The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 362: Imperial Palace (2)

Chapter 362: Imperial Palace (2)

The⁠‌‌ assistance of the⁠‍ palace official continued⁠‍ throughout breakfast. That’s⁠ no exaggeration.

It‌‍ was, literally, “attention⁠‍ and service.”

‘Damn‍ it.’

My conscience was gnawing‌‌ at me. I was receiving excessive⁠ attention from someone who couldn’t even see.

Every‌⁠‌ time I felt⁠‌ it was too‍⁠ much and tried‌‌‌ to say something, she—almost as if⁠ reading my mind—would⁠⁠‍ retreat silently.

‘Do‍ people in the Imperial Palace have‍‌ mind reading as‌‌ a passive skill‍ or what?’

Withdrawing⁠⁠‌ during a court‌‍ meal was a major breach of⁠ etiquette. Sure, I’m⁠‌ from the streets,⁠ so I don’t‍ normally follow those‍ rules, but even‌⁠ so, I was‍⁠ there as Victoria’s‌⁠⁠ official representative.

Any‍⁠⁠ discourtesy on my part would reflect‍‍ directly on her‍‍‍ name.

‘Unlike⁠‌ when I was‌‍‌ a cadet, I have way too‍⁠ many responsibilities now and this is⁠‌ all just a hassle…’

No⁠ helping it.

That’s‍⁠ the weight of⁠ being an adult.‍⁠ You have to endure it with‌ dignity. At the‍⁠ very least, I consoled myself knowing‍‍ she didn’t help‍‌ me use the‍ dessert fork.

Until‍‍‍ breakfast was officially‍ over.

Victoria,‌⁠ from the other⁠‌ side, watched the‌‌ whole thing in⁠‌ silence. Her face‌⁠ shifted between red‌ and blue like‌⁠⁠ a color palette.‌⁠

She‌‍ seemed to be evaluating how far‍‍ the palace official‍‌ would go, and⁠‌ seeing that she‍ really did everything,⁠ the frustration was⁠⁠‍ clearly boiling inside⁠‌ her.

‘Well,‌‌ well…’

Even⁠ in the tunnel‍‍‌ that seems endless,‍ a ray of⁠‍‌ light eventually comes⁠⁠⁠ through.

As‌‍⁠ expected from a meal governed by‌⁠‌ imperial customs, breakfast‌‍ was as long‌⁠ as it was‌‌‍ inefficient. Finally, it ended.

As‍ a side note,‍ the Emperor didn’t⁠ attend breakfast. They‍ had informed us⁠ he had personal‍‌ matters and would⁠ be out of‍ the palace until‍ the afternoon.

‘What‌‍ must the Emperor‌ be thinking, seeing⁠⁠ his closest aide‌‌ treat me like this?’

Or‍⁠⁠ rather…

‘It’s‍⁠ very likely this‌ was his idea⁠ from the start.‍ Is he trying‍ to seduce me‌ with a beauty?’‌‌

Hmm…⁠‌ Honestly, I don’t‌ get it.

“The Imperial Palace really⁠ is…”

I murmured unintentionally.

“My apologies, Heavenly Sword…‌‌ I didn’t mean‌‍ to think out‍ loud…”

Huh?‍

The return of the‌ Heavenly Sword will‍‌ bring peace and‍ prosperity to all!‍ Long life, long⁠‌ life, eternal life!⁠‌

The⁠ palace official moved‍‍ her lips without‌ making a sound‌ and, as always,⁠‍⁠ disappeared into the‌ shadows. I, with‍ the spoon still‌‍ in the air holding a bit⁠‌ of peach sorbet, froze. It was⁠ absurd.

‘Are you telling me⁠‍‌ someone this foolish‍ was assigned to‌‌‌ watch me?’

And‌⁠ on top of‌⁠ that, wasn’t she‍‌ from the Pungsan‍‌ family?

‘According‍‌ to Victoria, she’s‍‌ the most talented‍ member of her entire family.’

And⁠‍ now she’s trying⁠⁠ to cozy up⁠ to me with⁠⁠ such transparent, ridiculous⁠‍ flattery?

I glanced at Victoria.‍ Her expression looked‌⁠ like she was⁠‌ about to devour⁠ the official alive.‍‌

“Mister⁠ Heavenly Sword, how⁠ would you like⁠⁠ to dine tonight?⁠ Would you like‌⁠ to take a bath first? Or‌ perhaps take me⁠‌‌ ins-”

“Palace‌ official!”

“….”⁠‍

It‌‌ was unbelievable.

***‍⁠‍

From personal experience, the⁠‍‍ emperor wasn’t a petty politician. He’s‌‌ a true madman,‍⁠‍ yes, but also‍⁠ an exceptional man.‌⁠

Otherwise,‌‍⁠ he wouldn’t emit‍‍ that kind of⁠ aura that rivals⁠ the Swordmaster’s.

Creak.⁠

While⁠ the servants cleared the dishes, I stood up in silence. Victoria also‌ quickly rose, intending⁠ to scold the official.

“One‌⁠ moment, Princess.”

I stopped her.

“I⁠‌ think I need⁠‍⁠ to speak with‌‌ her alone.”

“B-but that…”

“It’s⁠ my business. I’ll‍ be back—let the⁠‌‍ adults handle this.”‌

That‌‍ was a loaded⁠‍ phrase.

For⁠ starters, a member of the imperial⁠⁠ family summoning someone‌‌⁠ close to the‌ emperor on their‍‍ own doesn’t leave a good impression.‍‌ In future succession‍‌ disputes, it could backfire on Victoria.‍⁠

Our‍ dear emperor, so⁠‍ devoted to the⁠⁠‌ purity of Korean⁠‍ products like eel‌⁠ and black raspberries,‌⁠ has more than⁠‍ a dozen children.‌

Victoria‍ is constantly being‍‍ challenged by other‍⁠ throne candidates. She‌‍⁠ can’t afford to⁠ let her emotions⁠‌ give them an‍ excuse.

It’s‍‍ not like I’m⁠ interested in usurping‍⁠‌ the throne. Not‌ at all.

‘Frankly,‌‍ I don’t care‍ who becomes the⁠⁠ next emperor.’

The past ten years prove it. Since‌ I was elevated‌⁠ to Seven Stars,‌ I’ve lived just‌ fine without even knowing the emperor’s face.

But‍ even so.

“The⁠‌ servants who have‌‍ been bringing the‌⁠ food see and‌⁠ hear everything too.⁠ Don’t assume their⁠ eyes and ears‌‌ are closed.”

I leaned in and⁠ whispered that to‌‍ Victoria.

“…”⁠

“Since‍ you’re always surrounded‌‍ by them, you⁠⁠ might see them‌ as part of‌ the decor, but‍‍ they have their‌‍ own interests. They’re‌‌‍ petty and base,‍ but that’s part‌ of being an‍‍‍ adult.”

As‍‌ someone with a few decades more‌ experience, I couldn’t‌ just stand by‍⁠ while she carried‌ that sandbag.

The⁠⁠ right thing to do was to‍ resolve this with‌ the palace official‌ alone. That was‌ the conclusion my‍⁠ experience brought me⁠‌ to.

I know it’s annoying.‍ From Victoria’s perspective,‍‍ I probably look‍ like some old‌ nag. But sometimes,‍ one is needed.‌‍

I looked straight into‍‌ Victoria’s eyes. Her‌ clear pupils reflected‍ the image of a hardened man.‍

In‍ her, I saw‍ my younger self.⁠‌

‘Chief.’‍‍

He‍⁠‌ really was the‍ true example of‌‍ a good “old nag.”

That‌‌ guy gave endless‌‍⁠ lectures every day.⁠ At the time,‌‍ they just felt‍ like unnecessary scolding.

I knew in my‌⁠‌ head it was⁠ for my own‍‍ good, but it⁠ still rubbed me‌‌ the wrong way. For no real‍ reason. I just…‍ didn’t want to‍‌ lose to an‍‍ adult.

And‌‍‌ because I didn’t⁠ listen, I ended‍⁠‌ up never settling‌‌‌ down anywhere, wandering‍‌ all over the country.

‘Though, well… it wasn’t‍ all bad.’

But‌‍ the path was⁠ thorny.

I wouldn’t say Victoria‌ and I have‌⁠ a particularly close master-disciple relationship, but‍ I would like‌ her to take‍ an easier path.‌‌

Especially‌‍⁠ because it’s Victoria.⁠⁠

She’s‍ part of the⁠ imperial family. A single poor judgment‌ can have far‌ more devastating repercussions⁠ than any calamities‍⁠ I faced in⁠ the past.

“…Adult.”‌

Victoria’s‌ fingers trembled slightly.‍‌

“…For‌‌ now, I’ll respect⁠‍ your decision, Lord⁠‍ Heavenly Sword.”

Her‍ eyes, once gleaming‍‌‍ like axes, calmed.‌ Having regained her‍‍ composure, Victoria added‌⁠‍ with a bit‍‌ of hesitation.

“But⁠ I ask you‍⁠⁠ to promise me just two things.”⁠‍

“Name⁠‌ them.”

Before‍‍⁠ answering, Victoria cast‍ a sideways glance⁠‍ at the official.‌ The cyclopean woman‌‍ waited silently by the door.

‘She‌ has good hearing, so it’s not‍ like being far⁠‌ helps…’

Right‌‌ then, the official⁠ covered her ears‍‍⁠ with her hands.‌‍‌

Wow…⁠‍ at this point,‍ it’s just scary.‍⁠‌ I got chills⁠‍ like I’d just⁠⁠⁠ eaten raw chicken.‌

“…I⁠ know someone like‌ you, Lord Heavenly‌ Sword, wouldn’t fall‌ for it, but…”‍

Victoria⁠‌ lowered her voice‍ as much as‍⁠ she could. I leaned in to‍‌‍ listen.

“Still,‍ I’m warning you.⁠‍ Don’t fall for⁠⁠‌ that woman’s vulgarities.”‍

“Vulgarities,‌‍ you say…?”

“The‍‌ women of the‍‍ Pungsan clan…”

Victoria⁠‍‌ abruptly turned her‍‌ head to look away, then spoke with difficulty.

“…Learn⁠‌ bedroom arts.”

Ah.⁠‌⁠ Bedroom arts.

That’s‌ why they weren’t‍ mentioned even by‍⁠‌ mistake in Miracle‍‍ Blessing M. If⁠ they were, the‍‍ game’s genre would⁠ shift from mobile‍‍ gacha to +18 visual novel.

“No⁠‌ need to worry.”‌‍‍

“I’m saying it precisely‍⁠ because I’m worried.”‌⁠

She‌ added softly.

“…Beast…”‌⁠

‘I‍‍ told you to‍‌‌ forget about that.’‌

“A-Anyway!”

Victoria‌‌ waved her hand,‌ disrupting the globe⁠‌ over her head,‍ and cleared her‍‍ throat.

“Be‌⁠‌ careful. I don’t‌ know much about‍ the palace official⁠ Ryoo of Pungsan‍‌ either. All I know is that‌‌ she would do⁠ anything for the‍⁠ survival of the‌ imperial bloodline.”

“I⁠‍‌ suppose by ‘imperial‍ bloodline’ you mean⁠‌‍ the emperor.”

“Yes.”⁠⁠⁠

“Understood.”

I nodded, and Victoria‍ seemed relieved. Then,‍‍ avoiding my gaze,⁠‍‌ she muttered.

“…About‌‌ those two promises…”‌

She⁠‍ took a deep⁠‍‌ breath, steeled herself,‌‌ and spoke again.‍⁠‍

“I⁠‍ don’t want you‍ to treat me‍‍ like a child.⁠ As I said‌‌ this morning, last week was my‌‍⁠ birthday. I’m an‌‌ adult now.”

In‌ this world, one is considered an‌⁠ adult after turning⁠‍ nineteen. That’s a year earlier than⁠⁠⁠ on Earth.

Unless⁠ their birthday falls‌‌ right at the‍⁠ start of winter break in December,‍‌ most students come‌‌‌ of age in‍‍‍ their third year.‌ Cadets are hero candidates.

Warriors‍‍ ready to be‍‍⁠ sent to the front lines as soon as they‌‌ graduate.

I replied.

“I⁠⁠ didn’t mean to‌ treat you like⁠‌ a child. But‍ if it felt‌‍ that way, I’m‍ sorry. It’s just‌ that there’s an‍‍⁠ almost ten-year age⁠ gap between us.”

“Eight‌ years.”

Victoria‌‍ corrected.

“Not⁠‌ ten, eight. That’s‍⁠‍ not that big⁠ a difference.”

“Ah,‍⁠ yes…”

Right.‍‍ It’s the right‌‍ age.

I smiled faintly and‍ turned around. As‍ expected, the official⁠‍ was already waiting‍‍ with the door‍⁠ open.

Just‌ before leaving the⁠ banquet hall, I turned my head‍‍ halfway to look⁠ at Victoria.

“…Anything‍ else you want‌‌ to say?”

I smiled at her awkward face.

“Even‍ if it’s late,⁠‍ happy birthday, Princess.”⁠‍

“Ah.”

“Being an adult doesn’t‍ mean you have to do everything⁠⁠ alone. If you⁠⁠‌ ever need help,⁠⁠ let me know.‍‍ If it’s for you, I’ll always⁠⁠ be willing.”

The⁠ door closed after‍ those awkward words.⁠

***‍

Victoria⁠ was left alone⁠‍⁠ in the banquet⁠‌‌ hall. The servants‍ had already cleared‍‍⁠ the dishes, leaving‌ it eerily clean.‌

With‌‍ no eyes or‍‌⁠ ears watching her,‌ her hand unconsciously‍ rested over the‍‍ fold of her‍⁠ dress, at chest⁠ level.

“I⁠ feel… suffocated.”

It‍‍ was a feeling‌ completely opposite to⁠ what she experienced‌ in front of⁠‍ her father.

In‌ front of His⁠ Majesty, she would‌ shrink in fear.⁠ But in front⁠ of Kang Geom-Ma…‌‍ Victoria looked toward‍⁠ the slightly open‌‍ door. The hallway⁠ was long and⁠⁠ silent.

And⁠‌ yet… Perhaps because‌ it was the⁠‍ hallway he had⁠⁠ just walked through,⁠ the torches hanging‌ on the wall seemed to expand.‍‌

She‍ couldn’t deny that‍ it was the⁠ volume of her‍ emotions.

Ten years ago. Since⁠ that day.

For fear that it⁠ might go out.‌‌

She‌ had kept it‌‍ like an oil lamp in her‍⁠ chest. It was⁠‍‍ also the reason‍‍‌ why, among all‍‍ the members of‌ the imperial family,‌‍‍ she was the‌‍ only one who⁠⁠ entered Joaquin.

***‍‍

I was guided to‍⁠⁠ a place within‌ the palace that‍‌‌ looked like a cathedral.

It was the most‍⁠ ostentatious and cutting-edge⁠ place I had‌⁠‌ seen since arriving‌‌ at the palace.‍

Overall,⁠‍ the palace was rather sober, but‌‍ this hall displayed‍ a fragment of⁠ the imperial economic‌ might.

Soon,‍⁠‌ the official stopped.⁠‍‍ She slowly turned⁠ toward me, hands‍⁠ elegantly clasped.

Until⁠ now, I had wondered if her name was Garyeon.‍‌‌ In any case,‍‍ it was incredible⁠ that she was‌ blind, given how‍⁠ firm her steps‍‌‌ and movements were.⁠

‘Is‌ this what happens⁠‍‌ when you dedicate‍⁠ your life to‍‍‍ a single craft?’⁠‌

Even‍ if that were true, her movements‌ were surprisingly natural.‌⁠‌ I almost wished‌ she’d remove that⁠ bothersome eye patch.⁠

“Forget⁠‌ introductions. Get to‌ the point.”

I said, crossing my‍‍ arms. The official‍ slowly raised one‍‌ hand.

With‍‌ her thumb, she⁠ slid her eye⁠‌ patch upward. The‍⁠ light from the‍⁠ stained glass fell⁠‌‍ on her long⁠ eyelashes.

She‌ opened her eyes.‍‌

“You…”‍‍⁠

“I‌⁠ can see.”

Her⁠‍ pupils shone clearly.‌

“Not⁠‌⁠ even His Majesty‌‍‍ knows. If he⁠‌ finds out, I’ll⁠ probably die by⁠ his hand. Hearing⁠ what must not‍‍⁠ be heard is⁠⁠⁠ the duty of‍⁠ the Pungsan… but⁠‌‍ seeing was never⁠ permitted.”

“I’ve‌ been wanting to‌⁠‍ ask for a while—why are you‍ doing this with‍ me? Even entrusting‌⁠‌ your life like‌ this all of⁠ a sudden…”

“Playing‍‍ dumb… You’re good‍ at social tactics.⁠‍⁠ Very well. If⁠‌ that’s what Lord⁠ Heavenly Sword wants,‍⁠ gladly.”

The‍⁠‍ archer’s eyes glowed. I flinched. It‌⁠ wasn’t a reflection—it was a glow.‍‌ The kind of⁠ light only possessed⁠‌⁠ by those who⁠ blindly believe in⁠ their convictions.

“We‍⁠ of the Pungsan‍‍ family do not serve the emperor.‌‌ We serve the‌‍⁠ imperial bloodline. The‌ survival of the bloodline is more⁠‍ important than the‌ emperor’s life.”

“But‌ the imperial bloodline⁠⁠ is the emperor.”‌

“They’re‍ not the same.‌⁠ Or at least,⁠‍ that’s how I was taught.”

“And what does that⁠⁠ have to do⁠‌⁠ with me? Get⁠‍ to the point.”‌

“By‍ order of Her⁠ Highness, I swear‍‍ to make Princess Victoria the queen.”⁠

It‍ was too direct.⁠

“I’m⁠ willing to swear‍ anything.”

I stayed silent. I didn’t fully understand what she was‌‍ saying.

“From⁠‌ the moment you‌⁠ spared my life,‍ I understood I must not go‌⁠ against you… if‌‍⁠ I want to⁠ protect the imperial⁠⁠ bloodline.”

“What⁠‌ are you talking‌ about? When did‍ I save your⁠ life?”

Garyeon’s⁠ face went pale.‌‍

“S-Sorry…‍ You didn’t want⁠ it mentioned, but‍ I dared…”

“Ah…”‍‌

This⁠⁠ is a problem.⁠ Should I correct‍ her? Ignore it?‍ Leave?

While‌‍ I weighed my‍‍ options, she said,⁠

“There⁠‍ are many factions‌⁠ in the palace‍ that want to⁠‍⁠ assassinate the princess.”⁠

“…What?”⁠

It⁠⁠ was to be expected. Victoria was⁠‍‌ first in the‍ line of succession,⁠ so there would be many who⁠‌ wanted to take‌ her down.

The‌⁠ emperor didn’t seem‍⁠ to show favoritism‌ toward Victoria or⁠ any interest in⁠⁠‌ protecting her.

She‍‍ had been named‌ heir only because⁠ she inherited the⁠ “Blessing of the‍ Owl.” But considering‌⁠ how active the‌ emperor was in‍‍ his intimate life, it wouldn’t be‌ strange for another‍⁠ with the same‌‌⁠ blessing to appear.‍

“The‍ Blessing of the⁠‍ Owl only appears‍ once per generation.⁠ It can manifest⁠‌ innately, like in the princess’s case,⁠⁠ but if the‍ bearer disappears, it‌ can also arise‌‍ through acquisition within‍‌ the same generation.”‌

Garyeon‍‍ adjusted the ribbon‍ of her eye‍⁠‍ patch behind her‌‌ head as she⁠‌ spoke.

It‌ was a bit‍⁠ of a shock.‌⁠ That information should⁠‌‌ be ultra-confidential.

“Don’t⁠ worry about breakfast.‍ Poisoning food is‍ so common in‍‍ the palace that the imperial family⁠‌ is half-immune by‍‌ now. Besides, even‌‍ if someone steals‍ the title that⁠⁠⁠ way, they won’t‌‍ have political support.”⁠⁠

“Then what is it‌⁠ you want from⁠ me?”

“Please… don’t erase the‌ imperial bloodline from‍ history.”

“…Excuse⁠ me?”

“Ah,‌ of course, Lord⁠ Heavenly Sword has‍‌ nothing to do⁠‍ with this. I know. I’m just‍⁠‍ talking to myself.”‍⁠

Isn’t she moving a bit too fast‍ on her own?

“I’m‍‌ not joking. If⁠‌ there’s anything you‍ desire, I can‍⁠ support you within my limits. Isn’t⁠⁠ that so?”

“…”⁠‍

“If‍‍ you wish… even‍‌ this body… Though‌‍ I’ve only learned‍⁠ the technique and never had real‍‍ experience…”

My⁠ mind was clouded.‌‌‌ It was a meeting full of oddities, and I couldn’t keep up.⁠⁠

‘Has⁠⁠ she lived so‍⁠‌ long blind that‍‌ she’s turned out this way?’

She‌⁠ seemed trapped in⁠ her own fantasies.‌ I almost felt‍‌ sorry for her.‍‍⁠ She truly desires⁠‌ the survival of‌ the imperial bloodline.‌‌⁠

It⁠‍‌ was clear. That‍ blind obsession had‍ warped her that‍‌ way. After getting‌ what I wanted,⁠‌⁠ I was just‍⁠‍ about to leave.‍‌⁠

Creak.

That’s‍ when someone entered the cathedral.

“Ah,‍ there you are,⁠ official. I have‌ something urgent to‌‍ discuss with you…”

It‍⁠⁠ was a man‍‌ with several commander‍‌ insignias. Upon seeing‍ me, he let‌ out an exclamation.‍‍

“Oh!‌‍‌ Lord Heavenly Sword‍‍ is here too!⁠ Wow, what an⁠ honor to meet you! When I heard you’d be⁠‍ staying a few days, I hoped‍ I’d get the⁠ chance to greet⁠ you at least‍‌ once.”

At⁠ a glance, he‌‌‌ seemed like a friendly person. His sincere smile felt‌ out of place⁠ in the stiff‌ atmosphere of the‌‍ palace.

In⁠ the moment I sensed that discomfort—‌‌

— It’s him.

“…?”‍

Garyeon’s‌⁠ voice echoed in‌‌‌ my head.

— He is one‍‌ of the ringleaders⁠‍ planning to assassinate‍ Her Highness the⁠ Princess.

It‌‍ was a mental⁠‍‌ transmission.

***

The⁠⁠ Blessing of Transmission‌⁠ is officially registered‌ as exclusive to the emperor. That’s‌ what everyone believes.⁠ Even the emperor⁠‌‍ himself.

But‍‍ in reality, there’s‍ a subtle difference.⁠ The restriction of‌‌‍ “only to the‍ emperor” actually means⁠⁠ “to a single‍⁠ target.”

A secret that only⁠‍ Garyeon of the‍ Pungsan clan discovered‍ by chance.

Despite‍ having perfected her‌‍ sensory perception to‌‍ the highest level,⁠⁠⁠ Garyeon did not⁠ lose her sight.‌ A testament to⁠ her ability… and⁠ a sign that‍‍‌ she was a heretic within her‍ own family.

That’s‍‌‍ why, just yesterday.‍

She⁠ quietly changed that⁠ one target. It‍ was no longer‍ the emperor.

Now⁠ it was—

Kang‍⁠ Geom-Ma, the Heavenly Sword.

‘As‍⁠ long as I am at his‍ service, the imperial‍ bloodline will not‍⁠⁠ vanish at his⁠ hands.’

A colossal error.

‘Even‌ if someday he⁠‍ behaves capriciously… I’ll do whatever it⁠ takes to adapt.’‍

The‍ official who drank⁠ gallons of expectations⁠ no one asked‌⁠ for.

Her⁠‌ name was Garyeon.‍⁠