The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 26

24. One Step Ahead

“The Slave King, you say…? I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting,” Su-an said, snorting, his face still swollen.

“Well, I admit it sounds a bit much, but that’s what the other races call you. It’s because of the rumors that you’ve been helping slaves escape from the Empire and sending them to Tatur [a free city known for accepting escaped slaves] to find freedom, even before Father’s Edict of Heresy Extermination.”

Kahlil narrowed his eyes slightly at those words.

‘Su-an Hazar was the Slave King from those rumors?’

Even before the Empire’s Edict of Heresy Extermination, the battles between the Empire and the other races continued.

Most of those captured among the other races who survived became slaves of the nobles.

One person spirited them away with uncanny skill, sending them back to the north or to the free city of Tatur.

‘Moreover, a figure who rose to prominence with tremendous force in people’s mouths after the Edict of Heresy Extermination began.’

That was,

The Slave King.

‘A hero of the other races.’

But one day, he suddenly vanished without a trace.

As if his very existence had disappeared.

‘……!!’

Kahlil’s eyes widened.

‘I see. So that’s how it is.’

A flash of thought.

He slowly nodded.

‘The Slave King, who had built up such a powerful force that he was called the Slave King, disappeared exactly after the Edict of Heresy Extermination was abolished.’

He didn’t create his own power or influence compared to his fame.

That’s why it was puzzling, but soon he disappeared from people’s memories.

‘The Slave King and Olivern joined hands.’

If so, it makes sense.

‘If Su-an Hazar is the Slave King, it’s not strange that he knows how to ride the currents of the Pona River.’

The most treacherous river on the continent.

But if he had ridden such a river hundreds of times over the years to help those captured as slaves escape, his ghostly helmsmanship was understandable enough.

After Olivern Stehan ascended to the throne.

‘Su-an Hazar, who was the Slave King, reappeared as the master of the Rabat Guild.’

Kahlil looked at a young boy.

A series of events.

One person disappeared, and another appeared.

But both had a presence that would leave their names in the history of the Empire.

The two were originally the same person, and behind it all was the Second Imperial Prince, Olivern Stehan.

“Father? Now that I see it, you’re the son of a great man. Which one are you? The first? Or the second? Rumor has it the third is a lost cause,” Su-an Hazar said to Olivern with a nonchalant expression.

“Insolent.”

The knight standing next to Olivern said with a growl.

The white-haired old knight was exuding a spirit that didn’t match his age.

‘Jarvant, that old geezer even came along. It would be troublesome to get involved.’

Kahlil frowned slightly at him.

Count Jarvant Redak.

The fencing instructor of the three imperial princes and the commander of the Red Knights, one of the imperial guard.

He didn’t have the title of Duke, but his influence was not to be taken lightly.

Moreover, even at the age of seventy, his swordsmanship skills were by no means inferior to those of renowned knights.

‘One of the old monsters who roamed the battlefield most actively even after the oracle [a divine proclamation or prophecy].’

Thinking of the four people who came to mind, including him, Kahlil shook his head lightly.

“My introduction was late. I thought my face was quite well-known, though.”

At Su-an’s words, Olivern said with a calm expression.

He nodded lightly, as if treating a nobleman.

“I am the Second Imperial Prince, Olivern Stehan.”

“…….”

Even after hearing that name, Su-an’s expression remained unchanged.

“You……!!”

As if he could no longer tolerate the rude behavior, Jarvant took a step closer to the bars.

“Enough.”

But Olivern stopped the old knight and knelt down this time, meeting Su-an’s eyes at his eye level.

“There is something I want to ask of you.”

“Your Highness……!”

Olivern said to Su-an in a calm tone.

“Please, help me.”

“Kuh… Kukuk.”

Su-an chuckled at his words.

“My lord, I, as a humble person, do not understand what you are saying at all. How can a great member of the Imperial Family ask me for help? What can I do?”

It was clearly a sarcastic tone.

Enmity was felt in his voice.

“I want to save the other races.”

“…….”

“As you know, many of the northern other races are dying. Although I am humble now, they are also citizens of the continent. I believe that everyone, whether they are imperial citizens or other races, is equal.”

Su-an’s eyebrows twitched.

“I want to save them even a little. Please, I hope you will help me.”

Clack-

Su-an raised his hand.

“5 gold per member of the other races. That’s enough money for a citizen of the royal capital to live for five months. Only those who give me that money to live can cross the river.”

“Do you need money? I can give you as much as you want.”

Olivern’s expression was serious.

Kahlil stole a glance at his face and bit his lip without realizing it.

Uprightness and purity.

‘That’s how you looked, you.’

Even he in his previous life was fascinated by that appearance.

“But do you know what kind of place Tatur is, where they barely get in after paying that money?”

Su-an’s voice echoed in the prison.

He spread out his five fingers and folded four of them. Only the middle finger, standing upright, was pointing at Olivern.

“They have to give 4 gold to that damn Gold Lion [a powerful figure or organization controlling Tatur]. And the remaining 1 gold is the price of their life. They don’t all live even after paying the money.”

“…….”

“Is this really a problem that can be solved with money? I don’t know how many I’ve had to take there with my own hands and watch them die… I don’t know if the great prince knows that.”

Su-an’s eyes shone coldly.

“Of course, there are those who don’t die even after flipping the coin. Instead, they become slaves of the Gold Lion. The place they escaped to for freedom is a place where they become slaves again because they don’t want to die.”

Crunch-

“I never saved them. I wanted to save them, but I couldn’t. So…….”

At that moment,

Kahlil felt something was wrong.

‘The red eyes on the left…….’

He rummaged through the memories of his previous life.

‘He was wearing an eye patch.’

From the first time they met until the end, he had never seen his left eye.

‘Could it be…….’

Only then did Kahlil realize why Su-an hated the Empire so much.

Much longer ago than his own tribe.

A survivor of the Agui tribe, who were exterminated by the Empire.

“Do whatever you want, kill me or let me live. Don’t call me by the damn name of Slave King, and get out.”

“You bastard……!!!”

Jarvant roared, ready to cut his throat at any moment with a beast-like appearance.

Clang—!!!

Behind the echoing iron bars.

Su-an Hazar said in a cold voice.

“If you want to become such a wise ruler who wants to save the other races, give me at least Tatur. The land where they can live.”

Kahlil raised the corners of his mouth without realizing it at that sight.

‘To be so confident in front of the prince. He’s different from the Su-an Hazar I knew. So many things must have happened during those three years.’

The Su-an Hazar he first met felt calmer. He didn’t have such a wild, untamed feeling.

‘I like it.’

Kahlil chuckled and continued to watch the two.

“It will take some time. In the meantime, I will not give up on you. You are too good to die like this,” Olivern said quietly to Su-an.

“We’ll meet again.”

* * *

‘So that’s how it is…….’

Kahlil looked at Su-an Hazar.

‘I just thought he was the master of a merchant guild with outstanding abilities… I never thought there would be such an inside story.’

His mouth was bitter.

If,

If he hadn’t come into the world at this time, would he have known this fact?

But.

‘Nothing changes.’

He knew very well how he had changed after all, after ascending to the throne.

‘You want to save the other races?’

……You?

Kahlil wanted to come out from behind the ceiling and shout in his face right away.

‘What a load of crap.’

Thud-

At that moment,

A soldier who was standing guard suddenly collapsed to the floor like a doll with a broken string.

“Did you unlock it all?”

“……!!!”

“Then get up.”

Su-an was startled and hid his moving arms behind his back.

“I unintentionally saw something interesting. Even if I just waited, Olivern would definitely tell them to release you tomorrow.”

Su-an raised his head and looked at Kahlil at the suddenly appearing figure.

“But I don’t want to waste a day unnecessarily. This side knows how precious time is.”

He was younger than himself.

The moment he saw Kahlil’s appearance, Su-an made an absurd expression.

“……Who are you?”

But at his reaction, Kahlil took out a gold coin from his arms with a calm expression.

“The fare to cross the Pona River.”

Su-an frowned as he looked at the five gold coins placed in front of him and looked at him.

“But after hearing the story, I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. I wouldn’t have given it to the Gold Lion in the first place.”

“What…….”

Kahlil’s eyes flashed.

‘Olivern, it was clearly an opportunity that came to you first. But you failed. Then I’ll do it this time.’

Kahlil smiled lightly as he looked at him with an expression that he couldn’t understand.

“Su-an Hazar.”

Kahlil’s voice echoed in the prison.

“I’ll give you Tatur.”