Act 129

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“……Damn it.”

Reclining in my chair, I recalled my conversation with Colparan.

I had offered him to take on the task several times, but Colparan had vehemently refused. I persisted and kept pushing, but in the end:

“I’m sorry, but don’t you think it’s time to stop?” Colparan apologized instead.

“……I was serious, though.”

Sigh. I’m back to square one. Or maybe not.

“That’s amazing! To push Colparan into submission like that! This will certainly make the bishops we’re collaborating with trust you more!”

I felt like my influence was growing beyond its original bounds.

“I don’t need such things.”

Who would appreciate the trust of the Dawn Society anyway? Even the ‘Sword Saint’ had similar thoughts.

“Oh, that guy’s lost it too.”

This world is going mad. I should give up on the idea of solving anything through someone’s trust.

“In the end, you have to protect yourself.”

Thinking that, I recalled my previous encounter with Colparan’s soldiers. The wounds from their magic had healed, and I had no lingering fatigue from the battle. That was all thanks to Angelica, who had blocked the unexpected attack. Without her…

“I’d still be suffering from injuries now.”

Although Julian’s healing ability isn’t ordinary, it’s not omnipotent either. If I were the real ‘Julian,’ I would have dodged such attacks completely.

“What kind of sword did he wield?”

It’s too late now to start a journey to rediscover Julian’s identity, but a sudden curiosity arose. However, there’s no longer a way to see his swordsmanship.

‘Because now, I am ‘Julian.”

Deciding to postpone the idea of handing over the central role of the incident to Colparan, I focused on my original task. The paperwork of the ‘Closed Eyes’ wasn’t particularly difficult, but if not handled promptly, it tended to pile up.

After stamping the documents roughly, I headed to Captain Odwin’s office to hand them over. She handed me a book, as if she had been waiting for me.

“Could you return this to the central library?”

Just as I was about to ask, “Why do I have to return a book?” the title caught my eye.

[The Correlation Between Proper Diet and Growth]

Looking at the title, I couldn’t help but say,

“Isn’t it too late for that?”

“……Why do I have to hear that from you?”

Odwin, unusually harsh in her tone, replied. It seemed her short stature was a complex for her.

“Then, let me ask you. Why should I return this?”

I was smiling while talking, but I couldn’t understand. If she borrowed it, she should return it herself.

“Sigh… Just go, it’s for your own good.”

For my own good?

I had no idea how returning a book to the central library was for my benefit. Seeing me standing still, Odwin sighed again and spoke.

“The Godrick family members are expected to storm in here soon.”

“The Godrick family… why are they coming here?”

At my question, Odwin’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you really not know?”

“No. Have I done something wrong? I am a proud member of the Imperial ‘Closed Eyes’ division…”

“It’s because you caused an ‘incident.’”

Incident?

Those words snapped me back to attention. It must be because of what happened with the ‘Crypart family.’ That escort knight…

“That was just legitimate self-defense.”

“Even so, you know that if your opponent is from the Godrick family, it can still cause significant trouble, right?”

Yeah, I know. Damn it.

The influence of the four great families in the empire is second only to the royal family. Even though I am also a member of the ‘Crypart’ family, I can’t expect their protection.

‘Besides, Orun was there.’

The de facto head of the Crypart family. He might have even encouraged the Godrick family to discipline me.

‘But it’s strange. Instead of sending someone from the royal family, why is the Godrick family sending someone?’

That question puzzled me.

With the Godrick family’s influence, and further backed by the power of the noble council chaired by Orun Crypart, they could have summoned me directly to the secretariat, fabricating charges if necessary. Authoritarian types would usually prefer such methods… so why this?

“In fact, the incident wasn’t widely publicized. It seems someone wanted to escalate it, but someone else dismissed it.”

“Who was that?”

“Surprisingly, it was Arba Godrick.”

Hmm. Arba.

Hearing that name, I remembered an event from a past banquet. Those bright eyes looking at me.

‘You’re repaying a favor.’

Covering up troublesome matters for me.

“So, to avoid the situation escalating, we’re trying to prevent any contact with the Godrick family members.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to settle this directly with them?”

Odwin’s eyes narrowed again.

“I knew you’d say that, which is why we’re sending you away. It would be problematic if you blew up the situation that Arba was trying to cover up.”

Seeing Odwin’s pleading expression, I pondered. 

‘The Godrick family members coming here must be the ones I saw at the Dusk Flame.’

Indeed, it’s best to avoid causing trouble, as she said. Just now, I was speaking in a ‘Julian-like’ manner.

“Well, if Captain Odwin says so, I guess I have no choice.”

Pretending to give in, I took the book. Since the central library is near the palace, it’s not really a difficult task to say ‘No’ to.

“I’m glad you understand.”

Odwin’s relief was evident in her words. 

‘It must be because of Julian’s usual behavior.’

It’s definitely ‘Julian,’ not ‘me.’ I am behaving ‘normally’ in my own way.

“By the way, it’s already too late, Captain Odwin.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You know very well.”

I subtly shifted my gaze to the book’s title. Odwin pointed to the door with her finger and spoke in a calm voice.

“Are you leaving or not?”

***

Leaving through the second gate, Gyeongui Gate, I headed towards the first gate. As I glanced at the scenery along the road, I made my way to the central library. 

No matter how many times I see it, the view of the palace is always breathtaking.

It is said that several billions of Nara are invested annually in maintenance costs alone, so it is only natural. Cleanly maintained roads and splendid buildings. Even the ‘Road of Audiences,’ one of the Eight Sceneries of the Empire, decorated by numerous professional landscapers. 

After passing through there, a massive building soon caught my eye.

“This is it.”

The central library located at the First Gate. It held the repository of knowledge accumulated over the long history of the Adratan Empire. As I stepped inside, people who were working there parted to either side like the miracle of the Red Sea. 

I moved unconsciously, but their gazes were unkind. Their eyes were filled with questions about why a mere murderer like me had come here.

“W-welcome, Sir Julian.”

As I entered the central library, a person who appeared to be a staff member greeted me from behind the desk. Even their sweat-dripping face was filled with the nuance of ‘why?’.

“I’m here to return this.”

Saying that, I placed the book on the table, and the staff’s face brightened. Now I understand why everyone looked so pale. 

The library is a repository of knowledge. For ‘Julian’ to come to such a place…

‘They must think I’m here to execute some task for the ‘Closed Eyes.’’

“Ah… this is a book borrowed by Captain Odwin!”

The guide’s face finally started to brighten as they nodded and took back the book. They still sent me looks urging me to leave quickly, but…

‘It’s my first time visiting here, so I can’t just leave.’

Scanning my surroundings, the interior landscape came into view. In the vast room ahead were rows upon rows of bookshelves and books.

‘There must be books related to swordsmanship too?’

Such a thought piqued my interest. 

Since obtaining the trait of the <New Sword Saint>, I felt an urge to make relentless efforts. Perhaps it’s because I’ve become more serious about the ‘sword.’

However, this body tends to fall short by merely moving. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the ‘physical body’ is already perfected. 

‘What I need now is experience and knowledge.’

With that thought, I asked the guide if I could look around inside.

“There’s no problem! Although a membership is required, Sir Julian is a palace affiliate, after all.”

One of the benefits of the ‘Closed Eyes.’ Facilities between the First and Second Gates of the palace can be used without any conditions. 

Once inside, I headed straight to the section labeled ‘Swordsmanship.’

‘Come to think of it, there’s also a book written by the Sword Saint here, isn’t there?’

The central library holds all sorts of books. Among them, there is something called the ‘original edition,’ and it includes a book written by the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich.

[Following Swordsmanship with Two Eyes]

Deep within the bookshelf labeled ‘Swordsmanship.’ A book placed in a spot where no one seemed to search.

This is the book written by ‘Sword Saint Hayden Reich’ himself.

‘It’s really here.’

Opening the book, the first thing that caught my eye was the phrase, ‘To my dear friend, Jahat.’

In fact, this book was written during a time when the Sword Saint was training with the Blind Swordsman, who had fallen into a slump. The problem is that ‘Jahat’ is a blind man. 

In other words, this book was made by the spirited young ‘Sword Saint’ to tease the ‘Blind Swordsman.’ Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.

‘It’s one of the Easter eggs, but I’m curious about its contents.’

In the game where you play as ‘Hayden Reich,’ the Sword Saint who picks up this book says, 

– ‘It’s a mistake from my youthful days.’ 

And moves on. 

Because of that, I couldn’t check the contents inside, and it made me even more curious. 

‘Should I take a look?’

With a pounding heart, I opened the book.

[To my dear friend, the blind Jahat.]

[And to everyone engaged in the sword.]

The introduction is quite captivating. 

To address ‘all swordsmen.’ 

How noble and precious these words are. 

‘Just reading a few lines makes my heart swell.’

It was natural. 

Though the Sword Saint in this world has gone mad, the one who wrote this is the original ‘Hayden Reich’ I knew. 

Because of that, my excited hands began to turn the pages slowly.

“But what is this?”

After the greetings and a few words in the introduction, there was nothing written. 

The next page, and the page after that, were also blank. 

Trying to find any tips on ‘swordsmanship,’ I started to feel dizzy from the repeated blank pages.

‘What… are you trying to say?’

Could it be that he’s trying to say that the ‘path of the sword’ doesn’t need the advice of others?

That’s also reasonable. Even the wrong path, if polished, can become the right path.

Surely, my past self, blinded by the name of ‘Sword Saint,’ would have thought that.

‘Indeed,’ ‘That might be so,’ I would have said.

But now it’s different.

Having actually talked with the Sword Saint, I know that Hayden Reich is more wicked than I had known.

In other words, this book…

‘Did he write this purely to mess with Jahat?’

Really?

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