Revival Palace, Elan's central courtyard.
"This is an ancient Empire sword."
In the courtyard, Vanguard Officer Mariko passed between two rows of stern-faced Royal Guards. Holding the hilt in one hand and supporting the blade with the other, he carefully examined the unfamiliar longsword before him:
"Two thousand years ago, the 'Great Emperor' Komora Kalosser forged them to reward the meritorious subjects of the Ancient Empire."
"Hey, hey, take it easy!"
The complaint came from behind him. Mariko frowned and turned around.
Between the two rows of Royal Guards, Cohen was kneeling on the ground, black and blue, with his hands and feet bound. He raised his head unwillingly:
"That's my family's heirloom sword!"
Beside him, Doyle, who was also tied up like a dumpling, bumped Cohen.
"Shut up."
D.D gritted his teeth. He glanced worriedly at Mariko while reproaching Cohen for failing to live up to expectations:
"We're already in this state. Can't you stop provoking him?"
Cohen refused to accept that and was about to argue, but he glanced around from the corner of his eye. Wyatt, Gollor, Rolf, and the others were all bound and sprawled miserably on the ground, watched closely by the unfriendly guards.
The Alert Officer's bravado immediately deflated. He muttered indignantly to Doyle:
"Damn it, D.D, you told me we were just here to put on a show..."
"No, what I actually said was, 'His Highness likes to joke around.' For example, he often threatens to send Officer Marius to Bone Prison, but in the end, he obediently goes back to practice on the sword targets..."
"You call that joking?"
"Weren't you the one who started it at the palace gate? That headbutt of yours..."
"It wasn't me! I was only standing in front, pretending to be fierce. Then someone kicked me from