Route 1: Gladius

**Scarlet Aubrielle**

It’s already been a few hours since the emperor left and I am going to lie if I say that I wasn’t thinking of what Elisha had said to me when the carriage of the emperor already disappeared from our sight. It was something that I cannot understand because I haven’t felt it, I am thinking of asking my parents or even just Calyx about what happened however, I also feel like there is no need to do so knowing their nature.

I bet that the three will just worry and start to over react and that I may not be able to leave now and I cannot let that happen.

“Have you already settled everything that you need, Scarlet?” Calyx asked as the servants put inside the carriage my luggage which just contains a few clothes that I am going to wear in my stay in the empire, the notebook where I wrote everything about this game in case I forgot something and also I have included in the luggage the agreement that I have with the crown prince and also the illustration of the dungeon.

“Yes, I think that is all that I need” I replied as I fixed the hat that I am wearing and I cannot help but to roam my eyes to look for Elisha but I let out a sigh when I saw that she is not around. I thought that she would at least see me off but she didn’t but I also understand that she is not feeling well.

When the emperor left, Elisha started feeling uncomfortable and her skin complexion wasn’t even that good so I asked the servants to bring her to her room and make sure that she is alright. Of course, I went with them and I ensured that Elisha is really fine but when she was laid down on her bed, she was really sweating hard. Luckily, it didn’t last long and Elisha ended up sleeping.
‘
I thought that she would at least wake up because she had always said that she will not miss the chance to see me off because she is not coming with me in the first place and that she is going to say a lot of things to me as a reminder - things that I should and shouldn’t do. But oh well, she had really had it rough to day, she have experienced something that I didn’t which took a toll on her body. I also don’t want to force her in the first place, she should just really rest.

“By the way Scarlet, where is Elisha? I haven’t seen her around, she should have been here to see you off right?” Mother suddenly asked which made me think of what should I say next, well I think I shouldn’t tell her that she is such a state because she was exposed to that so called aura of the emperor that I am still clueless about.

I guess I should just make up a reason.

“Well, Elisha has been not feeling well mother. I am just letting her rest for a while” I said and she nod her head as a response.

I look at the skies and I noticed that it is already about time to leave. So I looked at my parents and especially my brother.

“I am going to go now.” that is the only thing that I have said, well even if I want to talk to them for a bit more since they just got home and here they are sending me off already but I also cannot let my team wait any longer and of course, if we stayed a little while longer then our journey will also be long.

I also need to rest early because a day after we arrived at the empire will be the day of the expedition and I surely cannot and shouldn’t explore the dungeon tired.

“You better take care there, Scarlet Aubrielle and also don’t forget to call us using the crystal ball that we asked the emperor to provide you with. Tell us what happened to your day, what you need - anything alright?” Father said and I nod my head. Well, in fact this is already the second time that he said that to me. Of course, I will really update them of what is happening because I don’t want them to worry that much about me.

“Yes, I already know everything that I need to do. Don’t worry that much, alright? Although this is my first time, the Elvoi blood runs in my veins so I will surely do well.” that is what I said and my parents smiled at me.

“Before you leave, I want to give you something that will be useful” Calyx said which instantly made me turn my head to his direction and then I saw him holding a sword.

Wait - what?

A sword?
When did he actually grab that sword? He has been a while here already and I have been talking to him since he came back from the forest but I haven’t seen him holding a sword or anything up until now. Seriously where did he hide that thing?

“This is a sword that I asked the blacksmith to make personally for you. It is made out from the purest mana crystals that can be found after a monster is slain or inside any dungeon that has very concentrated mana particles. When you use this it will resonate with your magic, it is fitting to say that this sword is alive and that it will respond according to how you want it to” that is what he said which made my eyes immediately went wide when he removed the sword from its scabbard.

“You can give this a name if you want to. Well, this is a my gift to you as you have your first task of exploring the dungeon.” he added.

I know the sword that he is holding, of course it is something that I cannot easily forget because I am the one who designed it in the game. The sword that Calyx is holding right now, the sword that he is planning to give to me is actually the same sword that Scarlet Aubrielle obtained right after she finished his sword training with her father in the game and that happened around the six months after her debut in the high society.

It is not the best sword that she got in the game but then again, it is a sword that made he reach great heights and that she never really let go of that sword until her death together with her other weapon.

Calyx handed me the sword and I examined it. It is amazing that it perfectly fits my hand and that it is not that heavy. I honestly thought that swords would be heave but I guess I am wrong, or it is just that this sword is just meant for me. I also didn’t expect that I would be receiving this sword in advance, well I guess a lot really changed already in the game which is also the reason why I received the sword early.

Now what is the name of the sword again -- oh right that is the name.

“Gladius” I whispered and as if on cue, the sword glowed and I closed my eyes as a response because its glow is blinding. When I already feel that the glow stopped I opened my eyes and when I did, I was literally taken a back of what I just saw. Even Calyx and our parents looked surprised and why?

Because the sword that is supposed to be metal suddenly turned into ice and just by looking at it, it is obvious that it is sharp. I just gave it a name - its original name and it already turned out this way.. seriously, how powerful really is this character Scarlet Aubrielle because even if I am one of its creators I still cannot help but to be impressed.

*

“My lady, how do you feel about your new sword?” Theo suddenly asked me which made me turn my head towards his direction. We have already left the duchy and now, I am inside the carriage with Theo. Well, it is only natural because he is just more than a knight that I choose to join me in subjugating the dungeon but also a bodyguard that had been sent by my brother to ensure that I am safe.

The nine other knights are riding their own carriages. Basically, three carriages are being used right now. One is my carriage and I am with Theo and the driver. While the remaining nine knights are divided into two carriages and that they are also going to be the one who will drive it, they will take turns on who will be the one to hold the horse.

“This is the first time that I have held a sword so honestly, I don’t know what exactly to feel. However, what I can say is that it perfectly fits on my hand - I know it is made just for me but then again, it is amazing how it really does” I replied.

“The thing is, your sword my lady just like what the young master have said is alive and so, the moment that you gave it a name it already carved every detail about you into it and you are the only who can wield it. Also it will work according the way that you want it to and it will adjust according to your needs” that is what he said and I cannot help but to be amazed.

“It seems like you know a lot of things about swords, Theo” I commented with a smile on my face. Well, I do appreciate the information that he gave because I have little knowledge about swords but suddenly he avoided my gaze and I noticed that his ears suddenly turned red.

I controlled myself not to let out a chuckle - well, it seems like he is pretty much shy because of what I said.