“I was wondering what question you were going to ask, and it was about the sword.”
Victoria reacted with a strange expression to Eugene's words of negotiation.
"Yes. Having a younger sister who's a magician, I acquired a weapon inventory quickly compared to my age. However, I've heard that few swordsmen wield two weapons. And I don't think the Victoria I know has that kind of disposition."
Eugene explained the reason for the question quite eloquently.
To a prosecutor, the sword is his alter ego.
All classes are good at protecting their weapons, but the ego-driven swordsman is even more so.
So, it is rare to use two swords.
Such people are classified as apostles, and such acts are especially taboo in noble families.
So, it is not unreasonable for Eugene to have such curiosity.
"Hmm... This is truly the face optimized for negotiation. I can't read his psychological state."
But Eugene felt a little discouraged by the apparent elegance.
To be honest, I tried to force it.
Even though we fought on the battlefield as comrades this time, we weren't close enough to be spoken to informally, so asking about such a sensitive matter just makes me feel bad.
But I still did it anyway.
And the reason was to see Victoria's reaction.
‘As far as I know, that sword is the sword of my father, Ulysses Schneider.’
The reason I want to see the reaction,
The reason Eugene is curious about the identity of the sword is because it is none other than the sword of Yuliris Schneider.
To be exact, it is Ulysses' old sword.
As a sword used before becoming a sword master, Eugene had seen it briefly when he was very young.
At some point I couldn't see it anymore.
"The likelihood of it coming into my possession by accident is remarkably low. According to Vivian, my father was very interested in it. That makes it even more unlikely that it was Woohyun."
Eugene believes that Victoria likely learned some of Ulysses' swordsmanship from her father, Constantine.
His father, Ulysses, may have shared his swordsmanship with his close friend Constantine as a gesture of friendship.
However, knowing swordsmanship and having a sword can be seen as having different meanings.
As a swordsman, you can learn the swordsmanship of the sword master by agreeing to it.
On the other hand, the fact that he is carrying a sword, especially one whose whereabouts are unknown, is interpreted as a very direct connection or interest.
“......”
At that moment, Victoria looked at Eugene in silence for a moment.
"That's the sword of the Black Sword Saint Ulysses Schneider. As far as I know, it's the sword he used before becoming a Sword Master."
And then, very directly and without any hiding, he revealed the identity of the sword.
‘Wow... This is definitely a strong opponent!’
It was unexpected.
When Eugene thought about it, he thought that he would just say that it was the sword of his father's close friend like last time.
But he has mentioned Ulysses Schneider so blatantly that it could be said to be blatant.
"By now, I think you know my true identity—that I'm Ulysses Schneider's son."
It's not Victoria's ability to think that Eugene is a strong opponent.
A situation that feels very dense,
The reason is that it feels like he is trying to test Eugene rather than just speaking honestly.
"Either you know it, or you suspect it. If you're suspicious and I bite you, you'll get hit."
Eugene, at a crossroads of conflict,
If you knew, you would be able to boast proudly by saying that you are the son of Ulysses or an acquaintance of him, but this could also be a bait and switch.
“If it were Ulysses...?”
But Eugene is not the type to enjoy adventures.
He reacted with an expression like he had just heard the name of someone very famous.
"That's right. The greatest swordmaster in the history of the Empire, the one known as the Sword Saint. And a being who was corrupted and erased from the Empire's history. That sword belongs to Ulysses Schneider."
Victoria then explained in more detail and blunt detail the original owner of her other sword.
“Do you wish to point out that Victoria, the servant of this Imperial Knights, is disobeying the orders of the Knight Commander, Archduke Kaiser Antoine?”
Then, with a rather serious expression, he asked an aggressive question.
"Not at all. If that were the case, I'd be the one who lied to the Imperial Knights' Inspectorate, and I'm not the only one who has any integrity. Even if I had such intentions, wouldn't my own losses be greater? After all, as someone who pursues the sword, I also have a fondness for Ulysses Schneider. So, I can't help but wonder. Why would someone who even joined the Imperial Knights continue to carry Ulysses' sword?"
Victoria has the distribution and meticulousness to have a secret affair with Antoine.
That doesn't mean Eugene is someone who can be swayed unilaterally.
Wasn't he the one leading the harem?
Where else is there a situation where GM power should be activated as much as in a harem?
Moreover, he is a man with over 50 years of experience including his previous life.
That's why Eugene stuck out his tongue at Victoria on the inside, but he responded in his own way in front of her.
“I see. I apologize for the misunderstanding.”
Swish...!
Victoria nodded slightly in apology at Eugene's answer.
"The swordsmanship my father taught me was none other than that of the swordsman Ulysses Schneider. The two were so special that they shared their swordsmanship. Having heard it from my father, I knew he wasn't the kind of person to dismiss his entire life based solely on his last appearance."
And then she learned Ulysses' swordsmanship and explained in detail why she was wielding the sword.
"I found the intent and meaning behind his swordsmanship refreshing, and after some in-depth research, I discovered that the utility of the sword he possessed before becoming a Sword Master was truly exceptional. As a swordsman, what could be more meaningful?"
He seemed to have a meticulous personality, but it was a methodological issue.
What Victoria pursues is simple.
I want to be the best prosecutor.
And the concept of kendo, not the best black murder sword,
Before she became a madman, Ulysses was judged to be the swordmaster most suited to it.
‘What the fuck...’
A mysterious feeling welled up in Eugene Schneider's heart when he heard that answer.
‘Why do I feel good?’
I feel good.
"Even I, who was quiet about my father, felt a sudden surge of emotion when Victoria acknowledged his existence."
Humans come in many different forms.
Yesterday was different, today is different, a year ago was different, childhood was different, and now that I'm older.
The same goes for Ulysses Schneider.
He has many different footsteps.
But the only traces left in the world of Ulysses Schneider are the dishonor of being a fallen swordsman and a member of the fallen sword sect, the Sophists.
And one more thing, Eugene Schneider, a bloodline whose identity is being hidden.
Even his son, Eugene, was like that.
Eugene Schneider was tormented by the last images of his father.
We are chasing his mysterious side.
Ultimately, this would be no different from Eugene himself indirectly denying Ulysses' bright footsteps.
But Victoria was watching those bright footsteps and learning.
Eugene himself is so grateful that he feels ashamed.
"That's amazing. That's wonderful. To be able to pursue the sword so purely."
But Eugene couldn't fully express his feelings.
So he finally had to take a step back again and mention his father's pride.
"Captain Eugene, you're amazing. And I think my eyesight was spot-on. I thought Captain Eugene would understand my answer."
Blink...!
Victoria gave an unusual smile.
Of course, Victoria had smiled politely, but now she was responding with a smile that was considerably more emotional than that.
“Then, can I make my request now, Captain Eugene?”
But Victoria, who is always sharp in negotiations, suddenly changed her expression to her usual one and announced that it was her turn.
"Of course. Victoria, with her remarkable mind as a prosecutor, I doubt she would make such an outrageous request. I will gladly grant your request."
But Eugene Schnieder no longer disliked Victoria's thoroughness.
Even though it is not easy to know the inside and outside, Eugene Schneider actually acknowledges and admires his father, Ulysses Schneider, who was abandoned by the world.
So, even though Eugene didn't make a pose like that, he answered with almost open arms, welcoming her.
“Okay, then I’ll tell you. That’s what I’m asking.”
At Eugene's declaration, Victoria opened her mouth again.
“I would like you to be the bait for an unofficial special mission by the Imperial Knights to invade enemy territory.”
And the price Victoria demanded afterwards was truly outrageous.
“Unofficial? And bait...?”
Eugene Schneider's expression suddenly turned red with a sense of unease at the two unusual keywords.
“So that’s what happened.”
A brown-haired, heavy-set man nodded slowly, looking at the documents bearing the seal of the Imperial Knights.
Antoine de cel Obléan, the supreme commander of the Imperial Knights and, by extension, the real power holder of the Empire.
"I witnessed the Grand Inspector's strike with my own eyes. It split the rock in half, just as the report stated. I concluded that Saber Victoria's report was completely flawless."
This is a report from the Imperial Knights' Inspection Squad.
The investigation continued for quite some time after the conclusion of the Drake quest, and was formally completed with Eugene Schneider's visit to the Imperial Knights Arena.
In fact, considering the importance of the quest, the Drake Quest was not a long-term investigation.
If it fails, it can be easily covered up because it is unofficial, but if it succeeds, it was planned to be widely promoted.
But the plan goes awry when an unidentified mercenary intervenes.
“That must be it. Servant Victoria is thorough.”
So, Antoine, who had originally planned this, should have shown his discomfort, but he was surprisingly indifferent.
That's why the Imperial Knights' Audit Squad is also submitting reports without paying attention.
"He's quite an interesting fellow. He wields the greatsword, the symbol of the Demon Tribe."
As expected, Antoine only showed a dry reaction.
Shhh...!
And in the meantime, a very faint smile appeared.
"I apologize, Captain Eugene Schneider. As I mentioned, this was an unofficial operation even within the Imperial Knights, and I'm relaying the details now."
A few days later, Eugene Schneider and Victoria met at a remote location outside the capital city of Helios.
"Let's just get out there and see. I'll keep my word, and please answer my questions quickly."
Eugene Schneider, the man with the stuffy nose, said with an almost scornful expression, his arms crossed.
“The unofficial special quest we’re about to undertake is none other than entering the headquarters of the Sophist Order.”
Victoria tells Eugene about her future plans.
Victoria will strike the Sophist sect without Antoine knowing.