How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 264 - Villa (2)

The departure was tomorrow. It was a kind of vacation, but not a long one. Just a day, a brief respite. In the current situation, we couldn’t rest for too long.

Afterwards, Erendil ordered everyone working in the imperial palace to take two days off. It was literally an order.

The words of the newly enthroned emperor were something no one could refuse. Of course, there probably weren’t many who would refuse anyway.

In any case, I thought Erendil’s arbitrary decision was a very wise choice.

It was a journey to the east, where we had almost no contact for a long time. We were even receiving support from the forces of the south and west.

Moreover, we had to move as quickly as possible, before the devil worshippers made their move.

‘There’s bound to be a mountain of work.’

War is never something that can be waged easily. You have to consider complex things like supplies, troop composition, and costs.

And because we had to deal with all that as quickly as possible along with the kingdoms of the south and west, there was a lot to worry about.

Anyway, just as I thought it would be a refresh for me, rest was important for others too. Not only for physical strength, but also because a change of mindset could lead to different strategies.

Count Campbell and a few other hard workers expressed their intention to stay and work despite Erendil’s order, but Erendil flatly refused.

“Then you mean we can work until today, Your Majesty.”

Count Campbell boldly said in response to Erendil’s refusal. His gaze was unsettling. It seemed like he was planning to do two days’ worth of work at once.

Erendil sighed and frowned.

“Have dinner at home.”

“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I usually work until dawn, considering it today until I fall asleep.”

It was true that he usually worked until dawn, but the implication of considering it today until he fell asleep was too obvious.

Erendil couldn’t miss that. She silently looked at Campbell. It wasn’t a reproachful atmosphere.

It was an ambiguous problem. After all, it was about forcing someone who wanted to work hard to rest.

“Return by midnight. This is my final concession.”

“…I will obey your command.”

As Erendil took a step back, Count Campbell also retreated. Of course, his expression still looked like he wanted to work a bit more, but he didn’t cross the line.

Later, Erendil told me to come to the imperial palace by tomorrow morning.

And when I met Denif in the evening, I could tell that the rumor of the imperial vacation had already spread far.

“Carlyn, I heard the emperor granted a rest?”

“How did you know that?”

“Everyone’s talking about it.”

Well, there were quite a few people gathered in Chenarus right now. Soldiers were training in the plains right away.

It was a conversation we had during the day. There was enough time for it to be passed on through people until evening.

“How about a sparring match after a long time?”

I hadn’t sparred with Denif recently. I was busy crossing swords with the Sword Masters. Instead, I entrusted Denif and Terka to Mondegreen.

I judged that it would be better for Mondegreen, who was already mature and knew more, to look after the kids than me, who was still at a stage of development.

‘It was funny how Terka changed.’

After bringing Mondegreen from the southeastern desert, Terka became a more docile person. It was because Mondegreen had a word with him after hearing what I said.

Afterwards, he would glance at me with resentful eyes as if asking why I had to tell such a thing.

Of course, the person himself hadn’t changed. He was just more well-behaved when in Chenarus. After all, he still seduced a dwarf when we went to the northeastern mountains.

“No.”

“Ah, why?”

“The emperor called me separately.”

“I thought it was a vacation?”

“She said there’s somewhere we need to go together.”

Denif tilted his head.

“But she called you? Not the other Sword Masters?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Denif looked at me with a strange gaze. It wasn’t a conversation I particularly wanted to have. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Anyway, it’s not possible. And you should rest too.”

“Rest? Absolutely not.”

After the verbal battle with Terka in the northeastern mountains last time, Denif was properly fired up. The same went for Terka.

With Denif grinding his teeth and charging in, Terka, who had spoken so confidently, couldn’t just play around. Especially with his master present.

I saw it as a positive virtuous cycle. However, it wasn’t good to be too absorbed. That’s why I had deliberately told them to put intervals between their sparring sessions.

If you train your sword only against a specific opponent, you might not really develop your own style, but move in a different direction.

“Rest often provides inspiration, as you know.”

“That’s true, but…”

It’s not something Denif wouldn’t know. He’s just become impatient after the conversation with Terka.

“You might see something different if you just take a good rest. That’s what I mean by needing leisure. Who knows? You might suddenly take a step forward.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Take the kids, eat something delicious, and rest a bit. Come to think of it, I heard a famous acrobatic troupe came to the capital.”

“That’s right. Mary was saying yesterday that she wanted to see it. They say they put real swords down their throats?”

Putting swords down their throats, huh. I had seen videos of that when I was on Earth. I think I heard there was some kind of technique to it.

“Go see it. That sight might inspire you.”

“Come on, that’s a bit…”

“I’m just saying it could.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I told him to decide for himself before we parted. Beyond this point, it was Denif’s problem to solve. Whether to just rest or spend time with the kids.

There was no need to push further. These days, Denif’s problem was that he was trying too hard. Even that guy with his abundant stamina was showing signs of fatigue.

***

“It’s beautiful. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, it is.”

The next morning, the villa we arrived at by dragon carriage with Erendil was beautiful. It was so scenic that I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration at first sight.

Erendil seemed to feel the same way, suggesting we fly around and take a look for a while.

The white villa with a slight mix of black looked aged, but it felt more classic than old.

And more than the villa itself, the surrounding natural environment was even more beautiful. Like Tenorio, the tomb of the emperors, it was certainly there since the time of the founding emperor.

We had to break through a Great Magic barrier to enter, after all. I’m not just admiring it for no reason. The place where the villa stood was like an island in the sky.

It wasn’t really an island in the sky. There was a flat area on top of a sheer mountain, and it was surrounded by what looked like clouds or mist.

Only the top received sunlight, making it look like a sky island. From a distance, only the flat part looked like the cap of a mushroom.

The slope of the mountain was so steep that there were cliffs around the flat area, and waterfalls flowed down through the clouds below.

‘It doesn’t seem to have been created naturally.’

It was certainly natural, but it felt as if someone had carved it out. Perhaps it was made with Great Magic from the past.

Suddenly, I began to wonder about the level of Great Magic in the past.

It’s true that magic in the current era has academically developed more than in the past. It was systematized through information from the elves.

However, the transcendent aspects shown by the Archmages of the past can’t be found in the present.

‘Now, Sword Masters are slightly superior to Archmages, but back then, it was said that two Sword Masters were needed to face an Archmage.’

In the magic society, there was a suspicion that the systematization that had solidified over time might be hindering the development of mages.

Even in the time of the founding emperor, there were no places that taught magic separately, except for individual transmissions.

Most awakenings were natural. Therefore, the number of mages was small, but their quality was incomparable to now.

The opinion was that realizing magic on one’s own had more potential for development than following what had become commonplace.

I’m not sure. Swordsmen usually learn swordsmanship and then create something that suits them or something of their own.

From the current way of handling mana to the techniques of magic, everything is set, making it harder for individuals to change.

I recalled the natural magic I had seen in the elves’ forest. The overwhelming flames used by trees, that is.

I thought it might have been something like that. It would have been more elaborate when used by humans, but still.

Of course, even with such doubts, no one studied magic independently. In the first place, magic itself is a discipline that requires status or money. It’s not even close with ordinary talent.

In such a situation, how many people would pioneer on their own instead of following the already formalized path? There’s not much chance of success either.

‘It’s not important.’

If I had come here 50 years ago, I might have tried to seduce the emperor of that time to train mages. It’s too late for that now.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

My thoughts, which had suddenly arisen while looking at the scenic villa from the dragon carriage, had become prolonged. Erendil asked with eyes full of curiosity.

“Tell me, I’m curious.”

Except for the assumption that I came to this world 50 years ago, there was nothing to hide. I told her what I had thought. Erendil nodded her head.

“Indeed, your words have some merit. It’s not a bad idea.”

“However, there won’t be many who will follow it. There’s probably no one who can teach like that in the current era. No, shouldn’t it be about progressing without teaching in the first place?”

“Couldn’t we support those who try? Talent blooms everywhere. If we also guarantee a life for when there are no results after time has passed, it should be fine.”

Hmm. That’s right. Thinking about my past self pickpocketing in the market, if there was such an opportunity, I would have tried.

If they also support life to some extent when you fail, there would be even less hesitation.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised. The thought itself wasn’t difficult, but it was a way of thinking that would be hard for people of this era to conceive.

Especially the upper class like nobles mostly think they can use and discard people below them…

“You are wise.”

“Your praise is excessive.”

“It’s because there aren’t many people who think like Your Majesty.”

“Is that so? I don’t understand.”

“Usually, people only swallow the sweet and spit out the bitter, don’t they?”

Erendil, understanding my words, showed a strange smile.

“It’s not something to be praised for. I’m just doing as you told me.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you tell me to take care of those below me? To me, all the people of the empire are below me. It’s my duty to take care of them.”

“So that’s how it works. I think I mentioned this before, but listening to the words of those below you is also a virtue of wise rulers.”

Erendil waved her hand with a smile.

“Enough. In the past maybe, but I’ve heard enough flattery to be sick of it now.”

“I’m speaking sincerely.”

“Everyone says that.”

I showed an embarrassed smile. For Erendil, who can discern truth, hearing flattery must have been quite a torment.

“Can you still not see my words?”

When I heard about souls from the divine doctor, I thought that might be why Erendil’s mystic didn’t work on me.

So I wondered if she could see now that the two souls were in harmony.

“That’s right.”

“It’s a shame. If you could see my truth, you wouldn’t have felt wronged.”

Erendil glared at me with playful eyes. It seemed to mean how do you know if those words are true.

“Still, I prefer not being able to see.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. At first, I was perplexed. I couldn’t tell if your words were true or false. Moreover, you said things that didn’t make sense, didn’t you? But they all came true in the end.”

Erendil continued with a warm smile.

“However, as time passed, I realized that not being able to see is more comfortable. You know, there’s a saying about uncomfortable truths.”

I nodded silently. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I could see how that might be the case. Of course, from my perspective, I envied it.

I had been a spy, and if I had such an ability, it would have been incredibly convenient when dealing with enemies.

But I could understand Erendil’s feelings too. If you had to look at everyone with such eyes, it would be uncomfortable.

“And it’s not a bad thing to feel that the words and actions of the only person whose mind I can’t read are sincerely for my sake.”

Erendil looked at me as if expecting some kind of answer. I chose my words carefully.

“I’m glad that Your Majesty is pleased.”

A faint disappointment flashed in Erendil’s eyes. It was just for a moment. It wasn’t the answer she wanted. Erendil pursed her lips and turned her gaze to the window.

“We’ve seen enough at this point, let’s go down.”

The dragon carriage headed downwards. Now it was time for the villa.