Chapter 217

The Sword of the Empire.

Duke Ferret cherished the title bestowed upon him. For a knight, no honor was greater. The emperor had named him as his sharpest sword, and from that moment, he truly became the Sword of the Empire. He cut down that which needed cutting, and faced that which needed confronting. He presented his victories to his master, and each time, the emperor rewarded him fittingly.

“You are indeed my sword.”

That brief affirmation was Duke Ferret’s sole source of joy. No amount of gold or praise could lift his spirits as much. Thus, Duke Ferret dedicated himself to constant training.

He was past his fifties – an age when most would start to feel their bOdies betray them, yet the mana flowing through him made him unmatched by any youth. He had a sturdy body, and the wisdom of decades of experience under his belt. Every morning, his training left the training ground as if it had been ravaged by a tempest.

Today was no exception.

“It is time for your meal, my lord.”

Duke Ferret had been in a trance, training until the sun was high in the sky, not hearing his butler’s call.

As this was a common occurrence, the butler calmly observed his master’s sword dance, waiting another thirty minutes before the duke finally ceased.

The duke went over his training again in his head.

He reviewed the flow of his last swing, looking for room for improvement.

It was not easy. Despite some regrets, he felt refreshed.

Finding that faint sensation would wait until after lunch.

“Louis.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The butler bowed respectfully.

“I’ve kept you waiting. You may return now.”

“To await the chance to witness your martial prowess cannot be described as waiting.”

“Had you been a warrior, perhaps. That will be all.”

“Sir Taylor has been waiting to see you.”

“Taylor?”

Duke Ferret was puzzled.

It had been a long while since his eldest son, Taylor Ferret, had requested an audience.

“He seemed to hope for a meal together.”

“No reason to refuse. Seems you’ll have one more person to wait on today.”

Duke Ferret smiled awkwardly.

In moments other than when wielding his sword, he was a warm-hearted gentleman, which was why, despite his status, he often dined alone. He insisted no one should wait on his account.

“Ask him to join me for dinner as well, then.”

“I would be glad to.”

Upon arriving at the mansion, Duke Ferret dismissed the butler and proceeded alone to the dining hall. A meal with his eldest son warranted the preparation of the banquet hall, not his study, for today. As the duke entered, a plump, jovial man rose to greet him.

“Father!”

“Taylor. Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“Not at all. I was worried my visit might interrupt your training.”

“Of course not.”

With a gesture from the duke, both men sat down, ignoring the lavish spread before them.

“You know, you only come to see me when you have something to ask of me. So, what is it this time?.”

“I apologize if it’s an inconvenience, father…”

“That’s not why I mention it. As a warrior, I’ve made my mark, but as a father, I fear I’ve fallen short.”

“I may not follow the path you’ve taken, father, but my respect for you is second to none.”

“That’s heartening to hear. So, what brings you here?”

Duke Ferret’s eyes sparkled.

“What’s the matter?”

“Rumors are swirling.”

“I’ve heard.”

The duke was aware.

Aware of the adventurers with malicious intent stepping into the empire, spreading rumors about the emperor.

“You’ve come to ask why I haven’t acted.”

“…Yes.”

“The emperor has not commanded it.”

The duke drew a firm line. He had guessed why his eldest had come. Unlike his second son, who chose a similar path to his own, Taylor Ferret shone in other fields. The duke knew too well of his eldest’s efforts and worries for the family.

“I’m aware of your concerns, Taylor.”

“…Yes.”

“That you work hard for our family. And that the emperor cannot remain in his position forever.”

Taylor flinched.

He hadn’t expected such words from the duke.

“I know. That’s why I’ve kept silent, Taylor. But remember, a sword cannot wield itself.”

The duke believed his role was clear: to obey only the emperor.

Even the duke himself couldn’t act otherwise. A sword must not draw itself, always ready but never presumptuous.

“You needn’t worry.”

Such words wouldn’t normally be said by the duke. The emperor was beyond his casual judgment.

Yet, as a minimal courtesy, he reassured his son before finally picking up his fork.

But then.

“…A royal envoy visited me.”

Taylor Ferret.

His beloved son brought unexpected news.

“The emperor wishes it. Since you remain inactive, Father, I must elevate our family’s status…”

The duke looked up.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard nothing of it.”

“…Without this incident, I would have thought the same.”

“It’s not like you to be so rash.”

“Morrison Tucker.”

At that name, the duke’s eyes widened.

Morrison Tucker.

A wandering knight he dearly admired but never got too close to.

“…Morrison, you say?”

“He mentioned Golden King Alio. He vouched for that adventurer’s identity, and the imperial gates readily provided credentials. I had no grounds for doubt, Father.”

Taylor murmured, his face somber.

Initially, the news of the adventurer’s arrival filled him with joy, as he could be a strong ally for a long-hoped-for cause.

He believed the emperor’s mandate would sway Duke Ferret.

But considering the turn of events.

“I was too naive and was deceived. I’m sorry.”

Taylor Ferret had to accept he’d been duped.

Then.

“My lord.”

The butler, looking urgent, appeared in the dining hall.

A man who seldom showed surprise.

“If it’s not urgent, perhaps later…”

“…It’s a royal command.”

The duke’s expression hardened.

The steaming hot meal had long since cooled.

* * *

Seojin frowned.

“…No sender, right?”

“None.”

“Thank you. You’ve done well.”

The player who had come to deliver the message departed.

He had brought a letter that had arrived for Seojin.

-May glory be with Valaran.

The handwriting seemed rushed.

A shabby envelope that lacked even the most basic formality, with no sender listed.

According to the player who delivered it, it seemed to have been floating around the base at a slow pace.

‘…Morrison Tucker.’

It was obvious, even without looking.

The scheme laid out at the Duke Ferret’s household had inevitably been uncovered.

Morrison Tucker.

His real name was Belpfret Ron, but there seemed no need to call him by that name again.

A bitterness filled Seojin’s mouth at the thought.

Given the duke’s character, he wouldn’t have decided to kill him rashly.

There must have been conclusive evidence, and to him, nothing was more conclusive than an imperial command.

‘So, they’re finally making a move.’

Grand Emperor Kalus.

The master of the empire had finally drawn his sword against Seojin and the adventurers.

-Merhen. To my room.

Seojin immediately sent out the message.

Merhen arrived in less than five minutes.

“Here!”

“Let’s start. Total count?”

“83,000. And still rising. About a thousand, including NPCs, have been set aside as you ordered, hidden away.”

“Just give me command of that raid group.”

“You’re going yourself?”

“I’ll stand by until we get the signal. Once we defeat Duke Ferret, there shouldn’t be much else to stop us.”

Seojin spoke calmly.

Duke Ferret’s mansion was located on the road to the royal palace.

There were city guards, but with this many players gathered, breaking through wouldn’t be an issue.

“How many guerrillas do we have?”

“About 30,000.”

“Send ten thousand more. 40,000 should do.”

“We’ll have to fight the duke, and after that?”

“To the imperial palace. Preferably without civilian casualties, and as few wounded soldiers as possible… but if it can’t be helped, so be it.”

They couldn’t afford the luxury of restraint in this battle.

Their opponent was the ruler of the empire.

There was no telling what means he might have at his disposal.

“Have our named operatives ready, too. Odie Park’s people and a few of the Great Reds. All set?”

This massive event wasn’t just about getting in-game rewards.

Seojin had prepared a few additional things.

Including some of the Great Red guild members and others nearby.

They were given ‘visual’ roles to make their names known.

“The CEO prepared everything. Even an actual broadcast staff will be involved. No worries on that front.”

SM Entertainment CEO Hwang Soochul.

The former guild leader of the Great Reds from the Asgard days, now the agency president where Odie Park was signed.

He had taken charge of all broadcasting arrangements for this event, even leading the advertising efforts.

-Seojin has become the raid leader.

Taking command of the second raid, Seojin stood up.

“Let’s begin. You take the lead. Don’t focus on me. Assume the empire’s players will see everything from the moment we start broadcasting.”

“Just like that? Without any strategy?”

“We’ll push through with force. What else do we need?”

They could devise a strategy if needed.

It would minimize damage and speed up the advance, but Seojin decided it wasn’t necessary.

“They won’t listen anyway, they’re not soldiers. Just push through. Make sure they understand before we start: all quest rewards will be based on contribution.”

“…Got it. We go now?”

“Move out. Be careful. If you die, the command structure falls apart.”

Merhen nodded and set off.

The look on his face before he turned away was a little worrisome, but Seojin brushed it off.

“Thief friend.”

“Yup?”

A man stepped out from the shadows of the room, cloaked head to toe in black.

Introduced by Kartna, this thief was naturally an exceptional talent in his field.

“Call back all of our people, except for Admiral Martini. Everyone, as quickly as possible.”

He was talking about Raul, the Golden King, the Rat, and others.

They would be the ones to handle the aftermath of the war.

And one more thing.

“Second thief friend.”

“Yes.”

At Seojin’s call, another shadow stirred.

“Get the recruited nobles moving. Right now, immediately.”

“Yes, sir. What about this?”

The thief gestured towards a wriggling sack beside him.

Naturally, it contained members of the emperor’s personal guard, now unmasked.

“Of course we’ll take it with us. Put masks on them and carry it.”

“Where should I deliver it?”

“To the imperial foreign minister. Just drop it off; they’ll handle the rest.”