The Martin Family

It was rare for the head of the family to leave the estate. The news of Lumard's unexpected outing, including his use of the gate, spread quickly within the Martin family.

"Father!" Silia exclaimed, bursting into the study.

She was the eldest daughter of the Martin family and had a keen interest in worldly affairs. Her bright voice made Lumard rub his forehead.

"Hmm... You're not very polite, are you? I was wondering why you weren't here."

"Did you use the gate? Where did you go? And what about the gatekeepers who were fired?" Silia's questions poured out.

Her curiosity was nothing new, but today, it was hard to answer her directly. How could he explain that he had been deceived by the youngest son of Arhan and felt a vast gap between their families?

"Why are you not saying anything? Where did you go?"

"..."

"Did you go to Arhan?"

"What, what?"

"Since the Seventh Lord visited and you left immediately, there's only one possible answer, isn't there?"

It turned out that Jed's visit hadn't been kept secret. The fact that Arhan's lord had come to Martin was a significant issue in itself.

Lumard sighed weakly.

"Please tell me, Father. Why did you go to Arhan? What did the Seventh Lord say?"

"Silia... I'm sorry, but let's talk about it later. I want to rest today."

"Yes...?"

The day had been too long for him. He didn't want to blame anyone or think about anything.

Since experiencing the gap between Arhan and his family, everything felt meaningless.

Silia found her father's expression unfamiliar. He usually answered all her questions throughout the day, but now he looked like the end of the world.

However, Silia was mature and empathetic. She didn't want to press her father further, so she smiled brightly.

"I understand. You must be very tired, Father. Please rest well."

"…Yes, thank you."

Lumard admired his daughter as she looked at him, then averted his gaze. He felt guilty, remembering the days when he proudly told her to be proud of being the second most powerful mage.

Silia was already a sixth-circle mage at twenty years old and was aiming for the seventh circle.

She was a genius in the Martin family, but even she seemed ordinary compared to Arhan.

"Silia," Lumard called out as she was leaving the study.

When she turned around, he struggled to speak.

"…Don't slack off in your training. The world is vast, and there are many strong people. Never become complacent with your current abilities. Don't waste time and keep getting stronger. Do you understand?"

Lumard's eyes were sorrowful.

Silia met his gaze and forced a smile.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll remember."

"…Yes. You may go."

The door to the study closed with a click.

Sometimes, parents don't realize how grown-up their children are, just like Lumard, who didn't know his feelings had been understood.

Silia felt the complex emotions underlying her father's weak tone.

"Director, please locate Jed Arhan."

"We already know. I'll report immediately."

Silia's eyes sparkled in response.

--------

The gate won't be available until the day after tomorrow.

A day's delay, but it doesn't matter much. After all, it was my intention, and it won't affect our timely arrival at the palace.

"The same process and test."

I gazed at the full moon, pondering Robin's words. To become a member of the Black Guard, one must pass a test. Naturally, nothing is known about the test itself, but given Robin's warning, it won't be easy.

"They'll probably use latent magic."

I wanted to ask O'ned, but it was impossible due to the latent magic. Revealing any information would trigger the magic, costing me my life. The Black Guard's ability to maintain secrecy and security is all thanks to latent magic.

"Anyway, let's focus on getting to the palace for now. The Black Guard is only possible after the substitute mission is over."

At the palace, I need to expose Ryman's corruption and clear the names of the vigilantes. It seems simple on the surface, but not for me. The thought of meeting the emperor is unsettling.

"How much has he recovered? Will it be visible to my eyes?"

In the setting of "Last Saber," the emperor is currently recovering his powers. The reason isn't clear, but by this time, he should have regained about half of his strength.

"Will he notice my presence?"

As an immortal in the game's world, the emperor is a mysterious figure. He might be able to see right through me.

But for now, it's just an unnecessary worry.

"Don't worry about it yet. We'll know for sure when we meet."

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

Even if he discovers my true nature, he can't do anything until he fully recovers his powers. Until then, he must maintain his image as a respected ruler.

"Hey, why aren't you going in? What are you doing here?"

Nunes approached me, chewing on a large piece of dried meat. He looks more like a thief than an investigator.

"Are you cold? I thought something had happened since you weren't coming in."

"Just... the full moon is bright."

"The full moon is always bright."

"Today it's especially so."

"The full moon is always especially bright."

"Don't nitpick and leave."

I frowned, and he chuckled.

This guy seems to have something to say to me.

"Don't beat around the bush. What is it?"

"Hehe, actually... we have some time, so why don't we check out the silk market tomorrow?"

"I'm not here to have fun. No thanks."

"Come on, there's a huge dragon statue there. They say if you make a wish there, it'll definitely come true. Are you interested?"

"You believe in such superstitions?"

Just then, a strange woman's voice intervened between us.

"It's not superstition; it's faith."

"?"

I was startled and turned around. She had long silver hair that reached her waist and striking facial features. Her blue dress shone brightly under the moonlight, and she was undeniably beautiful as she approached us.

"Wow... stunning!"

Nunes's eyes widened like the full moon.

I stopped him from walking towards her, asking if he knew who she was.

"The people of Vidente believe in such superstitions. They want to hold onto hope, no matter what."

"Who are you?"

"Silvia Martin. Do you know me?"

Silvia? I don't really know much about the magical side, but I do know she's the heir of the Martin family.

"Is she here about the Lomard incident?"

I tensed up slightly, thinking she might be here to confront me. But Silvia's demeanor was calm and genuine.

"Silvia... are you the eldest daughter of the Martin family?"

Nunes recognized her immediately, so I could pretend to know as well. If I said I didn't know, it would have been awkward.

"What brings you here, First Lady of the Martin family?"

"You are Lord Jed of Arhan, the Seventh Lord, aren't you?"

"Yes, but—"

"I'd like to speak with you privately."

She glanced at Nunes, who remained oblivious.

I nudged him, and he looked at me with a clueless expression.

---------

"You're so weak when it comes to women. How did you become a public official?" someone said.

"Nunes, please move," another person asked.

"What? Why?" Nunes replied.

"Didn't you hear? We need to talk."

"Then you should move. It sounds like you're the one who wants to talk."

"What kind of confidence do you have?"

"Whether it's looks or personality, I'm better than you," Nunes said.

"...Your delusions are almost pathological. You must be mentally ill," the other person retorted.

Nunes looked puzzled and asked again, "Who do you want to talk to?"

"Lord Jed Arahant. Could you please step aside?"

Nunes's expression fell, as if he had been "confirmed killed." He muttered to himself and walked away, looking defeated.

I watched him with a mix of sympathy and curiosity before turning my attention to Silia.

I had heard that Jed was a 16-year-old boy. I expected him to be immature, but Silia's first impression of him was quite different.

"Now that we're alone, please state your business," Jed said.

Perhaps it was because he was from Arahant's lineage, but people usually became nervous or intimidated in his presence. Instead, Jed looked at Silia with a nonchalant gaze, as if asking why she was bothering him.

"...Our clan leader visited Arahant today, right after you left," Silia said.

"What do you want to know?" Jed asked.

"My father's expression wasn't good. Something must have happened at Arahant. I want to know what was discussed between you and him, and what happened there."

Jed remained silent, simply staring at Silia with his bright red eyes under the moonlight. The pressure was palpable, and Silia swallowed dryly.

Jed broke the silence. "You're the eldest daughter of the Martin clan, aren't you?"

"Do you have no intention of answering my question?"

"Then ask directly," Jed replied.

"You came to me because it was inconvenient, right?"

"I'm also in an inconvenient position," Jed said.

Silia felt like she was being constantly interrupted. She straightened her posture, remembering that Jed was from Arahant and not someone to be underestimated.

"I need to know why it's inconvenient," Silia insisted.

"What if I say no? Will you use force?" Jed asked.

"...If necessary, I will."

"That's amusing. Go ahead and try," Jed said.

"Hey, I came to ask a favor. There's no need to be so prickly," Silia said.

"Was it a favor? It sounded more like coercion, especially towards Arahant," Jed replied.

Silia's face turned bright red. She felt like she was losing the verbal battle against a boy four years younger than her.

Her pride was wounded, but using magic against Arahant wouldn't be wise. Silia spoke in a barely audible voice.

"...Please, tell me."

"I didn't quite catch that," Jed said.

"P-please... I mean it."

"Why are you raising your voice if you're asking a favor? It doesn't sound sincere," Jed observed.

Silia's hands clenched the hem of her dress in frustration.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please, just stop."

Jed stopped teasing and changed his expression, becoming more serious. The atmosphere became more solemn.

"I don't know what happened at Arahant. I wasn't there," Jed said.

"Are you lying?"

"It's true. But I can make some guesses."

"What kind of guesses?"

"The gap between Arahant and your clan. Your clan leader must have felt it."

Silia's eyes trembled slightly. It seemed true, especially considering her father's final words.

Her voice became somewhat harsher as she lost her composure.

"So, why did my father go to Arahant? What did you say to make him make an unplanned visit?"

"I proposed an alliance with the Martin clan," Jed replied calmly, contrasting with Silia's agitation.