Ch.111111. Elysium

The specter, unlike the spiritual bodies of the Shimnyeonto, has no sense of self. The difference is that even without manifesting the Shimnyeonto, it always sits blankly in a corner of the mental world.

The Shimnyeonto was unlocked three years ago. Since that day, Rex has been training daily using the Shimnyeonto in his mental world, and the specter has always silently watched from the sidelines.

Time flows more slowly in the mental world than in reality.

Three years, or perhaps more. Since all he did in the mental world was train, he didn’t really feel the passage of time. But he had spent all that time observing the specter. Kaordix said the specter was no different from an inanimate object, and as long as one didn’t disturb it first, it would remain still.

The specter is a byproduct that flowed in during the awakening of divine power. Even Kaordix hadn’t expected it to appear. Kaordix seemed reluctant to discuss the specter’s true nature, and since Rex didn’t want to press the issue, he had set aside his curiosity for a while.

Now he couldn’t do that anymore.

The murky grayish hair and dull red eyes—they matched perfectly with Kaiserion’s appearance from the vision projected by the statue.

Dismissing it as coincidence would be foolish.

Isn’t it too artificial to be a coincidence? Boreas’s words, the statue’s vision, and Kaiserion who was once a servant of the War God.

None of this is coincidental.

[Specter.]

Kaordix spoke in a gloomy voice.

[It means a remnant of the past.]

Rex had asked about Kaiserion before.

At that time, Kaordix had wagered that he would answer any questions if Rex could defeat Gustav, the Apostle of the Iron Spirit, and Rex had not yet won that bet. No matter how exceptional Rex’s talent might be, it would take a long time to reach the level of an Apostle. Even Kaordix didn’t think Rex would win the bet.

He had merely created an excuse to suppress Rex’s questions. But that too had reached its limit. Rex had learned too much. A great tide cannot be held back simply by trying to hold it back. Still, Kaordix had wanted to buy as much time as possible. With a hollow laugh, he continued.

[Did you know that Kaiserion ascended as the God of Swords in his later years?]

‘…Yes.’

He had heard it from Charlotte. The secret history of how the Sword Order came to be. The first Emperor Kaiserion, at some point, abdicated his throne to one of his subordinates and disappeared. The details were known only to a select few.

The human Kaiserion vanished, but the spirit that had ascended to divinity remained. The Sword Order was formed by those who inherited his spirit and swordsmanship.

[Humans treat the Sword God and Kaiserion as one and the same. That’s something they can say because they don’t understand the concept of ascension. While a conceptual being with transcendent qualities from the beginning might be different, for a human to ascend to godhood, one process is necessary.]

The removal of impurities.

[Removing impurities sounds good, but the reality is different. To become perfect means, in other words, to cut away something within yourself. In Kaiserion’s case, his human nature and distracting thoughts were the impurities.]

‘That means…’

[The specter is Kaiserion’s impurity. It’s a kind of shell formed from the grudges, obsessions, and attachments he had right before his ascension.]

What constitutes the self?

It’s a philosophical question. The answer to this sudden doubt follows. That which makes me move. Emotions and desires. If those are erased and one’s way of thinking is transformed, is the “I” still the same “I”? Or is it something entirely new that has been born?

[I found it regrettable that Kaiserion’s remnants would disappear. They were too precious to cut away so coldly, so I tried to hold onto them, but I failed.]

‘What does that have to do with the specter appearing in my mental world?’

[After Kaiserion’s ascension, I searched for his remnants. For hundreds of years. Then I discovered it—the sight of Kaiserion’s remnants dwelling within you.]

Kaordix added with a sigh.

[That was the night before your coming-of-age ceremony. At first, I thought you might be Kaiserion’s reincarnation. But you weren’t. You are an independent being, merely containing a faint fragment within. The awakening of the specter when I bestowed the Shimnyeonto was a result I hadn’t anticipated at all.]

‘…Honestly, this is hard to accept.’

Rex replied, pressing his fingers against his throbbing temples. Kaordix gave a bitter smile.

[I feel the same way. The specter that had been dormant all this time appears, and you see visions of the past. It’s astonishing. Perhaps it was an accidental phenomenon caused by the specter’s contact with Kaiserion’s statue. It hasn’t caused any changes in you, after all.]

‘I don’t think it’s a coincidence…’

[One thing is certain: as I’ve always said, you don’t need to worry about Kaiserion. You should live your own life. It’s a shabby thing for me to say, considering I approached you because of Kaiserion’s fragment, but that’s what I wish for.]

Regardless of Kaiserion, Rex’s life belongs to Rex. He shouldn’t be bound by the past or confuse his own origins. The specter is just a specter—a soul from the past that has already died and disappeared. Even if its remnants dwell within Rex’s soul, the essence of Rex as a human being doesn’t change.

He knows this.

It’s an unnecessary worry.

‘I am me.’

Rex rose from the bed. He had clearly established the distinction between himself and the specter. Still, his mind was cluttered with all the information that had suddenly come upon him. Would some fresh air help? Charlotte had told him to return before evening. Looking out the window, the sun seemed to be setting soon, making it an awkward time to wander outside.

‘I should practice with my sword.’

Training is perfect for clearing a troubled mind.

***

The introduction to the Eden Hart family is scheduled to take place during dinner.

Regardless of the schedule, Rex had already encountered some of them. That was inevitable. While only a few branch family members stayed at the Margrave’s estate, this was Elysium. Excluding those scattered across other territories, the rest all lived in the residences of Elysium. Their number easily exceeded several dozen.

“Impressive.”

Rex turned his head with a puzzled expression. A man extended his hand with a refreshing smile.

“I apologize. Did I disturb your training?”

“Not at all.”

Rex sheathed his zweihander. He had known all along that people were watching him. It was impossible not to notice the blatant stares filled with interest. However, this man was the first to directly approach him.

“I was planning to wait until dinner, but seeing your swordsmanship, I couldn’t contain my curiosity. Until yesterday, I hadn’t seen a young man boldly occupying our family’s training ground. You must be the youth the head of the family brought back.”

“I’m Rex von Calibrant.”

The man tilted his head and muttered.

“Calibrant… A name I’m not familiar with. I know all the nobles of the Empire, might you be from another kingdom?”

“No. I’m a free knight. I was only recently knighted, and I don’t have any territory… That’s probably why you haven’t heard of me.”

At those words, the man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my. A knight at such a young age. Ah, I apologize. I haven’t received any explanation about you from the family head. In fact, I only learned about a guest visiting when she returned. I knew you must be talented to receive her favor, but… a knight. Truly remarkable.”

Rex awkwardly scratched his cheek. The man shrugged with a bitter smile.

“I’m late with my introduction. I am Albert von Eden Hart. I’m the current family head’s nephew, and I currently manage the family members in Elysium. Shamefully, I have no talent as a Sacred Caster, so I couldn’t even assess your level. Pathetic, isn’t it?”

“No, not at all.”

Rex stammered in confusion at the unexpected self-deprecation. Albert chuckled and shook his head.

“Thank you for saying so, but I find myself pathetic. Born into the Eden Hart bloodline, yet unable to even touch the Sacred Flame despite being over fifty. I’m a disgrace to the family. That’s why I’ve put effort into other areas, determined to contribute to the family in different ways.”

Rex couldn’t understand Albert’s self-deprecation. Since becoming a Sacred Caster, he had reached Radiance within a year. The word “slow learner” was far from him. He found it difficult to respond.

“I thought I should meet you.”

Albert wasn’t particularly expressing his inferiority complex either. He looked at Rex with a curious gaze.

“We would have met soon anyway… but before that, in this space where it’s just the two of us, I have something to ask.”

“…What is it?”

Rex asked with a dubious expression. Albert cleared his throat after glancing around.

“Are you the family head’s lover?”

“What?”

Rex responded without thinking. He couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected question. Lover? Perhaps it was a joke to break the stiff atmosphere. But Albert’s expression was deadly serious.

“Please answer. It’s very important to me, no, to everyone living in the Eden Hart Margraviate.”

“…Why would you think that?”

Come to think of it, he had been asked a similar question before. Vivien. When they first met, she had asked Charlotte if Rex was her lover. That misunderstanding was quickly resolved, but she had continued to tease him about it during their carriage ride to Elysium.

What made them think that? To begin with, the age gap between Charlotte and Rex spanned decades. Charlotte had never taken a lover in her life. Rex found the association between them utterly bewildering.

Albert laughed heartily and patted Rex’s shoulder.

“Judging by your expression, I guess not. That’s truly a relief. I apologize if I offended you. It was something I had to confirm.”

“What do you mean…”

“The current family head is my father’s sister. In other words, I’m the grandson of the previous family head. Charlotte has held the position of family head for decades, and my father will never become the head. The difference in ability is clear, and there’s also the matter of lifespan.”

Albert wore a bitter smile.

“I don’t have any complaints about that. The tradition of Eden Hart is to pass the position of family head to the most capable individual, regardless of gender. My father won’t become the head. The same probably applies to me. Then, who will be the next family head?”

“……”

“The current head has no children. She’s never had a lover, and probably never will. Eventually, someone from a distant branch or maternal line will take that position. Already, power struggles have begun within Eden Hart, whether openly or secretly.”

Rex listened to Albert’s words with a somber expression. He was beginning to understand the intention behind the question.

“What would happen if you suddenly appeared as the family head’s lover? A free knight who reached Radiance at just eighteen, with no troublesome blood relations. Having no connections to other families is an irreplaceable advantage. You’d be very suitable as a future leader.”

“I have no interest in becoming the head of Eden Hart.”

“Even if you say so, others won’t believe you. But don’t worry. You’ve said you’re not the family head’s lover, and if her thoughts are similar… then the matter is resolved.”

Albert smiled wryly and began to walk away.

“Oh my. I’ve wasted too much time on trivial matters. I apologize for interrupting your training. Let’s end this boring conversation here and enjoy dinner now. It’s embarrassing to praise ourselves, but the meals at Eden Hart are exceptionally delicious. You’ll be satisfied too.”

Rex nodded with a dubious expression.

‘Is this really going to be okay?’

He hoped so.