The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 385

238. The Beginning of Annihilation (1)

Clack-!!!

Clack, clack—!!!

The sound of hundreds of armored soldiers clashing was so perfect it sounded like one.

The gleaming spear blades were raised high, and at the very front, the blue flag of the Free State fluttered on the spearhead held by the leading rider, instead of the red flag symbolizing the Empire.

Amidst the magnificent procession of the legion, everyone in the imperial capital knelt and bowed their heads along the streets to welcome the new king.

“Impressive.”

Miliana murmured, surveying the ruined and devastated imperial capital.

“Indeed. To think we’d walk into the capital of the Empire, which was so arrogant as to call itself the ruler of the continent, like this.”

Kayla Chang, still slightly nervous, stood hesitantly behind her as she spoke.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Yes?”

“To destroy this much alone… No one else could do it, right?”

“Ah, yes… That’s right.”

“Hmm. I wonder if I could do it if I transformed into a dragon? Still, it would be difficult.”

She spoke as if she were delighted that there was a challenge to overcome. Kayla Chang shook her head without realizing it as she looked at her.

“It’s just a light joke. Everyone, don’t be nervous. We are the victors, so we have a duty to stand tall and walk proudly.”

Her unchanging demeanor, whether on the battlefield or not, made people think she truly deserved to be called the Empress of the South.

This was because the numerous soldiers following them were none other than the Imperial soldiers who had surrendered in Tatur.

In terms of numbers alone, they overwhelmed the Free State army. If the remaining forces in the imperial capital were added, the difference would be even greater, so the Free State soldiers who had entered the Empire could not help but be nervous.

Thud-

However, the moment they passed through the city gates and arrived at the site of the former Sun Hall, people’s thoughts completely changed.

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone there was silent, as if they had lost their words. Miliana’s joke was just a joke, and they realized that the dignity of the king she felt was just one aspect of the monarch.

Moreover, they realized that their worries were nothing more than unfounded fears.

“Haha.”

Miliana shook her head with a knowing expression.

If she transformed into a dragon and rampaged, she might be able to destroy the imperial capital.

But no matter how powerful she was, she could not have created the scene before their eyes.

The sight of Karil sitting on the horns protruding from the severed head of the White Gold Dragon, as if on a throne, showed them an overwhelming force that could not be expressed in words.

There was no fanfare to welcome the victor, nor a dirge [funeral song] for the defeated, but there was no need for such trivial proof.

With that one sight alone, no one could deny that he was the master of this imperial capital.

“The Emperor…….”

A word someone muttered unconsciously pierced everyone’s ears.

* * *

“There’s a lot to do.”

Karil greeted the Free State army from Tatur as if he had been waiting for them. Despite the change of throne, there were no significant ceremonies or events.

The only sounds were the noise of construction repairing the destroyed buildings and the discussions in the conference room of the temporary mansion.

“Wouldn’t it be better to move the capital to Tatur?”

Anthem asked cautiously.

“Before that, we need to stabilize this place. People from the Empire, the northern barbarians, and the southern savages all live together in Tatur. That ideal hasn’t changed even now. With our victory, this city must also change.”

At Karil’s words, Anthem let out a soft sigh.

“It won’t be easy. There are many commoners in the imperial capital who hate the North and the South, even if they are not nobles.”

“If there’s anyone like that, bring them to me. I’ll cut them down.”

Miliana scoffed at Anthem Howard’s words.

“We’ll need to build a few more pillars to hang heads on at the city gates.”

Anthem said with a bitter smile.

“As he said, it won’t be easy. But it’s definitely time to focus on internal affairs. Dushala, I want you to help him. You’re better at managing the city. Create new regulations based on what has maintained Tatur.”

“Understood.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Anthem and Dushala bowed at his words.

“Also, if Tyren McGovern contacts you, allow him to participate in internal affairs as well.”

“I will follow your orders, but… Do we really need to employ him? With all due respect, I ask you to reconsider if it’s just because he’s your brother.”

“I feel the same way.”

Karil nodded as if he had anticipated their opposition.

“I don’t trust him either. But there are still many nobles left in the Empire, and Tyren is the most capable of integrating them.”

“You are not one to employ people based solely on talent. You should set an example for the nobles and execute him instead.”

Anthem said coldly.

“If you were that kind of person, you would have kept Bran Garmund alive even if you imprisoned him. I don’t think he’s better than Bran.”

“Did you win against him?”

“……Yes?”

“The war was ultimately a draw. I brought you victory. If you were competent in war, you should have won the war in my place and advanced into the Empire.”

“……I apologize.”

“Tyren is still confined to his mansion. Kwell McGovern as well. You don’t have to worry about them for the time being, but you know better than anyone what you need to do for me.”

At Karil’s words, Anthem simply nodded and left the hall. Dushala smiled knowingly after he left, as if she finally understood Karil’s intentions.

“You’re still mischievous.”

“Why am I?”

“No matter how talented you are, you can’t develop without a rival. Well, those two are more like enemies who keep each other in check than friendly competitors. You’re trying to fill Bran Garmund’s vacancy with Tyren McGovern, aren’t you? For Anthem Howard’s growth.”

Karil shrugged at her words.

“Anthem is excellent in war but weak in internal affairs. Moreover, he’s from the Duchy, so it’s difficult for him to win over the nobles. Tyren is the opposite. But he’s always a potential traitor, so I have to be careful. Anthem will have to get involved in politics to keep Tyren in check.”

“Everyone knows that no one could have ended the war before you did, but it must have hurt his pride.”

“That’s right. Anthem will find a way to show his skills again.”

“You want him to bring Tyren himself? It will be a tough time for him.”

Dushala sighed lightly.

“But I also agree with Anthem to some extent. Tyren McGovern… Even if he helps us, I’m worried whether he will swear allegiance to you or plot something else.”

“I don’t trust him either. But sometimes poison is necessary. We don’t have much time.”

He got up from his seat and looked out the window.

He couldn’t tell them about the upcoming oracle and the war against the Corruption.

It might seem a bit reckless, but Karil thought he had to make the best preparations he could.

‘Attacking the imperial capital directly to reduce casualties was the right choice. But the damage to the imperial capital is greater than expected.’

Karil’s mind was racing.

“Send a message to Calipson of the Gnome Kingdom and summon all the Gnomes to the imperial capital. Have them do their best to repair this place.”

“Understood.”

“And order Aidan to investigate the whereabouts of Suan. You said you lost contact with them? It’s unsettling that they haven’t appeared during the war with the Empire.”

Dushala nodded.

Thud-!!

It was then.

“You don’t have to order that separately.”

Karil frowned slightly at the appearance of a group entering the hall.

“I picked them up on the way here.”

The woman with firm muscles, comparable to a robust man, was none other than Hwarin, the leader of the Northern Janabi tribe.

“So you’ve arrived.”

“Hmph.”

At her appearance, Miliana tilted her head slightly, looking at Hwarin as if observing her.

Following behind were the leaders of the Thunder Clan, the Iron Clan, the Tiger Leopard Tribe, the Red Moon, and the Wolf Fox.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“Now all that’s left is to ascend to the throne.”

“Finally… We can break down the Empire’s fortress and restore the honor of the North.”

The three brothers of the Thunder Clan all knelt on one knee, expressing their joy.

“What is the honor of the North?”

“……Yes?”

“If you had honor to protect, you should have found it before. I only fought for myself. I am not the representative of the North, but the leader of the Free State. In my land, there is no Empire, no North, no South, and no Duchy.”

The three heads of the Thunder Clan blushed at Karil’s blunt words. Hashir seemed to have anticipated his answer, looking at them with a bitter smile.

“Hahaha, as you get older, you should reduce your words to avoid making mistakes. You’ve been hit hard.”

On the other hand, Hwarin laughed heartily.

She knew that there was no longer any meaning in dividing the North, South, Empire, and Duchy.

“Great Warrior, I have a report.”

Unlike before, Hwarin knelt down, putting her hands together as if showing respect to a military god, and the rest of the northern warriors bowed their heads in unison following her.

“The Gold Dragon Enuma Ellash is currently being transported here according to your instructions. I heard that the Great Warrior ate the heart of the White Gold Dragon. If you can control the remaining three dragons, there will be nothing better, so it is something to look forward to.”

She said that, licking her upper lip slightly as if smacking her lips.

“I have a plan for the treatment of the dragons. More than that, what did you mean earlier? You met Suan and Israfel? Why are they in the Four-Nine Defense Fortress when they should be in the Blood Cave?”

“Hmm… I’d like to answer, but unfortunately, I don’t have much to say.”

With the report over, Hwarin returned to her usual self, scratching her forehead slightly.

“Why? You brought them here.”

“It’s true that I met the two on the way south from the Four-Nine Defense Fortress to the Empire. But when I found them, I didn’t really know who they were. Fortunately, there was someone who knew their faces.”

She raised her thumb and pointed behind her over her shoulder. When everyone’s gaze turned behind her, Viola was standing inside the hall.

Karil nodded.

It was natural that she, along with the northern barbarians, had come to the imperial capital after hearing the news of Karil’s victory.

“I greet the Lord.”

“Welcome back. Yes, you defended the fortress well.”

“It was thanks to the help of the North.”

“I will certainly commend you for that contribution, but rather than unnecessary formalities, I would like you to tell me what I want to hear first.”

“I apologize, but I haven’t heard why the two were in Four-Nine yet.”

“Why?”

“Because they are both unconscious.”

“……!!”

Karil couldn’t help but be surprised at her words.

“Oh, since when?”

“When we found them a week ago, marching towards the Empire, they were lying by the river, soaked in water. Perhaps they floated along the river to Four-Nine. Since then, they have been treated by mages until we came here, but they have not yet woken up. However…….”

Viola said cautiously to Karil.

“There is someone who wants to see you because of their problem, so they came with us.”

“Who is it?”

At Karil’s question, she hesitated as if contemplating for a moment before opening her mouth.

“The Fist King, Balbont.”