Chapter I

Barn Bahut returned to the empire after defeating the evil monster Shylock, who had caused Arad to fall into a panic, and immediately attracted much attention. Even the battle-hardened knights couldn't achieve a great feat, but this young sword soul did, and people praised and blessed him one after another.

Women sprinkled flowers at the young hero, the men applauded with all their might, and the children cheered after Barn's ranks.

Amid the sound of trumpets and cheers, Barn, the protagonist of the celebration, entered the palace in a daze and knelt before the emperor.

Barn: Barn Bashut, the subordinate is back.

Leon (Emperor, Heinrich III): Good work. It's great that you're back safely. I heard that even the court magicians were no match for her, but I didn't expect you to defeat the evil Shylock at a young age.

Barn: It's not the work of one person. If it weren't for the fact that there were other sword souls fighting side by side with her subordinates at that time, her subordinates would definitely be defeated in her hands.

Barn's voice was loud and clear. Today was supposed to be a celebration for him, and it was okay to accept the emperor's praise alone, but he still mentioned the other sword souls, making it clear that it was not his own credit. The Emperor smiled gently.

Leon: You're humble. However, you don't have to deliberately humble yourself for your merits today. You are the proud knight of our empire.

Barn: Huh? But the subordinates are not knights......

Looking at Barn, who hesitated to point out the emperor's mistake and knelt on the ground and kowtowed, the smile on the emperor's face became even brighter.

Leon: You weren't before today, but from now on, you will serve me and the Empire as a knight, and make a name for yourself. Come here, get down on your knees.

Hearing the word "knight", Barn looked up. Barne didn't follow the knightly path step by step. Although his strength was recognized, his name was not included in the knight candidates with intricate interests. However, he has been busy honing his swordsmanship and is not too obsessed with the honor of knighthood. For him, getting the title of Sword Soul was already a remarkable achievement. No, it should be said that the recognition of swordsmanship is more proud of him than the title of sword soul. However, since the emperor personally bestowed on him the title of knight, he had no reason to refuse.

Leon: Barn Bashut, would you like to swear to be a knight worthy of chivalry, advocating justice, willing to give, and leading by example to all people?

Barn: I swear.

Leon: Barn Basheut, would you like to swear to be the glorious knight of the Delos Empire, to dedicate yourself to your country and defend your country with your flesh and blood?

Barn: I swear.

Leon: Your loyalty will reap love and trust, and your betrayal will incur anger and punishment. This vow will last until the day of your life, until death. Lift your head up and flatten down. You have become a knight of the Delos Empire. And, from now on, you will be Viscount Barn Bashut, and your name will forever be etched in history.

Graus: ......!

There was a commotion among those present. Hearing the emperor's declaration, the nobles of the empire all widened their eyes, thinking that they had misheard. However, there was nothing wrong with their ears, and Barn Bashut, who had nothing to do but his swordsmanship prowess, would become a nobleman and a viscount from today.

Heuman: (Is Your Majesty insane?) How can you make such a vulgar guy a viscount! Didn't we discuss making him a baron at most? Why is that damn imp...... ）

Barn himself was also very frightened, and the only person who kept his composure other than the emperor was Conard of the Kruger family, who was famous among the warrior families.

Conard: (Viscount...... Your Majesty also really likes to joke. There will be a lot of people who will oppose it...... However, Baschut should be able to deal with these difficulties. Compared to the knights who were willing to fall now, that young man was a hundred times stronger than them...... ）

Hearing the emperor's sudden declaration, only he cast a kind gaze. Barn didn't know the quiet and quick eye exchange behind him, and he swore aloud and with determination and force.

Barn: My subordinates are terrified, and they will do their best for Your Majesty!

Chapter II

Barn: Emily! Emily!

As soon as the Emperor's audience was over, Barn hurried to a quiet courtyard where a maiden was waiting for him. With people trying their best to catch a glimpse of Bath, it's not easy to sneak out. However, in order not to forget Emily for a moment during the long expedition, Barn ran to her against all odds.

The girl, who was waiting at the place where the two often met, heard her name being called and turned around. The girl was startled at the sight of Barn's embarrassment in order to sneak over, and soon her face turned red, full of shyness and joy. Anyone can tell that this is a girl who is in love.

Barn gently picked up Emily, who was running over with her skirt fluttering, and happily spun in circles. Emily hugged Barn tightly, too.

Emily: Barn! You're finally back! Barnes!

Barn: Hmm! As soon as I entered the palace, I ran out to see you. Ah, Emily! I have big news for you! I have a new identity from today, guess what?

Emily: You've become a knight? Wow! That's great! Congratulations! You're so handsome!

Barn puts Emily down, and Emily yells excitedly, genuinely happy for him. However, Barn was disappointed.

Barn: What...... Who told you that? Tsk, I'd like to be the first to tell you.

Emily: Barn, before you even came, I heard people say that! Father also said that Barn would definitely become a knight! And Uncle Conard said the same!

Barn: Conard Byrne Kruger?

Emily:

Uh-huh, he said that a knight is the equivalent of a baron! Great, now my mother shouldn't object to us getting married!

Barn stared blankly at Emily in his arms and smiled.

Barn: What baron? I'm a viscount now! Viscount!

Emily:...... Are you sure? It's true?! Viscount Basiut! You're amazing!

Emily couldn't contain her joy and grabbed Barn's arm and jumped up, and Barn dragged her demeanor and temperament aside, laughing with Emily. Today's sun shines exceptionally brightly, as if it was specially prepared for the lovers. After a few moments of happy noise, Barn and Emily calmed down, as if they were afraid that someone would break them up, and they held each other's hands tightly and sat down under the shade of the tree.

Emily:....... I've always been worried about you.

Emily stroked Barn's hand and whispered. During this time, she had to send off her fiancé, who had a firm goal, and spent long, cold nights alone, silently waiting for his return. Bath was moved and impulsively kissed Emily on the cheek. Emily's face turned red instantly, and she pounded Bath's chest to move away from him.

Emily: Really, that's annoying...... What if someone passes by...... A sucker!

Barn: So what? We're engaged. Ahh

Emily blushed, trying to cover Barn's lips. However, her slender and delicate fingers like onion roots could not resist the enthusiastic teenager at all.

Emily: Be quiet! What if someone hears you!

Barn: I want to get married!

Emily:......

Barnes:...... I'm sorry. I'm not going to shout anymore. I couldn't be more excited. Please forgive me.

Barn bowed his head and apologized to Emily. This beautiful and cute maiden will become terrible when she gets angry.

Emily: The next time you do this, I'll ignore you for a month.

Barn: I see......

Emily, who had been staring at him, saw that Barn suddenly became sullen, and quickly giggled, hugged Barn's arm, and gently leaned on his shoulder.

Emily: By the way, what's wrong with that monster? I've heard that a lot of people have died, is she really that strong?

Barn: She's very good. Do you know how difficult it was for me to be there? I almost died.

Emily: Who told you to go to that kind of place! A sucker! You're doing it to yourself!

Barn: I'm really sorry...... However, I also have a lot to gain. I saw something beyond my imagination. The power of the apostles is so great. If you study it well, it will definitely help the empire a lot!

Emily: You mean that horrible monster?

Barn: She's scary, scary, but she's also very powerful. She possesses a power that erodes people's spirits, and even court magicians can't resist it. But, on the flip side, empires can become stronger if they are free to wield this power. When the time comes, no force will be able to threaten the Empire, and if dragons or monsters cause another riot, they will be able to stop their attack with minimal sacrifice.

Emily: But isn't the power of a monster an evil power?

Barn: Yes, but the power itself is sinless. The problem lies with the people who use the power. For example, the sword, the sword itself is innocent, he is just a prop, he can kill people, but also protect people.

Emily: But that still sounds dangerous...... Originally, you have suffered a lot because of the ghost hand, so leave that dangerous thing to others. Barn, if you're hurt...... I'm going to cry.

The girl didn't just talk, her eyes were already moist. Seeing the girl's tears, Barn waved his hand, panicking and not knowing what to do.

Barn: Don't cry, I don't know what to do when you cry.

Emily hadn't come out of the anxiety of the days of waiting, and she hurriedly wiped away the tears that had fallen unconsciously, and looked up at Barn.

Emily: So, don't think about anything that dangerous, okay?

Barn: Okay, I promise you.

Barn nodded reluctantly.

Chapter III

It was a bright spring day, with a gentle breeze and the fragrance of flowers. Such a day should be a pleasant and beautiful day for everyone. When the emerald green leaves were dyed lilac by the sky, a pungent smoke suddenly began to spread uncontrollably in a small and calm city.

Barn: Emily! Emily!

Soldier: No! If you go in now, you'll only die with the people inside!

Barn: Damn, let me go! My fiancée is inside!

Soldier: The fire mage is coming soon, you wait a minute...... Ah!

Barn shook off the guards who stopped him and rushed into the house without hesitation. He tore through the crowd of people who were coughing and running around, and he couldn't find the familiar fiancée with long chestnut hair.

Barn ran around, his clothes burning with soot, but he couldn't feel the heat. Emily, who is about to get married, happened to be playing at a friend's manor today.

Emily wanted to introduce Barn to a friend, but Barn was obedient and rode over as soon as the training was over. Barn was still wondering what to do to prop Emily up, but before he could figure out a solution, he spotted a terrible flame burning in the distance.

Although the older sword souls all commented on Barn as a calm and calm person, Barn was completely panicked when they heard that Emily didn't have time to run out. Barn ran around blindly, and it wasn't until he was choked and his head began to get dizzy that he suddenly came to his senses, pulled out the sword at his waist, and swung out a sword aura with a "ho".

The incoming smoke was dispersed, and the windows were shattered. Barn leaned out the window and breathed deeply, trying to calm his pounding heart.

Barn: (Emily is said to have gone to rest alone after lunch...... Where will she rest? The maid said she wasn't in the room...... Then ......)

After analyzing the structure of the manor as seen from the outside, Emily's character, and the testimonies of others, Barn entered the hallway again and ran quickly. Holding your breath and running is nothing at all. The flames burning on his body were nothing compared to the vicious curses that filled the Cavern of Sorrow. Barn ran to the other side of the house, breaking the heavy door of the closed study.

Barnes:...... This......

Although his nose was almost numb, Barn smelled familiar. It smells of blood. Barn suppressed the deep uneasiness in his heart and rummaged through the large study. It's not so much a study as a library. The reason why Barn and Emily became friends was because of the book, and the good memories came flooding back to him, and Barn worked harder to find the girl's figure.

Barnes:......!

Behind the huge log bookcase, Emily was there. She's not alone. Probably there was a heated argument, and all the books were scattered on the floor, and the bookcases behind them all collapsed.

Beside him, two men with their faces covered in black cloths fell to the ground. Emily collapsed unconscious behind a guard whose abdomen was bleeding.

Barn hurriedly picked up Emily, and Emily's snow-white arms hung lifelessly like dolls. Barn shook Emily's body, but she didn't react. The small silver makeup knife that fell from Emily's hand shone silently.

Barn also checked the state of the guards, Emily still had a faint breath, but the guards were really dead. It appears that the guards found the Assassin when they came to find Emily, and died in a fight with the Assassin.

Barn blindfolded the dead guards and briefly observed silence. Then, holding Emily tightly, he dodged the flames that had spilled into the study, broke the window and jumped out.

Chapter IV

A few years later, Barn, who had returned from an expedition to the north, knelt before the emperor to report the situation.

Barn: In accordance with His Majesty's orders, his subordinates have defeated the northern alien races who have crossed the territory of the Empire. Those guys won't daydream unrealistically anymore. Their leader......

Leon: How many soldiers died this time?

Bath: 126 people in total. However, there were ...... dead and wounded of the enemy

Leon: The casualties are really heavy, aren't they?

Faced with the emperor's cold questioning, Barn was a little panicked. There were indeed some dead and wounded this time, but the losses were not too great compared to the number of enemies repulsed. However, as the Emperor had said, the presence of dead and wounded was an indisputable fact, and Barn could only bow his head and reply.

Barnes:...... Yes.

Leon: So what to do? Every time a war breaks out, so many soldiers will die, how can the empire survive? The queen was also terrified day by day, fearing that she would die at the hands of the barbarians.

Barn: That would never happen. I, Barn Bashut, will ...... no matter what

Leon: Okay, then I'll trust you. There's no one else to trust anyway......

Barnes:......

Before Barn could finish his sentence, the Emperor of Leon interrupted him. Barn buried his head lower to hide his panic.

Leon: Ah, speaking of which, how is your wife? By the way, you're not married yet, are you? I'm sorry.

Barn: My subordinates are terrified. Thanks to His Majesty's blessing, his fiancée is much better. She was now able to recognize her subordinates and eat on her own.

Emily, who was injured in an unfortunate fire accident, survived. Although a lot of blood was shed, thanks to the guards who protected her. According to the investigation, the arsonist was an adventurer with a disgruntled empire.

However, when Emily wakes up from her coma, not only does she not recognize Barn, but she screams and throws things whenever she sees a man. Emily's parents cautiously dissolve the engagement, but Barn has no desire to marry someone other than Emily.

However, the marriage still could not be consummated. Emily, the daughter of the aristocracy, is locked up at home because of the family's honor.

Moreover, the law of the empire stipulated that the bride and groom could only be recognized as husband and wife if they jointly pronounced the marriage vows of their own will. However, Emily struggled to remember her name and couldn't understand the concept of marriage at all.

Leon: I always ask you to leave your sick fiancée and go to war, and I feel sorry for you.

Barn: My subordinates don't dare. It was the duty of the knight to fight with a foreign enemy. His subordinates can gain His Majesty's trust at a young age, and they should work hard to repay them.

Leon: I'm glad you think so. But don't you want to raise children and enjoy family fun? You're engaged so early, and it's no surprise that you have one or two small children.

Barnes:...... The subordinates did not think that way.

Leon: yes, that's great.

Barn: Huh?

Barn looked up in confusion. Could it be that His Majesty is a favorite candidate and wants to marry him personally?

The Emperor is also one of those who know about the matter of Barn and Emily, and he has every right to do so, and as a knight of the Emperor, Barn has no position to refuse the Emperor's marriage.

Perhaps seeing Barn's misunderstanding, the Emperor, who had been keeping a straight face during the report, sneered and laughed.

Leon: Don't get me wrong, I mean that since you don't have children, it's nice to look at young criminals without feeling senseless empathy. I don't like people who don't distinguish between public and private.

Barn: Ah...... If Your Majesty is worried about this, then it is perfectly fine. Although the subordinates are young, they know very well what they are doing. There is no need to sympathize with those who commit crimes because of the choices they make, men and women, young and old.

Leon: I appreciate that you know everything. If other nobles were as capable as you, I wouldn't have to worry about sacrificing a soldier or two. I'm complimenting you, you don't have to be nervous. By the way, tell me about your beloved Emily? Even if she has a mental problem, she should get married, right? Originally, you were going to get married in a few days, but unfortunately there was an accident.

Barn: yes. However, with Emily's current situation, even renewing the marriage vows is a problem...... Your Majesty, don't you only approve couples who enter into a marriage contract of their own will? Emily may not even understand what it means to be married now.

Leon: Hmm...... How many people know about her?

Barn: Not many people know about it except for the servants.

Leon: Actually, you've been engaged for a long time, right? People are starting to feel weird. 'Why didn't that very powerful Barn Bashut get married, is there something wrong?'

Barnes:...... However, Emily is the only one in the hearts of his subordinates. And Emily ...... too If the marriage contract is dissolved, no matter how much His Excellency Kruger tries to stop her, she will not be protected by the family......

Emily stayed at her parents' house because she was the fiancée of Baron Basiut and had the care of Kruger, who loved her niece, so Emily's parents did not abandon their daughter.

In this situation, if even the umbrella of Barn disappears, what will happen to the useless noble daughter, the result is self-evident.

Leon: Well, as long as I approve of it. Right? That girl had been eagerly looking forward to marrying you before her unfortunate accident, and probably didn't want you to wait any longer.

Hearing the Emperor's proposal, Barn's eyes lit up. According to the Emperor, as long as he can marry Emily and bring her to his home, there will be no problems. So far, he has not been able to do so because of the strict laws enacted by the emperor, and now the emperor has offered to open a back door for him.

Leon: This has to be out of sight, so I'm afraid you can't have a big wedding, but you can go to a smaller place to have a smaller wedding. You can get married there and come back in a low-key way. However, it is better that Emily rests there for a while before coming back, and you come back alone. Otherwise, there must be a lot of people clamoring to see the bride. All you have to do is tell them that you wanted to spend time together, but the hateful emperor sent an edict to call the bridegroom back, so that everyone would understand you and sympathize with you. Hahaha!

Barn: Your Majesty is so merciful......

The Emperor looked at Barn with satisfaction, who was so moved that he couldn't even speak.

Leon: Facts are facts, and you don't have to be sorry. You'd better go a little further afield, I have a task for you, and only you can do it.

Barn: What's the matter? No matter what the task is, the subordinates must complete it well!

Leon: I believe in you. To get back to the point, if our empire wants to be stable and peaceful, it must have strong soldiers, right? So, I created a research institute to study how to make soldiers stronger. However, if the nobles found out, it would be troublesome, so I built the institute in the middle of nowhere. You see what I mean, right?

"If the nobles knew about it, I was afraid it would be troublesome," the emperor said, the meaning was clear.

Barn: Is it a guard mission, my subordinates understand. So, when should the subordinates leave?

Leon: I'll get back to you when the time comes. It's time for you to get married. However, I advise you not to expect too much. I was also married, and I was full of excitement before I got married, but after marriage...... You know what I mean, right? Haha, okay, okay, you should be tired too, let's go back and rest first. I will help you with the preparations, you can rest assured.

Barn: Thank you, Your Majesty. Then, the subordinates retired first.

Barn left the Audience Room. The Emperor raised his hand and ordered everyone else to retreat. In the empty hearing hall, the emperor pondered for a while, and finally spoke.

Leon: Is this man reliable? Cherish a mentally deranged woman like a pity for a flower, and silently wait for her for so long. Such a stupid and stubborn guy, just use him as a shield, why choose him?

Woman in Black: He is the one who knows and fears the power of the apostles the most in all the Empire. He will certainly do what His Majesty wills.

A woman in a black robe slowly stepped out of the curtain behind the emperor. Although her whole body, including her face, was covered, the unusual magic that faintly emanated from it was incomparable to that of a court magician. The Emperor turned his head to look at the woman.

Leon: Is this also the content of the prophecy?

Woman in Black: Yes. Everything is for the tranquility of the empire and the prosperity of Arad. If he understands the implications, Bath will be the best help.

Leon: Do you want to change someone? That man doesn't even know what the world needs to develop, can he really do it?

Woman in Black: We'll find out soon. Everything is according to the Great Prophecy......

As if to reassure the suspicious Emperor Leon, the woman in the black robe smiled.