Episode 45. Hwaunseok (1)
Jan Flornica. No, the man who hid his real name, Jan Sevillon.
Rubin looked at Jan’s flowing silver hair and his purple eyes, then lowered his gaze to the distinctive scar on his neck that would later become Jan’s signature.
‘I never thought I’d meet Jan here like this.’
Then Haneke, who noticed Rubin’s embarrassment, stepped in.
-Jan? Who is that young man?
It would be natural for Haneke, who died 11 years ago, not to know Jan.
‘In the year I turn thirty, the Lilic Empire will suppress the Assassins under the command of Telmah.’
It was at that very time that the entire empire’s power was concentrated on the Assassin Sword, with the goal of ‘annihilation’.
A rebel force emerged in the southern provinces of the empire. It was like a storm. It seemed as if the empire would collapse at any moment.
– Rebellion? Does that mean the author was a future rebel leader?
‘Jan didn’t want it to be called a ‘rebellion’.’
-then?
Punishment. Jan called the war they were waging a punishment. It meant that they were going to punish Emperor Telmah for his crimes.
-Punishment?
‘Haneke, the author, is the heir to the Kingdom of Seville.’
A look of surprise appeared on Haneke’s face at those words. It was as much surprise as Rubin had expected.
100 years since the completion of the Lilic Empire.
Although its name has been erased or tarnished in almost all history books, Seville was originally a kingdom that was at the forefront of the completion of the empire even before the founding of Lilic.
Seville and Lilic, who were masters and servants. The fates of Telmah and Jan were also changed when Lilic, who was a vassal state, committed a betrayal that changed history.
-The author is of royal blood from the Seville royal family?
Haneke still couldn’t accept Rubin’s words.
Rubin was like that before his return. He couldn’t believe it at all that the successor to the Seville royal family, who were thought to have been destroyed long ago, had appeared.
-How on earth did you survive?
After the empire was completed, all traces of the Seville royal family were quickly erased.
Not only the royal family, but all those who were subject to them or related to them were killed.
It was a never-ending purge. It started with the first emperor, and continued for generations until Telmah. The killings continued.
The whole process was covered up by various false pretexts. The soldiers of the Imperial Army and the ancient swordsmen families raised the banner of justice and searched for the remnants of Seville and killed them.
‘It wasn’t just the Imperial Army. In the early days of the Empire’s founding, the assassins of the Assassins also consistently carried out missions to eliminate the remnants of Seville.’
Before returning, Rubin had also handled several missions related to Seville that were handed down by the Imperial Edict.
but.
When the ‘Silver-Haired Rebel’ Jan appeared, forces supporting him appeared throughout the empire as if they had been waiting for him. They gathered under the banner that Jan raised and opposed Telmah.
-So, so what happened?
Haneke, curious about what would have happened to the continent’s map, urged him.
‘If Jan had defeated Telmach and become the new emperor, he would have been recorded as ‘the punisher’ rather than ‘the silver-haired rebel’. I also would not have dreamed of revenge.’
The Lilic Empire did not fall.
Jan’s forces, which had quickly advanced northward to the vicinity of the imperial capital, were eventually brutally suppressed by Telmach. It is said that many people, including Jan, were killed.
‘Jan died around the same time as me, though not directly at Telmah’s hand like I did.’
Rubin left Haneke with a quiet word, thus ending his inner dialogue.
“… … .”
Jan standing in front of me.
He got off his horse and met Rubin’s gaze. Then he suddenly extended his hand. The successor of Seville, who would one day reveal himself to the world, was shaking Rubin’s hand.
“The Poinen family? I’ve never heard of that family around here.”
After a brief handshake between Rubin and Jan, Jan, as befitting a prince of the Flornica family, was suspicious of strangers passing through their territory.
Currently, the Flornica family is a weak family belonging to the Kingdom of Lihon. Although their power is weak, they are clearly responsible for this region.
“This is my first time hearing about the Flornica family, too.”
Rubin watched Jan’s reaction, pointing out the Flornica family’s weak reputation.
“The Flornica family is a long-standing family in the Kingdom of Lihon. They are not widely known because their territory is not as large as that of the Empire, but they are continuing the tradition of the Knights through their own swordsmanship.”
The one who stood up in place of Jan was the Knight Commander Silos. Even though he was from a weak family, he had the pride that one would feel if he had risen to the position of the Knight Commander.
“Now, would you like to introduce the Poinen family?”
Jan still didn’t let down his guard against Rubin. He felt that something was off. A young child traveling in a carriage without an escort?
“Kuje. Take out your pass and show it to the Prince of Flornica.”
“Yes, your highness.”
Kuze, who was acting as a coachman at Rubin’s words, rummaged through his outer pocket. Soon, a pass came out in his hand.
Jan passed Rubin and approached Kuze to receive the pass.
“An imperial pass. It’s a rare pass.”
This pass, issued under Rubin’s pseudonym, was provided by his family.
This Imperial Pass was not the highest level of pass, but it actually allowed access to all passages except for the Lilic Imperial Family and the royal families of each country. In other words, it was proof that one was a member of a noble or prestigious family anywhere in the Empire.
But at that moment, Rubin noticed Jan fiddling with the handle of his sword.
‘Are you saying that you can’t trust the Imperial Pass alone?’
As expected, Jan walked back next to Kuze and approached the carriage.
“But let me inspect the carriage. Please consider it a courtesy.”
Jan circled the carriage, examining it with sharp eyes. It would have been fine to have the Knights do it, but he seemed to be the type of person who felt comfortable only checking things out for himself.
After a while, Jan looked around the outside of the carriage. This time, he looked inside the carriage.
“Hmm, there’s a cat.”
It was said when he found Tina crouching in a corner of the carriage. When Jan reached out his hand, Tina cried out in displeasure.
Kuze, who was watching that, approached with an awkward smile.
“I, Your Majesty. If you touch me, I might scratch you. I’m a very prickly cat.”
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“Oh, is that so?”
Hah! Hah!
“Do you see? Look at those eyes. They are not ordinary eyes.”
It was then that Mankus, who had been tied up, raised his head and looked towards the carriage.
“Oh, your highness! Is it just cats?”
Sling.
Silos drew his sword at Mankus’ sudden outburst.
“Can’t you just stay still?”
“No, listen to me, sir! Is there no middle-aged woman in the carriage?”
“… … .”
Are things going wrong?
Rubin bit his lower lip. When Mankus started stalking the town, Tina, who had climbed into the carriage, did not look like a cat.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“When I caught up with the interest, there was a middle-aged woman riding with me. Really, really! Young Master, Captain. I, I can swear on it!”
Then Silos approached and looked inside the carriage. Of course, there was no middle-aged woman, only a dirty cat staring at him with annoyed eyes.
“Hmm… … .”
Rubin watched once more as Jan’s hand moved down to the sword at his waist.
‘I wonder if Jan will believe that.’
Mankus is nothing more than a captured criminal. A man who will endure any dishonor to survive. Lying would be easier than eating.
Besides, didn’t Rubin and his party even have legitimate imperial passes?
‘But should I pull out that sword?’
Rubin’s conclusion was ‘yes’. Rubin could not even fathom how fiercely they must have lived to survive and avoid the Emperor’s pursuit.
You’ve always lived assuming the worst. So it’s only right that Rubin should also assume the worst.
‘If you fight with these interests.’
Now we had to prepare for the eventuality that things would get worse.
Rubin pictured himself engaging in a sword fight with the knights of Plonika.
All the regular knights are at the level of two stars. At this level, there is no problem with the number of five or ten.
Captain Silos looked to be somewhere between a 3-star and a 4-star. He would be fine if Kuze took charge of him.
The problem was Jan.
‘It won’t be easy.’
It was not possible to accurately gauge Yan’s level. He was at least 4 stars. It was certain that his skill was far superior to that of Knight Commander Silos.
It was going to be a tough fight. Compared to Rubin, who had just started using Aura, Yan had a powerful and solid weapon called Aura.
‘Physical differences also need to be compensated for.’
Rubin’s body is not yet fully developed. Even if their swordsmanship is similar, the physical differences between the two will put Rubin at a disadvantage.
In the end, Baek Joong-se. Rubin could not guarantee victory in the fight against Jan.
‘I guess I’ll have to use the dark smoke in the end.’
Then the story would be different. Even if he were the successor to Seville, he wouldn’t have been prepared for the dark side. He wouldn’t even know what it was, let alone be prepared for it.
Rubin approached Jan step by step, constantly predicting the outcome of the fight. With each step, dozens of possible fight scenarios unfolded in his mind.
‘If the author is 4 stars… … .’
‘If the author is 5 stars… … .’
All scenarios, one where he attacks first to the left and one where he attacks second to the right. In no case did Rubin himself lose.
But when I actually stood in front of Jan.
Even though he saw an opening in his opponent, Rubin did not launch any attacks. This was because Rubin’s own beliefs suddenly came to mind.
‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’
Jan, successor to Seville.
Or the one who wants to kill Telmach, Jan. Rubin knows that he will bring new trouble to the continent.
It was just a small whirlpool for now, but the huge storm known as Jan could one day strike Telmah with a single blow.
I couldn’t rule out that possibility here and now.
‘It doesn’t matter if Yan has the goal of becoming emperor.’
As long as revenge against Telmah was achieved, what happened after that was not of interest to Rubin.
Silos broke the silence and laughed incredulously.
“Mankus, did you just say oath? How can you say oath from the mouths of those who use the swordsmanship of your family for something like theft?”
“Oh, Your Majesty! Sir! Please listen to what I have to say!”
Jan frowned and turned his head at the continued struggle.
“Seriously, those little guys are suspicious. My little brother was attacked last night! And he did it so clearly. There’s more to it than meets the eye. There could be others!”
“You’re going to keep using that dirty tongue until the end.”
Silos’ hand holding his sword trembled as if he wanted to take Mankus’ life right here and now.
“That kid, that coachman, they’re all suspicious! They might have come here to spy on something!”
Mankus continues to cry out to avoid the crisis.
But then, Jan himself took action. He strode over to Silos, snatched the sword he was holding, and drew a sword stroke in an instant.
wickedness.
Just one track.
Rubin, whose vision was amplified by the darkness, noticed that the blade was instantly enveloped in a vivid purple color as the sword cut through Mankus’ chest.
‘Purple aura.’
It seemed to be an aura unique to the Flornica family. And since it had five layers, it was a five-star aura.
-A 5-star at that age. That’s quite a talent. You said the Flornica family? At first glance, they seem like solid auras.
Jan’s soft voice was superimposed over Haneke’s muttering.
“It’s so disgusting I can’t look at it any longer.”
Then he turns his gaze towards Rubin.
“I apologize for showing you such a sinister appearance, Prince Luden. Even though he was expelled from the Knights Templar, I felt that if I left him alone any longer, he would ruin the honor of my family.”
Accepting Jan’s understanding, Rubin turned his face away as if he could not stand the disgusting scene.
“… Is that person dead now?”
Jan smiled softly, not realizing that Rubin’s weak appearance was an act. Even the slight doubt that had remained seemed to have disappeared.
‘The silver-haired rebel, Jan. They say he lived his whole life being hunted and became a psychopath obsessed with survival. I guess it was all just a rumor.’
It was very different from the rumors I had heard in my previous life. There was only one thing that fit, and that was his Aura level. I don’t know exactly, but he must have become a 6-star before he died.
“So, is it okay for us to continue our journey now?”
While his knights were collecting Maxus’ body, Kuze asked politely.
Jan glanced at the cat Tina and nodded without hesitation. He decided that he could not stop a nobleman with an imperial pass from traveling without any reason.
“If you ever come to the Flornica estate, please feel free to visit our mansion. We will wash away the bitterness of today.”
“thank you.”
“Then that’s it.”
Rubin and Jan looked at each other and greeted each other.
The first ones to leave the place were Jan and the knights. Rubin, who was watching their group moving away, got on the carriage.
“I almost got into trouble. Your Majesty, shall we go?”
“… … .”
Rubin thought of Jan and the auror he had shown. A brief encounter. He didn’t know how they would meet again in the future.
But at that time.
“for a moment.”
“Yes? Anything?”
Meow.
Tina also cried, rubbing her face with her front paw as if asking what was wrong.
‘Ian’s base was said to be around here… … .’
Rubin dug into his memories of his past life. Some of the dozens of memories that had been buried deep inside began to ignite in a chain reaction. He recalled facts that he had almost missed.
‘… Then maybe the ‘Hwaunseok’ is also nearby?’
Rubin decided to change his plans.
“I think we can take a little more time. Let’s find a new place to stay in a nearby town.”
Naaaaaong?
“…Your Majesty, I don’t think we can be late. Is that okay?”
It’s okay.
Rather, if I had realized it later, it would have been an opportunity to regret it for a long time.
