The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 269

186. The New Morning of the Duchy (1)

The next day.

The White Bunker, once bustling with victory, was now filled with an unprecedented silence.

The death of Tuli Lurein.

Surprisingly, the public reaction was more subdued than expected.

Even those unfamiliar with the intricacies of war understood the fate of the defeated.

For the common people, the legitimacy of the ruler was less important than the promise of a comfortable life.

Boo-ooo-ooo―――

As the trumpets announcing the funeral echoed from the White Bunker, a procession formed within the city, where the war damage remained unrepaired.

The deactivated Golem, Revol, knelt beneath the city walls, as if mourning her death.

“……”

Despite the exceptional occasion—the simultaneous funeral of the Duchy’s First Duke and three others—the procession was remarkably meager.

Ruiche was conspicuously absent, with only the Sixth Duke, Bonitos, leading the procession.

“I don’t understand. Regardless of Ruiche’s feelings for Fran, for her to miss her brother’s funeral… Even barbarians show mercy to the dead, regardless of their past animosity.”

Miliana watched the funeral from the window, her expression reflecting her distaste for the ruthless nature of nobility, witnessing a family’s swift collapse.

“Ruiche, the youngest of the ducal family, is only sixteen. Killing family members is a profound shock for someone raised in such sheltered circumstances.”

“And who ordered her to do it? A mere fifteen-year-old committed such a terrible act.”

Karyl chuckled at Miliana’s words.

“But do you truly believe she killed her sister out of simple infatuation?”

“……What?”

Karyl elaborated, “Tuli manipulated Fran, but in Ruiche’s eyes, I also represent a threat to Fran. Yet, she didn’t ally with Tuli; she yielded to me.”

“Well… isn’t that because Tuli ruined Fran?”

“Love at such a young age is often fleeting, like a summer rash. They crave the role of a protagonist overcoming obstacles, but reality is often harsher.”

Miliana, surprised to hear his views on love, frowned slightly at his detached response.

“Emotions that burn brightly also fade quickly. I simply administered a small wake-up call. The price for Tuli’s death extends beyond Fran’s recovery.”

“Then?”

“Ruiche’s own life. Saving two lives with one action is a favorable exchange. I instructed her to kill Tuli if she wished to live. It’s more of a victor’s reward than a penalty for defeat. She won the civil war, after all. She deserves a chance at life.”

Miliana frowned slightly at his words.

“……Isn’t that coercion?”

Ruiche’s location was obvious. She must be tormented by guilt. Her absence wasn’t due to cold-heartedness but because she couldn’t bear to witness the end of her sister, whom she had killed with her own hands.

“The ducal family, which has governed the Duchy for centuries, has crumbled in an instant. Ruiche, that child, can’t be in her right mind.”

“If she desires, I can grant her a peaceful death. Bonitos alone suffices as a puppet king. He, being completely detached from politics, will willingly surrender the Duchy to me.”

The legitimacy of the throne.

Tatur, the five great families of the prairie and the south, and Digon and the northern tribes.

Karyl, with a ruthlessness that could be considered cold-blooded, employed a different strategy in absorbing the Duchy compared to his previous conquests.

However, in retrospect, those he had absorbed thus far were merely tribes and barbarians.

While continentals resided in Tatur, they were primarily immigrants who had fled from the Empire and the Duchy.

Furthermore, in the case of the Istrian Three Kingdoms, only Viola recognized him as the true master, and he had yet to reveal himself fully.

In essence, this marked his first genuine conquest of a kingdom on the continent.

Karyl had contemplated extensively.

How to dismantle a powerful nation without leaving behind any lingering threats.

The nobility.

From birth, they inherently wield power and authority, shaping their entire existence.

Could they be swayed by overwhelming martial prowess and strength, like barbarians?

No. There is only one way.

Like an age-old truth, the method employed by countless conquerors remains effective.

Eliminating the head of the enemy to eradicate the seeds of rebellion from the outset. Ironically, this aligned with the principles of the Black Eye Clan.

“To say that love at a young age is like a heat rash… How can you be so certain? You’re just as young. You speak as if you’ve lived for ages.”

Karyl offered a faint smile at Miliana’s words.

“But even the most seasoned individuals cannot claim to fully comprehend love.”

“Do you perceive me as excessively cruel? But they made their own choices.”

“It’s not your sentiments about love that I find cruel.”

“Then?”

“Just now, you mentioned Bonitos alone, correct? That suggests that Ruiche, who is absent, might not be cowering and weeping in her room.”

Miliana didn’t dismiss Karyl’s words. He smiled once more at her astute perception.

“He is the least involved in this civil war. He was simply engrossed in books within his territory. Therefore, he is suitable to be entrusted with the Duchy. He will offer the country to me willingly. His capabilities are insufficient to sustain this country. This funeral will be his final duty as a nobleman.”

At that moment.

Just as Miliana was about to speak further, she abruptly turned her head, sensing an energy from behind.

“The Black Eye Clan greets its lord.”

“For you to request a meeting… Weren’t you supposed to arrive after upholding the rules of the Black Eye Clan? But alas, someone else claimed Tuli’s head. What did you bring?”

Zigra knelt and presented two small boxes to Karyl.

“As you can see.”

At his response, Miliana felt a chill run down her spine without realizing it.

“Don’t tell me……”

She knew the contents of the boxes without even looking. The moment she opened the boxes with trembling eyes and peered inside, Miliana let out a low sigh, a mixture of emotions swirling within her.

“So it ends up like this after all.”

She said quietly.

“There’s no need to inquire about Ruiche’s whereabouts. I know for certain that she’s not holed up in her room.”

The two heads in the boxes.

They were none other than those of Ruiche and Fran.

“Karyl, I have never once doubted or disliked anything you have done so far. And I still believe in you now. But this victory isn’t very pleasant.”

Miliana said as she closed the lid of the box.

“It seems you disapprove of their deaths.”

“Of course.”

“But every death serves a purpose.”

Karyl replied, looking at her.

“For me, there were two objectives concerning the Duchy. First, to deal with Tuli and Fran. But they had to destroy themselves, not by my hand. That way, the people of the Duchy wouldn’t perceive us as invaders. To achieve that, I had to deceive Ruiche.”

“That’s obvious……”

“And second.”

Karyl emphasized his voice.

“Wooden Cloud.”

“……?!”

“Ruiche and Fran’s deaths are necessary to ensnare them. This is separate from the first issue. Because it’s another war. They were sacrificed to a new war.”

Then he gazed out the window.

“The war is over? Nonsense. My war is still ongoing. I haven’t uprooted them.”

Thud―

Karyl opened the window and jumped down.

“……!!”

Before anyone could stop him, he landed in the middle of the funeral procession.

Mutter, mutter.

People in the street began to murmur at his sudden appearance.

Only Bonitos, at the front of the procession, turned pale and didn’t know what to do.

“It was a tragic war. A civil war in which the ducal family, who should have protected the Duchy, turned their swords against each other. I came to help Fran end this war.”

His voice echoed.

“I am Karyl, the master of Tatur and the ruler of the south and north.”

No one in White Bunker could be unfamiliar with Karyl. Everyone had witnessed him defeat Revol.

“That person is……”

“The one who is famous in that empire?”

“They say he came back alive in front of the Emperor… No wonder……”

Listening to the murmurs of the people, Karyl slowly scanned them once.

“Making such noises without even taking the northern test [a test of courage and resilience].”

Miliana chuckled at Karyl’s appearance, and Zigra raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at her.

“We lost many in this war. Soldiers who were sacrificed, innocent people. You may resent the dukes who started the war.”

Bonitos’ face darkened at his words.

“But this is not just a problem for the ducal family. Behind this war is an organization called Wooden Cloud, and they seduced Lord Tuli to start the war.”

Mutter, mutter.

People became even more agitated at Karyl’s words.

“Lord Fran learned of this, and I helped him lead this war to victory. However, Wooden Cloud’s evil hands had already reached into the Fran army.”

Click―

Karyl opened the box.

“……!!!”

“Lord Fran was already poisoned by their poison and was killed without even seeing the victory of this war. Also, as revenge for their defeat, they even cut off the head of Lord Ruiche, who helped him.”

At those words, Bonitos grabbed his neck and said.

“T, then what about me……? What will happen to me?”

There was no dignity as the owner of the Duchy in his appearance, as if he would burst into tears at any moment.

“Lies!! If they were poisoned, why are the bodies of the two of them damaged!”

One of the nobles behind him shouted. Unlike Bonitos, who was terrified, he seemed to be a fairly strong-willed person.

“Lord Fran’s body was severely damaged, and his limbs were rotting due to the poison. It was an unavoidable choice for minimal preservation.”

But Karyl pointed to the noble as if he had been waiting.

“And don’t be relieved. There may be poison spread by Wooden Cloud among the medicines you have taken.”

Gulp―

The faces of the nobles darkened at his words.

This was because they all knew that the medicine Fran had taken was a medicine that had spread like a trend in the capital.

“The Duchy must change. The nobles are unaware that the country is collapsing due to their comfortable indulgence, and they are turning their swords against each other…… Those who were sacrificed in this war will be resentful if they see you!”

Drop― Drop― Drop―

As Karyl’s words ended, raindrops began to fall little by little.

People felt a strange sense of overwhelmingness from his shouting figure, not giving in to getting wet.

“In the end…… this war has become a war with only sacrifices and no victors. Following Lord Fran’s will, I will now declare war against Wooden Cloud from this place!!”

Mutter, mutter.

People didn’t know what to do and just looked at each other and muttered.

“I will punish them and relieve the bitterness of the Lurein family!!”

Waaaaaaaah―――!!

Waaaaa―――!!

It was then.

Shouts were heard from all over the street, and the shouts spread like wildfire, and all the people in White Bunker began to cheer at Karyl’s words.

“We have planted cheerleaders. Moving the hearts of the masses is easier than you think.”

It was a heart-pounding sight.

Miliana’s eyes shook as she looked at the scene, and she looked at the man who had spoken to her a moment ago.

It was Anthem Howard.

“Is this your idea too? In the end, it’s just inciting with lies. The tactics that those sitting at their desks talk about don’t suit me at all.”

Miliana looked at him and clicked her tongue.

“It’s not my idea. It’s Lord Karyl’s.”

“……What?”

“Don’t you like it? But it looks different to me. Lord Karyl is not such a cold person. Sometimes a lie can be more comforting than a painful truth.”

“What do you mean?”

“He just said it’s not something to be proud of. Lord Karyl said it’s just a weight he has to bear.”

Anthem Howard closed his eyes as if recalling a memory.

For some reason, Zigra, a foreigner, nodded as if he understood the words of Anthem, a continental.

That night.

-Lord Ruiche, the preparations are complete.

Anthem said to her, who was standing with a look as if she had lost her soul, with red blood soaking the carpet.

Clang―

She dropped the sword she was holding.

In front of her was Tuli’s fallen corpse. She had killed Tuli according to Karyl’s orders.

-Lord Karyl has given you a chance to choose. Please go to a place where no one knows with Lord Fran as you are.

-Do you still call my brother Lord?

-I apologize.

Ruiche said with a bitter smile.

-What will happen to us?

-Maybe…… Lord Karyl will announce your deaths at Lord Tuli’s funeral. Fake bodies have already been prepared.

-Lord Bonitos must be very shocked. He is a mentally weak person. It will be too much for him to even hold a funeral.

She looked at Fran lying on the bed for a moment and let out a low sigh.

-I was saying something I shouldn’t have, not even finding my own way. I should be grateful that I didn’t take the lives of the defeated. I thought it would be like this.

-I apologize…….

Anthem bit his lip slightly, feeling that he had no other words to say.

-I know this is Lord Anthem’s consideration. Otherwise, our heads would have been blown away long ago.

-It would have been impossible without Lord Karyl’s permission.

Ruiche gave a bitter smile at his answer.

Anthem had abandoned his lord, but he came up with a secret plan to save him out of his last loyalty to Fran.

And surprisingly, Karyl accepted his proposal.

In his previous life, Fran would have lost his life due to this civil war. He saved his life in this life, but perhaps a life where it might have been better to die.

Karyl may have thought that he should take at least some responsibility for the change in his life.

-Later, when everything is over, please tell only Lord Bonitos the truth. My brother will give up the throne right away. They are brothers who have been fighting each other for their entire lives. It wouldn’t be bad to end their lives quietly as if they were dead.

She stroked Fran’s cheek, who still couldn’t come to his senses.

-If…… If I had led the Fran army and fought him, could I have won?

Anthem shook his head at her question.

-Impossible. Sooner or later, the Duchy would have collapsed anyway.

And Ruiche couldn’t help but agree with those words.

-I guess so.

The foreigners and wyverns following Karyl, and even the Golem, were so powerful that they could destroy anything.

There was nothing that could beat him.

-But Anthem, you’re wrong.

A long sigh escaped.

-The Lurein family is over without any room for doubt.

She said, looking at the window at dawn.