156th Chapter
The Swordmaster of the Empire.
How much meaning is encapsulated in these eight words?
The Swordmaster of the Empire, Ernst Prislan.
He was the pinnacle of humanity who had achieved transcendence with just a single sword, and the head of the house that spread the illustrious name of the Prislan Dukedom across the entire empire.
Within the frail body of this old man lay over a hundred years of history, writhing and condensed.
Ray once again realized how arrogant he had been.
The ‘strength’ that gave Ray confidence, held in his own hands, was nothing more than a hastily patched-up rag made from the blessing of a transcendent being and a few fortunate coincidences.
Though it seemed impressive on the surface, when faced with true supremacy, it proved to be far too shoddy.
“…”
Ray tried to maintain his composure but struggled to do so.
Seeing Ray’s unintentionally stiffened expression, Ernst chuckled softly.
“It seems you’ve met with good fortune. Congratulations.”
Ernst said nothing more and walked ahead, passing by Ray.
Ernst exuded calmness, while Ray felt as if he were suffocating.
Johanna noticed the strange atmosphere and glanced around before discreetly pulling at Ray’s collar, where beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Only then did Ray begin walking again.
Zephrin also sensed some sort of silent tension but didn’t pay it any mind.
Zephrin was instead thrilled about handing over an item.
Ordinarily, even someone like Zephrin couldn’t recklessly release expensive weapons crafted through collaboration with others; after all, the investment required recovery, and high-end items in the Atelier were often sold at steep prices to upper nobility, becoming mere wall decorations.
Moreover, due to the strict imperial laws, advanced artifacts couldn’t be casually disclosed to others.
However, the moment Ernst personally offered to pay the price, Zephrin no longer hesitated.
As Zephrin walked ahead, he turned back to look at Johanna.
“Let’s start with you.”
*
Originally, Zephrin only intended to toss Johanna a roughly suitable-sized sword.
If it had just been Ray and Johanna visiting the Atelier, that’s exactly what would have happened.
But since they decided to open the warehouse and rummage through it properly, Zephrin needed to know what kind of sword style Johanna used.
This way, he could select equipment suited for her or, if necessary, proceed with custom crafting.
When asked to demonstrate her swordsmanship, Johanna hesitated.
It was far easier to showcase her skills if there was someone willing to trade blows with her.
However, Ray stayed seated despite catching Johanna’s glance.
If Ray accidentally revealed traces of the Harshia sword style to Ernst while blocking her strikes, it would spell disaster.
Even though mimicking another technique could resolve the issue, Ray couldn’t shake off his unease during this rare moment of anxiety since his reincarnation.
While Ray was unusually nervous, Ernst stepped forward.
“I’ll take your blade for a moment. Do your best.”
“Huh.”
Zephrin let out a hollow laugh.
Among the knights of the empire, countless individuals would pay fortunes for the honor of exchanging a few blows with Ernst.
Yet Ernst, uninterested in wealth, personally guided only a select few talents who caught his eye.
‘So, this girl must truly possess exceptional talent.’
Only now did Zephrin show genuine interest in Johanna.
After offering her thanks, Johanna began swinging her sword against Ernst.
Zephrin confirmed that her swordplay was remarkably agile and unpredictable.
After three minutes of their clashing sword auras,
Ernst, without moving a single step from his spot, spoke up while deflecting her attacks.
“Show me the technique you used against Speira.”
Johanna followed his instructions.
Her sword, accelerated by a mana explosion, whipped around like a whip.
Ernst skillfully played with the sword before subtly deflecting Johanna’s strike to the side.
“Whoa!”
Caught off guard, Johanna lost her balance and tumbled forward.
Ernst mulled over the technique she had used.
Being an incomplete skill, it still had many rough edges.
However, Ernst discerned that if fully refined, it could become a quite useful and powerful move.
“Continue to refine it.”
With those brief words of advice, Johanna, groaning as she got up, thanked him again.
Zephrin examined the sword Johanna had used.
Several artificially drilled holes pierced through the otherwise solid blade.
Ray explained to Zephrin.
“The method involves detonating mana here to accelerate the sword.”
“…An interesting technique you have there.”
The principle itself was simple.
Because of that, Zephrin easily envisioned a new sword design in his mind.
‘To accelerate the sword in the desired direction…’
Four slanted holes would need to be drilled into each side of the blade.
The four slanted holes on each side would form a cross shape; if well-designed, they could resemble small flower buds.
Of course, it wasn’t a simple task.
Depending on the internal structure of the holes, the explosive force of the mana could vary in its focus towards a specific direction. There was no other way but to experiment directly to derive results.
‘Anyway, I’ll have to create one from scratch.’
There was no way anyone would have pre-made swords with such holes already drilled.
Zephrin opened one of the long warehouses lining the corridor and tossed Johanna an appropriate sword.
“I’ll separately work on creating a custom sword for you. It’ll take between two weeks to a month. Use this as a backup for now.”
Even if he gathered assistants and colleagues to start working tomorrow, designing it would take at least two weeks.
Looking bewildered, Johanna caught the sword Zephrin threw her.
Though it was meant to be a temporary substitute, the sword alone was comparable to something from Zephrin’s X Series.
“G-Gee, thank you.”
“Offer your gratitude to Lord Ernst.”
Saying that, Zephrin continued walking down the corridor and asked Ray,
“Have you ever heard of the Hercules artifact?”
“That’s the artifact our aunt used, isn’t it?”
“…Ah, that’s right.”
Having recently learned that Ray was Saria Alstein’s nephew, Zephrin nodded.
“A few years ago, my colleagues and I rented Hercules and reverse-engineered it to gather data.”
“Oh, so can you mass-produce artifacts like Hercules?”
“While the technology concentrated in Hercules was impressive, its performance didn’t live up to its name. Valerius must have been greedy—too many functions were crammed into one artifact.”
Stealth field deployment, transformation from a greatsword into armor, size adjustment based on user changes, and even autonomous mobility functions.
“Divided broadly, there were four main functions, yet the protective capability as armor was pitiful.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, it did break rather easily.”
“You sound like you’ve used it yourself.”
“…I’ve watched it break from the sidelines.”
While Ray tapped his temples to refocus, Zephrin dissolved the barrier blocking their path and led them further inside.
“There’s a prototype artifact based on the research data from Hercules.”
Stopping the group briefly, Zephrin entered a storage room with a white door alone and returned holding shoulder and shin-shaped artifacts.
Zephrin immediately attached the artifacts to Johanna’s left shoulder and right leg.
Woong!
The shoulder and shin pieces vibrated, extending blue lines made of mana and linking together.
Zephrin created a fireball using his staff and tested it by thrusting it toward Johanna.
Chheng!
Instantly, a blue defensive barrier unfolded from the artifact, blocking the fireball.
“And there’s such a defense deployment function…”
At Zephrin’s nod, Ray drew his sword, generated a sword aura, and placed it near Johanna’s chest.
In response, the artifacts attached to her shoulder and calf swiftly climbed up her limbs, forming thick protection over her torso.
“In emergencies, it transforms itself to shield vital areas. Though the protective power isn’t extraordinary compared to full armor-type artifacts, its advantage lies in barely hindering the user’s movement.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
Ray genuinely marveled.
Zephrin tapped the pauldron covering Johanna’s shoulder as he added,
“It also has a function to convert internal energy into propulsion. However, it’s not an energy-efficient device. You’ll need to ask a mage to recharge it after a few uses.”
Zephrin handed Ray a piece of paper.
On it was written the seal used to recharge the artifact given to Johanna.
Expressing his thanks, Ray tucked the paper into his pocket.
Meanwhile, Johanna stood with her mouth agape, grinning foolishly.
“Hehe… Hehehe…”
An artifact that could autonomously detect threats and protect its owner—it was something Johanna thought she’d only see in fairy tales.
And now, that very artifact was in her possession.
“Hehehe…”
Lost in wonderment, Johanna giggled uncontrollably until Zephrin pushed her from behind.
“Go over there. To fully utilize the artifact’s functions, we need to input your precise body measurements.”
Pushing Johanna into a room equipped with a machine capable of scanning human bodies, Zephrin went into the adjacent room to receive the outputted data.
For a short while, only Ray and Ernst remained in the corridor.
Ray felt nauseous again.
As Ray averted his eyes, Ernst calmly spoke.
“People must be handled with honey and whips alike.”
“…”
Turning to face Ernst, Ray gave up.
Meeting Ray’s gaze, Ernst continued.
“However, I will serve you only honey-filled water. Do you know why?”
“…Because I’m sufficiently astute, am I correct?”
“Correct.”
Most people are no different from beasts—they’re often confused about whose hand holds the whip until they feel its sting.
But Ernst saw Ray as someone sufficiently astute and quick-witted.
Not dull enough to mistake his situation simply because his skin hadn’t been torn by the whip.
“So, I find it puzzling. I’ve given you ample time to think. What makes you hesitate?”
“…”
Suppressing his rapidly beating heart, Ray managed his expression.
It was the question he expected, and thus, he had prepared an answer.
Feigning calmness to avoid suspicion, Ray spoke.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but frankly, I’m concerned about the instability of the empire.”
“Instability…?”
“My background isn’t impressive. I have much to protect, but all I possess is my modest strength. That’s why I wanted to stand safely behind the victor after the chaos in the empire subsides. My hesitation stems from that reason—I couldn’t accept your offer immediately.”
“This turmoil is precisely the opportunity to elevate your worth.”
“I don’t need to risk myself unnecessarily. My value is already more than sufficient.”
“Haha… True words.”
Smiling satisfactorily, Ernst closed the distance with Ray.
“I understand your thoughts. But others already consider you one of mine. And I will ensure that perception becomes reality.”
“…I still owe much to the House of Count Philip.”
“I admire those who value integrity. I won’t forget the grace I’ve bestowed upon you either. Thus, I respect your position.”
Ernst whispered close to Ray’s ear as he swept his hands down his shoulders.
“The turmoil will soon end.”
Due to the emperor’s emotional delay, what should have ended easily escalated into a bloody situation—but it would remain a minor disturbance.
“So, I’ll give you a little more time. Don’t make this old man wait too anxiously.”
“I understand.”
“I expect great things from you.”
Ernst took a step back.
Neither Ernst nor Ray wanted a rift to develop between them, so Ernst decided to exercise patience.
Around that time, Johanna emerged from the room, having finished the optimization process.
She appeared incredibly delighted, her laughter unrestrained.
Zephrin also came out after finishing his work, looking exhausted as he asked Ray,
“Now it’s your turn, Ray. If you desire any features in your weapon or armor, speak freely.”
Everything you wish for is here.
Just say the word, and I’ll generously select and hand over high-performance artifacts in abundance.
Impressed by Zephrin’s strong pride and confidence, Ray replied,
“A-Space storage.”
“Are you picking a fight with me?”
