Chapter 195
I entered the magic vault with Eilin.
Seeing her smiling, I could tell she must have been greatly satisfied with her achievements in training.
Eilin stood in the center of the chamber.
Then, moving lightly, she began to swing her sword. It seemed to be the royal swordsmanship of Robe.
Next, a shield of light formed in her left hand, and she moved swiftly. She had mixed Defender's skills with royal swordsmanship. Even Russell would have a hard time making a shield of light so clear.
Tatata-tak—tung—
Eilin sprinted and then leapt off the ground. Then, light surged from her holy sword and she brought it down.
Kwaang—
A massive sword of light struck the floor of the vault.
That was Defender's greatest technique.
Right after, Eilin spun, and the sword of light, reaching two meters, was cutting through everything around her. It was even more than Whirlwind.
"You've already reached that level?"
"Father, your help was huge! It's hard to cut iron! But I can cut through thick trees now!"
That meant she was close to the Sword of Light.
She was less strong than Donnie, but stronger than the other members.
Considering it was the result of just two years of training, it was amazing.
"Try condensing your magic power!"
"Yes!"
The light that had surged from her sword was sucked back in, radiating even more intense light. She had gotten quite used to handling magic power. Expansion is easy, but condensation is hard.
"Does your family have any secret swordsmanship?"
"There's swordsmanship that's been passed down since old times!"
She must have practiced a lot.
Her basic swordsmanship was clean. The signs of repeated training showed. She hadn't yet become one with the sword and her body, though.
Eilin started with basic swordsmanship and slowly expanded into transformations and chain sword techniques. Sometimes, like earlier, she amplified her magic to create a giant sword of light.
"How big can you make your shield?"
"Just a second!"
Eilin focused briefly.
The shield of light began to grow larger. It was the same way as when the sword of light erupted from her sword.
Perhaps because of the armor she wore on her left hand, the shield expanded not as a circle but rather into a rectangular shape sideways. Moreover, it was rippling with rainbow colors.
"Do you want to spar against the knights?"
"Yes!"
I called out to the dark knights.
"Four knights, attack lightly!"
— As you command.
Four dark knights approached.
They soon surrounded Eilin and attacked.
Tung—teotung—
Eilin blocked the incoming swords with her shield, and the sound of magic clashing with magic rang out.
Her shield of light was quite thick.
When Eilin counterattacked, the dark knight she struck was pushed back three steps by the impact of the magic clash.
Considering how Eilin had been overpowered when we first met the dark knights, it was surprising. Now, she only wavered slightly at the center and was not pushed back.
She could probably continue her training here for a while.
There were no sparring partners in Robe, and she wouldn't be able to experience all sorts of out-of-the-box and real combat situations.
"Are there any urgent matters in the merchant guild?"
"No! Until last year, things were a little busy, but now there's not much for me to be involved in!"
"In that case, train here for a few months!"
"Is that really okay?"
"Of course!"
She must have really wanted to practice sparring.
She seemed pleased.
"But, actually, I focused more on Buffer techniques than Defender swordsmanship! I think it's better for me to strengthen our members than to fight myself!"
"Let's see. Dark knights, halt!"
Eilin came over to me.
Sweat beaded on her forehead.
She focused briefly again.
"This is the attack buff!"
A bright red light radiated out.
The buff aura stretched a full five meters outward from her, even though she didn't have a Buffer weapon.
And, surprisingly—
A powerful force filled my body.
My stats increased significantly.
"How is this possible?"
"I'm not sure. I think it's because of divinity."
There really was a synergistic effect between divinity and Buffer skills. Not only did she surpass any ordinary Buffer, it was greater even than my own Buffer's effect.
So, after a long while, I checked my status system.
The moment I saw the numbers, I inwardly marveled.
Had the spirit measured correctly?
My attack power increased by 15%.
When I buff myself, the maximum is 10%. Before my level rose, the maximum had been 300%.
For example, the difference is like this:
Going from 100 attack to 300.
Going from 1,000 attack to 1,100.
My buff skill is still at the highest tier. Since my level has greatly increased, that's why there's this sort of difference. The reason my body only gets a small effect from buffs now is because I've evolved so much.
So if we compare it to my previous attack buff values—Eilin's attack buff is a 450% increase. That's just for me; for the members or knights, it's different again.
It seems it can increase theirs by more than five times.
If the body can withstand the buff, a tenfold increase would be possible. As for me, there's simply no more room for enhancement.
"Try the next one too."
"This time it's defense!"
Eilin radiated her Aura again.
This time it was yellow.
The defense boost was even greater.
By previous standards, it was a 500% increase.
"How about speed?"
This time the light was blue.
Speed increased by 300%.
"Vitality too!"
Next, a white aura was emitted.
When I saw the numbers, I was speechless.
It was practically instant recovery.
Over 1,000%.
The healing power exceeded the upper limit I had programmed, so the spirit could only show it as "over 1,000%".
"Wait a second."
I took out a dagger and sliced my palm.
Blood welled up, but it healed almost immediately. Even when I cut deeper, it was the same.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. I can also do the opposite of a buff. I have several other techniques, but they don't have names yet."
It seemed she had learned debuffs too.
"If you've learned them, show me everything."
Eilin demonstrated her techniques one after another.
She generated a lightning Aura.
Everything in the vicinity was shocked.
Then, using her sword, she released lightning streaks, or stunned enemies with the impact. Sometimes, she gave a distant dark knight a protective barrier.
Tdaang! Patststst—
Eilin struck the ground with her sword, and lightning exploded with bolts shooting forward.
Raising her sword, white energy surged from the blade toward the ceiling. The energies sparked at the ceiling, gathering more and more power, until, at last—
Kwaang—kwakwa-kwaang—
A thunderbolt crashed down.
It was, in every sense, a lightning strike.
"How did you do that?"
Eilin walked over shyly.
"That seemed like an ability originally in the holy sword. I didn't use magic power, it just happened on its own."
"So it was originally a lightning sword?"
"It might be."
She must have discovered it during training.
That sword might have always been a lightning sword, or it became one after repeatedly absorbing lightning.
Because she had the magic power to support it, learning these techniques was relatively easy. Still, Eilin achieved in a short time what would have been impossible without hard work.
"I'll set up a bedroom and kitchen here. If we stock up on food, it shouldn't be uncomfortable to live."
"Yes, thank you."
"No need for thanks."
Together, Eilin and I headed for the door.
I planned to set up a freezer in the vault and stock up on lots of food and water. So we would never have to worry about meals anywhere we went.
/ / /
A few days later.
I headed to the Imperial Palace's Secret Council with Priest Roman.
"You went to Tris to look for your family before, right?"
"Yes. We were separated during the war, but there was no way to find them. I thought if I went to Tris, I might learn something, but in the end I found nothing."
In truth, I had agonized a lot over revealing Roman's identity. There were several things that made it difficult. Weighing the positives and negatives, I finally made a decision.
The head of security and Lady Mien and others had learned of Roman's identity, so I could no longer keep it hidden. If someone really wanted to find out, they'd manage it. And then, it could mean death for him.
So, I decided to let him make the choice.
He probably couldn't refuse, though.
But again, my right hand was faintly glowing. The Spirit of Light had sensed something in Saihan. This had happened often since arriving in the capital.
It meant something abnormal was in the imperial palace. Not just there; it happened at my inn, and even when I went out briefly to a busy part of town.
It wasn't exactly a sign of danger, though. Since the palm tattoo was visible, I often wore gloves. Someone hostile to me might find any excuse to pick a fight.
We went straight into the Secret Council.
Inside were the highest-ranking palace maid and chamberlain, as well as the heads of the five families and Lady Mien.
"This is Priest Roman, whom I mentioned."
"Pleased to meet you."
"I am Lady Mien."
Roman returned the greeting, a bit bewildered.
I took him to the head seat at the table.
"Have you made the official announcement?"
"I told the truth. His Imperial Majesty was not assassinated, he died of illness. The recent rebellion was an act of treason by Grand Duke Syren."
Another head added,
"We cannot make public the full story about the false emperor and crown prince. If we exposed all the power struggles, people could not trust the throne."
"Certainly."
"Then let us begin."
The highest-ranking chamberlain spoke.
He was from the Grand Duke's faction.
The palace maid next to him was the Empress's right hand.
"So shameless, these people,"
I muttered.
"Hmph."
The chamberlain and palace maid sneered.
There was venom in the way they looked at me.
I knew why they had stayed in the palace. To monitor the witnesses so they wouldn't talk—and to watch what we did. There was nobody to punish them right now.
All the elders of the Secret Council were dead, and the Grand Duke's officials had disappeared. For now, the five heads of family were filling the role.
"Priest Roman."
"Yes."
"Remember these two people clearly. If you don't punish them and their subordinates for their crimes, you'll be in danger. So steel your heart."
Roman looked at the chamberlain and the palace maid.
Both continued to glare only at me.
"You have a red dragon tattoo on your shoulder, correct?"
"Yes, I do."
"And a birthmark on your back?"
"That's true, but..."
I took out the evidence documents.
I handed them to the heads of the five families.
"Roman is His Imperial Majesty's son."
"What?"
Roman's eyes widened.
I continued.
"When His Majesty was crown prince, a palace maid gave birth to you. For some reason, the late emperor had to hide you, and my father took you out. Later, my father's friend, Viscount Drian, adopted you."
"That can't be."
The heads rushed to look at the documents.
Then gasped.
Since the marks matched the records.
"This is unbelievable. That I am the emperor's son..."
"You'll remember, when you were about eight, you left Robe and went to southern Beltern. Assassins chased you then, too."
"And?"
"Those assassins were sent by the Grand Duke. To capture you, the emperor's blood."
Roman's expression twisted.
He was shocked and flustered.
"Then what will happen to me?"
Lady Mien cut in.
"You must become emperor. And I am that palace maid—your true mother. According to imperial law and procedure, you must consult with me first."
Lady Mien gave a radiant smile.
Roman was too shocked to speak.
He didn't seem at all glad to meet his birth mother.
"Remove your shirt, please."
Roman's eyes turned red.
He looked utterly confused.
"We must confirm your identity by these marks."
Roman swallowed hard, then hesitantly took off his shirt. Everyone checked the tattoos and birthmark.
"There's no mistake. He is the true son."
"We recognize you as His Imperial Majesty's true son."
"We greet the crown prince."
The heads stood to pay their respects.
The palace maid and chamberlain did likewise.
"Don't do this. I am a priest."
"That is no longer the case. You are the sole master of this palace, and before long, you will be emperor."
Roman looked at me.
He was filled with resentment.
Lady Mien stepped forward again.
"Don't worry. At first it will be frightening and difficult, but I will serve you. Whatever anyone says, your true mother is me. You can trust me."
Roman looked at her.
His eyes were red and swollen.
"My mother is Lady Drian. Not you."
"I know the bond is deep with the one who raised you. But the one who gave birth to you is me, and His late Imperial Majesty."
Roman bit his lip and put his shirt back on.
Buttoning up fully, he looked at me.
"There are so many ill people waiting for me. The only things I know are prayer and healing."
"I understand."
"Is that why you saved me in the arena? Because I was the emperor's hidden son?"
"No, I didn't know it back then."
Roman let out a sigh.
"I see. I suppose it was unavoidable."
He looked at the heads of the five families.
And then spoke.
"I will not be emperor."
Roman walked straight to the door.
I'd expected as much.
I didn't want him to be emperor. The throne wasn't mine to recommend or refuse. Roman was the last of the royal bloodline, so he couldn't really refuse either.
Even if he rejects the throne or hides his existence, another civil war will break out. With the throne empty, only if he becomes emperor for a while can we avoid more conflict.
I meant not to influence his choice at all. It was his life, so it was entirely his decision. However, if he decided, then it would be different.
I would make Roman a strong emperor.
I would turn the empire upside down.
No matter what anyone said.