The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 115

96. An Arrogant Deal

Unlike his previous visit, the harbor defense force seemed to be expecting Carryl. The moment he entered the building, everyone bowed deeply, almost at a 90-degree angle.

His reputation for bisecting a colleague with a single strike had clearly preceded him.

“Lord Carryl.”

“You look different from last time. That robe was a bit much, Your Grace.”

“Hahaha, what does appearance matter? Only conviction is important.”

Fran Lurein greeted Carryl respectfully, acting as if nothing unusual had occurred.

Dressed in luxurious clothes and expensive accessories,

he was now meeting Carryl as Fran Lurein of the Duchy, not Fran of Wooden Cloud.

Carryl chuckled, observing Fran’s beaming face.

‘The difference between wearing a mask and not wearing one is significant. Is this guy’s personality a bit… odd?’

He considered that those born to vie for power, whether in the Empire or the Duchy, inevitably grew up amidst countless schemes and betrayals.

He knew this well enough from Luon and Olivon.

Perhaps this level of transformation was relatively mild.

‘Besides, unlike last time, the people here are all skilled. They even have the excuse of being part of the harbor defense force.’

Carryl thought, watching the subordinates who had greeted him disperse to their duties.

From the way they held their pens or carried their documents, he could tell they were no ordinary soldiers.

‘At least Sword Expert level.’

Seeing over twenty of them, he sensed Fran’s determination to avoid repeating past mistakes.

‘It won’t be easy to cut them down in one strike.’

Carryl had no intention of shedding blood, but as a born swordsman, he instinctively assessed the distance between himself and them upon entering the building.

“I heard about what happened at the Fire Dragon’s lair. We didn’t realize we possessed such treasures. It’s safe to say the Lavat Guild’s intelligence surpasses even the Imperial Family.”

“You flatter me.”

“So you know Wooden Cloud so well.”

“…….”

Fran mentioned the name casually.

Waving his hand, he gestured for Carryl to take a seat, as if it were nothing of consequence.

“Don’t worry. They are all members as well. Of course, unlike the roots, trunk, and branches [referring to different levels of membership or roles within Wooden Cloud], they are guards.”

‘Hmm… So they classify combat personnel separately from affiliated members. If so, the organization must be much larger.’

Carryl realized that Wooden Cloud might be more extensive than he had initially imagined.

The enemy he had to face.

“Would you mind waiting a moment? I still have some work to finish.”

“Of course.”

Fran Lurein sat down at a rather extravagant table that seemed out of place in the harbor defense building.

‘This isn’t something you’d find in a harbor defense force… Did he deliberately move it here?’

Piles of documents covered the table.

Fran picked up a quill pen and began signing the documents one by one, as if it were a routine task.

“…….”

Carryl watched him intently.

He had always met Fran on the battlefield, and the Fran Lurein he remembered was a man who looked more comfortable wielding a baton on a warship than holding a pen at a desk.

He was an excellent commander.

Perhaps no one in the Duchy could wage war as effectively as this man.

‘If it weren’t for the Empire’s pressure, he would surely win the fight against Tuli Lurein.’

However,

his problem was that he was overconfident in his abilities and didn’t listen to his subordinates’ opinions.

‘Maybe that’s why he had a falling out with Anthem Howard. Even when Olivon unified the continent, he was a commoner. And he was located in the Kingdom of Penria, one of the Istrian Three Kingdoms.’

In fact, Carryl was planning to go to the Kingdom of Penria after this was over to find him.

He couldn’t help but be surprised to meet Fran here unexpectedly.

‘Even if I leave them alone, they say Fran’s relationship will break down… Should I just observe for now?’

Carryl knew that the absence of a skilled strategist was a major weakness in his current position.

He wanted to recruit Anthem Howard, but he couldn’t act rashly because there was a possibility that he was connected to Wooden Cloud.

At the same time, a question arose.

‘Until now, I didn’t think much of it because I knew Anthem Howard was just a commoner in the Kingdom of Penria, but if he was so involved in the current situation, I need to consider why he chose Penria after breaking up with Fran.’

He had even been praised as a kingmaker [a person who helps someone become a ruler].

Compared to the Duchy and the Empire, the Three Kingdoms were clearly at a disadvantage. Moreover, among the Istrian Three Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Penria was a weak nation.

‘But the fact that Anthem Howard chose to go there is significant.’

Perhaps he had discovered some hidden potential in the Kingdom of Penria?

‘By now, Dushala would have won over the high-ranking officials of the Three Kingdoms… I need to get Aidan to investigate.’

The talents who were overlooked or suppressed by the Empire and disappeared.

If he could acquire those who had been unable to reach their full potential, it would be a major advantage.

Swish- Swish-

The sound of the pen moving across the paper was the only sound in the office.

Why was he showing him his work? This probably wasn’t his own idea.

‘Anthem Howard must have told him to do it.’

Carryl looked at him.

The reason was obvious.

It was to make him wait.

That alone would allow Fran to re-establish dominance in their relationship, which had been disrupted during their last meeting.

Tak-

Fran finished signing the last document.

The sunset outside the window had faded into a dark night.

At least three hours had passed.

But Carryl waited patiently, without showing any sign of impatience.

He knew that impatience was exactly what they wanted.

Clatter-

Then, without a word, Carryl placed a glass bottle containing Serrated Thorns on the table.

“These are Serrated Thorns obtained from the lair. Lord Yurin is keeping one, but I brought another one without telling them.”

Fran’s eyes widened as he looked at the Serrated Thorns, making the three hours of tedious waiting seem pointless.

‘I’m above you guys. To try to manipulate me with such obvious tricks.’

Carryl chuckled at the sight of him.

“In fact, Serrated Thorns must be taken in pairs. Taking only one has an effect, but it’s temporary.”

Of course,

that was a lie.

The amount of Serrated Thorns needed to detoxify the Poison of Daybreak was just a single leaf.

“Why are you telling me that?”

“Didn’t I tell you? It’s a secret from the two of them. Lord Fran should know what that means.”

Fran let out a low sigh at Carryl’s words.

“I can’t beat you. You’re saying you’ll decide whether to give it to the Emperor or me depending on whether I fulfill the contract.”

Carryl smiled lightly, looking at Fran.

“The Empire and the Duchy. To think that a superpower with hundreds of thousands of troops is being swayed by just one person. That’s amazing.”

In that moment,

Fran’s eyes changed.

He was now Fran Lurein of Wooden Cloud, not the Duke.

“I understand. I wanted to see how you would keep your promise to us, and I’m relieved.”

“Then what about Lord Fran’s promise?”

“I already did it.”

Carryl frowned slightly at his words.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve already met the root.”

He recalled the dozens of guards he had seen when he entered the building earlier.

“I don’t think our relationship is advanced enough to meet the root directly yet.”

‘Ha, look at this guy?’

Carryl felt a surge of anger and a desire to cut him down right then and there.

“Besides, you’ve already made your move, so we need to have a card to hold as well, right?”

“…….”

Fran shrugged and said.

His arrogance was evident in his attitude, as if daring Carryl to challenge him.

He was annoyed, but he still needed Fran.

Carryl stood up and said.

“Well, fine. I’ll concede a little for now. I’ll be satisfied with the fact that the root hidden behind the veil saw me.”

“You’ll probably be able to meet when our contract is complete. The root will come looking for you directly then, even if you don’t want to.”

“I hope Lord Fran will be there with us when that day comes.”

“Haha, you’re stating the obvious. Where would I go? Come to Cobro anytime.”

Carryl smiled quietly at his words.

The next day,

Fran Lurein stared blankly at the Howard ship as it set sail.

“…….”

A report that seven of the harbor defense force guards who had been in the building the previous night had died was lying on his desk.

* * *

“Father.”

Tiren McGovern bowed his head as he looked at Quell, whom he was reuniting with after a long time.

The Blue Knights, who had completed their northern expedition of over a year, were immediately deployed to defend the border without a break.

Only

Quell McGovern had come to the Imperial Palace for a report.

There were whispers that the Emperor’s treatment of him, a Sword Master known as the Continent’s Greatest Swordsman, was too harsh, but Quell McGovern silently accepted the order.

Quell himself knew the reason better than anyone else.

It was because he had sided with Olivon.

“I heard you entered the academy? I’m glad you seem to be doing well.”

Quell McGovern, with his overgrown beard, was walking through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, wearing armor that had been damaged by the northern cold.

His expression seemed strangely bitter that his reunion with his second son after a long time was not at their mansion but at the Imperial Palace.

“You’ve worked hard. I heard you subjugated half of the north. His Majesty will be pleased.”

“His Majesty… To think the day would come when you would say such a thing. I don’t know if you’re admirable or simply being sarcastic.”

Tiren smiled lightly at Quell’s words.

Then, Quell looked at him with affectionate eyes, a stark contrast to his previously stern gaze.

“You seem to be quite familiar with the palace now. Well, you’re a smart kid, so you’ll do well. I always thought the Imperial Palace was where you should be, someday.”

“You flatter me.”

Quell patted Tiren on the shoulder lightly.

“I heard about the Valkyrie Knights.”

“There are no survivors yet. For some reason… His Majesty, who returned from the Order [likely a religious or knightly order], has forbidden sending an investigation team.”

“He must have his reasons. I came to the Imperial Palace to report on the northern expedition, but that reason is also included. Wait and see, I’ll ask him directly.”

“Do you think Randol is someone who would die easily?”

“No.”

“Randol was reserved because of his birth, but his talent is comparable to yours.”

“I know. Randol always makes Mart hold back during sparring.”

Quell nodded lightly at Tiren’s insightful words.

“He’ll be alive.”

With those words, the reunion between father and son came to an end.

Because the door to the Emperor’s chambers at the end of the hallway was already visible.

“Hoo…”

Quell looked at the tightly closed door with a low sigh.

* * *

A dark room.

Quell said, kneeling.

“I, your subject Quell McGovern, have followed His Majesty’s command to carry out the extermination of heretics, and have returned after completing the northern expedition.”

“You’ve worked hard. I should greet you from the throne, but I hope you understand the situation.”

“No. I was worried about His Majesty’s health even in the north.”

“Is that so.”

Tairan Shutean said to Quell, sitting in his bedchamber.

For some reason, the room, which did not have a single candle lit despite being the Emperor’s chambers, felt eerie.

“My health… You were worried… I wonder in what way you were worried. Whether my illness would worsen or get better. And whether you would worry about it worsening or getting better.”

“I am sorry.”

Quell knew well that the Emperor’s gaze towards him was cold.

He was a greedy man.

He was more suited to be the Emperor than anyone else, so he would not give up everything he had.

Even if

that meant giving it to his own child.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Humans die someday. But it seems it’s not yet. Because the things you were worried about have been resolved.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“It’s a good thing. Actually, there was someone I wanted to introduce to you. No, you must already know each other. You had the token.”

“Yes…?”

“You introduced me to someone very precious to me, so how can I not praise you?”

Quell raised his head at the Emperor’s words.

He looked ahead with a questioning gaze, full of doubts at his incomprehensible words, and realized that there was someone else standing next to the bed, not the servant who was always there.

“Greet him, Carryl.”

“……!!!!!