Chapter 52

◈ Chapter 52 – The Golden Lion Conference

"First, let me apologize. One of my men from the Imperial Knight Order disrespected you. And the Head Instructor from the First Training Center—may he rest in peace."

"Ah, that..."

"Yeah, the one who went to teach you Detection Magic. He meant well, but... hell if I know how it ended up like that. I've already given him a suitable punishment, so how about forgiving him?"

A suitable punishment.

That sounded like he'd beaten the guy within an inch of his life—just enough so he wouldn't die.

"I had forgotten about that day. You also came to apologize in person."

"And I heard you coldly turned him away?"

"Yes, that's correct. My apologies."

"No, no, no need to apologize. You did well, very well... But, Mago. About that Detection Magic—you still have more training to do, don't you? That lake... or whatever you called it. The Mana Gathering Place. I bet you still want to know where it is."

"I'll find it on my own."

"You don't need to be so guarded. I'm not going to pull some petty 'join the Knight Order and I'll tell you' crap. If you want, I can tell you right now."

"Then may I take you up on that offer?"

"Of course. But..."

He paused.

"It's really nothing big, Mago."

"Sounds like there is something."

"It's no huge deal. At the Golden Lion Conference, just take the Imperial Knight Order's side. A single word of agreement—that's all. In front of the Emperor. I'll signal you when the time comes."

So there were conditions after all.

"I think I'll need to check with Captain Simena first."

"Just once, that's all I'm asking. Once."

"I'll... keep it in mind."

"Thanks, Mago."

"But what did Captain Simena do to make you react like that?"

"When you were a trainee?"

"Yes."

"After we retreated from the Capital, Captain Simena... well, I heard he met with me and the other Division Commanders."

"In person?"

"Yeah, in person. Came over, shook my hand, and left."

"That's it?"

"When he shook my hand, my palm stung. I thought it was odd... but there was a mark branded on it. A red targeting reticle."

Captain Simena's magic tool.

Once that red mark was placed, his dagger would home in on it.

No matter how much you tried to dodge or distance yourself.

It would chase you to the end.

"That damn dagger followed me for ages. Three whole hours... that bastard Simena deliberately kept the speed just close enough to freak me out..."

The Knight Commander had the expression of someone waking from a nightmare.

"That's why I couldn't approach you after that. The other Division Commanders were probably the same. That sly fox of a man..."

"Something like that happened..."

"Ah, speak of the devil."

"It's 'speak of the wolf.'"

Captain Simena pushed past the Knight Commander's shoulder and walked inside.

"Knight Commander, what are you doing here?"

"Got lost. Wandered in by mistake."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Believe what you want. I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Don't glare at me like that—you'll get wrinkles."

"My wrinkles are a mark of prestige."

"Don't bother sugarcoating it. You'd better start managing yourself now, Simena."

"Manage your own hairline first."

"You—you—"

The Knight Commander started to retort, then just gave up and walked out.

Rumor had it that the Special Forces Captain and the Imperial Knight Commander were sworn enemies, but watching them now, they seemed more like close friends.

"That bastard's term as Division Commander ends next month. Guess he's rattled. Can't even talk back anymore—no fun."

"Captain Simena. When I was a trainee, did you really meet with all the Division Commandors? And threaten them to keep me away?"

"Who told you that? I never did."

"I just heard it."

"You're paranoid, Mago. I'm telling you, you're not that important. I never did any of that, so wipe that smug look off your face."

"Are you sure?"

"I said drop the expression."

"Then fine. I must have misunderstood."

Captain Simena was still a terrible liar.

A knock came at the door a moment later.

"If it's another bastard here to see you, I'll break his—"

Captain Simena yanked the door open, irritation plain on his face.

But it was the same knight who had guided us before.

"It's time. Both of you, please attend the Golden Lion Conference."

---

It was the legendary round table.

"Huh? You're not Marjelo Arnis?" the 8th Division Commander said, eyeing me.

"I'm Mago, Captain of the 15th Unit."

"Captain Simena. Where is Marjelo Arnis..."

"On a mission. And Mago is a better fit for today's meeting."

Captain Simena cut in smoothly.

There were eight people seated at the table now.

Two representatives from the Special Forces.

Two from the Imperial Knight Order.

Likewise, the 7th Division and 8th Division each had two.

Thirteen were supposed to attend in total, but five were still missing.

"What about the Combat Division?" Captain Simena asked the Knight Commander.

"The navy can't make it because of Atlantis. That place is a mess right now."

Probably because of the Demon King's Castle discovered in the sea.

So that was happening around this time.

"And the Army Commander?"

"Even I don't know. And Simena, wouldn't it be more polite to study the roster beforehand instead of asking me?"

"Yeah, I just studied it."

"Haah..."

If we excluded the two Combat Division reps and the Army Commander, there were still two left.

As we waited, the remaining two finally arrived.

Everyone seated rose at once.

"We greet the Empire's Sun."

The Imperial Knight Commander was the first to bow, nearly groveling.

The rest followed suit, bending so low their heads almost touched the floor.

The Emperor sat down and spoke his first word.

"Right."

He was a man who looked about fifty.

And his eyes were fixed on me.

"Hmm, so you're Mago."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am the Captain of the 15th Special Unit, Mago."

I snapped my hand up in a sharp salute.

"And your surname?"

"I have no—"

"It's Stein. Mago Stein. Mago, can't even state your full name properly? Relax a little."

Captain Simena answered for me. Then he gave a slight wink—a signal.

I suddenly had a surname, and he was telling me to roll with it.

"My apologies. Let me reintroduce myself. I am Mago Stein, Captain of the 15th Special Mission Unit."

"House Stein. Never heard of it."

The Emperor nodded in acknowledgment.

"Take a seat first."

Only after he sat down could we bend our knees.

"Knight Commander, how are things with the Imperial Knight Order these days?"

"Ah, well..."

While the two of them exchanged updates on headquarters and recent affairs, Captain Simena whispered to me.

"I almost forgot. Mago, from now on, you're Mago Stein. You can't be without a surname here."

"Why not?"

"If the Emperor finds out you were a slave, he'll throw you out immediately, hero of the first victory or not."

"Tch..."

"Just go along with it."

"At least tell me one thing. Where did 'Stein' come from?"

"It was the name of a dog I had when I was a kid."

A family name? Bullshit.

It was a dog's name.

"Ah... I see..."

"He's crossed the rainbow bridge by now... I miss him."

"Truly valuable and helpful information. I'm so grateful."

"Don't be sarcastic. Just play along, Captain Mago Stein."

Captain Simena gave a slight smirk and pulled back.

"The Special Forces."

At that moment, the Emperor's voice rang out.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Both Captain Simena and I answered at once.

"I heard you've produced a musket."

"Yes, Your Majesty. A recruit with exceptional craftsmanship joined our ranks."

"I see. The musket is a weapon the Knight Order prides itself on. Were there any difficulties in manufacturing it?"

"It went extremely smoothly. So smoothly, in fact, that I wondered if it was supposed to be this easy."

At that, the Knight Commander's expression twisted.

"Now, Captain Simena. What about the shooting? Was the live fire a success?"

"Of course. The 42nd and 43rd Units—our recruits—completed their demonstration shooting successfully. And the man who led that training is right here."

Captain Simena pointed at me.

"Captain Mago Stein was in charge."

"Oh? So you have a knack for handling firearms as well. I'm glad to see the Special Forces gaining another talent."

The other one he was referring to was undoubtedly Marjelo.

The one who had quelled the Demon King Army's first invasion.

It wasn't a victory, but Marjelo's efforts had twisted the outcome just enough to hold the line.

"We're not done yet, Captain Simena."

The Knight Commander seized on his words.

"Fine, so the demonstration shooting went well. But what about actual combat? Did you use the muskets during the Third Invasion?"

"It was pouring rain. How were we supposed to use muskets in that?"

"Or was it just a lack of proficiency?"

"Don't twist my words."

"I'm not twisting anything—you are, Simena. Let me ask Captain Mago directly. He was the one who led the musket training."

The Knight Commander's gaze swept slowly across my face.

It felt like a signal.

Back in the waiting room, he'd asked me for a promise. One single time, in front of the Emperor, to side with the Imperial Knight Order.

His eyes now told me it was time to honor that promise.

"Captain Mago Stein. Do you think the Special Forces will be able to use muskets going forward? I'm asking whether your troops adapted well to the training."

"That..."

I glanced at Captain Simena.

His lips were pressed into a tight line.

"Even if they were fresh recruits fresh out of training camp, they must have been uneasy with firearms. Mago, answer me. Now."

The Knight Commander emphasized the word "now."

He was telling me, clearly, that the time to keep my promise had arrived.

If I helped him, I would learn Detection Magic. I would find the Lake—the place to train.

One step closer to growth.

That chance was now.

Captain Simena had ordered the musket training specifically to cripple the Knight Order's pride. To undercut their value by neutralizing their advantage—their beloved firearms and cannons.

If I sided with the Knight Commander, Simena's plan would collapse.

But the Ghost King's Kwaegum still lingered in my memory.

I couldn't afford to give up the Lake's enhancement.

And now the Emperor himself was waiting for my answer. So were the other Division Commanders.

Only Captain Simena looked away, avoiding my eyes.

"The Special Forces... all members of the Special Forces are specialized in close-quarters combat. They have no prior experience with firearms."

"Hmm. Go on."

The Knight Commander nodded with obvious satisfaction, as if he was about to clap his hands.

"Using firearms doesn't suit the Special Forces. And the recruits showed more confidence with cold weapons than with guns."

"You heard that, didn't you? Chief Commander Simena. The man who personally led the musket training—Captain Mago Stein himself—has spoken. You're not going to argue with that, are you?"

Captain Simena lifted his head.

Then, in a low voice, he replied.

"Yeah... muskets don't suit the Special Forces. We trained with them, but I admit it. We've never used them in actual combat either."

"So it's true that the Special Forces can't adapt to new weapons... Even if they have the ability to produce them, they only push them away. Tsk..."

The Emperor nodded and muttered.

A roundabout way of saying they were clinging to pointless stubbornness.

And that he didn't approve of Simena Extin, the commander of those very Special Forces.

The Knight Commander discreetly gave me a thumbs-up.

My statement had been a betrayal.

I had knowingly contradicted Captain Simena's intentions.

But I didn't care.

Because muskets weren't what mattered.

Captain Simena quietly stared at my waist.

Specifically, the opposite side of the Red Sword.

The EX Revolver holstered on my belt.

So that was why he'd insisted I bring it.

"The Knight Commander is right. And so is Captain Mago Stein. Muskets don't suit the Special Forces."

He reached for the EX Revolver.

"They're beneath our standards."

"Wha—"

He drew it in one smooth motion and pressed it into my hand.

A heavy weight settled in my palm.

"Mago. Explain."

His tone was cocky now. The kind of attitude that, if the Emperor weren't present, would have him leaning back in his chair with both feet propped up on the round table.

After all, muskets were meaningless.

We had been preparing something far more advanced.

A revolver.

Officers' eyes locked onto the EX Revolver, murmuring among themselves.

"What is that?"

"Curious-looking... thing..."

At their questions, I began the explanation.

"It's called a revolver."

"A revolver?"

The Knight Commander's eyes went wide.

"It's a firearm that fully compensates for the shortcomings of the musket."

"In what way?"

I flicked the cylinder.

It spun, crackling with blue electric current.

"That—"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The weapon that will lead the Empire to victory is this very firearm."

"That magic tool—!"

The first to react was none other than the Emperor himself.

"The Special Forces Technical Team is currently focused on mass-producing a model based on my magic tool."

No sooner had I finished than Captain Simena pulled two sheets of paper from his bag.

Schematics drawn by the Technical Team.

Especially by Oscar.

He extended his arm, sending the two blueprints sliding across the round table.

The one who picked them up was also the Emperor.

"Captain Mago Stein... this isn't what we agreed on..."

The Knight Commander muttered under his breath.

"I kept my word exactly as promised. Didn't you say once would be enough?"