Chapter 9

"Do you intend to explain the situation?"

Raithor questioned with a voice that chilled to the bone. The Melthina standing before him was not the gentle and calm childhood friend of old, but a rough man who had been fighting monsters in the frontier city. His killing intent was so sharp it felt like it was piercing the skin. Indeed, even Melthina's guards, who were accustomed to rough situations, had their faces twisted with fear, yet they maintained their vigilance, ready to act at any moment to fulfill their duty as guards.

"Of course, I do. I very much wish for Your Highness to hear it."

However, there was no trace of fear on Melthina's face, despite being directly confronted with that killing intent. She smiled and looked back at Raithor with a resolute expression.

"Hmm... You're even more formidable than I thought. I misjudged you."

Raithor revised his assessment of her. After all, Melthina was the girl who had sent him off without changing her expression when he was exiled. Even five years ago, he couldn't read her at all. Raithor took a deep breath to suppress his boiling anger and gestured for her to continue.

"Currently, our country is facing a great crisis... Your Highness, are you familiar with the Arslane Empire in the east?"

"How could I not be? It's a major power in the central continent, right?"

"That empire has declared war on the Zain Kingdom. It has been two weeks since the fighting began."

"Huh?"

Raithor couldn't help but ask for clarification. The information from Melthina was unexpected. The Arslane Empire, the dominant power in the central continent, was a country that boasted more than ten times the territory and strength of the Zain Kingdom. The empire had set the unification of the continent by military force as its national policy and had clashed with the Zain Kingdom several times in the past. However, because the empire had enemies on all sides due to its size, it couldn't send enough troops to destroy the Zain Kingdom, and most of the battles had ended as minor skirmishes.

"Surely this is just another reconnaissance in force? Isn't it an exaggeration to call this a national crisis?"

"Unfortunately, this time they seem to be serious about destroying our country... It seems they have a Holy Sword wielder."

"Holy Sword!?"

Raithor couldn't help but exclaim at the shocking words. The Holy Sword had fundamentally changed the young prince's life.

The Holy Sword is a sacred artifact said to have been given to humans by the gods in the mythological age, and it is believed that there are twelve in the world. One of them, the 'Dainsleif,' was owned by the Zain Kingdom, and Raithor had been chosen as its wielder. While Raithor was wide-eyed with surprise, Melthina continued her explanation in a calm tone.

"The Arslane Empire owns three Holy Swords. And... we have received information that all three now have wielders."

"All three!? That's... incredible..."

The Holy Sword is not something anyone can use. Only those chosen by the will of the gods or fate are allowed to possess it. It was not uncommon for a century or more to pass without a wielder appearing, as was the case with Dainsleif, where no wielder had appeared since the first king of the Zain Kingdom. Now, three had appeared in one era, and with Raithor, that would make four.

(The pieces are falling into place... Ah, damn it! Doing whatever they want...!)

Raithor covered his face with his right hand, his fist trembling with intense anger. He could predict what Melthina was about to say next. It was so selfish and seemed to mock him.

"Prince Raithor. Please return to the capital, take up Dainsleif, and defeat the Holy Sword wielders of the empire to save the kingdom."

Upon hearing the expected words, Raithor slammed his fist on the table with all his might.

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