Chapter 129. A Nefarious Past

"... Damn it."

Reclining in my chair, I recalled my conversation with Kolparan.

I had repeatedly offered for him to take on the tasks himself, but Kolparan vehemently opposed.

Despite my persistence, he continued to resist.

― I'm sorry. Wouldn't it be best to stop now?

Kolparan had even apologized back to me.

"... I was sincere, though."

Ah. Back to square one, after all.

Or perhaps not.

― It's remarkable! You even managed to pressure Sir Kolparan into yielding! The bishops who agreed to collaborate will now undoubtedly place their trust in Sir Yulian!

It felt as if my influence had grown beyond what it was before.

"I don't need such things."

Who would desire the trust of the Dawn Society?

Even the 'Sword Saint' is involved in such things...

'Oh, he's lost his touch as well.'

This world is truly spiraling into madness.

I should abandon any notion that trust can resolve anything.

"In the end, one must protect oneself."

With that thought in mind, I recalled the time I had clashed with Kolparan's soldiers.

The burnt wounds from the magic had healed, and the fatigue from battle was almost nonexistent.

This was possible because 'Angelica' had shielded me from the unexpected attack.

Without her...

'I would still be writhing in pain from my injuries.'

Yulian's healing abilities aren't ordinary, but they aren't all-powerful either.

Had I been the real 'Yulian', I would have evaded those attacks entirely.

'... What kind of sword did he wield?'

I've come too far to embark on a journey to find Yulian's self, yet a sudden curiosity arose.

But there is no longer a way to witness his swordsmanship.

'Right now, I am 'Yulian'.'

***

I've decided to put off entrusting Kolparan with the key role in the incident for now and focus on my original work.

The paperwork in the secretariat, while not particularly challenging, tended to accumulate into a mountain of trivial tasks if not addressed promptly.

After hastily stamping the documents and heading to Commander Ordwin's office to hand them over, she handed me a book as if anticipating my arrival.

"Could you return this to the central library?"

Just as I felt a retort about why I had to return her books rising to my throat, I casually glanced at the book's title.

【The Correlation Between Proper Eating Habits and Growth】

After giving the title a once-over, I spoke without hesitation.

"Isn't it a bit late for that?"

"... Why should I hear that from you?"

Ordwin, unusually scornful in her tone, replied.

She tried to act unbothered, but it seemed her height was a touchy subject.

"Then let me ask you: why do I need to return this?"

Though I was smiling, I couldn't comprehend her reasoning.

If she borrowed it herself, shouldn't she be the one to return it?

"Haaa... It's for your sake, so just go."

For my sake?

How on earth was returning a book to the central library for my sake?

As I stood there, nonplussed, Ordwin sighed once more and explained.

"That's because the Godricht family members are expected here shortly."

"Godricht family... Why are they coming here?"

My question prompted Ordwin's eyes to narrow.

"Do you really not know?"

"No, have I done something wrong? I am rightfully with the Imperial Family's secretariat and—"

"It's because you caused an 'incident'."

Incident?

The word jolted my mind awake.

It was likely due to what happened with the Cryphart family.

That guard knight...

"It was merely self-defense."

"Even if that's the case, anything involving the Godricht family can be problematic, as you know."

Yes, I was aware. Damn.

The influence held by the Four Great Families is akin to the Imperial Family within the Empire.

Although I am part of the Cryphart family, one of the Four Great Families, I can't expect their protection.

'Besides, Ornn was present then too.'

The de facto head of the Cryphart family.

There's a possibility he might have instigated the Godricht family to take disciplinary action.

"But why is it strange? Shouldn't someone from the imperial family come instead of the Godricht family members?"

That thought led me to another question.

With the Godricht family's influence, not to mention the power of the noble assembly with Ornn Kolparan as its chair, they could have fabricated charges and summoned me directly to the secretariat.

Authoritarians tend to favor such approaches... So why not?

"Actually, the incident hasn't been blown out of proportion. It seems someone wanted to escalate it, but another person dismissed it."

"Who was that?"

"Interestingly, it was Alba Godricht."

Hmm, Alba.

Hearing that name brought back memories of an event at a past banquet.

Those eyes filled with lively curiosity looking at me.

'Are you repaying kindness?'

Like covering up a troublesome matter for me.

"So the aim is to prevent the incident from escalating by avoiding contact with the Godricht family members."

"Wouldn't it be better to confront them and settle things?"

Once again, Ordwin's eyes narrowed.

"I knew you'd say that, which is why I wanted you to leave. It's concerning if you reignite the issue Alba covered up."

Her caution made me think deeply.

'The Godricht family members coming here must be the ones I saw at the Twilight Flame.'

Indeed, avoiding them as she said is probably wise.

I just added a comment to sound like 'Yulian'.

"If Commander Ordwin insists, I have no other choice."

Feigning defeat, I grabbed the book.

The central library was near the imperial palace, making it a trivial errand hardly worth saying 'No' to.

"Thank you for understanding."

There was relief in Ordwin's words.

'That's probably because of Yulian's usual demeanor.'

Definitely 'Yulian', not 'me'.

I've been acting 'normally' to my standards, after all.

"By the way, it's already late, lady Ordwin."

"... About what?"

"You should already know."

As I subtly gestured towards the book's title, Ordwin pointed towards the door, her voice low and steady.

"Will you get going already?"

***

I exited the Gate of Respect, heading towards the first gate.

Gazing down the neatly lined roads, I made my way to the central library.

How magnificent the scenery of the imperial palace was, every time.

With tens of billions of Nars allocated annually for maintenance, it was understood.

Neatly kept roads and splendid architecture.

One of the Empire's Eight Wonders, the 'Audience Road', adorned by professional landscapers.

As I passed by, a massive building soon came into view.

"This is it."

Situated at the first gate, the central library.

A repository of knowledge chronicling the extensive history of the Adraton Empire lay before me.

As I moved to step inside, the people busy with their tasks parted ways, like the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea.

Though it happened subconsciously, their gazes were anything but kind.

Their eyes said, 'Why is a killer like you here?'

"Oh, welcome, Sir Yulian."

Entering the central library, I was greeted by someone who seemed to be a staff member behind the desk.

Despite his profuse sweating, his eyes were filled with 'Why?'

"I came to return this."

Saying so, I placed the book on the table, and a look of relief washed over the staff member's face.

Now I understood why everyone looked so tense.

The library is a repository of knowledge.

For 'Yulian' to arrive there clearly signalled his intent to execute "secretariat" duty.

The staff, relieved that it was just a book return, breathed easier.

"Oh... This book was borrowed by Commander Ordwin!"

Once he'd calmed, he nodded, taking the book back.

He gave a look as if he wished me to leave soon.

'But I can't leave a place I've never been to without looking around.'

As I scanned the surroundings, the detailed interior caught my eye.

The vast room laid out ahead was lined with shelves and books.

'Surely there are books related to swordplay?'

Curiosity nibbled with the thought.

After acquiring the 'New Sword Saint' trait, I felt an uncharacteristic urge to work diligently.

Perhaps I'd become more serious about the idea of 'sword'.

But moving this body alone wasn't sufficient.

To say that this 'body' was already perfected wasn't an overstatement.

'What I need now is experience, and knowledge.'

With that in mind, I asked the staff if I could look around inside.

"Go ahead! Though a membership is usually required, Sir Yulian, being associated with the Imperial Palace, is exempt."

It's one of the perks of being part of the secretariat.

Facilities located between the 1st and 2nd gates of the palace were all accessible without condition.

Once inside, I promptly headed towards the area labelled 'Swordsmanship'.

'Come to think of it, isn't there a book by the Sword Saint here?'

The central library housed all kinds of books.

Among them, some were referred to as 'original works', including one authored by Hayden Reich, the Sword Saint.

【The Art of Swordsmanship Through Both Eyes】

In a far corner of the swordsmanship section that no one seemed to explore.

Tucked away in an inconspicuous position was this book.

This was indeed the book Hayden Reich, the Sword Saint, had authored.

'It truly is here.'

As I opened the book, the first thing that caught my eye was 'To my dear friend, Zahard.'

In truth, this book was a swordsmanship text drafted to assist the blind swordsman named Zahard, who was experiencing a slump during their training days.

The issue was Zahard was blind.

Meaning this book was created by the youthful Hayden Reich to play a prank on the blind swordsman.

Whether it was true or not remained unknown.

'One of the Easter Eggs, I wonder if there's actual content inside.'

Upon playing the game as Hayden Reich, the Sword Saint.

-'It's the folly of my youthful days.'

He glossed over it.

Thus, the contents were shrouded in mystery, piquing my interest.

'... Shall I take a look?'

With anticipation, I eagerly turned the pages.

【To my dear, blind friend Zahard.】【And to all who pursue the path of the sword.】

The introduction captivated, drawing the reader in from the start.

'Addressing all swordsmen' is so noble, valuable a phrase.

'Even a few lines have my heart brimming.'

It was expected.

Though the Sword Saint had gone awry, the one who wrote these words was the true 'Hayden Reich' I knew.

My excitement translating into tentative fingers flipping pages soon after.

"But... What on earth is this?"

Past the introduction and initial greetings lay nothing but blank pages.

Page after page.

Seeking any tips on 'swordplay', I grew dizzy from the endless blank sheets.

'What... are you trying to say?'

Could he mean that advice from others is unnecessary on 'the path of the sword'?

That rationalization held merit, after all. No matter how wrong the road may be, with refinement, it becomes the 'True Way'.

Surely, desperate times from the past had me convinced this was the case.

'You'd think, "Oh, I understand. That might be true".'

But now, reality was different.

Having conversed with the Sword Saint, I understood Hayden Reich to have a more devious nature than I knew.

Thus, this book was likely...

'Did you make this purely to mess with Zahard?'

Seriously?

Clacky's Corner:The young Sword Saint is a troll.

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