My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 38

§ 38 – The Storm’s Fool (2)

The Empire’s Founding Day event.

The event to decorate the grand finale was, as expected, packed with people.

It couldn’t be helped.

Who is worthy to enter the Hall of Arnaise?

The ruins located beneath the Imperial Palace, the Hall of Arnaise.

Not just anyone could enter the Hall of Arnaise.

Only those chosen could enter.

And this selection wasn’t held every Founding Day.

The Founding Day event, which returned every four years.

This was the fifth time it had returned.

In other words, it was an event held every 20 years.

Therefore, the chosen one was given the honor of being the best talent of the era.

Thus, now.

“Wow… there are so many people.”

The venue was literally overflowing with people.

As an event that garnered much attention.

The final event was open to everyone.

Because of this, securing a spot was like picking a star from the sky.

Some people reserved their spots from the first day of the Founding Day event.

While others paid as much as 300 gold just to secure a seat.

It was pointless to say more.

Because of this, even nobles often couldn’t attend the event.

That’s why Cyan had trouble securing a spot, but.

“Let’s go. We can go that way.”

Cyan didn’t need to.

Firstly, there was the name of Elanndur, but.

Crown Prince Conrad had specially arranged a seat for him.

‘There was no need to go to such lengths.’

Thanks to that, Cyan had to attend until the last day of the event.

Well, even if it wasn’t for this, Cyan couldn’t leave the capital yet.

Jeri hadn’t finished all the preparations yet.

To be precise, Jeri’s mother’s illness had worsened.

It was too difficult to move her to Ruben.

If something big happened on the way to Ruben.

Leaving was put on hold.

And another reason was this.

『[Story Quest] – ‘Arnaise’s Legacy’』

.

.

Because he hadn’t completed the quest yet.

‘It’s the last day of the event, and it’s still not moving.’

For these reasons, Cyan remained until the last day of the Founding Day event.

Anyway.

There was no need to mingle with people in such a crowded place.

Cyan moved to his seat with Amelia.

The place they moved to.

As expected, several nobles were seated there.

Nobles with some power.

And.

“This place is quite crowded too, isn’t it?”

As expected, this place was also bustling with people.

But it was considerably quieter than before.

At least there was room to step.

Cyan moved to the seat prepared by Conrad.

In fact, Conrad had prepared one of the best seats for Cyan.

A seat almost close to Conrad himself.

But Cyan refused.

He didn’t want to attract attention.

Conrad was quite disappointed, but Cyan didn’t change his mind.

So, Cyan was able to sit in a place that wasn’t exactly a prime seat.

But not the lowest seat either.

There was still some time before the event started.

Cyan waited, eating the snacks he had bought earlier.

As he was munching on the snacks.

“Lord, who do you think will be chosen?”

Amelia, who was sitting next to him, asked.

“Hmm… I wonder?”

Cyan swallowed the food in his mouth and continued.

“I think Kai will be chosen.”

“Are you talking about your brother?”

Cyan nodded.

“Is he that great?”

“He’s not called the Star of the Empire for nothing.”

“I know, but… there’s also a Rothschild who’s the Star of the Empire.”

“That’s true, but….”

Panat Rothschild, who was called the Star of the Empire, like Kai, had reached the early stages of Master [a high-level swordsman].

He was a wizard who had reached the 6th Circle.

In fact, Cyan didn’t know much about the realm of wizards.

It was too complicated.

And he didn’t feel the need to know.

But last time, he cashed in Elodie’s Laboratory Lv.1.

Borrowing Elodie’s knowledge that could be viewed there.

Magic means breaking the framework of common sense.

A fireball suddenly appearing in the air.

The ground shaking for no reason.

A way to create causeless results.

That is magic.

And a wizard.

Elodie defined them as those who perform such miracles, those who twist the laws of the world.

In this sense, a wizard is one who connects the world and their mental world through the language of the world.

And just up to here.

Cyan wasn’t curious about anything more.

Honestly, what’s the point of knowing that stuff?

It only makes your head hurt unnecessarily.

Anyway, the realm of wizards uses the concept of ‘Circle’.

This was a concept established by Elodie a thousand years ago.

It’s about building a mental world or something.

So, the level is determined by how many stages of the mental world have been built.

Among them, the 1st Circle is the realm that can be called a wizard.

It was like the Beginner realm where knights can use Aura [a manifestation of inner energy].

Continuing to go up like that.

From the 6th Circle, it is comparable to the early stages of Master.

The 7th Circle is Master Intermediate.

The 8th Circle is Master Advanced.

The 9th Circle is Master Supreme.

It was the realm of Grand Master.

And the last 10th Circle.

There was no comparable realm.

To be exact, it was a legendary realm that was not simply regarded as the realm of a knight.

Exceed.

The 10th Circle was the realm of Exceed.

And only one wizard has reached this realm.

Arnaise, who saved the world a thousand years ago.

The Archmage Elodie.

She was a wizard who had reached the 10th Circle.

The strongest wizard in the history of the vast continent.

A being called the Great Archmage beyond the title of Great Mage.

Anyway.

The most outstanding wizard on the continent today was Egret Rothschild, who had reached the 8th Circle.

The current head of Rothschild.

The best expert on the continent, on par with Durak Elanndur, the head of Elanndur.

Therefore, Panat, who reached the 6th Circle in his early 30s, was the Star of the Empire, not inferior to Kai in terms of age or talent.

But.

“Hmm….”

Even so, Cyan couldn’t help but think that Kai would be chosen.

Honestly, until recently, he didn’t have this conviction.

But what happened at the banquet a while ago.

When Kai blocked Nathan and Cyan at the time.

Cyan couldn’t recognize Kai’s movements at all.

He couldn’t even sense his presence.

And that Aura Blade.

It couldn’t be seen as the realm of early Master.

Maybe… Kai was already knocking on the door of Master Intermediate.

That’s why he thought Kai would be chosen, but….

“Besides, the Saintess has also come this time.”

Come to think of it, there was also the Saintess this time.

The Saintess with the strongest divine power in the history of the Holy Empire.

Honestly, when he heard the rumors, he wondered how strong she could be.

But when Cyan met her in person.

She wasn’t called the reincarnation of Muriel for nothing.

‘Ugh…! Thinking about it makes me feel sick.’

In some ways, she was a being superior to Kai and Panat.

“Then I don’t know either.”

“Huh? What’s that all of a sudden?”

Amelia looked like her energy had been drained.

“What does my opinion matter anyway?”

“Still….”

Right then.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!!!”

A voice that echoed throughout the venue burst out.

At the same time, the venue stirred.

“It looks like it’s about to start.”

Cyan turned his gaze.

#

The enormous crowd gathered at the venue.

All of their gazes were directed at one place.

And a being appeared on the high platform.

An aura that exuded dignity and grace just by existing.

A being that made you feel intimidated for no reason, even without any particular force.

If Crown Prince Conrad surpassed middle age, would he look like that?

Kind but with an inner charisma, he was.

None other than the number one of the Charlotte Empire.

The Emperor, Balua von Charlotte.

With the Emperor’s arrival, everyone in the venue rose from their seats.

Cyan and Amelia also rose from their seats together.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The voices of everyone in the venue echoed like thunder.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

At the dignified voice that followed, everyone raised their heads.

And the Emperor’s speech began.

“Now that the Empire has reached a thousand years of history. On this last day of celebrating that eternal history, I….”

Well, as usual.

He was happy to meet everyone and grateful.

Let’s lead the Empire to infinite glory in the future.

It was roughly this content mixed with grace and dignity.

Cyan listened with one ear and surveyed the scenery of the venue.

At first glance, it looked like a scene where people were mixed up.

But if you look closely, it could be divided into five categories.

The Imperial Family.

The Elanndur Family.

The Rothschild Family.

The Holy Empire.

And the rest of the royal family members.

Well, it was obvious in a way.

“They say the Saintess’s beauty is not of this world. She’s really pretty.”

At that moment, Amelia whispered from the side.

Amelia, whom he turned to look at, was looking at the members of the Holy Empire.

Amelia was looking at the Saintess with a blissful expression, as if she had met a goddess.

Cyan snorted and said.

“Pretty, my foot.”

“Huh? Don’t you think the Saintess is pretty, Lord?”

“No. Not at all.”

Cyan frowned without realizing it.

Of course, her beauty itself was definitely unmatched.

But what’s the point if she’s just pretty?

‘Her personality is a complete mess.’

Especially for Cyan, the Saintess was nothing but a harmful being.

She was practically a demon.

“Amelia is prettier than the Saintess. You are much prettier.”

She has a good personality. She listens well.

Above all, she earns money well.

In many ways, Amelia was much more reliable and prettier than the Saintess.

But.

“······ Hot!”

Suddenly, Amelia looked startled.

Soon, Amelia’s face began to turn bright red.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, ah… th-th-that….”

Amelia stuttered.

Then finally.

“Th-th-th-th….”

Amelia broke down.

Her head was deeply bowed.

How….

How could he say such embarrassing things…!

Anyone could see that she was far behind the Saintess.

The standard of beauty is a matter of taste, but the Saintess’s beauty transcended humans in the first place.

She was not better than the Saintess in terms of ability or anything else.

But now Cyan’s words.

You are the prettiest in my eyes.

Was that what he meant…!

Amelia’s face was already as red as a tomato.

“Now, let’s start the event that everyone has been waiting for!”

Whether the speech was over, the Emperor’s shout was heard.

At the same time, the entire venue stirred.

Cyan turned his gaze back to the front, leaving Amelia behind.

In his gaze, the Emperor raised a sword.

The Zodiac Sword.

The sword symbolizing the Emperor of the Charlotte Empire.

And a thousand years ago.

The sword used by Charlotte, the leader of Arnaise.

The sword made by the divine craftsman Morcru, who was also a member of Arnaise.

It was named after the swordsmanship used by Charlotte, the Zodiac Sword.

And the reason why the Emperor took out the Zodiac Sword was simple.

To choose who would enter the Hall of Arnaise.

That was because the Zodiac Sword chose them.

That’s why in fact.

There were many words about the selection criteria.

Is it really the most outstanding person who is chosen?

That’s because the Zodiac Sword didn’t tell them about the criteria for selection.

But during the past thousand years of history.

Those who were chosen were all called geniuses of the era.

Those who were famous in the Empire were all chosen by the Zodiac Sword.

Therefore, ‘the one chosen by the Zodiac Sword = the best talent of the era’ was almost applied like a formula.

And the one chosen 20 years ago was none other than Durak Elanndur.

Egret Rothschild was over 60 years old,

And he had been chosen 40 years ago.

The Emperor raised the Zodiac Sword high.

Supaah!

Soon, a light brighter than the sun burst out from the Zodiac Sword.

At the same time, people’s attention was focused.

A breathtaking silence fell.

In that silence, the light rose into the sky and crossed the venue.

People’s eyes followed the light.

The light wandered around the venue.

Soon, it shot out in one direction.

Was it Kai Elanndur?

Was it Panat Rothschild?

Or was it the Saintess?

The place where the light stopped.

It was none other than.

Saintess Aria.

“Ah…!”

“Finally…!”

Exclamations burst out from the entire venue.

Some with a predictable expression.

Some with a regretful expression.

And some even with a resentful expression.

Aria calmly rose from her seat, receiving all those gazes.

Aria’s appearance, illuminated by the light, looked like a celestial goddess had descended.

A sacred and even holy appearance.

People stared blankly at the sight.

The light shone on the Saintess for a long time before disappearing.

And.

“The Saintess… has been chosen.”

Amelia, who had been broken, whispered from the side, whether she had been fixed.

“I guess so.”

Cyan nodded nonchalantly.

Honestly, it was a bit unexpected.

But that didn’t mean that Aria wasn’t qualified.

She wasn’t called the reincarnation of Muriel for nothing.

‘Elanndur and Rothschild must have hurt their pride a lot.’

Especially Isabel seemed to have prepared a lot this time.

And since the Saintess of the Holy Empire, not a member of the Charlotte Empire, was chosen, the Empire also had a bit of a difficult feeling.

Well, still.

‘They’ll figure it out.’

It wasn’t very relevant to Cyan.

In the first place, it was a world only for geniuses. The sky above the sky.

It was also the work of people who lived in a completely different world from Cyan.

Anyway.

With this, all the Founding Day events were over.

Now, all that was left was to return to Ruben.

‘Ah…! How do I cash in 450,000 gold?’

Cyan slowly got up from his seat, already thinking about the trembling Mobile Lord.

And right then.

Buzz buzz.

Suddenly, the entire venue began to stir.

“Wh-wh-what…?”

“Why is the Zodiac Sword…?”

The voices of people in panic were heard.

Cyan turned his gaze, wondering what the commotion was about.

And the place he looked at.

Supaah!

The Zodiac Sword was shining again.

“······ Huh?”

Cyan tilted his head without realizing it.

That’s because the Zodiac Sword only chooses one person.

Therefore, now that the Saintess had been chosen.

The event was over there.

But the fact that the Zodiac Sword was shining again.

That meant that someone else was being chosen.

This had never happened before.

In the past thousand years.

Two people had never been chosen.

Therefore, not only the people in the venue,

But also the Emperor was looking at the Zodiac Sword with a bewildered face.

Soon, a light brighter than the sun rose into the sky once again and crossed the venue.

And this time, there was no wandering around.

As if it had been targeting you from the beginning.

The light shot out in one direction.

And.

“······!!”

“······!!”

“······!!”

People began to panic beyond bewilderment.

That’s because the place where the light stopped.

It wasn’t the Imperial Family.

It wasn’t Elanndur.

It wasn’t Rothschild.

It wasn’t the Holy Empire.

It wasn’t even where the other royal family members were.

The place where the light stopped was the spectator seats on one side of the venue.

To be exact, it wasn’t a prime seat.

But it wasn’t just a low seat either.

The light was shining on a dumbfounded man.

A man who was making a fuss in the social world today.

Even for reasons such as a rogue and a parricide.

Far from being the Star of the Empire.

A hopeless dullard who could never be called a talent.

His name was.

Cyan Elanndur.

“······ Me???????”

Cyan pointed to his chest with his index finger and widened his eyes.

A dazed mind.

Cyan wondered what this was all about.

He really wondered what it was!

But no matter how he looked.

No matter how much he washed his eyes and looked!

The light of the Zodiac Sword was shining on him!

Why?

Why on earth?

Cyan wondered if it was possible.

He really wondered if it was possible and slightly avoided his body.

But damn it.

The light followed Cyan closely!

“······”

Cyan was speechless.

At the same time, his absurdity ascended.

In the meantime.

Ding!

『[Story Quest] – ‘Arnaise’s Legacy’』

The quest that had been quiet throughout the Founding Day event began to react.