Spirit Sword Chapter 23

Chapter 23: To The Sith Empire

TL: Warriormonk

Editor: Isleidir

“Since you were knighted in the Hansel Kingdom, the Sith Empire will not recognize you as a knight.”

“Is… Is that so?”

“Well, I mean you probably won’t be treated as though you were a peasant, but it will be hard for you to be acknowledged as a proper knight.”

Luke looked carefully at Lemington.

“Would you have any words of advice for me?”

“I do indeed. If you wish to be acknowledged as a knight by the Sith Empire, there are a few ways. I will tell you one such way.”

“I do not know how to thank you.”

“I’m only telling you this because I consider talents like you to be absolutely necessary to our Sith Empire. Listen carefully.”

The method proposed by Lemington was simple. Luke’s eyes narrowed after listening to his explanation.

“I have to win in a tournament held by a lord?”

“Yes. In the Sith Empire, strength is everything. The n.o.ble lords of our empire hold martial tournaments on a regular basis. Many reasons exist for this, but the main reason is to find hidden talents.”

“I see.”

“Whoever wins these martial tournaments are awarded with money and are knighted by the n.o.ble lord holding the tournament. This is how the Sith Empire discovers and raises talented warriors.”

“Even if I win the tournament, however, would I not have to serve as a knight of the n.o.ble lord holding the tournament without a say in the matter?”

Lemington calmly shook his head.

“Why would I recommend this method to you if that were the case?”

“The winner of the tournament is given a choice. If you decide to accept the land given to you as award, you will have to serve under the n.o.ble lord, but if you do not accept the land you can become a free knight and choose to serve whoever you wish.”

Luke’s face brightened up.

“How practical. Why would the n.o.ble lord do that, when he doesn’t have anything to gain?”

“The important thing is the discovery of talented warriors. The n.o.ble lords of our Sith Empire know what is truly important.

“Truly, a tradition befitting the Sith Empire, where the strong rule.”

Luke nodded his head while looking very impressed.

“Anyway, you have chosen the perfect time to enter our Empire.”

“What do you mean?”

Lemington smiled as he explained.

“About two days ride southwest from here lies the lands of viscount Jabel. The viscount is hosting a martial tournament in about a week.”

“Is that so?”

“Since you are entering the empire in hopes of finding success, I am a.s.suming you have the skills to back up your ambitions. That’s why I’m telling you this.”

“It seems like a good opportunity.”

“Win of the martial tournament of Jabel viscountcy, and become a knight of the Sith Empire. It will make it easier for you to find a lord to serve.”

“I sincerely thank you for the information, sir. I will go to the Jabel viscountcy as soon as possible, if you will tell me the exact location.”

Lemington happily nodded in approval.

“I am not unfamiliar with viscount Jabel, I will write you a recommendation. You will be able to avoid the preliminary rounds that are meant to weed out the weaklings.”

“Thank you, but I will have to politely refuse.”

“Why?”

Luke gripped his fists.

“Since my ambitions are as such, I will climb from the very bottom to be able to stand proudly at the top. I will only accept your good wishes, sir.”

Lemington laughed loudly.

“An excellent att.i.tude. Good. I will give you the specific directions to the viscountcy.”

Luke and Kurotan headed towards Jabel viscountcy as soon as they left the border outpost.

“You are quite impressive.”

“What?”

“How can you so easily convince the officer of a country on which you are not on good terms with?”

“Oh that? I definitely had to keep on my toes and use my head.”

Luke shrugged as he looked at Kurotan.

“I much prefer dealing with you instead.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have to calculate this and that.”

Luke smiled as Kurotan looked about stupidly in an attempt to understand him.

“So you will partic.i.p.ate in the martial tournament in order to become knighted?”

“Yes, but it will be you partic.i.p.ating, not me.”

Kurotan’s eyes widened.

“How so?”

“It’s not an easy thing to change your nationality. In addition, I have a loving and understanding family in Hansel Kingdom. I do not wish to betray them.”

Luke smiled and looked at Kurotan.

“A person who was an orc, like you, would not really attach meaning to your nationality right?”

“Of course. Nationality means nothing to me. Not just me but my fellow tribesmen either…”

“So you can be the one to become knighted. Knighthood is pretty useful, you know. You can use it to solve most problems that you might run into…”

“I do not really understand, but I will do as you order. Is it all right for just me to have knighthood though?”

“It is. I am technically your lord. I won’t be ignored anywhere I go if I have under me an officially knighted warrior.”

Kurotan frowned.

“I don’t know if I can communicate with any humans other than you.”

“No need to worry too much. All you have to do is what I tell you to do.”

“All right.”

The new lord of Esteban earldom, Reynold, was frowning.

‘Luke, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, where the h.e.l.l are you and what have you done?’

He was worried sick about his currently missing little brother. An investigator from the church of Flora had visited the earldom a couple days ago.

“I am Lancaster, from the church of Flora. I’ve come to the earldom due to a case I am investigating.”

The earl of Esteban Earldom could only politely greet him and his party of twenty holy knights.

“What does the church of Flora have to…?”

“We are here to make an inquiry about Luke Esteban.”

“Luke is currently not here. He is vising Lea Marquisate due to issues with a divorce.”

“Yes, we are aware of that. We are planning on asking him directly when he returns. If it is not too much trouble, may we stay here until he does?”

“It is a matter of critical importance, so please consider it.”

Reynold couldn’t refuse them if they came out like this. He could only give them a place to stay.

He couldn’t stay still however, as this was a matter pertaining to his little brother. Reynold asked his information agent Garfield to investigate Lancaster, which revealed some troubling facts.

“What? A party of holy knights was annihilated due to an ambush, and Isabelle is missing?”

The church of Flora had tried to shut down information from leaking out, but the soldiers of the border patrol had already run about spreading rumors. Reynold’s worry only increased after Garfield’s report.

‘Luke, are you safe?’

Looking at the situation, Lancaster and his holy knights wouldn’t leave until they met Luke.

While Reynold was sick with worry, a merchant party from Tranbel Kingdom arrived at Esteban Earldom.

“Lord, its Benjamin. May I enter?”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Benjamin, the butler, entered stiffly.

“What is it?”

Benjamin approached and lowered his voice.

“Please, do not be surprised. Lord, a letter from young master Luke has arrived.”

“From Luke?”

“It looks like he sent it via a merchant from Tranbel Kingdom.”

Reynold’s face immediately brightened.

“Show me the letter.”

Benjamin took out a letter from his pocket, which Reynold took and read immediately. The letter’s content was truly simple.

Right then, someone else knocked at the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Lancaster, from the church of Flora. May I enter, lord?”

Benjamin’s face paled. He had kept the letter strictly secret, so how had Lancaster come here so fast? Reynold shouted back.

“I am busy! I will take a look at my schedule and let you know later when I am free.”

“I heard that a letter from Sir Luke arrived. I was only hoping that you could share the contents of the letter with me.”

Reynold’s face scrunched up painfully.

“G.o.ddammit… Who was the b.a.s.t.a.r.d that blabbered his mouth?”

This was what was so scary about the church of Flora. Since it was the most powerful and popular church in Hansel Kingdom, many people wors.h.i.+pped Flora.

A faithful church member would do anything for the G.o.d they wors.h.i.+pped. It was most likely a maid or a servant that let Lancaster know about the letter from Luke. Benjamin gripped the pommel of his sword with a stiff expression.

“I will investigate carefully and deal out punishments accordingly.”

“As you should. Be strict, and kick them out when you are done.”

Reynold nodded and said uncomfortably.

“Is it not a breach of etiquette to ask for the contents of a letter from family?”

“Yes, lord, I am aware, but the situation is that dire. The church will formally and politely apologize about this matter.”

Reynold could only sigh, as it seemed Lancaster would not retreat if Reynold did not show him the letter.

“Come in.”

Lancaster and two holy knights entered as soon as the words left Reynold’s mouth.

“Thank you for your understanding, lord Reynold.”

“I don’t understand the whole situation, but I will be asking the church of Flora for repayment in regards to the disrespect shown to me today.”

Lancaster kept his eyes on the letter in Reynold’s hands as he responded.

“We will pay the price gladly.”

“As you wish. This is the letter from Luke.”

Lancaster took the letter Reynold handed him and read it speedily.

Big brother. Something unexpected has happened, and I do not expect I will be returning any time soon. I am planning on looking for opportunities in another country. I do not doubt that you will trust in me, as will the rest of my family. I will visit you in a year, and show you my success. Please, wait for me and believe in me until then.

Lancaster frowned as soon as he finished reading the letter. He had crossed some boundaries with lord Reynold in hopes of finding useful information, but the letter gave him nothing.

‘Curses… He may be young, but he’s still a n.o.ble.’

Reynold looked at Lancaster with a smile on his face.

“Could you give it back if you are done?”

“Is this definitely a letter from Sir Luke?”

“What the h.e.l.l do you wish to hear from me?”

Reynold finally showed his anger, and Lancaster flinched. Even if he was from the church of Flora, he couldn’t show any more disrespect to the lord of Esteban Earldom, a house well known and respected in the Hansel Kingdom.

“Please, I beg for your forgiveness… I have crossed the line in my haste to solve the case.”

“I will be making a formal complaint to the church of Flora. And…”

Reynold coldly turned his back on Lancaster, as if dismissing him.

“I hope you can leave the building reserved for guests as soon as possible. I no longer wish to play the host in the face of such disrespect.”

“As-As you wish. I apologize once more for my behavior.”

Lancaster bowed multiple times before leaving with his holy knights in tow.

Reynold smiled as soon as they left.

“As expected of Luke. He knows not to leave any evidence in his letters.”

“Young master Luke has shown his cleverness since he was young. He is very far from clumsy.”

“He says he will return after a year, so let’s stop worrying about him. He isn’t one to go back on his words…”

Benjamin smiled brightly, baring his teeth.

“You have brightened up considerably since you have read the letter.”

“Is that so?”

Reynold and Benjamin knowingly smiled at each other.