Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Sword
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“ Why have you come here? ”
Millerph’s face was full of questions as he entered the lair alongside Arthur.
Arthur silently moved deeper inside.
After passing through a vast plaza and venturing further in, something gleamed brilliantly.
‘What is that?’
Arthur stood before the sword with a serious expression.
Millerph approached beside him and stared intently at the blade.
From the hilt wrapped like a dragon coiling around it, to the blade protruding from the dragon’s maw—everything shone with golden light, marking it as no ordinary weapon.
‘What kind of sword is this?’
“ They say Teheran wielded it. ”
“ ……! ”
Millerph’s eyes widened as he recalled the Emperor’s Sword.
But that sword was known to have been shattered in the battle against the Demon King. Moreover, the dragon insignia symbolizing the Emperor’s Sword was nowhere to be seen.
With a face full of doubt, he asked.
“ How did you know? ”
“ The master of this place told me. ”
“ Ah. ”
Millerph had forgotten that this was Lord Lumacas’s resting place, given how easily they had entered.
Teheran’s mana techniques were formidable enough, but he hadn’t expected his sword to be here too.
Across the continent, including the Oscar Empire, there were sacred weapons capable of suppressing dark energy.
Hisra’s bow.
Hiksgon’s khanjar.
Lumacas’s sword, also known as the Absolute Sword.
Skazana’s spear.
And the one sword capable of severing the Demon King’s neck!
Teheran’s Emperor’s Sword.
No one knew who forged them.
But those weapons possessed immense power.
Especially against the Demon King and monsters, they exhibited tremendous might that neutralized their foes’ strength.
Thus, people called them the ‘Weapons of the Gods’.
“ Why did you leave it embedded here? ”
“ I wanted to take it with me. But it didn’t acknowledge me. ”
“ Acknowledgment……! ”
Suddenly, words from his master came to mind.
The ‘Weapons of the Gods’ possessed spirits and chose their own masters.
Without their acknowledgment, they couldn’t be wielded.
And that acknowledgment was determined by them alone—no one else knew the criteria.
Millerph, staring at the Emperor’s Sword in shock, began to understand why Arthur had brought him here.
“ My lord, the Weapons of the Gods each have their own standards…… ”
He shared everything he knew.
“ Standards, huh…… ”
A smile played on Arthur’s lips as he grasped the hilt.
“ Guess I’ll have to hear what it wants. ”
He erased the smile from his face and drew up his mana.
Intense power surged through his body, and golden aura blazed fiercely from his right hand gripping the hilt.
Then, the dragon’s eyes flashed.
The golden light was absorbed into the dragon’s eyes.
“ ……! ”
As his power was bizarrely sucked into the sword, Arthur felt deeply unsettled.
‘What’s this?’
Millerph’s eyes also bulged at the sight of the sword absorbing Arthur’s mana.
“ Th-that’s impossible…… ”
A sun-like intense light burst from the dragon’s eyes.
“ Ugh! ”
Arthur instinctively closed his eyes.
Millerph covered his eyes with his hand and turned away.
The light was so intense that scorching heat enveloped their bodies.
It felt like their bodies were melting in agony.
“ Urgh…… ”
It was then that Arthur grimaced.
-Who are you?
A deep voice resounded in his mind.
Having experienced it upon first entering, he wasn’t too startled.
But the head-splitting pain was just as unpleasant as before.
-I asked who you are.
“ I am…… ”
Arthur gritted his teeth and forced out the words.
“ Arthur…… Julius. ”
-A descendant of Teheran?
Each time the voice echoed, it felt like his head would shatter.
“ Shut up! ”
Arthur roared and opened his eyes.
Though nothing was visible amid the intense light, he gradually adjusted and saw a massive crimson flame filling the space.
It had risen from the blade, taking the form of a colossal giant, terrifying as if it would incinerate everything.
Arthur glared at the flame and demanded.
“ Who are you? ”
-I am Cassandra, master of this sword.
The deep voice echoed in his mind, but oddly, there was no pain this time.
It wasn’t that he had adapted to the pain—likely, the entity before him had done something.
Sure enough.
The one calling itself Cassandra explained.
-I’ve eased the pressure for now.
“ I see. ”
Arthur turned his head.
Millerph was still turned away, as if enduring the pressure.
He shifted his gaze back to Cassandra.
Their stares clashed fiercely in the air.
They stared silently at each other for a long while.
-Hmph.
Cassandra snorted mockingly.
Arthur frowned and asked.
“ What’s with the scoff? ”
-A bold one. Even Teheran wasn’t this brash.
“ Naturally. ”
-Confident, aren’t you? But I have no intention of going with you.
“ Still not satisfied with me? ”
-I won’t ally with the weak. I only emerged to check the familiar aura I sensed.
“ What must I do to join with you? ”
-Grow stronger.
“ How strong? As strong as Teheran? ”
-Interesting.
Cassandra’s lips curled as the flames blazed more intensely.
At the same time, the light grew even fiercer before being sucked back into the blade in an instant.
The surroundings, once blazing like the sun, returned to normal.
“ Urgh…… ”
Millerph, who had endured Cassandra’s pressure, turned back and quietly asked.
“ What happened? ”
Arthur looked at the Emperor’s Sword and asked.
“ Do you know Cassandra? ”
“ I’ve never……! ”
Millerph’s eyes widened.
In that instant, one figure—no, a great being—flashed in his mind.
Why ask about him so suddenly?
And how did Arthur know?
Millerph swallowed hard and cautiously opened his mouth.
“ The being named Cassandra isn’t human…… Are you referring to that one? ”
“ Crimson flames as intense as the sun. ”
“ ……! ”
It was exactly who he thought.
Arthur gazed at Millerph and continued.
“ A spirit? ”
“ Yes. But not just any spirit. ”
“ Then? ”
“ He is the king of spirits. ”
In truth, Cassandra stood above the four great spirit kings as the supreme ruler of all spirits.
“ I see. ”
Far from surprised, Arthur accepted it calmly, prompting Millerph to ask carefully.
“ Did he just appear? ”
“ He called himself the sword’s master. Said he has no intention of joining me. ”
Arthur regarded the Emperor’s Sword as if looking at a person and continued.
“ I’ll come back. ”
He turned away without regret and added to Millerph.
“ Tell me about him. ”
“ Young Master, mind your words…… ”
Millerph glanced at the Emperor’s Sword before following Arthur.
Once the two had completely vanished.
The dragon’s eyes on the Emperor’s Sword flashed and faded.
Then, a flame insignia clearly appeared on the blade and embedded itself like a seal.
***
“ I wonder what reaction they’ll have. ”
Altros flashed a meaningful smile as the Valtre Marquis’s citadel tower came into view.
Jangjarban, riding beside him, silently watched ahead.
With troops densely deployed around the castle, they were clearly on high alert. Naturally, having received word of the Magic Tower, they would be tense.
As Altros said, it was intriguing to see how they would respond.
When they arrived at the castle gates, the firmly shut doors opened.
Valtre emerged, leading his subordinates.
Altros and Jangjarban dismounted and approached, bowing in greeting.
The gesture was mere formality—it hardly felt like subordinates to a marquis.
“ Sorry for showing up unannounced. ”
Valtre smiled in response to Altros’s words.
“ Not at all. I’m grateful you’ve graced my humble abode. ”
Valtre shifted his gaze to Jangjarban and continued.
“ How does it feel to be out of the palace after so long? ”
“ Nothing worth mentioning. ”
“ Fair enough. It’s odd to ask for impressions from someone on duty. Still, it’s good to get out for a change of air now and then. Though it must pain you to be away from the Emperor. ”
Valtre smiled brightly and extended his arm toward the castle.
Altros and Jangjarban followed his lead toward the gates. Meanwhile, the Central Guard Knights held their positions without stirring.
Valtre glanced at them and remarked.
“ It feels strange. Like facing off against enemies. ”
“ Surely not. Jangjarban here is ensuring the marquis isn’t inconvenienced. ”
Altros smiled at Jangjarban, who responded with a slight bow to Valtre.
Even after they entered the castle, both knight orders maintained their vigilant standoff without a hint of slack.
A moment later.
Valtre escorted the two to the reception room.
A long table there was laden with various dishes.
“ What’s all this? ”
“ Can’t just send away the true powers of the Oscar Empire empty-handed after such a long journey, can I? ”
Valtre sat at the head and continued.
“ I’ve prepared the finest Oscar wines and liquors too. ”
“ You’ve gone to such lengths—I’m at a loss. Haha. ”
Altros laughed heartily as he took his seat.
Jangjarban, however, remained standing and politely declined.
“ I’ll gratefully accept your sentiment, Marquis. I’ll wait outside, so please enjoy yourselves. ”
He paused before turning and added.
“ You know why I left the Emperor’s side to come here. ”
“ What do you mean…… ”
Valtre shrugged as if clueless.
“ Just remember one thing. I am the Emperor’s sword. ”
With that, Jangjarban exited.
Valtre stared at the door and asked Altros.
“ Mind explaining what that was about? ”
“ He’s on edge from the Magic Tower incident. I’m sure you understand, Marquis. ”
“ It leaves a bad taste. Even if he’s the empire’s guardian deity, that’s no way to act toward one of imperial blood. ”
Valtre sighed in dissatisfaction and continued.
“ I’m used to it, but today it really irks me. ”
He poured liquor into his empty glass and downed it like water.
Then he offered the bottle to Altros.
“ Have a glass. ”
“ Apologies. I’m on duty. ”
“ Oh, right? I didn’t realize. ”
Valtre awkwardly refilled his own glass and asked.
“ Is this about the Magic Tower? ”
“ You’ve received the reports too, Marquis Valtre. ”
“ I had no idea. Shocked to learn they were plotting treason. ”
“ I came here to deliver vital information to you. ”
Valtre emptied his glass and fixed Altros with a serious gaze.
“ What is it? ”
“ We’ve confirmed they have backers. And we’ve located their hideout. ”
“ ……! ”
Valtre’s eyes flickered briefly.
He quickly pressed his hand to his forehead to mask it.
But Altros didn’t miss it.
With a subtle smile, he continued.
“ They’re hiding in this peninsula’s territory. That’s why I’ve come to ask for your help. ”
“ Hm…… ”
Valtre let out a low hum before replying in an angry tone.
“ I absolutely cannot forgive scum like that in my domain! I’ll mobilize the knights at once and wipe them out. ”
“ Leave their leader alive for us. ”
“ Is that necessary? I’ll finish them myself. ”
“ It’s the Emperor’s command. ”
“ …… ”
Valtre clamped his mouth shut.
Altros met his eyes and pressed on.
“ The Emperor won’t let this slide. He plans to root out all connections and make an example so no one dares rebel again. ”
“ Understood. ”
“ And I have a personal request. ”
Valtre nodded as if to say go on, and Altros pulled something from his bosom and placed it on the table.
Valtre’s eyes widened at the sight.
“ This is! ”
It was a fragment of Armet, passed only among the family’s bloodline.
‘How did he…… ’
Discomfort was evident on Valtre’s face.
Altros smiled.
“ There’s something I need to verify there. ”