Forsaken Priest of the Hero's Party-Chapter 78: The resurgence of the Dragon Fang Sword

“I shall issue an imperial decree. I appoint Ardein von Illumina to the position of High Magistrate of the Imperial Supreme Court. In addition, I shall bestow upon her the position of Circuit Magistrate.”

Edmund von Illumina clenched his fists tightly when he heard those words. So tightly that his nails dug into his flesh. His hands hurt, but it didn’t matter because his heart hurt more. The Imperial Supreme Court is the highest court of the empire, existing above the high courts, and there is no one above them except for the emperor.

That is the case, at least in terms of judicial power. The judgments they render have legally guaranteed authority, and defying their judgments is tantamount to defying the empire.

On top of that, a Circuit Magistrate. It is a system that came about because the empire’s territory is so vast. Since not every matter can go through the court’s judgment, to compensate for that as much as possible, judges travel around the empire’s cities and towns, accepting cases and rendering judgments.

The important thing is that until now, no one has ever served concurrently as a High Magistrate and a Circuit Magistrate.

The High Magistrates of the Imperial Supreme Court are the highest elders of the judicial world and, furthermore, the big shots of the entire empire. These people should be wearing judicial robes and banging gavels in the Supreme Court in a dignified manner, but at their age, should they have to wander around remote areas and cite the law and render judgments to villagers who don’t even know imperial law?

The fact that these two positions were simultaneously bestowed upon the princess means that great authority has been granted to Ardein, and it has created room for her to make excuses that whatever she does was “a legitimate judgment according to legal procedures.” Just that alone made Edmund’s teeth chatter, but this was only the beginning.

“I shall bestow a holy decree. I appoint Ardein von Illumina to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard.”

“Your Majesty, that is...!”

Edmund cried out in shock upon hearing the following words, but when the emperor looked at him and retorted, he came to his senses. There was not a single flaw in the emperor’s words, and the justification was perfect.

“She is already a Master. If I do not give at least this much treatment to a Master, what other Master in the world would come under the Empire?”

The Imperial Guard. It is not the emperor’s hidden trump card, but it is the most prominent institutional defense force. Why is a trump card a trump card? It is a trump card because it cannot be carelessly revealed.

True trump cards like the Celestial Knights, the Secret Guard, the Dragon Cavalry, and the Imperial Elder Council are not something even the emperor can carelessly bring out. These are the empire’s hidden daggers that will only be activated in times of crisis for the empire’s survival.

That is also the reason why no one dares to rebel.

It is not difficult for influential figures in various regions to defy the emperor to some extent within the boundaries set by the empire. However, none of them want to incite a rebellion in the true sense.

At most, they only strive to enthrone an emperor to their liking. If a real rebellion occurs, all the existing order will be destroyed, and no one can predict what will happen.

These “secret forces” are literally secret forces. Their military strength, how formidable they are, everything is hidden behind a veil.

Therefore, no one can anticipate the impact of their movements, and as a result, no one can act recklessly.

Every living thing can become infinitely strong. They have the right to do so.

Just as Grimudo in the far north proved with his own existence.

That’s why no matter how many soldiers there are, they can’t match a single Master. Even if the soldiers rush in relying only on their numbers, a Master who recovers mana almost infinitely while unleashing attacks is not someone ordinary people can dare to face.

This is as foolish as trying to confront an Evil God with numbers.

What is the reason why the Flesh Underground Castle once gathered an army of 400,000 but could not extend its might towards the world?

It’s because there was only one Master-level powerhouse, Barzark, himself. That is precisely why they receive the title and praise of Master, a being who has reached the ultimate. If such an absolute powerhouse who will never betray the imperial family is the emperor’s daughter, it would not be strange to give her this level of treatment.

People of the world call Master-level powerhouses transcendents. These powerhouses can become the strongest force of a nation, surpassing a large army.

Therefore, all countries and forces strive to recruit transcendents, and even if they are of slave origin, if they reach the level of a Master, they can receive a princess as a wife regardless of which kingdom they pledge allegiance to.

The princess is the emperor’s daughter. If he doesn’t give even this level of treatment to his own daughter, what would other Masters think of the emperor?

They would think he is a stingy miser when it comes to sharing positions and wealth. Then would they even consider dedicating themselves to the empire?

Edmund could only gulp down his saliva. How could he refute?

Would the imperial prince open his mouth and say that the treatment of the empire’s pillars should be lowered? Then what reason would there be for them not to defect to another country or the Holy See?

‘Well played. Father. Well played indeed.’

The final blow flew towards him, who was only seething in anger.

“And I appoint her to the position of Inspector in the Imperial Household’s Agency. She shall have the authority to supervise all imperial armies.”

“Forgive my impudence, but is the fourth position perhaps the Crown Princess?”

Even Archbishop Arice unusually opened her mouth to express concern. Edmund’s feelings, whose eyes were bulging out, were no different. T-This, how is this any different from a declaration to make the princess the successor?

It’s just that he didn’t announce that he would bestow the position of Crown Princess, but in reality, the emperor had already made up his mind. And he revealed that intention to everyone present here.

If it was going to be like this, if it was going to turn out this way, why did he try so hard to build up merits and gain recognition from his father?

Just for the sole reason of being the child of the legal wife, that princess receives such favor even after causing all sorts of trouble. Edmund’s eyes reddened. He himself didn’t know whether it was because of anger or sadness.

“That is all.”

But it still wasn’t over yet.

“There are no more positions to give now. Only an item remains. Now bring it in. Finally, someone worthy of handling this item in the imperial household has appeared.”

-

Thud!

A few who appeared to be knights groaned as they carried a heavy box and set it down with a thud.

His Majesty personally touched the box and opened it. Inside, a golden sword more splendid than any sword I had ever seen was exuding a brilliant light and making its presence known.

Yurinel’s holy sword looked rather plain in comparison. Of course, just because it looks plain on the outside doesn’t mean the power it possesses is also plain. The holy sword is one of the most powerful weapons on the continent. However, if we only look at the appearance, it wouldn’t even be worth comparing to that beautiful sword.

Such swords are usually impractical decorative swords, but if it were such a sword, it wouldn’t have been treated as a treasure and stored so preciously like that.

A decorative sword should be on a display stand, not in a place like that where no one can see it.

“Your Majesty. May I ask what that is?”

For the first time, an old man who had been quiet spoke up. The face of the man wearing a robe was not unfamiliar. It means there is a possibility that I have encountered him at least once.

Where have I seen him? Ah, that time when I visited the Magic Tower following Parnell.

Although I didn’t meet him directly, I still remember the portrait hanging in the corridor of the Magic Tower.

The person with the exact same face as in that portrait is probably the Tower Master of the Magic Tower.

In other words, he would be Parnell’s mentor. I didn’t know I would meet him like this in such a place, but as expected, the people here all seemed to have great authority without exception.

But such a person, with his face flushed red, couldn’t take his eyes off the sword. Like someone who had fallen in first love, his eyes wavered but his gaze didn’t fall.

Even his voice trembled, unable to maintain composure, so it seemed I wasn’t the only one who found it strange. The gazes of those around, including the three archbishops, were briefly focused on the Tower Master.

“I feel a tremendous magical power. It must undoubtedly be a treasure that a mage would want to dedicate their entire life to researching. Would it be alright if the Magic Tower formally requests to borrow that sword?”

“I’m sorry, Tower Master, but that would be difficult. This sword is an imperial treasure bestowed by the founding emperor.”

Everyone who heard those words showed a surprised expression.

“The founding emperor was an extraordinary person even before establishing the current Illumina Empire, and he was the legitimate heir of the dragons. Among the treasures left to our family by the dragon who was his ancestor, the most representative one is this Dragon Fang Sword, which he personally forged with his own teeth.”

“Dragon Fang Sword!”

“In other words, the material of this sword is dragon bone. Moreover, it contains the most powerful magical power among them, the tooth. The three archbishops may find it unpleasant to hear, but for those of the Illumina bloodline, this sword holds such great symbolic meaning that it wouldn’t even be worth discussing trading it for a holy sword.”

His Majesty, properly holding that golden sword, tapped the shoulder of the princess who was kneeling with that sword. The princess bit her lips hard and tried not to tremble, but even so, unable to hold back her emotions, her shoulders shook slightly.

“However, there has never been a Master born in the imperial family. There was no one to properly wield this precious sword, so we had no choice but to treat it as a treasure and hide it deep in the warehouse.”

Is she crying? It was hard to see clearly as she had her head bowed, but the princess was definitely trembling. The symbolic meaning that the sword holds may be tremendous for the imperial family.

“But a sword that no one holds and wields is no different from a useless object. Now that an owner has been born to use this sword, the sword must rightfully go to its owner and shine once again.”

“That’s incredible. To think you would reveal such a treasure only now. Even our Magic Tower, which digs into anything related to dragons, was unaware of the existence of the Dragon Fang Sword until now.”

“Actually, the first emperor never had a chance to directly hold and wield the sword himself.”

His Majesty burst into laughter.

“The swordsman without a master who became the sword of the founding emperor at that time, quelling the chaos in all directions and bringing order, reached a level where he could cut down everything in the world just by grasping a single blade of grass. He is also the founder of the Celestial Knights you all know.”

“The founding emperor tried to pass this sword to him, but for someone like him, holding this Dragon Fang Sword would be no better than holding a branch.”

“So when he refused, this Dragon Fang Sword, made from the bones of a dragon, was never used in actual combat despite the long years that passed without anyone being able to use it. Today, I want to break that long-standing convention.”

He thrust the sword in front of the princess. Watching the princess stand up with trembling hands and caress the sword’s hilt, he continued.

“My daughter has returned to my side, and the treasured sword has found where it should be. Three days from now, I will hold a grand banquet to celebrate this occasion. Keep that in mind, and for now, everyone is dismissed.”

His Majesty’s gaze lingered particularly on one spot. His Majesty’s son, Prince Edmund, couldn’t unclench his clenched fists and couldn’t lift his bowed head. It seemed he was afraid his expression would be caught if he raised his head.

So he didn’t see His Majesty looking at him with sad eyes.

“Ardein. You stay for a moment. And Priest, if you have time, would you like to have a drink with me?”

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From that sight, I saw that they too had a painful story.

The emperor. From below, he appears to be the most powerful ruler commanding the empire.

A position that reigns above all, where one can do everything as one pleases, where it would be nice to sit on the throne in that position even for a day.

But in the end, he is a human being.

Another person living among people.

Having troubles with children was no different for His Majesty.

“I would gladly do so.”

That was the reason I nodded and agreed.