“We can’t line up behind the Second Prince now, can we?”
Standing beside Ras, his confidant trembled, his voice shaking with anxiety.
“In the past, we blocked the Second Prince’s funding and disbanded his private soldiers. That day, the Second Prince came to me and said that once he became the Crown Prince, he would tear the limbs off everyone related to Rasmos and throw them to the pigs as feed. At that moment, Rasmos and the Second Prince crossed a point of no return. The Second Prince probably wants to grab my neck and wring it right now. He’s only keeping me alive because he’s worried about the economic repercussions that would follow the collapse of Rasmos.”
“Ha… but we can’t just sit here and die!”
“Wherever we flee within the empire, we would still be in the palm of the Crown Prince’s hand. Besides, I have no intention of abandoning this Rasmos Merchant Group building and leaving.”
Ras’s confidants let out sighs that originated from the depths of their chests.
“Those who wish to leave, leave now. No matter how much we bow our heads, I don’t think the Second Prince will let anyone associated with Rasmos live.”
Ras’s confidants had previously said they would stay by his side until death, even before the Second Prince became the Crown Prince. However, now that the shadow of death was looming over them, perhaps their thoughts had changed. They no longer spoke of staying with Ras.
One of the confidants stood up and gave a 90-degree bow toward Ras.
“Please take care of yourself.”
“Is that so?”
One ripple eventually shook the hearts of many.
“Thank you for everything, Master. Please stay safe.”
“I hope we can meet again alive.”
The various branch managers, who were once called his trusted confidants, all left their seats. Ras watched their empty spots with an indifferent expression.
‘It was a mistake to engage in management that didn’t suit my aptitude from the start.’
Ras had once been renowned as a genius magic engineer. He had even turned down a long-held dream of becoming an academy professor to conduct business and raise his poor family’s standing.
Twenty years had passed since then. Based on his superior technical skills, he had created magic power devices and sold machines using them, elevating the Rasmos Merchant Group to one of the ten largest merchant groups in the empire.
“If I had maintained neutrality back then, even if it meant risking death, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Ras had never wanted to side with the First Prince in the first place. He had no desire to get caught in the middle of a struggle for the Crown Prince’s position. Even without political help, the future of the Rasmos Merchant Group was brighter and more promising than any other.
Ras stood alone, lost in his memories of the past.
At the time, the First Prince had brought his knights to intimidate him. He never thought he would regret becoming the prince’s source of funds out of fear for his own life this much.
“Hahaha! Stop scaring me so much, you rascals!”
The Crown Prince’s knights, standing at the top of the building, looked at him and gave him a thumbs-up before making a throat-slitting gesture.
At that chilling sight, Ras’s face turned even paler.
***
“Young Lord Dien, you requested entry two days before the tour.”
“Yes! I’ve been interested in the empire’s knight training system for a long time! I found out late that the Ministry of Education was going on a study tour of advanced sites, so I applied like this!”
“Hmm.”
In front of the gateway leading to the Imperial Capital, Dien spoke while acting as a vigorous young official undergoing an entry screening. The imperial official stared intently at Dien. Since the Imperial Capital was a place where spies constantly swarmed, they did not easily overlook even the smallest peculiarities.
“You are quite young.”
“Yes! I’m still attending the academy! Wow! I’m so excited to see the Scanian capital!”
Dien deliberately slurred his speech a bit. He thought he was making an expression appropriate for his age.
“Hahaha. Young Lord Dien, you look even younger than your age.”
Was it because Dien’s appearance was so refreshing? Or was it just hard to look at? The imperial official smiled at Dien’s expression.
‘Is it working or not?’
Inside, Dien was burning with anxiety, unlike his bright expression. If the imperial official did not approve his entry, he would have no choice but to return to the Kingdom of Delos. Therefore, Dien tried to induce a lapse in their guard by appearing as foolish as possible.
“Argh! A spider!”
At that moment, a spider happened to be on the imperial official’s body. Thinking this was the perfect time, Dien freaked out and made a huge fuss.
“Secretary! Secretary, there’s a spider on your leg! A spider!”
“Hahaha… It’s all right.”
“You have to get the spider off! Ugh…!”
“I’ll take care of it, haha… I’ll let you through. Hahaha…”
Hearing the imperial official’s words, Dien wanted to spread his arms in joy, but he maintained his acting until the end.
“Have a pleasant tour.”
“Thank you!”
Dien passed through the gate. It was only after he had walked for a long while that he could relax his cramped hands.
***
“This is the dormitory where the knight cadets stay. Cadets are allowed one night out a month. Even after their daily routine is over, they devote themselves to voluntary training at the training grounds provided in the dormitory.”
“That’s amazing. I think I understand why the Scanian Empire has been able to produce so many Sword Masters.”
“There is probably no place that demands stricter discipline from knight cadets than Scania.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
The study tour began only after the thorough identity verification process was completed. The Scanian official was boasting about the knight academy with a proud expression.
“Could we also know about the curriculum?”
“Hahaha, Young Lord Dien, you have the most questions. Unfortunately, the curriculum is a high-level secret, so I cannot tell you.”
“Aha, that’s a shame.”
Dien poured out as many questions as possible. Since he was included late in the tour list, he was worried they might have even a small suspicion.
Fortunately, once he started acting as if he had a massive interest in the knight academy, they stopped suspecting Dien for joining the tour late.
“This is the pride of the empire, the knight academy training grounds!”
“Incredible!”
A training ground of enormous size revealed itself. There were various physical training equipment and weapons everywhere. The sparring areas also had obstacles placed in various spots to simulate different situations.
‘It really is incredible. Scania didn’t become a military superpower for nothing.’
Despite being on a tour that differed from his purpose for coming to the capital, he couldn’t help but be amazed by Scania’s educational facilities.
From the strict discipline to the best educational environment, these were points that the Kingdom of Delos definitely needed to emulate.
“Shall we end today’s tour here?”
The imperial official said with a grin. At that, the expressions of the officials from the Kingdom of Delos brightened noticeably.
“Hahaha, we should have a drink today, shouldn’t we?”
“It’s a chance to taste imperial food.”
The beauty of a study tour, as some say, is the drinks enjoyed with a late-night meal. They had been looking forward to the late-night snacks in the capital since the first day of the tour.
Since it had been a grueling journey, it was natural for them to wash away their fatigue with alcohol.
The officials from the Ministry of Education all left the academy with smiles on their faces and headed toward the lodging.
“Lord Dien, you’ll join us too, right?”
“Hahaha, of course I should.”
Dien replied while gauging the imperial official’s reaction.
“Young Lord, do you perhaps enjoy brewed liquor? In the Scanian Empire, brewed liquor is the best, after all.”
“You know it well! Shall I recommend a famous tavern in the capital?”
“That would be great!”
Although the aide from the Ministry of Education had asked Dien the question, it was the imperial official who answered. Dien opened his eyes wide as if he were very interested in imperial brewed liquor and tried his best to mingle with them.
“The chance to drink imperial liquor! I’m already excited.”
“Hahaha, it seems Young Lord Dien knows the taste of brewed liquor despite his young age.”
“I wonder if tomorrow’s tour will end up being held at the lodging at this rate.”
“Hahaha. That wouldn’t be bad either.”
“Then, I will take my leave now. I think I need to head back to the Imperial Castle.”
While the conversation continued, the imperial official tried to subtly slip away from the group once they arrived at the lodging.
“Secretary! Please have a meal with us before you go.”
Dien spoke to the imperial official.
“Hahaha, I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“If you say so.”
Dien’s eyes changed in an instant. He had guessed that the imperial official wouldn’t mingle with the Delos officials. While it was like a picnic to them, for the imperial official in charge of the guidance, a late-night meal with them was nothing more than work.
He thought the imperial official wouldn’t hang out with them unless he was exceptionally thick-skinned.
Dien gave a farewell to the imperial official, putting on the most disappointed expression possible.
And now, right after the imperial official had left!
“Uh… what’s wrong with me. My stomach is starting to…”
Dien shook his head while clutching his stomach. The Ministry of Education officials found Dien complaining of abdominal pain right before entering the reserved inn.
“What? Lord Dien, is something making you uncomfortable?”
“My stomach has been hurting strangely since this morning.”
“Is it serious?”
“Yes… it happens like this sometimes. Unfortunately, you’ll have to enjoy the meal without me. I can’t put anything in my mouth when I’m like this.”
“Oh… how can this be? It seemed like Lord Dien was looking forward to the brewed liquor more than anyone.”
Dien had put on an excellent performance several times today. The surrounding secretaries and aides were looking at Dien with worried eyes, and Dien continued his act while conscious of their gaze.
“I’ll go into the room and sleep first. I usually get better after a good sleep. I want to rest thoroughly, so please don’t come to the room out of worry for me. Once I wake up, I can’t fall back to sleep…”
“Oh… I see. Lord Dien, please rest well.”
The Secretary of the Ministry of Education looked flustered. After all, Dien had been perfectly fine just a moment ago.
Dien felt his flustered gaze but didn’t care in the slightest. Once the meal began, the officials would likely forget all about him and enjoy their food.
“Get some rest.”
“Thank you.”
Dien finished his farewells to the Secretary in charge of the tour. After checking the hallway of the inn, he slipped into his room.
***
*Click.*
Dien locked the door.
Darkness had fallen over the city before he knew it. Dien turned on a small light and began to study the architectural blueprints of the Rasmos Merchant Group building he had hidden in his clothes.
As luck would have it, the lodging was in a place where the main branch of the Rasmos Merchant Group was visible. Since the merchant building towered higher than any other, he could find it immediately.
*Rustle.*
Dien packed his mask and descended to the ground through the second-floor window of the inn. Then, he found the sword he had hidden in the carriage in the inn’s backyard.
*Shring.*
As he carefully drew the sword, it shimmered, showing off its translucent beauty.
“This is my first real combat with you.”
*Zing…!*
Dien whispered while looking at the sword. Then, as if it had been waiting for him, the sword emitted a vibrating sound.
‘It really must be a relic. Seeing as it even answers my words. Once this task is over, I should give you a name.’
It is said that a sword is like a lover to a swordsman.
With a smile, Dien put on his sword belt and hooked the scabbard to it.
“Phew~ let’s begin.”
Taking a deep breath, Dien kicked off toward the merchant group.
Before long, Dien’s figure vanished, melting instantly into the dark streets.