The Sword Emperor Transmigrates-Chapter 226

“What? Is that true?!”

“The Spriggan Frontier is done? But where’s the official notice?!”

“It already feels surreal that we’ve agreed on a non-aggression pact with the Celestials, but to hear that another frontier has been settled? The world’s changing fast.”

“We might see an end to this within our lifetimes! Haha!”

The news that both Yggdrasil and the Spriggans had been neutralized spread quickly. The massive operation, the kind that would only happen once in a century, involved two knight orders and advanced strategic weapons. The news of their success was inspiring.

Naturally, the news of success was encouraging and inspiring, although few openly celebrated due to the heavy casualties from such a massive operation. Still, the accomplishment of completely eliminating an entire frontier was indisputably monumental.

Among the 259 fallen, most were apprentice knights, while the majority of the official members from the Cardenas family, treated as the most elite forces, had survived. Audrey, who had lost an arm, was already undergoing regeneration treatment, her arm and overall condition recovering at a rapid pace.

Uluka’s death, however, was perhaps the operation’s most significant loss.

“Commander Uluka’s passing is undoubtedly tragic, but... fortunately, we have a fitting talent to take his place, don’t we?”

“Huh, what do you mean, a fitting talent? We’re talking about someone who has already ascended to the Demigod Tier.”

“It’s exactly as I just said. His promotion to the rank of commander is certain, but I’m just wondering which knight order he’ll be assigned to.”

It should have been a somber atmosphere due to the loss of the Green Dragon Commander, but the news of a young prodigy’s breakthrough to the next major tier had shifted the mood into one of renewed hope.

Naturally, that young prodigy was none other than Leonard—a rising star who had ascended to the Demigod Tier before even turning twenty. Having already built a solid reputation through his time in the Black Dragon and Red Dragon Orders, news of Leonard’s breakthrough to the Demigod Tier was the icing on the cake.

With his reputation skyrocketing, knights who had seen him back in his days at the training couldn’t stop talking about him, especially his peers, like William and Belita.

Knights who learned something from him or sparred with him naturally boasted about their connection, while those who had distanced themselves due to the overwhelming difference in talent regretted the missed opportunities. The status of the Demigod Tier—a title held by fewer than twenty in the whole Arcadian Empire—was no small feat, holding great significance and weight.

“I am Thirteenth of the Order of the Light Dragon, at your service, Sir Leonard.”

Perhaps it was this reputation that prompted the Light Dragon knight to be so polite when he went looking for Leonard after he had gone back to the Forest of Swords.

Identifying himself as the Thirteenth, the visitor used a moniker unique to the Order of the Light Dragon, a knight order specializing in clandestine operations and infiltration. By regulation, only their commander’s identity was public, while all other personal information was classified and never disclosed. He bore a normal appearance and attire—a disguise so complete that even Leonard’s Dragon Eyes could barely pierce through.

As a junior, Thirteenth lowered himself respectfully before Leonard. “The family head has summoned you, Sir Leonard. You may follow me or visit the mansion directly at your convenience.”

“Is it an urgent matter?”

“It is not. He mentioned that you may come at your leisure.”

After a moment’s thought, Leonard nodded and replied, “I’ll follow you.”

“Understood.”

Thirteenth led at a measured pace toward the mansion of the Archduke of Sword, moving in the unique manner of the Order of the Light Dragon. Following behind, Leonard realized his movement was quite peculiar, befitting a knight from an order that specialized in covert operations.

Thirteenth’s steps were silent, and not even the rustling of his cloak betrayed his presence. It was clear that if one encountered him at night, they would likely not notice him at all. He moved like a ghost, leaving not a single footprint behind, proving that he was indeed an expert in stealth maneuvers.

He’s better than the assassins of the Phantom’s Wail, although the Phantom Wanderer is probably half a level above him.

Unlike the Phantom Wanderer, who could avoid detection even in battle, Thirteenth’s movements weren’t suited for combat. It was unclear whether the Order of the Light Dragon had a separate lightness art for battle, or if they simply avoided direct combat. Given the secrecy surrounding them—second only to that of the Order of the Golden Dragon—there was no way to know the specifics.

Soon they arrived at the mansion of the Archduke of Sword, and Thirteenth withdrew with a respectful nod. “My duty is fulfilled. I will take my leave now.”

Leonard acknowledged Thirteenth with a slight nod, watching as he vanished like a mirage, his shadow disappearing as effortlessly as one under the noonday sun. Such illusory movement would be rated highly even in murim.

Entering the mansion, Leonard took notice of its unassuming appearance, humble compared to what one would expect from an estate belonging to Declan von Cardenas, one of the Arcadian Empire’s top three powerhouses.

It seemed as though everything had been cleared out in preparation for his arrival, as there wasn’t the slightest trace of anyone else’s presence. Only the faint, rippling aura within the mansion hinted at Declan’s presence.

Step, step...

Leonard walked through the open front door and continued down the long corridor, aware of the muted echoes of his footsteps. Feeling the presence grow nearer, Leonard suppressed a shiver. Now, as a Demigod Tier knight, he could truly sense it.

This entire mansion itself... is the family head’s Sword Domain. I could only realize it after coming this far. It’s as if his sword energy has reached the level of unity with nature, almost like an extension of heaven itself.

If the level of flawlessness referred to the state where one could no longer perfect martial arts any further, the next step was to achieve complete unity. It was the level where practicing martial arts aligned with the very will of the heavens.

It represented a state where wielding a sword was so natural that it invoked no sense of danger, nor even a hint of unease, preventing any defense or evasion. In every sense, this was no different from a Sword Immortal.

“Oh, you’re here? Quicker than I expected.”

Leonard entered what looked like a living room, greeted by a presence burning as bright as the sun.

It was the Archduke of Sword, Declan Cardenas.

Leonard’s eyes involuntarily narrowed at the sight. Their Dragon Eyes met, and as their Dragon Hearts resonated, they quickly gained an understanding of each other. Within the radiant aura lay a flame on the brink of flickering out.

Though briefly startled, Leonard bowed and spoke first.

“...I have come at your summons, Sir Declan. I am Leonard.”

“I’m Declan,” he replied casually. “Is this the first time we’ve met face-to-face?”

Declan then gestured for him to sit. Between warriors of the Demigod Tier, hierarchy held little significance, and Leonard’s formality was purely out of respect for an elder of the same family and the superior martial prowess before him.

The man held in reverence as the Archduke of Sword in this world had now met face-to-face with the one who had earned the title of Sword Emperor in his past life.

He’s strong.

Leonard was filled with admiration, barely able to conceal his astonishment. He had witnessed overwhelming strength before, but rarely was he outmatched on a technical level when it came to the sword. As such, his reaction was natural.

“Haha, so you’ve already grasped my state.”

Declan made no effort to hide it. After all, he and Leonard were among those closest to dragons within the Cardenas family. Regardless of their intention, the resonance of their Dragon Eyes and Dragon Hearts revealed their true strength to one another.

“As you have guessed, my time has already run out. I’ve lived for over three hundred years, so I have no regrets. But I held onto life because there was no suitable successor to take over as head of the family.”

The absence of the Archduke of Sword from public affairs wasn’t merely by choice—rather, he could no longer participate. Perhaps three hundred years did not seem that long for someone at the Demigod Tier, but crossing the threshold between life and death multiple times had taken a toll on Declan’s mind and body.

He had sustained injuries that scarred his very soul and had recovered from conditions that would have killed anyone else in the Transcendence Tier a hundred times over. Each time he recovered, it chipped away at his remaining lifespan.

“Are you unable to remain active at all?” Leonard asked.

“I can manage one final effort. My body is holding itself together with the strength I’ve stored within it, but if I use the last of it, I may crumble to ashes,” Declan explained his condition without hesitation, a faint smile softening the otherwise undimmed gaze of the strongest knight of Cardenas.

“I would have loved to have a duel with you, but I fear that would merely add my funeral to the succession ceremony on today’s plans.”

At that, Leonard’s face twisted slightly into an odd expression; he was unsure whether to laugh or remain solemn. Seeing this, Declan chuckled, a mischievous glint befitting a wily old man as he leaned back in his chair.

Though he was an old man, teasing Leonard drew out a surprisingly honest reaction from Declan, one that actually suited his age quite well.

It’s truly a shame not being able to clash swords in earnest with someone like this.

Inwardly, Leonard was both relieved and disappointed—the former due to respect for his family’s elder and the latter from not having the chance to spar with the strongest swordsman of the era.

Picking up on his mixed feelings, Declan grinned slyly before saying, “Now, let’s get to the point. Leonard, do you understand the full significance of reaching the Demigod Tier?”

“It means that I’ve proven myself qualified to become a leader of the Seven Great Orders,” Leonard replied.

“Precisely. That’s why they’re commanders. To face someone at the Demigod Tier, you need to be in that tier yourself. As you’ve seen, the gap between tiers is absolute. Those in the External Force Tier could, at best, kill someone in the Transcendence Tier if lucky, but those in the Transcendence Tier can’t stand against or overpower someone in the Demigod Tier by their own strength.”

Pausing briefly, Declan continued with a serious expression, “So, Leonard, do you want to become a knight commander?”

Matching Declan’s earnestness, Leonard plainly said, “No.”

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“Why not?”

“Because I’d rather prioritize my training than shoulder the responsibilities and time demands of a commander.”

This response might have sounded selfish to some, but both Declan and Leonard knew its deeper meaning. Anyone in Arcadia’s upper echelons understood the importance of striving for the next tier once reaching the Demigod Tier.

Declan’s expression turned solemn as he murmured, “This isn’t something you’re saying out of ignorance. Who told you about it?”

“Yggdrasil, the World Tree. It warned that a vacant Divine Throne would bring inevitable ruin and named me as a fitting candidate to fill it.”

“I see.”

That was especially the case if those words came from the World Tree itself, which had served as a protective barrier against foreign entities from other dimensions. Her words carried weight. As an entity from an ancient era, Yggdrasil would have unparalleled knowledge of the laws of the world and the Divine Throne.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Declan said, “It seems you hold a far more crucial position than I anticipated. Even Her Majesty has expressed interest in meeting you. It will take three months due to her demanding schedule, but the meeting is arranged.”

The empress of Arcadia—Leonard couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the prospect of meeting her. In his past life, Yeon Mu-Hyuk had treated officials and the royal family as nominal people, deeming them worthless, but things were different here.

The royal family of Arcadia had reduced the Three Noble Houses—families possessing ridiculous power—to vassals, wielding them as extensions of their power.

A Demigod Tier knight was essentially a natural disaster, so the royal family couldn’t possibly control such people by force alone; there had to be some hidden secret behind their authority.

“Before your new rank is made official,” Declan went on, “I want you to visit the post of the Order of the Golden Dragon. Are you aware of Ancestor Cardenas’ condition?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that her consciousness only returns during her descents.”

Declan shook his head and clarified, “She sometimes wakes up even outside those occasions, though it’s rare. It lasts only a few days, or at most a month, but communication is possible. I don’t know how much longer she’ll stay, but it’s a unique opportunity.”

“...Are you saying I should meet Ancestor Cardenas?”

“She will be more helpful to you than I could ever be, since I can’t even spar with you once. Even in my younger days, meeting her helped me progress greatly.”

Declan, having shared a story bound to capture Leonard’s full attention, gave him a final nod, signaling that it was time for him to take his leave.

“Go and meet her. We can discuss the rest afterward.”