Chapter 49 : Chapter 49
Chapter 49: Semenu is Smiling
The Hero Family Basor.
The holy land of magic that had opposed the Mectera of the sword, with a history as long as the thousand-year Empire of Melken.
‘But that’s in the past tense.’
The countermeasure was also a thing of the past. Now Mectera had no power to oppose Basor. It was even pushed back by the Ducal House of Bahab. For the same reason. They were both Hero Families, but Mectera’s hero was dead.
‘The war had a big impact.’
What was important was not fame. In the world of nobles, the most important thing was justification, but in the end, power was needed to act on that justification.
It was different from Mectera, which was full of mediocre strongmen. Basor and Bahab had that power. It was a statement that didn't resonate with Simurtr, but in any case.
‘That’s the truth right now.’
In his past life, he would have dismissed it as nonsense. That thought hadn't changed, but he could no longer say it with confidence.
In the end, the most important thing was power, and unlike the traitors who would have gotten stronger over 20 years, he was still weak.
‘Otherwise, there’s no reason for this.’
20 years since the death of his past life? It was a pretty long time, and the traitors would have become stronger, but he wouldn't have cared. If he had had the power of his past life, he would have attacked immediately.
‘What about Beden?’
Simurtr turned his thoughts to the present.
The escape of Beden and Janya. The basis was, of course, Janya. In the end, all he had to do was find Janya.
‘Though that’s the difficult part.’
The faction that had helped them escape had Phantasmal Ability and magic. He knew that Degrate was not involved. Then what about the Magic Tower?
‘A warp is not evidence. It’s just magic. It’s not a bloodline succession either.’
Although it was hidden by the Magic Tower’s security, high-level mages could learn it if they were given the chance.
It was different from Phantasmal Ability, which could pinpoint Degrate. Although they had announced their innocence through Asha, the Basor side had no need to announce their innocence.
‘They can just deny it.’
If they said the warp was leaked somewhere, that would be the end of it. And it wasn't as if the current Mectera had the power to suppress Basor.
‘The right to summary execution is useless.’
Simurtr let out a hollow laugh. The right to summary execution given by the imperial family?
It was a right that couldn't be used when it really mattered.
It was a useless right without power. At this point, he even suspected that it was given to them so they wouldn't covet the other Hero Families.
‘In the end, I have to catch them.’
It came back to the starting point. That is, he had to find the escaped Janya. Janya would have information about that faction.
It would be stranger not to know since she was involved. It would be the reason for her evaporation, and the opponent was reluctant to let even trivial information leak.
‘They took Beden just in case. And they had the leisure to do so even while invading the main house.’
Their survival could not be guaranteed.
If he were to make a bet, he would put more money on death.
‘Well. I’ll know when the time comes.’
There was nothing he could do.
He had no means to pressure Basor. The evidence of a warp was not enough. Medeoban and Sword Master Orde would focus on the pursuit in alliance with Degrate.
“It wasn't confinement, but protection.”
Where could the faction that had taken Janya be? If he had to pick, he thought there was a high possibility it was the Black Land, but… it wasn't a topic that resonated much with the current Simurtr.
“I didn't say anything.”
“It seemed like you were speaking with your eyes.”
…What was important now was that he hadn't been able to leave the west annex for the past week.
“That or that. It’s the same thing.”
“It’s different.”
“Not being able to go out is the same.”
“It can’t be helped. Why are you acting like a child.”
“You said 16 is a child.”
The main house’s territory was not safe either. Simurtr was the most likely target. He had been at odds with Janya, and he had a history of killing the faction’s Phantasmal Ability user.
If they were to infiltrate again, their objective would most likely be Simurtr. That’s what Medeoban had judged.
“No. Since when did the main house become such a coward? Honestly, it’s fine within the main house, isn’t it?”
“Hasn’t it already been breached?”
“No. Still, it was fine up to the yard.”
“Well. Why are you bringing this up now? It’s over now. You should have said something sooner.”
“I did.”
“I suppose you did it when this Head of the Sword was in the Grand Council Hall.”
Simurtr sighed. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. As expected, Meram was the most comfortable to be around.
“Meram would have allowed the front yard.”
“Then she would have been scolded by the main house.”
“It’s fine if we don’t get caught.”
“That’s true, but what can you do. Meram is busy.”
Meram was still staying at the Sacred Mountain. She was solving her meals and lodging in the nearest building, and was delving into the warp’s formula that remained on the Sacred Mountain.
“But are there still traces left?”
“No. They disappeared a few days ago. Even if it is the Sacred Mountain, it’s not omnipotent.”
“Then Meram is?”
“She’s in the research lab.”
“There’s something like that in the main house?”
“That level of treatment is a matter of course. She’s a mage belonging to the main house.”
“Isn’t it because Aran is her guardian?”
“That’s not wrong either.”
If Meram had been a mage with no connections whatsoever, she wouldn't have even been able to enter Mectera.
“She recorded all the remaining traces on the Sacred Mountain before they disappeared.
She’s reverse-engineering that formula. Even to this Head of the Sword’s eyes, the amount seemed quite large.”
“You can’t read magic.”
The only thing Aran could do was smash magic. A formula? There was no way he could read something like that. He must have just guessed by looking at the bundle of papers.
“The Young Master doesn't know either, does he?”
“I’ve seen Meram use it a lot.”
“By that logic, this Head of the Sword would be an expert.”
His pride was strangely hurt. But it wasn't entirely wrong either. Including his past life, Simurtr couldn't beat Aran’s experience.
“She said it would take quite some time to find the exit point. It probably won’t be easy to calculate the coordinates with just the traces.”
“You don’t know.”
“I know that Meram is a genius.”
Finding the destination of a warp with the remaining traces? Simurtr had heard of such a process for the first time in his life.
Perhaps it was a magical development that had occurred over the past 20 years. Or perhaps Meram was really a great genius.
“She’s already a 6-circle mage, self-taught. That’s enough talent to rival the Magic Tower masters, even if not Basor.”
6-circle. Meram had reached that stage in her mid-twenties. She was only two steps away from the 8-circle, which was classified as an Archmage.
It would be much higher than the steps she had taken before, but in any case.
“Why did you bring a kid like that to Mectera? You should have sent her to the Sage's Castle or the Magic Tower.”
The Magic Tower was still disgusting, but it would be a paradise for Meram. There was no better environment to blossom her magical talent.
“This Head of the Sword intended to do so as well. If not the Magic Tower, I was going to send her to the Sage's Castle. I even introduced her personally.”
“Then why did she come.”
“…There are circumstances.”
“What is it.”
“It’s not a story to be told in the absence of the person concerned. Ask her yourself later.”
Simurtr’s lips twitched and stopped. There was something strange about Aran’s expression, but he wasn't wrong.
“You have to give her a break. Tell her to return to the annex.”
“I already suggested that and was chased out. She said she wanted to find it as soon as possible.”
“What’s so great about Mectera? Honestly, she was treated like an outcast, right? To the point of being dispatched to the exile mansion.”
“It was something that happened when this Head of the Sword was away. I had warned them, but given the main house’s disposition.”
“You should have done better.”
“I was going to take measures after entering the house. But Meram refused.”
Simurtr did not answer. The reason Meram refused to return? Of course, there was only one.
“The reason Meram is cooped up in the research lab is because she likes the Young Master.
Not Mectera.”
Because it was obvious that Simurtr was the target of the faction that had taken Janya and Beden.
It was the reason why Meram was immersed in her research, even sacrificing her sleep time.
“…She’s kind. Stupidly so.”
“So stop causing trouble.”
“I’m pretty great for my standards.”
“Did such a person learn Phantasmal Ability?”
“…Aran, you really hold a grudge.”
***
“But is it definitely an escape? It could be a kidnapping.”
Simurtr suddenly asked.
Come to think of it, things didn't quite add up.
“Honestly, if it was an escape, there was no need to take Beden too, was there?”
Janya was the one at fault. Guilt by association? Mectera was a place that would even make a former death row inmate a Head of the Sword if they were skilled enough. Beden still had the right to challenge for the position of Sword Master.
The main house’s swordsmen might dislike Janya, but they probably had no particular thoughts about Beden.
“The Sword Master is hoping for that as well.”
“Right.”
Simurtr recalled the Orde he had seen at the entrance of the Sacred Mountain.
‘He wasn't a Sword Master, but a wreck. He lost his wife and son in one fell swoop.’
It must have been a greater shock than anything to the gentle Orde.
“The Sacred Mountain. Speaking of which.”
“What is it that you trail off your words. It’s unlike the Young Master.”
“I was just curious about something.”
Simurtr thought for a moment.
Is there anything strange about asking this question? No. It might seem strange, but the excuse was plausible.
“You said the tombs of the former Sword Masters are on the Sacred Mountain?”
“You mean the graveyard?”
“Yeah. That. Where is it?”
“It’s inside the barrier at the summit.”
“You mean the hidden place where the Senate of Elders is?”
“That’s right… but why are you suddenly curious about that?”
“Just because. They’re my ancestors. I should pay my respects.”
“We’re not even related by blood.”
“Come on. Is that important in Mectera.”
Aran’s gaze became sharp. Simurtr avoided meeting it and gently dodged.
“I have to do it. The Selection Ceremony is over. Jahar and Ael must have gone at least once.”
“Why not then.”
“I wasn't in the right mind for that then. It was a close call, wasn't it?”
The summit of the Sacred Mountain, inside the barrier. At some point, Simurtr had finished registering for the barriers within Mectera. His magic power became the key.
“Is Sword Master Gerehk…nim’s tomb also there?”
Aran’s face hardened for a moment. It was a very short time, but Simurtr saw it clearly.
‘Aran Lubeil is crazy.’
Maybe Semenu’s words weren't wrong after all.
***
The summit of the Sacred Mountain. Next to the barrier that held the Senate of Elders and the Sword Masters’ graveyard. Aran looked down at the cliff.
It was a familiar scene to Aran. Both the magnificent Sacred Mountain before the Doom War, and the current half-sized Sacred Mountain.
The smooth surface of the cliff brought back many nostalgic feelings for Aran.
The reputation of Mectera, second only to the imperial family, had fallen along with the Sacred Mountain becoming half its size. The Doom War was a bad memory for Mectera.
But at the same time, it was also a rather welcome war for Aran. Because it was the stage where he had met that Young Master Exa again.
The Young Master he had always been worried about had, at some point, become strong enough to split the magnificent Sacred Mountain in half.
“It would have been better if you had done it at the main house.”
It was a regret that always came to mind when he thought about it.
If he had tried a little harder, couldn't he have changed that constitution? If it was something that could be fixed outside, it would have been possible in Mectera too.
Every time he saw the surface of the Sacred Mountain’s cliff, such thoughts recurred. If he had stayed in Mectera, such a thing wouldn't have happened, and he wouldn't have disappeared like this.
“A graveyard.”
Finally, Aran thought of Simurtr.
The successor of Exa, who had clearly met the secretly living Exa and inherited the Star-Breaking Style.
“And of all things, Gerehk’s tomb.”
That successor was chasing after Gerehk’s.
Considering he had just stayed at Degrate until recently, it was a matter that he couldn't help but be concerned about.
…The barrier at the summit of the Sacred Mountain opened in response to Aran’s magic power. An ancient mansion. Aran passed the Senate of Elders and walked straight ahead.
The Sword Masters’ graveyard was located in a more secluded place than the Senate of Elders. Mounds with swords stuck in them. The 38 swords stuck in the 38 mounds were the beloved swords of the Sword Masters in their lifetime.
“The 38th.”
Aran walked between the mounds. The one at the very front was the 1st’s. Mectera paid their respects to their oldest ancestor first. The 38th Sword Master, Gerehk, was at the end of this line.
“Semenu Degrate.”
Gerehk’s mound.
In front of it was a guest who had arrived first. Ten days in Degrate. The member of Baperr who had been by Simurtr’s side.
It must be the reason why Simurtr had mentioned Gerehk’s tomb. There was no way she, who had noticed he was Exa’s successor earlier than him, would not have said anything to Simurtr.
“It’s time.”
Semenu, whose eyes met his, was calm. As if she had nothing to hide. Thus, that woman rarely showed her emotions.
You couldn't tell just by looking. And Aran, a swordsman, thought of himself as not being good at reading emotions.
“I won’t thank you.”
“I don’t want it. We’re accomplices.”
“…The Young Master mentioned Gerehk.”
When Semenu’s doll was about to be stained green, Aran caught her.
“So?”
“Did you tell him.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He wanted it.”
“Is this also Young Master Exa’s arrangement?”
It was a question, but Aran was half-convinced. Semenu had willingly used her request for Simurtr.
Even considering the fact that Simurtr was Exa’s successor, it was not an easy thing to do. If she herself had died, it would be a different story, but Exa was alive.
If it were Semenu who wanted him, she would have saved her request for the future when she would meet him someday.
“…An arrangement?”
“Did you think this Head of the Sword wouldn't know what you know. This Head of the Sword also knows that Young Master Simurtr is his successor.”
“…Successor?”
“Don’t play dumb. What’s the point now. Did you think this Head of the Sword wouldn't notice what you noticed.”
The use of the request was something that could not have happened without Exa giving a prior hint.
“You must have noticed on the first day of the Selection Ceremony. By seeing the Young Master’s magic power. I hate to admit it, but Baperr would be more familiar with the magic power of the Star-Breaking Style.”
“…….”
“Did you receive a hint about the successor in the past?”
“…….”
“Because you found out that Young Master Simurtr was that successor. And according to the hint you heard in advance, you took his side even by using your request?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then? Did you perhaps make contact?”
“There was no contact from the Captain.”
“Is that true?”
Obsession. Semenu understood Aran’s feelings for the first time. He was just like her until recently. Her past self must have looked like that to others too.
“Yes. Nothing. I haven't heard any news about the Captain either.”
“Then. Did you ask Young Master Simurtr? About Young Master Exa? Did you get an answer? Any new clues?”
“No.”
But Semenu shook her head.
Firmly, as if there was no room for thought.
“Then why did you use the request?”
“…Because he’s the Captain’s successor.”
“For just that? If you had left the request, you could have given it to Young Master Exa when you meet him someday. But you used it for a mere successor? Even handing over Degrate’s treasure?”
“The Captain chose him. There must be a reason.”
Mectera and Degrate were in an alliance.
An alliance formed by the combined obsession of Aran and Semenu, to find the traces of Exa Mectera, a hero and the commander of the Baperr unit.
“Don’t tell me you’ve given up on the Young Master?”
Though they were allies, they were also rivals.
Just like Aran, Semenu also thought so. There was no reason whatsoever to correct the misunderstanding.
“No. I’ll keep looking for the Captain. I’ll let you know if new information comes in.”
At some point, Semenu was grinning.
She knew it wasn't good to show it, but she just couldn't bear it.
…Seeing that, Aran’s eyes twitched.