The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 23: The Destination of the Two

The continent’s current structure could be broadly divided into four parts.

There was, Land of the Barbarians in the North, a vast area where numerous tribes lived together. However, these tribes were not united, and were instead divided into various small factions. As a result, they lacked any significant power.

Excluding the North, the true forces divided this vast continent into three.

The East was home to the empire, which was unquestionably the strongest force on the continent.

In the West existed the Lurein Principality. Once the rulers of the entire continent, but due to the efforts of the empire and Kaye Aesir, now they were only a shell of their former glory. They strived to reclaim their former status.

And then there was the South, which comprised Istan, Tevanel, and Fenria, three small kingdoms nestled between the empire and the principality. They were collectively known as the Three Kingdoms of Istria.

Despite the empire's strength, a tense standoff persists among the forces of the east, west, and south, thanks to the checks and balances enforced by the Lurein Principality and the Three Kingdoms of Istria.

Amidst such a tense atmosphere, news arrived.

“A spy from Lurein Principality has been active within the empire, particularly in the territory of Kuwell MacGovern, known as the empire's sword.”

This incident was grave enough to turn the imperial palace upside down.

"What do you think?" The tone was high-pitched, yet carried considerable weight.

In the imperial court, a man twirled his curly, lush blond hair, standing amidst a carefully tended garden within the depths of the palace.

It was the First Prince, Luon Shutean.

"It seems too early to draw any conclusions."

"Hmm..."

An elderly man with sparse white hair stood before him. He was none other than the Chancellor of the Empire, Bryn Ennik.

His wrinkles told of the years he'd lived, and his unfathomable eyes spoke volumes of his exceptional insight within the empire.

Or perhaps, they indicated that he was a person whose thoughts were utterly impenetrable.

"However..." Bryn continued calmly.

"Hmm?"

"Since the spy is dead, delving deeper into the matter is impossible. Nevertheless, those who neglected their duties in managing him must be held accountable."

Luon nodded in agreement with Bryn's words.

Among the Four Grand Feudal Lords, the Dukes existing within the empire, Bryn Ennik was one of the four dukes who had held his position the longest.

Such an influential figure firmly backed the First Prince, Luon. This fact alone solidified his standing from birth and assured him of his future, a fact that Luon never doubted.

"The one who caught the spy is said to be a child."

"Yes, indeed. He is the newly adopted son of Sir Kuwell, merely twelve years old."

"Truly remarkable. The count possesses such exceptional judgment. I heard he has six other children. It's a pity that the count harbors different intentions."

"Do not worry," Bryn Ennik said in a subdued tone. "Not every child is bound to follow in their father's footsteps."

"Like us?" A self-mocking laugh escaped, but Bryn still smiled, understanding the underlying meaning in Luon's words.

"Even if he is exceptional, he is still just a child. If you reach out first, I believe it won't be difficult to persuade him."

"Indeed, it's worth considering."

"However, there is a strange matter."

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"What is it?"

"The sixth child of the count's household, the one who captured a Goblin Chief, is currently absent from the mansion."

"How come?"

"I'm not sure... Perhaps he is away fulfilling knightly duties. Whether there's a special training unique to warrior families, I cannot say. But by the time we sent someone to check, he had already left."

Luon furrowed his brows at Bryn Ennik's words.

"While the blame for the negligence in handling the prisoner falls on Kuwell, the feat of capturing a Goblin Chief is commendable. Had he remained, he surely would have received recognition from the palace, don’t you think?"

Why? Luon’s thoughts spiraled. Kuwell has sided with that Olivurn lad. He must have tried to offset the negligence of the management of the prisoner with the sixth child's accomplishment.

"How curious."

"Whether he likes it or not, he must carry out subjugation orders on the frontier. It will be several months at the very least before he can return to the Imperial Capital. Maybe he thinks his accomplishments are enough."

For these two who were unaware of the events unfolding at the mansion, speculation was all that they could do.

"Your Highness, in the meantime, you must solidify your position."

"I am well aware." Luon nodded.

By any means necessary, I must gather capable individuals around me.

Naturally, the four Dukes held the highest authority in the Imperial Capital.

Only the Chancellor of the Empire has explicitly revealed his intentions. Luon thought, his eyes fixed at Bryn Ennik.

The remaining Dukes were Belin Vallention—the commander of the empire's Seven Knight orders, and Kadin Luer—the court sorcerer and tutor of the Third Prince.

These two are still neutral.

Lastly there was Duke Neil Blanc, a figure widely rumored throughout the empire, yet one whose face remained unseen.

Excluding him, these three dukes essentially run the empire, thought Luon, his eyes glistening.

I must make them all mine. Before someone else does.

"Sigh..." He slowly closed his eyes, imagining the prosperous lands and majestic rivers of the empire unfurling before him.

And then it happened.

"I have come to pay my respects," a voice rudely interrupted his pleasant daydream.

Luon opened his eyes. Standing before him was a man with brown hair, a stark contrast to his own lustrous blond locks, and a face that seemed out of place among the royalty confined to the palace, given his tanned complexion.

He was the Second Prince, Olivurn Shutean.

Luon addressed Olivurn with an annoyed tone, "Respect? To me? How amusing. It seems we have never bothered with such formalities before."

The strikingly different appearances of the two men hinted at the different blood coursing through their veins.

Glancing at Olivurn, Luon let out a laugh. The serene smile spreading across his pale face was undeniably beautiful, yet the coldness in his eyes remained razor-sharp.

"It seems I'll be away from the palace for quite a while again."

"Again? You do enjoy wandering outside. A royal should always maintain dignity," said Olivurn, shaking his head. "But don't worry, the palace remains peaceful whether you're present or absent and will continue to do so."

Olivurn words served as a sharp retort towards Luon, effectively saying that his presence didn’t matter at all.

Luon waved his hand dismissively at Olivurn, ending their conversation in just a few exchanges.

"Brother, have you heard of the King of Slaves?" Despite Luon's icy demeanor, Olivurn continued in a calm tone.

"The one who's been helping slaves and barbarians escape for years? His actions have caused quite a disturbance, especially after the Heresy Extermination Decree was issued. To call such a thief a 'king' is preposterous.”

"He was captured recently," Olivurn informed.

"How? Father had to even dispatch special troops because he was so hard to catch," Luon replied, showing a flicker of interest at Olivurn's words

"Well, it was Count Harun who captured him. He was fortunate."

Luon's expression tensed at the mention of Harun. "So?"

"Nothing. I simply thought you should be informed," Olivurn wore an ambiguous expression as he nodded in response to Luon's indifferent reaction.

"Such trivial matters are not my concern. The sun is quite hot today. I shall retire indoors."

While the fate of the King of Slaves held no significance to him, there was something else that irked him. It was the mere mention of Count Harun, a knight who supported the Second Prince, alongside Kuwell MacGovern.

As Luon nodded again in place of a farewell, Olivurn left the garden.

"It seems he’s still engaging in pointless endeavors. To think he's concerned about a mere thief under these circumstances," Luon expressed his discontent.

"Indeed," the Chancellor of the Empire chimed in, a chuckle escaping his lips.

The laughter appeared dignified, but it held a clear undertone of mockery.

Kuwell and Harun... why did they choose such a lowly man over me, the rightful heir?

No matter how much he pondered, Luon could only chuckle, unable to understand. After all, he was the eldest son, the rightful heir.

Hold on. Count Harun? Then, that means... Luon licked his lips, a thought striking him like lightning.

"I must pay Father a visit."

Bryn Ennik recognized that particular expression on Luon’s face, knowing that he was about to propose plans that had never been considered before.

All of his plans were different, yet they were all equally cruel.

***

"Sigh..."

As autumn approached, the midday sun continued to scorch the land. Karyl wiped the sweat from his forehead and cast a glance behind him. He stood on the outskirts of the MacGovern territory, just a little further, and it would truly mark the beginning of a new chapter of his life.

By now, there must have been quite the uproar. Or maybe not? Perhaps my disappearance means nothing to them, he thought, unable to suppress a bitter smirk.

Little did he anticipate that his name as the sixth child of the MacGovern family would become a topic of discussion among the princes in the Imperial Capital, thousands of kilometers away from the frontier. With just one act of valor, he had left a greater impression than anyone else.

I need to focus on what I must do from now on.

First, Karyl had to find evidence about the spy from the Lurein Principality within the next six months. This requires careful consideration, as the information Baker confessed to knowing is essentially worthless.

Secondly, he had to learn high-level magic. The magic books in Einheri only cover low-grade magic of the 1st and 2nd class. While I haven't opened my channels yet, thanks to the Bracelet of Greed, I can now manipulate mana within my body.

The foundation had been laid.

However, to learn higher-class magic, one must know how to open the channels.

There were two places on the continent where one could learn magic: the Ivory Tower of Dawn and the Immortal Council's Antihum Grand Library.

The two magical societies were distinctly different. The Dawn Society, with its deep connection to the royal family, nurtured battle mages rather than ordinary magicians.

Kadin Luer, the court magician and one of the empire’s four Dukes, was also a Grand Mage from the Ivory Tower.

On the other hand, the Immortal Society is dedicated solely to the study of magic.

Its leader, the dark mage Nain Darhon, specialized in the exploration of mana and curse magic. The library boasted the largest collection of magic books on the continent, living up to its reputation.

The problem is, I can't go to either place right now.

The magic books from both institutions were only accessible to affiliated magicians.

Fortunately, there's one other where I can obtain magic books.

Karyl lifted his gaze towards the shimmering sea, its surface glinting like scattered jewels.

The lair of Narh Di Maug.

Given his non-human nature, Nahr Di Maug might offer a solution to unblocking his channels.

But this too is currently impossible. The distance was simply too great; it would take at least a year to travel there by land.

By that time, many important events will already have happened on the continent. And he needed to be at the center of it.

Besides, Narh Di Maug is likely still asleep, and the guardians protecting the lair are far beyond my current capabilities.

He recalled the resolution he had made upon leaving Einheri. It was to achieve a feat not just for the empire, but for the continent, and proudly make his name known.

This will be the stepping stone to achieve that.

The sea came into view, his attention drawn to the numerous ships anchored in the distance.

Karyl thought of the only city on the continent that was without a king. The city that had become the sole sanctuary for the surviving barbarians after the revocation of the Heresy Extermination Decree.

It was known as the Free City of Tatur.

I will claim it.

Determination gleamed in Karyl's eyes as he took a step forward, embarking on his journey.