Chapter 112: A New Start (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: A New Start (3)
It was my first time going through departure procedures, but it was almost disappointingly simple.
After checking my suitcase and other luggage, I just showed my face at customs, got my passport stamped with a thud, thud!, and that was it.
In my imagination, I had expected drug-sniffing dogs to run their noses over me and a barrage of complex procedures to await me...
But in the end, I was satisfied enough just to have shaken off the annoying crowd of reporters.
I'm finally flying for the first time.
It was a modest thrill, but for someone who had reached this age without ever setting foot on a plane, it felt incredibly significant.
Adding an extra spoonful of excitement to that was the assumption that we would, of course, be boarding a private jet.
To experience such luxury on my very first flight. A sense of elation welled up from the depths of my chest.
—However.
What lay before my eyes was an aisle far narrower than I had expected.
Tightly packed rows of seats lined up on both sides, stretching all the way to the front.
"......"
Economy class.
And a budget airline's economy class, at that.
I glanced sideways to check on the Sword Emperor and Abel. The two, their faces thoroughly concealed by masks and hats, moved briskly to find their seats. Their movements were incredibly agile and practiced.
The Sword Emperor suddenly looked back. He spoke to me as I stood blankly in the middle of the aisle.
"Can't you see the people behind you waiting? Hurry up and get over here."
His voice was artificially lowered—undoubtedly a measure to avoid revealing his identity as the Sword Emperor. At his urging hand gesture, I followed him with a wry grimace.
As I drew closer, the Sword Emperor pointed to the window seat on the left.
"Your seat is over there. I rarely give up the window seat, but since this is your first flight, I shall yield it to you today."
"......"
I sat down without a word.
A wave of embarrassment washed over me belatedly. I felt ashamed of my own shallow, materialistic expectations.
I didn't used to be this kind of person.
My brain must have been thoroughly corrupted by this damn world.
While I was lost in thought, I heard the soft huff of the cushion next to me sinking. Abel, sitting in the middle seat, immediately slipped off her shoes and changed into in-flight slippers.
Come to think of it, I have to sit right next to her again?
The flight to Switzerland, where the Nibelung estate was located, would take about ten hours. Even the three-hour bus ride had been awkward, and now we had to sit in close, cozy proximity for more than three times that duration.
What an incredibly awkward stroke of fate.
Should I ask to swap seats?
I glanced across the narrow aisle. The Sword Emperor had already slipped on an eye mask and was fast asleep.
"......"
I quietly withdrew my gaze.
It's bad manners to wake a sleeping man.
Having finished setting up her things, Abel gestured toward my feet with her eyes.
"Your slippers are down there. On long flights, the cabin pressure makes your feet swell and get uncomfortable."
"...Ah, right. Thanks."
With that, Abel plugged the disposable earphones into her ears. It seemed she was using them as earplugs rather than to listen to music.
Honestly, I was curious. Why were the members of the Nibelung family, one of the most prestigious clans in the world, so incredibly frugal?
It was far too natural to be some sort of commoner cosplay, yet they possessed an innate elegance and grace that set them apart from ordinary folk.
The dissonance of that contradiction lingered at the tip of my tongue.
But asking would be a massive breach of etiquette. For all I knew, there could be private circumstances—like financial instability or a declining family fortune.
If you think about it, fame and fortune don't always go hand in hand. Even famous celebrities sometimes end up drowning in debt.
Swallowing the questions rising to my throat, I reached down and pulled out the slippers.
"You should try to get some sleep on the plane. The flight attendants will wake you up when they serve the meals. I know you're excited since it's your first flight, but it's really nothing special, so don't be too disappointed."
Soon after, Abel pulled out an eye mask and put it on, just like her grandfather had.
It was an eye mask embroidered with a little rabbit. It was wrinkled and worn, as if it had been washed and reused countless times, with a few loose threads fraying at the edges.
"......"
Abel crossed her arms tightly, sat up straight, and then immediately let her head loll forward.
Did she fall asleep already?
After sleeping like a log on the bus? I marveled briefly at her sleeping habits, then rested my elbow on the window frame. The view beyond the small oval window was the runway.
Even though it was just a strip of asphalt, my heart fluttered with anticipation.
...A moment later, the chime signaling takeoff rang out.
—Ruuuumble
The engines roared with a fierce vibration, and the plane's nose tilted upward as we soared into the sky.
My hips lifted slightly off the seat. The strange sensation of G-force pressing against my back, the sudden weightlessness...
It was the unforgettable beginning of my vacation.
* * *
After a flight of over nine hours, we finally arrived in Switzerland.
Perhaps because it was a country nestled in the foothills of the Alps, the weather was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the summer heat.
For someone like me, exhausted by Korea's scorching sun and sweltering humidity, it was incredibly refreshing. Combined with the thrill of my first trip abroad, a smile naturally found its way onto my face.
It really is beautiful.
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.
The mountain peaks rising majestically around the airport belonged to the famous Alps.
Despite it being summer, the snow-capped peaks pierced through the clouds. The exotic architecture also offered a beautiful blend of the modern and the historic.
In every way, it was a first impression that made me realize exactly why Switzerland was such a world-renowned tourist destination.
Only after passing through immigration, which was as straightforward as departure, did I rejoin the Sword Emperor and Abel. As Swiss citizens, they had gone through a simplified process and cleared customs first.
The waiting Sword Emperor welcomed me.
"It was your first time, but you seem to have handled the procedures well."
"Yes, well. It wasn't too difficult."
I had wondered, but sure enough, Korean was an official language in Switzerland as well.
A world without language barriers. It was absurd enough to make me curse, but I couldn't deny how convenient it was. It even sparked a bit of national pride.
Still half-asleep, Abel spoke in a drowsy voice.
"Grandfather, when did Uncle Gaines say he'd be here?"
"He said he would be here shortly, my dear."
The masked Sword Emperor smiled warmly with his eyes. It was a kind, grandfatherly response, but one particular word lingered in my mind.
Baby?
Abel flinched violently, all traces of sleep instantly vanishing from her face.
"G-Grandfather! Geomma is right here, don't call me that!"
The exposed skin above Abel's mask flushed tomato-red. The Sword Emperor looked at her, genuinely puzzled.
"...I've called you that since you were a toddler. What else am I supposed to call you?"
"Th-that's... but still! Geomma is right here, and besides, I'm all grown up now!"
"Hahaha, grown up? To your grandfather, a seventeen-year-old is no different from a newborn—"
Suddenly, the Sword Emperor's gaze shifted to me. He cut off his laughter and lowered his voice.
"—well, perhaps not always. There are always exceptions, after all. But even so, Abel, you will always be my precious baby."
"G-Grandfather! Stop, please! I'm going to die of embarrassment!"
I watched the two of them exchange their affectionate banter with a faint smile. Just then—
—Screeech!
The sound of tires scraping against the asphalt made me look up.
A fleet of over ten gleaming black sedans pulled up and came to a halt in front of us all at once.
The door of the most imposing vehicle in the center opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out. He was impeccably groomed, wearing a perfectly pressed suit.
Before I could even wonder who he was—
"......!"
Doors flew open, and a crowd of sturdy young men poured out of the other cars.
Instantly, they fanned out behind the middle-aged man, forming a massive Crane Wing Formation.
Step, step.
The middle-aged man walked toward us. There was an elegant, refined dignity in his stride.
He stopped right in front of us and bowed deeply at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
"Lord Sword Emperor, and Lady Abel. Welcome home."
The moment the words left his mouth, the surrounding men saluted in perfect unison.
The Sword Emperor removed his mask and hat, revealing his face as he spoke.
"Must you make such a fuss every time I return? It's quite embarrassing. Besides, I am a retired man. This level of treatment is far too extravagant for me now."
"Please do not say that, Lord Sword Emperor. For a hero of humanity, this is the bare minimum."
"You weren't like this when you were young, but it seems your flattery has grown with age."
"Hahaha, I suppose spending so much time in politics does that to a man. Ah, right. Jebas Wallon, the UN Permanent Representative, asked me to convey his deepest apologies for not being able to greet you in person."
"Now, now. You are the one who came to greet me, so why bring up his name?"
"You are as humble and easygoing as ever, Lord Sword Emperor."
The middle-aged man smiled warmly. Then, his gaze shifted to me.
"Lord Sword Emperor, is that young man perhaps the Sashimi..."
"That is far enough."
The Sword Emperor cut him off sharply.
"I cannot go into details, but I would appreciate it if you kept his arrival quiet. It is bound to be revealed eventually, but we must exercise caution for now. I would also appreciate it if you ensured the absolute silence of the men standing behind you."
"Ah, yes. Understood. Your word is my command."
"I may not trust others, but I certainly trust you, Gaines."
The Sword Emperor patted his shoulder. Gaines nodded with a slight smile and smoothly changed the subject.
"In any case, you must be tired from your journey. I shall drive you to the estate myself. Please, step inside."
The Sword Emperor and the middle-aged man chatted amiably. Though they seemed close at first glance, there was a clear hierarchy between them.
The Sword Emperor was the superior, and the middle-aged man was the subordinate.
At first, I had assumed he was a butler. But his attire was far too luxurious for that.
Every gesture he made exuded an innate sense of high class.
Driven by curiosity, I nudged Abel, who was standing beside me.
"Who is that guy?"
"Uncle Gaines? Oh, he's just—"
Abel replied nonchalantly.
"—the President of Switzerland."
"......"
...What?
* * *
Three hours after leaving the airport.
The convoy of black sedans wound along the ridges of the Alps like a dark, metallic snake.
After winding up the mountain pass for another thirty minutes, a vast, open clearing revealed itself. Standing proudly in the center of it was an ancient, majestic castle.
It wasn't flashy. It was an old fortress heavily weathered by time, yet it didn't look run-down.
On the contrary, the stone walls, steeped in history, exuded an aura of solemn majesty.
This was the heart and home of the Nibelung family.
Castle Sigurd.
As mentioned before, from this point onward, we were in the domain of the Sword Emperor Siegfried—meaning, it was a zone of extraterritoriality.
To put it more simply, the Swiss President driving this very car was technically both a citizen and a foreigner within these walls.
Honestly, even as I thought about it, I couldn't fully grasp the concept. But apparently, this sort of thing happened occasionally in Europe, so I just chalked it up to cultural differences.
—Screeech
We arrived in front of the castle gates. Before I could even reach for the door handle, one of the guards rushed forward to open it for me.
...Is all this really necessary?
Fortunately, there was no red carpet. If there had been, I would have felt incredibly uncomfortable.
As we stepped out, the guards lined up once more, snapping to attention and saluting.
The Sword Emperor returned the salute with a casual nod before speaking.
"Gaines, thanks to you, we've arrived home safely."
"Think nothing of it, Lord Sword Emperor. To be honest, I haven't driven myself lately except when taking my wife out, so my hands were itching for the wheel. If anything, I should thank you for giving me a chance to breathe some fresh mountain air."
The Sword Emperor let out a soft, dry chuckle. There was a trace of bitterness in his voice.
It seemed he didn't entirely welcome such excessive humility.
After a bit more idle chatter between them, Gaines suddenly strode over to me. He offered his hand with a broad, warm smile.
"......?"
"I was a bit rushed earlier, so I couldn't introduce myself properly. I am Gaines Sebastian."
"I'm Kang Geomma."
I shook his hand, feeling slightly awkward. The corners of Gaines's mouth curled upward.
"I watched the video of your duel during the Academy festival. I must confess, I've been a huge fan of the Sashimi Sword Saint ever since! Hahaha!"
"...I'd really appreciate it if you didn't call me the Sashimi Sword Saint..."
"Pardon? Even if it started as a newspaper headline, 'Sword Saint' is an incredibly glorious title. Why ever not?"
Because you put 'Sashimi' in front of it.
Gaines smacked his lips, looking slightly disappointed.
"...Well, if that is your wish, I shall call you Mr. Kang Geomma."
"......"
The honorific 'Mr.' was equally uncomfortable, but explaining why would only drag out the conversation. I chose to remain silent.
"In any case, it is an honor to meet you. I hope we can maintain a close and fruitful relationship in the future."
To have the leader of a nation speak to me like this... As a mere cadet, I found it difficult to formulate an appropriate response.
"Now, now, Gaines. That's enough, don't you think? He is still a young student."
"Hahaha, my apologies, Lord Sword Emperor. Geniuses naturally possess a certain gravity, do they not? I suppose I was simply drawn in by his magnetism."
After a few more pleasantries, Gaines finally bowed deeply to the Sword Emperor.
"I must take my leave now, Lord Sword Emperor."
"You should stay for dinner."
"I would love nothing more, but I have a mountain of state affairs awaiting my return. I will certainly take a rain check. Farewell."
Having said his goodbyes, Gaines's eyes met mine. He gave me a warm, crinkle-eyed smile before stepping back into his car.
One by one, the sedans began their descent down the mountain slope.
As I stood there, blankly watching the tail lights of the black sedans fade into the distance, the Sword Emperor spoke up.
"What do you think of Gaines?"
I scratched the back of my neck.
"Well... for someone in such a high position, he seemed surprisingly down-to-earth."
"Ha. So that is how he appeared to you."
Leting out a dry chuckle, the Sword Emperor shook his head.
"Think about it carefully. The entire world is currently watching to see who my successor will be. At a time like this, I have brought you directly to my estate. What do you think Gaines, who witnessed this, is thinking right now?"
"Ah..."
"I have known him for a very long time, and he is not simply a good-natured man. He is a pragmatist who values utility over loyalty. His only saving grace is that once he calculates where his interests lie, he knows how to keep his mouth shut."
"......"
"Once you climb to the top, you will find that most people are exactly like him. So do not be fooled by pleasantries. You must constantly doubt, analyze, and, if necessary, exploit them."
Keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead, the Sword Emperor continued in a calm, measured tone.
"The mantle of the Seven Stars carries a weight that forces even the president of a nation to bow his head. You must not accept favors like today's too easily, but neither should you reject them outright. If you do not assert your dominance, you will be looked down upon, and your influence will diminish accordingly."
"...It sounds complicated."
The Sword Emperor gave my back a gentle pat.
"You will grow accustomed to it in time. That is precisely why I brought you here. At any rate, you must be starving. Let us go inside and eat."
"I think I'll... stay out here a bit longer to look at the scenery."
The Sword Emperor nodded in understanding. Abel gave me a sullen look before turning to follow her grandfather inside.
"......"
I stood in silence, lost in thought as I watched the sun dip below the western horizon.
The sky was slowly drenched in black. It was a breathtaking sight—the creeping darkness of night gradually swallowing the lingering pink hues of the sunset.