The Old Republican (3)

Elizabeth was very surprised inside, but.

To maintain the dignity of royalty, she responded calmly.

“Whether I’m a noble or royalty. What does it matter to you?”

“Well, I’m a republican.”

“!”

Republican.

To Ethan, it was an ordinary word without much impact.

No, to be precise, it’s a word that feels a bit outdated.

‘People say democrat, not republican.’

A word that would appear in books about the French Revolution.

But in <Isilium Legend Maker>, its meaning was different.

In this world, three of the six countries on the continent have kings, and one has a Saintess reigning who is as good as a king.

Sergaphilt has no king, but it’s a nominal kingdom ruled by the nobles of the Senate.

Only Heikel, where the royal family collapsed after three generations of tyranny, is the only republic in Isilium.

So, republicanism or abolition of the class system.

It would have a similar meaning to calling for a monarchy in 21st century South Korea.

‘It’s perfect for being called crazy.’

However, since such scenes were not common.

Ethan, whose interest was piqued, decided to watch a little longer.

In 1000 playthroughs, he had never seen an old-fashioned republican from the east of the continent meet a princess from the west.

Elizabeth, who had closed her mouth for a moment, soon counterattacked.

“So you’re an old man tainted with dirty ideology. The royalty and nobles are born with the heavy duty to care for and lead the people from the moment they’re born. Don’t speak carelessly!”

“Ha! Those who were just lucky to be born into noble houses and enslave the masses for generations, what? Heavy duty to care for the people? Bullshit!”

The old man spat and stepped forward, but.

He was stopped by Jenny.

“If you don’t want to become half-crippled by getting hit by someone who just wears an apron and serves, step back immediately.”

“Oh, so you’re a woman who’s eaten some sword rice too, huh?”

“!”

“Don’t be surprised. I can tell just by looking at the calluses on your hands. Your skill level is probably enough to handle three or four expert entry-level kids on your own, right?”

“…Why are you being rude when you know so well?”

“Why, you ask.”

The old man chuckled and drew his sword.

“Even if thirty kids like you come at me, you see? I can beat you all up carefully, line you up in a row, and slap your cheeks one by one.”

And.

An ominous energy flowed from the old man’s body.

‘This is…!’

Jenny, startled, took something out from her waist.

When she infused mana into something that looked like a short pin, it soon transformed into a heavy greatsword.

At the same time, her black maid uniform and white apron changed into armor.

Jenny, who had armed herself in an instant, blocked in front of Elizabeth.

“Miss, you need to step back.”

“Hm? Ah, alright.”

“Tsk tsk, talking about noble birth and whatnot, but when it’s actually dangerous, you don’t step to the front, you arrogant ones.”

The old man finished the liquor bottle he was drinking.

He threw it behind him without hesitation.

And.

“Since I just made a contract with the house owner, I’ll just slightly correct your manners. Don’t get cocky relying on your status from now on.”

The mana around him condensed in his heart and was molded into the form of aura.

“Impossible. There’s no way it’s possible to increase the size of aura on the spot…”

“Not possible? You can’t believe what you’re seeing with your own eyes? Such an ignorant fool!”

The aura flows through his arms and hands into the sword.

A clear yellow energy makes the blade look five times larger.

“If you’re so skilled, try receiving this!”

“Miss, you need to dodge-!!!”

Just as the old man was about to swing his sword down.

‘This is a bit…’

“Let’s stop there.”

[‘Maintenance’s’ mana suppression activates.]

Click.

With Ethan’s words, the flash of aura surrounding the old man’s sword evaporated.

As the mana was blocked, the source maintaining the aura disappeared.

“Uh, uhng?”

“The aura… disappeared?”

Ethan slowly walked between the two, looked at both sides alternately, and said.

“I don’t intend to interfere if you’re fighting over differences in opinion, but it’s troublesome if you cause a disturbance in my mansion.”

“S-Sorry about that. My head got hot…”

“…There were many problems with my words and actions too. I’m sorry.”

“Good. Now let’s talk calmly.”

Ethan turned around without hesitation and headed inside the house.

Jenny and the old man, bewildered by something they had never experienced before.

Sent gazes mixed with awe towards Ethan, but.

‘Wow, if I had been a little late, it could have been really bad.’

Ethan’s heart was pounding.

Half was due to being surprised by the power of the aura the old man had displayed.

The other half was.

‘What a catch!’

It was due to the sense of achievement of obtaining an excellent swordsmanship instructor.

In the middle of the night.

Greg, who had been asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.

It was because he felt a familiar presence.

• Whack!

  If he hadn’t raised his body to dodge, he would have been hit by a pole.

  Yet Greg wasn’t surprised.

  This whole process was all too familiar.

  “You’ve gotten quite dull, you brat. Have you been spoiled by peace?”

  The old man walked out of the darkness.

  “Master.”

  “Still, your reaction speed passes. You won’t get your throat slit while sleeping somewhere.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, I didn’t come to scold you.”

  The old man plopped down on the floor and.

  Gestured for Greg to sit as well.

  Greg sat on the floor facing his master.

  “So, how was it?”

  “Pardon?”

  “From the owner of this mansion to the city of Serdin, the royal capital Etre you visited, and so on. You must have felt something, whatever it is.”

  “It was better than Heikel.”

  The old man frowned.

  “Anything else?”

  “Ethan-nim is kind and the friends are friendly. Above all, I liked that there’s a lot to learn here.”

  “So, are you saying you’ll throw me away like an old shoe and switch over now?”

  “That’s not what I meant…”

  “I know, you brat! I was just feeling a bit peeved. Honestly, I think this place looks better than Heikel too.”

  Serdin was such a place.

  A place that exudes an atmosphere unlike a kingdom while belonging to the Kingdom of Etrion.

  Citizens have as much freedom as they need.

  Nobles and commoners respect each other.

  It was a very ideal city where the city hall, city council, and the free market guild check and sometimes cooperate with each other.

  But what about the Republic of Heikel, where the country was ruined by the misdeeds of the royal family and rulers, and a revolution broke out because people couldn’t stand by and watch?

  “To think a free city belonging to a kingdom is cleaner and more peaceful than the capital of a republic. Come on, it’s not even funny.”

  After the revolution, the citizen faction was purged and the core of the republic’s power was taken by the nobles.

  The only thing that changed was that the country name became a republic as the royal family disappeared.

  The exploitation, tyranny, and resulting chaos remained the same.

  “I’ve grown old too. There’s nothing we can do in the face of time.”

  “Master…”

  “Tsk, right. You didn’t reveal that, did you?”

  “…No.”

  The old man lightly placed both hands on Greg’s shoulders.

  Thanks to the posture, their eyes met.

  “You haven’t forgotten the cause, have you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then that’s fine. I’ll be here for a while too, so focus on your training.”

  “Master, perhaps…”

  The old man smirked as he left the room.

  “Don’t worry, little one. I’ll behave while I’m under contract with the house owner. He’s no ordinary guy.”

  The noble’s guard maid was quite strong too, but.

  She was no match for Ethan, who could handle mana itself.

  The old man’s attention was entirely focused on Ethan.

• Creak, click.

  As the old man’s footsteps faded away.

  Greg muttered weakly to himself.

  “I hope it’ll be alright.”

  Greg knew well that if he showed even a slight hint of watching or being hostile towards Ethan.

  Levi wouldn’t stand by.

  If she clashed with the master, even the unrivaled master wouldn’t be safe.

  “I should warn him to be careful when I wake up tomorrow.”

  When Greg went back to bed.

  A shadow passed by the moonlit window.

  It was a shadow that left a red line trailing in the air where it passed.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Have a good day.”

Ethan left the mansion, sent off by Levi.

In fact, thanks to the city hall giving him special vacations and whatnot, he didn’t need to go to work for the next few months, but.

[‘Maintenance’ is happy, saying it feels mother’s energy.]

‘I need to level up the root.’

Since the root’s level cap was lifted, to raise it to the maximum of level 60 at once.

Ethan went to work.

“My goodness, didn’t you just arrive from Etre yesterday? And you’re going to work right away?”

“No wonder he’s called a hero.”

He was already used to people’s whispers.

‘As long as they’re not cursing, it doesn’t matter.’

It wasn’t unpleasant content either.

And he didn’t have the friendliness to approach city hall employees he didn’t know at all to explain.

So he decided to just leave it be.

He sat at his desk and quickly processed the documents he received from Ailey.

In his spare time, he thought about future plans.

‘If the old man from the Five Peak Mountains has come, what’s left is probably just the holy knight from the Holy Spirit Realm?’

A person to teach Elyssia how to handle holy power.

‘Once that person joins, it’ll be perfect.’

Thinking so, as Ethan was slowly scrolling down the notification window.

‘Hm?’

He checked the glowing character story window.

[Character Information: Greg]

‘There was a separate character story?’

Ethan, as if entranced, clicked on Greg’s story.