Chapter 26: Emperor

“The Old Lion.”

This expression perfectly captures the first impression of the Emperor of the Empire, Aragod Delaruchia of Achamenes.

While even the nobles and Albireo were holding their breath, I watched the Emperor as he walked toward the high seat.

His long, golden hair had lost the luster of his youth, and his wrinkled face bore the marks of time.

How much suffering had he endured after battling illness for so long?

As he passed by the deeply bowing nobles, he seemed to be walking the line between life and death.

“Quite an intriguing fellow.”

Despite his frail appearance, which made him seem like he might not last another day, no one dared to raise their head in his presence.

Indeed, even though he had aged, he was still a lion.

While I stole a glance at the Emperor with my head bowed, I shifted my gaze to the elderly knight standing beside him, as if assisting him.

“This is also my first time seeing him in person.”

The captain of the Imperial First Knight Order, Friedrich Kaiserberg.

Clad in plate armor with a faint golden hue and a crimson cloak, he exuded a terrifying aura as his long beard swayed.

He was accompanied by numerous titles.

One of only three Sword Masters in the Empire.

A man bearing the title of Sword Saint.

Each of these titles symbolized his strength, but I felt they didn’t fully capture Friedrich.

“It’s like… he’s a walking killing machine.”

If the Tower Lord radiated an immeasurably vast amount of mana, Friedrich exuded a lethality compressed to its limits.

This old man must have killed many people.

Could the blood of innocent children or people be on the edge of that eerie longsword?

I quietly hoped not.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t have to kill him myself.

“Second Prince Albireo pays his respects to the great sun of the Empire.”

“Albireo, is it? I don’t see Maximilian.”

“Brother is still on the eastern front. Despite the Sword and Magic Festival, he remains absent. Truly lamentable.”

As the Emperor approached, Albireo stepped forward and spoke, eagerly undermining his elder brother, who was also competing for the throne.

However, the Emperor didn’t seem to care much.

“…..”

The old lion remained silent, and the young, greedy lion closed his mouth.

Though Albireo was managing his expression in front of the Emperor, he was surely cursing his father inwardly.

With a subdued gaze, Albireo returned to his seat.

Shortly after, the Emperor stood in the center to deliver the opening speech for the Sword and Magic Festival.

“People of the Empire, hear me.”

A low, heavy voice amplified by a sound-enhancing spell.

As the man known as the Sun of the Empire began to speak, the tens of thousands of people in the grand arena focused their attention on him.

I, too, listened intently from my seat.

“Today, the future of the Empire lies in the hands of the talented swordsmen and mages gathered here. Through sacred duels, we shall determine who among you shines the brightest.”

Though he didn’t raise his voice, his words struck with force.

Despite his life nearing its twilight, his words carried power.

“The victor will not only receive treasures but also the opportunity to claim the titles of Sword Saint and Archmage. Let those with courage prove their worth. With the grace of the divine Paless, I declare the Sword and Magic Festival open.”

“Waaaaah!”

As the Emperor concluded his speech, thunderous cheers erupted from the audience.

The massive arena instantly heated up with excitement.

I quietly rose from my seat and slipped out of the viewing area.

“Laplace.”

“Yes, Behirit-nim!”

“Is the doll ready?”

“It’s perfectly prepared, without a single flaw!”

In a hidden space somewhere within the grand arena, I changed my clothes and examined the doll Laplace had prepared.

‘Crazy. It looks exactly like me.’

The bio-doll resembled me as if it were a mirror image.

It was so identical that it didn’t even evoke the uncanny valley effect.

It felt like looking at my identical twin.

By the way, the man currently in the viewing area, acting as Count Diepoff instead of Laplace, was also a doll he had created.

It moved so realistically and even contained mana, so the other nobles hadn’t noticed.

“How is it! My masterpiece! Lady Raphaella has asked me several times to lend it to her, but since it was made exclusively for you, Behirit-nim, I firmly refused!”

“…Good job.”

I lightly praised Laplace, who was radiating a cheerful aura while wearing a white mask.

Raphaella, that girl… what exactly was she planning to do with a bio-doll that looked like me?

I wasn’t sure how far the doll’s resemblance to the real thing went, but at least it wasn’t soaked in bodily fluids, so it was fortunate.

“Can the doll speak?”

“It can’t hold a conversation, but it can give very short answers!”

“That’s enough.”

It’s not like I have the image of someone who talks much anyway.

Now I can rest assured and head out to participate in the tournament.

‘Looking at the match schedule, my first opponent is some nobody whose name I can’t even remember… I won’t face Luke or Justia until at least the third round.’

I saw that Luke was in the first match.

If I were to face him with a sword again, what expression would he make?

With a mischievous smile, I patted Behirit No. 2 on the shoulder and headed to where the tournament participants were gathered.

***

At that moment, in the passage leading to the arena’s stage.

While waiting to compete in the first match of the tournament, the boy with stars in his eyes was gazing somewhere.

His gaze was fixed on the viewing area reserved for the nobles.

His starry eyes searched for someone.

‘Where could the Grand Duke be? I thought I would finally see him after a month…’

After the Emperor’s speech, he had looked at the nobles’ viewing area, but the Grand Duke was nowhere to be seen.

He must be in the capital, so he should have come to watch the Sword and Magic Festival…

Was it just his imagination?

Lost in deep thought, the highest-ranking priest of the Paless Church began to recite a divine blessing in the center of the arena.

“O my most exalted god. Bless those brave souls about to engage in battle. Though you reside far away, you are always close at hand.”

The white-haired, red-eyed woman clasped her hands and closed her eyes as she prayed.

Watching her, Luke murmured softly.

“Such a sincere prayer…”

A priest like her must surely have unwavering faith.

It was enviable to be able to devote oneself so sincerely to someone.

Perhaps, for him, the Grand Duke was such a person.

After the prayer ended, Luke and his opponent, equipped with protective artifacts, stepped onto the stage for the first match.

“Duncan, knight of House Grendal.”

“Luke Starlight, first-year representative of the Academy’s Knight Department.”

“An Academy student, huh? You’re quite spirited for your age.”

“I have no intention of losing, especially since someone I respect is watching.”

The boy with stars in his eyes spoke calmly, his androgynously beautiful face filled with seriousness.

“Arrogant brat. I’ll teach you humility today.”

Duncan, the knight of House Grendal, gritted his teeth and drew his sword.

The match began, and Luke stood still without drawing his sword.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“I’ll stay like this. You go first.”

“You… you arrogant brat!”

Whoosh!

Enraged, Duncan charged like a gust of wind.

Luke watched from his spot, then took a single step to the side to dodge the sword thrust.

He then swung his foot, imbued with starlight aura, straight at Duncan’s solar plexus.

Bang!

“Ugh!”

Duncan was sent flying from the powerful impact.

He crashed into the arena wall, and the protective artifact activated, signaling the end of the match.

“Waaaaah!”

The arena erupted in cheers.

The spectators were buzzing with excitement.

“Did you see that? That boy won without even using his sword!”

“This is insane! A first-year Academy student with that kind of strength?”

“This might be the birth of a new Sword Saint!”

People were in a frenzy over Luke’s overwhelming performance, achieved without even drawing his sword.

Yet, the boy himself remained utterly calm as he stepped down from the stage.

‘My opponent didn’t even know how to use aura. If it were him, he would have won with a single step.’

In a moment where he could have been intoxicated by sweet victory, Luke thought of the red-eyed knight.

Come to think of it, when I looked at the match schedule, there was a name called Licht among the second match participants…

Could it be him?

The thought crossed his mind.

Nah, probably not.

It’s too far-fetched to think that just because he wasn’t in the viewing area, he might be participating.

He must have been too busy to come to the arena.

As he wrapped up his thoughts and turned to watch the second match.

‘Ah.’

His eyes met those of a masked knight standing proudly in the center of the stage.

Had the god sensed his heart?

“…..”

The person he had been searching for appeared before him as if by a miracle.

At that moment, Luke’s heart, wrapped in thick bandages, began to pound fiercely.

Thump, thump.

The cheers of the tens of thousands of people faded away.

All he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat.

The red eyes glowing behind the mask.

As he met that dangerously beautiful gaze, the only sound in Luke’s ears was the pounding of his heart.