Ch.102The Youngest Sword Seeker (6)

“To the Sun of the Empire, I humbly report.”

Najin raised his head and looked at the Emperor of the Empire sitting in the highest place. Najin’s sunset-colored eyes gleamed.

“I have no intention of belonging to any group. If there is a place where I should belong, if there is something that should be called before my name———.”

The thoughts he had contemplated countless times in his mind.

The words he had fantasized about repeatedly.

And so Najin pronounced the sentences he had memorized.

“That would be none other than the title of knight. The knight I speak of here is not one who follows a specific family or lord.”

“Hooh,” the Emperor let out a laugh.

He seemed to understand what Najin was talking about.

“A knight for knights. A knight for humanity. A knight who does what ought to be done. I mean the honorable knights who traversed the continent a thousand years ago, led by King Arthur.”

“A true knight, Atanga, you say.”

This did not refer to the currently existing Knights of Atanga. It referred to those who were their original models. History gave the name Atanga to those honorable knights who raced through the world alongside King Arthur.

“Indeed, that is so.”

Najin affirmed the Emperor’s words.

While affirming, Najin continued.

“What I desire is the qualification to be called Atanga. And that qualification cannot be given by anyone. It is something I must prove myself.”

No noble in the world, no group, not even the Emperor himself can bestow the name Atanga upon someone. Even the Knights of Atanga only call themselves Knights of Atanga, never using the word Atanga alone.

If there is a qualification to be called Atanga.

It would be bestowed by society and history.

“Therefore, no group holds any meaning for me. They are meaningless.”

“So you intend to walk alone. Then, where will those steps lead? I have not yet heard where you are heading and what you aim to achieve.”

Tell me.

Point to the path you will take.

The Emperor called out thus, and as if he had been waiting for just those words, Najin smiled.

“I am currently in Cambria, but I have no intention of staying in Cambria forever. At most, a few months. I will leave Cambria and head beyond the continent.”

Beyond the continent.

“I will soon head to the demon realm. I will cut down the demons that threaten the Empire and humanity. Eventually, I will point my sword at the great evil called the Demon Lord. And I will not stop there.”

“What then?”

The Emperor asked.

Najin answered.

“I will step onto the battlefield of stars. I will bring down the tainted stars. And I plan to hang my own stars in the sky, one by one. Just as the great hero did a thousand years ago.”

“And after that journey?”

“Isn’t it predetermined?”

Though somewhat irreverent in tone, the Emperor did not point it out. Rather, he burst into laughter.

“As you say. It is predetermined. The land of the abyss, Camlann.”

Najin affirmed with his silence.

The Emperor understood what Najin was trying to say. Understanding this, he burst into laughter. This person was saying he would walk the same path as Arthur. That he would walk exactly the same path that countless heroes had walked.

To call it a thorny path would be insufficient. It is a path filled with hardships and trials too immense for a mere human to endure, where even death as a final outcome seems light.

“A rough and harsh path.”

Eldwin wore a bitter smile.

“Why do you choose to walk such a path? Countless people would pay vast fortunes to have you. If you wished, you could obtain gold coins, beautiful women, power… many sweet things, could you not?”

“Those things are not sweet to me.”

Najin declared.

Without a moment’s hesitation.

“They are also far too insufficient to quench my thirst. What I desire is only honor and pride.”

What Atanga should possess.

What heroes and knights should embrace.

“And stars alone.”

The Emperor glanced at Gerd.

Gerd nodded. It meant there was not even a single lie. Before Gerd’s eyes, no falsehood could escape his senses.

Therefore, the Emperor was genuinely impressed.

These were extravagant words. An extravagant ideal.

There was someone who sincerely uttered them.

It was a type of person extinct in this era. While feeling surprised at this fact, the Emperor remained silent. There is no value in mere words. Even if all of it were sincere, there is no meaning in an array of unproven words.

But the Emperor knows.

That there is one value that Najin has proven. It can be found in Najin’s actions over the past half year. The incident involving the Knight of Atanga. The Royal Guards who deeply investigated that incident brought back “several testimonies” from the Knight of Atanga.

“He is a boy who knows pride.”

“Few discuss the knightliness of ancient knights. Even fewer speak of it sincerely. Needless to say, there are even fewer who put it into action.”

The one who had encountered the boy.

The Knight of Atanga, Argo, testified with a smile.

“But he was there.”

“That boy possessed pride. Even if he did not have honor, he knows what honor is. This is guaranteed by me, Argo, a Knight of Atanga.”

“Isn’t this sufficient testimony?”

The testimony of a Knight of Atanga.

The Emperor knows how much value that holds. For their words can be trusted. It meant that the minimum conditions had been met.

The Emperor of the Empire, Eldwin Pendragon.

He looked at Najin with a faint smile. After a moment passed, the Emperor opened his mouth.

2.

“I have heard your aspirations well.”

Eldwin exhaled deeply.

“But there is a flaw in your words. You must know it? As you said, you still lack qualification. Because you have not yet proven it through your own life.”

Najin remained silent. It was a direct hit.

Najin had expressed his aspirations. But they were merely aspirations, and he had not proven any of them.

“Unproven words. Aspirations full of spirit. My trust is too heavy to place in the hollow words of one without qualification. Given the nature of this position.”

Eldwin pointed at the throne with a bitter smile.

The position of Emperor is too weighty to make choices based on personal preferences. His gesture implied this meaning. Najin also agreed with this opinion.

The Emperor had retreated sufficiently.

Now it was his turn to propose a compromise.

Just as Najin was about to open his mouth, the Emperor continued. As if his words were not yet finished.

“Therefore, I will give you an opportunity.”

The Emperor smiled.

“I will watch you. Not just me. The entire continent will watch and evaluate you. The evaluation of society is my evaluation, and my choice.”

And, the Emperor exhaled.

“If you fail to prove your qualification, if you choose the wrong path, if you abandon the knight’s path and do not keep the words you have spoken here, I will immediately put a leash around your neck.”

A knight of the Imperial family, or a hunting dog.

“But if you prove your qualification, if you ultimately obtain the right to be called Atanga…”

Eldwin smiled.

As if sincerely looking forward to that day.

“I promise you the title of free knight and the right to engrave the emblem of Britain. You must know what this means?”

A free knight recognized by the Empire and Imperial family.

One who need not follow anyone’s orders, but has the right to do what they themselves deem right. A title given to those who followed Arthur in the past, a title held by those gathered under the name of the ‘Round Table.’

Najin’s eyes widened.

It was a proposal he had never imagined.

Despite showing no evidence, the Emperor imposed no restrictions. He merely said he would watch. Najin bowed his head and expressed gratitude to the Emperor. Not as a formality, but sincerely.

“As I said earlier, a swordsman proves with the sword. You must prove it with your sword.”

“Gladly.”

“I will be watching. Remember that the Empire is watching you.”

With those words, the Emperor rose from his seat.

* * *

“The Empire will become noisy.”

Walking down the corridor, the Emperor muttered.

The Empire’s Sword Master, Gerd, who was following one step behind him, opened his mouth.

“Is it alright to let him go like that?”

The First Pillar of the Empire. The old man who believed only in two values—the sword and the Empire—offered his loyal advice. The old man was allowed some rudeness. He spoke frankly to the Emperor without hesitation.

“He is a dangerous person. Exceedingly so.”

“I know, Lord Gerd.”

“I believe it would have been better to prepare at least minimal safeguards.”

“Your words are correct. I will not deny it.”

Normally, at the very least, some kind of shackle should have been placed, be it a blood oath or a soul pledge. But the Emperor did not do so.

“That boy is a seed of discord.”

“Listen, Lord Gerd.”

Eldwin spoke softly.

A man who ascended to the Emperor’s throne at a young age. He respected Gerd, who had served the previous and the one before that. Out of respect, the Emperor spoke in a gentle voice.

“I said I know. Despite knowing, I acted as I did.”

Gerd bowed his head in silence.

It was an apology for his presumptuous remarks. The Emperor waved his hand and smiled bitterly.

“Your point is correct. If imperial authority were shaking and the Empire showed signs of division, I would have done as you suggested. But the current Empire is solid. After the Great Purge 150 years ago and several incidents, isn’t imperial authority higher than ever before?”

He spoke as he walked.

“Aren’t you, the Empire’s sword, supporting the Empire? Is the current Empire so weak that it would be consumed by such a flame?”

“Certainly not.”

“Indeed. I am the Emperor of the Empire, but before being Emperor, I am Eldwin Pendragon. To doubt the words of a boy declaring he will become a hero and to shackle him… how could I go around bearing the name Pendragon?”

Eldwin Pendragon let out a laugh.

“If you’re still worried, monitor him yourself. Well, I’ve just told that boy that the Empire will be watching. If you, the Empire’s sword, are not the Empire, then who is?”

The Emperor fluttered his sleeve.

It seems his body is quite heated, so if you’re going to see that boy, go ahead. Gerd bitterly smiled and bowed his head at the young Emperor’s gesture.

“Your Imperial grace…”

“That’s enough, enough. Just go see him.”

3.

Putting on the blindfold again and being guided outside the palace and to the reception room, Najin exhaled deeply. He felt completely drained.

‘That went surprisingly well.’

-Yeah. This Emperor guy seems pretty decent?

He agreed. Even Najin hadn’t expected things to go this smoothly. It seemed like the Emperor would remain an ally even if it was revealed that he possessed Excalibur.

-Still, it’s too early.

‘That’s true.’

Najin smiled bitterly.

Having the Emperor as an ally would be reassuring, but it was still too early to reveal Excalibur. After all, the moment Excalibur is revealed, a great war would break out.

The Empire advocates unity, but not everyone follows the imperial command. Not all Sword Masters gather under the Emperor’s banner. Those who operate in secret, those who plot rebellion, those who communicate with demons—they exist in every era.

They are just waiting for the right time.

They will rise when the time comes.

While the Empire is undoubtedly a strong ally, even it cannot prevent a great war. The moment the owner of Excalibur is revealed, the fallen stars gain justification. The cursed ones of Camlann will stir, and demons and dragons will sing with rage. It is the beginning of a great war that will divide the world.

And even as a Sword Seeker.

An individual is powerless before war.

Those who can maintain their position without being swept away by the currents of war are beings who transcend humanity. Only transcendental beings like Constellations or superhumans. Having become a Sword Seeker was revealing enough; he had no intention of revealing Excalibur yet.

‘Of course, I’ll be suspected.’

-Without concrete evidence, the Constellations cannot move. If the Constellations don’t move, there’s no problem. Right?

Najin nodded.

‘Still, we have a long way to go.’

-The youngest Sword Seeker sure talks a lot.

Najin laughed at Merlin’s sarcasm.

After waiting in the reception room for some time, the person who had called Najin to the reception room opened the door and appeared. It was the expected person.

“Nice to see you. It’s been a month.”

Sword Master, Juel Lazian.

She waved at Najin, with a bottle of alcohol in her hand. She placed the bottle down in front of Najin with a thud.

“Would you like a drink?”

“I respectfully decline.”

Didn’t you say last time that it’s a strong liquor that even Sword Masters feel a burning pain from? If the current Najin drank it, his esophagus would probably be scorched.

“That’s a shame.”

She didn’t look disappointed at all.

Juel maintained her expressionless face as she pulled out glasses and snacks from her bosom. Her hand movements were remarkably swift, somehow reminiscent of Charon.

Charon, who would drink cheap liquor with jerky. However, what Juel brought out were top-quality wine and premium snacks.

Spreading out various snacks that companies had presented to her, Juel began to drink. It was strange that she started drinking right after calling someone, but knowing that this was the kind of person Juel was, Najin waited silently.

“Hmm…”

Juel put down her glass and exhaled deeply.

“Najin. Your name is Najin. You lied to me back then. Two lies, in fact.”

Juel narrowed her eyes.

Her blood-red eyes gleamed ominously.

“One was your name, the other was when you affirmed that I was the first Sword Master you met. The Star of Sword, Charon, already knew you. And according to imperial information, he had contacted you before I did.”

Juel Lazian smiled.

“Explain. I’ll give you a chance.”

It was an extremely beautiful smile, and also a dangerous one.