Legacy of the Dark Sage

The members of the Blacksmith Order heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing Kyran's response. However, their relief was short-lived when the latter continued to speak.

Kyran said, "I'll have to trouble the Royal Family to mediate on today's incident between the Blacksmith Order and the Lumley Family. But, with regards to their accusation against my work, I will settle it myself."

Most of the veteran members immediately realized what Kyran was trying to do.

He wanted to tell them that whatever transpired between the Lumley Family's and Kyran was his responsibility alone. The Blacksmith Order had nothing to do with it. By doing this, he was ensuring that any retaliation from the Lumley Famly would not implicate the order again.

"D-Disciple Tyr!"

"You need not do this!"

"You are part of the Blacksmith Order and whatever happens, we will stand by you!"

"That is right. Please allow us and the Order to protect you!"

"Don't be hasty, Disciple Tyr! Let us wait for President Sigma and Chairman Noir."

Several veteran members of the order exclaimed, one after another. Other younger members also muttered or nodded their agreement and even swore to protect him when the time comes.

"Presumptuous!" One of the Grand Masters with Tobias scowled.

"Such arrogance! Did you think you can threaten us?" The other one also expressed his disapproval.

Tobias, however, remained silent and only looked at Kyran with a malicious glint in his eyes.

The woman also frowned. Before she could convince Kyran to reconsider, he continued to speak.

"In the first place, the Lumley Family's target has been me all along. The Blacksmith Order was only dragged in because I am a member and also Chairman Noir's disciple. They only want to protect me. He even asked the Conclave's help to ensure that, but, I don't want the Order and the Conclave to suffer because of me.

"And though I don't trust the Royal Family, having them mediate and resolve the incident today is better, as long as they don't play favorites, of course."

His implication did not go unnoticed by everyone and the members of the order all broke out in cold sweat.

They were beginning to think that nothing could faze nor make Disciple Tyr tremble in fear.

​ Celine also looked at Kyran incredulously. She had witnessed his bravery before, but back then, the only ones he would provoke were mercenaries. At worst, it would be the whole Mercenary Hall.

This time, he actually dared to provoke the Royal Family! This was not just any family! They were the rulers of the Ylfaen Empire.

Was he not afraid the Royal Family would decree his execution for saying such things against them?

Acting as if he had said nothing wrong, Kyran continued, "In any case, I don't want to involve the whole order with whatever it is the Lumley Family has against me. I also don't want to owe the Royal Family."

The man with the huge polearm behind the woman stepped forward and said, "You're being stubborn. Are you really planning on taking on the Lumley Family by yourself?"

Kyran shrugged, "If I say yes, that has nothing to do with you, right?"

Then he looked at the Grand Masters with Tobias and added, "Besides, I still have some unfinished business with their young master. And—," he looked at Tobias, "— with little Toby, right here."

"YOU! Do not call me that!" Tobias flared up. If Celine had not been there, he would have done more than just glare at Kyran.

But with Celine right in front of Kyran, not to mention, her still active domain which prevented Tobias from using his magic properly, the latter could only reign in his annoyance.

Kyran ignored Tobias and looked at the three people from the Special Ops.

"I know the Princess has a way to speak with you guys," he said, giving a meaningful look at the man with the great sword. "Tell her I don't need her help. As for her 'personal request,' we can talk again when its time."

Silence ensued after Kyran finished speaking.

Everyone member of the order looked at Kyran worriedly. Even if Celine was still there to help him, the three people before them were acting under the direct orders of the Royal Family. If they wanted to take Kyran, they all believed Celine did not have the capability to refuse.

No one among them could actually refuse.

Just when the people around felt the tension had risen, a deep voice suddenly erupted in laughter, breaking the silence.

"Good. Very good," the man with the great sword had said. He was also the one who laughed just now.

The woman closed her eyes and stepped back. Then she stepped back as the man stepped forward and approached Celine and Kyran.

"My daughter do have a keen eye," the man said as he lowered the hood of his coat.

Gasps of both surprise and fear filled the air as everyone, except Kyran, recognized the man's face.

The man was none other than Emperor Euan!

"Your Majesty," Celine and the rest immediately knelt on the ground to pay respect.

She also undid her domain, which gave Tobias and the two Grand Masters the opportunity to turn and also kneel in respect.

Again, only Kyran remained standing as he looked at the man before him. At that moment, he stuck out like a sore thumb with everyone around him kneeling before Euan.

As another silence ensued, the two Special Ops with Euan felt something was amiss. Emperor Euan was very different from the previous emperor. He was a very amiable person. When his people kneel in respect before him, he would immediately tell them to stand.

The two Special Ops lifted their heads slightly to see why the Emperor had not asked them to stand. What they saw was the Emperor staring at Kyran with a smile that did not meet his eyes.

Clearly, the Emperor was dissatisfied with Kyran's arrogance for not kneeling before him!

Celine also noticed this and wanted nothing more but to force Kyran to kneel. However, because she knew his situation, she did not have the heart to force him. Even though she knew his action would cause harm.

Before the two could reprimand Kyran, Euan finally spoke and broke the silence.

"Judging by your appearance, you are not a native of the Ylfaen Empire," he said.

Kyran raised his brows but did not reply. He simply looked back at Euan, feeling mixed emotions.

He would be lying if he said he was not ruffled by Euan's sudden appearance.

The real reason why he did not kneel was not that he was acting stubbornly, but because he was too shocked to move.

Alas, when he noticed he was the only one standing, it was already too late to move.t

Nevertheless, Kyran's mind reeled while he racked his brains for a way to get out of this situation. He did not want to provoke the Emperor. At least, not yet.

But he knew acting friendly was more suspicious.

In the end, he could only continue acting arrogantly. The worse thing that could happen was the emperor wanting his head. If that happened, he would just escape and make adjustments to his plan, especially once he started living as 'Nar.'

"My daughter thinks highly of your skills as an Array Specialist. She also said, your combat ability is good," Euan continued. "But she also said, your arrogance is also top-notch."

Kyran tilted his head and replied, "Should I say thank you?"

"Ahahaha!" Euan laughed, seemingly unoffended by Kyran's reply.

Still, Celine and the members of the order all paled. All of them seemed to only have one thing in their minds:

There was a limit to one's bravado Disciple Tyr! Please stand down now!

"You remind me of my younger self," Euan said and took a step toward Kyran.

"Because I know I will become the emperor, I never really show any respect to others," Euan continued, giving Kyran a meaningful look.

The gears in Kyran's mind immediately kicked into gear.

Recalling Euan's remark on how Kyran did not look like a native of the Ylfaen Empire, how he did not address Kyran's 'disrespectful' attitude and instead commented on how he reminded him of his younger self. And last but most important of all was Euan's meaningful look after saying his last comment.

Did this mean, the Emperor believed Kyran, or rather, Tyr, was a person from another nation with a high status?

Such a misunderstanding, should not be possible if the Emperor had not found other clues.

This immediately made Kyran doubt Stella and Noir's claim that they had made sure Tyr did not have the same face as someone known.

Or could it be, that they were only able to confirm this within the Ylfaen Empire?

Regardless of the truth, maybe Kyran could use this misunderstanding!

With this in mind, Kyran only smiled slightly at Euan.

As if Kyran's smile was a sort of confirmation, Euan's smile became more friendly as he laughed again, "I would like to get to know you better, Disciple Tyr."

He waved his hand and a gold parchment appeared in front of Kyran.

"Tomorrow, the Conclave and the Royal Army will hold a joint military exercise and I want you to participate as one of the Blacksmith Order and the Mercenary Hall's representative."

Euan's words immediately stirred a commotion among the people present.

Still wearing a slight smile, Kyran reached out and took the gold parchment.

"The details are written there, read it and come to the exercise at the Tower of Conclave tomorrow."

What Euan said was not a suggestion, but an order, and Kyran knew he could not say no.

Seeing that Kyran did not say anything, Euan turned and looked at the Special Ops still kneeling on the ground.

"Let's go."

"Yes, your Majesty."