Fate (1)
Chapter 170
After the battle ended.
Ernst called out Dillid Prisland first.
Dillid, who had lost his entire left arm, approached Ernst after roughly staunching the bleeding and knelt down.
Ernst, without even checking Dillid’s injury, began to speak.
“I will not hold you accountable for this situation.”
“…”
Dillid silently listened to Ernst’s words.
At this moment, whether Dillid had made a mistake or not was not important.
Ernst had already stated that he would not question it.
Given Ernst’s character, unless it was an unforgivable sin, there was a high likelihood that the matter would be quietly swept under the rug.
However, if Dillid failed to properly complete the tasks assigned now, he would truly have to prepare for decapitation.
Ernst gave Dillid a few instructions, and after bowing his head once more, Dillid stood up.
After dismissing Dillid, Ernst turned his gaze toward Ray.
Ray forced a smile as he looked at Ernst.
“You’ve taken care of everything, but you’re late.”
“…Yes, I am late.”
Ernst briefly examined Ray.
His condition was far from good.
Thanks to the inner armor he wore underneath, he seemed to have avoided fatal piercing wounds, but apart from that, his body was in utter disarray.
Just by glancing, one could see numerous slashes and bruises, and his complexion did not look healthy.
“There is much we need to discuss, but shouldn’t we treat your injuries first?”
“No, let’s talk first.”
Lying down like this would only bring unease, making rest impossible.
Ray remained sharp and vigilant.
This place was still a battlefield for him.
Considering what Ernst had shown so far, while the possibility of hostility wasn’t high, if it were to happen, Ray would have no other choice.
As Ray felt Luna approaching nearby, he tried hard to maintain composure.
Ernst glanced at Ray before turning away.
“Follow me.”
Ray followed Ernst as they moved away from the underground plaza towards the fortress walls.
Luna trailed behind Ray at a distance.
Once near the walls, Ernst directed his gaze at Luna.
Before Ernst could speak, Ray interjected.
“She’s a clever child. She can handle spirits, has learned some magic from a mage residing in the baron’s territory, and has been of great help. She also assisted in welcoming you, Lord Ernst.”
Ernst briefly glanced at Luna before getting straight to the point.
“I would like to hear how you came to master the swordsmanship you wield.”
“…Understood.”
Ray spoke calmly.
Excluding unnecessary details and slightly altering the narrative, Ray mostly told the truth in a composed manner.
He explained that the arrangement involving Harshia’s swordplay and Moros was prepared by Resina, who foresaw the return of a chaotic era 600 years ago and chose him as the one to face it.
“Afterwards, I continuously encountered corrupted individuals.”
Ray emphasized fate.
Following his acquisition of Harshia’s swordplay and the Empire’s divine sword, he listed numerous ‘evils’ he faced as if destined.
When Ray’s summary concluded, Ernst asked in a low voice.
“Did you slay the Crown Prince?”
“Yes. When evidence confirmed the Crown Prince had transformed into an Apostle, Resina’s advice indicated that Apostles must be eliminated before they fully mature. So, I acted accordingly.”
“…”
Ernst had thoroughly reviewed information about the Crown Prince incident and found no flaws in Ray’s testimony.
The investigation results of the Crown Prince incident, which previously had many holes, perfectly aligned with Ray’s account when combined.
Nevertheless…
“You were fourteen then.”
“At that time, I was the sole inheritor of Harshia’s Spatial Blade, wielded Moros, and had reached the Graduation level.”
Ernst suppressed a laugh.
Now, even Ernst knew that these seemingly absurd claims were true.
Ernst had personally witnessed Ray on the battlefield.
The precision and ruthlessness in Ray’s sword strikes were something only those who had fought countless battles could possess.
Ray himself defied all common sense.
Ernst mulled over complex emotions.
Ernst, being a Swordmaster, understood that sometimes the flow of the world contained the will of transcendent beings.
The world called it inevitability, and those born within such inevitability were described as having a destiny.
The reappearance of the malevolent deity’s will in this era was not coincidental with the appearance of someone like Ray.
Ernst realized that another difficult period was approaching.
To overcome this period, someone like Ray was necessary.
“…Could you show me Moros?”
“…”
Without speaking, Ray handed Moros to Ernst, though his tension skyrocketed, aware that it might be a trap.
Gripping Moros firmly, Ernst tilted it slightly.
Ernst’s hand slowly traced the blade of Moros.
Ernst murmured the strange inscriptions etched onto Moros’ blade.
“To the glory of the Empire…”
Even as a child, Ernst had dreamed while looking at the illustrations of Moros in books.
After standing silently for a moment, Ernst handed Moros back to Ray.
As Ray tensely received Moros, Ernst placed his hand on Ray’s shoulder.
“Your worries and hardships must have been immense.”
Ernst lightly patted Ray’s shoulder and continued.
“You’ve accomplished things that countless nobles and armies of the Empire could not. Your achievements are beyond belief… but depending on how they’re framed, they could also become sins.”
A hero’s epic could easily turn into a charge of treason with just a little manipulation.
With proper framing, Ray and even the entirety of Phillip’s County could be justified for destruction.
Of course, Ray was well aware of this and thus intended to lay low until the situation stabilized, Ernst thought.
“Ray, I am loyal to the Empire. I respect His Majesty the Emperor and honor his intentions.”
“…”
“However, we… those who reach the Lord level, cannot avoid scrutiny and surveillance. It is inevitable, so do not feel aggrieved.”
Ray nodded tentatively.
After pondering for a moment, Ernst continued.
“But mere passivity won’t suffice. We must make efforts to protect ourselves. Otherwise, isolation becomes inevitable.”
Ernst removed his hand from Ray’s shoulder and gazed at Moros.
“That you inherited Harshia’s Spatial Blade isn’t a major issue. Harshia’s Spatial Blade symbolizes the hero’s legitimacy, not the royal family’s.”
Harshia was merely royalty, not an emperor.
Though his existence has become mythologized, Harshia could never represent the royal family.
“However, Moros… the Empire’s divine sword, clearly symbolizes the royal family’s legitimacy. Therefore, it must be returned to the royal family.”
Ray immediately knelt and offered Moros to Ernst, indicating that he harbored no greed for the divine sword of the Empire.
In fact, Ray preferred if Ernst took Moros back, but Ernst handed Moros back to Ray.
“Ray, listen carefully. It would be better to delay the return of Moros for about a year.”
“…?”
Confused by the words, Ray prompted Ernst to explain further.
“The soon-to-be-crowned Crown Prince Poibos lacks legitimacy. Returning Moros now would incur a significant debt to His Majesty.”
However, the current Emperor doesn’t have much time left.
The drastic measure of mobilizing the Empire’s Swordmaster this time was due to that very reason.
Returning Moros to the royal family now would leave a debt to the current Emperor.
That debt disappears when the Emperor passes away.
If possible, returning Moros after the throne is passed to Poibos would be far more practical.
“I will do my utmost to assist His Majesty until he ascends to heaven. However, it’s wise to seize opportunities when they arise. Until then, keep Moros in your possession. Just ensure others don’t see it.”
“But…”
“Do you think I’m incapable of controlling my own people?”
Many saw Moros during this battle, but most of them perished.
Moreover, the people in this fortress were Ernst’s selected allies.
If Ernst decided to control the information, keeping it hidden for a year wouldn’t be difficult.
Ernst emphasized again.
“If your existence becomes known, many will find you troublesome. Leaving a debt to the newly crowned Emperor would be a better way to protect yourself.”
“I understand what you mean.”
“When dark times come, if you establish sufficient merit and prove your loyalty to the royal family… His Majesty may lend you Moros. He’s a flexible person, so follow my advice.”
“…”
“Ray.”
Ernst gripped Ray’s shoulder again.
“In the future, I will present your accomplishments well and protect your people. I have the power and the will to do so.”
“…”
“So, become one of my people.”
Becoming “one of his people” ultimately meant an engagement to Speira.
Ray slowly shook his head.
“That’s unacceptable.”
For the first time since their reunion, Ernst’s expression crumpled.
He had explained sufficiently, believing Ray to be a wise young man, but never imagined he would reject the offer.
Realizing Ernst’s shift from bewilderment to anger, Ray briefly sought Luna’s understanding.
“Luna, please excuse us for a moment…”
“…”
Since the atmosphere wasn’t hostile, Luna stepped back a few paces while keeping her eyes on Ray.
Using a bracelet to create a soundproof barrier, Ray began to speak.
“Lord Ernst, you know well that many sacrifices were made to inherit the Spatial Blade, yet none succeeded.”
“I know.”
“This is a blade that kills its owner. It destroys and breaks the owner’s body. My lifespan isn’t long either.”
Ernst re-examined Ray.
The boy with dull eyes and labored breathing was scrutinized again.
He could feel how perilously Ray was balancing on a tightrope through the pounding heartbeat.
Ray directly met Ernst’s golden gaze.
“My lifespan will shorten further. I’ll burn it out for humanity, the Empire, and my people. I’ll die sooner than Lord Ernst, probably much sooner. That’s why I don’t wish to form ties with anyone.”
“…”
“My role is to pave the way. I can only walk that far. Thus, I hope that any rewards for my deeds are bestowed upon my people after I’m gone.”
“…”
After staring at Ray for a long time, Ernst took a step back and sighed deeply.
“Go receive treatment first. Don’t worry about your safety.”
“…Lord Ernst, I know it sounds suspicious, but I’d rather say it now.”
“What is it?”
“Resina researched methods to strengthen ordinary hearts using the Dragonheart, which is used by the Imperial family. Such records exist among Resina’s arrangements.”
It was a blatant lie.
Yet Ray continued naturally.
“Perhaps I can extend my lifespan a bit. Later… If I achieve great merit for the Empire, could His Majesty possibly grant me a small fragment of the Dragonheart?”
“…You’ve already achieved sufficient merit.”
He slew the First Crown Prince who could have potentially corrupted into an Apostle, causing chaos in the Empire.
He thwarted forces in the Rubia Kingdom that were plotting against the Empire.
And today, he saved the Empire from falling prey to the demons.
Ernst nodded.
“When the time comes, I’ll try to ensure you receive assistance.”
“Thank you.”
Ray bowed his head once and turned around.
Luna approached to support the wobbling Ray.
Her silver eyes, filled with sorrow and dimmed by sadness, reflected briefly in Ernst’s eyes before disappearing.
