The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 173

136. The Meaning of a Shot Arrow

“I see……”

Cahill nodded at Dushala’s report.

“The highest-ranking priest from the Order was dispatched to complete purification prayers for two days, and then a state funeral will be held for three days.”

She paused to drink some water from the table, as if her throat was dry, and continued.

“It’s just as Master said. He was still young, but he ended up a victim of politics. It’s a pity.”

“Is the great Dushala feeling sorry for a death?”

“Of course not. It’s just… I remembered what the men were saying in the barracks.”

“Hmm?”

When Cahill looked at her with a questioning gaze, Dushala simply shrugged.

Since it didn’t seem important, Cahill didn’t dwell on it and turned his head.

‘Kromen.’

He felt a bit bitter.

He wasn’t directly involved in his death, but he didn’t stop the foreseen death, even though he knew it was coming.

“How was his end?”

“It was handled in strict secrecy, so I don’t know exactly, but after sweet-talking the guards, it seems it was terrible. Just before he died, blood flowed from every hole in his body—eyes, ears, nose, mouth, everything.”

Dushala lightly shook her head.

“I’ve never seen such a terrible poison. The Empress collapsed at the sight… The Second Prince cleaned up the body.”

“Heh heh……”

Dushala looked at Cahill with puzzled eyes as he burst into laughter, shaking his shoulders, even though there was nothing funny about her report.

“Unlike the First Prince, who didn’t care about his brother’s safety, Olivern’s stock will rise even more.”

“Of course. He’s already popular with the people. From Tylan Stean to Ruon, the Imperial Family’s image is one of coldness itself, but Olivern is different.”

She gave a bitter smile.

“Whatever else, the rumor of him weeping while holding Kromen is spreading to every corner of the capital’s market.”

“Right. He’s definitely different, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s truly a terrible person. Even in the lawless land of Tatur, it’s hard to find someone like him.”

Dushala let out a low sigh.

“To be able to act like that, crying for the brother he killed.”

The two, who knew that the death was Olivern’s plan, had a starkly different assessment from the people of the capital.

“How long has it been?”

“It’s been a little over a month since we came to the South. It took longer than the two weeks Master expected. Well, thanks to that, we had time too.”

Cahill spoke coldly at her words.

“Even at a young age, his prudence is different. It always takes a little longer than I expect.”

“…Is that a compliment?”

Dushala frowned and said at his words.

“Well, what about the prisoners?”

“The preparations are already complete. Thanks to the orders Master gave in the South. Beykan and Kinu have placed the prisoners in the northern mountains of the capital. It was quite difficult because there were so many people, but fortunately, we used secret passages known only to the ethnic minorities through Hasir.”

“Good work.”

“Of course. It took a whole month.”

“That’s right. It would have been impossible without you. I always trust you.”

“Wh-what is it? How embarrassing……”

Dushala blushed slightly at Cahill’s compliment. She hurriedly put on the veil she had taken off.

“What about Ruon’s side?”

“Um, um, according to reports, he has finished preparing to dispatch troops again from Blerado.”

“Dispatch troops, my foot……”

Dushala chuckled at his cold words.

“Yes. He’ll go up to the capital as if he’s been waiting for it. He couldn’t do anything either way.”

“That’s right. From his point of view, it’s something to welcome with open arms. It was impossible to strike Twin Armor again with the remaining forces.”

“Hey, would he go to the same place after being defeated like that? There are other routes, although they are roundabout, right?”

Cahill smiled faintly.

“It’s funny, but that’s the pride of the Imperial Family. To be afraid of a small country and take a detour? That’s something the Emperor would hold against him even if he completed the mission and returned.”

“They live so tiringly.”

“They’re people who even use their brother’s death. How many people at Kromen’s funeral will be truly sad?”

Dushala nodded as if she understood, but still had a dissatisfied expression.

“The word ‘family’ is meaningless. They’re just enemies to each other. Olivern and Ruon won’t be comfortable either. If they show even a small gap, they’ll pounce on it.”

Cahill said that, recalling the McGovern brothers, who shared no blood.

At least they called each other brothers.

In a way, Kwell McGovern might be a greater man than the Emperor of the Empire in that sense.

Although he couldn’t be with them……

‘Useless sentimentality.’

Squeeze-

Cahill tightened his grip on the handle of the Ice Claw.

“Dushala, it’s time to go to the Empire. Tell Suan to gather all the bows to be given to the prisoners. Three arrows each will be enough.”

At his words, Dushala said with an uncharacteristically nervous expression.

“Will it be okay? They’re prisoners, but there are 40,000 of them. Giving bows to such people is……”

“Don’t worry. There are no nobles or knights among the soldiers. They’re all commoners.”

“What does that have to do with it……”

She asked back with a face that didn’t understand.

“It means they’re more human than the guys in the Imperial Palace.”

“……Pardon?”

“You’ll find out soon.”

Cahill said in a low voice.

“We have a duty to express our condolences for Kromen’s death in our own way.”

* * *

《Third Prince Kromen Dies.》

The rumors of the defeat in the Southern Expedition that had stirred up the capital seemed to have vanished, and the city’s atmosphere sank with the news echoing throughout the streets.

“What about the ministers?”

“Most of the lords have probably gathered. The purification ceremony is over… When it becomes midnight tonight, the third day, the main ceremony will begin immediately.”

“Hmm……”

Prince Ruon, who was in the carriage, let out a low sigh at Azif’s report.

“Seeing that there’s not a single person on the street, it must be true. I honestly didn’t believe it when I received the report… Thank you, Kromen. You helped me one last time.”

Ruon, who had been staying in Blerado because he couldn’t find an excuse to return to the Imperial Palace, gritted his teeth and said lowly.

‘It’s all because of that bastard.’

He couldn’t suppress his anger even now when he thought of Cahill, who had inflicted a devastating defeat on him.

He wanted to return to the Imperial Palace right away, but leaving tens of thousands of prisoners in Twin Armor was no different from putting shackles on himself.

‘Olivern also failed, and Kromen, the only one who went to the South, died.’

It was a disgraceful result for the Imperial Princes, but anyway, with everyone having failed, Ruon was finally able to create an excuse to return.

“……”

Azif stared at him blankly.

‘Prince Ruon knows the ecology of the Imperial Palace better than anyone. Of course, he sensed that the Third Prince’s death was suspicious, but……’

He had received the news of Kromen’s death several days ago.

His territory, Blerado, had a teleportation circle, so he could have come to the Imperial Palace right away, but Ruon took a carriage and arrived in the capital while Kromen’s funeral was in progress.

‘Could I have misjudged him? He just seems desperate to avoid danger……’

He recalled Ruon’s appearance as he fled from Twin Armor without looking back.

But he soon shook his head as if trying to forget such disloyalty and said.

“It seems His Majesty will prohibit war for the time being. There’s a report that he has ordered a two-month mourning period for Prince Kromen.”

“Two months? He’s just the Third Prince, who has nothing to do with the throne?”

“It’s said that he was going to order three months because it’s wartime, but he reduced it.”

“I can’t believe he’s taking care of Kromen since when……”

Ruon shook his head.

The mourning period.

A period of time when everyone mourns the death of a member of the Imperial Family or a great person who has made great achievements.

The funeral ceremony, which is held for five days along with the purification ceremony, may seem short in a way.

But in reality, this mourning period had to be included in the funeral.

Because during this period, all music and songs are prohibited, and even war is stopped.

“Even if it’s a state funeral, to have us do nothing for two months in times like these… My father, who was called the Conqueror, must be senile.”

“……”

The longer the period, the greater the achievements of the deceased.

Even if he was a prince, Kromen had no achievements and instead returned from the South in disgrace, so two months was a long time.

The fact that the mourning period was only one month when the former Emperor of the Empire passed away made the Emperor’s decision feel definitely out of place.

‘He’s the one who stepped on his own father to ascend the throne. My father, who even shortened the mourning period to announce his own majesty rather than mourn his father’s death……’

Ruon sneered.

He was certain that Tylan Stean would not have set such a long mourning period because he was a benevolent father and saddened by Kromen’s death.

‘He must be planning something for two months.’

Ruon thought that and unconsciously touched his neck once.

‘Could it be…… that my father killed Kromen?’

Looking at the road back to the Imperial Palace, he thought. The thought that the road back home could become the road to the afterlife.

“Damn it……”

The more Ruon thought about it, the more Cahill, who had inflicted defeat on him in Twin Armor, wouldn’t leave his mind.

‘If I’m not careful, I’ll die too.’

Kromen was weak, but he wasn’t a sickly child.

There’s no way there’s no reason for his death in the Imperial Palace. But the survivors don’t look for the reason.

‘There’s no point in honoring the dead. It’s better to find a way for me to live in that time.’

Enemies are everywhere.

Ruon let out a low sigh and looked at the approaching Imperial Palace under the sky full of dark clouds.

Shoooooo-!!

It was then.

There was a fire arrow shot into the sky from the mountains behind the Imperial Palace in the distance.

“……?”

Chwaaaaa-!!!

At that moment,

Ruon’s puzzled expression turned to shock.

“……!!!!!”

Following the signal flare, tens of thousands of fire arrows were seen flying into the sky all at once, as if a wall of fire was rising.

* * *

“Everyone to your positions!!”

“Check it immediately!!!”

“Gather all reserve forces!!”

Dada da dak……!! Dada da dak……!!

The defense soldiers and knights in the capital moved busily at the sight of tens of thousands of arrows visible through the window.

There was anxiety about being attacked by the enemy in this situation and anger about who was attacking the Empire.

But strangely, the arrows were not aimed at the Empire but were simply being shot into the sky.

Clang……!!!

A teacup fell to the floor and shattered loudly.

“A-are you alright?”

The maid behind him hurriedly ran over and cleaned up the broken pieces of the dish.

“Sorry, I’m sorry.”

Olivern, who had not slept a wink for the two days of the purification ceremony, staggered.

“You’ve been overdoing it lately.”

The palace attendant looked at him with a tired expression and said in a worried voice.

How bitterly Olivern had wept.

Everyone thought it wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed right away.

Squeak……!!!!

But what made him stagger was neither fatigue nor sadness.

Swaaaaaaa-!!!

With a loud noise, the third arrow was shot into the sky again.

At that moment,

Olivern’s face, who was looking out the window, contorted.

The tens of thousands of fire arrows flying in an arc, spreading to both sides, seemed to be mocking him.

“What… bastard.”

Olivern, who was watching the scene, unknowingly spat out a curse.

* * *

“Master, I shot all three arrows you mentioned. But… what meaning does this have?”

As if trying to remember the magnificent arrows that adorned the night sky, Cahill slowly closed and opened his eyes below the summit.

-Cahill, listen carefully. From now on, we will have to fight countless terrible wars. Even the Imperial Palace cannot be considered safe forever.

One year after the oracle was given,

Olivern said to Cahill on the walls of the Imperial Palace.

-There is always a possibility that the Corruption could attack this place. That also means that I could die at any time.

-Don’t say such things.

Cahill, who was holding a sword and looking at the same sky, said quietly but firmly.

-There is something that the Imperial Family knows. Do you see the three flagpoles at the end? Everyone just thinks they are decorations symbolizing the Empire, but they’re not. There’s an old magic on them. They’re a barrage that is shot when there is bad news in the Imperial Palace.

‘……’

Cahill looked at the place Olivern pointed to.

-The projectiles that are shot are also flames made with magic. You’ll be able to see these flames all over the continent.

-So?

-If those flames rise into the sky, come back here and protect the Empire in my place. It means I’m dead.

-Don’t talk nonsense……

He shook his head, but surely, as he said, there were three flagpoles erected high towards the sky.

-If the first flame rises into the sky, it means the Emperor’s death from illness.

Olivern slowly opened his mouth.

-If the second flame is shot, it means the Emperor’s death in battle.

-Why are you telling me this?

Olivern slowly turned his head and looked at Cahill.

-Because we’re friends.

He smiled faintly and continued.

-If all three flames rise into the sky……

Swoooooo……!!!

Cahill looked at the Imperial Palace in the distance and recalled the memories of his past life.

‘Knowing secrets is truly a cruel thing. Olivern. You’ll know the meaning of the arrows I sent, right? No, not just you, but everyone in the Imperial Palace.’

He slowly raised the corners of his mouth and sneered. Then he said in a low voice.

As if whispering to someone.

“It means assassination.”