15 – Hero Garden 2
Imperial Castle Alexander.
The massive castle was at the end of Alexander Street, the main artery of the imperial capital. And deep within its confines stood the palace, home to the imperial family.
Ordinarily, entry was strictly prohibited, not only to commoners but even to nobles.
(Really…)
Gileus Marion sat at the round table and looked around the room with exasperation. To be precise, he was looking at the other three in the room.
“Ahh…”
A man put his feet up on the table and sighed as if bored.
He wore a jacket over a bare chest, which was quite strange. And while he was slender, his body was tight with muscles that were covered in tattoos.
There was something beastly about him. But not a large beast. Something similar to a starving wolf.
And then there was the other man, who wore a hat pulled down over his eyes.
He also looked bored as he touched the strings of his lute. He had the appearance of a medieval bard, but there was nothing impressive about his actual performance ability. If anything, he was downright atrocious. Every sound he made was offensive to the ears. It was impressive that anyone could even sleep here.
The third was a woman.
She was short and had blue hair. Currently, she seemed to be focused on a board game. Apparently…she was playing chess by herself. And she had no intention of inviting someone to play with her.
Gileus Marion watched these three and sighed.
(They have not changed at all…)
In the whole imperial castle, no one ever looked as relaxed as they did.
He turned to the big man next to him. Grafios was closing his eyes.
Of course, it wasn’t as if they would be under attack.
This was the Hero Garden. A garden only in name. A term that signified their unique extraterritorial status.
There were some restrictions, but they could even get by insulting great nobles. Sometimes, even the imperial family. No other royal family had that kind of authority.
Furthermore, they sometimes received missions from the empire, and the rewards were on a different level. Sometimes, they wielded more power than kings of lesser countries. That was the Hero Garden.
Though, Gileus Marion was an exception.
By swearing allegiance to the empire, he had received the right to live there in peace.
He had chosen the life of a servant over a king, but he had no regrets.
Just then, he heard the sounds of the door opening behind him.
Finally…
He turned his head to see two people.
Gileus rose to his feet and bowed.
“Hello, Gileus. We are in the garden, so there is no need to act like that.”
“Yes.”
Gileus answered to the young man with platinum blonde hair.
Waldric von Magnus. The crown prince of the empire smiled lightly and waved a hand, and then casually took a seat.
This was the round table. There was no seating hierarchy, and even the crown prince did not occupy a head seat.
“Ah, sorry to keep you waiting. I had some guests that I had to meet.”
“Indeed. I was growing very impatient.”
The bare chested man said with a shake of his head. Then there was a clinking sound as the blue-haired girl moved a chest piece.
“Checkmate.”
“…Who won?”
“I did.”
Of course.
She made a victory sign with her hand and the prince chuckled.
And then the last person… The man with a beard who had been standing behind the prince, took a seat.
“Regarding the matter at hand, things have been settled, as the young man agreed to withdraw.”
“This is shit. Shit, shit. This shit empire.”
“Ragnard.”
He glared at the man with the beard.
“In the empire, power is everything. And yet, it’s all about politics and protecting yourself. All of you are cowards.”
“Whatever…”
Said the man with the beard, and then he quietly opened his eyes. They were sharp, like a sword.
“I don’t care about the apprentice. Only the master is of interest.”
Harvey the Blade—Harvey Lemrios.
The strongest swordsman in the empire.
“…Well, there is no need to rush.”
Waldric said, trying to change the atmosphere with a smile.
“If he is the real deal, he will stand before us eventually, regardless of what shape it takes.”
“Tsk…”
Ragnard clicked his tongue in annoyance.
However, he did not say anything else. Instead, he leaned back into his seat and looked up at the ceiling.
It was because he knew what the prince said was the truth.
This was the Garden. Where the strongest in the empire gathered. The strong were always drawn to each other. They would always clash.
Schemes and intentions didn’t matter. That was just how the world worked.
“So…I will explain to you about tomorrow, which is the final day.”
They finally returned to the main topic.
“On the final day, we will hand over the trophy to the winner of the tournament. This is our role… Any candidates?”
But Waldric was met with silence.
It was clear that no one was interested.
“Grafios, what about you?”
“Hey, don’t look at me, Your Highness. It’s not my kind of work.”
“Hmm…that’s true.”
Of course, Gileus would be no good either.
In the end, it would probably be the prince who had to do it this year as well.
“Though, I hope all of you will show up at the ceremony…”
“Don’t count on it.”
Said Harvey.
“The Sword Saint is in the city. And so I will follow him.”
“I see…”
“Aye. I’m sorry, but I’ll pass.”
Said the bard.
Spirit Bow. Flaverta Milion. The best archer in the capital.
“Ah, my beloved honey made a request. That we spend the last day together.”
As everyone looked exasperated, Gileus looked at the members sitting around the table.
“Blade Sword” Harvey Lemrios.
“Beast Fang” Ragnard Brocius.
“Raging Beast” Grafios.
“Spirit Bow” Flaverta Milion.
“Royal Sword” Waldric von Magnus.
“Sealing Thread” Remelia Isaac.
—and “Black Wolf” Gileus Marion.
Most would have just seen them as the victors of the combat technique tournament, but they had another side as well.
It was maintaining the position of being the strongest. Without others knowing, they were in a battle with the Garden. And those who lost would lose their seats.
Aside from the two others, who were currently outside of the city, they were the real garden. the nine heroes.
…On the surface.
(Ah…)
It really was.
(…Rediculous.)