Chapter 31
Hero, Xian.
He’s truly a peculiar case.
According to Areubo’s classification, he’s not a Transcendent, yet he’s a swordsman capable of slaying one.
To begin with, all those known as Masters are like that.
They have completed their internal realm of imagination, and thus, they are always partially removed from the laws of reality.
They age slowly, hardly ever die, and even if they can’t conjure cold flames, they can enter a fire barehanded without being burned.
Even Edelvain’s descendant, who would have been a Grand Archmage—effectively a Transcendent—ultimately couldn’t kill Duke Fael.
Look at Duke Fael’s swordsmanship.
He doesn’t emit sword aura, yet he can cut anything in sight, no matter how far away it is.
It’s a technique that surpasses not only my common sense but even the laws of the world. And he executes it effortlessly.
Of course, that’s the extent of what Duke Faelcan do.
As an Elemental Mage and a Transcendent, I can wield spatial magic, set up barriers, and even utilize my unique power of Imperial Speech. Perhaps within the Empire’s territory, I could even hold my own against those ancient Transcendents.
But Duke Faelisn’t like that.
He doesn’t control shadows like Giel, nor does he employ defensive techniques like Frio.
Masters acquire power related to a single imagery they pursued before reaching their pinnacle.
Beyond that, they’re nothing more than exceptionally strong, ordinary swordsmen.
So, what is Xian’s imagery?
‘Your Majesty, I… I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re asking.’
‘Hmm? There’s no need to overthink it. Just tell me what realization you had when you grew stronger. Ah, of course, some Masters prefer to keep that a secret, and I’d understand if you don’t want to share. But I’m only asking to find a sword that suits you, and I swear I won’t reveal it to anyone.’
‘Ah! It’s not that I’m hiding anything, Your Majesty. Truly, I just don’t understand what you mean.’
Amazingly, he still hasn’t established his imagery.
Strictly speaking, it’s more accurate to say he isn’t a Master yet.
‘…Then how do you usually fight?’
‘…? I simply imbue my sword with aura and swing it.’
A fighting style typical of mere Experts.
Yet, with that technique alone, Xian defeated the continent’s most renowned Masters, slew the Demon King’s generals, and ultimately, the Demon King himself.
I even summoned several Masters to ask if it was possible to be unaware of one’s own imagery, but their answers were unanimous.
‘Your Majesty, for a Master, their imagery is no different from a limb. Surely, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t know how their own arm looks.’
The conclusion?
Xian has not yet reached the level of a true Master.
And if Xian were to complete his imagery and ascend to the realm of a true Master, just how strong would he become?
‘If that happens, he’d be a Sword God.’
Even now, there is no one who can rival Xian in swordsmanship.
If he were to take one step further, he would truly be worthy of being called a god.
But before discussing power, Xian is one of my few close friends.
And now this elf is asking me to hand him over?
“…The negotiations are over.”
Damn it. But I can’t just give up on Duke Fael’s treatment either.
Do we need to go to war over this?
“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“I’ve heard something that cannot simply be dismissed as a misunderstanding.”
“Emperor, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
With those words, the Elf Queen snapped her fingers. Suddenly, a portal opened right before us, connecting to the place where Xian and his companions were gathered.
“???”
Xian and his party, who had been enjoying a rather calm tea time, looked startled. Only the Elf Princess and the mage Viola remained composed.
“Seria , could you step over here for a moment? Bring your friends as well.”
“Yes.”
Using the temporary portal created by the Queen, Xian’s entire party crossed over.
The Queen then spoke.
“Xian, how do you find the Great Forest?”
“Pardon…?”
Caught off guard by the seemingly unrelated question, Xian hesitated for a moment before slowly replying.
“I think it’s an incredibly beautiful place. Among the elves, it’s hard to find worry; the atmosphere is filled with energy and laughter…”
Xian glanced at me briefly, as if gauging my reaction. I gave him a small nod, signaling for him to continue.
“…Truly, I believe it’s a wonderful place to live.”
At his words, the Elf Princess’s face lit up with joy. Simultaneously, however, the expressions of the Saint, the beastkin, and Riel Fael grew visibly darker.
“Well then, Xian, have you ever thought about living here in the Great Forest?”
“Pardon…?”
“Your Majesty.”
I spoke with a stern tone, warning her not to overstep. But the Queen ignored me entirely, gesturing toward Seria as she continued.
“Surely you’ve noticed by now. My daughter has a great deal of affection for you.”
“Mother!!”
The Elf Princess shouted, her face flushing bright red, but the Queen gently stopped her and carried on.
“And I, too, am quite fond of Xian. Naturally, as a prospective son-in-law.”
She then pointed toward the Green Dragon and the World Tree, both watching us from a distance, and added,
“If you’re hesitating because of the Emperor’s presence, you needn’t worry.”
The World Tree, bearing a smile eerily similar to the Queen’s, waved cheerfully at Xian. Meanwhile, Areubo glared at Xian, clearly displeased.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Is there a problem? Does the Empire have a tradition where the Emperor decides the spouse of a Duke-level noble?”
“No, but…”
“Well, then it’s settled. I hope my daughter can marry Xian. I’ll even provide the elixir, so I ask the Emperor not to interfere.”
To be honest, if Xian truly wanted to marry the Elf Princess, I couldn’t and wouldn’t stop him.
But would Xian really want that?
I don’t know. The game never had a predetermined heroine, and I haven’t heard anything about Xian finding a lover.
With his diligent personality, always reporting every accomplishment in his adventures, he wouldn’t have started dating without mentioning it.
“Well, I understand the Queen’s and Princess’s wishes, but I haven’t yet heard Xian’s answer.”
Oh, Xian. Please, please don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with that pointy-eared troublemaker.
The negotiation table between the Empire and the Elves—a summit between a species and a nation—had, thanks to this blasted elf, devolved into a public love confession.
—————————————————————————
“Give me some time to think.”
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Xian finally gave his answer: a postponement.
Not outright rejection, but still not an acceptance. It’s a little disappointing, but even holding the matter in limbo is a small victory.
Watching the disappointed look on the elves’ faces was entertaining, but ultimately, what I really want is for Xian to end up with Riel Fael.
Negotiations with the Elf Queen wrapped up as well.
I promised not to oppose the union if Xian wished to marry Seria and managed to secure additional compensations, including the elixir. That alone made this trip worth it.
“Riel.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I handed Riel the elixir I’d received from the Queen.
The glowing green liquid shimmered in its transparent bottle, radiating such potent energy that even minor wounds could be healed simply by bringing it close.
“Deliver this to Duke Fael. He’d prefer that to me going in person. Besides, I’ve been away from the Empire for too long—I need to return now.”
“Uh… Your Majesty?”
Before Riel could finish her thought, I continued speaking.
“There’s no need to feel burdened. While elixirs are rare treasures, they’re nothing compared to you and Duke Fael. If anything, the elixir pales in comparison to your worth.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
“Hmm?”
Riel hesitated briefly before pulling a small bottle from her belongings.
A green liquid swirled inside a transparent container… Wait.
“You… You already have an elixir?”
“Ah, yes. Seria gave it to me when she heard the Duke was injured.”
“The Elf Princess did?”
Areubo told me only the Queen has the authority to distribute elixirs. How did she get her hands on one?
Seeing the doubt plastered across my face, Riel quickly explained.
“She said she swiped it from the World Tree’s storage…”
“…”
I… Did I come to the Great Forest for no reason?
I was momentarily dumbfounded, but I let it slide.
What’s done is done.
Sneaking it out without the Queen noticing? Impossible.
She must have known and turned a blind eye.
A debt to the elves, then.
Tucking the elixir from the Queen into my subspace storage, I mulled over the situation.
A debt isn’t the end of the world. If it comes to war with the elves someday, perhaps I’ll leave a record instructing my successors to let the Elf Princess go free at least once.
With that thought, I gathered Xian and his companions.
Now that we’d reached the Great Forest, their journey was effectively at its end.
Riel had to deliver the elixir to Duke Fael, the Saint needed to return home, and that meant their next destination was the Holy Kingdom.
I instructed Xian and Riel to stop by the Holy Kingdom before returning to the Empire. The Saint and the beastkin agreed to accompany them.
When I asked the beastkin why, he said he wanted to finish the journey together.
Xian, you’ve caused quite a stir.
Thus, the Hero’s party, minus the mage, left the Great Forest.
As for the mage…
“You know, in hindsight, it all makes sense.”
“…What do you mean, Your Majesty?”
“Reports about you have always been vague. The times and locations often didn’t add up, and even the enemies you faced seemed inconsistent. ‘Viola fought demons near some plain,’ always something like that.”
“… …”
“That’s not all. Even my impression of you has been hazy. When I saw you at the last banquet, I could barely recall your name. Who your teacher is, what sect you’re from—nothing came to mind. And this is despite you being someone I personally selected to accompany the Hero.”
Taking a deep breath, I fixed my gaze on her and spoke.
“Viola—or should I say, Mage Tower Master—Is that your real name?”