The Holy Kingdom's Investigator
The Grand Imperial Palace's training ground buzzed with the anticipation of a legendary clash, drawing crowds from across the continent to witness the duel between **Alberon**, the Holy Knight whose blade was called the Holy Sword of the Holy Kingdom, and **Lowell**, the hot topic among the Hero Party members.
The news had spread like wildfire throughout the entire Imperial Palace, fueled by rumors and the personal connection between Lowell and the royal family.
“Lowell! Fight on!”
Whether it was due to her ties with the royals or the latest rumors sweeping the lands, the spectators lining the training grounds each offered their own cheers, pouring strength into the young woman before them. When Lowell's first sword strike shattered, scattered voices of regret rippled through the crowd. Yet the moment she borrowed the Prince's blade and unleashed a dazzling sequence of techniques, the entire arena erupted in thunderous applause.
CLANG!!!
Alberon stood frozen for a long moment, staring at his shattered blade in stunned silence. Then, as if his very strength had fled, he let the ruined weapon slip from his fingers and drop to the ground with a heavy thud.
“I admit defeat. Lady Lowell.”
Alberon had expected to lose, but the utter ruthlessness of the outcome left him stunned. Around him, the Holy Kingdom investigators who had watched from the start, the Emperor himself, the Empire's nobles, and even the Prince continued to gape at Lowell as though they had seen a ghost.
“Apologies?”
“What?”
“You were rude to me at first. You owe me an apology.”
Still simmering from his earlier arrogance, I spoke to him with clear irritation. Sensing that I had not yet let go of my anger, Alberon offered a defeated expression and opened his mouth once more.
“Yes. I am sorry, Lady Lowell. I will apologize sincerely for underestimating you and behaving so disrespectfully.”
With that, he bowed at the waist at a full ninety degrees, sincere and respectful. Only then did I finally sheathe my borrowed blade, letting everyone know the duel had concluded.
“You are stronger than expected. I knew the rumors, but I never imagined you would be this formidable.”
“Now you believe the Hero is weak?”
I had come here to prove exactly that—my own strength. Every soul present, save the Holy Kingdom investigators, now wore expressions of reluctant recognition.
“No.”
“What?”
“It is not that the Hero is weak…”
“……”
“It is simply that you, Lowell, are far stronger than anyone imagined.”
I had expected Alberon to concede the Hero's weakness and declare some measure of intervention against the Hero Party. His next words, however, shattered every assumption.
“I have trained and fought countless strong men across the continent, but I have never encountered someone like you, Lady Lowell.”
“Wh… what…?”
“Despite pouring everything I had into the duel, you did not even break a sweat.”
“……”
Frankly, I had felt a flicker of tension facing a true powerhouse for the first time since arriving in this world. Whether Alberon's praise was sincere or merely a clever preservation of his own honor, I could not tell. Either way, the words—far from diminishing the Hero—elevated me while shielding the title's dignity. It seemed he had simply been trying to protect his own standing as the Hero's master.
With no further protests from me, Alberon turned and made his way toward the group of Holy Kingdom investigators. He opened his mouth once more.
“Forgive me, Supervisor.”
“Ah… no. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Lady Lowell has proven, with the honor of this Holy Knight at stake, that she is more than strong enough to offer counsel to the Hero. She has demonstrated her qualifications right here.”
“Ye… yes…?”
Caught off guard by Alberon's report, the Supervisor stood bewildered and speechless. Meanwhile, the Supervisor who had egged me on earlier avoided my gaze, desperately pretending not to notice.
“Therefore, the discord within the Hero Party is sufficiently explained by Lady Lowell's words. I regard her advice as that of a fellow party member and warrior, entirely fitting and not an act of insubordination.”
With that, the Holy Kingdom investigator who had shielded me…
Alberon's firm words toward the investigators left no room for argument. The Supervisor could only clear his throat in silence, offering no rebuttal whatsoever.
“A splendid duel, Lady Lowell.”
The unspoken agreement among the investigators was clear: they would no longer question my loyalty. Reading the room, Alberon stepped closer and extended his hand.
“I too had a fine duel. In this world—or rather, in recent times—I have never faced such strength. I have learned much from you.”
“You are too kind. I, on the other hand, have only just suffered my first defeat against a Holy Knight and feel I have learned much from you, Lady Lowell.”
After our handshake, the matter with the Holy Kingdom investigators was settled. Yet for me it was no more than the beginning of an entirely new challenge.
The sword…
More than anything, I needed a proper blade now. Honestly, even the one the Prince had lent me was far from satisfactory. After using it for a grand final technique, its edge had warped slightly from overheating. Its durability had also been severely reduced. Another use and it would shatter for good.
Given the nature of the Thunder Lightning Sword Technique, which demanded far more mana and agility than raw strength or stamina, this sword was the perfect fit for my body. The only drawback was its fragility; I would have avoided using it at all costs if there had been any other option.
Until the Holy Sword came into my hands…
****
Days after the legendary duel at the Imperial Palace, the Holy Kingdom investigators returned empty-handed. From that day onward, Lowell withdrew into the Grand Imperial Library, devoting herself entirely to researching the Holy Sword and showing no intention of emerging anytime soon.
Perhaps the shattering of her sword in the duel had left her shaken, for she now seemed to be searching for a solution. Thanks to her distraction, Caly had taken to squatting outside the library every single day, waiting patiently for Lowell to appear.
Caly, who once devoured an entire cart of snacks delivered by the maids while lounging in her room or garden, now found even that boring and refused to touch anything. She had even begged Lowell to accompany her on a journey to try new foods, but to no avail.
“Oh? Is that Caly?”
Just as Caly waited outside the library entrance, a woman in a dazzling dress approached and spoke to her.
It was none other than the Empire's sole princess, Isabel.
“Ye…?”
“Are you waiting for Lady Lowell?”
“……”
(Nod)
After hearing Caly's answer, Isabel peeked inside the library for a moment, then turned back to her.
“What shall we do? Lady Lowell will probably still be in there until late at night, reading.”
“Ye…”
Isabel recalled the towering stacks of books she had left behind moments earlier and continued.
“If you're bored, how about playing with me?”
“……”
“I was just heading to a truly wonderful place anyway…”
“A wonderful place…?”
Caly had no idea what Isabel meant by “wonderful place,” but the thought of escaping boredom filled her with joy. She broke into a bright smile, and Isabel, satisfied, reached out and took her hand.
“Come on! There you'll find plenty of delicious things and many astonishing marvels.”
“Ye!”
Grasping Isabel's hand tightly, Caly followed with high hopes toward the mysterious destination.
*
As with nearly every royal city and palace across the continent, the Imperial Palace stood in the massive capital of the Grand Imperial City. Almost all the palace's food supplies and necessities were brought in from the markets. While certain regional specialties might be delivered directly from their provinces, the majority came through the city's guilds.
Isabel, who had grown up inside the palace her entire life, had always regarded the outside world as another realm. Until now, she could only leave the palace on special occasions such as the Founding Day or the Emperor's birthday, leading hundreds of knights on such rare outings.
Now, however, she left at will whenever the mood struck her, as casually as one might step out for a meal.
“Hah… Princess!”
The small side gate used only by palace maids and soldiers was the very one Isabel had chosen to exit today. The guards on duty tried to block her way.
“You've worked hard today as well.”
“O-Oh! No, you can't! Princess!”
The guards had grown used to this, so they met her greeting with firm resistance rather than courtesy.
“Why~ Didn't I give you delicious treats last time~?”
“I… I am finished for today. Princess! Please, just let me do this once. Do not leave!”
One guard dropped to his knees in desperation, but Isabel waved him away with a carefree smile, stepping out anyway.
“It's fine! It's fine! If anything happens out there, I'll tell Father everything.”
“No!”
“I even wrote a will back in the room! I told him to say nothing to you!”
“Still, no!”
The guard stood firm, refusing to let her through despite her words. Just then Isabel giggled.
“Hehe… don't be like that… just this once~ Okay?”
“No way! Not this time! The whole Empire is buzzing because of Lady Lowell! I'm at my wits' end!”
“Really? Then the street stalls must be open as well?”
“Well… but…!”
The guard finally realized his mistake and clamped his mouth shut. Yet it was too late to stop Isabel, who was already lost in her own thoughts.
“Hehe… so that's it…”