Chapter 268: Extra 8 – A New Era
4PxThe bright midday sun illuminated Brigantes, the capital of the Empire.txwUpX2
QrnZkgGA city founded by Kihano Frausen, the founding king and Master of the Sword, symbolizing the end of the Age of Dragons and the dawn of the Age of Humans.11p
irVcTHowever, Brigantes, which should have shone with glory, was steeped in deep silence.cgT
SiS“…The young emperor has been sent back to his homeland.”WuZc
tt08In one of the opulent rooms of the imperial palace, decorated with great splendor, the courtier Armand stared at the teacup in front of him.23HVqq
zMJlkObThe room, seemingly dimly lit, remained dark save for a faint ray of light filtering through the window, landing on the cup.JvD6RSk
OoOwKG“I wonder if that boy will live long enough to fulfill his destiny.”99ao
sWc2n“…”VKO7wR
9NQVzTimur, the Iron Duke, who stood by the window holding a teacup, paused at those words.7XP
1Ox72The imperial palace, in its solemn stillness, seemed frozen in time.IXNA
vIBThe sound of Armand’s voice echoing in that silence wasn’t just unsettling—it carried something deeply disturbing, something Timur couldn’t ignore.d6JS3l
r6Zu“…It would be proper to leave matters concerning the palace to the royal court.”qxoRM
3snWith those words, Timur tacitly seemed to approve of Armand’s plans, prompting the courtier to nod slowly.k4dexe
9J4E“The war is over, and the false emperor has been dethroned. Now all that remains is an empty imperial palace.”6ra
YL3w1T9Armand’s voice was weathered by the years, rusted by the weight of time. Yet his eyes, fixed on Timur’s back, gleamed with an almost feverish intensity.Xtz8raV
UFQ7s1“Restoring the rightful sun to the sky. That is my final duty as a courtier in this era.”AkW0
dHfN7Armand, tasked with protecting the throne and maintaining court order, had succeeded in expelling the false emperor.FQgs9g
jQOHowever, the bloodshed that ensued instilled fear among the Empire’s citizens.65aw
Mbi4Even so, the old man’s gaze was now focused on a knight of the north, as if his mission was far from over.aely0
O0UUo3“I beg you to help me. We cannot allow the line of the Empire to end here.”dkvpf
uR2XrThe Empire, which marked the beginning of the Age of Humans, had begun with one man.v9KY
j1ZPAnd the legitimacy of its lineage could only endure through the blood of House Frausen and the will of the sword passed down by the Silver Knight.WkBE4hJ
M9G“With your mastery of the sword and having earned the title of Master of the Sword, no one else in the continent holds greater legitimacy.”2sl
BzXev“Even if descended from the blood of the dragons you so despise?”l0m29i
1AhY6OTimur cast a cold glance at the aged Armand.ZdzdcL
EH9Though the dragon’s breath had corrupted the Empire, the courtier, worn down by time, had been powerless to protect anything on his own.b17k
ebM2czTThe mixture of disdain and pity in Timur’s eyes toward Armand was almost instinctual.EIsb8FT
lw6CKA6“…That makes it even better. Being the child of a dragon, he chose to kill his own father for the sake of the Empire.”qjmnXL
pEi“For the sake of the Empire, you say?”yRi8n
zrqNTimur let out a bitter smile as he placed the teacup back on the table at Armand’s words.7SXPGI
bkMvS“So that’s what you saw in that duel.”PJogk
0ZptmIt is natural for the same scene to be perceived differently depending on who views it.87JlsL8
NrJuwJ6But Timur disliked how Armand interpreted Vlad’s duel to suit his own interests.i85Jo
3AqmqxF“Will you help me?”GT4
uI3MBM8The Empire’s glorious continuity had to be preserved.bdDe
N7jK9cEven if its roots were rotten and its branches grew twisted, countless lives depended on the shelter the Empire provided.qMTr
IHW“No.”Mt1
EvyLTLeTimur’s response was clear and direct.c2kBr7t
WPqJckl“…Why?”fxOgjxZ
LwWHtTimur took a step back, away from the window.xwBl
EXtdJvI“Because this isn’t a matter we can decide between the two of us.”FoDwlc
Ny2oAs Timur stepped back, the hidden light began to fill the room.IyI
D8SLittle by little, the darkness receded, revealing an object that had been concealed: a white table.NdUIwXT
edGGpYIt was round, designed so that all present could look directly at one another.ssAX
mTuq“Count Peter has decided to hand over the leadership of House Bayezid to his son.”sWMBP
EQsbL“If that young man takes charge, the Iron Duke could easily…”oGSBknl
60Nc“The next imperial meeting will include representatives from Ausurin and Nidavellir.”n2cls
OvRK4aTimur pulled the curtains wide open, letting sunlight flood the room.RQoYE8
CkyThe bright light forced Armand to shield his eyes as Timur offered a faint smile.v9s5MsT
qNyu5U“We are transitioning from the Age of Dragons to the Age of the Empire. And now, we may be on the brink of a new era.”MVs0iUM
CUdArmand opened his eyes and turned his head, but Timur was already at the door, his hand on the knob.nciXU
0472“Let the decisions of this new era be made by new people.”hFZFyF
P7LA new era, new people, and a new Master of the Sword.zKN
KFCFTimur, who had opened the door for them, walked out of the room without looking back.TYTXP2
g1OVdIt was as though there was no place for him at this new round table that had been prepared.rglWJKP
JZp“…Iron Duke.”xTM2l
iMhAs the cold northern wind faded, only Armand remained, unsure of where to turn.l6AZWu
jZvQlWith trembling hands, he looked toward the open door, feeling the breeze slowly filling the room.Cg6
X6wdFinally, he bowed his head in silence.knc
Fba***aiF
b3OUhNow that the weather seemed to soften, the road to Sturma was completely filled with mud.K4oVdxD
x7zGoethe, seated at the coachman’s perch, grumbled that they should have departed earlier.zQQid8
8ZU9iHowever, Zemina, gazing out the window, seemed to enjoy the journey, smiling constantly.smPfd
XcCaNf“So, that thing that looks like a tower—is it a dragon?”WweAbuu
vdK3“Yes. Technically, it’s a Death Worm. It lives in the west.”pRjM
QEaVIn the distant plains, Zemina observed something towering into the sky like a spire.WW1vnrL
XumgjVmThat enormous creature, visible even from afar, was a western Death Worm that had surfaced to breathe.PkqQkB
Q88“When there was that tremor a little while ago, I got a real scare. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt an earthquake.”pOShZXW
82H“Really?”lkM5uv
uhAqx7jVlad smiled at Zemina’s excited voice, still filled with awe.GJ8
AA4HQetHer reaction reminded Vlad of the first time he had seen a Death Worm years ago.mXOi6
PtQi68“They usually come north to bask in the sun at this time of year.”VLX
63Dpt“But something that big must eat a ton. Doesn’t it attack people?”Qp7Ghs
YkM“They don’t do things like that. They feed on minerals they find underground.”uJM
JwLeGhExcept for the one that Vlad and Rutiger had to confront, Death Worms rarely attacked humans.Ozr3
Z0gEeXBPerhaps that one, too, would have avoided disturbing the north if it hadn’t been cursed with dark magic.W4D0G6p
ThvatF“You’ve learned a lot, Vlad. Where did you pick all this up?”MhcDNuK
hkCK6Zemina, leaning on the carriage window’s sill, turned her gaze to Vlad.KVi84L
7QJRToday, she seemed especially impressed by the way he answered everything calmly and precisely, projecting a maturity she hadn’t noticed before.pakacqj
flhJ“…It’s not something you learn.”oRd
HBZmuuWalking alongside the carriage with Noir by his side, Vlad let out a small chuckle at Zemina’s comment.lmb3DZ
bH0M“I just heard it in passing.”mVi
RDgsQIn truth, he hadn’t formally studied it but vividly recalled someone telling him about Death Worms.he6L
6ifQQvBThinking that, if not for that man, he wouldn’t now be seeing Zemina’s bright, amazed eyes, Vlad couldn’t help scratching his nose.hEDr2
P93T7jJ“Ah, I wish I had some whiskey.”mwKnC
0aMpwdi“Don’t even think about it. That’s a special order for gifting.”KBp
GbJ“A sip wouldn’t hurt. Even Rutiger would probably forgive that.”YDd
VvoVL“Are you crazy? Absolutely not!”Vbk
sfZoSxeZemina reacted with alarm to Vlad’s words, though he had no actual intention of drinking.H3TJO
3SQc8SHe only wanted to relive memories of times when he’d traveled that same path before, thinking of how whiskey had been a companion on those journeys.KGGZix
YoWAOfY“A sunny day like this would be perfect with a glass of whiskey.”vFVdnJ
BO2TEo8The green plains and blue skies, with the majestic Death Worm in the middle.Acoey
7tazMyfRecalling the days when he barely knew how to ride a horse, Vlad felt nostalgic for the whiskey Joseph had given him back then.kBiF0X
92d***sxFoE
n51“Whoa, wait, what the hell is this?”iBakC6
9q9PC8“…”4zSq
AxATraveling by carriage from Soara to Sturma, Vlad and his group finally reached their destination.xip
VUGnwliHowever, upon arriving at the city, Goethe halted the carriage, unable to go any further.8ctOm
koDSu5B“Captain, this is why I said we should’ve come earlier. Look at all these carriages.”Mm0rPY
wf02MJEven after all these years, Sturma’s walls remained imposing.YwE4
axupdB3But what caught Vlad’s attention was the long line of carriages stretching out from the city gates.7OZso
8HmKd“….Vlad, look at that.”fmyWtw
PgwP“What thing?”Nr2G
v3RYI7“Apart from the carriages, they’ve brought loads of carts full of stuff.”ScvUk9
svrbIf each noble house had only sent one carriage, the congestion wouldn’t have been so severe.Ks5Jj
UsTAvNBut the people arriving were here to celebrate the succession of the new leader of House Bayezid.SSKQ6I
GdeEk4Evidently, no one had come empty-handed.TB8j3u
lS2dLThey had brought carts loaded with gifts and expensive belongings, crowding the area outside Sturma.l0bBO0
7zzWqE“…Maybe we should’ve brought more gifts. We’re looking a bit humble here.”WE4euvQ
lYCr“Humble? What are you talking about?”4WHMzA
5izRSurrounded by luxurious carriages, Zemina began to hunch her shoulders slightly.PJxaG7M
hYNHdHnThough Goethe had made an effort to secure a decent carriage, it was a borrowed one.YRaC
UfXHnAnd compared to the extravagant offerings from others, their gifts seemed modest, making Zemina feel self-conscious.Wvk
PKQhclT“Now that I think about it, all these people are nobles, right? Is it okay for me to be here?”06Zld
wrs6“…Of course it is. You’re Lady Zemina.”Gccg
2B8LxIt was Zemina’s first time experiencing the world of high nobility, and her insecurity was clear.o6U
XrBLZfNoticing her discomfort, Vlad began searching for a way to escape the endless line of carriages.UsF
zmKvy“Captain! Captain!”CB60
lkVvFu“What is it?”35K0Fg
0mti“Someone’s coming from the front! The carriages are making noise!”0YMeS
RwkgWBefore Vlad could come up with a solution, something began to stir in the line.tYc2
9I2The carriages and their occupants appeared agitated.EEe0
EmrVD“Could it be someone important? Everyone’s stepping out to look.”RXta
4QByEjR“…Who could it be?”PW7yB
opKHearing that someone significant was approaching, Zemina quickly slid into the corner of the carriage, as if trying to avoid being seen.uPd
6t007MNoticing her nervousness, Vlad remained silent, though unfortunately, the person everyone was anticipating seemed to have business directly with them.FhRxx
7IuE“Get out.”oM9
ULJjUBv“Huh?”fuJ
uEQ7bDressed in elegant clothing but with a brazen attitude, a man knocked on the carriage door with brusque force.Cr1tFx
4hsH“I said get out. Don’t draw too much attention here.”cqh
9orKXThe man wore a black patch over his left eye, making him appear even more intimidating.sl5
RgQThough Zemina swallowed nervously, the man simply gave her a smile when their eyes met.c65y
YeoLog“Jager?”Yiiyo9
ZEdU“You’re late, as always. Still someone who needs to be watched over.”IgfwqMU
rdyhy0sIt was Jager, the new captain of the knights of House Bayezid.uZYMK
lhnDUMTKnown for training the most honorable knights, Jager was renowned across the continent.bn2b
bxAuBut, as usual, he regarded his former pupil with a stern and distant expression.NmI
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