The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 285

192. Heim (Heim) (3)

Kwell stared at Khalil, his expression hardening at his words.

“Khalil.”

“Father, please don’t misunderstand. I am a man of McGovern, but I stand before you now as the King of Tatur and the master of the South. I have no intention of interfering in the family matters that the Emperor mentioned.”

“…….”

“I heard the story from Mart. I also know that Randol and Jake are here. But Father, you must face reality. Authority outweighs blood ties. When authority shifts, mutual respect must also change.”

Khalil’s voice grew stronger.

“Lord Kwell.”

“…… Impudent!!”

At his words, Faiman, who had been silent until now, shouted, clenching his fist. But his attack never reached Khalil.

Whoong―!!

Khalil didn’t even glance at the fierce attack coming his way, his eyes fixed on Kwell.

Ssssseuk……!!

Suddenly, black smoke enveloped Faiman’s entire body, binding his arms like strong ropes. Dozens of tendrils of black smoke pierced the floor, pulling him down by his neck, waist, and legs.

“…… Keuk?!

Faiman’s body slowly collapsed, his face turning red as he struggled to breathe.

Koong―

Kneeling on one knee, he desperately tried to cut the black ropes constricting his neck, but the more he struggled, the tighter they became.

“Do you dare use the word ‘impudence’ before your king?”

Khalil said, looking down at Faiman, who was now at eye level with him.

“Of course not, right? My subordinates seem to agree. They find your actions rude, so you’d better be careful.”

“Keu…… Keuek!!”

As Khalil nodded, seeing Faiman’s pain, the smoke surrounding him vanished.

Instead, everyone’s attention turned to Israfil standing behind him.

‘It’s magic I’ve never seen before. What is that?’

‘Black smoke… Could it be the Immortals? They are not supposed to interfere with the politics of the continent… How?’

As if enjoying their questioning gazes, Khalil waved his hand. Israfil, looking slightly nervous, bowed his head.

Having received teachings from Allen Zavius, including summoning magic, Israfil had grown into a formidable magician, though not yet on par with the Ten of the Oracle.

‘The lack of time compared to my previous life isn’t just his problem.’

Just as Israfil, who possessed the talent to reach the ranks of Archmage, was only a 5th class mage, the three who would become Sword Masters were only Experts.

In fact, Israfil, whose talent bloomed later in his previous life, was now surpassing them.

Kwajik―

Khalil stepped forward, gently pressing his foot on Faiman’s palm, who was kneeling on the floor.

“Keuk.”

Faiman frowned but endured, unwilling to show any further weakness.

“Lord Kwell.”

“…… Your Highness Khalil. Don’t you think it’s rude to come to the residence of an Imperial Prince of the Empire in this manner, even if you are the king of another country?”

Kwell’s voice was cold.

It seemed unbecoming of the best swordsman on the continent, a sense of loss that he hadn’t known how worried he had been about Khalil until now.

“I know. I didn’t come here to meet the Imperial Prince, but to show you something, Lord Kwell.”

“…… To me? Are you saying that to me?”

Khalil placed his hand on his chest, looking at Kwell, who regarded him with doubtful eyes.

The three disciples were anxious, unsure of what he held in his hand.

But, contrary to their expectations, Khalil held only a small dagger in his palm.

“It’s Agnel. I found the scabbard that was lost some time ago.”

“…….”

Kwell looked at Khalil, not understanding why he was being shown the sword of a foreign tribe.

“By the way, while searching for the scabbard, I received a report about something in the Millennium Ice Cave in the north. It’s said that the supreme ice-attribute leaf called Cheonchangcho (天蒼草) [Heavenly Blue Grass] is growing inside. As an apology for my rudeness to His Majesty the Emperor, I wanted to inform him before leaving to find the leaf.”

“Cheon… Millennium Ice Cave?”

“Yes. It’s because the Seoseulgasi leaf [a fictional herb] I gave His Majesty before was too potent and caused side effects. Counteracting the heat with the opposite attribute will restore his health. However, it’s impossible with magic or secret arts.”

As he spoke, Khalil studied Kwell’s expression.

The mention of Cheonchangcho or the need to counteract the heat within the Emperor’s body were all lies.

It was a non-existent grass, and Khalil, who desired the Emperor’s death, would never save him.

What mattered was observing Kwell’s reaction to the news that he was going to the Millennium Ice Cave in the north.

‘In my previous life, you told me about the foreign tribes sealed in the Millennium Ice Cave. But I need to determine when you discovered the seal.’

In his previous life, Kwell ventured north when the Emperor’s Edict of Heresy was in effect.

If he had confirmed that the Blader of the Mythical Age was sealed at that time…

‘Even if he already knows why the foreign tribes lost their magic and who truly fought for this world, it wouldn’t be surprising.’

If he knew the truth, Khalil believed this was a perfect opportunity to use Mart, who was present, to sow suspicion in Kwell’s mind about Olivian’s involvement in Cromen’s poisoning, thus driving a wedge between them.

“I don’t know if the foreign tribes named it that way or if the name has been passed down from the beginning… It’s said to be a cave filled with massive ice pillars that have remained frozen for ages.”

“…….”

It was then.

Though his expression remained unchanged, Khalil sensed Kwell’s agitation.

Even when his disciples were subdued, his aura, usually as calm as a still lake, rippled subtly.

‘As expected.’

It was as he had anticipated.

‘He already seems to know that the foreign tribes are actually true god slayers.’

Khalil finished speaking about the Millennium Ice Cave as if he were ignorant of its secrets.

‘Now, the story about Cheonchangcho will reach Olivian’s ears as well. The one who desires the Emperor’s death will try to prevent me from telling the Emperor about the grass.’

That was enough.

He simply had to observe how Olivian would react in a situation where he wanted the Emperor dead but couldn’t directly kill him.

“Then, goodbye.”

Kwell lowered his hand, which had been reaching out to stop him.

He watched Khalil’s retreating figure with a complex expression, then let out a low sigh.

* * *

Ttok― Ttok―

Late at night.

At the sound of knocking, Khalil opened his eyes as if he had been waiting. He knew who would visit him at this late hour.

Tak―

With a flick of his finger, the door opened automatically.

“I greet the King of Tatur.”

A clear voice echoed in the room. Whether he had heard the story from Kwell or it was simply Olivian’s quick thinking, he tilted his head slightly towards Khalil, who was sitting inside the room.

When they had met in the Imperial Palace, Olivian had treated Khalil condescendingly. Remembering his previous life, Khalil smiled strangely at the fact that Olivian was now using honorifics for the first time.

“Please, sit down.”

As Khalil gestured, the teapot on the table floated up, and hot, steaming water poured into the teacup placed in front of Olivian.

Olivian watched the scene, subtly masking his surprise, and said,

“Your control of magic is excellent. It’s amazing that a swordsman can perform such delicate manipulations….”

“It’s just a trivial ability. Fortunately, I managed to break through the 6th class barrier, so it simply makes drinking tea a little more convenient.”

“…….”

At Khalil’s words, Olivian couldn’t easily discern whether he was telling the truth or not.

There was a significant gap between the 6th and 7th classes, but it was hard to believe that the swordsman was only one step away from becoming a great magician.

‘If it’s true, it’s astonishing that he possesses both the power of the Flame King and the mastery of magic.’

Olivian studied Khalil.

“Have a drink. Oh, don’t worry. There’s no poison.”

Khalil pointed to the teacup on Olivian’s side, as if to mockingly reference the incident with Cromen, then picked up his own and drank.

“…….”

Olivian’s face hardened slightly as he looked back and forth between Khalil, who spoke as if casually mentioning the incident with Cromen, and the steaming, transparent water.

“Your complexion doesn’t seem as good as when I saw you at the Imperial Palace. Are you worried about something?”

“How can it be easy to manage state affairs? With His Majesty’s absence and my brother’s passing… You know it well, Khalil, since you were at the center of the trial.”

Khalil chuckled at Olivian’s words, who raised his eyes slightly, as if frustrated.

“Well, how can everything in the world go as planned? It’s the same for us. Who would have imagined that the Imperial Prince would treat me with respect back then?”

“It’s the natural treatment for the king of a country. Unless I am the Emperor of the Empire, shouldn’t we respect each other?”

Olivian spoke indirectly, implying that while he was an Imperial Prince, he wouldn’t bow down to the king of another country.

“It sounds like you can look down on everyone if you become the Emperor of the Empire.”

“By the way, I heard you know a way to improve His Majesty’s health……?”

“It’s to make up for my mistakes. I plan to go to the north right after I inform His Majesty. If all goes well, His Majesty’s health will be restored.”

It was as if Khalil was reminding him that he still had a long way to go before ascending to the throne.

“Let me ask you directly. Are you really going to save His Majesty? The moment the only weakness you have disappears, he will turn Tatur into a wasteland as a reward for his gratitude.”

Khalil chuckled at Olivian’s words.

“The sanctuary of the Order is a sacred place where no one can enter, but conversely, there is no place more secretive than this. To see the Imperial Prince weighing His Majesty’s life in front of my eyes like this…”

“…….”

He shrugged slightly.

“It’s a story I can tell because Lord Kwell is here. I know about the situation McGovern is in. It’s true that your provocation made His Majesty feel unpleasant… But if the throne changes, that spark will also disappear.”

“Heum.”

Contrary to expectations, Olivian spoke more openly about the Emperor’s death.

“You seem quite different from when I saw you before. You must have changed your perspective after experiencing state affairs.”

“It’s something I’ve considered not only for the Empire but also for the continent.”

“For the continent…… Doesn’t the Empire already seem like yours?”

“…… Yes?”

Olivian asked back with a bewildered look, wondering if he had misheard Khalil’s words.

“Tatur will become a sea of fire? By whose will? Do you think you can do anything because you are the master of the Empire?”

“Wh, what…….”

“Tell them to come at me as much as they want. I’ll show you who will be devastated. You asked if I trust the Emperor. You’re right. How can I trust him, who is like a snake.”

Khalil raised the corners of his lips.

“But.”

He said quietly to Olivian.

“I don’t trust you either.”