The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 107

90. Fran Rurein

“I sincerely apologize for the discourtesy shown to the priests of the Order. I hope you will be comfortable during your stay in Korb.”

Fran Rurein led Carryl and his party to a mansion in Korb.

Carryl looked at the massive castle on the hill visible from the window and thought,

‘Fran’s castle is obviously there… which means he’s not ready to show me everything easily yet.’

The mansion he led them to was certainly luxurious and comfortable, but it was located in the heart of the city and surrounded by buildings on all sides.

‘It would be difficult to escape if something happened. Besides, it’s perfect for surveillance.’

Not that he had any intention of doing so in the first place.

“……”

Due to the nature of the port city, the market was bustling with merchants.

From the mansion window in the middle of it all, Carryl could see figures gracefully weaving through the dense crowd.

They weren’t moving like ordinary people.

They were trained.

Carryl watched them disappear into the crowd and thought,

‘It’s not just suitable, they’ve already been deployed.’

Excellent.

At least Fran Rurein’s response considered various scenarios.

Of course.

If he knew Carryl’s true abilities, he would realize that this level of preparation was meaningless.

‘However…….’

Carryl wondered if Fran Rurein was usually this meticulous.

He was certainly skilled in combat but was also known to be hot-blooded and impulsive. That’s why he always lost to Tuli at crucial moments.

‘The smell of paint in the building hasn’t faded yet. It must have been newly built after that day.’

The purpose was obvious.

It was to keep them here.

However, the Fran Rurein that Carryl knew wasn’t the type to make such detailed preparations.

‘Does he have an advisor?’

Carryl slightly narrowed his eyes.

Of course, it was not unusual for a Duke like Fran Rurein to have a strategist.

However, the issue between himself and Fran wasn’t a simple matter but involved the Wooden Cloud [a clandestine organization].

‘If so, then that person must also be involved with the Wooden Cloud. Perhaps he’s even higher in rank than Fran.’

Maybe he’s the root.

Carryl thought it was necessary to dig a little deeper.

Within the Wooden Cloud, mere social status wasn’t important.

If it were, the Wooden Cloud should have disappeared along with the Duchy when it fell.

The high-nosed nobles would never tolerate someone above them.

“You’re heading to the North. Does that mean you’re going to find the Dawn Society?”

As the mansion’s servant brought out refreshments, Fran offered them to the group while asking.

Kal Mc, being from the countryside, was wide-eyed at the luxurious food, grabbing handfuls of cookies until Yurin gave him a look.

Carryl chuckled softly, finding it amusing to see the past of someone who would become a great merchant in just a few years, someone who wouldn’t even glance at such cookies.

“We’re going a bit further up than that.”

Yurin Hugart’s answer made Fran’s eyes flicker slightly. Perhaps he thought the Ivory Tower of the Dawn Society was the furthest an imperial could go in the Duchy’s territory.

“Further up than that…? Are you perhaps referring to the Red Dragon’s abode?”

“That’s right.”

Carryl answered without hesitation.

“I don’t see any problem with that. It’s a place managed by the Empire, after all.”

“Haha, that’s right. But to be precise, it’s a place jointly managed by the Empire and the Duchy.”

It was a kind of warning.

Meaning they could get involved if they wanted to.

“Don’t worry. The Order recently discovered an ancient text related to the Red Dragon among the artifacts. We’re just trying to verify the literature.”

“Hmm… literature… I’m curious about its contents.”

“If you’re curious, why don’t you join the Order? I think the Bishop would be very pleased.”

“Hahaha… Thank you for the thought, but that’s something I’ll have to consider.”

“Yula’s embrace is always open.”

Fran was speechless at his words.

‘He’s better than I expected.’

Carryl watched the conversation between Yurin and Fran.

He had only seen him with a blood-stained mace, known as a madman during the war, and Carryl had forgotten.

‘He fights with words too.’

When he first met Fran, he had wondered whether to reveal their destination or how much to say.

But Yurin Hugart had opened the conversation first.

Carryl thought it was for the best.

‘After all, the main goal was to make the Wooden Cloud curious.’

It was just.

Fran would be confused by Yurin’s words, a result of his twisted personality that hated to lose.

He would be driven mad wanting to know why they were looking for the Red Dragon’s abode now, after the investigation was over.

‘With his personality, he’ll come looking for me today.’

The result was satisfactory.

Moreover, since Yurin was now under suspicion instead of himself, Fran would even question whether he and Yurin were in cahoots [secretly conspiring together].

“Your Excellency, Duke, it’s time to inspect the port defense.”

It was then.

A man entered through the hall door and spoke in a low voice.

“I see. Has it already come to this?”

Fran, who was looking at his watch, slowly nodded.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Carryl frowned as he looked at the man standing outside the door.

“……Wait.”

Fran turned his head at his words.

“What is it? Carryl-nim.”

“Who is that…?”

The man with his gray hair slicked back, wearing silver glasses slightly brighter than his hair, and dressed neatly, bowed slightly as he said when his gaze turned to him.

“I am Anthem Howard, commander of the Korb Navy.”

“Haha. It seems Carryl-nim has also sensed that your aura is extraordinary.”

Fran said proudly.

“He is a direct descendant of Nelson Howard, who was called the King of the Islands 200 years ago and ruled the islands of the continent. Perhaps because his blood is so strong, he is serving as the naval commander of our Korb.”

“You flatter me.”

Carryl stared at the man in front of him and closed his mouth.

“…….”

It was definitely him.

He was definitely the one who was called the Genius of the Throne, surpassing even the Empire’s strategist, Brand Gaumont, when it came to battle. One of the strategists he had wanted to obtain.

“Wow, our ship is also named the Howard. That’s amazing.”

Kal Mc, with his mouth full of cookies, looked at Anthem and said.

He lightly greeted even him before opening the door to the room.

“Then, goodbye.”

“Thank you once again for your consideration.”

“The pleasure is all ours.”

Yurin glanced at Carryl, who was standing there blankly, and answered Fran and Anthem, who were leaving the room, instead.

Clang-

As the door closed, Yurin said to him.

“Why are you standing there like a crazy person? Do you even know him?”

“…….”

“Anyway, you’re a strange one. Joey, we need to prepare thoroughly to go to the North. Let’s leave that spaced-out guy behind and go.”

“Ah, yes. I understand, Master.”

Joey also glanced at Carryl, who was standing there with a blank expression, and followed Yurin.

‘Nelson Howard’s descendant, that appearance, it’s all the same as the one I know. But…….’

There was a big difference.

‘The Anthem Howard I knew was a commoner.’

Carryl recalled his memories.

He had only seen Anthem Howard once.

Before the oracle was given.

Carryl, who had been staying at the mansion without getting involved in the war for the throne, had witnessed Anthem Howard’s last battle near Kwell’s territory.

‘He even led the war against his father to victory.’

Ironically, it was a shock to Carryl at the time that Kwell McGovern, whom he thought was the strongest at the time and could never be surpassed, had been defeated.

After that.

When he learned that Anthem Howard had died when Oliven ascended to the throne after the oracle was given, it was another kind of shock.

‘Oliven knew. That he could become a threatening presence.’

That was the life of Anthem Howard that he knew.

‘Why is that man here? No, since this is the past I don’t know, he could be here.’

Carryl shook his head a few times as if trying to organize his confused thoughts.

‘Then what on earth happened that he became a commoner?’

A blank space he didn’t know.

‘This time, I’ll get him before he dies.’

Carryl’s eyes flashed sharply.

At that moment.

He suddenly had a question.

‘Did he really die……?’

He had only heard it that way.

Carryl had never been interested in the affairs of nobles in the first place. He had only been faithful to fulfilling the oracle.

“What’s wrong?”

Kal looked at Carryl.

Normally, he would have been happy about this coincidence.

Suan Hazar, Aidan Hamil, and even Kal Mc, the talents of the Empire’s Seven Strong that he had acquired, were certainly the result of good luck.

But for some reason, Anthem Howard was different.

An unknown sense of incongruity.

“…….”

Carryl could easily understand the reason.

‘Anthem Howard is now under Fran Rurein.’

And Fran Rurein was later associated with the Wooden Cloud, the predecessor of the Blue Roar, which had driven the continent to fanaticism.

He slowly looked around the newly completed mansion.

Then, feeling a sense of incongruity that seemed to weigh down his entire body, Carryl thought.

‘Don’t tell me… you’re not the advisor I was thinking of, are you?’

Crack-

Carryl turned his head.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Kal covered his mouth, startled by the sound as he bit into the last remaining cookie.

Watching him hurriedly brush off the crumbs, Carryl said to him.

“Kal, there’s something I need you to do from now on.”

* * *

A street where no one walked.

As the bustling market closed late at night, only the sound of waves crashing against the breakwater could be heard.

Thud- Thud-

The sound of footsteps in the alleyway cut through the silence. The sound stopped in front of a sign that showed traces of time.

The last U was creaking, shaking precariously as if it would fall off at any moment.

“…….”

Carryl stared blankly at the sign before lowering his head, and the full name of the weak was written on the wall of the building.

“Cove Port Security Unit.”

It was the place Anthem Howard had told Fran he needed to inspect during the day.

Only a small peephole was attached to the locked door.

How much time had passed?

Click-

With the sound of the lock being released, the door to the building opened as if it had been waiting.

‘I came just in case…….’

Carryl lightly shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the eyes peering at him through the small gap.

‘As expected.’

Carryl gave a bitter smile as he looked at the familiar face.

“You managed to find your way here.”

The voice was heard from among the masked men who were covering their faces as soon as he stepped into the building.

Carryl looked at the person standing in the middle and looked around as if looking for someone.

‘Is it impossible to find him?’

But everyone was wearing pure white robes and masks, and even their builds were the same, so he couldn’t tell who they were.

‘Well… it’s not like I could find him easily.’

However, he was certain of the voice he had heard a little while ago.

“As you said, I have a good eye for things.”

Carryl said to the man in the robe in the middle.

“Your Excellency, Duke.”