CH 9

The Keeper of the Sacred Sword

Translated by SoundOfDestiny

Edited by Zil

“I hope you’re willing to explain what happened.”

Raidorl asks in a chilling voice.

The man in front of Mertina’s eyes is not the kind and gentle childhood friend she once knew. He is a man who has been fighting demons in a remote frontier city. The killing intent was so sharp that it stung the skin.

In fact, Mertina’s bodyguards, who should be accustomed to the rough stuff, are shivering and scrunching up their faces, but they are still on alert, ready to move at any moment to fulfill their duty as bodyguards.

“Of course. I would very much like Your Highness to hear it.”

But there is no sign of fear on Mertina’s face, even though she is facing the killer head-on. With a smile on her face, she looks back at Raidorl with a resolute look on her face.

“Wow, ……, you’re even more of an asshole than I thought. I must have been wrong.”

Mertina’s expression never changes, and Raidorl changes his opinion of her.

She was the girl who had sent him into exile without a single change of expression. It’s not as if he could have read her mind even five years ago.

He took a deep breath, repressed his simmering anger, and urged her to continue with her story with his eyes.

“Our country is currently facing a great crisis. …… Your Highness, have you heard of the Alsatian Empire in the East?” 

“How could I not know about it? It’s a great power in the middle of the continent.”

“The Empire has declared war on the Kingdom of Zain. It’s been two weeks since the war broke out.”

“What?!”

Raidorl couldn’t help but ask back, it was an unexpected piece of information that came out of Mertina’s mouth.

The Alsatian Empire, the dominant power in the centre of the continent, is ten times larger and more powerful than the Kingdom of Zain.

The Empire’s guiding principle is the unification of the continent by force, and it has crossed paths with the Kingdom of Zain on several occasions in the past.

However – because the Alsatian Empire is a large country with enemies on all sides, it could not send enough troops to destroy the Kingdom of Zain, and most of the battles would have ended in skirmishes.

“It’s just another reconnaissance mission, isn’t it? Isn’t it a bit much to call something like that a national crisis?”

“Unfortunately, it seems that this time they are serious about destroying our country………… It seems that one of their enemies is the holder of the Holy Sword.”

“A holy sword?!”

The unheard words made Raidorl shout. It was something that had changed the young prince’s life radically.

It is said that there are twelve holy swords on earth, which were given to man by the gods in mythical times.

One of them was the Dáinsleif, owned by the Kingdom of Zain and for which Raidorl had been chosen as the holder of the Holy Sword, Excalibur.

While Raidorl’s eyes widened in surprise, Mertina continued her explanation in a matter-of-fact tone.

“The Alsatian Empire possesses three holy swords. And as of…… we’ve received word that the holders of all three have appeared.”

“All three?! That’s, well…”

A holy sword is not something that everyone can use. Only those who are chosen by God’s will or fate are allowed to possess it.

Just as the first king of the Kingdom of Zain was the last person to use the Dáinsleif, it was not uncommon for a hundred years or more to pass without a wielder. 

That’s three in one era. If they include Raidorl, there were four of them.

“The story is starting to piece together,…how selfish ……!”

Raidorl covered his face with his right hand and shook his fist in fierce anger.

He could predict what Mertina was going to say. It was so selfish that it seemed to make a mockery of him.

“Your Royal Highness, King Granard’s brother. Please return to the Royal Capital, take the Dáinsleif in your hand, and strike down the Holy Sword Bearers of the Empire to save your kingdom.”

As expected, Raidorl slammed his fist down on the table with all his might.