The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 64

56. The Aftermath (2)

Wooden Cloud.

The biggest reason why this organization, commonly known as a secret society within the Lurein Duchy, remained shrouded in mystery even after the oracle was given, was the absence of a central leader.

Most organizations have a leader to manage their subordinates, but the members of Wooden Cloud were largely unaware of each other, functioning more like isolated roots, stems, and branches.

Most people assumed the leader would be found within the ‘root’ structure that controlled the organization.

And the Empire spared no effort in finding that root.

The result?

Failure.

‘The reason why Wooden Cloud could exist without a single, identifiable leader was due to the unique characteristics of the Lurein family, the rulers of the Duchy,’ Karyl mused as he walked down the street, having just received Thompson’s note.

‘Ralph Lurein, the first head of the Lurein family, who led the Duchy for hundreds of years, was the illegitimate child of Pope Bair III. That’s why the Duchy is still under the protection of the Order [referring to the Order of Yula, the dominant religious institution].’

Furthermore, the Lurein family had a tradition of sending their second son to the Order with each generation.

Perhaps this was a secret agreement between the Order and the Duchy to conceal the indiscretions of Bair III.

Since then, many years had passed, and the family’s bloodlines had expanded.

‘And countless descendants of the Lurein family have taken their place within the Order.’

Wooden Cloud wasn’t just confined to the Duchy; it was also jointly operated by Lurein descendants within the Order, scattered across the continent.

In other words, the number of ‘roots’ in charge of the organization’s command was virtually limitless.

‘The problem isn’t just Wooden Cloud itself.’

Originally, the Order of Yula, which worshipped Yula, the God of Light, was the sole recipient of the oracle on the continent.

However, Wooden Cloud, instead of disappearing after the Duchy’s destruction, resurfaced on the continent in the guise of a new Order.

The name of this new Order is Blue Roar.

They are the monsters that sprang from Pharell [likely referring to a location or event where monsters originated].

They referred to corruption as Xeck-Mut (the touch of the Mother Goddess).

‘Fanatics who consider death at the hands of monsters to be a form of divine grace.’

It was utter madness.

Even if he were to relive countless lifetimes and ponder it endlessly, it defied all logic.

Nevertheless, like pouring oil on a raging fire, the fervor of Blue Roar engulfed the continent, even threatening the Order of Yula, the original recipient of the oracle.

Perhaps this was possible because they had been influenced by the Order for centuries.

‘The only information about the mastermind behind Wooden Cloud is that it’s the leader of the Blue Roar Order, a figure known only as ‘Rael’.’

But even that name is likely an alias.

No one has ever seen his real face, as he always wears a mask.

What is certain is this:

‘I have to catch him.’

Karyl hoped that this information from Thompson would be the key to finally uncovering the mastermind he couldn’t find in his previous life, a breakthrough after grasping at shadows.

* * *

“Kuhahaha!! Did you guys hear? Karyl conquered the Gray Academy and was recognized by the lord! Now our guild can proudly display its name!”

“Of course! The rumors have already spread throughout the city. Even the arrogant Big Four guilds can’t say a word against us.”

Inside the dimly lit shop, Bargo and Sira hummed happily as they polished their collections.

“That little brat, I knew he was amazing, but to come back alive from that place… He’s a real monster.”

Bargo grinned as he looked at the oath document on the box on the table.

“From now on, you’re going to the Guild Association in the Empire and registering Ulkas’s name. Pick out a few A-class requests and bring them back.”

“Yes? The Association?”

The subordinate looked surprised at Bargo’s words.

“We can’t just stay stuck in narrow Azor. We have to do things right this time. We have to accomplish what the Big Four guilds couldn’t and make a name for ourselves in the Empire. Don’t you think?”

Until recently, Bargo couldn’t even show his face in Azor without shame.

But as soon as he heard about Karyl’s achievements, he was already dreaming of reaching the top.

‘No matter how much of a monster he is, as long as I have that oath, he will have no choice but to listen to me.’

Clang-

Just then, the tightly locked door swung open.

“……!!”

Startled, Bargo’s subordinate quickly grabbed the sword beside him.

“No need to be surprised.”

However, Bargo smiled strangely as he looked at the boy standing in the doorway.

“Oh my, who is this? Isn’t it our guild’s standard-bearer? What brings you here? You must be tired from your visit to the Gray Academy. I was planning to come see you when you were resting.”

“I have a request.”

Karyl said, lightly brushing off Bargo’s arm as Bargo reached out for a hug.

“Hmm?”

Bargo glanced at his subordinate, surprised by Karyl’s words. The subordinate shook his head.

“Hahaha, well. You’ve become so popular all of a sudden that people are looking for you everywhere. But you know, you’re not just an ordinary member anymore. You shouldn’t use your precious skills so easily. Only take requests that the guild assigns you.”

It sounded like he was being considerate, but ultimately, it was an attempt to control Karyl’s actions.

As stated in the oath, Karyl had to fulfill three of the guild’s requests every quarter.

And Bargo believed that he alone held that absolute authority.

“Okay, what kind of request brought you all the way here?”

“I heard that most of the magic books stolen from here ended up with the Order.”

At that moment, the faces of the two men hardened.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Which bastard is spreading that kind of nonsense? I don’t know what kind of request you received to investigate this, but all transactions with the Yula Order are only allowed under the auspices of the Empire and the Duchy.”

“It’s illegal in the first place, what you guys are doing. Isn’t it?”

“Hey……!!”

The subordinate glared at Karyl with a look that suggested he was beyond reasoning.

But Bargo waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

“Karyl, what’s wrong with you? We’re careful about who we deal with. Does it make sense to make enemies of the Empire and the Duchy?”

“It does, if the other party is a member of the Duchy family.”

“…….”

Thud-

“This is a list of your transactions with the Order so far, though it’s only a partial record. On the surface, there’s no problem, but you’ve been trading with a specific family.”

Karyl threw the note Thompson had given him in front of Bargo.

“Selling illegal magic books to the Holy Order is also a problem, but it’s something that can be overlooked. There are also Imperials among the members of the Order. The problem is that there are only people related to the Lurein family within the Order.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hey, get rid of this trash right now.”

“Yes.”

Picking up the note, the subordinate glared at Karyl with a displeased look and brushed past his shoulder.

Swish-

At that moment, a feeling of intense cold filled the room.

“……!!”

One side of the wall was frozen white, and the body of the subordinate who had been trying to escape was encased in ice, as if time had stopped.

Crack-!!

Karyl lightly slashed the man’s body with the blade of the Ice Claw, and it shattered into pieces.

It was impossible to tell when he had drawn his sword.

All that remained was the severed, frozen head of the subordinate rolling on the floor.

“Th-This…….”

Bargo was stunned by the sudden, chilling violence.

Thump-

The severed head of the subordinate rolled and bumped against Bargo’s feet.

“He thought he was the boss just because he was next to the boss. Isn’t that right? A branch should act like a branch.”

“……!!”

“I don’t have time, so answer my questions.”

“You… You crazy bastard!! Have you forgotten what you swore in the Language Oath!!”

“I know. That’s why I’m fulfilling it now.”

“What?”

Karyl laughed softly.

“I contracted to fulfill the Ulkas Guild’s requests, not Bargo Sira’s requests. And what I’m doing now is a request accepted by the Ulkas Guild.”

“What crazy bastard would do that!! I’m the guild master!!”

“No. There’s one more person besides you who can authorize guild requests.”

“Th-Thompson……?”

“The vice guild master.”

Bargo gaped, speechless.

He had completely forgotten about Thompson’s existence.

After becoming addicted to mana, Bargo had dismissed Thompson as useless.

“Punishment for illegal transactions. Well… Let’s just say it’s an act of old loyalty that arose because a former Imperial mage learned about the relationship between the Duchy and the guild.”

It was just an excuse.

Karyl knew that well, so he shrugged and gave a strange smile.

In fact, what he truly wanted to ask was something else.

This was just to circumvent the regulations of the oath.

“Y-You son of a…!! What the hell did that dying cripple do!!”

Bargo hurriedly scanned his surroundings.

Before he knew it, all possible escape routes were frozen shut.

“I’m going to ask you now. You know that the member of the Order you traded with is connected to Wooden Cloud. Tell me everything you know, from the list of members to which of the seven brothers of the Lurein family is connected to it.”

“H-How would I know that!! If you know about Wooden Cloud, you should know too! Branches don’t know anything!!”

“Wouldn’t you? Baker said you were the ‘stem’ in charge of delivery.”

“……What?”

Bargo’s pupils dilated.

‘He took the bait.’

Karyl did not miss that fleeting change. In fact, Baker had not said that. It was just his guess that Bargo was the stem.

However, the card he had saved, when he brought up the name of Baker, who was a real member of Wooden Cloud, Bargo’s reaction gave Karyl confidence.

“S-So? How many people have that name on the continent? Do you think you can find them all?”

“I found you, too.”

“And now I’ll know at least one of the other two. Because you’re going to tell me. Isn’t that right?”

“Crazy…….”

Karyl could see that Bargo’s body was trembling.

“Cough!!”

At that moment, Karyl’s hand shot forward and pierced into Bargo’s mouth.

“Cough……!”

As Karyl yanked on his tongue, Bargo collapsed to the floor, kneeling in agony, unable to scream properly, his face contorted in pain.

“Don’t even think about suicide. I’d rather just cut off your tongue. It’ll freeze instantly, so there won’t be any bleeding. After all, it’s not a problem to extract information as long as you have an arm.”

“Ugh…! Ugh ugh…!! Ugh!!”

Bargo thrashed wildly as Karyl’s grip tightened.

“Right-handed? Or left-handed? It’s okay to cut off the rest. Isn’t that right?”

At that moment, Bargo saw Karyl’s eyes.

They were filled with genuine menace.

“These guys always make me say things twice.”

It was not the look a child could ever possess. Bargo sensed that Karyl could really pull out his tongue.

And then the rest of his arms and legs.

Shiver….

Bargo’s pants became wet. Karyl looked at him and said in a calm voice.

“Well, it looks like you’re ready to answer now.”

There was no need to ask.