Chapter 614: Hidden Power - 614
Skymender looked at the Emperor. He was completely calm, with only a look reminiscent of a sneer on his face.
However, Skymender's mind was in turmoil, not because of the assassination itself, but because of the assassin's last words, which he never completed.
Although not many in the Empire would understand them, Skymender's sister was a potential Sword Master.
She had told him information that he normally would have never known.
Even among Sword Masters, there were levels, or ranks. It was classified from ranks one to four.
Being a 4th rank Sword Master meant that, while you were a Sword Master, you could not annihilate an entire army.
At the 3rd rank, you could do so, but only at the cost of your life, whether that be after destroying 90% of it, or dying from injuries afterwards.
At the 2nd rank, you could destroy an entire army with injuries, but still remain alive.
At the 1st rank, as it was said for Sword Master Shang, you could decimate an entire army and return home in time for dinner.
However, there was an even more unknown piece of information, one which Skymender had to beg Skybelle to tell him.
Above the Sword Master, there was another level. The Sword Grandmaster.
Throughout all of history, there was only one Grandmaster. He was the Sword Grandmaster of the Ancient Empire.
It was unknown how long he had been alive, but it seemed longer than any normal human could live.
The oldest records of his existence dated back nearly 200 years ago.
However, if Sword Master Shang was a Grandmaster, then the entire world would be upheaved by this news.
The strength of a Grandmaster, unlike Sword Masters, was simply unknown. However, there was a legend, not confirmed to be true, but stood as a testament to the might of a Sword Grandmaster.
Once, back when the Sword Grandmaster of the Ancient Empire was younger, an Empire declared war on the Ancient Empire.
The Sword Grandmaster walked through the gates of that Imperial Capital, guarded by perhaps millions of soldiers, and when he walked out, that Empire was erased from the maps.
Not just an army, but multiple armies, multiple Sword Masters, and it was done in a single day.
Since that day, no Empire had declared war on the Ancient Empire, which led Skymender to believe that the legend was true.
Sword Master Shang walked to the side of the Emperor. The Emperor had stopped in the middle of the stairs.
"As you can see, our enemies are nothing but fools. Sending an assassin at a time like this, thinking I would let my guard down, is a pathetic attempt at planning."
A voice rang out from above. "Indeed. Those bunch of no good idiots are gonna be wiped out sooner or later, even if we don't do it."
Skymender looked up. Leaning on the rails was the Imperial Scholar, as wise looking as ever.
Skymender did not even know when he appeared.
The Emperor smiled. "Well said. Care to come down and join us?"
The Imperial Scholar could not refuse the Emperor in front of so many people. Although unwilling, he came down and stood to the other side of the Emperor.
These three, standing in the middle of the stairs, represented the highest authority, intelligence, and power in the Empire.
It was an incredible display of dominance for the whole room to see.
The Emperor did end up finishing his walk down the stairs. The Imperial Scholar and Sword Master Shang did not sit, but stood behind him.
The Imperial Scholar had to pull out a cane, clearly too old to be standing for too long.
The Emperor spoke a few words, and the noble gathering officially began. There were few events, but they were not taking place just yet. There was a period of free time to roam around before anything like that.
Most of the nobles went to pay respects to kings or the Emperor. After today's events, the Emperor's standing increased in their hearts once again.
Even as they bowed to the Emperor, their hearts were still filled with turmoil.
The body of the assassin and its limbs had long been cleaned up, but blood stains remained in the carpet, being cleaned up by some servants.
Skymender himself did not go over. His status was not high enough to get too close to the Emperor right now.
Rather, he went to the side and got some food. Few people were doing so at the same time. After all, most of the focus was on talking to others and greeting the Emperor and Kings.
Most of them were children.
As Skymender grabbed a plate and walked around, someone bumped into him.
Skymender took a step forward, while the person who bumped into him fell to the ground.
"Oww." Skymender heard someone say.
He turned around, and some boy, seemingly around nine years old, was getting up from the ground.
He looked warily at Skymender for a moment before apologizing.
"I'm sorry. I need to watch where I'm going."
Skymender nodded. "It's alright. Don't worry about it."
He began to move on when the kid spoke again.
"You look familiar. Who are you?"
"Skymender of the Sky Barony."
The kid thought for a moment before speaking. "Yes. I remember. You were the one who saved the Duchess's daughter."
As if she had been receiving a call, the Duchess's daughter, Val, walked over to Skymender.
"Skymender. My mom wants to introduce you to some people."
Skymender nodded and walked over with her.
The kid did not follow, but seemed to be trying to remember Skymender.
Led by Val, Skymender made his way to a circle of nobles talking. They were near the Emperor, but not close enough for him to hear them.
Skymender instantly noticed someone as he walked over, someone he had not yet seen, but had been looking for. At the same time, she saw him.
Melly's eyes brightened and she shook her fathers hand off. She walked around the group that was speaking and met Skymender before he and Val reached the group.
Chapter 615: Events - 615
At the same time as she walked over, Duke Mel sighed inwardly. He had not wanted to come so far for this event, but his daughter had refused to talk to him until she was brought.
Considering they were now fiances, it was not bad that she was attached to him, but he couldn't help but feel he was losing his daughter.
However, remembering what he had heard about Skymender after entering the Imperial Capital, he felt that perhaps it wasn't so bad. At the very least, his daughter would marry someone who had saved a future Duchess. In fact, perhaps it was an opportunity.
Melly was ecstatic to see Skymender and instantly gave him a hug. Val, standing to the side, frowned.
Skymender half heartedly gave her a side hug back before she got off. Looking around, she felt embarrassed. She also noticed Val to the side, whose expression was back to a normal one.
Skymender spoke first. "Melly, this is Val, the future Duchess of Vass."
Melly was surprised and gave a slight bow.
"My name is Melly, daughter of Duke Mel."
Val gave a slight bow herself.
"My name is Val, Skymender introduced me already. Are you the fiancee that I've heard about?"
Melly nodded.
Skymender looked off to the side, feeling awkward. After all, Melly was his fiance, but it was no secret that Val had some feelings for him. He could ignore them, but it didn't make this situation any less awkward.
Melly and Val began to speak. Melly was innocently chatting, finding Val pleasing, while Val was secretly upset and inwardly disliked Melly, not because of her personality or actions, but simply because she was Skymender's fiance.
After a moment, they both turned to Skymender, who spoke.
"Let's continue. Your mother had some people to introduce me to?"
Val nodded. "Yes. Let's go."
Skymender and Val walked forward, with Melly now coming along.
They quickly reached Duchess Vass, who looked at Melly in surprise. "Well hello there."
Melly bowed and introduced herself, though Duchess Vass already knew who she was.
"Skymender, come say hello to Marquess Gutren."
Skymender looked behind her and saw a kind looking middle aged man. Skymender bowed and introduced himself.
"I've heard a lot about you from Duchess Vass. She has a very good impression of you, though that's only natural considering the fact that you saved her daughter."
Skymender smiled and spoke. "I've also heard about you, sir."
Skymender spoke of some of the Marquess's known achievements, information gathered from history books, causing the Marquess to smile.
"I'm glad to be known by at least some of the youth nowadays. If you ever need something, you can always come talk to me."
His words were only said out of politeness, but Skymender thanked him for them nonetheless.
After that, Skymender was introduced to some of the other nobles around.
From Dukes to Marquess's to Earl's to Count's and even to a Baron or two.
Skymender exchanged polite words with each of them, and they as well to him.
Melly and Val seemed to become background figures as Skymender momentarily became the center of attention.
He had planned to excuse himself soon after, but all of them appeared to be interested in him, so he stayed for a while. Before he realized it, the first event was soon to start. Skymender was offered to join all of them at a table, but he politely declined and returned to his aunt's side. Neither Melly nor Val came with him, returning to their family's sides.
The Emperor stood up.
As he did, the remaining chatter fell to absolute silence. He snapped his hand, and hundreds of servants entered the room.
In front of all of the nobles, an arena began to be constructed. Obviously, many parts had been made in advance to speed up its creation, but in the middle of the room, which was still extremely large, an arena slowly appeared. After around 20 minutes, the servants exited the room, leaving behind a well constructed arena.
The Emperor spoke. "Although the most talented among you have already been marked as potential Sword Masters, the talent of those below them, in many categories, may not necessarily be inferior. To showcase these talents to the world, three events will be held today. The first, a competition of technique. The second, a competition of physical strength. The third, a competition of intelligence. Let the first commence."
As the Emperor spoke, Sword Master Deyr stepped onto the arena.
He spoke to the entire room. "Although there are many ways to test technique, in most of the world, swordsmanship is seen as the pinnacle. Therefore, I invite any youth under the age of 18 to spar among each other. Potential Sword Masters not included."
Every year, the first two competitions were the same. A sparring between youths, as well as a lifting competition afterwards.
Usually, people hesitated to get on the arena, but this time, an usually eager participant stepped on the stage.
Skymender's face did not change when he saw him, but he inwardly sighed
Grabbing one of the wooden swords, the young man spoke out. "Skymender of the Sky Barony. I challenge you."
This young man was none other than the person that Skymender had kicked in the stomach.
In the Imperial Capital, besides him saving the daughter of the Duchess, this was the most well known event regarding him.
It was due to this that nobody forgot the arrogance he held inside.
Skymender stood up. There was no chance of him losing. Despite being younger and not having truly practiced the sword, his sister, as always, was a potential Sword Master.
It was hard for others to comprehend the benefits of training with such a person. However, not only had he sparred against a potential Sword Master many times, he had also seen one grow.
Seeing the changes in Skybelle's technique after each sparring session instinctually caused Skymender's Swordsmanship to grow.
Although he was nowhere near the talent of his sister, he was above average, without a doubt.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment