723 – 8. Will (97)
A new ‘Master’ was born.
It was a major event that could cause a seismic change in the power structure of the continent. This meant that there was only one person in each country, one more asymmetrical force that could not be replaced no matter what means were used.
Originally, it wouldn’t be surprising if politicians were in trouble all day long.
However, there was no need to worry about that only at the current Academy. On the contrary, the snow-covered marble building was filled with warmth, filled with hope that had been coming for a long time.
Of course, suspicion still remained.
Rather than distrust of the ‘Master’, it was a question about the fact that ‘Ian Perkus’ had ascended to the position of Master. In fact, if you think about it with common sense, it had no choice but to be like that.
Even the swordsman, the youngest of the masters, is over 70 years old.
In comparison, I was in my mid-20s at best, and even if I could somehow understand up to ‘High Expert’, ‘Master’ was on a different level. Even throughout human history, it would be one of the most unusual examples that only occurred during the mythological era.
To be honest, it wasn’t an achievement I achieved entirely on my own.
Nevertheless, the fact that I had ascended to the throne of ‘Master’ was a reality that would not change in the future. Even if it sounds so unrealistic that even I feel dumbfounded when I look back.
However, one thing.
The voice of doubt was also correct to some extent.
“It’s still unstable.”
It was a confession made in front of people who could be considered my close associates.
Saint, princess, and even Senior Siene.
Except for Emma, who for some reason did not contact me, I had gathered all the people I could trust. Originally, Leto would have been present as well.
I expressed my gratitude and apology by leaving a wreath at his grave.
“The image itself has been awakened, but the arrangement has not been completed. I also need to create a ‘vision’… ….”
I continued my explanation in a calm voice, but surprisingly, there was no particular reaction.
The reason was simple.
Because everyone was still dazed.
The women who were looking at me with only blinking eyes looked like their souls had run away from home. In the end, I had no choice but to let out a soft sigh.
“Are you all listening?”
“Yes, yes?!”
A sound as if one had just woken up from sleep.
In addition to the princess who responded in surprise, the saintess and senior Syene also shook their heads with a slightly surprised expression. It was an attempt to somehow keep my sanity.
Because there were three people, the reactions were different.
“Yes, yes! Oh, of course I’m listening… By the way, Sir Ian. “What did you just say?”
The princess still makes contradictory statements as if she has not yet regained her senses.
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“No, a little…” I was so surprised. “I’m sorry, Ian.”
A saint who confesses honestly but cannot hide her expression of confusion.
“I’m sorry. Sir Ian Perkus… I felt like I had a strange dream for a moment. She had a vain dream that Sir had ascended to the rank of ‘Master’… ….”
Senior Siene has just begun to deny reality.
I once again created aura from her sword for her. Then, Shiene-senpai looked like she was going to faint at any moment, and she even let out a funny scream.
“Hey?!”
It was quite funny to see him shrinking and shivering. It would have been a look that previous Siene seniors would never have shown.
Senior Siene’s astonishment did not end there.
She was looking at me intently with her crumpled face, and then she asked a cautious question.
“Ah, how should I call you from now on…” The ‘Great’ Ian Perkus? No, the Master would need a title appropriate to that rank… Oh, because ‘Swordsmith’ already has an owner… ….”
“It’s a useless worry.”
I said that to dismiss Senior Siene’s delusions.
Of course, it wasn’t very effective.
“Then ‘God’s sword’? No, ‘Sword God (劍神)? This is so common… Aurors resemble starlight, so they are ‘star kings’? Or, in honor of his heroic deeds, he was given the name ‘Invincible Sword’… ….”
“Stop!”
In the end, my last choice was ‘yelling’.
Only then did Siene’s body, which had escaped from its own world, become even smaller. It was surprising that humans could be so distorted.
At best, I only got to ‘Master’.
But my impressions were immediately refuted.
“Ha, what do you do…” ….”
A voice squeezed out while swallowing dry saliva.
Senior Siene was unable to hide her confusion and told me the truth I had forgotten.
“According to imperial etiquette, the ‘Master’ must be treated on par with His Majesty the Emperor… Dare to call him by his first name, which is like calling His Majesty the Emperor by his nickname… ….”
‘Amyeong’ was the name the emperor had when he was a prince.
Because the imperial family has the most noble bloodline, they do not have separate surnames. Even when he became emperor, he even abandoned his name because there was no one in a higher position than him.
‘His Majesty the Emperor’.
That was the only title and name by which the emperor could be called. Even across the entire continent, the only person who could use that title was the Emperor.
Conversely, it also meant that calling the emperor by his nickname was extremely rude.
The same goes for calling the master’s real name, who is treated on a par with the emperor, carelessly. Even if I had nothing to do with it, it could be seen as ignoring the authority of the emperor, who is in fact on the same level as him.
As expected, Senior Siene’s concerns were justified.
It’s just not a problem I want to worry about anymore.
“You can treat me like before. As I said, I’m not yet at a level where I can fully call myself a ‘master’.”
“Well, still…” ….”
“I decided to do that, right?”
In the end, Senior Siene kept her mouth shut. Because there is no shaking in my voice.
“Who will say anything?”
And because the basis for my confidence was so clear.
Who dares complain about the ‘Master’s’ decision? There was at least a possibility of becoming an emperor, but the ’emperor’ I met before was not a very flexible person.
Senior Siene had no choice but to give in to my persuasion, using her newly achieved status to the extreme.
“Then, as you commanded… Oh no! I’ll do as you say. Sir Ian Perkus.”
After finally resolving one of my concerns, my eyes turned to the saint and the princess.
The two people were also making some awkward expressions. Although it wasn’t as severe as Senior Siene’s, the weight of the name ‘Master’ was very heavy.
Should I say that even though I looked at the evidence again, I didn’t feel it was real?
I couldn’t shake the feeling that the ‘Ian Perkus’ in my memory was different from the ‘Ian Perkus’ in front of me. Actually, I haven’t changed much.
It was a problem that time would solve.
I decided to finish the story I had been telling first.
“So, my image is still unstable… ….”
“Then isn’t combat impossible?”
It was a cautious rebuttal.
According to the opinion of the priest in charge of me, it was a very reasonable question. How many times has she almost died while fighting too hard?
Normally, it wasn’t strange to be hit on the back. She just couldn’t do it because the saint was still in a daze.
Still, the affection and worry that was evident in her eyes remained the same.
I told her the simple facts to reassure her as much as possible.
“It’s much better than before. “I don’t know if the battle will be longer, but right now it’s not like there will be any problems if we fight a short war.”
And what if the battle gets longer?
The saint seemed to want to ask that question, but she soon realized how meaningless the question was and decided to remain silent.
No matter how half-hearted, a master is a master.
Unless it was intended, there was little chance of it turning into a long-term war. What if you compete against a master of the same level?
Nevertheless, the worry still did not leave the saintess’s eyes.
I deliberately pretended not to know this. In fact, there were more things left to upset her saintly nature.
In the end, the place where my eyes landed was where the princess was sitting.
Honestly, I was skeptical. If it was the Sien I knew, it wouldn’t be strange if he was already wagging his tail like a puppy to greet me.
Why are you sweating profusely and smiling awkwardly?
It was like a puppy that had had an accident and was watching her owner’s thoughts.
“Your Highness?”
“Yes, yes?! Tell me… hehehehe. It’s an undeserved title. Sir Ian’s status is now higher than mine… ….”
“What’s going on?”
And ice.
Shien’s body froze in the same position in which she smiled and held out her hand. It’s just that the beads of sweat forming on her forehead are proof of the fact that time has not stopped.
I sighed and swallowed, not taking my eyes off the princess.
“I want you to be honest. “I already heard that things weren’t going well while I was away.”
It was said in a warm tone.
I don’t know why she was so rigid, but the possibility of me getting angry at the princess was significantly low. How can I torment a girl who must have suffered without me all this time?
Even I am a ‘master’.
He was a being who could solve most problems, whether he was pressed by his status or by force. Of course, it would cost a fortune, but he was willing to suffer as much for the princess.
I wonder if my gentle persuasion worked.
After hesitating for a while, the princess began to touch her lips.
“Well, so… Yes, actually… ….”
Even then, I was smiling softly.
Until I hear what comes next.
“Eh, Emma-senpai may have committed suicide… I don’t know. Ehehehe… ….”
And static.
Me, the saintess, and even Senior Shiene, who did not know much about the situation, widened his eyes.
Only the princess is smiling charmingly.
That takes a few seconds.
“What on earth did you do!”
“hehehehe, come on, write in alphabet…” … !”
The girl’s soft cheek was pinched by my hand as she screamed and stood up. Regardless, Shien only begged for her forgiveness with a slurred pronunciation.
The day before the final battle.
There were still knots left for me to untie.