WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 144: Grand General
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Kyle understood the current situation as well. The Emperor was in no position to leave the Imperial Palace, while the Crown Prince and the Grand General held positions more than sufficient to represent the face of the Empire.
And there was the Lastea Tower Master, known as the strongest mage. That was enough to call it the Empire's, or the Emperor's, show of sincerity.
‘Though I never expected the Grand General to be prepared to die.’
Kyle had assumed Desmond would make a token appearance and return. Desmond was more loyal to the Empire than Kyle had thought. Still, judging from what he had just said, Desmond seemed to be someone who served the Empire, not the Emperor.
In other words, he was not someone who would push the situation to an extreme. Desmond had set down his spear and taken a seat. He did not seem intent on finding fault with Helenas and the Sword Church, then dragging Alastor into it as well.
“We came here to talk.”
Kyle shrugged and turned his gaze. The highest-ranking person here was not the Grand General, but Alero. Alero flinched at the attention, then hurriedly composed his expression and sat down.
“Sit down, little brother. And... Sword Church Master, please... have a seat as well. Ah, yes. My greeting is late. I am Alero Valhart, Crown Prince of the Empire.”
Helenas was not giving off any pressure, yet Alero still found it difficult to face her. An elf who had lived for five hundred years. As Crown Prince, he had to speak down to her, but... what if she caught hold of a single wrong word and that monster drew her sword?
The thought left Alero's back soaked in cold sweat.
“Helenas.”
With an expressionless face, Helenas answered and took a seat. Nothing like the frightening scene he had imagined took place, but Alero's expression remained poor.
He had never imagined the Grand General would step forward for the Empire's dignity even at the cost of his life. Alero had only thought they needed to make a suitable, yes, suitable statement of their position.
“So.”
Helenas glanced at the Crown Prince, who still hesitated to sit, and opened her mouth.
“What kind of conversation did you want so badly that you blocked my path?”
“I do not like hearing it put that way.”
Desmond spoke in place of the thoroughly frozen Alero.
“Karent is imperial territory. And Sword Church Master, you are an imperial citizen.”
“I have never thought of myself that way.”
“You have lived in the western forest since five hundred years ago, have you not? To be honest, if you had remained quietly in that forest, this problem would never have arisen. But you left the forest three months ago, and have since crossed imperial territory. That created rumors, and even drew together groups who follow you.”
Kyle sat beside Helenas, and Alero sat beside Desmond. Akarion folded his arms and sat between the two sides.
“Grand General. May I speak?”
Helenas had no interest whatsoever in what Desmond wished to say. Knowing her well, Kyle raised a hand slightly.
“You are free to speak. But Sir Kyle, does your intention to answer my questions mean you will speak for the Sword Church Master?”
“Yes.”
“By what right?”
“Was this meeting not arranged in the first place because the imperial family was uneasy about an Alastor pureblood traveling with the Sword Church Master?”
Kyle said it openly with a bright smile. Alero let out a dry cough, while Desmond fell silent for a moment and stared at Kyle.
“If you knew that plainly, why did you pretend not to understand what I said earlier?”
“I did not wish to misinterpret you. I only wanted to hear it clearly.”
“I cannot state it clearly. His Majesty did not order me to die.”
“Then it seems I did well not to answer earlier. But Grand General, if you were not ordered to do so, why were you prepared to risk death?”
“Because I am the Grand General of the Empire. As you said, your journey with the Sword Church Master is enough to make the Empire uneasy. It is not only an issue within the Empire. It draws the eyes of those beyond the Empire as well.”
“The eyes beyond the Empire.”
Kyle rubbed his chin as he considered Desmond's words.
“You mean the problem is how other nations will interpret this journey.”
“Correct. The Sword Church Master leaves Sword Grove and crosses imperial territory. At her side is a pureblood of Alastor. Not just any pureblood, but an heir likely to become the next Family Head of the Family of Light. How do you think other nations will view that sight?”
Desmond tapped the table with a gaunt finger.
“If they think the Empire has embraced the Sword Church, that would be welcome. But Alastor is not a family subordinate to the Empire. The Sword Church is the same. If you and the Sword Church Master ignored this place and passed through, the Empire's dignity would fall to the ground. That is why the Crown Prince and I are here.”
“If we had ignored you and passed through, you would have blocked our path.”
“Of course I would have. Everyone knows the Empire cannot control the Sword Church Master or the Sword Church, but having that confirmed openly carries a different weight, does it not?”
“So you would have blocked the path, Grand General, prepared to lose.”
“If losing had been all that happened, it would have been fortunate. I likely would have died. I would have needed to give it my all.”
Desmond answered in a flat voice.
“If the Empire's Grand General risked his life to block the path, at least the appearance that the Empire tried to exert control would remain. There is a world of difference between not exerting control at all and failing to exert control. The former is incompetence. The latter is tragedy. I would die for the Empire, and the pets at my estate would wait for their master who never returned and cry sorrowfully. What a tragic ending.”
“You intended to uphold the Empire's dignity with your own life.”
“Uphold is too generous. More like barely falling into mud instead of a shit pit.”
Desmond shrugged. His tone was as casual as if he were discussing the day's weather. In that calmness, Kyle sensed what kind of person Desmond was.
‘What a waste of a man for the Emperor to have at his disposal.’
Though he had not been directly ordered, he understood the obvious malice and was still willing to risk his life if it benefited the Empire. The object of his loyalty was clear, and there was no falsehood in that loyalty.
‘The one fortunate thing is that he sees the Empire, not the Emperor, as his master.’
The rejuvenated Emperor. The Moon Church's holy arts. If the malice toward Lavian was also part of a scheme aimed at Alastor, would Desmond stand with the Empire? No, perhaps Desmond would turn his back on the imperial family instead. Kyle stored that possibility away in a corner of his mind.
“Earlier, you asked how I could speak for the Sword Church Master, and what right I had. Grand General, do you know why this journey began?”
“I heard the Sword Church Master moved because she was worried about you.”
“That is true. I was injured at the Crows' Central Branch.”
“What happened there?”
“I do not think what happened at the Central Branch is related to this conversation. I signed a confidentiality agreement before carrying out the request, in fact. I am sorry, but I cannot answer.”
Kyle shook his head with a bitter smile.
“The purpose of this journey is to take the Sword Church Master, who came looking for me out of concern, back to Sword Grove. And while I am at it, I am learning the sword from the Sword Church Master.”
“You are... learning the sword? Does that mean you have become the Sword Church Master's disciple?”
“Not to the point of calling myself a disciple... Hmm, am I a disciple? We have not formally entered a master-disciple relationship. And I am learning the sword not only from the Sword Church Master, but from the Fifth Apostle of the Sword Church as well.”
“An Alastor pureblood learning the sword from outsiders. You are quite open-minded.”
“Is it not a joyful thing to learn the sword from a strong swordsman?”
“Yes, it is joyful. I am not a swordsman, but I am a martial artist. I know what a great blessing it is to be taught by someone outstanding and strong. So have you joined the Sword Church?”
“That is somewhat ambiguous.”
Kyle answered with a shrug.
“I do not consider myself to have joined, but the Fifth Apostle said I lost to her, so I am now a Sword Church member. As you know, Grand General, is that not simply how the Sword Church is?”
“You slip away neatly from every angle.”
“I am only telling the truth. Even if I am considered a Sword Church member, I will put the name of the blood flowing through my body first.”
“What will you do after returning the Sword Church Master to Sword Grove?”
“I plan to remain at Sword Grove for around a month and learn the sword from the Apostles.”
“Is it not strange to act that way and still say you are not a Sword Church member?”
“We are simply exchanging knowledge as swordsmen. If you wish, Grand General, you may come with us.”
“I hold a spear, not a sword.”
“Learning something new is always enjoyable. They say age does not matter when it comes to learning.”
Desmond chuckled softly at Kyle's jest.
“To me, my spear is like a lover. That is why I have remained unmarried to this age.”
“Ah, there is someone in my family who remains unmarried for the same reason. Shall I arrange a meeting someday?”
Kyle giggled and glanced at Alero. The Crown Prince had come as the face of the Empire, yet he could not join the conversation and only kept a complicated expression.
“What about you, Alero-hyung? It looked like you have swung a sword before. Wouldn't His Majesty and the other nations be less uneasy if you came to Sword Grove with me and learned the sword?”
“M-me?”
“Yes. If hyung comes with me and learns the sword for a while, would that not settle everything neatly? It would also serve as publicity that the imperial family is close with Sword Grove.”
“I... I have state affairs to handle as Crown Prince. I cannot be away from the imperial court for long.”
Alero forced a smile through cold sweat.
“Having such a friendly conversation alone is enough to put an end to the unease within the Empire and the attention of other nations. We will leave records as well.”
“Records?”
“We need to take photographs.”
Akarion said it with a bright smile.
“His Highness the Crown Prince and the Sword Church Master can smile warmly and shake hands. Since Sir Kyle and the Crown Prince are like brothers, perhaps an arm around the shoulder would look closer than a handshake? We will take such photographs and put them on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper.”
“Is that the answer?”
“The conversation has been settled neatly.”
Desmond answered.
“There is no secret agreement between the Sword Church and Alastor. Alastor remains the Family of Light allied with the Empire, and the Sword Church remains within the Empire as it always has. Sir Kyle's journey with the Sword Church Master is simply an exchange between swordsmen...”
Desmond paused and glanced at Helenas. Other than introducing herself and sitting down, she had shown no reaction, yet somehow Desmond felt her brows were faintly drawn together.
“If I must ask more... it would only be why the Sword Church Master cares for Sir Kyle. Is it because Sir Kyle is Fenris's master?”
“I...”
Before Kyle could answer, Helenas spoke first.
“I have a reason to teach that child the sword. He promised that someday, he would show me the fun of the sword.”
“Fun...?”
“He promised to defeat me someday. So I am teaching him the sword so that day can come as quickly as possible.”
What did defeat have to do with fun? Desmond did not understand, but he did not bother asking. Unlike Desmond, Akarion stared at Helenas with shining eyes.
“I have heard that elves live their entire lives bound by fate. And Sword Church Master, your fate is the sword.”
“That is right.”
“Yet despite wielding a sword for centuries, you have never felt enjoyment... Is that why you wish to experience defeat?”
“I have experienced defeat many times in the past. I have never felt enjoyment. But if I lose to that child, perhaps I will feel it. No, rather than feeling it through defeat... perhaps I will feel enjoyment through that child.”
“Huh.”
Akarion let out a quiet sound of wonder.
“To my ears... it sounds as though you are trying to escape the fate of the sword through Sir Kyle. Is that correct?”
“Escape fate... I do not know. But through that child, I can feel myself slowly changing.”
“What a strange thing to say. An elf escaping fate. An elf changing into someone unlike an elf... Sword Church Master, does that not frighten you? If you lose to Sir Kyle someday, you may lose the purpose of the fate you have lived by your entire life.”
“It does not frighten me. Rather, I feel my heart race. If I lose to that child, I will become that child's mate.”
“Pardon?”
Akarion, who had been listening with a serious expression, responded blankly. Alero's eyes went wide, and even Desmond's mouth fell open.
“Please do not put that in the article.”
Kyle hurriedly added.
“It is not settled yet. If I win later, it will be something we can discuss gradually from then on.”
“As expected of the Family of Light, called the continent's greatest house. Engaged at sixteen, and to the continent's greatest swordmaster, the Sword Church Master no less.”
Desmond closed his open mouth and clapped his hands.
“If it is such a grand affair, it should be made known across the continent. Why ask us not to write an article?”
“I told you it is not settled. You said I saved your life, Grand General, by bringing the Sword Church Master here. It was an unintended favor, but please take it into consideration.”
“My savior asks so earnestly, so I have no choice but to agree. Then may we consider the debt settled with this?”
“I never intended to place you in my debt in the first place.”
“Does this not offend you?”
Desmond suddenly asked.
“None of this was your intention. You only welcomed the Sword Church Master when she came looking for you, took her to Sword Grove, and learned the sword as a swordsman. But the Empire grew uneasy on its own, wary of the attention of other nations, and tried to pressure you and Alastor. Does that not offend you?”
“If I say it does, would that not be an insult to the imperial family?”
“If you put it that way, I would be in trouble from the moment I said this was fucking awful earlier.”
“Even though it was fucking awful, you were willing to throw away your life, Grand General.”
“And you came here.”
“Yes, we are the same in that regard. Setting aside whether it offends me, I am a member of Alastor, and Alastor is an ally of the Empire. We have no intention of harming the Empire.”
“...”
“If someone threatens the Empire, tries to shatter the peace our Founding Ancestor restored, and stirs up discord, Alastor will do what must be done, just as our Founding Ancestor did.”
Kyle grinned and whispered.
“Will you not do the same, Grand General?”
“Of course I will.”
Desmond slowly nodded.
“I am the Grand General of the Empire. That is why I came here... I have seen with my own eyes and confirmed that your journey with the Sword Church Master is not a danger to the Empire. I hope you will understand. As the one who rules the Empire, His Majesty worries even over small dangers.”
“Haha, of course I understand. If anything, I feel sorry for His Majesty. He is so busy with the Empire's affairs, yet I caused him such concern.”
Kyle laughed freely and asked.
“Come to think of it, you said earlier that your wish is a long and healthy life. The Emperor I met last time looked like health and longevity itself. Are you not interested?”
“No.”
Desmond answered without even a moment of hesitation.
“The grace of the holy arts that His Majesty enjoys is permitted to His Majesty alone. My wish is simply to live long and healthily in the peaceful age ruled by His Majesty, then die at an appropriate time.”
“I see. If the peaceful age we enjoy now is maintained under His Majesty's reign, then I hope His Majesty lives a long and healthy life as well.”
There was no way Desmond had not questioned the Emperor's rejuvenation.
He simply did not act because the Emperor was still acting as an Emperor should.
‘If he is this kind of man, then if the Emperor becomes dangerous, he will place the Empire before the throne.’
Perhaps that was why someone had wanted a man like him dead in this scheme.
Footnotes:
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