Episode 184. Imperial Order (1)
‘My arm feels numb.’
The pain was gradually increasing.
Although the original purpose of receiving the sword in its entirety had deviated and turned into a duel, Rubin had no regrets.
‘If we look at Damon as a standard, Marek Heldead is clearly below him.’
Even though they were both 6 stars, the difference in determination was clear.
It’s not that Marek, the Black Spirit Lord, wasn’t great. Rather, it was Damon, who could be said to be the main force of the family, who was great.
That was when.
“Rubin.”
“Yes, my lord.”
It was my first time facing Siren since the Black Tower. It had been two years.
‘You’re still cold.’
Siren was still in the majesty of the family. There was no way she would reveal her true form, which she had only shown when the family was falling apart.
“How many years will it take?”
For a moment, I didn’t understand the question.
“It means how many years it will take to surpass the Helid family.”
“… … .”
“Of course, if you had tried your best and had luck on your side, you might have won today. But that alone doesn’t mean you can say you ‘surpassed’ someone, right?”
He was asking when a perfect victory was possible. Then he didn’t have to think long. Rubin had been judging the moment when he could surpass Marek throughout the fight.
“It’s been two years.”
Two years is a generous estimate, but he didn’t add that.
“Two years, that’s not a bad answer. It’s faster than I expected.”
At the unsurprised reaction, Rubin realized that Siren had already received a report from her direct subordinate.
‘You know everything about Auror, magic, and even new magic.’
If so, you probably know how to deal with Rosenthaler. There must be some unresolved questions, but there were no further questions from my mother.
“2 years later-”
“… … ?”
“Prove your answer. I’ll arrange a duel with Marek, and show me that you ‘surpassed’ him. And-”
Damn it.
The siren took a step closer.
Then the fog suddenly cleared away from Siren. It was as if something was pushing the fog in all directions, surrounding her.
“When the day comes when you prove yourself, then I will consider you as the next leader.”
“…All right.”
As soon as the siren finished speaking, the fog that had been pushed away flowed in and filled the space between the two once again.
Rubin clenched his fist.
‘I will consider you as the next head of the household.’
It was something I had heard from my mother in my previous life. However, in my previous life, I heard it when I was around thirty, and it was during the time when the Assassination Sword Family was collapsing.
Regret and resignation went hand in hand. At that time, the ‘next head of the family’ was nothing more than a preparation for Siren’s death while everything was falling apart.
“All right.”
But this time it was different.
Two years from now. That’s 15 years ahead of schedule. The atmosphere surrounding the words ‘next head of the family’ will be completely different. This is because it’s not about preparing for the aftermath of Siren’s death, but rather opening up the future of the Roinen family.
Then, the Siren’s words rang out again.
“That’s that, but before that, there’s one thing I need to do.”
What to do?
“The Grandbird carrying the head of the Imperial Order, Rulfo, will arrive here tomorrow morning. However, I cannot tolerate the Grandbird casting its shadow over my mansion. That is why I have asked you to stay outside the fog.”
It made sense. Regardless of the fate of the Assassin Swordsman, Siren had always been unhappy with being at the Empire’s feet.
“Still, we must be formal. You go pick up the head of the imperial command and bring him here.”
“You must have really brought the imperial edict.”
Then Siren stares at Rubin.
Rubin seemed surprised that he brought up the topic of ‘The Imperial Mandate’ first, rather than ‘Maphis’s Funeral’.
‘An irony that concerns the fate of the family more than the death of one’s brother.’
The funeral is just a pretext, and the real truth is in Rulfo’s hands.
There was a hint of interest in Siren’s eyes, but it only lasted a moment, and no one noticed.
“Let Puree do the small talk. I’m leaving now.”
Rubin gritted his teeth as he watched the back of the Siren moving away. The moment had come when the Emperor’s punishment for the Assassin Swordsman would be revealed.
* * *
the next day.
Rubin left the Roinen mansion to greet the head of the Imperial Department.
Rubin wasn’t the only one who took on this mission. Rubin was taking on the role of the main character, and two others from the Black Shadow were also going to go.
It must have been about ten minutes since I left the mansion.
Rubin waited for the two black figures to move with him. Soon, he sensed two figures coming towards him. The two were moving at a distance from each other.
“… … .”
The first one to approach was the only one among the Black Spirits whose face he knew.
‘Kavan Croquis.’
He is Kun’s father and the head of a family that has maintained the status of Black Spirit for generations.
‘You look quite surprised.’
I didn’t expect Rubin to appear as the main family’s representative. I knew that Siren wouldn’t appear herself, but I still thought it would be either Killian or Damon.
“It’s been a while, Lord Croquis.”
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“Master Rubin, you have grown so much that I can’t even recognize you.”
Although it was a gentle greeting, it was clear that Caban’s feelings were somewhat complicated.
Of course, Kaban didn’t know about the secret fight between Rubin and Marek that took place at the training ground yesterday. Not only that, but no one else knew about it. Since it was a matter of Black Shadow’s pride, the secret would only become heavier.
But just by the fact that Rubin was here, Caban could guess what Siren thought of her youngest son.
‘It’s not someplace else, but a major event welcoming Rulfo at the Roinen mansion… … .’
Moreover, it was Rulfo’s first visit.
Although Rulfo had participated in the Assassin’s Blade rituals many times, he had never set foot inside the Roinen mansion.
Even though the Assassin’s Blade belongs to the Lilic Empire, this is an inviolable territory.
‘Rubin is sent to escort the Emperor’s representative… How should I take this?’
Is Siren hinting at her intentions through this? Not only to Rulfo, but also to the Dark Shadows.
Then Rubin asked quietly.
“My lord, I wonder how Kun is doing.”
“Oh, I forgot.”
Caban spoke indifferently, as if he had little interest in his son.
In fact, it was quite the opposite. He had been receiving constant reports from Roinenser Vikander. Most recently, he had been told that Kun’s realm had reached the end of the third star.
At just thirteen years old, he is on the verge of becoming a four-star player.
Even in the Croquison family, which has produced black spirits for generations, there has never been such growth. At this level, it was possible to expect growth to the level of Siren.
In fact, Caban Crokison has been putting a lot of effort into creating an environment that will help his son reach his potential.
Kun’s undercover identity is that of a young soldier in the Imperial Navy in the Krulti region.
Because of his extreme status, he was able to experience extreme hardships in his daily life, but in the past two years, Kun has even fought in naval battles.
In addition, he had brought in ten pirate leader-level heads on his own. In a place where even just one leader-level head was considered a success in a year, he had brought in ten. There was no need to say anything more about how outstanding his talent was.
“They’re coming.”
Caban turned around and said.
This is the moment when another dark figure appears before them, moving together.
‘That person… is he Shakes Pear?’
The head of the household who appeared through the fog was quite handsome and, by Heukyung’s standards, was considered young.
‘You really are as noble as I’ve heard.’
Even though it was our first time meeting, I had heard of its fame both in my past life and in this life.
At just over thirty years old, he was naturally the youngest of the current Black Spirits. In addition, Shakes Pear was famous for another reason.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Rubin. I have longed to see you every time I heard your name.”
“You are Shakes Pear.”
“I am honored that you know my name.”
There’s no way I wouldn’t know. In all of the Assassins, there’s no more famous disguise than him.
He was a famous playwright, poet, and novelist on the continent. His works were published in all the kingdoms of the continent, and he had followers in royal and noble houses.
Boldly, he has been working under his real name, Shakes Pear. However, he has never appeared before the public as a writer. He is a faceless writer.
So, the people of the world had no idea that Shakes was actually the head of a collateral branch of the Assassin Sword Family and the perpetrator of a major assassination incident.
The only people who know its true identity are the Assassins and the head of the Imperial Order.
“I came to greet you on behalf of Heukyeong without any special purpose. I just wanted to lighten the mood since the head of the imperial order likes my book.”
Shakes said with a kind smile. Judging from his appearance alone, he looked like someone who wouldn’t even pick a flower.
What are Shakes’ weapons, and what are the 6-star characteristics? I would like to fight the other Dark Spirits one by one, just like I did with Marek. Well, I may get a chance soon.
“Let’s go.”
Caban took the lead. It didn’t take long to reach where Grandbird was.
After arriving at the hill where the Grandbird will land.
Caban and Shakes didn’t have much conversation. It seemed as if there was an invisible wall between them, as one came from the upper shadow and the other from the lower shadow.
Shakes leaned back against a tree, muttering and writing something in his notebook. It seemed as if he was composing a poem.
at that time.
WHEEWOOOOONG! WHEEWOOOOONG!
A huge flap of wings stopped Shakes’ muttering. All three looked to one side at the same time.
It was the Grand Bird. As the giant bird flew, shadows fell over the towns on the ground as if clouds were moving.
After a while, the Grandbird adjusted its flight and landed on the hill. For a moment, the trees tilted as if they were going to break, then stood up again.
‘As expected, you brought an escort force. About a hundred people, I think.’
Above Grandbird, the troops in charge of escorting Rulfo have been detected. As expected, they are the ones who are impeccable when it comes to my safety.
“You came out.”
As Caban had said, there was one person who appeared at the edge of Grandbird. It was Rulfo.
It was agreed that the escort force would remain in the Grandbird, and he would move alone. Without hesitation, Rulfo stepped into the air, but something supported him from beneath his feet.
The stone tablet was moved using psychokinesis magic.
Wheww.
The slab of stone carrying Rulfo landed softly on the ground. Rulfo, whose face was flushed with alcohol, stumbled slightly as he set foot on the ground.
He shrugged his shoulders and said, laughing.
“Oh, nice to see you. How are you all?”
The most Rulfo-like thing to say at a funeral was, “How have you been?”
“Oh, aren’t you the Fair Family? I’m reading the book that was just published right now! This book is also very popular in the system.”
Rulfo looked at the Pear family and the Crokison family one by one and greeted them. Then he turned his gaze to Rubin.
“and…….”
He paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating whether to treat Rubin poorly or to show him some proper courtesy.
Two years ago, in the ‘2nd selection’, I could treat him as I pleased, but I couldn’t do so carelessly in this place where I was sitting with the Black Shadow lords.
“… Prince Rubin, it’s nice to see you again.”
In the end, it was decided to treat them on the same level as the Black Spirits, and an inappropriate level of respect flowed out.
“Oh, by the way, you also helped solve a rather troublesome problem at the Imperial Orders Office, right? I was surprised for a while even after hearing that.”
“I was just helping the Greasers. I’m glad the issue with the Imperial Order has been resolved.”
“Thank goodness. He was such a reckless guy that he was having a hard time. That’s why I think the Assassination Swordsman and the Imperial Order are a really good combination! The Assassination Swordsman can solve the Imperial Order’s problems, and the Imperial Order can solve the Assassination Swordsman’s problems.”
“… I believe our lord thinks so too.”
“Right? Oh, by the way… You must be a little sad now that you left that fun magic school.”
“A fun magic school? That’s ridiculous. I’m just satisfied that I won’t have to take boring and difficult classes anymore.”
Rulfo laughed loudly.
Caban and Shakes, unaware of the order to eliminate Rosenthaler, watched their conversation with interest.
From the beginning, the two expected that Rubin would feel unnaturally excluded when Rulpo appeared. However, Rubin’s appearance of talking coolly with the head of the Imperial Command was quite impressive.
Then, there came a moment when the flow of conversation became slightly distorted.
“Ah, it’s a good thing Prince Rubin is here. I needed to go through the verification process.”
“… … ?”
Rulfo raised his head and looked somewhere on Granbird’s back. He snapped his fingers, and the two people he had been waiting for appeared.
Unmanned. Rubin realized that the two people who had revealed themselves were those who had mastered the secret swordsmanship of the Imperial Order. They were executives of the same level as Rosenthaler.
They were sharing something.
‘Coffin?’
A rope was attached to the front and back of the coffin containing the body, holding it up respectively.
Sniff sniff.
Two drones jumping off the Grandbird in that state. Since no psychokinesis magic was used for them, it was just a pure leap by the drones.
thud!
The coffin he was holding shook slightly.
‘Is this an intentional insult?’
It was obvious who was inside the coffin. It was Maphis Roinen, who had died after a fatal mistake during a mission.
“Brother Mafis. And those two?”
“Don’t worry, Prince Rubin. Those two’s job is to carry ‘this’ to the front of the mansion. They won’t follow you inside the mansion, so don’t worry about it.”
That wasn’t why I asked. Rulfo seemed to have noticed it quickly. Rubin changed the subject.
“Can I check your face?”
“Let’s do that. Even though our fathers are different, we share the same blood, so I think we might have some similarities.”
It’s all a deliberate insult. They’re even holding a funeral, a ceremony that never existed before, to remind us of the position of the Assassin’s Blade.
But Rubin was unwavering. He had to endure it for now.
Thud thud.
I passed the Rulfo and approached the coffin. Without hesitation, I opened the lid. Perfect preservation through magic. As expected, there was no smell.
“… … .”
Maphis was dead, his face torn to pieces. Rubin silently looked at his face, then immediately closed the lid.
“That’s right. Now we can carry it.”
A businesslike attitude that shows no emotion.
At that indifference, Rulfo laughed again. As expected, the assassin swordsman is incredibly cool. But that is why he is useful as a hunting dog of the empire.
“Follow me, Lord Rulfo. It’s only a short walk. Lord Roinen is waiting.”
