediately, so let's put this aside. Yes, if the princess becomes the emperor, you can tell me what you desire then."

I couldn't refuse such a request.

"Yes, I will."

* * *

"Kal Schurtaffen."

As I left the palace after my shift, Luedern was waiting for me, holding a sword.

"Sir Luedern."

Out of respect for the Sword Master, I gave a slight bow. Luedern approached and handed me the sword casually.

"It's a good one. Try it out."

The scabbard was simple, all black. But from the moment I received the sword, I could tell it was extraordinary.

I immediately drew the sword. Swoosh— The blade was sharp and clear.

The sword glinted faintly in the sunlight. The grip felt perfectly balanced.

As a swordsman before being a spy, I couldn't help but smile.

"You seem to like it."

"Yes, very much. Does it have a name?"

Luedern had given it to me as if it were a wooden practice sword, but it was clearly a fine blade.

"Yue Ming (Moonlight)."

Luedern said.

"It's said to be even more beautiful in