156 – Opening
Seongshinje.
It is the largest festival in the empire that has meaning as a founding festival to celebrate the birth of the empire as well as honoring the arrival of the god Altair. Since the festival is as old as the history of the empire, it is also a rare time for celebrities from all over the empire to gather in one place called Luden.
Even if they are busy with various tasks, it has been a long tradition to have as much time as possible during the Holy Spirit Festival, so even the monarchs who are responsible for protecting each region gather in Luden and enjoy the festival.
Edelweiss of the North.
Krause of the South.
Cromel of the East.
Erthuwen of the West.
It is only at this time that the heads of the families that rule each province gather in one place under the name of the imperial family.
Their existence itself meant the protection of the region, so you can guess what kind of status the Holy Ghost Festival has in the empire by seeing how they gather even those who can’t leave their seats easily.
“Hey. Seeing everyone’s faces after a long time. Nice.”
A light voice that resonates in the emperor’s presence, which should not be so solemn. But no one criticizes the owner of the voice. Everyone greets him with a nod of his head as if they are used to it.
“Arthur. You’re the last one. You’re the one who said let’s get together and go. What if I’m late?”
“Sorry, Aslan. I had a little business. It’s been a long time since I sparred with my son, so it turned out like this.”
Can we really call this a conversation between the emperor and the god of war?
There are more than one or two places to point out about etiquette, but even if you are the leader of a region, your words and actions cross the line. However, it was none other than Emperor Aslan who allowed this, so it is impossible for others to point this out.
Above all, Arthur wasn’t the only one who was allowed such a special exception right here and now.
Just like their children, they also went to Academia. It has been known since ancient times that the relationship between the emperor and the owners of the four generations is close. They say they have no friends or family in front of power, but at least not to them.
Originally, the absolute is the law to exist alone, but he was also a human being. In the first place, the character of Aslan Estelia is not that harsh towards his friends. Since the distinction between public and private was clear, he was a person who knew how to treat friends as friends in private situations.
At Arthur’s soft reply, Franz raised his eyebrows and said.
“The Holy Spirit Festival will start soon, but you’re doing a good job of taking your son’s strength away. Isn’t that why you’re eliminated in the first round?”
“Hey. That’s someone’s son. At least he’ll grab your son and get off.”
“What?!”
Franz automatically widens his eyes at Arthur’s unwillingness to lose. As the two continued their snowball fight, Yohaim, who was watching from the side, intervened between them and widened the distance between them.
In any case, Franz was the first to argue, but Joachim looked at the two snarling as if they were pitiful and then said this.
“The four guys just met and quarreled. Nothing has changed from the old days. And don’t argue over meaningless things like that. Isn’t the answer already decided that our Elena will win?”
“Ah! Certainly, it might be a little difficult for my daughter-in-law.”
“What are you talking about!
The head of the family that represents the empire is no different from a talker in this place. The casual conversation between them was so nice to see.
“How can a person be so consistent? It’s a thought that comes to mind every time, isn’t it? Rudi?”
“Well, I guess we’re not friends.”
When Ludwig said that, Aslan nodded.
“Still, everyone is very excited unlike before. Hey, I’m also very nervous since my children are leaving. Rudy, of course you will say that your son won the Holy Ghost Festival, right?”
“Because Reinhardt said he would. He said his son would win, so you have to believe it. To be honest, I think it will be very difficult because the opponents are all competitive, but can’t we do something about it?”
“I see. Then I should trust my children too.”
Everybody told each other that their child would win, just like any other immature parent.
But that’s not something to be particularly strange about. Those things like emperor and family were just titles to express them outwardly. In fact, they were beaten by immature parents like puns about their children.
The reason why famous people who usually live quietly during the Holy Spirit Festival flock to Luden is also in their appearance now. No matter how old the festival is in the empire, there must be people who don’t pay attention to it. However, it was the existence of Estelia Academia that made even such people move.
Estellia Academia was a gathering place for talented people from all over the empire, and the sparring at the Holy Spirit Festival was a contest to find out who was the best among them. There was a big reason why each of them gathered to support and watch their children and disciples.
I’m not here right now, but other celebrities with a reputation comparable to these must be watching today’s Dalian from somewhere.
From noble mtl dot com
As the five representatives of the empire entered the venue, the people who had been waiting in their seats in advance shouted. You will know that the time of tedious waiting is over.
Everyone’s attention was directed to Aslan’s figure as he stood up from his seat in line with the people’s shouts. His strong presence instantly covered the venue, and everyone focused on what he would do next.
While everyone was watching him, Aslan did not make any grandiose declarations. He just raised a hand to signal that the festivities had begun. And for them, one gesture was enough.
***
“The first duel was between Damian Krause and Serkin Aiolos. Aiolos is on the side of the Pungcheon Pagoda owner. Come to think of it, the Pungcheon Pagoda owner had a grandson, right? Hey, Arthur. This wouldn’t be easy from the beginning, right?”
Looking at the table, Franz smiled as he handed it to Arthur as if he had found a familiar face. Even if Franz said that, Arthur didn’t seem to feel a sense of crisis at all. Joachim seemed to know something about Damian’s opponent, so he took over.
“Serkin… Serkin. Come to think of it, a few days ago, the owner of Pungcheon Tower told everyone that his grandson had achieved great success. Was.”
Although it was buried under the name of the Golden Horseman and received relatively less attention, last year and the previous year, numerous children from famous families were admitted to Academia. Serkin was one of those children. Joachim said to him with a serious face, perhaps trying to warn Arthur, who was making a sullen expression.
“Arthur. Don’t think that Franz’s words are useless. The great castle that Poongcheon said means the seventh tier.”
“It’s okay. I’m not fighting, and it’s okay if you don’t have to explain to me who the opponent is. The important thing is how to fight. If you lose, it must be that the opponent was strong.”
Neither Franz nor Joheim had anything more to say at Arthur’s words that he passed over calmly and weakly. Of course ‘Nonsense!’ I thought I would refute by saying, but I didn’t know that I would pass it over as a theory. For the two of them, who knew Arthur’s fighting spirit, it was something they didn’t quite understand.
“This guy is a bit strange…? Why are you suddenly liberated?”
“You’re saying that you won’t be able to win anyway, even if you say that in advance.”
“These bastards…”
As the two looked at him strangely, Arthur raised his mouth and asked Ludwig.
“Ludwig, have you seen Damian a few days ago? What do you think? Do you think I should stomp and worry like they said?”
“Well, since I’m a swordsman, I’m not confident in expecting a duel with a mage…”
Bang-!!!
“Doesn’t it sound like I don’t have to?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the stadium at the roar of the venue.
I lost track of when the duel started in the middle of the story, but it must not have been that long. But that wasn’t what mattered now. In what was thought to be the epicenter of the sound, there was a person lying on a sunken floor.
No, should I call that lying down? It would be correct to say that someone forcibly nailed it.
“Winner! Damien Krause!!”
The referee announces the winner and the first confrontation is over. It happened less than 10 seconds after he said his start declaration.
At this, Arthur winked at me and showed me his right hand wrapped in bandages.
“I told you. I was late because I had work.”