Children of the Guardian
First, we headed to the finest inn in the capital and booked a room. Then I began mulling over how to secure an identity that would cause the least hassle.
While I pondered alone in the room, Jayke had immersed himself in training. With his talent, he'd probably top out as a high-grade knight. He could reach that level without trying so hard, but I couldn't very well tell him to slack off.
That's when Clone No. 2, scouting the surroundings, spotted something intriguing. I saw it too, and thought, this is perfect. I immediately started preparations. The next day, I visited the Telmaier barony with Jayke—the one with the glass windows.
Tucked in my bosom was a letter I'd written myself. Before my rebirth, I'd sent letters of recommendation and a bit of money to promising kids, forwarding them to Yuri. She'd raised them in connection with the imperial family, and now they were thriving in various fields, showcasing their talents. They were known as the Children of the Guardian.
I'd written a recommendation naming myself one of them, with a special note to let me do whatever I wanted.
The Telmaier barony had grown in prestige; they even had a well-dressed gatekeeper now.
"What brings you here?" the gatekeeper asked Jayke.
This is exactly why you bring an adult along. Unlike his mercenary days, Jayke was dressed sharply and looked every bit the skilled knight.
"Our young master has a letter to deliver personally to Lady Telmaier," he replied.
The gatekeeper relayed the message inside, and soon we met Yuri. Having heard nothing from me in over a decade, she no longer commuted to the palace. In any case, the Yuri I met after so long had become a refined middle-aged lady of some elegance.
"Greetings. I'm Germain François."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yuri Telmaier."
I bowed politely, and she greeted me with a bright smile. My natural good looks in this life really came in handy at times like this. Well-mannered pretty boys were always a hit with middle-aged ladies.
"I've brought a letter of recommendation from the Guardian."
I handed over the one I'd written. She read it and tilted her head.
"It's a bit different from the ones you sent before."
True enough. Past letters had said things like, "This kid has talent in X and Y—groom them well and put them to use." This one was more like, "Just launder their identity and leave them be."
Her eyes sharpened. Age had brought her some worldly wisdom.
"I'm not sure about that part," I said, playing dumb.
Reluctantly, I decided to use Clone No. 2, who'd been tagging along.
[Yuri, long time no see.]
The clone spoke up. The cockroach clones from before either couldn't or wouldn't talk, but mine all could.
"Guardian! Where have you been all this time?"
Yuri shot to her feet, welcoming the clone—or rather, me.
Now came the important part.
[Just wandering the world.]
"Welcome back."
She seemed in high spirits. I should've sent a clone midway through; hindsight's twenty-twenty.
[This kid has a unique talent. Leave him be, and he'll handle himself. But he's from a foreign noble house, so he needs an Ether Empire identity.]
"Understood. I'll take care of it."
Listening to them chat, I felt a twinge like I was running a con. But it wouldn't harm Yuri, so no big deal.
"Ah, that was the Guardian just now. Sorry for the rudeness."
"No problem."
Yuri apologized after snapping out of it. Better to bow out here; they had plenty to catch up on.
"May I take my leave, then?"
"Of course. Thank you. Let's talk more next time."
And so we left the Telmaier barony. I left the rest to Clone No. 2, who was fielding a barrage of questions from Yuri.
On the way back to the inn with Jayke, I eyed his gear. His clothes were upgraded, but his sword was the same old thing, and the armor back at the inn was just leather fit for mercenaries. I considered artifacts, but nothing suitable for him came to mind. I had spare swords, but they were overkill—Dragon Mountains lair gear that could spark wars if word got out.
"Jayke, let's go buy a sword and armor. You can't pass as my knight looking like that."
"Mm, alright."
He agreed, and we headed to the smithy district. Jayke, ever dutiful, grew curious.
"Have you been here before, my lord?"
Even I had to admit it looked suspicious—navigating a city I'd supposedly never visited like a pro.
"Of course not. But capitals are planned cities; the layouts are similar. I read about it in a book once."
"Ah, I see."
Lucky Jayke was so guileless. Joseph would've grilled me relentlessly.
We entered a promising smithy, bought a fine sword, and ordered a half-plate armor set. It cost a pretty penny, but I paid without batting an eye—prompting Jayke's concern.
"My lord, if I may... are you sure this is fine?"
"I've got plenty of money. Don't worry."
Probably more than the emperors, even if most was stashed in Drakan's lair. I could fetch it anytime. Though with this body, I couldn't go myself now. Clones would do, but they were still small, with limited subspace.
Time to invest in clone growth? Just then, Clone No. 2's conversation with Yuri streamed in real-time.
"Mm, there's a family that'd love to take Young Master Germain."
[What's that about?]
"The kids you send usually lack clear backgrounds. Even if they're commoners, we can't just leave Guardian-sent talents as plebs, right? So I placed them all as adopted heirs in noble houses."
I should've paid more attention. My intel was lacking. If I'd known, I wouldn't have come to her—but things had gotten tangled.
[No other way?]
"We could, but noble status is tricky. Or he could marry a widow. A pretty boy like Young Master Germain? Demand's endless."
[Uh, no, that's...]
"Exactly, right? I've racked my brain for ways to look after those kids, and this works best."
[Can't I just threaten the emperor for a spot?]
"You might not know, but the emperor you knew retired years ago. The crown prince ascended."
Ether's grandson must've stepped down. So the current one was Ether's great-grandson?
"But... the current emperor doesn't think much of the Guardian."
[What?]
"He doesn't believe, or rather, doesn't see the Guardian as vital to the imperial family. That's why I lost my position—no more stipend either."
[How dare he!]
I was a bit pissed. I fought wars with his great-great-grandpa, named the kid— and this?
"C-calm down. He's a good man. He values all the talents you sent."
Still, I wanted to smack this great-grandson's smug face.
[I need to see the emperor.]
"Guardian, wait!"
Yuri called from behind, but Clone No. 2 flew straight to the palace.
Meanwhile, Jayke and I leisurely bought and munched on street skewers.
"Mm, smells great, but the taste is meh."
"Your palate's too refined, my lord. For street food, this is top-notch."
I'm the real foodie here.
*
Clone No. 2 flew straight to the emperor's office. The view was much like a century ago. The man in his mid-thirties reviewing documents didn't much resemble Ether, but had a subtle similar aura. Must be the current emperor. His soul was impressively large—talented. And unusually pure for a ruler.
Come to think of it, he was among Ether's direct descendants when I found Yuri back then, though younger.
I pulled a pen from thin air and wrote on his documents: -It's the Guardian. Meet with Yuri tomorrow.-
Clone No. 2 was still weak for long writings. Backhand smack on hold.
The emperor stayed calm amid the bizarre event, even signaling his guards to stand down.
"Very well."
With the appointment set, the clone withdrew. Back at the inn, I pondered. Adoption wasn't so bad. My body's young, good for building strength. Better than widow's boy toy, at least.
I'd planned to buy a quiet mansion in the capital after a nominal identity. But 5-6 years fostered, then noble status? Not terrible.
I sent Clone No. 2 back to Yuri's to report. She sighed in relief.
"Glad you didn't cause a scene."
[Whose side are you on?]
"The emperor's, obviously."
Is this why they say don't raise others' kids? Not that I raised her, but it stung.
[Traitor.]
"You pop up once every few decades and say that?"
No retort there. How'd my meek little Yuri turn so bold?
[So where could Germain be adopted?]
"A baronial house without an heir. The current lord's in poor health."
Wait, that changes things. Heir apparent? I'd planned a no-rights adoption, bide time till adulthood, then bail.
"But the territory's tiny for a barony—like a fief gifted to knights by rich houses."
Even better. Past-life administrator here. Don't want a big territory. Small means hands-off management; it'll run itself. And poor health speeds up freedom.
[Not bad.]
"Right? Opportunities like this don't come often."
Yuri chattered like a market auntie. I tuned out. Really not bad. Territory woes? Irrelevant. As long as the people don't starve. Easy enough.
I mulled it over sleeplessly. One thing this human body hadn't adapted to: sleep. A near-century as a soul sans slumber made me forget it, plus Soul Heart Method dulled fatigue.
Clone No. 2 visited Yuri at dawn to prep for the emperor. Nothing for me till she returned, so I called Jayke for sparring in the inn's backyard lot.
Last time was a slaughter against weaklings, but real combat experience was lacking. I knew a true powerhouse could drop me easily.
Jayke had nearly regained his old prowess. Aura quantity still low, but a fine knight already.
Our wooden swords clashed without pause. Head-on, I was at a disadvantage—this kid's body wasn't fully grown. No matching his agility or strength physically.
But my swordsmanship was superior. Academy training, theory, daily guards' drills. Pros and cons evened us out.
With real steel and aura? I'd win.
An hour in, I collapsed first. Stamina's the root issue. Brutal kid-training would backfire—no growth spurt. As vital as avoiding baldness.