――Rauan Segmunt is a “Star Reader.”

This is in a true sense of the term “Star Reader,” different from the role assigned by Vincent Volakia, who first favored one of them, Ubiruku, for a position in the Volakia Empire.

In his life, a “Star Reader” is an existence that receives a destiny to prioritize above all else and casts aside everything to fulfill that supreme decree.

It is presumed that Vincent deliberately conferred the title of “Star Reader” to Ubiruku to add significance to the name of the office, intending for the very existence of “Star Readers” to become a mere shadow of its former self, but the true intention of the wise emperor is irrelevant here.

What matters is that Rauan Segmunt is also one who has received a destiny.

Once they become a “Star Reader,” the compulsion upon them is immense.

It grants a mere male prostitute the influence to cavort in the castle to voice opinions to the Emperor, allows a frail mother’s love for the life-threateningly born daughter to be forgotten, and can easily make one abandon the purpose spent a lifetime pursuing.

Most “Star Readers” twist their lives around in accordance with their destined decrees, forced to change their perspectives on how to live. And they do not perceive this as a tragedy.

Rather, they are granted great aspirations they must accomplish at all costs in their lifetimes, believing without a doubt that fulfilling this is the very meaning of their existence, thus feeling a sense of happiness.

Even if, from the outside, it appears strange and pitiable, that’s the way it is.

However, regarding the common tragedy of such “Star Readers,” Rauan’s position is exceptional compared to others of his kind.

After all, the destiny bestowed upon Rauan Segmunt is to reach the “Heavenly Sword.”

――It was indeed a grand ambition that Rauan harbored even before he received his destiny.

△▼△▼△▼△

“To master the way of the swordsman, carrying steel through the years—”

Rauan, his face flushed with alcohol, swayed his head left and right as he cheerfully sang.

There was no particular tune, but his spirits were high, and he couldn’t help but sing. His staggered steps danced charmingly, resembling a performance.

A while back, even before the commotion regarding the “Dark-haired Crown Prince” began, a nostalgic and fragrant scent of blood wafted throughout the empire.

This was a sign of impending war, and given how absurdly peaceful Vincent’s reign was, it was anticipated that a backlash would lead to great turmoil in the world.

That premonition rang true, and now the empire finds itself in an era where the line between the living and the dead has grown hazy.

“Oh my, what a delightful world it has become,”

The more the peace drifts away and the more chaotic the world becomes, the more the nature of steel is refined.

It’s not about having competitors to sharpen oneself against; what matters is having worthy foes to slay. But generally speaking, truly formidable opponents find it difficult to be born amidst tranquility.

Though I don’t know where souls come to rest, it seems that before being encased in a fleshly vessel, one must gather their determination.

What is born in chaotic times is endowed with the talents to live through such times.

Thus, it’s a gamble whether those born in times of peace share the same soul. Rauan has failed numerous times, and only after sacrificing eight of his own children did he finally give rise to Cecilus.

It was Cecilus who, amid the waters of childbirth, looked upon a drawn blade and smiled, believing it to be something he would love for a lifetime.

“That Cecilus too, is now at a standstill; the ‘Heavenly Sword’ is still far away. Ah, oh, how truly I lament… I was born in the wrong era.”

Rauan pressed his dry palm to his forehead and repeatedly released the sigh he had held for so long.

The more the world is thrown into turmoil, the more it aches for the dominance of the strong. If the path to the “Heavenly Sword” is so painstakingly distant and steep, how fortunate was the age where all living beings feared “Witches” four hundred years ago?

If I had been born in that era, the path to the “Heavenly Sword” would not have been obstructed.

Furthermore, as Rauan has with Cecilus—

“—Hey, do you truly intend to go through with this?”

“Huh?”

Rauan turned back, glancing at the voice that called out from behind—a tall red-haired swordsman, Heinkel, staring down at him with both feet firmly planted on the cobblestones.

The man, who until a moment ago had been sharing drinks with Rauan, now sported a face completely cleared of intoxication. Yet, despite looking more presentable than when he had picked him up in the field, he seemed even more haggard.

“What a dreary atmosphere you’re putting on. Come on, redhead, drink up! The city may have its issues, but thankfully, the undead have left food and drink untouched.”

“Thankfully…?”

“Oh dear, looks like that hit a nerve.”

As Rauan raised his gourd filled with liquor, Heinkel gritted his teeth, his cheeks hardening.

His response was a manifestation of rejection, and Rauan, left with no choice, gulped down his drink.

As Heinkel had noted, the shops and homes that caught the eye were abandoned, yet the undead wandered in search of the living, their aim being blood, not food or drink.

Thus, it’s a free-spirited environment for those who can freely indulge their hunger and thirst.

“What’s wrong with that? If they’re just going to rot, isn’t it more logical for us to enjoy them?”

“Food and drink mean nothing! I don’t expect your… or your family’s ethics to align with mine. Just answer me, are you really going to go through with this?”

“―――”

Rauan didn’t respond, shutting one eye in silence as Heinkel raised his voice.

The red-haired swordsman, visibly impatient, seemed to be struggling to pinpoint the issue at hand.

Reading others’ thoughts and feelings has never been Rauan’s forte.

That same flaw appears to have been inherited by Cecilus, but he seems to work through problems from a different angle. Rauan could not manage to do the same.

In any case――,

“Is the redhead worried about whether or not to follow the plans of that guy in the helmet?”

“That’s right. I returned as a result of the turn of events, and as Aldebaran said, this is a chance for redemption. I can’t mess this up.”

With a nod, Heinkel pointed at something in the distance—no, well beyond that, towards the fortress walls surrounding the imperial capital, solid and unyielding, which had functioned to protect citizens from the rebel army during the battle in the imperial capital.

It was one of the five key points that they must capture.

“Unless we take them, we can’t move forward.”

Heinkel spoke of the operational objective in a heavy, strained voice.

The man in the iron helmet, who called himself Al, mentioned the road they needed to pave—now, a setup for the “Hero” that would follow the path of Rauan and his comrades currently in the imperial capital.

As of now, only Rauan and Heinkel remain among the living in this road, and thankfully, not a single undead could be seen. Cecilus, Guruby, and Al were off on their own tasks.

They were all trying to breach the sturdy defenses surrounding the capital.

The method Rauan, Heinkel, and Guruby used to infiltrate the imperial capital was rather unorthodox, so it could be difficult for others to replicate. Hence, creating a path was a reasonable proposal.

Now, however, with his son’s noisy little escapades behind him, Rauan found it difficult to share a carefree journey with Heinkel. He scratched his cheek, contemplating.

While Rauan contemplated this, Heinkel clicked his tongue.

“To be honest, I don’t get what your son said about foreshadowings…”

“Well, don’t take that brat’s speaking patterns too seriously. Regardless, it’s certainly true that unless that fortress is down, we can’t proceed.”

“If you’re aware of that…!”

“—Then why the hell do I seem to be opting against following along?”

Heinkel, about to roar until his teeth were bared, was interrupted by Rauan’s shrug.

The bleak look on his face was priceless, and you’d want to drink to that, but overindulging wouldn’t be wise. Moreover, rummaging around for more drink wouldn’t be convenient; there was no telling when the fellow before him might unwittingly draw his sword.

“No no, against me, the redhead wouldn’t draw a sword, would he?”

“――”

“Ah, ah, you need not be ashamed about it. At the very least, I’m not the type who thinks bravery lies in wielding a sword against anyone and everyone… although whether to say I’m scared or not might not be entirely clear.”

Rauan tapped his temple with his finger, touching upon an unrelated failure unrelated to intoxication.

As Heinkel’s eyes widened in surprise, Rauan looked toward the fortress walls.

“The reason I can’t follow the guy in the helmet is quite simple… The aim of that fellow is to take back the imperial capital from the undead, right? Well, I don’t particularly wish for that.”

Thus, Rauan had no reason to participate in the plan to breach the capital’s defenses.

That was Rauan’s honest sentiment, but Heinkel continued to look bewildered. Rauan felt he had given a rather clear answer, but he tilted his head in confusion.

“So, you mean to say you’re siding with the undead?”

“Why would that be? That’s an entirely different discussion. I just think it’s convenient to have the undead running amok. It doesn’t mean I’m on their side.”

“…This is bad, I can’t understand what you’re thinking at all. To begin with—”

“Hmm?”

“Even if you’re not enthusiastic about it, your son… ‘Blue Lightning’ is raring to go. Are you just going to look the other way on that?”

Heinkel placed his hand on his mouth, struggling to digest the forcibly pushed information. But the next piece he brought forth seemed to be an off mark from Rauan’s perspective.

While it’s true that Cecilus was quite eager about Al’s plans, Rauan felt—

“I’m me, my son is my son, that’s all there is to it. Moreover—”

“Moreover?”

“At Cecilus’s current state, reaching for the ‘Heavenly Sword’ is still far away. The more you shrink, the duller the sword. At this rate, he won’t be able to fulfill the promise he made regarding slaying me.”

“――――”

Rauan lightly stroked his chest, recalling the wound etched there.

He bitterly recalled the incident of the “Assassination Attempt on the Emperor” spoken of by Guruby. Rauan’s position was on the side that tried to have Cecilus do the assassination, more or less a charge of conspiracy to murder.

That attempted deed, which ended up thwarted, still left him with a scar that would not allow him to forget its searing heat.

And just as he thought this, Rauan suddenly tilted his head.

“However, redhead, you’re quite invested in the talk about my son and me, aren’t you? Now that I think about it, your reaction has been the most intense. Is there something going on?”

The fact that the shrunken Cecilus is indeed Cecilus, and that Rauan is either the father of the small or the large Cecilus—made Heinkel’s reaction heavy and dull.

As Rauan questioned him about his true intentions, an unexpected answer came forth.

“…I am Heinkel Astraea.”

“Astraea… Astraea, Astraea, Astraea… oh, oh my!”

Rauan’s eyes widened in amazement at the name Heinkel presented with great importance.

At first, he had to repeat the sound in his mind several times before the certainty could settle in his brain. But once it did, blood surged through him at the mere implications.

“So you’re red-haired! You’re from the family of the ‘Sword Saint’!”

Astraea from the Lugnica Kingdom is the name of the family that holds the strongest title in the Parent Dragon Kingdom Lugnica, and is rumored to be the strongest throughout the Four Great Powers.

Notably, the current “Sword Saint” Reinhardt Van Astraea is said to be an exception even among the long-standing Astraea family.

“No way, no way! You’re not saying that the current ‘Sword Saint’ goes by the name Heinkel, are you? That would make him a relative… no, more likely a son! A son of Reinhardt! The ‘Sword Saint’s’ father! What a most unexpected connection this is!”

Reinhardt is said to be the same age as Cecilus… the former Cecilus, that is.

In which case, it’s only natural to surmise that Heinkel, being around Rauan’s age, is somehow related to Reinhardt, and likewise, to understand Heinkel’s completely stricken expression.

Rauan and Heinkel are two fathers of “Blue Lightning” and the “Sword Saint”.

“More than that, you must be the descendant of the family that reached the ‘Heavenly Sword,’ correct?”

“…Huh?”

“The first ‘Sword Saint,’ Reid Astraea’s name is as illustrious as one would hope! Thus, as a fellow swordsman, I extend my respect to the one who has reached the pinnacle we aspire to.”

The title of “Sword Saint,” which proves the singularity of the Astraea family, represents the first individual believed to have reached the concept of the “Heavenly Sword,” the very apex of all swordsmen.

At that moment, Rauan felt a pang of guilt for having treated Heinkel rudely thus far. How disgraceful it was to disrespect the scion of one who has reached the “Heavenly Sword.”

“I apologize, redhead. I regret any rudeness from my part. I never anticipated that the lineage of Reid Astraea, who attained the ‘Heavenly Sword,’ would have fallen so low.”

“――――”

“Redhead?”

As Rauan placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword and bowed deeply, Heinkel offered no reply.

Seeing him with his face covered by his palm, shaking his head, Heinkel exhaled a long and seemingly frustrated breath.

“…I understand now. I get it. You and I, we’re fundamentally different at the root.”

“I have no clue what you’re on about, but try not to dwell on it too much. I’m me, my son is my son. And the redhead is the redhead. No matter what, a blade only runs deep through steel.”

“—In fact, you saving my life back there, I owe you gratitude for that.”

As if to refuse any further exchange, Heinkel turned his back to Rauan.

Just then, the urge to strike his earnest back crept up within Rauan, but Heinkel wasn’t the type who might hastily draw a weapon even in life-threatening situations, so he decided against needless killing.

Killing without gaining anything merely clouds one’s steel.

Heinkel continued toward the pointed summit, no doubt preoccupied with the task at hand.

Whether there would be any skilled fighters lying in ambush remains uncertain, but if they had counted on Rauan, it would be unfortunate.

However, Rauan had his own objective, and it held not even a shred of priority over his relationship with Heinkel.

Thus, while parting from a drinking companion was sad, he bid farewell for now—

“What do you intend to do, leaving your son behind?”

Just as he was about to take off, Heinkel’s voice, still turned away, drew a wry smile from Rauan.

The expression did not betray the impression of a man dragging on his womanly side along with his looks. Regardless of that, Rauan answered that question without hesitation, thumping the scar on his chest.

“Of course, it is for my own long-cherished wish. —Just like you, redhead.”

If he were to abandon his son was the same for both of them.

Moreover, Rauan was entirely disinterested in how Heinkel would react. He took off down the empty streets toward the imperial capital, purpose fully in stride.

△▼△▼△▼△

――Now then, Rauan Segmunt is a “Star Reader.”

I swear upon the honor of that title, Rauan had his own personality, desires, and life before becoming one of the “Star Readers,” immersed in realizing the destiny laid before him.

Of course, like most “Star Readers,” once Rauan received his divine decree and became one, he was compelled to lead a different way of life. Yet, to those around him, Rauan’s transformation was hardly noticeable.

Because from the moment he received his destiny, Rauan Segmunt’s lifelong ambition was to reach the “Heavenly Sword,” and he had dedicated himself tirelessly to that pursuit.

He, like many strong individuals striving to master their skills, slashed away at the terrible beasts that threatened his village, and at the villains who oppressed others, and at the saints who reached out to assist others—doing whatever he could to hone his steel.

But, his efforts bore little fruit.

He studied under many schools, learned techniques, and even beheaded the heads of those schools, attempting to integrate varied techniques he had absorbed within himself, but he realized that he merely disrupted the balance of his own skills, and so he abandoned that path.

Literally walking the blood-soaked road of striving, he longed for the path to the “Heavenly Sword,” even contemplating taking his own life—until that moment.

That was when Rauan received his destiny and became a “Star Reader.”

Destined to reach the “Heavenly Sword,” Rauan found himself busy not only pursuing that path himself but also in trial and error to create the existence that could reach it.

But the correct answer remained elusive. Rauan’s basic method had always been the same.

For now, he could only attempt whatever he could do and then give up on the notion of finding a talent, nurturing it, and leading it to achieve the pinnacle.

He thought it best to do it himself. If someone couldn’t do better than him, then dreams of reaching the “Heavenly Sword” were merely fancies, and he might as well discard such delicate hopes.

As he continued down this path, he realized something.

It must mean something for him to be projected to reach the “Heavenly Sword.”

With that thought, he once again tried to follow the path toward the “Heavenly Sword” himself. But plunging headlong into self-indulgent efforts or mindlessly slashing others would only lead to abandonment.

That was not the way. Rauan himself was not what mattered; it was his seed reaching that destination.

Thus, through Rauan Segmunt’s tireless efforts, a vessel capable of reaching the “Heavenly Sword,” Cecilus Segmunt, was born, allowing Rauan to fulfill his role.

While watching his now-cherished child—who giggled with delight as he caught sight of the blade pressed against his own neck—Rauan longed to free himself from the restraints that had bound him for so long.

“Star Readers” are released from their roles when they witness the fulfillment of their destined purpose.

After such moments, the mindset that had once held sway over his spirit, bending values that had been accepted without reason or belief, faded away, seemingly incomprehensible.

Of course, Rauan experienced this same fate.

In his frantic attempts to create a child with the potential to reach the “Heavenly Sword,” he gazed upon the fruits of his labor, and the moment he felt accomplished, his desires faded away.

As a result, he was left with a son acknowledged as having the potential to reach the “Heavenly Sword” and himself, who had lost sight of that goal in pursuit of others, expending his prime for their sake.

Before this unbearably bitter reality, Rauan found himself once again leaning toward the decision he couldn’t bring himself to undertake in the past—taking his own life.

But—

“Ah—”

When the blade, which posed a threat to life, made him chuckle, and when his son, born of promise to walk the path toward the “Heavenly Sword,” grasped his finger amid despair, that thought evaporated in an instant.

The shock that this frail life brought to Rauan—who had severed numerous lives and bathed in blood enough to fill a lake—was beyond measure.

He realized:

Now, a feeble existence, so weak it couldn’t even pick up a pair of chopsticks, would eventually acquire sufficient sword strength to reach the “Heavenly Sword.” Thus, where was the logic in deciding that a declining, past-his-prime swordsman had sealed his fate?

If an infant could reach the “Heavenly Sword,” then there remained a way for an aged swordsman.

Therefore, Rauan forgot the despair of closing the path and renewed his vow to forge ahead toward his ambition.

Entrusted with a destiny, and having realized that destiny through the birth of his child who would reach the “Heavenly Sword,” Rauan Segmunt was liberated from the role of a “Star Reader.”

――He continues on, unyieldingly pursuing the path to the “Heavenly Sword.”

△▼△▼△▼△

Parting with Heinkel, Rauan raced north toward the imperial capital.

Ahead lay the Crystal Palace, the most prominent building in the capital, and without a doubt, it had become the base of the undead.

It was likely that Guruby and Al were dealing with the leader reviving the dead, who could very well be inside the castle, but that wasn’t enough to halt Rauan’s pace.

He wasn’t aiming for the Crystal Palace to subdue the leader of the foes before anyone else—a fact he would like to make clear.

What Rauan told Heinkel was utterly truthful; he cared not whether the empire was saved or not. The greater the chaos and disaster, the better it was from his perspective.

Now, for Rauan, who was moving with unwavering determination toward the Crystal Palace, there was a reason behind his haste.

Of course, it was his own son, Cecilus Segmunt, that spurred him on. Yet even when citing Cecilus, it was not a matter of familial affection or bonds.

“That foolish kid, parting with the ‘Dream Sword’ and ‘Malicious Sword’ is utterly ridiculous.”

Clenching his teeth, Rauan envisioned the two immensely powerful swords—though there were many legendary swords and holy swords, in truth, only ten fully potent blades existed.

Two of those belonged to Cecilus—his cherished weapons, the “Dream Sword” Masayume and the “Malicious Sword” Murasame, which he came to part with in his shrunken state.

He couldn’t allow those two blades to be lost.

To reach the “Heavenly Sword,” the wielder’s sword talent and skill are needless to say of utmost importance, but the heavy steel that proves them in the world must also be of adequate merit.

Masayume and Murasame were precisely fits for such standards.

He had no idea when they might return to their former state, but it would be unacceptable to appear without swords.

Should Cecilus return to his original size during this period of great calamity, it would be catastrophic if he lacked his blades.

――Even if he were to reach the “Heavenly Sword,” Rauan’s attainment would be called into question if he were to strike down an unarmed Cecilus.

In order to solidify that validation, Cecilus had to reclaim his swords.

“That brat, completely forgetting his promise with his father upon shrinking—what a despicable child!”

Once, Rauan and Cecilus made a pact.

When Rauan attempted to quickly turn the empire into an enemy to lead Cecilus to reach the “Heavenly Sword,” Cecilus, for the absurd reason of “it feels too much like a cliché villain act,” rejected it and planned to cut down Rauan in favor of Vincent.

At that moment, Rauan made a promise with Cecilus so that he wouldn’t be let off.

When the time came, he would go to cut him down once he reached the “Heavenly Sword.”

Cecilus had accepted, then threw the severely injured Rauan into the river, letting him escape. Though he nearly died, he survived, honing his skills while waiting for that moment.

And now it was approaching.

“If the location hasn’t changed—”

Cecilus, even while holding the position of “One,” spent most of his rewards on swords.

As a result, he did not own a mansion appropriate for a general but had instead built a hut on the wild north of the Crystal Palace, living there ever since. If that remained unchanged, the two swords, the “Dream Sword” and “Malicious Sword,” were likely stored within that hut.

To recover those and bring them to Cecilus, Rauan urged himself deeper into the Crystal Palace—

“――!”

As he evaded the undead, maneuvering through the Crystal Palace towards the base of the destroyed stagnant wall, an unexpected presence caused Rauan to leap to the side.

And that was indeed the right call.

――A tremendous impact crashed down from above, unleashing a force that hollowed out the Main Street.

The walls surrounding the Crystal Palace, facing the street, distorting and crumbling, and the explosive clouds of dust that filled the air made Rauan click his tongue as he drew his sword.

Utilizing the technique of cutting through the smoky clouds with a slash, he could finally glimpse the source of the impact.

It was the slender figure of a woman, tall and elegant.

With long white hair, wrapped in a blue dress, she appeared poised and graceful. While he was not one to judge beauty, through Rauan’s perspective, she was strikingly mesmerizing.

Her elongated blue eyes held traces of sadness, causing Rauan to narrow his eyes in suspicion.

Unlike the undead who held black eyes and glimmering golden pupils, her pale skin was warm with blood, and the woman bore the essence of the living.

Yet here in the dead man’s castle, the urban landscape of the undead, her conduct should be presumed hostile.

“Who are you—”

“—Iris.”

“…I didn’t expect you to introduce yourself out of the blue.”

With his blade stowed on his waist, Rauan wet his lips with his tongue, narrowing his eyes.

Though she was a woman, that did not disqualify her from being underestimated. More than anything, the aura she exuded spoke of a tremendous strength. Though she did not seem to wield it positively, Rauan regarded this as trivial.

However, with an expression far too concerned about such trivialities, the woman who called herself Iris shook her fox-like ears, buried within her white hair.

“Welcome back. As long as I’m here, no one need die.”

“Now aren’t you polite.”

Before the almost desperate plea of Iris, he winked one eye as he tightened his grip on his sword.

No matter what her intentions were, if they block his path, it cannot be helped. More than anything, backing down before such a powerful being is something a swordsman would never do.

In other words――,

“—The path to the ‘Heavenly Sword’ remains treacherous. Forgive me, but I must cut you down to move ahead.”