How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 224 - Bodyguard Knight (3)

I wanted to split it in half. Eat half myself and let Moonlight absorb the rest.

But that was impossible. The dragon heart must remain whole. The moment it’s cut in half, it instantly starts losing power.

This was information I learned from Duke Brusek in the past. That’s why they put it in whole when making weapons.

They either melt it so mana can’t leak out and it’s directly absorbed into the metal, or embed it directly into the tip of a staff.

‘Hmm…’

As I frowned slightly in thought, the dwarf who had been smiling confidently observed my reaction.

Still, he didn’t rush me. He waited carefully in a polite posture.

In fact, this was the normal reaction. The earlier response was a bit unusual. Most people in the imperial palace can’t even meet my eyes.

It’s not because rumors spread that I have a bad personality or that they’re afraid of me. As Erendil restored my honor, I have now become the undisputed second-in-command of the empire.

Of course, I’m not talking about ability. I’m talking about power within the imperial family.

Although my rank itself falls far short, no one can match my meritorious service in assisting Erendil.

I saved Erendil’s life twice and made great contributions to making her emperor.

It had been that way from the beginning. I played a big role in the northeastern punitive expedition and the war with the west, where Erendil began to gain support.

Moreover, while restoring my honor, Erendil said that I had helped her in every way behind the scenes.

‘Some people even say I’m more powerful than Duchess Lyurik.’

I don’t think that’s wrong. Of course, Erendil likes Duchess Lyurik too, but not as much as me.

It’s just that people flock to Duchess Lyurik because I have no desire for honor and don’t deal with nobles or do external activities. Of course, I don’t have time for that either.

My thoughts had drifted for a moment. I went back to thinking about how to use the dragon heart.

It didn’t take long. I made a decision.

‘Let’s invest in Moonlight.’

Actually, consuming a dragon heart from a devilish dragon’s body was a bit unsettling.

It would be better to use it to make a new sword. If I lose Moonlight, it might be difficult to find a new weapon.

I had researched Moonlight after obtaining it. Though I’m not sure if it’s accurate since it was made about two hundred years ago…

I came across a story that it was made by melting a fragment that fell from the moon. I don’t know if it’s true.

Even if this place is different from Earth, how can I believe a fragment fell from the moon?

I wondered if it might just be meteoric iron, but I was uncertain since the sword itself gave off moonlight. In any case, it was clear that Moonlight was the optimal sword for me, who uses the Moonlight Technique.

‘Erendil would probably get me another famous sword, but…’

Aside from whether it would suit my hand, it wouldn’t match the moonlight as well as Moonlight does.

The fact that I could face the Sword Master and darkness was partly because Moonlight is a famous sword, but there was clearly an aspect of harmony with the Moonlight Technique.

There was a clear difference between using the Moonlight Technique’s moonlight on other swords and using Moonlight.

Moreover, if it’s strengthened with the devilish dragon’s heart, who knows what effects it might have.

Having made my decision, I immediately got up. My bag was on the right. The dwarf watched me with curious eyes.

I fumbled and took out the dragon heart.

“If I have this, would that change things?”

“C-c-could that be…!”

The dwarf jumped up from his seat. Not figuratively, but literally jumped up with those short legs. The reaction was more intense than I imagined.

“I-isn’t that a dragon heart!”

“It is.”

“Of course! Since you killed a dragon, of course! Yes! If you have that, things definitely change!”

The dwarf nodded like a madman.

“To think I’d see a dragon heart in my lifetime! Now you really don’t need to worry. I’ll gather all the craftsmen in the imperial palace to create a masterpiece of the ages…! No, my lord, may I go to work right away?”

The dwarf spat out words like a machine gun, as if in a great hurry. Well, a blacksmith handling a dragon heart must be similar to a swordsman becoming a Sword Master.

Well, if Moonlight’s condition is not good, it might be better to use a different sword when going to meet Denif. It would be better to repair the sword in the meantime.

“Go ahead. By the way, how long do you think it will take?”

“Oh, that’s hard to say until we try. We have knowledge about dragon hearts, but this is the first time seeing one, so we’ll need to review what we know.”

Right. There’s no need to rush. It’s better to be perfect even if it takes time.

I nodded. I thought it would probably be finished by the time I rescue Denif and recover.

***

The day after the dwarf took Moonlight, I got up from my sickbed and went straight to see Erendil.

It was to tell her I was going to find Denif.

Erendil was surprised that I had left my sickbed to visit her, and surprised again by the fact that I was leaving again.

“Schurtafen, are you in your right mind?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t look well enough to move, even at a glance.”

“This is enough to move around sufficiently.”

Erendil let out a hollow laugh with a face of disbelief.

“It doesn’t look that way. Moreover, we just held the bodyguard knight appointment ceremony yesterday, where are you trying to go?”

There’s a subtle hint of disappointment in her tone. But given the nature of the matter, it couldn’t be helped.

I spoke firmly.

“I have a companion I was moving with. Thanks to him, I was able to deal with Tsukva. We parted because of the devil, so now I need to go rescue him.”

Since I had hinted about it when I told her about my experiences, Erendil didn’t ask about Denif.

However, she spoke with a serious expression.

“Wasn’t that person alright?”

“Given his skills, I’m not too worried, but you never know.”

“Then you must rescue him. Take the dragon carriage. Yes, I’ll attach Sir Faorn to you as well.”

“I appreciate the offer, but Sir Faorn won’t be necessary.”

As Erendil’s eyebrows began to furrow, I quickly continued.

“Your Majesty’s safety is more crucial now than ever before. I dare not take someone who guards Your Majesty.”

“But you are also…”

“Your Majesty, I am your bodyguard knight. How can Your Majesty send another bodyguard knight for your own bodyguard knight? It’s unacceptable.”

Erendil couldn’t refute. Whatever her feelings, my words weren’t wrong.

There were two reasons for refusing Faorn.

First was that Erendil’s safety was indeed the top priority, and second was that Denif’s existence needed to be hidden as much as possible.

Denif’s face was known to the empire in the past.

He had grown and used disguises, but could he maintain that during the escape process? Contact needed to be avoided as much as possible.

‘Also, if Denif sees Faorn…’

He’d probably show interest like a madman. Considering Faorn’s personality, he’d accept it since he’s my friend.

If that catches the eye of the imperial side, things could get a bit complicated.

Erendil knows I belong to Haisen, but it’s a different matter if the people below her find out.

It could even spread to slander against me. It was a serious matter.

Actually, I wasn’t keen on the dragon carriage either. Since the dragon driver would have to move with us.

But it was worth it to find Denif.

“…Will you be able to return alive?”

“Don’t worry.”

“Alright. Do so. Just remember, you must return without injury.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Erendil nodded and turned her gaze back to me.

“Ah, there’s something you should know before you leave.”

“Please tell me.”

“When you were fleeing in the north, we confirmed that there was one devil in the east.”

“…!”

“Since you confirmed there were two devils, that one must be different.”

“That’s right.”

It was probably information she couldn’t tell me because I was unconscious. Now the situation made sense.

In fact, it was a bit strange that the devil didn’t show any action despite Rudehrn being near the north.

Of course, we had taken measures for Rudehrn to retreat quickly by deploying agents near the northern border…

If it could deal with one Sword Master, one devil should have been able to move.

I had thought that the newly summoned devil might lack the strength to move right away.

But that wasn’t it, it was plotting something in the east. That’s why the devil of domination couldn’t leave the north.

“At the time we encountered the devil, numerous devil worshippers were spotted below the northern border. After it retreated, they disappeared to the north again.”

“If what Your Majesty says is true, I’ll be even safer.”

Erendil tilted her head at my words. This was a natural judgment. One devil must remain north of the northern border.

For the survival of the devil worshippers there.

Nevertheless, the devil of domination moved because Tsukva’s Scythe was that precious.

“According to my speculation, one devil must be beyond the northern border.”

“You say the same thing as Hanut.”

Hannut Campbell. The strategist I introduced to Erendil. Did he infer the same thought as me?

“Is that so?”

Erendil nodded.

“Yes. He inferred from their lack of movement so far and the change in their behavior after I mentioned the appearance of another devil.”

Erendil looked at me with admiration.

“It seems smart people think alike.”

“You flatter me.”

“Anyway, since the devilish dragon is dead, I’ve called back Sir Rudehrn for now. One duke has taken over command.”

Erendil said this while observing my reaction.

“Do you have any objections?”

“No. It’s a wise decision.”

With the devilish dragon dead, there’s no reason for Rudehrn to remain in the north. It’s not like they’re going to march right away.

However, it was better to leave soldiers to respond in case of emergencies.

In fact, if something happens, a Sword Master can fly there on a dragon carriage.

And once the internal problems of the empire are sorted out, they’ll start advancing north again anyway.

“Wait a little. I’ll have the dragon carriage prepared soon.”

“Thank you.”

“And you left your sword yesterday, right? Sir Faorn and Sir Minteron were interested at the mention of a dragon heart.”

It seems the news has already spread even though it was just last night. I nodded. Erendil looked satisfied.

“I’m looking forward to it too. My bodyguard knight should have a sword befitting his status.”

I just smiled faintly.

“Of course, you’ll need a sword to use in the meantime, won’t you?”

“Yes. I was about to mention that.”

Erendil nodded with satisfaction. Her face had been strangely proud and confident since talking about swords.

She said she wanted to give me a lot yesterday, so I thought maybe this was her chance.

“While waiting for the dragon carriage, go to the armory. You can take whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

Come to think of it, the imperial armory.

Even in the game, I had never entered it. Only the emperor had permission to enter that space.

‘Wait, did she say I can take whatever I want?’

I’ve never been inside, but I know a few things. Some items have come out into the world when a prince became emperor.

Erendil isn’t the type to go back on her word, and if I want it, she’ll really give me everything. I started to get genuinely excited.

Hmm.

Let’s see, what was there?