Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: The Starting Point of the Wave
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Three days after returning from toppling the Glazer Family, I headed straight for the capital without delay.
However, moving officially under the Strange name proved more difficult than expected.
"I've heard the news of your father's passing. Even bearing the Strange name, if you wish to meet His Majesty the Emperor, you must follow the proper procedures."
A middle-aged man with black straight hair, thick eyebrows, and sharp features.
Tristan, Commander of the Empire's 1st Knight Order.
His imposing physique and vitality reminded me of Brother Gunter as he blocked me at the castle gates.
"Did Hagen, the head of the Glazer Family, go through such procedures when he came?"
"Of course. He notified us in advance and attended a meeting hosted by His Majesty. He wasn't even allowed to speak without permission."
Don't lie to me.
I knew he had sneaked into the castle multiple times, bypassing guards to meet vassals,
and frequently threatened the dying emperor.
'So the Imperial Army has been under Rothschild influence since then.'
Otherwise, they wouldn't block my path to the capital.
'Damn it.'
If Father were alive, this would be unthinkable. No, even showing a fraction of my current power would make them back off.
'No choice.'
Flexing my strength here would only backfire.
My goal was to inform the emperor of Hagen's death and entrust Glazer's territories to the Imperial Army.
"Then what must I do to meet His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Convey your request through the Strange Family's vassals and return south to wait."
"Return south?"
"Your army is blocking the road right now. No one else can enter the capital."
"Blocking? We're just waiting for permission—"
Tristan struck the ground with aura gathered at the tip of his spear.
Thud!
"...The very existence of the Strange Family is a threat. Sir Berddin, how can you not understand such simple words?"
Kaipa glared at Tristan with fierce eyes, his hand gripping his sword hilt as if ready to charge and sever his head at any moment.
"Sir Tristan, how can you disregard a knight's etiquette so?"
"A knight's etiquette?"
"Sir Berddin here has come as head of the Strange Family to pay respects to His Majesty. Yet you treat him like some mere merchant."
Tristan shrugged.
"So what? Because he's the new head of Strange, should I let him into the capital without procedure?"
"No, when did I say that? I'm just saying the process is far too curt. Even Count Elvin who passed before us just now only showed his face briefly, didn't he?"
"He had made prior arrangements—"
"Don't lie! On our way here, Sir Berddin spoke with Count Elvin. They hadn't received permission either."
"......"
"How can a leader of the Imperial Army lie to a kingdom's king?"
Tristan averted his gaze into the distance before replying.
"I've never lied. He'd scheduled several meetings with His Majesty this month alone, so I let him through knowing that."
Kaipa trembled with rage-filled fists.
"When Lord Roys was alive, you bowed low to survive, yet now you insult the new Family Head like this!"
"The situation is different now, isn't it? I've heard rumors about Sir Berddin, but..."
"But?"
Tristan shook his head slowly.
"They're so unbelievable they seem like nonsense. It's hard to judge if they're true."
"So you're saying the Family Head's reputation is false?"
"Unless I see it with my own eyes. As you know, Sir Kaipa, I once walked the path of Sword Master myself."
"......"
"Now I serve His Majesty quietly, but I can tell real from fake."
Kaipa roared.
"So you're calling Sir Berddin a fake!!!"
Tristan smiled faintly in response.
"No, when did I say fake? Just that it's possible."
"You damned bastard..."
The atmosphere turned hostile.
We'd only come to meet the emperor; there was no need for this. But overlooking their disdain for the Strange name was impossible.
Kaboom!
I instantly erupted my aura, drawing the eyes of not just the Imperial Army but everyone gathered at the gates.
"Hagen, head of Glazer, died by my hand."
"?!"
"Time is short. A massive wave will soon swallow this continent."
I drew my sword, raising it high as a warning.
"When the time comes, no one beyond the reach of Strange blades will escape the wave."
Zzzzt...
My aura gathered at the blade tip pierced the clouds and exploded.
Boom!
With a deafening roar, the split sky warped, blending light and darkness.
"Today, the 1st Knight Order Commander blocked my path, forcing me to leave without meeting His Majesty. Know that any problems arising from this will be your responsibility."
The Apostle Gregory, tasked with the tower's first trial, sat arrogantly on a stele and asked.
"So Berddin asked me to protect these guys?"
Alfredo, from Berddin's party, glanced at Matorichi, Saintess Joanna Arc, and the Freddy and Bonnie standing behind them before answering.
"Yeah, just for about a week."
"Reason."
"I don't know, but that Rox guy with demon blood like you?"
"Ah, the brat who withstood my punch?"
"Yeah, that insolent kid. He brought them here and said you'd take care of them."
"...No idea what's up, but if he's asking me, it must be urgent."
"Probably. Berddin isn't one to act so recklessly."
Gregory rested his chin, staring at Matorichi for a long while before tilting his head curiously.
"You're strong."
Matorichi glanced at Gregory and replied.
"Don't you remember me?"
"You? Who are you?"
"A knight who came here long ago. Back then, a goblin elder at the village entrance announced the trials."
"Ah?! So around when I first arrived here."
"Yes, I left a scar on your forehead back then—"
Gregory lightly touched his forehead, revealing flawless skin.
"On my forehead? Impossible. No human's sword can scar me."
"No, it's certain. You said you'd make me pay if I returned."
"To you?"
"Yes."
"...I don't remember. When was it?"
"Around fifty or sixty years ago."
Gregory gave a hollow laugh.
"Sorry, that's too long ago to recall. To you, I'm one of the Apostles, but to me, you're just one of hundreds of thousands of adventurers."
"I see."
"Anyway, if you scarred me, you're no ordinary. Who were you running from to come here?"
Matorichi averted his gaze, unwilling to answer, and changed the subject.
"You're an Apostle. Why cooperate with Berddin?"
"Don't want to answer my question?"
"Yes."
"...Fair enough. Then I can't answer yours."
"Then I won't listen."
"Do as you like. But if you won't answer, leave this area."
"What?"
Gregory glanced at Alfredo, who yawned, then gathered aura on his finger and wrote in the air.
The aura letters faded like smoke. Matorichi's eyes wavered as he moved beside Joanna Arc, sighing deeply.
"Then where do you want us to go?"
"Higher up."
"Higher?"
"Yes. The lower floors are my domain too, so go to the upper levels. I'll open the path without trials."
Listening, Alfredo furrowed his brow deeply.
"What?! No, Gregory. Didn't Berddin personally ask you to let them stay here?"
"I'm not obligated to honor that. Repaying him is enough with you."
"But—"
"Besides, do you know how much I've fought Amon because of you lot?"
"What does that mean?"
"...Never mind. The limit of what I can do is up to you. I can't keep others here."
Gregory's tone was firm. Matorichi met his eyes, then gestured upward.
"Fine, send us to the upper floors."
"Good. Since you made it this far, here's a gift."
"A gift?"
"Tell the one guarding the next floor's trial: 'The guy trying to build a breakwater at the starting point of the wave.'"
"What does that mean?"
"You don't need to know. He'll understand."
Gregory punched the stele he sat on hard.
Bang!
Stairs erupted from the ground, leading to the next floor.
Rumble rumble rumble!
"Go. And don't forget my words: 'The guy trying to build a breakwater at the starting point of the wave.'"
A plain covered entirely in ice, and atop it, the towering Ice Castle.
Verdandi, confined in a small room at the summit, gazed wistfully at her reflection in the mirror.
"Any news of Roys?"
The old woman who looked like a maidservant flapped her lips like a goldfish before answering.
"I hear he's become the world's strongest swordsman under Lord Ordine's blessing."
"Is that so?"
"It's only natural. Didn't Lord Ordine promise you?"
"......"
"That instead of calling you here, he'd let him walk the path he dreamed of."
Verdandi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Whoosh—
"I hope Lord Roys gets here soon."
"As the world's strongest swordsman, he'll come quickly. He'll pass the trials to here easily."
"You think so?"
"Yes. I've never met him, but I've heard he's remarkable."
As the old woman's words ended, Verdandi smiled brightly.
"You're right. Roys is an incredible knight. Strong, yet gentle too."
"...I see."
"I wonder how Berddin's doing."
She stared at her mirror self, reminiscing, then stomped her feet with a bitter expression.
"It'd be nice to see his face at least."
Bang!
Someone burst through Verdandi's door. She and the old woman jumped, turning to see a hulking man with long silver hair and a large facial scar standing there.
"Lord Ordine?"
The man called Ordine glared coldly down at her, then thrust his spear into the old woman's chest.
Crunch!
"...Verdandi, the wave has begun."
"?!"
"Now answer my proposal."
Ordine tossed the impaled old woman to the floor.
Thud.
He approached Verdandi, gripping her chin.
"Will you ally with me to save Roys and Berddin? Or choose them and let all three die?"