Chapter 2

I’ll translate the passage into English using first-person point of view while maintaining the narrative flow:

—

The emperor, Maximilian Joseph Ascalon, was not only the highest authority in the empire but also one of its greatest swordsmen.

With just a single sword, he aimed to conquer the world, achieving this through his own strength alone. He was a legendary hero who descended from the sky to disrupt the peace of the continent by battling the demon dragon Kazatryan day and night for three days and nights, ultimately cutting off the beast’s breath and spreading his fame across the entire continent.

He was also a great conquering monarch who transformed a small, insignificant border country into a vast empire during his reign.

While expanding territory was impressive in itself, his ability to govern the vast territories he conquered with his new order was even more remarkable than when he was merely a conquering monarch.

By successfully integrating numerous nations that had been vying for dominance over the vast continent under the name of the empire, he ushered in a long era of peace. This was no exaggeration.

He was the legendary hero who descended from the heavens to conquer the earth, which was how the current emperor was often described.

However, this strong emperor suddenly passed away before he could choose his successor from among his grown children.

Rumors spread like wildfire, some saying he ascended to the heavens to conquer what he couldn’t in life—sky; others whispered that his children, feeling anxious to see their father’s enduring strength after many years, secretly poisoned him.

Despite these rumors being nothing more than speculation, the death of such a great emperor undoubtedly caused a massive ripple effect in the empire, which had enjoyed a long period of peace.

People knew well enough that no matter how splendid the foundation laid by a great individual, the uncertainty surrounding the successor’s position would lead to conflicts among blood relatives, shattering the long peace.

It wasn’t surprising, but the direct descendants of the emperor each gathered forces, insisting they should rightfully become the supreme ruler of the empire.

The empire, which had grown weary of the peace brought by a superhuman, was once again preparing for an era filled with blood and steel.

The most promising heir, the first princess, while confident in her victory, was still busy consolidating her forces with those loyal to her.

The other relatives, blinded by desire for power, continued to gather support, and in doing so, joined forces despite their differing personalities and lack of resemblance to their father and sister, the princess.

The contemporary Sword Lord, my biological father, who sought to revive his fallen family, joined a precarious alliance despite the slim chances of success.

“Why did you make such a choice?” I would ask, but the answer would always come down to practical calculations, leaving me in the dark.

“Sigh…”

Even if I had jumped out the window on that day and the bride’s senses caught me, the difference would have been merely a matter of time. She would have found me eventually.

“Let it be.”

As I justified myself, I continued moving, thinking back to where I had left off… Ah, I was recalling the moment when my father joined the half-princess coalition.

When I was taken back to my family home, where I began honing my skills and earning recognition, it was precisely at that time. Those memories remain vivid in my mind.

“Write this.”

My father, who had been waiting in the carriage, handed me a metal mask.

“You have no name. From now on, you are a sword that will protect me and our family.”

Even now, remembering his cold eyes as he forced this role upon me, I can’t forget. I doubt I ever will.

But did he know? From the moment he left me wrapped in a blanket at an orphanage outside the city walls, I had no name.

Though I wish I could ask, since he’s no longer around, this question may only be answered when I meet him in the afterlife.

Nevertheless, with that metal mask, my life as a nameless orphan forced to serve as a tool began. Yet, it was also a period where I formed unforgettable connections.

After entering the family estate and earning recognition through my skills, I accompanied my twin brother on the battlefield during the civil war, struggling for survival rather than victory.

The battlefield, which felt like hell compared to my desperate attempts to find food in the city’s alleys, was shaken by a benefactor’s words that kept me from giving up on life.

“Next time, I will definitely…”

The words of my strongest rival, who withdrew after acknowledging my future potential, shook my life to its core.

That period was crucial in shaping who I am today.

—

Continuing the narrative:

…

Quickly stepping forward, old memories flooded my mind, making my thoughts sharp and clear.

Perhaps the natural environment of the northern region, which was better preserved compared to the bustling capital and the war-torn south, helped me recall the past. Or maybe it was my survival instinct triggered by the bride’s sudden appearance with a sword on our wedding night.

Either way, I had to both evade and reflect on the past while facing the bride, who had already drawn her sword.

Unfortunately, my reflection came to an abrupt end.

I hadn’t sensed any presence as I moved, but the bride’s presence at the end of my path explained everything.

“I heard a sigh and went to check, and sure enough…”

Her muttered words, whether a sigh or an exclamation, dampened my ears, which had been filled with the sounds of wind and crickets.

She found me. I had suspected as much when I sighed, but her speed was incredibly fast.

This proved why the nickname “Sword Demon” wasn’t given lightly.

Since moving closer to her wouldn’t change anything, I stopped.

“…”

Silent, I watched the woman standing before me.

Although she wore a wedding dress for our strategic marriage, her expression remained unreadable.

“…”

Standing at a distance, she observed me silently, dressed not in a wedding gown but in the white uniform of an imperial knight.

Thanks to the clear night sky, the starlight illuminated her figure, making her easy to recognize.

“Asulin…”

Drunk by her beauty, I involuntarily called out her name.

“…”

Her face showed no change in emotion, but her slightly labored breathing reached my ears.

As I said, her name is Asulin, full name Asulin Blatt Caladborg.

She is the next Sword Lord and the sharpest blade that led to the first princess’s victory in the Succession War.

Asulin and I fought countless battles during the Succession War.

We dueled even when she wore a metal mask, and I faced her in place of my older brother.

Victory or defeat? We never held an advantage, nor did we lose. It was always a stalemate.

To be honest, she was the first person to challenge me beyond mere inherited talent, aside from my biological father.

And she was the one who demanded Andyminion, the next White Sword Count and the most fiercely opposed figure during the war, from the Sword Lord faction, which had the right to claim victory.

She probably doesn’t know that the rival she faced on the battlefield, Andyminion, was actually my twin brother’s replacement, a lookalike.

If I died by the sword, it would remain a secret I could never reveal, something that must not be known.

—

This translation maintains the original narrative while translating it into English with a first-person perspective.