The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 116: Reunion

It was fifteen days ago.

"Is this the eternal leaf left by the dragon?"

Emperor Titan Shutean looked at the bottle containing Razorthorn that Yurin had presented. Although he was always composed, his lips quivered slightly upon laying eyes on the bottle, clearly indicating that his life depended on it.

"Karyl."

When his name was called, Karyl stepped forward and addressed the emperor.

"It's called Razorthorn. It contains the power of fire."

He then took out an old book, similar to those occasionally found in ruins.

"Though it doesn't offer eternal life, the manuscript suggests that if this fire-infused leaf is brewed using a special method and then turned into a pill, it will enhance one's vitality and cleanse their blood, serving as a tonic."

As he spoke, Karyl opened a fake ancient-looking book he had bought in the black market.

"This will strengthen Your Majesty’s body and burn away all the toxins, which will guarantee your well-being for many years."

"Hmm..."

Titan Shutean looked at Yurin as if seeking confirmation.

"The ancient text has been verified, and we did see the leaf in the lair. However... it would be wise to test its true efficacy if possible,” Yurin said cautiously while glancing at Karyl.

Observing him, Karyl thought, This man hasn't felt enough fear yet. Well... he hasn't seen my true power yet. But that will change soon enough.

Perhaps sensing the intent in his gaze, Yurin Huygar coughed and averted his gaze.

"There is only one leaf. While Lord Yurin's point is valid, sometimes a risk must be taken in order to gain something."

"How do you plan to make it?"

"I will do it myself," Karyl immediately responded to the emperor.

"It might be better to leave it to the palace healers. They deal with alchemy on a daily basis and create all sorts of concoctions."

"The method to make this is unique. The healers wouldn't understand the arcane terminologies involved."

"Hmm... And you can do it?”

The emperor cast Karyl a skeptical look, and Karyl smiled back at him and said, "Your Majesty, Tatur has something that neither the empire, the principality, nor the Three Kingdoms have."

"And what is that?"

"It’s the mixed races. The ancient language in the text isn't something the priests can decipher; it’s Elvish. As you know, elves were once a race blessed by the gods."

Of course, that was a lie. The ancient text Karyl had brought was a forgery created in the black market, mixing Dwarf and Gnome languages.

"Hmm... I thought elves were extinct. Are there still living elves out there?" The emperor's eyes sparkled.

"Not exactly. There was someone among the gnomes in the black market who knew Elvish. They’re a curious race."

"Gnomes... those little guys that prefer living deep in burrows."

The emperor nodded with a look of disappointment. It seemed the small and unappealing gnomes did not interest him much. However, he had never seen an elf, not even in his previous life. They were known to be extinct, only to be found in books.

"If it's not available even on the black market, then you can be certain it simply doesn’t exist anywhere on the continent,” Karyl said nonchalantly. This was his way of saying that he was the only one who could perform this task.

"That's quite an arrogant remark."

"I wouldn’t have said it if I weren’t sure."

"Haha... Really?"

Ironically, the emperor seemed quite pleased with Karyl’s attitude.

Karyl had never personally served Emperor Titan Shutean, but he was confident he knew more about the emperor than anyone else here, perhaps even more than the emperor’s sons.

“Father was a greedy man who always chased after power. That desire changed him at some point, even turning him against his own children... Sometimes, Karyl, you remind me of my father.”

Karyl recalled what Olivurn had once said to him.

Sometimes, when drinking, Olivurn would talk about the emperor, from how he had killed his own mother to the minor confessions about why Olivurn himself had killed the third prince. He would often say, “Father favored neither me nor Luon, but Kromen, the third prince.”

Karyl used to think that Olivurn would just say those things out of habit, but now, he found it odd.

To kill his own brother in the exact same manner the Emperor died. What exactly are you, Olivurn...?

Whether it had been a perfect assassination method or just the reflection of a son’s jealousy toward a sibling as twisted as the emperor was unclear.

Sometimes, when Karyl realized something new regarding his past life, he was startled. His deepening doubts about Narh Di Maug and Olivurn, who had shared his last moments in his past life, had only grown following his return.

Karyl slowly lifted his head.

"However, I would need a place with stable equipment for the production."

"And where would that be?"

Finally, Karyl voiced the ultimate goal of his long-planned scheme.

"The imperial palace."

***

Kuwell MacGovern was unsure whether the young man in front of him was truly his adopted son, Karyl. Or perhaps he knew deep down but wanted to deny it.

Since Karyl was masked, his face was unrecognizable, and the only confirmation was the token Karyl had given him.

"You’re among the few who know about my health. I’m discussing this with you because I know you would never divulge a secret."

"I apologize."

"This matter is known only to you and Lord Yurin, aside from the four dukes within the empire."

Karyl pondered the emperor's words.

As expected... It wasn’t just a noble title then. He’s been a noble all along. Just like the Wooden Cloud, the Church has been infiltrated by the emperor’s allies... Maybe the Three Kingdoms are under his influence too? The real battlefield is indeed the Church.

Whether the emperor knew what Karyl was thinking, he continued speaking.

"This child has accomplished a great deed. He obtained the Flame Herb from the dragon’s lair and brought it to me, something the empire’s expeditions have failed to do over the years.”

"...?!" Kuwell looked at Karyl, baffled.

"Thanks to that, my health has improved significantly. I can now handle state affairs without difficulty."

The emperor’s words were shocking.

It had been years since the emperor had put his chancellor and the dukes in charge of state affairs, believing his time to withdraw to the Church was near. Following that, each minister had sided with the prince they supported, assuming their prince would soon inherit the throne.

Kuwell had been no different.

But now...

His Majesty is resuming control of state affairs...

As his subject, he didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

"Kuwell MacGovern."

"Yes... Your Majesty."

"I called you here for one reason. Soon, I will convene all the ministers. I want you to be by my side then."

Kuwell was surprised by this request. Clearly, the Golden Knights, led by Belin Vallention, who was the head of the Imperial Seven Knights, were the emperor's personal guards

Belin is one of the four dukes leading the empire. For me to take his place...

A veteran of many battles, Kuwell quickly grasped what the emperor wanted.

Is he setting me against Belin?

The emperor undoubtedly knew he was part of Olivurn's faction. Yet, his decision to place Kuwell next to the throne instead of Belin highlighted his preference.

...That could also drive a wedge between him and Olivurn.

"..."

Kuwell looked at Karyl, who was just standing there.

Is this your doing, Karyl?

Kuwell had a million questions he wanted to ask. The situation was too sudden to comprehend and accept everything.

What have you been up to...?

The child who had fled from his mansion as if to escape to something else now stood boldly by the emperor’s side.

Crack—

Kuwell clenched his fist and said, "I will obey the command, Your Majesty.”

"Very well. You may leave now. I need to rest a bit."

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively and lay back down.

Thud—

The door of the bedchamber closed, and the emperor asked in a low voice, "Is this acceptable? I must admit, your proposal was surprisingly bold. Using the empire's workshop under the guise of making medicine, only to casually walk into the palace with such a request."

Karyl had handed over the antidote made from Razorthorn to the emperor and suggested one thing—placing Kuwell in Belin's position.

At first, the emperor seemed unable to understand his words. The Imperial Guard alone was entrusted with protecting the emperor's throne. Though Kuwell's Blue Knights were strong, they were border guards, not the Imperial Guard.

"When you came to the Church, Your Majesty, I knew. Even Belin, who maintains neutrality, has made up his mind, probably for Prince Luon."

"Hmm..." Emperor Titan Shutean nodded slowly.

When he had come to the Church for recuperation, there had been no high-ranking guards for his personal guard. Even for such a confidential matter as the movement of the emperor, Belin’s absence alone was telling enough of his choice.

"For Your Majesty to regain control, it’s crucial to balance the power between the two princes. With the disappearance of the Blue Knights, Prince Olivurn's influence is undoubtedly weaker than Prince Luon's."

"So you're saying to replace Belin with Kuwell, thereby strengthening Olivurn's position in order to keep Luon in check," the emperor said with a bitter smile. "Things have become quite amusing."

"I apologize," Karyl responded.

The emperor who had once commanded the empire now had to tread carefully, seeking opportunities to regain his influence amidst his children.

But that’s not the only reason. Father needs to be by the emperor’s side... Because that's what will save him.

Karyl glanced toward the door through which Kuwell had just left. He then bowed his head slowly to the emperor as a sign of farewell.

That should be enough for the empire. Hopefully, I can avoid the princes until I return. The rest is up to the emperor.

Despite having lost real power due to his illness, Titan Shutean was still Titan Shutean. His sons, not even twenty yet, were hardly a match for him.

***

"Is it really you... Karyl?"

As Karyl emerged from the emperor's chambers, a voice greeted him as though he had been waiting for him.

"..."

Karyl knew who it was without even looking.

Despite being another father-son reunion, the atmosphere was entirely different from when Kuwell had met Tiren.

"You're covering your face," Kuwell asked in a low voice.

“You know the reason better than anyone, Father.”

“...Is it really true?” he asked once more. “Fine. I won’t ask how it happened. But I need to know what you intend to do.”

A chilling sense of menace filled the air—the majesty of a Sword Master.

Even now, defeating Father would be impossible.

Now that he had broken through the wall of the 5th Class, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that Karyl had also reached the level of a Sword Master. Regardless, he instinctively understood there still was a clear gap between him and Kuwell MacGovern.

Gaining mana makes me realize just how incredible Father’s level is...

And yet, he wasn’t afraid. After all, he had surpassed Kuwell MacGovern’s swordsmanship level at eighteen, relying solely on his blade and not using magic. Now, at just thirteen, he had already caught up with him in regards to that.

One more year...

Time was on his side. He was confident he would surpass Kuwell MacGovern’s level before being granted his prophecy.

“His Majesty has said everything. By chance, I observed the emperor’s condition at the Church... and learned of a way to treat him in the Tatur black market. However, the matter had to be carried in utmost secrecy, and His Majesty couldn’t rely on the empire’s resources for that.”

"..."

"So, they hired me. Worst case scenario, it would’ve been a third party who had failed. No damage to the empire or His Majesty.”

"Why you?"

Karyl slightly curled his lips, hidden by his mask.

"Because I own Tatur."

"!!!"

Kuwell's eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t help but be astonished, almost to the point of disbelief.

“...You’ve surprised me more than once. Even among nobles, many die without ever entering politics, yet you...”

Kuwell almost said, you’ve made it this far despite being an immigrant, but stopped himself.

What was Tatur, after all? It was a land that the continent’s three great powers couldn’t touch. And this young man had accomplished what the empire hadn’t been able to in such a short time.

One year back, Karyl had been just a boy who had one day left the mansion by himself.

"..."

It was unimaginable. Kuwell could barely process this. He was stunned by just how much his foster son, whom he had always seen as just a regular child, had grown.

But it wasn't over yet.

I had to reveal my identity to position Father by the emperor, but given his nature, he will surely become an obstacle to my plans in the future.

Karyl needed to divert his father’s attention. He had to relentlessly press Kuwell. That was why he played his final card next, perhaps the biggest reason he had come to the empire.

"Randol...”

At the mention of that name, Kuwell gulped.

"...He's alive," Karyl revealed in a low voice.