724 – If You Don’t Mind, Please Give Me Just One Autograph – 2

Now the emperor’s call came, which was not surprising.

If I had been resting comfortably and received a call, I would have made all kinds of insults, but this call was for a reason that immediately came to mind, so I obediently headed to the imperial palace.

‘I got caught.’

It seems that the news of his contact with Princess Alice reached the Emperor’s ears.

The eyes and ears of the empire are spread across the continent. There was a time when the intelligence network was shaken due to the succession dispute and the succession of the Khagan, but the empire’s continental intelligence network was managed to be rebuilt thanks to several years of restoration and the launch of the Intelligence Department. So much so that you can quickly find out the news from Zereno, the country right next door.

Besides, it’s not like I or Princess Alice are meeting in secret. Rather, if the emperor did not know this news, he would have to doubt the intelligence department’s ability.

‘Would you believe me if I told you that I approached you first because I was a fan?’

Therefore, I walked with a somewhat light heart, but at the same time with a complicated mind. Even when I think about it, it’s strange that the reason for contacting a princess from another country is ‘I acted like a stalker because the princess was my fan.’

But what can you do? That’s the truth. A noble cannot lie to the emperor.

“The Kingdom of Zereno has designated the sword with the minister’s signature as a national treasure.”

“Yes?”

That’s what I thought until a few minutes ago.

“And Armain also requested a sword with the minister’s signature on it.”

“…Yes?”

Until I was entranced by the emperor’s words.

‘What is it?’

Confusing. I cannot understand, based on common sense, that the sword with my autograph is a national treasure of another country, or that another country covets it. If you think about it with common sense, the emperor is telling a dull joke, but—

‘This guy is serious.’

Looking at the facial expression that is a mixture of laughter and ridicule, it is not a joke.

Unfortunately it’s real. The emperor is not telling a dull or senseless joke, but he is only conveying the facts as they are.

“No, why, it’s a national treasure… “

“Isn’t the Minister the greatest sword on the continent that can cut down the sky? Moreover, he is also the blessed son of the Dawn Church, so he is worthy of being designated as a national treasure.”

I couldn’t open my mouth because it was something I couldn’t deny.

The emperor is right. To be honest, if you look through the history of the continent, you will find quite a few warriors who are stronger than me, but I am the only warrior who knows how to cut down the sky. To be exact, not only Khagan, the originator of Sky Slash, but also all the warriors who acquired the deterioration version died in the north, so I am the only known user of Sky Slash on the continent.

In such a situation, was he given the religious authority of being a beatified person during his lifetime and a saint after his death? It is natural to be treated differently from other countries. I had no idea that the treatment would go so far as to be designated as a national treasure.

‘What is Armain again?’

Armain is even making a crazy request to give other people’s national treasures to them as well. No matter how easy it is to sign an autograph, it is still a national treasure of another country. What kind of request are you asking for that?

No, of course, I’m not asking you to take away Zereno’s sword, but rather make me a new one. Still, it hurts my conscience to create something identical to another country’s national treasure.

‘…Is it ruitis?’

Instinctively, the Three Princes with Red Hair came to mind.

He is the only person who would make such an insane request.

***

Several months have passed since I got married to Bia.

It was only a few months, but during that time, I applied for a vacation and rested at the mansion, spent a cozy day with my lovely wife, laughed and played with my soon-to-be wife in a few months, and was excited while waiting for my child to be born around winter. I was able to enjoy countless happiness.

I thought this was why people got married. Bia and I were like a common-law marriage, but as soon as we became an official couple, all kinds of happiness came. I am so happy that I can enjoy this happiness even now.

I spent each day peacefully, except for occasionally greeting my parents, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.

“I heard you were in contact with Ryutis, right?”

Suddenly, an unexpected guest arrived.

“Leuthys?”

She blinked blankly at her brother’s surprise visit and direct question.

My older brother said that only newlyweds can understand the joy of being newlyweds, so he drastically reduced contact with me, and if he really had any business, the only thing he could do was contact me through the communication port. I didn’t know that my brother, who had kept such a distance from me, would come visit me like this.

“Well… I don’t do it.”

Still, if my brother, who just returned from his honeymoon, comes to visit me in person, it means there is a good reason. Instead of asking what was going on, I answered obediently.

Even the person they are looking for is Ryutis. Something so great that I couldn’t even imagine would have happened.

“Please contact me once. I have something to check.”

“…Me?”

“Then should I do it?”

He shook his head for a moment at those words, then shook his head bitterly.

While I and Lyutis are friends, my older brother and Lyutis have become noblemen of another country and royal family of another country since graduating. Of course, he could force himself to mention ‘school days’, but it is unlikely that the world will see the relationship between his older brother and Ryutis as simply that of a teacher advisor and a student in a club.

If the story of my brother’s contact with Lyutis leaks out, the social circles of both countries will start whispering, the continent will be in turmoil, the repercussions will reach the Imperial Diet, and it will also affect me, Lyutis’ friend. It’s scary to even imagine.

“So, what are you trying to check?”

“To what extent were you involved in this national treasure incident?”

“National treasure?”

It was a word that came out of nowhere, so my eyebrows furrowed.

What does Ryutis have to do with national treasures? Could it be that Lyutis destroyed the Armain national treasure or handed it over to someone else? Come to think of it, I heard he sent an unusual item as a gift at Inter’s wedding.

“Oh, I guess you haven’t heard yet.”

However, as soon as I heard my brother’s explanation, I burst out laughing.

The probability that a brother who went on a honeymoon to a foreign country will meet a princess from another country while traveling. Probability that the princess is her brother’s follower. What are the odds that the sword given as a gift will become Zereno’s national treasure? Also, what is the probability that Armain will put his finger on that probability?

‘Ryutis.’

And I realized it instinctively. The culprit behind Armain’s intervention in this situation is Lyutis.

Anyone else than Ryutis cannot explain this bizarre situation.

– National treasure? Did something like that happen?

“Huh?”

– I’m busy training these days. I don’t know much about the kingdom.

Both I and my brother next to him were left speechless by Ryu Tis’ words.

Of course, I thought that Ryutis was behind this incident. Only Ryutis can have the courage and audacity to ask for items designated as national treasures by other countries. No, no one else than Ryutis should have it. It means that there are many people like Lyutis on this continent.

‘There are many rheumatoids.’

Even though I only imagined it for a moment, I felt dizzy.

One ryutis… Two ryutis… Three ryutis… One mess… Two… Three…

‘It’s terrible.’

And what is even more terrible is that there is a separate person behind the national security incident. It was revealed that there are at least two Lyutis, although there are not three.

– Oh, come to think of it.

While his hand holding the communication device was trembling, Liu Tis opened his mouth as if he had remembered something.

That sight gave me hope. Okay, actually, you were the one who initiated it, but tell me you forgot about it for a moment. Or, ‘I wish I had a sword like that.’ It is said that he secretly leaked it once.

If you say that now, I can laugh it off and move on. It’s normal for Ryutis to have accidents, but I can’t handle the fact that there are multiple Ryutis.

– I heard that there was a recent meeting centered on my uncle.

“What is that—”

“A sword cat?”

My brother, who was out of sight of the communication zone, suddenly barged in.

– Oh? The brothers were together! Long time no see!

“Yes, sir. It’s been a while since I greeted you.”

– Haha! It’s very awkward to be treated with respect by my advisor! Please feel free to speak!

Then his brother’s mouth twitched for a moment.

Seeing that, he quickly ran out of sight of the communication port. Since his brother’s appearance was unusual, it was best to just watch quietly for now.

“If I get good news, I will congratulate you on the relationship between club advisor and student.”

– In that case, there is nothing we can do. I look forward to that day.

“By the way, sir. You just said it was a sword meeting…”

-You’re right. I heard that your uncle called a meeting of the Sword Temple, but I don’t know the details! Are you curious?

“No, it’s okay.”

Although he was trying hard to smile, his fists began to tremble.

I didn’t see anything. Actually, I started going blind yesterday.

***

After exchanging pleasantries with Ryutis, I cut off communication and collapsed into a chair.

Erich was mobilized to avoid direct conversation. She only intended to watch from the sidelines to block any rumors of contact between the Imperial Minister and Prince Armain.

But that promise collapsed in an instant. Because of one word: Geommyo meeting.

‘Damn.’

Sword meeting. A meeting literally held in the Tomb of the Sword.

Deep inside the Armaine Royal Palace, there is an empty space where the swords of the first King of Armaine and his founding servants, as well as the swords used by successful Armain kings and famous generals of Armaine, are placed. That place is commonly known as the Tomb of the Sword. A place that is the pride and symbol of Armain, the kingdom of knights.

And the meetings held there were attended by Grand Marshal Armain, high-ranking military commanders, executives of major knights, and retired military elders. The meeting of Swords is where Armain’s military power is temporarily concentrated.

‘That’s why.’

Apparently, given the circumstances, talk about national treasures came up at the meeting at the Tomb. Looking at the time when the incident occurred, there is no answer other than a public inspection meeting.

‘What should I do?’

My head was pounding. In Armenia, the status of the Sepulcher Council is similar to that of the Conclave or Council. The decision of the Swordsman Council cannot be overruled, even if it is withheld by King Armain, and no matter how powerful a noble is, if he goes against the results of the Swordsman Council, he is immediately removed from office.

But such a meeting… Was held just for the sake of the sword? The result of the Armain version of the Council is to ask the Empire for a sword?

‘Am I crazy?’

It was not for nothing that a madman like Lyutis emerged from Armain. It appeared because it was an environment suitable for appearing.

Of course, Lyutis is an unrivaled youngster even within Armain, but the madness of Armain warriors seems to be incomparable to that of other countries. It’s a country with a high average from birth…