With preparations complete as Sword Saint Cloud, I headed for the castle.
By now, Valère should have arrived in the kingdom.
The title of the fastest mage is not for show.
If he doesn’t use back routes like I do, Valère’s speed certainly lives up to his reputation.
In fact, he was even faster than I anticipated.
“Please, I need to speak with His Majesty!”
“Don’t be ridiculous! His Majesty is in a meeting!”
“This is more important than any meeting! Hurry!”
“B-but…”
Valère was stopped by guards near the throne room.
While Valère could have forced his way in, he valued etiquette. It’s necessary to follow protocol to get an audience.
But now is not the time for such considerations.
“Aren’t you Valère, one of the Twelve Celestial Mages, the Wind Mage?”
“…White Sword Saint Cloud… You’ve arrived at just the right time. We need to talk.”
“Is it about the Imperial army approaching the border?”
Cloud had already caught wind of this information.
To underscore my point, I mentioned the border situation.
Valère shook his head.
“Do you think I would come here just for that?”
“Fair enough. Follow me.”
I instructed the guards to stand down and led Valère into the throne room.
“Explain briefly.”
“The large army at the border is a decoy. The real target is the Grand Duchy’s capital. Their troops have already infiltrated.”
“And the Black Sage?”
“He has taken on the task of dealing with the border army. In return, he asks the Sword Saint to assist the Grand Duchy.”
“I’d like to agree, but I need the king’s permission.”
“Of course.”
Valère sighed but seemed prepared for this. It was probably his plan from the start.
I opened the door without hesitation.
Inside, King Albert was in a meeting with Duke Townset and other high-ranking officials.
“Sword Saint! We’re in the middle of a meeting!”
“The Imperial army is approaching the border. Valère, one of the Twelve Celestial Mages of the Empire, has something to say about it.”
“I apologize for the abrupt intrusion. I am Valère, the Seventh Celestial Mage, Wind Mage.”
“I’ve heard the rumors. If the fastest mage has come, it must be urgent.”
“Indeed!”
“Speak.”
“Sire!?”
Ignoring the ministers’ protests, Albert urged Valère to speak.
Valère stepped forward.
“The Empire has sent an army of 400,000 towards the Kingdom and Empire.”
“400,000!? What is that number?”
“Deploy the Seven Swords to the border immediately!”
“The only one who can make it in time is the Sword Saint!”
The ministers began to panic, but Albert focused on Valère’s words.
He understood that such a large army wouldn’t bring Valère here.
“However, that large army is a diversion. The real target is the capital of the Grand Duchy. Troops have already infiltrated. The operation’s exact timing is unknown, but they will likely move as soon as they sense our response.”
“They intend to drive a wedge into the three-nation alliance…”
Albert, looking unusually serious, spoke.
As a moderate, Albert understood the importance of the alliance.
He didn’t overestimate the Sword Saint’s power.
He knew that only through the unity of the three nations could they stand against the Empire.
“This is a proposal from the Black Sage. He will handle the 400,000-strong army. In exchange, he asks that the Sword Saint be sent to aid the Grand Duchy.”
“Do you understand what you’re asking? To abandon our defenses with an army of 400,000 at our doorstep?”
“Yes. It is the only way.”
Valère said seriously.
“And this involves the alliance of the three nations. Please, consider the proposal.”
“Nonsense! What if the Black Sage fails?”
“Right! It’s too unreasonable for only our kingdom to take the risk!”
The ministers unanimously opposed.
But Valère stared intently at Albert.
Albert closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He couldn’t afford to make the wrong decision.
“Does the Emperor know about this?”
“No, this is the Black Sage and my independent decision.”
“What!?”
“This is absurd! If you want to request something, it should come from the Empire itself!”
“Throw him out!”
A natural reaction. Despite being significant figures, Valère and the Black Sage are individuals.
The kingdom has no obligation to comply.
But Albert smiled wryly.
“Why would you risk such danger despite being one of the Twelve Celestial Mages?”
“I may not be trusted by many, but please believe this. I wish to protect my homeland. Titles and honors come second.”
“For your homeland…”
“Yes. If the Grand Duchy falls, the alliance will collapse. Even if we liberate the capital after it falls, it will be too late. We must act before it falls!”
“I understand your point.”
Albert then looked at me.
With a kind gaze.
“Cloud, what do you think?”
“If the Grand Duchy falls, it will indeed cause a rift in the alliance. But if that is a concern, the Empire should send the Twelve Celestial Mages, excluding the Black Sage.”
“If it were possible, it would have been done. Gathering the Twelve Celestial Mages is a difficult task. Moreover, it requires discussions with high-ranking officials.”
“Then, the Kingdom of Albios also needs to discuss.”
“Sire! Even though it might seem strange for me, an imperial, to say this… But considering the gravity of the situation, I came here. The Empire cannot act immediately. The only hope lies with the kingdom!”
Valère knelt as he spoke.
The ministers also knelt.
“Sire! This matter requires thorough discussion!”
“Let’s call the military and deliberate carefully!”
“Sire!”
“Sire!”
Caught between Valère and the ministers, Albert looked up at the ceiling.
Then.
“Cloud… What do you want to do?”
“There’s no need to ask. It depends on Your Majesty’s will.”
“You leave everything to me?”
“The ‘sword’ depends on the wielder.”
Albert smiled at my words.
Probably because it wasn’t something a free-spirited person like me would usually say.
But it seemed to solidify Albert’s resolve.
“White Sword Saint Cloud. I command you. Follow the alliance and go to the aid of the Grand Duchy. Show the continent that our kingdom will not abandon its allies. Stop the Imperial army with our nation’s pride.”
“—Understood.”
“Sire! Please wait!”
“Reconsider!”
The ministers urged reconsideration, but Albert glared at them and declared.
“The decision is made. No objections will be tolerated.”
Albert firmly stated and quietly ordered me.
“Go.”
“Yes!”
I bowed and left promptly.
I disappeared from the castle.
In front of Valère, I couldn’t act like the Black Sage.
After all, free movement was a privilege of the Black Sage.
Then, I transformed into the Black Sage and flew to the border between the kingdom and the empire.
