episode_0228

Past Rustrum, beyond the sea, to the continent of Rumenia.

A convoy of vehicles rumbled heavily along a quiet road in the Federation’s autonomous region.

After a long drive, the vehicles arrived at a secluded forest villa.

The stone villa, boasting centuries of tradition, was quite elegant and refined, but the barbed wire fences and turrets surrounding it created an eerie atmosphere.

Heavily armed Federation soldiers patrolled in squads, and tanks were deployed in various locations.

The triple-layered blockade at the entrance was also impressive. More than anything, a massive suppression spell formation surrounded the villa.

Had a skilled mage witnessed this, they would have thought of a birdcage.

This place existed to imprison someone. Not to protect them.

Before that iron-fortress-like entrance, a line of heavy armored vehicles came to a stop.

The soldiers on duty at the guard post tensed at the unexpected arrival of uninvited guests.

“Halt! Stop!”

While the senior soldier was reporting, the armored vehicle’s door opened, revealing heavy, humanoid metallic beings.

The soldiers, who had been about to check entry procedures, were surprised by the sight and aimed their guns.

“Armored Knights! Maintain defensive posture!”

Only then could the veteran soldier confirm the emblem on the convoy.

Anvil, steel, shield.

“Report quickly! The Restraidna Clan has arrived!”

At the unexpected appearance of the formidable visitors, the soldiers swiftly deployed barricades and activated the turrets.

Thanks to their usual rigorous training, their response was swift, but a corner of the soldiers’ minds was seeped with worry.

‘Will this even be effective?’

Fortunately, the knights approached slowly without drawing their weapons. They seemed willing to talk.

“Please cooperate with identity verification. This area is currently under Federation military administration. There is an incarcerated individual here, so a visitor’s pass…”

One of the armored knights responded roughly to the soldier’s cautious words.

“Hey, our Commander-nim has come to meet the Count. Open the gate at once!”

Despite the unexpected reaction, the sentry tried to follow procedures as trained.

They could not allow contact with the individual inside without knowing the visitors’ identities and intentions.

“Accompaniment by a Federation military officer is essential for an interview with the detainee. You must also present a visitor’s pass. Do you have one?”

“Visitor’s pass? You mean papers?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The knight hesitated for a moment, then communicated with his comrades via radio.

It seemed there had been a misunderstanding.

– What do we do? They’re asking for papers, but we weren’t told about that.

– Wait, papers? Weren’t we told we’d be allowed through just by word of mouth? Who handled this?

After a moment of silence, a junior knight replied with an embarrassed look.

– They’re right… I’m sorry, I completely forgot to bring the papers.

Soon, the senior knights’ complaints filled the radio waves.

– You idiot. How could you leave those behind?

– You fool! Don’t even dream of being promoted to knight for a while!

The grumbling soon died down. The Federation soldier pressed for an answer.

“Excuse me, but…”

A crucial interview was about to be delayed due to a comrade’s mistake. What an embarrassment.

By rights, they should have apologized or requested new documents.

However, that would cause a delay in the great Commander-nim’s schedule.

Even now, there were countless citizens to protect and hordes of magical beasts to vanquish.

They had flown all the way from Rustrum to the Federation, investing precious time; how could they waste it?

Furthermore, upon reflection, their mistake was largely due to the Federation’s inadequate guidance.

– We cannot retreat.

– Correct. A knight does not show their back to commoners.

After a brief discussion, the knights reached a conclusion.

“Listen, soldier. We’ve already received permission from above. Stop talking nonsense and open the gate at once!”

As the figure inside the armor yelled, the bewildered soldier protested.

“You cannot. Entry is not permitted without a visitor’s pass. Stop! Freeze-”

“Talking back? You, a mere commoner who can’t even use magic!”

Before the soldier could finish speaking, the enraged knight kicked him.

-Crunch!

“Aargh!”

The ordinary sentry, who had been adhering to regulations, clutched his crushed leg and wailed.

Just then, Federation military reinforcements and armored units arrived, blockading the entrance.

“Stop! If you advance any further, we will open fire!”

The officer directing the blockade operation quickly called for backup.

In the tense standoff, the armored knight who appeared to be of the highest rank stepped forward and removed his helmet.

“I am Herman Ostro, Captain of the Restraidna 1st Armored Knights Imperial Guard and successor to the Ostro Baronial House! Who is in command here! Answer me!”

“I am Lieutenant Colonel Cornell Dent! You have illegally trespassed into a Federation military controlled zone! Withdraw at once!”

Commander Ostro ignored the Lieutenant Colonel’s warning and yelled.

Despite the fierce protest, the Imperial Guard Captain raised his voice even further.

“Silence! Do you even know who is visiting this manor right now?”

Another knight stepped forward and began to list off titles.

“Listen carefully! The one who has arrived here today is the Grand Duke of Unteneve, the Guardian of Elysion, the Protector of Southern Rustrum, and the Slayer of the Magical Beasts of the Sote Mountains… he is the Patriarch of the Restraidna Clan and the 31st Heir to the Throne of the United Kingdom of Arnor, Commander-nim Cordovado Almas Restraidna! Clear the way!”

“Wait, the Clan Head of Restraidna? What is this…”

“Now, do you understand the situation?”

A stir arose among the soldiers.

“Surely, if that man is truly the Restraidna Commander-nim… then those who came with him are…”

“The 1st Armored Knight Division is the Steel Guard!”

Fortunately, at that moment, a new order came down from above.

“…Let them pass.”

The commander, with a bitter expression, ordered his soldiers. The Federation forces, swallowing both relief and humiliation, cleared the path.

From the armored vehicle that had passed through the villa’s main gate, a bald man of imposing stature disembarked.

“Commander-nim, even with permission, this is too… Ugh!”

The commander, who had tried to protest, was sent flying by a powerful impact. Even an Awakened officer was nothing more than a soccer ball in front of the Steel Guard knights.

“Tsk tsk, a mere Lieutenant Colonel being so impertinent…”

Cordovado Restraidna scoffed, then calmly disappeared into the villa as if he were the owner opening his own door.

Upon entering, a middle-aged man in a gown sat at a table, quietly savoring tea.

“That was quite a boisterous entrance.”

Cordo retorted gruffly to the man’s words.

“It’s because those Federation commoners kept getting in the way unnecessarily. What an arrogant display from mere meat shields only fit to patch holes in the defense line. These days, the world is truly ending. Giving commoners like dogs and pigs a chance to raise their heads with talk of civil rights and freedom, isn’t that why it’s come to this?”

“Your great-grandfather would truly be pleased if he saw you now.”

“Did I say anything wrong? Those commoners don’t even know who protects their lives, yet they just complain…”

“Enough. Stop.”

Sensing the mage’s displeasure, Cordo changed the subject.

“By the way, Elder-nim. Is your arm alright?”

“I’m perfectly fine. As I realized during the manufacturing of the Stregonix, the Foundation’s technology is truly excellent. I’ll have to ask Pagan again later. I’m not the only one who needs a prosthetic arm.”

Cordo’s gaze lingered on Noctis’s arm. Valefor’s left arm, visible beneath his gown as he leisurely drank tea, was an elaborate prosthetic. At that sight, Cordo sneered inwardly.

‘To be defeated by an unknown commoner. What a senile old man.’

“So, what is the purpose of your personal visit?”

“Ha, it’s nothing much. I just came to check on an old man’s well-being.”

“Stop. Cut the useless talk. You’ve been busy stirring up the Federation recently, so there’s no reason for you to waste time coming all the way here.”

“Well, why are you talking about efficiency now? Weren’t you the one who fell flat trying to push such an absurd plan, Elder-nim? To think of using academy brats from the start, it was utterly foolish.”

“Yes, I failed. I have no regrets. Since you came to converse, have a cup of tea.”

The Commander-nim took the tea poured by the mage and sipped it.

“This is Alleborian black tea. Its aroma is profound, and its aftertaste is clean.”

“Hmph, it seems you’ve truly become a backroom old man now. I wonder if you’ve developed dementia.”

“Child, don’t worry about me. If by chance I become senile, I will walk into the main gate of Raflaxia myself. Instead of worrying about others, I recommend you count the number of hair follicles you currently possess.”

“I can’t win against you with words. Aren’t you ashamed to act like a child towards someone who could be your grandson?”

“It’s a far healthier mental activity than playing king without a territory.”

“You’re crazy, old man.”

The two exchanged trivial conversation for a while.

“Right, about Senator Remar. He’s doing quite excellently in the assembly, isn’t he? He’s already at 33 consecutive victories. He’ll soon reach 40. At this rate, he’ll set a new record.”

Valefor listened silently to Cordo’s story.

“Oh, right. About this villa, aren’t you bored? It seems there’s no proper internet connection to the outside either.”

“I have personally managed this villa long before I was confined. There are many books and paintings I’ve collected over the years. It’s an excellent way to pass the time.”

“Paintings, you say? Hmm…”

Before getting to the main point, Cordo took a tour of the mansion, guided by the Archmage. Count Valefor was not someone who often invited outsiders to his villa.

Perhaps it was an unknown space he was seeing for the first time.

‘Well, there won’t be anything spectacular…’

But upon seeing it, it was impressive.

“My goodness, Elder-nim. You’ve been hiding something precious! That one, is it not the Black Knight Trilogy by Francisco Milero? I thought it was lost during the interdimensional invasion.”

Cordo could not hide his surprise as he looked at the painting of a black knight galloping on horseback.

Only one original copy of this painting, inspired by a play left by a famous playwright, remained.

“That’s right. It’s one of the paintings based on Nolleios’s play.”

“That one must be ‘The Black Knight’s Exile.’ It depicts the passage, ‘Unleash the hounds. Let them chase the knight away.’ And that one is ‘The Black Knight’s Return.’”

“You know it well. Look closely. Milero expressed the essence that Nolleios crafted with narrative and language directly through powerful brushstrokes. I managed to salvage it before Vittorio City fell.”

‘This old man, he was hiding some quite useful things. These aren’t things to be left stuck in a corner. Tsk tsk…’

Turning his eyes to new paintings, Cordo discovered portraits of women hanging nearby.

Women with fresh, orange-colored hair.

Next to them was also a photograph, seemingly of the woman models, taken with the mage in his youth.

Seeing the faded traces of the past, Cordo asked.

“It’s an honor to see your youthful appearance, Elder-nim. Who is the female officer next to you?”

“She was my fiancée.”

“…You mean the Witch of Lightning. Ahem, my apologies.”

‘What an idiot, not to know this.’

The fact that Adriana Belestan, the Witch of Lightning, and the Archmage of the Zenith were engaged was a story known to all who were aware. However, Cordo had not expected to be reminded of it in this way.

“It’s a matter of the past now, pay it no mind.”

Fortunately, directly below the photo, a group photo was hanging, perfect for changing the subject.

“This is… Ah, it’s my great-grandfather. Judging by the background, it appears to be the Northern continent.”

“Yes. It was taken after I received the title of Zenith. It was a historic moment when humanity advanced to the very end of the Yellow Zone.”

Figures one might only see in history books appeared in the photograph.

The greatest explorer and soldier. The founder of Arsyt, Asam Satia.

Humanity’s greatest intellect and pioneer of Aether engineering, the first Secretary-General of the Luminexa Research Foundation, Lloyd Valence.

The prince of a fallen kingdom and Arnor’s last knight, Jemont Restraidna.

And the President of Magnabyss Group and the Archmage of the Zenith.

‘Truly a living history museum.’

Deciding it was time to get to the main point, Cordo posed a question.

“I’ve heard you saw many strange things while advancing north during your ascent to the Zenith. There are even rumors of the spirits of the dead wandering.”

“That’s why they’re called the Red Zone and the Yellow Zone. They are places where the unknown and threats coexist.”

“In that case, Elder-nim, you must know what this is.”

Cordo snapped his fingers, and an attendant entered the villa carrying a heavy box.

When the double lock was undone, a shimmering crown with strange patterns carved into it was revealed.

“…Where did you get that?”

“A pseudo-religious organization called the Unification Society was running rampant, so I swept them away with the Federation army. Something like this came out during that process. I’ve seen many relics that control magical beasts, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this. It was strange, so I had my subordinates investigate it, and eight out of ten said they didn’t know, and the remaining two suddenly went berserk and had seizures while investigating.”

Cordo continued in an uncharacteristically worried tone.

“Something like this would normally be Magnabyss’s specialty, but even the remaining researchers are making a fuss, saying they can’t understand it. Relic experts also say they don’t know. Dating analysis revealed it to be an artifact from the Great War, so I brought it to you, Elder-nim.”

Ripples appeared in the mage’s impassive eyes.

“At any rate, Elder-nim, you are the only living human who has seen beyond that.”

“Indeed, it’s an artifact from another dimension. There are only two ways to handle it: destroy it or seal it. Where did you find it? Are there any other owners?”

“As expected, you know. It seems there are quite a few individuals handling this artifact in my territory. We need a countermeasure, so please give some advice to this inexperienced young man.”

Valefor provided a detailed explanation. When the story concluded, Cordo stood up.

“Contact Chairman Almas. If you tell him I ordered it, he’ll cooperate.”

“Hmph, thank you.”

“And I’ll give you one piece of advice. It would be best to abandon the Colossus Plan. You cannot contend with them using only steel and brute force.”

“Hmph, you’re like an old man out of touch with the times. Don’t you think one has to try it oneself to know? I’ll be leaving now.”

Even after Cordo left, Valefor remained in that spot for a long time. The woman in the painting, seated in a chair, seemed to gaze at him.

“Adriana.”

His fiancée, his beloved. The designer of practical combat magic and master of electromagnetic magic.

Comrades and allies who had survived the best and worst of eras were no longer by his side.

The photographs and paintings on the wall remained steadfast, transcending time.

He had once believed he could catch up to that immutability, but he realized.

That even after his aging had ceased, time had ruthlessly gnawed at him.

The old heroes, 20,000 comrades and allies, had all vanished.

Now, with love, sorrow, and even longing dulled, what remained for him?

‘Hatred and duty.’

This exhibition hall, colored by the past, felt overwhelmingly empty.

With mental fatigue washing over him, the last heir of the Count’s family, who had disappeared into another dimension, closed his eyes for a moment.

**

The Violets started a new club activity.

It was the baking club!

“Let’s make lots and lots of delicious bread!”

There were several advantages to making bread. One was the ability to self-supply.

“It’s cheaper than buying!”

And the second was, they knew someone!

“Is Levi also someone we know?”

“Levi is our friend too!”

Actually, they wanted to do club activities with other friends. Levi was more like a subordinate than a friend, so it felt a bit awkward.

The problem was personal circumstances.

-Sorry, Violet. For now, I want to focus on training and studying.

-Hmm… I can’t do it. Balancing clan duties and academics is already tough, club activities would be too much.

-What? A club? Well, baking isn’t really my thing…

“Alright, let’s make bread no matter what!”

“Yay! Yay!”

Our Violet proudly opened the baking club door and entered.

“Hello!”

Let’s bring a production revolution to the baking club.