The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 396

243. Unveiling

Upon returning from the Demon Realm, Karryle swiftly addressed several pressing matters, primarily to prepare for his journey to the Millennium Ice Cave, a hidden secret in the North.

He suspected that his return from the North might coincide with the arrival of the Day of Judgment, as foretold by the oracle.

“The repairs to Revol are complete. Lord Wingel reports that Kalipsone, Revol, and Ascalon have been outfitted with new functions.”

“Hmm, what kind of functions?”

“The details are still being finalized. He will provide a full report upon completion.”

“Understood. What else?”

“The stabilization of the commercial district in Tatur, along with measures for the capital’s citizens, and the construction of emergency evacuation fortresses are progressing smoothly. The post-war chaos has largely subsided.”

Karryle turned his head.

Tiren stood beside Anthem, his face as stern as ever.

“Excellent. However, evacuation drills must continue without interruption. While the capital remains the safest location, secondary and tertiary evacuation fortresses are essential. We must be capable of swift and efficient relocation in the event of a crisis.”

As expected, Tiren demonstrated remarkable administrative talent. Despite his noble background, he readily grasped the people’s most pressing needs and effectively integrated the nobles who had been in disarray and opposition following the war.

His actions were befitting of someone who had risen to the position of Imperial Chancellor during wartime.

While some nobles were executed as examples, his firm methods undeniably yielded results.

“Your Majesty has now unified the continent. While preparing for emergencies is prudent, what is the purpose of these evacuation drills? I doubt any threat, even a dragon, could necessitate emptying the capital.”

Karryle had already subdued the continent’s most formidable beings, the dragons, and occupied the empire, placing him in an unrivaled position.

“It’s for a new kind of war, unlike anything we’ve seen before. A war that will engulf the entire continent, extending beyond the underground and into the skies.”

“……?”

Tiren’s face betrayed his confusion, and Anthem shared his bewilderment.

“You both are doing commendable work. The time for a full explanation is not yet here, but soon I will inform everyone, not just the two of you.”

Anthem recalled the order Karryle had given him on the day he awakened Suan and Israfil.

Tiren had not been present at the time.

‘The Advent of the Nephilim.’

The notion that beings akin to gods were descending upon the earth was a shocking revelation.

‘Did the Lord discover something in the Demon Realm?’

Karryle was predicting a future he knew from his past life, but Anthem’s guess was reasonable.

Knowing this, Karryle chose not to elaborate, allowing the misunderstanding to persist.

He found that this was a more effective way to maintain control.

“I understand.”

Anthem bowed in acknowledgment.

“The coronation ceremony will be held soon. It was postponed due to the Imperial Palace repairs… It’s a formality, but it should be widely publicized throughout the continent. Now that Israfil has awakened, he can initiate Mana Awakening across the entire continent. All the people will witness Your Majesty’s coronation.”

“Hmm.”

Rather than dwelling on the distant threat of the Nephilim, Anthem believed it was time to address the most pressing matters that had been delayed.

“When would you like to schedule the ceremony? In my opinion, it should be as soon as possible.”

“I didn’t think a coronation ceremony was necessary… Anthem, your words have given me an idea for a suitable date.”

“Oh… Really? When should we hold it?”

Anthem asked, his face brightening at Karryle’s words.

“The day the altar is completed.”

Karryle spoke with a meaningful expression.

* * *

[You summoned me.]

Karryle turned to face Jarka Hoch.

The cold winter night air nipped at his cheeks as he stood on the castle walls.

“Jarka, I’m traveling to the North for a while. I want you to accompany me.”

[The North? Ah… are you referring to the Millennium Ice Cave? But isn’t that a place reserved for the foreign tribes?]

“That’s irrelevant now, as everything is under my control. You possess expertise in handling the dead. As you know, a being from the Mythic Age slumbers within the Millennium Ice Cave.”

[Wouldn’t Nine Darhon be a better choice than me? He’s also a skilled black magician.]

Karryle shook his head at Jarka’s suggestion.

“He excels at handling corruption, but that’s distinct from necromancy. Besides, I need the power of the Necklace of Revelation that sustains your heart.”

“If you’re considering taking that gem from him, you shouldn’t. You explicitly promised to find another solution.”

The voice emerged from the darkness, belonging to Kay Rothschild.

“The two of you seem to have grown quite close. Well, that’s a positive development. Don’t worry, Kay. I will honor my promise. The Necklace of Revelation is a relic containing the Demon King’s power. I simply stated that such power is necessary to awaken the Millennium Ice Cave.”

[Well… since you freed me, I will naturally follow your commands. But this is unexpected. I thought you summoned me to turn Ollivern in the Imperial Tomb into a dead man and use him as your subordinate.]

Karryle offered a wry smile at Jarka’s words.

“I have no such morbid inclinations.”

[Then why did you freeze the corpse? After the Ice Claw pierced his heart, you instantly froze him. While you can’t undo death, you preserved the corpse intact. Thanks to that, the old court wizard still visits, sobbing before the corpse.]

Jarka’s voice remained emotionless, but his question echoed the curiosity of all of Karryle’s subordinates. While they understood the lack of need to behead the dead again, preserving the body completely seemed peculiar.

[Is it respect for the emperor, even though he’s an enemy? I don’t particularly think you’re the kind of person who keeps such things.]

“It’s unrelated to that.”

Karryle’s eyes flickered.

[Jarka, that’s an impertinent question.]

Aln Jabius, aware of Karryle’s past life, hastily tried to silence Jarka.

It was understandable to find it strange. In his past life, they were friends, but now there was no connection.

“No, it’s alright.”

Karryle stopped Aln and continued.

“The reason I froze his corpse and placed it in the tomb where the emperors of the past dynasties are buried is not out of any special regard for him.”

[Then?]

“It’s because of the blood flowing in his body.”

[Blood……?]

“Yes. I need the blood of the Imperial Family. I froze his corpse not for his sake, but to preserve the blood within him.”

At his words, Aln, rather than Jarka, stared at Karryle with surprise.

[Could it be……]

Just then,

“Shh.”

Karryle raised his index finger to his lips and mouthed the word.

“It’s not time yet.”

He spoke to Aln with an inscrutable look, causing Aln’s shoulders to tremble involuntarily.

“I’ll return from the North.”

Karryle concealed his face, drawing his cloak tighter around his shoulders.

[Krrr……!!]

At that moment,

A red wyvern flapped its wings above the castle walls, crying out softly as if welcoming a reunion after a long absence.

* * *

“The third valley inside the northern entrance.”

Karryle raised his head, recalling Gordon’s words. He surveyed the snow-covered slopes and rugged mountain ranges, murmuring softly.

“…Is it here.”

This was not the location Quell had mentioned in his past life. Without Gordon’s guidance, he would never have discovered this hidden path.

[This is not a path for humans.]

Jarka Hoch, standing behind him, commented, gazing at the dizzying cliff.

“It doesn’t matter. Only those who are not entirely human would venture here.”

[Like you?]

“And one other.”

Just then,

“I’ve been waiting.”

Karryle nodded, as if expecting the voice he heard.

“I knew you would come.”

If the second Millennium Ice Cave and the essence of Kaie Essir were unexpected events, there was only one person he hadn’t anticipated since his regression.

“Deryl Harian.”

The divine beast Alkar, whom he had encountered in the forest, stood beside him, its drooping eyes still holding a hint of a smile, making it difficult to discern his thoughts.

“You haven’t changed.”

“I witnessed you activating Polsetia. It was as I expected. I believed only Karryle could wield the relics of the Mythic Age.”

Deryl Harian said with a faint smile.

“But… a sword. That was beyond my imagination. It was believed that the first magic manifested in the ancient books was the most suitable for the user. It’s something we magicians can never achieve.”

Sreung-

Just then,

Karryle drew Polsetia and held the sword to Deryl’s neck.

“Really? Then you must be curious about the nature of this magic. Shall I let you experience it? It cuts better than it looks.”

Jarka Hoch shrugged, as if anticipating this reaction.

“Haha, no, thank you. I’m well aware that it’s a sword capable of cutting even the scales of the Platinum Dragon. I respectfully decline.”

He remained unperturbed by Polsetia’s presence.

“You’re still as slippery as an eel.”

Deryl Harian chuckled at Karryle’s words.

His relaxed demeanor was unchanged, but the robe he wore was no longer the white one he had previously favored.

He now wore a red robe, the color of blood.

“What game are you playing now?”

Karryle asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.

“Are you imitating Kaie Essir this time?”

For a magician, a robe was merely a garment, but red held special significance.

The first dragon slayer.

It was the color he wore.

The Council of Seven Elders of the Magic Age were revered figures to magicians, but Kaie Essir was a hero. He was a human who proved that they could reach an area that they thought they could not reach, magicians implicitly did not wear red robes.

“How could I possibly emulate him? I’m simply fulfilling the duty entrusted to me.”

“The duty entrusted to you? What does reviving the lost divine beast have to do with Kaie Essir?”

“It’s separate, yet intertwined. I heard you ventured into the Demon Realm. Did you acquire the essence of Kaie Essir?”

“How did you know that?”

Deryl Harian simply shrugged lightly at Karryle’s question.

“It’s necessary to eliminate you before Wooden Cloud does.”

“There won’t be any need for that. If you return from here, we will follow you.”

“You speak as if you know what lies within.”

“I don’t. But we have been waiting.”

Deryl Harian slowly bowed his head and said,

“For the one who is qualified to be the rightful king.”

Karryle realized that his last words echoed Gordon’s. He sensed that he was about to encounter the last veiled secret.