Act 14

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After completing the escort mission for repairing the Resonance stone, I returned to the Imperial Capital the next day. 

I went straight to work at the Imperial Palace. 

Although I wanted nothing more than to rest all day, I was employed by the royal exclusive agency. 

Even though Julian tended to live as he pleased, he was quite diligent when it came to the work of the ‘Closed Eyes’, so I judged it right to go to work. 

And indeed, it was expected.

I passed through the Imperial Palace’s first gate, the Gate of Heaven’s Respect, and headed to the ‘Closed Eyes’ building. 

As soon as I arrived at the office, I arranged the potted plants I had brought. 

This is much better than before. 

The office, previously decorated with Julian’s indescribable aesthetic sense, felt more human after I cleared out all those decorations and brought in orchid plants. 

Orchids are truly wonderful. 

They don’t require special care and they give a sense of peace to anyone who sees them.

 I couldn’t understand such a refined hobby in the past. 

But as time went on and I came to my senses, I found myself indulging in this hobby. 

Really, no one can predict human affairs.

After looking around the now calm office, I moved towards the window where the sunlight was shining through. 

The view of the Imperial Palace, chosen as one of the seven scenic wonders of the Empire for its artistic beauty, was visible, but at the same time, I could see the Resonance stone and the red-colored magical formations installed around the perimeter. 

It’s a deadly barrier that turns both demons and intruders into ash.

‘The method to complete the Moonlight Sword.’

 I pondered over how to perfect Julian’s trademark ‘Moonlight Sword’ while looking at it. 

Although it had shown excellent performance against the demons, it was far from sufficient, as only parts of the blade, not the entire body, were imbued with aura. 

‘And that’s why the sword couldn’t withstand it.’

My gaze then shifted to the sheathed sword on the table. 

The sword used during the escort mission. 

It was in a pitiful state, likely to break after a few uses. 

Naturally, I couldn’t use such a sword, so I had brought a new one from the mansion.

‘Although I managed to defeat the demons this time, encountering stronger enemies in the future is inevitable. Therefore, completing the Moonlight Sword is a priority.’

The good thing is, through this real battle, I vaguely figured out the method to do so.

Knock, knock! 

As I was pleasantly looking at the potted plant, someone knocked on the door. 

When I told them to come in, Razlot, an apprentice of the ‘Closed Eyes’, appeared. 

“Ex-excuse me, Julian sir!” 

His voice was still filled with fear, and his expression was pale. 

His shrinking figure was so pitiable that it made me feel sorry. 

It’s as if I had done something wrong.

“As you requested, I have brought the jewels from the Imperial Treasury!”

“Well done.” 

I responded with a light smile to Razlot’s words. 

Then, with a gesture, I instructed him to place them on the table. 

Struggling a bit, he placed the box filled with jewels on the table. 

The gems shone subtly, as if asking to recognize their value.

I reached into the case and started to inspect each jewel one by one. 

“But, Sir Julian… what do you intend to do with all these jewels?” 

Glancing at the curious Razlot, his eyes wandered aimlessly, unable to settle. 

If he was that scared, why did he even ask?

“I’m looking for a jewel that matches the wavelength of my mana,” I explained to Razlot. 

There was no need to keep it a secret. 

“Mana’s wavelength?” he asked. 

“Yes. The mana flowing inside each person has different properties. Even as an apprentice, you should know that much, right?” 

Razlot nodded his head. 

Then, he rummaged through his belongings, took out a notebook and pen, and began to jot down what I was saying. 

“That’s why each wizard has their own specialty magic, and knights have different abilities and colors of aura.”

Razlot nodded again, jotting down notes. 

It felt like giving a lecture, even though I was merely explaining a setting as if it were from a game. 

With an admiring gaze upon me, I picked up a jewel. 

It was a ruby, red as flame. 

“Every material in this world has the ability to contain mana. Among them, jewels like these have the highest mana conductivity and capacity.” 

As I infused mana into the ruby, its color became even more pronounced. 

“I see,” he said.

“However, if it has properties opposite to one’s own mana, this happens.” 

Crack. 

The ruby that had mana infused into it began to crack. 

“Ah!” 

A sigh leaked from Razlot’s mouth. Shock and a sense of loss were apparent. 

“Therefore, wizards call the properties of mana ‘elements’ and categorize them into five colors. This helps to understand the properties of mana more clearly and definitively.”

While explaining, I found a jewel in the box that held a moon-like blue light. 

Moonstone. 

I picked it up and similarly infused it with mana. 

The blue light of the moonstone became more pronounced. 

However, it didn’t crack like the ruby. 

This must be the jewel whose properties are most similar to Julian’s mana. 

“Just as wizards use jewels in their spells, knights can also use jewels. They engrave ‘mana veins’ into their swords to utilize aura more easily.”

“Then, can I… also be able to use aura!?”

“I guess that would be possible.”

At my words, Razlot’s face brightened.

“If you only have that much mana.”

However, it didn’t take long for his expression to darken.

Julian’s body possessed enough mana to be considered a mage.

It was only because of this that such a method could be used,

a method unthinkable to other knights.

The reason the <Moonlight Sword> is currently lacking compared to the original is probably because Julian’s mana isn’t being perfectly transferred to the sword.

If so, creating a ‘Mana Vein’ could allow for much easier transfer than before.

I put the moonstone back into the box.

This was something borrowed from the royal palace.

So it had to be returned.

“Then please return these jewels to the inner treasury.”

“Understood, Sir Julian.”

As I instructed and pondered how to secure more moonstones,

“Sir Julian…”

Razlot remained, looking at me with a troubled expression.

“This ruby has been shattered, what should we do?”

“Ah.”

It was the ruby that had cracked during the initial experiment.

Naturally, returning it to the royal family in this state would cause problems.

And it’s not like I had the ability to repair a shattered jewel.

“Take this instead.”

“Excuse me?”

There was no choice but to hand over a replacement.

I pointed to the crafts tucked away in a corner.

The bizarrely artistic pieces Julian used to decorate his office. 

Those were it.

“Will the treasury staff accept these…?”

Razlot seemed unconvinced, but these items were genuinely valuable.

Julian, born with an ego to flaunt, spent most of his salary on luxury goods.

Certainly, some of these items were worth more than the jewels.

But if he still seemed unconvinced, I’d add one more thing.

“Then use my name.”

“Sir Julian’s name?”

“Yes.”

***

Julian Crypart Frason.

I hadn’t fully grasped the significance of this name in the ‘Closed Eyes.’

What made me realize his status was a conversation with the captain, Odwin.

Having to leave momentarily to secure more moonstones,

The response from Odwin when I informed him was something to behold.

– “When have you ever informed and disappeared?”

What kind of life has Julian lived?

And Odwin, speaking so detachedly, what kind of life has he lived?

Anyway, rather than pity, completing the ‘Moonlight Sword’ to survive is the top priority.

I left the headquarters of the ‘Closed Eyes’ and headed towards the imperial capital. But before that, there was a place I needed to visit.

-“Please stop by the imperial secretariat before you leave. I’m not sure why this time, but they said they want to hear the mission report directly.”

It was because the imperial secretariat wanted to hear directly about this mission’s details.

I had a guess as to why.

For a regular member of the ‘Closed Eyes,’ this would be unthinkable, but ‘Julian’ was an exceptional existence even in this royal-exclusive agency.

To put it nicely, a partner; to put it poorly, a useful dog.

So, they wanted to check his condition with their own eyes.

Click-clack, click-clack—

The palace corridors were so well polished that you could see your face reflected on the floor.

“I am Julian of the ‘Closed Eyes.’ I have come to see Sir Sedden Orbian of the secretariat.”

Being in a position equivalent to the royal secretaries, perhaps because they held more power than most nobles, they were assigned a separate building.

Upon mentioning the name of the royal secretary, ‘Sedden Orbian,’ who had summoned me, to the secretarial staff, she smiled and said,

“Sir Sedden is currently away due to a guest. He said it wouldn’t take long and asked that if Sir Julian arrives, to wait a bit in the waiting room.”

“Understood.”

Following the staff’s guidance to the waiting room, the first thing that caught my eye was the interior’s dazzling opulence.

It was a classic elegance, quite different from Julian’s aesthetic sense.

“What’s that?”

Amidst it all, a scabbard placed in a corner caught my eye.

Despite the refined atmosphere, the scabbard’s rugged appearance stood out due to its contrast.

“It seems to belong to a companion of the guest who arrived before you.”

A guest had come before me.

It seems they had a companion.

A sword, though?

I tilted my head, slowly approaching the scabbard that was out of place in the ambiance of the waiting room.

“It feels familiar.”

My first impression was that this sword was all too familiar to me.

Lifting the scabbard, the strange sense of déjà vu only grew stronger.

“Strong in body, strong in spirit.”

Reading the inscription on the edge of the scabbard, I understood the identity of the ‘déjà vu’ that had been troubling me.

“Remove your hand from that sword immediately, you deviant.”

A venomous voice suddenly came from behind me.

It was clear from the hostility overflowing in the voice that it wasn’t the secretarial staff.

Given the situation, I had an idea of who the owner of the scabbard might be.

Without needing to turn around, I knew who the voice belonged to.

Confirming my guess by turning around, my suspicion turned into certainty.

Long, sleek golden hair cascaded down her back, and eyes reminiscent of emeralds.

Despite the displeasure in her eyes, it was impossible to dull her beauty.

“It’s been a while, Linne Londebell.”

Linne Londebell

A daughter of the Londebell family, one of the renowned knightly families of the Adratian Empire, and like Julian, one of the disciples of the Sword Saint Hayden Reich.

Moreover, she is the main character who meets her death at the hands of Julian Crypart Prason in the DLC trailer.

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