SFRW-Chapter 197

Ch. 197 Sword God From The Ruined World

The imperial capital was completely different from the city under Count Reminan’s jurisdiction.  

“It feels like coming from a rural town to a big city like Seoul,” Hyun Joo-yeon remarked.  

Her words rang true. The capital was not only enormous in size but also vastly different in architectural style. Most notably, while Count Reminan’s city had only one portal, the capital had dozens lined up in rows. The quality of the soldiers guarding them was also distinctly superior.  

Above all, every time a portal emitted light, people emerged—and without exception, each one had to undergo identity verification by the knights.  

“Sir Pell. Is that Count Reminan?”  

A knight in his mid-30s, clad in expensive-looking armor, approached Count Reminan and bowed respectfully.  

“That’s correct. Sir Pell, you are…?”  

“From the Blue Moon Knight Order.”  

“Ah, under Count Corneli’s command. How is the count faring?”  

“The order leader is as vigorous as ever.”  

The knight, Pell, grew even more deferential upon realizing Count Reminan knew his superior. For the party, who had spent the last three days watching the count grovel and fawn over Seo Do-jun, suppressing their laughter was a struggle.  

“And the people behind you?”  

“My guests.”  

“I see.”  

Despite Count Reminan’s explanation, Pell scrutinized Seo Do-jun’s group with sharp eyes. Yet no matter how hard he looked, he found nothing suspicious. With Count Reminan’s status unquestionable and the visibly terrified, untouched elf in tow, Pell’s suspicions faded.  

“Welcome to the capital.”  

Pell stepped aside and gave a slight bow.  

“Thank you. Carry on, Sir Pell.”  

Count Reminan patted Pell’s shoulder lightly and strode forward with the authority of a noble. Once safely past the portal area, the count exhaled in relief.  

“Acting all high and mighty, but you were scared stiff, huh?” Choi Kang-soo teased.  

Count Reminan forced an awkward smile—it wasn’t entirely untrue. Had Seo Do-jun’s group seemed even slightly suspicious, chaos would have erupted, and Count Reminan, as their sponsor, wouldn’t have escaped unscathed. So when Pell inspected them, no one’s heart pounded harder than the count’s.  

“Who are we meeting through?”  

Even as a city ruler, Count Reminan couldn’t approach the emperor directly. He needed an intermediary trusted by the throne.  

“Marquis Biloi should suffice.”  

Seo Do-jun didn’t ask who the marquis was, assuming he was a close aide. Count Reminan, familiar with the capital’s ins and outs, led them confidently through its opulent streets.  

Even the grand imperial capital had its bright and shadowy sides, but the count guided them through the clean, wide avenues of the affluent district.  

“These mansions are all extravagant.”  

The area was lined with estates fit only for nobles and the wealthy. The party, unused to such alien architecture, gaped at their surroundings—all except Seo Do-jun.  

Count Reminan stopped before a three-story mansion with emerald-green bricks and a strikingly beautiful roof. The gates were shut, but upon spotting the count, a guard rushed to open them.  

“Count, you’ve arrived!”  

“Long time no see.”  

“We’ve been expecting you! Please, come in!”  

Following the guard inside, the party trailed behind Count Reminan like ducklings. The mansion was his residence in the capital.  

“Treat these honored guests with utmost care.”  

“Understood!”  

Soon, the count left with two attendants to meet Marquis Biloi. Alone, Seo Do-jun immediately took out a communication crystal orb to contact Kusak.  

[The sacrificial ceremony is in a week… So we’ll meet the emperor before then?]  

The exact timing depended on Count Reminan’s return, but the ceremony date was fixed.  

[Shall we start soon?]  

[Begin in two days.]  

[Leave it to me.]  

Ending the call after Kusak’s eager reply, Seo Do-jun turned to Hyun Joo-yeon’s worried question.  

“Will it work?”  

“If Kusak’s team stirs things up properly, at least half of the seven masters will abandon their posts.”  

“I hope it goes as planned.”  

“It will.”  

Seo Do-jun gazed out the window. The imperial capital bore an uncanny resemblance to the ruined cities of his world.  

***

The Next Evening  

“Marquis Biloi will visit personally tomorrow,” Count Reminan reported.  

“In person?”  

“Though the sacrificial offering is already chosen, a maiden of the Sunlight is rare. The marquis wants to verify her himself. If satisfied, he’ll propose substituting her to His Majesty.”  

True to his word, Marquis Biloi arrived the following evening. A rodent-faced man in his early 50s with piercing eyes, he examined Eliana like merchandise.  

“My, my… This exceeds expectations!”  

The marquis didn’t just look—he groped her freely.  

“D-Don’t touch me with those filthy hands!”  

Eliana’s shuddering protest only amused him further.  

‘That bastard!’  

Choi Kang-soo ground his teeth, fists trembling at Eliana’s humiliation. Seo Do-jun shot him a warning glance, positioning Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon to block him.  

Marquis Biloi’s interest confirmed Count Reminan’s prediction: Eliana would likely be recommended to the emperor.  

“Magnificent! No better offering exists for the ceremony!” The marquis roared with laughter.  

Seizing the moment, Count Reminan approached.  

“I’m glad you’re pleased. I knew at first glance she was unmatched.”  

“Indeed! His Majesty will be delighted. You’ve done well, Count Reminan.”  

“Then… may I have an audience with His Majesty?”  

The marquis nodded.  

“Of course! It’s time you stepped out of the hinterlands. This could be your opportunity.”  

“Truly?”  

For once, Count Reminan’s excitement seemed genuine.  

“Unfortunately, immediate arrangements aren’t possible. Join me at the palace in two days.”  

“Thank you! But I have another request.”  

“Oh?”  

“May they accompany me?”  

The count gestured to Seo Do-jun’s group, who bowed in unison. Marquis Biloi frowned. Letting vagabond hunters meet the emperor was unthinkable.  

Before he could refuse, Count Reminan interjected:  

“If not all, perhaps one or two? They’re talents worthy of His Majesty’s notice.”  

The marquis’s demeanor shifted, his curiosity piqued—much like with Eliana.  

“Talents, you say?”  

“Exceptional ones.”  

“Hmm… Palmer.”  

A burly knight stepped forward.  

“What do you think?”  

“Unremarkable.”  

Palmer smirked after a dismissive glance. The marquis sighed.  

“So he says.”  

As Count Reminan floundered, Seo Do-jun stepped forward.  

“With respect, may I spar with the knight?”  

The marquis’s eyes lit up.  

“Will you oblige him?”  

Palmer sneered.  

“If they wager an arm, I’ll play.”  

“Classic Palmer! Well? The choice is yours.”  

Seo Do-jun accepted without hesitation.  

“Agreed.”  

“Splendid! Let’s proceed.”  

As the marquis strutted ahead, Choi Kang-soo seethed at Palmer’s taunt:  

“Don’t think losing an arm will be the end of it.”  

Other knights snickered, whistling mockingly.  

“Fools fear no tigers,” Shinjo muttered, scowling at Palmer’s arrogance. Choi Kang-soo begged to fight instead.  

“You can’t. You look ready to kill someone.”  

“Then promise me one thing.”  

“What?”  

“Let me be the one to kill Marquis Biloi.”  

Seo Do-jun studied him before nodding.  

“Fine. Do as you please.”  

“Thank you, Uncle!”  

Choi Kang-soo grinned darkly, repeating under his breath:  

“You’re dead, Biloi.”  

***

The Sparring Ground  

“Im… impossible!”  

“H-How? Palmer!”  

“That bastard!”  

Palmer lay crumpled, both arms grotesquely twisted. The match had been laughably one-sided.  

The overconfident knight had attacked with lethal intent but failed to graze Seo Do-jun, who fought with a wooden sword to avoid fatal force. The result spoke for itself—Palmer’s tendons and muscles were shredded beyond repair.  

“…Impressive.”  

Marquis Biloi’s shock was genuine. Despite his knight’s humiliation, he showed no anger—only fascination.  

“Your name?”  

“Kassal.”  

“Kassal… Would you consider serving me?”  

The offer stunned even the other knights.  

“My only wish is to meet His Majesty.”  

“A talent like you would please him greatly. But remember—many exceptional individuals already surround the throne.”  

The implication was clear: the Emperor’s favor wouldn’t come easily, so joining the marquis was wiser.  

“I’ll keep your words in mind.”  

Seo Do-jun left the door open without committing.  

“Ambition requires sacrifice and patience,” the Marquis added, clicking his tongue when Seo Do-jun merely thanked him.  

“Count Reminan.”  

“Yes, my lord!”  

“I’ll arrange his audience with His Majesty.”  

Before the count could express gratitude, Seo Do-jun interjected again.  

“Marquis Biloi, I beg one more favor—let my comrades accompany me. Their skills rival mine.”  

The Marquis’s face darkened at the audacity, but Seo Do-jun pressed on:  

“We’ll never forget your kindness. Should we earn His Majesty’s favor, you’ll have our deepest gratitude.”  

The marquis’s expression twitched. If Seo Do-jun’s group proved as capable as claimed, they could become valuable pawns in the imperial court.  

After a calculated pause, he feigned magnanimity.  

“Difficult, but for the empire and His Majesty, I’ll arrange it.”  

Seo Do-jun bowed deeply. The path to the emperor—the traitor who sold his world—was now open.  

The old Kassal would never have stooped to such methods. But Seo Do-jun, having failed once, wasn’t foolish enough to repeat mistakes. A few bows were nothing compared to seizing the Emperor’s throat without bloodshed.  

Watching him, Hyun Joo-yeon realized how much he’d changed—and how much higher his chances of success had become.