The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 85

71. Narak Rock Battle (2)

“Is it… over?”

The Narak Rock, once adorned with emerald armor, was now stained crimson with blood.

“They seem to have retreated with less resistance than I expected. Serpent’s prowess is quite remarkable.”

Even as he spoke, Mikhail’s legs gave way, and he collapsed.

He glanced at the creature that had instantly annihilated dozens of knights and said,

[Why aren’t you saying anything? This thing I made as a sentinel crushed more knights than that stupid monster.]

Alrn circled Mikhail, sounding displeased.

Caryl chuckled at him.

“Naril isn’t an easy opponent. If word gets out that the Imperial Guard Knights were defeated by barbarians while the Edict of Heresy Extermination [an official decree to eliminate non-believers] is in effect, what do you think will happen? He might not have given up.”

Gulp.

He spoke so casually that it sounded like he was talking about someone else’s problem.

“There were fewer than 50 knights on Narak Rock, less than Kaila Chang saw. He probably had troops waiting below to strike at the Four Great Houses [powerful noble families].”

“Then…”

“Are you saying they’ll attack again?”

“It’s not entirely impossible. Or they might attack the other barbarian tribes.”

[Good. Let’s wipe them out again. What you call old times is just an unlived future for that guy.]

“…”

Caryl sheathed Ice Claw and looked at the sentinel blocking the Spring of Arcane.

“We need to finish things here first.”

[He’s not even pretending to listen.]

Alrn sighed softly and shrugged.

[Krrroooo…]

As if understanding his words, a faint purple light emanated from the sentinel’s chest.

At Caryl’s words, the others exchanged tense glances.

It seemed like the ambush had worked, but aside from Caryl subduing the knights, the others hadn’t killed a single one.

After exchanging blows with them, Beykan and Kinu Mukari could clearly feel the difference in their skills.

‘There are more than just one or two like them. Can we really advance to the center against such opponents?’

‘I wonder how far my strength can reach. This won’t do. I need to become stronger.’

As the two were hailed as the best warriors in their tribe, they had good reason to be concerned.

But Caryl nodded as if he had already anticipated their thoughts.

He had felt the same way.

He didn’t know why he, a foreigner, had been chosen after the oracle, but he had to prove his worth among the Imperials.

Skills surpassing those who wielded magic.

Being equal wasn’t enough.

He had to overwhelm them, silencing any doubts about his origins.

Excruciating pain.

Training several times harder than others.

Caryl’s talent for swordsmanship was superior regardless of magic, but Beykan and Kinu Mukari were also outstanding warriors worthy of the title of Great Warrior.

‘Think and contemplate deeply. You too can become stronger. Becoming a better warrior without magic isn’t impossible.’

Because he had done it himself.

Caryl knew that the combined strength of the foreigners and barbarians was by no means weak, even against the Empire.

‘And you too.’

He slowly turned his head.

A figure in front of him, face covered with a hood.

‘Hashir.’

As he reached out his hand, the troops positioned around the Spring of Arcane with bows drawn vanished as if they had never been there.

Even Caryl had difficulty sensing their presence.

‘As expected of the Weasel Foxes [a tribe known for stealth].’

“Was it you who sent the mage to us?”

“Mage?”

“Don’t play dumb. He called himself Thomson.”

“Ah… He moved on his own. He’s quick on the uptake, as expected from his experience.”

Caryl let out a light exclamation at his words.

He had suspected it, but Thomson was indeed a seasoned veteran of the guild.

‘He must have felt the need to show results. Well, thanks to him, he came at the right time, which is fortunate for me.’

Caryl said to Hashir,

“That’s right. I sent him to the north. As you know, the north is facing a crisis of extinction due to the Edict of Heresy Extermination.”

“You told them to run away. You should know that northerners would rather die than flee.”

“They came, didn’t they? To the south.”

Hashir’s eyebrows twitched at his nonchalant words.

Removing his hood, his amber eyes gleamed.

Mikhail and Aidan stared at the unusual color with curiosity.

‘Such a unique color. I heard that the biggest difference in distinguishing foreigners is their eye color… I thought the northerners’ eye color was black, but I guess not all of them are like that.’

Feeling Aidan’s gaze, Hashir glared at him slightly, causing him to quickly avert his eyes.

“It seems you’re the leader here. One more question. Did you leave the markings on the road?”

“Yes.”

The moment he heard Caryl’s answer, Hashir’s hand shot up.

Thwack…!! Thwack-thwack-thwack—!!!

Instantly, arrows from the darkness targeted Caryl.

Three sharp talons were drawn on both of Hashir’s hands with incredible speed, so fast that it was impossible to tell when he had drawn them.

“Why does an Imperial know the ways of the foreigners? What is your true identity?”

Undeterred by the dozens of arrows aimed at him, Caryl said,

“It’s not right to assume that the markings using corpse spiders are exclusive to northerners. We’ve been using them since the south. You know very well that the reason northerners are called foreigners is because they left the south and settled in the north.”

“Of course, it’s a problem. Because you’re not a southerner or a northerner, but an Imperial.”

Caryl gave a wry smile at Hashir’s words.

He had so desperately wanted magic, but thanks to it, he was now being called an Imperial by his fellow northerners.

[The day will come when you reveal it. Unifying the north and south as an Imperial. Isn’t that the plan you’re aiming for? And then you’ll try to pull off a grand reversal later.]

‘Not really. It’s just to freely roam the continent.’

[That guy…]

Although he didn’t show it, Alrn Xavius, connected to him in soul, could feel Caryl’s disappointment.

“When northerners crossed the center and moved north in the past, they mixed with Imperials. They’re called hybrids, but there are also children between foreigners and Imperials. This way is no longer exclusive to us… no, barbarians.”

Caryl paused for a moment, correcting himself as he spoke to Hashir.

Although suspicious, Hashir glared at him.

“Then what about the message? Why do you know those words? Besides… that mage clearly mentioned the name Caryl. What is your connection to the child of the Black Eyes clan [a powerful northern tribe] of the north?”

As that name came from Hashir’s mouth, everyone focused on Caryl.

“Huh? That’s the same as the captain’s name.”

“If it’s the Black Eyes clan… isn’t that the tribe led by Kaliark, who received the title of Great Warrior?”

“But I heard they were defeated by the Imperials…”

“…”

While everyone was saying something, Aidan remained silent, studying Caryl’s face.

“You’re surprised that we have the same name. I can’t give you a detailed explanation, but I have a connection to the Black Eyes clan. Like Caryl, I grew up under the same master.”

“Crazy… If the master you’re talking about is the one I know, he would never accept an Imperial. No, in the first place, if you were caught by the Black Eyes, you would have died without a chance.”

“You’re the one who doesn’t know, Hashir.”

“…What?”

Caryl chuckled and said,

“Kaliark of the Black Eyes clan and Kwell McGovern, the Sword Master of the Empire, were the best of friends. Or, to be precise, they were connected as swordsmen, even though their positions were different.”

“What does that…”

“The northerners may not know, but Kaliark wanted peace with the Imperials. But the Emperor didn’t accept it. As a result, Kwell had to kill his friend with his own hands…”

Hashir’s face twisted at the unbelievable story.

“Unlike what’s known, the Black Eyes clan doesn’t kill Imperials indiscriminately. I can’t tell the other tribes, but that’s why they took me in. This is the proof.”

Caryl took out a dagger from his chest.

Agnes.

“Kaliark gave this to me before he died. It was his last wish.”

Hashir’s eyes wavered at the sight of the crude dagger.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t believe it with just this. You might have stolen it, right?”

“This is just secondary. The most certain proof is what I already told you. The words I conveyed to you. It’s what my master, Altman, always said.”

“…”

Hashir stared at Caryl, seemingly at a loss for words.

“I chose the Weasel Foxes among the northerners because of Altman’s words. I’ve never seen him in person, but you also owe a debt to my master.”

[Your acting is amazing. You could be an actor. It’s coming out so smoothly.]

Alrn chuckled at Caryl’s appearance, finding it amusing.

“Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but one thing is certain. I sent you a message, and you heard it and came here. Do you think I would send Thomson to you if you were any other tribe?”

“…”

“Unlike other rigid people, I thought that at least the Weasel Foxes among the northerners would ponder my message.”

Unlike Caryl, who spoke with a confident voice, Hashir’s eyes were still full of suspicion.

‘To avoid the blizzard, stand under the thunder. Altman-nim certainly used to say that habitually. He often talked about Narak Rock, saying that he missed the heat of the south rather than the cold of the north.’

Regardless of other things, the fact that he knew anecdotes about Altman, who was called the Great Teacher of the northern foreigners, was something that couldn’t be ignored.

“Someday, when you learn the truth, you will be grateful that you followed my message. Very much so.”

Caryl patted Hashir’s shoulder lightly and said with a relaxed expression.

“Now that you’ve come this far, follow me a little longer. It won’t be too late to go back then.”

“…”

At his appearance, Beykan and Kinu Mukari exchanged glances and chuckled, as if they had expected it.

The reason they followed Caryl.

Whether they were foreigners or barbarians, or regardless of race, it was his attitude of treating them simply as people that mattered most.

“Beykan, you guys go to the secret place that Kaila Chang mentioned. They know the geography here better, so join them, and let me know if the Knights’ movements are detected.”

“Understood.”

“I will remain here.”

Unlike the others who were preparing to descend, Hashir covered his face again with his hood and said to Caryl.

“As you wish. But it will be difficult to find your way down later.”

“That woman left people behind when she went down. I’ve already grasped the terrain.”

At his words, Caryl raised the corners of his lips and nodded.

Even in the midst of confusion, Hashir had taken out some of his troops to keep Kaila Chang in check.

“You’re thorough. As expected of the Weasel Foxes. Good. I’ll leave the guide to you later.”

“…”

[Good. Finally, it’s our turn.]

Alrn Xavius stretched as if he had been waiting for this moment.

[It’s simple. Do you see the core in the sentinel’s chest?]

‘Yeah. That’s it.’

The purple light emanating from the giant sentinel standing in front of the spring.

That was the essence of Alrn Xavius, who was called the Archmage.

[If you extract that and absorb it into your magic circuit, some of your blocked meridians will open. It’s not as good as the dragon’s method, but the effect is certain.]

‘Are you sure?’

[You’re the only one who doesn’t trust the words of the Council of Seven Elders and argues.]

Alrn said to Caryl with a face that looked like he wanted to punch him.

[It’s something I created with great care. Honestly, it’s a waste to destroy it like this… but what can I do? You’re more important than that thing right now.]

‘You’re good at saying embarrassing things. You could be an actor.’

[Shut up, you.]

Uuuuu…

As if frightened by Caryl’s gaze, the sentinel emitted a low mechanical sound.

“Then…”

Caryl slowly gathered his magic and said in a low voice.

“I’ll enjoy this.”