Chapter 119
“Yiaaaah!”
Meanwhile, a little earlier…
Howell and Frilien were diligently fighting off the monsters from the rear.
“Yahap!”
He watched Frilien swing her sword with all her might, eyes filled with worry.
“…Saint! Next to you!”
Kyaaek!
“Ugh!”
Frilien was thrown back violently by a monster that suddenly appeared from the side. When the Saint was attacked, the surrounding clerics and knights panicked, murmuring nervously.
“Saint!”
“Step back!”
“I’m fine!”
With a flash, Frilien healed her wounds instantly using her holy power, smiling reassuringly.
“With this method, I’m invincible!”
“But that keeps consuming your holy power…”
The anxious clerics looked on nervously at the massive monster looming in the distance. Fear slowly crept into their eyes.
“…At this rate, maybe we should just retreat.”
“Should we retreat with the Saint?”
As if waiting for that question, the clerics began to speak one by one.
“Very well.”
“It’s better to retreat with the Saint and then plan the next steps.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Despite the chaos, Frilien raised her voice angrily, clearly understanding their suggestion.
“Are you suggesting we retreat in such a dire situation, leaving her alone? Lady Semperion ran out to fight by herself, and you expect me to just flee? That’s shameful!”
“But realistically…”
The clerics hesitated, unsure how to respond. Howell looked back at Frilien.
“You want to go to the imperial palace, right? To where Elizia is?”
“Huh? Yes!”
Frilien nodded. Howell gripped his sword firmly and spoke decisively.
“Same here. Let’s go together.”
Frilien’s eyes widened in surprise.
“…Yes!”
“No, Saint…”
Encouraged by Howell’s words, Frilien lifted her sword again, determination etched on her face, ignoring the clerics’ protests. The shocked clerics continued to speak, trailing behind.
“No, it’s too dangerous. There are others here; you don’t need to risk yourself…”
At that moment—
Bang.
A brilliant light flashed in the distance. A massive sword energy struck down from the sky, targeting the monsters. At the center of it, faintly visible, was Elizia’s red hair.
The miracle didn’t stop there. A torrent of Fin’s intense magical attacks followed immediately, and in an instant, the two most powerful monsters were defeated.
A cleric watching in awe muttered,
“…Is it… over?”
Frilien, stunned, whispered,
“By the heavens… I knew the Lady was strong, but…”
That level of power.
Howell, too, stared in disbelief. His face had turned pale, as if he might collapse at any moment. Relief that his family was safe mingled with fear of what was to come—a mixture of emotions impossible to read.
Amid the stunned silence, Frilien grabbed a cleric next to her and spoke again.
“Then… can we go now? Lady Semperion handled the situation, so it’s not dangerous anymore, right? I can go, can’t I?”
“Saint?”
The clerics were flustered, unable to stop Frilien. She looked at Howell and grinned.
“Let’s go together!”
At the critical moment, Fin appeared.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to ask anything.
The boss-level monsters were gone, but the rest still remained.
“Everyone, focus! The battle isn’t over yet!”
At the captain of the guard’s command, the knights resumed fighting the monsters. Thanks to Elizia taking down the boss, their expressions held more hope than before.
Moreover, the remaining monsters were practically nothing compared to Elizia.
“Get away, huoi!”
Elizia tossed a few stones lightly.
Bang! Crash!
Kyaaa!
The monsters toppled as if hit by bombs. The knights could only stare dumbfounded.
“…They’re all taken care of.”
Finally, Elizia turned to look at Fin properly, letting out a relieved sigh.
‘That was a close one…’
The quest she had completed just before—“Keep Fin’s identity secret”—had almost failed. A little delay and disaster could have struck because…
Fin had just revealed powerful magic in front of so many people!
‘Are they going to re-examine me again…?’
She wasn’t sure anymore.
‘No, now I actually want to know!’
Elizia slowly scanned her surroundings. When Fin cast his magic, the Emperor, ministers, and dukes didn’t seem surprised. They already seemed aware that Fin could wield such magic.
That meant…
“Fin is…”
What kind of person is he?
By now, she had a rough idea. At Lady Marigold, the only person capable of that level of force was…
‘The Tower Master?’
…Maybe not necessarily. Fin always spoke of the Tower Master as if separate from himself. Perhaps he had special training or privileges from the Tower Master due to using relics and his innate strength.
Elizia watched Fin cautiously. He caught her gaze and gave an awkward smile.
“Ah, I’ve been discovered after all.”
Then, boldly added,
“…That I’m a very powerful librarian.”
“Hah.”
Elizia laughed in disbelief. Fin returned her smile and tried to say something when another voice interrupted.
“…Eliza, you used sword energy?”
It was the Crown Prince. His expression showed disbelief as he looked between her and the sword. The rigidness in his face suggested…
‘Betrayal?’
Why? Had he assumed she lied since she claimed not to use sword energy before? Elizia answered calmly.
“Ah, last time I really didn’t know how to use it. This time, I awakened.”
“How…?”
“When people are in danger, they do what they must.”
This was true. She had no choice but to unlock the skill when everyone was on the verge of death!
Yet the Crown Prince could hardly believe it.
“But that… isn’t just an awakening level.”
“Let’s stop.”
Fin cut him off.
“You’re making Lady uncomfortable.”
At that, the Crown Prince glared at Fin.
“Sir Ende…”
He seemed to have a lot to say, but spoke slowly.
“…So she’s decided to leave immediately.”
Fin gestured toward the fallen monsters.
“It was unavoidable under the circumstances, wasn’t it?”
“Could you two not talk without including me?”
Elizia raised her hand. Both men turned to her simultaneously. Fin smiled gently, as if to reassure her.
“Oh, by the way, Lady, are you unharmed?”
“Hmm, I’m fine.”
“Good. You must have wanted to rest… it must have been troublesome dealing with all this.”
Fin sighed with a look of sympathy. A few nearby knights stared at him as if he were mad. Some whispered among themselves.
“Who… who is that? He seems like a mage.”
“Do you think someone at that level is just a mage? I may not know much about magic, but it’s clear he’s at least a Grand Mage. And…”
One knight swallowed nervously when looking at Elizia. Not well-versed in magic, they assumed, ‘So it really is the Tower.’ But Elizia Semperion…
For those who understood swords, she was even more terrifying. Among all existing swordsmen in the Empire—no, in history—had anyone reached that level?
‘How will His Majesty view this…?’
Everyone present was acutely aware of the Emperor’s attention. How would he treat a genius appearing suddenly, feared by all?
Then…
“…Hahaha.”
A low laugh echoed. Everyone flinched and turned toward it. The Emperor had approached.
Walking leisurely among the dead monsters, he radiated ease and interest, his gaze fixed on Elizia.
“I’ve heard tales that the Duke’s daughter fought off the monsters, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”
“…”
“Clearly, the Duke had a reason to favor her.”
Elizia almost frowned.
‘He’s seriously misunderstanding.’
Even the Duke believed she was just an incompetent villain. There was a risk the Duke might think he had deliberately hidden her power.
That couldn’t happen! She quickly spoke.
“My father didn’t know.”
Elizia spoke boldly, shrugging as she gestured at the dead monsters.
“This is the first time I’ve used it today.”
“…Then that makes it even more remarkable, doesn’t it?”
The Emperor smiled at the captain of the guard. His expression looked genuinely pleased.
“Y-Yes, certainly. Compared to last time, her skill has improved greatly…”
The captain’s voice trembled, barely capturing the magnitude of the achievement with such mild words.
“I see. And such remarkable feats. The Royal Court should duly recognize the Lady’s merit…”
The Emperor nodded approvingly, his gaze on Elizia filled with pride.
“What do you think of granting Lady Semperion the honorary position of Royal Knight Commander?”
“Eh?”
“Excuse me?”
Everyone present was shocked, staring at the Emperor. The Duke quickly interjected.
“Your Majesty, that position is far too much for my daughter…!”
“To call it excessive is to be overly modest.”
The Emperor cut him off decisively. Elizia wondered,
‘Can I even refuse this?’
He was clearly favorable, and Knight Commander was an immense honor. But the “Royal Honorary Knight Commander” is under the Emperor’s direct authority.
‘Is this a way to create ties to the Royal Court…?’
Normally, she might have been hurt by the Duke’s “You’re not ready for this!” excuse, but after experiencing it several times, she understood the intent. Even the last temple visit seemed like a ruse to avoid binding her to the temple.
Perhaps the real intention was…
‘Pretend to belittle, but really avoid binding me.’
But this time, that tactic wouldn’t work. No one would agree that the Swordmaster is lacking. There’s no excuse to refuse.
‘Should I just pretend to be unaware and say I don’t want it?’
Even if it angers the Emperor? Or just seize the chance to be a “villainous” Knight Commander?
At that moment…
“…Lady, you don’t want to do it?”
Fin whispered.
“Huh?”
…Yes.
Elizia nodded faintly, bewildered. Though she knew the position was prestigious, she didn’t want to become entangled with the Royal Court this way. She had a gut feeling to avoid it.
‘Maybe Fin has a way.’
Just as she wondered, Fin addressed the Emperor.
“Ah, it’s a wonderful offer. Being Royal Knight Commander is an incredible honor.”
He continued, sounding genuinely regretful.
“However… unfortunately, Lady Semperion cannot accept this proposal.”
“…Why?”
Fin immediately answered for her.
“She’s a research mage of the Tower. Senior Tower officials cannot simultaneously hold high positions in the Royal Court.”
“If the Tower Master gives special permission, wouldn’t it be fine?”
“….”
The Emperor’s insistent question wiped the smile from Fin’s face for a moment.
“Yes, so it cannot be done.”
Fin spoke firmly, then paused with a contemplative look before returning to his usual calm smile, facing the Emperor.
“I will not grant permission.”
Murmurs spread. The knights, overhearing, whispered, “Could it be… is he the Tower Master himself…?” Remembering the magic they had just witnessed, they were dumbstruck. The hidden Tower Master’s identity… was really…
‘It’s Fin Ende?’
Elizia also stared at him, astonished.
