Chapter 14. Behind the Scenes (2)
The day after I completed the mission of escorting the mage to repair the Resonance Stone and returned to the Imperial Capital, I went straight to work at the imperial palace.
Ideally, I wanted to take a long day off, but being employed by the agency directly under the imperial family that I am, duty called.
Even though Yulian tended to live freely, he was dedicated to the work of 'Blind Eyes'.
So, I decided that going to work was the right thing to do. In fact, it was only natural.
I passed through the first gate of the palace, Gate of Respect, and headed for the Blind Eyes building.
As soon as I arrived at the office, I arranged the potted plants I had brought with me around the room.
"This is much better than before,"
I said to myself.
The office used to be decorated with Yulian's indescribable aesthetic sense.
After removing all those ornaments and placing orchid pots, the space transformed into somewhere with a hint of human touch.
Orchids are truly wonderful. They require little care and provide anyone who looks at them with peace of mind.
In the past, I couldn't understand this sophisticated hobby. But as time passed and I came to my senses, I found myself indulging in it.
Really, you never know where life will take you.
After taking a look around the now-serene office, I moved towards the window where sunlight streamed through.
The view from there was the imperial palace, an artistic beauty selected as one of the Empire's Seven Great Wonders.
At the same time, I could see the Resonance Stones placed here and there, and the red magic formations installed on the periphery.
These were harsh barriers that would turn any intruder, including demons, into ashes.
'The method to perfect the Moonlit Sword.'
Looking at these, I pondered in my mind how to improve Yulian's trademark 'Moonlit Sword'.
Though it had shown excellent performance against the bi-horned demon, it wasn't enough.
Particularly because only part of the blade, not the entire sword, could wield the aura.
'That's why the sword couldn't withstand it.'
My gaze then shifted to the scabbard placed on the table.
It was the sword I used during the escort mission, in such poor condition that it would break after a few uses.
Obviously, this wasn't usable. I had already brought a new sword from the mansion.
'Though I defeated the bi-horned demon, encountering stronger foes in the future is inevitable. Therefore, perfecting the Moonlit Sword is the top priority.'
Fortunately, during this real battle, I had vaguely grasped the method to achieve that.
Knock, knock—!
While I was gazing contentedly at the potted plants I had brought, someone knocked on the door. When I asked them to come in, Lazlot, an apprentice of the 'Blind Eyes', appeared.
"Ex-excuse me, Sir Yulian!"
His voice was still full of fear, and his pale face and trembling demeanor made anyone looking at him feel sorry. It was as if I had done something wrong to him.
"I brought the jewels from the internal treasury of the palace as you requested!"
"Well done."
I smiled lightly at Lazlot's report.
Then, I gestured for him to place them on the table. He struggled as he lifted the box containing the jewels onto the table.
The jewels glowed faintly, as if asking to be acknowledged for their worth. I reached out and began inspecting each jewel within the case.
"But Sir Yulian... what are you going to do with so many jewels?"
When I glanced at the curious Lazlot, his eyes were darting restlessly in confusion. If he was so scared, why did he bother asking?
"I am looking for jewels that resonate with the wave of my mana."
I explained to Lazlot. It wasn't something that needed to be kept secret.
"M-mana waves, you say?"
"Yes. The mana flowing within each person has a distinct property. Even as an apprentice, you should know at least that much, right?"
Lazlot nodded and, rummaging through his pockets, took out a notebook and pen, ready to jot down my words.
"That's why each mage has their own special magic, and each knight has a different aura ability and color."
Lazlot nodded again, writing everything down.
It was simply like I was explaining the game's settings, yet it felt like giving a lecture.
As I received his gaze filled with awe, I picked up one of the jewels.
A fiery red ruby.
"Every material in this world has the ability to hold mana. Among them, jewels like these have the highest mana conductivity and capacity."
As I injected mana, the ruby's color became more pronounced.
"I see,"
Lazlot said.
"But if the property of one's mana is in opposition, then this happens."
Crack.
The ruby, infused with mana, began to crack.
"O-oh no!"
Lazlot let out a sigh upon seeing the crack, his surprise coupled with a hint of regret was apparent.
"That's why mages label the properties of mana as elements and classify them into five colors. It helps provide a more defined and clear understanding of mana's properties."
While explaining, I found a jewel inside the box that emitted a bluish light like the moonlight. A moonstone.
I picked it up and similarly infused it with mana.
The blue light of the moonstone became more prominent, but unlike the ruby, it didn't crack.
Perhaps this was the jewel closest to the nature of Yulian's mana.
"Just as mages use jewels to cast spells, knights can utilize them too. By inscribing 'Mana Veins' on the sword, they can more easily channel aura."
"Then, does that mean I can... use aura too!?"
"That should be possible."
Lazlot's face brightened at my words.
"If you possess mana to that extent, that is."
But soon, his expression darkened again.
Yulian's body contained an abundance of mana, enough to rival that of a mage.
That's why he could utilize such a method, something other knights couldn't dare think of.
The reason 〈Moonlit Sword〉 is lacking compared to the original is probably because it doesn't perfectly convey Yulian's mana to the blade.
If I could create a path using 'Mana Veins', it should allow for a much smoother conduit than before.
I put the moonstone back into the box. This was a borrowed item from the palace, so it needed to be returned.
"Then please return all these jewels back to the internal treasury."
"Understood, Sir Yulian."
I gave the instruction and was contemplating how to newly procure a moonstone when Lazlot, who still lingered, looked at me with a troubled expression.
"What shall we do about this ruby... that has shattered?"
"Ah."
It was the ruby that had cracked during the initial experiment. Since it belonged to the imperial palace, returning it in its current state would certainly pose a problem.
Not that I had the ability to repair a broken jewel.
"Take that instead."
"Pardon?"
I had no choice but to offer an alternative.
I gestured towards the crafts stuffed in the corner, the bizarrely aesthetic pieces Yulian had used to decorate the office.
"Will the internal treasury staff accept this...?"
Lazlot seemed dubious, but these items were undoubtedly masterpieces.
Yulian had a natural ego for self-aggrandizement and used most of his salary to purchase luxury goods.
Some might even be more valuable than the jewel itself.
To reassure him, I added.
"In that case, just mention my name."
"Your name, Sir Yulian?"
"Yes."
***
Yulian Cryphart Frason.
I didn't fully grasp the magnitude of the position this name held within the 'Blind Eyes'.
What made me realize the gravity of his standing was a conversation with Commander Ordwin.
I needed to temporarily step away to secure a moonstone.
Upon explaining this to Ordwin, her response reflected Yulian's reputation:
― When have you ever bothered to inform us before disappearing...?
Just what kind of life did Yulian lead? And what sort of life did Ordwin lead to be so nonchalant about it?
Regardless, completing the "Moonlit Sword" to survive took priority over empathy. I left the "Blind Eyes" headquarters and headed towards the Imperial Capital.
However, there was a place I needed to visit before that.
― Please stop by the Imperial Secretariat's Office before you leave. They've directly requested to hear the report on this mission.
The reason for this request from the imperial secretariat was somewhat anticipated.
For an ordinary member of the 'Blind Eyes', such a request would have been impossible.
However, for Yulian, who stands out even within this agency directly under the imperial family, it was different.
To put it nicely, he is a companion.
To put it bluntly, he is a dog. Therefore, they wanted to ascertain his condition with their own eyes.
Click, clack, click, clack──.
The palace corridors shimmered with a shine so meticulous that it reflected my face.
"This is Yulian of the 'Blind Eyes'. I have come to meet with Lord Sedn Orbian of the secretariat."
In this empire, reaching the position of a Imperial Secretary often wields more power than many a noble.
So much so that they had their exclusive building. When I mentioned the name of Sedn Orbian, the chief imperial secretary who summoned me, to the staff, she smiled and said,
"Lord Sedn is currently away due to a visitor. He mentioned that it wouldn't take long and asked if you could wait in the reception room if you arrived, Sir Yulian."
"Understood."
Following her guidance, I headed for the reception room, with its lavish interiors immediately catching my eye.
It was an ornate yet classical aesthetic, quite unlike Yulian's taste in décor.
"... What's that?"
Amidst this opulent environment, a scabbard placed in a corner drew my attention.
The rugged, simple design starkly contrasted with the sophisticated ambiance, making it appear out of place.
"It seems to belong to the visitor's companion."
A visitor who had arrived before me. They seem to have had an escort. But a sword, of all things?
I tilted my head in curiosity and slowly approached the scabbard that defied the atmosphere of the waiting room.
"It seems familiar."
My first impression was that this sword was exceedingly familiar to me. As I lifted the scabbard, the peculiar déjà vu that had tingled at my memory grew even stronger.
"Strength dwells within a strong body."
When I read the inscription on the scabbard's edge, I finally identified the source of my persistent déjà vu.
"Put that sword down at once. You deviant."
An unmistakably hostile voice sounded abruptly from behind.
The voice was so brimming with hostility that it was evident it wasn't from the secretary's staff.
Having deduced who the owner of this scabbard was, I didn't need to turn around to recognize the speaker.
Confirming my suspicion, I turned my head, and my predictions solidified into certainty.
Long, elegant strands of golden hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes resembled emeralds. Despite the displeasure in her gaze, her beauty was impossible to tarnish.
"It's been a while, Rinne Rondvel."
Rinne Rondvel.
A lady from the Rondvel family, one of the prestigious knightly families of the Adratan Empire.
Like Yulian, she was a protégé of the Sword Saint Hayden Reich.
Moreover, she was a main character in the DLC trailer marked for death at the hands of 'Yulian Cryphart Frason'.
Clacky's Corner:
Hmmm.
Not gonna lie. This novel is pretty heavy. It's a far cry from the novels I usually work on.