Chapter 109
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 109
Translation: godsn
A streak of fire descended across the sky and touched the pyre. Just as the sun completely disappeared below the horizon, the pyre burst into flames.
The fire spread instantly across the dry branches soaked in oil. Scarlet flames blazed dazzlingly bright. It looked as though the sun from the sky had descended upon the plaza to rest for the night. Fireworks exploded and musicians began playing. Food and wine were served. The plaza, now embraced by darkness, soon transformed into a festival ground burning through the night.
Amid the boisterous atmosphere, everyone ate dinner together before parting ways. Baraha left for the station to meet his family who were arriving late, while Fatima and Alice said they would be staying at an inn with their families tonight. Eki handed Lancelid—who kept insisting he wanted to stay longer—over to his personal servant Nick and sent them back to their inn before heading to the dormitory. At the dormitory entrance, she received a thick envelope from an unfamiliar maid, its sender unknown.
Though she didn't know all the maids managing the dormitory, this one had an unusually unfamiliar face. Nevertheless, Eki silently accepted the envelope and returned to her room.
[What was that? Wasn't that maid suspicious?]
"The delivery method felt familiar."
The way it was delivered resembled how Wedge used to operate before the regression. When she opened the envelope, she saw the red wedge-shaped mark. As expected, it contained the results of the investigation Wedge had conducted—a compiled list detailing the power dynamics and recent activities between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
Eki pushed aside the stack of books about Nodes cluttering her desk, unfolded the list, and began reading carefully. As she examined the personal backgrounds and power structures of the Crown Prince and Second Prince, her thoughts gradually leaned in one direction.
'Between the Azure Sky—that is, Yurien—and whoever handled the Magic Sword he couldn't deal with, the one who would clearly benefit the most from this spectacle... is undoubtedly the Second Prince.'
The Second Prince, Karem, was a Master-level Knight. He had attained Master rank last year. Though overshadowed by Yurien setting the record as the youngest Master at twenty-three, becoming a Master at twenty-nine was still quite impressive. Only an extremely small number of knights ever reached Master rank, and most did so only in their thirties or later.
In contrast, the Crown Prince Cruen was far removed from swordsmanship. Cruen's supporters backed him for his composed yet not ruthless temperament and his competence. He was quite famous for transforming a depleted mining village on the verge of collapse into a tourist city through innovative ideas and negotiations.
Yet even his achievements were eclipsed by Yurien's—who, upon becoming Captain of the Azure Sky Knights at twenty-four, immediately formed a Subjugation Squad to clear the Forest of Death, reclaiming land equivalent to two cities for human settlement.
It made sense that both the Second Prince and Crown Prince would view Yurien with displeasure. Being too exceptional was problematic in itself.
[Wow, that must be incredibly frustrating. No matter what they do, they get overshadowed.]
"But the Crown Prince is fine. Their fields are different."
In truth, the Crown Prince was steadily building his own standing. The problem was the Second Prince. Eki was only just now learning that the Second Prince had become a Master last year—the fact that it hadn't become much of a topic spoke volumes.
'Contextually, the Second Prince. That means the Emperor is likely involved too.'
There was no visible evidence in their activities, which was to be expected. A conspiracy employing something as extremely dangerous as the Magic Sword wouldn't be handled carelessly. Two weeks of investigation by an underground organization wouldn't be nearly enough to uncover anything concrete.
As Eki sighed and flipped through the papers, something odd suddenly caught her eye.
A location—a hunting lodge occasionally visited by the leader of the Royal Guard, the Emperor's closest confidant and an ally of the Second Prince. It seemed to have been noted while recording the Second Prince's movements. The name felt familiar, as though she'd seen it elsewhere in the documents, so she began shuffling through the papers again. After searching for a while, she finally found the matching location.
"That's the place with the hot springs Duke Diassant frequently visits, isn't it?"
Just like with the Royal Guard Captain, while investigating the Crown Prince's movements, some records of his close associate Duke Diassant had been incidentally included. It was just a passing mention among them.
Colbon. A famous tourist destination in the northern part of the Empire, renowned for both its hot springs and hunting grounds. Quite a few high-ranking nobles visited there. Therefore, it wasn't such an unusual commonality. But Eki couldn't shake her unease.
'Before the regression, the Crown Prince purged Duke Diassant after becoming Emperor. There must have been a reason. That reason might be connected to the Second Prince.'
Eki laid out the records of the Duke and the Royal Guard Captain side by side and examined them. After some deliberation, she pulled out a sheet of paper and began writing a new request to send to Wedge.
―Investigate and send the exact dates and itineraries of the Royal Guard Captain and Duke Diassant's recent visits to Colbon. As detailed as possible.
Upon hearing Baraha's message about the arrival of imperial dignitaries, Yurien returned to headquarters and met Vice Captain Baron Tilius, who was waiting for him. Baron wore an awkward expression as he spoke.
"Captain, we've had an unexpected visitor. Since we received no prior notice, there have been complications from lodging arrangements to overall hospitality."
If it were just additional personnel, the administrative staff could have handled it, and if it were any ordinary dignitary, Baron would have managed on his own. But if the situation required the Knight Captain's personal attention, the reason was obvious. Yurien murmured quietly.
"My brother has come."
"Yes, His Highness the Second Prince, Karem de Harden Kyrie, has arrived to celebrate the birth of the Saintess."
At the news that the Second Prince was currently in the reception room, something cold began to rise within him. It hadn't even been a week since Echinacea Roaz had been poisoned after getting entangled in Yurien's affairs. And now, the very root of it all—the one who had no connection to her yet was the reason she had been forced to wield the Magic Sword—was sitting right there.
Unconsciously, his lips twisted. Though he had lived his entire life enduring Karem's hatred and schemes, Yurien had never particularly resisted. He had mostly borne it all. But when it came to matters involving her, he couldn't endure. No, it wasn't just that he couldn't endure...
[Calm yourself. You are preparing to punish him through proper means, are you not?]
The Holy Sword clicked its tongue and spoke. Taking a deep breath, Yurien suppressed the rising emotions.
"Captain?"
"...Never mind. I will receive him personally. You prepare the proper protocol for royalty."
"Understood."
Yurien entered the reception room alone. A silver-haired man lounged carelessly on the sofa, turning his head to look at him. His green eyes gleamed unpleasantly, filled with undisguised hatred.
"Long time no see, Yurien."
"I didn't expect you to come personally, Brother Karem."
"How often does a Saintess appear? Of course I had to come myself. They say Elgiosa can cure any illness, don't they?"
"There are limits—healing consumes stamina."
"Still, it's practically a panacea, isn't it? Father is quite interested too. Honestly, the Saintess isn't even a knight, nor is she from the Empire. Shouldn't the imperial family oversee her instead of the Great Temple?"
The sheer audacity of his words was staggering. Yurien responded calmly.
"The Saintess is not an imperial citizen but a member of the Sol Tribe, and she is not someone to be controlled. The Great Temple merely protects and assists her according to the procedures established for Elgiosa Owners."
The Great Temple's interference could not override the Saintess's will, and the Azure Sky was tasked with monitoring that. Conversely, the Great Temple also kept the Azure Sky's interference in check. It was a tradition established for the wielder of the Healing Sword—an Owner who was not a knight and lacked the means to defend herself.
However, since Shai was an orphaned minor, there was some degree of control. This included literacy education, cultural training, rites, her debut, and the selection of her chaperone.
Still, the Great Temple's role was strictly limited to that of a guardian. If they overstepped, the Azure Sky would intervene as per protocol. Likewise, if the Azure Sky wished to utilize the Saintess's power, they needed not only Shai's consent but also the Great Temple's approval.
"Whether they're a wandering tribe or not, if they were born in the Empire and live in the Empire, they're imperial citizens. So shouldn't the protection and assistance be handled by the imperial family instead?"
"......Are you aware that, according to imperial policy, the Sol tribe is not recognized as imperial citizens?"
"Don't look down on me, Yurien. Do you really think I wouldn't know that? Damn bastard."
Despite knowing full well, Karem ground his teeth as he made an impossible argument. Sparks seemed to fly from his green eyes. His anger flared simply because Yurien had pointed it out. Recognizing this familiar behavior, Yurien didn't engage. Trying to reason with him would only make him fly into a rage. It was foolish to use words against someone who wouldn't listen.
"Is that why you came in person, Your Highness?"
"Hmm, that's something for the underlings to discuss. I came because I wanted to see her for myself."
"The Saintess, you mean?"
Karem suddenly smiled strangely—a grin brimming with unbearable excitement and anticipation. It was a smile Yurien knew all too well. The same expression young Karem had worn when he said, The bird you raised ruined Father's garden, so I had no choice but to shoot it, while watching for Yurien's reaction.
And even after that, until Yurien was forced to leave the empire at sixteen, he had endured that infuriating expression over and over. Karem would nitpick over trivial flaws, take or destroy what was his, all while wearing that face—waiting for his reaction. Now, with that very same expression, Karem spoke.
"No, the one I want to see is Echinacea Roaz."
Beneath the table, Yurien's hand clenched. Karem studied him intently before continuing.
"Hearing that my dear little brother took on a squire made me want to meet her. There are... personal curiosities as well."
"What are you curious about?"
"That's something I plan to ask your squire directly. You don't need to know."
Yurien's face remained impassive. Karem smirked at him, then stretched lazily.
"I'm exhausted from the long train ride. My quarters must be ready by now—I should rest. Ah, as for the Saintess matter, discuss it with Marquis Bruce."
"......Rest well."
Karem left the parlor, guided by a servant. Only then did Yurien unclench his fist. His nails had dug into his palm, leaving marks behind.
[The owner of the Magic Sword is strong. That bastard can't do anything to her. You know that, right?]
The Holy Sword asked, as if uneasy. After a brief silence, Yurien slowly agreed.
"Yes... She is stronger than anyone."
So, like everything else he had ever possessed, she wouldn't break. Because she was the one who had overturned tragedy itself. And because he would make sure she didn't shatter.
On the morning of the festival's second day, the Azure Sky Knights held their review ceremony. It was the most famous event of the Sun Festival in Agenka. From dawn, citizens and tourists packed the plaza, while those who couldn't find space waited along the streets for the procession.
A separate area was reserved for the families and associates of the officer cadets and knights. The review ceremony was conducted only by the full-fledged knights and junior knights of the Blue Sky Hawks. Thus, the officer cadets also waited there to observe.
Eki sat beside Alice's family, accompanied by Lancelid. The knights assigned to guard them were far more excited than the cadets' families. The knights of House Roaz were no exception.
"It's starting, Sister!"
Lancelid fidgeted eagerly. From the direction of Agenka's Inner Castle gates, magical lights shot into the sky. The sound of a marching band reached them.
Knights draped in capes rode forth on horseback—