Episode 670
Episode 170. Meeting Another Friend, Dante (3)
The friend he hadn’t seen in a long time looked just the same. Their handshake was firmer than before, and Jin could almost feel the weight of the past three years in Dante’s grip.
“It’s been a while, my friend. You’ve truly come back stronger.”
“I expected you might look a bit worn out, given how busy you must have been. But you’ve become a true iron man, Dante.”
“If I couldn’t manage this, I wouldn’t deserve the title of Sword Emperor Lord.”
“I’ve been so caught up in everything since I returned that I couldn’t come see you sooner.”
“No one could be unaware of the incredible feats you accomplished as soon as you finished your secluded training. I was just as swamped until a few days ago, so don’t worry about it.”
For a moment, the two simply looked at each other in silence.
Though they hadn’t spent the last three years together, each had endured steadfastly in their own place, united in spirit. Without words, they both understood just how solid and profound those years had been.
“Oh! I’m late with my introductions—Princess, Quicantel, Latri. I am Dante Hyland, Sword Emperor Lord.”
“Why so formal, Lord Dante? We’re not strangers.”
“Yeah, what’s with the stiff greeting? Trying to choke us with food?”
At Yuri and Quicantel’s teasing, Dante scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“I just wanted to properly introduce myself to the princess. Perhaps I went a bit overboard.”
The seafood stew bubbled gently. Yuri ladled some into an empty bowl and handed it to Dante, signaling the start of the meal.
Dante already knew most of what had happened since Jin’s return. Whenever an incident occurred, Kashimir had sent someone to keep him informed.
“…So it’s true. Lord Veradin… has he completely forgotten us? To be left a victim of such vile experiments. Wearing that mask—how could he do that to the next head of the family and his own child?”
This was the first time Dante had heard about Veradin’s condition. Jin gently patted Dante’s trembling shoulder, sensing his anger.
They both knew Veradin’s fate was sealed long ago, but hearing it directly from Jin’s mouth filled Dante’s chest with a poisonous rage.
“Jiphl… those despicable fiends… I will rescue my friend, no matter what it takes.”
“Yes, that’s the plan, Dante.”
“Until we bring down the Tyrant, I will keep my fury in check. Like you, I will use them as long as I must, then crush them utterly when the time comes.”
Just as Jin had relearned the value of ‘righteousness’ from Ron and Dante, Dante was now learning the necessity of ‘the way of the rogue’ from Jin.
The old Dante would never have allied, even briefly, with those who turned his friend into a miserable test subject, even if it meant death. But not anymore.
He now carried many lives on his shoulders. As Sword Emperor Lord and regent of the empire, the world he saw was nothing like when he was a mere clan head.
Sometimes, he had to use his enemies, sometimes retreat, and sometimes do things his heart resisted.
Without that, he couldn’t save the countless retainers and citizens who looked to him, nor the world itself.
“You’re starting to resemble Lord Ron, Dante.”
Though his face was still that of a dear friend, Dante had clearly changed.
He was no longer a clan head but had begun walking the path of a sovereign.
A ruler who would be strictest with himself and never fall.
Jin felt proud that Dante was becoming that man.
And that was exactly what Ron had hoped for in his lifetime. His grandson, always upright and ready to fight evil even if it broke him, was lovable but always a worry.
Jin silently told Ron that now, he could watch with peace of mind and even joy.
“But, Jin.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been wondering—why disguise yourself to come here? It doesn’t seem just for the princess’s leisure.”
“There are those in the royal family who want you dead.”
“That would be impossible unless Jiphl had sent someone of that caliber. And Jiphl has no reason to do so, right?”
“It wasn’t Jiphl. The Sword Garden sent the assassin.”
Dante’s eyes narrowed.
“The Sword Garden…?”
“Yes. The royal family betrayed Jiphl and sided with Rosa. We confirmed it through Valeria. Did you know?”
“Shamefully, I had no idea.”
“The betrayed party was just as unaware. Jiphl didn’t know the royal family was colluding with the Sword Garden.”
Even after Jin revealed the betrayal, Jiphl hadn’t purged the royal family recklessly.
Given the circumstances, they first needed to understand how much information the royal family had already leaked to Runcandel.
“Valeria said you seemed in danger. We suspect Joshua provided the assassin to the royal family.”
“With the power of a chaos-enhanced top-tier knight and prophet, it wouldn’t be a dream for the royal family to try to assassinate me. The Sword Garden wants me gone because I’m a thorn in their side for helping you.”
“That’s why I came disguised after so long. And I brought our princess along.”
Of course, Jin hadn’t brought Yuri into this dangerous situation just to give her a pleasant memory.
“…You plan to use the princess’s power to find the assassin?”
“Exactly.”
Dante was about to protest that bringing a young princess here was too risky, but after looking at Jin, he stopped.
With Jin by his side, no matter who the enemy sent, he doubted Yuri would be in any real danger.
“You seemed like you wanted to say something.”
“Now that I think about it, it probably isn’t a problem—unless the assassin is a Tyrant or one of the old Runcandel swords.”
“Even if it’s Lord Fadler, Yuri won’t get hurt. You’re here too.”
“So, what should we do now?”
“We have very little information beyond the fact that the Sword Garden gave an assassin to Airan Biment. For now, summon everyone we can to the imperial palace. It’s best to check if there’s a mole among them.”
“You mean call them all and ask if there’s a traitor here?”
Jin nodded.
“That kind of investigation can only be done with the princess present.”
“Yuri, Latri, Quicantel, and I must attend the palace meeting. Since it’s a gathering of the empire’s top ministers, we’ll need a good reason to be there. I had something in mind…”
“Jin, I’m practically the empire’s sole sovereign now. Even the late Amir Biment never held power stronger than mine. So, no reason is needed. Every subject in the empire must come when I call.”
“Oh, I forgot you’ve changed. No need to bother with excuses.”
“I’m curious—what reason were you going to use?”
“I was going to say you saved some dragons by chance in a contaminated zone. So you came to repay that kindness. You’ve often handled hunts alone without knights.”
“That’s a bit… implausible, considering there are hardly any dragons without affiliations these days.”
“Well, it’s a relief it’s unnecessary.”
“But if anyone dares ask about your origins, I’ll say that.”
“If there’s a traitor in the capital and it’s revealed immediately, then there’s no need for lies.”
The meal ended.
Outside, carriages were ready, and the group headed straight to the imperial palace.
“Order all subjects waiting in the capital to assemble in the palace’s first conference room within two hours. Exclude only knights and mages currently on missions, but summon all officials up to rank 10. This is an emergency. Anyone late by even a second will be severely punished.”
“Yes, Your Regency!”
The order spread instantly throughout the capital.
“Has the regent ever summoned us like this before?”
“They say we must work until we drop for the sake of the people and empire, but now they’re telling us to leave our duties to deputies and come here? What’s going on?”
“What the hell is this at this hour? I’m so nervous. Could it be the regent’s planning to overthrow Kuron and take the throne himself?”
“At least Kuron begged us to be a little considerate… If the Sword Emperor takes the throne, we’re all doomed to die from overwork!”
“Whatever it is, let’s just go and bow low. If we show even a hint of reluctance, it’s over. Remember what happened to Baron Magle when he complained about the workload.”
The ministers who feared Dante clung to their thinning patience, while those who respected him came to the palace resolute.
“This is an emergency summons from the regent. Something serious must have happened.”
“Don’t show any signs of fatigue. No one in the empire suffers more than the regent.”
Carriages and horses poured into the palace without pause.
Before two hours passed, over a thousand officials had gathered in the conference room.
“Is everyone here?”
Before them sat Dante in the seat of honor, with four unfamiliar faces standing behind him.
No one recognized that Jin and his group were in disguise.
“Yes, Your Regency!”
“Yes, sir!”
Despite the large crowd, no one dared exchange glances in front of Dante.
Many had seen what happened to those who carelessly met his gaze.
‘No one dares ask Dante who we really are. It’s as strict as when my father was hospitalized in the Sword Garden, just like in Runcandel. But over there… they seem to be watching with some expectation.’
The atmosphere was so heavy it felt suffocating, yet there were a few who, unusually careless, openly showed their anticipation.
They were the ministers and knights from Hailan, their eyes sparkling for one clear reason: Quicantel, disguised, stood right behind Dante.
“Could it be that the Lord of the House has finally found his beloved?”
“Maybe he’s about to introduce his beloved and her family. If not… no, that can’t be. He wouldn’t summon his vassals in such urgency over personal matters…”
Sadly, their hopeful expressions soon faded, replaced by sober, serious gazes.
The knights of Hailan knew all too well how lonely and agonizing Dante’s days had been. They desperately wished for the arrival of someone—anything—that might bring him some peace.
Dante rose from his seat.
“Everyone’s busy, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve gathered you here because there is a traitor within the Empire.”
“Ah…!”
“Impossible!”
“Until I say otherwise, no one is to speak. We must finish this quickly so you can all return to restoring the Empire’s order. From now on, you will answer my questions only with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Now, the first question.”
Dante’s eyes blazed fiercely as he stared down his vassals.
“Is there anyone among you who has plotted against me, or who knows of such a plot?”
“No, there isn’t!”
The vassals answered in unison, and Dante waited for Yuria’s signal.
After scrutinizing them for several minutes, Yuria gently tapped Dante’s back seven times with her finger.
It meant seven among them had lied.