Episode 186. Imperial Order (3)
“The blunder of the assassin swordsman Roinen’s subordinate, Mafis Roinen, was a sad piece of news that stimulated my anxiety. In order to ensure the stability of the empire, I cannot help but doubt the current assassin swordsman training system.”
In the dark hall, only Rulfo’s voice, conveying the Emperor’s will, could be heard.
The greatest head of the Assassin’s Blade in history, the current dark shadows, and even Rubin, who is living a second life, all held their breath.
But their gloom was resonating gloomily. It was like a breathing sound that only those who had gloom could hear.
“So I’m going to give you two choices. One is… … .”
The first of the options.
It was to assign children of collateral families between the ages of 11 and 15 to the Imperial Army for three years. The service area was the ‘Monster Infested Area’ or the ‘Interspecies Border Area’.
However, Roinengawa and the Black Spirits were excluded from this list in recognition of their achievements.
‘Telmach… This is really disgusting.’
Rubin tries not to waver. But every word coming out of Rulfo’s mouth is disgusting.
Is this a warning to the Assassin Swordsman?
No. The Emperor had gone beyond warnings and was planning to subdue the Assassins, and this was just the beginning.
Children between the ages of 11 and 15 are to serve in the Imperial Army.
If that happens, the growth of the Darkness will be slowed down. Furthermore, it was obvious how the Imperial Army would deal with the children of the Assassin Swordsman.
‘I’ll force you into a desperate situation. I’ll force you into an unsurvivable fight, and more than half of you will die.’
-You intend to root out the Assassin Sword Family. What will be your next choice…?
‘I excluded the Black Spirits from the punishment target, but I won’t do so in the second option.’
Rubin asserted that if there were favorable conditions for the Black Spirit, there would also have to be conditions that were fatal to them.
What the Emperor wants is for the Black Shadow to trigger a rift among all the Assassin Sword Families.
“Another option is… … .”
The second of the choices.
“The goal is to train more powerful assassins centered around Black Shadow.”
Although it was said to be a more powerful assassination swordsman, its actual meaning was different.
“Children of families that have been in the Dark Shadow at least once in the past 30 years. This is a plan to bring them into the palace and implant new martial arts.”
As soon as those words fell, the eight Black Shadows couldn’t help but waver. There was no change in their bodies and faces bowing before the Emperor’s order, but their darkness caused a great ripple.
-You’re going to take the children of the great family? That’s just like Telmah.
Haneke knew this method well, because it was the same way the emperor dealt with the swordsmen.
In addition to the palace’s own guards raised by the imperial family, there is also a second guard made up of members of various renowned swordsmen from around the continent.
The 2nd Guard is led by the heads of famous swordsmen who rotate through the ranks for a certain period of time, and the guard members are made up of the children of famous swordsmen. While assigned to the guard, the famous swordsmen cannot harbor any loyalties.
‘Besides, Telmah will not leave alone the children of the Black Spirit who entered the palace.’
They could be annihilated as they were with the Hwan-Hyeol tribe, or they could be used to test mind-controlling magic to destroy the Darkness.
“Ahem!”
Rulfo, who had conveyed the Emperor’s entire will, coughed loudly.
“… These two are the generous measures that Your Majesty has bestowed upon you! I hope that the Roinen and Black Spirit families will quickly decide which of the two options is the best path for the Empire.”
“How long will it take to decide?”
“day.”
Siren’s eyebrows furrowed.
“One day?”
“Yes, Siren. His Majesty despises hesitation.”
“…All right.”
It was clear that both options would greatly shake up the future of the Assassin Swordsman. Whichever one was chosen, it would be the same.
“I’m going to Grandbird now and will return tomorrow. Until then, please consult well with the Black Spirits.”
As Rulfo turned around, Siren, who had been crouching, stood up. She motioned for the other heads of household and vassals to rise.
“…Killian. Take the Chief of the Imperial Guard to Grandbird.”
“Understood, my lord.”
Now that the imperial edict had been made public, there was no reason for Rulpo to stay here. Rather, he thought that the sooner he left, the sooner the conflict between his family and the Heukyeong family would ignite.
So Rulfo leaves the Dark Hall under Killian’s escort.
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
Siren said as she sat down on the stool. The Black Shadow lords took their seats here and there in front of the long table.
“The deadline given by His Majesty the Emperor is short, so we must quickly discuss our opinions. Which of the two options would be best?”
“… … .”
“… … .”
For a while, there was only silence. Everyone was probably calculating in their heads how to respond to their own advantage.
Rubin also struggled.
‘What is best?’
In a way, it was a meaningless question. If you were really curious about the Dark Spirits’ answer, the answer was already decided from the beginning.
Plan 1. Enlist all children of collateral branches, excluding the main family and the Heukyeong family, into the Imperial Army.
‘Sense of privilege.’
The Black Spirits were those who aimed for the pinnacle of nothingness. They had long thought that their strength would lead to just privileges. Whatever happened to other collateral families, it was only evidence of weakness.
“… Look at the scars all over the body of Benik Benar. The black shadow is a symbol of challenge and frustration. It is not uncommon for people to die in battles to determine the status of the black shadow. Fearful lords do not dare even think about it.”
It was Marek Helid who said this. As expected, there was no Black Star Lord who opposed his words.
‘mother…….’
Rubin clenched his fists and looked at Siren sitting on the podium. Loneliness. If there was an emotion that dominated her right now, it would most likely be loneliness.
“Your Majesty.”
“Go ahead, Anon.”
Anon Ascalji. One of the higher Dark Shadows and the famous ‘Ghost Sword’. It was said that if you become the head of the Ascalji family, you will get a red tattoo under both eyes and in the center of your forehead, and it really was.
‘If my guess is correct, he would have been killed by Benic before the return.’
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Of course, we had to take into account that the course of events had changed from now on.
The death of Mafis. And the Emperor’s punishment. This would shake up the entire course of events. This time, there was no guarantee that Anon would die at Benik’s hands.
Then, Anon’s voice continued.
“I wonder what the master is thinking.”
“… … .”
“To be honest, there won’t be any direct damage to the main family either way.”
A challenging attitude. Despite this, Siren did not get angry. Anon seemed ready to take up the sword if he were allowed to, but it was Siren who wanted to do so.
If only I could organize everything with just one thing.
But that couldn’t be the case. There was an imperial decree, and that imperial decree was uniting the dark spirits more tightly than before.
But then it happened.
Benic raises his hand slightly.
He was given the chance to speak, but stopped himself from touching his nose, which had been cut off by the sword. It was a habit he had developed recently.
“I’m a bit troubled by the phrase ‘no direct damage.’ If we look at the Assassination Sword Mastery as a whole, everyone will end up taking direct damage, no matter what punishment they choose.”
“Benick, what are you trying to say?”
“The Black Spirits only need to think about their own families, but the Roinen family must seek ‘balance.’ Unlike us, they have no choice but to consider all the Assassin families as one.”
Anon glared at Benik with displeasure.
It was unexpected for Rubin. Still, at least one of the black shadows protects the main family. And that black shadow happens to be Benik Benar.
Other black people also reacted with surprise.
They thought Benik was an old man obsessed with the Dark Shadow. They thought the reason he was obsessed with the Dark Shadow was because it gave him the privilege of being excluded from crises like today.
But then you reveal that you’re on the side of your family, not the Black Shadow.
“Benik, are you saying that you will act as the representative of the main family? And that statement is misleading. It’s not that the Black Spirit Family doesn’t worry about the future of the Assassin’s Sword Family.”
The offensive against Benic continued. Following Anon, Lil and Deathril also had a word.
“Besides, there is a set period of time that all collateral families except the Black Shadow serve in the Imperial Army. It’s from age 11 to 15.”
“It is true that if you can endure that period, you can return. On the other hand, there is no set time limit for the children of the Black Spirit to enter the palace.”
Siren quietly placed her hand on her forehead. She was grateful that Benic had stepped forward, but the other black shadows were stubborn. The balance had already tilted.
But at that time.
Knock knock.
One person stood up on the opposite side of the black shadows. The black shadow lords’ questioning gazes gathered-
“Rubin… … .”
The one who looked at this with the most astonishment was Dorian, who was sitting right next to him. How dare you act so recklessly in this tense atmosphere. Rubin, even though you are very skilled, you have truly gone mad.
As if mocking his half-brother’s worries, Rubin took in the hostile gazes of the dark spirits as well as their sharp dark eyes.
The dark smoke that wrapped around his body resembled huge, evil snakes, but Rubin never wavered.
“My lord, may I have a say?”
“…I permit it.”
As soon as permission was granted, the siren released a cloud of smoke.
A portion of her vast aura crossed the large table, and in that instant the raging aura of black shadows dispersed without a trace.
“… … .”
“… … .”
It was Siren’s arrangement for Rubin. The dark shadows, once again reminded of her overwhelming power, had no choice but to calm down and remain quiet.
Rubin began to speak.
“The ages of 11 to 15 are a crucial juncture in a person’s growth. I think the Black Spirit Lords, who have each developed their own unique abilities, will know this better.”
“… … .”
Diven Khaldun flexed his muscles in curiosity, and Marek’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Either the Black Shadow sacrifices itself, or all the collateral lines except the Black Shadow sacrifice themselves. In both cases, the result is the same.”
The voice becomes more powerful.
“Let’s assume that the Black Shadow sacrifices itself. The other collateral heads will probably lose the reason to grow Wuwei. Even if they become the Black Shadow, their children will be taken away by the palace. It’s like putting the future of the family in jeopardy.”
“… … .”
“Eventually, as time passes, the authority of the Black Shadow will also decline.”
“I agree, Master Rubin. That’s a good idea. That’s why the collateral lineage, excluding the Black Shadow, must make sacrifices.”
Desel Rildens smiled contentedly. But Rubin shook his head. He was just hasty, not that he would support the Black Shadow’s intentions.
“I told you, either way, the result is the same.”
“Same?”
“Let’s assume that the collateral branches are responsible. Let’s imagine that they broke the tradition of the Assassin’s Blade and that all of their children were taken away by the Imperial Army. Which of them would want to become the Dark Shadow? The Dark Shadow who chooses to save face in a moment of crisis will only be laughed at.”
“… … .”
“The place of glory and honor is reduced to a symbol of cowardice and ridicule.”
The eyes of the heads of households changed. They must have known that the Black Shadow could become a symbol of dishonor.
But thinking about it on your own and hearing such a future from your parents’ mouths were completely different.
Shakes Pear, who had been silently watching, saw his face turn noticeably red. It was an unimaginable disgrace to this noble artist.
‘Everyone is in turmoil.’
But Rubin’s argument is not over yet. What he has said so far was merely preparation for stating his real purpose.
‘My purpose is not one of the two.’
Whether it was Plan 1 or Plan 2, the fact that the entire Assassin Swordsman would suffer damage would not change. No matter which option was chosen, it was clear that the Assassin Swordsman’s growth line would be cut off.
‘They don’t know the future. That’s why they can be selfish.’
If the Black Shadow Lords knew the future of the Assassin Swordsmen, who would be annihilated by Tema, they would never be able to say such narrow-minded things.
But Rubin knew.
Only Rubin knew.
So, we had to stop it from here and now. Not with plan 1 or plan 2, but with a new option.
“So I thought of a new solution.”
“What?”
“There is no third option. This is the Emperor’s order, the Emperor’s order.”
A commotion filled the dark hall. Some people laughed, some scolded. Among them, Caban Croquis laughed out loud.
“Master Rubin. A new plan? This in itself goes against His Majesty’s wishes. It only serves to further fuel the anger of the Assassin Swordsman.”
Not only Kaban, but other dark spirits also tried to add strength to those words. At this point, when they had to stand up to their parents, if their parents were to let them have their own way, it would be right to dig into it.
however.
“Rubin.”
It was the siren. Her short voice silenced all the commotion.
At the same time, the eight-star realm that had been locked away due to the dark spirits was revealed as it was. Darkness surrounded Rubin as if it was exploding.
‘… … !’
Just a moment ago, Rubin felt once again that the darkness of the dark shadows that had wrapped around him like snakes was on a different level.
I had to concentrate my mind and put strength into my legs. Otherwise, I felt like I would collapse at any moment, let alone face my mother.
Rubin barely managed to answer, trying not to show his annoyance.
“… Yes, my lord.”
“Have you also considered ways to persuade His Majesty?”
“… Yes.”
“Then try to convince me first. Then, I will allow you to reveal your intentions in front of the dark spirits.”
Then Siren rose from her throne. At the same time, one of her vassals who had heard her cry opened the door to the Twilight Hall.
“I think we should take a short break from the meeting. No matter how absurd it may be, an opinion is an opinion. I will decide for myself whether it is worth discussing. When the meeting resumes, the vassals will send word.”
Some had displeased faces, but most got up obediently.
In fact, their interest was in something completely unrelated to the imperial edict. Thanks to Rubin, they were able to experience the eight-star darkness of the Siren that they had only heard of through word of mouth.
The black spirits were so oppressed that they could hardly breathe, let alone speak.
Benic, in particular, was so shocked that he unconsciously scratched his empty nose for a long time.
‘It’s truly overwhelming. This is probably the first time you’ve all encountered an 8-star dark smoke. Even if all eight of us charge in at once, I can’t guarantee victory.’
This was not just Benik’s thought, but a realization that ran through the minds of all the Dark Spirits. A realization awakened by instinct.
But the experienced Benik didn’t stop there. He noticed that there was something even more surprising hidden there.
‘… Rubin Roinen, how on earth did you hold out?’
