NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26
26.
“To order in the Empire. I am Terrahton Hellingger, Duke and Commander of the Guard Headquarters.”
A man with an impression like solid rock calmly paid his respects.
His neatly arranged navy uniform adorned with various decorations.
He was about my height, which is quite a rare physique in this world.
‘Barnel’s right-hand man.’
And he’s also a mana wielder.
After lightly responding to Terrahton who raised his head, I moved inside the building.
The Central Guard Headquarters building was as simple inside as it was rigid and dry in appearance.
There were no particular decorations in the hallway, only notice boards with announcements occasionally stuck to the walls.
The officials in their distinctive navy uniforms quietly paid respect, and overall, it was serene and calm.
It’s a completely different atmosphere from the Southern Administrative Management Office.
There, from outside the building, you could hear someone shouting and loud footsteps.
The atmosphere within an organization tends to follow the nature of its leader, so the stiff environment of the Guard Headquarters is likely due to Terrahton.
“Everyone, please stand.”
As we entered the conference room, Terrahton’s voice echoed.
I responded to the officials who paid respect with disciplined movements and took my seat at the head of the table. After receiving the documents distributed by the adjutant, the meeting began.
“The lockdown and reorganization of the external gate’s guard forces are complete.”
“We have increased the number of troops with cooperation from the military. However, defending the entire area is still… difficult.”
“We’ve looked into it, but there’s currently no monster hunters in the capital. Mercenaries are not very useful in this case.”
The reason for attending the Guard Headquarters meeting is none other than the following.
Although the Black Rain doesn’t fall often, it often pours down in various places across the continent.
Unlike the heavy metals or radiation-filled rain, the strange black rain infused with mana isn’t particularly harmful to the body.
The actual problem is the bizarre monsters that appear when it rains.
It’s nearly impossible for ordinary people to deal with them, and they are quite troublesome.
The conditions for the monsters to appear haven’t been discovered yet, but the method to prevent them is known.
Install sanctified holy relics by the Church’s priestesses in the area.
No monsters appeared around the areas where the relics are placed.
After the Black Rain fell in the capital, Palamtiar, there were numerous trials and errors. Naturally, since a priestess resides in the capital, all necessary precautions are taken.
Holy relics are placed in each district of the vast capital, completely blocking the appearance of monsters.
Originally, all we needed to do was focus on handling the monsters outside the capital caused by the Black Rain this time.
“Isn’t it odd how they broke the relics at the same time?”
“We should’ve wiped them out completely before. Look what happens when we just sit back and watch.”
“The Church says it’s still insufficient to complete the sanctification of new relics.”
“All this hard work because of those useless lower-class kids.”
A middle-aged noble crumpled the map with a frown.
The focus of the Guard Headquarters’ attention is the northern district of Palamtiar, the lower-class area.
During my external mission at the Foreign Affairs Palace, I had a chance to talk with Officer Aria.
In the midst of a conversation about gang crackdowns, she mentioned that the relic in the northern district was broken during the gang conflict before I arrived in the capital.
The gang that broke the relic was swiftly eradicated like the previous Gravedog gang, and the Church immediately began sanctifying a new relic.
However, since the new relic hasn’t been completed yet, the northern district has been left as an empty space.
And with the Black Rain expected to fall in this situation, it made things urgent for the Guard Headquarters and the Northern Gate Police Station.
“There’s no other option but to seal off the lower classes. The problem is, the manpower of just the Northern Gate Police Station won’t be enough.”
“Can we redistribute manpower from each district? Since the military is assisting, if we take a small portion of the guards from three districts, it should be enough, right?”
In response to a middle-aged noble’s suggestion, people showed their disapproval.
“What about the monsters and animals fleeing from beyond the wall? We’re understaffed too.”
“If we send people to cover the gaps, what will happen if a monster appears there? Then we’ll have a disaster.”
“Well, isn’t it obvious? Monsters will definitely appear in the northern district. How are we supposed to stop them? Isn’t the Northern Gate Police Station responsible for protecting the wall?”
The conference room fell silent at the shout of the noble, who seemed to be the Chief of the Northern Gate Police Station.
‘Slowly…’
As expected, it looks difficult.
Even if the black rain occurs locally, according to the Tower of Sky Observation’s report, this time it will fall nationwide.
Other regions must have started plans against monsters, and the monster hunters that wander the country with the pilgrims of the church must be preparing at the vulnerable areas.
The capital must be in this situation because it was always prepared for the black rain.
“The northern district needs to be sealed off, and any creatures that come out must be intercepted.”
“We’d be isolated!”
As the unproductive conversation heated up, I spoke before the flushed-face Police Chief could say anything.
“The Royal Knights will take responsibility for the northern district.”
Suddenly announced words drew everyone’s attention. Among the surprised people, Terrahton’s gaze met mine.
“…Your Highness, the Church does not have the resources to support clerics.”
The most classic and orthodox way to combat monsters is to seek help from clerics.
For reasons unknown, their prayers resist the waves emitted by monsters and protect people’s minds.
Are you heading out without clerics?
While staring into Terrahton’s questioning eyes, I replied.
“The Church’s support is unnecessary. Only the knight division will go.”
“Pardon me?”
“Without clerics… against those creatures?”
The murmurs spread among the officials at the Guard Headquarters.
Carefully whispering that it was like madness, they looked at me.
“All guard divisions should focus on defending their designated areas, and the northern district will be handled by the Knights.”
“Your Highness, these monsters aren’t to be taken lightly. If there’s a mana wielder, it’s another matter… but even then…”
“Seems like the Royal Knights…”
Putting aside factions, the middle-aged nobles gathered here seem to be trying to prevent what looks like a calm march to death.
Observing me intently with a stern gaze, Terrahton quietly spoke.
“…Understood. However, I will assign some personnel from the Guard Headquarters who have monster hunting experience to escort you.”
“Although there’s no need for that, do as you please.”
Thus, after some small talk, the meeting concluded.
Departing from the Foreign Affairs Palace, I headed to the Emperor’s Audience Chamber in the imperial palace, walking through a long corridor.
Greeting the people who saluted me, I walked leisurely.
Alberto, reviewing documents behind me, spoke.
“Do you intend to go directly to the training grounds after visiting the Audience Chamber?”
“The members are so enthusiastic, I can’t help but train hard with them.”
“Is that so… I’ll postpone the lecture on imperial laws to the next day, then.”
“Hmm.”
Turning away from Alberto, who was looking at me strangely.
“Ahh, speaking of which, didn’t you put Callion back in the training grounds?”
The Callion I pulled out during the appointment ceremony was stuck back into the training ground floor.
Except for the size, everything was fine, but it was so massive there was no proper place to store it.
It’s a bit much to place it in the Audience Chamber, and keeping it in the armory would be too troublesome to fetch and use every time.
While thinking of Callion’s enormous size, I asked Alberto.
“Chief Chamberlain, it’s impressive that no one could pull it out, but it doesn’t seem like it’s called a divine sword. Are there any other features?”
After contemplating for a moment, Alberto answered the question.
“There are no records left from those who have used it so far, except for the autobiographies of the Eternal Duke. The content is not much different from the widely known anecdotes. So…”
“It selects its master and will never break.”
“Yes, that’s right. And there’s a story that it answers its summon.”
“It answers its summon. Can it converse?”
“Hmm. Could it be like Egosophia?”
There was no mention of a sentient sword in the novel.
Looking at the features of mystical or divine swords, they were quite simple.
It doesn’t break. It can cut anything. It can even cut through formless things.
“Although, some emit fire or cold.”
Now that I think of it, maybe I should test it.
If it responds to summons, I can just call it and see.
*
“Keep your eyes on the opponent! No matter what happens, chase their attacks!”
“Kwang!”
“Ugh!”
“Why are we suddenly-!”
I shouted at the senior knights who flew backwards after receiving a kick.
“Don’t let your guard down! I’ll keep waiting for a chance to strike until I judge you’re ready! If you don’t want to lose your limbs, counterattack! Make reacting to attacks a habit even in your sleep!”
After starting to reshape the mindset of the senior knights,
I used practice swords to strike the pressure points of unguarded members during training with live blades.
This was one of the methods devised by my teacher to deal with slow reflexes.
By repeatedly striking vital points and critical areas, your senses become sharp enough for your body to react to even small movements as reflex.
I occasionally wondered if it might cause PTSD,
but in reality, it allowed for immediate response to most surprise attacks.
Since it was directly devised by a Swordmaster, it should be effective for members too.
Surprisingly, starting with the Knight Master, there were more people who reacted to surprise attacks.
“Indeed, it’s effective.”
If this continues, the members won’t die in embarrassing situations.
After today’s training,
leaving behind the novice knights collecting broken practice swords, I turned my gaze toward the center of the training grounds.
The massive sword silently emanating its presence beneath a crimson hue.
Callion, which Director of the Order recently pulled out and was known as the divine sword of the Eternal Duke.
It’s Director’s sword now.
Ignoring Milene, who muttered exhaustedly, I continued to stare at Callion.
There are stories and autobiographies about various functions and heroics.
Only the simple words are recorded, nothing clear about how Callion was actually used.
“Is it possible?”
During the interval of recalling the novel’s depictions where it wasn’t mentioned, the Callion stuck into the ground twitched slightly.
“Ah?”
“Did that move just now?”
The suddenly approached senior knights shouted in shock.
Ignoring the chattering voices behind, I kept focusing on Callion.
A sense of reconnecting…
“Callion.”
Thinking of the divine sword’s name, Callion pulled itself out and swiftly soared into the air.
“Whoa!”
“Wow! What the-!”
Resting members screamed and turned their heads.
Ignoring the commotion, I chased after Callion soaring into the sky.
The great sword quickly ascended and abruptly stopped in the air.
Then, its massive form slightly tilted, pointing the blade tip at some direction.
The problem was it was aimed at me.
“Crazy!”
Before I could react,
Callion shot towards me.
“Keeh-!”
Hastily attempting to evade, I froze realizing the trajectory wasn’t aimed at me.
“Boom!”
The flying Callion struck the ground, creating an explosion that sent up a cloud of dust.
When the senior knights rushed in, shocked, the footsteps filled the air.
When the dust cloud that filled the training grounds slowly cleared,
I smiled at the revealed scene.
“Good.”
The sight of Callion shining and emitting a clear ring.
“Indeed, it’s a divine sword.”
This answering to summon means…
I don’t need to carry it around.
Since it won’t break, there’s no need to be cautious when clashing with mana wielders either.
Satisfied with the massive size and performance of Callion, I nodded approvingly.
“Sword…”
“Did it fly here by itself? Is it, a ghost?”
Ignoring the shocked members, I gripped and swung Callion a few times.
Thus, while progressing training and getting accustomed to the feel,
the time quickly passed while using Callion to torment the senior knights.
The next day after the pale full moon rose, a gloomy heavy rain poured.