Chapter 90: Tenorieu (2)

Currently, the most popular knight in the empire is not a Sword Master but Karl Schurtaffen, Karlene.

This is because the empire, which has lived as a conquering nation for hundreds of years, places great importance on valor in war.

Moreover, it was a disadvantageous battlefield, and he achieved a great victory with strategies that would be recorded in history books and textbooks.

Furthermore, he was a knight who showed honor and loyalty by throwing himself to protect the princess during the triumphal procession.

The incident where he charged alone to protect the soldiers during the last extermination battle was also a hot topic again.

Therefore, Karlene is receiving tremendous attention as a model knight and a hero of the empire.

The fact that Karlene is an orphan and a mercenary of humble origin is no longer an issue.

Though he is called "Sir" as a nominal title, he has been granted a barony.

Of course, his handsome appearance certainly had an effect. Most noble ladies admired Karlene.

His looks, martial prowess, and strategy made him seem like a character from a chivalric romance.

Noble ladies even fantasized about being in the princess's place at the bomb incident.

Because of this, many noble ladies loitered in front of the palace on their way to work, just to catch a glimpse of Karlene from a distance.

"Sir, good morning."

"Would you like to try this?"

Such admirers were not limited to noble ladies. In the past, no one recognized him when he walked down the street, but now...

People would greet him first or offer him food, and it was a chore to refuse.

However, not everyone had a positive view of Karlene. It was the fate of a celebrity.

Some knights and nobles looked at Karlene unfavorably.

Most of it was jealousy. A war hero of humble origin. In their eyes, he was an eyesore.

However, most of those who harbored such feelings were insignificant people.

They were not in a position to benefit from Karlene.

Those in higher positions, on the other hand, were trying to find ways to utilize this war hero.

"My daughter is really beautiful. Would you like to meet her?"

"How about listing your name in our knight order? There are no duties. It's just a title. You won't lose anything."

These were offers of marriage or positions, either covertly or openly, from various people.

Even the princes were no different.

In their view, the princess's success was all due to Karlene.

The princes thought that if they could bring Karlene to their side, they could redirect the support for the princess to themselves.

Especially the First Prince, who had been trying to recruit Karlene since the extermination battle, had been courting him intensely.

He promised a decent fief and a dukedom. Naturally, Karlene did not accept such offers.

If only there were only such normal offers, but the world was not that simple.

There were people who, if they couldn't have him, wanted to destroy him, so there were those who tried to kill Karlene.

'Hmm?'

It happened while he was walking home after his shift and dealing with citizens who greeted him warmly.

Behind him, a man's aura was unusual.

It was the effect of the elixir. Given by the continent's top person, the elixir had elevated Karlene to the 4th level of the Moon Shadow technique.

Of course, the sparring with Sword Masters and his training over the years had an impact, but the elixir was the main reason.

Between the crescent and the half-moon.

His body became lighter, his mana purer, and his senses more acute.

The sensation of the wind. Karlene could tell there was a dagger in the man's coat.

He was an assassin.

"Sir! Try this. I just made it, and it's really delicious."

"Haha, that's fine..."

While the man was approaching, there was no warning of imminent death. It wasn't a threat to his life.

It would have been strange to act first, so Karlene calmly waited for the man to make his move.

Perhaps due to nervousness, the man pulled out the dagger and stabbed with a slightly stiff movement.

Still, it was a fast speed. Karlene turned his body before anyone could scream in shock.

He grabbed the hand holding the dagger. The assassin was a middle-aged man with a simple appearance.

His expression was clearly flustered.

"Oh!"

Someone's shrill scream rang out. However, the situation was not yet over.

One more.

He immediately broke the man's wrist and quickly turned around.

The arm he grabbed. The dagger, which seemed to be coated with poison, was blackened. The man was a decoy, and the real threat was the woman.

A woman in her early twenties. Karlene punched her in the face. The sound of her nose breaking was clear.

After confirming she was unconscious, he also knocked out the middle-aged assassin lying on the ground.

'Troublesome...'

He knew that many people had been observing him since the war, but this was his first assassination attempt.

He couldn't kill them in front of people, and he was already exhausted from a sleepless night. Taking them away would be a hassle.

He didn't expect to uncover the masterminds. Karlene was also part of the intelligence agency.

The information these men would provide would be worthless.

Considering Karlene's influence, the orders would have been given to someone far below them.

Assassin groups are not fools; they would have subcontracted to assess Karlene's abilities.

"Sir! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Ripping these scoundrels to pieces! How dare they attack the empire's hero!"

Shocked citizens were angry on Karlene's behalf. A young man nearby spoke up.

"Should we take these men away?"

"Yes."

"I'll help!"

At least it was fortunate that the people's help reduced his workload.

* * *

"I heard an assassin came yesterday."

The next day, Erendil said as soon as he saw me. I knew he would.

It was featured on the front page of today's morning newspaper.

"I heard you weren't hurt. Is that true?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Were they sent by the princes?"

"I can't be sure. There are people in the west who bear a grudge against me."

While the possibility is low, it can't be ruled out. Erendil agreed.

"Indeed. You must seem like a demon to them."

"...I'll take that as a compliment."

"But if it was the princes, this won't be the last. Are you prepared?"

"Don't worry."

I knew this wouldn't be the end. It was a test to see my response.

However, I didn't think I would be the one to fall.

With the Death Avoidance ability, I was invincible to assassins. Unless a Sword Master came, that is.

"How can I not worry?"

Erendil, who said this, quickly continued.

"Besides, there aren't many people you can trust around the princess. We can't even assign a bodyguard to her bodyguard."

"Do you know who I am? I don't get assassinated; I do the assassinating."

My words were a bit harsh, and Erendil's eyes widened. He looked at me for a moment before turning his gaze to the window.

"I understand. Still, be careful."

"I will."

"Also, the merchant I mentioned last time sent a gift."

He was talking about Alend. I didn't ask for anything, but he sent a gift.

He had good initiative.

"Did you like it?"

"I'm not particularly interested in jewelry."

Despite his words, he looked quite satisfied.

As the empire's top merchant, the gift was likely carefully chosen.

"Next time, ask him to send something different."

"Alright. It wasn't bad. The sweets he sent with it were excellent."

Ah, it wasn't the jewelry but the sweets that he liked? He has a sweet tooth, so that makes sense.

If he liked it that much, it must be rare and not easily found.

"Alright. I'll ask him to send more of those sweets."

"...Alright. By the way, Father asked you to visit Tenorieu."

Tenorieu? It was the tomb of the empire's emperors. All emperors are buried there after their death.

A place guarded by Sword Masters.

A place I never reached in the game, and I didn't even know where it was.

"Sooner than expected."

Originally, the emperor's children visit Tenorieu when they turn 18.

It's a coming-of-age ceremony, a simple ritual to honor the legacy of past emperors.

That's all I knew, as it wasn't widely known.

The princess is now 17, a year earlier than expected.

It seemed the emperor granted her a special favor due to the war. This ritual could influence the succession dispute.

"When will you go?"

"It's best to go as soon as possible. It will also prove my position to others."

"You're right."

"Let's go in two days."

It was the day I would resume my guard duty.

"I'll prepare."

"Alright. We'll return the same day."

"Is it that close?"

"I'm not sure. However, Tenorieu can only be entered by riding a dragon-powered carriage, so it won't take long."

Dragon-powered carriage. A small carriage attached to a dragon's back. It serves a similar role to an airplane on Earth.

However, it's a mode of transportation that only the emperor can use on this continent.

In the distant past, during the founding emperor's era, dragons that ruled the continent with magic no longer exist.

Only degenerated dragons remain, and they are managed by the royal family to symbolize the emperor's authority.

"Will the Emperor come with us?"

"No. It will be just the two of us."

"Really?"

Erendil shrugged.

"There are things you don't know. The Founding Emperor's Medal also grants the right to ride a dragon-powered carriage."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Father said it was too much trouble, so he asked us to go together."

It was a new fact. The last time the Founding Emperor's Medal was awarded was 130 years ago, and there was no mention of the dragon-powered carriage.

Hmm. It might be similar to a nominal barony. The current emperor might have granted it due to his broad-mindedness.

* * *

Two days later.

I followed Erendil to the restricted area behind the palace, where the dragon-powered carriage was located.

Of the few dragons left on the continent, the emperor owned six. Only two were here.

The first dragon I saw was not much different from what I had seen in various games.

'It was impressive, though.'

While I felt disgust when I saw the monster during the extermination battle, it was different now.

Dragons are usually symbols of fear and awe.

However, I didn't feel such emotions. The dragon had a carriage attached to its back.

In any case, Erendil and I boarded the carriage.

It was a four-person carriage, so we had to sit facing each other.

Soon, the dragon took off. The ride was smooth due to the magic.

Through the reinforced window, I saw the white city shrinking. It felt like being on an airplane.

Erendil couldn't take her eyes off the window. It was her first time riding it too.

"Isn't it amazing? Isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Schurtaffen."

Erendil turned her eyes to me.

"You're helping Emmit, right?"

"Yes."

Emmit returned after our conversation. We practiced swordsmanship on his days off.

It was better than I expected. His will to protect the princess was aiding his recovery.

"...Thank you. For some reason, I always end up thanking you."

"You don't have to. That's why I'm here. Consider it my duty."

"That's not possible. Didn't you tell me to look after my subordinates?"

Erendil kept looking out the window as she spoke. After a moment of silence, she continued.

"Even if you become empress, do the same. Keep making me say thank you."

"Yes, I'll try."

At that moment, my heart sank. My blood began to boil.

And I instinctively realized.

Now.

On this continent, a demon has appeared.