Chapter 64: Strengthening The Foundations (2)
According to Shirons memory, Reincarnation of the Sword Saint was a game that had considerations for experienced players.
Although the essence of Reincarnation of the Sword Saint was an action RPG where real-time battles were the main focus, it also aimed to have the direction of a military simulation game with multiple endings.
They used their brains well.
For users who had nothing left to do after clearing the game, the developers had prepared several mechanisms allowing players to gradually discover hidden elements as the episodes progressed.
For example, the adventures of Kyrie, who was Lucias previous life.
Descriptions of enemies that existed 500 years ago and stories before the world was divided into magical and non-magical places were among those.
The element of reincarnation.
Stories of 500 years ago and the present.
Moreover, through a mechanism called NPC reminiscence, users could hear the stories of characters within the depths of the game.
Among them, three NPCs were particularly popular with the users.
They were so popular that the developers even made separate DLCs for these characters.
[Franz with the Cold Heart VOL.1]
[Forgotten Mage Seira VOL.2]
[Silleyan Warrior Yoru VOL.3]
After the release of the first expansion pack, communities where Reincarnation of the Sword Saint stories were mainly shared were plastered with posts calling the emperors name.
The users were cheering and were thrilled. Just the fact they gave nicknames to a mere supporting character resonated well with them.
Since Shiron had played all the expansion packs in his previous life, he shared those moments.
His Majesty may be a commander who will be recorded in history, but he definitely was not a good father. Perhaps this is why my brother went mad.
The line spat out bitterly by [Holy Flame Emperor Victor] after being handed over to the Pope was still vividly remembered even now in the game.
What happened?
Although several moons have waxed and waned since then, Victor has not appeared.
Winter has come, and snow has fallen.
The New Year has arrived, and another year has passed.
Young master.
In the training ground of the snow-covered mansion, Ophilia approached Shiron, who was swinging his iron rod and sweating.
A letter without a sender has arrived again today.
It must be Victor.
Shiron rudely replied, receiving the envelope handed over by Ophilia.
The envelope in his hand had no markings or letters, but guessing the sender was easy due to the deep blue color symbolizing the royal family.
If youre going to send letters regularly, come in person.
Shiron, putting down the iron rod, bit into the dried meat he took out from his pocket. When he opened the sleek seal without a stamp, a piece of paper with a short sentence written on it appeared.
[Im really sorry. Please forgive me. I cant tell you what happened because its a secret. Ill leave another apology and end it here.]
This is driving me crazy.
Shiron crumpled his face after reading the letter. He received at least thirty such letters, and they all were like this.
Shiron was resentful of Victor, who didnt show his face for such a long time.
He didnt care whether the prince was busy due to his status; the sin of annoyance was heavily added since he didnt show his face even after winter came and the sun set.
What is it? Victor again?
Lucia, who was shoveling the snow piled up on the training ground, approached Shiron.
Yes.
Shiron replied to Lucias question and exhaled towards the void.
It was troublesome to receive so many letters from a guy, so Shiron threw the letter into the bonfire he had lit in the corner of the training ground.
He wrote just to say sorry again.
Did he flee somewhere?
Why would he flee?
Because you teased him so much.
Was it that obvious?
At Lucias pointing out, Shiron opened his eyes wide.
Yes, it was obvious.
Lucia dumbfoundedly opened her mouth at Shirons absurd reaction and spoke softly.
The last time we saw that guy was when you asked him to invite us to his house, wasnt it?
Yes.
Think about it. A guy who has been obsessively bothering you is now declaring he will come to your house to bother you; if I could, I would run away, too.
Wasnt this much normal among friends
Shiron recalled the face of his childhood friend whom he could no longer see.
And Shiron, as if thinking, bit his lips. Sometimes, whenever Shiron had something to ponder, he would touch somewhere on his face like this. Having faced Shiron for a long time, Lucia came to remember each and every little habit of Shirons.
And Lucia looked at Shiron, who had grown a head taller than her, and Siriel in the distance.
Siriel was making a snowman in the training ground covered with snow, wearing mittens and a fur hat made by Eldrina herself.
Brother! Lucia! Help me with this!
Siriel, who approached rolling a large snowball, was a bit taller than Lucia.
And a few days later.
Victor, dressed more splendidly than before, visited the mansion.
Youve come quite quickly.
Indeed. Its been a long time. Haha.
Sitting on the bench, sipping lemonade, Shiron watched Victor with apathy. The quality of the attendants behind Victor had improved since his last visit.
It was not simply about them looking strong.
Even recalling the first time Victor brought troops to the mansion, there was more discipline now. Moreover, no one dared to look at Shiron, who was casually sipping through a straw in front of the prince.
Seems he really had some unmentionable circumstances.
Shiron gazed at Victor, who couldnt make proper eye contact.
The silk clothing embroidered with gold threads was luxurious enough to transform the boy, who rolled on the dirt floor foaming at the mouth in the last memory, into a dignified prince.
I guess youve brought good news since youve dressed up so much?
Yes.
Victor spoke hesitantly with a deep sigh. He was expecting a hit, but luckily, Shiron had not acted out yet.
Thankful for that, Victor sat opposite Shiron.
The second prince has been expelled from the palace.
Thats unfortunate.
The words coming out of his somewhat grave mouth were rather shocking. But Shirons expression was indifferent, unlike his words.
If Second Prince Henrys punishment was due to stalking Shiron, considering the emperors personality, this wouldnt have been the end of it.
That cant be all, right?
Of course not.
Then quickly tell me why you couldnt show your face till now.
Shiron leaned forward as if hurrying Victor. Victor, gesturing to the attendant behind him, continued speaking.
The day I requested an invitation for you to the Imperial Palace, the emperor also showed interest. Then, a few days later, the second prince and his mother, Lady Azani, were demoted in rank and were practically exiled to their provinces.
Victor relayed the heavy truth with burden-filled sighs.
And the faction that supported the second prince collapsed, and there was a purge in the court. Its frightening. At least a decades worth of power base was cleaned out with just a word from my father.
Shiron laughed indifferently. Given the emperors reputation for having a cold heart, Shiron had even assumed he would decapitate his own children. Victor interpreted Shirons smile differently and spoke with a relieved smile.
Im glad youre not offended.
Why? Who am I to him?
The emperor seems to like you. So, he gladly accepted the invitation request.
At that moment, an attendant approached Victor, offering a tray covered in silk.
However, he said its not possible right now.
Victor picked up the paper from the tray and handed it to Shiron.
He said the palace cleaning isnt over yet, so coming to the palace now would be embarrassing.
I dont mind.
Shiron laughed.
The so-called palace cleaning had an apparent guessable part to it.
Receiving the letter from Victor, Shiron stood up and bowed three times towards where the Imperial Palace was located.
!
Victors eyes widened at Shirons action.
Shiron glanced at Victor, whose mouth was open as if he had seen something unbelievable.
What are you looking at?
No, its just so unexpected. You know how to do such things?
Who do you think I am? I have several private lessons a day.
Shiron opened the letter to check the contents.
[Subjugation Festival]
It was a proper invitation with a date and location written on it. It was different in tone from the vulgar letter filled with curses that Shiron sent to Victor.
What is this?
Its a replacement, I guess. He said he wants to invite you to the Subjugation Festival held every New Year.
Shiron slowly turned to Victor, who seemed to be asking about his participation. The Subjugation Festival was much more significant than visiting a friends house.
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