Chapter 195: The Beginning of a Plan (4)

Desir arrived at Leonhardt Palace in a carriage with Hersaint-Blanc. He got out of the carriage where he spent a few seconds taking in his surroundings before following his escort.

Leonhardt Palace wasn’t as luxurious as Edark’s Palace, where the masquerade ball had been held, but it elicited a sense of nobleness that was hard to describe.

“So this is the royal palace… … ”

The country that occupied the most land in the world, the Hebrion Empire, and its palace made for the exclusive use of the Emperor.

Despite the lack of extravagant decoration, Leonhardt Palace overwhelmed anyone that stepped within its bounds, due to its sheer existence.

*Thump*

Desir and Hersaint-Blanc stopped in front of an enormous door.

One of the knights guarding the door challenged them.

“Are you Desir Arman?”

“Yes, that’s me. I’m here to answer the summons of His Majesty.”

The knight nodded and opened the door.

“Only Mr. Desir Arman is allowed past here. Mr. Hersaint-Blanc Tistachia is to stay here and wait.”

Desir glanced at Hersaint-Blanc and walked through the door. After walking along the hallway for a while, he was faced with yet another door.

The knight guarding that place requested Desir to leave any weapons he may possess in his care. He pointed at a red line on the floor and warned Desir.

“Walking past this line while possessing a weapon will be considered treason. Not even magic can guarantee your survival at that point.”

Desir had to go through an inspection process before getting past this checkpoint. He handed something to the guard and mentally prepared himself for the meeting. The moment he walked past, he understood what the guard meant by magic being useless.

The atmospheric mana wasn’t flowing, almost as if it had been hardened into a substance similar to a rock. Not being able to concentrate mana meant that casting magic was impossible through normal means.

“An artifact… ”

The power to create this kind of abnormal phenomenon indubitably belonged to an artifact. It was obvious at this point how heavily guarded the palace was.

After passing two more doors and reaching the end of the hallway, Desir could finally meet the Emperor of the Hebrion Empire, Guiltian Zedgar F. Rogfelas.

“It is an honor to meet the Emperor and the Guardian of this great empire.”

Desir conducted himself properly in front of the Emperor.

“Feel free to make yourself comfortable.”

They sat down facing each other.

The Emperor offered a cup of tea by waving at the cups on the table. The first to break the silence was Guiltian.

“Stories about you have reached me from many different sources. I’ve heard that you’re focusing on training students from the Hebrion Academy.”

The Emperor added shortly after.

“Even people from parties competing with your own.”

“It’s because everyone has to grow together. I wouldn’t exclude them just because they are fellow competitors.”

“Quite thoughtful. And I’ve heard you reached the Fourth-Circle while training them? I like your diligence.”

“Thank you for your compliments, Your Highness.”

It was a simple exchange of banter. Your run of the mill, day-to-day pleasantries.

“Every human being has their own worth.”

The atmosphere suddenly tensed when the Emperor brought up the main topic.

“In all honesty, I considered your worth as limited. An outstanding mage from a commoner background. A medium to earn the support of the commoners. That was about the extent I considered you as being worthy of.”

It was to be expected.

The relationship between the Emperor and Desir was exactly like the Emperor described.

A temporary relationship that was only built on the mutual benefits it provided.

The Emperor offered his hand to Desir in order to earn the support of the commoners, and Desir took up the offer in order to get some privileges out of having a connection with the Emperor.

That was the extent of it.

“But I’ve discovered your true worth from this war. And that is why I’ve requested to meet you privately.”

On the carved sandalwood table was a gigantic lion, in a roaring stance. The symbol of the Hebrion Empire.

“The Royal Guard. You’ve probably heard of them.”

Sitting below the roaring lion were four weapons, supporting its weight and allowing it to stand tall and proud.

A sword, a bow, a shield, and a staff. The Emperor identified each weapon in order.

“From what I know, it is the single most powerful organization in this empire.”

“It must stand at the pinnacle.”

The Emperor continued to extol their virtue.

“They are the very apex of the millions of warriors that toil to defend this nation. The Royal Guard only has positions for those who have mastered their art.”

Traditionally, the Royal Guard had just four members. He gestured at the sword.

“The sword, Jean Euremrin. The bow, Swan Katarina. The shield, Raphaelo Cheringer. All of them have achieved such status.”

The judgement was accurate.

They survived till the very last part of the Shadow Labyrinth. They killed more enemies than anyone else and held the line right to the end. Raphaello Cheringer, who was the current “shield,” for example, survived until the end and served as the leader of the expedition group.

“But there hasn’t been a mage in the Empire that has achieved such mastery of their craft.”

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Guiltian pointed at the painting of the staff.

“As such, this position has been left vacant since the revolution. There hasn’t been a single mage who could reach the Seventh-Circle.”

The only person to have reached the Seventh-Circle was currently living at Altea, well and truly outside of the Empire’s grasp.

“I’m referring to Zod Exarion.”

The Emperor’s standard for a peak-level magician was Zod Exarion. It was logical that the staff had been left empty as a result.

An entity that was simply beyond the level of any Sixth-Circle magician, of which there were less than ten of in the entire world.

Who would dare compare themselves with Zod Exarion?

The Emperor raised his finger.

The hand that had been pointing at the staff now pointed at Desir.

“But you defeated the homunculus, a feat not even Zod could achieve.”

Desir shook his head.

“That was because there were many variables involved. It simply doesn’t make sense to assert that I am at a higher level than Zod.”

“But you certainly aren’t at a level below him.”

Guiltian countered.

“I’ve heard that you defeated a Sixth-Circle mage, who used Blood Magic, in the battle at the port.”

“That was… ”

Dracul Labutte Elkaera, the last practitioner of Blood Magic.

She would easily be able to overwhelm any other Sixth-Circle magician in terms of sheer power.

“A mage in the royal family told me that there might be mages who are ahead in terms of circles, but there is not a single one who could stand their ground against you. If there were a single mage who could, it would be Zod Exarion.”

This meant that Desir met the Emperor’s standard.

“Does that mean Your Highness is offering me the position of a Royal Guard?”

“Indeed.”

There was no other explanation to what Guiltian had said. What did it mean to be a Royal Guard?

It wasn’t just a simple militant organization. It was an honorable position that had a long and distinguished history of serving right beside the Emperor. And the Emperor wanted a commoner to take up such an honorable role.

“Desir Arman. I have a few missions of great importance that I would like you to take on in my name. And to do that, I need you to be one of the Royal Guards.”

Looking at Desir’s hesitation, Guiltian landed the critical blow.

“There are three main privileges of being a Royal Guard.”

Privileges as a Royal Guard!

Desir had heard a few pieces here and there about the splendid privileges that come with the title of Royal Guard. But since he hadn’t heard much formally about it, he mindfully listened to what Guiltian would confirm for him.

“Firstly is the privilege of using artifacts held by the Royal Family. You are allowed to borrow any artifact that you need. If there’s something you want in particular, I will grant it.”

It was an astonishing offer.

The Hebrion Empire, which took great pride in its long history, owned more powerful artifacts than any other country.

But there were still two privileges remaining.

“Secondly, you will be considered as my representative in this country. You will receive treatment comparable to that of a Duke. This privilege will be applicable in any country that has diplomatic relations with the Empire. Of course, you will not need a golden emblem either, since your very being will be proof enough of identity.”

It meant authority and power in the Empire.

“Thirdly, I will grant you anything you desire. If you want money, I will grant you the equivalent to the yearly budget of an entire city. If you want land, grab a map and point.”

“Hmm.”

Desir let out a sound of deep consideration.

It really was an incredibly persuasive offer. It meant being granted authority and power that a commoner would not even dare to imagine.

He could immediately think of dozens of ways to take advantage of these privileges.

‘But it means being officially under the Emperor.’

It wasn’t on the same scale of the simple cooperative relationship they had maintained thus far. This was an official title granted by the Emperor. It meant being officially recognized as a faithful servant of the Emperor.

‘The fact that I have to take on missions is a bit concerning, but the privileges are overwhelmingly persuasive.’

It wasn’t just that.

‘Finally… … an opportunity to meet the only one I haven’t so far… Raphaello Cheringer.’

Desir made up his mind.

“Even though I’m still lacking in many aspects, I will put my best effort into serving Your Highness.”

The Emperor smiled gracefully.

“Good. So you accepted the offer.”

“So, I’m a Royal Guard now? I’m assuming it’s not that straightforward.”

“Considering the importance of the position, there are a few official procedures left for the appointment of the Royal Guard. For instance, more than half of the Royal Guard members need to agree to the appointment.”

“Hmm… … ”

It meant that the news of Desir being recruited was already known to the Royal Guards. It made sense that Swan Katarina paid him a visit. She wanted to see the face of a potential new member.

“With all the extraneous and boring steps out of the way, there is one ceremonial procedure left.”

Ceremonial?

Desir felt some discomfort from that word for some reason.

“If it’s merely ceremonial… could we not omit it?”

“It’s an old tradition. It would be difficult to simply omit it.”

The Emperor said.

“All new members of the Royal Guard, after gaining the Emperor’s approval, must be again approved by the leader of the Royal Guard directly. Desir Arman. You will have to face the captain of the Royal Guard, Raphaello Cheringer, in battle.”

“… … ”

“Please get ready for the battle. He’s probably already waiting.”

Raphaello Cheringer.

The man praised as the Sword Grand Master of the current age, and Desir’s partner in the past.

Desir planned to approach him gradually after joining the Royal Guard.

But now Des1r got to meet him right away. In the form of battle, at that.

“Didn’t think I would get to meet him this quick.”

—-

Chapter brought to you by Mokura.

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ED: Purplemen101

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QC: Dr Lock, Nhan