novelraw Chapter 133 : Opposition and Harmony (1)
Chapter 133 : Opposition and Harmony (1)
Opposition and Harmony (1)
Ian returned to Sunshine Castle and set about organizing his plans.
Now that he had retrieved the Ghost Sword Quiennio from the Sword Fiend, he needed only one more sword to break the seal of the Emperor of Thousand Swords, Arkazenon.
'The Thunder Emperor Sword, Astrape.'
It was the cherished sword of Preben, the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order, and among all swords that used thunder energy, it was the supreme and unmatched blade.
This was Ian's next objective.
'How can I get the Thunder Emperor Sword from the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order?'
The simplest method would be to just be upfront and ask her.
Tell her that there is an ancient treasured sword sealed under the Heavenly Sword Palace, and that to break the seal, the Thunder Emperor Sword Astrape is needed.
'But that method would create too much trouble afterwards.'
Preben would definitely want to know how he learned about the existence of the seal, answering her would be troublesome in itself, but more than that, the biggest problem was that he wouldn't be able to guarantee clear ownership of Arkazenon.
If rumors spread that an ancient sword had been excavated from beneath the Heavenly Sword Palace, both the direct and collateral lines of House Hisperion wouldn't just sit idly by.
They'd pounce with any number of pretexts and justifications, like a pack of wild dogs, all aiming for Arkazenon.
'So, if I want to make Arkazenon truly my own, I have to break the seal of the ruin secretly, by myself.'
It was a tricky problem.
How could he get the Thunder Emperor Sword from the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order without giving any explanations?
'There's no way other than a deal or a bet.'
But using what, exactly, for the deal or bet?
'How can I entice the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order?'
He had to find that out first.
Something that would hook the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order.
Ian promptly went to the Nightingale branch to see Chief Vivian.
"I need to get the Thunder Emperor Sword from the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order. I'm planning to propose a deal or a bet, but I'm not sure what would tempt her. Is there anything you can think of that she might want?"
"... There is some information we can provide. It's a bit risky, though..."
Soon after, Ian received astonishing information from Vivian.
'... Unbelievable.'
He hadn't expected that the commander of the Heavenly Sword Order was having an affair with a demonic human.
Apparently, she had secretly spirited away a demonic human prisoner—who was supposed to have been executed—and was living with her in her residence.
'... This is insane.'
And not just any demonic human—a female one.
Preben Hisperion, commander of the Heavenly Sword Order.
She was a lesbian and, having been swayed by lust, had fallen in love with a demonic human.
'If this ever got out, it'd cause a huge commotion...'
Being a lesbian wasn't a big issue.
There was no strong sentiment against homosexuality in House Hisperion.
At most, a few people might mock, scorn, or wear tinted glasses, but it wasn't such a major secret.
But...
'Living in secret with a demonic human she fell in love with is a major problem.'
Moreover, that demonic human had infiltrated the order and sold inside information to the Demon Cult.
So she was sentenced to execution the moment she was caught.
On the day of the execution, Preben had secretly spirited her away and hidden her in a side residence.
'She's completely mad.'
If this came to light, Preben's status and position would be shaken to the core.
She might even be thrown in the underground prison of the Heavenly Sword Palace.
It wasn't enough to have secretly taken a condemned criminal—whose execution was ordered directly by the head of House Heavenly Sword—and then fallen in love with her.
And that woman was a spy who'd been leaking internal information from the Heavenly Sword Order.
As a leader, it was an unacceptable level of incompetence.
"Hm..."
According to Vivian's information, the demonic human in question was currently very ill.
A curse she carried within her had worsened, and without treatment, she would likely die.
To heal her, one would need powerful holy power capable of purifying the curse, but all who possessed holy power saw demonic humans as beings to be exterminated, and so it was impossible to seek help.
Furthermore, healing her also required equally powerful demonic energy, because holy power was as good as poison to demonic humans.
During the curse-purification process, the demonic human would inevitably suffer intense internal injuries.
If those injuries were not treated, she would become a vegetable for life or die in short order.
Thus, to properly heal her, the moment the curse was erased with holy power, dense demonic energy had to be immediately infused to heal the resulting injuries.
"You, young master Ian, possess the greatsword Vladiark, which can absorb demonic energy, and the holy sword Heliodin, so realistically, you're the only one in this world capable of treating her. If you propose a deal with this information, I believe commander Preben will almost certainly accept."
"... I see. That's definitely helpful."
Ian thanked Vivian and left the Nightingale branch.
He wandered the streets for a while, feeling stunned.
'To obtain the Thunder Emperor Sword... I have to save a demonic human...'
How ironic.
He was trying to break the seal of the Emperor of Thousand Swords in order to slaughter all demonic humans.
Yet to break that seal, he had to save a demonic human.
'Just what kind of demonic human is it?'
What kind of demonic human could have so captivated Preben that she risked this reckless, perilous cohabitation?
'Preben isn't someone who could fall for bewitchment or seduction so easily.'
If that demonic human had possessed illusions powerful enough to enthrall a late-stage Grandmaster, she would never have been captured as an execution-bound criminal in the first place.
'Then it must have purely been her personality and charm that stole Preben's heart...'
Honestly, if the demonic human showed signs of redemption, it wouldn't be out of the question to save her.
But... if it was a truly irredeemable demonic human...
'It'd be quite a roundabout trip.'
If he let a demonic human like that survive, it would surely cause serious trouble down the road.
He also had to consider the scenario of exposing the affair throughout House Hisperion, making Preben fall from grace, and forcibly taking the Thunder Emperor Sword.
'First, I should meet her.'
Any precise judgment would have to wait until he saw Preben and the demonic human in person.
-step, step, step-
Ian briskly made his way toward the Heavenly Sword Palace.
* * *
Three days after sending a message to Preben asking to meet,
Ian was able to see her in the reception room of the Heavenly Sword Order's headquarters.
"You said you wanted to see me?"
Golden hair, just like Yuria's. Crimson eyes.
But a sharp scar ran across her right eye.
The eye with the scar had turned into a dull, cloudy gray, its light lost.
"My youngest niece's only knight..."
-squeeeze-
Preben leaned her back against the sofa, spreading her arms across it.
"So, what business do you have with me?"
"I've come because I wish to propose a deal."
"A deal?"
Preben's expression instantly became one of annoyance.
She picked at her ear as she spoke.
"I hate that kind of talk. Did you call this busy woman just to talk politics?"
"No. I didn't come to discuss politics."
Ian was quick to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Your sword, commander Preben. I want the Thunder Emperor Sword Astrape."
"... What?"
This time, Preben looked at him in disbelief.
"You must be joking. You want to bargain for my sword? The one I summoned through the sword spirit ceremony?"
"Yes. I know how important it is to you, but if you hear my terms, I think you'll find them worthwhile."
"Heh."
Preben smirked, raising one side of her lip in a wry grin.
"Terms, huh... This isn't something I can sell, kid. And what would you do with a blade that's been handled only by me?"
"... Well. Even so, I'd like you to hear my terms. You won't regret it."
"Heh. Still? Fine. Let's hear it, then. Now I'm curious what you'll say."
"..."
Before getting to the heart of the matter, Ian heightened his senses to the maximum.
He was about to say something that would greatly provoke Preben.
His whole body tensed, ready to react instantly in case she suddenly attacked.
Then, he carefully opened his mouth.
"I know that you're hiding a demonic human."
"...?"
At that moment, Preben's breathing stopped.
"... What?"
At the same moment, deep killing intent darkened her eyes.
― Gooooo...-
The warmth in the room chilled in an instant.
-squeeze...!-
He could see the tension in both her legs.
Ian quickly continued before she could attack.
"I have a way to heal her."
"... What?"
"So please, calm down. I apologize for bringing up such a sensitive topic, but I didn't mention it to threaten you. I'm here to let you know that I can help."
"..."
With those words, Preben's killing intent subsided somewhat.
However, her ferocious aura remained.
Preben glared with a piercing stare as she asked,
"How did you come to know that?"
It was a loaded question.
The fact that she was hiding a demonic human.
That the woman was gravely ill.
And that Ian knew a way to treat her.
How could he possibly know all of this?
"Who told you...?"
"I can't tell you that. But what I can tell you is that you're still safe for now."
Vivian had mentioned that even within the Heavenly Sword Palace, almost no one knew about this.
And those few who did were not hostile to Preben.
But Preben wasn't ready to accept that explanation easily.
"That's for me to hear and judge. Out with it, before I use force. Who told you?"
Ian's gaze grew cold.
"Please calm down. If you use force now, you'll lose two opportunities."
"... What?"
"First, the chance to save your lover. Second, the chance to build trust with me."
"..."
Preben seemed at a loss for words and moved her lips soundlessly.
All sorts of emotions flashed in her eyes.
Incredulity, bewilderment, killing intent, anger, and patience.
She gritted her teeth.
"Damn."
Preben slumped deeply back into the sofa and let out a long sigh.
"My brother's so fond of you. Turns out you're a real snake. No wonder he likes you. Damn it."
"So... about the deal, I'd like to continue."
"Whatever. Do as you please."
"I will personally heal your lover. I'll stake everything on it. And I'll guarantee complete secrecy. In return, please give me your Thunder Emperor Sword. That's my offer."
"..."
Preben twisted her lips in a bitter smirk.
"Bringing something I can't refuse and calling it a proposal..."
The Thunder Emperor Sword Astrape was like an extension of Preben's own body.
But no matter how well-suited a weapon was, in the end, it existed to serve one's purpose.
And Preben's purpose was to protect the people precious to her.
"All you want is the Thunder Emperor Sword?"
Ian nodded wordlessly.
Judging by the situation, he might have been able to demand more, but he refrained, thinking it could leave Preben bearing a grudge.
"Fine. I'll give it to you. But."
Preben opened her eyes wide and fixed Ian with a glare.
"The treatment comes first. I don't know how you're planning to treat her, but since you said it, there must be a way, right?"
"Yes, of course."
"I won't give you the sword until I see her completely recover. Take full responsibility."
"Yes, I understand. No problem."
Thus, the deal was struck.
With the reward now promised, it was time to go see her lover.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】