Chapter 237: 237 Why hide?
Today’s royal audience was abruptly concluded due to a sudden duel and an unexpected outcome.
After the duel ended, Reiger turned and left, disappearing from sight and leaving behind everyone, including the King.
Albert was unable to recover from his shock for a long time afterwards and was eventually taken away by members of the knightly order.
Yuri, once she regained her composure, apologized to the King and then hurriedly left, seemingly in search of Reiger.
As for King Hemulinp, after returning to his private chambers, he dismissed everyone, allowing the still-shaken civil servants and other officials to leave the scene.
One can imagine that this battle will be spread by the mouths of these civil servants and knights.
By then, the weight of the name Reiger Brillhaut will be dozens of times greater than before, stirring up widespread discussion throughout the capital and the kingdom.
King Hemulinp could already envision such a future.
However, he still found it somewhat unbelievable.
"Albert lost..."
And he lost completely at that.
In the blink of an eye, Albert Bolei, hailed as the first man under the Sword Saint, had his sword broken and was defeated.
What level of swordsman could instantly kill the man regarded as the first under the Sword Saint?
Sword Saint!
It could only be a Sword Saint!
But isn’t that too absurd?
"...Rom."
King Hemulinp suddenly spoke to the empty royal chamber.
"Have you ever seen a 17-year-old Sword Saint?"
Upon his words, a shadowy figure wavered and momentarily appeared behind him.
Then, a chilling voice spoke.
"I haven’t even heard of one, let alone seen one."
How could anyone have heard of one? In a world where those who become Sword Saints before 30 are an exceptional rarity, how could there be a 17-year-old Sword Saint?
It’s not just about being 17---even a 27-year-old Sword Saint is a rarity that could be counted on one’s fingers in all of human history.
"So are you trying to say that what we witnessed today was all an illusion?"
King Hemulinp didn’t turn to face the figure behind him but spoke as if to himself.
"......"
The person King Hemulinp called Rom was momentarily at a loss for words.
In this situation, King Hemulinp rubbed his temples.
"Has all the information on Reiger Brillhaut truly been thoroughly investigated?"
King Hemulinp asked in a grave tone.
"It has been reviewed," Rom replied quietly. "We’ve investigated many times, confirmed it at least twenty times, but there’s still no information on Reiger Brillhaut ever training in swordsmanship."
"Reiger Brillhaut began his swordsmanship training after he was attacked and the ’Gate’ within him was damaged, according to the reports."
"Prior to that, there were absolutely no signs that Reiger Brillhaut had ever encountered swordsmanship."
King Hemulinp had heard this report many times before.
But that was exactly why he couldn’t help repeatedly confirming it.
"If he had no prior experience with swordsmanship, then how did he suddenly become a seasoned True Knight?"
"No, he isn’t just a seasoned True Knight anymore."
"To defeat Albert in one move, such strength, such swordsmanship, it is not something a True Knight would possess."
King Hemulinp once again recalled that flash of lightning, a deep sense of wariness appearing in his eyes.
To him, Reiger had become an utterly mysterious figure.
He suspected that the Reiger of the past was merely a facade, always concealing his true self.
Aside from that, the swordsmanship he displayed couldn’t possibly have been mastered by someone who had only recently begun practicing.
What would normally take decades for one to master, how could Reiger have achieved it in such a short time?
He must have been exposed to swordsmanship long before, but simply never showed it.
Moreover, he must be concealing his magical abilities as well; otherwise, how could he have suddenly become a Tactical Level Magician?
According to past information, when he had just started at the Spriler Academy, he hadn’t mastered even a few combat-level spells, so how could he suddenly use Tactical Level Magic?
"Why has he hidden himself so deeply?"
King Hemulinp couldn’t understand this point.
Yet, there was one thing he did understand.
That is, attempting to draw Reiger in and tie him down to the Kingdom of Ginas would now be nearly impossible.
"Since Reiger Brillhaut is a Sword Saint, we must no longer use forceful measures against him," King Hemulinp frowned and murmured: "He’s so resistant to becoming a noble, that avenue is likely closed."
Hearing King Hemulinp’s mutterings, Rom, after a moment of silence, finally spoke.
"Do you need me to act?"
As he said this, a murderous intent was discernible in Rom’s tone.
King Hemulinp glanced back and asked, "Can you withstand that blow?"
Naturally, King Hemulinp was referring to that impressive flash of lightning.
"...I can," said Rom, after a brief silence, then added in an even voice, "but it won’t be easy."
"Then it’s out of the question," King Hemulinp replied without hesitation: "Without absolute certainty, we must not move against a Sword Saint, no matter what. You should be more aware of this than I am."
"So what does Your Majesty wish to do?" Leaving the matter there, Rom retracted his intent to kill and said, "It seems this individual is not very willing to serve the kingdom. If left unattended, he could potentially be swayed by another nation."
King Hemulinp had nothing to say.
It was indeed his concern.
The better Reiger performed, the more shocked he became, the more uneasy he felt.
This was perhaps a common ailment of every emperor, overwhelming suspicion.
"...If there’s really no other way, then we must try to build good relations with him," King Hemulinp said gravely, "Even if he doesn’t become a noble, nor contributes to this nation, we must ensure he will not become an enemy to our nation."
"Your Majesty means...?"
Rom was beginning to understand.
"The best method is through marriage alliance," King Hemulinp’s gaze flickered slightly as he spoke, "But looking at him, he probably won’t accept such an obvious form of appeasement."
"Fortunately, aside from being a Swordsman, he’s also a Magician."
"Since he’s a Magician, let’s use the old method and ensure first that he does not become an enemy."
Rom immediately responded to Hemulinp’s words with a question.
"Who does Your Majesty plan to send to Reiger Brillhaut?"
Rom’s question made King Hemulinp fall into contemplation once again.
A moment later, King Hemulinp made up his mind.
"Ordinary folks probably can’t move the heart of the youngest Sword Saint in history," King Hemulinp gritted his teeth and said, "Let Liz go."
"What?" Rom’s tone finally changed as he said, "No, Your Majesty!"
King Hemulinp knew why Rom would object.
"Princess Liz’s talent is not inferior to Prince Solok’s, she isn’t much less than Albert or Saint Nidor, and given time, it’s not impossible for her to become a Sword Saint. How can we send her...!?"
Rom strongly objected.
"What other options do we have?" King Hemulinp asked coldly, "Do you think, among my daughters, apart from Liz, there is anyone else that could catch Reiger Brillhaut’s eye?"
"Isn’t there Princess Petrala?"
"She won’t do. She’s much older than Reiger Brillhaut, and her strength falls far short."
"What about Princess Anna?"
"She hasn’t even received the True Knight Medal yet, how could she possibly do?"
"And Princess Shaura?"
"She’s already betrothed."
"Then ... Princess Shia?"
"..."
Finally, King Hemulinp turned around and with a voice full of gritted teeth, he said one sentence.
"She’s only nine years old."
With those words, Rom fell silent.
"Let Liz go," King Hemulinp finally sighed, waved his hand, and said wearily, "Becoming a Sword Saint is not so easy. Solok might not make it, let alone Liz. Instead of expecting a Sword Saint whose arrival we cannot know, we should rather secure the Sword Saint that has already emerged."
Having said that, King Hemulinp thought again for a moment and then spoke up.
"Issue a royal decree. Say that Reiger Brillhaut is now qualified to become a Sword Saint, and the royal family will soon bestow upon him the Sword Saint Medal, officially recognizing him as a Sword Saint. You’ll be the one to introduce him."
Upon hearing this, Rom realized that His Majesty the king was set on forming a good relationship with Reiger Brillhaut.
"...Yes."
Rom accepted the order and slowly disappeared behind His Majesty the King.
......
While the king was making various deliberations and decisions in the royal chambers, Yuri was also hurrying along the palace corridors, heading towards the location of the Franzer family’s carriage.
"Miss?"
Marilyn, unaware of what had happened, saw Yuri hustling and bustled, looking completely surprised.
Yuri paid no attention to Marilyn and went straight to the clearing where the carriage was parked.
There, she finally saw that rascal who had left earlier.
"It seems my surprise was indeed significant—it even made you hurry," he said, leaning against the carriage with his arms crossed as if he had been waiting for her, smiling at Yuri.
Yuri then slowed her pace, staring blankly at the man in front of her, who was both familiar and somehow a little strange, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
"Why the silence?"
Reiger instead came up to Yuri and spoke to her.
Seeing this, Yuri was really tempted to roll her eyes at him for a moment.
"...Why didn’t you tell me?" she asked with puzzlement.
"What?"
Reiger seemed not to understand.
Yuri glared at him.
"Playing dumb, are you?" said Yuri with displeasure, "If you have already become a Sword Saint, then just say it. You’ve had me worried for so long for nothing!"
Yuri’s words didn’t seem to elicit a reaction from Reiger.
It was Marilyn who first showed an astonished expression.
"Sword Saint?"
She looked at Reiger in utter amazement.
He had already become a Sword Saint...?