Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Unintended Variable (1)
The Imperial Guard Knights.
Practically the strongest military force the Emperor could possess, and the most powerful single faction within the Empire.
With no fewer than three Sword Masters in their ranks, even combining Iskar's Lion Hearts, Delphione's Glory Knights, and Quihiller's Steel Rain Wolves couldn't compare to the Imperial Guard Knights.
Sonya hurriedly bowed her head and spoke.
"Doesn't the Imperial Guard Knights have Captain Pruna as their commander? Even if someone else were to lead them, only Archduke Quihiller would be capable of such a thing."
The reason Sonya was so alarmed was simple.
The Imperial Guard Knights, who valued strength above all else, were unlikely to obey orders even if the Emperor granted full authority, unless there was a strong leader to control them.
Archduke Quihiller shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I too must command the Steel Rain. That wolf pack simply cannot be controlled without my direct orders..."
"It's the same situation on our end. Though Delphione has Marquis Kaitel, he too must lead the Glory Knights. To control them, we would need a warrior who surpasses Captain Pruna..."
"That's precisely the point. Only by defeating Pruna can we truly take the Imperial Guard Knights into our hands."
"Your Majesty... Surely you don't mean?"
Sonya and Rudian simultaneously felt a great sense of unease.
And at the same time, they realized the source of that unease.
"Captain Pruna... Surely she's not a traitor?"
"If that weren't the case, I wouldn't have been driven to such extremes."
To be precise, it wasn't just Pruna Silent.
Among the Imperial Guard Knights, there were several turncoats who had sold their souls to power.
Some of them had conspired together, deceiving other knights and making a mockery of the imperial family.
"This complicates matters..."
Sonya felt a headache coming on.
While it was presented as handing over command of the Imperial Guard Knights, this was essentially a test to see if Rudian's group truly had value as allies.
Rudian was also slightly impressed.
'The Emperor is indeed not to be underestimated.'
Acting as if he would give up anything—liver, gall bladder, whatever—for revenge, yet coming out with this approach.
But refusing wasn't an option here.
Regardless of how many sacrifices Pruna's purge might require, her elimination and controlling the Imperial Guard Knights were separate matters.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid that proposal is..."
Cutting off Sonya's words as she was about to express refusal, Rudian's clear voice rang out.
"We'll accept it, Your Majesty."
"You!"
Ignoring Sonya's wide-eyed stare beside him, Rudian continued calmly.
"I will kill the Empire's traitor, Pruna Silent. And I will temporarily assume the vacant commander position to eliminate the demons."
Before Sonya could say anything to stop him, the Emperor placed his hand on Rudian's shoulder and made the first move.
"Excellent. To lead the Imperial Guard Knights, a Viscount's title has its limitations. Though it's informal, I'll elevate you to the rank of Count and appoint you as temporary commander of the Imperial Guard Knights."
"I am honored, Your Majesty."
"W-wait just a moment! You!"
Sonya tried to stop Rudian, but Rudian sent her a wink indicating he had a plan and calmed her down.
The Emperor drew his sword and conducted an informal ceremony to promote Rudian to Count.
"Count Rudian Belstad, I look forward to working with you."
Though he had achieved an unprecedented rise in status in the Empire's history, no nobles recognized it, and no real power came with it immediately.
A truly poisoned chalice.
That was Sonya's assessment of the Emperor's proposal.
As Rudian and Sonya finished all their business and were about to leave:
"Come to think of it, your patron was Vincent, wasn't he?"
"That's correct, Your Majesty."
Though he didn't understand why Vincent Delphione's name was suddenly mentioned, he answered affirmatively for now.
Then the Emperor directed quite meaningful words toward Rudian.
"Tell Vincent this: I know better than anyone that he is doing his utmost for atonement, so he shouldn't worry too much about his predecessor's deeds."
"Atonement... You say?"
"Didn't you know about it?"
At Rudian's question, for some reason, confusion appeared on the Emperor's face.
Soon, shocking information flowed from the Emperor.
"It was the Duke of Delphione from two generations ago who opened the Demon Gate and brought the demons into this world. Fighting demons under Vincent's command, did you truly not know this fact?"
...What?
***
The bastard who started this damned worldview was the Duke of Delphione from two generations ago?
Rudian felt great interest in this setting that couldn't be found with even a single line of mention in the original work, and tried to ask the Emperor about the truth.
However, with the words 'If Vincent didn't tell you, it would be improper for me to say more,' Rudian couldn't pursue the matter further and had to accept the Emperor's dismissal.
'I absolutely must ask the Duke about this.'
Sonya too seemed to feel various emotions—interest, bewilderment, anger—upon hearing this truth for the first time.
"His Majesty has given us quite a troublesome assignment."
For some reason, Archduke Quihiller followed behind Rudian as he was leaving.
"Do you have some business with me?"
"I'm interested in you, that's all."
Archduke Quihiller was literally filled with interest in Rudian.
"Pruna Silent is the continent's greatest female swordsman. She's a formidable warrior who doesn't fall far short even compared to Kaitel. Do you have confidence you can handle her?"
If she could be compared to Sword Master Kaitel, her capabilities were surely among the upper ranks of Sword Masters.
"You're not thinking of doing something boring like borrowing the power of Delphione or Bellatrix to deal with her, are you?"
"This concerns the Empire's survival. I don't think there's room for the word 'boring.'"
"You're right about that. But if you handle things that way, you'll never be able to control the Imperial Guard Knights."
Rudian nodded.
"Yes, so I must defeat her fairly in single combat before their eyes."
The Archduke's eyes lit up greatly.
"Indeed. With that level of talent and skill, you certainly have the right to say such things."
Though the word 'talent' didn't suit him, Rudian was still confident.
'But did he follow me just to say this?'
Just as this question arose in his mind, Archduke Quihiller got to the main point.
"Actually, this is the real reason... There's someone I'd like to introduce to you."
"Who might that be?"
Rudian was greatly pleased.
Whoever it was, if it was Quihiller's introduction, it certainly wouldn't be someone useless.
But the name that came from Archduke Quihiller's mouth far exceeded Rudian's expectations.
"My disciple. He was a child at Kaitel's foundation, but I got a bit greedy and took him away, even going into debt to do so. His name is Crux van Richthofen."
"...!"
Rudian's eyes widened greatly.
"Your talent is genius-level, but that child is no less so. Though he belongs to the Imperial Guard Knights, I sent him out as a wandering knight to give him worldly experience. I've called him back to the capital for this matter, and when he returns, I'll introduce him to you."
Crux, the main protagonist among the protagonists of , the Sword Saint.
Having already met Gray and Rebecca, he had been slightly disappointed at having no connection with Crux, but he never expected to meet him this way.
Rudian nodded, even stammering.
"I-I'm delighted. I truly look forward to it."
"Since you're so pleased, I'm in a good mood too. Then let me leave just one old man's rambling before I go."
Archduke Quihiller spoke with genuine sincerity, wearing a slightly bitter expression.
"Never become arrogant. I don't know your exact age, but you're probably around twenty. For that age, reaching such a level is certainly an achievement to be proud of, but this world is filled with transcendent powerhouses beyond imagination."
"..."
"People call me the continent's greatest, but that's just empty fame. In my travels around the world, I've directly encountered more than five who are far stronger than me. My overreaction to your abilities was also part of that experience."
'Did he know...?'
Rudian felt that there were too many surprising events happening to him today.
While he knew this was the world of and that it was filled with transcendent powerhouses, Archduke Quihiller's situation was different.
Of course, Rudian was never arrogant.
He didn't have the skill to be arrogant.
He simply approached battles by thoroughly and certainly calculating his chances of victory while keeping his trump cards completely hidden.
But Quihiller didn't know this.
Yet giving such advice meant he genuinely valued Rudian's talent and abilities.
Rudian slowly bowed his head to Quihiller.
"Thank you for the advice. I will definitely keep it in mind."
***
While Rudian was meeting with the Emperor and plotting to strike the demons from behind,
The demons were also busily preparing to strike their imaginary enemy, Adora.
But a thunderbolt-like variable arose for them as they prepared earnestly...
"I heard about it. Marbas, you went to provoke that guy?"
"Hehe, word travels fast."
Seeing Marbas grinning, Asmodeus felt rage boiling inside.
"Is this the time to smile so leisurely? When we should be moving carefully and secretly with the utmost caution, why did you go out of your way to alert him and plant wariness?"
Asmodeus knew all about the conversation between Marbas and Rudian through the familiar she had attached to Marbas.
Though Marbas had also known and let it be, Asmodeus's blood pressure was about to hit its peak because of it.
"I certainly admit this action was rash. However, it was necessary to observe the one who will become our enemy."
"Did that have to be done only after executing the plan? I really can't understand it."
"Still, there was a harvest. Asmodeus, I'm sorry to you, but it seems best to advance the plan as much as possible."
"What do you mean by that?"
To Asmodeus, who glared sharply, Marbas continued in his still leisurely tone.
"It's in the realm of intuition. I have a premonition that we'll clash with that human, Rudian, very soon."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course. If my intuition becomes reality, victory or defeat will likely depend on who strikes first."
"Damn."
Asmodeus muttered a curse under her breath.
She took out a letter from her bosom and handed it directly to Marbas.
"What's this?"
"A letter from Iblis. I'd like to advance things right now if possible, but I've hit a snag because of this."
"Hmm..."
Marbas received the letter and read it slowly.
And gradually, an expression of amusement rose on his face.
"Decarabia is dead? Iblis has reason to be furious."
"He was a favored one. The problem is that bastard died clearly within Morian Empire territory, even if it was in the border region. Because of that, we have no choice but to withdraw considerable forces."
"If it's to keep the pact, there's no choice but... The timing is quite coincidental."
No matter how power restrictions were in place, he was still a highest-grade demon.
To investigate the cause of such a being's death would require deploying no small amount of forces, so from Asmodeus's perspective, she couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"I'd like to just ignore it completely, but if I did that, our territory in the demon realm would be reduced to scorched earth, so there's no choice. I can only hope Marbas that your worry is just groundless..."
"..."
Marbas fell silent.
His intuition, informed by demonic nature, had never been wrong.
Of course, withdrawing forces wouldn't create problems for the current plan, but conversely, it would also make advancing it impossible.
Was this variable truly auspicious or ominous?
Marbas couldn't bring himself to voice an answer to that question.