Chapter 243
Chapter 243
The Iron Emperor — Chapter 243
The Imperial Hall had been transformed into an impromptu training ground.
Standing across from Jin-cheon, Duke Ken steadied his breathing and slowly drew his sword.
"Not bad."
Sensing his presence, Jin-cheon nodded and offered a word of praise.
Shrrrring.
Jin-cheon's Hwandudaedo slid from its sheath with a chilling metallic cry.
Whirr.
He gave the Hwandudaedo a single spin as if loosening his wrist, then let his sword arm hang loose and flicked his free hand toward the duke.
"Come."
"Ngh."
Duke Ken let out a low groan at Jin-cheon's posture, which was all but defenseless, but he did not back down from the provocation.
"Here I come."
Fwoosh!
The moment the final syllable left his lips, Duke Ken's figure shot forward like an arrow, arriving before Jin-cheon in an instant.
Crack! Crack-crack!
In a single moment, three sword trajectories appeared.
"Whoa."
Though the attacks were invisible to the eye, Jin-cheon still made no move to raise his Hwandudaedo. He simply twisted his upper body and evaded all of them.
Chk!
Duke Ken's sword, already raised above his head, split the air as it came slashing down.
Thoom!
The duke's vertical slash struck only the innocent floor.
"Your speed and variations are excellent."
Jin-cheon's tone was laced with nonchalance as he appraised Duke Ken's attacks like a spectator offering commentary.
"In that case, let's see about strength..."
Jin-cheon kept speaking casually, but Duke Ken's back was already soaked with sweat.
'My attacks aren't getting through.'
Jin-cheon's nonchalant demeanor infuriated him, but he had not held back or taken it easy in the slightest. If anything, they were relentless, swung with the intent to win.
And yet, Jin-cheon's only response to his attacks was to move the bare minimum distance and evade his sword. To someone who didn't know the sword, it would have looked as though Duke Ken were only pretending to attack and deliberately missing.
"I'll use my full strength now."
Duke Ken's voice, spoken through clenched teeth, carried his resolve.
"Suit yourself."
Still the same unhurried voice.
HUMMMMM!
Duke Ken's sword burst into a resonant cry as it manifested the Aura Blade, the symbol of a Master.
"Oh-ho. Yours is a red light."
That meant he had a strong affinity for fire.
Even at the sight of the blazing Aura Blade, Jin-cheon only showed curiosity.
"Please make ready."
With the vividly blazing Aura Blade in hand, Duke Ken spoke to Jin-cheon courteously.
"I'm fine as I am."
Grind.
The sound of grinding teeth rang out.
"I'm coming, then."
Eyes blazing like fire, Duke Ken shot toward Jin-cheon.
WHOOSH!
The air wavered and screamed. Just as a red trail slashed diagonally down at Jin-cheon, his hand moved for the first time.
CLANG!
"Khk!"
A massive boom echoed through the Imperial Hall.
The one who let out a groan was Duke Ken, the one who had attacked.
"How can this be."
He had clearly blocked the Aura Blade with the Hwandudaedo. Yet the blade was unscathed, showing not the slightest chip. The moment he confirmed it, Duke Ken transformed into a wild beast and lashed out with sword strikes in every direction.
Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh!
Flames surged in from every direction, and Jin-cheon batted them away one by one without batting an eye. More booms that shook the ceiling spread all around.
Boom! Kaboom! Babababoom!
Explosions detonated in succession, but Jin-cheon was unscathed. His Hwandudaedo was also unblemished. When even the Aura Blade failed, Duke Ken felt a sense of emptiness.
He had clearly activated his Aura Blade, and Jin-cheon had merely swung a Hwandudaedo made of iron to block it.
Duke Ken, who had been staring intently at Jin-cheon, went wide-eyed, then dropped his head and, in a self-deprecating tone, brought their contest to an end.
"Let's stop here."
Mana was continuously circulating around Jin-cheon's Hwandudaedo. The mana, flowing like water, naturally protected his sword.
He had never seen, or even imagined, mana being maintained at such a perfectly constant level—neither too much nor too little.
"I've lost. It is a complete defeat."
Duke Ken bowed his head. At his declaration of defeat, Jin-cheon looked down at him as he slowly sheathed the Hwandudaedo.
"I'll admit, it's flashy. But you're still far behind in the depth of technique and practical application. By obsessing over that Aura nonsense, you've lost the sharpness that the technique itself should have. Which is to say, you've regressed."
"I will take it to heart."
Duke Ken, completely defeated by Jin-cheon, took his words to heart and slowly withdrew.
"Did you see, Prince of Marlon?"
Hands clasped behind his back, Jin-cheon looked down at Prince Ssen and spoke, emphasizing each word.
"This is my power, and the power of Gauri."
"Yes."
"You have until tomorrow morning. Do not forget."
Jin-cheon reminded him once more of the time limit and slowly began to walk away.
* * *
[What is this all of a sudden?]
"Your Majesty, please make a decision."
[But given the gravity of the matter, how can I decide so abruptly?]
"Your Majesty! Time is not on our side, I tell you!"
Prince Ssen's urgent voice poured into the innocent communication crystal orb.
"Already, Duke Ken challenged him and was defeated! We have no way of knowing how many more strong warriors they possess. We can no longer afford to keep watching and waiting!"
[Is that so.]
"It is. That is why I entreat you thus. I beg you to make a decision."
[Very well....]
At Ssen's final plea, a listless voice came through the crystal orb.
Chapter 78 — Thirteen Years of Love
The Marlon Kingdom had sworn, though unofficially for the time being, to serve Gauri as an elder brother nation.
The reason it was unofficial was that Marlon Kingdom stood to gain nothing by provoking the Federal Empire, which was still quiet for now.
Gauri likewise agreed with their judgment, as establishing direct hostility with the Federal Empire following the Holy Empire would bring more harm than good.
And so, the kingdoms of Haian, Marlon, and Roselin, with Gauri at their center, began to orient their entire existence around Gauri.
King Bera Han of the Haian Kingdom, along with his queen, First Prince Ssen of the Marlon Kingdom, and King Alsein of Roselin — all of them, who had made the capital lively for days, returned to their home countries.
The personnel from the Marlon Kingdom and the Roselin Kingdom, whose movements would be problematic if exposed, departed the same way they had come—thanks once again to Risel's sacrifice.
"I will attend without fail when your wedding is held, Sister."
At the wide site where the magic circle was prepared, Princess Yunias, who had come to see them off, shook her head at King Alsein's resolute promise.
"You are now the king of a nation. You must not leave your post carelessly."
"I know this as well. But you are my only remaining family, Sister."
"Your Majesty...."
"I shall take my leave now, then."
King Alsein, who had come to take Princess Yunias home only to leave without her again, could return with an easy heart as he saw his sister's smile, which was filled only with happiness — unlike when she had arrived.
The day after Alsein returned, Princess Yunias strolled through the garden, her face tinged with melancholy, as if sensing the slight loneliness of the empty space beside her.
A bright voice called out to her.
"Sis!"
"Lady Yeolhu, you mustn't call me that anymore."
"Heehee!"
Despite Princess Yunias's admonishment, Eulji dashed about the garden in her carefree manner.
"Eulji...."
Princess Yunias smiled as she watched Eulji. On that day, if Eulji had not openly accepted her in front of all those people, what situation would she be in now — she sometimes found herself thinking.
"I don't even want to think about it."
Princess Yunias wrapped her arms around her shoulders and murmured, as if a sudden chill had run through her.
"What don't you want to think about?"
"Nothing. It's nothing."
Eulji, who had sidled up to her before she knew it, was staring with wide, blinking eyes. Yunias slowly shook her head and took a light step forward.
"Whatever could it be that you don't want to think about~."
Chattering in a teasing voice, Eulji hopped along on one foot as she followed Princess Yunias. The sight of her was unmistakably that of a child — just a tall one.