Chapter 74 : Chapter 74
Chapter 74: Bahab (1)
Three years into the war.
Exa Baperr earned the position of Grand General. Of course, it was a hollow title, but anyway.
At that time, Akarr Bahab was already a general with guaranteed sole command. The Bahab Marquisate at the time was a renowned martial family, after all.
The first time I met Akarr Bahab was when I participated in the imperial council meeting with the title of Grand General.
“You, you were Mectera’s adopted son, weren’t you? A lowly orphan, an expelled cripple. I heard from the Sword Master. You were very lucky.”
The imperial council chamber.
Invited for the first time, in that place full of the empire’s bigwigs, Akarr said that to my face upon our first meeting.
“You know your role, don’t you? You will support us. Sacrifice yourself, and discard your greed. That is the role of you and the unit you possess.”
The Grand Duke from the north was there, and Gerehk Mectera was there. It was a meeting where all the masters of Basor were gathered, with the previous Emperor at the head of the table.
“Bullsh*t.”
There, Exa threw his gauntlet in Akarr’s face.
It was a gauntlet made of high-purity steel. Infused with aura, too.
***
“It is an honor to meet the Sword Family Mectera. I am Iak Doban, vice-leader of the 2nd squad of the Red Flame Knight Order.”
His attitude was tinged with the characteristic arrogance of Bahab. A familiar arrogance. To Simurtr, that was the right image of Bahab.
Looking down on everyone unless they were from the Imperial Family or another ducal house.
It was also the reason he had felt a sense of incongruity from Haryun Bahab and Jeremiah Abolte in the past.
Jeremiah lacked Bahab’s characteristic disgust. When Harkinwagen became the topic, he spoke of respect for the Margrave.
Simurtr scanned the insides of Iak, who had entered the range of his Sword Net. He was at the same level as Jeremiah.
The result would be known only after a fight, but in terms of the amount of magic he possessed, Iak was superior to Jeremiah.
“I have heard much of the past fame of the current Sword Master and the 6th Head of the Sword.”
Past fame.
It was a statement that insulted Orde. He had no particular achievements to speak of, nor had he participated in the Doom War.
“Ah, I’ve been talking for too long.”
The expressions on Orde and Aran’s faces briefly hardened.
They both simultaneously looked back and controlled their emotions. Orde was weak to his family, and Aran was weak to Simurtr.
‘The Duke’s Swelling Flame, Blue Flame, Crimson Flame, Red Flame. But the one who came to greet us is merely from the Red Flame.’
From the Swelling Flame, which Bahab himself led, to the lowest flame, the Red Flame. The knight orders of Bahab symbolized flames.
Among them, the Red Flame was the knight order where Kanan of The Unsetting Sun, whom I had met once, had been enlisted.
And that was a young Kanan. So, the Red Flame was the most trash-like, pathetic knight order in Bahab.
‘The 2nd squad, at that. Not even the leader, but the vice-leader.’
Simurtr let out a hollow laugh.
Wasn’t this an act of openly disrespecting Mectera?
Where did these bastards who had shamelessly stolen war merits get off?
‘If we hadn't come, all hell would have broken loose.’
If it had been an Orde without his family. If it had been an Aran who wasn't watching Simurtr’s expression. The man named Iak Doban might have been dead already.
Although Mectera’s influence had waned, they were sword demons. They watched the Imperial Family’s mood but paid no attention to politics at all.
Iak was leading the way and did not see the eyes of Orde or Aran.
The killing intent emanating from the titans of Mectera was something a mere vice-leader could not perceive.
‘He’s just acting tough because he has Bahab behind him.’
It was a remark made possible only because this was Bahab’s territory, and inside their main castle at that.
‘His courage must be f*cking soaring.’
If this had not been Bahab’s territory.
The moment Iak uttered the insult, his neck would have been severed. He would have died before he could even perceive the sword.
“This is the banquet castle.”
‘What a load of crap.’
The Hero Family Bahab had apparently built an entirely new castle inside for the purpose of banquets.
***
“The Information Bureau. The Imperial Family has started to take an interest in the Young Master who brought down the Black Tower.”
“Did Raphaelo say so?”
“I doubt it. If it’s a matter concerning the Grand Duke, he is a man to be trusted.”
“The Information Bureau’s eyes were in the north as well?”
“It is presumed so. The Director of the Information Bureau has not yet fully gained control of the Information Bureau.”
“Looks like the man called the Director of the Information Bureau is not very capable. Is the Bahab banquet also because of that?”
“Yes, normally it is a place the Sword Master would have refused.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to worry so much about the Imperial Family. For now, it is an interest that the Director of the Information Bureau can still downplay.”
So please focus only on Bahab.
That was what Aran said.
“Young Master. They probably won’t ask the Young Master or the direct descendants, but there is no harm in being careful.”
Simurtr’s safety device.
That wasn't the only reason Aran was attending. Simurtr recalled his conversation with Aran.
“Gerehk Mectera. Akarr Bahab will try to probe about that. Otherwise, there is no reason to invite even this old man.”
Sword Master Orde was Gerehk’s younger brother.
Aran had commanded Mectera during the war in place of the bedridden Gerehk.
“He means to make it clear on this occasion. Does Mectera know the truth? Did Gerehk truly speak the truth before he died?”
Or was Gerehk’s death truly from illness?
Akarr Bahab was curious about that.
To find out, he had invited Mectera on the pretext of his eldest son’s birth banquet…….
“Simyun, I don’t think the 6th Sword Order is very good. No, it’s bad. Don’t go.”
Inside the banquet castle. The waiting room designated for Mectera.
It was when Orde and Aran had stepped out for a matter concerning a gift for today’s main character, Hejel Bahab.
“Suddenly?”
“Yeah. Don’t go to the 6th Sword Order. If you really want to experience it, go to the 3rd Sword Order.”
“I’ve already been.”
“You went with Deban. Not with the existing swordsmen of the 6th Sword Order.”
“Hmm.”
Jahar nodded and closed his eyes gently.
“Senior Swordsman Kehellan was strict.”
“That’s right. It doesn’t suit you.”
Jahar and Ael had returned two days ago.
They had rested for only two days before leaving the main castle again.
“Is it that different? Kehellan is the old man with scars on both eyes, right?”
“Don’t even talk about it. We didn’t even get to sleep three hours a day.”
“What was the mission?”
“A joint operation with the Information Bureau. But an easy one.”
“If it’s a joint operation with another organization, you should have gone expecting it to be tougher.”
“No. It wasn’t tough. It wasn't because of the Information Bureau. Since when did the main castle care about outside gazes?”
The area under Ael’s eyes as she explained was dark.
The reason they lacked sleep despite it being a leisurely mission was entirely Kehellan’s fault. He had apparently designated all his free time as sparring time with the siblings.
“Then what were you trying to do?”
Simurtr tilted his head.
If there was spare time, of course you should train your body.
Isn’t that obvious?
“…Ah. You went on the Degrate expedition too.”
Ael looked at Simurtr with a dumbfounded expression before finally shaking her head.
It was a needless worry. There was no one as suited for the 6th Sword Order as Simurtr.
“The ways of the 3rd Sword Order and the 6th Sword Order are very different.”
“It’s the difference between Formal Swordsman Moit and Senior Swordsman Kehellan.”
“Indeed. The Senior Kehellan was a man who wouldn't be lacking even if called the paragon of Mectera. He was truly like a sword demon.”
At Ael’s point, Jahar nodded.
At the same time, his body trembled slightly, as if he had been doused with ice water.
“It was that bad?”
The 6th Sword Order. In fact, if the opportunity to choose a Sword Order ever came, Simurtr would choose it without hesitation.
The fact that it was the place Aran ruled and that all its members were war veterans made Simurtr feel a pointless nostalgia and sense of kinship.
‘Meram would prefer that too.’
Even if the members weren't like that, I probably would have done so.
Various kinds of expectations can also be a burden, so Meram tries not to show such things to Simurtr, but.
In Simurtr’s eyes, Meram was still just clumsy. She wanted the Young Master to become closer to his mentor, Aran, and the 6th Sword Order where he was.
‘Though there’s no getting closer to Aran than this.’
If it was Meram’s wish, it wasn't something I couldn't grant.
“That’s because you’ve only heard about it. Experiencing it yourself is a different matter.”
“I’ve already been on an expedition with them all.”
I had even sparred to the point of exhaustion.
“I’m telling you it’s different.”
“You haven’t been on an expedition.”
Kehellan was probably grinding his teeth at this very moment.
Because he had never once claimed victory against Simurtr.
“Aran also said he was still disappointed with the 6th Sword Order.”
“That’s proof that the 6th Head of the Sword is not close with the 6th Sword Order.”
“It wouldn’t be easy for that to happen, even after fighting a war together.”
“…Then it must mean the 6th Head of the Sword’s standards are too high.”
“Hmm.”
“Simyun, if you had come, you would have deserted long ago. Or you would have drawn your sword and threatened him.”
“Do I look like such a hooligan to you?”
“No. But Senior Swordsman Kehellan will make you into a hooligan. So don’t go to the 6th Sword Order.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
Simurtr felt a strong surge of curiosity about the 6th Sword Order at that moment.
I had thought I knew all I needed to know while going to Degrate together.
‘Is it different during missions?’
Ael was one thing. But even that ever-serious Jahar, who was diligent in everything, was nodding in agreement.
What on earth was Kehellan like?
“That’s not it.”
Ael sighed upon seeing the interest blooming on Simurtr’s face.
“What about me?”
“You’ve gotten interested.”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Simyun, you’re not very good at acting. You should know that.”
For a moment, Simurtr frowned.
He had already acknowledged that Ael was unusually quick-witted, but.
Having his inner thoughts read so often and so easily was by no means welcome news.
Especially now, when he was about to see Akarr’s face.
“I’m the talented type.”
“But not in acting.”
“I’m improving.”
“I’ll be rooting for you. So, what about you?”
Ael changed the subject.
Whether Simurtr was interested in the 6th Sword Order or not. That wasn't what was important.
“What about me?”
“How was it for you?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You met Mother.”
Ael’s eyes narrowed. Jahar, who had had his eyes closed, was also now looking at Simurtr.
The matter of Simurtr and their mother was a problem directly connected to the relationship of these three.
“Nothing much happened.”
“Really?”
“Is that true?”
“You don’t trust me?”
Simurtr frowned.
He hadn’t done anything to deserve such distrust.
“What did you do when you met?”
“We talked. And sparred.”
“Sparred? Why spar?”
“We’re both swordsmen.”
“What was the conversation about?”
A spark of life entered Ael’s voice.
Conversation aside, sparring. It meant the atmosphere wasn't that bad.
If their mother had been wary of Simurtr, the sparring itself wouldn't have even happened.
“You must have met Lady Arnea after returning.”
“She didn’t talk about you.”
“Then go and hear it later. I’ve resolved it very well.”
***
“What about Harkinwagen? Did they come?”
“Yes, they were on the attendance list.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I was surprised as well. It seems their relationship with Mectera is indeed strong.
Originally, the Count of Harkinwagen is not fond of such banquets.”
“Who attended?”
“Count Harkinwagen and his daughter, Lady Ruina, attended.”
“And Prince Egna?”
“…He was not on the list.”
“…Will he be alright?”
Haryun Bahab asked, clasping her hands.
“He will be alright.”
Seeing Haryun’s palms, red and swollen from daily scratching, Jeremiah sighed and said.
“If any harm had come to Prince Egna, Count Homer Harkinwagen would not have participated in this banquet.”
“That’s true, right?”
“Yes, I saw Count Homer from a distance. He didn't seem to have come for a protest. It must mean Prince Egna is safe.”
In fact, it was ridiculous for a count to come to a ducal house to protest. Bahab was a Hero Family, after all.
“It seems the reason for attendance was largely due to Lady Ruina’s influence.”
Bahab’s power belonged to its master, Akarr, and his eldest son, Hejel.
A young Bahab without power. When dealing with Haryun, Jeremiah spoke in conjectures, not certainties.
Conjecture, not certainty. That was what those with insufficient ability tended to do, and it was a means of evasion to prevent raising false hopes.
“…It would be rude to ask Count Homer, wouldn't it?”
But Haryun was already fed up with such proceedings. For the past month, she had been conjecturing to the point of exhaustion.
“…He will not be pleased. That banquet was the same as ignoring the participating nobles.”
“…I suppose so.”
The banquet to select Haryun’s partner.
Invitations already sent by Hejel, without reflecting Haryun’s will. A childish ploy by Hejel to vex Haryun.
Those who received invitations to that banquet were all from families of count rank or lower.
Haryun, not wanting to tarnish the honor of those families, had forcibly held the banquet.
There were many attendees. Naturally. Those with low titles or no influence wanted to catch Bahab’s eye in any way possible.
“It would have been better if he hadn’t come.”
That was why Jeremiah was surprised to hear Egna’s family name. He didn't know how far Hejel’s forged invitations had spread.
He never imagined Harkinwagen would attend. Although he was a count, wasn't he the Margrave of the south?
The empire’s gimlet aimed at the Black Land. Harkinwagen had no reason to participate.
They were not in a position to desperately try to get on Bahab’s good side.
They had ties with Mectera and also interacted with the Sword Tower. They possessed a prestige that did not fall short of the empire’s high-ranking nobles.
As proof, Harkinwagen was included in the invitation list for this birth banquet.
Meaning, even if they hadn't attended the partner selection banquet, they could have participated in the birth banquet if they had wanted to.
Yet Egna Harkinwagen had insisted on participating, fought duels with other scions to become a partner, and had even volunteered to be kidnapped in Haryun’s place.
‘Why?’
Knock, knock.
A knock echoed.
The sound announcing the start of the banquet.
***
During the Doom War, Mectera had operated as part of the imperial army. Naturally, many participating families had an acquaintance with Mectera.
“The Black Sword.”
“Mectera of all people…”
“I heard they brought down the Black Tower this time.”
Upon entering the 1st-floor banquet hall, those who recognized the Black Sword began to murmur.
Mectera. The sword of the thousand-year-old Melken Empire. The first emperor and Mectera had been close friends.
With the advent of an era of peace and heroes, Mectera, which had been unrivaled under the emperor, fell to the lowest seat among the Hero Families, but.
“And yet, they say it’s still Mectera. That Basor…”
And yet, it shall be Mectera.
This was a phrase that began to circulate after the recent Black Tower incident. Saying that the crouching Mectera had finally risen.
In the end, the essence does not change. The sword of the empire. The Black Sword engraved on their chests was the symbol representing the greatest sword on the continent.
The nobles who recognized Mectera all averted their gazes and moved away. They turned the eyes and ears of their children, who were showing interest, elsewhere.
This was Bahab’s banquet, and they had attended to get into Bahab’s good graces. It was a place where no one could be unaware of the relationship between Mectera and Bahab.
“I never thought I’d see Mectera at Bahab.”
“That person is the Sword Master of this era.”
“Sir Aran Lubeil, I see. The head of the sixth sword.”
Not everyone was doing so. The countless invited guests. Among them were not a few martial families who held interest and respect.
But no one approached first. They only showed interest from afar. The reason fear was mixed in was because this was Bahab.
For fear that if they got involved with Mectera, they would be looked upon unfavorably by Bahab. That was what they feared.
‘…This is problematic.’
At the blatant avoidance, Orde swallowed his saliva with a bitter face. Looking to his side, Aran, who was taller than anyone else in the banquet hall, was blatantly exuding a menacing aura.
It was because of the gloomy siblings. A fellow Hero Family. The first grand banquet they had experienced since birth. For the siblings who had rarely left the main castle, it was a scene they were experiencing for the first time.
The gleam in the siblings' eyes, which had been constantly looking around, had now faded.
Due to the gazes pouring in from all sides, the siblings didn’t even know where to put their eyes. Even the clueless Jahar was aware of all the reactions around them…….
‘If it weren’t for Bahab, I wouldn’t have come with them.’
No, in the first place, he wouldn’t have attended a banquet at all.
If it were an official event hosted by the Imperial Family, perhaps, but Mectera never enjoyed banquets in the first place.
‘His Majesty has expressed interest in Mectera.’
If it had been merely Bahab’s invitation.
If there hadn't been a message from the Emperor through the Information Bureau, suggesting that Mectera's activities should be resumed.
Not just Orde, but all of Mectera would have refused this event. They were a tribe that loathed the Black Sword becoming a topic of a banquet instead of a battlefield.
‘It must be because of the Black Tower.’
That would be the reason the usually quiet Information Bureau was in an uproar.
I didn't know where it leaked from, but the Imperial Family had approached the truth. They had realized that it wasn't Orde who had brought down the Black Tower, but one of the young Mectera.
‘Raphaelo Drecie? Or did the Information Bureau have eyes in Serepes as well?’
His loyalty to the Imperial Family remained.
Though he couldn't assert that its intensity was the same as a thousand years ago, Orde respected and followed the Emperor.
‘A sword shall be a tool.’
The first Mectera possessed such a commendable loyalty to the Emperor.
But Orde could not accept those words. A sword, a tool. Orde would fulfill that role, but his children would not.
‘Did Bahab have an audience with His Majesty beforehand?’
Perhaps that was the case. Otherwise, the timing couldn't be this good.
The Hero Family Bahab, using the eldest son’s birthday as an excuse, must be trying to grasp the direct descendants of the young Mectera who had just begun their activities.
‘Or perhaps His Majesty intends to observe starting from this banquet.’
It was a Hero Family's banquet. The Imperial Family would have surely sent someone. Spies from the Information Bureau would be scattered throughout the banquet castle.
As he thought, Orde considered the latter possibility to be greater. As he recalled, there were no more imperial events scheduled for this year.
Announcing the message just before the Bahab banquet was for the purpose of seeing and grasping the young Mecteras as soon as possible…….
‘Jahar, Ael, Beden, Simurtr…….’
But now, there was no more time to deliberate.
How should I comfort those siblings?
As Orde was pondering that.
“Why are you guys getting intimidated? The ones who are scared are them.”
The gazes that had been focused on Orde and the siblings suddenly concentrated on Simurtr.
“What are you doing? Looking for a place to hide? Are we Degrate? Straighten your shoulders. It’s because those bastards are f*cking weaklings.”