The sword master welcomed Ren with a smile on his face.
He had originally been someone who openly revealed his crush on Ren, but now it had become even more blatant.
“You must be busy, but thank you for coming here.”
“no. Still, we are comrades who fought together, so we can stop by.”
“also! “The hero who saved the Holy Kingdom has a heart like the ocean!”
Ren roughly laughed off his praise and got to the point.
“But what did you call me for?”
“ah.”
His expression suddenly darkens. He looked at Ren with a serious face and lowered his head.
“I’m sorry. “Didn’t I attack you?”
“no. “It’s because I was brainwashed by the devil.”
“No, it’s wrong to play with the power of such a devil. “No matter what you think.”
Ren, who had experienced the power of demons firsthand, didn’t really care, but nodded.
“So, are you calling me to apologize? “If that’s the case, I accept your apology.”
“That’s true, but an apology alone isn’t enough for me. Please accept this.”
He took out a small gold plate from his pocket and handed it to Ren.
“What is this?”
“A certificate with the imperial seal. If you have this, His Majesty the Emperor will grant you just one request.”
“… … Why are you giving me something so important? “I can’t do it because it’s too burdensome.”
Ren shook his head and held out the gold plate again.
But the sword master pushed Ren’s hand away again.
“Take it. “Do you think what you did this time is not worth this much?”
“… … still.”
“You seem to be more stubborn than I thought. “If it weren’t for you, we all could have died on the spot.”
All the surrounding knights nod at the sword owner’s words.
Now that it’s all in the past, I’m complaining and recovering from my injuries, but the situation at that time was truly terrible and hopeless.
At that time, Ren Argen appeared, killed the demon, and ended the war.
In the place where the battle took place, hundreds of lives were saved, and furthermore, everyone in Bastian was saved and the destruction of the Holy Kingdom was prevented.
It was not enough to end simply by killing the demon.
‘When I first came to Bastian, the look in my eyes was completely opposite to this.’
Ren felt their eyes on him once again. His status is growing higher and higher.
When would he have imagined that the three sword masters of the empire, who seemed as high as the sky, would give him the emperor’s gold plate?
“Is it okay for you to give me the gold plate that His Majesty the Emperor gave you?”
“It’s okay. “You said I can use this however I want.”
“Then I will gratefully accept it.”
“Thank you for accepting me.”
Ren took the gold plate and was lost in thought.
‘It’s a gold plate that allows you to ask the emperor for anything.’
What should I ask for with this?
It may be unlikely that I will ever meet the Emperor in the first place, but I will meet him someday.
There is a rumor that a huge amount of magic tools and great weapons are hidden in a treasure trove that only the emperor of the empire can enter.
Should I ask for one there? Or, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask to see the tombs of past emperors.
“Actually, there is something I would like to ask of you.”
“Please speak.”
“Could you please come as the chairman of the examination committee for the graduation exam for graduating cadets at the Imperial Academy?”
“Do you mean me?”
“Actually, I was going to do it, but because of this incident, there were things I had to deal with. “You would have to be a master level to replace me, but there are no people I can ask for.”
The graduating class of Imperial Academy cadets are of quite high standard.
From what I’ve heard so far, among the academy’s graduating class of cadets, there are quite a few cadets who are at the level of senior knights.
‘The problem is that I have to go to the empire… … .’
In a situation where I received a gold plaque from the swordsman, I couldn’t just refuse it.
“When is that?”
“Two months later.”
“The schedule is a little tight.”
“Please.”
“All right.”
“also! “I was thinking you would do me a favor!”
“hahahaha… … .”
“Then, since we’re already here, let’s have some tea and talk.”
At that time, the sound of footsteps coming from behind brings the attention of Sword Master and Ren.
“Lord of the Three Swords. “I’m sorry, but can I talk to your brother?”
It was Lian Argen.
“… … this.”
The 3rd sword lord makes eye contact with Ren. Ren smiled lightly and nodded as if asking if he was okay.
“See you next time.”
“Sure.”
Ren woke up.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet.”
“Of course.”
The two entered an unoccupied room in the church and sat down.
“Your mother wants to see you.”
“… … “Leonora?”
“okay.”
“Why does she want to see me?”
Lian, whose expression did not change even in response to Ren’s nervous tone, answered.
“Because you said you were the master.”
“… … .”
Ren’s expression distorts at such a shameless answer, as if it’s obvious.
“When was the time to throw it away and now?”
“I thought something had changed. It’s still the same. wren.”
Lian laughs as if his reaction is funny.
“Are you still missing your parents’ love and attention?”
“… … No way.”
“Then it doesn’t matter. “My mother’s personality has always been the same.”
“That personality is disgusting.”
He shrugs.
“They treat you like that because you have no talent. That’s the same wherever we go, even if it’s not our family. “It would have been the same even if I had done it instead of you.”
Ren snorted at Lian’s words.
Even if Rian had done that, it would have been the same.
‘No, if Rian had done that, he would have pulled it up from the floor somehow.’
Although Leonora appears to be cruel to everyone on the outside and treats the strong thoroughly, she has a clear line about her children.
Those within that border may not know. The further away you are from the outside, the clearer the line becomes.
As Kali Arzen said to Ren. Just as there is a clear gap between the direct lineage and the collateral lineage, there was an invisible line between the sons of Leonora, the current mistress of the head of the family, and Ren.
“Return to the family and participate in the sword initiation ceremony. Don’t you have two swords that can be called famous swords?”
Sword initiation ceremony.
It is a family ritual held every year by the Arjen family.
A sword initiation ceremony that only those who have made significant contributions to their direct lineage and family can apply.
A ritual to prove one’s sword to the family and show appropriate skills to prove that the sword is the family’s sword.
The sword that participates in the sword initiation ceremony and is recognized by the inductees becomes the true sword of Arjen.
Even if the sword’s owner dies, Arjen somehow finds the sword, brings it to the sword’s tomb, and embeds it in the tomb.
A sword that can never be used by anyone other than Arjen. That is Arjen’s sword, recognized at the sword initiation ceremony.
“Why should I do that?”
Ren had no intention of going to Baran and participating in the sword initiation ceremony.
“Because you are Arjen too.”
Until I heard these words from Lian.
‘… … Yes, I was Arjen too.’
Arjen’s swordsmanship Raishinryu, invented by Ren, was ultimately created to continue Arjen’s legacy.
If he later defeats the family head and reigns over Arzen, he must lead the Arzen family.
I had no intention of returning to my family until I was fully prepared, but I guess I was actually scared.
Could it be that the huge shadow of the head of the family was fearful of facing the direct brothers of the family within the family?
Even though Ren had such thoughts, it was difficult for him to confidently answer that it was not true.
‘I thought I had gotten over my fear of them a long time ago, but maybe I was avoiding them.’
Ren, whose expression hardened, gathered his thoughts and answered.
“great. Let’s go. Sword initiation ceremony.”
“Well thought out. There is still time until the sword’s induction ceremony, so come prepared. “It’s been a long time since I came back, so it would be best not to disappoint my family.”
“That won’t happen.”
“I guess so. “If it’s your ability.”
Rian seems to have finished speaking as he stands up and passes by, gently touching Ren’s shoulder.
“And I was thankful for yesterday.”
thud.
As the door closed and Lian disappeared, Ren’s face became as cold as ice.
* * *
The feel of a hard gold plate inside the pocket.
After finishing my conversation with my brother, I slowly walked around Bastian and gathered my thoughts.
This gold plate that allows you to ask the emperor for anything, the judge of the graduation exam for graduating cadets of the Imperial Academy, the sword’s initiation ceremony, and the terminal of heroes.
‘Something keeps popping up.’
The most important thing is to connect the terminal to the heroes.
There was something I didn’t hear because the conversation ended suddenly. It’s about how to connect that terminal.
You left the decision on the hero to me, but are you telling me to take care of connecting the terminal as well?
‘There’s no way God forgot and didn’t say that… … , I guess I’ll find out when the time comes.’
From Noble mtl dot com
You’ll know when you meet them.
In fact, I was on my way to the person I was thinking of as a hero candidate.
A large accommodation visible from afar. Since I’ve already been to this place several times, it’s not difficult to find my way there.
“uh? Lord Ren!”
I see a happy face.
“Arthur, you’re safe. thank god.”
Arthur Eibenshutz, son of the Northern Commander.
We only talked briefly at the last party. Seeing that there were no injuries on his body or face, it seems that he fortunately got through this Azazel incident safely.
“I heard that Lord Ren defeated the demon. Thanks to you, I survived. I’m so sorry that I always seem to get help from Lord Ren. “I should have been helpful.”
“done. It’s enough that you’re safe. “You have to follow Stefan and protect the North, right?”
“you’re right! Please come again sometime. “The members of the Amaranth Knights also want to see Sir Ren.”
“okay.”
“if… , princess… Are you here to see it?”
Arthur’s bright eyes are staring at me. What on earth is this guy thinking?
“I want you two-.”
“It’s not like that. “Do you know where Lorez is?”
“You mean Sir Lorez Kadelberg? It’s probably in your dorm. “I think he got hurt a little when he met the Black Knight during training, but he hasn’t come out of his room since.”
“okay? thanks.”
Arthur left with eyes full of regret.
I headed to the lodgings where the Rosaria delegation was staying.
I felt people’s burdensome gaze. After receiving thank yous from all over the place, I headed to the room where Lorez was resting.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“who… please?”
When I knock, I hear a muffled voice coming from inside.
“Lorez Kadelberg. “This is Ren Argen.”
A crashing sound is heard beyond the door.
And the door opens right away.
“wren… sir?”
“Can I come in?”
“yes.”
Lorez and I sat across from each other at the table.
Her black messy hair is a mess. He looked too fine to be someone who was on the verge of death.
This is different from having a pale complexion and cold sweat on your face.
“Lift your clothes.”
“yes.”
Lorez didn’t say anything and showed me the cut on his side.
Although the wound still remains, it has already healed to a large extent. Considering that he was not treated by priests because he had demonic energy in his body, the recovery speed was incredible.
“… … sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“Just everything.”
I was very depressed. It’s worth it, though.
“What are you going to do next?”
“I don’t know. “What should I do?”
“You decide that. “Because it’s the path you chose.”
“… … yes.”
“The reason I saved you was the path I chose. So there’s no need for you to be so discouraged.”
I stood up again. Now that we have checked Lorez’s condition, the business is over.
“You decide and act on your own. “If I think that judgment was wrong, I will come and cut your head off.”
“… … never. “I will make sure that never happens.”
I went out, leaving his wet voice behind.
“… … Karina?”
When I walked down the hallway, Karina was waiting for me.
“I came after hearing that you were coming. “What did you go to Lorez for?”
“that is… … .”
As I was thinking of excuses for Lorez, a new side quest suddenly appeared before my eyes.
‘This… … .’