The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 99

84. The Deal (2)

“You villain! How dare you!”

“Who do you think you are to wag your tongue like that?!”

The knights shouted at Carryl.

However, the Emperor himself looked at him with an indifferent expression and chuckled lightly.

Who was standing before him but Tylan Schtean?

He was an Emperor who had experienced all sorts of hardships to ascend to the throne over the years. Surviving the blizzards of the North and the scorching sun of the South was not the only challenge.

“Your jest is excessive.”

He had risen to the top amidst fierce and brutal power struggles, more intense than the cold and heat, so he could not be shaken by such a provocation.

But the same was true for Carryl.

Although.

He had not experienced life in the Imperial Palace, he had lived on the battlefields where he faced life and death.

Moreover, he was a man who had sharpened his sword while enduring the betrayal of a trusted friend, so he was not an easy opponent.

“It simply means it’s that dangerous.”

“If the Empire cannot do it, no one else can.”

“Except for one person.”

“Who is that?”

“Isn’t he standing before Your Majesty?”

The knights’ spirit as they drew their swords was overshadowed by the precariousness of the conversation between the two, as if they were walking on thin ice.

“…….”

He didn’t need to look to know.

Joy Johannsel was surely wearing a troubled expression as he looked at Carryl’s behavior.

He had brought this man himself, and now he was committing such rudeness; it was possible that his own head might be on the line.

“Kuh… Kukuk.”

But surprisingly, it was the Emperor who broke the silence. He let out a low laugh at Carryl’s words.

“Looking at you, I’m strangely reminded of the Second Prince. Though there’s absolutely no resemblance.”

“…….”

“Tell me. What do you know?”

“Does Your Majesty know about the Tatur Black Market?”

“Of course. It’s shameful, but there are some Imperial nobles who occasionally use it. Rumor has it that there are even items there that aren’t in the Imperial Palace’s records.”

“All that glitters is in the Imperial Palace, but all that does not glitter can be found in the Black Market.”

“Hearing you say that makes me curious.”

“If the opportunity arises, I will escort you there anytime, if you don’t mind a bit of stench and bloodshed.”

“One cannot ascend to the throne without those two.”

Joy Johannsel looked at his patron, Yurin Hyugaard, without realizing it, as he listened to their conversation.

But he was just as surprised.

The Emperor, over seventy years old, and Carryl, barely thirteen, were meeting for the first time in both their past and present lives.

Joy and Yurin had no way of knowing that Carryl was a time regressor, but even aside from that fact, the way the two seemed to get along so well, as if they had known each other for a long time, was unbelievable.

Of course.

They wouldn’t know that countless spears and shields had been exchanged in this short conversation.

“There are many things in the Black Market. Sometimes, even relics that should be sent to the Royal Family.”

“Hoh.”

“I do not intend to point out the laziness of the nobles and knights. However, thanks to their disloyalty, we can explore relics and obtain artifacts, and thus, we can give you what you desire without wasting Your Majesty’s time.”

“Disloyalty is loyalty, an interesting statement.”

“Didn’t Lord Joy explore the ruins with the scions [descendants] of the Three Kingdoms this time? And he obtained the ancient texts of the Magic Machine Soldiers there.”

“How did you know that…….”

Joy Johannsel wore a bewildered expression at Carryl’s words. In fact, he hadn’t known the contents or even the authenticity of the ancient text until he mentioned it.

“The core of a golem is a type of magic stone. It’s different from the attribute stones that can be obtained from magic mines. Minerals with intense magic condensed within them were difficult to obtain even in the Magic Era.”

“So?”

“The Council of Seven Elders, who led the prosperity of the Magic Era, known as the primordial mages, researched those magic stones. They wondered if the power to move a giant golem could be used elsewhere, and as a result.”

Carryl spoke his name after a long time.

“Aln Zavius discovered something interesting: the extension of life through intense magic.”

“…….”

The Emperor, who had been adding interjections and showing a relaxed demeanor, closed his lips at his words.

“Are you saying you know about that?”

“I cannot be certain as I have not experienced it myself, but I at least know information related to it.”

Carryl gave neither certainty nor doubt.

The choice was entirely up to the Emperor.

Because the decision he would make was obvious.

“I cautiously predict that Lord Joy’s exploration of the ruins this time may also be part of that… Since the exploration of the ruins is officially the duty of the Order, there is no reason to be suspicious.”

Carryl pieced together the future history he knew and Aln Zavius’s past knowledge as if fitting a puzzle, speaking as if it were his own speculation.

“However… We must have found the ruins with the artifact that Your Majesty desires first.”

Of course.

It’s a lie.

If such a thing existed in the Magic Era, the Council of Seven Elders would have lived forever, and magic would not have regressed compared to that time.

Even if he searched Aln Zavius’s memory vault, there were no artifacts or ruins with such effects.

Nevertheless, the reason Carryl could confidently throw bait at him like this.

It’s a lie, but it’s not a lie.

‘There is no artifact of eternal life, but I can extend the Emperor’s life because I know the detoxification method of the Twilight Poison.’

In this era, they wouldn’t even know the identity of the poison, let alone the detoxification method.

It was only after Oliban ascended to the throne that he obtained its usage while absorbing the northern barbarians.

There are healers and priests in the Imperial Palace, so just detoxifying the poison would restore his health.

Tylan Schtean’s lifespan will surely be extended.

“Tell me what you want.”

The Emperor asked again.

Carryl thought the time had finally come.

“What does Your Majesty think of the Three Kingdoms?”

“What do you mean?”

“I do not wish for the Three Kingdoms to perish. I have expressed this intention to Lord Joy over there as well.”

At Carryl’s words, Joy Johannsel placed his hand on his left chest and bowed to the Emperor.

“Hmm.”

“The Empire is currently advancing into the North through the Edict of Heresy Extermination. But it does not mean that there is no will to conquer the Three Kingdoms.”

The Emperor looked at Carryl with interest.

“On the other hand, you have no intention of forming an alliance, do you?”

“So?”

To the Empire, the Istria Three Kingdoms were like a double-edged sword. It wasn’t impossible to crush them with force, but in the process, they could be threatened by the Duchy.

But forming an alliance would not align with the Empire’s greed.

That’s how the balance of power among the three strongest powers on the continent had continued for nearly a hundred years.

No one could easily attack, and no one could easily extend a hand in alliance.

“I will take the Three Kingdoms.”

“What did you say……?”

“Please protect Tatur and the Three Kingdoms from the Duchy in the meantime. Also, prevent the Empire from attacking the Three Kingdoms.”

Instantly.

Silence filled the hall.

The Emperor doubted his ears because it was such an absurd statement.

“Kuh… Hahaha!!!”

Then, as soon as Carryl finished speaking, he began to laugh like crazy.

His voice echoed loudly throughout the hall.

“That’s the funniest story I’ve heard in recent times. Very well. How you get the Three Kingdoms into your hands is up to you, but you’re not a very good negotiator as a merchant. Cough, cough.”

The Emperor gestured.

Then, a servant behind him handed him a handkerchief embroidered with embroidery.

When he wiped his mouth, red clots of blood were on it.

‘The poison’s transfer is severe. I need to hurry to heal him.’

Carryl thought as he looked at him.

“The Empire has no reason to strike the Three Kingdoms. The Duchy cannot move easily either, for the same reason as the Empire.”

The Emperor said to Carryl, seemingly pleased even after spitting out the blood clots.

It was as if he were treating his grandson.

“…….”

But that pleasure was only temporary.

Carryl said in a low voice.

“The Lyeo Knight Order has been annihilated by the southern barbarians. It may be Your Majesty’s order or the princes’ recklessness, but soon, the news will reach the Imperial Palace.”

“……!!!”

Tylan Schtean’s eyes widened.

From his expression, Carryl could tell that the news had not yet been revealed, as he had expected.

“……What? Is that true?”

“Due to its geographical characteristics, Tatur can quickly obtain news from the South…….”

It was a gamble.

What he had been contemplating so far was whether to reveal his hidden card himself.

If he had not been able to have a private audience with the Emperor, he would have chosen to hide this fact and take the Three Kingdoms.

But if he could make a deal directly with the Emperor, Carryl was going to reveal this fact.

‘By doing so, the weakness I have will disappear, and I will be able to receive the Emperor’s protection instead.’

To the Emperor, knights were certainly valuable resources, but they were definitely lighter than his own life.

“When the report comes, the Empire will surely strike the South. However, the Three Kingdoms, located on the path of the moving army, will find it difficult to open their gates easily.”

“Are you saying that the army for the Southern subjugation and the Three Kingdoms may clash?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…….”

For the first time in his conversation with Carryl, the Emperor let out a sigh filled with worry.

If he were to find out that he was the one who annihilated the Knight Order, what kind of expression would he make?

Carryl smiled bitterly, wondering if he was so talented in acting himself.

“I grant it.”

“Your… Your Majesty.”

The knights looked on with surprised faces at the Emperor’s words.

“But if you fail to fulfill your promise to me, the Empire will leave the South and deal with the Three Kingdoms, no, Tatur first.”

“Your words are wise.”

“To think there would be someone like you. Is your age really thirteen? You must have several snakes living in your chest. You’re more than a cunning old fox.”

The Emperor said to him with a pleased expression at Carryl’s answer.

Was it because he thought of Carryl as the same kind as himself?

His appearance seemed to be enjoying the deal with Carryl as if it were his last amusement.

“If that’s the case…….”

It’s not over yet.

The Emperor may have finished his business with Carryl, but Carryl had not.

Even though having an audience with the Emperor itself was a huge event, he had another purpose for coming here.

That is.

Wooden Cloud.

Carryl slowly turned his head and scanned the hall.

The only people in here were Joy Johannsel and Yurin Hyugaard, as well as the Emperor’s escort knights and servants.

“Could you give me that man’s life?”

Carryl pointed to one man.

“……!!!”

The servant standing behind him looked at Carryl in surprise. The Emperor said with a face that he didn’t need to ask the reason.

“It’s not a difficult task.”

“Hiek?!”

It was then.

As the Emperor’s hand slowly fell from top to bottom, the knight standing next to the man cut his waist without hesitation.

Chwaaaak……!!

Looking at the blood splattered on the bed, the Emperor laughed softly.

“Let’s use this as a substitute for a written oath.”

* * *

It was like feeling like he had woken up from a dream.

Carryl returned to his room and thought, recalling the Emperor’s appearance.

‘The die has been cast. When it was confirmed that Joy Johannsel was the Emperor’s close aide, the most suspicious person would be the servant.’

The Emperor’s personal knights were not only skilled but also could not join unless their identity was confirmed, and they were selected directly by the Emperor.

‘Even if…….’

It doesn’t matter if it’s not.

Even if there were Wooden Clouds [spies] among the personal knights, there would definitely be a reaction to the scene just now.

Whether it was from the deal with the Emperor or from the appearance of the dead servant, they would imply that they knew of their existence.

Ttok- Ttok- Ttok-

Late at night.

At the sound of the low knocking, Carryl raised the corners of his mouth with an expression that he had expected.

“This is…….”

However, when he opened the door, he couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected guest who had come to find him.

“Amazing. I didn’t expect it either… There are really many people with extraordinary minds on the continent.”

“…….”

A small boy standing in front of the door.