#386
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386
Immediately after the comprehensive martial arts competition was announced, time passed quickly.
The location of the competition was chosen to be Madwin, a city in the empire close to Rinosa.
Coincidentally, that was the place where the temple that triggered the attempted assassination of the crown prince was closed.
Additionally, it was made official that the Wizards Association would cooperate with the imperial family of the empire to help run the competition.
By doing so, the emperor informs the temple again. They will have to pay for what they did to the Empire.
The emperor’s will was firm, and this was just a process.
In the end, Asuka received permission from Archduke Farnese to participate in the martial arts competition.
Immediately after the comprehensive martial arts competition was announced, the attention of all countries was focused on this competition, which had enormous prize money and titles at stake.
As the competition was promoted and participation was accepted through mercenary guilds with branches in each country, the number of participants was pouring in.
‘It would be good if Asuka achieved notable results.’
In such a situation, it was an idea that Archduke Farnese would think of.
He was not raised as a member of the royal family from birth, but is the successor to Archduke Farnese, who appeared late.
To solidify one’s position within the empire, it is desirable to objectively prove one’s abilities.
Especially to secure a position in the Imperial Knights.
Archduke Farnese had already decided to some degree on Asuka’s career path in a way that would utilize her aptitude.
‘When I temporarily became an imperial knight, I seemed to be quite satisfied with that life. If you want to become the Imperial Knight Commander in the future, you have to take the steps step by step from now on.’
The Imperial Knight Commander was a position that could never be attained without excellent swordsmanship skills, but the Empire was different from Basor.
The rank of Imperial Knight Commander is not determined solely by swordsmanship skills like the Palma Knight Commander.
Other qualifications and achievements that could not be specifically defined could never be ignored.
‘Asuka lacks other qualifications, but she has skills.’
Since the crown prince recognizes Asuka’s skills, doesn’t he treat her quite favorably?
In that sense, Asuka’s graduation from the Greta School of Swordsmanship was worthy of being touted as an achievement.
He also made a major contribution to saving the crown prince. The foundation was strong.
Moreover, Asuka was adapting to royal life better than expected. Regardless of her temperament, her learning ability is not bad, and she is used to her luxurious life.
Since Grand Duchess Farnese was with her, she naturally became reserved when meeting nobles.
The flashy peacock-like outfit actually intimidated the free-spirited Asuka, and now that she was a member of the royal family, no one would argue with her.
Rather, he may try to impress Archduke Farnese, the core of his power, in order to get closer to him.
Those who experienced Asuka during her academy days rubbed their eyes and were suspicious when they saw her attending a social event.
‘Wasn’t that kid a commoner?’
‘What do you mean, royal family?’
Archduke Farnese packed even that.
Asuka finished her time at the academy by strictly complying with the regulations that prohibit her identity from being revealed and not claiming to be a member of the royal family.
The image that he was a member of the royal family with both ability and a sound mind and was prepared as the successor to the Grand Duke Farnese was spread everywhere.
During her time at the academy, those who suffered from Asuka’s strange tyranny, claiming to be commoners and beating up opponents, were the victims of their backs.
Instead of being prepared, wasn’t Asuka just an unlucky libertine who believed in her talent and went on a rampage?
But what can you do? In fact, the opponent was a member of the royal family. I have no choice but to let go of the revenge I harbored, no matter how small.
‘For some reason, I’m not afraid of what happens after I graduate.’
‘Unlucky bastard.’
Apart from that, the antipathy that could not be revealed only grew bigger.
But it seemed like that antipathy would never surface.
In any case, Archduke Farnese postponed his answer to Asuka as if he thought negatively about his participation, but he was considering it quite positively.
‘But you have to leave the system to participate in the martial arts club.’
It was doubtful whether Asuka would remain calm even after leaving the system, and whether he would not run away. Also, he may be at a level where he can make a name for himself in the general martial arts competition where strong fighters from all over the world flock.
After much consideration, Archduke Farnese allowed Asuka to compete anonymously from a conservative perspective.
If he achieves good results, he will then be able to reveal his identity.
Asuka quickly accepted it.
“There is no softness.”
“If you participate, win.”
Asuka couldn’t bear to say that she would willingly do that to Helmut.
On the other hand, Charlotte decided not to participate in the martial arts competition. She was ordered to participate in the martial arts competition on behalf of Rinosa.
It was a similar opportunity to the one previously given to Michael.
Charlotte decided not to care any more about how Michael would feel about that fact.
That is something worth thinking about only after meeting the people of Linosa and Madwin.
There was no problem with the fact that Charlotte was hosting a martial arts event.
However, there was just one element that felt like a problem for Asuka.
“I heard the crown prince also holds martial arts competitions?”
Charlotte will also be hosting martial arts events, so naturally the two will be in frequent contact.
Then they would naturally talk and become friends, but Asuka was very concerned about that.
Xian responded indifferently.
“The crown prince was weak anyway. With that swordsmanship skill, you can’t even attend a martial arts event. “Shouldn’t someone take responsibility and run the martial arts event?”
Even the emperor cursed behind his back, and it was an irreverent tone to speak of the crown prince.
“That’s not the problem… … .”
“It’s a bit surprising that you went all the way to Madwin. There must be a lot of really dangerous guys out there. “Due to the nature of this martial arts club, there may be criminals who have laundered their identities.”
“Who cares about that child’s safety?”
“Or else. Well, is it because of Charlotte? “He’s probably busy thinking about how the martial arts event should go well, so I wonder if the crown prince will catch his eye.”
To be honest, Sian calmly thought that if she had been Charlotte, she would have chosen the crown prince.
“That’s right.”
Asuka felt skeptical about her decision to participate in martial arts, but there was no turning back.
Even if it’s canceled anyway, he can’t just interfere with the martial arts event.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things and just think about showing off your best performance in the martial arts competition. “So that Charlotte can see you again.”
Asuka rolled her eyes at Xian’s insincere answer.
‘We’ll see if you get someone too.’
It was a wish that I did not know when I would be repaid.
Anyway, Asuka, Xian, Helmut, and Area all submitted their participation forms for the martial arts competition. Now they were all competitors.
Until the opening of the martial arts competition, there was still a long way to go until the championship.
But Helmut was not nervous.
He is just following the path. It seemed as if there was a picture of what kind of ending the martial arts event would have.
Helmut will get what he wants at the end.
*
The temple seemed helpless against the empire.
They were unable to stop the emperor from purging the temple power that had taken root in the empire and closing several temples.
But they didn’t intend to just watch.
“Lumen gave me a revelation.”
High Priest Levina placed her hand on the man’s shoulder with a solemn expression. She had no contact with the housemaster.
Her hand lightly tapped his shoulder as if encouraging him.
“I believe in you.”
“I will not show any negligence in carrying out this glorious mission.”
The man’s eyes were bright gold.
High Priest Levina looked at those eyes that revealed the power of Lumen as if in ecstasy, but then her expression changed to a serious one.
Realizing great intentions is bound to involve hardships. But this ordeal was a bit harsh.
‘How did this happen?’
She was a noble priest and always lived according to Lumen’s wishes.
No matter what the followers of Lumen or other priests or priests did, they did not get involved as long as they did not harm the temple.
Because I believed that no matter how they moved, it was also Lumen’s great intention.
It was also because he had faith in those who served Lumen.
Even if problems arose due to her negligence in supervising them, she was not responsible.
The high priest who exercises the power of Lumen is a being without knowledge.
But she never imagined that things would go this far.
It was both heartbreaking and devastating. As the temple explained sufficiently, the Emperor of the Empire was blatantly rejecting the followers of Lumen and was attracting wizards who could side with the Demon King at any time to the Empire. It was something I could neither understand nor accept.
‘Even though evil is asleep, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist.’
A thousand years ago, Lumen defeated the Demon King who tried to drive the world to destruction and established a sacred barrier to protect humanity.
But now, the sacred barrier was shaking and each country was moving to reject the temple.
It was the first crisis faced since the sacred barrier was formed.
She looked at the man in front of her. There was determination in his golden eyes.
The man was young, devout, and, above all, possessed incredible talent and skills.
‘Lumen’s Holy Sword chose him.’
It was the first time in 300 years. The leader of the Holy Knights who awakened the power of the Holy Sword to select only those who are qualified.
Unlike the renowned Black Wing Knights of Rinosa or the Palma Knights of Basor, Lumen’s Holy Knights were secretive and their history was shrouded in secrecy.
The sword of God is drawn at the very last moment. Because it is not a sword meant to be wielded towards royalties in the first place.
‘But this time, the sword of Lumen will be revealed to the world.’
Levina gently closed her eyes. If a man wins the martial arts competition, the emperor’s plan will be upset.
The man answered in a low voice about the mission that must be accomplished.
“I will show them the Sword of Lumen. “I hope the high priest doesn’t worry.”
Levina responded in a calm voice, controlling her ominous thoughts.
“May Lumen’s blessings rest on the path you take.”
