The Greatest Warrior of All Time Returns-Chapter 379

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Chapter 379

In my previous life, it would be an award on the level of a Nobel Prize.

Naturally, unless your achievements are extraordinary, it isn’t easy to be recognized.

And unlike my past life, this world has its share of under-the-table power plays—so if a foreign figure is about to receive it, you sometimes see movements trying to obstruct that.

But.

Ignoring all of that, I’m told the decision to award it was made with near-unanimous votes.

Heh… looks like a lot of people were really suffering from hair loss.

According to Melissa, even if I refuse, it wouldn’t change anything.

All that happens is that the Federation sends over a small golden statuette, and that’s it.

In truth, the real value of awards like this lies in the honor.

For nobles who live and die by reputation, it’s a tremendous distinction.

I used to brush it off as a joke, but now I’m thinking… I might actually live to see the day the “Thirteen Great Houses” become “Fourteen.”

It wasn’t exactly the outcome I wanted.

Of course, none of the Thirteen Great Houses rose to that position by the power of a single individual.

Only when a house’s unique traits accumulate, harden, and become a symbol over a long span of time—

Only then is it acknowledged as one of the Thirteen.

[Considering the award you will be receiving, I judge that outcome is not impossible.]

“Lately, you’ve been mixing in a lot of your own opinions.”

[I apologize.]

“No, it’s fine. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

More importantly, Meryl Dyne’s resurrection ritual is progressing painfully slowly.

Normally, she should have awakened already.

But it’s taking a long time for her soul to settle into her body.

And—

‘Isna and Rebecca said they were going after Garlan, so they’ll handle their side fine, but…’

Inspecting Meryl Dyne’s resurrection ritual is part of my daily routine.

That day, too, I checked the state of her body as she lay there like she was peacefully asleep, and confirmed whether her soul had harmonized properly with her flesh.

Her soul had taken its place in her body, but there was still a mismatch.

Since this attempt doesn’t have a perfect success rate, it wouldn’t even be strange if her soul suddenly got rejected and sprang out of her body.

Even so—

“If possible… you’re going to live.”

She was someone who threw away her life to save another, so I respected the nobility of her spirit.

That was when it happened.

As if she were merely sleeping, her finger twitched—and the faintly glowing magic circle, as if it had finally completed its role, lost its light.

“She really lived?”

With a hollow laugh, I carefully lifted her into my arms.

Then I brought her back to the Cascadia estate.

“What’s this? Why’d you bring her here?”

“She made it past the biggest hurdle. Put her in bed, and if she wakes up, come get me.”

“You heard him?”

“Yes, my lord.”

One of the attendants serving Melissa took Meryl from me and carefully carried her toward the guest rooms.

“So she’s alive?”

“Not sure how severe the aftereffects will be, but… yes. She’s alive.”

“That’s a relief. Oh—right. Emperor Credos is looking for you. Seems like he wants to discuss something.”

“All of a sudden?”

“Yeah.”

At Melissa’s words, I headed to the guest room where the Emperor was staying.

When he saw me, he gave a small nod.

“Young lord. You’ve finally come.”

“I heard you were looking for me, Your Majesty.”

“I called for you because I have something I must discuss urgently. Are you busy, by any chance?”

“If Your Majesty needs help, I’ll make time—even if I don’t have any.”

It was just a polite line, but it seemed to satisfy him.

When I sat across from him, he opened his mouth slowly.

“I hold you in very high regard.”

“Ah… thank you.”

“Would you have any intention of following me, and becoming naturalized into the Boscal Empire?”

“I’m sorry, but I intend to remain in Cascadia—to protect my younger sibling and my house.”

At my answer, delivered without the slightest hesitation, the Emperor didn’t show much disappointment—almost as if he’d expected it.

“I see. That only makes me want you more.”

“Thank you for valuing me so highly.”

“No. You are a man worthy of such treatment. And so, I wish to make several proposals.”

“I’m listening.”

“Would you consider distributing the hair-loss treatment you created through the Boscal Imperial family? I will guarantee advantages and a solid margin.”

“It’s not impossible, but I don’t particularly want to profit off the hair-loss medicine.”

To be honest, I know how much money it could generate.

Depending on severity, some people would have to apply it regularly.

And hair loss doesn’t exactly stop happening.

But seeing how this world has people flocking over a single strand of hair—and even conflicts pausing because of it—I judged there was no point in turning it into political leverage or squeezing profit out of it.

“Because of hair, countless people have gathered, and even disputes are stopping as attention concentrates here. I don’t want to weaponize something people crave that desperately.”

“You could gain overwhelming power.”

“There are plenty of other ways besides this. And I’m not interested in that level of power, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded, looking satisfied.

“Then, young lord… have you any intention of taking a concubine—”

Clink.

That was when Luna—appearing as if she’d been there all along—set down a teacup in front of him and me.

“Emperor.”

At Luna’s ice-cold voice, the three guards behind the Emperor flinched.

Who in the world would address an Emperor like that?

The problem was, in the case of Kashibel and Calliostro, they’d already seen at least a fragment of Luna’s strength.

They didn’t seem to have seen her fight directly, but still.

“The young lord Leon’s wife, then.”

“Luna Basilin Raphaelia. I’m willing to respect human etiquette to a degree, but remember one thing.”

“H-How insolent! What blasphemy are you spewing before His Majesty—”

As guards, regardless of their fear, they had to protest—so Kashibel and Calliostro raised their voices with tense expressions.

No— they started to, and then stopped.

Because Luna’s night-sky eyes began to hold a faint light, and behind her, translucent wings revealed themselves.

What that meant was simple: she was not human.

But ordinary demi-humans do not have wings like that.

If wings like those exist anywhere… it would only be in the heavenly beings written of in scripture.

At the wings behind her, not only the guards but even the Emperor stared in shock.

“If you try to wedge something strange between Leon and me, you won’t like what happens.”

Luna is the possessive type.

And since becoming pregnant, it had gotten even worse.

If she were merely suspicious, she might worry—but she trusts me absolutely, while firmly cutting down anything that approaches me.

And of course, I have no intention of being with anyone other than her.

“Are you… the heavenly being spoken of in the Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. She is a heavenly being.”

“…I see. Then I cannot force human etiquette upon you.”

The Emperor fell briefly silent.

“To think I failed to notice such a high existence right beside me… no, more than that—should I praise the young lord for marrying one of such rank…?”

Luna stepped back one or two paces, then carefully sat at my side.

Then, as if to pull me into her embrace, she wrapped my arm tightly and drew it to her.

“Your Majesty. We love each other, so I don’t think I can turn my eyes toward anyone else.”

“I understand. I spoke out of turn. To begin with, your wife’s beauty is truly that of a heavenly being—no other woman could possibly catch your eye.”

Separate from his answer, I sent Luna a whisper through telepathy.

‘Is it okay to reveal you’re an angel?’

‘What does it matter. I never said I had to hide it.’

Fair enough.

The people who would know, already know.

“Heavenly being. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“No. I was also overly sharp. This is my apology for that.”

Luna pulled a small apple from her subspace and offered it.

Once he recognized Luna as a higher existence, the Emperor became noticeably careful in how he treated her.

Usually, an emperor would take such behavior as a challenge to his authority and show displeasure—but he didn’t.

“What is this?”

“A golden apple grown in Paradise. You could call it a fine elixir.”

“G-Good heavens! A golden apple, spoken of only in legend!”

Calliostro, apparently knowing what it was, shouted in shock.

“You know of it, Sir Calliostro?”

“Y-Your Majesty! If that golden apple is genuine, it’s a treasure you couldn’t obtain even for a fortune!”

As expected of a mage—he was so excited he looked ready to spit as he spoke.

Even while kneeling on one knee with his head bowed, you could practically feel his fervor.

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“Can you truly give something like this to me?”

“It’s not particularly rare.”

Interpreted differently, it meant her subspace was overflowing with them.

In terms of general value, the golden apple might be superior to the phoenix silkworm the Emperor planned to give me—but to Luna, a phoenix silkworm (something she doesn’t have in her subspace) would naturally feel far more precious than an apple she can trip over.

The Emperor quietly nodded in thanks.

Afterward, he instructed Calliostro to take custody of the apple, and Calliostro carefully stored it away with the expression of someone handling a priceless relic.

“To think I’d see a mythical treasure in my lifetime…”

After that, I asked Luna to take a look at Meryl since the spell had succeeded.

Luna quietly nodded, then looked up at me as if asking for something.

So I lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her forehead.

Satisfied, she stood and left the reception room.

Since the first night after our wedding, she had become significantly more assertive.

Melissa had even once come to me with a pitiful face and said Luna had gotten “pretty spicy” after marriage.

“Ahem… I didn’t realize your affection was quite this strong.”

Luna likely acted that way as a warning—don’t try anything funny—but I still felt a little embarrassed.

The Emperor cleared his throat, then said to me.

“Young lord.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“As you know, I am a warrior by nature.”

Ah… yes. I’ve heard the rumors.

That you tore your siblings and father apart with your own hands.

Meaning he must have fought countless battles along the way.

“And as a warrior, I have great interest in the martial might of a strong man such as yourself.”

Ah.

I know what he’s going to ask.

“Would you show me your martial prowess?”

“That won’t be difficult.”

I wasn’t going to be teaching anyone, and I’d been itching to move anyway—sparring was fine.

I immediately guided the Emperor and his guards to the training grounds.

After glancing over the practice swords and wooden swords laid out there, he drew a sharp steel blade.

In response, I picked up an ordinary wooden sword.

To onlookers, it might seem like I was disrespecting the Emperor, but no one dared say such a thing.

And in truth, from my perspective, it wasn’t really disrespect.

After reaching Grandmaster, whether it’s wood or steel, the difference mostly disappears.

“Because I am the Emperor, do not hold back out of consideration.”

“Understood.”

The moment I spoke, the Emperor kicked off the ground and lunged at me at tremendous speed.

So much power was packed into it that the ground beneath his feet shattered.

BOOM!!!!

But the tyrannical charge was stopped mid-way—no, more than stopped.

When I lightly struck the air with my sword, he was forcefully pushed back.

“That just now was….”

He looked at me with a shocked face, as if he’d realized what I showed wasn’t some cheap trick.

“Again.”

He was the kind of warrior who never learned the word retreat.

Even while wary of my unknown power, he aimed for the small openings I casually revealed.

He must have known himself: those openings weren’t truly openings.

But if he didn’t dive into them, there was no other way.

Do you want to charge in and fall into a trap?

Or do you want to be unable to enter at all and be butchered one-sidedly?

Within that deathly forced choice, he chose head-on breakthrough.

His attacks were swift and destructive—yet his blade never once entered my domain.

“Incredible…”

The Emperor’s level was, at a glance, no lower than his guards’.

No—he was stronger than the men who attacked Cascadia on the first day.

So it was only natural that shock and disbelief appeared on the guards’ faces as they watched him struggle.

“Am I dreaming…?”

“How can His Majesty’s martial might be so… easily…?”

To them, Emperor Credos might have been an undefeated incarnation of victory—but this was different.

He attacks; I twist my body aside, or strike the space between us with the wooden sword to shut it all down.

The Emperor instinctively sensed that my realm wasn’t merely “Mind Master” or anything of that level—yet also seemed to instinctively reject it as impossible.

Well, of course.

A man in his twenties being a Sword Master is already astonishing, but Mind Master—or something beyond it—is hard to even imagine.

“The rumors were wrong.”

He spoke, breathing roughly.

“The rumors about you weren’t exaggerated. If anything, they were underestimating you.”

No one could refute him.

Then he formed an aura blade of terrifying density around his sword and said.

“This will be the last, young lord. You are a strong man worthy of it, so as a warrior, I intend to show you the best I can offer.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

A completely different killing intent poured out, mixing with the aura and making the surroundings tremble.

If he weren’t an Emperor—

He might have easily claimed one of the “Star” titles bestowed upon this continent.

Then he lowered his stance and tightened his grip.

KWA—!!!

He exploded forward with overwhelming momentum.

THOOM!!!

I lightly tapped the air and interfered with the space between him and me.

It wasn’t magic.

It was a technique forged purely through swordsmanship and aura.

At the level of Grandmaster, distance means nothing.

Even so, he forced his way through, taking that shockwave into his body and driving forward.

He was clearly trying to seize the initiative—cut my flow, no matter what.

Yes.

With that kind of charging power, most people would get dragged around.

But not me.

I spun the wooden sword in my hand, reversed my grip, and then—like tossing it away—I drove it into the ground at my feet.

CRACK!!!

A sound like space shattering rang out, and a massive fissure split the world before my eyes.

“Cough—?!”

The sword that left my hand carved a huge scar into reality itself—starting from the point it pierced the ground, the fissure spread outward, seizing even the air.

The Emperor, who had tried to push through that influence, endured the pressure by force—then collapsed.

CRUNCH!!!

At the same time, a gigantic sword mark formed in the space around him, and space itself broke apart.

It wasn’t gravity magic.

It was interference with space created using nothing but swordsmanship and aura.

“Truly… one could call you a Sword God without exaggeration… Even the greatest Sword Saint I ever met never displayed a technique like this…”

He muttered weakly, then asked me.

“One question, young lord.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“Are you also a higher being, like your wife?”

At that, I smiled lightly and shook my head.

“I’m nothing more than a mere human.”

“For me to say it is absurd… but truly, the world is unfair.”

With that, the Emperor gave a faint chuckle and collapsed.

His guards rushed to him.

And as I watched them, I turned my head and glanced at the crow perched in a tree nearby, as if it had been observing everything.

I showed you on purpose.

If you still can’t understand, that’s on you.

But if you understood even a little—back off.

While I’m still willing to let you live.

I don’t know if my intent reached it, but the crow cawed and quickly left the estate.

Now there wouldn’t be any pointless assassination attempts against the Emperor.

…Or so I thought.

It didn’t take even a full day to realize the other side were lunatics.

* * *

Deep within a dense forest, many figures gathered.

“What happened?”

“The patricide bastard is still staying in Cascadia. Doesn’t look like he’ll leave immediately.”

“The timing is bad. We should withdraw for now and strike after the Emperor leaves Cascadia—”

“Fool. If the Emperor returns to the imperial palace, do you not understand it will be irreversible? Especially since the output of Cascadia’s teleport gate is so great that it wouldn’t be difficult to link it to a distant gate.”

“So this is our only chance.”

“But… Sir Besival was suppressed without accomplishing anything. Even considering the Emperor’s martial power, there must be something else we don’t know.”

“That would be Leon Cascadia’s doing.”

“A short while ago, through a crow, we watched the spar between the Emperor and Leon Cascadia.”

“How was it?”

“He did something ridiculous. He seemed not to grasp even the simplest truth—that if something is too unreal, it only invites suspicion.”

They were saying: as a human being, that makes no sense; it’s an illusion spell; the bastard noticed our surveillance and showed us a fake scene—yet we confirmed it was indeed an illusion.

That’s what they claimed.

The wraiths exchanged glances.

“This chance will not come again. We must sever the Emperor’s lifeline now. Mobilize everything—this time, ensure success.”

“And the Transcendent we received from that ‘Monitoring Group’ is prepared.”

“Heh… they said it was made by condensing a barbarian’s entrails, and the killing intent is no ordinary thing.”

“With strength like that, even the Emperor won’t be able to defy it easily. It’s a mystery how a human created such a being… but at least that Monitoring Group said they cannot make entities like this easily—so that’s fortunate, if nothing else.”

“Tonight is the day we act. If anyone interferes with the Emperor’s execution, we erase Cascadia as well.”

After only hesitating and watching, they finally began a full-scale offensive.

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