Chapter 183 : Side Story 8
Side Story 8
The man checked the orders that had been handed down and wore a dissatisfied expression.
He was to capture or assassinate the designated target, but if the conditions were poor, he was to slaughter all the residents of the area.
It was, in essence, an instruction to use any means necessary to achieve the objective.
"Do we really have to go this far? Are you telling me to kill even innocent people?"
"We have discovered there is an accomplice on the inside. It's possible those people have joined together as a group."
"Hey! Do you think I need that kind of justification? Aren't you just asking me to do your dirty work for you?"
The current Sword Saint-to-be, Megarexor Yoldakerg, rebuked the knight harshly as he glared at him.
He had never coveted the Sword Saint's title, only ever longing to reach a higher realm in swordsmanship.
He had reluctantly accepted the treatment reserved for the next Sword Saint, and now they were trying to use him like a tool.
"This is a mission to set the Empire right. How can you call it dirty work?"
"Do you think that just because I'm stronger than others I should kill recklessly? Never. The stronger you are, the more careful you must be. Once a sword is swung, it cannot be taken back!"
Megarexor had elevated his own honor as a swordsman, but even he came to realize that it was all futile.
Most people care only about the result, not even questioning the process or the reasons behind it.
Thus, they deceive others with lies and schemes, seeking only their own benefit.
"I won't say the Sword Saint-to-be is wrong. But isn't a little sacrifice necessary if the Empire's subjects are to enjoy peace?"
"Then why must I do it? The Imperial Army alone should be able to handle this."
"The higher-ups want this matter resolved quietly. So the person cannot be part of the Imperial Army. That's why they requested help from an exceptional outsider."
"If you look at it another way... if this becomes a problem, they'll just blame me, won't they?"
Megarexor muttered calmly as he glared at the knight.
Just because you're given responsibilities and duties doesn't mean you have to bear it all.
They wanted to use their position and fame to shift blame and protect their own safety.
"Are you disparaging the commanders of the Imperial Army, Sword Saint-to-be? They have always defended the Empire—how can you say such a thing?"
"The people who claim to defend the Empire! How can they give orders to kill innocent citizens? Isn't it bad enough that they want to shift the burden to me? Do I look so easy to them, that they'd say such a thing?"
"......"
The knight could not continue and showed an embarrassed look.
The higher-ups had told him to persuade the Sword Saint-to-be to take on the mission.
But as things were, he would do nothing but pour out criticism, far from accepting the orders.
"Go and tell your superiors this. At this rate, I'll just become a mercenary instead of the Sword Saint-to-be. Mercenaries live for themselves and can choose which requests to take. Do you get what I'm saying?"
"... Yes. I understand what you mean."
"If you're just going to slaughter everyone thoughtlessly, do it yourselves. Or bring me a reason I can accept."
After declaring this, Megarexor left the place.
Of course, as the Sword Saint-to-be, it was common for him to receive indirect orders from the imperial household or the army's high-ranking officials.
But if the content was unjust, he could at least offer some resistance, even invoking the duties of the Sword Saint.
'Jeez, really. That's why titles are useless. They just make life a hassle.'
Megarexor had been a mercenary hunting monsters for a fee since the beginning.
He always trained in swordsmanship and simply found work because he needed money.
In that process, he happened to cross paths with the Sword Saint, and after briefly sparring, he was chosen as the successor to the title.
'That Karaf guy is a little crazy too. What did he see in the imperial household that he decided to join it?'
Megarexor considered Karaf an unrivaled swordsman and someone he had to surpass.
Due to a minor incident, he and Karaf had ended up dueling, exchanging sword strikes for half a day before finally ending in a draw.
After that, they occasionally checked in on each other, but now he just regarded him as a lunatic addicted to delusions.
'Hmph... Maybe if I got married, something might change?'
Megarexor briefly entertained some lingering feelings but quickly buried them deep inside.
He had never met a woman he liked, nor found a reason to build a family.
He endlessly swung his sword, living simply as a swordsman and wanderer.
'What kind of woman would come to me? Absolutely impossible.'
* * *
Vanderas, accompanied by his escort knights, visited the society presided over by the great mage.
His schedule had already been set publicly, and the great mage had readily agreed.
Now, he just had to meet the woman who had been revealed as the great mage's disciple and reveal his identity.
'This has gotten too grand. I should've just brought Karaf...'
Vanderas reluctantly began to walk, conscious of the attention around him.
As the Crown Prince, unless it was merely inspecting the capital, he had no choice but to deploy numerous forces.
And considering the great mage's fame, he had to take an official stance.
'Still, by doing this at least, I can maintain dignity.'
Vanderas did have pride, so in some way he had to uphold his own prestige.
It was less about highlighting his status as Crown Prince, and more about removing any misconception that he had already taken that woman as his companion.
To her, his presence must have seemed quite strange.
'It was just a momentary accident. She wouldn't have been able to tell who I was...'
Even commoners who live in the capital rarely encounter the Emperor or Crown Prince in their lifetime.
Even most nobles can only enter the imperial palace if they have proper power and status.
She had called herself a fallen noble, so she was in a rather ambiguous position.
'For now, I just need to get acquainted. I shouldn't be too forward.'
Vanderas had considerable interest in the woman.
If she was chosen as the great mage's disciple despite being a fallen noble, she must have real talent.
Also, with her noble appearance and humble daily life, he had been inevitably drawn to her.
'She has the dignity of a noble lord's daughter, yet never shows a pretentious attitude... that aligns perfectly with my convictions.'
At some point, Vanderas had started to avoid the customs of the imperial family and nobles.
They acted perfectly polite on the outside, but in reality just judged each other and compared their families' influence.
So he hoped that, if he were to have a companion, she would maintain a modest appearance but display a refined manner.
'I don't want to let her go. I must have her by my side.'
But the Emperor and officials would not allow his choice easily.
They would find faults and object for even the smallest of reasons.
Above all, marriage was not the end, so he couldn't help but worry.
'Can I protect her from the officials and nobles? Hmmm...'
Vanderas continued to fret, then reluctantly sighed in frustration.
Even if he inherited the throne, he could not fully realize his own wishes.
For the Agnes Empire, for this world, is maintained in balance only because countless people and elements join together.
'Even as Emperor, I can't have everything. So perhaps even my companion...'
Vanderas stopped abruptly and came face-to-face with the person he had so wished to meet.
She seemed to recognize him and soon glanced at the escort knights following behind.
A silence hung between them until Vanderas spoke first.
"Do you remember me?"
"Yes, you introduced yourself as a member of the imperial family and asked my name back then."
"This time, I can reveal my identity. Back then, the circumstances weren't right."
"... You must be direct royal blood."
Uriel avoided using the word "Crown Prince."
There was no need to dig up all of the other party's secrets.
On the contrary, the more she saw through, the more suspicious she would become.
"I am Vanderas Celestion, crown Prince of the Agnes Empire. Can you tell me your name now?"
"I am Uriel Astille, one of the great mage's disciples. I unintentionally offended you before."
"No, I don't consider it an offense. I was the one who hid my identity, so you had to as well."
Uriel guessed, however vaguely, that Vanderas had come to see her.
There was no other reason for a Crown Prince to visit the society.
He must have become curious about her and showed up at a suitable time.
"Well... you must be busy, so I'll take my leave now. Then..."
Uriel quickly bowed and passed by his side.
Vanderas watched in silence before belatedly letting out a faint laugh.
She was probably quite flustered and trying to distance herself from him.
'That should be enough for now. Haven't we met twice now?'
Vanderas, as Crown Prince, deliberately let Uriel go to maintain a dignified air.
Even as Crown Prince, if he showed too much interest, she would feel pressured.
For now, they just needed to acknowledge each other and gradually build their relationship.
'Uriel Astille. I will win your heart.'
* * *
Uriel sat nonchalantly at one side of the training grounds, watching Alraune.
He had surely been a fire-attribute mage, but at some point had manifested the earth attribute as well.
In other words, that rare phenomenon, a multi-attribute, had developed in him after birth.
'That must be why he became great mage.'
Uriel was fascinated yet accepted the sight as perfectly logical.
With such talent, even the most senior disciple would not be able to recklessly provoke him.
Perhaps the great mage had already taken special notice of Alraune.
'... Someday, I will have to leave this place.'
Once the successor to the great mage was decided, the other disciples would have to withdraw from the society.
They could either join another magic society, or find work as a profession.
At least having the title of 'great mage's disciple' on their record would be a significant advantage.
'My fate is already decided. If I don't accept it, this world will collapse.'
Uriel still hesitated, but did not forget the fact that she must move forward.
She had already saved the one entangled with her fate, so she could no longer deny it.
How many more futures did she have to witness to realize the ideal ending?
'This is something only I can do. So I have no choice but to step forward and resolve it myself.'
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