The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 174: Entering the Capital

Three signal arrows had pierced the sky.

The tens of thousands of subsequent arrows that adorned the night sky seemed to form a solemn wall of fire, and everyone in the imperial capital witnessed the spectacle.

“What on earth is that?”

“Quite the sight.”

“The spirit of the prince is ascending to the heavens.”

“May he rest in peace....”

Most people couldn’t fathom the meaning behind the display, but they assumed it was merely a ceremonial act to honor Kromen’s funeral. People in the streets looked up at the flaming arrows, kneeling in reverence and praying in various places.

However, those at the imperial palace were different.

“Did you all see that?”

The one who spoke first was the chancellor, Bryn Ennik.

In stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere outside the castle in spite of the late hour, the hall had been plunged into a chilling silence

Everyone seemed deeply worried, with sleep being the last thought on anyone’s mind.

“What’s the meaning of this? Even if it’s from a distance, having thousands of flaming arrows shot right outside the capital? Where has the empire’s dignity gone? What were the defense forces doing?”

Upon the chancellor’s remark, court sorcerer Kadin Luer cast a reproachful look at the captain of the empire’s Seven Knights, Belin Vallention.

As the leader of the Golden Knights and commander of the imperial guard, Belin let out a low sigh.

“The northern mountains are impassable during winter. Even if they shot arrows from there, they wouldn’t reach the imperial city.”

“But how could so many people infiltrate a restricted area without us noticing?”

“...You are aware of the turmoil within the palace, Chancellor. We must have missed it.”

Bryn clicked his tongue, recalling that Kaishin, the appointed commander of the Imperial Defense, was absent from the meeting.

The Golden, Red, and Black Knights—the three knight orders were responsible for guarding the capital.

The Golden Knights, serving as the imperial guard, were tasked with defending the capital against invasion, while the Black Knights functioned as a special task force to ensure the city’s safety.

“What if that many attackers had stormed the palace?”

“That never would have happened. Besides, who would dare launch an attack under the current circumstances?”

Belin Vallention frowned at Kadin Luer’s words, and it looked like his pride had bruised.

The various lords had already gathered at the palace to attend Kromen’s funeral. Ironically, the palace felt safer than ever, with the largest number of knights assembled.

“Besides... If you knew so well, what was the court sorcerer division doing? They, too, are responsible for the capital’s defense.”

They were busy shifting the blame onto each other. It was only natural, as three of the empire’s four dukes had already chosen a prince to support, leaving only Duke Neil Blanc, who had yet to show his face in the political arena.

The chancellor had been openly supporting the First Prince from the beginning, but the other two were different.

While professing neutrality, the vice captain of the Golden Knights, Azif, supported Luon, clearly influenced by Belin Vallention.

As for Kadin Luer, although he also claimed neutrality, rumors suggested he was secretly preparing the academy sorcerers for Olivurn. Nobles saw Tyren, the second son of Kuwell MacGovern and supporter of the Second Prince, becoming his disciple as clear evidence of that.

Knights and sorcerers were naturally opposed to each other, so it was no surprise that their stances were starkly different.

“This is not the issue at hand right now.”

Chancellor Bryn Ennik, who had been watching quietly, let out a soft sigh.

“Of all days, it had to be today, when all the ministers are gathered... There hasn’t been a day with this many nobles present since the emperor’s coronation.”

“It’s only natural. After all, it’s the funeral of the Third Prince...”

Belin Vallention shook his head, as he couldn’t bring himself to say the word “funeral.”

“It’s not about why they gathered. The problem is that so many people saw it.”

Bryn Ennik shook his head.

“The meaning of the three arrows.”

At his words, the other two fell silent.

“How many nobles in the palace do you think are unaware of that meaning?”

Three flames—the first arrow shot straight into the sky, the second diagonally, and the last arcing upward. Originally, it signaled the emperor’s death, but everyone knew whom those flames were really for.

Who could it be? Who would dare commit such an audacious act...?

The cannonball division, created by Kaye Aesir 250 years ago, was said to have such power that its flames could be seen across the continent. Although not comparable to that, the tens of thousands of flaming arrows were enough to captivate the eyes of the citizens and nobles within the capital.

[Third Prince Kromen, Assassinated.]

Kromen’s death would now be recast and spread throughout the palace.

“Do you really believe that, Chancellor? It’s nonsense. The perpetrators are clearly aiming to spread chaos in an already tumultuous situation!”

“Is that so?” Bryn Ennik smirked at Kadin Luer’s outburst.

You are the most suspicious one.

There were many suspicious aspects to Kromen’s death, but most cast the blame on the southern barbarians. The most prevalent theory was that the barbarians had poisoned him when he had visited Digon.

Having lost his only real brother, Olivurn Shutean claimed he would no longer seek peace and would lead the charge in subjugating the barbarians.

The southern subjugation was initially led by the First Prince.

However, with Luon’s failure and return, the next opportunity would likely go to Olivurn. Yet, with the Ryeo Knights annihilated, Olivurn’s supporters wouldn’t be able to mobilize enough troops.

At the moment, Luon was the only prince with troops at his disposal, so Olivurn had no choice but to rely on him. Conversely, Luon could only redeem himself after his defeat at the Twin Tower and regain his power by cooperating with Olivurn and carrying out the southern expedition together.

It was a critical moment.

The death of Prince Kromen should have been quietly brushed aside. Both sides needed time to prepare for what was next.

The chancellor, who was part of the First Prince’s faction, frowned.

An absurd situation had just occurred, breaking the tacit truce between Luon and Olivurn’s factions that had gathered for the funeral.

“Whoever the culprit is... They will pay dearly.”

Boom!!

It was at that moment that the hall’s doors were flung open with great force.

“A-Apologies!”

The three people turned sharply to the soldier who had just entered.

“Speak,” the chancellor demanded curtly.

There was no need for explanations; the soldier barging in like that, despite knowing that the major vassals of the empire were gathered here, meant it was an urgent or at least very important matter, worth risking one’s life for. Otherwise, the soldier would be beheaded on the spot.

“Right now, forty thousand troops are gathering at the palace!”

“...What?”

“What are you talking about?! Where did all those troops come from—?”

“The knights must have been dispatched to check the northern mountains. Where are they?”

“Well...” The soldier hesitated, momentarily flustered by the outburst of the three people. However, he wasn’t afraid of them. Rather, he was lost for words because he wasn’t sure how to report the situation.

“The Black Knights who went out to scout are heading toward the palace with them.”

“Unbelievable...”

“Whose troops are you talking about? There’s no kingdom that can lead such a force right now!”

At Belin’s outcry, the soldier bowed his head and replied in a quavering voice, “Th-They’re all... imperial soldiers.”

***

The Sun Hall, the place where the lights never went out, was rarely so crowded at night. Though many eyes were present, they only exchanged glances, weighed down by suspicion and questions brought on by the sudden intruder.

Thump, thump, thump...

There are three hundred meters between the main entrance and the throne where the emperor sits. Archers are stationed at fifty-meter intervals on the ceiling.

With the first step, Karyl adjusted the mask he was wearing and looked ahead.

There are mana traps set at one hundred-meter intervals, activated by a mechanism near the throne.

Taking another step, Karyl stopped right in the center of the golden carpet.

No one is allowed to get any closer without permission.

He then raised his head slowly. He was 150 meters away from the emperor. The rules of the Sun Hall had been passed down since the old empire. People referred to this 150-meter distance as the Absolute Gap, the emperor’s inviolable domain.

Although a Sword Master could breach that gap in the blink of an eye, it had never been done in the history of the continent, and Emperor Shutean was confident it would stay that way.

“...”

Karyl smiled faintly, sensing the sharp intent even from this distance. They were there, standing beside the emperor—the continent’s greatest swordsman, Kuwell MacGovern, and the commander of the imperial knights, Belin Vallention.

For Karyl, who wasn’t yet a master swordsman, killing the emperor with a single strike would be impossible due to these formidable men. And they weren’t the only ones. There was also Jarvant, the leader of the Red Knights, and Sir Cam Gray of the Ryeo Knights.

Five knight captains had gathered in one place.

Cam Gray... He must have suffered quite a bit after the destruction of his order. His pale skin looks even more ghostly, Karyl thought to himself as he observed the knight in pale green armor, his eyes sunken and his complexion ashen.

Even with the most renowned warriors of the empire watching him, he seemed unimpressed.

I didn’t think they’d let me enter like this... I figured they’d capture me at the main entrance. Titan Shutean... You’re as cunning as ever, you snake.

The emperor had to have anticipated this; Karyl was the only one who could mobilize such forces to fire those arrows, and he was one of the few who understood the meaning of the arrows he shot.

It’s a bit disappointing. I thought this meticulous performance would at least yield some confusion. I was eager to see his panicked face. On a continent riddled with countless wars and schemes, perhaps an assassination plot wasn’t that surprising. However, the weight of the word would differ based on where it was spoken.

The death of a boy not even ten years old was bound to have severe repercussions. The emperor recognized that Kromen’s symptoms were similar to his own from when he was sick; Luon had found an excuse to return to the palace; and Olivurn had a new pretext for the southern conquest.

Indeed... Was there anyone here who genuinely mourned him?

“...”

Karyl slowly looked around. Ironically, the numerous ministers and nobles, including the emperor, looked so familiar that he felt natural being here. Among them, the one he had missed the most was staring right back at him.

Olivurn Shutean.

“Hah...”

Karyl took a deep breath, letting the nostalgia course through him for a moment.

It’s been a long time. This air, this atmosphere...

The stench of twisted ambition still permeated the Sun Hall.