Chapter 84

Chapter 84

After recovering, Bruno Green comfortably settled in as a guest at the Pearl Palace.

While worried that he might shout, I dont deserve this treatment! and return to the slums, such concerns proved unnecessary.

Bruno Green comfortably occupied one of the few guest rooms in Pearl, receiving attentive care from the palace maids and resting. His demeanor appeared so aristocratic that no one could believe that he had lived in the slums for years.

A man who had climbed up the social ladder from humble origins purely based on his talent.

A commoner knight commander who lost everything due to an unfortunate event.

Though this was the image people had, the real Bruno Green was incredibly relaxed in all matters. His cheerful face betrayed no trace of misfortune.

Absurdly, the first thing Bruno Green did in Pearl Palace was carefully trim his mustache.

Thats an impressive mustache.

During dinner, Seongjin awkwardly uttered these words when he saw Bruno Greens face. The mustache was so unique that it stole the spotlight.

While his unkempt hair remained, the impeccably trimmed mustache maintained a precise angle of 165~170 degrees and extended in a smooth curve.

At Seongjins compliment, Bruno pulled on his mustache seriously.

Its an attitude of a warrior, Your Highness.

Eh?

When I go to battle or face a duel, I always sharpen the angle of my mustache as I prepare my inner sword.

?

I have groomed my mustache with the mindset of going into battle. I cannot afford to show hesitancy for this second life granted by His Majesty and Your Highness. The mustache is the most accurate gauge of a mans mindset.

What, really?

Although reason screamed that it was all nonsense, Seongjin found himself unconsciously touching the smooth area around his still mustache-less mouth.

And someone else was strongly influenced by Brunos mustache: namely, Knight Calmen.

Um Ive been cultivating my attitude as a warrior

Calmen, who had now begun to show a certain level of respect toward Seongjin, muttered as he stroked his chin.

Unfortunately, his beard was too young and patchy, making it difficult to discern any particular mindset. Still, Seongjin thought it was a sign of respect toward his master.

The problem was that his master did not even acknowledge it.

Before you cultivate your inner sword, you should properly train your swordsmanship. You got beaten by just seven guys, you useless apprentice. Dont go around bragging that youre a Royal Guard Knight.

Master!

When Calmen yelled out, Bruno Green snorted.

What? Did I say something wrong?

But back then I couldnt Isnt your attitude towards me different now? Just a while ago, you encouraged me saying I had some talent!

Huh? I told you that you have talent? Did I really? Dont you remember I was Prince Logans swordsmanship teacher?

For Bruno Green, who had been called a genius, anyone with talent less than Prince Logan was all the same to him.

Frustrated, Calmen stomped his foot.

We shared drinks together! You said one of the best things you did in your life was to leave behind an apprentice like me!

Bruno Green only rolled his eyes indifferently.

Well, I remember you occasionally bought good liquor.

Thats why back then!

But I dont remember sharing it with you. Why would I share something good with you?

You!

Seongjin sighed as he watched the comedy unfold between the two.

Well, Calmen is naturally hot-tempered, jumping around without knowing anything. But in the eyes of Bruno, the commander who is calmly egging him on, who wouldnt see the affection he has for his disciple?

However, Seongjin knew that the commander wasnt just teasing Calmen.

-There will be occasional gaps in your memory. That was the best course of action for now.

After finishing the treatment, this was the first thing the Holy Emperor said as he removed the blindfold.

Ah, I think I know what it is.

Didnt Seongjin also feel the same after getting swept up in the Aura storm before? It must be related to the Emperor in some way.

The more I know, the more incredible he is.

Seongjin thought so, but he was too focused on the conversation to notice the knights whispering amongst themselves.

Hey, what about Prince Morres?

Hes accumulating Aura at a rate surpassing a Decalon Knight, as a beginner?

What is he really?

It was good news, in any case. Given a little time, the Commander could fully return to his former glory.

Another Decalon Knight was guaranteed for Delcross.

So, what are you planning to do now? Are you going back to the Knights?

Curious, Seongjin asked the Commander.

For now, he was staying in the royal palace as a guest, but this couldnt go on forever.

The position of the Commander for the Second Knights was vacant. After Sir Masain stepped down, there hadnt been a suitable successor, and deputy commanders and former commanders were filling the position.

Bruno Green was currently in a [Hiatus] state.

No one seemed interested in his past mistakes anymore, and there was no disciplinary record against him. It wouldnt be too bad if he became a Knight Commander again.

The problem was Bruno Greens will.

Would he want to reclaim his glorious past position, or would he want to leave behind his miserable past and live a new life?

If you want to work in the imperial guard again, Ill fully support your quick return.

Commander Bruno replied with a bright smile to Seongjins cautious proposal. I truly appreciate your kind words. But dont worry, Your Highness. I have some thoughts on what to do next.

Is that so?

Yes. Actually, I received an offer from an organization recently. Do you know about [Arenja], Your Highness?

For a moment, Seongjin doubted his ears.

Arenja?

Yes. Its an organization directly under His Majesty the Holy Emperor, but its not well-known.

Arenja was a small elite organization created in the early days of Holy Emperors reign. They were so secretive in their operations that no one knew the details except for his closest aides.

Had it not been for the regular annual budget allocations to [Arenja], their very existence, let alone their name, would have remained unknown.

They werent a group made up of clergy as the intelligence department had speculated. Instead, a certain rare [ability] was required to join them.

Recently, such an ability manifested in Bruno, and there had been cautious contact from Arenja, it is said.

Ability?

Yes. There are generally two types of agents in Arenja. Agents who use spiritual powers internally to monitor the Emperor, and agents who operate externally in a cellular organization. It so happens that I have developed an ability suitable for external operations, and was advised to join the agency.

Commander Bruno awkwardly tugged at his mustache.

From his explanation, Seongjin could guess several facts.

The identity of the soul orb they had encountered not long ago was neither an angel nor a ghost, but a person with spiritual powers.

And even among those with spiritual powers, there were differences in abilities. There were some like the ones he first met who couldnt communicate at all, whereas others who appeared later were more powerful and capable of communication.

And perhaps they had been keeping an eye on Commander Bruno for a while. Amidst the forced abductions of patients with the gray plague all over the Empire, the timing of handing Seongjin over to Commander Bruno wasnt mere coincidence.

At that moment, the Demon King exclaimed in an excited voice.

[They were human? How could that be? They didnt even have proper souls. Ask more, Lee Seongjin!]

He was planning to do just that.

So, what ability have you developed? Can you explain?

Hmm

At Seongjins question, Commander Bruno looked into space for a moment before answering.

For example, yes. I can hear the voice of the person who just spoke to you. That person is the [Red One] that Arenja speaks of.