The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 152

118. The Ambush (5)

“The Empire is a mess.”

Fran Lurein was more interested in the battle between the Empire across the sea and the South than the flood of incoming reports.

Anthem Howard chuckled at his seemingly childlike focus but cautioned him.

“Duke, you must focus on our affairs now. The 5th Duke, Lord Rakiel, and the 6th Duke, Lord Bonitos, have gathered their forces before Cove.”

“Troop strength?”

“Lord Rakiel has 20,000. Lord Bonitos has brought 10,000.”

Anthem Howard spoke as if anticipating Fran’s question.

“Yes, fewer than expected. However, Lord Ruiche has promised to bring 30,000 troops.”

“Ruiche. That child has followed me well since she was young. But it seems she has been deceived by Rakiel and Bonitos.”

Anthem smiled faintly at Fran’s words.

In terms of military power, Rakiel and Bonitos’ combined forces approached 80,000. However, Ruiche supporting with only 30,000, less than half of that, clearly indicated an intention to hedge her bets [prepare for the worst].

‘They’re just trying to survive…….’

In comparison, Ruiche, the youngest, had a more barren territory and only 40,000 troops compared to the other dukes.

Leading 30,000 troops was almost like supporting Fran with her entire force.

“Do they think I might lose?”

Fran said with a displeased expression.

“War only has victory and defeat. A definite enemy is more loyal later than an ambiguous ally. I’ll have to think about whether to spare or behead them when I enter White Bunker.”

Anthem unconsciously touched his neck at Fran’s words, casually mentioning beheading his brothers without any emotion.

‘Indeed……. He’s chillingly cold.’

Fran Lurein possessed outstanding combat and leadership skills but was a cold and detached person, like his nickname, the Iron King.

His disposition was excellent for maintaining the dignity of a ruler, but a king should not merely be strong.

“…….”

Anthem Howard sometimes felt conflicted when Fran’s image deviated from the king he had envisioned.

“It seems the time has come.”

But dwelling on such thoughts now was meaningless. Their forces were already awaiting orders.

“Yes.”

Fran nodded.

“Karil was right.”

Until now, on the verge of the battle with Tuli, the concern was that the Duchy was the only country on the continent with the military power to stand against the Empire.

However, the Duchy’s strength ultimately came from the seven dukes.

Fran had hesitated to declare war, fearing that the Empire would exploit the moment of internal strife and division.

“His confident face wasn’t a lie.”

Fran Lurein recalled his conversation with Karil and wore a tense expression.

-I can ensure the Duchy’s safety from the Emperor.

Karil claimed to hold the Emperor’s life in his hands, but it was hard to believe.

However, the story became interesting from the point when the Empire dispatched princes to resolve the issues with the southern barbarians.

‘All three princes failed.’

From the Empire’s perspective, losing Luon’s 40,000 troops might not have been a significant blow.

‘But what kind of person is Tylan Schtean? With his personality, he would have no choice but to move personally to restore the tarnished honor of the Empire.’

In that case, even Tylan, called the Conqueror King, would find it difficult to face both Digon and the Duchy simultaneously.

‘Karil, is this also your doing?’

He couldn’t confirm the details of what was happening in the South across the sea, but the southern expeditions of the three princes seemed suspiciously coincidental.

From the Serpent that appeared in the Istria Three Kingdoms to the return of the Knights Templar.

‘Then you are a more secretive, meticulous, and fearsome opponent than Wooden Cloud.’

Before Karil left, Fran provoked him in the deal about the roots of Wooden Cloud to gauge his intentions.

He had intended to gain the upper hand, but Karil instead killed seven soldiers as an example and left.

‘Even if you are involved in the affairs of the Empire, it doesn’t matter. No matter how much it is you, you can’t influence the affairs of the Duchy.’

Fran shook his head as if to forget the chilling feeling he had felt then.

‘Even if your henchmen are just the two from the Lavat Guild, there’s no way they can do something that can change the tide.’

He thought, looking at the large building in the distant square.

“Anthem, keep a close watch on the Lavat Guild.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“I will take that place back.”

“Of course, Duke.”

Fran nodded and said to him with a determined face, as if he had made up his mind.

“Set out.”

“Waaaaaaah—!!”

“Waaaah–!”

At that moment,

As if waiting, the soldiers cheered outside the harbor.

Across the sea, in a foreign land, another war that would change the history of the continent was beginning.

* * *

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I’m sorry.”

Mart said hastily, his face hardening at Baron Harun’s question.

Several days had passed since his meeting with Tiren.

However, the words he had left behind continued to linger in his mind, confusing him.

“Stay focused. We are the only ones who can protect the Prince. I understand your complicated feelings with your brothers being with Prince Kromen, but you know your father, Lord Kwell’s thoughts well, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

The next emperor chosen by his father, Kwell.

Mart couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact, which was already known throughout the Empire.

At this point, with three princes competing, they had to help Olivon achieve results no matter what.

‘But…….’

That was why he was even more confused.

‘Really……. Will the Prince kill Prince Kromen…….’

The idea that Olivon, whom he believed to be a wise ruler and was loved by all, would kill his own brother was hard to believe, even if Tiren had said it.

‘That can’t be. Tiren must be mistaken. He must be clouded by being tormented too much by the barbarians.’

Mart thought so.

No, he wanted to think so.

“Baron, what should we do from now on?”

“We must wait for the Prince’s orders. But it won’t take long. Prince Kromen is with him, so we must listen to his intentions as well.”

“The Third Prince?”

Harun nodded as if it were obvious at Mart’s question.

“He seems to have suffered quite a bit while in the South. He is mentally weak……. For the time being, the Prince will personally take care of him, and when the Third Prince’s mind and body are stable, our next steps will be decided.”

“Take care of him personally……? The Prince?”

Harun nodded at Mart’s question.

“Yes. Prince Olivon has always had a special affection for Prince Kromen.”

“But……. Isn’t there the butler, Keplan?”

“What does that matter? How can a brother caring for his brother be better than some butler?”

Harun said with a stiff face, as if he was displeased with his words.

Toc- toc- toc-

A knock on the door was heard.

Zervang, the deputy commander of the Escort Knights, bowed slightly from the hallway.

“All the herbs that the Prince mentioned earlier are prepared. Shall I move them right away?”

“No. Thank you for your hard work. I’ll take care of the rest. Prince Olivon said he would personally brew the medicine.”

Zervang exclaimed with admiration at Harun’s words.

“Really……. Prince Olivon is admirable in every way.”

Harun nodded as if it were his own accomplishment and said.

“We will have to stay here for a while. As you know, it’s within the Vestal Marquis’s reach. It wouldn’t be good if Prince Kromen’s condition were to reach the Imperial Palace now.”

“I understand.”

“So Prince Olivon has given special instructions. Remove all the guards around the bedroom where Prince Kromen is staying.”

Thump-

At that moment,

Mart felt his heart drop at Harun’s words.

“It’s not that I don’t trust your subordinates, but it seems there are also people from the Marquis.”

“It’s alright. If it’s the Prince’s order, even the Vestal Marquis can’t do anything about it. I will clear the area so that Prince Kromen can rest comfortably.”

“We will take care of the escort, so don’t worry.”

“Yes.”

Zervang greeted Harun and left the room. After he left, Harun said to the knights in the room, including Mart.

“We will wait here and await Prince Olivon’s orders, as we have done so far. As I said earlier, only Prince Olivon will be allowed to enter the residence where Prince Kromen is staying.”

“Yes!”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The knights nodded as if it were natural at Harun’s words. They seemed secretly pleased to be able to stay comfortably in the Marquisate rather than on the battlefield.

“Um……. Baron.”

Only Mart said with a trembling voice.

“What is it?”

“I understand that the Princes want to be alone. However, as you said, this is the Vestal Marquisate. Shouldn’t we post guards…….”

Harun’s expression hardened slightly at Mart’s words before relaxing and saying.

“You heard why we are removing the guards when I explained it to Zervang. And don’t worry. I will take care of their safety.”

“Ah……. Is that so?”

Mart licked his dry lips and nodded, unable to hide his uneasy face at his answer.

Certainly, Baron Harun was the strongest knight among those accompanying Olivon.

It was not that he doubted his skills.

“Then. You guys should rest now.”

“And you, Baron……?”

At Mart’s following question, Harun said with a slightly annoyed expression.

“Why are you being like this today? Isn’t it obvious that I’m going to the building where Prince Olivon is, where Prince Kromen’s chamber is?”

A stiff answer returned.

“Yes.”

At that moment,

Mart trembled, feeling an unknown sense of unease sweep through his entire body.

‘All the herbs are prepared.’

The words Zervang had said earlier seemed to echo in his ears.

* * *

“…….”

How much time had passed?

The sound of the clock’s hands moving on the wall was the only thing that could be heard so loudly.

‘Don’t have unnecessary thoughts.’

Others looked at Mart with puzzled faces, as if they didn’t understand his restless appearance.

Tick- tock-

He shook his legs anxiously, sitting in his chair.

The annoying sound of his heels touching the floor made the knights in the room frown slightly.

“Hey, is something wrong?”

A knight, unable to bear it, grabbed Mart’s shoulder and said.

“…….”

However, he still didn’t even glance at the knight who spoke to him, as if he was lost in thought, clasping his hands and resting his chin on them.

“Huh, really…….”

Those who had been with him until now knew that the eldest son of the McGovern family was not such an impolite person, so they felt even more strange at Mart’s appearance.

“It’s getting late, so let’s get ready to sleep. It doesn’t matter about Prince Kromen’s residence, but we must secure the guard here.”

“Of course.”

“Come on, let’s get ready.”

The knights stretched lazily, as if an ordinary day was passing, and got up from their seats.

Only a few knights who were on guard duty packed their gear.

It was then.

Kwaaaaaang—!!!

The door to the room where the knights were waiting was opened roughly, and the sound of the door hitting echoed in the hallway.

Everyone’s eyes were on one person.

It was Mart McGovern.

“Haa…… Haa…….”

Due to the tension, he felt as if his heart would explode just from breathing.

“Wh- what are you doing!”

A knight shouted, watching him push past them and run out. But Mart could no longer hear their voices.

‘I’m crazy…….’

Mart knew very well how dangerous and absurd what he was doing now was.

Thump! Thump! Thump-!!

But despite that, he started running down the hallway with all his might.

“Stop him!!!!”

He believed in at least one thing.

That if his father, Kwell McGovern, were in the same situation as him, he would have done the same thing.

* * *

“How long did it take?”

“Three days.”

“Olivon endured quite a long time for his personality. He must have been itching to move right away.”

Standing on the airship with his arms crossed, Gordon Fabian put a large cigar in his mouth and turned his head.

It was Karil.

“You call the Prince’s name so casually. As if you’re talking about a close friend.”

“I’m not close. I have no intention of being close either.”

“Hmph, you.”

Gordon’s eyes trembled as he looked at him standing next to him.

“It might really turn out as you said. Were you anticipating everything, or is this also a game you created?”

Even at his question, Karil calmly looked at the building where Kromen was, as if it wasn’t over yet, and said.

“Both.”