Chapter 90
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 90
Translation: godsn
[What? Getting rid of bloodstains is something I can do too! I can do it better!]
"Shut up, Val."
[Tch, it's been ages since I faced a human, and you won't even draw me properly, won't even let me kill anyone in this perfect opportunity... Hey, if I really explode later, don't blame me.]
The Magic Sword grumbled sulkily, but Eki pretended not to hear. She gazed at the sword—so pristine and white it reminded her of someone—before carefully sheathing it.
By then, the gang members had all fled. Only Eki, Grandma, and the man with shattered wrists remained in the bloodstained warehouse. Grandma muttered in a tone that sounded almost like a groan.
"I'm growing curious about the young lady's identity."
"You said you'd find out soon enough."
"I truly never imagined there could be a Master on the continent we didn't know about. And one with such extraordinary skills at that age, no less. Truly remarkable, girl. I suppose we'll have to uncover everything about you now."
"I don't mind if you investigate. It's not like I can stop you anyway. However..."
Eki kept her eyes fixed on Grandma as she slowly extended her right arm to the side. It was an empty hand clad in a leather glove. Then, a faint purple flame erupted from that empty hand, taking the shape of a blade. With a casual flick of her wrist, the Sword Energy shot forth, silently slicing through the dim air until it reached the warehouse wall.
KA-BOOM! A thunderous explosion followed. The wall collapsed as if struck by a giant hammer, the roof shook, and bricks crumbled into sand as they rained down. The deeply gouged earth along the mana's trajectory lay exposed. Beyond the destroyed wall, the gang members who had been surrounding the warehouse turned pale, some collapsing to their knees while others stumbled backward.
Grandma stared dumbfounded at the completely demolished wall. Without even glancing at the destruction, Eki continued.
"You'll need to be extremely careful when dealing with me."
Grandma slowly turned her gaze from the wall back to the girl. The woman who had nearly demolished the warehouse with a single gesture still had composure to spare—as if she hadn't shown everything yet.
The man under Grandma's command was also a Master. Yet he could never display such destructive power. To achieve this not with magic but with Sword Energy, and not even with a sword but with mana gathered in a bare hand... The old woman finally realized she was dealing with a true monster.
And this monster even had information about Wedge. She must have powerful backing. One wrong word, and Wedge's history might end with her generation. Even her grandson—whom few within Wedge knew about—could be in danger. A cold sweat drenched her back. Grandma swallowed dryly and replied.
"I'll... keep that in mind, girl."
"Good. Now, let's discuss the request."
Eki picked up a miraculously intact chair amid the chaos and sat down.
Before sunset that day, she completed her request with Wedge—an investigation into the activities and factions of the Crown Prince and Second Prince. After finishing, she discarded her blood-soaked robe and leather outfit as she left Wedge's territory. Returning to her perfectly groomed noble lady appearance, she boarded a train.
Echinacea Roaz returned to Agenka the following day, on June 5th.
Yurien de Harden Kyrie quietly visited the imperial capital alone. Responding to a discreet summons from Crown Prince Cruen, they met in a private room of a restaurant in the capital.
"Long time no see, Yurien."
The Crown Prince, who had arrived first, raised a wine glass toward Yurien as he entered. The crimson wine swirled inside the glass. As the Crown Prince took a sip, Yurien sat across from him. Though luxurious dishes were spread between them, neither showed any interest in the food.
"I wonder what brings you to seek me out. Could it be about your engagement? I thought Rosalin would be a good match for you—she's clever and pretty. If Lady Diassant doesn't suit your tastes, shall I introduce you to another?"
The Crown Prince asked lightly, as if making casual conversation. Yet within those few words, political intent breathed naturally, seamlessly woven in. Yurien neither countered it nor deflected, cutting straight to the point instead.
"Your Highness."
"Hm? No need for such stiffness. Call me brother."
"Do you believe me when I say I have no interest in the throne?"
The Crown Prince's blue eyes cooled as they fixed on Yurien, as though probing for his intent. Yurien met that gaze impassively. After a long silence, the Crown Prince responded slowly.
"About half."
"If I were to ensure you ascend the throne within a year, would you trust me then?"
"......Well, now."
The Crown Prince set his glass down deliberately. His eyes lingered on the wine within for a long moment before lifting to meet Yurien's again.
"To hear such words from you... You don't seem mad, so what nonsense is this?"
"I am proposing a deal to Your Highness."
"A deal?"
"I will provide the justification to remove His Majesty the Emperor and the Second Prince from power, and lend you the military might of the Azure Sky Knights."
The Crown Prince's lips stiffened. He had never imagined such a proposal could come from Yurien. The Third Prince he knew was someone who had never learned to step outside the bounds of propriety. When news had reached him that Yurien had become a Giosa Owner, he had immediately asked if it was Langiosa. Just as expected, the Giosa Yurien obtained was Langiosa. His half-brother was predictable to the point of tedium.
But now—what was this? That same Yurien was proposing to overthrow their father and elder brother?
"......Setting aside how you intend to do this for the moment—you called it a deal. What do you want in return?"
"Freedom."
"What?"
The Crown Prince raised his brows as if he couldn't believe his ears. Yurien continued expressionlessly.
"I am the leader of the Azure Sky Knights and the ruler of Agenka—nothing more. I am no longer an imperial prince, nor do I wish to involve myself in the Empire's affairs—or be involved by them."
"......"
"Yet circumstances refuse to leave me be. So I've decided to change those circumstances themselves."
"And putting me on the throne is how you'll change them?"
"Your Highness is the only one I can support. You know this."
The Crown Prince was well aware of how the Emperor regarded the Third Prince, and of the relationship between Yurien and the Second Prince, Karem. Even if the Second Prince and the Emperor were blood relatives, they were no such thing to Yurien. Even if Yurien were to bow and submit to them, he knew they would never accept him. It would be better for him to be an outsider.
In that regard, the Crown Prince was no different. The only variance was whether what passed between them was hatred or indifference. To the Crown Prince, the Emperor and the Second Prince were nothing more than political adversaries. He had never given them affection, nor received any—how could he possibly consider them family?
Still, indifference was preferable to hatred. So he had assumed that if Yurien were to support anyone, it would have to be him. But he hadn't expected it to come like this—toppling the Emperor and placing him on the throne within a year. The Yurien he knew would never have conceived of such a thing.
He's changed. The Crown Prince realized it with certainty. Studying his half-brother as though seeing something unfamiliar, he replied quietly:
"Well, you could always choose to take the throne yourself."
"My place to protect is Agenka."
"How can I believe that? Even if you are the master of the Holy Sword......"
"You may doubt me if you wish. Whether Your Highness trusts me or not, I will still place you on the throne."
"By what means? No, before that—what guarantee do I have that I'll leave you be once I ascend to the throne?"
"Your Highness is a rational man. I know you prefer negotiation and diplomacy over war. Still, should you choose to make an enemy of me and Agenka, then I—"
Yurien smiled faintly. There was something chilling about that smile.
"I will relinquish the Holy Sword."
If you break your promise, I too will abandon righteous means to oppose you.
The Crown Prince stiffened as he grasped the implication. He had never once imagined Yurien without the Holy Sword.
The reason he had permitted this private audience, come alone to this chamber, half-believed him, and even somewhat accepted the treasonous demand in exchange for mere freedom—was precisely because Yurien was the Holy Sword's wielder. He was a being incapable of evil.
The Yurien the Crown Prince had known, even before inheriting the Holy Sword, had lived with unyielding rectitude, inhumanly ascetic. And now, that same man had spoken of discarding the Holy Sword.
What kind of man would Yurien de Harden Kyrie become if he cast it aside?
A sudden chill ran down his spine. The Crown Prince licked his parched lips.
"You've changed, Yurien. I never thought you'd resort to threats."
"I merely wished to inform Your Highness of a factor to consider when weighing the costs and benefits."
"...Well, I was only testing you. I have no interest in Agenka. What I want is the Empire. So you needn't worry on that account."
"I thought as much. I trust Your Highness."
Yurien could never relinquish the Holy Sword. He needed to retain his memories.
But the Crown Prince, unaware of this, had no choice but to factor in the possibility. He did not want it to happen. A man he had cautiously regarded as a potential—but unlikely—true enemy becoming an uncontrollable variable was a scenario to avoid. He exhaled shallowly and pressed on.
"So then, how exactly do you plan to make me Emperor within a year?"
After a brief silence, Yurien produced a sealed dossier and laid it on the table.
"This contains the full account of the incident orchestrated by His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Second Prince. Along with where to find the evidence."
"Incident?"
"One that, if exposed, would turn even the Empire's citizens and nobility against the Emperor—and justify the Azure Sky Knights' mobilization."
"And such a conveniently perfect incident exists?"
As the Crown Prince reached for the documents, Yurien stopped him. His clear sky-blue eyes fixed on Cruen.
"Before I hand this over, I need your promise."
"What, about Agenka and your freedom? If this incident is truly as you say, and I do ascend, do you really think I'd renege on something so trivial?"
Shrugging, the Crown Prince pulled over the parchment and quill prepared at the table's edge and swiftly penned his words. In elegant script, he drafted a formal declaration: the Empire's recognition of Agenka's sovereignty and non-interference, and the public renunciation of Yurien de Harden Kyrie's imperial status—effective upon his own coronation.
After signing, he hesitated, then scratched out Yurien's surname. Tapping the quill's tip over the erased space, he remarked:
"When the time comes, choose a new name for yourself. Or shall I bestow one?"
"Thank you. I'll decide then."
"Are we done?"
"There are two more things I desire."
"Speak."
"First, annul the engagement—"