The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 74

63. Movements in the Imperial Palace

“To meet Gordon Fabian of the renowned Kyo-do Mercenary Corps like this is truly an honor.”

A clear voice, like rolling beads, echoed through the Imperial Palace.

“……”

A heavy gaze from a massive frame seemed to look down on First Prince Ruon.

“Hmm.”

Gordon yawned as if the prince before him was of little consequence and passed by.

Ruon’s smooth face twisted terribly, but the Prime Minister, Brin Inique, hurriedly restrained him.

‘The power of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps is extremely important to us.’

Ruon nodded, smacking his lips as if he understood.

From the start, he didn’t expect to win over those monstrous beings with a single act of friendliness.

‘Those guys are just a mercenary group, no matter how great they are. They must have come to the Imperial Palace wanting something. All I have to do is satisfy that.’

Until now, the First Prince had undoubtedly held the upper hand in imperial power.

However, the moment Kwell McGovern sided with Second Prince Olivon, things started to go awry.

The strongest sword on the continent.

The influence that name held was greater than expected.

‘Among those who can face Kwell directly with force, Gordon Fabian is ultimately the only one who can move freely.’

The Prime Minister wondered why the Emperor had summoned the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps in secret, even from him, but he knew he couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“I came to the Imperial City simply because I’ve been trading with His Majesty the Emperor for decades. I heard rumors that his health hasn’t been good lately, and now I see why.”

Gordon pointed at Ruon and said,

“Jegan, is there ogre blood in the ship’s hold?”

“Yes, probably about three barrels.”

“Take one out and give it to His Majesty. He must have a headache. It’s good for headaches, but he needs to live a long, long time.”

“Understood.”

At his words, Ruon’s face twisted even more.

He had never been treated like this before.

Moreover, he was being openly ignored in the middle of the Imperial Palace, which was supposed to be his territory.

“Huhu… The Commander is still the same as ever.”

It was then.

A low voice came from the end of the hallway.

An old man with a small frame, wearing a robe, slowly walked over and greeted him lightly.

“Court Mage Cardin, I see. You haven’t gone to the gods yet, so the drake brain fluid I gave you must be working well.”

Gordon chuckled and said to him,

“Actually, it’s good for virility too. What a waste.”

Despite the vulgar joke, Cardin Luer smoothly brushed it off.

Prince Ruon and Prime Minister Brin Inique couldn’t help but feel nervous at the appearance of the Court Mage, who had maintained neutrality until now.

‘What is it? When did that guy who was supposed to go to Azor [a magical academy or realm] come back? Did he hear the rumors like a ghost and use teleportation magic? That’s why mages are….’

Glancing at the Prime Minister, Cardin stroked his overgrown beard and said,

“Keu keu… I used the brain fluid well for magical research. How long has it been since you came to the Imperial Palace? How about a cup of tea?”

“Tea, my ass. Maybe alcohol. But if I drink alcohol here, I feel like I’ll turn inside out, so I’ll go back to the ship and drink.”

Prime Minister, Court Mage, and even the Prince.

Even in front of figures to whom anyone would have to bow their head, he remained dignified.

“We have Camiju Mountain red wine.”

Gordon smacked his lips at his words.

“That’s delicious. You can send a few barrels to my ship. Mages don’t know the taste of alcohol anyway.”

Another refusal.

“Huhu… I understand. I will.”

Cardin Luer knew there was no point in going further, so he backed off.

There was no need to throw away his pride.

“Who’s the kid behind you? Is he a newly selected disciple or something?”

“He is Kwell’s son. Recently, there was an incident in the Empire where a spy from the Lurein Principality caused trouble. He showed outstanding talent at that time. He came to the Imperial Palace to report and caught my eye, so I’m teaching him a little.”

His neat appearance suited the image of a mage, but in Gordon’s eyes, the boy, though young, felt a bit too sharp to be a mage.

“Tyren McGovern, sir.”

‘Kwell’s adopted son, huh? That figures.’

As soon as he heard the name, Gordon chuckled and nodded.

‘Judging by his expression, even the Prime Minister didn’t know. As expected, he’s like an old fox.’

“So you’re Kwell’s son. I heard he’s adopted dozens of children here and there. Are you one of them?”

“I am the second. And my father doesn’t just accept anyone. There are five of us siblings in total.”

“You’re no fun.”

Gordon smacked his lips as he looked at Tyren, who answered without wavering, unlike the others.

‘He’s not the type to be cooped up in a tower reading magic books.’

“Oh, by the way, I heard an interesting rumor in Azor while passing by? I heard that the Gray Schoolmaster, which even the magic association couldn’t conquer, has been broken.”

“……”

Cardin, who had turned away, stopped in his tracks.

‘The Gray Schoolmaster? The place where the tombs of the Seven Elders were located? That must be why he hurriedly left the Imperial Palace.’

The Prime Minister nodded.

“It is true that the seal of the Gray Schoolmaster has been broken, but he is also a talented individual who won the Azor Magic Competition. He is still a free mage, but he is talented, so he will one day fight for the Empire.”

“Is that so? Do you know his name?”

“He is called Karil.”

“……!!”

At that moment.

Tyren, who had maintained a calm face, twitched his eyebrows. Gordon noticed the fleeting change that others didn’t and asked.

“Hey, kid. Do you know him?”

“No, sir.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s just a common name. There are many people named Karil on the continent.”

Cardin said calmly.

Gordon glanced at Tyren, who soon regained his composure at his words.

“Well, I had something interesting to say too… But after hearing your story, I don’t think I need to.”

‘Karil… Could it be that little kid? He had a natural martial physique and wasn’t used to using magic. It’s only been a few months, but he’s already in the ranks of mages? That’s impossible.’

Gordon couldn’t help but be surprised when the name Karil came out of the Court Mage’s mouth.

“Well, then.”

Cardin Luer stroked his chin once more and quietly stepped back, followed by Tyren.

Thud-

As the two disappeared, Gordon raised his arm and placed it on Ruon’s shoulder with an interested expression.

“……!?”

“Kid, do you know why a mercenary is a mercenary?”

Ruon’s body faltered under the weight pressing down on him.

Despite the extremely rude behavior, no one could stop him.

“You saw that old man, right? He has all the possible scenarios of which side to stick to in order to benefit. It’s not just about money. There has to be a profit. Sometimes, in such a big game, there’s something bigger than material things.”

“…….”

“If you bring me a delicious offer, I might side with the Third Prince. That’s what a mercenary is.”

He said it casually, but those words could create a new catastrophe.

Third Prince Kromen, who was pushed out of the power struggle.

A mere seven-year-old child who didn’t know the ways of the world.

But age didn’t matter.

If, as he said, they had to block the blade of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps in their fight against Olivon.

The damage would be enormous.

“Haha. Commander, your jokes are too much.”

“Is that so?”

The Prime Minister forced a smile to smooth over Gordon’s words, but he gave a strange smile as if he found it amusing.

“I have a feeling that the Emperor called me here to say these words. Even if he’s old, he’s the man who built the Empire.”

He lightly patted his shoulder and said,

“See you again.”

The two could no longer say anything and simply watched Gordon’s back as he left.

* * *

“Are you the commander of the Kyo-do Mercenary Corps?”

“There are so many kids looking for me today. Be polite when you address me, or leave.”

“If you wish, you can meet the Third Prince first. I will wait.”

“…….”

At the end of the Imperial Palace, just before leaving.

Gordon looked at the interesting boy who was stopping him.

He was about twelve years old.

Could he have heard what he said in the hallway?

If so, he could kill him right away, but he chuckled as he looked at the boy in front of him.

“You’re Olivon.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“You have a confident demeanor. You’re different from your arrogant brother, but you’re also cocky.”

“If one has received the blood of the Emperor, it is not strange to be so. I will take it as a compliment.”

Olivon spoke skillfully even while standing in front of Gordon.

“Khahaha. Jegan, did you hear that? The Prince is very interesting.”

“Ah, yes……”

Unlike Gordon, Vice-Commander Jegan, who had been acting like a ticking time bomb since the hallway, stammered anxiously.

“I will offer you delicious tea.”

“Crazy, I don’t drink tea. Maybe alcohol. But the Court Mage has already given me good alcohol, so I’ll drink that.”

“Unfortunately, I am too young to drink with you, but it will probably be more delicious than alcohol.”

“…….”

Gordon looked at Olivon with interest.

‘Where does that confidence come from? I heard he’s from a concubine, but the father’s blood seems to be stronger in him.’

A silence flowed.

“Let’s see how delicious it is.”

“Yes?”

At that moment.

Jegan doubted his ears.

As far as he knew, Gordon Fabian had only drunk tea on his own once in his life.

That was when he first met the current Emperor, Tylan Schtean.

* * *

“The fact that my news has spread means that there are other tribes here besides the Bigung tribe. Where are they?”

Karil scanned the inside of the tent.

Then, as if expecting it, he said,

“You made a good choice. I heard that the place where the remaining three tribes occasionally hold meetings is here.”

At his words, the chiefs of the Rahu and Risu tribes hardened their faces.

Looking at the two of them among the groups, Karil laughed lowly.

“Your faces are changing, so it must be you. Isn’t it a bit cheap? The three tribes competing for the owner of the Great Plains gather here like this because I came.”

Karil pointed to the man on the left of the two and said,

“Of course, excluding the Rahu tribe. They’re already far from the power competition. It’s right to stick to anyone.”

“You……!!”

Then, the man on the right spoke in a heavy, low voice, as if growling.

“Ah, not that side, but that side? Well… I heard that the Risu tribe isn’t in a much better situation either.”

“The courtesy to guests ends here. If you’re going to cause any more trouble, get lost. Otherwise, I’ll hang your head on the roof of the tent. Southerners do not welcome Imperials.”

Tunan shouted, interrupting Karil.

Mikhail and Aidan flinched without realizing it at his thunderous roar.

“Isn’t that the same for you? You make a living by selling the corpses of monsters from the Demon Realm. I don’t know if you’ve heard that I’m the owner of Tatur [a trading hub for monster parts].”

“Keuk……”

“Trading with the black market is not only done by the Bigung tribe. Who would be the strange guy who buys monster corpses? It’s something only crazy nobles of the Empire do.”

“Are you going to threaten us with the deal with Tatur, just like you threatened the Bigung tribe?”

The chief of the Rahu tribe asked Karil.

As the tribe that relies the most on monster hunting among the three tribes, the deal with the black market was absolute.

“The reaction is too immediate for someone who talks about the pride of the South.”

“……”

At Karil’s words, the chief blushed and turned his head, but it was already a reaction that fully showed the seriousness of the situation.

“I told the Bigung tribe as well, I have no intention of trading with you with such petty tricks. There must be trust between each other, right?”

“Then?”

“I know that the biggest problem for the tribes of the South, especially the tribes of the Great Plains, is food.”

“……”

“If you lend me your strength, I will help you gain new land. Of course, land where you can farm. In addition, farming methods and necessary farming tools as well.”

At Karil’s words, the chief frowned.

“Is there any land left in the South? It’s suicide to touch the Five Great Families on Narak Rock, let alone the Digon clan.”

“It seems that even the chief of the Tu tribe, who is said to be the most courageous in the Great Plains, has something to fear. Don’t worry. I will take care of those two someday, but it doesn’t mean that Southerners should fight each other.”

“Then……?”

Everyone’s eyes were on Karil.

As if waiting for it, he slowly put strength into each word.

“Advance to the Center (中央 進出) [move to the heart of the Empire’s power].”

“……!!”

At that moment, the eyes of the three chiefs shook.

“How about leaving the South and looking up? Then I will give you 1/5 of the land that the Empire has. Of course, your land in the South will remain as it is.”

Aidan couldn’t help but want to clap his knees at his words.

‘He made a deal with the Bigung tribe to give them the Great Plains, and with the remaining three tribes, the land of the Empire…….’

It may sound ridiculous.

‘But this is a brilliant idea.’

It was also the only way to satisfy each other’s desires.

And he actually thought so.

Advancing to the Center was something that anyone in the tribes of the Great Plains had thought about at least once and was a dream they yearned for.

“You’ll give us 1/5 of the Empire’s land? Does that mean you’re going to strike the Empire?”

But it was also a brilliant idea and a preposterous sound at the same time. The three chiefs did not easily fall for the words of a twelve-year-old boy.

“That’s right.”

“Crazy……”

“If the Great Plains give me strength, then even the Five Great Families will be possible.”

“What about Digon?”

“I have something else in mind for that side, but I don’t think I can tell you without hearing your answer.”

Karil shrugged and said.

“How will you prove that you have that ability?”

“If you come to the South, you must follow the rules of the South. There’s something you do to prove your strength, right?”

At that moment.

The faces of the chiefs and tribesmen hardened.

“The Great Hunt (大狩獵) [a traditional trial of strength and skill].”