Chapter 137 : Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Rastian Arken, the Arch Mage who symbolized the Empire.

White mana, white hair and pure white robes, a snow-white staff.

One of the five dukes of the Empire, who was personally bestowed the title of White Duke by the emperor because he was said to color his surroundings so white it was suspected he had an obsession with cleanliness.

Zhairo's words meant that such a man had arrived at Eurasia's main castle.

And he had come via the Pantera Temple in the eastern frontier.

“A big shot has moved.”

The White Duke was an 8-star Arch Mage.

A man said to possess the level of a Master within the range of his Magic Tower.

‘Did he come because of what happened in the Holy Nation?’

It was later revealed that the one behind the incident, who had incited the Holy Nation's king and numerous cardinals to attempt a change of power, was the Empire's First Prince.

‘I thought he would make some kind of move, but I didn't expect it to be this unconventional. Is he trying to set an example for the allied nations?’

If they used the temple's Warp Stone, the entire delegation must have forged Mana Hearts.

It was highly likely that a few Superhumans were mixed in as well.

“Zhairo, from now on, report every single move of the Imperial delegation. Tell Serena to strengthen the Annihilation Squad's surveillance just in case.”

“Understood.”

Zhairo, who had blended in among the banquet's guests, disappeared in the blink of an eye.

‘Cardinal Bergo's presence must be related to the Empire's envoy. What a vacation.’

Even if he was newly appointed, Bergo was a Cardinal.

It was a position sufficient to represent the Pope in place of the Chief Priest.

Depending on how one looked at it, Eurasia might be a more suitable stage to conclude the Holy Nation's affairs than the center of the continent.

‘Don't tell me he foresaw this and planned the banquet.’

Simon and Escardo had requested that Killian participate in the banquet as the Fourth Prince.

‘Either way, this won't end easily.’

It was while he was thinking this.

He felt a gaze from afar.

“……”

Demian Eurasia.

His gaze, which had been exchanging words with a young head from the western frontier while holding a wine glass in one hand, met mine in mid-air.

Soon, someone who appeared to be from the White Knight Order whispered in his ear and disappeared.

Then Demian seemed to excuse himself from his conversation partner and headed towards Killian.

“A boring banquet.”

It was the first thing he said since the banquet started.

“I can't seem to figure out His Majesty's thoughts.”

“You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

“Do I look that way? You don't seem to be, though?”

“A banquet is meant to be enjoyed. I am enjoying it in my own way.”

“Then that's a relief. Cardinal Bergo has come.”

“……”

“You look curious as to how I know a priest from the Papal Office, and one who just recently became a cardinal at that.”

He said he had noticed a man who suddenly appeared and spoke to no one, and soon after, he saw him exchange a few words with Killian before disappearing.

Although he wasn't wearing priest's robes, he said he was able to identify him after seeing the priests of Pantera watching him with a strange gaze.

“I heard about what happened in the Holy Nation from Julian. I got information about his appearance from another country's information guild.”

Demian tilted his glass and continued.

“Seeing your reaction, it seems my thoughts weren't wrong.”

A way of speaking as if he could read the other person's mind clearly.

Moreover, he didn't bother to hide the reason.

‘This is what I like about talking with Demian.’

A tricky type if he were an enemy.

‘I'm glad he's not an enemy.’

To Killian, Demian was the descendant of a dear friend and a reliable ally to whom he could entrust his back for the revival of Eurasia.

He was a half-brother with no reason to be pushed away.

“Is it alright for you to waste your precious time like this?”

Demian was as good as the star of the banquet.

I could feel the gazes of those around us focusing just because he had approached Killian.

He, who had been a strong candidate for the next head since the time of the family, and Killian, who had newly emerged.

The two of them facing each other at an official event was enough to draw the attention of those around them.

“I'd be grateful if they mistakenly think you're my person on this occasion.”

As if he truly wished for it, a smile graced his lips.

He was wearing his usual mask, his thoughts unreadable.

“Is that the only reason?”

“I hear you've been giving teachings to those who come to you.”

“Rumors are meant to be exaggerated.”

“What about the rumor that His Majesty trained you with the sword of Eurasia?”

It was a rumor that had become an established fact in public because Eurasia had not bothered to deny it.

“The advice of a knight who has mastered 7-star. To those who walk the path of the sword, it would be more valuable than a thousand pieces of gold.”

The two's gazes met quietly.

“Continue as you are now.”

“……?”

“You are already achieving at an unbelievable speed. If you get any greedier, your body won't be able to keep up with the speed of your enlightenment.”

“Hearing that from you feels strange.”

“My circumstances are a little different.”

“……”

The soul dwelling in the body of Killian Eurasia was an existence that had lived for thousands of years.

He had helped his human partners forge countless Mana Hearts and had watched them grow in level through Ke and Shik countless times.

If he had his way, he would want to overcome the walls of 8-star and 9-star right now, but how could that be easy in a human body?

He was simply applying his enlightenment about mana to his inadequate body.

That was why he was obsessively engrossed in physical training, swordsmanship practice, and mana forging techniques using Loen's recovery potions.

‘Demian is different.’

His enlightenment about mana and his physical training were progressing together.

Like Serena, he had attained the enlightenment to handle Haki with the body of a 6-star knight and had already entered the stabilization phase.

‘That alone is already something that doesn't make sense. Any more than this and his body won't be able to handle it.’

A human body is different from a blade.

Depending on how it is used, it can be tempered or consumed.

Therefore, Demian needed to stay at 6-star a little longer and solidify his current stage well.

‘In the future, the tempering of today will become a strong support for him as he walks the path of a Superhuman.’

So.

“Don't be impatient and walk your current path of the sword.”

Even though I hadn't deliberately explained at length, Demian looked like he understood.

“Is that so.”

Grin.

The corners of Demian's mouth turned up.

That image overlapped with his partners just before they ascended to Superhuman.

‘He's a brother for whom the modifier "genius" is insufficient. Perhaps he could overcome the wall within two years.’

Killian once again confirmed that his meeting with him had been a catalyst.

At that moment, a large man who had been watching the two of them approached.

“What are you two smiling about all by yourselves?”

Paian Eurasia, who had adapted to his prosthetic arm, regained his former level, and mastered 5-star through successive battles.

Another direct descendant of Eurasia, for whom the modifier "genius" was not lacking, pushed his face in.

“Paian, are you wasting precious time to confirm something like that?”

Demian repeated the exact words Killian had said.

“My body is getting a little restless. Haven't we met enough people we needed to meet?”

Clang, claang.

He clinked the glass held in his prosthetic arm against Killian's and Demian's.

“His Majesty is too much. No matter how much he wanted to show Eurasia's strength, holding a banquet for a whole week during a war with the Empire is excessive.”

Wouldn't it be better to have a joint training session for the knight orders in this time?

“Tying all four princes up at a banquet is not like him in the first place.”

He grumbled about the thoughts he had been keeping to himself.

“So what were you talking about with our Annihilation Squad Leader? It can't be the obvious thought of showing off your friendship in front of others.”

“Haven't you heard the rumors spreading in the banquet hall?”

“Ah, you mean the one about Killian giving a dressing-down if the conversation isn't about mana?”

Demian answered with a smile.

“Killian.”

Paian looked at Killian.

“You planned that well. Why did you make the daughter of Baron Ern cry?”

“I have never made her cry.”

“Tsk tsk. I see.”

It was a remark closer to a joke than a reprimand.

After the Kurt Mountain Range Subjugation, their relationship had also matured more than before.

A moment later, Julian, who had been standing alone, joined them.

“We are still in the middle of a banquet. If we gather like this, won't people think something is going on?”

“Julian, if you want to beat brother Demian, shouldn't you be meeting at least one more person in this time?”

“Brother, you must think I'm a fool. I know how to hit and run.”

“Hoh. The kid who used to faint after hitting his head during the mountain range subjugation has grown up a lot.”

Even at Paian's attitude of bringing up his dark past, Julian was unshaken.

“I am also a knight who has stabilized at 4-star. I will soon catch up to your level, brother, so you should be nervous.”

“Hehe, right. Go ahead and try to catch up.”

As befitting the bloodline of a knightly family, Paian was pleased with Julian's challenge.

Compared to before, their relationship had also improved a lot.

This time, Julian's provocation continued.

“Killian is the tactician for the Blue Knight Order and the Yellow Knight Order. I understand both of your feelings, brothers, but I will not stand by and watch you approach him with other intentions.”

Claang.

Demian clinked his glass with Julian's.

“You speak as if the kingdom's Annihilation Squad Leader is your servant.”

“Killian is also my swordsmanship master.”

“And now he's professing to be the master of everyone attending the banquet. I suppose you plan to give them a stern warning as well.”

“What I mean is, Killian is...”

“Hehe. Don't be greedy, or you'll end up on the Annihilation Squad's hit list.”

“That would be you, brother. Do you think the Annihilation Squad is such an idle organization?”

Paian and Julian bickered, and Demian seemed to enjoy his younger brothers' squabble.

“That's enough. I don't belong to anyone.”

“K-Killian...”

“That's right. On this occasion, with me...”

Julian and Paian tried to say something, but.

“An envoy from the Empire has arrived.”

At Killian's low murmur, the faces of the two princes hardened.

Demian reacted as if he already knew.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“This is the main castle of Eurasia. What are they doing here?”

Demian interjected.

“It seems they visited with the White Duke at the forefront. Their purpose will be revealed soon enough.”

“How did you know that, brother...”

“Killian?”

At that moment, another Walker in a servant's attire approached.

“Commander Escardo has personally entered the castle gate, leading the Red Knight Order.”

“Is that so.”

Escardo Schtenberg.

He was the man who had served as the Commander of the Knights since the time of the family and currently also held the position of the Commander of the Royal Court Knights, a Superhuman.

I was not unaware that through his personal training with Simon, he too was on the verge of the 8-star level.

It was then.

Rumble.

“……”

The castle shook as if an earthquake had suddenly occurred.

The people attending the banquet began to murmur.

About 30 minutes passed like that.

Creeak.

The doors of the banquet hall opened, and a group of people entered.

“Imperial attire...?”

“Why is the Empire at Eurasia's banquet?”

“Don't tell me the trembling just now was...”

“Ahem! Ahem!!”

A middle-aged man in a pure white formal suit coughed, drawing attention.

The focus of the murmuring crowd was concentrated.

“I am Count Yusram Hibupope, visiting as an envoy of the Heinrich Empire.”

Inappropriate behavior to show at another country's banquet hall.

It goes without saying, especially if that country was the Eurasia Kingdom, which had risen with the sword.

However, what they wanted was not a warm relationship.

He took a step back and shouted, imbuing his voice with mana.

“This is His Highness, the Fifth Prince Bronz Heinrich, a scion of the great Heinrich Imperial Family and the master of five knight orders and three magic orders. Everyone, show the proper courtesy!”

Silence.

The atmosphere of the banquet hall grew chillingly cold.

Demian tilted his glass and moistened his throat.

The end of the monotonous banquet and.

“It seems something troublesome has happened.”

It was the moment that heralded the beginning of a new banquet.

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