How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 229 - Terka (4)

On the way to see the completed Moonlight, Faorn and Rudehrn, both Sword Masters, were also with us.

It was natural as they were the emperor’s guards, but they would have come along even if they weren’t.

Intelligent dragons capable of handling magic had decreased in number during the war with the devil in the founding emperor’s era, and now they had completely disappeared.

In fact, even the devilish dragon we faced recently couldn’t really be considered intelligent, but it was still a dragon heart that had appeared for the first time in hundreds of years.

It was enough to pique the curiosity of even Sword Masters, who were second to none when it came to swords.

“Hey, Schurtafen.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“How about exchanging it for my sword? Though the Blue Sea isn’t just an ordinary famous sword.”

It was a playful remark from Rudehrn. It’s true that his sword, the Blue Sea, was exceptional even among famous swords.

Of course, it wasn’t made with a dragon heart.

“I’m sorry.”

I refused immediately. I hadn’t meant to, but my words came out stiffly. Even though I knew it was a joke, honestly, it was hard for me to take it that way.

I was actually trembling. Since learning under the duke, had there ever been a time when it was this hard to maintain my composure?

I was just another swordsman after all. My heart was pounding at the thought of what a sword forged for the first time in hundreds of years would be like.

Weapons made from dragon hearts were as rare as the years that had passed, hard to find nowadays.

The same was true even for the imperial family.

Excluding Teme’s Spear, there were probably about four. And not all of them were swords. Rudehrn pulled up the corners of his mouth mischievously.

“Isn’t that too resolute?”

“Ah, no, it’s not.”

Reading my embarrassment, Erendil smiled gently.

“It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you look flustered. Or is this the first time?”

“…Haha.”

As I laughed awkwardly, Faorn, who had been listening, giggled and pushed Rudehrn’s shoulder.

“Don’t be greedy. When I die, you can inherit this sword.”

Right. Faorn’s sword was also one of the weapons made from a dragon heart. It was a sword bestowed by the previous emperor.

In the game, Faorn usually died fighting the devil of regret, but he inflicted a great wound on it. Probably largely thanks to that sword.

“By the time you pass away, I’ll be an old geezer in the back room just like you.”

“Are you calling me an old geezer in the back room now?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Hey, you. How much of an age difference do you think there is between us?”

“Quite a lot. I’m much younger than your son.”

It was quite childish for a conversation between a middle-aged Sword Master and an elderly one.

Faorn let out an uncomfortable groan at Rudehrn’s age attack.

“Still, it’s better than not having one, isn’t it?”

“Ah, by that time, a young Sword Master will have appeared. You seem like you’ll live at least 20 more years. Won’t you give it to someone younger than me?”

Erendil, who had been listening, cut in with a serious tone.

“I’ll look into it for my lord.”

“Oh no, Your Majesty. It was just a joke. Please don’t waste your precious energy on me.”

Rudehrn shook his head hastily at her seriousness. Even as he said this, it felt like he was looking at Erendil adoringly.

Should I say it’s natural, since he would have seen Erendil’s childhood while serving the previous emperor?

“By the way, I’m thinking of giving more flexibility to the rotation. Is Emmet ready?”

It was Erendil speaking. Emmet had said he would step down from his position as bodyguard knight after Erendil became emperor.

Saying it wasn’t fitting for a one-armed man to protect the emperor.

However, he met with fierce opposition from Erendil. The reason was that she needed someone trustworthy, as well as skilled.

In fact, it’s not that strange. It’s not like only Sword Masters serve as the emperor’s bodyguard knights anyway.

Usually, a Sword Master is on standby. But Sword Masters are human too and need time to rest. When they take turns resting, other bodyguard knights take their place.

‘Emmet was just being strict with himself.’

Others might gossip, but how many would actually do that? He was a loyal knight who had been by Erendil’s side since she was young.

Anyway, Erendil asked the two Sword Masters to train Emmet.

I heard that Rudehrn and Faorn were in charge. It was a smooth process as they already knew Emmet and liked his upright personality.

“Shouldn’t we stay longer? We have enough stamina. Your safety is important, Your Majesty.”

“I’m saying this assuming Lord Minteron returns. With three of us, won’t there be a bit more leeway?”

“Ah, then that should be fine.”

“Thank you.”

As we walked along chatting, I felt the gazes of the knights we passed by as they greeted us.

They were mostly directed at me.

Eyes full of envy. After all, it was a weapon made from a dragon heart. It was inevitable that rumors would spread to some extent in the imperial palace. I walked enjoying those gazes.

***

At our destination, the dwarf Farock who had taken Moonlight from me was waiting politely.

Beside him, on a temporary platform, was a long, luxurious wooden box. Moonlight would be inside.

“Imperial craftsman Farock greets the noble Emperor, Your Majesty.”

Farock greeted Erendil in a manner markedly different from how he had treated me. It’s natural since she’s the emperor, but I was slightly dumbfounded.

When I saw his clumsy behavior last time, I couldn’t have imagined he would show such a demeanor in front of anyone.

Of course, I wasn’t saying it was unpleasant. It was just a bit bewildering, I should say.

“Would you like to check it? You’ll be satisfied.”

Farock looked at me with a grin. That smile revealed a kind of arrogance in addition to confidence.

I liked that expression.

For that strict dwarf to show such an attitude, it meant the result was beyond imagination.

The sky was close to an ashen color. After the sunset had faded, darkness was falling.

I carefully approached Moonlight. I opened the luxurious wooden box with a delicate touch.

Inside, Moonlight that I knew was neatly placed. Since it was in its scabbard, it was difficult to tell the differences in appearance yet.

However, the difference in atmosphere was clearly apparent. The aura it exuded was different even without drawing it.

I lifted Moonlight with both hands. The sensation in my hands was almost the same as before. The difference was in the weight.

But it was better than before. I thought it was the optimal sword then, but now it fits my hand even better.

“Whew.”

A deep breath escaped my lips without me realizing. Farock, standing in front of me, looked up at me with round eyes.

He didn’t rush me, but it seemed like he was telling me to draw the sword quickly.

As if responding to that, I drew Moonlight. The sound of the sword ringing out in the silence was melodious.

“Oh…”

In the early evening, as night was approaching, Moonlight revealed its form as if the moon had risen.

The size and shape of the sword were the same as before, but there was a noticeable difference.

The blade made by melting the jet-black dragon heart of the devilish dragon looked black from some angles and silver from others.

As if entranced by something, I focused on the Moonlight Technique. A soft moonlight settled on Moonlight. The light was twice as deep and bright as before.

As I swung the sword in the air, the moon rose. The bright moon seemed to give some kind of inspiration just by looking at it.

“Hooh.”

Exclamations of admiration were heard from the two Sword Masters behind me. Erendil was the same.

“It’s beautiful. I would say it’s the best among the swords I’ve seen.”

The desire to keep swinging the sword was overwhelming, but I couldn’t. The emperor and two Sword Masters were waiting for me.

I swung it lightly a couple of times before putting Moonlight back in its scabbard.

“How is it?”

Farock asked with a face like a puppy waiting for something. It was so transparent that I almost laughed.

I gave him the answer he wanted to hear.

“It’s beautiful. To the point of ecstasy.”

“I put quite a lot of effort into it. It’s a dragon heart, so of course… I can say without regret that it’s the masterpiece of my life.”

“I haven’t seen other weapons you’ve made, but I agree to some extent. I’m just grateful.”

“I, too, am only grateful to Lord Carl for allowing me to work with a dragon heart.”

Farock said with a satisfied yet sincere face.

Having confirmed my satisfaction, Erendil approached and patted Farock’s shoulder. Farock hurriedly bowed his head.

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll reward you separately.”

“It’s a lifelong honor, Your Majesty.”

Having received Erendil’s praise, Farock tactfully greeted and withdrew. Then Rudehrn and Faorn approached, urging me to draw the sword again.

Both their expressions were full of interest. I felt the same way, so I didn’t hesitate to draw Moonlight.

“It’s beautiful even seeing it again.”

Faorn continued with an entranced expression.

“A famous sword with a dragon heart added, how could it not be?”

“Isn’t your sword the same, old man? Are you showing off now? Trying to tease me?”

“How could that be.”

Faorn laughed heartily. Rudehrn turned to me with a serious expression.

“What do you think about the offer I made earlier? It’s not too late. The Blue Sea is a good sword too.”

It was still a playful remark, but having just seen Moonlight, there was some sincerity mixed in.

I just conveyed my refusal with a smile, and Faorn retaliated on my behalf.

“Hey, you rascal. You still can’t let it go? Don’t you know that for a Sword Master, skill is more important than the sword?”

“Then why don’t you return your sword too, old man? Isn’t skill what’s important?”

“Originally, the better the tools given to a craftsman, the more their skills shine. Didn’t you see Farock handling the dragon heart?”

“Why do you keep changing your words?”

As Rudehrn pouted with a shrinking voice, Faorn chuckled. Even among Sword Masters, there’s a big age difference.

Looking at their relationship, it seemed quite deep. In other words, it was a fight Rudehrn was bound to lose.

They say you become a child when you get old, but from my perspective standing nearby, it seemed like old people fighting childishly. Erendil looked at me and said,

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

“It’s thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”

“Don’t say that. You brought the dragon heart. I haven’t given you anything worthy of being called grace yet.”

After saying that, Erendil checked the time and continued.

“Now, let’s go have dinner.”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

We were later than the scheduled dinner time due to checking Moonlight. The emperor’s mealtime. It was actually a big deal.

Erendil chuckled, saying what consideration.

“Lord Minteron is returning soon, so let’s set a date and cross swords then.”

Rudehrn said as we moved again.

“I’d like to cross swords with that sword. Blue Sea would want to as well.”

“I’d be grateful. Please call me when you have time.”

“What about you, my lord?”

Rudehrn asked Faorn.

“What sparring for an old man like me.”

Faorn complained. The words about being old seemed ingrained in his mouth. Should I say it’s habitual?

Even for a Sword Master, maybe it’s because he came after spending over twenty years at the tomb of the emperor he served.

“What do you mean old? You seemed quite vigorous last time.”

It seemed they had crossed swords separately before. Well, it’s natural since two Sword Masters met after a long time.

Faorn smiled and turned his gaze to me.

“If you’re okay with it, I won’t refuse.”

“How could I not be okay with it?”

“Then let’s set a date when Minteron returns. Probably can’t be on the same day as Rudehrn though.”

That was actually better for me. I’d need time to think alone after sparring with Rudehrn.

This was a rare opportunity.

Separately, although Rudehrn and Mondegreen seemed to be on friendly terms, I didn’t bring up the topic of Terka.

It seemed like Rudehrn would ask to meet, and that would complicate things.

Come to think of it, now that I’ve received Moonlight, it’s time to have a showdown with Terka. It would be better to get it over with before the Sword Masters call.

Actually, sparring with the Sword Masters and then fighting Terka would be better for defeating him.

But I didn’t want to do that. I wasn’t wielding a sword for such self-satisfaction.

What’s most important is developing myself. Even right now, I didn’t think I’d lose to Terka.

As soon as I finished dinner and left the imperial palace, I contacted Terka and Denif.

I told them to come out to the outskirts of the capital tomorrow at noon.