I had always held a sword.
Not the novice swordsmanship noble sons learned for refinement, but practical swordsmanship for walking the path of a knight—I learned it early, and made it my own.
I was born into a decent family, fated to live comfortably and eat well without having to struggle fiercely, but I simply couldn’t choose that path.
There was no other reason.
[When the dragon roared, half the continent turned to dust, and with every beat of its wings, waves rose up and swallowed the land.]
It was because the memories of my previous life remained intact.
In other words, this world was destined to be destroyed by the princess of the Divine Empire, the “Most Calamitous Demonic Dragon.”
Knowing such a future, one without dreams or hope, I had no choice but to grip my sword even more desperately.
Because I believed the only way to prevent the end was to cut off her breath myself before the demonic dragon awakened.
And that was not all.
—Pabat!
[Return Condition Proposed - Save this world from destruction]
From the moment I became able to handle aura to some extent, a translucent blue window began to appear before me.
At first, I thought it was a system message or a status window.
But it was nothing more and nothing less than an achievement.
If you do well, you can go home, so work harder—. It merely served as a signpost to that extent.
…As if it were mocking me.
In any case, it had been over twenty years since I took up the sword solely for survival.
『Youngest Sword Master』
『Reaper of the White Aura』
『Master of All Swords』
Excessive titles always followed me around.
They were rather embarrassing names, but
since they were the fruit of my efforts, they weren’t bad.
That didn’t mean I intended to be satisfied here.
My goal was, first and foremost, the elimination of the princess of the Divine Empire, the Most Calamitous Demonic Dragon.
I could not be satisfied with merely serving as an Imperial Knight in charge of the palace’s security.
Somehow, I had to rise to a position where I could face the imperial family up close.
To be honest, for me, the youngest Sword Master, that wasn’t a particularly difficult problem.
However, in a world where seniority could not be ignored, there was nothing to be done about the fact that it took a little time to reach a fitting position.
‘I don’t particularly want to return to my original world… but I doubt I’ll get away safely after killing the princess.’
I muttered inwardly while prostrating myself before the emperor.
Now, at last, my goal was right in front of me.
Starting today, I was no ordinary member of the Imperial Knights.
“The bloodline of Priest Elios, is it—. So you were a man from a devout house. A truly excellent talent.”
Step. The emperor personally approached me and handed me a sword.
“Armand Elios. Raise your head and take up the sword of the Imperial Guard.”
The living legend of the empire.
The hero who saved humanity from the demons.
Marzetta von Alex.
The emperor, now an aged old man, commanded me to take hold of the Imperial Guard’s sword, which gleamed with golden light.
“It is an honor to become the sword of the empire.”
“Not the sword of the empire. From now on, you are a sword for my daughter, Violetta, and her alone. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I will keep it in mind.”
I promptly received the sword with both hands.
It was a moment that was truly honorable and moving.
Because it was the day I was promoted to a member of the Imperial Guard, a knight charged with protecting the imperial family.
‘And to think I’m the princess’s escort knight, at that—. I’m lucky.’
The heavens were helping me.
Being selected for the Imperial Guard was something achievable through effort alone, but a position solely for guarding the princess, as it was now, was not something one could be assigned to simply because one wished for it.
“Haaam—.”
At such an emotional moment, the sound of a languid yawn cut in.
The source of the yawn was none other than the princess, Violetta.
Still in human form, she was so beautiful and noble that the name “Most Calamitous Demonic Dragon” seemed unfitting.
Long silver hair that fell to her waist.
Purple eyes resembling quartz.
Skin that looked soft, unlike that of a reptile.
“I’ll be in your care from now on.”
The princess with listless eyes tossed out the words. In a voice that said she expected nothing at all.
“I will devote this body to protecting you.”
“Well, do as you like.”
The princess’s voice still sounded dismissive, but it didn’t matter.
‘There really isn’t much time left now.’
Because my goal was, first and foremost, Violetta’s assassination.