I Became the Husband of a Sword Demon

As the festivities of the New Year celebration came to an end not long ago, I stood on the cusp of a new year, hoping for better times ahead after a tumultuous past year.

The Central Region Silbentrium had once been a gathering ground for both common citizens and nobles alike, where serious discussions flourished with every meeting. This was particularly true in the Zakarat Mountain Range located in the northern part of the continent. The barbarian tribes, which always seemed poised to descend southward during this time of year, brought tales of invasion that were routine yet unique in their nature.

Their invasions followed a predictable pattern, almost as if scripted. Not long after the New Year passed, they would cross the borderlands of the Failord County, clashing with its forces. They would either be defeated or, if they gained enough momentum, they would be met by reinforcements from the central army. Supported by these reinforcements, the Failord County forces would overwhelm them.

There were minor variations in this cycle, but the pattern remained consistent. The northward movement of the barbarians was like a well-worn track.

Despite the invasions not being much different from previous years, there was one critical change—the route of their incursion had altered dramatically. It now involved the Frostmoor Fortress, home to the elite forces of the Caladborg Duke, who had long been a bastion for the empire since its founding.

Similar to how the Failord County had historically fought against the barbarians, the Frostmoor Fortress, hosting the elite forces of the Caladborg Duke, was renowned for battling the demons and monsters that infested the farthest reaches of the empire’s north, beyond the reach of its administrative power.

Given that the barbarian forces were no match for those of the Failord County, it seemed bizarre that they would choose to invade via the Frostmoor Fortress, an area even more fortified and manned by seasoned troops. However, when news spread that the invading forces had grown to unprecedented sizes and had even formed loose alliances with the naturally occurring demonic entities in the north, the festive mood in the Central Region quickly soured.

Citizens became restless, unable to focus on their daily lives, and even the usual refuge of the local taverns saw fewer patrons. The movements of the Central Army, including the Royal Knights, who were also known as the defenders of the capital, displayed a level of agility not seen even during the Succession War, instilling a mix of relief and anxiety among the populace.

The fact that the Royal Knights’ elite units were dispatched to the north in large numbers was particularly noteworthy, given that they were typically stationed in the capital.

Despite the grim situation, most citizens held onto hope that the combined forces of the Royal Knights and the Caladborg Duke’s troops could handle the unprecedented alliance of barbarians and demons.

However, the secrecy surrounding some critical information meant that the public was unaware of the full extent of the crisis. If such information had been disclosed, the Central Region might have seen a mass exodus towards the southern parts of the empire.

The imperial leadership’s cautious approach to releasing information was understandable. Overly optimistic reports could blind the public to potential dangers, while overly pessimistic ones could incite panic.

Even so, the fate of the empire, which had previously progressed smoothly since its founding, hinged on the outcome of the defense of the Frostmoor Fortress, a matter of mere weeks away.

Thus, while the barbarians and demons were being repelled at the Frostmoor Fortress with the combined forces of the Caladborg Duke’s troops and the Royal Knights, the conflict raged on in the Central Region Silbentrium as well.

Fortunately, the imperial leadership’s fears of the worst-case scenario did not materialize. The barbarians’ attempt to advance southward was thwarted, and the demons, known for their destructive tendencies, suffered significant losses in this defense.

The victory at the Frostmoor Fortress was almost perfect, and the citizens of the Central Region Silbentrium celebrated as if they were at a festival, despite the ongoing conflict.

The bustling streets filled with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses, and the relieved travelers’ footsteps echoed joyfully. This mirrored the broader reaction across the empire; any collapse in the north would have had dire consequences.

The heightened security measures of the royal guard and the relief felt by the commanders and nobles were palpable, save for one person.

Amidst the festive atmosphere, only one person felt out of place. Clad in a regal manner, she sat on the throne, her presence a stark contrast to the celebratory scene around her.

The imperial palace, though now less tense, still retained its sharp edge, especially in the room where she was deeply engrossed in her work. The battle for the fortress seemed far from over in this space.

Returning briefly to the moment when Claudia read the report, despite her immense power as the ruler of the empire, she was bound by the limitations of time and space. She relied on these documents to assess the effectiveness of the actions taken on the ground based on her accumulated insights.

The report on the defense of the Frostmoor Fortress, which had been declared a success the day before, would serve as valuable input for her judgment today.

Her eyes, as she read the report, glinted coldly. Even standing directly in front of her, one would hardly flinch, such was her demeanor.

Yet, amidst her fierce appearance, a subtle smile played on her lips as she finished reading the thick document. She murmured to herself, “The监察部的人也该学学才行啊…”

“Even though he is my friend, he truly excels. Not only in fighting, but also in the aftermath. The report he wrote for me is even better than what I would have written for Father…”

Her earlier frosty demeanor gave way to a more relaxed expression as she expressed her admiration for the author of the report.

It was no wonder she felt satisfied. Despite the unprecedented alliance of barbarians and demons that had caused concern even in the days of the former emperor, the ease with which they were repelled was remarkable. Moreover, the heartfelt report given to her by her irreplaceable friend only deepened her gratitude.

“Even if his strength is as small as a speck of dust, he is a being of divine essence, and merely holding him back is a great achievement.”

With a sense of relief, Claudia turned her head and smiled, saying, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to participate.”

Though playful, the words echoed in the empty room.

“…But who was it that kept complaining about wanting to feel the battlefield air and how it was impossible because of the family ties? Not His Majesty, surely?”

A man’s voice responded, matching her words perfectly, preventing them from becoming a solitary musing.

He was a man with long, neatly groomed black hair, exuding a sharp, almost sword-like aura.

Entering the emperor’s office unannounced and appearing in such a threatening manner could easily be mistaken for an assassin, yet…

“…Let’s call it a draw.”

Both seemed to know or not know the underlying meaning, enjoying the brief respite from tension through casual banter.