The Master symbolizes the power of each nation.
Their existence could not simply be explained by the concept of “the strong.” They lived as a kind of guardian deity and focal point.
The Empire’s Sword Master protects the royal family.
The Holy Kingdom’s Saint guards the City of Siendel, while the Great Witch restrains the great evil lurking in the Great Forest.
This structure has been maintained for a long time. Even when a new Master appears, the same was true.
One can understand this just by considering the time when the ‘Supreme Wizard,’ who had protected the imperial palace, disappeared. The Non-mage, who had lived longer than both the Saint and the Great Witch, passed his position to the Sword Master and suddenly vanished without a trace.
The reason was simple.
If there were more than one Master belonging to a nation, the balance would collapse.
Thus, the existence of a Master was special. Naturally, the question of appointing their successor stirred the entire continent’s attention.
Therefore, when news spread that the Great Witch was recruiting disciples, influential figures from various nations rushed to the Academy.
Everyone wanted their clan members to become the Great Witch’s disciples.
If even a fragment of vision were to be passed down, it was worth striving for development.
For example, one could mention the vision swordsmanship of the Yuridina Clan. There were even rumors that their prideful ‘Golden Lionsword’ was created based on the insights given by a Master long ago.
However, this overarching premise had one critical weakness.
Becoming the Great Witch’s disciple.
In other words, it meant becoming the next guardian of the Southern Kingdoms.
There was no room for negotiation.
The Great Witch would never select someone who did not agree to this condition.
While it was possible to somewhat share a vision or insight, the symbol of being the ‘focal point’ of the Southern Kingdoms could not be abandoned.
Of course, this disadvantage was something one could endure.
It was a chance to potentially become the next Master. If one missed this opportunity, they would have no right to complain if called a fool.
Unless there was a guaranteed alternative.
It didn’t take even seconds for the imperial Master to attack the Southern Kingdom’s Master.
“Elder, let’s talk!”
With a bang, the door was kicked open as the words were shouted.
No material in this world could withstand the force of a Master’s physical prowess. With a brief explosion, the door crumpled horribly, making a disagreeable noise as it creaked.
I was just sweating behind the Sword Master.
Is this even okay?
As we were on our way to the Great Witch’s place, dozens tried to stop us. Most were nobles belonging to the Southern Kingdom, dispatched to serve the Great Witch.
But who could stand in the way of a mad Sword Master?
If one didn’t want to end up as minced meat, there was no choice but to quietly vacate the place. Of course, the Sword Master kindly knocked them all unconscious before they could even move.
There was no need to draw a weapon.
The moment the Sword Master revealed a hint of murderous intent, most of the attendants wet themselves and fainted on the spot.
He was always a monster in strength.
However, unlike me, who was on edge, the Sword Master moved forward with vigorous strides, heading towards the Great Witch, who was lounging in an armchair.
The Great Witch was equally relaxed.
“Quite a rough greeting, little sword man… I thought I had corrected that habit long ago.”
“Hmph, wasn’t that a story from dozens of years ago? You need to engage in a duel to appreciate the flow of time, don’t you?”
“The flow of time is already penetrating my bones. Isn’t there an arrogant brat glaring at me right now? In the past, you wouldn’t have been able to lift your head… tsk, how ephemeral time is.”
As she clicked her tongue, the Great Witch naturally exhaled cigarette smoke.
Her face clearly showed that she was reluctantly engaging in a conversation.
“So, what brings you here? Surely you won’t say this is all for nothing after such rudeness?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
The Sword Master made a raspy sound like a beast as he expressed his discomfort without reservation. The sound of his heated breath escaped through clenched teeth.
“Regardless of how urgent a disciple is, there’s a limit. Are you trying to take away someone marked by another? Do you have no shame?”
“Hah, what can I say.”
The Great Witch chuckled and nonchalantly placed her pipe in her mouth.
Her beaming smile seemed to mock the Sword Master in a peculiar way.
“Isn’t that child not your disciple yet? Then surely, I can covet them. Who’s threatening with a sword?”
“That sounds like a tempting choice.”
As she spoke, the Sword Master discreetly showed his sword at his waist.
The sword bestowed by the Emperor was one of the finest treasures the Empire possessed. The golden dragon engraved on the white scabbard showcased the royal family’s majesty.
Such a fine sword inevitably chose its owner.
In other words, that sword could only belong to the Sword Master. Naturally, it was a relic symbolizing him.
However, the Great Witch only smirked at the implications of using such power.
“Aren’t you already aiming your sword? It’s a type that can’t be avoided in the first place… Did you think I would withdraw my intentions this much?”
“Then, shall we really have a duel?”
As he slightly lowered his stance and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, the Sword Master seemed genuinely intent.
The blue murderous intent flared like a spark.
The Sword Master’s anger was reaching a dangerous level. Just as I thought I might need to step in.
“Have you asked that brat’s will?”
“…What?”
At that short question, the Sword Master flinched and lost his posture.
The Great Witch was still wearing a calm smile.
“I asked if you inquired about that brat’s will? Of course, the choice should be up to that child. It’s their future.”
“Hmph, this one is a noble of the Empire by birth. The answer is obvious…?”
It didn’t take long for the confident smile on the Sword Master’s face to fade.
It was because I had silently avoided the Sword Master’s gaze.
His eyes widened, and I could see his body trembling in my mind, one scene after another.
Somehow, it felt like I could already see the ensuing developments.
Just as I shut my eyes tightly.
“Yes, so this brat, Ian Fercurus, is you really planning to betray the Empire?! And you still call yourself a noble of the Empire?!”
The Sword Master’s furious shout echoed painfully in my ears.
He was so angry that there was even a spiritual energy in his voice.
All the furniture rattled as if trembling like aspen leaves. The anger of an absolute being was something even I, who had reached High Expert status, found hard to bear.
I barely suppressed the desire to cover my ears.
“Regardless of noble or commoner, all subjects of the Empire have received the royal family’s grace! Will you behave so ungratefully?!”
“Tsk tsk… So that’s why the Empire cannot function.”
The Sword Master’s loud voice ceased around that time.
Meeting the old man’s bloodshot eyes, the Great Witch clicked her tongue while wagging her finger.
It was indeed remarkable courage.
“Who would want to pledge loyalty to an Empire that only talks about obligations and honor? Even the noblest knight cannot bear a starving belly while wielding a sword… Naturally, there should be compensation that fits the obligation.”
“Ugh… that, that’s….”
It was a reasonable point to hear.
The Sword Master, who clearly had no gift of gab, found it hard to counter. After some time of stammering, he subtly glanced at me and cleared his throat.
“…There’s no other choice then! I shall give you one of my precious nieces. How about Shi-en?”
“No, wasn’t that a conversation we already had before?”
“Then two? Iris, Shi-en! How about those two? They are the most outstanding among my nieces…!”
The old man’s obsession was so ugly it was hard to watch with open eyes.
With the momentum that seemed to be ready to give the entire royal family away, I couldn’t help but turn my gaze away.
“Huh? You wouldn’t want to rot your whole life away in the Great Forest, right? With several beautiful wives, enjoying a splendid life in the royal family…!”
“Enough, enough.”
It was the Great Witch who stopped the Sword Master on my behalf.
The Sword Master had now become so teary-eyed that he was about to cling to me. If the Great Witch hadn’t acted first, I might have yelled for him to stop.
The Great Witch also seemed surprised that the Sword Master would go this far.
Thus, she placed her hand on her forehead as if her head was throbbing.
A long sigh escaped her lips.
“No, what is a man of your age… stop! I concede. Let’s negotiate.”
“…Negotiate?”
Perhaps the proposal intrigued him, and the Sword Master immediately stopped whimpering and looked at the Great Witch.
A glimmer of expectation even reflected in his eyes.
“Yes, negotiate. I just happened to have something to entrust to that brat, how about you help me with it?”
“No, what kind of bizarre suggestion is that?”
“Then you can show your abilities. That way, the brat may be more tempted by you, don’t you think?”
“…Hmm.”
The Sword Master seemed to find weight in the Great Witch’s words.
Muttering softly, he began to ponder.
“Keeping the brat safe, well… that should suffice. If it’s just taking a breather for a bit….”
As I watched this series of events unfold, I felt a chill run down my spine.
Initially wondering how things would turn out, I never thought the Great Witch would succeed in gaining the Sword Master’s cooperation.
The Great Witch seemed to know more about the Sword Master than anyone could have imagined.
His magnificent appearance and the reputation of the “Sword Master” were merely veils covering his childish nature!
Eventually, the Sword Master gave the response the Great Witch had anticipated.
“Well, that’s fine… I was just feeling that the Academy was a bit chaotic. I suppose I can treat it as honoring an old person.”
His speech had returned to its previous formal tone.
At this point, it seemed fair to assume that the Sword Master had lost all anger. I sighed with relief inwardly, but the Great Witch seemed to have more to say.
Wearing a suspicious smile, her tone turned subtle.
“However, actually there’s one more condition….”
“…?”
That was something I had never heard before.
Wasn’t this play intended to gain the Sword Master’s cooperation?
The perplexed gazes of both the Sword Master and me met in the air, and a few minutes later.
A girl I had never seen before stood before me.
Her elegant dark blue hair fell to her waist. The blue eyes of the girl, dressed in the Academy’s first-year uniform, sparkled as if star dust had been embedded within them.
So much so that I could only widen my eyes, unable to utter a word.
On the contrary, the Great Witch couldn’t suppress her giggles. After a moment of chuckling, she wiped the tears from her eyes with her finger and asked.
“Ku-huh, hehehe… How is it, sword man? How does it feel to return to a young body after so long?”
Finally, the girl with a dull complexion opened her mouth.
“…What the hell.”
The identity of this charming girl I had never seen before.
It was none other than the ‘Sword Master’ wearing the guise of a young woman.
Of course, this was the Great Witch’s scheme.
