The day before the welcoming ceremony.

Shuzhechin could tell that everything was going according to plan.

Even Hades, who had imposed unbearable training on Donovan’s knights, had suddenly ordered a retreat and quickly returned to the castle.

But by the time he arrived at the report, it would have already been too late.

It would have been after Tobias had run away with the holy sword.

He had thought so until he heard the news that the saintess had collapsed.

However…

“The holy sword was missing?”

“……Yes.”

Tobias’s face contorted. He had been staying in a hideout only he knew about. As soon as Shuzhechin entered the chosen contact point, a small room, Tobias appeared.

“We’ve been completely deceived.”

Shuzhechin furrowed his brows.

“Was it never there to begin with? Perhaps the existence of the holy sword itself was a lie from the start…”

The holy sword had certainly existed in the north at one point. But like all legends, it could have been lost or quietly destroyed.

If the north had been a toothless tiger for a long time…

“That’s not it.”

Tobias shook his head.

“There were traces where the holy sword was stored.”

“Hmm.”

Shuzhechin stroked his beard. If traces remained, it had been moved recently. But in this vast Donovan castle, how could one find a holy sword whose appearance was unknown?

“Is there anything to go on?”

“……”

“There is, isn’t there.”

Shuzhechin scrutinized Tobias. A young man in his early twenties, transparent as clear water to him, no matter how much he disguised himself with evil and bravado.

“What troubles you? I’ll help as much as I can within my reach.”

“……You must protect one person.”

“A person?”

Shuzhechin’s mouth curled.

“It would depend on who that is.”

Tobias’s gaze flickered for a moment. He looked up into the void briefly, then spoke with a firm resolve.

“……The saintess.”

“The saintess?”

Shuzhechin doubted his ears.

“Is there another saintess that I don’t know of?”

“It’s that saintess.”

Tobias locked eyes with Shuzhechin.

“Help her come with me to the empire. If you show me proof, I’ll tell you the location of the holy sword.”

“You don’t even know if it’s the holy sword.”

“……It will be the holy sword.”

Tobias muttered coldly.

“Because it’s the only way everything makes sense.”

Shuzhechin was silent for a moment. The complex puzzle pieces slowly fit together. The reason the elusive ‘bat’ had surfaced was, exactly…

“All for a woman.”

It seemed he’d thought that aloud.

Because Tobias immediately objected.

“General, if you do not guarantee the safety of that ‘mere woman,’ I will not reveal the location of the holy sword, even if it costs me my life!”

Shuzhechin’s eyes narrowed.

‘His fervor is commendable.’

Stealing treasure from under a waking dragon’s nose wasn’t something you could do with fervor. Shuzhechin spoke softly to Tobias.

“Her safety will, of course, be guaranteed. Why would I harm her?”

Tobias’s eyes lit up.

“I want more than just not harming her.”

“……?”

Shuzhechin furrowed his brows.

“What do you mean?”

“If we take the holy sword, I can’t guarantee her life. Will you take her and be responsible?”

Shuzhechin conceded. This… boy who looked too immature to be called a man had a fervor that belied his gentle appearance.

“I understand.”

Shuzhechin responded solemnly.

“If we get the holy sword, she will be taken.”

“How will you take her?”

Tobias asked immediately.

“She will resist. She’s a saintess, weak though she may be. Can you be responsible for bringing her?”

“Force can be used to subdue her.”

“You agreed not to harm her.”

Tobias shot him a look.

“If there’s no way to bring her to the monastery without laying a hand on her, I won’t move either.”

“……”
Shujechin’s eyebrows twitched. Tobias was clearly making an audacious request. But if that request could be fulfilled, to have the Holy Sword in hand…

‘I did well to prepare just in case.’

He took a small box from his pocket, opened the lid, and showed the contents to Tobias.

“……You can’t be serious.”

Tobias’s eyes widened.

“That’s right.”

Shujechin nodded.

“It’s a teleportation magic stone.”

Only highranking magicians who passed the tower’s trial could create such a magic stone, making it one of the most expensive.

For Tobias, a mere captain of a duchy’s knight corps, obtaining it would be an unattainable luxury.

Even Shujechin, considered a key figure in imperial politics, had barely managed to get his hands on one.

“You can’t take many people, but it works for the caster and one companion.”

“……”

Tobias tried to snatch the box, but Shujechin pulled away faster.

“Hey, you have to tell me where the Holy Sword is first.”

“Give me the magic stone first.”

“Tell half of it. We’ll talk about the rest after you get the stone.”

Tobias sighed. He seemed really reluctant, but still couldn’t help looking at the magic stone greedily.

“……The Holy Maiden has the Holy Sword.”

“What did you say?”

“I can’t be sure she still has it.”

Shujechin leaned toward him.

“Tell me more.”