Chapter 363: Imperial Palace (3)
LFGIThe captain of the guard was more of a young man than someone bearing the weight of his rank.2VlN
ILyqz“Hahaha, to meet you like this! I’ve always been a fan of yours, Lord Heavenly Sword. Since when? Ah, of course! Since the tragedy of Joaquin!”TjqNM3v
5kNwHowever, his voice had a magnetic pull. In other words, it was charisma.OWNHO8T
q6iuCsl— He said he was your fan, in the past tense, without realizing. Although someone as great as you, Lord Heavenly Sword, can read the hearts of men, so it doesn’t need explaining… but I’ll say it anyway…qz2YRQ
zbM2yJust to be clear, I have no mind-reading skills. I’m not omniscient or all-powerful. On the contrary, I struggle every day to stay as human as possible.9ho5
VCORT‘Just how far will this blind fraud’s imagination go…?’SGLBK0
IKul8Well, if she wants to spill everything herself, I won’t stop her.EySyAmA
T8orz“Your performance during the recent Parsy incident was also incredibly impressive. Truly, Lord Heavenly Sword must be a hero sent from the heavens. I even tell the heroes under my command to watch your recordings every day and learn from you. In fact, I just came from doing that!”O3j
QW1While pretending to listen solemnly to the captain of the guard…npS12
mIdI25— What they’re really doing while watching your recordings is analyzing them, looking for even the slightest weakness. He’s an insolent man. How dare he… how dare he… do that to Sir Heavenly Sword…!MOm6
v6JD…I was also receiving the interpretation sent by the officer through the Blessing of Transmission.qeI4Nst
6nDsZl3For someone like me, who’s not great at multitasking, the situation was starting to make me dizzy. The dissonance between the voice in my head and reality left me with a slightly nauseated expression.VENL
p7cweDD“Captain of the guard.”9Ol7
yFrThe officer noticed my state and immediately diverted the captain’s attention to herself.NpcQb7g
CAEp“What brings you here?”QHJti
6HoXU“Ah! How careless of me!”r7h
RCyk69The captain tapped his forehead.0XKX6fI
naT9q“I got carried away seeing Lord Heavenly Sword, whom I admire so much. The reason is that I haven’t been able to see the Emperor since last night.”qUXv1T
bW6xoz“His Majesty said he wished to spend these days alone.”fX6LK
YTFRThe captain’s well-shaped eyes narrowed slowly.v8rWG0P
GaN3“…Even with Lord Heavenly Sword staying at the palace?”zfLPKX
SK9I understood his hidden intent immediately.Pwp9WWS
TJbQb3K‘He fully intends to keep an eye on me.’ZGDE6ff
E28KWhen people act, there are always habits they can’t hide. It’s a common trait of those who’ve succeeded from a young age without ever failing. They simply don’t believe they can be wrong.nLLX
S1nsIn my past life, I traveled across the country and was recognized as the best swordsman in Korea. I faced nearly every VIP worth meeting, and people like this captain fit perfectly into one of the categories I’d already established.GWzCQi
PuR7— I knew it…! Sir Heavenly Sword… Everything was in the palm of your hand… Long live, long live, eternally long live!pjTvG
y2jpThe officer expressed her admiration—or rather, worship—creatively, based on my social experience.Q8V
Je9gIUg‘Don’t read my mind without permission. That’s a warning, officer.’IbU2e
oBoparl— A-Ah… yes…Qps
6GRvcRyShe flinched.8jZVHq
nvMdStill, she didn’t let it show in front of the captain. As expected of someone serving the automaton Emperor. She knew how to hide her emotions instantly.Am8GIb
gVH5w“Yes. I was assigned the responsibility of attending to Lord Heavenly Sword. The Emperor added that I should do so with the highest degree of consideration during these two days.”Z3WL
2NiqTRKArcher Garyeon replied to the captain’s inquiry.CcOvrx
I3DMOXR“Well, well, even so… The Emperor should’ve told me something, being the captain of the guard. But oh well, our sun must have his reasons. Thank you very much for your time, Lord Heavenly Sword. And you as well, Officer Garyeon.”WpE74HG
5ueffIv“No problem.” I added one more sentence.uh5EJ
xd8eW“Still, if you truly want to thank me, I’d like to visit the guard’s headquarters someday.”94lyRXG
z0ReGOI stopped the captain just as he was turning to leave. For a moment, he was speechless at my bluntness. His tilted hat seemed to reflect his confusion.K6cG5d
LpH“Haha… Sir Heavenly Sword has more talent for softening the atmosphere than I imagined.”xs9LRQD
rjSS6WtI gave the officer a mental order. It took me just over an hour to complete the ‘Garyeon usage manual.’UxZrLH
7Ck4x‘Translate it.’h91blJ
d2VRpThe imperial court’s language is deeper than everyday speech. Elliptical phrases are frequent.wt8zI
dpGaKq‘Say it in a comprehensible way.’orYLHeM
tykqI’m only going to be at the palace for three days. There’s no point in learning a new language if I have a top-level telepath by my side.VVAnCZg
WAQx4buI wish I could tell the Emperor this.Xt9ktVp
EBLQfYour subordinate is on another level.ksEh
KMG0fq— He says he’s a madman beyond imagination.6KaLZQx
SVnYI don’t like it. She said it very bluntly, almost painfully.nmcMVY7
5A3efv‘…Translate it tactfully.’usvnc1
HB5sW— He says he’s someone who doesn’t read the room.ZYK
5p905‘Without the word “idiot,” please.’Gcy9enN
Aif— Someone who doesn’t catch on to anything…RSta
zssKdZ‘…That’s fine.’23BJvRT
g4685rLeaving behind the dizziness that briefly overwhelmed me, I looked at the commander of the guard. He slightly parted his lips before politely declining.q9IURr
bp0k“I’m sorry, Lord Heavenly Sword. Observing the Imperial Guard’s training requires His Majesty’s approval…”jiLwCEQ
INya“I don’t think there’ll be a problem.”vp2
2vlGaryeon stepped forward quickly to interrupt him.TKVwr
MWr“On what authority does Officer Garyeon say that…?”3L9d7p
PxaT“Didn’t I mention earlier? His Majesty ordered me to facilitate Lord Heavenly Sword’s stay in every possible way.”bkkaD4E
Fzik54“Even so, observing the guard’s training is a prerogative exclusive to His Majesty. Moreover, the final decision is also mine.”r5UiQ6
nNErRoGaryeon arrogantly raised her chin and declared.L0M83u
cITzVdL“Lord Heavenly Sword even visited the Infinite Library yesterday with His Majesty.”y83qNlh
biaew“The Infinite Library…?!”yVPmu
A3EbUk“Does the commander of the guard consider imperial secrets and the Guard’s training to be on the same level?”DfC5
jX1G“…”STjH
yYqoY“That’s not just my opinion as a temporary delegate. I imagine His Majesty feels similarly, with all due respect.”ESXo
3SeR9jHDang, dang, dang.tZFrwU
7YCLbz6The sacred bells rang three times. While the commander of the guard held back a sigh, Garyeon continued firmly.AtL
r0sl“Of course, the final decision is yours, Commander. You can reject Lord Heavenly Sword’s request, even place your authority above the Emperor’s. It’s entirely up to you.”tveW2f
oao7ybK“That’s not what I…”9Nx
mA1U“Oh, I know. Of course I know. I’m merely making a prudent suggestion. Even if I understand, negative rumors could circulate in the palace.”Khb
S38ovNGaryeon gave a mocking smile.zp3J7
z3L“I don’t think it would be beneficial for you, Commander Oscar, to be seen disrupting the established power dynamics.”2ZAb12
Iy6B8wo“…”hpJg2
mbb“You should also consider your dependents.”XMx
ZPqA shadow passed over the commander’s face.blmUEo
qU8‘Wow, this officer knows how to apply pressure.’CkiN20
GEKSYXWhat a twist. The same woman who seemed timid at breakfast was now subduing the commander with words alone.HfV
IxORzw“It’s just that… no one had ever spoken so highly of Oscar. I thought if compliments became a habit, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.”Ne2
yra06“Truly impressive.”CLs12A
MAQ2525— Thank you.SgSIElo
IJZqb06‘I told you not to read my mind.’73Jhz
QF22— Sorry. I can’t help it when I’m praised.iLJ
tL13‘She really understands her role well.’I0o6Cb
NyeRd0Anyway.Hcqb
682bSR7‘It’s convenient that she says what I can’t express well.’acf5Y
WjiO5I wasn’t in a position to draw my sword in the palace. If I overstepped, the blame could fall on Victoria.A9Qr
2Q2y7N2‘Even if I’m faster with sashimi than with words.’oGvzN1k
owVUvOnly if it’s about myself. If others are involved, I must be careful.UVdZNx
3CfLiving cautiously? There’s no other way. Everyone lives like that. I’m no exception.nF6jA4
0ZJA‘Either way, I ended up gaining an unexpected ally.’BrY
gEqMqVDAnd a very capable one at that. Garyeon even gave me a clue during her argument with the commander.obSH
CyHICSZ‘His “dependents.”’un9mJRw
HOFIt had a double meaning. It could refer to the entire Imperial Guard under Oscar’s command.sjn
TLp1‘But if that were the case, she wouldn’t have emphasized the term.’aib
47Rk3In this context, ‘dependents’ refers to those behind Oscar. In other words, the faction planning to assassinate Princess Victoria.dndFdn
2eV8UEI don’t believe Oscar is acting alone. What would he gain from harming Victoria? Only hatred and an early death.RTdu
siPp‘It’s obvious the group conspiring with Oscar in secret is of royal blood.’ftWgB
TBTol0Oscar, wearing a bitter expression, eventually nodded.tBsJG8
uFXH“…Understood.”h4E5g68
QKf“That will be a great help. Thank you.”BU9o7Q
DKqv“Could you give me some time? I need to inform my subordinates.”wzB0xI
H2tNC83“No problem.”MAf99
k9Ws“Thank you for your understanding. Then…”0S5n
3QhOscar left behind a chilling breeze.ycHJY4q
KxSS8lAGlance.6jIT
IkWGaryeon gave me a subtle look, so I sighed and said.sGHR
eQvk“It’s only three days, but I’d appreciate your help.”jJj
5tRoGaryeon opened her mouth, then gave a small smile.otKw
vKXjG“With pleasure.”TC4yW5
phWDnj***LpCJY
ogE1QceAs soon as Oscar arrived at the guard’s break room, all his subordinates stood up.0Sihidb
B6HmHe frowned. That alone was enough to change the atmosphere of the place. It wasn’t a good sign. He could feel it.XfeF
VAUm“Listen up, everyone.”Rq8W
FABbOscar spoke with a stern face. His usual friendly expression had vanished.6oxolI
h2owc“It seems Officer Garyeon has allied herself with the Heavenly Sword.”n0fnRa3
2IHoqkThe entire guard stirred.uL9v0
V9ipYr“But Officer Garyeon is one of the people closest to His Majesty… how can that be…?”ze6WyE
B6rDJOne of the three main officers questioned him.0Yjc
HBpSI5s“I don’t know. Even though I’ve known her for years, I’ve never been able to read her intentions. And even less so with Heavenly Sword. That vulgar butcher with a human face—I neither can nor want to know what he thinks.”ibOn
jCSThe members of the guard nodded silently.4yta
vV8But openly criticizing Kang Geom-Ma was not something they dared to do.2LaBho5
sQzHis strength was terrifying, and deep down, no one wanted to make an enemy of him.F1wS
t9RKReYEven so, they had already chosen a side. If they hesitated, they would die.2NSEszT
prrWThey wouldn’t just be dismissed—they would be eliminated brutally.5Cova
otBIDFcThey were all on the same boat.4I6mwj1
lHP1And if someone wanted to jump off midway, they’d take care of it internally.araE
8qBv“By the way, Heavenly Sword wants to observe our training.”mt5
BQSnlL“So you agreed.”ZnWuTzb
3MUuh“There was no other choice.”Offu
3Tw“…”68EELd
CqVA grim silence took hold of the room. Then, one of the deputy officers, leaning against the wall, opened his eyes wide.TQCVl
AagQc“What if we use this opportunity to get rid of him?”zsX1A
uWWh6uxHe immediately became the target of murderous glares.UBHq
zpAwAre you crazy? Do you think that would work?oUdZK
oGWBut the deputy smiled maliciously and shrugged completely calmly.h217Hc
Nt9Em“I’m not talking about killing him physically.”LD9
EDKJ2wh“…Then?”O7IGPBl
nnkf46“In front of the people.”WC7fx
ojlcHis murky voice slithered among their shoulders like a snake.weTf
jmci“We need to show how dangerous that man is. If the imperial guard is completely defeated, the nobles will panic and unite.”i8KwzgV
mF1eF“The guard’s authority could be undermined.”1bRnLgV
Nd1cW9Oscar expressed his displeasure. The deputy responded with narrowed eyes:ODTg
SgIfNfi“As long as we return with strength during the succession, it won’t matter.”BjW
EPqfe***sdDM1
cf9After that encounter, I walked leisurely through the palace.awTu3
PkD5BbUAt lunchtime, Officer Garyeon came running. She practically dragged me to the banquet hall.HEsPiw
VqtSBXaI was going to settle for a cup of ramen due to how I was feeling, but I couldn’t resist her insistence and ended up following her.Tyruq3z
FRbWVictoria wasn’t there. I was told she felt unwell after breakfast and decided not to attend lunch.rAeZWt
qUPhMakes sense.3YO
adGsoIf I were Victoria, I wouldn’t want to see Garyeon either.hZe35
rOE‘Well, after what happened, I started seeing her in a different light.’4mz4hD5
m3M1bBut between them, the animosity was too deep.Oa0
Xe8z3UnThe good thing, at least, was that there were fewer witnesses now watching how a blind woman attended to me during lunch.nMVDL
jB8Even if I firmly rejected her, Garyeon clung to me as if her life depended on it.jeF
L2fWo‘Maybe it’s because she’s blind… blindly devoted.’kjJ
fS5I gave in.4klG
MoqO1While I resigned myself to her care like a fledgling chick.j4j
ve4r05The unexpected happened. Someone burst into the palace.Hacu
lydD“My lord—!”X81O
jjqKEChoi Seol-Ah flung open the doors of the banquet hall. I’d later find out Ryozo had sent her as her personal secretary to prevent her from causing a violent scene in the palace.dCxG
TtnMy beloved wife, Ryozo.jxAw0Sf
M9vThank you for your quiet consideration, even if you don’t express it in words. But I’d be even happier if you trusted your husband a little more…fFtUg
bzK“W-what… are you saying…?”xZ7
eBWMQ“Ah…”5CY
GwYlqH2What a mess.KY1VgX3
mMbsD“My lord.”0gn
LMB95From behind Choi Seol-Ah, Shail’s pink hair appeared. Why are you here again? Apparently, Abel had also submitted a strange transfer request, similar to Ryozo’s.nQNs
dM1OPXTTaking advantage of the fact that Garyeon was still clinging to me like a leech, they bypassed formalities and completed the entry procedure in simplified form.Gwj6
tazyW0DBoth arrived with the status of representatives from the Joaquin and Nibelung families.Mjtv
avXLZ“…”3BwJGG
VKzIh“…”v3sQFb
jbB“…”etU9V14
uoLzKMR“…”qfD8
rThpxIThe first to break the silence was—qOQ6Sj
ar3PlLt“I expected the imperial protocol to be a model of etiquette…”y1nc
tCmCSLIt was Shail, the maid of Sigurd Castle.SErfX
SqJ“But it’s not that great, is it?”Xgak7d
PghtMzU“…”QnKeXXI
2bnWRGaryeon froze.lQRppS
qtaCw“My lord doesn’t eat peanuts. He’s allergic.”fvusn
0JLORX“…”vhh7E
v3T“And you didn’t even know that…?”BbM
xfaMqgOThree women. One man.LlGn
MnG9nM4An atmosphere so dense it was suffocating.8t6d3D8
exDIMy personal assistants had just kicked off a competition.H9IOh3
pNTzPLfAnd what a place they chose to host it.Tjb6Nk
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