Ch.100The Youngest Sword Seeker (4)

According to the Arkhebtz Act, information about self-reported Sword Seekers is made public throughout the Empire. This serves as both a check on the individual and advertisement.

I handle such and such weapons.

I possess such and such skills.

The declaration itself is a form of advertisement. Sword Seekers are in demand everywhere, top-tier talent that various groups desperately try to recruit. Simply by making your information public, letters come flying from all directions, begging you to join their organization.

······Of course, quite naturally.

None of this happens suddenly. No one reaches the level of Sword Seeker overnight. Those approaching the Sword Seeker level naturally have rumors spreading about them, and even after those rumors circulate, it typically takes several months to officially attain the rank.

During those months, various groups, noble houses, and knightly orders prepare to scout the individual.

They conduct thorough background checks to make offers that would satisfy their target. So when the list of Sword Seeker-level masters is updated, groups say, “Ah, they’ve finally made it,” and present their prepared offers.

But this case was different.

A suddenly updated list. And the person on that list… someone they’d heard rumors about but hadn’t paid much attention to. Known to be at the Expert level, and with less than half a year of activity, they had deemed it too early to make contact.

But suddenly a Sword Seeker?

Had they been hiding their true ability?

There was little information about this person.

No one knew what to offer. Occasionally, hidden masters would emerge from obscurity like this, but even that was rare. Each group anxiously reviewed the information, and······.

『Real name – Najin.』

『Former alias – Ivan.』

『Area of activity – Cambria.』

『Level – Sword Seeker』

When they read the number written at the end of the information.

『Age – 18.』

The entire Empire was thrown into chaos.

2.

Those with talent for the sword.

Those who received sufficient support.

Based on the average of such individuals, the average age of Sword Experts was late 20s to early 30s. The average age of Sword Seekers was measured at late 50s. This had been common knowledge for over a thousand years since the founding of the Empire.

Of course, occasionally geniuses appeared who broke records, but never by such a large margin.

This was only natural. Rising in rank meant elevating the quality of one’s soul. Only by honing oneself over a long period could one cleanse the impurities on the soul and achieve transcendence… regardless of talent, advancing in rank required a long time.

———That’s why Charon, the Star of Sword, was anomalous.

He rose through the ranks incredibly fast. He advanced without hindrance. He raced forward, breaking all previous youngest-age records. The gazes that were initially full of jealousy, suspicion, and doubt had transformed into admiration and envy by the time Charon reached the level of Master.

An unprecedented genius.

A genius that won’t appear again for a thousand years.

Such praise had been showered on Charon less than ten years ago. Amid this, the Empire faced another shocking event.

『Rising to Sword Seeker at the age of eighteen.』

『Najin, the adventurer from Cambria.』

A boy who reached Sword Seeker at just eighteen had appeared. He had shortened the record of Charon, the so-called unprecedented genius, by a full 12 years, and cut nearly 40 years from the average time.

“This is impossible!”

“Something must be wrong!”

Countless people raised their voices.

Among them, those who shouted the loudest were the imperial historians who recorded the Empire’s history. They had also raised their voices during the Star of Sword’s time, believing themselves to be the living history of the Empire.

They would have to revise the history books. Having already had to rewrite numerous historical texts for the Star of Sword, they were beside themselves with frustration.

“The result is wrong. It doesn’t make sense, so this must be an anomaly!”

“We should suspect the influence of cultists.”

“The examination must be flawed. A re-examination is needed······.”

Though their expressions were somewhat extreme, their opinions resonated with the public. It was simply inconceivable. Even when breaking records, how could they be broken like this?

“Even the Star of Sword, that unprecedented genius, grew with the support of the Order of the Sword. He had a solid foundation. But what about this boy? He has no foundation. He appeared out of nowhere. Even his origin is unclear!”

“It’s all suspicious!”

“His period of activity is only half a year. Could he be a homunculus created by the Magic Tower?”

Many claimed something was wrong.

As the public grew restless, the Empire released the details of the examination and information about the examiner. Those who had been vocal rushed to criticize the supervisor, but······.

『Safria Gachefsga.』

The moment they confirmed the supervisor’s name, everyone had to shut their mouths. The faces of those who had questioned the supervisor’s abilities turned deathly pale.

The Empire’s great archmage.

The Fourth Pillar of the Empire.

Seal of Eternal Beauty, Safria Gachefsga.

No one was unaware of what it meant to doubt her abilities. They also knew that if she expressed displeasure at this fact, even fairly substantial organizations could be dissolved. As a result, the Empire fell into silence.

So it was true without a hint of falsehood?

Had someone really reached the level of Sword Seeker at just eighteen? Was this even possible?

While the public was in confusion, the final blow fell. The Emperor summoned the Sword Masters. The pretext was to commemorate this historic moment. From the moment the Emperor intervened directly, all of this became truth.

······Najin was summoned to the Imperial Palace.

Until new information was released from the palace, nothing more could be known. Countless people held their breath, waiting for news. And even amid this, word spread rapidly throughout the Empire.

To announce the arrival of the youngest Sword Seeker.

* * *

The lord of Trebache.

Marquis Eldelmar broke into applause the moment he confirmed the sentence “Youngest Sword Seeker, Najin” written prominently on the letter.

“Bravo, bravo!”

You see? This is the young man I had my eye on. Were my eyes not accurate! Didn’t I say he would make a big splash! After exclaiming this, the Marquis guzzled a bottle of his treasured wine and ordered the theater troupes he sponsored.

Make this into a play immediately, he commanded.

Create a play about the tales of Najin and Dieta.

This is an opportunity for Trebache to rise as a tourist destination.

This time, even the knights under him couldn’t stop the Marquis.

In fact, the Trebache Marquis family was the first noble house to contact Najin, and they were receiving public attention. Marquis Eldelmar didn’t miss the opportunity to gain a reputation as an investment genius who foresaw the future.

Sword Seeker, Roseline Askarlo.

She already knew that Najin had reached the level of Sword Seeker, so she maintained a somewhat relaxed expression amid the commotion in the adventurer city.

“Sister, did you see that?”

“Yanma, I know everything. This sister, you know? I can tell at a glance. I told you that guy would do something big…”

“Did you foresee this from back then?”

“Of course, man. Not just anyone can be a captain.”

“That Ivan guy… even that he’s eighteen?”

“Of course… What? Wait, what did you say?”

Roseline snatched the newspaper her subordinate was reading. Then, when she confirmed the sentence prominently written there, “At the age of eighteen, rising to Sword Seeker…,” she widened her eyes.

Eighteen? Eighteen?

No, I thought he was at least in his mid-twenties?

Roseline blinked with a dumbfounded expression. Even she was thrown into confusion, and the adventurer city had to endure a tumultuous time waiting for Najin’s return.

Snake that Swallows the Gold Coins.

Dieta, the head of Dieta Trading Company, entered the meeting room humming a tune. Of course she was happy. Her company’s stock was skyrocketing in real-time.

The fact that Najin and Dieta had a very close relationship, both officially and privately, was well known. Because of this, people came to her seeking information, not just from within the adventurer city but from outside as well.

She was a merchant and knew well that sometimes intangible information could have tremendous value. Having pocketed a hefty sum of gold coins, a smile never left her face.

‘Well, that’s that.’

She was delighted simply because the man she had her eye on was doing well. Seeing interest pouring in from all directions made her a bit jealous, but what did it matter?

‘The first place is mine.’

The first investor and the first friend.

Wherever you go, the value of being first is tremendous. And she intended to claim other firsts as well. With such fantasies in mind, Dieta spread the newspaper she had brought on her desk.

Come to think of it, he never told me his age?

Now was finally the time to confirm his age. With a pounding heart, Dieta checked the newspaper and······.

“Huh?”

She choked on her breath.

After coughing several times, she thumped her chest and checked the newspaper again.

Eighteen. The number remained unchanged.

Dieta was twenty years old. That meant Najin was two years younger than her.

“He’s younger? Really?”

Dieta widened her eyes, and the guard knight Passion standing beside her also widened his eyes. For two reasons. One was Najin’s age, and the other was that his mistress’s eyes could grow so large.

With round eyes, the two stared at the newspaper.

The master of the Order of the Sword, Star of Sword Charon.

He donned the formal uniform of the Order for the first time in a long while, adjusting his attire. Though he usually wore a loose robe and wandered off, this time the occasion demanded otherwise.

The Emperor had issued a summons for the Sword Masters.

While Sword Masters immersed in the Battlefield of Stars or the Demon Realm were exceptions, those like Charon who were active in the mainland had to respond to the summons. Of course, even without obligation, he would have gladly attended.

“So his name was Najin.”

Charon smirked.

A Sword Seeker at eighteen—he had expected youth, but this was beyond imagination. Charon burst into laughter at the fact that his record had been broken.

He was unofficially a teacher, wasn’t he?

He should congratulate his disciple on his debut.

“I can’t go empty-handed.”

With a flick of Charon’s finger, a waiting high priest brought a sword. This year’s ambitious work forged by a master craftsman belonging to the Order of the Sword. This should be an appropriate gift.

The Executioner of the Sacred Host, Juel Lazian.

Having single-handedly stormed a hideout of demon contractors near the Demon Realm, she smiled upon checking the urgent telegram that arrived.

“The expected has come.”

Juel already knew Najin’s age and level. He was already close to Sword Seeker then, but to rise in rank in just a month? Impressive. Muttering this, Juel swung her sword.

Blood splattered with each swing of her sword. The magic that the demon contractors had painstakingly crafted was torn like paper, and their bodies were finely dismembered.

After sending a carrier pigeon with a reply stating she would respond to the summons, she emptied a bottle of alcohol into her mouth. Enjoying the slight intoxication, she readjusted her grip on the sword. While slaying heretics was enjoyable, meeting that boy seemed even more so.

The screams of the demon contractors echoed.

Juel’s sword flashed through the echoing screams.

The Empire’s First Horn, Gerd.

After sending letters to the Sword Masters in accordance with the Emperor’s will, he returned to the meadow prepared solely for him. Then he swung his sword. Even as the entire Empire was in turmoil, the old man’s routine remained unchanged.

The old man simply swung his sword.

Silently, as he had always done.

3.

Najin was guided somewhere while wearing a blindfold. It was a blindfold inscribed with all sorts of magical formulas, and even if he blinked inside the blindfold, he could only see blurry surroundings.

‘I think I can see…’

When he focused his eyes, the scenery became clearer, but the magical formulas inscribed on the blindfold made a loud “screech!” sound, so Najin just closed his eyes.

After walking for some time,

the Royal Guard leading the way stopped.

Then, with a heavy “boom,” the sound of a door opening echoed. As they entered, the Royal Guard removed Najin’s blindfold. Najin blinked several times to adjust to the brilliant light.

After opening his eyes, Najin looked around.

It was a space that resembled both a courtroom for trials and an arena for duels. Najin stood in the center of the circular space. Looking up, he could see people looking down at him.

Star of Sword Charon.

Demon Killer Juel Lazian.

The Empire’s First Horn Gerd.

Three Sword Masters came into view. Charon shrugged his shoulders toward Najin, and Juel openly waved at Najin as if greeting him. Though her face remained expressionless, making the gesture somewhat awkward.

And as for Gerd.

The old man, the Empire’s First Horn, was looking at Najin with narrowed eyes. It was a colorless gaze, even more devoid of emotion than Juel’s.

‘Then……’

Najin raised his head a bit more toward the figure seated one level above the Sword Masters. A man with platinum hair resembling starlight. There was no need to ask who he was. There was only one person in the Empire who could sit above the Sword Masters.

“I behold the Sun of the Empire.”

Najin knelt and bowed his head. Just as he was about to prostrate himself completely, a voice rang out saying that was enough. Only after receiving permission to raise his head did Najin look up.

“You must know why I’ve summoned you.”

The Emperor of the Empire smiled.

“You have proven your ascension to the rank through the quality of your soul. However, you are a seeker of the sword, a swordsman.”

He swept his arm.

His robe fluttered, and a shower of light scattered.

“A swordsman is one who uses the sword as a brush to tell his story. One who proves himself through the tip of his blade.”

The scattered light illuminated Najin.

“Prove yourself before the proud Sword Masters of the Empire.”

In essence, he was asking for proof of being a Sword Seeker.

So this was why they hadn’t confiscated his sword despite his audience with the Emperor. Najin straightened his knees and stood up.

“Gladly.”

Najin drew his sword.

Under the watchful eyes of the three Sword Masters, Najin focused on each movement more than ever before. The tip of the sword, raised in a clean arc, pointed toward the ceiling. A single sword aligned with the sky.

With the sword, Najin covered half his face.

The sword etiquette learned from Ivan.

With his eyes closed, Najin concentrated on his inner self.

What he draws with the sword’s tip is a star. A star he dreamed of in a place where stars couldn’t be seen. Opening his closed eyes, Najin lightly swung his sword.

Swish!

Following the sword’s tip, a shower of gold and white light scattered. The golden light gathered to form small circles, and the white became lines connecting the circles. Thus, what was created was a constellation made of white and gold.

The lights that had been illuminating Najin were now obscured by the light he created. Only the light produced by Najin’s sword aura filled the space.

And.

The three Sword Masters and the Emperor watching this scene widened their eyes. They couldn’t help but do so.

White and gold.

Two colors forming the stars coexisted, and.

A sword aura resembling the form of a constellation.

Though the two colors didn’t mix to form platinum, what the boy had drawn was a sword aura infinitely close to starlight. No one present was unaware of what this meant. Perhaps no one in the entire Empire would be.

The boy’s sword aura.

Resembled King Arthur’s sword aura.