Chapter 196
Chapter 196
Chirp chirp.
The sunlight streaming through the window and the birdsong announced the arrival of morning.
Victor, who had been unable to sleep all night due to racing thoughts, rubbed his bloodshot eyes and rose from bed.
Though the accommodations were comfortable, this was enemy territory.
And as a knight, he had a duty to protect his lord.
Thud.
He effortlessly lifted the heavy plate armor and slipped it on, the cold metal bringing him slightly more to his senses.
From this morning until evening, it was his squad's turn to escort their lord.
He tried to forcibly push away the visions of yesterday's clash between superhumans that had haunted him all night—but it wasn't easy.
'Will I ever reach that level someday?'
As a knight, how could he not dream of becoming an Aura User?
Yet, despite his lord's confident expectations that he would naturally become a superhuman, that realm still felt impossibly distant, weighing heavily on his heart.
'It feels so far beyond me...'
In ancient times, when the human population was much smaller, even Force Users were rare.
Was this how knights of that era—who needed attendants' help just to don their armor—felt when they saw Force Users?
From the perspective of an advanced Force User, Aura Users seemed like beings from an entirely different dimension.
Pfft.
'Just being able to have these concerns is already something.'
Victor shook his head several times, took a deep breath, and stepped out of his room.
He was the MacLaine family's prodigy knight, while his sister was the Magic Tower's rising star.
The lives of the siblings who once suffered in Halun's slave market had already turned 180 degrees.
And today, he had to escort the man who made it all possible—his lord and benefactor.
Victor strode confidently toward his lord's quarters, pushing aside all distracting thoughts.
"The Western 3rd Legion stationed here at Ruspellheim is tasked with defending the Empire's border regions. In the worst case, they could become the vanguard attacking our kingdom. So observe them carefully."
Victor straightened his posture at his lord's final, quietly spoken words.
Though not stated outright, his lord clearly considered the Empire a future adversary.
That's why he was humbling himself to make this request.
"Having been deeply impressed by your martial prowess, might we also observe the might of the 3rd Legion you command? We wish to learn for the betterment of our humble territory."
If his lord thought this way...
'Then it will happen. Without fail.'
Victor circulated his Force to his head, dispelling fatigue and sharpening his focus.
When they entered the military encampment prepared on Ruspellheim's outskirts, he couldn't help but stiffen at the imposing display of the Empire's Western 3rd Legion.
"Attention! Salute our distinguished guests!"
"Honor!"
A sea of soldiers filled his vision. Over a thousand 'knights' lined up in the training grounds raised their swords toward the visitors with flawless, disciplined movements.
Blake, yesterday's Aura User, smiled approvingly at the display and slowly approached them.
"What do you think, Lord Logan? We modified our usual training slightly to show our guests—was it satisfactory?"
"Astounding. We clearly see the might of the Imperial legions."
At Logan's admiration, Blake's smile deepened.
"You flatter us. In truth, most of our legion is deployed to border regions—it's unfortunate we can only show you this much."
Walterheim, once one of Grandia's greatest territories, had boasted over a thousand knights.
Yet here, that was merely...
'The Western 3rd Legion. Just one of eight western legions. So this is the Empire...'
When Victor considered this Empire as their enemy, he couldn't maintain the composed expression his lord wore so effortlessly.
"My apologies for yesterday's incident with our large-framed companion. I have a quick temper and lost control."
"No need for concern. Sir Luther accepts defeat gracefully—he won't dwell on it."
Though he seems to be sulking somewhere still, refusing to come out.
Victor could only bow his head slightly, not daring to contradict his lord.
Meanwhile, their 'enemy' Aura User called forward thirty knights from the front ranks to introduce to Logan.
"These elites will accompany me in escorting Lord Logan to the Imperial Capital."
"The honor is ours to serve such a distinguished guest!"
The thirty knights shouted in unison, dropping to one knee.
Their earlier display and this moment confirmed the 3rd Legion's exceptional discipline.
'Nine upper-intermediate and the rest mid-intermediate among these thirty. And one...'
His gaze met one whose power he couldn't quite gauge.
'Likely upper-advanced...'
The fact they could spare such elite forces—unrelated to their primary legion duties—for an escort mission was terrifying.
"Isn't this excessive? Your presence alone is already imposing, Lord Blake."
"Could we possibly neglect His Majesty's honored guest? We've prepared our best to ensure your safe, uneventful journey."
The aggressive superhuman from yesterday was nowhere to be seen—only this courteous Blake remained.
The fact that a superhuman would go to such lengths solely because they were the Emperor's guests weighed heavily on Victor.
"Haha. Then we gratefully accept your hospitality. By the way, Lord Blake, I'm curious about Imperial armaments—what weapons do your legionnaires primarily use? Perhaps crossbows...?"
The kingdom's most powerful noble.
The hero who saved the nation in civil war.
Seeing his lord temporarily set aside all pride and bow before the enemy made Victor's expression darken.
'He's truly preparing for war...'
Victor also found himself studying the 3rd Legion knights with renewed intensity.
'These could be the vanguard. I must assess their capabilities. And...'
To protect this life they'd been given...
'I must grow stronger.'
For someone without special talents like himself, training was his only path.
Watching the retreating back of his lord—the man who'd saved him and his sister—Victor renewed his silent vow.
"Crossbows? Why would we use such inefficient weapons? Haha, you make amusing suggestions."
Logan nodded while studying Blake's unwavering gaze.
Further investigation would reveal the truth, but it seemed the Empire hadn't yet deployed repeating crossbows in actual combat.
"Ah, just an example. We use them in our lands."
"Really? For hunting perhaps, but as battlefield weapons?"
This also confirmed Blake's lack of interest in the kingdom's affairs.
"We've made some improvements. Though against the Empire's numerous valiant knights, they'd likely prove ineffective."
"Hahaha. You flatter us. Please, this way—let me show you our training facilities. Though for a small country... ah, forgive me... your kingdom may still find much worth adopting."
Logan noted the excessive patriotism even when showing standard knight quarters.
After touring training facilities and armaments throughout the 3rd Legion's encampment:
'Estimated total legion strength: 25,000—definitely fewer than twenty years from now. No crossbows, about 1,100 knights... They're hiding nothing.'
Comparing with his past life's knowledge, Logan deduced the 3rd Legion's actual state from these traces and nodded with a smile.
Blake's enthusiastic cooperation made the process quicker than expected.
"Truly, the Empire is incomparable. We've learned much."
"Not at all. Your keen military interest befits a young hero—I'm equally impressed."
"Will we encounter any cities of this size before reaching the Imperial Capital?"
"No, none. But the capital is different. When you arrive at Acerian, you'll witness what a true otherworldly city looks like."
"Oh? To that extent?"
While Blake answered most questions amiably, he maintained clear boundaries.
Logan's attempts to subtly probe for information about other legions, the ongoing Imperial succession conflict, or capital region troop deployments—questions any legion commander would know—received no answers.
"My apologies. Those are matters I cannot discuss."
Whether unwilling or unable to speak, given how proudly Blake had boasted about his own legion, it was likely the latter.
'Even a superhuman legion commander has lines he absolutely cannot cross.'
Which implied the authority above superhumans—the Emperor's power—must be formidable.
The more Logan learned about the Empire's realities, the larger the shadow of the unseen Emperor loomed.
The party departed Ruspellheim two days later—after Logan verified his intelligence through various channels, greatly aided by Philip's established MacLaine Merchant Guild branch.
- Your deductions were largely correct. Exact information enclosed.
The branch manager, a Grandian who'd traded in Ruspellheim for ten years, processed everything swiftly and reliably.
Logan almost wanted to pat Philip's shoulder—though he hadn't seen the merchant recently.
'The 3rd Legion intelligence is confirmed. Factoring in repeating crossbows, this likely represents the Empire's initial invasion force strength.'
That alone made their Ruspellheim stay worthwhile.
Logan smiled genuinely at the mayor who saw them to the city gates.
"Thank you for your hospitality! We depart well-rested!"
"Hahaha. The honor is mine, Lord Logan. Please remember me fondly."
Still holding onto that hope?
Seeing the mayor clinging to futile expectations that the kingdom's highest noble would defect to the Empire, Logan could only offer a wry smile.
The subsequent journey proved uneventful.
With an Imperial superhuman flying his banner as escort, no rebel forces or bandits roaming the Empire's wildlands dared attack them.
Moreover, the route from Ruspellheim to the capital lacked major cities, giving Luther Kyle few opportunities to draw attention.
Even in small towns and minor territories, whether due to Blake or the Emperor's invitation, they received warm welcomes—naturally reducing discomfort.
Except Logan personally experienced some awkwardness.
"Oh, what an honor!"
"Won't you stay longer?"
"My daughter—isn't she lovely?"
Beyond hospitality to outright flattery, beyond flattery to attempted marriage alliances—Imperial nobles' aggressive advances regularly made him break into cold sweat.
Additionally, whether lodging in cities or camping, whenever not traveling, the party devoted themselves to training—which Blake observed closely until one day he cautiously broached a topic, increasing Logan's discomfort.
"Your knights train constantly even while traveling. Now I understand how they achieved such skill. If you'd permit, might we spar?"
"My apologies. Last time, I withstood your aura only due to artifact effects. Sparring with a superhuman would strain my body..."
This wasn't just frustration at being unable to train his aura since Blake joined.
'I've seen your capabilities, but no need to reveal mine.'
A polite refusal backed by careful calculation.
As the Emperor's honored guest whom Blake couldn't pressure, the superhuman could say nothing more.
Though watching from a distance—especially Logan and Luther's training—Blake's intense gaze remained psychologically burdensome.
All the more so because the Emperor's shadow loomed behind Blake's respectful demeanor.
Thus continued their month-long journey through various Imperial territories, during which subtle changes emerged among the party.
"Now I understand why they boast 'Empire this, Empire that.' Even minor territories have things ours lack. Truly..."
So remarked Henderson, leader of Squad 4.
The party grew deeply impressed by the Empire's advanced and splendid innovations encountered during their travels.
"Learn what you can. Note anything worth bringing home."
"Truly, my lord?!"
They brightened at even such simple statements.
'The learning part was the main point, you fool.'
Logan sighed internally.
And as such conversations increased, Blake and the 3rd Legion knights' pride subtly swelled.
"Someday our territory—no, our kingdom—will surpass the Empire's might. With our lord leading us."
Logan could only offer a strained smile at Victor's excessive expectations.
After a month and a half's journey, the party arrived at the continent's greatest city—the Imperial Capital, Acerian.