Chapter 125
Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed the Emperor’s face. A pale visage framed by an angular jaw, devoid of color yet not frail, thanks to the pronounced cheekbones. This Emperor bore no resemblance to the one Yan had served in his past life, who had been a striking figure in his middle years.
Yet, something felt eerily familiar…
As their eyes met, Yan felt as if he stood naked in the vast wilderness, his deepest secrets on the verge of being exposed. With a subtle unease, he spoke, “Yes, Your Majesty. Please, command me.”
“Have you not vanquished those lurking in the shadows of the Empire time and again?”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Remarkable. To amass such military honors at your age is unprecedented. Continue on this path, and you may well become a new Duke.”
“I am humbled, Your Majesty.”
Yan bowed at the Emperor’s lavish praise, his mind racing. There was no malice or wariness in the Emperor’s tone, despite the shadows cast by the Chief Instructor and the Crown Prince.
‘I too played a part in the dismissal of the Special Task Force Commander. Surely, he must know.’
Oddly, the Emperor showed no sign of hatred or anger. Even now, as he praised Yan, his gaze was as indifferent as an abyss.
‘Those eyes…’
The same eyes Yan had faced time and again as the Commander of the Special Task Force in his previous life. The same eyes that had looked upon him when he drew his sword for vengeance after breaking free from brainwashing. Eyes devoid of emotion, cold and inorganic.
As something stirred within Yan, the Emperor spoke, “Become my sword.”
In the Empire, the Emperor’s sword referred to the Royal Knights.
The offer was identical to the one Sir Kyle of the Seven Knights had made to him not long ago.
Yet, Yan had no intention of joining them. He had just found traces of his father and needed to focus on that quest.
“I have no plans to join the Royal Knights at this time.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“…Your Majesty?”
“I’m asking if you have no desire to become my sword in full. A sword that listens only to me and pledges loyalty solely to me.”
The answer was clear: the leader of the Special Task Force, the Commander.
But…
“I was under the impression that Lord Damian had already been appointed to that position.”
“The Special Task Force cannot be my sword in entirety.”
What kind of riddle was this?
Yan lifted his head slightly and replied, “All nobles and knights within the Empire are swords for Your Majesty. I am no different.”
The Emperor shook his head, “That’s not what I mean.”
Yan’s mind whirled. If not the Royal Knights, the Special Task Force, or the nobility, then what did the Emperor desire from him?
‘…Does the Emperor have another enemy?’
With a hint of disbelief, Yan asked, “May I know against whom this sword will be wielded?”
The Emperor looked at Yan silently. A chilling silence fell.
The Empire was the strongest nation on the continent; any enemy would have been torn asunder.
And with the knowledge of the future granted by his return, Yan knew of no foe worthy of the Emperor’s concern.
Breaking the silence, the Emperor said, “That, I cannot tell you.”
Yan bowed without further question, “I apologize, but I am still unworthy to be Your Majesty’s sword. When I deem myself capable, I shall offer my services.”
A polite refusal, yet a promise for the future.
Yan glanced at the Emperor, who, fortunately, seemed to have had no great expectations and nodded in agreement.
“Very well. Let us set this matter aside. For now, you shall receive the reward for uncovering and illuminating the ‘taboo’ enacted by the former Task Force Commander.”
Yan was taken aback. He had expected a reward, but thought it would come during a grand assembly or similar event, perhaps after Leon had ascended the throne.
But there was no need to wait if the Emperor was offering now.
“Choose anything you need from the fourth floor of the Imperial Armory.”
Yan rejoiced inwardly. He had been in need of elixirs, and now he had access to the fourth floor where they were stored!
The Emperor’s praise did not end there.
Looking down at Yan, he continued, “I’ve heard from the Crown Prince that you desire the Armenian territory… Why covet such a barren land when there are far more prosperous and developed territories available?”
Yan took a deep breath, “The territories Your Majesty speaks of have been cultivated by capable and promising nobles. While it would be nice to receive such lands without effort, it is the joy of a lord to nurture and develop one’s own land.”
“You are aware that next to the Armenian territory lies the Forest of Beasts?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. I have heard that the lords surrounding Armenia suffer due to the Forest of Beasts. I shall go and bring order to it.”
Yan lied smoothly, without a hint of hesitation, and the Emperor’s lips curled in what seemed like a sneer or a scoff.
Swallowing nervously, Yan watched as the Emperor, appearing tired, reclined on his throne and waved his hand dismissively.
“You may leave now. I wish to rest.”
With the Emperor’s dismissal, Yan bowed and exited.
“Here are the documents for the land granted by His Majesty and the entry permit to the Imperial Armory.”
A servant bowed and handed over two documents.
“Thank you.”
* * *
Yan’s Return to the Annex
Having concluded his business at the imperial palace, Yan made his way to the annex where he had been staying for the past few days. As he moved, he assessed the changes in his body since defeating the Special Task Force Commander. There had been no time to check before; his senses had become sharper, and with every breath, mana naturally pierced his lungs.
Swoosh.
Closing his eyes, he felt the internal transformation. Around the mana heart, three planets still orbited, now larger than before, with the purity of the circulating mana significantly altered.
“Reaching the fourth rank truly feels different.”
Forcing the use of his mental image against the Task Force Commander had been the catalyst for ascending to the fourth rank. The gamble with death had indeed paid off handsomely.
Yan’s eyes shone as he examined his body.
“Now that I’ve got the entry document to the fourth floor of the Imperial Armory, it’s time to attempt the third stage of the Body Strengthening Technique.”
Through bone transformation, he had achieved martial bones, and through molting, he had greatly increased the density of his muscles, gaining the tough muscles of a wild horse.
Having undergone external changes, it was now time for internal transformation.
The third stage of the Body Strengthening Technique, Transformation.
To become more receptive to mana… No, more precisely, to transform into the optimal constitution capable of absorbing the Mana Stream, the source of all things.
Successfully completing the Transformation would mean never suffering from mana deficiency again.
With anticipation, Yan stepped into the annex.
Creak.
Inside, the maids who were cleaning and performing chores bowed politely.
“There are guests waiting for you inside.”
Yan tilted his head in curiosity.
“Guests?”
He promptly headed to the reception room the maids had indicated. Inside, familiar faces sat in chairs, engaged in various conversations.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Chief Instructor!”
They were the ones he hadn’t had the chance to face since toppling the Special Task Force Commander.
Being busy with various investigations had left him no time to spare.
The Chief Instructor and Leon waved at Yan.
“Ah, Baron. You’re looking well. Some of us can hardly sleep, being summoned here and there.”
Yan smiled wryly at his jest.
Then, something writhed next to the Chief Instructor.
Yan frowned slightly and looked over.
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Someone with a hood over their head and arms bound was groaning.
The Chief Instructor laughed heartily at Yan’s puzzled expression.
“This is the only remaining aide of the former Special Task Force Commander.”
Whoosh!
The Chief Instructor whipped off the hood.
It was someone Yan knew well.
“…Jin?”
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
The Grand Instructor cocked his head.
“Do you know this person?”
Yan nodded with a bitter smile.
“He’s someone I persuaded recently. Thanks to him, this operation was a success.”
It was no exaggeration.
Without Jin’s help in setting the trap for the Task Force Commander, things would have been much more difficult. He had provided information on the Commander’s movements, useful intel, and even the location of the underground waterway where Lia had been imprisoned.
At Yan’s words, the Chief Instructor shrugged and removed the gag from Jin’s mouth.
“What, he was an ally? You should have said something earlier.”
“You didn’t give me the chance!”
Jin protested in frustration, but the Chief Instructor paid him no more attention.
He turned to Yan.
“What will you do now? With your skills, you’re not thinking of returning to the Dragon Soldier Project…”
“For now, I plan to visit the Armenian territory I’ve just received.”
A glint appeared in the Chief Instructor’s eyes.
He had once told Yan in the Fargo Prison that the commander was imprisoned in Armenian territory.
Who would have thought he’d receive that very land?
“How did you manage to get it?”
“It was thanks to His Highness’s consideration.”
Leon sipped his tea and smiled subtly.
“Compared to the merit you’ve earned, it’s a small gesture.”
“Anyway.”
The Chief Instructor stretched and stood up.
“Well, I should be going. With my promotion to Special Task Force Commander, I need to vacate the Chief Instructor position quickly.”
He looked at Yan.
“Let’s meet again when the opportunity arises.”
Yan grinned.
“Let’s save that farewell for later.”
“Huh?”
“I have some business at the training grounds.”
Yan chuckled at the Chief Instructor’s amused expression, thinking of his future plans.
The elixirs piled high on the fourth floor of the Imperial Armory.
Deciding which one to take was the question.