Chapter 30
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Kingdom's Representative (2)
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While staying in the capital Shihten, I organized all the information I'd gathered so far.
‘Among the info I got in the capital, is the Madness Disaster the only useful one?’
The disaster I learned about through King Leogart.
I wondered if it was the one that had struck the capital Shihten, so I wandered around the city checking things out, but nothing special popped up in Synopsis.
Which meant the Madness Disaster had happened somewhere else.
‘The sure thing is that it won’t occur during this Founding Festival.’
King Leogart wasn’t participating in the Imperial Founding Festival. I didn’t know why, but it seemed like he had his reasons.
Anyway, since he was set to meet his end due to the Madness Disaster and wasn’t going to the festival, it probably wouldn’t happen there, at least.
Normally, that would’ve let me head there without a worry in the world...
“Haa.”
[What’re you fretting over? Just relax and think about it.]
“The opponent’s an imperial princess. Easy for you to say.”
[She’s the princess of the mighty Asktalin Empire. You could gain a ton from her, right?]
Simply put, Gransesia had a point.
I’d gone through all sorts of hell to win Duke Gail’s favor.
And now, Riya Asktalin—the princess of the empire herself—was showing interest in me unprompted. It was perfect, nothing more to want.
With her help, reviving my family would be a piece of cake.
But...
“Yeah, you’re right. But on the flip side, what I could lose might be even bigger.”
[The princess likes you, and you think you’d lose something?]
“What if she tries to keep me under her thumb?”
[Oh... I get it.]
Gransesia paused at my question, as if pondering, then let out an impressed sound once it clicked.
“See what I mean? If the princess tries to force me to stay in the empire, I won’t be able to follow Fabian’s tracks anymore.”
Tracking Fabian’s path was the most important thing for me right now.
Chasing Fabian wasn’t just about personal gain from future knowledge—it was also to stop the disasters. If I failed, the world would end.
[Got it. But I don’t think you need to worry much about that.]
“Why not?”
[The lizard girl I saw... well, you’ll figure it out when you meet her. At least, I don’t think it’ll end up costing you.]
I couldn’t help but frown at her words, delivered in that oddly knowing tone.
Because back then, I didn’t know.
The true nature of Riya Asktalin, princess of the Asktalin Empire.
That sturdy princess’s real personality.
* * *
Kainzel Kingdom.
In its deepest sanctum, accessible only to royalty.
There lay a relic said to have been left by the creation god long ago.
“What’s this? It’s a fake?”
Though only royalty could enter, the current occupants included Kainzel’s king, Dimitry, and two demons.
“F-Fake? This is the place our Kainzel Kingdom has guarded for ages! The sword there couldn’t possibly be...”
“Hah, this isn’t worth the effort.”
Ignoring King Dimitry’s furious outburst, the two demons conversed with irritated expressions.
“Who died this time?”
“A low-rank demon and Veil.”
“Veil? Oh, right. Died on the battlefield, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Overconfident in his power, typical mistake for a demon who just hit mid-rank.”
Dimitry stopped his yelling and swallowed hard at their exchange.
‘They’re dismissing even a mid-rank demon like Veil... how strong are those two?’
Even a mid-rank demon had Sword Master-level power.
Veil hadn’t quite reached that, but to Dimitry, it was all the same.
“How many relic sites with swords are left?”
“Dozens more, at least.”
“We’ve already had one found... hah.”
“That one’s all we’ve got so far, so no need to stress.”
The red-haired, muscular demon scratched his head at his adjutant’s words.
‘Plenty of time left still...’
For now, they could take it easy.
Until ‘that time’ came.
* * *
With the Asktalin Founding Festival right around the corner.
I was summoned back to the palace on King Leogart’s orders.
Apparently, the selected representatives needed to mingle before heading out.
“This way, Count Banheart.”
The maid led me to a lavish reception room, the kind only royal guests entered. My heart couldn’t help but race a bit.
‘I’ve really made it.’
If I performed well in the Heaven Selection Tournament at this Founding Festival, no one would dare ignore House Banheart anymore.
“Come in, Count Banheart. Take a seat here.”
As I stepped inside, a tall man greeted me first.
I froze for a split second facing him, but quickly composed myself and bowed.
“An honor to meet you, Count Ribina.”
“The pleasure’s mine. I’ve heard plenty about you from Gelvin.”
The red lion emblem on his chest.
Only one man in Talua Kingdom could bear it.
The red lion of House Ribina, ‘Aldred Ribina.’
Talua’s sole Sword Master and strongest knight.
‘And one of the Continental Seven Heroes.’
As expected of a top continental powerhouse, Aldred Ribina’s specs were impressive.
He had many abilities, but his mastery of the Single Heaven Dominating Sword stood at an astonishing 11 stars.
With 12 being perfection, he was nearly at its pinnacle.
[What’s the Continental Seven Heroes?]
‘What? You don’t know?’
[There wasn’t anything like that back in my day.]
Gransesia’s voice brimmed with curiosity.
For someone dubbed a saintess, she had an unusual obsession with the strong.
I couldn’t fathom why she’d earned such a noble title.
‘I’ll explain later. Not the time right now.’
[Okay.]
Brushing off her disappointed tone, I sat where Count Ribina had indicated.
As I settled in, gazes from the others already there locked onto me.
Gelvin was among them, welcoming me, but the other two looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“First off, congrats on being selected as our kingdom’s reps for the Imperial Martial Tournament. The five of us will represent our kingdom in the matches.”
Once the fifth arrival showed up, Count Ribina scanned us at the round table and spoke.
“Some of you may not know each other, so let’s start with introductions.”
He turned to his son Gelvin, seated closest.
Catching the cue, Gelvin stood calmly.
“I’m Gelvin Ribina. Looking forward to working with you.”
He was the youngest rep, but no one here would underestimate him.
Everyone knew he’d inherited his father’s—Talua’s greatest knight’s—prodigious talent.
“Eric Pedro. Honored to stand with the heroes who’ll carry our kingdom’s future.”
“Alex Shane.”
“Gloria Herschel. I’m a bit nervous, it seems.”
Names I’d all heard before.
Eric Pedro had earned his barony through wartime merits.
Alex Shane was Duke Shane’s second son, famed as a prodigy since childhood.
Gloria Herschel, eldest daughter of Viscount Herschel, was the only woman here and had swept countless sword tournaments.
“Clay Banheart. I’ll do my best not to drag us down.”
I stood last for my turn, giving a casual intro.
As I’d sensed earlier, the looks from the others—except Gelvin—were odd.
‘They’re giving me the cold shoulder.’
I could guess why. This spot was meant for Byan Deolic originally.
Plus, I’d been a nobody until suddenly making a name in this war. It was natural they’d doubt my skills.
[No one’s outright picking a fight, though.]
‘They probably heard about the victory banquet.’
With Count Ribina right there, they wouldn’t be dumb enough to start trouble openly.
The question was how long this tense vibe would last.
‘Worst case, swords come out.’
I yawned lazily, propping my chin. I’d stayed up late playing cards with Mone and Trump, and I was beat.
‘Who’d have thought I wouldn’t win a single round.’
Never play games with someone who’s got miraculous luck.
* * *
Asktalin Empire’s imperial palace, the ‘Black Dragon’s Palace.’
Matching the empire’s prestige, the Black Dragon’s Palace was famed as the continent’s most beautiful—and secure—place.
Guarded by countless spells and ironclad security, it was an impregnable fortress that permitted no intruders.
They even said you could breach the capital’s walls but never the Black Dragon’s Palace.
Yet now.
The continent’s safest haven was stained red with blood.
Knights who’d guarded it groaned on the floor, while two in splendid robes crawled like insects, desperately reaching for the throne.
“I didn’t expect you to kick up such a fuss.”
Emperor Gideon Asktalin watched from the throne with amused eyes.
Even though the crawlers were his wife the empress and his son the crown prince, a smile played on his lips. None here had died.
And astonishingly, another person remained utterly composed.
“Your Majesty, I was already once forgiven for the empress’s folly. Pray overlook this minor transgression.”
Long platinum hair gleaming in the shadows, golden eyes.
Skin white as the moon.
She evoked a living masterpiece.
But something set her apart: two slender horns sprouting from her temples.
One was snapped halfway, worn as an ornament at her waist.
“If you say so, then it is.”
Gideon doted on Riya Asktalin above all imperial kin.
Yet duty had forced her exile. He couldn’t risk leaving someone who might lose control in the empire.
Incredibly, she’d overcome the dragonization curse and returned. Even as it took hold, she’d kept her reason.
He couldn’t help but wonder how.
But what piqued his curiosity more was something else.
‘You’ve changed a lot.’
Riya had driven the empress and crown prince to death’s door yet remained nonchalant.
Considering what the empress had done to her before, this was almost mild.
But the Riya he remembered wouldn’t have done this.
‘Something triggered it for sure.’
Be it an event or a person.
Gideon was genuinely curious what it was.
His softly curved eyes resembled a dragon’s, just like hers.
“Ah, right. I heard you invited someone to the Founding Festival.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Care to share the name? I’ll give them a grand welcome. Surely that’s why you came today?”
In truth, Riya hadn’t come for them. Those two plotting her death was routine.
This was just a light warning.
“Clay Banheart.”
Gideon nodded at her soft voice, while the empress wiped blood from her brow and narrowed her eyes.
Riya flashed a smile at the empress’s odd vibe and called to her.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“W-What, you monster!”
Riya approached the empress, who barely squeezed out the words. She bent at the waist to meet her eyes.
Her soft, crescent-moon gaze held slit pupils like a reptile’s.
“Touch it, and this time you really die?”
“...!”
Her gentle tone blanched the empress’s face, sealing her lips. Instinct screamed not to cross that line.
Clay Banheart.
He was the princess’s reverse scale.