Chapter 295: Chapter 294: Levantin Empire (3)

“…If you tease me again, my heart might give out.”

“Oh dear. I didn’t realize I’d reached the level of killing someone just by looking at them.”

Uh, so… that was a joke, right?

Coming from a Swordmaster, it didn’t sound much like one.

As I awkwardly laughed, Havel finally looked away from me and directed his gaze at Helena, who could be considered our official representative.

“Firstly, I sincerely congratulate you on the filling of the saintess position, which has been vacant for 300 years.”

“Thank you. It is an honor to meet the sharpest sword that defends the Empire.”

“The sharpest sword, hardly. Just the oldest one.”

He waved off the compliment with a wry smile, but then his demeanor shifted, his expression turning serious.

“It’s best if we skip the formalities here… Don’t you agree?”

“That would be preferable to me as well.”

“Glad to hear it. Then, let’s get straight to the point. From what I understand, you were just recently fighting a war with the cultists in Solaris. So what brings you all the way to Balder? If you’ve come seeking asylum, the Empire would be glad to welcome the eldest daughter of the Righteous Radiance.”

Ah, that’s right. The Empire sent reinforcements a few days ago, so they must think the battle was still ongoing.

For someone of Helena’s stature to come to the Empire during a fierce battle… it might look like she was seeking refuge.

Considering the Empire’s good relationship with the Church of Righteous Radiance, they’d likely send a Swordmaster to greet her if they thought she was placing herself under their protection.

A reunion of ancient allies, as some would see it, would excite the citizens who believe in the Righteous Radiance, and it would benefit the Empire both religiously and militarily.

And accompanying a Saintess into the Empire under the guidance of a Swordmaster would allow us to maintain a dignified presence.

It’s a gesture that says, “Let’s get along and avoid any conflicts.”

Apparently coming to the same realization as me, Helena’s face stiffened as she firmly replied.

“The war is already over, with our victory. The cultists were annihilated, and only about half of the monsters managed to flee.”

“Really? Though the reinforcements were substantial, I didn’t expect it to be resolved so quickly.”

“Before they arrived, Brother Yandel and Professor Iona were able to help us overcome the crisis.”

“Then I must apologize for my assumption. But that brings me back to the question—what brings you to the heart of the Empire?”

“…I cannot reveal that at this time.”

“‘At this time,’ you say. So you plan to tell His Majesty directly. Very well. Although I’ve been given some authority, I am, after all, just a simple soldier. Judgment is His Majesty’s duty, so I will fulfill my own.” Ꞧ

“By duty, you mean…”

“My duty as an escort. I will now lead you to His Majesty.”

With those words, Havel exited the room and waited for us outside.

We exchanged glances briefly before nodding and standing up.

Helena took the lead, followed by the others. Carla, Elisha, and Iris, being of slave status, walked at the very back.

We proceeded across the city of Balder, following Havel toward the distant palace.

As expected of the capital, many people crowded the streets, yet they respectfully cleared a path upon seeing Havel and Helena at the front—a remarkable sight.

Anyone from Balder would recognize Havel, and even if they didn’t, the aura those two emanated was enough to make people step aside.

Listening carefully, I overheard murmurs from the crowd.

“My, isn’t it rare for the Sword Duke to leave the palace?”

“He’s been keeping to himself ever since that incident. But who is that person right behind him? Doesn’t look like an ordinary priestess…”

“Oh, you’re behind on your news! Didn’t you see that radiance at the East Gate? That was apparently the work of the Saintess of the Righteous Radiance. That’s why the Sword Duke himself is guiding them!”

“…You should have told me sooner! Let’s pray right away!”

What incident were they talking about? And what did they mean by “keeping to himself”?

In H&A, the focus was mostly on the Academy, so I didn’t know the details of the Levantin Empire’s political situation.

The future Fafnir foresaw didn’t bode well when it came to entanglements with the Empire, likely due to some plot by the Empress.

Though I was curious about Havel’s background, what caught my attention even more was how they reacted to Helena.

Recently, I’d also noticed a certain holy aura around Helena growing stronger.

It was different, but there was a similar aura around Havel, too.

It was a sharpness, like looking at a drawn blade—an awareness that made my spine tingle, involuntarily making me tense up.

I’d met people stronger than me before, but I’d never felt this way.

Sword Experts Id encountered at the Academy, High Mages around me, or high-ranking clerics I often saw in Solaris all had strong auras, but none shared this unique presence that Helena and Havel possessed.

Helena was ordinary before becoming a saintess.

It was probably not just a difference in strength but rather a sense of transcending humanity itself.

When the Righteous Radiance descended, the sanctity surrounding her grew even stronger.

…Which made the nights all the more interesting, but setting that aside for now.

It made sense that a Saintess, as the vessel of a god, would become something akin to a demigod.

But it bothered me that I felt a similar aura from Havel.

Swordmasters were often described as those who transcended human limits, reaching the realm of the superhuman.

And Archmages were said to touch miracles through magic.

But what if that wasn’t just a feeling of awe, but the actual truth?

Helena was still inexperienced as a saintess, and the only Archmage I’d seen was the Academy Chairman, whose soul had been worn down over time, so I hadn’t fully understood it… But watching Havel closely now, I get it.

A Swordmaster is a transcendent being.

Now I understand why Swordmasters and Archmages are considered asymmetrical forces.

They are entities that have surpassed humanity, making it nearly impossible for ordinary humans to stand against them.

…Then how powerful is a Saint of an Evil God who defeated a Swordmaster? And if a Saint is that strong, what about the Evil God itself?

I’d reached the threshold of an intermediate magician, and my status window had grown impressive. I’d inherited the Lindelheit family’s legacy and partially absorbed the techniques of the Sylvan Magic Tower, which always stood just below it.

Thanks to this, I didn’t feel lacking in power during the battles in Solaris, and recently, I even gained an incredible skill from Fafnir’s lair, like Return to Origin.

Right. To be honest, I was starting to get a bit arrogant.

I’d been thinking that at this rate, I could easily handle all the Evil Gods, even if they were unleashed.

Yeah, no. That was a complete misunderstanding.

Surpassing humanity would just be the starting line.

Recalling the final chapter of H&A, which required a party of transcendents like Havel to clear, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Sigh…”

But if this was the only way, then I’d just have to do it.

I felt a sense of futility as I watched Havel’s back, who revealed no openings despite not seeming wary of us. Yet, I also gained something.

Seeing the clear presence of a completed transcendent was a stimulus toward the next level.

If I reach that level, what would I look like? How would I wield magic, and how would I handle mana?

If a Swordmaster is a blade that divides the world, then an Archmage would be a being that distorts it. Magic is, after all, the realization of the impossible.

No, that’s not it. Magic ultimately comes from an individual’s imagination and will. But people grow up observing the world around them.

Unless you’re utterly deranged, you can’t view the world in a distorted way.

Then it’s the opposite. Instead of distorting, one must assimilate. Wouldn’t I have to become one with the world itself?

…But how is that even possible? Becoming one with the world… isn’t that something only gods can do?

Perhaps that’s why the five Good Gods always embodied forces of nature that we commonly encounter.

What about the Evil Gods?

Why are these beings, who drift through dimensional rifts, hungering for the death and corruption of sentient beings, considered gods instead of monsters?

I have no idea. I don’t understand any of it.

It feels like I’m on the verge of understanding, but there’s nothing substantial. I’m not just chasing clouds—I’m practically swimming in them.

Of course, that makes sense. It’s way too early for me to understand such things, standing only at the threshold of an intermediate magician.

But this vague restlessness might help me someday.

I’ll just be content with this glimpse of what lies ahead and set it aside for now.

With that thought, I shook my head to clear away any lingering distractions.

“…Hmm?”

Lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed that Havel was glancing in my direction.

Did I stare too hard?

“Havel, sir? Is something the matter?”

“Hm…”

“If I was staring too intently and made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”

“That’s fine. After all, you are a talent of the Levantin Empire. I don’t know what you saw in me, but if you gain anything from it, that will be to the Empire’s fortune.”

“Thank you very much for saying so.”

I nodded slightly, intending to end the conversation, but Havel glanced at me again and stopped me.

“Wait!”

He seemed to have something he wanted to say but couldn’t bring himself to speak. After a long pause, he finally pointed cautiously at Carla.

“I understand she’s your slave, but is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Would you sell her to me?”

“…Pardon?”

She’s not for sale.