Emperor of Steel

After the end of the turmoil was finished, Reina and Luke returned to the army and the Saint Guards who were searching under the orders of the Arch Duke.

Confused and scared with the assassination attempt, the men were delighted to hear that their Pope had returned safely.

If there was anyone who was more pleased, it was Victor.

Victor who managed to meet Reina after 2 long years, held her hands and shed tears.

“I am very sorry, Sir Victor. I behaved like a spoiled kid.”

“Not at all, princess. Now that I can see you are alright, I can die now.”

“Die. Never say that, please.”

Luke glanced at the reunion between the two and turned towards Arch Duke Gregory.

Gregory’s eyes on Victor didn’t seem to radiate much anger, but his eyes were as displeasing as the time Gregory looked at Luke.

Gregory noticed that Luke was eyeing him, and shot him a chilly look with a question.

“What is it?”

“Just like that… nothing specific.”

Since he had already spoken, Arch Duke Gregory asked Luke.

“The attack that you used last moment, Titan Blade was it? It doesn’t look like a Rakan’s sword skill?”

“Yes. That is a skill I developed.” Answered Luke.

How would Gregory react if Luke would have told that he made it on spot?

Luke was curious to see his reaction, but he had lost the chance.

“It was a very great blow. But it was better to have closed in the gap between before using the skill. Were you constantly looking for the chance?”

“Yes, it was definite that there would be a gap. You did say that you threw away the half Gold Sword… but in reality, you didn’t.”

At Luke’s statement, Gregory nodded.

In fact, it was true, Gregory hadn’t abandoned the Gold Sword. Honestly, he just couldn’t do it.

It surely was just half of the real skill, and he resented it, but it was a sword skill which turned him into a Sword Master.

The Gold Sword was so impressive and different.

Even after finding out that it was just half of the real one, he continuously tried to develop it.

“I knew it after a few hits. It has turned into a familiar part of your sword technique, even the cuts.” Stated Luke

“Right. It is because your eyes have seen it.”

However, Luke’s grasp of Gold Sword and Gregory’s sword skill wasn’t just because he had practiced the Gold Sword for months.

It was because, while fighting with Gregory, the memories of the past when he had crossed swords with the warrior Rakan, the creator of the sword, had flashed into Luke’s memory.

At that time, he wasn’t able to understand the traits of the sword, but he was able to have a grasp of what it was this time.

Which was why it was possible to enter Gregory’s gap.

‘I had to keep thinking about Rakan’s sword skill and his technique when fighting him. Then, would I be able to find the second part of the gold sword…’

Luke was beating himself up.

At the Pope’s barracks, a paladin had rushed into the place and looked at Arch Duke Gregory.

“What is it?”

“There is an urgent report from the Lord Regent.” Answered the paladin.

“Archbishop Constantine?”

The expression on the paladin’s face was weird.

After seeing the report, the face of Gregory too turned distorted.

“What happened?”

At the question from Reina, Gregory tried to answer calmly.

“Suleiman of the Ranghel territory, he is invading the capital.”

“How can that… how big is their army?” Asked Reina.

“About 50,000. It will be hard for the central forces in the capital to match them.”

Reina, who thought for a moment, immediately gave out orders.

“Please get ready right away. We can’t let the capital go into the hands of the rebels.”

“Understood, your Holiness.”

Arch Duke glanced at Reina after listening to her orders.

He was worried that she would try to get him gone and follow Luke out of there, but there were no such signs.

On the contrary, she tried to show herself as a leader, much more than before.

When Gregory moved away from the barracks, Luke and Victor were still troubled.

“Do you have to go back right away?” Asked Luke.

“Right, princess. Isn’t it up to the army to take care of the revolt?” Added Victor.

They already knew that taking Reina would be a very tough task. It was because there would be a great number of men who would oppose them, even if it wasn’t Arch Duke Gregory.

However, they didn’t know how actively she would engage in the work and matters of the Holy Empire.

“I am sorry, you have come here all the way to find me… but, there are things I need to do in here.”

“Things you need to do?” Asked Luke.

It is to stabilize the Holy Arthenia Empire.”

Many people of the capital had witnessed the miracles done by Reina, so their trust in Reina was much stronger than the other parts of the Empire.

But what would happen if that only place got devastated in the hands of the rebels?

If the capital fell into the hands of the rebels, the rebellion fight backs would happen much frequently and the suffering of the common people would turn much worse.

“Why does the princess have to take responsibility for that? Didn’t they make the princess into the Pope without even asking your opinion? Don’t they have to be the one to take care of the situation?”

“Of course, Sir Victor, your words aren’t wrong. But this is a chance for Luke.”

“Chance? Don’t tell me that…you are..!” Stuttered Luke.

Reina smiled as she looked over at Luke who was shocked.

“You aim to overthrow the Baroque Imperial, right? Wouldn’t it be easier if we had the Holy Empire behind us?” Asked Reina.

“Of course it is…”

He remembered the joke Philip was saying the other day.

Whether Rudolf notices his presence or not, Philip said Luke had succeeded in taking over the Holy Empire.

The situation wasn’t an impossible one. Even Sword Sage Gregory, who was famous in the continent, would never disobey Reina.

Nevertheless, Luke wasn’t able to make such a decision.

He felt uncomfortable because his beloved woman would have to shoulder the heavy burden of an entire Holy Empire.

“I know what Sir Luke is thinking. But I can stand. I have always depended on you. So this time, let me help you.”

“Reina…”

“I think one turns into a real companion when they are able to help each other. If you love me, please understand the reason for my decision.”

Luke just stared at Reina.

Her eyes were clear and strong, her beautiful face, full of aspiration.

Luke finally made the decision.

“Understood. Do what you feel is right.”

“Thank you.”

Luke glanced over at Victor, who was holding Reina’s hands.

“Sir Victor, please stay by the side of this stubborn princess.”

“Phew, well I don’t really want to, but I can’t go against your orders. This will be the old man’s last mission.”

Victor sighed and vowed. He was never going to lose his princess ever again.

“Reina.”

“Sir, Luke.”

The two of them hugged for a while, feeling the warmth of the other.

They both made a decision for the future, it was a sorry situation where they would have to walk in different paths once again.