The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 132

106. Minotaur’s Maze (3)

Woo-oong—

A low engine sound was heard.

The situation room at the top of the airship was surrounded by special glass, making it feel like flying in the sky.

The speed of the airship could be estimated by the sight of passing clouds colliding with the airship and scattering in all directions.

“Your Highness.”

Just before arriving in the territory of the Digon tribe, Gordon Fabian called out to Kromen.

For the empire, it was absurd to call the prince while sitting on the airship’s bridge, but it was perfectly acceptable for Gordon Fabian, one of the only five Sword Masters on the continent.

“Yes, Lord Gordon.”

“The First Prince is leading troops to punish the southerners, and the Second Prince wants to make peace through Digon.”

At his words, Kromen nodded.

“Fortunately, unlike the two princes who are going by land, we are traveling by airship, the only one on the continent that can fly. Thanks to that, we were able to arrive in the south much faster than the two princes.”

Gordon said with a proud expression.

“Now, Your Highness has the privilege of making a choice first.”

“…….”

“Is it hostility, or is it reconciliation?”

His face was smiling, but the overwhelming pressure he exuded made Kromen look intimidated, as if a huge beast was drooling over a lamb.

“That’s…….”

Kromen hesitated.

Weak and childish, he could not come up with strong and clever strategies like Ruon, nor could he absorb others into his power little by little like Olyvern.

‘How could such a weak child be born from Tyrian Stean? It’s a pity. He has no supporting forces and shows no particular ability…….’

He will only be eliminated.

The end of a prince who is pushed out of the struggle for imperial power was obvious.

‘Or maybe that’s the way that child has chosen to survive in his own way.’

Taking no action.

Whichever of Ruon and Olyvern ascends to the throne, the other will never survive.

If there is no possibility of ascending to the throne, it may be right to find a way to preserve one’s life.

‘In that sense, the Emperor is cruel. Or should I say, Emperor-like.’

Creating a situation where his children, who are aiming for his position, fight each other.

‘Many nobles are on the side of the princes, but they have no intention of rebelling to seize the throne. In the end, as long as the Emperor is alive, they will have no choice but to listen to the Emperor’s orders.’

As a result, the Emperor’s idea would be to weaken the power of the princes in the south and prevent them from coveting his position for the time being.

‘If there is a variable…….’

Gordon Fabian looked at Kromen standing in front of him.

‘The Emperor and the princes will think so too. Kromen is the only one who can change the battlefield and the situation, but conversely, he will not be able to do anything.’

In this expedition, he kept thinking.

Why did the Emperor attach the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps to Kromen, even paying a huge amount of money to someone who had no power?

‘Does he want him to do something?’

What the Emperor wants is clearly not Kromen, who does nothing.

Then…….

The intention was obvious.

He wants himself to move, not Kromen.

‘Humph…….’

He looked at the man standing next to the Third Prince and snorted. He was a priest wearing a white robe and carrying a mace on his waist.

Yooleen Hyugaard.

The only supporter the Emperor had attached to Kromen was insignificant compared to the 70,000 troops and the Knights, but Gordon knew very well what kind of person he was.

‘He’s not a smart guy, but he’s ambitious. Besides, even though he’s a priest of the Order, his skills are close to that of a Sword Master.’

He was just one person, but his presence was greater than expected. The only power that Ruon and Olyvern’s expeditions did not have, but Kromen did.

That is.

The Order.

The fact that a First Class Priest was with them would inevitably restrict Ruon and Olyvern’s actions toward Kromen.

‘Well……. I’m here, so they can’t think nonsense.’

Rather, because of that, Gordon could not rule out the possibility that the Emperor had given Yooleen some secret orders.

“Annoying.”

He muttered in a low voice.

It was just a word, but everyone was watching him, so they had no choice but to pay attention.

Gordon looked at Yooleen and thought.

‘But it’s strange. Since the expedition, he’s been restless like a dog about to pee.’

For some reason, he seemed reluctant to go to the south itself.

“It seems you have no thoughts at all. Our Prince.”

“Th, that’s…….”

Although he was using honorifics, Kromen could only move his lips without saying anything in his shrunken state.

“It’s neither reconciliation nor hostility. We, as representatives of the Empire, will question the rights and wrongs of the Lyeo Knightage’s invasion.”

It was then.

A voice was heard from among the group.

Everyone’s eyes turned from Gordon to that side.

“Are you going to apologize? That’s not the answer the Emperor wants. That the Empire will bow its head to the barbarians.”

Step- Step- Step-

A boy who stepped forward confidently without caring about Gordon’s gaze. Gordon watched him with interest.

“It’s not an apology. It’s about distinguishing right from wrong. In my opinion, if Prince Kromen chooses a different path from the two princes, he must do something that the two princes would not do.”

Tiren McGovern.

Gordon recalled seeing him in the hallway of the Imperial Palace before, and thought, as expected.

“We must be 확실하게 [certainly/definitely] compensated for the damage done to the south, and in return, we must also receive compensation for the annihilation of the Lyeo Knightage.”

“How?”

“Whatever it is. Even if they want war, we will not hesitate to wage war.”

Some people exclaimed at his resolute appearance, but Gordon shrugged and laughed instead.

“Keu-keu-keuk…….”

“……??”

Tiren’s face hardened at the unexpected reaction.

“He’s a sly guy. He’s saying it nicely, but that means he might end up getting some crumbs from the barbarian bastards without doing anything.”

Gordon Fabian snorted at Tiren’s words.

“He lacks the fortitude to be called Kwell’s son. I’d rather believe that little kid is his son.”

“Little kid……?”

Tiren’s expression hardened slightly at his words.

“There’s a guy like that. I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing, but he’s definitely doing something ridiculous.”

Pressing his temples with his fingers, Gordon waved his other hand as if it was nothing.

“Well, that’s good. I’ll follow your plan for now. I’ll hand over the command of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps.”

“……!!!”

“……!!!”

Everyone was surprised at Gordon’s words.

“Yes……? To me?”

And that was the same for Tiren himself.

“Yes. Because I think you’re the smartest guy here.”

“Why…….”

Tiren’s eyes shook.

He was embarrassed because he didn’t know how to deal with the unexpected and unconventional 인사 [greetings/assignment].

He knew very well the power of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps.

With their current power, it was no exaggeration to say that they were equal to the power of two or three knight orders.

‘Besides, there’s the variable of the airship. Prince Ruon moved 70,000 troops, but if they fight strategically, they have the power to defeat that army.’

His head became complicated.

“How is it? Doesn’t it seem fun?”

“Th, that’s…….”

Tiren couldn’t answer easily.

‘If I can really move the 3,000 troops of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps as I please…….’

There were many things he could do.

No, it would be right to say that there were many things he wanted to try.

Ironically, the moment Gordon’s words fell, the peerless genius felt like a huge chessboard was unfolding in his head.

Numerous strategies were intertwined in his head.

‘But.’

It was a well-known fact within the Imperial Palace that Kwell McGovern had already sided with Prince Olyvern.

Tiren shook his head.

If his greed were to help Kromen, it could harm his father, Kwell.

‘This is what the Emperor wants. At least to make the third child a stumbling block for Ruon and Olyvern. To make those two unable to ignore the weak youngest.’

Gordon Fabian smiled faintly as he watched Tiren 고민 [worrying/agonizing].

“It’s too much for me.”

Tiren sighed and said to Gordon.

In fact, he and Elliot were only chosen to escort Kromen, and he thought that they would not be given any important responsibilities.

But to entrust him with the full authority of the mercenary corps?

‘I thought he was an ignorant ogre, but his head is full of dozens of snakes.’

Blaming himself for being excited for a moment, Tiren looked at Gordon.

“Don’t feel burdened. I’ve thought about it a lot. You’re still a disciple of Cardin Luer, who is maintaining neutrality in the Imperial Palace. And I made the decision because you’re Kwell’s adopted son.”

“……Shouldn’t you not entrust me with important responsibilities if I’m a child of the McGovern family?”

At Tiren’s question, Gordon smiled, as if he had expected it, and said.

“It’s the opposite. Because you’re that guy’s son, I don’t think you’ll be so petty as to take the life of an innocent child.”

“…….”

“Your father is a man who knows honor to the point of frustration. It may sound strange, but the safest way to protect the prince’s life is you.”

“Lord Gordon is here, so how can someone like me…….”

At Tiren’s words, Gordon pointed below the airship and said.

“I’m a mercenary. I only work as much as I get paid. In the south, I can protect you even if a dragon comes.”

If someone else said that, you might think it was 허풍 [exaggeration/bluff], but when Gordon said that, it seemed like he could really deal with even a dragon.

“But I can’t play the role of a nanny even after returning to the Imperial Palace. That’s why you have to take on this trip to the south.”

“…….”

Tiren’s expression was, as expected, at his words.

“Do you trust me, Lord Gordon?”

“No. You’re just as cunning as the nobles in the Imperial Palace.”

Gordon laughed at his question.

“Then……?”

Looking at Tiren’s hardened face, he took his eyes off him and looked a little further away.

“I trust your father.”

* * *

[Krrr-rrr-rrr—!!!!]

Two beasts were entangled in a huge hall with thick iron bars like ours.

“Lord Grace, am I dreaming right now……?”

Viola stared blankly ahead, as if she couldn’t believe the result in front of her eyes.

“I want to believe that too.”

Grace also answered with a 넋을 잃은 [넋을 잃은 -넋을 잃은] face at the princess’s words.

“Is that possible?”

Viola muttered in a low voice.

“No, is that a human?”

The question became more primitive. It was an absurd question, but looking at Carryl in front of them, the others had no choice but to agree with her question.

‘As expected…….’

Unlike the two people who seemed 질린 [tired/fed up], Beykan and Kinu had satisfied expressions.

‘Looking at that 모습 [figure/sight], I feel ridiculous for worrying about Master in the hills.’

Beykan laughed.

From the Great Hunt to the Bottomless Rock.

Knowing the 무용 [bravery/valor] that Carryl had shown, they accepted the current result as natural.

Jijik…… Jijijik……!!!

As he pulled the chains in both hands with all his might, the purple magic power scattering from Carryl’s hands flashed through the chains.

Badeuk-!!

Kareureung—!!!

As the thick chains were pulled taut, the necks of Aiakos and Radamanthus were thrown back.

[Kararak……!!]

[Keureuk……!!]

The bodies of the guys trembled as if they had been struck by lightning.

[Kaaaak—!!!]

They struggled to 풀려고 [untie/loosen] the 조여 오는 [tightening/constricting] neck, but each time, Carryl pulled the chains even more.

“There’s no better way than this, no matter how many times I try.”

Koo-oong-

When the two 마물 [monster/demon] knelt down as if exhausted, Carryl stood with his legs 벌리고 [spread/apart] between them.

It wasn’t a skill he had tried once or twice.

‘What kind of 수라 [carnage/mayhem] did he go through……? Besides, that unbelievable skill……. Is he a person who has reached the realm of Sword Master?’

Arrogance that looked down on the 마물 [monster/demon] as if he was above them, rather than being 겁을 먹기는커녕 [being scared/frightened].

Besides, it was difficult for Grace, who had not yet reached the ranks of Sword Master, to make a 판단 [judgment/decision] on Carryl’s 말도 안 되는 [ridiculous/nonsense] swordsmanship.

“…….”

The more he looked at him, the more 궁금증 [curiosity/question] about Carryl 증폭되는 [amplified/increased].

‘It’s not just once or twice.’

Did he read his eyes?

Carryl 속으로 [inwardly/secretly] 피식 [snorted/scoffed] and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

Pharel is a series of Mazes.

And occasionally, when you go up to a higher floor, the monsters in the same Maze come out stronger.

The Mazes summoned to the continent are the same difficulty as the first floor. The monsters here in the S-class Maze are the same as the monsters on the 34th floor of Pharel.

Even on the 34th floor, and on the 238th floor, and on the 675th floor, the Minotaur’s Maze was 되풀이 [repeated/reiterated].

Finally, to the 978th floor, which is a labyrinth.

Carryl McGovern put the same 목줄 [leash/collar] on all the 마물 [monster/demon] and 베었다 [cut off/beheaded] the neck of the king of 마물 [monster/demon] in the same way.

Kwah-kwahng—!!

When Carryl stepped on Aiakos’s head with all his might, he fell to the floor without even screaming.

“…….”

Looking at the head of the 마물 [monster/demon] 처박힌 [thrown/smashed] in front of them, the group had a 할 말을 잃은 [speechless/dumbfounded] expression.

[Kki…… Iing…….]

Carryl 까딱거리자 [nodded/tilted] his head towards them, and Radamanthus 움찔거리며 [flinched/winced] 접었다 [folded/closed] his wings.

Pulling the 쇠사슬 [chain/fetter] of the guy like a 말의 고삐 [horse’s rein], he said to the group.

“Everyone get on.”