Chapter 104 : Chapter 104
Chapter 104. Banquet (1)
“The 1st Sword Order is returning?”
Simurtr’s eyes sparkled. Aran laughed while picking up a pretzel. Meram, checking the amount on the plate, went to the kitchen and refilled it.
“Bahel Batra is the 1st Head of the Sword?”
“Correct. It is that Bahel Batra.”
“Is he that good?”
“Better than this old man.”
Simurtr let out a chuckle.
That Bahel is the 1st Head of the Sword.
When Simurtr put the teacup to his lips, Meram came up behind him, checked the remaining tea, and went to the kitchen. When he put the cup down on the table, she refilled the teacup.
“Only the body grew, nothing changed from back then.”
Aran’s laugh was missing the past.
When Exa went to the training ground with Aran, Bahel was there. Since it was the 1st Sword Order’s training ground, it was natural.
“He must have grown a lot.”
“It’s been quite a while since he became bigger than me.”
“Still the same shitty stubbornness, I bet.”
“Isn’t that father and son like that. Ah. Still, he gained a little flexibility. Of course, not regarding the main family.”
“That’s something.”
Son of the former 1st Head of the Sword.
Bahel resembles him. Physique and talent, of course, and he even inherited the pride for Mectera.
He deeply sympathizes with Mectera’s ideology even more than Aran. He gained flexibility, but if it’s about Mectera, that won’t be exercised.
“If it’s Bahel, he will likely like the current Young Master very much too.”
1st Head of the Sword Bahel Batra.
It is truly surprising and seemingly unfitting that that dull guy became the 1st Head of the Sword but…… at the same time, it is welcome.
It’s a sentiment that usually pops out when facing a connection from the past. Therefore, I hope not to be greatly involved. Simurtr intended to move forward in the present.
“That’s when he doesn’t know I learned Phantasmal Ability and the Swelling Flame.”
“You have no intention of revealing it either, do you?”
“No intention of receiving attention either.”
Bahel, who believes in Mectera’s ideology, is used to the concept of adopted sons. He will likely treat him exactly like a direct descendant.
Different from the current Medeoban, and like any other swordsmen. He won’t bother seeking me out to cause trouble.
“Then what happens to the 6th Sword Order. Do you rotate?”
“Originally yes, but we judge there is no particular need to do so in these times.”
“Who. You? Mectera?”
Simurtr’s eyes thinned.
“Both.”
“Aran, not because you insisted?”
“Isn’t it because the main family happened to think the same and gave permission.”
The resignation letter was taken away.
To remain by the Young Master’s side as the 6th Head of the Sword, this is the only way. Must not go out on dispatch.
“As you know, the 6th Sword Order is a group founded for a special purpose. It is not strange even if we don’t go on dispatch.”
Tracking Exa.
The 6th Sword Order is focused on that.
Externally, the search for Mectera’s hero’s corpse by Mectera’s swordsmen.
The behavioral pattern of the 6th Sword Order is different from other Sword Orders. Handling intelligence from both Degrate and the Information Bureau, deciding dispatch centering on remnant Doom Species.
“Then it’s too obvious.”
But Aran Lubeil found Exa.
The purpose of founding is completed. But must not make it obvious. The 6th Sword Order must fulfill the work it has been doing intact. Only then is it not suspicious.
“We intend to accept more tasks proposed by the Information Bureau. So that harm doesn’t go to the resting 1st Sword Order.”
“6th Sword Order’s opinion?”
“Naturally gathered.”
Makes sense.
They are people who transferred looking only at Aran.
No need to even blow influence, just saying Aran is making a new Sword Order, they went crazy on their own.
Ahem! Simurtr turned around wondering what it was. Meram, who coughed in vain, was standing behind Simurtr.
Not even staying still, but fidgeting her body repeatedly.
“Do you need anything more?”
Meram asked.
Her eyes shining as if asking him to order something quickly. Since when? She had been like this since she brought the tea again.
“Meram.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Can’t you please just sit next to me?”
“I am fine.”
“Meram. You are not a maid. No need to fill empty plates, nor look at the teacup and read the room.”
Since returning. Throughout.
Simurtr felt uncomfortable with Meram.
“You don’t have to wait for my command groaning like that. Just do what you want to do.”
“I am doing it because I like it.”
“I hate it. Just sit next to me. Hm?”
“But…….”
Simurtr turned only his upper body and reached out both hands. He grabbed Meram’s waist and lifted her to sit next to him.
“Aren’t you being too harsh on Meram?”
“Harsh? This?”
At Aran’s words, Simurtr asked in disbelief.
Then keep ordering her around, and leave her standing behind waiting for commands?
“She is doing it all for the Young Master.”
“I never wished for such a thing.”
“It is Meram who is wishing for it, not the Young Master.”
“What?”
“Do you know how much Meram waited for the Young Master for 1 year.”
“…….”
He came to the main family in January at age 16. Only a year and a half has passed.
But looking at Simurtr, Meram still recalls the exile mansion. Seeing the young Simurtr growing alone under the surveillance of servants.
To Meram, Simurtr is still like a child put out by the water's edge.
“Honestly, the Young Master neglected her too much. Although nominally an education teacher, what has Meram done since coming to the main family.”
A year and a half.
Simurtr was indeed very busy during that time. Because he only roamed outside, Meram was quite idle.
She suffered briefly due to Janya and Veden’s kidnapping incident, but wasn’t that ultimately for Simurtr’s safety too.
On the day Simurtr returns, Meram stayed up all night. Worrying if he got hurt, she was always waiting for the Young Master with the villa door open.
…Similar to the exile mansion, Meram was only for Simurtr.
“Forgetting the purpose of dedicating herself to Mectera, refusing the advisory magician position of the 6th Sword Order, it is all because she likes being by the Young Master’s side.”
“…….”
Meram lowered her head deeply, fidgeting her fingers. Flinching as if she knew when his gaze touched her.
Sorry to say this to Meram, but she is like a puppy wagging its tail furiously, meeting its master after a long time.
Wanting to keep being beside him, wanting to do something without rest.
“Young Master. I am fine. Ael-nim and Jahar-nim visited every day. Deban-nim or Arnea-nim also visited the villa often.”
Not a connection from the previous life.
But different from the siblings or Veden too. A connection of this life, but more special than that.
If one erases the specialness of the previous life from the human named Simurtr. To him, Meram becomes a truly special person.
“…Meram.”
“Yes, yes.”
Medeoban, Orde, Arnea, siblings and Veden, Deban and other Mectera swordsmen, Semenu’s Degrate and Haryun’s Bahab.
Orde loved mother Anna. Tied through her.
Connecting with the rest is not the ordinary Simurtr. It is Simurtr who became special and strong because he remembers the previous life. Relationships built because of that.
But Meram approached the exiled adopted son despite having no ties. Even though the dispatch period ended, she didn’t leave.
When Simurtr had nothing and revealed nothing, she volunteered to be by his side.
“I am sorry.”
Meram is.
To Simurtr who decided to distance himself from connections of the previous life and live moving forward in the present.
Perhaps the connection he should cherish the most.
***
When the Empire Melken was founded.
Mectera was by Melken’s side. An unrivaled founding contributor.
Back then, Bahab didn’t even exist. Basor was a group barely gathered by the movement of magicians after the founding.
A thousand years. Mectera alone was together through that vast history.
“Such is Mectera.”
When a tsunami sweeps the ground, puny things disappear. Things without a center lose their place.
A desert that experienced a typhoon loses its form. Tiny sand grains move places without spine.
Let alone a thousand years. In that distant disaster of time, many things occurred and vanished.
Even in that, Mectera firmly kept its place. Not spineless, nor losing balance due to a massive center. A wall that didn’t disappear in any disaster.
“Sword.”
Naturally, that center is the sword.
Mectera flows as the sword. It has built up like that for a thousand years. Melken’s Sword. Black Sword Mectera is shouldering that weight.
Therefore, Bahel Batra respects the bloodline of current Mectera.
A bloodline that kept the seat of Sword Master for a thousand years while following the Founder’s ideology.
Though they seized authority, they did not tolerate the corruption of ideology. Adopting many children every generation, letting them compete fairly for the Sword Master’s seat.
To Bahel Batra, who is influenced by Mectera’s ideology and follows the former 1st Head of the Sword’s will, Mectera is the source of pride. An object to protect.
Mectera mentioned here refers to the Founder’s ideology and the current Mectera bloodline wishing to preserve that ideology.
Referring to both together.
“Where is the Sword Master?”
It was late afternoon with not much time left until dinner when the 1st Sword Order entered the castle.
The castle gate was quiet. Unlike Bahab, swordsmen don’t know how to do things like lining up. Mectera doesn’t differ to formality.
“He is in the office with the Head of the Senate of Elders.”
“Must not disturb.”
“Yes. He said no need to come specifically. That he would show his face briefly in the evening.”
“I see. Are the two coming?”
“Yes. A banquet celebrating the 1st Sword Order’s return opens this evening. He said to report then.”
“A banquet. I see.”
A banquet is rare.
Bahel nodded and looked at his deputy Naor.
“What about the 6th Head of the Sword? Is he very busy?”
“…Yes. Since the 1st Sword Order also returned, he is contemplating the division of duties.”
It’s a lie.
Right now Aran is watching the Young Master’s training at the West Villa.
“Information Bureau? The 6th Head of the Sword doesn’t need to worry about that, this Sword Order can handle it all.”
“Our Head of the Sword wouldn’t wish for that either. Rest is short. He will soon go out for inspection to branch families too.”
“We agreed to that, but it doesn’t matter.”
Mectera’s Inspection Unit exists separately, but.
1st Head of the Sword Bahel, who took the vanguard, volunteers for the role of inspecting the main family as well. He received the Sword Master’s permission and possessed authority equal to the Inspection Unit Head.
It stemmed from loyalty to Mectera. He decided to look around branch families sequentially after some time.
“We are fine too. I don’t know about our Head of the Sword, but we can’t let our swordsmen just play around either. Everyone is still active duty.”
“Haha. Correct words. Everyone must want to be deployed on missions to swing swords. This Head of the Sword made a mistake.”
Relations between Sword Orders are generally good, but among them, the 6th Sword Order is special.
Aran Lubeil. The existence of the giant tree makes all Sword Orders have no choice but to like the 6th Sword Order.
There is no swordsman among active duty who didn’t pass through Aran’s hands. Current Heads of the Sword too. The 1st Head of the Sword Bahel in front of eyes was one of Aran’s disciples.
“Is the 6th Head of the Sword coming to the banquet too?”
“As you know, he is a person who hates such seats by nature.”
“Then what about that Young Master?”
Since the Sword Master promised the banquet.
If it were the usual Bahel, he would have gone to say return greetings to Aran Lubeil right away.
“Isn’t there an adopted son whom the 6th Head of the Sword calls Young Master.”
But the current Bahel asked about Simurtr.
Different from the usual 1st Head of the Sword. No sign of visiting the 6th Sword Order’s office. Naor tilted his head but answered.
“Simyun Young Master will likely be absent. He said he has important work.”
“Work enough to skip the main family’s official schedule?”
“That is well…….”
It’s not.
Naor knew the reason for absence was training. Also due to constitution. Isn’t he sensitive to mana.
Those with such constitutions tend to dislike crowded places. And Naor has never seen a person as sensitive to mana as Simurtr.
“No. It is private work.”
Simurtr is not suitable for Sword Master.
Mectera, the current bloodline made such a judgment.
‘Can’t be wrong. A bloodline that defended the sword’s ideology for a thousand years.’
Bahel Batra was certain.
Adopted son Simurtr Mectera does not suit Mectera’s ideology. There is some problem.
He has authority to inspect, but going to ask directly is meaningless. Of course he would try to hide it.
Although adopted, if he passed the Selection Ceremony, he is no different from a direct descendant. Mentioning inspection openly is like smearing mud on the main family.
‘If there is a proper justification, maybe.’
Asking Aran isn’t a good method either.
He knows what the Young Master Aran calls implies as partiality.
‘He will advocate rather than state flaws.’
Bahel wanted to hear an objective evaluation.
“1st Head of the Sword! Long time no see!”
Behind Naor, familiar faces were walking heavily. Swordsmen of the 6th Sword Order maintaining friendship with the 1st Sword Order usually.
“I want to hear about the Young Master. Anything regrettable.”
One by one.
Bahel asked about Simurtr.
‘Why?’
Among the swordsmen.
Deban, dragged forcibly by Kehellan, thought.
“Regrettable point? If I have to pick…… He seemed more interested in the outside than the main family. Maybe because he grew up outside until recently.”
Degrate’s VIP.
Bahab’s guest.
‘Does he have wanderlust.’
He heard from Homer, and regrettably, that doesn’t become a problem.
He is still young, and it hasn’t been 2 years since he settled in the main family.
Time to develop affection is overflowing in the future.
So, the defect lies elsewhere.
“He is an amazing Young Master. Did you perhaps hear of his achievement? Probably the next Sword Master will be him.”
Term genius is insufficient.
“He is crazy about sparring though. We saw such a Sword Fiend for the first time too. He does it with Arnea-nim every day.”
A Sword Fiend that even the 6th Sword Order gets tired of.
“…….”
Synthesizing the swordsmen’s opinions…… the evaluation is impeccable.
Rather the opposite. Why until now? Bahel inadvertently had such a thought too.
No need to wait for the Coming of Age Ceremony, it wouldn’t be strange to declare him successor right now.
“…No. Not doing so is because there is a reason.”
Simurtr must not become the Sword Master.
Mectera is wishing for that.
“It means a reason exists why he shouldn’t become Sword Master.”
In Simurtr.
A huge problem exists, enough to offset all the advantages swordsmen mentioned.
…Must exist.
“But why does no one know.”
Bahel’s steps stopped.
Briefly lost where to go. Thinking so, he came unexpectedly far. The Central Castle was visible in front.
It was then that the castle’s main gate opened.
“Head of the Senate of Elders!”
Checking Medeoban, Bahel rejoiced.
The current Mectera bloodline protecting the Founder’s ideology. Past Sword Master who engraved footprints not shameful to the main family’s history.
His father, the former 1st Head of the Sword, respected Medeoban. There was a time he harbored animosity, but Bahel couldn’t understand that.
“What is the matter. I said no need to come.”
“I apologize.”
“It’s done. Since you already came. So. How is the feeling of returning after 3 years.”
“I am only sorry to have harvested nothing in the dispatched land.”
“Haha! It is fine. It is an era of peace. If there is no work for the Sword Order to be active, that is fine. If your heart is not satisfied, consider it as reserving strength.”
Medeoban seeing Bahel was pleased.
He has no choice. He came specifically despite words saying not to come.
“Reserving?”
“Right. Since when did the main family keep many above its head. Only one can exist above Mectera.”
Melken’s Sword.
Surpassing Hero Families, Medeoban intends to rebuild the past again.
“Justifiable words.”
“It won’t be a very distant future. The main family has such potential.”
“Are you speaking of the current generation?”
“Every single one is an excellent child. I knew about Jahar and Ael, but seeing this time, the third was no less than them. Perhaps even more.”
After the incident in the execution room, Medeoban regretted judging Veden hastily.
Veden, who came to his senses, was a material not lacking to challenge the Sword Master’s seat.
‘Though the reason he came to his senses is thanks to that guy, it is quite uncomfortable.’
The direction looked somewhat strange, but for now Medeoban decided to be satisfied.
It is enough if he confirmed the grandson’s talent is outstanding.
‘No good talking about Simyun.’
Medeoban ended at the third.
Not mentioning the fourth, he saved words intentionally.
Talent bound to surpass the hero someday.
Potential is an expression meant for Simurtr in the first place.
‘Future 1st Head of the Sword. Simyun is the vanguard to destroy the Hero Families. Not Sword Master.’
Like now, Simurtr had to have no greed for the Sword Master seat.
There shouldn’t be anyone encouraging him nearby for no reason.
‘Aran, that ungrateful fellow, fell for him already when they haven’t met for long.’
The worry from sometime ago wasn’t wrong.
Simurtr has power to influence swordsmen. Actually, the 6th Sword Order is already charmed. Must stop here at least.
‘Up to Aran is fine. If Simyun says he hates being Sword Master, the guy will follow.’
Aran, who had a separate priority called Exa Mectera, called Young Master, will be no problem now.
Serving Simurtr as Young Master? Then Aran will now consider Simurtr’s will as top priority.
‘But this guy is not. No.’
To Bahel, the most precious thing is Mectera.
Sword ideology left by the Founder.
‘This guy is a guy who will definitely encourage. A guy who would make a fuss asking why he doesn’t aim for Sword Master if he sees Simyun.’
Medeoban hoped Bahel wouldn’t show interest in Simurtr.
Preferably shouldn’t let Bahel and Simurtr meet…….
“How is the fourth Young Master?”
When Bahel asked implicitly, Medeoban swallowed hard.
Knew this would happen.
Fault of buttoning the first button wrong. All Heads of the Sword ended up seeing Simurtr’s achievement through video.
If he knew Degrate wasn’t the culprit, he wouldn’t have revealed it.
“You mean Simyun? Tsk. Don’t even bring up the story of that ungrateful fellow.”
Expected question, and answer thought of in advance.
In Medeoban’s voice, there was some sincerity too.
“Did anything happen.”
“He has wanderlust. Greedy too.”
“Greed you say?”
“I said so. Do you know why that guy went to Bahab this time?”
“I heard it was to broaden his horizons.”
“Tsk tsk. Externally yes.”
“Is there another reason?”
“Of course!”
At some point Bahel’s eyes shone.
But Medeoban couldn’t see that gleam.
Because he rarely spoke lies. Because he was bad at lying so he feared getting caught if he showed his eyes.
“He went to learn Bahab’s Swelling Flame. Being enticed by such trash when the main family has its own.”
“Pardon?”
“He has no affection for the main family. Must be looking down on the sword because he has talent.”
Is that something one can learn just by wanting to?
While Bahel thought, Medeoban continued speaking.
“That’s not the only suspicious thing. Thinking about it, remaining alone in Degrate was suspicious too. The guy found traces of the Sacred Mountain alone which even the Black Snake couldn’t find.”
Just as he aimed for Swelling Flame in Bahab, he might have picked up something in Degrate and came back.
“Tsk. Last time he even threatened me. To take good care of the spell-caster. Daring to handle his grandfather.”
“…Spell-caster?”
“Right. Aran, the magician that fellow brought. Maybe because they were together since Simyun was young, they seemed close. Living together too.”
From Medeoban’s stance, it’s a trick to split Bahel and Simurtr before their relationship even starts.
To main family people who always experienced the childish fight between Simurtr and Medeoban, it is just grumbling.
‘He’s doing that again.’
Deban, who secretly chased behind Bahel, thought.
While saying that, eventually the grandfather listened to the grandson’s grumbling.
Servants of the West Villa increased, and support funds were raised drastically too. Some of that was Meram’s research fund.
“Come to think of it, the magician is suspicious too. Perhaps Simyun, that guy seems to be trying to touch even that lowly magic. Otherwise there is no reason to keep her living together until now. Since when did she enter the castle. Tsk.”
Medeoban continued speaking.
At some moment it became sincere. Because lately there are fewer people accepting grumbling in the main family.
Because people accepting it seriously like Bahel Batra in front disappeared.
“Understood.”
So that’s it.
“The magician living together is blowing wind into him.”
“Hm?”
“That magician was the root cause. If removed, it might be fixed.”
Reason Simurtr was excluded.
Proof that Mectera wasn’t wrong, Bahel finally found it.
“What?”
When Medeoban opened eyes round looking at Bahel’s back.
‘This is a bit chilling…….’
Deban chased Bahel’s back.
It was around the time the banquet started.