The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 109

92. Essence of Flame

“Where have you been until now…?”

Thud.

Just as Yurin Hugart was about to speak to Karil, who had returned late, Karil tossed him something.

It was a gold coin engraved with an anchor.

“What’s this…?”

“It’s a token that grants passage not only through Cobb but also through all of Fran’s territories. Moreover, it ensures safe passage through White Bunker.”

Yurin stared at the gold coin.

The anchor token was reserved for important guests recognized by Fran Lurein.

“This…”

“Didn’t you say you needed thorough preparations, Sir Yurin? So, I made them.”

It was unbelievable.

Unable to fathom how he’d managed it, Yurin could only stare blankly at Karil.

“Oh, and Kal will stay here until we return. Unlike us, he’s not suited for the Red Dragon’s lair.”

While his sailing skills were exceptional, his physical abilities were those of an average person.

Besides, unlike the three of them, he wasn’t privy to the Emperor’s situation, making it difficult for him to accompany them all the way.

Joy and Yurin nodded in agreement.

‘Well, besides that, Kal already has plenty to do here.’

There was no need to elaborate.

‘I’ve given him a subtle hint, so the quick-witted Kamma will handle it. Kal and Suan’s meeting… It’s a shame I’ll miss it.’

Karil smiled faintly.

* * *

“Kekeke… The week I granted you passed over a month ago. Still haven’t decided? Hey, shouldn’t you be heading back to the Empire?”

A low laugh echoed from within the cave.

“…”

Deep underground, in a cavern so vast its ceiling was invisible, something enormous was encased in ice.

The ice was incredibly thick, seemingly unbreakable even by a sword, and diamond-clear despite the passage of time.

A dark object resided within the icy pillar.

It appeared to have been deliberately frozen for long-term preservation.

Unfamiliar, ancient words were densely inscribed within the object.

“Why show me this? And how long have you known about it?”

The man standing before the ice pillar was Kwell McGovern.

He, who should have returned to the Empire, remained in the North.

Why?

His eyes flickered with uncertainty.

“Hmm, well… Unlike you lot, we’re the only ones who can traverse the continent unhindered by the monsters of the Four Nines or the hill masters.”

“I’m not asking you to boast about the airship; I’m asking when you discovered this.”

Kwell growled, and Gordon chuckled, raising a keg and drinking deeply.

“Such a temper… An Imperial knight glaring at me like he wants to devour me.”

“Just what…”

Gordon cut him off.

“Kwell, do you think I’d show this to you, the least favored man in the Empire, simply because you’re in the North, instead of showing it to others?”

Gordon pulled a large pipe from his chest and placed it in his mouth.

Ttak.

He snapped his fingers.

“No one knows about this place but me. Not even Jagan. If he found out, it would reach the Emperor’s ears.”

“…”

“Relax your gaze. You should know what your kids are up to as a father. I don’t particularly dislike him. Actually, I like him. That’s why I made him vice-captain.”

Gordon inhaled deeply, then washed it down with alcohol without exhaling.

“Kekeke, with him around, the mercenary group won’t go bankrupt, at least. But you understand my point.”

He wasn’t bringing this up to discuss the mercenary group’s internal affairs.

“This is something the Emperor doesn’t know.”

Gordon said, tossing the empty keg aside.

“I met some interesting kids at the Imperial Palace. All three were intriguing. I understand why you chose the second one. But…”

He lightly patted Kwell’s shoulder, as if they were old friends.

“You’re the only one in the Empire I trust enough to show this to. It might be a burden, but at least your judgment is sound. The eyes that discern the rightful king.”

As he left the cave, Gordon puffed on his pipe again.

“It’s taking longer than I thought. If I stay much longer, the airship might freeze and be unable to take off. Replacing the attribute stones is also a pain. I hope that kid finishes the new engine soon.”

“Kid?”

“Well, there’s this cheeky guy. A brat who took my punch.”

Kwell looked at Gordon, surprised.

What kind of person was Gordon Fabian?

He always seemed rough and arbitrary, but he was fiercely competitive.

‘Even knights can’t easily withstand Gordon’s punch.’

Gordon smiled, remembering the encounter.

“No, he even counterattacked, making him far better than any mediocre fighter. Honestly, I don’t care about the contract. The airship is good enough as it is. But I’m curious to see how he grows.”

“Counterattack… Gordon Fabian has gone soft. Letting a brat counterattack, as you say.”

“Poo-heh, you’ll change your mind when you see him. He hasn’t reached the level of a Sword Master or a mage. He did it purely with combat sense.”

“…”

“Well, enough chatter. I’ll leave the choice to you. I doubt I’ll ever use ‘that guy’ anyway.”

He waved dismissively, offering his farewell.

“Let’s meet somewhere warm next time.”

“Gordon.”

Kwell called out as he climbed the cave stairs. Gordon stopped and turned.

“What was that brat’s name again?”

“You’re interested? Why should I tell you? He’s a talent I don’t want the Empire snatching away. Who knows? I might make him my successor.”

Gordon teased, his voice playful.

“Hmph…”

Kwell McGovern clicked his tongue.

“Kekeke.”

Gordon was the only one on the continent who could treat him this way. He continued up the stairs, adding as he passed,

“Karil, that was his name.”

“…!!!!”

Kwell’s eyes widened even further than when he’d discovered the ice pillar.

* * *

“Oh… It’s cold. Are you alright, Karil?”

“Yes. Well… I’m a little resistant to the cold.”

Unlike Joy, who was bundled in layers of winter robes, Karil wore only a cloak.

Karil extended his hand, as if refreshed by the long-awaited snow.

‘It’s been well over a year since I’ve touched snow.’

Though it was a different location from the North he’d lived in, the cold he’d escaped returned with a strangely nostalgic feeling, making him feel peculiar.

He’d worried about problems passing through White Bunker, but

‘I’m glad it wasn’t delayed. I’ll have to meet Tully Lurein someday, but not now. The war she and Fran will ignite is still half a year away.’

The first button had been fastened.

It was crucial to avoid encountering her until Tully Lurein sought him out.

‘I need to make her impatient. Make the proud snow flower venture out on her own.’

Karil smiled, recalling her face after so long.

“Did something pleasant come to mind?”

“Yes?”

“You were smiling.”

At Joy’s words, he nodded.

“It’s nothing. I suppose it’s because we’ve arrived at the lair. It’s over there.”

Hiding his thoughts, he pointed towards a large volcano where flames rose, defying the heavy snow.

“Amazing.”

Yurin’s impression mirrored the others’.

The unextinguished flames at the summit seemed to suggest the Red Dragon was still alive.

‘It’s been a while.’

Just as he’d felt the cold of the North again, the look in his eyes as he gazed at the Red Dragon’s lair was distinctly different from the others’.

‘I was with Nard Di Maugh back then.’

Now he was alone.

Thinking about it, he was the only dragon involved in human affairs.

He opened the Gray School, unlocked the Red Dragon’s lair, participated in numerous wars, and ultimately helped him return to the past.

To Karil, the Platinum Dragon was more than just a benefactor.

“…”

But conversely, he hadn’t forgotten Alun Zabis’s words.

-Can you really trust him?

Karil’s face hardened slightly.

He remained uncertain about that.

That’s why he’d come here before visiting Nard Di Maugh’s lair.

‘The artifact in Lisel’s report.’

As befitting a dragon’s lair, the Red Dragon’s lair held many treasures.

There were numerous weapons made of orichalcum [a legendary metal], a mineral found only in special veins, though less abundant than Cheongrin [another rare metal].

Orichalcum, like Cheongrin, was a mineral that was no longer obtainable, making it incredibly valuable.

‘Of course, Cheongrin can be acquired again now, but…’

It remained true that orichalcum weapons were items that couldn’t be bought, even with vast wealth.

If Nard Di Maugh hadn’t obtained those weapons, humanity would have struggled greatly in the war against the Fallen.

‘But anyway, they’re a level below Cheongrin weapons.’

Karil, already possessing the Ice Claw, didn’t need them, but arming the barbarian troops of the South with the orichalcum weapons from the lair would give them combat power comparable to knights.

‘Time has passed since Kaie Esir hunted them 250 years ago, but there was a limit to the treasures humans without dragon magic could find.’

He was no longer simply grateful for the Platinum Dragon’s grace.

‘This place is before he unlocked the seal. The treasures the Empire hasn’t yet discovered remain intact.’

Lastly.

Karil recalled Kaie Esir’s words.

-Covet.

He engraved the words of those from the past who had passed him by, one by one, and slowly stepped into the lair.

‘I’ll take it all this time.’

Karil’s eyes shone.

He had only one purpose for coming here.

Not herbs to cure the Emperor’s poison, nor weapons made of orichalcum, but the true treasure of the Red Dragon Lisel.

Essence of Flame.