Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Breakwater
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Returning to the capital, I received treatment far different from my previous visit.
The Imperial Army's 1st Knight Division Commander, Tristan, who guarded the gates, not only opened the way without resistance but personally led me all the way to the palace where the emperor resided.
Sensing his intentions, I casually asked,
"Will you ride the wave? Or block it?"
My question revealed an obvious intent.
"I will block it."
"Then do you know what must be done to block it?"
"Yes, I've already spoken with Sir Philip."
The conversation was brief.
We both understood the situation fully. Even if he didn't know my abilities, I knew his well enough. The calculations on how much help it would be to have him as an ally were already complete.
"The wave will begin from the east."
"I've heard. There were already signs about a month ago."
"The monsters that appeared in the east a month ago weren't the wave. They were merely mercenaries moving under someone's orders."
"Monsters as mercenaries?"
"That's the vibe they gave off. Though calling them 'mercenaries' might be a bit of a stretch."
Tristan nodded slightly.
"Ah, I see what you mean. It's happened once or twice before. Monsters that obey human commands—I've heard alchemists possess such techniques."
"You know your stuff."
"I studied taming and breeding a while back."
Indeed, to become the brains of the Imperial Army, one couldn't just wield a sword well. They had to master a wide variety of skills without bias. Even this simple conversation showed a higher caliber than our last encounter.
"My guidance ends here. From inside the castle onward, this man will assist you."
As Tristan stepped back,
his adjutant, helmet pulled low, responded.
"I'll guide you from here, Sir Berddin."
I shrugged lightly and replied,
"Very well, then. I leave it to you, Sir Philip, the mastermind behind all this."
"Yes, leave it to m—... Huh?! P-P-Philip?!"
"Don't joke. You think I wouldn't recognize you after all that?"
The adjutant froze like stone for a moment, then slowly removed his helmet and flashed a bright smile.
"...As expected of you, Sir Berddin. I suppressed my presence and even used perfume to mask my scent, but still."
"The stench of monster blood soaked into your body can't be covered by perfume."
"Eh... Really?"
"Yes."
"Ha! I knew your senses were sharper than most, but I didn't realize your nose was beast-like."
"To survive in the Strange Family, you have to be more than a beast. If I couldn't do even this much, I'd be in the afterlife by now."
We exchanged smiles.
Once we were far enough from Tristan, he spoke again in a quiet voice.
"Albus and Asabragg are here."
"To meet the emperor?"
"That's right. Though Albus mentioned the real emperor is already dead, so they're probably here to resolve that."
Of course. They wouldn't have expected Hagen to die so easily, so cleaning up would take time.
Not only did they have to deal with those who witnessed the emperor's death, but also select someone to place on the throne.
After organizing my thoughts, I replied to Philip.
"Don't worry about it. Neither Asabragg nor I can fight in the capital anyway."
"With his personality, he might still stir things up."
"No, he absolutely can't. Even for the Rothschilds, that would turn the entire continent against them."
"Even if the east falls, the south is already hostile, and they rule the west like their own land. What's the difference?"
The me from my previous life would have thought the same in this situation.
But my conclusion now was different. Why had the Rothschilds stayed quiet during the time I was called the Sword King?
It was probably because of the incident when my brother Hysteria was alive. My guess was that the Rothschilds had been swept away by their ferocity without even using their full strength.
'That's it.'
Was I fifteen then?
I clearly remember Brother Hysteria ascending to Ragnarok and annihilating the God's Knights.
I don't know why he attacked the Rothschilds, but his blood-soaked words to Father were vivid in my mind.
"If you weren't my father, I'd have killed them all."
Back then, I didn't understand Hysteria's words.
But now I knew what they meant.
'Hysteria knew.'
About my mother and the Rothschilds' connection.
And through his Guardian Spirit, I could learn where he got that information.
"The warriors of the north are the enemies of the Rothschilds."
"Warriors of the north?"
"Yes, they are the true masters of Ragnarok."
Philip tilted his head.
"I'm not sure what you mean. I thought only the barbarians called northerners and a few dwarves remain up there."
"That's what they'd think, since no one bothers to go verify the truth."
"...You speak as if you know it all, Sir Berddin."
"I know. Or rather, I know only a part of it."
"A part?"
"Yes."
In my previous life, from the top of the tower, I had seen fragments of this continent's ancient history—knowledge no one else possesses now.
'Well.'
If the me from then had been interested in history, I'd have paid more attention and remembered more.
'But back then, I walked only the path to strength. Regrettable.'
Philip stretched his arms wide like yawning.
"Yawn... I get what you're saying. Then I'll investigate the north."
"You're quick on the uptake, even with vague hints. Perfect."
"Glad you're satisfied, Sir Berddin. Oh! Albus wants to meet briefly at the Legion tonight."
"Albus?"
"Yes, he suggested the arena. Probably because aura and mana don't work there, so it's safe."
A cunning snake, as always.
"I was planning to head to the tower after finishing business here anyway. Tell him to wait until I arrive."
"Understood. By the way, can I slip away now? The deeper I go, the harder it is to leave."
Philip grinned in front of the palace.
"Yes, good work."
"Then I'll see you tonight with Albus."
As I entered the palace, the startled vassals lined up to greet me one after another.
Half of them would soon turn against me, swords at each other's throats, while the other half would stand with me to block the wave and usher in a new era.
Peter Bartholomew, who had come all the way to Strange Castle, pushed through them and guided me to the emperor's audience chamber.
"It seems what you said is true, Sir Berddin."
His voice was so low only I could hear.
"Is that so."
"Yes. I verified His Majesty through dozens of processes because it was hard to believe, but the result was the same. The one on the throne now is not the emperor I know."
Just having Peter notice was enough to achieve my goal.
Cracks would now form within the palace, and they would divide into factions and choose their paths on their own.
Upon arriving at the audience chamber, I saw guards lined up on both sides and vassals bowing their heads between them.
Most were powerful vassals from various kingdoms, positioned by the council to raise their voices immediately if issues arose.
"I pay respects to His Imperial Majesty."
I bowed my head toward the throne in a voice neither high nor low.
Between him and me hung a large curtain of cloth, clearly meant to keep the fake emperor hidden from me.
'Of course.'
Since I'd never seen him in person from birth until now, they probably thought I could never identify him this way. Whoever devised this scheme had laid out a fairly solid plan.
"Sir Berddin, lower your head more."
An old man in a brown robe standing between the emperor and me showed discomfort.
This was despite me not taking a haughty posture in others' eyes or doing anything to displease the emperor.
'Probably trying to check me.'
He was undoubtedly at the center of this palace incident.
Instead, I held my neck even stiffer and replied to the old man.
"My neck is injured; I can't lower my head further."
"What?"
"I said I can't bow lower. If His Majesty wishes me to lower my posture, I'll gladly kneel on one knee."
He glared without responding further.
'He's picking a fight to drive me out.'
I acknowledged his loyalty to the emperor and his high spirit for daring to act this way against the head of the Strange Family. But I couldn't forgive trying to humiliate me in front of the assembled lords.
Thud!
Before he could reply, I knelt on one knee first and addressed the emperor.
"Does Your Majesty truly desire this?"
My actions were rude enough to shock everyone in the chamber.
But every move had purpose. I had to engage him in conversation somehow.
'And.'
Make the gathered rulers realize the war with Glazer was over.
Imprint that Strange was the victor and that my era had dawned.
'That's the ultimate reason I came to the capital, knowing the emperor was fake.'
The old man in the brown robe started to raise his voice but clamped his lips shut.
All the vassals' gazes turned to the throne where the emperor sat.
There, I quietly awaited the emperor's response.
'Speak.'
My next question would follow immediately.
After a long silence in that immovable posture,
the one on the throne let out a long sigh and rose.
Thud.
"I wish to speak privately with the head of the Strange Family for a moment. Everyone else, please leave the audience chamber."
Swish!