Chapter 121: Special Gift [2] (Bonus)

"A gift?" Craig’s eyebrows furrowed slightly in genuine surprise, a rare expression of curiosity breaking through his otherwise stoic, sovereign facade.

This was something he never expected.

Master Ea offered a knowing, respectful smile and nodded.

He turned his head away from the throne, glancing toward the semicircle of assembled officials standing near the grand marble table.

At a subtle nod from the Minister of State Affairs, one of the newly appointed Department Directors stepped backward out of formation.

The director walked briskly toward the shadowed western corner of the vast Audience Chamber, where a heavy, reinforced brown wooden crate rested against a stone pillar.

With both hands, he lifted the crate, carrying its weight with careful reverence as he walked back toward the center of the hall and placed it down gently before Master Ea.

From his throne, Craig observed in silence.

"Thank you, Director," Master Ea murmured, dipping his head slightly.

The minister then knelt down on one knee before the wooden crate, unlatching the heavy metal clasps with a sharp, echoing snap.

High up on the elevated marble dais, Craig leaned back slightly against the cushions of his sovereign throne.

His golden eyes narrowed with quiet intrigue as he watched the proceedings unfold across the hall.

He had expected a ceremonial scroll, perhaps an exotic artifact from a regional merchant, or an extravagant display of treasury gold.

A physical package of this nature was entirely unexpected.

Master Ea reached into the open crate, his hands slipping beneath a thick layer of velvet cushioning before carefully lifting out a long, heavy object encased within a protective, dark leather scabbard.

As the minister stood up holding the shealthed weapon horizontally with both hands, a distinct ripple of heavy, refined spiritual energy washed over the chamber, causing the surrounding air to hum faintly.

Craig’s eyes locked onto the weapon. An eyebrow shot upward in visible astonishment as he muttered softly,

"You had a sword forged for me?"

Master Ea bowed his head, holding the packaged weapon steady. "Indeed, My Lord," he answered, his voice ringing clearly through the silent hall.

"When the administration, the military commanders, and the department directors first gathered to discuss what token of appreciation we could possibly offer our sovereign, we faced a profound dilemma."

Master Ea gestured broadly toward the room.

"We considered rare magical treasures, but we quickly realized the futility of such an idea. You are a gifted Sword Runner class Ranker, and as the seventh successor of the legendary Darkstar Ducal Family, common sword art manuals or borrowed True Sword Art scrolls are far beneath your lineage and talent."

He paused, offering a respectful glance toward the side of the room where Ser Hughway and Ser Damian stood.

"Furthermore, you have two fiercely loyal, and powerful elite Rankers standing by your personal guard. You command three terrifying, extinction-level dragons that can level armies.

To a man who possesses such staggering military might, material wealth is merely a secondary byproduct, and raw power is a problem you have already solved."

Master Ea’s expression turned deeply earnest.

"And because you lack nothing in strength, gold, or beasts, we concluded that we could not simply buy you a gift. Instead, we had to forge one—something tailored exclusively to a sovereign who walks the path of the blade."

Master Ea extended his arms forward, presenting the shealthed weapon toward the dais.

A heavy, expectant hush fell over the entire Audience Chamber.

Every official held their breath, turning their gaze toward the throne.

Ser Hughway, standing near the front of the military delegation, cast a quick, respectful glance upward to gauge his liege’s reaction.

He must first confirm if his liege is interested or not.

Seeing the curiosity glinting in Craig’s golden eyes, the Indestructible Sword received the silent, unspoken cue.

Craig nodded once, giving his explicit approval.

Ser Hughway stepped forward with measured, steady strides.

He crossed the marble floor, approaching Master Ea, and carefully received the heavy, shealthed weapon from the minister’s gloved hands.

With the polished discipline of a veteran knight, Hughway turned, making his way up the broad marble steps leading to the summit of the dais.

The heavy, rhythmic clank of Hughway’s steel-plated boots echoed off the vaulted stone ceiling as he climbed higher.

Reaching the top platform, he stopped just an arm’s length away from the sovereign throne.

Hughway knelt on one knee, holding the long, shealthed katana horizontally across both palms, presenting it to his master with absolute reverence.

"For the Lord of the Myrain Viscounty, My Lord," Hughway spoke softly.

Craig leaned forward, his gaze fixed entirely on the weapon resting before him.

He reached out with a steady, calloused hand and gently lifted the katana from Ser Hughway’s palms.

The moment the weight of the weapon settled into his grip, Craig felt a profound, satisfying balance.

It was neither too heavy nor too light; the center of gravity was mathematically calibrated for lethal precision and fluid, high-speed sword techniques.

The scabbard was crafted from midnight-black ironwood, wrapped meticulously in dark silk cord that provided an unbreakable, non-slip grip.

Craig ran his fingers along the length of the scabbard, feeling the faint, latent pulse of master-grade crafting runes carved invisibly into the wood.

For a moment, his eyebrows furrowed causing the hearts of the officials to skip a beat, believing they had angered the Lord Viscount.

The moment Craig’s gaze relaxed, they heaved a sigh of relief.

"You have outdone yourselves," Craig murmured, a genuine, appreciative smile finally breaking across his face.

He spoke while still observing the blade.

Without wasting another second, Craig gripped the handle with his right hand while his left thumb gently pressed against the silver tsuba (guard) of the hilt.

CLIK.

With a crisp, lightning-fast motion that sent a sharp, vibrating shockwave through the surrounding air, Craig pulled the blade from its dark enclosure.

A blinding flash of crimson light illuminated the grand Audience Chamber as the naked steel finally saw the light of day.