Chapter 265

One of the early emperors of the Romania Empire, and famous as the Sword Emperor or Emperor of Swords, Lucius Altirius III.

He is among the countless emperors in Romania’s history, one with the most stories and a very peculiar individual indeed.

Born as the son of Lucius Altirius II, who elevated the kingdom into an empire and stabilized it, the Sword Emperor was a crown prince brimming with legitimate power and extraordinary talent. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he would lead the glorious empire forward.

Until his father passed away at a young age, and the throne that should have been his went to his uncle instead.

Even though he was a crown prince of remarkable qualities, the future Sword Emperor was still just a teenage boy. Naturally, there were those dissatisfied with having such a young child ascend the throne.

And leading these dissenters was none other than the younger brother of the previous emperor.

This man, later known as the Throne Usurper, used his silver tongue to obstruct the Sword Emperor’s ascension and even attempted to poison his meals to assassinate him.

The one who saved the Sword Emperor from this threat was his younger sister, the Dragon Priestess Vivian.

…

It is said that after escaping the castle with Vivian’s help, the Sword Emperor headed toward a forest called “The Forest No One Can Enter.”

During the Age of the Gods, this deep forest was said to be home to a sage. Some folklore even claims this sage was the same person who helped Rychlen.

This sage had once lent knowledge to the Knight King, earning his trust. It’s rumored the Knight King then informed the young Sword Emperor about this.

With Vivian’s help, the Sword Emperor fled the castle and made his way into the forbidden forest, where he met the wise sage.

…

After years of travel under the sage’s guidance, the two siblings eventually returned to overthrow the usurper and reclaim the imperial throne.

Thus, Lucius Altirius III retrieved what was rightfully his.

…

Another notable story about the Sword Emperor involves the legendary magic sword gifted to him by his master.

The Un drawable Magic Sword: Dainslayfer.

Also known as the Sword of Eternal Memory.

While wielding this sword grants the user their desired wish, it only fulfills surface-level desires—not the truest ones within their heart.

Only the first owner of the sword, the Sword Emperor himself, knows why it bears such a name.

…

Part of the reason Lucius Altirius III earned the title “Sword Emperor” was not only due to the magical sword but also because he was considered the strongest swordsman of his time—so powerful that no one could compare.

A famous tale tells how he single-handedly defeated the entirety of the Royal Knights and the Epona Knight Order armed with nothing but a wooden sword.

Even more impressively, despite being completely unarmored, he triumphed over knights fully equipped with steel swords and Agathlam Silver Armor.

His unmatched strength came not only from the systematic training he received from his master but also from methods that enhanced his body using magical power.

However, this technique was never passed down, leading to rumors that perhaps the Sword Emperor was inherently a mage capable of magically reinforcing his own body.

…

Another intriguing fact about the Sword Emperor is that he remained unmarried throughout his life, refusing to take an empress—a choice surrounded by many speculations, though none have been proven.

Among the many theories, the most popular one suggests he lost someone dear during the battle against the usurper.

…

Despite showing no interest in other women, occasional sightings of a ring on his left ring finger suggest he did have a romantic relationship at some point.

Some scandalous gossipmongers even speculated that he secretly loved his own sister, to which Vivian responded, “By the name of the Goddess of Life, I swear I’d never like that idiot.”

She added, “That fool will never love anyone else for the rest of his life,” further fueling rumors that he had lost someone he deeply cared for.

…

Eventually, after ruling the Romania Empire for a long time, the Sword Emperor passed the throne to his nephew and built a small house in a corner of the palace garden, where he spent his remaining days.

…

– The Sword Emperor. The Empire’s Greatest Swordsman.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

Emperor Lucius Altirius III, known as Arthur to his teacher and younger sister, spoke with an irritable voice.

After finishing all state affairs, the eccentric emperor would retreat to the small house in the back garden, treating everyone except his sister harshly—even his servants.

This behavior extended to his subordinates.

“Though the famine covering this land has ended and all commoners are praising Your Majesty, there is still unease. If Your Majesty were to welcome an empress and secure an heir, it might ease the people’s concerns…”

Before the servant could finish, they felt something pressing down on them, forcing them to kneel onto the floor.

Not physical force, but an invisible energy that pressed upon their spirit.

Those who wield swords call it a killing intent—and it was overwhelming them.

“Leave.”

“H-however…”

“I won’t say it again.”

The servant could feel their breathing becoming labored. It was as if sharp blades were piercing their entire body, ready to slice them apart at any moment.

Even without drawing a sword, the emperor could slay them.

“Really now. Understand your place.”

The oppressive aura vanished when the emperor’s sister entered through the door.

“Now, if you value your life, get out already. Don’t dirty my floor.”

Vivian lightly waved her hand, lifting the kneeling servant slightly before sending them out the door.

“Tsk. What nonsense.”

“What? Someone needs to teach that temper of yours some manners. I can’t believe Master liked looking at that face.”

“…”

At Vivian’s words, the emperor glared silently for a moment before exhaling a small sigh.

“So, what is it?”

“It’s about Master. I gathered as much information as possible.”

“Master?”

At the mention of their teacher, the emperor’s gaze shifted.

“Yes. Master. The name ‘Gaia’ itself was a clue given to us by Master.”

“Clue…”

With that, Vivian pulled out a small book from her embrace and tossed it to the emperor.

“I summarized everything here. Read it when you have time.”

“Hm. Anything else?”

“Nope. Just delivering this book. Did you think I’d start nagging about heirs like the others?”

“…”

The emperor didn’t respond.

“As if. Why would I tell someone who fell in love with a rock pile to settle down?”

“That’s harsh, sis.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it?”

The emperor couldn’t argue.

“Anyway, I’m leaving. Regarding heirs… well, things will work out somehow. Either we adopt from a collateral line or I find someone nice, marry, and produce a prince. Somehow, it’ll happen.”

“Marry? You’re a Dragon Priestess.”

“That can be given up, apparently. Though it’s not ideal, I’ve done enough already.”

Vivian said this casually, but the emperor knew better.

What a great sacrifice it would be.

“…Thank you.”

“The best option would be if you took a concubine and had children, but since that’s impossible, I’ll handle it. We need to show our faces to Master someday.”

With that, Vivian walked out with light steps while the emperor watched her retreating figure.

She was far too precious a sister for him.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The emperor, or rather Arthur, entered the modest stone house located in a corner of the garden.

Inside, simple furniture adorned the space alongside a statue of a woman.

“I’ve returned, Master.”

After speaking to no one in particular, Arthur sat beside the statue, gazing at it.

An almost unreal beauty carved in stone. On its left hand rested an emerald-adorned stone ring identical to the one Arthur kept in his pocket.

“Master, Vivian says she found some information about you in a book.”

Arthur pulled out the book and opened it.

It contained stories about Gaia, the Mother of All Earths.

The Earth Goddess. Thinking back, it made sense.

Who else would create a small rocky hill for a disciple’s training?

Who else would divert rivers to aid in practice?

Who else could conjure walls of stone in an instant?

Who else could end a nationwide famine in the blink of an eye?

Who besides the gods who once ruled this land could accomplish such feats?

Who besides a god?

“Of course, it was you.”

Even after the gods departed, the Earth Goddess stayed behind, masquerading as the Sage of the Deep Forest, continuing to live for humanity.

Even when all her believers disappeared, she remained.

Even when the inevitable end for faithless gods approached, she endured.

As Arthur continued reading, his eyes paused on a certain passage.

‘The Mother of Earth Gaia shares similarities with the Goddess of Life.’

This wasn’t something easily overlooked.

Simultaneously, it resolved some lingering doubts.

How did Master know so much about Dragon Priestesses?

How could he awaken my sister when she was poisoned?

How could he summon priests from the Church of Life while secluded in the deep forest?

How could my sister recover so quickly from her suffering?

All answers lay with the Goddess of Life.

Master, Gaia, the Mother of All Earths—she must remain within the Goddess of Life.

Surely, that must be the truth.

…

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