Chapter 68: Swordmaster Siegfried (3)

When I entered the director’s office, what welcomed me was an awkward silence.

The Sword Master and the director were seated facing each other with a round table between them, staring at me. Surprise was evident on Media’s face, while the Sword Master calmly sipped his tea.

A silent tension filled the walls.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, I uncomfortably glanced at the wall clock. The hands pointed precisely to noon.

“…Did I arrive too early?”

“Huh? Ah, no! You arrived right on time.”

Scratching my eyebrow as I spoke, Media quickly hid her expression of confusion. She gestured towards a chair for me to sit down.

‘This is strange.’

I sat down, leaning back in the chair while observing the two of them. I had many questions, but the atmosphere wasn’t inviting conversation.

‘It seems like they were talking about something serious.’

After a moment, when the office atmosphere had relaxed a little, the Sword Master set down his cup with a clink on the saucer. Then he tried to cross his arms, but upon remembering he only had one, he smiled nonchalantly.

“I thought I’d gotten used to it, but after seventy years of using two arms, I still get confused being one-armed. Sometimes I even mess up flushing the toilet, ha ha!”

“…”

His tone seemed like a joke to lighten the tense mood. However, I couldn’t even smile out of politeness. After all, he ended up this way protecting me.

‘I feel like I’m sitting on a bed of nails.’

Seeing my uncomfortable expression, Media clicked her tongue and said:

“Seriously? That’s the kind of joke you make? Can’t you see Kang Geom-Ma is uncomfortable? Also, how can someone as formal as you talk about flushing the toilet?”

“Media, you lack a sense of humor. Don’t you know dark humor is trendy among the youth? As an educator who spends time with them, you should be aware.”

“Ha, to hell with dark humor. I feel like my eyes darken because of you, idiot.”

“Ahem!”

The two exchanged casual banter. It seemed the Sword Master’s relaxed attitude was still new to her.

Media rubbed her forehead and let out a deep sigh. Then, her gaze fell on me. She moved her lips but hesitated to speak.

After a moment of consideration, she mustered her courage and spoke cautiously.

“I just heard it from Siegfried. Kang Geom-Ma, he told me that you defeated the Fifth Commander, Agor…”

“…Ah.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I chose my thoughts carefully.

If we were to take just the facts, it was true, but because my memories were hazy, I couldn’t say it with certainty.

The memories were clear.

However, the sensations were blurry, so explaining what happened was difficult. If I couldn’t understand it myself, it wouldn’t be logical to explain it to others.

While I remained silent, Media hurried to add:

“Ah, I’m sorry, Kang Geom-Ma! I shouldn’t say something like that to someone who just got out of the hospital… I guess I’m nervous too. You must still be in shock.”

Her face reflected deep apology. As someone who had been at the center of the incident, I could understand her reaction.

I decided to clear my thoughts and answered in a calm tone.

“It’s okay.”

Media blinked at my response. Her tense expression began to relax a little. She gestured towards the Sword Master and spoke in a low voice:

“Siegfried, he’s not the type to lie about this, but still… I can’t believe it. It’s not that I doubt you, Kang Geom-Ma, it’s just that my mind is in chaos.”

“But it’s a fact.”

The Sword Master, who had been silent, spoke firmly.

“Of course, I was also there during the subjugation of Agor, but it was mainly Kang Geom-Ma’s merit.”

The Sword Master moistened his dry lips with tea before continuing.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before what happened on Avalon Island, Media. But I needed to observe the situation for a while.”

“What do you mean?”

Media frowned with concern.

“At this point, the demons’ side must have noticed something strange. You know as well as I do that there currently aren’t any human heroes capable of facing a body commander. I don’t know how Agor managed to infiltrate the human world, but his mission seemed to be preventing something.”

Media swallowed and listened. Beads of sweat formed on her fair skin.

“If we just stay idle, the situation will deteriorate even further. Demons aren’t patient. They act on instinct but also possess cunning intelligence and strength. It won’t be long before they realize what happened.”

The Sword Master paused. The brief silence made the atmosphere even heavier.

“…I suppose in a few years, there will be a conflict with them. And it will be much larger than the one from half a century ago.”

“…”

Media went pale as she listened in silence. She bit her lower lip as if trying to suppress a groan.

The Sword Master’s words were logical. If he had hastily announced Agor’s defeat, the demons could have used it as an excuse to declare war. The Sword Master’s caution was the reason there hadn’t yet been a reaction from the demons.

His insight was impressive. Moreover, his relaxed tone was clearly to ease Media’s concerns.

Though they often argued, they were battle companions for decades, capable of understanding each other. I admired the Sword Master’s depth, understanding why he was respected not only for his strength but also for his wisdom.

“Ah, actually, I gathered both of you here today because I have something to say.”

The Sword Master caressed the empty sleeve of his left arm, which hung limply. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

“I can no longer continue fighting on the front lines. I won’t be able to fulfill my role as before.”

His tone was serene. Media frowned and abruptly stood up.

“Siegfried! Why are you saying that suddenly? Don’t act like your life is over just because you lost an arm!”

“Losing an arm isn’t a cause for sorrow. In fact, I gained something in return, and I’m grateful for it. It’s like a divine blessing.”

Siegfried smiled at me and then looked out the window.

“However, the future of humanity is at stake. I can’t cling to my position forever.”

He turned to Media and murmured.

“‘To pass down a better future, we train righteous heroes.’”

It was the motto inscribed during the academy’s founding.

“Media, this is also why you are the academy’s director.”

“…”

Her eyes started to redden, but she held back firmly. She turned sharply to hide her expression.

The Sword Master smiled slightly and continued as if nothing had happened.

“Soon, I’ll resign from my position as a Hero of the Seven Stars.”

“Master of the Sword!”

I was stunned and leapt to my feet. Media, with her back to us, trembled slightly.

“Calm down, Cadet Kang Geom-Ma. This isn’t the whim of an impulsive old man. During the two weeks you were hospitalized, I reflected deeply and came to this decision. It doesn’t mean I’ll retire completely. I’ll do what’s within my capacity.”

At those words, Media turned her head slightly.

“…The news agencies around the world won’t leave you alone, Siegfried.”

“Anyway, I plan to give interviews soon. I’ll take care of everything at once to save time.”

Media shook her head with a look of helplessness.

“Wow, you’re just as stubborn as you were fifty years ago.”

“That’s proof I live with a youthful spirit, ha ha.”

“Stubborn old man!”

The tension in the room began to fade. Seeing them argue, a small smile formed on my face.

For the first time in a long while, I felt I truly belonged in this world. Until now, I had worked hard to prevent events from deviating from their original course. I was always afraid that the characters would act in unexpected ways.

But now, I realized I had been selfish and arrogant. These people are not just characters in a game; they are individuals with their own wills.

Their words and actions reflect their decisions. It was time to accept whatever path they chose and face the challenges that came with it.

‘Denying reality is just a childish whim.’

Just as I was reaching that conclusion, Siegfried suddenly looked at me.

“Ah, I almost forgot the most important thing.”

“After everything you’ve said today, I don’t know if my heart can take any more surprises. What else are you going to say, you crazy old man?”

Media frowned, clearly exhausted by all the unexpected revelations.

Siegfried fixed his gaze on me with a serious expression. His golden eyes shone like the midday sun.

“Cadet Kang Geom-Ma.”

Media also slowly turned to look at me. Now, both of them were staring at me intently.

Siegfried took a deep breath and spoke with solemnity.

“I’m going to pass on my position as a Hero of the Seven Stars to you.”

“…..”

“…..”

A heavy, bitter silence filled the room. I couldn’t help but be speechless.

“Huh?”

***

Media looked at the door, her mind blank. Siegfried and Kang Geom-Ma had already left.

‘….’

It felt as if a hurricane had swept through the director’s office. She had taken so many mental blows that her head buzzed.

Media glanced around the office.

Only the soft midday sunlight filtered gently through the window frame.

“Ha.”

A sigh escaped her lips. Media rested her chin on her intertwined hands.

She murmured to herself, trying to organize the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. It seemed the only way to process recent events.

“First, I need to watch for the demons’ reaction, approve the interviews that the news agencies requested for Siegfried… And, above all⎯”

The last words Siegfried had said to close the matter.

“Transfer the title of Hero of the Seven Stars…?”

Media sank deeply into the sofa. A sound came from the cushion as her body sank halfway in. She recalled the final words the Sword Master had uttered before leaving.

‘Ah, of course, it won’t happen immediately. Just preparing will take at least a year. In the meantime, you should enjoy your life at the academy. Ha ha ha!’

The old man’s laughter echoed in her ears. In that moment, a wave of frustration surged through her body, and she straightened up abruptly.

“Crazy old man.”

Though she said that, she completely understood Siegfried’s intentions.

When a vacancy opens among the Heroes of the Seven Stars, it causes a massive stir in the hero world. It could even lead to diplomatic friction with the demons.

The prestige of the Heroes of the Seven Stars symbolizes humanity’s hope. It carries immense responsibility, but also a tremendous amount of honor and wealth.

‘Just look at Kojima, who took on the title of Master of the Bow and has been prime minister for forty years.’

That’s why those who covet that symbol and position would pounce like hyenas.

However, if Siegfried, the current title holder, directly named his successor and acted as his mentor, even if there were objections, no one would dare to publicly oppose it.

‘The problem is that everything was too sudden.’

Even if they started the process now, the procedures would take at least a year. They needed the consent of the other Heroes of the Seven Stars and the Hero Association.

“This feels like a reunion of old classmates.”

Though she had a close relationship with Siegfried, her relationship with the other two heroes was rather tense. She would have to wait and see if they would agree with Siegfried.

Unlike the Sword Master, who was a recluse, the influence of the Master of the Spear and the Master of the Bow was immense. She had to consider the possibility that they might block the process.

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

Media let out a groan and sank back into the sofa.

‘Our Kang Geom-Ma…’

She worried that a seventeen-year-old boy would have to bear such a huge responsibility. She wanted to confront Siegfried about this, but.

‘There aren’t many as suited to be a Hero of the Seven Stars as Kang Geom-Ma.’

The path Kang Geom-Ma had walked was more than impressive. Though the complicated circumstances prevented it from being made public, if the details were revealed, the world would be completely shocked.

A genius descended from the heavens. Kang Geom-Ma was treading the boundaries of legend.

“…Balor Joaquin.”

The name of the founding hero escaped her crimson lips unexpectedly. Media shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her green hair shimmered like a sapphire under the sunlight.

When her thoughts finally settled, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Then, she recalled a request from Kang Geom-Ma.

“Requesting an investigation into his own background… It’s a curious request. Well, he must have his reasons for asking.”