Episode 195 Tweet.
The sunlight shining outside the window and the sound of birds singing told me that morning had come.
Victor, who couldn’t sleep due to all the thoughts, got out of bed, rubbing his gaping eyes.
It was a comfortable accommodation, but this place was crowded.
And he was a knight with a duty to protect his lord.
thud.
As I lightly put on the heavy armor in my hands, the cold feel of it brought me back to my senses a little.
From this morning to evening, it is your turn and your team members’ turn to follow the master.
I had to force myself to shake off the battle between the superhumans I saw yesterday, which had been flashing before my eyes all night.
But it wasn’t easy.
‘Could I be like that someday?’
As a knight, how could you not dream of becoming an Auror user?
However, contrary to the master’s expectation that he would naturally become a superhuman, he felt frustrated at a state that felt distant.
‘It’s just overwhelming…’ In ancient times,
the number of humans was much smaller than now, so even Force users were not common.
I wonder if this was how the knight of the time felt when he saw the Force user, who was said to have received help from an attendant because he could not wear such heavy armor on his own.
From the perspective of an advanced Force user, the Auror user seemed to be from a completely different dimension than himself.
Eat.
‘Where did I get to think about things like this?’
Victor shook his head a few times, took a deep breath, and left the door.
He is a genius knight of McLane, and his younger brother is a promising star of Magic Tower.
The lives of the siblings who suffered in Harun’s slave market have long since changed 180 degrees.
And today I had to follow my lord and benefactor who made it possible.
Victor shook off all his distracting thoughts and walked confidently towards his lord.
…
_ .”
Victor came to his senses as he heard his master’s last words softly.
Although he didn’t say it outright, the lord seemed to think of the empire as an enemy he would have to fight someday.
So, you must have bowed your head and asked for a favor.
– I was deeply impressed by Gyeong’s dance, so would it be possible to see the majesty of the 3rd legion that Gyeong rules? I would like to use this as a reference for our territory, which is lacking.
If the lord thinks so….
‘That’s how it happens. certainly.’
Viktor turned the force towards his head, swept away even the slightest fatigue, and concentrated his mind.
When I entered the military garrison on the outskirts of Ruspelheim.
He couldn’t help but blush at the majesty of the Western 3rd Corps of the Empire.
“All set! Salute to the distinguished guests!”
“insect!”
Troops filling the field of vision. More than a thousand ‘knights’ lined up in the training hall raised their swords towards them with precise movements without any error.
And yesterday’s Auror user Blake, with a satisfied smile on his face, slowly walked towards them.
“How are you doing, Lord Logan? I tried to modify my usual training a little bit to show off to the guests. Are you okay with it?”
“It’s amazing. I understand the majesty of the Imperial Legion.”
Blake’s smile grew brighter at his master’s admiration.
“What are you talking about with this much? In fact, most of the Legion troops are dispatched to the border area, so it is unfortunate that I can only show you this much.”
Waltermaim, one of the highest territories in Grandia, was powerful with over a thousand knights.
That’s all it is here….
‘Western 3rd Corps. In other words, it is just one of the 8 western corps. This is the empire….’
When he thought that the empire was the enemy, Viktor was unable to keep his expression like that of his lord who was smiling leisurely.
“Yesterday, that big man was rude to me. I’m the kind of person who can’t stand provocation, so I got angry.”
“It’s okay. Sir Luther is a person who accepts the results, so I won’t think too much about it.”
To say that, it seems like it’s still not coming out because it’s sulking.
Victor, who did not dare to disagree with what his lord said, had no choice but to lower his head for a moment.
Meanwhile, the ‘enemy’ Auror user called the 30 knights who were standing at the front of the knights and introduced them to Logan.
“These are the elites of the 3rd Legion who will accompany me to escort Lord Logan to the Ecliptic.”
“It is an honor to serve such a precious person!”
All 30 knights shouted in unison and knelt down on one knee.
Just like before, I could feel from moment to moment that the 3rd Corps was really well trained.
‘Out of 30 people, nine are upper level and the rest are intermediate level. Plus, there’s one person…’
The person whose momentum I couldn’t quite understand made eye contact with him.
‘Probably the highest level…’
The ability to select such elites as escorts for an envoy that had nothing to do with the corps’ duties was frightening.
“Isn’t that too much power? Even just Lord Blake is a burden.”
“Still, would you be able to serve His Majesty’s guests without any hesitation? We will do our best to ensure that you can serve them safely without any untoward incident.”
The radical superhuman seen yesterday is nowhere to be seen, and Blake only appears polite.
The fact that a superhuman could come out like that just because he was the emperor’s guest struck me once again.
“Haha. Then I have no choice. I will accept your favor. However, Lord Blake, I have a lot of questions about the Empire’s armament. What weapons do the soldiers of the 3rd Legion mainly use? Is there even a crossbow?”
The most powerful person in the kingdom.
A hero who saved the country from a civil war.
Victor’s complexion became heavy at the sight of his lord bowing his head in front of the enemy, as if he had put all his pride aside for a moment.
‘You’re really trying to prepare for war…’
Victor also had no choice but to look at the knights of the 3rd Corps again with fresh eyes.
‘These people can be the advance team. You need to know the level. And…’
to protect this life.
‘I need to become stronger.’
The only thing he can do without any particular talent is training.
Victor looked at the back of his lord and benefactor who saved his and his younger brother’s fate and made a firm determination again.
“A crossbow? Why would you use such an ineffective weapon? Haha, you make an interesting point.”
Looking at Blake’s unwavering eyes, Logan nodded.
If you investigate further, you will find out right away, but it seems that the Empire’s repeating crossbow has not yet been deployed in combat.
“Oh, I’m just giving an example. We’re using it.”
“Huh? Well, I don’t know if it was hunting, but was it something that could be used in war?”
We also confirmed that Blake is not very interested in the kingdom’s situation yet.
“Ah, there is an improved weapon. Anything would not work in an empire with so many brave knights.”
“Hahaha. That’s too much praise. Then come here. I’ll show you the facilities the knights use during training. It’s probably a small country… oh, sorry. There’s probably a lot to borrow from the kingdom as well.”
I was once again able to confirm the excessive patriotism of boasting about the knights’ quarters, which were no different from the kingdom.
Following his guidance, I took a quick look at the state of the training facilities and weapons within the 3rd Corps’ garrison.
‘The estimated total strength of the 3rd Corps is about 25,000. It’s definitely less than 20 years later. There are no crossbows and there are about 1,100 knights… It looks like there is nothing to hide.’
Logan, who had inferred the actual state of the 3rd Corps just from the traces left behind by comparing it with his previous life, smiled and nodded.
Thanks to Blake being so proactive, it took less time than expected.
“As expected, the empire is different. I learned a lot.”
“No. I was also impressed by the fact that, as a young hero, he showed great interest in military power.”
“There won’t be another big city like this on the way to the imperial capital after leaving here, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. But the ecliptic is different. When you arrive in Aserian, you will realize that there really is another world.”
“Hoo. Is it that much?”
Blake spoke kindly for the most part, but he made sure to keep his own boundaries.
Logan diverted the conversation and changed the topic as much as possible, but did not answer any of the other questions that a corps commander would know well, such as information about other corps that he asked subtly, the status of the ongoing battle for imperial succession, and the deployment of troops near the ecliptic.
“I’m sorry. That’s not something I can answer.”
Is it because he doesn’t want to talk or because he can’t?
Considering Blake’s boastful boasting about his corps, it seemed like the latter.
‘I guess there is a line that even a superhuman corps commander must absolutely follow.’
If so, it would mean that the authority of the emperor, who was above the superhuman, was that much stronger.
The more I learned about the reality of the empire, the more the shadow of the faceless emperor grew bigger.
It was two days later that the party left Ruspelheim.
This was after Logan had thoroughly reviewed the information he had obtained through several other channels.
And in that process, the upper branch of McLine created by Philip played a significant role.
– What you inferred is roughly correct. Accurate information here.
The branch manager, who was from Grandia and had been in business in Ruspelheim for 10 years, handled his work quickly and reliably.
So much so that I want to pat Philip on the shoulder, whom I haven’t seen recently.
‘Information on the 3rd Corps has been clearly organized. Assuming that a repeating crossbow is added to this, its power can be seen as that of the advance guard in the early days of the Imperial War.’
That alone was worth the stay in Ruspelheim.
Logan smiled sincerely as he looked at the mayor leading him to the castle gate.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I had a great stay!”
“Hahaha. I really appreciate it, Lord Logan. Please remember me.”
Is it still that sound?
Logan couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at the mayor, who still couldn’t give up the fleeting hope that the kingdom’s highest-ranking noble would sacrifice himself to the empire.
The journey that followed was comfortable.
As long as the Empire’s superman personally accompanied them with a flag, there was no chance of the group being attacked by rebels or bandits roaming the unexplored lands of the Empire.
Moreover, since there were no major cities on the road from Ruspelheim to the Imperial Capital, there was not much to attract Luther Kyle’s attention.
Moreover, even in small and medium-sized cities or small fiefdoms, the group always received a warm welcome, whether because of Blake or an invitation from the emperor, so naturally, the inconveniences were reduced accordingly.
However, in the process, Logan personally could not help but feel a little uncomfortable.
“Oh my, it’s an honor.”
“Why don’t you just stay a little longer?”
“This is my daughter. Isn’t she pretty?”
It was common to break out in a cold sweat at the attacks of the imperial nobility who tried to go beyond hospitality and flattery and create blood ties.
In addition, when Blake, who had been keeping an eye on the group who were always devoted to training except during travel time when staying in the city or camping, began to cautiously speak out one day, the discomfort increased a little.
“The knights are always training even while on the move. I think I know how their skills turned out. If it’s okay, would you like to spar with me?”
“I’m sorry. Last time, I just received an aura from the effect of the artifact. I guess sparring with superhumans takes a toll on my body…”
It wasn’t that I was upset because I couldn’t really train as an Auror after Blake joined.
‘I’ve seen your skills, but there’s no need to show me my skills.’ ‘Because there isn’t one.’
A polite refusal based on thorough calculation.
There was no way Blake, who had been treating Logan with difficulty, saying that he was His Majesty’s guest, could say anything again.
However, he continued to watch the group’s training, especially Luther and Logan’s training, from a little distance away. Therefore, sending passionate gazes was bound to be a burden mentally.
All the more so because the emperor’s shadow cast by that humble attitude felt heavy again. The
group’s journey continued for over a month, and the group experienced various territories of the empire in succession. Little by little, changes were taking place.
“I understand why it is an empire. Even in small fiefdoms, there are often things that we don’t have in our fiefdoms. Really….”
The words of Group 4 leader Henderson.
The party was deeply impressed by the convenience and splendor of the new civilization they encountered while passing through the empire’s territory.
“I wish I could learn what I can and be in the territory. Write everything down too. “If you can take it, take it.”
“Really, Confucius?!”
Even a single word like this makes me laugh.
‘That’s the point of being an actor, you idiot.’
Logan was on the verge of lamenting inwardly.
And as such conversations continued, the arrogance of the knights of the 3rd Corps, including Blake, secretly grew higher.
“Someday, not just our territory, but even the kingdom, will have a national power greater than that of the empire. Because there is a master. ”
At a time when Logan could only respond to Viktor’s excessive expectations with a bitter smile.
After a month and a half of travel, the group arrived in Aserian, the capital of the empire, the largest city on the continent.
