The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 282

191. Destination

“Quickly assess the current situation in the Duchy!”

“To think we still don’t know who’s ruling the Duchy after the civil war ended…”

“What on earth are the agents doing?!”

The Imperial conference room was bustling with people day and night.

Contrary to the experts’ predictions that the civil war between Tuli and Fran would last longer, it ended abruptly.

But what shocked the Empire was not only Tuli’s death but also the fact that only one of the seven Dukes survived.

Bonitos, the 6th Duke, was the only survivor, which came as a shock to the Empire. Even Bonitos, the sole heir, relinquished his position not long after, leaving the Duchy without a ruler.

“There’s less chaos than expected.”

“There are rumors that foreigners intervened in their civil war. Did Fran really bring them in?”

“Well… I met the 2nd Duke a few times before. He was very proud as a Duke. The intervention of foreigners… frankly, it’s hard to imagine.”

Unlike the commotion in the conference room, quiet conversations took place in the room inside.

However, it was clear from the faces of those sitting at the table that more important decisions were made here than by those running around.

Prime Minister Brin Inique, Court Wizard Cardin Luer, and Knight Commander Belin Valention.

It goes without saying that the gathering of three of the four Grand Dukes held power comparable to the Emperor.

“What do you think?”

They were all looking at one place.

At the end of the table.

Surprisingly, a boy was sitting there.

“We need to investigate the details of the civil war further. The speech given on the last day of the funeral at the White Bunker. You all know the report about that.”

It was none other than Oliven Schtean.

Sitting at the head of the table so naturally, one would believe he was already the master of the Empire.

“The investigation into the McGovern family must proceed as soon as possible.”

Prime Minister Brin Inique spoke first.

“Hasn’t His Majesty already issued orders regarding that? You know that the McGovern family’s heirs are currently in Heim, the holy land of the Order [a powerful religious organization],” Court Wizard Cardin Luer retorted.

“Not all of them. Don’t you have one McGovern under you? Tiren McGovern, the second son. There are many rumors that you cherish him because he is quite bright… Even if you favor your disciple, you must distinguish between public and private matters.”

“Wha, what…!”

Cardin Luer frowned slightly at the Prime Minister’s words and said.

“You’re going too far, Prime Minister.”

“Am I wrong?”

Belin Valention, who was trying to stop them, couldn’t hide his discomfort. Because they were the ones who had supported the 1st Prince, Ruon, in the past.

With the price of failure in the Southern Expedition and the blame for the poisoning of the 3rd Prince, Cromen, the forces supporting Ruon had receded like the tide during the mourning period.

The only one who hadn’t given up hope and was struggling was the Empress.

She was trying to recover through her brother, Marquis Vestal of the Thistle Knights, who was her only supporter, but the knights who already had their hearts set on Oliven would not follow him, a puppet commander.

In the end, they had no choice but to be cautious.

It was certainly awkward to fall out with Cardin Luer, who had supported Oliven from the beginning.

“Even if they are brothers from the same family, the paths they walk can be different. I heard that recently, he has been holding discussions with Bran, the nephew of Baron Harun, gathering talented individuals. How admirable is that.”

The Knight Commander unusually praised the Court Wizard.

“Hmph… Instead of praising others, take good care of your subordinates. Didn’t he return from the South after being out of touch for months and immediately go to Heim?”

However, the Prime Minister still looked displeased and dragged even the Commander down this time.

‘That crazy bastard… If you’re going to lower your tail, do it properly. Prince Ruon is already finished,’ the Commander thought, glaring at the Prime Minister.

Oliven, as if reading his thoughts, said with a faint smile.

“I understand your opinions well. However, Heim is a place that cannot be treated carelessly, even by the Empire. Moreover, it is a place that His Majesty cherishes… We will have to wait and see regarding that matter.”

“But even if it’s the family, I think we need to deal with Kwell McGovern.”

“What justification would we have? His son is the problem, but he is still a loyal subject of the Empire. He should act according to his reputation as the greatest swordsman on the continent… Where did he pick up those children…”

At Oliven’s words, the Prime Minister mumbled and then realized his mistake.

Tiren, Cardin Luer’s disciple whom he had mentioned earlier, was also Kwell’s adopted son.

As an aristocrat to the bone, it was something he could never get used to.

“Wh, what should we do…”

“We need to clarify his position. The mourning period is over. Tatur is now a force to be reckoned with, and if there are foreigners behind him, they are enemies of the Empire.”

“We need to see if he can draw his sword for the Empire, even if it’s his son.”

“Conversely, how about using him to take Tatur? It’s a strategic point in the middle of the Fournine River. We can use it as a base to subjugate the Istria Three Kingdoms.”

The Prime Minister said with a look of dawning realization, as if trying to make up for his earlier mistake.

“The Istria Three Kingdoms are also at war, but the situation is unusual. No, we should now call it the Istria Four Kingdoms. Princess Viola’s army, which seceded from the Fenria Kingdom, is devouring the remaining three kingdoms.”

“Now is the perfect opportunity to target them, weakened by the war. We should rather try to appease them…”

“That will be difficult. His Majesty wants Carryl, that man’s head.”

At the Prime Minister’s words, Belin Valention nodded with a low sigh.

“The Emperor we know will surely choose war.”

“Then we must prepare to march out immediately. If Carryl has the heretics of both the North and South under his control…”

The three Dukes’ faces hardened slightly.

Although the heretics in the North had been hit hard by the Edict of Heretic Extermination [a decree to eliminate heretics], the subsequent conquest was delayed due to the unexpected death of Cromen.

There were still many survivors.

“Before that, he ordered that family matters be resolved within the family. But if that’s not possible, he might step in himself.”

The Prime Minister spoke first.

“Is there no possibility that he will betray us?”

The Court Wizard asked, looking slightly worried.

“Even a Sword Master is human. There are definitely limits. He has earth-shattering power, but he can’t handle hundreds, thousands… no, tens of thousands of soldiers alone. Even if he betrays us, he can’t be a threat to the Empire,” Knight Commander Belin Valention said confidently in response to Cardin Luer’s words.

“But we should give him a chance first. I think His Majesty has provided a place for him to resolve his family’s private matters.”

The holy land of the Order.

It was a place where only the chosen ones could enter, so no one could know what happened inside.

“I am sorry to ask, but what should the Prince do in the future…”

The Dukes’ gazes were fixed on Oliven.

“I…”

He opened his mouth without hesitation, as if he already had something in mind.

* * *

“This is it.”

As soon as he returned to Tatur, Israfil pulled out one of the scenes recorded in the Superior Eye [a magical artifact for surveillance].

Carryl scanned the Blood Cave, seemingly moved by the familiar scenery.

“Hmm. This is the magic of the ancients.”

As the magic mirror created by Israfil disappeared as if seeping into Carryl’s eyes, Carryl felt as if he were actually in the Blood Cave.

“Yes, you can be absorbed into the recorded video. You can touch objects, but because it’s a recorded video, they can’t recognize us.”

“I see. That’s really good for intelligence activities. We can investigate the surroundings more closely.”

“DuShalla has already ordered us to implant the Superior Eye magic in the Empire and the Istria Three Kingdoms.”

Carryl nodded at his answer with a knowing look.

“Now. The three people entering the Blood Cave… Isn’t that Prince Oliven?”

At Israfil’s words, Carryl turned his head. The three people entering the cave were all wearing pure white robes and covering their faces, but only one of them wasn’t.

The meaning of the robe was obvious without explanation.

Wooden Cloud [a mysterious organization].

“…”

But in another sense, Carryl’s face hardened as he looked at the boy in the magic mirror.

“Did Prince Oliven let his guard down? Taking off his robe in front of the cave.”

‘This bastard… is he watching?’

Unlike Israfil’s words, Carryl snorted at Oliven in the magic mirror with a dumbfounded expression.

“He showed it on purpose.”

“…Yes?!”

At Carryl’s words, Israfil asked back with a surprised face.

“He’s looking exactly this way. I don’t know how, but he knew he was being watched. Rather, he openly revealed his identity.”

“…What’s the reason?”

“Obvious.”

Come and meet me.

Carryl could immediately understand what Oliven’s eyes meant.

It was ridiculous, but he was the one who had been with him for the longest time.

“But I don’t know who the people on either side are. I’ve asked DuShalla, but…”

“No need to investigate.”

“Yes?”

“I think I know who they are. One is from the Order. I’ve met him before.”

Israfil made a dumbfounded expression at Carryl’s words.

‘Joy Johansel.’

Although he was covering his face with a robe, he remembered his unique gait and shoulder movements.

During the time Carryl had been with him from the Order to the Fire Dragon’s lair, he had seen his behavior.

‘But why is that guy…’

It was unexpected.

He wasn’t particularly unique.

If he had to pick one, it was that he was the Emperor’s former healer when the Emperor entrusted himself to the Order for recuperation.

Carryl first saw him at the banquet hosted by Baron Beril in the Istria Three Kingdoms and approached him, remembering what had happened then.

‘I suspected Wooden Cloud from the relationship between him and the Emperor, but…’

No.

‘If Joy Johansel was Oliven’s man, it wouldn’t be strange for both of them to be Wooden Cloud.’

He learned from Tuli that Wooden Cloud was trying to kill the Emperor.

Perhaps Joy Johansel was not there to treat the Emperor but was an assassin to kill him perfectly.

‘With a kind face, he did well…’

But his plan failed due to Carryl’s intervention, and he ended up going to the Fire Dragon’s lair with him to get the Emperor’s cure.

‘That means the Emperor is unlikely to be Wooden Cloud.’

Certainly, the reason why Wooden Cloud tried to poison the Emperor, whose usefulness had diminished, also made sense.

The pieces were falling into place one by one.

And one more person.

“Who is that guy…”

But even Carryl didn’t have a clue about the other person next to him.

“What are you going to do?”

“If he told me to come, I have to go.”

“Yes?”

“I was going to clean up after he ascended to the throne, but if he invites me like this, I won’t avoid it either. The prelude to the Imperial War will begin here.”

Carryl opened his mouth as if speaking to Oliven, looking at his face reflected in the magic mirror.

“To Heim.”

* * *

“Yes, to Heim.”

Oliven nodded and said in a low voice to the gathered Dukes.

“I will go there.”

As if by promise, they chanted at the same time at that moment.