Chapter 252: The Emperor's Consent
Setting aside her identity as the strongest mage of the modern era, just the fact that she was a member of the original Hero Party and a companion of the Holy King Norne meant that no one dared to offend her.
Even if she pointed at the Emperor's nose and cursed him out, His Majesty would likely have to praise Lady Serie for cursing so eloquently.
The group was quickly and respectfully invited into the palace, where they met the current ruler of the Kingdom of Ersten, Emperor Fidel.
"Lady Serie!? And... Lord Ade? You two have finally arrived."
The Emperor showed great enthusiasm for Serie's arrival. After all, his family heirloom was still in her possession. If he had a bad attitude and she decided not to return it, he would have to swallow the loss in silence, just like the Elven Kingdom had, with no way to retaliate.
Unless he wanted to tear up relations with Serie and send a massive army and powerful mages to crusade against her.
"Ade?"
Hearing Fidel use the name "Ade," both Ela and Frieren cast curious glances.
Rhodes ignored them entirely.
He had no choice. Back then, out of the necessity to conceal his identity, Rhodes generally did not use his real name. The name "Ade" was something Serie had come up with on the spot. In Fidel's eyes, Rhodes was still just her apprentice.
After a simple exchange of pleasantries, Fidel could barely wait to ask the question that had plagued him for years.
"Respected Lady Serie, um... regarding my country's Holy Sword, The Light of Ersten... do you intend to—"
His words faltered slightly as he carefully chose his phrasing. "It was seized by demons several years ago, and we were fortunate enough to have you retrieve it. However, since then, it has not been returned. Do you think perhaps...?"
The Light of Ersten was not only a national treasure but also the symbol of the kingdom's faith.
In the years without the Holy Sword, the Emperor had always felt a lack of confidence, ashamed to face his ancestors.
Hearing this, Serie's expression remained unchanged. She simply turned her head slightly to look at Rhodes standing beside her.
When they had retrieved the Holy Sword, it was Rhodes who had suggested not returning it immediately.
His reasoning was simple: to guard against the counterattack of the newly emerged Demon King, the power of The Light of Ersten was necessary.
Serie had no objection. To her, it made no difference where the sword was kept.
Now that the question was raised, she naturally handed the decision over to Rhodes.
The Emperor's gaze followed Serie's, landing on Rhodes.
"Lord Ade, what is your intention?"
Although he didn't know why Lady Serie was looking at Lord Ade, or why she would entrust such a major decision to him, for Fidel, retrieving the sword was the only thing that mattered.
"We cannot return The Light of Ersten to you just yet," Rhodes said, shaking his head.
Hearing this, Fidel's expression stiffened for a second.
Does this 'Lord Ade' intend to monopolize the sword for himself?
It was hard for Fidel not to think that way.
After all, the reputation of The Light of Ersten was too resounding.
The Divine Right Sword, Org, was missing. The Sword of Salvation was known only to a select few, its location a mystery, and even if found, no one could pull it out without meeting specific conditions.
The whereabouts of the Holy Right Sword, Athos, were clear enough—it was in Serie's hands.
But... who would dare try to rob her?
So, The Light of Ersten was the only viable option left.
Rhodes looked at Fidel's stiff face and the anxiety and suspicion flashing in his eyes. He understood perfectly what the Emperor was thinking.
He reassured him, "Your Majesty need not worry. The Light of Ersten is the Holy Sword enshrined by the Kingdom of Ersten for generations. That fact will never change."
"We are borrowing the Holy Sword temporarily, not out of selfishness, but to counter the new Demon King that has appeared. Her power far exceeds imagination, and the sword is necessary to defeat her."
"Once the threat is removed, the Holy Sword will naturally be returned. I guarantee this on my... on Serie's honor."
He chose not to use his own reputation, instead leveraging Serie's name to assure Fidel.
Fidel glanced at Serie. Seeing no objection on her face, and noting the solemnity in Rhodes's expression, the majority of his doubts dissipated.
"I see. Is it to deal with the Demon King?"
Fidel breathed a sigh of relief, his expression softening considerably.
Fighting the Demon King was a righteous cause. He could not refute such a reason, and he was willing to support it.
But as the ruler of a nation, he naturally had to fight for his country's interests.
He pondered for a moment, then took the opportunity to ask his next pressing question. " Then, Lord Ade, apart from borrowing the Holy Sword, do you and Lady Serie have other important matters to discuss during this visit?"
He guessed that these two legendary figures wouldn't visit just to tell him they weren't giving his sword back.
Rhodes nodded and seized the chance to present their true purpose. "Yes. We have come this time in hopes of establishing a Magic Association here in the Kingdom of Ersten."
"A Magic Association?" Fidel's eyes lit up, but a trace of wariness immediately followed.
He thought of the Saint Katiya Magic Academy, famous across the continent yet utterly detached from worldly affairs.
Every year, the Kingdom of Ersten had to provide huge sums of funding to support them in exchange for a promise of priority aid during demon invasions.
But in ordinary times? Trying to mobilize the academy's mages to handle domestic affairs or conflicts between nations?
That was a pipe dream.
Thinking of all those shiny gold coins exchanged for mere symbolic promises made Fidel's heart bleed.
He leaned forward slightly and asked tentatively, "May I ask, would this Magic Association belong to the Kingdom of Ersten? Could it be used to defend our country and resist foreign aggression?"
This was his biggest concern.
If he could have a powerful magical force of his own, Ersten's national power would be greatly enhanced.
However, Rhodes's answer poured a bucket of cold water on him.
"Your Majesty, this Magic Association will be an organization independent of any national government." Rhodes's tone was firm. "Its purpose is to disseminate magical knowledge and cultivate magical talent. It will not directly intervene in political or military conflicts between nations."
Fidel's face darkened instantly, his disappointment palpable.
Another Saint Katiya? Then why should he support it with all his might?
But just as he was preparing to politely suggest he needed time to consider, Rhodes changed the subject.
"However," Rhodes looked at him, "while the Association itself is neutral, it will not place restrictions on the future paths and choices of the mages who study and graduate from it."
Fidel's head snapped up.
The meaning of those words couldn't be clearer!
The Association wouldn't participate in politics, but the mages it trained could choose to serve the Kingdom of Ersten!
This meant Ersten would have a stable and high-quality source of mages—potentially even mages taught by Serie herself.
This was far more reliable than the Saint Katiya Academy, which listened to announcements but ignored orders!
Although he couldn't directly order the Association to fight for him, gaining a steady stream of talent offered immense benefits that Fidel weighed instantly.
It was like establishing a top-tier military academy. The academy itself might not belong to the national army, but most graduates would choose to join the local military.
For the Kingdom of Ersten, this was a windfall.
A smile broke out on Fidel's face. Without any hesitation, he answered decisively:
"Good! That is excellent! Lord Ade, Lady Serie, please rest assured! The Kingdom of Ersten will do everything in its power to support the establishment of your Magic Association here! Whether it is site selection, funding, or manpower and resources—as long as you ask, our country will provide its full assistance!"
Looking at Rhodes and Serie, he seemed to envision a future where the magical power of Ersten flourished.
As for the Holy Sword?
Leaving it in the hands of these two for the time being didn't seem so worrisome after all.
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