61 – Emissary (2)
Drip, cold sweat trickled down his back.
The Sword Master appeared before me.
It would have been surprising even under normal circumstances.
Especially now, it was inevitable to be even more startled.
Because his intention was too simple to guess.
The likelihood of him appearing to help me, the one who killed the prince of the Elvrent Empire, was significantly lower than being struck by lightning five times in a row on a clear day.
He appeared to capture me.
Or perhaps, to kill me.
Either way, I can be certain it is not for my benefit.
“To have realized determination at that age. No matter how much I think about it, it’s absurd.”
Contrary to the rumors circulating lightly, the Sword Master spoke with a casual yet unreadable tone.
“Truly a genius, a talent bestowed by the heavens. …No, it should be considered an insult even to call you a genius.”
It was a friendly and gentle tone, as if meeting an old friend.
There was no tension or anxiety felt.
He seemed calm, gazing at the sky with drifting clouds, as if lounging in a rocking chair.
On the other hand, I was trapped in extreme tension.
I focused my mind to the limit to catch every movement of the Sword Master and confront him.
‘Dangerous.’
This situation, and the man before me, were both dangerously intense.
He was a man too dangerous.
Most likely.
No, undoubtedly.
‘Stronger than me.’
It was a strong intuition close to certainty.
The Sword Master was undoubtedly, distinctly stronger than me.
It was different from when I met Edan.
My intuition back then stopped at feeling a strange unfamiliarity from Edan.
But now, my intuition was warning me with an even more resolute tone.
The man in front of me was dangerous.
I would be in trouble if I let my guard down.
In other words, he had reached a level clearly higher than me, even higher than Edan.
On the flip side, it could mean that I had also grown enough to read such a person’s momentum, but at that moment, I couldn’t afford to be pleased about it.
‘…Not good.’
Encountering him at full power was dangerous.
Encountering such an opponent in a state of both physical and mental exhaustion.
If I make a mistake.
“I’m going to die.”
It feels like riding a rope from a dizzying height.
One wrong choice, even for a moment, and you die.
“Why so silent?”
Unlike my extreme tension, the swordsman’s tone remained steady and unwavering.
“This old man sure likes to talk alone. Skilled but lacking in respect, it seems.”
Chuckling, the swordsman threw a lukewarm joke.
“…You must have guessed the reason for the swordsman’s visit. With a blade at your throat, who can casually chat.”
His brazen behavior was irksome, but conversing like this did have its advantages, allowing me to regain some depleted strength and mental composure.
That’s why I decided to play along with the swordsman.
“Huh. Recognize me, do you? Your keen eye is quite impressive.”
At my words, the swordsman exaggeratedly widened his eyes, pretending to be surprised.
Looking at his face, I felt an urge to punch it.
Of course, it was an impulse I couldn’t act upon.
“Since you seem to have recognized me already, speak freely. I have no desire to crush young sprouts underfoot. But harming His Highness the Crown Prince leaves me no choice.”
Saying so, the swordsman truly wore a sorrowful expression.
“…An old snake.”
Yes. The term “snake” suits him.
Having faced him in person and conversed, I found the swordsman, unlike the rumors of a cold, rigid man, to be sly and cunning like a snake.
His expression and words may seem gentle and mild, but I knew. They were clearly calculated.
Which is the real him, the rumors or the present moment?
As I am now, I couldn’t know.
“…Could you turn a blind eye with a generous heart?”
“Hmm… I would like to, but… I am just a mere noble. I cannot go against His Majesty’s intentions.”
Firmly, yet with a hint of pity, the swordsman shook his head.
I clicked my tongue at that repulsive expression.
His acting skills were truly exceptional.
Perhaps his acting prowess surpassed his swordsmanship.
To say he couldn’t go against the Emperor’s intentions.
Those who knew the swordsman’s name would surely know that he could never do such a thing.
From a young age, achieving numerous feats as an empire’s swordsman, he had become a living legend.
His accumulated achievements garnered support from many imperial citizens, naturally becoming his background.
Possessing possibly the strongest military power on the continent and the support of the people, the swordsman Dreir Hekslar was a force to be reckoned with.
Even an Emperor couldn’t easily command him.
If he wished, he could even refuse the Emperor’s orders.
He knew this better than anyone, so his words were clearly a bluff and a mockery.
“…You seem different from the rumors. I thought you’d be more rigid.”
“Well, rumors tend to exaggerate and distort. I am not as dignified as they claim.”
Smiling like a kind old man, the swordsman laughed.
“Come to think of it─”
“Well, isn’t it about time to call it quits? I’ve given you plenty of time to catch your breath.”
“…….”
…This human, he was onto me.
He noticed that I was intentionally stalling.
That grim individual couldn’t possibly be genuinely concerned about me, it must be an action stemming from his composure.
Nonchalance about whether I recovered my strength or not.
Confidence in believing he would emerge victorious without a shred of doubt.
There’s no absolute in this world, and such thoughts should be avoided by a warrior, seen as arrogance.
But if one who harbors such self-assurance is a master swordsman, no one would dare label it as arrogance.
That level of gravity was present in the old man before me.
‘…It seems it’s no longer possible.’
Be it arrogance or confidence, the undeniable truth was that I could no longer delay the time.
Now, I couldn’t postpone the battle with that old man any longer.
While there was a hint of regret in accepting this fact, it didn’t matter much.
Because I was aware of the reality I faced.
However.
“…But may I ask one thing before we start?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Why did you personally come all the way here? Your territory is far away, and it doesn’t seem like a matter heavy enough to warrant your visit.”
That was the question.
Regardless of the nature of this swordsman named swordsmith, there is a weight he carries.
Yes, the murder of a prince is an immensely grave crime, but that is merely the standpoint of the Empire of Elbrent, not the same for swordsmith.
Especially when the culprit is nothing more than a mere academy student.
Though rumors of my exceptional skills have spread due to my escape and evasion, no one has speculated that I have reached a level of determination.
Naturally. It’s an absurd idea from a common-sense perspective.
Yet, swordsmith moved his body to capture such a person.
It was an action that was hard to comprehend.
“Hmph. Killing the prince of the Empire and saying it’s not a big deal, now I see you’re just a shameless young man.”
“It’s not that it’s not a big deal. I simply didn’t think it was a matter that would prompt someone like swordsmith to come running.”
The old man tried to act nonchalant once more, but once again, he struck the nail on the head.
“…Hmm.”
At that, swordsmith erased his exaggerated expression and looked at me calmly.
“Well, as a seasoned senior, I suppose I can answer that question as a parting gift.”
Although I didn’t appreciate his tone as if my death was already sealed, I decided to stay quiet for now to hear the rest of his words.
“Indeed, originally, it wasn’t something I would have personally intervened in.”
In a nonchalant manner, swordsmith continued speaking.
“Ultimately, it was a coincidence. There was something to attend to in this vicinity, and I happened to move my body upon hearing rumors about you.”
However, he added.
“I never would have imagined that a young man like you, who was said to be exceptionally skilled… No, that term doesn’t even suit you, would reach the level of determination.”
The Black Duke chuckled softly.
“It might be a coincidence, but things turned out well. If I hadn’t intervened, the Empire would have suffered more… I know it might not sit right with you, but…”
Grinning, the Black Duke flashed a smile.
“I see.”
I nodded quietly.
“Alright, are all the doubts cleared?”
“Yes, well…”
“Good to hear.”
Watching the Black Duke nod as if everything was settled, I made a conclusion in my mind.
This man.
‘That’s a lie.’
He’s lying.
I was certain that the old man’s presence here was not a coincidence.