Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 178. The Glimpse of The Past: Byakko Samurai

As it turned out, the escort from the Osten Empire had arrived at the training grounds. Coincidentally or not, the same building that Friederich, Zetius, and Astrid had occupied.

Zetius was the first to spot her.

Seeing her excellency for the very first time, Zetius’s eyes could not part from the irresistible charm and the air of raw power that exuded from where she stood. Her beautiful, silver hair was glimmering and backlit by the sunlight, like a goddess of war. Her striking, almond-shaped eyes were a matching colour. Her skin was so immaculate and dewy that it practically glowed, so surreal as if it was enchanted by the arcane. Her extravagant outfit also complemented her shape and size perfectly, making her the most distinguished woman he had ever laid his eyes on.

“Hi!” Aurelia called out, snapping him from his frozen state. She restrained herself from jogging over, instead walking with haste and demureness.

“Hey, Aurelia,” Zetius replied warmly, and his group joined the Osten entourage.

After a few overly polite exchanges with the Empress herself, he noticed a dark green-haired lady amongst the crowd. A grin broke out on his face once he realised who she was.

“Triss! Holy Gaia, you’re here too?” Zetius greeted, unable to hold back his excitement.

Yet, she did not share the same sentiment; she reluctantly scrambled away behind Yammi and the little Cat Wildren.

“What’s wrong?” Zetius questioned, sniffing himself. “Do I smell that bad? I did just get out of training, after all,” he babbled softly.

“Um… do we know each other?” Triss asked, cupping her lips in embarrassment.

“Ohhh…” Zetius’s face turned pale. I forgot she met Jack, not me. How am I going to explain this here? In front of the Empress?! His thoughts raced, and a sweat formed on his back.

Intrusively, Aurora confronted Zetius, visibly sniffing him instead, which caused him to flinch. “Hmm… You must be Zetius, Ignius’s Prime disciple. The bearer of the Primordial essences.” She analysed. Her perception was exceptionally accurate.

“Y~yes, Empress,” Zetius stammered, biting his lip. A former bearer, to be exact, he thought.

In the background, Lunarius Severan and Lyra shufflted to fix the floor again, their movement were erratic and urgent. Aurora watched them for a few seconds before nodding to Triss as if granting her permission to speak.

The veiled mage of Virgo stepped forward, gesturing to Friederich. “Empress Aurora, Little Cartier, let me introduce him again. This is Prime Guardian Friederich Eir Regis.” The man himself approached with a regal pose.

“I know,” Aurora muttered as the little girl joined her at her side. She glanced up and down as though to examine his body.

“I’ve met him before, actually. He did leave a great first impression,” Aurora admitted, crouching down to Cartier. “What do you think?” she asked for her opinion.

Confused, Friederich could only raise his brows, feeling nervous, his feet now soaked with sweat in his boots.

“I couldn’t tell… sorry,” Cartier admitted, fidgeting with her fingers.

“What about you, Terissa?” Aurora asked.

“Sorry… N~nothing from me either,” Triss replied, anxiety evident in her expression.

Zetius drifted to Aurelia's side, whispering his own speculation in her ear. “Wait, Aurelia. Are they seeking her father? Perhaps it’s Friederich’s child.”

She scowled, “Your assumption is wild, Zeta. I’m sure it’s anything but that,” she whispered back.

Stolen story; please report.

“Look at how his cool demeanour shattered!” Zetius stressed.

“Hush!” Astrid nudged Zetius with her elbow.

Empress Aurora let out a soft sigh and grumbled, “I knew it wouldn’t be that easy, would it?” Then she spotted the Arc sheath displayed with dignity on Friederich's side.

“Hmm… an artefact from the Heian era?” Aurora probed, her eyes widening slightly.

“That’s correct,” Ryusei replied, and he lightly tapped Friederich on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement.

“May I have a look at it?” Aurora requested, extending her palms.

Friederich willingly took the sword from its stand and gently placed it into her hands.

Solemnly, the Empress and Cartier took several minutes to inspect the craftsmanship. The scabbard’s perfect arch and white surface were accented by a golden edge. Near its hanging cord, a cross pattern was engraved along the surface, ending in a group of ancient logograms.

The tip of the scabbard was particularly noteworthy, reinforced with metal forged from a single piece of bright, silvery-grey material that had a distinct shine.

“Titanium alloy?” Cartier frowned, her face visibly conflicted. She then scrambled through her holographic notes, searching for something.

“What are you searching for?” Aurora asked, raising her brows.

“Here!” Cartier beamed and enlarged an excerpt from a book. “This type of titanium alloy didn’t exist in the Heian era at all. They couldn’t possibly have created such a part!”

The Empress shook her head. “It’s likely this knowledge was not disclosed to the general public. The ancient swordsmiths here had a heavenly expertise, an expertise that was tragically lost during a certain catastrophic event,” she said, sparing a glance at Ryusei.

In response, he nodded subtly to confirm her words. Around them, the crowd listened with awe to their academic and highly technical exchange.

This is undoubtedly one of the most powerful artefacts ever created, Aurora noted inwardly.

“The sheath of light… The lightbringer,” Cartier translated the logograms with some difficulty by comparing the notes.

“Kagayaki-no-saya,” Friederich answered, and Cartier beamed in return.

In the back, Zetius watched with anticipation. “That young girl must be her ward, maybe a scribe?”

“That’s right, she’s awfully young, but she definitely knows her stuff!” Aurelia reaffirmed, keeping her voice as quiet as possible.

“Indeed, an extremely rare piece of arcane weaponry. I would expect no less from a great nation such as Solis Aeternum,” Aurora spoke with sincerity, handing back the artefact. “Very well, Prime Guardian.”

“Thank you for your kind words,” Ryusei bowed, urging Friederich to retrieve it. He then slid it back to where it belonged.

“Please give us some privacy.” The Empress motioned and led Triss and Cartier to the corner of the chamber. The people began to speculate, throwing in their version of the conclusion.

After a long discussion, they returned to the crowd, at roughly the same time that Lunarius Severan and Lyra got back from their repairs.

The empress swept her eyes across everyone. “I’d like to test it. But first, let me confirm one thing, Ryusei.”

Everyone gathered around with anticipation again, including the Prime Minister. “Please state your demands, Empress. I believe anything can be arranged.”

Aurora lifted her finger and pointed at Friederich. “Is he the only master of that artefact?” she asked, her words solemn.

Friederich staggered, grunting to himself.

“Yes, he is. He is the heir to the House of Eir Regis and a descendant of an ancient lineage of master swordsmen. Notably, they were called the ‘Byakko samurai’,” Ryusei spoke with a firm voice.

“Ah… so it was your grandfather who sent those warriors to aid me in the Battle of Ventiff.” Aurora grinned and closed her eyes with satisfaction.

“So you do remember their reputation and their sacrifice,” Ryusei continued, glancing at the Eir Regis sigil on Friederich’s shoulder. This sigil was in black and gold, a minimalistic version of the legendary beast, Byakko the tiger.

“Of course, how could I forget them? Isn’t that why I respect your nation's autonomy until now?” Aurora reciprocated wittily.

“And we’re grateful for that,” Ryusei responded, and the crowd nodded in support.

“The way they held the Griffin down without a speck of fear, which allowed me to perform the decisive strike. Their bravery and chivalry were immeasurable,” Aurora spoke, a faint reminiscence in her eyes.

Ryusei and Friederich visibly straightened their chests with pride.

“I do believe that heroism would be passed down to the newest generation, wouldn’t it?” the Empress posed, her voice tinged with a hidden agenda.

Not following, Ryusei exchanged an uncertain look with Friederich, and their faces remained blank. Murmuring returned as the crowd began to speculate.

Eventually, the Empress announced, “Then, I request a duel with you, Friederich Eir Regis of Solis Aeternum.” Her voice echoed loudly and widely, sending the crowd into a collective gasp.

Friederich’s jaw tightened, his hand subconsciously clenching the throat of his sheath. From the look on her face, that was not a joke; she was serious about this.

Dead serious.