Everyone present was stunned. But those who recognized the sword were in utter disbelief.
"Isn't that the Sword of Sins, known for its connection to every disaster in the past before the royal seal?!"
"Isn't it the sword that drove all its wielders into madness, rage, and loss of control, slaughtering endlessly?!"
"And it can't even suppress a mere boy?!"
"It must be related to his unique heritage!"
Everyone nodded at that assumption, looking at the sword—once feared for years—with faint smiles. Now it was suffering at the hands of a mere boy. Some even laughed at the sight. The sword grew even angrier, but due to the renewed seal placed by the king, it couldn't unleash its full power. Its poor judgment of Shion's strength had led it straight into his trap.
Writhing in pain, the sword roared,
"You little bastard! You pretended to fall under my control just to bind me to you?! Where is your dignity as a noble?!"
Shion Lan replied calmly,
"For something like you—who slaughters weak women and children—you speak of dignity? Should you change your name from Sword of Sins to Sword of Dignity?"
He mocked it openly.
King Jord Joul thought to himself,
' Resisting the cursed sword's influence requires immense self-control. Even the purest individuals can be tainted by dark thoughts—murder, greed, lust—driven by desire. But Shion… '
The king observed him carefully.
'Since he changed, I can no longer understand him. Every time I solve one mystery about him, a deeper one appears. A young man capable of controlling that sword should either lack ambition or emotions… yet he clearly has both. '
At that moment, whispers began spreading among the crowd,
"Was His Majesty trying to kill Shion?!"
"I heard Shion offended the crown prince, but isn't death too much?!"
"They say Princess Gina Joul is chasing after him—maybe the king got angry!"
"Look at him smiling while stabbing him in the back!"
The king clenched his teeth in anger.
' Damn it! I didn't expect these fools to turn so quickly! If I don't justify this, things will spiral out of control… and what's wrong with my daughter, you cursed idiots?! '
But Shion, understanding the king's situation, spoke up,
"As Your Majesty said—you were right."
Everyone turned to him.
"When you told me about this sword, you said it was extremely dangerous. Yet… you trusted me, Your Majesty."
The king maintained a composed expression as Shion continued his performance,
"Although this may serve as compensation for what happened to me, and though Your Majesty assisted in sealing it, you also warned me. You pointed out the sword's weakness and placed your full trust in me to control it."
Then Shion spoke loudly so the nobles heard him,
"The law forbids third-rank nobles from holding powerful treasures due to their inability to safeguard them. Yet His Majesty entrusted me with such a cursed weapon. I will not betray that trust."
He knelt on one knee, placing the sword's tip against the ground.
"I, Shion Lan, head of the Lan family, accept the duty of safeguarding the treasure entrusted to me by His Majesty. And when I gain sufficient strength to wield it properly, I shall use it to atone for its sins and bring greater glory to the Kingdom of Ostiferos!"
A deep silence fell over the hall.
Then the king declared,
"Shion Lan, who has demonstrated the power to suppress the cursed sword, shall be entrusted with this responsibility. I will not tolerate any hostility against him—and if it arise, I myself will handle it!"
With that, Shion gained direct protection from the royal family. No one dared speak against him again.
"And with this," the king announced, "the award ceremony comes to an end."
The ceremony concluded, and news spread throughout the kingdom. Everyone—young and old—heard of it. Shion Lan became the center of attention everywhere, a symbol for many: from worthless trash to a great figure in just a few months.
At the royal banquet, Shion stood at the center of attention, surrounded by nobles. Now that his territory had been officially confirmed, he was a true noble—not just in name. Many sought to learn about the secret final event, but Shion was already annoyed by the crowd suffocating him.
So he pushed the burden onto Pearl Jewel and Redo Grant.
"Redo, Redo—I need some perfume."
Redo handed him a fragrance whose scent quickly attracted attention. After Shion applied it, people swarmed in, asking for the same.
"Well everyone," Shion announced, "let me introduce the merchant from the East—Redo Grant! He specializes in perfumes and has extensive expertise in this field."
Then he slipped away.
But some still followed him.
' Damn it… I don't want to talk about what happened in the province. And I hate gatherings like this… what a bunch of clingy people. What would happen if I were first-rank? '
"Lord Lan!"
It was Princess Jina Joul. The crowd quickly parted.
"I'd like to speak with you privately."
Shion smiled inwardly.
' Thank you, Jina—I won't forget this. '
They walked together to a table where her group sat: Jina Joul, Violet Night, Solan Neumann… and Shion.
"I saw you needed some peace," Jina said. "So I brought you here under the pretense that we'll be on the same team."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I can finally breathe."
She leaned closer.
"By the way… you mentioned compensation when receiving the sword. What did you mean?"
Shion thought briefly before answering,
"I lost something at the seventh level. The king compensated me with an eighth-level sword. I'm quite satisfied."
As he talked about Shiu Won Lan.
Jina frowned.
"You lost something important… and my father gives you a cursed sword? If I hadn't seen him try to save you, I'd think he wanted you dead."
Solan intervened calmly,
"This matter was classified. Without revealing its contents, the king couldn't justify such a reward. So he framed it as entrusting him with protection, as a noble."
Jina looked at her.
"I didn't expect Sol Hart—the so-called 'cursed girl'—to be so close to Shion."
Before Solan could react, Shion stepped in,
"Your Highness, please—we're a team now. We should treat each other better than this."
His tone was firm.
Jina replied,
"I didn't mean it that way. I was just repeating rumors so we can deal with them. Right now, you're the center of attention. No one would believe Sol knows you personally. That's why I suggest we stay together from now on. My father gave her a necklace that could help her reach the fifth level quickly—she could become a legend at the academy."
Bloom whispered to Solan,
"My lady… that girl doesn't like you."
Solan replied mentally,
"And I don't like her either. I felt jealous when she held Shion's hand earlier… so I'm angry."
Then she smiled sweetly,
"If Your Highness has suggestions, I have one as well. Since Shion and I were once neighbors and share life-and-death experiences, we could spend more time together. Wouldn't that be reasonable?"
Jina's expression turned cold instantly. Even Celisia Joul was surprised.
But Jina responded,
"Actually, being seen beside the princess of the royal family would leave a stronger impression. Why don't we spend time together and learn from each other?"
Shion and Violet both froze.
Solan continued smiling,
"But Your Highness, Shion and I understand each other's techniques and thinking better. We'd make an excellent duo. As for you and Lady Night—you've been together for a long time, so you'd work well too."
Jina's eyes widened with anger.
' This ####!! '
Violet quickly intervened,
"Your Highness! We only need to announce our alliance—we don't need private time. Training together is enough!"
Shion backed her up,
"Lady Night is right. We don't need unnecessary time together. We'll train, understand each other's abilities, and coordinate. Nothing more."
Both Jina and Solan shot him sharp looks—but he didn't flinch.
"Spending time as a group is fine," he added. "It helps build understanding. But don't overdo it."
Jina and Solan both considered this.
Violet, meanwhile, thought,
' I really should get out of this… '
Jina's golden eyes sparkled.
"I'll follow Senior Shion's arrangements."
' Senior Shion?! '
All three were stunned.
Solan clenched her teeth.
' Using the 'younger girl' tactic, are we? I'll show you… '
She looked at Shion tenderly.
"Shion, you can rely on me for anything. I'll follow you in everything you do."
' What is happening?! ' Shion and Violet screamed internally.
Shion shot Violet a desperate look: Please save me.
She understood—and stepped in,
"Your Highness! I've received orders from the second queen—we must return immediately!"
"What?!"
Jina glared, seeing through the lie.
"How dare you?!"
Violet stepped back, abandoning Shion.
' Damn it… I should've stayed with those clingy nobles… '
That was his only thought—until a voice saved him,
"Lord Lan, His Majesty requests your presence immediately."
The guard looked serious—but Shion responded with visible gratitude.
"Thanks for your generosity your Highness! But I have to go to his majesty!"
He quickly left, leaving Jina and Solan behind.
"..."
"..."
Both of the princess and the commoner looked coldly at each other.
...
After a short walk, Shion reached King Jord Joul's chamber. The king sat behind his desk.
Shion entered with a bright smile.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! How may I serve you?"
The king replied,
"First—you handled yourself excellently earlier. You have my thanks. And know that you may come to me anytime you feel the seal on your sword weakening."
"I will, Your Majesty."
Shion bowed respectfully.
Then the king suddenly asked,
"What is the nature of your relationship with my daughter, Jina?"
"…."
Shion froze for a moment.
Then he felt a killing intent pierce through him.
"Answer my question."
' Damn this family! '
Shion cursed internally.