The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 274

188. Frost Highlands (1)

“Calypso.”

“Speak.”

Calypso’s attitude toward Carryl shifted as he recalled the events at the ice spring a short while ago.

‘A Spirit King, no less…’

A fierce flame that defied the spring’s chill, and a will of its own.

It was Laminu, the Fire Spirit King, without a doubt.

Calypso had heard snippets of Carryl’s exploits, but he hadn’t realized the extent of his power, possessing the might of the Explosion King.

To the gnomes, who share a deep connection with earth and fire akin to the dwarves, Laminu is akin to a deity.

Thus, his increased caution and respect toward Carryl was a natural consequence.

“Can you create an exact replica of this?”

Carryl asked, presenting the Necklace of Revelation.

“So precise that even a dragon would be deceived.”

“Hmm…”

Calypso scrutinized the jewel embedded within the necklace and replied,

“Replicating the appearance isn’t impossible, but I can’t duplicate the unique magical energy that flows within it.”

“I’ll handle that. The magic of the Demon Realm bears similarities to necromancy, so I should be able to acquire it soon.”

Carryl nodded. He gestured toward Jarka Hochi, who stood behind him, indicating that his next destination was the place with the puppetry to revive him.

“If we’re only concerned with the appearance, there’s a way. However, we’ll require an intense fire for tempering, as it’s a delicate process. Something like your flame…”

Calypso licked his lips, asking cautiously.

“It’s not a difficult task.”

“…Really?”

“A gnome I once knew constantly lamented that his fire was too weak to forge quality weapons.”

“Hmm?”

Carryl offered a subtle smile.

“It’s just like when you mentioned the survivors of the Gnome Kingdom… I was somewhat skeptical then, but it seems you truly have a connection with the gnomes. Please extend my gratitude to him. Tell him he’s welcome anytime.”

Carryl nodded at Calypso’s words.

“I will. He’ll likely hear those words from many in the future.”

As before, Carryl couldn’t reveal that the only gnome he truly knew was himself in the future.

But he vowed to shape his future into something less bleak than he knew it to be.

‘When the War of the Oracle erupts, the weapons you forge will be instrumental in saving the world.’

He said to Calypso,

“I intend to return to Tatur [a city known for its skilled artisans] after this is resolved. I’ll instruct Dushala to acquire several 7-faceted Red Stones and imbue them with Laminu’s power. Only the highest grade can contain even a fraction of the Explosion King’s power.”

“7… 7-faceted?!”

“Why the surprise? You saw them in Tatur a few years ago.”

Carryl chuckled at his reaction.

“That was… not long ago. A few… where did you obtain something like that?”

“There’s a magic mine in the Istria Three Kingdoms. The power of the Gnome Kingdom will likely be in high demand. I’ll procure the soulstones needed to create the activation stones separately, but I’d like to entrust you with crafting the attribute stones for the existing general golems.”

“Huh… Are you saying that 7-faceted stones are mined there?”

“Indeed.”

Calypso’s eyes widened with excitement.

Dwarves excel in mineral technology, but gnomes are unmatched in gem cutting.

Beyond a mere fondness for shiny objects, it was a pursuit of challenges to their skills.

In essence, it was the domain of true artisans.

‘He’s taken the bait.’

Carryl’s lips curved into a smile at Calypso’s reaction, which displayed even greater enthusiasm than when he offered to protect their lives as a condition for the alliance with the Gnome Kingdom.

“If you ally with us, I plan to provide you with more than just that. You’ll probably need it when crafting the necklace’s jewel… I should inform Miliana in advance.”

“What else is there besides the 7-faceted stones?”

“There’s a mineral called Three-Way Quartz that grows in the magic caves in the southern region. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

Calypso nodded.

“Isn’t it commonly used in noble crafts? I’m familiar with it because I received numerous requests when I was in Tatur. It’s as transparent as glass but remarkably durable, making it popular among noble ladies.”

Carryl scoffed.

“It’s a waste to relegate it to luxury items for superficial nobles. You’ve handled it, yet you haven’t recognized the mineral’s true potential? Attribute stones possess inherent attributes, but quartz is a non-attribute mineral, allowing you to infuse it with magic power.”

“Infuse it with magic power, huh…”

“Potions created through alchemy primarily heal wounds. However, by infusing magic power into quartz and grinding it into powder, you can create potions that restore magic power. But the truly significant aspect lies elsewhere.”

The weapons in the War of the Oracle.

It was an order he had given casually, but he never forgot it.

“It’s effective against undead, such as spirit bodies, which can only be harmed by magic power.”

He couldn’t mention the corruption in advance, but that alone was sufficient.

‘Not only that, but it’s also fatal to the damned demons.’

He refrained from uttering those final words.

But he repeated them inwardly several times.

Because after realizing that he was responsible for summoning the demons who opened the gate to the Demon Realm and ravaged the continent, he struggled to quell his anger.

“Infuse it with magic power… Infuse it with magic power, huh…”

For some reason, Calypso seemed fixated on something beyond Carryl’s explanation, repeating the same words repeatedly.

“By any chance… are there abundant attribute stones in the magic mine?”

“You can acquire as many as you need, at least.”

“Even if they’re broken and unusable?”

“As many as you desire.”

At Carryl’s nonchalant response, Calypso’s eyes sparkled with newfound interest.

“Why? Is there something you wish to attempt?”

“It may sound absurd, but… if we temper it with the spring’s cold and your flame, which are fundamentally incompatible, it might be possible.”

“What is?”

“The synthesis of attribute stones.”

“…”

Carryl maintained a composed expression, but he couldn’t suppress his surprise at Calypso’s words.

“It’s impossible through conventional means. However, it’s different if you utilize quartz, which can hold magic power, as a medium. Of course… it’s merely a theory at this point.”

“No, it’s brilliant.”

“What?”

“I’ll provide you with all the support you require. Use as much as you need. Rest assured, this isn’t a condition of the alliance. Instead, if you succeed in creating a non-attribute attribute stone, may I have the first use of it?”

Calypso, who anticipated dismissal, looked at him with surprise as he instead rejoiced.

“How can you be so sure of my success?”

“The fact that someone conceived such an idea is remarkable. It’s impossible without the necessary skills.”

Carryl chuckled at Calypso’s words.

“If you succeed, it will be a historic achievement. It will empower countless individuals.”

“Wings?”

Calypso tilted his head, puzzled.

‘And also, thanks to you, I will be able to keep the promise I made.’

The 교도 [Gyo-do, possibly a misspelling of 궤도, meaning orbit or track] Mercenary Corps’ airship.

Carryl nodded with satisfaction, envisioning the activation stone that Calypso would create.

‘I expected him to attend Cromen’s funeral, but he didn’t appear. He wouldn’t miss it without a reason… What is he doing?’

Carryl pondered about Gordon Fabian.

From a fate of succumbing to illness, his future has now changed, making his actions unpredictable.

But if Calypso completes the airship’s activation stone, he could use that as an excuse to meet him again.

“You’ve already designated where you’ll use it?”

Calypso, perceptive as ever, inquired.

“I’ll gather the worthy individuals among the northern tribes and assign them as guards for the Gnome Kingdom. The work will have to be done here near the spring, anyway.”

“Thank you.”

Carryl said to him.

“If you’re grateful, may I ask a favor in return?”

“Hmm?”

“It won’t be a difficult task.”

He offered a meaningful smile.

“Will you serve as bait?”

* * *

“Damn it…!! How could this happen…!”

“Shh! We need to leave here immediately!”

“I know! But there’s no escape. The port of Cobb is blockaded, and there’s no way to go north.”

A dark alleyway.

The urgent conversation of two figures hurrying along the deserted street continued.

“We have no choice but to rely on them… Our contract with them is still valid, so we must hide until things calm down.”

“Damn it…”

The voices exchanged were both male.

“I can’t believe Tuli lost.”

One voice was calm, while the other was rough, but the most noticeable difference was that one had the distinct accent of the Duchy, and the other spoke with the 말투 [mal-tu, a way of speaking or tone] used in the Imperial Capital.

“Let’s hurry.”

“Let’s go.”

The movements of the two figures in the darkness revealed their familiarity with concealing their presence.

But their skills were merely above average, far from the level of the entity observing them.

‘Just as 칼 [Kal, name of a person] said.’

Carryl’s lips curled as he watched the two men fleeing in the darkness.

They were none other than Redios and Douglas, members of Wooden Cloud, whom Carryl had been searching for since Azor.

As planned, they had confidently anticipated Tuli’s victory.

But when the tide of the war unexpectedly turned, they were unable to escape and were now hiding in the White Bunker.

The “them” they referred to were the gnomes. As they feared, Calypso extended an offer, which they readily accepted.

But the two would never know.

That the hand that reached out was actually Carryl’s, not Calypso’s.

“Jigra.”

The eyes that gleamed in the darkness initially appeared as one, then multiplied into two.

It was impossible to discern when he had arrived, as not a single sound accompanied his appearance.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Silently follow them. They’re heading to the Gnome Kingdom. I’ve already informed them in advance. If there’s someone backing them, confirm their identity; otherwise, eliminate them.”

“I will obey.”

“And after you complete this task, I’ll have you escort me to Tatur.”

Jigra offered a faint smile at Carryl’s words.

The rules of the Black Eye Clan.

To meet the leader, one must pay a corresponding price, but unfortunately, Jigra missed the opportunity to sever Tuli’s head.

Carryl was providing him with another chance to contribute through this mission before heading north.

“You’ve done enough.”

For Carryl to have a guard was laughable to those familiar with his abilities, but they understood that the position was not solely for protection.

The position to be beside him.

In other words, Carryl was granting Jigra a position where he could converse with him during the journey to Tatur.

Jigra slowly nodded and vanished into the darkness.

“I didn’t realize they were part of Wooden Cloud. They must be nobles from the Duchy as well…”

As he disappeared, a voice tinged with a slight sigh echoed.

“Those individuals are merely one of many branches. Considering that Tuli and Fran, influential figures from the Duke’s family in the Duchy, were already members of Wooden Cloud, it’s not surprising that these individuals are as well.”

“Hmm…”

“Furthermore, they’ve established deeper roots across the continent than we initially thought. They’re already connected to the Empire, and who knows? There might be their stooges in Tatur or the Istria Three Kingdoms. Eradicating them entirely won’t be easy.”

After everyone in the alley had vanished, Carryl turned around.

“But we must uproot the seeds.”

Listening to his words, Anthem Howard nodded.

“It will be a long journey.”

“It may be a more enduring aspiration than unifying the continent, but it’s a task we must undertake.”

Anthem Howard couldn’t help but stick out his tongue at Carryl’s audacity in casually mentioning continental unification.

But considering that everything except the Empire was already under his control, he knew it was no idle boast.

“But the reason you summoned me…”

Anthem, ever perceptive, surmised that Carryl hadn’t simply called him out to the street at this late hour to inform him about the two members of Wooden Cloud.

“Do you enjoy mazes?”

“…Yes?”

“There’s a place I need to visit with you. Even if we depart now, we’ll arrive in the morning, so we must hurry.”

“Ah, morning? Where are we going?”

“Frost Highlands.”

“…!!!”

Anthem couldn’t help but be startled by Carryl’s response.

Located north of the Duchy, the Ivory Tower, the sanctuary of the 여명회 [Yeomyeonghoe, meaning Dawn Society], and beyond that, the lair of the 염룡 [Yeom-ryong, meaning Flame Dragon], Lyseria.

If you travel west from the 화룡 [Hwa-ryong, another term for Flame Dragon]’s nest, this vast highland unfolds, where the sun rises and sets latest on the continent.

The highlands, perpetually shrouded in darkness, possess not only a unique atmosphere but also unusual monsters, making it classified as an S-class danger zone.

“It’s a place where people avoid… What’s the reason…? No, more importantly, even if we leave now, we won’t reach the highlands by morning.”

It was a land hundreds of kilometers to the north. No matter how much Anthem pondered, he couldn’t fathom how they could travel that far in just a few hours.

Peeeeeep―――!!!

Carryl, noticing his questioning gaze, casually put two fingers together and whistled.

“Have you ever ridden a drake?”

“…Yes?”

Anthem looked at him with a bewildered expression.

[Krrrrrrrrr…!!]

Anthem’s face paled as he watched the red 비룡 [Bi-ryong, meaning Flying Dragon or Wyvern] flapping its massive wings towards him from afar.

“Take a ride this time.”