“What do you want me to do about it?”
Eugene snapped at the knight who demanded to accompany him.
He didn’t care even if the one who ordered him was the supreme ruler of this country.
Besides, if that person truly was the supreme ruler, they wouldn’t dare to order him around like that.
‘Because that guy isn’t my lord.’
Nothing in this world can make an immortal submit.
At the root of all authority lies the fear of death, but for one who can kill themselves and come back to life, that fear is meaningless.
‘Moreover…’
Who was it that earned this country’s status as an empire?
No matter how powerful the empire’s military is on the continent, can it truly be said that the current territory and national strength were achieved by the empire alone?
“… What?”
The knight furrowed his brow at that answer.
Being told that the emperor requested his presence and yet receiving such a response was an insult not only to the emperor but also to the knight’s own honor, which was bound by loyalty to the emperor.
‘Not even honor—he’s just pissed off.’
Of course, Eugene was well aware of the knight’s reaction and used it to his advantage.
The relationship between the emperor and him was fundamentally one of equals, not lord and vassal, and the “official duty” was merely responding to the emperor’s request.
“You’re new at this, aren’t you?”
And the emperor himself could not be unaware of that fact.
Until now, there had been no sudden summons like this.
Even when summoned, prior permission was requested before arriving at the capital.
If the emperor knew and still did this, it must be something urgent or with some ulterior motive, but
‘Even if it’s urgent, it doesn’t concern me.’
The urgency lay with the emperor, not with an immortal.
For one like him, no urgent matters existed.
Eventually, with time, the matter would resolve itself somehow.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The knight’s left hand moved toward his waist.
On the surface, there was nothing visible there, but knights skilled in stealth were adept at making their weapons invisible.
Thud.
Eugene observed the height where the hand paused in midair.
Judging by the distance from the hips, it was safe to assume a long sword with a reach longer than a dagger.
‘Looks like he’s ready to fight if it comes to that.’
Whether it was to obey the imperial command or because his honor had been scratched, he did not know.
If Eugene provoked him further here, it would inevitably lead to a violent clash.
“Leon never summons me without telling me first.”
That was actually what Eugene wanted.
It was better to beat down this knight here as a warning so that no one dared summon people recklessly again.
“Daring to insult His Majesty—do you think you can handle that?”
The knight’s eyes widened fiercely, his killing intent chilling the air.
If either of them took a step forward, a fight would break out immediately.
Click.
Eugene had already torn off a button from his sleeve and hidden it in his palm.
The knight’s senses could probably pick up the sound of the button tearing off, but in the heat of the moment, few could detect such a subtle noise.
‘If he could, he wouldn’t have dared provoke me in the first place.’
People often think strength in battle is about physical power and skill, but the essential quality is the ability to judge where and when to fight.
“No matter how much of a hero he was a hundred years ago, it won’t be easy against a knight.”
“Idiot.”
Did he not realize that the hundred years included actual combat experience?
It was clear this guy was new to serving as the emperor’s envoy.
If the knight truly knew Eugene’s identity, he wouldn’t have spoken like that.
‘Even this guy must have a senior.’
Who was the senior that failed to properly train him?
If a hundred-year-old veteran was still active on the battlefield, common sense dictated you didn’t provoke them lightly.
“Is that pride as a knight?”
Knights were the cream of those with combat talent.
Many superhumans with battle abilities existed across the vast empire—from prestigious warrior families to ordinary commoners, all aspiring to be knights.
‘One gem among ten thousand candidates.’
And from those ten thousand, only one would be selected as a knight.
Among those knights, the elites would serve directly under the emperor.
Perhaps intoxicated by his position, this one overlooked the most basic judgment.
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
Eugene placed the button between his index finger and thumb.
Ready to flick it at any moment.
Sensing Eugene’s preparation, the knight stepped back.
Swish.
His hand lowered to hip level, resting on the hilt of his sword.
He angled the blade, preparing for a quick draw kick.
At this distance, the knight’s draw kick speed guaranteed victory.
‘And I only have a dagger.’
He had shurikens, but a knight would easily dodge thrown shurikens, and even if Eugene tried to get close with his dagger, the longsword would reach him first.
If you thought this meant Eugene was about to lose the fight,
‘That’s just before the sword is drawn!’
Ping—!
He flicked the button forward with his thumb.
The button sliced through the air and struck the knight’s left hand—specifically, the end of the hilt he was gripping.
Clang!
The button collided with the sword, sparking metallic flashes.
Clink!
The knight gasped in shock as the sword he tried to draw was forcibly pushed back into its sheath.
Did he not expect the button to be shot out and shove his sword back into the scabbard from this distance?
A more experienced knight would have seen it coming, but judging by his reaction, he was a rookie.
“What’s so special about being a knight?”
While the knight was flustered, Eugene drew his dagger and stomped on the ground.
At this distance, and with the knight’s sword forced back into its scabbard, Eugene could not lose.
Clang!
He pointed the dagger blade toward the knight’s face.
‘I’ll take one eye.’
A cheap price for teaching him a lesson in complacency.
He hoped the knight would remember the lesson every time he looked at his missing eye.
It might help him survive a little longer on the battlefield.
“Damn it—!”
The knight threw out his fist to block the blade, but all that did was drive the dagger through his hand and eye.
With momentum and body weight behind the thrust,
Thud!
“Enough.”
A voice interrupted, and the dagger’s trajectory was halted.
The one gripping Eugene’s wrist was also tightly holding the knight’s wrist.
‘They were watching.’
The owner of that grip was a beautiful woman with golden hair tied in a single braid.
Though a woman, her lean and muscular figure surpassed many men.
This was because gender was irrelevant to qualify as a knight.
‘And she’s a knight among knights.’
Crack…
The woman’s grip crushed the knight’s gauntlet.
Knight armor was forged from the finest steel and reinforced with magic.
To dent that with bare hands meant the woman possessed tremendous strength.
“Ugh, ugh…!”
The knight, recognizing the woman’s identity, dared not complain about the pain.
Judging the commotion over, the woman released both their hands.
She then turned to face Eugene, placed her right hand on her collarbone, and bowed.
“It’s been a while, master.”
Thinking the knight had been put in his place, Eugene returned her greeting.
“Ten years since we last met, Rexilia.”
Rexilia Behemoth, Insignia Hammer.
A member of the Imperial Guard protecting the emperor’s person and one of the famed “Seven Blades” of the empire’s top forces.
“P-Please call me by my Insignia, not my real name…”
‘That’s a bit too awkward to say.’
Where had the proud aura gone? Rexilia scratched her nose in embarrassment.
For knights granted an Insignia, being called by their real name was embarrassing.
But with such a junior standing behind her, was it okay to show such a side?
“Uh, ahem…!”
Perhaps aware of the knight behind her, Rexilia cleared her throat and changed her demeanor.
“Why did you draw your sword on His Majesty’s envoy?”
The answer was simple.
She pointed a finger at the knight and said,
“That guy was rude.”
“That’s because you—!”
“Hey.”
Rexilia shot the protesting knight a sharp glance.
“Didn’t I tell you to serve with respect?”
“Th-That’s…”
“I saw from a distance you were the one who drew first. How’s that respectful?”
“… It’s not like that.”
Faced with her fierce questioning, the knight gave up on protesting.
No fool would defy one of the empire’s Seven Blades if they truly knew who Eugene was.
So this guy’s senior was Rexilia?
“You’re no better either, you brat!”
“Ow!?”
In a flash, she flicked the knight’s forehead.
The knight watching behind them made a blank expression, surely witnessing the Seven Blades bonking someone on the head for the first time.
“Why did you hit me?”
“Summoning me to the capital without prior notice—what kind of nonsense is that?”
“W-Well, you see…”
Rexilia hesitated as she realized her own fault.
It seemed the emperor did indeed summon Eugene for an urgent matter, but being coddled too much, the knight must have forgotten their proper relationship.
“Leon’s getting old, so he’s losing his manners.”
“Th-That’s not true!”
Rexilia quickly interrupted Eugene.
As one who served the emperor, she could not tolerate disrespect toward her lord.
But she also could not strike her old master, so she was in a bind.
“Then what is it?”
“Hmm…”
Rexilia hesitated, then spoke to Eugene again.
“For now, could you please come with me, at least for my sake…?”
“What are you hoping for?”
At the mention of appearance, she clenched her fists.
Had her fists gone higher, things might have gotten troublesome, so Eugene gave up on resisting, recalling their past connection.
“I’ll give you some time. But only thirty minutes.”
“Thank you…!”
Not wanting to return empty-handed to the emperor, Rexilia looked genuinely pleased.
Failing to accomplish a task assigned by a superior in an organization meant ridicule from others.
She would have to make this happen to avoid disgrace among the Imperial Guard.
“Then why didn’t you come yourself?”
“Well, yeah…”
Startled by the remark, she flinched.
Clearly, she had tried to delegate the troublesome task to a junior, only rushing in when things went wrong.
‘I’ve been dealing with people for a hundred years—I know.’
“Hey, that.”
“Yes, sir!”
Following Rexilia’s cold order, the knight retrieved a necklace.
Though reluctant, Eugene also took out the other broken piece of necklace.
When the two fractured pieces were joined, a magical circle ignited.
Whoosh…!
The world turned white.
Then the white faded, revealing a vivid and colorful scene.
The newly reassembled vision was a garden embroidered with flowers of every color.
‘The Secret Garden.’
There were tropical plants that could not grow in the empire’s climate and flowers that would not bloom in the current spring weather.
Thanks to layered magic, flora from various climate zones and seasons harmonized here.
‘I heard the Witch founded the Magic Association and created this as a gift for the previous emperor.’
Eugene had only heard of it; this was his first visit.
Considering the Magic Association was founded eighty years ago,
being invited to the heavily secured Secret Garden implied a matter of great importance.
“You’ve arrived, Lord Eugene.”
In the center of the Secret Garden sat an old man.
Not wearing the usual wig for public appearances, but bald-headed.
That old man was the empire’s emperor, Leon II.
Seventy years old this year and having ruled for fifty years, a seasoned politician.
If the previous emperor, Leon I, was the one who expanded the kingdom into an empire,
‘This one was the ruler who stabilized the expanded empire.’
Since stability was harder than expansion, his abilities surpassed even his grandfather and father.
Leon II smiled despite Eugene’s impudent tone and gestured to a seat.
Following his invitation, Eugene sat across and spoke first.
“Get to the point. If this is nonsense, the price will be steep.”
“Hahaha…”
Despite Eugene’s threat, the old man chuckled.
“I understand your displeasure. But I won’t disappoint you, given how you serve.”
Usually when someone says that, it means the opposite.
But since the speaker was the empire’s supreme ruler, it raised expectations.
What sort of bait had he prepared to be so confident?
“Please see the others out.”
The emperor ordered the knights to leave.
“Your Majesty?”
Rexilia and the junior knight looked bewildered.
No matter who the visitor was—a long-time ally of the imperial family—
the knights protecting the emperor would never leave their lord unattended.
“It’s an order.”
Leon II knew the cause of their hesitation and emphasized that it was an order.
To disobey the emperor’s command was tantamount to rebellion against the empire.
“… Understood.”
Though unwilling, Rexilia led her subordinate away.
The entrance to the Secret Garden was also guarded by magic, and they vanished through the wall.
So that was why no one could infiltrate or discover this place by accident.
“Now then…”
Thud!
With only the two of them left, the emperor placed a box between them.
The heavy sound as it landed indicated considerable weight.
Curiosity as a thief stirred within Eugene, wondering what was inside.
‘Like a cat crawling into an empty box just because it’s there.’
Click!
Noticing Eugene’s interest, Leon II broke the box’s seal.
But he did not open it himself.
Eugene knew exactly what was going on.
“This brat—if I open it myself, you’ll expect me to grant your request, right?”
“T-That’s not the case…”
Caught in the exact spot, the emperor unusually stammered.
Of course, he had known Eugene for years.
In the end, the emperor opened the box himself.
“This is…”
Inside lay a dagger unlike anything Eugene had ever seen.
Though he had explored foreign lands and dungeons for over a hundred years,
this was a unique golden dagger with a style utterly different from any treasure he’d encountered.
“What is this?”
To the question, the emperor gave only one answer.
“I don’t know either.”