The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 20

18. No Free Lunch in This World

The initial goal of accumulating merit to get to the Imperial Palace as quickly as possible wasn’t just about gaining the opportunity to enter the palace.

‘This is just the first step.’

His planned monopoly on honor wasn’t just this much.

‘To achieve merits that surpass even my birth. To make it so that the nobles of the Imperial Palace have no choice but to acknowledge me.’

To that end, this much is too small.

‘I’ve also finished preparing for something bigger.’

Kwell let out a low sigh at Carryl’s words and nodded.

“I appreciate your understanding. In return, tell me if there’s anything you want. I’ll help as much as I can.”

Carryl replied as if he had been waiting for this.

“I want to obtain a transit permit. One that allows me to travel within the Empire without having to verify my identity.”

“Does that mean you want to leave the mansion?”

Nod-

‘I’ve already obtained what I wanted from the mansion anyway.’

The reason he chose this time for his regression from the start was to obtain the Dragon’s Heart.

Time to build his body, save Randol, and eliminate Ardin, the spy from the Lurein Duchy.

‘There are still many areas to refine, but there’s no need to waste any more time.’

Carryl was able to sufficiently gauge his level in the battle against Ardin.

Even with a 12-year-old body, he completely overwhelmed a knight using magic power.

“Are you unhappy with life here? Or are you disappointed by this incident?”

“No. I simply want to see a wider world.”

“Hmm….”

‘Of course, it’s also to get involved in the major events that will happen in the future.’

The mansion was too small for that.

Kwell closed his eyes as if contemplating Carryl’s words.

“I don’t need the Count’s insignia. It would be more troublesome if it attracted attention.”

Carryl preempted him, as if sensing his hesitation.

“I know there’s an authentication that only the Count’s attendants can use. That’s enough.”

“Haha…. You even know about that.”

“I just overheard it.”

Of course.

In his past life, he had seen countless noble insignias.

“I understand. I’ll do that.”

Kwell nodded.

Carryl slightly raised the corner of his lips at his answer.

‘Okay. It’s a small reward for catching Ardin, but it’s good enough. The most important thing I needed to travel around the Empire was an identity.’

Of course.

He could easily deceive the eyes of the soldiers guarding the gates.

But what he wanted was to accumulate merit.

To do that, he needed an identity he could reveal.

Click-

Kwell took something out from his chest.

It was an ornament with a small sapphire embedded in it, smaller than a finger joint.

“This is a seal that allows passage through checkpoints within the Empire, authorized for the Knights. It’s only given to those who carry out my missions, so your identity won’t be revealed.”

‘Good.’

Carryl looked at it.

‘Besides, Nardie Maugh’s Lair is at the eastern end of the territory. To get there, I have to go through the Imperial Capital no matter what, and pass through many gates before that.’

The White Gold Dragon, still asleep.

He couldn’t go right away, but he planned to visit him before the oracle was given someday.

‘I’ve taken everything I could get.’

“Thank you.”

Carryl nodded as he accepted the ornament.

“I’m sorry.”

Kwell said in a low voice, looking at him.

It was then.

“Lord Count—!!!!”

The hallway was noisy.

The adjutant appeared with a flustered face, panting as he opened the door to the office.

“What’s going on?”

“That… that’s….”

He hesitated, trying to say something, and looked at Carryl.

“Speak quickly.”

The adjutant bit his lip and lowered his head.

“The prisoner… committed suicide.”

At that moment.

As if he had been waiting for that death.

Carryl slowly walked down the hallway, listening to the clamorous shouts of the mansion.

‘Tyren, I prevented the regret you had your whole life and saved Randol’s life. This much should be enough compensation for you guys too.’

Seize it with your own power.

The truth he realized while surviving countless battlefields.

Carryl’s eyes gleamed.

‘I have no intention of giving away even the smallest merit to others for free.’

* * *

“What are you talking about!!!”

“We don’t know what happened either. He was fine until the guard came to relieve the watch….”

“Get out of the way!!”

Kwell shouted irritably and started running down the hallway towards the underground prison.

“….”

Watching him run down the hallway, Carryl thought with a calm face.

‘Baker, that guy, used it at a very appropriate time. I’m glad he listens to me until the end.’

It would have been a bit troublesome if he had died right after I visited him.

‘Well, even if that happened, I wouldn’t be suspected.’

He had enough excuses prepared for that time. Carryl left the room with a faint smile, looking satisfied.

‘Tyren, Randol. Don’t be too disappointed.’

He thought with his arms crossed.

‘It’s something that couldn’t be revealed even in my previous life. If I can solve the spy’s work that I couldn’t solve, it will be helpful to the Empire too.’

* * *

“It’s frost snake grass.”

“….”

Looking at the warlock who collapsed foaming at the mouth, Kwell made a troubled expression at the adjutant’s report.

“It’s not a poisonous plant that causes fatal wounds… but for someone with this level of injury, it could be enough to stop their heart.”

“Are you sure you searched his body thoroughly?”

“I did it myself several times… I’m sorry.”

Polhend said, bowing his head at Kwell’s words.

“Raise your head.”

Kwell, who knew his skills as the former deputy commander of the Azure Knights better than anyone else, didn’t reprimand him any further.

“I know. I know you wouldn’t do it carelessly.”

“If the spies had it as an emergency supply, it’s possible we could have missed it. Besides, it’s a common grass on the road. He could have gotten it during the transfer process… there are many possibilities.”

The adjutant also defended him.

“Are you saying that now? Even if it’s a weed on the road, are you saying that a prisoner being transferred could do such a thing?”

“I’m sorry….”

The adjutant lowered his head at Kwell’s words.

“However… it’s become difficult. I didn’t expect the prisoner to die like this… people from the Imperial Capital will be coming soon.”

“Besides, it’s the young masters’ first achievement….”

“That’s not important.”

It was a situation where the person who should have received it couldn’t receive it anyway. Kwell had a relieved face because it was a troublesome matter from the beginning.

“Rather, I’ll be blamed for not managing the prisoner properly.”

‘Especially since the First Prince’s faction is likely to latch onto this issue.’

Kwell lightly bit his lip.

* * *

‘Then, Prince Ruon won’t stay still.’

Carryl thought, looking out the window at the soldiers moving busily.

‘He’s like a snake, so he’ll naturally try to censure Father with this matter.’

Carryl muttered quietly.

“But not right now.”

Considering the merits Kwell had accumulated, it was by no means easy for the Emperor to punish him.

Besides, he was carrying out an imperial order.

In a way, this was an incident that happened in the mansion, so it was nearly impossible to recall him, who had set out to carry out the eradication of heretics.

‘And Father is one of the five Sword Masters on the continent. He’s like a symbol of the Empire.’

But the Prince is not the Emperor.

No matter how important Kwell is to the Empire, his position changes if he’s someone who opposes him.

He would try to inflict damage in any way possible.

‘If my memory is correct, Father will subjugate the Meken and Surma tribes in the northern and southern regions on this expedition.’

About a year until Kwell returns.

‘Maybe it’s a good thing.’

Because they were quite large among the northern barbarians, the subjugation was not easy, so it took longer than expected.

Thinking again.

‘That means Father is safe during that time.’

And again.

‘It’s also the time I need to find the spy from the Lurein Duchy and prepare evidence for a rebuttal.’