==================== Third-Person Perspective ==========================

[Hahahahaha]

Sword Saint Wildor’s laughter echoed throughout the palace.

[How could the man Miss Aerin favored possibly be a nobody! I was such a fool!!! Hahahaha]

Just then, the royal steward suddenly knelt before the King.

[Your Majesty! This unworthy servant’s negligence let the criminal escape with the treasure!!! Please execute me now to atone!!]

[It’s not your fault! You saw it—even Wildor, the so-called Sword Saint, was sent flying with one strike. You couldn’t have touched him even at full strength.]

His Majesty waved dismissively, signaling not to dwell on it.

[B-b-but… the treasure…]

The steward couldn’t grasp the King’s intent. This treasure was long coveted by the Empire—they’d waged wars for it. Days ago, His Majesty had fretted over the Empire’s delegation stealing it. Now, he calmly watched a stranger take it.

[Enough buts! I’ll entrust this to someone I absolutely trust. Right, Perina~~~~]

The King smiled at Perina standing beside him.

[Understood! I’ll handle it immediately!]

Miss Perina gave a faint smile and exited the grand hall.

[Well then…]

The King turned to Rasi III, who stood frozen with a blank expression.

[Lord Rasi, you saw it—our Kingdom’s negligence lost the treasure! We’ve utterly shamed ourselves before the Empire.]

[…………………]

Rasi III remained motionless, expressionless.

He’d never dreamed the Kingdom’s treasure would be so near. Nor that it’d slip away before his eyes. Worse, a seeming weakling stole it. Most shockingly, this nobody had instantly defeated the Kingdom’s strongest Sword Saint without even swinging his blade.

[Heh… heh… heh…………]

Rasi III suddenly dropped to his knees, giggling foolishly. Beneath his torn robe—ripped open by Pupil—lay vast, charred scars across his chest.