The death of the Emperor who ruled the Empire.
The entire empire plunged into deep sorrow.
The nobles and Imperial Family in the capital wore black mourning clothes, commemorating the Emperor, and the Emperor’s long, drawn-out funeral began.
It could be called the beginning of an unseen war.
“Hey, Vitalianus.”
At the arrogant voice calling him, the Sword Saint slightly bowed his head.
“Speak.”
The man standing before the Sword Saint held a position of such stature.
A cold silver-haired figure symbolizing the Imperial Family, with an expression of arrogance ill-suited to his hair color.
Callias Verden.
The Imperial Crown Prince.
“I’ll promise you the position of Guardian Knight. So just come over to my side now.”
The Crown Prince’s knights lined up behind Vitalianus as if to pressure him.
From the Sword Saint’s perspective, it was utterly ridiculous behavior.
‘What on earth did the Crown Prince think of him?’
‘Did he really believe the Sword Saint, who ruled the continent with a single sword, would be pressured by just a few knights?’
‘How arrogant and ignorant could he be?’
“I am a Royal Knight.”
“I know. That strange knight group that gave up noble titles, right? They say all knights dream of joining that order. Honestly, I can’t understand it.”
Crossing his leg and speaking as if he knew everything, the Crown Prince’s attitude was utterly pathetic.
Someone like him, who didn’t understand the honor of knighthood, was to become the Emperor?
The Order of Guardian Knights, the Royal Knights, served the Imperial Family with absolute loyalty and only followed the Emperor’s orders.
The late Emperor, though he had passed, had respected and treated the Royal Knights with care.
‘… How dare he.’
“Royal Knights must maintain strict neutrality. We only obey His Majesty the Emperor’s orders.”
“So that means I will soon ascend the throne. Am I not the next Emperor acknowledged by His Majesty the King?”
“As soon as the coronation ceremony is held, the Royal Knights will naturally follow the Crown Prince’s orders.”
“Hah… Have I ever met such a frustrating person? Does the coronation ceremony matter? I am already the Emperor! The Emperor!”
The Crown Prince pounded the table, obsessively clinging to the title of Emperor.
Still, as Vitalianus didn’t even flinch an eyebrow, he smiled as if no anger had ever existed.
“I got a bit excited. Listen, Sword Saint, think carefully. The position of Guardian Knight—especially to someone who will be Emperor. You must understand what that means.”
Guardian Knights, like the Order of Guardian Knights, are not positions of power with noble titles.
But being a personal Guardian Knight of a royal family member carries a different kind of honor.
It’s a sort of honorary position personally appointed by high nobles or the Imperial Family.
A title and medal granted only to the most skilled and trustworthy individual.
Therefore, though the position itself holds no power, the power and honor naturally follow depending on which noble’s Guardian Knight you are.
Of course, those words held no meaning for the current Sword Saint.
“I am the commander of the Royal Knights. I suggest you leave now.”
… Yeah. Let’s see how long that arrogant pride lasts.
The Crown Prince abruptly stood up from the banquet table and started walking out, then stopped as if recalling something.
“Oh, Sword Saint, did you perhaps take Sylvia away?”
“…If you mean Her Highness the Princess… I suggest you retract that statement.”
“Yeah, I thought you wouldn’t be capable of that. But Sylvia’s gone. And the Emperor’s funeral hasn’t even finished. What kind of filth is this?”
Without changing his posture to leave, the Crown Prince turned his head with a chilling grin.
“If you happen to find Sylvia, be sure to tell me, Sword Saint.”
“I will.”
“Good. See you next time. Then we will meet as Emperor and subject.”
The Crown Prince left the room with an arrogant attitude to the very end.
He likely never truly believed he could persuade the Sword Saint.
It was a kind of display and a warning.
He didn’t want to allow even the slightest chance that Vitalianus would side with the Second Prince.
‘…This is tiring.’
Political power struggles like this do not suit the Sword Saint.
‘The funeral has only just begun.’
Not even having taken off their mourning clothes, what a disgrace.
It was as if the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were baring their fangs, waiting only for the Emperor’s death, trading barbs with each other.
A. D. D. I. T. I. O. N. A. L. L. Y.
‘Her Highness the Princess has disappeared.’
The Crown Prince’s cruel expression when he asked to be informed if Sylvia was found came to mind.
He must have intended to kill the Princess.
‘The Emperor should have just designated the Princess as the successor.’
She would have made a far better Emperor than the arrogant, greedy two brothers.
Still, it seemed someone was helping the Princess, so that was some consolation.
Otherwise, escaping the palace while avoiding the eyes of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince would have been impossible.
Though it was only barely surviving.
It wouldn’t be a factor in the current situation.
“The Guardian Knight… It’s been a while since I’ve heard that word.”
He, too, once dreamed of being an honorable Guardian Knight.
To wield the sword for only one person, and to be infinitely trusted by one’s lord—such glory.
‘When was the last time he drew his sword for such honor?’
The memory was faint now.
The Sword Saint quietly gazed at his sword.
‘With what heart had he once wielded it?’
And now, for what reason should he raise his sword?
“A knight…”
He wasn’t sure.
“Irina, are you ready?”
***
At Cardinal Herald Herald’s words, Irina, who had been looking out the window, nodded.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
All their affairs in the city of Sauer had been completed, and it was time to leave.
“You were thinking about that wizard again, weren’t you?”
“…I hope the wizard is doing well?”
Irina’s worried question brought a kind smile to Herald’s face.
“The wizard’s strength is such that even the Empire’s Sword Saint acknowledged it. Don’t worry too much.”
He had heard that fact so many times while staying here that his ears were almost worn out.
The reason he hadn’t stubbornly insisted on following the wizard was the same.
Because with such an extraordinary person, he had felt too insignificant.
“Could I really become such an extraordinary… person?”
Even now, it seemed impossible.
A Holy Maiden.
At first, she didn’t even know what that meant.
One chosen by the goddess, a sacred person.
One who must be respected by all and become the hope of all.
Knowing that made the burden unavoidable.
“Don’t worry too much. You are a child who shines just by existing. There’s no need to carry a burden.”
That was why, even though it was a heavy burden, she had not refused.
Because her friends wouldn’t have to wander the streets anymore.
And if she became such an extraordinary person, someday she might be able to help Hio.
Recalling her goal once more, Irina smiled brightly and took Herald’s hand.
“Yes! Let’s go quickly, Grandfather!”
***
The two gathered their luggage and headed outside.
What appeared first was a crowd too numerous to count.
From the lord of the city of Sauer to his vassals.
From afar, the city’s employees glanced this way, and villagers who had heard the rumors gathered outside the city gates.
White carriages were lined up long and wide, and dozens of priests bowed their heads around them.
They all bowed their heads only to Irina.
A sea of pure white parted and made a path for Irina.
In her heart as she walked through, there was only firm determination.
“Get used to it. You are the most noble and sacred child on this continent.”
“…Yes.”
Irina headed for the Holy Kingdom.
Unlike before, Hio’s journey was quite comfortable.
The Count of Sauer sweated profusely in his massive body and nervously watched Hio.
‘I’m not going to eat you.’
The clowning before the Count was meant to raise his endurance, so Hio didn’t take it personally.
But the Count, unaware of this, showed unprecedented cunning and supported all expenses for the carriage and travel.
Thanks to that, Hio comfortably reached the destination, Duberro Village.
A moderately sized, ordinary village.
This village, with no particular features, held the Hidden Piece Hio had discovered.
“Hey, young man. Are you a traveler?”
“Yes. Just going here and there.”
“Tsk tsk… It’s a good village, so make yourself at home. Ah, just so you know, don’t go to the hill behind the village.”
The Hidden Piece was on the hill behind this village.
“They say ghosts appear there.”
The Undead House.
***
When you’re told not to go somewhere, you want to go even more.
Especially when that was the original destination, how much more so.
Without hesitation, Hio’s steps headed toward the hill behind the village.
The village people, knowing the rampant rumors, never went near there.
Just looking at it, you’d feel there was something hidden.
In the game days, players never stopped visiting this place.
But no one had ever found the secret hidden here.
That’s because the Undead House only had one ghost with a vague form.
Moreover, skills or physical attacks didn’t work.
Even if the house itself was destroyed, the next day it would be as if nothing had happened.
Though priests’ holy power was effective, it was rare for a high-ranking priest to come to such a village.
In this age of weakened holy power, high-ranking priests were precious, and mediocre priests couldn’t exorcise the ghost, so the ghost of Duberro Village lived on like this for many years.
Until Jijoncheonma appeared.
Screech—
The unpleasant sound of the door opening, and as soon as Hio stepped inside, a wailing sounded.
I. T. E. R. A. T. I. O. N.
Screeeech!
Malice surged.
A scream tore through the air, sending chills down the spine.
A wind, impossible for indoors, blew fiercely.
—Screee!
A pale figure rushed right in front of Hio’s eyes.
Without surprise, Hio merely turned his head and dodged the ghost’s attack.
‘No, could that even be called an attack?’
Even if it hit, it wouldn’t really matter, but it was unpleasant.
“Come on, die quickly and drop the item.”
In truth, the Hidden Piece wasn’t hidden in a terribly complicated place.
He just had to eliminate the pale ghost.
The method of elimination was simple as well.
Back then, with the upper-grade fire skill, Scorch, the ghost disappeared without leaving a trace.
Now, Hio had an even higher-grade skill than that.
[Skill – “Azure Flame” activated]
Bright blue flames burst to Hio’s side.
A flame the size of a head, understanding Hio’s will, moved directly toward the ghost.
Without hesitation, the Azure Flame blazed onto the ghost.
—Screeeaaaah!
The ghost’s ear-piercing scream filled the Undead House.
After a short while.
***
—Screaaa…
The shrieking gradually subsided.
The ghost wouldn’t last long under the Azure Flame’s blaze.
When the ghost was destroyed, an Artifact would drop in its place.
That Artifact was what Hio was aiming for.
Among the naturally obtainable Artifacts, it would be one of the highest grade.
That was why Hio hadn’t come here without reason, evolving his fire into Azure Flame.
“Come on, drop the Artifact quickly.”
No more chilling screams came from the ghost surrounded by the Azure Flame.
Nor did the crackling sound of something burning.
The ghost’s weakness was fire.
Not just any fire, but at least an upper-grade fire skill was necessary to destroy it.
The ghost had been destroyed by Jijoncheonma’s “Scorch,” so it wouldn’t survive an even higher-grade skill like Azure Flame.
Cutting off the mana pouring into the Azure Flame, the blue flames gradually dimmed.
“Come out quickly.”
He eagerly awaited the Artifact that would soon appear.
But—
—Finally……
What appeared where the Azure Flame vanished was not an Artifact.
—At last, you have appeared!
A ghost.
—My benefactor who burned away my malice! My savior! My light!
Not the pale, vague figure, but with a clear face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
—
“Thank you! Truly thank you! Hahaha! How long has it been since I’ve had a clear mind like this! Ah, sorry for the late introduction…”
The ghost’s excited words were hard to catch.
‘A ghost that should have died was alive?’
‘Then where was the Artifact?’
“I am Purunel Pencheff. When I was alive, I was a necromancer.”
There was no trace of any Artifact on the ghost’s body.
“Ah, the Artifact….”
— “Huh? Is that your name?”
Glaring at the ghost, who grinned broadly, Hio charged.
“Give me the Artifact!”
It was an incredibly good Artifact!
An epic-grade one… impossible to get otherwise…
“Ghost, damn you!”
— “Wh-why are you like this!”
The plan had gone somewhat strangely awry.