How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 234 - Festival (4)

I could see that the gap between a Sword Master and those who are not was greater than I had imagined.

Becoming a Sword Master meant that one’s perception of the sword expanded incomparably compared to others.

In the expanding awareness that mirrored each other, I felt the swordsmanship and movements I had seen, performed, or faced until now passing by like a panorama.

And among them were scattered parts that I had not yet recognized and parts that needed to be corrected.

“……”

Of course, it wasn’t possible to realize and change everything at once, in an instant. It would take time.

When the brief moment of expanded awareness ended, I was standing there foolishly with my mouth half open, holding Moonlight.

Various emotions swept over me. Of course, there was a sense of achievement that I had finally done it, and there was also an overwhelming feeling bestowed by the realm I had reached.

And in one corner of my heart, there was also a bit of emptiness. I don’t know why. Why? Because it was faster than I thought?

After observing myself for a moment, I thought it might be because of the conditions for becoming a Sword Master.

‘One can become a Sword Master when completing something perfect.’

What I had achieved by combining the swordsmanship of Rudehrn, Faorn, and Terka into a trinity and melding it with my own was a single technique.

A large and splendid full moon.

With that alone, my perceptual horizon widened, and I became a Sword Master who could use Sword Energy.

‘Or not.’

As my head, elated with excitement, calmed down, the judgment that this thought was wrong also raised its head.

It’s not simply that I crossed the wall by creating a single technique.

In a similar vein, it’s closer to the feeling of seeing beyond what I saw before by creating a perfect technique.

A one-dimensional being cannot perceive a two-dimensional being, and a two-dimensional being cannot perceive a three-dimensional being.

A three-dimensional cube would only appear as a square to a two-dimensional being, after all.

From my direct experience, creating something perfect was about expanding cognition beyond the realm I could see before. Of course, this is only in regards to swordsmanship.

Although the example doesn’t match exactly, the emotion I felt was roughly similar to this.

The gap between Sword Masters and those who are not is large because the realm of cognition itself is different when it comes to the sword.

The fact that Sword Masters can think of the optimal move in attack and defense is in the same context.

‘Now I understand many things.’

There were things I could see as I reached the realm of Sword Master. In the past, I felt that “something perfect” was too uncertain.

I had doubted whether there could be such a thing as perfect. If one had created a perfect technique, a Sword Master should be invincible.

But now I could understand. The perfection that meant perfection was not perfection that meant victory. It meant including cognition beyond that.

For example, if an ordinary 9-year-old boy who could perfectly replicate a Sword Master’s swordsmanship fought against a knight in his prime, the latter would likely win.

After all, swordsmanship isn’t everything in combat. In fact, even though a Sword Master can think of the optimal move in attack and defense, it doesn’t mean they never lose.

Because there are differences in physique and experience besides swordsmanship, the optimal move is different for everyone. After all, “optimal” comes from “what I can do.”

Anyway, it wasn’t a good choice to dwell on this now. The time given to me today was not much.

I needed to make the most of the sensation and clarity of mind bestowed by my peak condition.

I calmed the rising exhilaration and drew Moonlight again. The Sword Energy resembling moonlight looked as if there was really a moon hanging in front of my eyes.

The next day, I woke up in the training ground. Since there was a place to rest, I had spent last night here.

Although I fell asleep late in the early morning, perhaps due to the aftereffects of my peak condition, I wasn’t that tired.

Of course, this was in comparison to my usual state. In fact, every day had been the Worst Condition, so it couldn’t get any worse.

As always, the emptiness that came as a backlash was beyond imagination. The power that had been so full had disappeared without a trace.

Even in the midst of this, I drew Moonlight as soon as I got up. The first thing I needed to confirm was the reproduction of Sword Energy.

And as I had expected before becoming a Sword Master, Moonlight was shrouded in Sword Energy resembling moonlight.

‘It worked.’

Although it could be seen as imperfect, I had nonetheless reached the realm of Sword Master.

Perhaps because it hadn’t been long since I woke up, it felt like a dream.

Just a few days ago, I had been wondering if I could really reach the realm of Sword Master.

Thanks to my peak condition, I was able to become a Sword Master faster and easier than I thought… well, maybe not easier? Anyway, I became a Sword Master.

There was a belated sense of elation. Yesterday, I had been intoxicated by the exhilaration bestowed by the realm.

How much have I accomplished since coming to this world? It was a natural reaction to feel proud of myself.

After taking a deep breath to control my emotions, I drew the full moon again. It was that technique I had achieved yesterday. It wasn’t easy.

‘Hmm…’

It wasn’t impossible. It felt like my body wasn’t quite keeping up. It seemed like it was putting a strain on my body.

It seemed that since my physical abilities themselves had changed, it would be too much to use it recklessly right away.

The expanded horizon of perception was also functioning normally, but it wasn’t as clear as yesterday.

It felt like it was lagging by about one beat. Objectively speaking, I could be considered a half-baked Sword Master.

Of course, that’s something.

From my perspective, there was a bit of disappointment, but to others, I was undoubtedly a Sword Master.

‘I should do what needs to be done.’

I faced the wall of the training ground. …Zeblore, Faorn, Minteron, Rudehrn. I could see the names of the Sword Masters who were in the imperial palace.

It felt strange. Just yesterday, I thought I was getting too far ahead. After a moment’s hesitation, I engraved my name.

Carl Schurtafen.

Since other Sword Masters also use this place, I couldn’t use the name Carlyn. As I left the training ground, Rudehrn was waiting at the entrance.

“Were you waiting for me?”

Rudehrn broke into a broad smile as soon as he saw me.

“It seems it was worth it. You’ve made progress.”

“You can tell right away.”

“There’s a spark in your eyes. Congratulations. Another Sword Master has been born in the empire.”

He looked genuinely happy. He raised both arms to the sky and then used those hands to pat my shoulders.

“How old are you now?”

“Almost twenty-two.”

“Isn’t that the youngest ever? No, there’s the founding emperor, so that’s not it. Still, it’s an unbelievable achievement.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head humbly. Rudehrn patted my shoulder several times, then brought his hand to his sword and removed it.

This was a scene rarely seen from Rudehrn, who was usually very lazy.

“Well, I’d like to spar now, but I’ll save it for the future. When you’ve just reached the realm, you need to refine yourself.”

I took his advice to heart, as it came from experience.

“Keep striving. What you thought was right until now may become wrong, and what you thought was wrong may become right.”

As I had felt yesterday morning, those words resonated deeply. What I saw yesterday probably wasn’t everything either.

It seemed that for a while, I would need to hone myself whenever I had time.

***

The next evening, although I didn’t feel like it, I showed my face at the banquet despite the precious time.

Since even royalty from other countries were coming, I had to maintain decorum and stay at my seat.

A prince who was the heir also came from Haisen, but we didn’t talk separately. There was no need to give any reason for criticism.

The third day of the banquet was a busy day for Erendil. Even if powerful nobles talked among themselves, royalty had to entertain them.

‘Orhen was quite busy too.’

Compared to Erendil or Grand Duchess Lyurik, Orhen’s popularity was also considerable, though not comparable to mine.

She was the lord of a territory that mined rare metals, and at the same time, she had gained power by establishing a relationship with Erendil early on.

Having anticipated this situation to some extent, we had made a separate appointment for the fourth day.

Of course, since Orhen would inevitably be busy on the fourth day as well, our meeting could only take place in the early morning.

In the early morning, at a safe house specially prepared for this meeting, Orhen embraced us with both arms as soon as she saw us.

Denif in her right hand, me in her left.

“I don’t know how long it’s been.”

There was considerable strength in the hands that held us tightly. Although Denif squirmed uncomfortably, Orhen didn’t let us go for a while.

Finally free from her embrace, Denif rotated her shoulders and said nonchalantly,

“We saw each other not too long ago.”

“Not too long ago? Did you just say not too long ago?”

Orhen glared at Denif with moist eyes at her words.

“For Denif, is nearly two years ‘not too long ago’?”

“Um…”

“I think stupid Denif needs a sense of time.”

Her cold voice was full of hurt, causing Denif to flail his hands in panic.

“Th-that’s not what I meant. It’s just a figure of speech.”

“A figure of speech. It doesn’t feel that way at all.”

Although we had seen each other separately, it was the first time the three of us had gathered together since leaving the duke’s mansion.

After a brief reunion, we took out a bottle of alcohol. It was quite expensive. We couldn’t drink just anything when it was the first time the three of us were drinking together. Orhen turned her gaze to me.

“Carlyn, I heard you’ve been through a lot.”

“Well, I survived, so it’s fine.”

“Fine? Do you know how much I worried from afar?”

At Orhen’s words, Denif interjected.

“Why are you only worried about Carlyn? Huh? I was with Carlyn too, you know?”

“Denif is stupid, so I think Carlyn had a harder time. Actually, Carlyn was the one who met the devil, right?”

“I fought with a devilish dragon too!”

Time passed quickly even with light conversation. We talked about our experiences and reminisced about past memories.

They were short but distant-feeling events.

After all, there was an enormous difference between who we were then and who we are now, both in terms of experience and ability.

It was a good time for me too. How should I put it? I felt a sense of stability. It was an unfamiliar emotion for me. But it wasn’t bad.

My thoughts were gradually changing. Before, survival was everything, but now hope was growing.

“I wonder if we’ll be able to see each other again.”

“Of course we will.”

As we didn’t have much time, the time to part came quickly.

I spoke firmly and confidently to Orhen’s wistful lament. She looked a bit depressed.

“But I’m a noble from another country, and Carlyn is the emperor’s knight.”

“Who do you think I am?”

“Right. They say if Carlyn wants, the emperor just gives away famous swords like it’s nothing.”

Denif chimed in, comforting Orhen. Earlier, Denif had been bragging about his famous sword.

Actually, I hadn’t told them yet that I had become a Sword Master.

I thought that even with Orhen here, Denif would keep pestering me for a duel and only talk about this.

“When the fight with the devil is over, we’ll be able to see each other more often and freely.”

“…I hope so.”

“I’ll make it happen.”

I spoke while making eye contact with Orhen. We raised our last glasses.

“We should have a drink like this again.”

“Yes, yes.”

At my and Denif’s words, Orhen finally smiled softly.

***

On the morning of the last day of the festival, I was summoned by Erendil and immediately headed to the imperial palace. It was a sudden summons.

I hurried there wondering if something had happened, but Erendil looked at me with somewhat dissatisfied eyes.

“Schurtafen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I hear you’ve become a Sword Master.”

“…Yes.”

I could immediately understand what I had done wrong.

“First of all, I sincerely congratulate you. It’s a truly remarkable achievement. A Sword Master at the age of nearly 22. The only one faster than you was the founding emperor, wasn’t it?”

That’s right. The only one faster than me was the founding emperor. Excluding the founding emperor, I’m the youngest. In other words, it’s a historic event.

There are occasionally people who become Sword Masters in their 20s, but the founding emperor became a Sword Master in his teens.

“But why didn’t you tell me right away?”

This was where I had gone wrong. Erendil is my lord and the emperor of the empire. Morally, I should have told him about this immediately.

“Sir Rudehrn told me last night, saying he thought you would come and tell me.”

I quickly racked my brain. Seeing that look in her eyes, I couldn’t tell the truth that I was too focused on the sword.

Moreover, since I knew that Erendil couldn’t distinguish truth from lies in my words, there was room for escape.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I thought Your Majesty seemed busy with the festival, so I wanted to surprise you by telling you separately tomorrow.”

“……”

Erendil silently looked at me for a moment. Did it work?

“You wouldn’t lie to me just because I can’t distinguish the truth from you, would you?”

That was quite sharp. I managed my expression.

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Still, the fact is that I’m not pleased.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you had told me in advance, I would have held a bigger festival today. It’s a great celebration for the empire, isn’t it?”

There was also regret in Erendil’s words. It seems she wanted to greatly celebrate my achievement.

I feel a bit more apologetic.

“I’m considering extending the festival by one more day even now.”

“No, Your Majesty.”

I hurriedly dissuaded her.

“It’s better if things about me don’t become known.”

Although it’s still impossible to face the devil alone, there was no need to leak our strength to the enemy unnecessarily.

“Is it because of those guys again?”

“Yes. Rather, you should use this.”

“You mean later?”

As expected, Erendil was quite quick-witted.

“Yes. If you announce during the war that I, known as the empire’s sword, have become a Sword Master, people will be more encouraged.”

“Not bad. However, I feel uneasy about using your achievement for the empire.”

“It’s fine. I am Your Majesty’s knight. Serving the empire is serving Your Majesty, and serving Your Majesty is my path.”

“……”

At my words, Erendil was at a loss for words. She paused for a moment as if malfunctioning, then quickly continued.

“By the way, do you have any separate plans for today?”

“I was thinking of training.”

“I suppose you should.”

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing.”

Is it about that thing she mentioned before about having somewhere to go? Since I had also made a mistake, I immediately shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

“I can’t treat my knight who has become a Sword Master like that. However, could you spare some time in the evening?”

“Of course. Do you have any specific tasks for me?”

“Although it’s a festival for the empire, I’m tired of meeting only annoying people in the palace. I’ve never properly enjoyed the festival, and I wonder when I’ll be able to enjoy it again.”

Erendil smiled at me.

“As it’s the last day, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do this again, I’d like to leave the palace and enjoy the festival.”