The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 23

21. The Destination of Two People

The current structure of the continent can be broadly divided into four regions.

To the North lies a collection of various tribes.

However, they remain divided into smaller factions, preventing them from uniting and wielding significant power.

Aside from these tribes, the continent is dominated by three major powers.

In the East, the Empire stands as the most powerful force, undeniably the strongest on the continent.

To the West lies the Principality of Lurein, which once reigned supreme but has been weakened by Kaie Esir and the Empire, now seeking to reclaim its former glory.

In the South are Istan, Tvanel, and Penria.

These three small kingdoms, known as the Istria Three Kingdoms, are sandwiched between the Empire and the Principality.

Although the Empire’s power is formidable, the forces in the east, west, and south are currently locked in a tense power struggle, maintained by the checks and balances from the Principality of Lurein and the Istria Three Kingdoms.

Amidst this delicate balance came startling news.

‘A spy from the Principality of Lurein infiltrated the Empire, causing a stir within the territory of none other than Kwell McGovern, the esteemed Sword of the Empire.’

This incident sent shockwaves through the imperial palace.

“What are your thoughts?”

The voice was high-pitched, yet carried considerable authority.

Within a meticulously maintained garden deep within the Imperial Palace, a man with abundant, curly blond hair twisted a lock between his fingers.

This was the First Imperial Prince, Ruon Schtean.

“It seems premature to draw any conclusions.”

“Hmm…”

An elderly man with sparse white hair, Prime Minister Brin Inique, stood nearby.

The wrinkles etched on his face spoke of his long years, and his eyes, of unfathomable depth, hinted at the keenest insight in the Empire.

Or perhaps, they simply masked an utterly inscrutable nature.

He spoke in a measured tone.

“However…”

“Hmm?”

“Since the spy is dead, further investigation into the details is impossible. Nevertheless, those who were negligent in their duty of managing him should be held accountable.”

Ruon nodded, seemingly pleased with Brin’s assessment.

One of the four Great Feudal Lords, Dukes, of the Empire, Brin Inique was the longest-serving among them. The fact that such a man supported the First Imperial Prince, Ruon, solidified Ruon’s confidence in his position, a confidence he had held since birth.

“I heard the one who apprehended the spy was a child.”

“That is correct. He is said to be an adopted son recently taken in by Lord Kwell. He’s only 12 years old.”

“Truly remarkable. The Count’s eye for talent is outstanding. He had six siblings, didn’t he? It’s a pity that such a person harbored other intentions.”

“Do not worry.”

Brin Inique said in a low voice.

“There’s no guarantee that all children will follow their father’s will.”

“Like us?”

It was a self-deprecating remark, but Brin maintained his smile, understanding the hidden meaning in Ruon’s words.

“Even if he’s talented, he’s just a child. If Your Highness extends a hand first, it shouldn’t be difficult to secure his loyalty.”

“Yes, it’s worth considering.”

“However… there is one peculiar detail.”

“What is it?”

“The Count’s sixth son, who caught the Goblin Chief, is not currently at the mansion.”

“Why?”

“Well… could he have embarked on knightly training? Perhaps there’s a special lesson unique to martial families, but when we sent someone to inquire, he had already departed.”

Ruon frowned slightly at Brin Inique’s words.

“The management of the prisoners is Kwell’s fault, but his achievement in capturing the Goblin Chief is commendable. If he had remained, the imperial palace would have certainly rewarded him, yet he left?”

‘Why?’

His mind was troubled.

‘Kwell sided with that fellow Ollivon. He must be trying to cover up the crime of neglecting prisoner management with the sixth son’s achievement.’

“Strange.”

“Whether he likes it or not, he must carry out the subjugation order in the frontier. He won’t be able to come to the capital for at least several months. Is he implying that he has earned enough merit on his own to buy time?”

Unaware of the events at the mansion, the two could only speculate.

“Your Highness must solidify your position in the meantime.”

“I know.”

Ruon nodded.

‘Regardless of the means, I must make talented individuals my own people.’

The most influential figures in the capital.

Naturally, the four Dukes.

‘Among them, only the Prime Minister has clearly expressed his intentions.’

Ruon looked at Brin Inique.

The remaining three Dukes.

Bellin Valention, the commander of the Empire’s Seven Knights, and Cardin Ruer, the court mage and tutor of the three imperial princes.

‘These two are still neutral.’

The last one.

Duke Nil Blanc, about whom only rumors circulate, and no one within the Empire has ever seen his face.

‘Excluding him, the ones who ultimately move the Empire are these three Dukes.’

Ruon’s eyes flashed.

‘I must make them all my own people.’

Before they are taken away.

“Hoo…”

He slowly closed his eyes.

He imagined the vast, fertile lands and beautiful rivers of the Empire all lying beneath his feet.

It was then.

“I have come to pay my respects.”

A voice that mercilessly shattered his pleasant fantasy.

Ruon opened his eyes.

Brown hair, unlike his own abundant blond hair. A neat face and tanned skin, not befitting a noble imperial family member who only stays within the imperial palace.

The Second Imperial Prince, Ollivon Schtean.

Ruon spoke to Ollivon with a touch of annoyance.

“Respects? You to me? How touching. I thought we didn’t bother with such formalities.”

The starkly different appearances of the two revealed that the blood flowing through their veins was also different.

Ruon looked at him and smiled.

The gentle smile spreading across his pale face was exceedingly beautiful, but the cold energy felt in his eyes was clearly sharp.

“I will likely be away from the imperial palace for quite some time.”

“Again? You really enjoy wandering around outside. An imperial family member should uphold their dignity.”

He shook his head.

“Don’t worry. Either way, the palace has been peaceful until now, whether you’re here or not. And it will continue to be so.”

A statement denying his very existence.

Ruon waved his hand dismissively at Ollivon.

The conversation ended with just a few words.

“Brother, have you heard of the Slave King?”

Despite Ruon’s coldness, Ollivon still spoke in a calm tone.

“Are you referring to the one who has been helping slaves and ethnic minorities escape for several years? It’s been more of a problem since the Edict of Heresy Extermination [an official decree to eliminate unorthodox beliefs or practices], and I’ve heard about it from time to time. King? That’s an undeserved title for such a bandit.”

“I heard he was captured recently.”

“How? Even though Father specially dispatched soldiers to catch him, it proved difficult.”

Ruon showed interest in Ollivon’s words.

“Well, Baron Harun arrested him. He was lucky.”

“…”

Ruon’s face hardened at the mention of Harun’s name.

“So?”

“No, it’s just that I thought you should know, Brother.”

Ollivon, noticing Ruon’s indifferent reaction, nodded with a strange expression and said.

“Such trivial matters are none of my concern. The sun is hot. I’ll go inside now.”

He had no interest in what happened to the Slave King. However, what he disliked was something else.

Baron Harun.

He was a knight who supported the Second Imperial Prince along with Kwell McGovern.

Ollivon nodded once more at Ruon’s words, using it as a farewell, and left the garden.

“He’s still occupied with useless endeavors. Paying attention to such a bandit in this situation.”

He lowered his voice, displeased.

“That’s right.”

The Prime Minister also laughed lightly.

It seemed dignified, but it was undoubtedly a sneer.

‘Kwell or Harun… why did they choose such a rootless fellow?’

The second one, not me.

No matter how much he pondered, he could only laugh in vain, unable to comprehend. The suitable successor was only himself, the eldest son.

‘Wait. Baron Harun? Then, where he’s going is…’

At that moment, he licked his lips slightly as if something had come to mind.

“I must go see Father.”

“…”

Brin Inique knew well that whenever he made such an expression, he would devise plans that he had never conceived of before.

The contents of his plans were all different, but they were all equally cruel.

* * *

“Hoo…”

Despite the approaching autumn, the midday sun was still scorching.

Caryl lightly wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked back.

The edge of the McGovern territory.

Just a little further and it would truly be the beginning of another world.

‘By now, there must have been quite a commotion. Or perhaps not? Perhaps my disappearance is of no significance.’

He smiled bitterly.

However, he did not anticipate that the existence of the McGovern family’s sixth son would be a topic of discussion between the princes in the capital, thousands of kilometers away in the frontier.

With just one achievement, he had made a stronger impression than anyone else.

‘What I need to do from now on.’

First, find evidence of the Principality of Lurein’s spy within half a year.

‘I need to consider this carefully. The information Baker confessed is ultimately only at the level that Gaji knows.’

Second, learn high-level magic.

‘The magic books in Einherjar only contain low-level magic of the 1st and 2nd class. I haven’t unlocked my bloodline yet, but thanks to the Bracelet of Greed, I can now manipulate mana within my body.’

The foundation has been laid.

However, to learn higher classes of magic, he ultimately needed to know how to unlock his bloodline.

‘There are two places on the continent where you can learn magic.’

The Ivory Tower, where the Dawn Society is located, and the Antihum Grand Library, overseen by the Immortal Society.

The natures of the two magic societies are starkly different.

‘The Dawn Society, which has deep ties with the imperial family, is a magic society that trains combat mages, not just simple mages.’

One of the Empire’s four Dukes.

Cardin Ruer, the court mage, was also a grand mage from this Ivory Tower.

‘On the other hand, the Immortal Society, which focuses solely on researching magic.’

Black mage Nine Darhon.

This place, headed by him, specializes in the exploration of magic and curse magic rather than combat, but befitting its reputation as a grand library, it also possesses the most magic books on the continent.

‘The problem is that I can’t go to either place right now.’

Because all the magic books in both places are only accessible to mages who belong to them.

‘But.’

Besides those two places, there’s only one place.

‘There’s a place where I can acquire magic books.’

Caryl slowly raised his head.

The blue sea was sparkling as if sprinkled with glass.

‘Nar Di Maugh’s Lair.’

Moreover, he might know a way to unlock my blocked bloodline, which is different from humans.

‘But this is also impossible right now.’

First of all, the distance is too far.

If I travel by land, it will take at least a year.

‘Many events will unfold on the continent in the meantime.’

I need to be at the center of it.

‘Besides, he’s still asleep, and even the guardians around the lair are beyond my current abilities.’

Then finally, one resolution I made when leaving Einherjar.

To make contributions not for the Empire, but for the continent, and to proudly make my name known.

‘A stepping stone to achieve that.’

A base.

The sea was visible in the distance.

Numerous ships docked there came into view.

‘The only city on the continent without a king.’

The only land that later became a sanctuary for the surviving ethnic minorities after the Edict of Heresy Extermination was repealed.

The Free City, Tatur.

‘I will obtain that place.’

Caryl’s eyes shone.

He slowly moved his feet.